Sunday, October 26, 2014

Fancy Bags

The Bluff Country Artist Gallery located at 111 West Main Street, Spring Grove, Minnesota is open Wednesday through Sunday. "Bluff Country Artists Gallery was established for the benefit and enjoyment of the arts for people of all ages."

I took some of my fiber works down to the gallery last Saturday.  What a delicious day to have a drive in Southeast Minnesota.






 Interesting linings make a fun surprise each time the bag is opened! 









These medium "fancy bags" will fit a cell phone, lipstick, and cash or cards for a fun accessory.  The bags retail for $35.00.


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Brave and Kind

Here's a little video to inspire you today.  I'm working on my Art Lesson Plans and came across this gem.  Enjoy.



This is from:

all you have to do is be brave and kind.
www.kindnessgirl.com
music by Jonsi
photography by patience salgado and sandra culp marr

Sunday, September 28, 2014

New Baby: Welcome Gwenyth Baby Quilt


























We have a new baby in our family:  Gwenyth Elizabeth Grandon.  She is the baby daughter of Angela and Zach.  She was born September 17, 2014 at 1:28am.  She weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce and her length was 18 inches long at her birth.


A tradition that I've begun is to create a baby quilt for my nieces and nephews new babies.  This is a fun project that allows me to think thoughts of love for the new baby and the parents and all of our family.  It is often a very joyous time.  Our family is very big—Bob, my husband has 11 siblings and their children are all creating families.  My daughter and sibling’s children have not started families; that may be in the future.















Sometimes I ask the parents for an idea about colors for the baby quilt.  Sometimes, I have an idea that I think will work.  I always hope these handmade quilts are used and well received.  


Angela and Zach were interested in colors of pink and grey.  I went on the search for fabric with my friend and sister-in-law, Ruth Rosimo last summer during a visit to Portland, Oregon.  We found this very cute fabric.

























100% Cotton flannel fabric, with cotton batting.  Machine stitched.

Size: 42” x 52”



















 Close up detail of Gwenyth's quilt.





















Sweet growing and sleeping, dear Gwenyth. 

















Friday, August 22, 2014

Domestic Goddess Apron

The Domestic Goddess Apron is a pattern created by Amy Butler.  I decided to make one for my friend Kendra.  She's playing with cooking lately and I wanted to surprise her, when I visited last weekend!

I recycled some fabric that had been curtains that covered a bookcase in my classroom a few years ago.  I loved that bright colors of the Kaffe Fassett fabric.  And then I found the pattern at an estate sale and an idea was hatched to make this apron.


 Here I've laid out the pocket lining.  I used some interesting contrasting fabric for the ties and the waste band.


Because I didn't have enough length with the contrasting fabric, I added another for interest and pieced them.  All those skills as a quilter were working for me.

The words Joy, Strength, Peace, Love, Bliss, Hope were selected to  read on the pockets.  

The directions for creating the apron are quite straight forward.  I changed adding the top bodice by leaving the waistband open on the top.   Then I stitched one side of the band right side together with the top bodice.  Then I sewed all layers together allowing no raw edges to show in the inside of the apron.  



When following the directions, here are my changes:  On step 9 leave the top seam open the length of the bodice.  On step 13, sew the bodice to right side waistband--only the front.  When that is sewn, sew waistband front, bodice and lining together right sides together.





Kendra modeling her Domestic Goddess Apron.  She ready to cook up something good!







Wednesday, August 6, 2014

30 Seconds in Winona

Mary Lee Eischen
Nia Instructor and Mixed Media Artist



My friend Jade Fang, Jade Community Acupuncture Clinic created this 30 second video of me for our Frozen River Film Fest 30 Second in Winona Videos.  It a mini film festival benefit for Frozen River Film Fest that will be August 23 at 7:30pm at the Winona Lake Bandshell. 

Nia is a movement practice that involves the Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts. It is based on nine movement forms.  It is danced to fun soul stirring music.  And anyone can do it!

Come try out Nia in Winona at the Friendship Center, Manitou Martial Arts and Wellness Center, the YMCA and at Winona State University.

Find Nia in your area.  Nia is practiced in 48 countries.  Hope to dance with you soon.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Summer Biking


It was after a busy day; I decided that a recharge on my spirit was needed.  I jumped on my bike for a quick spin around our lakes in Winona.  Then I headed out to Prairie Island.  Here's a little rest that I took.

 
Our spring and early summer had lots of rain with flooding.  Here the lake grass is in the branches, evidence of the high water before receding to a more normal level.




Rocks and water; the landscape of the backwaters of the Mississippi.  This is my neighborhood.  


 

My legs are basking in the sun.  Welcome summer.

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