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Life

12/30/2014

I'm bummed that I don't have the funds this year to take the classes that I would like to take. At least I will have time to finish up the lessons that I didn't get to in previous years. I guess it is a bit bitter sweet, but I'll be okay. Every bit of money my family can spare is going to getting rid of debt. It is a bit rough now, but it will be worth it in the end to have that burden gone. I am still going to be making art and practicing and improving my skills. I hope that life is treating you well and know that you will make it through the rough times as well as through the good times.

Janelle

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Rejuvenation

12/28/2014

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I'm starting to feel rested and rejuvenated enough to get creative again. Hopefully in the next couple of days I will start something new or finish up an older project. For now I have just been resting and enjoying time with my family. I really need this time to recharge every once in a while so that I don't get burned out.

Anyway I made this baby quilt for my nephew and now he has it so I can share with you. I made an ABC one for his older brother and wanted one that complimented it for the younger brother. I dyed all the fabrics that went into this quilt.

Have a great week everyone.
Janelle

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Felting Fun

12/18/2014

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I have been playing around with felting lately. I have started to make some felted ornaments. I use open cookie cutters to get the shape and fill them with roving and needle felt until it is just the right thickness. I mix in Angelina fibers and sometimes a bit of silk roving or silk waste fibers too. I need to add some stitching and a ribbon hanger to these.

We explored felting in my art quilting group this week and I got to play around with a felting machine. This piece has a thin piece of dyed silk for the background, wool roving, silk sari ribbon made from the waste of a sari factory, dyed batting, and some silk roving. It is very quick and easy to get a unique piece of felted art using a felting machine.

I am also working on a new piece of felted art. This time I making an angel. I have needle felted the piece. Next I will wet felt to get the fibers to felt much better. Then I will add some more needle felting and some stitching. I'll share more pictures when she is further along.

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. I'm looking forward to relaxing and spending a lot of time with family and friends the next couple of weeks.

Janelle

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Bonjour

12/8/2014

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"Bonjour" is an art quilt made from a mix of reclaimed and new textiles. I used worn garments, old linens and curtains, color catcher sheets, vintage lace and doilies, along with new fabrics and silk sari ribbon that is created from reclaimed silk waste. I love taking textiles that would be thrown away and instead giving them a new life as an art quilt. This piece is 8" x 12 1/2". I is for sale for $103.00. Find it here.

I cut all my fabrics and trims out and then stitch them down layer by layer on the foundation fabric and batting. I add the backing and quilt it by adding free-motion stitched designs. I stitched flowers and hearts on this quilt. I used new fabrics with a Paris theme to add interest to the quilt. After the stitching was done I used a faced binding to finish the edges. I added embellishments to the front and a thread chain for hanging to the back.

I also created kits from my stash with similar fabrics, trims, and embellishments. The kits also include the foundation fabric, backing, and batting along with all the step by step instructions. They are $25.00 and can be found here.

I hope that this gives you some ideas for using reclaimed fabrics and if you want to give this a try without finding all the supplies you can use the kit I created just for you.

Have a wonderful week,
Janelle

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Painting for Beginners Giveaway

12/4/2014

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Do you want to learn how I created this style of painting? I have a basic lesson that will take you through all the steps to create a unique painting. This is a fun activity for a party or for a beginning painter. You can find it here: http://www.handsandharts.com/mixed-media-art-lesson.html

I will send this digital pdf lesson free to the first five people who respond by sharing this post. Please tell me where you shared in the comments.

I also need the winners to send me their e-mail address, so that I can send them the pdf. I want to share my love of art with you and give back some love to my readers.
Have a great end of the week,
Janelle

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East Jackson Christmas Craft Show

12/1/2014

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I have one last craft show where I'm selling goodies this season. If you are in the area please come out and see me. The admission is $2 for ages 12 and up. If you don't live here in Michigan or can't attend I still have most of my wares in my shop here on the website. Go and check that out.

Have a great week and stay warm if you live in the north.
Janelle

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Hands and Harts Blog

Life

Rejuvenation

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Bonjour

Painting for Beginners Giveaway

East Jackson Christmas Craft Show

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Janelle Marks

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Check out my husband's website. He is a writer and has written about our life and many other amusing stories.