Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Commission: Guy Harvey/Fishing TShirt Quilt

I've been working my organizing business quite a few days lately.  A client I've had for awhile moved out of her boyfriend's house to her own house.  I was called on the front and the back end of that move.  I'll be returning for some more organizing later in the week.  Since I have 2 days back to back, I'm using them to sew and quilt this Guy Harvey Tshirt quilt.  Guy Harvey is a well known artist who specializes in fish and aquatic art.  

The daughter contacted me asking if I could use her deceased dad's tshirts for a quilt for her mother--for Christmas.  I have 5 commissions due by Christmas.  Oh My! 

I sent her 2 layouts and she chose the one she liked the best.  Today I'll be cutting the shirts and sewing them together.  Tomorrow will be quilting and finishing.  Delivery on Friday. 





Sunday, November 26, 2017

Beautiful Sunday


                                                      "Ordinary Miracle"

It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow
Don't need to teach a seed to grow
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?
Like everytime a raindrop falls
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don't throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
'Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle

It seems so exceptional
That things work out after all
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

(Sarah McLachlan)


Thursday, November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving Blessings

Image may contain: food

You say Turkey!  I say Shrimp!  

I am Thankful for the many, many blessings this year!
 It's been one of the best years in a very long time.  Looking forward never looked so good.
Praise to God! 

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Vintage Quilt Tops

Earlier in the month I was asked to quilt these 2 vintage tops a grandmother left in her estate.  They will be gifted this Christmas to her great grandchildren.  

I feel certain the brown floral one was stitched in the early 1980s.  The 2nd floral was probably stitched in the 1950s or early 1960s.  

Nice family gifts!




Monday, November 20, 2017

Wrap Up: Midtown Mistletoe Market

I had such a great weekend in Midtown at the Mistletoe Market.  The park was festively decorated for the holidays, shoppers were interested and I had the right selection of merchandise.  I made some very valuable connections which included meeting a gallery owner who is eager to have me visit her gallery & present artwork.  She runs an ecofriendly gallery where my reclaimed fabric pieces will be a natural fit.  One thing I learn every time I go to markets is being there brings more information to me; leads, other shows, ideas, connected people.  It's a wonderful playground!







It was great fun having my Tshirt quilt and Art Pillow featured on 3 TV stations over the weekend.  Quite a few people came to my booth looking specifically for the pillows to buy or to talk to me about sewing a quilt.  TV advertising works!

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Art Nouveau Triptych Nativity Scene








These nativity designs are machine embroidered onto linen.  I stretched them on canvases so a person could hang them or place them together in a grouping on a shelf or mantel.  Very beautiful in the Art Nouveau style! 

The embroidery measures 5 x 6 ½ inches.  
The canvas measures 8 x 10 inches.

They are all square; just the angle of the camera or the photographer's skill. 

Friday, November 17, 2017

Featured On TV

Yesterday around noon I received an email from the Houston Midtown Mistletoe Market organizer.  They purchased promotional space on 2 local TV stations and wanted to include my work in the promotions.

How cool is that?

I drove downtown and delivered one of my patchwork pillows and my tshirt quilt.  Both were featured!  The news anchor said, "Get your Astros tshirts over to Debra for your tshirt quilt!"  

Well, well.  

Tomorrow another TV station will be airing a promo in the morning.  Fine by me! 


When I arrived home I checked my postal mail.  There was a gift check from the Mission Stitchers as a thank you for the quilts I've quilted for the church events.  God is good.  He is constantly providing for me through people, opportunities and blessings.  

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Turtle Creek Fine Art Festival Booth


I had not planned to keep the blue side tarps up during the show but it was a little misty, drizzly and I didn't want any of my work to get wet.  I love the new collage work I am stitching.  I plan to stitch more but first I have to attend to differently styled embroidery for the next couple of markets. 










Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Michael Banks, Artist

I was able to find more information about the artist who gifted me one of his paintings. 
He is Michael Banks and there are some interesting articles about him on the internet.  He's a contemporary Outsider Artist represented by galleries and has pieces in the permanent collection of the Hurn Museum in Savannah, GA. 


Michael with the Dallas Show Director winning his Best of Show/Craft at the Turtle Creek Fine Art Festival this past weekend.

His act of kindness really touched my heart.  Thank you Michael! 

Monday, November 13, 2017

An Artist's Gift

When I arrived at the Turtle Creek Art Festival, there was an artist set up with his booth near the registration area.  His tent didn't have a canopy and he had all his paintings lined up along the ground & on a bar inside.  It was pretty basic; more basic than even my tent.  I asked him what he was going to do if it rained and he just shrugged it off.  Didn't seem to bother him.  I immediately loved his work. It was abstract people painted on masonite type reclaimed board; bright colors.  He had some "people" type sculptures that were made from pieces of rough wood layered with bright paint.

At the end of the festival I walked over to his booth again.  I asked him how he had done at the show and he said, "Well enough" or something vague. I asked him how his little sculptured people had done.  Had people liked his art?  I told him I had made $65.  He and his female partner were sitting across from his booth a bit of a distance away.  He said, "Go pick something out!"  I said I couldn't do that.  So he reached his hand out to me and says, "Help me up!".  He's a young tall healthy man.  He doesn't need help.  He just held my hand & lead me to the back of his booth, picked up one of his paintings, signed it, said, "I love you!" and gave me a fist bump.  What a marvelous way to connect with me.  So gracious.  I am thrilled to have his painting and I don't even know his name.


Thursday, November 9, 2017

Mini Art Show: Modern Boro Stitched Collages

I worked very hard yesterday to get all the pieces stretched and the backings attached. I have a few more frames waiting for a collage. I might be able to finish them today. Tomorrow will be packing & leaving for Dallas.

I'm very pleased with the collages. I wish the pictures were better but I'm no professional photographer. Maybe I can find some time at the show to photograph them in natural light. Or, maybe the person in the booth next to mine will be a professional!



8 x 20 inches each




16 x 20 inches






11 x 14 inches


11 x 14 inches



11 x 14 inches

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Modern Boro Stitched Art Pieces


These are turning out just splendid!  So pleased!
I have these stapled and ready for their backs and hangers.










Countdown to Turtle Creek Art Festival!