Virginia A. Spiegel

Detail

If you caught Monday’s post (Part 1), you know I am temporarily without a sewing machine.  It has been oddly freeing. These are all pieces that may become artwork, or backgrounds or be stitched and then cut up for another project. Sometimes it’s good just to have fun and enjoy the process.  

This fairly big piece (with detail above) is made from fabric from the Boundary Waters series that already had MistyFuse on the back. I am trying to work vertically (against my strong artistic preference for the horizontal) as I need to make three vertical pieces for an invitational exhibit in 2009.

I’m also experimenting with various “substrates” on which to build my bigger pieces.  I haven’t been totally happy with either interfacing or cotton batting. I’m evaluating polyester felt, plain fabric, and duck cloth.

This piece is a collage made from another artwork that I cut up.

This will probably stay as-is with a little tinkering. The background is a gorgeous piece of painted fabric with a big combed design over it that covers both the blue and green sides.  Not a train of thought I’m currently pursuing, but I still like it. 

This piece is constructed from painted and screenprinted cotton and upholstery fabric. Still thinking about it.

Two of the four ended up being vertical, so I’m becoming more use to the format.  I don’t mind taking these little detours as sometimes it sends me off on an unknown, but interesting, trajectory.  In any case, I have a nice stack of pieces to stitch when my sewing machines are back.

Imperfect

It’s so easy this time of year to focus on all the heart-stopping beauty of the trees changing colors, but I like this imperfect look of these hickory leaves.  From a distance my big hickory trees are a waterfall of gold, but up close the effects of the wear-and-tear of the summer are clearly seen. 

Haiku count since July 14: 415

Of course, there’s a new post in The Garbage Day Project.

And, lastly, I’m a Twitter-er.  If you want news as it happens, visit my Twitter (just writing it makes me laugh) page  here.

Boundary Waters 25 (Detail)

What are the chances? Both my beloved Bernina 160s went down the same week and are both in the shop for an extended stay. I guess ten-year old motherboards and hooks just tend to go. What to do?  

Well, first of all, do some hand-stitching. I love hand-stitching, coming from a long line of needleworkers.  I don’t do a lot of hand-stitching just because I have so many ideas and so little time. But with a lot of time, I finished up the three Joe Working (In An Election Year artworks.

Then I backed up for a do-over.  I usually am done when I’m done, but this is one of those pieces that just seemed to be not quite right.  

I added a bit more blue painted organza and hand-stitching with variegated brown pearl cotton to this piece:

Boundary Waters 25
See detail with stitching above.

Here is what it looked like previously:

Part of the problem, obviously, was too light of a photo also.  The photo that inspired this and Boundary Waters 26 is here.

I also started this piece which I think will be called Discarded:

It’s going to be quite big. The background is a, if I may say so myself, a gorgeous hand-painted piece of blue fabric.

The painted, stamped and otherwise surface-designed Tyvek squares are made from one and only one of the many lab coats I secured from someone who wears them once in a sterile environment and then is forced to discard them.

I bought the DISCARD stamp about four years ago and then it languished in a drawer. I must have known I would eventually need it.

I plan on stitching over the squares in an overset grid with red embroidery thread.  That’s the plan at the moment anyway.

What I’m Working On – Part 2 will be this Wednesday and will focus on just having fun in the studio sans sewing machine.

Red Door, Feng Shui II 
Carol Larson

Mark your 2009 calendar now for the Invitational Reverse Auction of Fiberart to benefit the American Cancer Society. 

The Reverse Auction will be held Tuesday, March 24 – Thursday, March 27.

As in previous years, Tuesday will be a Gold Donor Day when patrons can make a premium donation to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause and acquire their favorite artwork.  The regular Reverse Auction will be Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 with the minimum donation dropping each day.  

We have a distinguished (and amazing) lineup of artists this year who will be donating artwork for this fundraiser for the American Cancer Society:

Natalya Aikens
Gerrie Congdon 
Marjorie DeQuincy
Rayna Gillman
Carol Larson
Linda Teddlie Minton
Susie Monday 
Judy Coates Perez
Leandra Spangler
Roxane Stoner

Boundary Waters – Study (Detail)

Today (Friday, October 17) only, you may choose any one piece of art at a 25% discount.  

I’m celebrating my birthday month and today is my once-a-year thank-you to all of you for another great year.

Shipping is, as always, free for current patrons and I do accept PayPal.

Visit my website and browse through my galleries of artwork, make your choice and e-mail me at Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.com

As promised, here are two special artwork, not on my website, that are available as part of the celebration:

Boundary Waters – Study
See detail above. 

This is part of the Boundary Waters series. 
White cotton fabric, upholstery fabric, duck cloth felt, paint, thread.  
Paint, screen print, stitch.
12.25×8.25″  Framing recommended.
$140 (Birthday Celebration:$105)
SOLD - Collection of Irene M. Peake

Portage: Journey With Joy

This is part of the Portage series.
White cotton fabric, paint, graphite.
Painted, hand written. Bound with 1/4″ hand-dyed green cotton binding. 
14×11.75″
$225 (Birthday Celebration: $169 )

Portage:  Journey With Joy (Detail)