Follow That Butterfly

I caught this cute embellished and hand-applique butterfly out of the corner of my eye.

Follow That Butterfly

We had stopped by this fabric store because - well, it's a fabric store. In between the various specialty rooms, some with bolts of fabrics, others with crafts supplies, there were a number of items hanging on a wall.

As I slowly moved around the wall, a little butterfly caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't claim a bad winter as the reason; actually spring is arriving a good 3 weeks earlier than usual this year. But even warmer than usual days doesn't mean my garden is fully engaged. My honeybees are out foraging; birds are checking out the available birdhouse real estate but I have yet to see any butterflies.

Moving closer to this little pink and blue species, I wondered how soon my garden would be full of swallowtail butterflies again. Last year, two of the potted orange trees served as butterfly nurseries for caterpillars to consume the fruit tree leaves as they moved through their various growth stages.

A pile of bolts of fabric had hidden the cute applique flower garden underneath the fabric butterfly so I moved them.

Below the butterfly, a very sweet blooming garden of applique fabric flowers.

The applique flowers were a combination of cotton fabrics and felt, giving the flowers a three-dimensional feel. 

When pulled together, the flowers and butterfly were a lovely excuse to have a jacket on when walking through a spring garden.

The garden was on the front of a charming green jacket, perfect for a spring garden walk!

The jacket wasn't for sale, it was a class project that still needed a few details before it was finished but I knew the maker would enjoy it when it was finished.

And considering that spring was still a couple of weeks away, I think she will have this ready just in time for spring!

Charlotte

Sea of Salahit Fiber Piece

One more interesting piece from the Missouri Fiber Artists display at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Christmas 2014.

Of all of the fiber pieces, this is the one I would have liked to touch. The finish was very interesting, reminiscent of fish scales or maybe the side of a dinosaur.

Can you guess what the artist used to make the opening?

This fiber piece was made by Leandra Spangler out of cotton paper, reed, paint and a zipper. That's a zipper wrapped around the opening!

What did you think was used to make the jagged opening?

Charlotte

20,000 Leagues Fiber Boat

Behind the charming Tea in Paris pitcher, you can see parts of another charming piece in the Missouri Fiber Arts display at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Christmas 2014.

20,000 Leagues Fiber boat was also made by Joyce Pion out of felted wool, silk and "found objects." 

I remember seeing some of the glass pieces at a local dollar store including the fish hanging off the side and the yellow scuba diver.

Aren't the little scenes at either end fun?

Interesting yellow melon-looking piece in the back, I'll take a closer look at that fiber piece next.

Did you read Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"?

Charlotte

Tea in Paris Fabric Pitcher

Another charming use of fabric in the Missouri Fiber Artists display at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Christmas 2014 was this fabric pitcher.

According to the sign, the piece was made by Joyce Pion and includes wool, cotton, waxed linen and "found objects. I can see where wool fabric was heated to become felt and embroidered to make this wonderful tribute to having tea in Paris, France.

The pitcher reminded me of Victorian-era crazy quilts where fabric pieces are cut in different shapes, sewn together and embellished with hand embroidery.

Look at the details including a little map of downtown Paris.

So delightful. C'est la vie!

Charlotte

Beautiful Inside and Out

As I was travelling through St. Louis Lambert International Airport over Christmas 2014, a Missouri Fiber Artist display in a corner caught my eye.

I am fascinated by what people can do with fabric, and not just for quilts. This small display had some wonderfully charming examples of fabric becoming something totally transformed.

The first one was a face made out of fabric, both front and back. The face reminded me of a ship's sail taking on wind to move across water.

Here's the back, which interestingly enough was the first side one sees. Maybe this is why I thought of the sailing image.

What do you see in these fabric pieces?

Charlotte