Photo of Gardenia Painting

I have been playing with alternative methods of getting a copy of the paintings on the computer. One such is to use the camera to take a picture. It's not an expensive one, and I can't disable the flash. Tried using bright sunlight to take the picture.

New painting

This is the Fritillary painted on June 26, 2010.
The scanner really fades out a lot of color, but over-all I am happy with it.
I am learning a lot about the paint (guache) and how to use it.

And on and on

I got out my F.I.T textbooks on flat pattern design, and studied sleeves, again. I need a fitting partner to measure me! Do I really want to do another fitting sloper? It is more fun to make something I can wear. But, back to the basics. Finished the swirly skirt, and found a cute silk blouse to wear with it - to the wedding in New York. Leaving July 23rd, returning July 26.
So far the job interviews have not yielded results. I rather like having time, but this not having extra money is a real bummer. The white linen jacket/shirt turned out well. Do I want to leave it as is, or paint on it. hmmmm. Blank canvas! Also made the perfect little shell pattern - now to play with putting sleeves in the perfect little shell to cover those wingy things under my upper arms (old age is hell, ladies). But, first - to clean up the mess of the past few days of sewing. Bad feng shui in the studio when I make coffee, and set the pot on the counter instead of in the coffee maker. Good thing no fabric was nearby to be stained. What a mess!

Lots going on!

The stencil arrived from Diane Ericson - a dragonfly is my choice for embellishing a simple summer jacket. I have signed on with Val Webb for a six week course in Botanical Illustration, and have done some studies on my own. I am sewing clothes for work. The past 3 years I have worn either a uniform of khaki pants, blue shirt and navy blazer - or jeans and tops. At last I can wear real clothes. Lately, I have made the jacket, a very chic dress in the style of the 1940's, a 2 piece summer dress, black knit skirt, and a black cowl neck blouse. I have cut out a red challis blouse - simple lines, and a batik vest, mostly black with blues and purples and pinks, and am putting a blue random dyed (not exactly tie dye) collar on it. I made a pattern for a drapy, full skirt that wraps, and bought some great printed crepe done in greens, turquoise and blues. Have almost finished some alterations for a friend. Tomorrow, I will fit her for the hem of her formal gown, to be certain of the pinning. Also, I have a commission to make a bed skirt and pillows for another friend, but she hasn't bought the bed yet, so measurements must wait. Meanwhile, I had a job interview yesterday, and have another on Monday. Must make up the vest tomorrow, or tonight. On Saturday, I am meeting the children of "the perfect man." Must look good.

Time to update and re-activate this blog!

A lot has happened since my last entry here. Now living in Daphne, Alabama - recently laid off from Eastern Shore Toyota. That "recall" nonsense has hurt so many of the 50,000+ people who work for Toyota, USA and their dealerships. But I am enjoying having some time to do the things that have been procrastinated the past year! Am painting with Val Webb's classes: Botanical Illustration, and Butterflies, to date. Will be posting some of the results. It is wonderful to be back in Sweet Home, Alabama.