Happy Easter from Pierrot and me.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The Glance/ Le regard

Watercolour straight out of the tube: pure drama.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Yesterday I was out, wearing a light jacket and admiring the tiny buds on the trees, happy to hear the mad chirping of  the birds.
This morning I woke up to snow. The air is quiet. The Canada geese I saw flying by a couple of weeks ago are wondering if they came home too early.
Sometimes the weather leaves me speechless.
Maybe it has to do with red moons, pink moons, eclipses, and planetary hijinks.

Maybe I'll just wrap it all up in love and wait for spring to return.

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

It's the little things.....

Happiness on brown paper.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 And once again it's Friday. Sometimes it feels like being on a treadmill; every seven days we find ourselves back at the same spot...

Spring is definitely here and looking around, one thing is clear: I have to do some a lot of spring cleaning. But first, I'm sorting out my fabrics (it's a form of cleaning, no?).

I have some pieces of a cutter quilt, part of which are a little shredded, so I used the back of the quilt, still intact, for some stitching.  Waste not, want not. Or something like that.

 

  
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Hearts for spring.
With gratitude.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Another beautiful day. I believe it's safe to say that spring is here to stay. Yesterday I saw a chipmunk chasing a squirrel almost three times its size... feisty little thing.

Soon I'll be walking up to what I call the "magnolia tree street" and admire the glory of the season. After that, the lilacs will bloom, and the harsh winter will be forgotten.

  
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 The light is back today, after a night of pounding rain. I dreamed that I swept piles of stuff into big garbage bags, without any sorting to tempt me to create even more little piles. So today, I'm thinking of spring cleaning: space, body and mind.

 Wishing you a peaceful day.




Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Post-Spring Thaw

The colour of the park is raw siena, and looking at it I wonder how it can possibly recover and turn green again. But Nature has its ways. In a way, it's mirroring my life this year, and I'm happy to trust that all will go green and flourish once more.

It always does.

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

It's Friday.
It's raining.

 Wishing you a sunny weekend!



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 An expression, two little words, that I've been using in my small pieces. Separately, the meaning of the words changes, and, to me, convey a certain tender innocence.

 Available in my Etsy shop.



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Stitch. Fabric. Paper. Buttons.

These are a few of my favourite things.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The wind is howling on April Fool's Day.

Fish. Why fish? Because in France April Fool is called Poisson d'avril, or April fish. The origins of "fish" are at best obscure, but the term goes back to medieval times.

[ I take April 1 seriously because we have a family birthday on this day. No fooling.]





Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Hello last Monday of March, going out like a lamb, thank you.

Mindful that I will be vending and teaching in Oklahoma City in one month, I'm now making lists so that I don't forget anything. Especially that which has to be done before I leave.

This latest mini art quiltie has joined the others in my Etsy shop.

And a sewing bag has been added to my bag line destined for Glitter Market in OKC, May 4.

 

Wishing you lovely week ahead.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The landscape is pitiful right now. The spring thaw is uncovering all the debris of winter trapped under layers of snow and ice. Looking at it, I know it will all bounce back and start to go green and warm. It's a good example of resiliency. I believe resilency is part of the reason why I'm still here and still (relatively!) sane.

This past season, more than any other, I've felt jaded and tired, at times discouraged by the state of affairs, of my life, the world at large. They say that you get less resilient as you grow older. Well, I've decided to disprove that. I don't hide or disguise my jadedness; instead I examine it and do something about it. I start by looking at what is working in my life, the people I care about, the work I love, and go from there.

Quietly, in my own way.

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 I spent a few hours yesterday at the One of A Kind Spring Show. It was opening day and I went early to avoid the crowds.

Once again, I visited L'Atelier du Presbytère, my friends' booth, full of the most beautiful items. It's hard to keep your hands off them.

And a new discovery: Sarah Gaby-Trotz, who makes the most beautiful felted items I've seen in a long time. Photos can hardly capture the vibrancy and whimsy of her work.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Wednesday, on my work table


Deconstructing and ironing antique French linen for future work

 and my new postcard

 The One of a Kind Show opens today, and I will be making my way there very soon. I'll be here:

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 On my recent trip to the art supply store, I got myself a little toy. I was feeling happy, having finished preparing my tax return more than a month early (how did that happen??) and this little stamp caught my fancy.
Most art supplies are my professional tools. The odd little rubber stamp is a toy. I see two faces in it: two eyes (one ringed in black), a nose and a mouth on the side, or two eyes and a mouth on the side and a little black beret.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I stitched my way through the weekend.
Print, iron on, cut, compose, design, choose backgrounds, fabrics, sew -- a recipe for contentment.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 A little tour of my world.

On my wall

In the hallway

On a table

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Leap of faith.

I painted a background, and in the middle I saw a shape.

So I isolated it with light pencil strokes and filled it in with paint. 

Acrylic on canvas, available for purchase in my Etsy shop.





Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Stitching on paper.

Brown paper and beaded trim courtesy of my friend Martha, who is even better than I at this sort of thing.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Tulips. Spring. Soon.

So I broke open my new supplies from yesterday, painted a canvas, covered it in scrunched-up plastic wrap and removed it when the paint was dry.

 Then I did a loose drawing and added some touches of colour.

 Spring is near.





Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

A great way to start the week. New art supplies.
I found some great deals at Deserres at Yonge & Eglinton this morning. 
There's nothing like a batch of new paints or a new brush, or a couple of blank canvasses to get your juices going.

 And a new palette knife. It has an oval petal shape and at $2 or so, I couldn't resist adding to my collection. I know it will get a lot of use.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I'm working on items for the Spring Glitter Market in Oklahoma City -- my 3rd year of participating with this wonderful  group of artists. This year it will be held on May 3 (I'll keep you posted). I asked a few friends what they would like to see on my table, and one suggestion was for little cross-body and neck bags to hold keys/lipstick/phone/mad money. So I began making them and thought I was done, but yesterday I added one more. I love making them.... I usually make pouches and gift bags; this style was new to me and it is worth the extra effort.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Two small pieces and a scribble.
With small, you get [almost] instant gratification.
With scribbling, you get relief from tension.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Yesterday we enjoyed a beautiful warm Spring day, but I didn't hold my breath knowing how unruly March can be, I just enjoyed the moment. Just as well; today we're having something of a snow storm.

While I wait for it to abate, work continues.

A long quiltie

 And a Bugle Boy (of Company C).

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Today is our third or fourth sunny day in a row.  A little sustained sunshine always lifts my mood, and my girl Mabel is off again, dancing in the streets. Oh, dear.

 Here's to bringing a smile to your face!

  
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I work every day, including weekends. Long gone are the days when I looked forward to the weekend for rest and respite from a 9-5 job. Sometimes I get nostalgic for that feeling, but not for the 9-5, not at all. I traded a regular paycheck for a feast-or-famine income, and I work harder than I ever have before, but I cling fast to my chosen path because it gives me an irresistible reason to face each day.

Sunday stitching. Little pretty things. A brooch, and a mini art quilt.

And some brushstrokes.

And a new week begins.


 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown