WIP Wednesday #3 @ TN&TN

I am the queen of the last minute.  I'm putting the final touches on various projects for the guest posting with the 3CS (Three Creative Studios) blog.  It is due this week and will be all published on their blog next week.  All that really means for you right now is that I can't show you anything except for maybe this:

Pretty cryptic?  Oh well.  All I'll tell you that it's a close up of a postcard.  Speaking of which, the new swaps go up on the first of the month at PostcardCottage.  All the themes will be September-ish.  : )

Bernie would like you to know that there are a few spots left in the post card workshop I'm doing at her beautiful sewing attic.  You can email me at mysweetprairie@gmail.com.  All you need is a zigzig sewing machine and thread.  I will supply everything else including complimentary Lapel Sticks!  : )  The fee is $30 and the date is set for Sunday, September 18th in the afternoon.

some of the cards I've collected (back views)

In the mean time, I'm gearing up for all the September meetings and memberships between me and the kids.  Here it comes!  If you would like to see what other creative sewists are up to, head over here!  If you want to link up, you have until noon on Thursday.

Arlee and Elle are already there!  : )
See you later!
~Monika

I Promise!

I will show you some stitching in the next post, I promise.  But I can't help it - I want to share these photos.  Monday was the last day before school starts for all my 3 kids, so we spent the entire day at the lake.  We had to!  It was hot and gorgeous, and Staples was open until 9 pm to buy school supplies anyhow.  : )  Here are some photos I took on the way home from Pike Lake.  They WILL inspire pretty stitches later this year.  I have an exhibit in December and I can't wait.  : )

These were taken on or near Valley Road.

LOVE

mmm.

P.S.  Can you see the difference in quality between today's photos and yesterday's (when I have my camera set accidentally on macro!)?  It makes such a difference.

That's all for now!  i know... short & sweet.  Thanks so much to all of you who are leaving comments on the blog the last few days, and it's so nice to see new faces!  See you on WIP Wednesday!  Please join in at the Needle & Thread Network. 

~Monika
making lunches and getting my stitching projects in order.

Harvest Time Colors!

This weekend as the sun was about to set, I headed out of town with my daughter to see what stitching inspirations I could capture.  The bad news is that my camera was unintentionally set on macro while taking landscape photos.  The good news is that I still managed some terrific captures that I can most definitely use.  Want to see?  Please look at them as composition inspirations, and not with a technical eye.

cat tails at dusk

That skyless, heavily detailed scene remind me a lot of Margot Lindsay's pieces.  There are so many things to stitch in that!  Long, fat, whispy, and french knots of course.  Can't you see it?  And ahhhhh, the field of barley.  I'm sure next time I drive out it will be cut.

Barley, so delicate & soft looking!  I love the weeds in the foreground too.

Needless to say, there are a lot of songs about barley that involve lying down and sleeping in it.  I love the layers of texture and colors that we found that night.  Check out this next one.  It's cropped from a larger photo.  I can't get over the distinct colors!  This picture is cropped only, and though there's not much detail on macro setting, isn't this interesting?

Here is a more "landscape view" from the dirt road as the sun was sinking in the west.  See the road's shadow along the fence line?  These low long evening shadows really make me glad I came back to the prairie.  That slow and gentle sundown kiss-goodnight lasts so long here when nothing is in its way (oo wasn't that poetic!?).  sigh.  I was never satisfied near the mountains.

I am really in love with things here.

Then I got the wake-up call form the little girl in the back seat, "mama!  I have to pee!".  So we put our cameras away and headed to the nearest gas station.  When we were done, we had to take out our cameras again.  Check it out!  I think these next 2 photos are so beautiful.  It was then I noticed the accidental macro setting, and undid it.

tipi top

There are 3 tipis at the Grasswood Esso and you can go inside them all.  They are so magical.

looking up from inside.  sunset glow coming in

Sweet!  I hope you see something that inspires you deeply today.

~Monika

Sunday Snapshots #52. HAPPY ONE YEAR!

I did it!  52 weeks of Sunday Snapshots.  They are all tagged if you want to look back at the year.  Here's my photos for this exciting anniversary, with a little bit of pretty greens in each one.

top secret project for the big show in October

preparing for a tutorial I'll share in September...

One last glamour shot before I send this away...

one last look at Bloom

Here's the star of the show!

Sweet!!  A humming bird in my back yard, eating out of the tiger lilies.

Thank you so much for coming to check out my Sunday Snapshots!  I love every comment on my blog.  It keeps me going!  I look forward to another 52 with you.

happy Sunday!
~Monika

Things I Love Thursdays

Aaaah it's been a hot and windy few days with calm quiet cool nights.  I love the end of summer.  There is something magical about the changing of the seasons.  I LOVE the wind.  I love the noise the leaves make in the gusts.  It reminds me of waves rolling in at the lake.  The air is different.  This is my favorite kind of day, so I will redirect you to a post I made last summer.

love

I love this post:

I try to photograph the wind click to link
(Sunday Snapshots #3)

~Monika

Works in Progress Wednesday @ TN&TN

I'm working!  I'm working!  I have been doing so much 'paperwork' (ie: computer documents) it's incredible.  I finished my article for A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine.  That's one important deadline completed!  Break out the bubbly!  I filled out application forms and guild membership forms.  I wrote out the tutorial for my guest post at 3CS, which is coming up very soon.  I will blog when it happens so you can go see.  My thing will be threadsketching.  I have yet to add all the photos and maybe a video.  It's a lot of work!  : )

I have my project well under way for the big show!  Flo at Butterfly Quilting was sweet enough to bring me some patterns to pick from.  I found a great one!  Thank you Flo!

paperwork.

I copied out the pieces so I wouldn't wreck hers.  I used gift bag tissue paper.  Why not?  I also had to add over and inch and a half of waist length.  This is a big learning curve folks!  Remember, I can't follow a pattern!

using my window as a light box

That's all I can show you there!  I am documenting it so I can post it all later (when my hands are recovering).  Smart hey!?  I finished this and finally got a half decent photo of it.  That was no easy task.  With all the colors in there and even good day lighting, something kept registering funny and messing up the hues.  So I tried a technique I had heard of before.  I laid a greyscale paper on the side of the piece, lined up the camera, focused, and then removed the grey paper before snapping the shot.  It worked!  Brilliant.

Bloom, complete.  2011

I'm also preparing for the online course Embroidery, Embellish, Create by Karen Ruane in the UK.  I am so excited!  We just got our supply list from her and I'm getting it all together.  It's all white on white embroidery including cutwork and cross stitch...  (yessss).  Can you believe a guild friend of mine here in Saskatoon is signed up too?  We'll have to present our finished projects to the guild for show and tell I think!   Just look what this fabulous woman does!

Karen Ruane's photo of her work, blogged with permission

Her class begins Monday.  My postcards class at Bernie's is set for Sunday, Sept 18th. There are a few spots left if you would like to try your hand at quilted postcards.  Just email me.  mysweetprairie@gmail.com
Speaking of which, look what arrived in my mailbox from PostcardCottage!  Thank you so much Heather P. of Mississauga, Ontario. : )

"My Favorite Place" postcard from Heather P.

No Jesica's Quilt?  No Jesica's Quilt.  I dislike my quilting and am pulling out a lot of stitches.  I will post after I redo it!  :(  Linking to The Needle and Thread Network...  come join if it fits!

LINK HERE

See you tomorrow!
~Monika

I'm Learning in September!

Yippee!!  I am skipping around my sewing room, flapping my arms and giggling!  A truly amazing fibre/embroidery artist whose work I admire so much is offering online classes & mentoring.  Her spaces are limited and I AM SO IN!  I've talked about her before as her blog photos have actually made me cry!  lol  It's all white on white stitching.  Her name is Karen Ruane.  She's in the U.K. and here is the link to her blog:

Karen Ruane Contemporary Embroidery

This is really terrific timing for me.  I'm joining up with the embroiderer's guild here for the first time, and I really want to delve into more hand work.  I like Karen's approach because it comes from the heart and doesn't involve a pattern.  It's very organic and incredibly pretty.  Here are some of her blog photos, used with permission.

stitches and paper by Karen Ruane

so organic!  work by Karen Ruane

if this doesn't bring tears to your eyes...

Her work just gets to me!  I am so grateful for this opportunity.  Fortunately, I can work around the hand surgery (or who knows... postpone it?) for my left hand.  Maybe I'll even push that way back to December once my next show goes in the gallery.  Then I WON'T be stitching over the holidays when my children are home. Hmmm - it all works doesn't it!?

Her work is also on flickr if you'd like to go see.  All her links are on her page.  If you are also interested in her 6 week class (online, videos & correspondence support) it only translates to 80 or 85 dollars (US/CAD).  I'm in!

see you later!
~Monika  

Sunday Snapshots #51

Next weekend will mark ONE YEAR of Sunday Snapshots for me!  Wow.  I hope I can pull off something big.  For now, here's more summer photos.  Enjoy!

my wheels

...complete with splash guards so I can drive through puddles,

a big basket so I can bring home books or milk,

and decorated with stickers and clickers, so I feel cool like my kids  : )

my basket.  my basket liner.  my umbrella.  my wheels : )

a 'glam shot' of my work.

my stitches

I think this piece has a name now!  Bloom.  That's all.  It's perfect.
Happy Sunday!

~Monika

Teaching in September

Bernie and I have set the date for the next Creative Quilted Postcard Workshop!!  She hosts, I teach.  It will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, September 18th.  It will be out at her farmhouse again, which is only a matter of minutes outside of the city.  If you are interested simply email me.  I personally can't wait to see her place again.  Rumor has it that it's all painted on the outside now.  !!

my first ever postcard.  Super easy to make, fun to give & receive!

Sew & Home called me to inquire about teaching there again, but I sadly said no.  I'll finish up with the list of people Bernie has, and then I need to wait for spring.  I have to book myself in to get the carpal tunnel surgery done, and that will eat 6 weeks of my autumn apparently.  I'm getting it done before winter sets in.  For some reason, it's always worse through the winter.  Anyone have anything to say on the topic?  I'm nervous, but thrilled that maybe I will crochet lace again some day!!  Crocheting is how this carpel tunnel all started.

the last thing I crocheted... trim for a pillow that never got completed

There's also a whole host of classes at Judy M's Studio on Ninth in Saskatoon!  Wow.  It is a huge list, and very affordable.  I would love to do more workshops (anywhere), but definitely not until the spring.  You can find me doing tutorials on thread sketching at 3CS online very soon!  Locally, Sew & Home and the Sewing Machine store also run plenty of classes. 

With September about to begin, sign up everywhere is NOW.  ; )

threads for Grandma's Cabin, 2010

: )
see you tomorrow.
~Monika

Fabulous Friday Finish!

It's done!  It's done!  I did it!  I did it!  I'm just auditioning frame and matting choices.  I think we are going with this one: coffee wood and sage matting.  It's just sitting on top of an existing picture right now.  I'll head out soon to go get another for this piece.

"This Piece" is all I've come up with for a name.  I don't know why this is so difficult to name!  I took it on Canada Day.  It has all the colors of the rainbow.  Any suggestions!?  You all helped me out with naming Boundless, which was perfect.  I could use your help again.  It's sold and I need to name it before I put it under glass.  Here's the original.

July in bloom, set on high contrast to bring out the colors

I really love the purples in there sooo much, that I began to embellish anoother unclaimed one that I began.  There's something about the light, bright green in the distance, and the blue hills that feel so magical to me. It was inspired by this postcard, for the My Happy Place swap.

just popped into the mailbox! 4x6" with a stamp on the back

So I happily combined my favorite parts and spent much time stitching purple and lavender and cornflower blue yesterday morning.  Let me tell you I loved every second of it!  I used fine rayons that are so full of sheen.

a new one - purple on the prairie

I love the feel of this one.  I will put heavier masses of purple into it plus some stems.  (Eventually.)  Here's a close up of the free motion machine & hand stitches.

Thanks for dropping by!

~Monika

Things I Love Thursdays

I love my family.  I love each person individually, and I love the five of us as a group.

I love my husband.  And he loves his parrot.  It's a guy thing.  Aaaarg matey!

I love my bookworm and artist.  He is my future author and a great ballet dancer.

I love this monkey.  He's my future gymnist / competitive swimmer / race car driver.

I love my girl.  Though she's tough as nails, she's so outgoing that she will be anything she wants to be.

I made a pact to keep my family life out of my blog, but today I am reflecting on how much I will MISS THEM as all three of them go off to school for the first time ever.  I'm especially sad about breaking them up.  They have such strong relationship together.  I hope it always lasts.  I love you kids!!

xo
~Monika

Wip Wednesday #1 @ TNTN

What have I been working on?  Gee.  What can I say?  A tan...  my backstroke...  It's has been the nicest summer weather on record here.  My gosh.   I've been out a lot with my kids and not sewing too much.  I've been thinking: reflecting and deciding and organizing and planning.  I have made a link up blog for fibre artists with an emphasis on Canadian bloggers.  Come see!  Come follow!  Come post!

Click here to go there

I have been busy dreaming up that link party, and thank everyone who has dropped by & joined.  I am really looking forward to watching this group grow!  Other than that, I have been ever-so-slowly working on these two pieces.

I'm  finally stitching the blanket flowers!

This first is this one, based on my photo beside it.  I got most of the blanket flowers done.  I will add a few bigger ones, then stems in rust colors, and a few highlights into the hills & purple flowers.  Want to see closer?  I used a number of threads at once to get a color I was happy with it.

I made them look a little wonky like they actually were:  loose petals in all directions.  Very free.  The other is the Flax at Jackfish.  It is really slow going, but guess what!?  It's sold now too!  Whoopee!

slow slow stitches, spoken for.  (thank you!)

Thanks for visiting!  Be sure to hop around to other contributors at The Needle & Thread Network and leave them some comments.  See you tomorrow!

~Monika

Whoopee! ( x3 )

Sunday, I went to do that demo at Prairieland Park.  It was so quiet in that gigantic hall!  With this weather, everyone was outside.  It was nice to take a break from mothering and sit and sew and visit with Brenda from the quilting guild.  I stayed for nearly 5 hours.  I didn't get too much done, but that's okay.  It was a nice break from housework motherly duties.

There were only a handful of passers by, most of whom stopped to chat.  I took a little break to wander around. Guess what I saw!??

Showcase of the Arts, 2011

Summer Train won Honorable Mention in the Photography / snapshot division!  Awesome!  I won Honorable Mention in the same category last year for this one, remember?

Showcase of the Arts 2010

That made me feel good!  It was a bit of a surprise because I didn't think it was as good as a couple others that I entered.  The judges hated the one of my clover at sunset.  But that's okay.  There were many 'stunners' at the show that had no ribbons, and several dark and even one dirty lens photo that got ribbons.  (!)  I think those judges got tired.  There were hundred of photos!  My gosh. I couldn't do it.

I wondered how my other work fared.  I wandered around the hall some more until I found this!

Spring on the Prairie received 3rd Place in Creative Stitching!  I am very proud of that!!  It's the one with those fine, fine threads for rain.  You can click on my flickr photo link to see close ups if you like.

So there was one more piece:  Poles Along Highway #7.  The framed one isn't overloaded with handstitching, but I really liked the way it turned out.  It became such a nice, clean composition.  So I ventured out a little further from my comfort zone and entered it into the Fine Arts competition.  I walked and walked and almost gave up (couldn't find it!).  Then I spied it... with a big blue ribbon!

Second Place in Fine Art / Adult Mixed Media

WOWEE!  This particular prize is pretty exciting for me, especially considering that I have absolutely no art schooling under my belt.  Very cool!

So there's how I did.  I came home full of smiles, and full of ribbons.  ; )

Showcase of the Arts, 2011

See you tomorrow for WIP Wednesday - a new link up at The Needle and Thread Network page.

~Monika