I had three requirements for today, a daunting number since I landed back in bed last Tuesday night, three days ago. First, to get out of bed and into street clothes (I had to take my husband to the airport for a week-long business trip). Second, to actually drive my car by myself and run a few errands after I left the airport. Last, and of key importance, to come home and create something funky and fun. I love the word funky because there is a little rebellion in naming something truly funky. Believe me. I am definitely in one of those funky, devil-may-care moods.
Driving the car was a bit of a trip, both metaphorically and physically. I felt a little unhinged, not quite all there, to be exact. I had more than several errands to run, but they were cut short by exhaustion and weakness. I did keep my street clothes on, even though I should have crawled back into that tiresome state of horizontal, but I chose to dig out a sample book of fabric and play with it. I knew I was safe with this. There was nothing to be sacrificed in cutting up the samples. So I lay the various pieces on the table in a manner that pleased me, and then started cutting and stitching.
However, first things first. I had to reacquaint myself with my sewing machine. We do not get along very well. Given my lack of extra energy as well as my current and temporary loss of patience, I was not sure how well this would bode. Somedays, though, I really do believe in fairy godmothers, and she was surely there today guiding me along through what could have been precarious territory. I began these pieces with no expectations. I like this one above the best, but the next one seems very tropical to me. I am not much for these designs, probably because I have never been anywhere tropical. But I was striving for joyful colors with a sunny disposition, a recipe to inspire this feeling.
I told my youngest daughter to take a look at these, and if she wanted some summer cushions or summer bags, I would finish them. If not, I guess I will consider my day more fun than funky, but at least I can be seen as a “normal” person, not one in house booties, pajamas, and twirled back hair. Maybe this is the beginning of the end to this silly interruption of my engaging and purposeful life! (Note: In the upper right block is a dragon fly!). I am sure my husband is hoping and counting on returning to the person he married. I think I can empathize with his longing.
Well, I think those are funky and fun. Glad you are feeling better.
Nice to be back, not in the way I would choose, but back the same.
Not only funky and fun, but you sewed CURVES [not shouting, just exclaiming rather loudly]
And I thought sewing through my flower pin was daring….I would say you are on the road to feeling better! You may find you want to add some colorful stitching to these, maybe some french knots? Not sure why those popped into my head, but they are knot to be denied.
oooooo I like the idea of color stitching. Why knot? I so like doing those too, so maybe it would keep me quiet awhile longer. I like your humor!
dots! a cure-all….
I agree. Dots are a cure-all for most any problem in life. Add a dot and somehow all seems a little more joyful.
Good to see that you are on the mend.
These are so interesting…how clever to use such funky patterns together.
I have new respect for fiber artists…I tried my hand at a small quilt square and had the nerve to show it
I just looked at your small quilt square and it is beautiful! You have a good eye for balance and detail, and I love the elements you used. I am assuming you painted the woman? I also loved your dear ladies. Such talent you have.
Hi there, it is interesing to see how versatile you are. I think the pillow idea is wonderful. And the first one is my choice as well. Fabric sample books are wonderful. It must be fantastic to be a person with their finger tips in the fabric trade. It sounds like you are very highly regarded.
I am glad you are feeling better…doesn’t it feel like re birth when you come out of something like the flu?
When I think of versatile, I think of you. I am not truly in the fabric trade. Most of what I buy are old pieces, as a rule. This happened to be a sample book I picked up in my travels. If you know any designers, they will often give you these just to clear out their inventory so they can stock more current collections. I am really as common as they come, but my dreams are always up in the clouds.
Yes, no question, feeling better does feel like a rebirth after so much time confined in the same room. Everything feels like that new spring green.
I LOVE your fun and funky pieces….how clever you are. Those circles/dots look very effective and break up those bold fabrics beautifully.
Jacky xox
Bold fabrics tend to be addictive. I am trying to use them, but also leave room for the other smaller designs that go unnoticed. I think the color combinations give the smaller designs an edge too. I guess it is a better contrast to combine the two for real visual impact. Thanks, Jackie, for your comments