Friday, January 11, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Stitch





Deciding what to post for this week's topic, STITCH, was not easy. I immediatly knew I would choose a collage to celebrate the American seamstress, but which one ? So I took the easy way out and posted a few. Frequent visitors to my blog or website know that I enjoy collaging around a 'sewing theme.' Two of these photos are from an altered book I made that features the world of the seamstress. This theme is a personal favorite...I have been sewing since the age of twelve and have always loved fabric stores, notions and the smell and feel of new fabric. I have quilted for years, but it has never been the hand-quilting that thrilled me, but the piecing together of bits of fabric to make a new and fabulous design. It is amazing what one can create 'stitch by stitch.'

© Nancy Lefko

28 comments:

Kathleen Rietz said...

They are all wonderful, Nancy! I think it is wonderful you keep this dying art alive, too. I could never sew well, but my mom made all of my clothes growing up, and it was always fun to pick out new patterns with her at the fabric stores.

countrygarden said...

i love them all, i would have had a hard time choosing too. i love the old sewing machines, they are so beautiful. nice, soft, calming colors.

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Terrific collage work!

Anonymous said...

I really love your art so much! I would love to see photos of where you live. . .I bet you decorate incredibly. I bet as well as you create art.

claudine hellmuth said...

i love them all!

studio lolo said...

Didn't the women look so happy back then? Wonderful pieces, all of them!

Barbara Hagerty said...

They're all wonderful! No way could I choose a fav.

Gas said...

Your collages are amazing!

Roberta said...

I really like these Nancy!
I love the colors and everything. They would look so good in my sewing room!

Willie Baronet said...

Well done!!

Madcap Baroness with Teacup said...

Nancy, they are all fabulous! I love the soft vintage colors and the happiness of the sewing ladies.

Nancy Bea Miller said...

Nacy Lefko was good at collage-
She was an artist!

Terrific piece!

Anonymous said...

Bonjour Nancy! Your sewing collages are beautiful! I too come from a mother and grandmothers who knew how to sew and I learned early. I would go to this special fabric shop in a dark neighborhood of Montreal and choose some fabric to go with the pattern we had just bought. I remember the smell of the store so accurately, and the buffered noise that came out of it, due to the tons of rolls of fabric stacked on the walls and aisles. I loved rick-rack, buttons with little shaped figures on them and velvet, oh, sweet velvet!!! Very nices collages indeed, thanks for the memories woken up!

The Year of the Rat is coming soon and it is time to be creative in a mousy way. So, do not forget to participate in my great YEAR OF THE RAT ART EVENT on FEBRUARY 7 2008! Just have fun and use what you want, paper, glue, paint, glitters, recycled stuff, canvas, photography and anything else that tickles your wiskers. I announced this event in December on my blog and did not get as many responses as I was hoping. So, I will bait you with a cheeseless trap to have you wiggle your tail and get you started. I invite you to post a picture of your Year of the Rat creation, be it Mickey Mouse, Three Blind Mice, Rat Fink or anything else of the kind on my blog on FEBRUARY 7 2008. The day after I will put each participant's name on a piece of paper, put the names in a jar and draw one name to be announced as the winner of this swell YEAR OF THE RAT ART EVENT CONTEST. The prize will be a YEAR OF THE RAT SURPRISE BAG created and assembled by moi, your truly, LuLu. No more details... If you want the Surprise Bag you MUST participate by showing off your talents, creativity, humor, artistic sense, great imagination, amazing craftsmanship and maybe unknown skills on this rodent subject. Need more info, just contact me on my blog. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN IN!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Nancy....

I am so glad you posted a bunch of these...your work is beautiful...so nicely put together and they make me smile whenever I visit....

Have a wonderful Day!!!

Cheers,
Diana

Anonymous said...

hi, Nancy!
love your "stitch" collages, seems we have this sewing thing in common.
have a great week,
Patty

Ginger*:) said...

Nancy! These are fabulous. As a child my mother sewed almost everything in our home. Drapes, curtains, spreads, pillowcases, clothing, and more.

I love these collages. Not only do they have great color, design, and your special gift for putting just the right things together but they evoke memories of a time in America when there was great pride and joy in creating for home and family.

Excellent!

Michelle Henninger said...

Very original idea! I love the celebration of history! Beautiful pieces!

Michelle Henninger said...

Hi Neighbor! We New Hampshirites have to stick together! What a small world.

Again, I love your work!

esque said...

These are very gorgeous, but the first one's my favorite! Keep it up!

carga said...

very nice. I love your collages

Timothy Hunt said...

All your collage work is impeccable Nancy. Your choices of imagery and colour are seamless (sorry about that). I bet your quilts are beautiful too.

Thanks for your comments on my work.

Ellen Byrne said...

Really nice feelings vibe from all of your work!

Diane Duda said...

This must be your "dream topic"!
Love them all, Nancy.

xo
Di

Faruffa said...

Perfect!
I like the atmosphere create by your illustrations

Cathy Gatland said...

I love your collages - gentle, quaint and funny too - I also love altered books and fabric art - will check back soon

Cakespy said...

Oh! I just came across you through Illustation Friday--you do such lovely work!!

Random York said...

Perfect Nancy!

Victorian Lady said...

These are wonderful! Are they for sale? Please contact me... mwrightaz1@yahoo.com Thanks!