The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers...

I have an awfully big box of fabrics for someone who doesn't sew very much anymore. I sometimes do use a little in my collage work but mostly I just think they are pretty and every time I see a new a fat quarter with a new color or design I like at Joanne's I can't help myself. I'm able to convince myself before buying that this time I really will use it so the collection continues to grow.

I heard about the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap from the Laura to Tina blog and thought it would be fun to participate along with them. Visit their blog to see the beautiful postcards they made.

It's a yearly swap organized by Beth Kempton of Do What you Love where you get matched with another participant and exchange handmade stitched postcards created with that years chosen theme.

I've been holding off on this post while waiting for my postcard to arrive in the mail so I could show it here along with the one I made and sent but it must be lost in the mail because it has never arrived and this swap took place back in October. It was so much fun making this card I think I will see about incorporating more fabric and hand stitching into my work. 

The theme for this swap was "Celebrate".

This is the postcard I made and sent to the United Kingdom.

Beat the Deadline

I heard about the Prayer Flag Project and the Call to Artist’s for an exhibition at the Oceanside Museum of Art by following the blogs of Jane LaFazio and from my friend Ileen who has been making flags since the project began. I was really excited about this exhibition because I lived in Oceanside for 13 years before moving back east and I always loved visiting the OMA.

I just barely made the deadline for sending in my flag. I was in a bit of a panic the day I was bringing it to the post office to mail – I lost track of time and got there barely 5 minutes before they closed.  I’ve been having a problem with procrastination the last few months - very bothersome because this is not like me at all. I've been making a real effort lately - I don't want this to become my new bad habit!

© K. Johnson 'Serenity' 8"x 5" Mixed Media, Fabric

This is the flag I sent in for the exhibition. One of the most peaceful and calming things I enjoy is walking on the beach.  I can really relax and love finding bits of driftwood and sea shells along the way.  My intention and wish for making this flag is for everyone to find and enjoy that special place that brings them peace and serenity.

Yea! My flag did get there on time.  Jane posted a picture of a group of flags ready to hang and you can see mine in the top left of the photo.  Aren't they all gorgeous? After all my worry I see they extended the deadline. The museum will keep hanging the flags as they arrive so it sounds like you have until Oct 14^th to send one in. Show dates - Oct 15th - Dec 31st, 2012.

Fabric Swatch Exchange

I received my copy of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine in the mail yesterday. As I was flipping through the pages I saw the fabric swatch that I designed and sent in as part of an exchange. How exciting is that!

July/August 2011 issue

Page 82, upper left corner - that's me!

my fabric swatch - their photo is much better than mine.

The object of the exchange was to design an 18” x 36” piece of fabric using any technique (stamp, paint, dye, transfer, etc) you wanted. Cut into 9”x 9” squares and shipped to the magazine to be exchanged. In return, to each participant, the magazine sent 6 randomly chosen swatches designed by some of the other 200 artists who took part in the exchange. I love the variety of swatches I received and it will be fun thinking of ways to use them

Here are a few of the swatches I received. Aren't they beautiful?

designed by Victoria Gordon

designed by Judy Arbuckle

designed by Lisa Encabo