Mock Pie Studio

MISS FAYE'S KITTY CAT

2012-01-12T21:35:00.002-05:00

Anyone remember Finn's Spud Bud?

Well, this piece started out as the first attempt at the Spud Bud. It came out looking WAY more like a kitty head than a round spud, so at the time, I set it aside. But for Christmas, I decided to finally make it into a Kitty Cat for Faye Baby!

No confusing who's Kitty Cat this is. I love my Ellie Faye!

A couple of fish skeletons to add a bit of whimsy!

LET WHAT YOU LOVE BE WHAT YOU DO

2012-01-01T23:18:00.000-05:00

This is just the inspiration I need to embark on the next 365 days! I am not one for making resolutions and I am certainly not one for sticking to them, but I shouldn't have too much trouble committing to what I love: living the creative life. I often feel pretty guilty about it. But the more I think about it, I'm pretty sure I've been made to feel guilty about it. Here is just a sampling of what I've heard regarding my creative endeavors, especially since the twins were born in 2010:

"You're art is not a job, it's a hobby."

"Your art doesn't pay the bills."

"You don't work at the gallery, you are a volunteer because they don't pay you."

"You are neglecting your children."

"You don't make your children a priority."

"You are ignoring your family."

"You spend too much time at art meetings, art functions, gallery receptions, art shows, etc."

"You are not doing any shows this year."
(Excuse me???)

"You always have something going on."

"You just do too much."

I can't imagine I'm the only creative soul facing such adversity, but sometimes it feels like I'm way out there all on my lonesome. Existential Blues, I guess. Which brings me 'round to my original thought: Let what you love be what you do. In 2012, I'll continue to pursue the creative life with gusto. To hell with all the rest!

AN ALICE GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-01T22:13:00.001-05:00

The most splendid way to ring in 2012....a giveaway from a fantastic, artsy duo! Stop by The Cart Before the Horse's blog to get in on the fun! Good luck!!!

STRIP QUILT

2011-12-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

In case you can't read the caption:

"Hey girl, you know how much it turns me on when you strip quilt, right?"

Oh my gosh....I adore this! I found it floating around on facebook. I'm going to tack it up in the studio and get SOOOO much quilting done. No more UFO's for me! See ya! I've gotta go strip...............quilt.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

2011-12-21T23:29:00.000-05:00

Drying oranges with cloves is a must! They make the house smell divine and are sooo easy! The twins even "helped" this year. Here's how:

Use a toothpick to pierce the oranges and stick in the cloves. Any pattern will do. You can even completely cover the oranges with cloves!
Use a paring knife to create designs on the surface. (I slice right through the skin into the fruit. I try not to connect or intersect lines when cutting because as the oranges dry, the lines open up and you don't want the rinds to weaken or break off.)
Place the decorated oranges on a cookie sheet and dry them in the oven at 200 degrees. (I use an old cookie pan to catch any juice that runs out. I usually leave mine in the oven for at least 12 hours and turn them over from time to time. If needed, I let the fruit air dry the rest of the way.)

Here are some ornaments I've made in the past. They still even smell delicious! You can create a variety of designs, too. The sky is the limit!

Of course we had to write letters to Santa Claus! Here is Finnie's sweet note.

This is Faye's last ditch attempt to get in good with the big guy!

We made cinnamon and applesauce ornaments too! The twins helped me sort through the tub of cookie cutters and poked holes through the ornaments with a straw so we could hang them with cording. I love how you can look through the wreath in this picture and see one of my quilts hanging on the wall indoors.

We made hearts, bells, and Raggedy Ann (for Faye) and Andy (for Finn)! Very sweet!

I didn't go all out with holiday decorating this year because I didn't imagine it would be too enjoyable wrangling the twins away from it all season. But I did decorate the chandelier above our dining room table.

Cool, huh?

A VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

2011-12-21T01:30:00.000-05:00

I adore this year's Christmas tree. It's simple and filled with vintage ornaments. All of the old ornaments belonged to my grandparents. Both of them have passed away, but Granpa died one year ago today. It makes me happy to know that the decorations aren't hiding away in a box somewhere. I love showing them off on my tree!

ALICE IN WINTER WONDERLAND

2011-12-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

The totally unconventional tree topper on this year's Mock Pie Studio TreeFest tree. Love it!

Paper flowers made by my (amazing!) friend Bethany, playing card garland and Alice doilies!

I drew tea cups on card stock and made ornies out of old cds, vintage Alice pics, doilies and black buttons.

MUG BUDDIES

2011-12-21T00:52:00.000-05:00

Mug Buddy, anyone?

Handwoven with vintage material, these unique coasters make the perfect mug buddies!

Available at Artspace Gallery (www.artspace-bloomsburg.com) or by contacting me directly.

SWEET VINTAGE FABRIC BOWLS

2011-12-21T00:21:00.000-05:00

I made cool fabric bowls from vintage 6-pointed star blocks. I chopped the 6 points off each block to make hexagons. (This was a bit of a risk because the blocks were hand pieced!) I created quilt sandwiches using stiff interfacing and several different vintage reproduction prints for the backing. I then free-motion machine quilted each one. After zig-zagging the edges, I hand stitched the hexagons together to form the bowls.

Voila! Something old is new again!

The bowls with four hexagons required a square for the center...

...while the bowls with five hexagons needed a pentagon.

Either way, I think they turned out pretty cute!

These fabric bowls are available at Artspace Gallery (www.artspace-bloomsburg.com) or by contacting me directly.

THREAD TEXTURE ORNAMENTS

2011-12-20T23:30:00.000-05:00

Aren't these balls wrapped in thread absolutely beautiful? I love the colors, the visual texture, and the dimension created by the thread.

I hand stitched designs onto the surfaces using felt.

Far out...

There are several additional thread texture ornaments available: Leaves, butterflies, mushrooms, rockets, flowers, and peacock feathers. They are available at Artspace Gallery (www.artspace-bloomsburg.com) or by contacting me directly.

PURTY PIE PINCUSHIONS

2011-12-20T22:53:00.000-05:00

Here they were in progress. Every pincushion is different as the centers are pieced from several different monochromatic fabrics. Overall, I tried to be bold and creative in my color choices.

And here is what they look like finished! Oooooh! Purty!

These are two of my favorites!

Fun.

Funky.

Functional.

Gotta have one? They are available at Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg (www.artspace-bloomsburg.com) or by contacting me directly.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

2011-11-25T10:36:00.001-05:00

These pieces will shortly end up in a fun, funky indoor fort for the twins! If all goes well, it will look like a circus tent made out of quilts with a raised canopy that's topped with a flag. I can't wait to see the looks on their sweet faces when they lay eyes on it. I hope it will be ready for Christmas morning! I had better get busy!!!

BABUSHKA GIVEAWAY

2011-11-18T00:41:00.001-05:00

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Congrats to Dave Geer of Dave's Art Den. I had the pleasure of attending art school with Dave. He's uber talented with a paint brush!!! Find him online at: www.davesartden.com

Thank you to everyone for entering the giveaway. If you can't live without one of these sweet Babushka's (or some other Mock Pie Studio creation), you can find them at Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg, PA. Or, contact me directly.

A Giveaway!

Yay! In celebration of Mock Pie Studio's 200th blog post, I'm giving away this sweet babushka ornie! She is free-motion machine stitched, hand painted, hand embellished and signed by moi with needle and thread. She is fitted with a loop for hanging. You can enter up to three times by...

1. Leaving a comment on this post.

2. Following this blog.

3. Mentioning and linking to this giveaway on your own blog or website. (Best to mention this one in your post so I know!)

Easy peasy! I'll pick a winner at random on Black Friday! Best of luck!!!

TRICK-OR-TREE

2011-10-30T11:07:00.004-04:00

This year's Halloween tree! There are a couple of new ornies on there this time around. I opted for a smaller tree that I could sit up in the window away from the twins, so there wasn't room for all the stuff I usually stick on. However, it still looks seasonably appropriate!

I never have figured out whether those white creatures are snowmen or ghouls. I've had them out for the Christmas holidays before, but they always seemed a little out of place, almost as if they had missed out on the fall festivities. Either way, we had a snowstorm this Halloween weekend, so they are quite appropriate just now. They look right at home under the tree. The big Halloween parade is tonight. My favorite bit is when the steam calliope goes by. I hope it doesn't scare my little munchkins!

I SPY PIE

2011-10-18T11:07:00.000-04:00

I spy pie! Do you see it? Among the ruffled fabric and pins galore, do you see mock pie?

Now?

How about now? Funky colors and patchwork galore. Pie! They are not quite out of the oven just yet, but they will soon emerge as steaming hot new pincushions! Sweet!

42 DAYS AND COUNTING

2011-10-18T10:53:00.000-04:00

42 Days. That's how long it will take me to finish hand quilting this hand pieced antique gem if I complete one block per day. Piece 'o cake, right? Under two months. No problem. But a funny thing happened on the way to the finish line: reality! I started this initiative back in May. It's now October and I haven't worked on it at all! So while it may still take me 42 days, they are clearly not going to be successive days. Which begs the question, will I ever finish??? There is a bare wall in my TV room with its fingers crossed!

NAME THE GNOME

2011-09-15T11:38:00.002-04:00

My sweet little garden gnome magically transformed from pencil and ink on paper to stitching on fiber. Woah. How did he do it? Oh, I remember. While the twins were napping...

Here he was mid-way through painting. He is now finished but lacking an identity. Help me out folks! I have to name the gnome. Any suitable ideas? ("David" is out!)

WANTED: GARDEN GNOME

2011-08-09T23:53:00.004-04:00

I need a garden gnome. Tacky? Probably. But magical and mysterious too! Until I manage to lure one into the garden, I'm stitching one. Here's part of my sketch for your viewing pleasure.

WANTED: GARDEN GNOME
Spacious flower and vegetable gardens are weeded and move-in ready. Blooming flowers and shrubs provide shade and privacy. Plenty of leisure activities: Nibble on sunflower seeds and rhubarb (although I'd sprinkle on a bit of sugar first), pick tomatoes, even bird watch. Like to get your hands dirty? Pick weeds as they grow. Lonely? Strike up a meaningful friendship with one of the several squirrels and rabbits already in residence. Not an animal lover? There's plenty of room to establish your own mushroom patch. Still bored? Come indoors and learn how to quilt.

NESTING

2011-07-17T11:50:00.000-04:00

For anyone who has ever wondered, this is how birds begin to build their nests. They use a complicated, yet practical, coated wire infrastructure.

Then they load it up with whatever they can find. I supposed I was a bit more methodical in my material selection, using only scraps of blue with plenty of orange thread mixed in. Completed nests with birdies and eggs can be seen and purchased at the Artspace member's "Centered" show, now through August 21st. www.artspace-bloomsburg.com

REUBENS' PORTRAIT OF ISABELLA BRANT

2011-06-30T21:29:00.002-04:00

This is my master copy of Peter Paul Rubens' (1577-1640) portrait of Isabella Brant. I drew it a looong time ago but am crazy in love with it! It is finally framed and hanging in my dining room, which has a subtle, covert Alice in Wonderland theme. She is my White Queen. She joins a white rabbit and a few framed black & white interpretations of the Alice theme. This year's TreeFest entry will be "Alice in Winter Wonderland". I better get hopping on those ornaments. After all, I don't want to be late, late, late with no time to say, "Hello! Goodbye!" I plan to make some roses painted red, tea party treats, and playing card garland with a lot of glittery, wintery fun mixed in!

MAGNETIC LETTER FUN

2011-06-30T21:08:00.001-04:00

I must admit I was having a little bit of fun with the magnetic alphabet letters before wrapping them for the twins. I'm so excited that they are finished in time for their birthday! Here's hoping they keep Finn & Faye occupied and out from underneath Mama's feet when she tries to work in the kitchen! Hmmm....what if I need to keep opening and shutting the refridgerator door? That could be interesting!

PAGING DR. MIKA

2011-06-28T14:29:00.002-04:00

Dr. Mika, I presume? I guess being an artist is sort of like being a mad scientist. At least it feels that way when you pull out scary tools and start jamming fluff into wild creations.

But let's "knot" kid around. We're getting down to the wire, here. The twins are going to be one on Saturday and their birthday gifts have got to get finished! This is the second attempt at making a stuffed potato creature for Finnie. The first attempt ended up looking more like a cat's head.

The completed Spud Bud...with ears and knotted ribbons and lots of eyes. And it's all for my little Finn-Finn! We've coined Finnie "Spud Bud" because...well, really because his Daddy is a nut ball. He thought Finnie smelled like a potato when he was born. So there you have it. It takes nine months in the womb to bake a potato. With the saying "bun in the oven", I wonder why he didn't come out a sticky cinnamon roll. It would certainly make smooching him all the sweeter. Oh, well. I suppose some things aren't meant to be understood.

THE SCARLET LETTER (WITH STRINGS STILL ATTACHED)

2011-06-08T12:26:00.001-04:00

"A" is for Alphabet! I'm making the twins a fabric alphabet for their 1'st Birthday that is magnetic and sticks to the fridge. The coolest bit is the red ABC fabric I found! I hope they think I'm as clever as I do when they grow up!!!

PRECIOUS PALETTES

2011-05-09T08:50:00.001-04:00

How gorgeous are these? They are two of my grandfather's many paint palettes. They now hang in my studio and I think of him and his artistic contributions every time I look at them.

I find the dried oil smears absolutely beautiful. Although intended as the means to an end, what is left of the paint is just as wonderful as the finished paintings. The flurry of color is hypnotic. If you really study it, you can get lost in it. I can still see my grandfather holding a palette board, waving his knife from color to color, trying to arrive at just the right mix needed to tell the story of whatever painting he was working on at the time. And there were so many. He truly loved what he did. If nothing else, he proved that by the sheer volume of work he created. And he loved WHAT he painted just as much or perhaps more. He took such care with his subject matter, rendering it again and again, leaving a legacy of fondness for the times gone by. Time is forever fleeting, but his work helps us remember who we are and where we have been. That is why his work is so personal. Not only personal to him, but personal to us. You can look at a Dellasanta painting and instantly feel a familiarity. He lived, died, and rests mere blocks from where he was born to Italian immigrants and all of that history is in his work. We can walk into any of his frames and find a bit of home inside too. We've walked that street, seen that monument, prayed in that church. And we can fall in love...even with paint smears left on a board.

This painting that once hung in granpa's studio, now hangs in mine alongside his precious palettes. It isn't his work, but I love thinking that he drew inspiration from it, and so it inspires me.

UFO

2011-05-05T09:46:00.000-04:00

Finally getting back to this UFO...aka an unfinished object. I started it more than a year ago, but then I got twin prego and (brace yourself) didn't even have the energy to sit at the sewing machine! That part was terrible. I was either stuck on the couch or in bed and couldn't be physically creative. It was rough. What energy I did have was expended making baby quilts and curtains and toys. Even then, I did a lot of the work by hand and was stitching in bed. A die-hard for sure! The piece was intended to mark our fifth wedding anniversary, so instead it will mark our sixth...or perhaps seventh! I'm plugging away at it, but there's a big, bright, beautiful world out there and UFO sightings aren't all that uncommon.

FAYE'S PAPER DOLLS

2011-05-03T12:11:00.000-04:00

I finally finished Faye's fabric paper dolls! They are for her 1'st birthday. She saw me working on them and tried to steal them from me! I'm not sure how many more birthdays I'll be able to get away with making gifts in front of the twins, but at least I know she likes them! The dolls are very sweet.

WHIRLED PEAS

2011-05-03T09:17:00.002-04:00

Perhaps a bit egocentric, but I love to see my name on a quilt!

Pink peace on a pea.

Whirled Peas...a play on World Peace.

The finished peace piece (with more paint and tons of hand embellishing) is currently hanging and is for sale at Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg.

KID CAT

2011-04-26T22:46:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure I should blog when I'm sooo exhausted, but perhaps I'll ramble enough to stumble upon something really enlightening. We'll see... One certainty is that this is the only quiet time I've had all day. Even so, my mind seems to still be racing a million miles an hour. What a day! I love the sunshine, but can't Mother Nature find a happy medium? It's either sub-zero or blistering. Maybe that is why I love fall. There are plenty of days when the sun is shining but it's sweatshirt weather. I had so many things to accomplish today and it was such a workout in the heat! I brought a few fans down from the attic to hold me over until we get the ACs put in. Speaking of attics, I found this kid cat drawing in my granpa's attic. It was drawn on a letter written by someone named Jonathan. I have no idea who he is but it's far too late to ask my grandparents about him. It was an ancient letter so he must be grown by now. I wonder if he's still drawing. He was off to a great start. Kid art is absolutely the best! It's so uninhibited by all of the things that make us jaded as we grow older. Kids really have a way of seeing things that is totally unexpected and refreshing. Picasso said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Well, they don't call us starving artists for nothing! He also said, "Art is a lie that makes us realize truth." Does that reinforce the whole 'I cannot make it as an artist' mantra or what? I create, therefore I am...broke! I wish I had more uninterrupted time to create, but I do love it and have no plans to give it up. And I am really looking forward to making art with the twins. Currently, the only masterpieces they make are the ones they leave me in their diapers! I am excited to see how they'll express themselves creatively. Plus, I will finally be putting my art ed degree to some practical use. Finn & Faye: A sign-up sheet for Mommy's Art Class is now posted on the fridge. As soon as you can crawl out there and reach it, be sure to sign up!

LIFE IS JUST DUCKY

2011-04-20T10:00:00.003-04:00

Yep. Life is just ducky. April showers bring...puddles for ducks. If it ever stops raining for more than a day, I won't know what to do! I desperately need some sunshine in my life! I've been feeling defeated lately. My body has been on quite the roller coaster for some time now. First there was constant nausea and sickness for nine months causing me to lose a ton of weight. Then two PEOPLE came out of me, my hormones went berserk, my blood pressure skyrocketed, and I gained back way more weight than I lost. Nice. Add the stress of losing the routine of life as I had known it, being cooped up indoors, nursing to boot, and just keeping up with the munchkins in general and you have one crazy me. But boo hoo. I saw Waste Land on Independent Lens last night. It's a documentary film about artist Vik Muniz and his photographic study of the garbage pickers of Rio de Janiero. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I've never thought so, but I truly live like royalty compared to some. So I'm a fat body. I've got a nice, round, post-baby fat body. But I could be thin and forced to eat garbage from the world's largest dump. So let's put things in perspective. Spread sunshine all over the place and put on a happy face!

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/

AMISH PUZZLE BALLS

2011-04-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

I finished these Amish Puzzle Balls yesterday. They are available for purchase at Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg. Currently an exhibit by potter Sara Baker and painter Gail Zambor, both members of the gallery, is on display.

COMPLETED DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

2011-04-15T09:17:00.002-04:00

This piece is titled "Orange Peel" and makes repeating diamond shapes when the blocks are placed together. I did quite a bit of hand embellishing on this diamond just left of center.

The finished piece is mounted to canvas and can therefore be hung from the wire with a single nail.

Here I saw the kind of diamonds that you can frost yourself with! Where these smaller blocks meet, an interesting star pattern results.

The piece is called "Three Stone Diamond". While I love my engagement ring (a millennium diamond ring), I would adore a three stone diamond ring! I have left several blunt hints, but have yet to receive one. I'll keep trying!

Here are the quilts hanging at The Northumberland County Career & Arts Center Fine Art Gallery in Shamokin, PA. The show will be up through May 13, 2011. I love how one of my pieces is hanging between an interpretation of The Mona Lisa and a self portrait of Shene Woodley that I think looks just like Yoko Ono!

Here are the twins rockin' out the gallery scene. Art Appreciation 101.

TONIGHT'S TABLE

2011-04-11T23:13:00.001-04:00

I just finished up these colorful baby blocks for a friend's grandson. I adore the blue bicycle and yellow elephant fabrics and the way the black squares make all the others pop. I hope her little guy loves to play with them!

EMPTY BOWLS ON PARADE

2011-04-09T19:54:00.001-04:00

Here are the fired empty bowls. I love the way they came out!

I like them even better when filled with delicious soup!

And I like them better, yet, when on parade. As we made our way into the event, people were carrying them out left and right!

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND

2011-03-09T21:01:00.004-05:00

After staining the "diamond" pieces, I hung them on the line to dry. Next I'll bind the edges by hand with yarn & thread and then mount the quilts to painted canvas.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

2011-03-09T12:24:00.005-05:00

Two pieces I'm working on for an upcoming exhibition themed Diamond in the Rough.

EMPTY BOWLS 2011

2011-03-08T11:47:00.002-05:00

Here is one of the 26 bowls I glazed for an upcoming Empty Bowls event. Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement to help end hunger. Our local event will support the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard.

The backgrounds are glazed in a dark blue with light blue polka dots.

The sunflowers are traditional colors: orange, yellow, & brown with green leaves.

The black glaze really makes the designs come to life. I am very anxious to see how they are transformed once they are fired in the kiln.

26 Mika's. The underside of each bowl is signed and dated. You can get your bowl at Bloomsburg University's Empty Bowls event April 3, 2011. For more information visit: http://departments.bloom.edu/solve/emptybowls.html or http://emptybowls.net

TODAY'S TABLE

2011-02-28T13:48:00.004-05:00

Stage one is complete. All of my Empty Bowls are sketched with a variety of sunflower designs. Now for the overglazing. I have a feeling I'll be working on this project all week! I can't wait to see how they all turn out once they are fired! It has been fun working in a different medium and it's all for a great cause!

For information on this year's Empty Bowls project at Bloomsburg University, visit: http://departments.bloomu.edu/solve/emptybowls.html

For information on the Empty Bowls project in general, visit: http://emptybowls.net

LIFE'S BETTER WITH BABY

2011-02-28T10:59:00.006-05:00

From an article by Bari Nan Cohen that I recently read in American Baby, here are some benefits to being a new mommy:

1. You've Got an Adoring Fan

2. You Belong Somewhere

3. You'll Make New Friends

4. Your Heart Opens Wider Than You Ever Thought Possible.

Suddenly, the inconsolable baby crying next to you on a flight gets your empathy instead of your ire. Mothering gives you the ability to step into other parent's shoes, and you appreciate the giant job they undertake with their own kids. It's no wonder that any parent's tragedy (or triumph) strikes a chord and makes you a blubbering mess. Movies with plotlines centering on missing children are now unwatchable. Human-interest stories on the news break your heart. If you're already a cry-at-the-card-commercial kind of gal, motherhood is the perfect hook on which to hang your "I'm a softy" hat. How does this make your life better? It's hard to be jaded or self-centered once you're a mom. You gain much-needed perspective, your compassionate side blossoms, and in many ways, you finally grow up. It's a beautiful thing.

5. You Get Things Done

6. Your Body Is Awesome

7. You Know What Matters

8. You Cut Yourself Some Slack

9. You've Built a Family of Your Own

I'm unsure why there were only 9 things listed in the article. I think life is even BETTER with twins and here are 10 reasons why:

1. One baby for Mommy. One baby for Daddy.

In other words, it's easier to share them.

2. Everyone is a little bit nicer when you have twins with you.

Well, almost everyone. I'm not sure about those people who don't yield to you in the crosswalks when you're pushing a double stroller!

3. It brings extended family and friends closer together.

You realize how truly generous people are.

4. You feel like a superhero.

Nursing x's two (it's truly an art), diapers x's 2, feeding x's 2, laundry x's 2, etc., etc., etc.

5. You truly cherish your "free" time.

Wait. What is "free" time?

6. You get a second and a third chance to enjoy the world for the first time!

And it's so much sweeter the next go 'round!

7. You get to do all kinds of things people would call you "weird" for if you did them without babies!

Can you say Sesame Street marathon?

8. The joy of watching them interact.

At least until they get to the "he took my toy!" and "she pulled my hair!" stage.

9. They keep life very interesting.

Did that REALLY come out of you???

10. You are more giving of yourself than you ever thought you could be.

And you love every second of it!

IN STITCHES: MENDING MISTAKES

2011-02-22T21:18:00.002-05:00

My solo show at Artspace Gallery, "In Stitches: Mending Mistakes", will be up through February 27th. The show features 10 art quilts that are created from reclaimed and mended vintage blocks that were (very) poorly made. For gallery location and hours, visit www.artspace-bloomsburg.com.

ARTWALK-IN 2011

2011-02-18T08:33:00.002-05:00

My set-up at last night's ArtWalk-In. I also painted at my table during the event. It certainly was a nice evening out of the house, but I am wiped today!

LET'S PRETEND

2011-02-16T12:01:00.005-05:00

Here is a sneak peek at my piece that will hang at The Children's Museum (www.the-childrens-museum.org) this year. This year's theme is Let's Pretend. I initially intended the piece to be an abstract series of sunsets, but it has evolved into a bit of a tribute to the Twin Towers. It is a most unexpected turn, but once I saw the towers in the piece, I couldn't see anything else. I have a working title: "Let's Pretend They Still Stand"

THE WHOLE KIT AND KABOODLE HANGS ON LOVE

2011-02-16T11:01:00.003-05:00

The whole kit and kaboodle hangs on love. And according to my mother: trust and respect as well. Smart lady. Although this is a few days late, this is my Valentine's Day post. Hey, what can I do? I have twins! Yes, I have twins. Two beautiful, special, wonderful people who are in this world because they grew INSIDE of me! I'm still wrapping my head around that one. It's amazing! The whole process is fascinating to me. In college, the class thought I was strange when we had to paint a series and I chose reproduction. Everyone else picked all the expected things such as portraits, landscapes, and florals while I was banging (no pun intended) out pink eggs and blue sperm. I painted them alone, on the prowl, merging, and then evolving into a tiny person. Incredible! Now that I have been through the experience myself, I am naturally MORE amazed by the whole thing and surprisingly even less understanding of it. By that, I just mean that I am so in awe of it! I, of course, understand "the birds and the bees" aspect, I'm just intrigued by the miracle that took place and knowing that I played an integral role.

So with such a miracle having taken place, life ought to be all buttercups and sunshine, right? I suppose that outlook is a bit unrealistic, but then again, it was Valentine's Day this week. That day ought to have been out of this world. However, I guess there are some things you just can't fix with flowers and chocolates. Pie, maybe, but not expensive greeting cards filled with seemingly false sentiments. If Cupid hit me with his arrow this year, I only felt the sting as it pierced my skin. What is the old adage? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Baloney Maloney. The whole kit and kaboodle hangs on love, and trust, and respect.

HAND SEWN NOTE CARDS

2011-02-09T22:17:00.004-05:00

Whipped up this "Sample" note card last night. I have several hand sewn note cards for sale at the gallery (www.artspace-bloomsburg.com) and plan to take them along to next week's ArtWalk-In at the Moose Exchange (www.mooseexchange.org). The cards are packed in polybags so they stay crisp and fingerprint-free for the person(s) who purchase them, but I wanted people to be able to hold an actual card and to see that there is white on the inside, hence the sample card.

A lovely array of hand sewn snowflakes, including a funky snowflake/peace sign combo.

SESAME STREET ROCKS

2011-02-04T20:27:00.004-05:00

Grey day? Try this tune on for size. Love it!

SEVEN MONTHS

2011-02-02T23:19:00.002-05:00

The twins are seven months old today. It's funny that my life is now a series of things that happen "this many weeks" or "this many months" since delivering. My life is organized by their age and accomplishments. It is about them. My husband jokes that I am no longer "his wife", but "their mother". I suppose their is truth to that. I found the following written about motherhood. There is a lot of truth to it as well.

"Isn't it strange how we elevate careers and lower homemaking to the commonplace? Think how many skills a mother must possess to carry out her duties. She must know something about teaching, interior decorating, cooking, dietetics, psychology, hygiene, social relations, clothing, household equipment, and a host of other things.

Still, if a woman teaches someone else's children she is given professional status - a teacher. But if she teaches her own children, she is just a mother. If she does interior decorating she is a career woman; if she decorates her own home, she is just a homemaker. If she takes care of others, she's a nurse; but if she nurses her own children, she's just "mom" doing her job.

Yes, motherhood demands the skills of many and, unfortunately, receives the recognition of few." -Leslie B. Flynn

CREATIVE FLURRY

2011-02-02T22:21:00.007-05:00

After the twins were born, I had a burst of creative energy and banged out these 12 (5"x5") art quilts. They are currently for sale at Artspace Gallery (http://www.artspace-bloomsburg.com/) although I'm flirting with the idea of posting a few on my Etsy site (http://www.mockpiestudio.etsy.com/).

Sold

FALL 2010 ART VENTURES

2011-02-02T20:42:00.010-05:00

Although August's ArtFest was a no-go for this new Mommy (it was a little TOO soon after the twins) I was still plenty busy last fall. Here's a quick re-cap and I promise to do a better job of updating the blog in 2011!

The Stabley's Studio Sale. I spent a great weekend with the Stableys (and all their friends) in October. Their studio is located near the state game lands and, need I say, it was beautiful. Falling leaves...brisk air...art. Lovely.

Twin Covered Bridges in Forks. As far as the artists go, this was a small, intimate affair with the quaint twin bridges for a backdrop and I had the opportunity to spend a beautiful fall day outdoors.

TreeFest. My 2010 theme was: A Sweet Country Christmas. My theme for 2011: Alice in Winter Wonderland. I am (believe it or not) already in the planning and production stages for the Alice tree. For those who aren't familiar with TreeFest, groups/organizations sponsor and decorate the trees which are first displayed and then donated to families in the area. All funds raised from admission are donated to the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble. It's a very worthy cause. This was the second year Mock Pie Studio decorated a tree. As soon as they are able, I plan to let the twins help decorate and even help make ornaments. Wouldn't a tree decorated with their kiddie artwork interpreted in art quilts be pretty sweet?

Artspace Holiday Sale. I was accepted into Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg last November! Artspace is a cooperative gallery and there are currently 16 members who all take turns manning it. I love spending time there. It gives Mommy the opportunity to get out alone!

CATCHING UP

2011-01-18T13:42:00.004-05:00

Well, nearly 7 months have gone by since the birth of the twins and just look at them! I suppose I am partial, but they are BEAUTIFUL! Never did I think they would tug so at my heart. As much of a challenge as it has been thus far, I wouldn't trade either of them for anything...not even a long arm quilting machine! There is truly no comparison. I love them dearly! I will admit that when I have the occasion to be with only one of them, it's a piece 'o cake! Honestly, taking care of them both is getting to be much easier as well. I have said from day one that I wanted to establish a routine with them and we are settling into it nicely. I believe they will continue to thrive in an environment with a lot of constants. And the routine is not only for their sanity, but for mine! Yes, the only thing truly constant is change, but for what it is worth, I'll stick with what we have going here...it's a good thing. I adore being home with the twins. I often do much more during a day than I ever did when I was working outside the home. This is evidenced by the fact that I haven't updated this blog in months! Don't be fooled, however. I do manage to get out and have been taking on more challenges than I know what to do with and keeping very, very busy in my creative ventures. I will post some pictures of my recent activities soon. I am very fortunate to have a close few who help me care for the twins when I need them and, of course, Ryan is here to help in the evenings. I am very thankful for their help and support!

Here's my little cupcake, Finnie! Finn loves snuggling with Mommy. He loves the boob, his binky, bouncing, laughing, the blankie his Grammy made him, showing off his two front teeth and using them to bite down on the baby spoons, rolling over, playing with his toys, Sesame Street, his buddy Uncle Darren, and just chilling out.

My beautiful Faye Baby! She is certainly willful and has a mind of her own. She loves her bottle, her blankie, sucking her thumb, bedtime...when she snuggles with Daddy and he sings her "Baby Mine", staring at her Mommy, laughing, making raspberries, sucking her toes, swinging, Sesame Street, being spoiled by her Grammy, and being the center of attention.

Santa's Elves on their first Christmas morning! So stinkin' adorable! Christmas Eve 2009 we found out at the OB's office that we had TWO babies instead of one, and now here they are on Christmas Day 2010. Looking back, it went by in a flash! Everyone always says that, but only because it is so true! Almost as soon as they were born, I forgot all about the aches, pains and the illness associated with my pregnancy. But the real question is, am I ready for more?

I don't know...I think this picture says it all. There isn't room for anymore baby food in my cupboard!!!

TASTE OF NEW AWLINS

2010-08-16T16:28:00.004-04:00

Here is my latest effort. I call it "The Frog Circus/Taste of New Awlins". And here's a bit of news: I have officially made the decision not to return to work, but to stay home and raise our twins. I can't think of anything that could be more rewarding and I know I won't regret this decision one bit. But I will be working. Raising children hasn't been easy so far and I can't imagine the load lightening up anytime soon. And I have my studio, thank God! I am very anxious to get back to my creative work. My sanity! And imagine all the fun things I can do in there with the kids. The sky's the limit!

Here they are on their first day trip into the studio with Mommy! So sweet!

MORE PUZZLE BALLS

2010-08-16T11:47:00.004-04:00

Here are two more puzzle balls that I made, only these are to be given away as gifts to another set of newborn twins! Great news today...I have been invited to participate in a studio sale this October with Dave and Deb Stabley! They are two of my very favorite artists and I'm super excited for this opportunity! I SOOO needed a reason to get back into the studio, although nowadays it will be quite the juggling act!

GOOD THINGS

2010-07-25T15:04:00.002-04:00

Awww...Gramma LOVE!!!

Check out our dinner! Friends made us this amazing chicken pot pie! It was SOOO good and gave me plenty of Mommy energy. Thank you!

THE TWINS ARE HERE!

2010-07-18T19:39:00.004-04:00

My sweet babies! Ethan Finn and Ellen Faye were born July 2, 2010 and we're calling them Finn and Faye. Now that they have finally arrived, I can show off the name quilts I made for each, mounted to canvas, and hung above the cribs in the nursery. Cool, huh?

Faye was born first at 7:47 am. She weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz., and was 19 inches long.

Finn was born at 7:48 am, weighed 5 lbs. 10 oz., and was 19 inches long.

I'm in love!

THE LOVES OF MY LIFE

2010-07-02T04:15:00.004-04:00

Well, the day is finally here and it STILL doesn't seem possible that we are going to have TWO babies! Very shortly, however, it will be a reality. I'm not really nervous or scared, just anxious to see my little ones in the flesh! I want to hold them, feed them, teach them to quilt and be the best mom I can to them!

"From the moment I first saw you, the second that you were born, I knew that you were the love of my life. Quite simply, the love of my life." -Carly Simon

BUDDING BLOOMS

2010-06-23T19:18:00.003-04:00

Had to sneak outdoors and snap a pic of the lone flower I could see from upstairs blooming in my garden full of weeds. Purty, huh?

Had a visitor today and look what she brought me! A whole bunch of pretty flowers from the Lewisburg Farmer's Market...love them!!!

Wow. Now there's a budding bloom!

IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER

2010-06-22T14:28:00.005-04:00

These curtains came out just beautifully! They are so sweet! I love them! The replacement glass and new pull knobs look great and the roller shades do the perfect job of keeping sunlight out for nap time.

The best part is that the curtains no longer get caught in the closet door when you open and close it...that was SO annoying. Needless to say, those old curtains are long gone via the yard sale! These work out to be the perfect length.

Don't think I've shown any pics of the funky new fan Ryan installed. It is so cool to look at AND it keeps you cool. It also goes great with the new carpet and furniture.

The best things come in pairs! Thanks to my wonderful family, we have matching high chairs! Ryan had the worst time putting the first one together since none of the pre-drilled holes were lined up, but the second chair was a breeze and they are looking fine! I especially love them because they are a perfect match to our dining room set.

NIX THE NAUSEOUSNESS

2010-06-16T10:54:00.007-04:00

Wow, if you take away my severe nauseousness, I am productive! I laid out all the things we need to take to the hospital for the little ones. Even though it's corny, I picked out matching outfits, blankies, socks, etc. It pains me, but even I have to admit that it all looks really cute.

All packed and ready to go in the new diaper bag! By the way, this bag is MUCH smaller than it looks! Everything only just fit.

Oooh...Aaaah...here is one of the finished mobiles. Actually, they are both finished and hanging from the ceiling in the master bedroom. (I'm not sure what the previous owner used them for, but there are two ceiling hooks in there.) Now the mobiles are just two more things my honey has to hang up in the nursery! Can't wait to break the news to him. I do feel bad for him as I think he's a little over worked these days. He's doing a great job, though!

AMBITIOUS TO THE END

2010-06-15T21:32:00.003-04:00

Today I started working on baby mobiles for the nursery. I've been saving these vintage wooden blocks for just this very project. With under three weeks to go until baby time, I figured it was as good a time as any to start the project. Plus, I just finished hand quilting one of the baby quilts and my right thumb is still too sore to start the second quilt right away. I needed a "breather" project.

First I had to drill holes and fit tiny screw eyes into the blocks. (Yes, Mom, I did this while in bed!)

Then I started playing around with bending wire and suspending the blocks. Turns out the small arches work just fine, but I need stronger wire to create the large arch that supports the smaller ones. Ryan picked up some heavier gauge tonight so I will give this another go tomorrow!

And look at Midgie! She has found the most comfortable spot in the nursery...the new rocker! It's all covered with her salt & pepper kitty hair! If you can't find her, I'd suggest looking here.

RANDOM ODDITIES

2010-06-15T21:17:00.005-04:00

We've been nesting like crazy! These days, it's more Ryan than me as I am stuck in bed. Still, as much as the concentration has been solely on baby prep, I can't help but notice there are odd things happening around here.

Such as the day we came home to find our dogwood broken after a freakish wind storm. It has since been cut down and is nothing more than a stump. It was so sad to see it go.

And then our washing machine took a dive. We've since replaced it, but do you see what I see???? There is a MONKEY in the bottom of the old wash basket! Literally...a monkey! It may be just a sticker, but no wonder the thing had been acting up! Ryan swears it has been there for some time, but I never noticed it before. Strange. Very strange.

BABY TOYS

2010-06-07T16:18:00.004-04:00

Wedges...
...that became puzzle balls! Oh, the things you will do when stuck on the couch.
Also put together these blocks made with Van Gogh fabric...too cool.
Picked up this blue dog at Tom's in NY when we learned we were prego. When we found out there were twins, we went back and got the kitty. It's perfect that the dog has a hot dog embroidered on his belly! Our doctor eventually told us we were having one hot dog, one hamburger!
Awww...here are their first baby toys. Bigger and louder ones will follow, I'm sure.

NEW FURNITURE...THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT TO NEW CARPET

2010-06-06T21:59:00.003-04:00

I love this ladder! I put the two baby quilts I made over the top rungs and Ryan's baby quilt is beneath. The ladder used to live in the studio, but we have to put two cribs in the nursery and the ladder is the perfect solution to this corner that would otherwise be wasted space.

Absolutely adore the new dresser. The top will be used as our diaper changing area.

The new rocker and basket filled with baby books.

One of the two cribs. We love them! Thank you Jimmy and Lindsey!!!

The new dresser in our bathroom. Before, everything was on a shelf. Now it's all in drawers away from baby hands! The first of much baby-proofing to come!

NEW CARPET

2010-06-06T21:20:00.009-04:00

Hallelujah! Brand new carpet for our (soon to be) brand new babies!!! We love how it came out. Here are several before and afters to give you an idea of the improvements that have been made!

Kudos to my sweetheart for all the prepping and painting he has done. Thanks to him, you have no idea of the horror that was actually in the hallway and stairway....the UGLIEST wallpaper and carpet known to man! Yes, we did simply (although I say that from my vantage point FAR from the project) paint over the wallpaper and the ceiling, but the alternative was removing horsehair plaster and neither of us wanted any part of that project! I love that our place has a ton of vintage charm...nothing is "perfect" as it would be in a new house and I am A-OK with that. It has a ton of character and I love it!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

2010-05-21T21:44:00.003-04:00

Much love to my sweetie on this, our 5th wedding anniversary!!! I love you today, tomorrow, and forever!

MAY ARTWALK

2010-05-20T22:00:00.002-04:00

Look who I found at the new Moose Exchange!

Emily from Endless Hats! She makes her craft in this tiny closet sewing with the vintage machine! How resourceful!

Here's an exterior shot of the Moose Exchange. It was a beautiful night for the ArtWalk. For a change, my pregnant self waddled around the street instead of displaying my own artwork. It was nice to visit the venues and meet the artists.

Check out this sculpture by artist Larry Ney. Bet you can't tell he is an electrician by day...

...and painter by night. Love it. Larry is one of the artists that has studio space at the Exchange.

OUR SWEET GIRL

2010-04-21T21:53:00.006-04:00

For some reason, the picture uploader is being difficult tonight...this is not the proper orientation of this image. Nonetheless, it's our sweet girl! I can't wait to hold her my arms!!!

NURSERY CURTAINS

2010-04-19T21:11:00.006-04:00

For curtains, I made teeny versions of the blocks in the baby quilts, mixing colors from the two quilts together in the same blocks. For example, blue together with pink, green with yellow, and orange with purple.

Chain piecing.

I had originally planned these strips to be along the bottom edge of the curtains, but ended up turning them into the rod pockets.

The sweetest lace for trim...thanks for the suggestion, Rita!

Too cute!

HAPPENIN' HINGES!

2010-04-19T20:53:00.003-04:00

Ryan took the old hinges from this...(yuck!)...

...to this!

...and this!

Talk about hidden potential. They look soooo much better!

The nursery is painted and ready for carpet! The woman from Home Depot came and measured today so I hope it won't be too long until they can install. We picked up a funky ceiling fan yesterday and also a new dresser and rocking chair. Only about 11 more weeks to go!!!

SPRINGY SNEAK PEAK

2010-04-19T19:04:00.003-04:00

Here is the spring view of my sun porch. Love the blooming flowers and the light streaming in from the windows. It is so relaxing to sit here and watch the day go by. Not that I have that many opportunities to do so, but I take advantage of the times when I can! The sweet wagon was part of the center piece at Chloe's baby shower a while back. She had twins too...a boy and a girl! It's funny to realize I am now in her shoes! Oh, and a baby shower is coming up this weekend! So excited!

Here is a sneak peak at another baby project. Have to show you abstract images because these are little quilts with the baby names on them! Those names are TOP SECRET until the official blast off in July! We have to have some surprises for the masses...as if twins weren't enough of a surprise, right? I made a little quilt for each letter of their names and will be mounting them to large canvas and hanging the contraptions over their cribs. Originally I wanted to get the more traditional wooden letters, but soon realized that for the price, I could make something much more unique and straight from Mommy's heart!

FINISHED QUILT TOPS

2010-03-28T20:55:00.005-04:00

The tops are done and I can't wait to wrap my babies in the finished quilts! Let's see...about 14 more weeks to go. Wow, time sure does fly! I am beginning to feel them move pretty regularly now...along to the whirring rhythm of the sewing machine! It's an amazing feeling. I wonder just how strong the movements will become as they continue to grow. I still can't believe there are TWO of them in my belly!!!

MORE BABY PREP

2010-03-28T20:33:00.003-04:00

Ryan has been working on the nursery. He finished the wall color (mandarin glow...love it!) and has begun the molding. When he finishes painting, we will have new carpeting put in. I am very anxious for all of this to be finished so we can buy cribs, a dresser, etc. and start decorating!

In the meantime, I am keeping myself busy with other baby projects. Here are the blocks for the boy's quilt all laid out and ready to be pieced into rows.

Here, all the rows from both quilts are ready to be pinned and pieced together. Looking so sweet and the colors go very well with Ryan's wall color!

BABY BLOCKS

2010-03-28T20:19:00.003-04:00

I spent a beautiful day a week or so ago sitting on the porch in the delicious sunshine trimming blocks for the two baby quilts.

A mountain of scraps.

All finished and ready for piecing!

20 WEEK ULTRASOUND

2010-03-18T21:43:00.003-04:00

This is the sweetest picture ever! The little boy is kicking the girl in the bottom! It's so amazing to see them moving and interacting with one another!

Awww...

Our baby boy!

Our baby girl!

ARTWALK-IN

2010-03-18T21:24:00.005-04:00

Here's my set-up at ArtWalk-In.

We had a great turn out to the event! The new Moose Exchange was packed.

Donation jars I made for ArtWalk events.

Each jar has an original art quilt that reads "Heart Art? ArtWalk Donations".

SWEET, SWEET SNOW DAY!

2010-02-10T19:46:00.002-05:00

It was a snow day, more or less. I only got to come home two hours early, but tried to make the most of it. While Ryan was outdoors shoveling...

...I did a dry run in the studio of my ArtWalk-In set up. It's still set for February 18th at the Moose Exchange in Bloomsburg. Now I'm all ready to go!

STABLEY SCULPTURE

2010-02-07T21:36:00.004-05:00

The newest edition to the studio...a Deb Stabley sculpture that Ryan bought me for Christmas. I adore it! There are dowels protruding from the head of the figure and I am using them to hold some vintage spools of thread from my collection! www.stableys.com/stableys_010.htm

QUILTS IN THE SKY

2010-02-07T21:22:00.002-05:00

Here is the Vintage Star Quilt hanging at the "Quilt in the Sky" show at the Columbia Mall in Bloomsburg. www.columbiamall.com

NMAL AT ARTSPACE

2010-02-07T21:03:00.004-05:00

Mock Pie Studio is currently showing two pieces at North Mountain Art League's 18th Anniversary Show at Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg. "Fresh Pecked" and "Snowflake" are both for sale. www.artspace-bloomsburg.com

THE BABY QUILT

2010-02-07T20:43:00.007-05:00

I made this quilt top years ago after we found the vintage alphabet material on a trip to Lancaster. Now that we are having two babies and I only have this one quilt, I plan to use it on the rocking chair in the nursery. I'll eventually make two more quilts that are a little more customized to each baby!

These are basically the colors I plan to use in the nursery. I don't want a specific theme, just a theme of color...the primaries and secondaries. I found the perfect crib bedding to go with this color scheme. I can't wait until the nursery is ready to decorate. In the meantime, I'll be busy hand quilting this piece! I love it!

HAPPINESS ON THE WALLS

2010-01-06T14:59:00.003-05:00

When I walk into the studio, seeing this makes me happy!

I started out wanting an Ikea wire curtain rod installed here so that I could hang and change out artwork as I pleased, but I love this clothesline design so much better!

Now I can display all the images I love but have had in hiding forever. I've had that Jasper Johns print of the stacked flags for over 10 years! The watercolor of red flowers with green stems that's hanging in the corner is an O'Keeffe master copy I did in college. Hanging right above it is a yellow, orange, and blue print of an actual O'Keeffe. And I absolutely adore Danielle DeLeon's "dream" photograph. Yes, this is happiness.

RED VINTAGE STAR QUILT

2010-01-06T14:34:00.004-05:00

I finally finished this red vintage star quilt. The quilt top was found by my Aunt in West Virginia and I fell in love with it as soon as I set eyes on it! I've had it for a number of years now, but have finally hand quilted it. I will eventually hang it in the green dining room as the wall color really sets off the quilt, but first it is going to the "Quilt in the Sky" Show at Bloomsburg's Columbia Mall January 25th through February 8th.

It has been absolutely amazing how my energy is zapped by the little babies in my belly! By the evening of every day, the last thing I can muster the energy to do is work in the studio. This is SOOO unusual for me and I am still getting used to the idea of putting my studio life somewhat on the back burner for awhile.

I have, however, had the energy to sit on the couch and hand quilt. Well, at least for an hour or so each night before my eyelids grow heavy. I have never gone to bed so early in all of my adult life. This, too, has taken a little getting used to. When the babies come, all of this will have been worth it! We found out today that one of the twins is a boy! A boy can still learn to quilt, right???

SANTA BROUGHT TWINS!!!

2009-12-25T21:31:00.004-05:00

Aren't they precious??? We are still in shock!

Here's Baby A in 3D!

This is the back side of Baby B in 3D...camera shy!

AN ADDITION TO THE FAMILY...

2009-12-02T19:30:00.001-05:00

...of the human variety.

POSTCARDS!

2009-12-02T18:50:00.007-05:00

4" x 6" postcard sets are now available on Etsy! In each pack, five postcard designs are within a clear, protective envelope. The perfect gift or treat! www.mockpiestudio.etsy.com

PEACE & LOVE AT TREEFEST

2009-11-22T18:24:00.002-05:00

Wow...this tree is jam packed! It took Ryan and I nearly 3 hours to decorate. I certainly was testing his patience! But I loved the response I got from onlookers as we were decorating and I can't wait to return next weekend and take in all the finished trees!

Business cards are nestled in (what else?) bird nests!

Peace and love abound.

ETSY ADDITIONS

2009-11-08T11:06:00.003-05:00

Seven new postage stamp art quilts are now available on Etsy.

http://www.mockpiestudio.etsy.com

SHIE PRINT

2009-11-08T10:59:00.004-05:00

I sooooo love my Susan Shie Taurus print! I leaned up an old glass window pane in the studio and used magnets to hold the image beneath the glass.

THE FINALE

2009-11-08T10:52:00.003-05:00

Very happy with the finished pieces and I hope the eventual recipients will feel the same.

Framed in blue.

Framed in green.

Framed in pink.

Framed in purple.

PECK TAKES IN ARTWALK & OCTOBERFEST

2009-11-08T10:41:00.004-05:00

My sweet little birdie keeping watch over the goods at October's ArtWalk. We were in Fabrics Galore and the streets were packed with people, live music, pumpkin decorating, and the ring-a-ling of bells adorning horses giving hay rides.

We carved pumpkins to illuminate the square in front of the downtown courthouse.

A grinning ghoul.

A happy trio.

MOCK PIE STUDIO'S NEW WEBSITE

2009-10-27T15:20:00.003-04:00

Mock Pie Studio FINALLY has a website at mockpiestudio.com! Happy day! Please take a moment to view it and let me know what you think!

GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN

2009-10-14T21:26:00.003-04:00

In the summer of 2007 we stayed with Ryan's parents while we were waiting to move into our house.

All my studio supplies were packed in storage and I figured I could handle a summer without sewing, but that only lasted about a week and a half!

I headed off to the fabric store and decided to make a hand pieced grandmother's flower garden. I chose colors for the quilt that I was planning to paint in the house: green dining room, yellow tv room, orange library, and white molding.

I finished all the piecing that summer and this year, I hand quilted it. It will shortly adorn the wall in the tv room.

They say that a great quilter can quilt something like 12 stitches to the inch. Pish Posh! My stitches are big 'n chunky and I love them! What do you think?

APPLE-MANIA

2009-10-14T20:25:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year again...I'm in an apple pie frenzy! Pie! Pie! Pie!

Midgie looking at me asking, "Whatcha' doin' now, Ma?"

I'm busy making pie...until I die! Kidding. But making 36 pies is A LOT of work. It's the thought of having delicious pie available whenever I want it during the next year that keeps me trucking. I've already made 24, so only 12 more to go!

NEARING THE FINISH LINE

2009-10-14T19:49:00.002-04:00

Farmer Gram's little quilts are all hand quilted...

bound with yarn and thread...

signed...

...and will shortly be mounted to canvas for hanging.

In the spirit of reusing clothing, I cut this material from dresses that I have either outgrown or no longer wear and added it to my fabric stash.

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

2009-10-04T16:31:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, Dad! You're an oldie, but goodie!

THE HILLS OF HOME

2009-10-04T16:25:00.004-04:00

Beautiful.

Peaceful.

Home.

Come home soon, Jimmy. I love you!

BITTERSWEET SALVAGE

2009-10-04T15:11:00.007-04:00

Bittersweet. According to Merriam-Webster: pleasure alloyed with pain. I have been putting this project off for years, but am glad I finally started. I am creating mini-quilts from some of my Farmer Gram's clothing that I was fortunate enough to salvage after her passing. It nearly went off to the Sal-Val so I am very thankful to have rescued it. As I work with the material, memories come flooding back. Her scent lingers deep in the fibers. Yes, bittersweet.

Strip piecing scraps.

Finished individual blocks.

Blocks post trimming.

Mini quilt layouts on the design wall. Even though the individual fabrics are very different from one another, they still look great together.

At the end of the night...all finished.

Layered with batting, backing, and prepped for hand quilting.

To be continued...

ORNIE-PALOOZA

2009-09-20T22:23:00.007-04:00

I am nearly finished with TreeFest 2009 ornies!

My theme is "peace & love". make art not war.

Hand sewn ribbon stars.

Ribbon stars finished with buttons and hangers.

Ugh! So glad this is done. I probably have lung cancer now. It's handmade garland fashioned from strips of silky material with teeny red hearts that shed like crazy! The construction phase was a mess and particles of it were everywhere, but I do love the finished result!

Handmade (sewn, stuffed, and painted) butterflies. These will grace the tree top.

Handmade doves in progress.

Fitted with nests.

Complete with peace mantra.
http://www.treefest.org/

SUNFLOWERS OUT, CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN

2009-09-20T22:08:00.005-04:00

They were beautiful, but the sunflowers weren't all I had hoped for this year. Nothing in the yard did particularly well this summer....except the mums I put out behind the garage last fall. They are starting to bloom now and are just beautiful. Ryan wanted to know why the prettiest flowers are out where we can't even see them. Point taken.

After pulling the sunflowers, I put in this perennial bed. I'm hoping that a good mulching in the spring along with watering is all they will need next year.

The birdies are reaping the benefits of my efforts by munching on this sunflower seed feast. I even caught a squirrel with an entire flower head in his mouth, trying to run up the sidewalk with it! Happy to report that he made it wherever he was going!

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

2009-09-20T21:53:00.003-04:00

All my trials, Lord, soon be over! Tomato drama this year! Last season, they were taking over and this time around my two plants are just breaking a foot each and I have a total of 3 toms....1 red, 2 green. Pathetic! So I obtained a bucket full from another garden. The whole idea was to make and freeze spaghetti sauce. Well, I only had them three days and they rotted...putrid juice was all over my counter! Yuck! The resilient creature I am, I went and bought a ton at the grocery store. I had them overnight and when I opened them to make my sauce, several were moldy and rotting. OMG! In the end, I did salvage enough to arrange them (along with my beautiful peppers, onions, and garlic from the Bloomsburg Farmer's Market) into this lovely still life...and then cooked them into several batches of spaghetti sauce. All is well that ends well, but what a fiasco!

SCARLETT SHUTTERS

2009-09-19T23:13:00.006-04:00

I have been saving these shutters for YEARS. Forever, it seems. Originally they were vintage with all the white paint peeling off and I really did love them like that. However, white wasn't going to cut it in the studio. For the last two years, painting these has been high on my list of priorities but I never seemed to find the time to actually get it done...

...until now! They're complete and looking sweet at the head of my desk. Eventually we will mount them right to the wall. Since taking this pic, I have loaded them up with artwork of clowns, berries, babies, naked ladies and such...good stuff.

ETSY!

2009-08-30T20:46:00.003-04:00

I just finished listing tons of new artwork on Etsy! Please drop by for a visit: www.mockpiestudio.etsy.com

AMIDST THE CATTAILS

2009-08-30T13:18:00.002-04:00

Mock Pie Studio at Ken's Cattails. Also in attendance were Donna Shaffer, Linda Doucette, Mark Golomb, Larry Ney, Marlin and Mary Lou Wagner. We had planned to be outdoors in Ken's nursery and botanical water gardens, but the threat of rain kept us inside. As it turned out, the rain didn't hit until the show was over, but it was cozy and comfy indoors! I hand quilted all day. I'm still infatuated with my new easel. Very compact and simple, yet super effective. See Peck perched on top? He loves it too!