Back to the 1980's

 So many years ago while working, a family, and all that comes with limited time, I taught myself counted cross stitch.  It is fairly portable so I could do it on a break, traveling or maybe even a few stitches in the evenings.  The fabric is called even weave or sometimes I use Aida.  The design comes from a pattern which each square correlates to a color of floss and square by square you make little x's.   To know more  or a for free pattern https://www.fatquartershop.com/friends-free-cross-stitch-pattern  Or for ease of learning you could buy a kit with pattern, floss, fabric and even the special needle called tapestry.  It is not sharp like a stitching needle.  

I have all manner of supplies so I dig through old patterns, use old frames and find something that will be worth my time. The herb bearing seeds fit in a frame I have had for eons.  The Croeso, Welcome was not framed so I personalized it for a friend moving to a new home. I had the frame.  I just liked the the Goal of Life missive and had the even weave and thread.  Framing to be determined or maybe make it into a small cushion. 

When I was always stitching every new baby received a x-stitch.  I particularly liked this pattern and had stitched it numerous times.  The last time was for our third grandchild, and since another boy, I had to begin again and the pink feet went into the almost finished bin.  Joan's newest grand daughter received the gift.   

So an old craft is revived and I have many hours of time to stitch, as the second year of Covid rages on.  

Pastels Are Retired

As this Pandemic wears on my enthusiasm for the pastel medium has waned.  Tried to paint several times, however they did not flow, or ask to be framed. So, last week I packed them all away, to be discovered again someday.  My creative soul has moved to paper, yes paper.  Many years ago I made all my own cards, even 100's at Christmas. And Origami has always been a fun diversion.  Have you folded the good luck crane?  I have folded 100's of those. I also love maps and have many, just setting here waiting for.....What?  

So my first endeavor was the Kusudama Flower, created from the Wyoming State Map.  

           Begin with a 4 inch square and fold 5 petals.  Instruction on link below.

We love to travel so this little bouquet enlivens the shelf where some art is displayed.  Damn Wind is Don's iconic photo and the Wyoming state flower, the Indian Paint Brush, is a pastel painting from the past. 

I crafted a stem out of wire and wrapped it with glue soaked map paper as I couldn't find my green floral tape.  I am committed to using all the supplies I have on hand.  The bead is the Tagaua nut, a souvenir, from our South America/Antarctic cruise.  Try this at home.

    

A New World Order

Nothing like self quarantine to refocus our day to day existence.  Don and I have worked puzzles, played cards, read, binged on streaming services.  We walk when the weather cooperates.  We are shopping once a week, carefully.  I am in touch with our friends across the world. Several were on cruises, cut short and amazing stories on how how got back home.  Cousin Donna is stitching masks.  Kristin and Michael are adjusting to their sequestration by offering yoga online via zoom.  Jim, Liz and all the boys are all home working.   Our neighborhood did chalk art in their driveway.  We created a labyrinth. 
So it made sense to pull out the pastels and begin again. 

Sun Seeker 9x12 Pastel

Fresh Cut 6x8 pastel

My gallery is still open.  Check out Deselm's Fine Art.  Stay well. 

A Very Good Year

Art has played a part of my life this past year, however painting has been sporadic.  Perhaps the four months away on the World Cruise, or the other travel.  Saying goodbye to mom after 92 years on this earth and the typical day to day endeavors have changed my motivation to paint in pastel.  Deselm's Fine Art has represented my pastels for a number of years and this year Harvey has sold eight paintings.  This is the inspiration to get out the pastels and begin again to create. 

Rejoice has a new home

I had received a bouquet at Easter and the light from the window caught my eye.  Light is typically my inspiration to paint.

The Falls 12x24

The Falls was inspired from Don's photo from Artist Point in Yellowstone National Park.  An iconic image, this is my interpenetration of this famous vantage point in the nation's first national park.

Small On the Wall at Blue Door Arts

Small on the Wall - Landscape Variations  Terry Kreuzer, Georgia Rowswell, Vanda Edington, Katie Steward,  Jon & Ginnie Masden  Opening reception August 9th during Cheyenne Artwalk  5–8pm. Blue Door Arts is located in the Hynds building at 1608 Capitol Ave. The show will continue throughout August. Gallery hours Thurs-Sat 1:00 till 5:00 or by chance or appointment, call Georgia at 229-546-5183

Art Collaboration Celebrating 150

Deselm's fine art collaboration with local artists

Cheyenne is celebrating it's 150th Birthday this month. Harvey at  Deselms Fine Art invited eight artists to create an 8x8 piece of art for this piece, to be auctioned at the third annual Boys and Girls Club Dancing With the Stars. Artists include,

Vanda, along with Priscilla Sandos-Bailey Kathleen Jacobson, Brandon Bailey, Cathy Nicholas, Do Palma, Renee Piskorski and Mike Beeman. The center section is a piece of the capitol dome from a previous refurbishment, all framed by Harvey, a master framer.  Check out the gallery on 17th to see this amazing piece.