Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all

Watercolour "She Weeps II"

This is my response to some footage I saw of horses being destroyed.  Such a sad fate for such a majestic beast.

"She Weeps II"  Watercolour

:(

The Whole Quilt

This is the whole quilt ... beautiful tiny applique that I have stitched around each leaf and tree, I have then quilted bubbles into the background to give it texture without detracting from the simplicity of the piece.  I love it and my customer was very very happy.   Susan R does the most beautiful applique work and it is a pleasure to quilt it for her.

Happy Quilting for now ... Jane x

Bubbles for December

I have been madly quilting bubbles on this customer quilt I have loaded on my longarm quilting machine.   It is taking quite awhile, but is enjoyable just the same.   I think it is fitting to have bubbles for December :)  

Hope everyone is getting ready for the Christmas season and holidays.

My "All Cooped Up" blocks

These nine blocks are from McKenna Ryan's patterns "All Cooped Up".

I have been collecting the fabrics for some years now and am very happy to be finished the blocks (which I started to make about a week ago I think).

After piecing and stitching by machine with raw edge applique method, each block is  mounted onto an 8 x 8 inch canvas.  They can then be hung on a wall.

This set is made for my Mum's hallway entrance wall.  I know she is going to love them :)

I have enough fabric to make another two sets in similar fabric colours.

Cheers for now ... Jane x

A3 Watercolour & Ink Prints for sale

Whimsical Feathers in Watercolour and Ink by Jane Monk ... Each image is my own design and is copyright to me.

 These five prints are A3 sized and printed on archival quality artists paper at 300gsm matt.  They are ready for you to frame.

Each print is $30 each and will be posted in a postal tube. (postage will vary depending upon where you live).

As a pre-Christmas special I am selling each print for $30 or all five for $120 ... so basically you get five for the price of four.

I will have them up in my shop next week ... but in the meantime you can send me an email if you are interested in purchasing    jane@janemonkstudio.com 

These would make lovely affordable gifts :)

Graphite Portrait of "Jet"

A portrait I just finished of my British Blue Shorthair Cat, "Jet".

In Graphite, 18 x 18inch on Fabriano Artistico Extra White Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper 300gms.

Pencil Drawing

Over the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of drawing these two lovely horses ... I have done them in Graphite only.  It has been some years since I have drawn horses and I have enjoyed it immensely.

I hope you enjoy them too!

Cheers for now...Jane x

My Jonathan Zentangle Drawing

After many months of inactivity on this piece, I have finally finished doing the ink part.   This piece is for my son "Jonathan".  It has taken many many hours of work to complete to this stage. I still have shading to add ... also many more hours of work. 

I am using my own designed Alphabet as well. This piece is A3 size, drawn in a large watercolour paper Moleskein field book, using Sakura Pigma 005 pen in black.

I will spray this with a sealant when I finish the shading.  This is my own original design. 

A little bit of Quilting

 A Quilt I made with one Jelly Roll and some blue Batik fabric for the border.  Quilted with an edge to edge pattern called "Samurai" by Lorien Quilting.    I love this quilt.  I made it for my husband's birthday so he can have a "sofa quilt".

 A close up of the quilting pattern and the next picture is the back.

 This is another quilt I made with a Jelly roll also.  I call this one Pink Lemonade ... love the girly feel it has.

The backing fabric .... such fun colours.


I hope everyone in the Southern Hemisphere is enjoying the beginning of Spring ... we are starting to get some lovely days here as the days grow longer.

Happy Days for now ... Jane xx

Hand Felted Cobweb Scarves Listed in my Shop

 I have just listed these three hand felted Cobweb Scarves onto my website for sale.    $45 each plus postage  Hand Felted by me personally.

They are made of Fine Australian Merino, Silk and have various inclusions such as Angelina Fibres, Silk, Baby Leicester Curles etc.   Each scarf is a One-of-a-kind, so if you would like to own it, hop on over to my store now. HERE

Thank you everyone for your support.

Cobweb Scarf ... Wet felting

I have always wanted to try my hand at doing a cobweb scarf with weto felting .. this is my first attempt.   I have used a hand dyed wool/silk blend top purchased from Ewe Give Me The Knits ... this scarf is so light and easy to wear, but very very warm.   I am so happy with how it turned out ... I just might make another one :)

Hope everyone is keeping busy during our Southern Hemisphere Winter ....til next time ... Jane x

In Between Quilting...

 In between quilting for my customers, I have been taking my spinning to the next level ... weaving.

A short time ago (about two or three weeks) I learned about Saori weaving ... a freestyle form of weaving developed by a Japanese woman some years ago.  Although I do not own a Saori Weaving Loom, I did have access to a friend's Ashford Knitters Loom.   So I set about teaching myself to weave.

This is my very first attempt at weaving (in the Saori style - or any style for that matter!)

I have used my handspun yarn that is a 50/50 mix of Merino and Silk.  For the Warp, I used a commercially spun 45/55 Silk/Merino yarn.   The inclusions are the same yarn but unspun.

 It is so very very soft.

This is the second one I made .. it is slightly narrower.  I have used the same handspun yarn as the other scarf but have also included some of my handspun Merino/Silk/Alpaca blend that is white.

This has been such a wonderful achievement for me .. I love that I can take my own handspun yarn and make into fabric that I can use for anything I like.

My next project will be getting the old four shaft table loom, that I have had for about a year, cleaned up and working.   Then I can weave wider and longer lengths of fabric.  What fun!

Now back to the quilting and tangling ... have fun everyone!

Crochet /Quilted Journal Cover

 This is an A5 sized Journal cover that I have sewn, quilted and added handmade crochet flowers (made by me), together with beading.   A field of flowers.

I never bead the back as it needs to sit nice and flat so you can work in your journal. 


you can buy my Journal Cover patterns from my website as an instant PDF download.   Click here to go to page.   Journal Cover Pattern.

Happy Quilting for now...Jane

A New Scanner & an Update

Hi everyone ... it has been a bit quiet in my household as far as Zentangle and Quilting go.  I have had a computer hard drive failure, scanner failure and have had the horrible flu.   But ... things are going again.  I am well, after a few horrible weeks with the flu.   I have a new computer and will have a super duper scanner in the next week - one that I hope will take as good an image of my drawings as it says it will ... fingers crossed.    So a big project that I have had on the backburner in regard to Zentangle, will be able to progress - so look out in August for that exciting moment.

I am also back doing customer quilting and have had a small influx of quilts which has been lovely.  More are welcome, as this is how I make my living and if I can help you to complete your quilt, that makes it all the better!

I have also had some wonderful emails and phone calls from people who have watched my Zentangle Inspired Quilting DVD ... and some entertaining stories of how they managed to finish projects.  The current Quilters Companion shows how a lady has made my Zentangle tile drawing into an embroidered insert for her bag....page #6.   It is wonderful to see, and lovely to hear from so many people who enjoyed this DVD.  I thank Quilters Companion for asking me to do the DVD and making it so easy to share my style of Zentangle with Quilters everywhere.   I have some DVD's left in my shop ...  

Okay ... I hope to have some lovely drawings to show you once I get my scanner sorted out ...so happy tangling and quilting until I see you again next week :)

Circles Quilt

My Circles Quilts are in the current issue of Quilters Companion.  (issue #56)

I was very happy to buy a copy and see that my quilt was also on the front cover of this magazine.  Doing a little happy dance:)

This quilt is easy to make using just one layer cake and some border fabric ... no wastage.

I did it in two colourways so you can see how great it looks in different colours.  Any Layer Cake should work well as the fabrics are all co-ordinated.

Happy Quilting today :)

Running behind

HI everyone ... sorry for no posts for awhile.   I now have a new computer but I have lost about two years worth of photographs ... including all my Zentangle drawing and quilts.   Although I have a suspicion that they might all be on my iPod so have to investigate how to get what is on there back onto a hard drive.   I thought I had done back ups, in fact, I had done back ups....unfortunately the backup was not complete.  It pays to check everything.   Even lost all the work I had done for my tax return this year .... so I have to do that all again - yuck!  Once is bad enough, twice is terrible.

I will be back to normal postings next week I hope.  I have had a couple of weeks sick with the flu and absolutely nothing got done other than a bit of spinning because I could sit and do this without thinking too much.     (I am also taking part in Ravelry's Tour de Fleece again this year....it is held in support of those wonderful cyclists who take part in the Tour de France).  If you want to catch up with me on Ravelry, my name is Tassiescrumbler.

Customer quilting is happening this week again, with business back up ad running, so if you need to book in a quilt, give me a call. 

Happy creating until next week xx

My computer died

I am sorry I haven't been here lately, but my computer died and it will be at least another week before I can get another one up and running....bear with me, I'll be back soon.

Six Months of Unfinished Business Challenge

I have decided to spend the next six months finishing those unfinished projects that I have around the place.   Quilts, Drawings, Stitcheries, Dollmaking, Spinning etc.  I will be photographing them this week and deciding on my timeline for finishing ... anyone else want to join in the fun?

More Edge To Edge Quilting

This lovely quilt by Liz works well with the Edge to Edge pattern called "Country Garden".

Contact me at  Jane Monk Studio if you would like your quilt quilted.  My current wait list is one week only. 

Good rates and hundreds of patterns to choose from.

Happy Quilting for now .... Jane xx

A beautiful Autumn Quilt

 This quilt belongs to my customer LR...it has gone to Europe to live with her mother in law.   I just loved the colours that she used and how beautiful her borders were.   Very Autumnal...don't you think?

I quilted this with an Edge to Edge pattern called "Maple Leaf"

A close up.

If you have quilts that you wish to have finished, I can quilt them with an all-over pantograph (edge to edge) pattern for you with a one week turn around.  Reasonable rates.

Just email me jane@janemonkstudio.com  .. I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers for now...Jane x

Finished another Custom Quilt

 This is a quilt appliqued by Sharon T.   The Celtic applique is lovely, took her a long time. 

I have custom quilted it quite heavily with pebbles, feathers and a modified piano key border, putting circular double lines around each block gives them the effect that the blocks are circles rather than squares and creates diamond shapes inbetween the blocks. A nice effect I think.

This is the back.

If you would like a quotation for quilting, please contact me through Jane Monk Studio.  

Enjoy...Jane x

THe Giveaway Winner

The Winner of my giveaway is .... Marlene Van Zetten ... congratulations Marlene ... I can't believe it is true, but the Random org number chooser chose you!! I'll be in touch.

Thank you everyone who commented, who liked my new Jane Monk Studio Facebook page.  Stay around ... there are some interesting things in the works over the next month or so.  And thank you to those of you who support me by shopping in my little online shop Jane Monk Studio. If I cover my costs, I can continue to buy Zentangle stock for those of you in Australia.

Happy Tangling and Quilting for now ... Wow Marlene!!

A New Tangle on my FB Page

Hop on over to Jane Monk Studio FB page to see my new Friday Challenge ... and a new Zentangle Pattern http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Monk-Studio/370176643006433

Enjoy

Another Giveaway!

This is what I am giving away ... a lovely leather Zentangle wallet, with white and black tangle tiles, micron pen, white gel pen, white pencil, lead pencil, shading stick, kneadable eraser.   All of these things (apart from the wallet) can be purchased from my webstore JANE MONK STUDIO  ...come over for a visit.

I will do the draw on Tuesday 24 April 2012 - in the morning (Tasmanian time).

You might also like to head on over to my FB page Jane Monk Studio  for a visit and another chance to win if you like me!

Cheers and Good Luck ... Jane x

The next OOAK art doll installment

 I thought I would show you all the next stage of making these Polymer dolls.  They are OOAK (One of A Kind) Art Dolls - individually hand made by me.   The four dolls now have their armature, with one having her padding and starting to get clothing.  I just love the tights!

This one has her "walking stick" that is a little creature all on his own.   The wire is still sticking out of that as I will be putting beading embellishments on it.

The fun thing about dollmaking is that you use every skill you have ever learnt.  I am a self taught "artist", all the skills I use I have taught myself - however - I use other artists books to do that.  Without the research I do into techniques and products - I could never reach this stage so quickly.  So a big thank you to all those artists who publish books to share their work.

I hope you are enjoying the OOAK Art Doll journey with me.

I already have my next doll in progress on paper at the moment - it will be something deliciously tangly related - you'll love it!

Happy tangling and quilting for now....Jane x

Edit to add:   I haven't forgotten about the Giveaway .. I will have it next Tuesday 24 April ... I will be giving away a Zentangle wallet, together with some tiles and micron pen.  It is handy to keep in your bag for spontaneous tangling!

NEWSLETTER April 2012

This is my newsletter ... just in case you haven't signed up to receive it over at my website http://janemonkstudio.com 

Come on over and visit.  I'd love to see you there.

APRIL 2012 - NEWSLETTER

Hi there,

I know it has been a long time since my last newsletter and this is the first one for the year.   The most exciting thing that is happening on the Zentangle front at the moment is the release of the round Zendala tiles.   These are a tinned set of 21 tiles, eighteen beautifully pre-strung tiles with inspiring strings (2 sets of nine strings) and three blanks for you to create your own designs.   I currently have 13 sets for sale in my shop (http://janemonkstudio.com)  I also have 9 Zentangle Kits – be quick for these if you want one though.

I have added a number of new products, such as the Black Square Zentangle Tiles, these are great to use with the White Gelly Roll pens and the General’s White Charcoal Pencils.  

If you are into doing Zentangle drawings on fabric, I have a few Fabrico fabric markers in light grey.  This replicates the pencil effect that you do when you shade your paper drawings.

Also don't forget my Zentangle Inspired Quilting DVD which comes with the January 2012 issue of Quilters Companion magazine and includes all patterns for stitching. This DVD is especially for Quilters, but equally interesting for those who like to draw.

And last but not least, I have decided to sell my original art works. I have two at the moment for sale but there will be more throughout the year. 

If you want to keep up to date on what I am currently working on, visit my blogsite http://janemonkstudio.blogspot.com .   I will often show step by step shots of my current work in progress.   At the moment I am creating a series of OOAK Polymer Clay Art dolls.   These dolls will also be for sale later this year.  I am a self-taught artist and I pride myself on high quality structural and final finish of each and every piece of work I create. I also use high quality materials to ensure the longevity of each piece of work.  

I have a wonderful project underway at the moment, involving my Zentangle patterns and I’ll keep you posted on what is happing about that very soon.

For now ... Happy Tangling, Quilting and Creating .... Jane

Newsletter: April 2012

Happy Second Birthday to my Blog

I just realised as the counter clocked over 200,000 page views today, that I started this blog TODAY, two years ago exactly.   It has been a fantastic journey.

Leave me a comment, follow along on my quilting and art journey.    It's time for another giveaway.   I'll put my thinking cap on as to what it will be .... next week!

It's April already....

 Meet the beginnings of The Spindlemaker, The Jester, The Witch and The Butler.    These are four polymer clay/fabric dolls that I am in the process of making.   I must admit that I am new to polymer clay, but have made quite a few needle sculpted fabric dolls.   I am really loving the process of polymer and how much detail you can achieve.  These guys will stand between 18 and 24 inches tall, it's all based on their head size, because we are mostly 7.5 head heights tall.

I made hands and feet for each one too ... making the hands was so much fun.

And this is what is inside them, of course the armature wires were bulked out with alfoil and covered with tape before I added the clay.

Now to bake them, put the rest of their armature bodies together and clothe them.

I have also been busy quilting a big custom quilt for one of my lovely customers.  I hope to be able to show some photos of this next week.  And tangling is never too far away, always a little bit here and a little bit there.  

I have almost hit 200,000 hits on this blog - thanks everyone for visiting, commenting and generally being here.  I might have to have another giveaway soon.   So, until next time .... Jane x

ps sorry about the layout .. I can't get blogger to behave with this post.

I've been working on something a little different

These are three little girls that I have made ... they will be ready to paint over the weekend, so will have thair debut next week.  They stand about 5 - 6 inches tall.

I am also waiting for my order for Zentangle Kits and the new release from Zentangle - Zendalas - round tangle tiles with pre-marked mandala patterns on them.   I will let you all know as soon as they are available in my shop.

See you all soon ... happy tangling and quilting for now ... Jane x

I've been Quilting

I have been quilting on my longarm ... a customer's beautiful candlewick quilt.   Her request - those beautiful feathers that you do!  I am blown away that people think my quilting is nice and then send me their quilt tops to finish for them.   Thanks everyone of my lovely customers!

I have to say that I have really really enjoyed quilting this one - all that creamy expanse of fabric.

Have a great week everyone .... Jane x

 Edited to add photos of the quilt now that I have finished the quilting.   Sorry about the quality - it is a little windy here today.

Enjoy.

A little Colour

I thought you might like to see this ... it is easy to add some colour to your life and tangles ... I have made this little bookmark using Derwent Inktense coloured pencils and water - and had a lot of fun!

Want to Know How I do my BINDING

I have put a link on the top bar ... "Binding A Quilt - Tutorial"  

It is a step by step - with photographs - on how I bind my quilts.  I hope it helps you if you want to know how to do a nice flat binding.    I will have more tutorials throughout the year.   If you have any suggestions for tutorials - please leave me a comment, I would love to hear about what you want to know.

Happy Quilting.

Don't you love a good Edge to Edge?

I have had a busy weekend ... doing not much at all - lol!  Don't you have weekends like that, we need them to regenerate our creative resources so we can get on and do what we want and need to do.   Currently in my Quilting Room I am working on a Custom Quilt and will be able to show some pictures in a week or two!  In the meantime, I will bring you some other quilts I have done in the past.  

This lovely kaleidoscope quilt from one of my customers "K" came to life with this E2E quilting I did on it.  I used a white Superior So Fine thread. 

Edge to Edge quilting, otherwise known as Pantograph quilting or Allover quilting.   Sometimes it is the simplicity of a repetitive pattern that just makes a quilt look finished. 

Here is the back ... although there was a little backlight coming into the photo, you can still see the lovely little design.

So until next time ...
Happy Quilting & Tangling ... Jane x