New Projects for a New Year!

"Hello & Happy New Year to all of you!

   There is a lot happening in the Workroom this year, and I'll be on the road quite a bit hoping to meet some of you!

   One of the tasks I have given myself for this year, is to come up with an alternative project each month using the patterns from the book. These I will share with you monthly in this blog . It has turned out to be a great exercise for me as I continue to learn and develop my style.

   There will be more announcements throughout the year, and I will soon have my workshop schedule posted on my website.







January Wool Applique Reshaped Project:

Book: Wool Applique Folk Art
Project Pattern Pieces: "Shades of Earth"
                                 " Housing for Papers"

    These hurricane candle holders are wrapped in a wooly that is a reshaping of 2 of the projects in the book. By cutting the 2 different sized stars from "Shades of Earth" in half, it creates a snowflake effect. I also built the trees out of the leaves in "Housing for Papers". By placing the leaves downward it gives a coniferous look.

   The length of your wooly will depend upon the size of your candle holder. I purchased mine from Michaels and is approx. 19" around. To finish off the top, I simply trimmed the wool with heavy-duty pinking shears.

To attach the wooly to the glass holder, I just did a simple cross stitch down the back.

In the New Year

   An early Happy New Year to all of you! This is going to be a very busy year and I am looking forward to sharing new designs, workshops, and  lots of wool & folk art with all of you!

   Straightaway, we will be starting a Mystery Stitch~Along that will be hosted by Julie Kursave in a Facebook group. It is a wool applique piece designed by myself, and each month participants will receive the new pattern pieces until the project is completed in December of 2016. One hint is that the project is a wall-hanging. To be a part of the Stitch~Along you will need to buy the pattern from me starting Jan.2, 2016 at Noon EST for a one-time payment of $30 which I will invoice you through Square for a credit card payment (or you may arrange another form of payment with me). You may contact me through my website or at rlsmithfolkartist@gmail.com. Once your payment is received your name will be added to the group. The first patterns & instructions for the project will be posted in the group Feb.1, 2016.

   There will be more information to come on all that is happening this year including a list of  workshops I will be offering.

  I so appreciate all who have generously shared their time with me through messages, purchases, encouragements, & attending workshops.

  Enjoy!
             Rebekah

A Season of Gratefulness

   It has been an amazing year!

    Several years ago I was at a point in my career where I just wasn't sure what direction I was to go in. Working at a museum job that I really enjoyed, but not giving the attention to my folk art was causing me to pause and ask, "Is this what I am really supposed to be doing?''. Well, it was time for me to stop trying to direct my own steps and rely on the One who has the plan for my life.

    It hasn't always been easy, and sometimes the work has been grueling, but seeing the results has been something I didn't anticipate. The results have been all of You!

    Hearing from so many of you and you're amazing words of encouragement has been such a gift. While I cannot reply to all of the messages I receive, I want all of you to know that I read them and am just so grateful that you would take time to reach out to me. Having met so many of you this past year, and looking forward to meeting many more of you this coming year, is one of the most exciting parts of the work that I do. Thank You!

    When I talk about my work, it really isn't mine alone. It's a gift given to me from the Lord who has blessed me with  a family that lends their own time and talents to help. Without them I wouldn't get half as much done and none of the tech stuff. There are so many others whose work has enhanced mine. All of the publishing team that worked on the book, and those that felt it was worth buying or selling. Then there is all the appreciation I have for my show partner. Thank You!

  Have a meaningful and joyous Thanksgiving!

Rebekah

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118:1

It's Leaf Season!

      

      Leaves! Have you ever really examined them? What is is about them that inspires such creativity?

A very stylized version of a leaf that lends itself well to folk art.

          Leaves are the one motif I stitch the most. This was not something I realized until recently when I was taking stock of my designs. It would seem that I have an affinity for these lovely, life-giving shapes fashioned by the hand of the Creator. Not only are they an essential part of a plant or tree in order to obtain nutrients, but in some cases the leaf outshines the flower or shape of the flora.

Oak leaves are a favorite of mine. It is amazing the variation of hues they come in.

        

    

      In my journeys into the woods and fields, I pick up lots of Fall leaves. It is a fun exercise to study their textures, colors, and of course their shapes. Like snowflakes, no two leaves seem to be the same even though they have grown on the same tree and even the same branch.

                        Well, the leaves are turning, blowing, and falling. Just right for picking!

Simple leaf design. Adding a layer of wool mimics color variations.

View out our front windows!

Book Winner

      Thank you all so much for all of the lovely comments on the Blog Tour! Here is the winner of a book and the "Bag O' Wooly Leaves:

            Betty of Samplings from Spring Creek. Send me an email at rlsmithfolkartist@gmail.com.

Gratitude

     

      As we wrap up a week of blogging about the book, I wanted to take this time to share just how grateful I feel for the opportunity given me to share the work I have been blessed to accomplish. I have wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember, although I wasn't always sure what that would look like. But I allowed the Lord to lead me through different stages of my art, and He has brought me into an impelling time for my work.

     The response to the book has been nothing short of overwhelming. It has been in large part to a great network of support that started with family and friends whose encouragement led me to realize I might be able to write this book as well as the C&T Publishing family and their wonderful system of support. Once the book was released, it has been the notes, emails, messages, and phone calls that has shown me just how the book has been embraced.

    This book really belongs to all of you! While I was in the midst of writing, I often thought about the reader. It has always been my pleasure to share this work I do, and now to know how well it has been received is a blessing beyond words. So, while I cannot respond to all of the tidings I want to be sure that all of you know of my deep gratitude.

    Next year I have a busy travel and teaching schedule so I hope to meet many of you and share in your own work.

To be entered into the drawing for a book and the "Bag O' Wool Leaves" be sure to leave a comment on this blog post. These are for U.S. addresses only. Outside of the U.S. you will receive an E-Book version of the book.

Also, I cannot say how much it meant to have the participation of such talented and generous ladies as Doreen, Patti, Lori Ann, & Cheri. They were so willing to give up some of their precious time to help me with this Blog Tour.

Thank you so much,

Rebekah

A View into "Wool Applique Folk Art"

    From the very start of the journey into creating this book of projects, I knew exactly how I wanted my pieces to be photographed and where I wanted it photographed. The pictures in my mind were of each project piece in a period setting giving the reader an idea of how the piece could be used. The photographs were going to set the stage of the book and really give life to my work. All along as I designed, stitched, and wrote, I continued to develop how each piece could be staged for their big photo shoot.

    Once the technical writing was finished it was time to focus on the long day of photography it would take to get just the right shots to express the feel of this book. It started with my West Coast publishing company choosing a photographer in Northeast Ohio. Not only did they find a capable photographer, but Laura is also a very talented artist with the camera. We set the big date for July.

Before I even wrote my book proposal, I had approached Ron & Kathy Wright about the idea to photograph my work in their beautiful and historic home should the publisher agree. The Marshall House is a stately home that sits on a bluff overlooking the Grand River and is steeped in history of local and national importance. It was built by a leading citizen of the community and was a stop on the Underground Railroad. With many period-styled rooms and a wonderful collection of antiques, their home would offer just the right backdrops.

Now it was time to assemble the team. Yes, it definitely took a team. I have two highly trained assistants in my daughters Kelsey and Karly. They are both artists in their own rights whose advice and design skills I can always count on. The three of us along with homeowner Kathy worked a whole day a week in advance of the photo shoot to get each piece staged in just the right setting. The Wrights were very generous to let us move items in their collection from room to room in order to achieve just the right setting. 

The day of the photo shoot arrived dark and gloomy. The final and important team member, Laura arrived with gear in tow and ready to get started. Once she had a look at our settings and set up all of her equipment, we dived right in knowing that it was going to be a long day. We divided into two teams now, with Kelsey and I staging each shot just ahead of Laura and her assistant Karly who would get the shot and which would then be approved by all. Then Kelsey and I would clean up after each shot and return items to where they belonged in the house. We had started at 9am and with a brief lunch break, finished at 6pm. We gathered around Laura's computer at the end of the day to see the fruits of all out labors. It was an amazing moment as I saw for the first time my book come to life in these pictures.

To say "Thank you" to Ron & Kathy for their generous use of the Marshall House seems so inadequate as I am so grateful for all of their support. Laura's talent with a camera is so evident in these photos, and I am just so thankful C&T found her. My two assistants also deserve a lot of credit for always being willing to support me in my work.

As this journey with my book continues, I will share more about it with you in hopes it will inspire.