Just before I went into labor with the baby, I attended a two-day workshop with fiber artist, Susan Lenz. Class was wonderful and got me super excited about making things. Susan uses a combination of fast (burning and machine stitching) and slow (hand stitching and beading) techniques and does a ton of transformation of ugly items into things of beauty. I loved class.
Unfortunately for you, I did a terrible job taking photos during class — i.e. I didn't take any. But I do have photos of some of the things I made in class. I actually walked away with FOUR finished pieces and several more in-progress. Here are the four finished pieces:
The photos truly do not do these pieces justice. There's so much dimension and texture and shine. They're really lovely and I'm excited to find some shadow box frames to put them in so that I can put them up on my walls. I love them that much!
One of the most interesting parts of class was choosing mats for some of the pieces. Susan made a living as a framer for many years before becoming a professional artist. These next few pieces are very much works-in-progress, but I thought I'd share the "before" and "after" of matting:
It's amazing what a bit of focusing the eye can do! I'm looking forward to finishing these four pieces…though I suspect it may take me a while with the baby running the show around here. Nonetheless, you know my art philosophy: a little bit every day builds up to lots of finished art!
Thanks for stopping by!
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
great class, mats really made those quilts. baby runs your life, a truism through the ages.
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
Your art pieces are really really nice….I have always loved fabric or paper embellished with threads and beads. Your personal design just popped and they are fabulous !! Thanks for sharing…….and WELCOME that sweet lil one into your life– Don’t let him run your life………it’s a fine line, but you CAN do it Julie !! xoxo
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
These are gorgeous!! Love them!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Oh I just love all these pieces. Would love to take this class. However it would have to be online. That might be hard to teach online. The Matt demo is remarkable. Love this post!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow, wow, wow! What a difference a simple mat makes!! I scrolled through quickly at first, and I saw the Before and After photos and thought – wow, I really like those afters. I was shocked when I read & realized that the only difference was a mat. How awesome!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
Wow….these are so beautiful!!!! I love the colors, the circles, the French knots, and designs. Love, love, love these!!
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
How are the pieces which seem to be cut onto or floating done. Great work as always
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
I dont feel comfortable sharing another artists technique — especially since she makes her living by people taking her classes.
STUNNING!
STUNNING!
STUNNING!
STUNNING!
STUNNING!
STUNNING!
STUNNING!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!
Love your creations…. Great class! I took the 5 day class lots of information.. it was a frenzy of creativity! One of the very best classes I have ever taken!