A Mint Romance

Slow Creating

As I've been creating lately I've pondered the materials that I use. For 20 plus years I've been collecting fabrics, trims, odds and ends that I'm attracted to. Lately as I search through my collection I've been thinking about who owned these treasures before me. Just like me I'm sure there was an "idea" and purpose for them originally.

Recently I found several yards of the linen that you see in this pillow. Who bought this much linen and what were their plans? How old is this piece? The selvedge states that it was made in England and is preshrunk. It's the color of green that was popular in the late 70s. Perhaps curtains? Table cloth? Did it travel with a family that moved to the area? How many hands has this piece of fabric passed through?

Crochet Yoke and Pink Flowered Linen

Then there is the 6 yard piece of dark wool that I found at goodwill.  I imagine it was meant to be a suit...for a woman or a man?  A man I think, since it's very dark with a pinstripe.

What about all of the crochet doily's and linens I have collected. Boxes and boxes of them. Women were very prolific in the production of these items that decorated their homes. I keep wondering if there will ever be a time when they are difficult to find. I bet their creators never imagined that these pieces would be turned into clothing or used as textile art.

Crochet trim, Button, Beads

It's all about the history of these items and how slowly they have moved through time to become something completely different then initially intended.  Not only time but places. I have some Laura Ashley fabric from the early 80s that was purchased for me by someone who was traveling through England and knew I would love this fabric. I still haven't cut it. When I see and touch that fabric I think about the person who bought it for me. How can I cut something like that? Perhaps I'll make a quilt with this fabric so that I can see it and touch it to evoke the memories of another time. If I make that quilt, or if I leave that fabric untouched as that fabric passes through time no one will ever know the emotional value of that piece of fabric.

Barkcloth and Button

However, as time marches on all of these materials wind their way to other places and time to become creations made by new hands. They are sometimes used alone or combined with other "finds." So the coming together of all of these pieces is definitely "slow creating."

Fabric, Glove and Lace slow materials

What have you made lately from materials that have found their way to you?

Flower Garden Camisole

I haven't made a piece of clothing for many, many years.  As I was digging through all of my vintage textile collection I came to this lovely hand crocheted yoke.  It looks like dogwood flowers, but I'm not sure.  What do you think?  I wish I could crochet like this because I'd love to make another.  It looks like a very easy pattern and I may try it someday...adding it to my journal as I type, so I don't forget!

I began by putting this on my dress form and just looking at it for a few hours. At that point I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep the pink ribbon that runs through it.  As I was looking at it my eyes spotted a piece of pink linen that I saved from Goodwill a few years ago.  I've used small bits and pieces of this linen over time, but still had a large piece that would be just enough for this creation. Along one edge it had a border print and then a nice open print along the other edge.

Drafting a pattern is something that I haven't done in an even longer time. I began sketching what I wanted and then created the pattern from there.

Since I love embroidery I saw the perfect way to incorporate it into this design. I echoed the design on the linen onto a solid linen.

I attached this piece to the front, then sewed the yoke to the front.

On the back I wanted it to be open and summery romantic. So I opened up the back and then created tabs, added a bit of the vintage lace from the bottom front to each of these tabs.

At first it was kind of gaping under the arms and I didn't like that.  I pulled a thin sting elastic thread through the underarm and gave it a light gathering.

One of the things that I thought was very unique about this piece of vintage crochet is that there are buttons on the left shoulder to make it easier to take off and on.

It took me the entire day to create this top and I am so happy with how it turned out.

Something Cozy for your Drink - Winterberries

I had a request a few weeks ago for hand embroidered coasters. ...thank you Amy!

The idea had flickered through my mind in the past, but I just never acted on it. With this request my creative wheels began spinning and I came up with this designs. Since it is winter (even here in the desert) I thought about the forest and a walk in the woods. When I lived in Ohio I remember seeing the bright red berries and thinking that they were there for the animals to snack on during those cold days ahead. With that I created a vine pattern and added red Winterberries....

These are made with linen and a backing of cotton. There is the question of keeping them nice, since glasses do sweat and sometimes (well at least I do) we spill. Just hand wash in warm water with a little a gentle soap, rinse, lay flat to dry. Since they are linen a light touch-up with an iron will make them look fresh again.

Spoonflower and Keys

I was so happy the first time I discovered Spoonflower, but I have never had a chance to design my own fabric. I use a lot of linen and at that time they didn't have a linen available, so I kept putting off the joy of designing. Just before Christmas they came out with linen and I was so excited. I use linen to line my cuffs so I went searching through all of the beautiful fabric others had designed. Both of these are destined for some new cuff designs and new embroidery styles....I can't wait to share them with you in the near future!


I also just bought some antique keys and watch parts from GUS Supply and will be making cuffs to go along with my continued story, "Key Triangulation." I hope to share that with you soon as well. I'm also waiting for two other special purchases...one will be my muse.

Artist Series --Cicada Studio

Have you seen the designs by Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Studios? If you haven't this interview provides a little peek into her world. I don't remember how I found this lovely designer, but I can tell you that I love everything that she creates. As a quilter I find her fabrics are so refreshing and beautiful. I also love her linen and have begun to use it to line my hand embroidered wool cuffs. The linen is so stable and provides a nice texture. Thank you Michelle for taking time out of your busy schedule to allow us to get to know more about you. Oh, and don't forget to visit her delightful blog!

PS...keep your eyes open for my blog anniversary contest where you can win one of my cuffs!

When did you become interested in art and did you choose art, or did it choose you?


Art chose me, most definitely. I don’t think I really had a choice, with a mom, grandmother, two aunts and numerous others in the clan that are artists themselves. It is most certainly in my blood. I’ve been creative every since I can remember.

You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about?

Tough one... The “my choice” (for this evening) would be Bette Davis. I saw an image of her on another blog and it reminded me how much I admire her and love her work. I like her spunk and character and indeed, I think we have some things in common, but I bet she could teach me a hundred things about success and all with a brilliant dry wit. Writer… hmmm… JK Rowling. I’d just be fascinated to hear her story first hand. Artist? Gosh, I don’t know! It would be an honor to be in the presence of Georgia O’Keeffe or Frank Lloyd Wright. They have a very clear perspective and I’m pretty sure they would enjoy telling me exactly what it is. I like clarity and passion… I like it most from people who like to communicate it in all the ways they operate. I find that admirable- and brave… and I wish I could do that more myself.


Do any of these choices influence your work?

Directly? Not so much… but most definitely in spirit. So many people influence my work, though- and for numerous reasons… I can’t be specific.

How has the popularity of the internet affected your work?
Immensely. I can stress that enough. It’s given me purpose and perspective and focus. The community, communication and input is invaluable. I realize now how important an audience for my work is to me, whereas I was much less fulfilled when I would only do things for myself.

Have you discovered any new techniques to creating your work that you can share?


No, I don’t think so. I work on a computer, using Illustrator, primarily. My final product is fabric and I have a few methods for producing that. Some I print myself, others I have professionally printed. I’m not about reinventing, but about researching the best outlets for getting my products made.

How do you overcome artist block?

I don’t really get artist block… I do suffer from having too many ideas, which I’ve said before, but it can be equally as paralyzing. When that happens I make a list and just review it constantly to see what’s most important to me at that moment. Consequently, though, the list gets very long and some ideas don’t come to fruition. I still have the list though, so it’s always possible that I’ll return to a concept. My best medicine is working spontaneously. I may have a list a page long of things I’d like to do, then all of the sudden an idea pops into my head and I HAVE to do it all at once. This is invigorating and can really get me on a roll, especially if I’m happy with the outcome. If nothing spontaneous is coming to mind, then I like to tackle the smallest projects first- they usually energize me into doing something else.

If I walked into your studio this moment what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

I would definitely want to hide the mess. Unfortunately, there’s no hiding that because it’s EVERYWHERE. And if you knew me, and my work habits, you’d know that it completely drives me bonkers. Totally insane. I make myself nuts daily but even then, I don’t have the time, energy or space to sort it out. So, the mess stays (for now). After apologizing about the mess, I would want to show you my portfolio of fabrics and the quality of the different goods because I’m really proud of how nice they really are in one’s hand. Then I’d probably show you what’s on my bulletin board as that typically has pending projects hanging on it. This is work in progress or work I don’t want to lose sight of.

Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience

By profession I was a textile designer for the mens and boys boxer industry. Glamorous? No. But very educational. As a result of those 15 years, I have some pretty hefty skills in my back pocket when it comes to designing patterns. I also gained a merchandiser’s perspective, which I feel allows me to formulate a plan and make cohesive groups to tell a better story. This penetrates my personal work as I tend to work in collections. I like to have each print support another, yet stand alone on its own.

Describe what you do, or who you are in a haiku.

I am no poet
Give me a computer please
Visual am I

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I think I’ve gone on long enough! Thanks so much for this opportunity Rose!