SusieDesigns Studio

Jo-Ann Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010

2010-12-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

I chose to enter the Jo-Anns Quilt your colors 2010 quilt contest. This will be my 3rd quilt I have made. The pink Siamese cat print was my focal fabric to work around. So became the Tic Tac Groovy Cat quilt. I designed the pinwheels and cat face appliques with borders to make up the Tic Tac grid. I still wanted the little cats from the print to have a place. I fussy cut and fussy cut til I had the squares and more borders to my likening.

I watched a you-tube on scalloped borders so I decided to try that as well. I am learning embroidery with my big Bernina so I printed the quilt name, date and my name on the large cat applique on the back.

For machine quilting I had stitched in the ditch and did some free motion quilting on the outside border. Having just had carpel tunnel surgery on both hands just before the contest ended I had to leave well enough alone.

The last day to mail the entry was on 12/18/2010. I ran out of photo paper and had to go to the local print shop. I lost my car keys while I shopped waiting for the pictures. Found my keys back at the photo shop. As I quickly stuffed the photos in to the entry package... I see the full view shot had the top and bottom edges cut off. Oh well.... off to the Post Office. Done Done ~!

My First Quilt DONE~!

2010-08-31T06:47:00.001-07:00

Yahoo It's done. Hanging on the clothes line in the sun. Lots of practice machine stippling with my BSR foot.

Two fun pillow cases with Kitties too.

Summer Blossoms Bernina 830Dirt and Gardens

2010-08-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

So as I am watering everything in the yard very early... since the boys have gone off to catch some yummy catfish up on the John Day river. Boy is it gonna be a hot one for them. Lots of sun screen, gator aides and yucky chicken livers. I have having a great time sewing on my big Bernina 830. I have a twin size quilt goin' on here for my granddaughter's birthday. I am practicing withe the Berinina Stitch Regulator (BSR) Free motion stitching is new to me and I am going to have to try free hand with out the BSR after this one is done.

This quilt is goin' to be the cutest thing. All prints, lady bugs on the back too and the binding will be a yummy light blue minky.

The Patio is on it's way to be torn to smithereens~! We will have a new cement poured over the cement that is hidden.

Rhubarb on the right is an indestructible plant. John can't wait for our late, late crook neck squash to grow..grow... grow~!

The corn and tomatoes have had a hard time this year to in Oregon. The cold wet LONG spring kept everything at a stand still. Now with 98 degrees of heat today... Grow baby GROW~!

We were filled with fir trees in the back of our property. Now that we took the trees down, split and sacked all the wood for the next few winter... now on to more garden space, fruit trees and of coarse... flowers.

It's a big space that my husband can't fill up with boats. SO I will have to bring in the trees and plants.

2010-08-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

Spring Refreshes......

2010-04-03T08:24:00.001-07:00

Where have I been~? I have wondered that myself. My nursing job with Willamette Falls Hospital has changed to Providence Willamette Falls. Lost of big changes with computer systems.
But.... on to my art. Where has that been. Well, several of my art-y folks I have made in the past keep peeking at me and wondering what's up~! So my friend Pea at http://whimsicalendeavors.blogspot.com/ Gave me this CUTE frog prince-ess and she/he is now showing off our new countertops. Silestone in browns, creams and and and. I look like I always have a spotless kitchen.....at least on the counters.

Have been reading alot on sewing and quilting lately and stashes of fabric. Thought I would prove I am working towards having tons for my children to say, "wow, what should we do with all of this STUFF"... HA to them. This is the tip of the fabric-burg. Just got this great cubbie shelf and sorted through this much. I have another cabinet that I have to fit in my studio.

PS... the small skates are a project to paint... UHMmmmmmm... Painting is in my head too.

I some how came home with a new Babylock Evolution serger. Boy is this baby a charm. My last Babylock was 15 years old, worked like a horse and I had never changed the cutting blade.

I have this one figured out ... cover stitches, overlocking.

Also, my best new toy. ... . A Bernina 830 sewing, quilting and embroidery machine. I am taking classes to learn this big baby. Talk about the tip of the iceberg... My wonderful sister gave me her Koala Sewing cabinet that is strong enough to hold this 38 pound sewing machine.

I learned to sew from my professional dressmaker... Momma. I have plans to make my lined large picture window living room drapes and also for the dining room slider. My hubby will have to bring in a couple of saw horses and a large table top so I can work on those. Can't wait. Fabric is ordered along with the blackout lining.

My Mom was a specialist at a time for Goodell's Custom Draperies in Portland, Oregon. She made all the custom order valances and swags. I worked there in the summers during high school.

Happy 3rd Birthday to TDIPT

2010-02-27T18:18:00.000-08:00

In just a few short days TDIPT Mercantile (not to be confused w/ the ebay group which turned 3 back in October) will be turning 3 years old!
It is hard to believe that this much time has passed since our doors opened and we made our debut onto the internet.
To help to show our appreciation to our wonderful customers and our loyal followers, we've celebrated each of our birthdays w/ a giveaway, as we will this year.
Some of our artists have created something special to be given away for this special occasion, and we will begin the festivities on the evening of Sunday February 28th at 10 PM ET, which is when the artists from the 1st of the month will have new offerings available on the Merc for your consideration.
We will draw names on March 21st.
How to enter for the drawing?
Purchase an item from the Mercantile and we will throw your name in the hat for each purchase you make
If you're on our mailing list to receive our TDIPT Newsletter, you will be entered in to win, so if you're not already receiving it, be sure to sign up on the Merc or on our TDIPT blog.
If you are a follower of our blog you will be entered in to win. If you don't already follow us, be sure to sign up.
We hope you will join us to celebrate such an important occasion!

TDIPT Blog and Mercantile and SusieDesigns

2010-02-14T20:36:00.000-08:00

Visit our Blog
http://todwellinprimitivethymes.typepad.com/

Visit our artist Mercantile with wonderful items for sale
http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/

This little Tole ware tray's purchase price will be donated to Mercy Corps for our Hearts in Haiti

Take good look at our TDIPT art this month. The wonderful artists have donated a pieces of their work with the purchase price going to Charity. My art piece price will be matched and go to Mercy Corps.. located in Portland, Oregon.

Toleware Tin Tray....Vintage Chickens in a Basket

2010-01-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

I sew, sculpt, paint, garden and try just about any kind of art medium....But I always come back to painting. I have oodles of old tin/metal trays to paint so I am back at that for a bit. Just listed the Chickens in a Basket and whoooosh... it sold on TDIPT. Such fun items to place on a shelf or a nook in your home for a remembrance of farm life. More to come.

TDIPT artists will be showing all sorts of bird art February 21st Ebay.

In the mean time before that... please take a look at our offerings on our Mercantile Now~!http://tdiptmercantile.com/

Upates to the New Year 2010

2010-01-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

So a belated update from the Christmas Holidays. Our 3 kids, 2 fat puggies... Hector and Mongo and 1 granddaughter.

Spencer and Max awake, happy and loving children... eating Christmas Brunch.

My Granddaughter Teagan who helped ??? bake pies. I gave her the leftover pie dough and the roller. I forgot to put up the bin of flour so..... she had a great time rolling out her crusts.

Our daughter Stephanie and Teagan had to test out the Cinderella tent that Santa brought. The Happy Holidays were lots of fun.

Jack Johnston's ArtDoll Class 2nd DAY

2009-12-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

Oh my what fun it is to sculpt all day long. We worked on hands and shoes all day long. Got 'em done. Everyone is happy sharing ideas and their art stories. Jack makes you so welcome to be in his class. He spends lots of time teaching, hands on helping and then you have plenty of time to individualize your work.
Tomorrow we will be doing bodies for these 18 inch dolls. We won't be costuming them but will be able to customize that at home.
Here are is all but 2 of the students heads, hands and feet. Jack can sculpt a doll in a short time... We take 3 days.

Jack Johnston Art Dolls Class Susiedesigns

2009-12-05T06:17:00.000-08:00

We got to Salt Lake City 12/3/09, Thursday for our ArtDolls class with Jack Johnston. Class starts tomorrow... FRIDAY. We brought tons of stuff to work on today, before class and after class. We had an extra table brought in to our room. I have my reindeer to work on and some penny quilting. My sister brought one of sculpted "old sister dolls" to work on their clothing.
The weather here is beautifully sunny but BRRRRRRRRRRr cold. In the 20's. Although our home in Oregon City, Oregon just 10 degrees warmer and expecting snow this weekend.
We took a walk and went over to Kmart and my sister searched and searched for a nice gray knit top.... to cut up and use for her dolls bloomers....HA~! Crafter's all the way.
I found Heartland Paper.. a great scrap booking store but I only came out with some snowflake designs.
Below you can see some of our class...YIPEEE

Here is just a small grouping or finished heads from our class. Forgotten camera sticks...low batteries and just having too much fun to take pictures at our first class.

Artdolls.com Jack Johnstons Doll Sculpting Class

2009-12-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

Yaaa-hooo. My sister and I arrived here in cold, cold Salt Lake City, Utah to take Jack Johnston's 3 day Prosculpt doll class. We spent the morning traveling to get here and the afternoon setting up our craft room at the Inn we are staying at. We needed an extra table because we brought lots to do before and after class. Paints, clay, wool, stuffing and more stuff..

We don't go to class until Dec 4th... TOMORROW... but we are crafting already on "stuff" from home.
More tomorrow after we have our first fun class. But we are already tired from working so hard.

Belsnickle Santa...s Primtive Folk Art Santas

2009-12-03T18:55:00.001-08:00

2 Belsnickle Santas
I created 2 Belsnickle Santas last week. Both with 100% wool clothing that is hand dyed. Luscious feeling wool. The brown standing Santa is about 20 inches high, full lambs wool beard, naughty list, leather toy bag and a vintage type toy boat. I sculpted his head over a gourd so he is fairly light weight. His feet are hand sculpted black winter boots.

This Santa can be hung on the wall or sits on a ledge. All wool jacket and heavy cotton ticking pants. I have hand quilted his penny rug type pockets, he holds a stuffed Santa bag and has a primitive Christmas tree in his pocket. I hand made a miniature grape wreath with a "Silent Night" grungy label.
This holiday Santa is about 16 inches sitting and 26 inches tall hanging. His face is hand sculpted over a gourd to ad lightness to his total weight. Take a look at his sculpted boots with pin buttons and lace. Ho Ho Ho....

Behold a OOAK TDIPT Christmas Primitive Folk Art Doll and Baby Deer

2009-11-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

Miss Merrilee,

This is a Christmas girl holding a baby deer. She is 25 inches tall on an old vintage candle stick. Her dress is soft quilting flannel and cotton fabric. Lots of trims and a vintage doily with wool applique. I created, sewed and painted both of these wonderful holiday souls

She will be up for sale shortly as I have a few more surprises to add to her Holiday Decorations.

She is on Ebay now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Merrilee-Christmas-OOAK-Primitive-Folk-Art-Doll-TDIPT_W0QQitemZ270485135384QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item3efa2ba018

Giveaway at TDIPT Blog site

2009-10-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

http://todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/
Enter the drawing for one of a kind artist gifts. It's easy peasy....~!

TDIPT Halloween Penny Rug Primitive Doll

2009-10-15T07:15:00.001-07:00

OHhhhh... so soft. Hand dyed wool fabri designed Penny Witch.
She loves to sit and watch what's going on for the holidays. Her body is Osnaburg muslin that has been aged and has a faint cinnamon smell. The bodice top, waist band and ruffled neckline is a vintage cotton hand stitched.The all wool skirt and hat that I designed are so soft and Halloweenie~! Black cats, Witch hats and french knot dots all in a vintage primitive style.

Her little antiqued hands rest comfortably on her wool skirt... see her hand painted and sanded smooth legs and black boots.

She is a bit pouty~! She wants to go trick or treating~!

She is for sale

She is listed on TDIPT Mercantile under SusieDesigns. Please take a look at all the other wonderful artists that have new one of a kind items for the 15th of this month.

http://tdiptmercantile.com/artisanpage.html

Tick Toc Halloween Cat Clock

2009-10-07T05:59:00.001-07:00

SOLD~!!! Off to her new owner. Thank you soooo much. Hope you love your clock.
Finally, I have put this gorgeous piece together. It was originally a tall grandfather clock. I found just the top portion as a treasure to paint. The clock is working and the cat has eyes to be spooked by.

Just You Wait My Pretty....... OOAK Primitive Art Doll

2009-10-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

Next up for show n' tell will be the pretty masquerading witch. She is has a special "boo" tag from a special friend of mine. She can hide behind her Halloween face mask. Ohhhhhh her hat has spider webs.... She will hope over to EBay shortly. Please stop by and see her friend "Miss Wicked" ... she has flown there already.

TDIPT September Mercantile "Miss Wicked Witch"

2009-09-15T08:31:00.001-07:00

Happy Spooky Halloween

Up to some Orange and Black favorites here and a hand sculpted face from paper mache clay.
Oh~! my favorite Halloween Art Doll yet. Tibetian wool hair, quilt cotton clothing, black diamond dust and mica flakes, a hand made trick of treat bag and her "WICKED HALLOWEEN" flag.
She stand 27 inches tall on a wooden beehive bobin. These old bobbins tend to be a bit wobbly so I took an old metal paint lid, painted it halloween-ie and attached it securely.

She comes to you as an original design and pattern, hand sewn, sculpted and signed by myself. You are getting a OOAK Art Doll from SusieDesigns Art from the Oregon Trail. She gone now and will celebrate Halloween next year.

http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/

Just click on Artist and go to SusieDesigns.

Be sure to look at all the artists and their Autumn offerings.

Come back each month on the 1st and the 15th for new offerings.

We are busy and happy creating new items all year around.

TDIPT Swap Whimsical Endeavers From SusieDesigns on the Oregon Trail

2009-09-11T05:17:00.000-07:00

Autumn TDIPT Swap gifts are rolling in. I was so excited to have Pea of http://whimsicalendeavors.blogspot.com receive my package since I forgot to take pictures before the witch, black cat and crow flew to her home. I was happy to mix and match Halloween colors "my fav" for this swap. The witch is painted on a found board that looks like a tombstone~! Then I wrapped the Moonstruck chocolate and Oregon Huckleberry jam in Halloween fabric.

http://whimsicalendeavors.blogspot.com/ Received my Autumn Swap with lots of Hugs and Tugs from the heart from Oregon and Me.

Be sure to visit our Mercantile shopping site.

http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/artisanpage.html

Wonderful artists from around the country offer their handmade art.... painting, sewing, wool work. You will love to scroll through the listings as they are new on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Take a look at our TDIPT blog as we travel our lives with you. We are having a Cutest Pet Contest now and you can vote for your favorite.

http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/artisanpage.html

Love Halloween~! Black~Orange~Yellow~Spooky~Fun

2009-08-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Primitive Folk Art Doll SusieDesigns Art from the Oregon Trail.
Ohhhh... Black and Orange... Orange and Black.... Halloween is my favorite for art designs. Can't ya tell. This is a tall 27 inch bee hive bobbin girl that is almost done. Little Miss "Wicked Halloween". I started with a round cloth face then sculpted her with paper mache clay. She has just a touch of purple shadow to pop with the Black and Orange. I have a bit more to do on her and then we shall see where she goes.

When I went to Alaska I of coarse

took some important items to work on~! My husband said we were there to fish but I said, "these are my after fishing things. Cats are so fun to paint and the eyes can just draw you in. I haven't decided if this will be on http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/

or ebay. I'll have to see what else I get done.

How fantastic are these colors. I have a mess in my studio but a pile of Halloween colors of fabric and such on my work table. It caught my eye and said," Yummmmy". Like most artists who have stashes of treasures.... this is just the tip of the iceberg or rather the tip of the pumpkin showing.

Alaska going ..going..... almost gone~!

2009-08-08T21:09:00.001-07:00

Of course I have done some crafting. This hand sculpted puffin make do is a gift for the house owner that we kicked out of her house. It has an inhuit "sort of" design on the base.

A family picture and we are so tired. Out in the sun for 3 days in a row. Pilar Hill looks down on one of Kodiak's harbors.
We went back up to Pilar Hill in Kodiak and saw the windmills on a sunny afternoon. They almost look like they belong in a science fiction movie. Max was so happy to pose for a couple photos.
We fished a last day at the mouth of the Olds river. The fish were not biting~! No change or combination of lures or weights interested the fish to bite.
This beautiful jelly fish was washed up with the incoming tide. Almost Halloween colors and very large in size... about 15 inches across.

155 Pound Alaskan Halibut

2009-08-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Our last deep sea fishing charter and we limited out on King and silver salmon. Tons of bottom fish, one big Ling Cod and a HUGE 155 lb Halibut caught by John. That big fish ran him around the boat, had to be harpooned and then 2 men lifted it onto the boat. When we went drop of the fish at the fish processing plant...they tied a rope around the fishes tail. He was then lifted up on a crane chain and we got some pictures.
I don't have those pictures yet. John had taken a picture on our digital camera and then took 28 minutes of video of the inside of his pocket. So we have a few pictures to have developed.
The charter group was myself, John, Bob and his son Nick. We also were joined by a father and son (Music professor/flutist and pediatrician) who had never caught big salmon.
I wasn't able to out do my husband with his big fish...but all my fish were sooooo much bigger, brighter and fatter than my brother Bobs...HA HA HA
As our trip comes to an end ... we need to wash and de-fish-stink the car, go up Pilar Hill in Kodiak and take wind turbine pictures up close and of coarse fish some more.
We miss you all and hope the weather has been much cooler for you all. We have had SUNNY days and our noses and cheeks are pink/red from the long days sun.
We miss you all and are glad we are still here~!~! We'll be back up in 2 years again but will either catch the sock-eye run earlier or the silver run in September.
WHERE'S MY BABY~!! TEAGAN.

Kodiak land and water

2009-08-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

The Kodiak flower baskets, wind turbines and seaport posts make a great combination for walks around the city.

My first fishing adventure in float tubes... what if they sink, what if they tip over, what if they get a hole in them, what if something bites me......
WHAT IF A BEAR SWIMS OUT AND GETS ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had to put on the neoprene chest waders and tons of clothes under neath. Extra sweatpants, shirts, sweatshirts, and socks. I am inside somewhere. I think this is when I should say I have to find the powder room???
Managing a camera, pole, lures and large flippers kept my mind from worrying about a Stephen King lake monster!!
John and I fished for about 6 hours in the Buskin lake. Lots of fish called Dollies that are like a trout but silvery green with pink polka dots. We must have catch 50 each with a catch and release style and brought home 6 large ones. Yummy.
Here you can see a picture of John in his tube and a picture of my flippers. It was too risky to hand the camera to John for my "in the tube" photo. I wasn't trustworthy. I lost a pair of fishing pliers thinking I was putting them in a cute little pocket on the side. OOOOPS~! It was the open ended pocket for the fishing pole.
I wish we could have had a video of us walking with HUGE flippers into the lake, ever so gracefully fitting those flippers into the float tubes and then sailing off to the lurking dangers below.

Which charter boat to go out on??? Trolling for King and Silver Salmon. Bottom fishing for halibut, link cod and rock fish. We love it all. So we'll be out another 2 charters this week and we all can't wait.

I thought I found a great craft treasure ... old rusty springs~~!!! Please, please can't I take this home? Can't I cut it up and take some of these home. I love old springs... I was denied. Booo Who

Bears...Oh My~!

2009-08-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Believe me... I personally am always looking and listening for bears. Lots of sightings around since they think fisherman are fishing for them. I would not hesitate in a second to offer up my fish vs myself. Although my dear husband and son say they are not worried about bears. WHY~! they say they can run faster than me. ...
Along the main road near Bells Flats in Kodiak some of our group sat and filmed one of 3 bears that visits this river that flows out to sea. The bears are looking for the tasty salmon that flow up stream back to their spawning grounds. The 3 or so year old bear here is in need of some more salmon dinners to fatten up for the long winter. No one cared to bother him at "his" dinner time.

Art and Crafting in Kodiak, Alaska

2009-08-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Bonded silly silly girls. My sister in law... Mary(right) , and our good friend Annie Poirier a well known Kodiak Crafter/owner of Annie Gift's and house renter. The big cruise line ships dock here in Kodiak and many local Crafter's show and sell their art. Mary and I had this great idea that we wanted to make something and earn some money for a dinner for everyone. So at the 11th hour we made flip-flops with the cutest rick rack and decorations. We should have have had some more wine as we glued, giggled and plotted the spending of our glorious loot~!
Guess how many people in Oregon and Utah might be getting decorated flip flops for gifts~???
4~four..... But you can't take away the hours of silly girl fun we had picking, choosing and surprising Annie with our "ART".

Roaming Kodiak

2009-07-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

We have splashed through the salmon filled creeks, been tossed about in a Kodiak charter boat in the ocean and caught more salmon so far than we care to keep.
There have been bears..... bears on the road and lurking in the bushes. I have my special yellow whistle and it is guaranteed to keep them at bay. It has worked so far.
Kodiak has 3 huge wind turbines on a hill outside our cottage window. Looking up at them they makes you dizzy to bend your head back so far to look up.
Our charter boat trip was so fun that we had a hard time giving up our fishing poles. The sea was pretty choppy and it rained most of the day. It was so hard to find a dry and non bouncy time to take a picture. We brought in large halibut, King and silver salmon, black cod, 2 small sharks and 1 large surgeon by my dear hubby.
We have spent each day fishing somewhere. There are so many good fishing spots that are tempting us daily. They day stays light til 9:30 or 10:00 pm.
My brother Bob shamelessly got to go on a "one spot left on a ATV ride" to a prized remote lake. On one of our most rainy days he bounced, skidded and almost floated down and over mud hills and creeks. All for the prize of the "red sock eyed salmon". I would have gladly taken his place.
I have done some crafting and teaching our friend Annie who's home we are renting. I just don't have enough time to fish, craft, read, visit, nap and fish some more~!!!

A Mermaid Cake for Ana

2009-07-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

If you knew Ana and her long beautiful hair... you would say... Ana's Hair~!!!!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful friend at work. She loves her mermaids so......

My first swap gift.

2009-07-15T18:38:00.001-07:00

MINE~~MINE~~MINE~!!!My redhaired witch swooped out of her travel bag and out to the backyard. She was soooo excited to get a wiff of the HOT Pacific NW. She thought the trees would be the safest spot since the big black crows were ready to strike. She must have been told by her maker "Starla" that this might be a new and magical place. She is adorable. Her little feeties in her little booties!! RED RED ... flaming RED HAIR. She will protect me in all my endivers as I enter my studio.Thank you so much Starla. It is a treat to have this be my first swap gift. So special to have Starla as my first swap partner.

This witch is from http://briar-rabbit-prims.blogspot.com/

http://susiedesigns.blogspot.com/

TDIPT Summer Swap "To Dwell In Primitive Thymes"

2009-07-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

To Dwell In Primitive Thymes Summer Swap.
Just a picture of my swap gift that I sent to Starla...
http://briar-rabbit-prims.blogspot.com/ Go see her wonderful art !!

This is a pumpkin man make do on a candle stick. I sculpted a paper clay head and face on him and used my FAVORITE COLORS!!

Now I can't wait to see what I get in exchange.

Summer Garden in Oregon City

2009-07-13T06:11:00.001-07:00

This is what good old chicken pooo will do for your garden. We took these on July 9, 2009. So knee high by the 4th of July. Plus crook neck yellow squash, tomato's, peppers, beans...

The deer won't leave my tomato blossoms alone~!

Blue berries.. just a small picking. Anyone can grow blueberries in a sunny location. Be sure to add "all" your coffee grounds around the base.... The plants love the acid taste and it doubles your yield and the size of the berries.

Kodiak, Alaska ~~ Fishing with Susie

2009-07-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

Going... Fishing ~! Our Kodiak, Alaska fishing trip is getting close.This is just a sample of a couple years ago. I was the fish cleaner for our 15 fish limit for the day. No bears this day but lots of Eagles flying around to see what they could pick up for lunch.

I love Halloween colors~! My husband said that I couldn't tie black and orange fishing flies for our Alaska trip. Oh POO~! What does he know.

This table of fishing supplies .... sure does look a lot like me crafting table. I might have to run off with some of his "stuff". Hey... did he get into my stuff???

Shop and Win on the TDIPT Mercantile

2009-06-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

Red with Pigtails and a Piggy for sale.
George Washingto goes to the County Fair for sale.
Find these 2 on the TDIPT Mercantile~! Plus many other artisans wonderful hand crafted items.

http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/index.html

You can find me under the Artisan SusieDesigns

http://tdipt-susiedesigns.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't for get to sign up at the TDIPT 100TH Blog give away.

Win this hand painted Angel or many other great gifts.
http://todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/

To Dwell In Primitive Thymes 100th Blog Give Away

2009-06-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/

Be sure to go to click on the link to the TDIPT ~~To Dwell In Primitive Thymes

TDIPT's 100Th Blog Post Giveaway. We are excited about having reached this milestone and we want to celebrate by offering some special prizes . If you'd like to win one of these special prizes, you can do so in one of 3 ways. You have THREE chances to win! 1) You can simply leave a comment on this post, 2)You can become a follower of our blog (current followers automatically have a chance to win!) 3) You can spread the word on your own blog about our 100Th Post Giveaway!
Last day to enter ~ Sunday, June 21st

http://todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/2009/06/tdipts-100th-post-giveaway.html

I have donated a hand painted piece of art work to the give away. Be sure to click on the link to reach the TDIPT blog and enter to win. Also, sign up to receive our newsletter bi-monthly with wonderful hand made items from wonderful artisans across the country.

Go and see the other special art prizes you could win.

Which Craft to work on~?~?~?~

2009-06-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

I have been busy getting back into being crafty busy. Sewing my nursing uniforms out of wonderful colors has brought my sewing back to life.

Working on a silk tie quilt by request isn't my favorite but wow it takes alot of squares and ties to get done!

Sculpting old George Washington going to the fair. Just a peek at him....He's not done yet.

Another peek at a prize that will be offered on our TDIPT Mercentile. Now I can paint again.

OOPs!!! getting ahead of myself with Christmas... I think not. It will be Christmas this summer soon on our TDIPT Mercantile ~!

Garden Blooms~~My Collecting

2009-05-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have friends that collect antiques. I collect old stuff to paint on.
I have friends that collect fancy clothes. I collect old and new clothes to tear apart for crafts.
I do collect garden plants to make me happy as my friends and I wander the garden. The photos here are of blooms and my gardening helpers.

Family Needs Me

2009-05-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

Now on to be obsessed with my life like my Mom taught us all to do.

I have family here that depends on me. Fatty puggies and the tough cat.

Ok... I am going to get busy and be me again.

Angel Mom

2009-05-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

My 92 1/2 year old Mom would still get an obsessed quilt, gardening idea or travel plan in her mind. She would tackle it head on and not stop til she had it done. It took only 14 days after her diagnosis to her passing.

My Mom did not fight leaving but wanted to visit all her family and finalize her last ideas. She was on a mission and needed to get it done. She said her goodbyes to everyone who visited, dictated notes to those who could not and never regretted a single bit of her life.
My Mom made 2 quilts just 1 month before she knew.
My Mom went to Spirit Mt. to play the slots just 2 weeks before she knew.
My Mom had gardening plans and was waiting for the blueberries to get ripe.
The love of her family carried us all though. My Mom worked just as hard and strong on her last journey to become and angel April 20, 2009.

Lazy Fat Cats

2009-04-13T06:01:00.001-07:00

Do you wish you could just lay around and have no worries. Live the life of a cat at our house!

Family Ties~~Aging Mothers

2009-04-12T10:39:00.001-07:00

My 92 1/2 year old Mother has been a strong and wonderful parent for her large family. We have been celebrating her life since finding out she has just a short time left with us. She has been pain free with liver cancer but failing rapidly. She wanted to have everyone to stop by so she can say goodbye and we continue to parade in and out. The grand kids dressed her in a pink feathered tiara and boa as we laughed and teased with her last weekend. She is still with us now eating ice cream every chance she can and 1/2 a beer at 5pm. She is in her home with my sister staying 24/7 just as promised.It has been a reconnecting of aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters. My nieces and daughter took me out to Karaoke...they sang and I laughed. We all needed it.
She continues to amaze us with her delightful smile, funny, historical and thoughtful comments.

Art Apprentice

2009-03-26T07:30:00.001-07:00

If you were looking to work for me as an artist .. I am sorry that the job has been filled. This little lady bug applied and was hired on the spot.

Now I think she may be calling her agent. ~!

Art From My Recent Past

2009-03-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have loved to paint. I looked back at some of the art I have done and wanted to share it with you.

SusieDesigns T.D.I.P.T Banner

2009-02-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

How cute is this custom made banner by http://bigbrowndogprimitives.com/. Jan put her wonderful skills to great use with my special picture and her computer designing talents. I couldn't be more happy. With a few back and forth fun emails, Jan had a full sense of my ideas and blended them with her skills and WOW!!! I am so happy with this design. Don't you wish you had this cute little sweety in your design corner! Sorry she is mine and I am her NANA!!

Click this link http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/ and you will be whisked away to "To Dwell in Primitive Thymes". Some of the best primitive artisans across the country have a home here and list their wonderful crafts. Also, journey to their blogs and see what inspires them. You might even get a glimpse of a special piece that is in the process of being thought of, crafted and finished. Contests are held and before I joined I was one of the winners of a Christmas Ornie! Now they have welcomed me and my art into their group.

Be prepared .. I say... winding your way through the items for sale, blogs and links could be inspiring and addicting. One artist will lead you to their favorite sites and on and on.... But be sure to know that you will have lots of fun. You can come back often since many artists here will have items on Ebay, Etsy or also on their blog or website. Just a never ending specialty crafters market.
You will see my banner and listings in the T.D.I.P.T. Mercantile email March 15TH.

TDIPT To

2009-02-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

I have just been accepted to TDIPT. To Dwell in Primitive Thymes. This is an group of artists who promote their specialty hand made work on Ebay and through a Bi-monthly newsletter.

I am jumping up and down to jon them and will be in the newsletter on the 15th of March!

You can sign up for the newsletter and see the artists work at:

http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/index.html

SusieDesigns on the Oregon Trail

Coth and Clay Dolls~ Gritty Jane Doll

2009-02-25T06:45:00.001-08:00

This is my Gritty Jane Doll from the online Cloth and Clay Doll Class by Jan DesRosier.
She was very fun to do. Music sheets decoupaged to her bodice and arms. Clay hair in a flip... I think mine was like this in 6 Th grade.
A vintage black and white skirt from a resale shop for her skirt. Eyelash metallic yarn, a vintage rhinestone button holds 3 red and black polka dot hearts from her waist line. Her Mary Jane shoes have red polka dot heats on the bands.

Doll head in the process.

2009-02-16T22:54:00.003-08:00

This dolls head was done in a class from Prosculpt clay. It started from an foil ball. She has real glass eyes and eyelashes. She needs to be turned into a clock face at the base. Time will tell if I work on her or run off to another project.

2009-02-16T22:45:00.000-08:00

This little bunny girl was sculpted with Paper Mache over an old porcelin figure. She is now a pink sparkling angel with white feather wings.

She is about 10 inches long and 7 + inches high. She is secured onto an old vintage woven wooden basket. She has a vintage rhinestone button and a pink bell around her neck. She hides an easter egg under her right hand. She also is covered with german glass glitter and mica flakes.

Brown Bunny Boy

2009-02-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

Hopping along the bunny trail. This guy is hand sculpted by me. No molds for him. He has a cone hat on that has a purple feather and a vintage rhinestone button on it. Fun little carrots and eggs he has. All items sprinkled with german glass glitter and mica flakes. He is about 10 1/2 inches tall. Very sturdy and Easter cute.

Sculpted Art from Paper mache clay

2009-02-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

This little hand sculpted paper mache bunny came from my heart and hands. Not a mold. She is in a Vintage style and is 7 1/2 inches high.

I hand painted her eyes and sealed them. They look moist as if they are real.

Holiday Dolls With Round Heads

2008-12-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

These are 3 of the Holiday dolls that I have finished. Cloth heads, arms and bodies attached to old wooden beehive bobbins. They have been hand painted, their clothes are hand sewn and stand 23-24 inches tall. I am done with these cloth dolls and off to sculpting now.

Rag Doll Swap for Friends of Cloth Dolls

2008-10-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Our group is in the middle of a Rag Doll swap. We each were paired up with another doll friend to swap with. I'm not done but thought I would tease my Carla swap mate with the feet of her doll.
Carla her little feet won't get cold... at least! She won't let me name her yet but we are discussing it.

VR Challenge Doll for Friends of Cloth Dolls

2008-10-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

The face of this doll is from pre-printed fabric designed by Virginia Robertson who sells designs dolls and sells patterns and books on
http://dollmakersjourney.com/index.html We each had several faces to chose from and then we each decided on what kind of doll to design around our face. Halloween popped into my head for her.
I hear from other doll makers who have unfinished dolls and other projects still left to do. I had finished this doll for our challenge in this group but had wanted to add more to her. Her body is from a thick felted wool and then Halloween added from head to toes. She as articulating hands and arms, she can sit but not stand. I needle felted her a litttle black kitty face in black wool then metallic yarn with orange wool facial features. She has ruffles and ribbons and a jiggle bell ring and bells on her toes.

The cape I redesigned for her is lined and filled with cotton flat batting. I free stitched quilted the cape and appliqued a moon and metallic black cat jumping across the moon.

Her face was sweet to start out with. I only needle sculpted it a bit, added highlights to her eyes, cheeks and lips. The hair I made is from 100% wool yarn and eyelash yarn. I made ringlets by wrapping that combination around wooden dowels, soaked in water then baked. Long flowing lush ringlets!!
I have placed her on Etsy under Susiedesigns.

Friends of Cloth Dolls: a Yahoo group for doll makers, new, old, just starting out or old hands at it.

Halloween Goth Primitive Witch

2008-10-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is a primitive Halloween Doll that I have made from a thick Cotton Muslin. I have painted her face with acrylics. The Halloween Orange and Black colors are some of my favorite.
I pie quilted her skirt and added tons of trim, metallics and a netted slip.
Her little pumpkin flowered hand bag is needle felted into a face, with black stained petals and some metallic from yarns and an old sweater.
She is about 27 inches tall, she will sit but not stand. I have her on Ebay right now under SusieDesigns.

Hoffman Doll Challenge 2008 Northwest Quilt Expo SusieDesigns Susan Woodworth

2008-09-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

The Hoffman Fabric Challenge 2008
http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/

At the Northwest Quilt Expo
http://www.nwquiltingexpo.com/

More of the dolls can be seen at Deanna Hogan's great website.
http://www.blueherondolls.com/2008%20Hoffman%20Challenge.htm

The dolls from the Hoffman Challenge from Trunk A
http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/2008challenge/doll_trav_for_web.pdf
Sorry for the fuzzy pictures... the dolls are in a glass case.

The above 3 pictures show the dolls left to right on the table under glass. Althougth I can't get the pictures to mind me and stay "3 in a row".

Left to right under the glass.

There were so many beautiful quilts at this show. Not must from the Hoffman Challenge. My sister was with me and had a walking cast on. So we were limited in time and steps. !!
If you would like any of these pictures please email me at Suethenurse@msn.com and let me know.

Teagan's Birthday Picnic Table

2008-08-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Back to Tole painting for this project. It was toooo hot to paint out on the patio this weekend at almost 100 degrees. Then it rains and is too wet to paint out on the patio. Grandma (Pam) Cameron had Spencer bring me a great garage sale find. This wonderful wooden picnic table will be a Birthday gift for our 2 year old Granddaughter Teagan.

So the project starts out in my head and then to the art studio on the living room coffee table. This little table is a bit bigger than tole painting a Christmas Sled. Out come the paints, more paints and lots more paints to mix and match.

Teagan loves just about anything but kitties that say, "Maow" are her favorite. So of coarse her table had to have kitties! Each kitty has found the top of a birdhouse to visit with thier bird friends.

The black and white kitty is my favorite and the heart says T.J. for her initials. The large orange kitty looks a bit menacing But really has a sweet face, a red bow, a tag that says "Maow" and a blue bird on his tail. He just got a bit big.

This kitties face opposite of each other on the table so she can pick which kitty to eat and visit with. On each attached sit is a large lady bug and a dragonfly or butterfly. I have to been done sooooo. It needs it coats of varnish.

I have always been an 11Th hour procrastinator~! Lots of love Nana

July 2008 Adele Sciortino,ODADA Viva la Carnivale workshop

2008-08-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

My doll is the orange and black one that I still have to finish. We learned how to make paper clay masks for our Viva La Carnivale Doll.

My first doll workshop was with Adele Sciortino,ODADA. http://www.adelesciortino.com/

The workshop was held by the Stitchin' Time Cloth Doll Club in Eugene, Oregon. We brought our cloth doll bodies made prior to class and each student bought tons of fabric and embellishments. The Stitchin' Time club brought baskets of fancy fabric to drool over and help plan our elegant dolls from. Adele had multiple stopping points for us to come up and see demonstrations of fun and new techniques. We spent 2 days on Dolls and one whole day on beading. We learned some basic beading skills and started to build on a cabochon pendant. The completed one was done by Adele Sciortino. My sister, Beverly Reinhart's is right on with her beginner pendant with the even beading. WOW!

Our workstations started out all neat and organized then went to a pure busy state. Dolls were everywhere. We made wonderful friends, laughed and cried from stories and discussions. I came home exhausted with my mind over flowing with learned skills, brewing ideas and a lonesome husband.

Bev and I traveled from Portland, Or to Eugene, Oregon to attend the class. The traveling students and teacher were hosted by the some of the students in the class. Our host family was the doll club's president, Leilani and her husband Ron. He seemed to have plenty of stuff to do while we were off to class then came home to sew on our dolls till midnight each night. Just like a bunch of teenage giggly girls. Oh and we learned that the president of this club rules not with a gavel but a loud squeaking frog!!

Our room mate, Cindy Urich, is building her dream house with plans to have specialty art seminars held there.

I can never thank Adele Sciortino and Jean Peeters the club organizer enough for this event. It was soooo much fun.

OH!! I had to come back and put my dolls away (for awhile) and cook dinner and vacuum.!

Depot Doll Club Portland Oregon

2008-08-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

My sister Beverly Reinhart http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=5760442 and I attended our first doll club meeting, that lead to our first doll showing. The dolls from the other club members filled the shelves to overflowing!

Depotdoll club was able to display all these beautiful dolls at Quilting Delights in Clackamas, Oregon. http://www.quiltingdelights.com/ This wonderful quilt shop has remodeled and expanded and offered this unique book shelf as a stage. http://www.depotdollclub.com/ The club was started in 2000 after Elinor Peace Bailey taught a workshop. http://www.epbdolls.net/ They are sponsored by the Fabric Depot in Portland, Oregon. This Store usually has just about any fabric you can think of and I can spend hours just wondering around, filling up a cart. https://www.fabricdepot.com/

Can you find my Witch, Garden fairy and my White primitive angle doll in the mix??

It's Almost Halloween!!!

2008-08-07T05:46:00.000-07:00

This doll will be for sale shortly. Please email me at Suethenurse@msn.com if you might be interested. She will be listed at $180. She is about 22 inches tall.

BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!

I wanted to show my Halloween doll I did this spring but more are coming. This doll is OOAK, soft cloth and totally my design.

She has painted striped legs, a leather cape with an attached pointed collar.

The cape has an embroidered spider web and beaded spider on her right side. A wonderful lama Halloween dress that is gathered on the bodice and enhanced with beads at the hem line. Her long fingers are sculpted clay with each fingernail hand painted with a small Halloween design. Orange needle felted pumpkins drip from her left hand. In her right had is a magic staff of feathers, beads and copper wire. She is beautiful even with her long witchy nose but her eyes are spell binding. Spooky orange sherbet hair with black metallic strands flow from under her leather cone hat. I haven't decided if she will be a hanging from the wall witch or standing on a hand painted Halloween pot. Witch ever the wind blows... will tell me what to do.

Hoffman Fabric Challenge Doll 2008 Artist Susie Woodworth

2008-07-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

I thought I had another 3 weeks and not 5 days to finish and ship her...plus go fishing with my husband. Yikes!!!!!!! We did fish at Lawrence Lake up in Parkdale, Oregon. How beautiful blue and sunny it was as we sat in the sun and just enjoyed ourselves. The lake is pretty high and Mt. Hood is just looming over the next ridge.

My Hoffman Challenge Doll started off long and lean with blue striped Hoffman fabric legs. Bit by bit I started to add clothes and accessories of found and stored items.

The Peacock and not the nest...(the nest is still on the ironing board). How do you make a stuffed peacock when all the peacocks are going the same direction? My secret!~ I stuffed this bird and her she is with the bird in hand. Hopefully, if this doll is picked to travel with the Hoffman Challenge shows, she will hold up well.

The skirt was different shapes and sizes in my head and on the doll. It took awhile to get where I wanted. I beaded some gold and blue beads here and there. It was too boring and at the 10 th hour of cramming to get her done... I decided that sprinkles of beads was my artistic design. I used some ribbon to crazy quilt around her large lily. The wonderfully cute pink sequin bead trim came from my sister who loaned them to me to try.... oops I owe her! I lined the skirt with some wonderful green fabric that had metallic green tinsel in it.

My husband can't quite figure out her fingers holding up her skirt. I told him it was a girl thing! I also asked him to help me name her and that was a total mistake. I showed her off at work and one MD asked for an Anti emetic. Funny... boys.

It's just a girl thing to enjoy.

Her tail feathers are from the peacocks tail of the main Hoffman Challenge fabric. I lined them with a blue suede fabric and edged them with a turquoise fringe yarn. I made my own multi - varigated ribbon to cover the ends of her wings and tail feathers. I used all sort of bits and pieces of most this fabric. My mother would have a fit if she saw the left overs.... holes all over.

Do you like her wings? At first they started out to be pantaloons for her. Then I hated the idea... then I got a wild idea at the 11th hour while trying to get her done to ship her the next day. I had machine quilted them already and I had not used that Hoffman fabric yet in the challenge. I made my own bias tape with another challenge fabric and had wings. Inside them I added firm wire .

On the wooden bass and I knew I wanted to use the large flowers from the Hoffman fabric. I gooped them up and attached them to the base, added those small and even smaller micro beads with a matte sealer. I had planned to have the stuffed peacock at her feet since I was not the happiest with them (the feet). Then she would have been holding a blue feathered peacock nest in her right hand. BUT... my sister saw the nest and said, "what is THAT THING!" The nest got axed! This base picture looks like her feet are blue duck like feathers. One foot is flat and one is toe pointed. Maybe duck feet would have been better!Do you like her hair. What I do to a skein of yarn would have knitters after my hide. I was going to add all sorts of beads, ribbon, extra yarns and "things" to her hair as I planned her in my head. But the final showing is just the gorgeous yarn it's self. OOOps. Lost the yarn tag to tell you what it is.

Her face next to the last thing to be done. I wanted to see her whole being before I hand painted her face. I use pins to even everything out then dot the spots, remove the pins and draw in the face. It took me a bit to get the blue green of her eyes then add a touch of gold and sealer to simmer.

I loved doing this doll. I hated to ship her off. Hope she has fun and it will be interesting how she looks when she returns.

Dimensions in Dollmaking 2008 Susan Woodworth Garden Fairy Doll

2008-07-23T14:03:00.001-07:00

http://www.iolcc.com/
Dimensions in Dollmaking

Best Original: "Garden Fairy" by Susan Woodworth

I used a wooden base and drilled a hole for a metal rod that holds her up and and into the base. It was covered with mulberry paper then skeleton leaves, beads and a left over copper wire that had a leaf on each end. She rises up off the base as if in flight. How fun she was to make. I never could have guess the end product. I try to use only found, recycled or remodeled items. I hit the fabric store all the time for remnants. I collect "stuff" all the time. She has 100% wool felt legs, hand fringed skirt, 2 brass like bracelets as her belt. I had that great charm that is at her waist and then used petals from a Burgundy sunflower at her waist. Her hair is hand spun wool yarn that I cut to use the thick and thin parts. The wings are from coat hangers that were bent in shape and then I zig-zag stiched the delicate wing fabric on to them. There are some beads, copper wire work and .... my kitchen wind chime gave up it's bells to her. It had served it time in the window long enough.

This is the finished product of my first stand alone doll. She is 24 inches tall and is totally original and made by me... inside and out.

Pretty N Pink Shabby Chic Snow Lady

2008-06-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

This cute little snowman is like a Beetlejuice character... very small head. She is shabby and chic with pretty pink and rose fabric. The buttons on her jacket are porcelian roses. The stockings were all hand made. She has a big fat standing base and is hand painted. She needs a new head. I might do that towards fall.

My Wild Irish Eyes Doll

2008-06-27T06:56:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make a primitive folk art doll for St. Patrick's Day. I found old pj's, beads and used the thick chunky muslin. I painted her eyes green and taught myself how to do appliqued eyelids. The fun cone party hat has some hand made Mylar 4-leaf clovers on it. I hand made those and found out you really need to shrink the Mylar outside .. since it stinks! She had bloomers and remodeled crocheted sweater for her size. This doll also was sold on Ebay and lives back east some where?? ! Her eyes scared my friend too.

My First Doll was for Valentines Day

2008-06-27T06:52:00.001-07:00

This is my first doll to make. IT scared my friend. She hated the eyes. Although they kind of resemble hers!! She is total cloth, painted head and hair, bits and pieces from my stashes of fabric, lace and beads. I hand made a Valentines card for her in a hand made envelope. Her little legs were painted white and I sewed red beads all over them. She could barely stand on her own but I didn't know to make her to stand, sit or hang yet.

I listed her on Ebay last year and she sold and flew to Hawaii. How fun!

Picture Trail.

2008-06-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.picturetrail.com/SUETHENURSE
Visit my PictureTrail images.
Lots to look at and see my wanderings of art.

These are 2 paintings I have done with my decorative art. The red skating lady is on an old wooden window and is about 24 inches by 36.
The Pink Rose is the first old painting that my sister showed me how to paint. Working with oils is pretty fun and makes you loosen up with your brush and paint. Be sure to see my Halloween and Christmas items that I have mostly sold at bazaars and on Ebay. Next sales with be with Etsy.