Tiny Stitches

Trying to steal time for some stitching during all the holiday and book launch craziness.

Tiny stitches to blend with the printing on this butterfly.

Not sure exactly where this is heading...but okay with that right now.

Stitching and Printed Fabric Bee Article

I've been working on two decorative wall hangings for an upcoming class at Artistic Artifacts called, Fabric Printing at Home: A Kitchen Sampler. Both of the fabrics for these hangings were made for the recycling chapter in my book. I like the folk art motifs and thought that they'd be fun as wall pieces.

I've been stitching the butterflies (or are they moths? Not sure yet!). I'm still on the fence about how I want to do them. I was using some French knots on the wing spots but now I'm not sure if they overwhelm the subtleties of the printing. On this one, I'm focusing on using tiny running stitches just to see if I like that better. It feels great to be stitching!

I also wanted to mention some exciting news! Lynn Krawczyk, one of the co-founders of The Printed Fabric Bee has written an article about the group in the December 2014/January 2015 Quilting Arts Magazine called, Finding Your Artistic Voice. It's a great article about working as part of a group that has a common interest (surface design), and how it's a great opportunity to be challenged and to grow. Hope you pick up a copy and read it!

Butterfly Watcher

Here is the view from my kitchen window.

Rather than a bird feeder, I have a butterfly feeder.
It is a wonderfully overgrown butterfly bush.

It gives me great pleasure to look outside my window and watch all sorts of butterflies and bees feeding on the flowers.
Occasionally, I see bees that mimic hummingbirds in their flight.

Today, there were a number of Swallowtails, which is fitting as it is the official state insect of Virginia. I bet you didn't know that there were official state insects!

I journeyed outside to get a closer look and although, they were a bit skittish, I was able to get a few closeup shots.

I wonder if there is an official title for a butterfly watcher?