Virginia A. Spiegel

Logo by Jeanelle McCall

The big ToteTuesday finale will be this coming Tuesday, February 23.  Mini-previews of all the totes/artwork are here. A link to the ToteTuesday full auction preview will be posted here on my blog on Monday, February 22.

Below are a few of the snazzier totes for ToteTuesday.  Of course all these totes have themed contents as well :

Altered Cloth –  Discharged Tote sponsored by Sue Kelly. Tote created by Sue Kelly from her black and white discharged fabric and stitched with metallic thread.

Judy Murrah, International Quilt Festival’s Vice-President of Education and author of many books on special garments, like Jacket Jazz, donated the tote (shown in the center of the photo) for  the Fancy Ladies tote.  From Karey Bresenhan, tote sponsor, “The tote is as lush on the back as it is on the front – an embellisher’s dream tote.”

Laura Osbun’s gorgeous tote was custom-made for the theme of Journey By Water.  Forty-fifty batiks were collaged, sewn, and embellished in a wave pattern. Note the coordinating accessories, also by Laura.

Kathleen Murphy’s fancy paisley tote sparkles with Swarovski Crystals. Appropriately enough Kathleen donated this tote for the Glitterati tote sponsored by Peggy Schroder.

Moroccan Mirage by Laura H. Osbun
6×8″ mounted to 8×10″ on 140 lb. watercolor paper 

This beautiful art quilt by Laura H. Osbun is just one of the 166 already donated to Collage Mania.  To be held May 5 – 7, Collage Mania’s goal is to raise $20,000 for the American Cancer Society in just three days.

According to Laura, 

Ever since my art history classes in college many years ago, I’ve been fascinated with Moroccan architecture and its splendid arches. It was those arches, drawing me in, that were the inspiration for my Collage Mania piece.
 
I pulled out my stash of fabrics and picked some that would work as the walls and also an assortment of colorful fabrics that would fit the theme. The fabric I used for the sky was one I painted and I was pleasantly surprised when the light areas worked so well as clouds.
 
The construction of the piece was a sort of reverse applique with the help of an adhesive fusible. The fun part was doing the free motion stitching around the arches and other parts of the buildings and also using watercolor pencils to draw shadows inside the arches to give them depth.

When I first learned about Fiberart For A Cause, I knew it was something I wanted very much to participate in as I had lost my son, Christopher, to leukemia and this would allow me to contribute in my own small way. I made this piece in his memory because the creative process of it brought me enJOYment….joy….something he filled me with during his short yet remarkable life. 

It’s not too late for YOU to participate as an artist donor.  April 1 is the deadline for jpeg submission to Karen(at)KarenStiehlOsborn.com

All proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause.