Michelle's Artistic Corner

Meet Portrait Photographer Brienne Michelle

Mac — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:53:03 +0000

I’m so happy to be able to introduce you to one of my favorite portrait photographers, Brienne Michelle of Brienne Michelle Photography. Be sure to visit Brienne at her Photography blog where she’ll give you a “Sneak Peek” into her photo sessions!

I was introduced to Brienne over a year ago when she was the wedding photographer for our daughter’s wedding. I quickly learned that Bree has a real talent for capturing special moments as she sees them happening through the eye of her camera lens!

Come pull up a chair and join us in my artistic corner where you can get to know Brienne just a bit more.
[Audio https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6249520/Brienne%20FINAL%20053010.mp3]

Meet Jewelry Maker Elena Adams

Mac — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:34:08 +0000

Michelle’s Artistic Corner has a new look. And a new sound! I hope you like it. Personally, I’m thrilled! This is the beginning of a new venture for me. Here in my Artistic Corner I’ll continue to blog about my own creative adventures, but I’ll also be introducing you to some very creative artists via my new podcasts!! Keep checking back to see who comes to visit me in the Artistic Corner.

Some of you may have noticed that my cooking and baking related posts have disappeared. Where did they go you ask? Everything food-related will now be posted on my new food blog – Dishin’ In The Kitchen! Currently “Dishin’” is “Under Construction”. But soon, very soon, you’ll be able to visit me there, too, and I’ll be introducing you, via podcast interviews, to some creative cooks who have some pretty awesome food blogs!

Today I’m excited to be able to introduce you to jewelry maker Elena Adams! Be sure to visit Elena’s website/blog. Elena’s having a jewelry give-away! You could win some of her jewelry! Go enter her give-away – I’m going to.

(click on the arrow to begin the podcast)

http://www.elena-adams.com

There’s No Business Like SHOW Business

Mac — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:46:39 +0000

Each year the local quilting guilds near my home take a turn hosting an annual quilting show. This year’s show was hosted by the Camarillo Quilting Association, and held at the fairgrounds in Ventura, CA. These local shows are just the right size to tide a quilter over between big conferences each year. There’s just something so soothing about being able to run your hands through piles of fabric, and baskets of buttons! And of course there’s nothing more inspiring than another quilter’s hard work hanging in the halls. Here are a few pictures of my favorites from the day.

I leave you with this thought:
A Quilters Prayer:

Hippos, Elephants and Zebras Oh My! Part II

Mac — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:48:25 +0000

Not long ago I showed you the tote I made with the Hippos, Elephants and Zebras fabric. Last time the hippos were green. This time the hippos are red, which means nothing because this tote went to the daughter who likes elephants, and the elephants are gray. Thankfully she likes red, too, so it worked. Did you get all that? There’s a quiz shortly, so study up!

Making these tote bags has been fun, and easy. I’m so excited about creating a tote pattern! Did I tell you that I’m working on designing a tote pattern for sewing? The pattern still needs some tweaking, but as soon as it’s finished you’ll be the first to know. In fact there is some new fabric stacked on my sewing table calling out to me. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it, the colors are so rich. And the print was designed by Thomas Kinkade. Next week I’ll have to give you a sneak peek. Time to get back to my sewin’! I see more totes in my future. What creative endeavours are in your future?

Button Button Who’s Got The Button?

Mac — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:11:22 +0000

Isn’t this button pincushion cute?! I hand-stitched it together today, finally! I feel kinda sheepish because my quilting buddy, Kelley, asked me to make it for her a couple of months ago. Sorry it took so long Kelley! Hope you like it.

I wanted to take pictures of the cut out pattern pieces, along with pictures of each step as I made the pincushion. However, after some thought, I decided not to take step-by-step photos. It didn’t seem fair to the gal who designed the pattern for the Button Pincushion. If you just have to have this adorable pincushion pattern go visit Debbie Busby at her on-line shop.

I added a little flower charm to the pincushion, just for Kelley. It was the least I could do after taking so long.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mac — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:54:40 +0000

A blogger named Amy from She Wears Many Hats mentioned in a tweet that her week has been one big blur…I could relate! Amy’s take on it was that the “blur” is due to allergies and the time change. I couldn’t agree more! The transition out of winter and into spring is a tad uncomfy for me this year. Usually I adore spring with all those pretty colors popping out from behind the gray winter curtain. But this year the allergy fog has set in big time, and it’s not pretty, people. Consequently I’ve fallen behind in every area of my daily life including anything crafty or cuisine related (okay, I made some yummy oatmeal-raisin-chocolate chip cookies, but didn’t take pictures – don’t be mad – I feel guilty enough). Allergies make me feel like I’m moving in sllllooooowwww mooooottttiooonnn. Therefore, I have no updates on my quilt or my knitting, or my cooking capers. BUT I can leave you with a few pix I took of Hubby’s step-mom’s garden this past Monday. She’s an amazing gardener, the kind with bright green thumbs! I used her garden for some photo practice. Here’s what I got. Hope you like them.

Click on any of the photos below to see a full-sized image.

It Isn’t Easy Being Green….or is it?

Mac — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:31:37 +0000

Over time I hope to share the creative endeavors of many artists with you here in the Artistic Corner. Today I’d like to introduce you to the work of Jenifer Francis, owner of “Cherry Tree Threads“. Jen also just happens to be one of my daughters! She made the jewelry in the photos below. This past January, at “The Road to California” Quilt Show and Conference, I purchased a group of vintage glass beads. Let’s just say I fell in loooooooove.

All I knew, when I saw the beads, was that I had to have them! After bringing them home I gave them to Jen and asked her to create something for me. And she did!

Wow! All I had in mind was one long necklace, but I got two necklaces, a bracelet, and earrings! Having all those options is wonderful. I can wear both necklaces together or just one of them – I’ve done both. Sometimes I just wear the earrings, sometimes just the bracelet. It’s been so much fun to have options. Thanks for being so creative Jen!

Update on “Fields of Flowers” quilt

Mac — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:20:44 +0000

Slowly but surely I’m making progress with my quilt. As you know the front of the quilt is ready to go. My next step was to cut and sew together the fabric I’m using for my binding.

The fabric I’ll be using for the borders, and the fabric I’ll be using for the back have been washed. Now I need to iron them, then set up the “sandwich”. I’ve been reading a lot of instructions. Watching a lot of tutorials from YouTube, too. I’ll keep you posted. Wish me luck!

I Feel Pretty….Oh So Pretty

Mac — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:26:21 +0000

Here’s where I started

Here’s where I am now

Can you see where I had to change yarns? I ran out! The original skein of yarn was purchased about 3 years ago. Needless to say I couldn’t find it in the stores now – different dye lots. Oh well, I went out and got something close. This scarf is practice, and for me. I’m committed to finishing a project. It’s important to me. I’m thrilled with how full this scarf is turning out to be. I’ll be a pro at this knit stitch! Moving on to the purl stitch soon. Have you done any knitting today?

Take Me Home Country Road

Mac — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:09:09 +0000

Let me tell ya that spring has sprung! At least along the roads hubby and I traveled last week. Here are some of the sights we saw along the way.