Open Arts Show - Submissions

 

Title: In the Mist

Size: 14 x 17 inches

Frame: Textured Wood Grain Wide Frame

Mat: White Archival Mat

Photograph: Photo 9 x 13 inch print

I took this picture recently during a visit to the big lake.  The morning was cooler which resulted in the mist over the water.  The pelicans were gliding in and out of view.  The sun was lighting up the mist beautifully.

Title: Heavy Head

Size: 13 x 17 inches

Frame: Pewter Satin Narrow Metal Frame

Mat: Double Grey and White Archival Mat

Photograph: Photo 8 x 10 inch print

I took this photo in the spring.  This sunflower seed head had hung all winter and surely fed chickadees during that time.

It was early morning and the sun was light up the shape of the sunflower so nicely.  The background is dark because it was location on the edge of the river valley and there was nothing behind for quite a distance.

We had a wonderful reception filling the Black Box Theater at Heavy Metal Place to capacity hosted by the Allied Arts Council.

Using the theatre is such a good idea because all the winning entries were shown on the large screen.  Quite a few of the winners shared a bit about their pieces which offered another view when I returned to the gallery after the presentation.

The goodies are always great.  The shortbread cookies with our new logo in icing were great! They were made by our receptionist at the gallery.  Talented lady.

My niece and a neighbor joined my aunt and I which was wonderful.  A great night out.

The show hangs until October 9 so check it out!

Note Cards - Slow Stitching

Another few cards for the gallery.

I chose a textured cotton fabric and added a foundation layer from an old shirt. 

I cut three half circle shapes by hand with scissors from a bit of printed cotton.

I used navy thread to applique the flowers and add stems and pistils. 

I mounted this slow stitched piece to a warm green card in A2 size with stitches in each corner with the knots taped on the inside.

A half sheet insert to cover the tacking stitches and a ivory envelope and it was ready.

Birthday candles are always fun!

I chose a piece of warm polka dots cotton fabric from my scraps and then chose warm colored strips in various colors to make the candles.

I used a running stitch and ivory thread to stitch them on.

I added black wicks at the top of the candles.

I then added a yellow stitched flame surrounded by an orange one.

I placed 5 candles on the stitched piece.

I placed the art on a warm orange card with tacking stitches, a half sheet insert and ivory envelope.

Found a bit piece of lace and trimmed it to fit the front of a card. Then I cut a piece of navy and white striped fabric and a foundation layer.

I used white thread to carefully place stitches all over the lace to have it securely attached and to add some additional texture to the piece.

It needed a bit of color so I added a red flower button in a space it the lace then a few French Knots in red to create a bit of interest with a final knot at the very bottom.

I stitched the piece to the front of a navy card in the portrait orientation. Taped the knots on the inside and put in a half sheet insert.  A white envelope and it good to go.

Note Cards - Slow Stitching

I worked on slow stitching art for note cards today.  I have sold a few at the gallery so I will have to replenish my stock.

This is a mountain scene with yellow and grey/white. Is it winter? Maybe.

A strip of white with running stitch. A strip of grey flannel for a bit of puff to which I added trees and running stitches.

A narrow strip of dark grey and then the mountain in the same color.

I placed a piece of thin white cotton behind the mountain then a sun behind that.

The back layer is a grey white patterned piece with a white cotton foundation layer.

Added snow to the mountain peak so it is winter but the sun is shining bright.

I chose a yellow A2 card base to match the sun.  I tack stitched the piece to the front and taped down the ends on the inside.  I gave it a half sheet insert to cover the tacking stitches.

A beige cotton foundation layer onto which I layered a tea dyed cotton from a tablecloth.  It has nice patterned texture.

I chose a piece of warm patterned cotton with blues and greens and ripped to a square.  It is stitched on with green thread and running stitch.  I added a bit of blue stitching to the flowers in the top right hand corner.

I then added a strip of navy cotton just below the center line. A bit of stitching in greens and blues and an ivory button.

The stitched art was tack stitched to an A2 navy card base in the landscape orientation.  The stiches are taped down on the inside.

I gave it a half sheet white insert and an ivory envelope.

A baby pink stitched greeting card.

I layered a piece of light grey linen with a piece of white cotton foundation layer. 

I stitched a piece of white lace across the front with pink thread and an over cast stitch.

I used the threads from the dark grey crocheted piece to tie it onto the light grey layer.  I sewed a tiny pin button in the middle of the crochet square.

I chose a link pink A2 card base for this card in the portrait orientation. I tack stitched the fabric art to the card front and taped the stitches inside the card.

I gave it a half sheet insert and a white envelope.

Art Show - AAC - Open Photo Show

These are my submissions for the Open Photography Show 2026 in the Spruce Grove Art Gallery hosted by the Allied Arts Council.

Title: Country Decor

Size: 11 x 11 inches

Frame: Thin Silver Metal Frame

Mat: Double White Mat

Photograph: Photo 4 x 6 inch 

This was taken at the Blue Bird Farm where red geranium flowers were planted in a wooden planter hung on the side of an out building.

SOLD

Title: O

Size: 12.5 x 11.75 inches

Frame: Narrow Silver Blue Metal Frame

Mat: Double White/Blue Mat

Photograph: Photo 6 x 8 inch 

This was created with the light painting technique.  I set up in my laundry room and shut the door.  Using a set of fairy lights I painted in front of the camera set to capture for several seconds.  Somewhat difficult to keep my bearings as to where the edges of the frame are.  Many shots taken with a few good ones.

Title: Crusty Rusty

Size: 14 x 14 inches

Frame: Black Wide Profile Wooden Frame

Mat: Double Black Mat

Photograph: Photo 8 x 8 inch

Amazing texture in a metal plate attached to an abandoned building.

Nature has her way with things and with water dripping on this metal over the years a heavy layer of rust grew.

I like the organic shapes and the beautiful colors.

Our reception will be at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery in Heavy Metal Place.

Allied Arts Council

Saturday, June 27th

1:00 - 3:00 pm

Awards and prizes will be presented during reception.

Come and enjoy the art!

Cards - Stitched on Fabric

I have been working on stitched cards for the Gallery.

The foundation layer is a piece of cotton.  I started with the mountains in coordinated fabrics then added the moon.

I added the foreground in mottled green strip of fabric then a piece of deep blue and a third piece of fabric which belong to the same fabric series as the mountains.

I added white sequins held with French Knots in the sky for stars.  Running stitch mostly with a bit of stick stitching on the deep blue strip.

Shimmery organza unto a half circle of ivory fabric in the same fabric series.

The fabric collage is stitch to the card front in a deep teal color. A half sheet white insert and envelope. 

I added a flannel foundation layer to the piece of hand dyed cotton fabric. Dyed with my sister a couple of weeks back.

The flowers base is a circle of cotton with long stitches in teal, magenta and light blue.

I colored the flower sequins with a yellow sharpie marker and put them in the center of the flower with a French Knot.  I added stems in green and a bit of dirt to ground them stitched in dark brown.

The fabric collage is stitched to the front of a Tempting Turquoise card base.

I added a half sheet white insert and white envelope.

I started the fabric collage with a piece of upholstery fabric which had organic shapes stitched in ivory thread.

I did running stitched across the background in medium blue thread.

I added French Knots on the heads of the ivory organic shapes with orange thread.

I then added a stick stitch daisy flower as a focal element.

I pinked the edges to halt unravelling.

I stitched it to the card front of a Groovy Guava card base.  Added a half sheet insert and white envelope.

I am repurposing the oil diffusers I made a couple of years ago which did not sell at the Christmas market.

I tack stitched the stitched piece to the top of a deep yellow textured card.  This is a bee with translucent wings. The edge is finished with blanket stitch.  

The diffuser drop is still on the back, so it can be removed from the card and used as a diffuser.

I added a Modern Label greeting in blue below the bee element with 3D foam tape.

I added a half sheet insert and white envelope.

I started with a piece of upholstery fabric with these embossed diamonds in it.

I followed the outline of the diamonds with stem stitch and running stitch which gives heavier and lighter outlines. The colors are pinks and purples.

I couched magenta yarn along the top and bottom edges.

The I couched white lace on the left and right hand side edges.  I added a bit of a flower focal element.

These One of a Kind cards are now in the Spruce Grove Art Gallery gift shop.  Check it out.

Senior Art Show - Submissions

These are my submissions to the Senior Art Show at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery in Heavy Metal Place. I am part of the Allied Arts Council.

Title: Flowers in Blue Vase

Medium: Watercolor on Mixed Media Paper

Size: 8 x 10 inches

Frame: Gold Metal Matte Frame

Mat: Double Warm White Mat

Art: 5x7 inches

This piece is one I made for Inktober 2024.  It is watercolor on Fluid Mixed Media paper featuring a blue vase with a variety of flowers and twigs set on a table.

Outlined with a Micron Acid Free fine black permanent marker.

This art piece is made with felted wool and entirely hand stitched.  

Title: Hoot the Owl

Medium: Felted Wool 

Size: 10 x 15 inches plus the hanger

Hanger: A stick which has been sanded and finished with Tung Oil

I cut the wool in a shape. You can see that some bands did not shrink evenly which added texture to the piece.

I stitched it's wings first on both sides with wool yarn in a light brown shade.  I use an ivory wool yarn in the center to create it's breast.  I layered ivory and deep yellow wool for this eyes with buttons in the centers. A small triangle of yellow for his bill and for his feet.

I put a piece of small branch at the top of the body to represent it's ears.  It was finished and then stitched on with dark brown wool yarn.  I crocheted deep yellow wool yarn to make a hanger and attached it to the back of the head. 

I created an art piece with bees as the focal element.

Title: Save the Bees  SOLD

Medium: Mixed Media

Size: 8 x 8 inches

Frame: Wooden Cradle Board

Frame: Gold Brushed Resin Frame

Photo: 4x4 inches

The wooden cradle board was primed in white then painted with a light yellow artist grade acrylic paint. I cut a hexagon stencil and then added them to the piece with darker yellow acrylic paint.  I brushed some of the gold acrylic paint used on the small frame on the cradle board. To connect the color in photo with the board I spattered it with a deep rose red acrylic paint by tapping a wet brush on a butterknife. I placed the photo behind the square frame and used Bling Zots to hold it in place. Once it was dry I adhered the small square frame with glue dots to ensure no damage to the wood surface.

The show is currently hung at the gallery.

Our reception being held on is 

Saturday, May 30th, 2026

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Awards will be presented.

Cards - Stitched on Fabric

I chose to upcycle a piece of denim. 

I trimmed it to 4.00 x 5.25" keeping the seam on the left of center. I added a square of red gingham in top left hand corner.  I stitched it with white crosses and red French knots. 

I added running stitches parallel to the seam then red running stitching horizontally along the top of the piece of denim. 

I found a metal button that I thought would work well and then added a circle of white then a circle of red running stitch around the button.

I had pulled threads to create some fluffy edges so I had threads which matched in color. I couched some in an arch around the button. 

I stitched the fabric to a navy A2 card base. A nice country looking card.

I loved this scrap piece of linen because of the colors and the watercolor feeling.

I saw a flower so I stitched along the edges of the petals and added some dark in and around the center.

I stitched on a metal butterfly charm on the right hand side where there was a bit of open space.

I stitched the fabric layer to the front of a turquoise A2 card base.

I will bringing fabric cards to the gallery.

Fabric Flower Bouquet - 05

Bouquet number 5. 

I placed the yellow stretchy sparkly vase wrap on a straight sided drinking glass.

This wrap featured the flap from the earlier ones because of the ease of sewing.  It gives a place to do some slow stitching.

I added the navy linen flower with the same fabric as the wrap in the center of the flower.

I had to make a spacer on the inside of the glass to keep the flower in the center.  I cut a 3.5 inch piece of chipboard onto which I scored a line at about 2.25 inches. I then cut slits all around the circle which allowed me to fold those over to fit inside the glass. I added a blue water fabric onto the top of the spacer then punched 1/8" hole in the center.  It was tucked inside the glass.

All five bouquets are now at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery Gift Shop.

Art Show Submissions - Juried Member Show

Today was jury day for our upcoming Juried Member Show at the Art Gallery.

I dropped these three entries this morning and I did not get a phone call to pick up any rejected entries. Very good.

Title: Art Detritus

Size: 10 x10 inches

Frame: Beech Wood Frame

Mat: Single White Mat

Photograph: 5x5 inches matte print

This is a close up photo of pencil sharpener wood shavings.  Typical of working on art projects with drawing pencils, colored pencils, or watercolor pencils.

Title: Bulrushes

Size: 8x10 inches

Frame: Silver Brushed Metal

Mat: Double Black and White Archival Mat

Image: Watercolor with black marker

This is a painting of the bulrushes I see along the lake as I walk in the mornings.  Beautiful green leaves with deep brown seed heads in the middle of summer.  A wonderful blue sky.  An absolute joy to have this nature in our urban setting.

This is a textile entry art quilt which I was not sure would be juried in.

Title: The Solar System

Size: 19 x 19 inches

The sun, planets, orbits, stars, asteroid belt and Kuiper belt are hand stitched unto a printed galaxy cotton fabric. 

The orange frame was machine stitched onto the piece.  I then added a facing which allowed for a dowel to have it hang. 

Ermine Stitch for stars, Seed Stitch on the Sun, Back stitch for the Orbits, French Knots for the tiny stars.  Running Stitch on the planets. Rock like beads in the Asteroid Belt and Blue E-Beads in the Kuiper Belt on the outer edge of the system.

The show will be on display on Tuesday, March 10th and the reception will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1-3 p.m. at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery in Heavy Metal Place. You are welcome to enjoy over 90 pieces of art submitted by members of the Allied Arts Council.

I did a lot of research and watched a lot of scientific videos to educate myself about our Solar System.  It was very interesting. Some of the information informed my choices for the fabric I chose for the planets.  

Of course, the distances between planets and the their sizes are not accurately represented. I did my best given the size of the fabric I was working with.

I prepared this bit of information and printed it onto fabric and stitched to the back so it would always stay with the art piece.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

There's more snow this week. 

You can see the bike track in the snow again this week.

It is colder this week as well with temps in the -20C.

Winter has arrived.

That will be good for the coming craft sales because for some folks until it snows they just are not in the Christmas shopping mood.

This was done early in the week and then the weather turned. They steamed the kitchen stack on Monday.  

I had under the kitchen sink clear out in plenty of time. They did have to go and get parts as the PTrap was glued and could not be removed.

As you can see the truck was parked behind the big fence and they were climbing over with ladders.

The hoses came through the patio doors.  

I knew one of the guys that came because the same company did work in the building downtown.

The process went very well. 

DIY project - I took the Dremel and shortened the legs on the plastic shelf under the sink.

It did not fill under the PTrap after it was replaced.

It was about an 1/8 of an inch but it would not clear.  

Good to by handy with a tool.

With the timing I finished a couple of books this week.

The Favored Child by Phillipa Gregory.  It is book 2 in a trilogy and I have not read the first.

A couple of children are being raised together in the Dower House. They are Richard and Julia who are cousins but have lost parents and Julia's mother is raising both children alone.

There a mystical power at play, gender roles that confuse things, deep secrets which will change everything at the end of the story. How things change as children mature. Julie is connected to the land and Richard is not but that makes it difficult to be squire of the Lacey estate. 

Things get ugly and when the secret is revealed the world comes to make more sense.  Big book and a good read.

A Shelter of Hope by Tracie Petersen is the story of Simone Dumas who lives in the Wyoming Territory in 1883.  Her father is heavy handed shall we say and her mother has long been gone. Simone tends house far from town so is mostly alone.

After her father has acted very cruelly, Simone summons the courage to leave with very little.  She finds her way to a place she will not be recognized, changes her name and find employment.

In time the past comes calling.   The police are involved, her true identity revealed, a man steps up to protect her, people die, and her future is in peril.

I always like a strong female main character and Simone lives up to the part.

Great book!

The new computer arrived this week which was custom built as I could not find what I needed on store shelves.

Happy with the speed, the disk space, and the overall performance.

I just love the LED lights on the inside.  That is so cool.

The printer/scanner was set up EPSON 2980 Super Tank.   Windows 11 with its apps has been easier than I thought to use.

I managed to get software in a permanent license.  Wonderful.

It was the reception for the Fire and Ice Show at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery hosted by the Allied Arts Council.

My aunt and I attended the reception for the art show and the opening of the Christmas Store as well.

Check out the beautiful cookies made by Cindy I believe. Almost too pretty to eat. Gorgeous work.

I bought another small wood star from Val E at the Christmas Store.

Wonderful evening.

It's that time of year again.  Time to make Caramel Popcorn for family and friends.  I was up early because my friend was coming for lunch.

I made a lot less this year as it is not our big family get together this year.  I will deliver these as I see family of the next few weeks.

When my friend arrived we headed to Tims and bought lunch and brought it back to my house to eat and have a cup of tea.

It had been months since I saw her and my house was in a more organized state than when she visited in late August.

We decided to head out and hit a craft sale before heading to visit the Spruce Grove Art Gallery and Christmas Store at Heavy Metal Place in Spruce Grove.

After our outing we came back for another cup of tea and she headed out a little later to be home before dark.

My friend and I dropped by this sale in the PERC building in Stony Plain.

There is nothing I need, my Christmas list is very short, so I came to realize that I don't need to attend craft sales.  

I had been feeling like I was missing something special but my circumstances have changed a lot and I only need to attend if there is a reason to.

Interesting how time marches on and I am not the person I was. 

Learned a valuable lesson.

Fire and Ice Show - Entries

The Fire and Ice Show is a member show in which the brief was contrast.  We could do Fire or Ice or both or another theme that dealt with contrast. 

Life is Better with Friends is a embellished fabric collage art piece. 

I chose five different birds which I cut out by hand from colorful fabrics. The birds are hand appliqued to a navy cotton background.  I used a variety of stitches to capture the raw edges, add tails and eyes and wings. A bit of cheesecloth creates a cloud. We need a sun as well.

The pink bird faces her friends and is grateful to have them near.

It is wrapped over a 9x12" stretched canvas with a deep edge. I hand stitched a backer of the same navy fabric.  Update: SOLD

Make a Wish is a needlework piece framed in a black wood frame.

There are three dandelions and as the seeds are blowing away. 

Folklore suggests that when you blow on a dandelion puff, your dreams and wishes will be carried on the wind, eventually coming true. This enchanting belief has made dandelions a symbol of hope and the power to manifest our deepest desires. 

The contrast of white stitches on a black background worked with theme for the show.

It was framed in a white shadow box frame.

Update: SOLD

End of Day is a 12x12 inch photograph mounted to board.

This was taken one day in August when I decided to take sunset pictures.  As it happens, I was a little late to the game and had to chase the sunset across rural roads trying to find a good composition.

I would have to find a composition, find a safe place to park, grab the camera, head across the ditch and take a few shots all the while the sun is just disappearing.

I was miles from home when the sun completely disappeared and I had to drive home in the dark in unfamiliar area west of where I live.

It was a good couple of hours of photography time.

These will be hanging on the wall at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery until the beginning of January 2026. 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The tomato plant which my sister brought back at the end of June is producing fruit.  My Mom used to order seeds in February, start plants inside in April and put plants in the garden late May and got results in July to September.  That takes patience.

I did keep it watered and with good sun from the east for long enough each day I got tomatoes. There are still some to come.  Better results than the place downtown.

The marigolds are doing well too!

Very happy! 

I finished this book recently.  A Vintage Affair bye Isabel Wolff.

Phoebe has opened a vintage dress shop filled with wonderful dresses, coats, handbags, and much more.

She gets a call from Mrs. Therese Bell a french woman who is interested in selling some of her vintage clothes. They meet at the elderly lady's home and spend time going through the treasures. There is a blue coat though that is off limits and not for sale.

Emma is Phoebe's best friend who has recently passed away under very difficult circumstances. 

There are 4 men - A remarried father, Guy the ex, Miles the older man with a spoilt 16 year old daughter and Dan the color blind newspaper reporter.

The story has WWII backstory which I loved.  It all turns out well but not with a few curves.  Wonderful story!

With the help of my aunt's husband the shelf I prepared was installed this week.  

It helped to get stuff off the floor and put away instead of in the way.

It is all light stuff up there - coolers, plastic bags, the canner, and some paint boxes.

The brackets are from IKEA - Krokshult which I really love.  The shelf is smooth knotty pine from HomeDepot. I did have to put about a foot off the end.  I sanded it by hand and was really happy with the final result.

I attended the Allied Arts Council's Open Art Competetion reception on Friday night.

There are over 100 pieces of art in this and on the walls of the Spruce Grove Art Gallery. 

Wonderful evening - seeing fellow artists, good food, and good conversations.

The best part was having the awards in the Black Box Theatre where everyone could see the winning art, the artists receiving their prizes and all seated and comfortable.  What a great idea!  The theatre holds 175 and it was very nearly full. Great support for art and creators.

I did not have art in any shows this year due to renovation at the old place due to flood, listing and selling my place down town, buying a new place in the west, renovation the new place before I could move in, packing and moving, and then unpacking into a smaller place.

I brought the last of the moving boxes to the ReUse center this week!  Yeah.  It felt really good.

I found a cobalt blue plant pot at ReUse this week.  What an amazing find. No damage as far as chips or cracks.  

The inside and outside have evidence of the surface being affected by sitting in some kind of liquid.  That is near the bottom.

Not sure which plant will be placed in it but what a great addition to the living room.

I found a small cobalt blue votive holder which will be added to the couple I already own.  They will look great with candles inside.

I purchased a new to me shower curtain this week because the lace one has yet to show up from packing boxes despite there is very little left.  There are several missing pieces still.

I am sure they will show up but I was tired of seeing the bathroom looking unfinished so I bought one I could live with long term so the other one not appear.  I have been living with just the liner for months.

Beautiful green foliage at the bottom with embroidered butterflies stitching on going up the curtain. Very transparent so does not darken the showering space at all.

Five dollars well spent.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I managed to catch the eye of this American Robin up in a tree one morning this week on a walk in the neighbourhood.

Construction on every corner is making getting nature shot a bit difficult as well as driving in this area a zoo.

Photography has been hit and miss among the buying a place activities this week.  I hope those will conclude soon.

I joined 3 of my aunts to attend this art show at Harcourt House this week.

Diana Ohiozebau was born in Leeds, England and raised in Nigeria. Much of her work is on an African fabic called aso-oke. 

It has shine and ravels easily.

There were traditional fabric included in many of the painted pieces.

We headed down the street for Vietnamese food which was delicious and there was enough for supper.

I finished this book on Saturday early morning. I have not been sleeping well.

Project Hail Mary by Any Weir is a fantastic story.  A save the planet Earth scenario arises and Ryland Grace a school teacher is recruited to work on the space project that will send astronauts to Tau Ceti to find a way to reverse the solar dimming on our sun.

Ryland is voluntold he will be on this mission when an accident kills 2 of the astronauts who had been training for this critical mission.  

When he arrives he finds himself alone as the other 2 people on the ship have died during the passage.  He encounters a alien ship on a similar mission as his, so they partner to find the answer.  Since Rocky is a spider type beings many accommodation need to be made. He is a great engineer and can create many wonderful things to enable the success of the mission.  They save Earth and Erid.

A real page turner and it was hard to put it down at times. Recommended by my brother in law.

I attended the Grand Opening of Heavy Metal Place on Saturday.  The new home of the Spruce Grove Art Gallery and Allied Arts Council.

The weather was great as we stood outside then we were let into the wonderful atrium. Very crowded then the Brett Ryan arena was dedicated then we could view the High School show hanging on the walls. Barry was carving in the courtyard. 

It has been a lot of work for the staff and volunteers. I have not been able to participate as I have been busy getting a place to live.

Talented young people using a wide variety of mediums created art for us to enjoy.

Love the paper collage camera.

The celestial piece connected with my recent finishing of the space book that morning.

Watercolor is always my favorite medium with blue and yellow my favorite color combo.

I hope to be able to participate in the Open Arts Competition later this year.

The Wishing Jar by Penelope J. Stokes is a book I finished this week.

The Wishing Jar is a family tradition with a magical legend attached. It has been in the Quinn family for generations. It sits in a place of honor in a cabinet .

Abby is the mother of a teenager Neal Grace who is acting up. Her mother Edith has suffered a stroke and feels she has become a burden to Abby her daughter. 

The Quinn family motto - "Purity of Heart, Faithfulness of Soul".  

The Neal Grace comes to see her grandmother in a new light, Edith finds the strength to move forward and Abby find romance.  Great book