Morning Dew Drops

Sew, So Natalie - A Pair of Pillowcase Dresses Part 2

 If you missed the first part of this blog post,

please go here first

 Natalie - Pair of Pillowcase Dresses Part 1

 

Natalie says, "Meet my little sis, Sophia." 

 

 

Sophia says, "What's this sis?  OH, oh you cut a hole in Momma's pillowcase and I'm gonna tell.  You in troubbblle!"

 

  

 

Sophia says, "I sew so so sooorrry, Natalie!  

I didn't know what you were doing!"

 

 

 

 Sophia says, "You made me a pillowcase dress just like yours!

You the best sister in the whole wide world.  

Everybody is gonna want a big sister like you."  

 

We can all learn from Natalie -- not only is she learning to sew and loving it, she shares her sewing tips with us and she actually made her sister's dress before she started on her own.  

Kudos to Natalie!!

 

Again, if you missed the tips/pattern #, go here to learn more

Natalie - Pair of Pillowcase Dresses Part 1

 

We learn to create and love what we do on Morning Dewdrops -- as we embrace our passions, we can't help but get excited and share it with others.

 

 Blessings Terri

Email: Terri@morningdewdrops.com

Blog:   http://morningdewdrops.com 

http://www.facebook.com/MorningDewdrop1 

https://twitter.com/MorningDewdrop1   

https://pinterest.com/MorningDewdrop1

 

Sew, So Natalie - A Pair of Pillowcase Dresses Part 1

Natalie is learning the rewards of sewing and knows to take her time, drive slow and be patient, BUT OH the REWARDS!

Sew let's check in on Natalie and see how it's going.

 

 

Here's Natalie sewing a ribbon border around the hem of her dress, and YES, it's a pillow case. 

Natalie says that if her sewing machine could talk, she'd want it to say, "Pressure Bar Down!"  LOL -- And for those of you who sew, wouldn't this be wonderful!  

 

As Natalie was sewing her bobbin thread tangled under the needleplate, so we stopped to fix the problem.  We had to remove some of the fabric from the feeddogs. Then Natalie said, "That's why they're called "feeddogs" because they're real hungry to eat up your fabric."  LOL!

 

That's Right -- We sewers have all had our share of "feeddog" problems!!!

 

 

 

 

Natalie moved up to the serger today!  Natalie says she likes serging because you can go pretty fast.  She also likes that it cuts the fabric while you sew. She warns to keep your fingers away from those needles though and she'd rather not have to thread this machine!! -- Four Very Big Spools of Thread!!

 

Sew with all of these problems, how does Natalie do it!!  Focus, Determination, Patience but mostly LOVE  -- Love in creating -- 

  

 

 She's a Fashion Designer making her own ONE OF A KIND -- Fashion Statement.  WELL GIRLS -- Natalie looks lovely modeling her lastest design at Morning Dewdrops, a fuschia pillowcase dress trimmed in a grey and white herringbone ribbon and embriodered with daisies.

  Her mom, Kim, made the hairbow in the same ribbon used for the neck ties and hem border.  We're coming up daisies!!  OMG! I just noticed her toenails -- they even match -- what is that color Natalie?

 

Natalie learned to embrioder on the sewing machine today.  I think she liked that the best.  She embriodered the stems for the daisies.

Natalie sewed the ribbon border to perfection! And she learned how to sew on bias tape and how to pull the ribbon through the opening around the neck using a big safety pin.

 

But didn't we say a "Pair" of Pillowcase Dresses?

Sew this in about an hour, catch Natalie in Part 2 of our ongoing Sew So Natalie!!

 

Tip -- You can use a pillowcase for this dress and we did, but we also used Simplicity Pattern No. 2391 because we're learning about patterns too.  This is a good pattern to start with -- only one pattern piece was used for the dress!  And we're going to make more designs from it too -- Like a top and crop pants maybe.  

 

But Natalie said she wants to make a skirt next.  Oh That Natalie!  We can't keep up!

 

Sew Today -- Fall in Love with Sewing

Would also love for you to comment!

Blessings Terri

Email: Terri@morningdewdrops.com

Blog:   http://morningdewdrops.com 

http://www.facebook.com/MorningDewdrop1 

https://twitter.com/MorningDewdrop1   

https://pinterest.com/MorningDewdrop1

 

Soulful Molly - Art Journaling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this art journal because it tells its own story

-- S  O  U  L !

 

 

 

 

I started sketching Molly Dolly concentrating on her face then her body.  I was going back to her arms, but was moved to complete her eyes and mouth - something I normally save for last. You know the expression "eyes are the windows of the soul" - her eyes immediately drew me in. 

I like the phrase, "...Molly Dolly touched my soul." because physically she can't touch, but she touched me deeper than through her hands. I saw her soul in her eyes. They so spoke to me.  "Molly Dolly has a heart of soul."

Have you ever been sketching, embellishing or painting and a inner voice screams, "STOP!"  Molly was not meant to be sketched with arms.

 

 

 

I remembered a doll given to me when I was young.  She was an old cloth doll. Her head and legs were wobbly and her arms were completely detached.  We had to put her together again.

And so began Molly with a question, "Would we love her just as much if she had no arms?"  Could we get past her handicap and see her, I mean really see her?  I think we can and if we can in a doll, surely we can in people - for no one is perfect and you have to seek their soul. 

 

Some of the techniques used in the art journal "Soulful Molly" are:

 

 

I used a paper bag as my foundation.  I painted wonder under with washed down acrylics (not on the release paper side), then it was ironed onto the paper bag painted side down.  I removed the release paper and ironed on silver foil in sections using parchment paper to protect my iron.  If you are applying foil in sections, try not to hold the iron over the areas not being foiled and cover all areas with the parchment paper.  Be patient ironing the wonder under onto the paper bag takes longer than ironing onto fabric.

 

 

 

I saw balloons floating away as I sketched Molly.

White cardstock was painted and lettered to create the balloons. They were then covered with blue organza to create a 3D effect. Molly and the balloons were glued down. A water soluable pen was used on her dress to achieve a watercolor effect. 

 

 

 

 The paper bag was backed with craft felt (8 1/2 by 12).  Layers were created with paint, machine and handstitching. 

 

 

 

The fabric leaves were roughly raw-appliqued on the bottom.  

Smaller embellished pieces were added in the shape of hearts made from molding paste.  The hearts were painted and embellished with beads.  An antique glass button was added to the center of the big heart.  Some of the glass beads are missing in the button and I knew I was supposed to include it because Molly isn't perfect either -- we all have pieces missing (maybe not visibly). 

 

I fell in love with Molly.  I believe this is only the beginning for Molly and Me - our journey -- expressions in art journaling!

 

Let me know what you think of Molly Dolly.  She loves comments too!

Blessings Terri

 

 

The Way-Word Girls

 Debuting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inception

It seems every September God leads me somewhere new.  I started this blog last September and two years ago the phrase "The Way-Word Girls" came to me in a dream.  Creativity is always bountiful in His Kingdom, but when you ask for it with a purpose, gifts and talent come you didn't know you had.  I do not draw; yet I have created these four young women. God is aligning me for His purpose and I am excited.  What are you passionate about? It's funny but I think He is taking my compassion for young girls and using my passion as a mixed-media artist to reach them.  And Oh, if I could reach but one for His Glory!

In September we usher in the Jewish New Year.  This time of year God propels us into the upcoming 2012 with enormous creativity.  Let no small idea go.  Cherish it, nourish it and let it grow for if it is a desire of your heart, it was God-given and He will supply the "how" we just need to take the first step.

 

 

 

Two years ago in September, God put two verses in my heart, (you know when words jump off the page and grab your heart -- rhema words)

Proverbs 7:8-9 "...walking at twilight down the street to the house of the wayward girl..." (TLB) and

Jeremiah 31:32 "...How long will you wander, O wayward daughter? For the Lord will cause something new and different to happen..." (TLB)

And so these four young women came from two verses in The Bible and in a dream I saw the word "wayward" written as "way-word" and a thousand "what ifs" followed in my mind. Within months of their inception, I was busy drawing them, naming them and imagining where they were from and how they met - then for 18 months I let them go.

 

 

I learned Photoshop Elements -- I created a blog and then about six weeks ago, "The Way-Word Girls" came back to me in another dream. Do you suppose God wanted me to wait? He was preparing me for His timing and now He is ready for their birth. If you've had ideas over the past years that did not come to fruition, I encourage you ask to revisit them - now is the time for their manifestation.

 

 

Within the last few weeks, I have envisioned The Way-Word Girls doing many things, but their purpose is to help young girls -- girls, who don't know who they really are; they may suffer from victim mentality -- I know I did. They may just be hurt and need a kind word. They may be abused or depressed or they just might love to be enlightened in Jesus Christ and through God's Word.

My daughter calls them surreal because the drawn characters live in real places. I looked up the word "surreal" and it means "resembling a dream," so I became a fan of that word.

 

 

Last night an idea came to me -- Wednesday with The Way-Word Girls; a blogpost of a short video or collection of images depicting The Way-Word Girls. I see girls from the early ages of 9-12 learning from a Christ-like foundation their value and then I see teenagers, women young and old, renewing themselves in the truths of self worth.

So I've been journaling about these girls, I've been drawing, painting and collaging with them. I've made a fabric-paper pamphlet to introduce them and will be featuring the coolest, hippest quote -- at least my interpretation of it on Wednesday.

 

 

So if you know of any young girls who might be inspired by The Way-Word Girls, please have them join in on their new adventures as they meet, attend classes, create and experience life on the university campus. 

 Also, I'd love to know what you think, so please leave a comment.

Blessings Terri

 

 

Please visit the blog parties I'm linking with, I know you will love, love, love them and Thank You Hostesses!

 Beverly at Pink Saturday

Cindy at Show & Tell Friday

 Courtney at Feathered Nest Friday

 

 

Artist Trading Cards (ATC) Swap

Inspirational 52 ATC Card Deck Swap

I love to inspire! 

 

 

So here mine are all strung together and blowing in the wind.

 

Jessica Brogan is having her 2nd

2012 Inspirational Card Deck Swap

 

 

First, all 52 ATC cards you make have a different quote. 

 

 

 

These are now cut apart and covered in beeswax.

I even put mine in individual envelopes like a little "happy".  That's what I call small delights not big enough to be called a gift.  

 

 

 

Since I machine embellished mine with decorative yarn/ribbon, it was easy to just stitch them together and then cut them apart when done with sewing.  Great time saver.

(Read more below if you are new to ATCs)

So we send our 52 cards to Jessica and she sends us ATC cards back from all over the world; a different quote of inspiration on each. Can't wait to get mine.

  

I'm grateful and happy to inspire others; it's what Morning Dewdrops is all about -- even in a little ATC card.

We Should

Always Hope, Magnify Hope, Search Hope

See Hope, Taste Hope, Manifest Hope

Identify with Hope.

 

Scripture 

I pitch my tent in the land of hope. (Acts 2:26)

I am a prisoner of hope. (Zechariah 9:12)

Christ in me the Hope of all Glory.  (Colossians 1:27)

 

 

What is an ATC

For those of you who do not know - Artist Trading Cards are miniature works of art about the same size of a baseball card or 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches, small enough to fit inside card sleeves. The ATC movement developed from the mail art movement in Switzerland.  ATCs are made from various media; including pens, markers, paints, paper, found objects and cloth. They are exchanged as business cards and swapped around and cherished as the masterpieces they are!

Please see our post dated Jan 14, 2012 called "Reflections in Artist Trading Cards" for tips and how to take these little darlings to the next level.

Also try searching "artist trading cards" on the web for beaucoup inspiration.

 Please leave us a comment.  Love hearing from you

Blessings Terri

 

 

Let's Have a Blog Party Hop! with our Hostesses/Hosts

 – See sidebar for links –

Thank you for inspiring us!!

 

Beverly  - Pink Saturday

Jennifer  - In the Studio Sneak Peek Friday

Mary  - Art Blog Hop

Eva and Kristin  - Paint Party Friday

Laura – Faith-Filled Friday

Jennifer  - Artist’s Play Room

Lorik – Mandarin Orange Monday

Nancy – Your Best Sunday

Marcia - Artists in Blogland/Show & Tell Saturday

Diana for - Sweet Saturday

Leah for 2012 Create Every Day Challenge

 And 

Megg with Sunday Scribblings  

  

You can also follow me:

 FB page is http://www.facebook.com/MorningDewdrop1 

Twitter is https://twitter.com/MorningDewdrop1  

Pinterest https://pinterest.com/MorningDewdrop1

 

Revealing the Artist Within

Inspiration! 

My Lady surrounded by antique buttons, painted lace & silk ribbon french knots.

 

 Front Cover

 

 What better way to be inspired than by the master artisans of the 1700s and 1800s.  She has her hand on her cheek as if to say, "What will I do next?"

A fabric book of art.  I took cross-stitch fabric from the package, still folded, I found to be the perfect size, so I bound the book with a buttonhole stitch and began to reveal the female artisans who lived 100s of years ago.  

 

 

 page 1

 

 A neighbor opens her window to invite us in, "What shall we do today?" she asks.

I've discovered my couching foot again and I love to machine stitch through paper.

 

 

 page 2

 

We'll sit in the garden and stitch beautiful silk ribbon roses and fly stitches by hand and to finish it off we'll embroider even more on our machine.

 

 

 page 3

 

 Tat, tat, tat and the making of lace, wooden bobbins everywhere.

Fly stitches, stitched letters by machine, silk-ribbon roses, hidden and painted things 

 

 

 

  page 4

 

"You know this art we must not let it die," she says, the female artisan who loves to paint and sew, never with idle hands, always creating,

"We shall teach and inspire them again!"

 

Organza, raveling muslin, couched ribbon, buttons and paint.

 

 

 page spread 5-6

 

 Spinning wheels go round and round in a community of spinners and weavers.

In ways, we are coming back to this.

 Silk ribbon rosebuds growing on a vine with large purple bottonhole twist bouillons.

 

 

 

 Close up -- silk ribbon roses on crinoline

 

 

 

Close up - Large silk flowers using a wider ribbon 

 

 

 

Close up -- Large wrapped bouillon flowers 

 

 

 

Page Spread - Pages 2-3 

 

 

 Back Cover

 

Or we could just go outside and play some games!

Angelina fibers underneath painted lace, silk ribbon and buttons

 

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of our "Revealing the Artist Within" fabric artbook.  I always love to hear from y'all, so don't be shy now.

Blessings Terri