The Lure

The first in a series of fabric art pieces I am doing based on my Maine "neighborhood" (basically anywhere in Maine). These fishing lures were hanging in a friend's barn.



I will probably do a few more versions of these lures before I am done, but wanted to put this up for your feedback and insights.





Lures
Original Stitched Art by JL Boynton
Made from repurposed fabrics, thread and watercolor paper
3.5 inches by 2.5 inches
8.9 centimeters by 6.4 centimeters
Copyright ©2010 Sojourn Quilts

Cheers!--Janyce

New Directions

It is that time of year--an introspective kind of season--when the cold forces a Mainer like me inside most of the time and, in lieu of twiddling my thumbs all day, I start sorting through my junk (physical and emotional). It is both an exhilarating and exhausting process. I try keeping what is good and chucking the rest. And, depending on how much energy I end up having for the process, I look forward to the rest of the year with a deeper understanding of where I have been and what I want to accomplish.

In my introspective moods, I wonder about this blog. Frankly, it seems to me to be suffering an identity crisis. I started the blog to telling other people's stories, focusing on how they use creativity to understand and rise above life's big and small challenges. I loved working with other artisans and I do not want to close the blog and lose all those wonderful stories. It seems, though, the interviews have run their course. A temporary lull? Maybe. Maybe not.

In any event, I decided to change directions a bit. I am still interested in creativity and how it informs our decisions and understanding of the world. I am, however, taking a step closer to home this year. I am making it more about my experiences of the world...as a fabric artist, business owner, resident of Maine, woman, partner, friend. I still may do an interview now and again and reserve the right to change gears if this path does not pan out, but for now...I am heading off in a new direction...

I hope you will come along!

Cheers!--Janyce

Mermaid Tails

My four year old friend needed some mermaid tails for her Barbie dolls. This is my first foray into Barbie clothing. Some of the costumes are made from one of my grandmother's shirts. My Gram was 101 when she died in August. I think she would like the idea of this kind of recycling.

Scallops in Orange Sauce and Dried Herbs

Happy 2010!

On New Year's Eve, I tried this Scallops in Orange Sauce and Dried Herbs recipe from The Italian Dish. Yummy!

Here's how mine turned out in photos:

Season the Scallops



Saute the Scallops



Brown the Scallops



Supreme the Oranges



Deglaze the Pan



Make the Green Salad



Combine the Scallops and Herbs with the Orange Sauce



Plate the Scallops and Salad



Enjoy!

New Holiday Tree ACEOs

Just wanted to share with you some new holiday tree ACEOs I made this week. This picture shows just some of the ways you can display your art cards!

ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals)
2.5 inches by 3.5 inches
6.4 centimeters by 8.9 centimeters

All my ACEOs are cut and pieced individually, so no two are exactly alike!

More samples may be found in my shop.

Cheers!--Janyce

Bangor Y Fundraiser November 14

The Bangor Y is having its annual fundraiser this coming Saturday, November 14, 2009. This is a well-established organization in Bangor, ME that offers more than 140 programs including: health and fitness, aquatics, martial arts, sports, child care, camp, youth-at-risk, leadership development, and women's health. The Bangor Y offers something for all ages!



The 11th Annual KeyBank Bangor Y Benefit Auction will be held at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Rd, Bangor, ME. Tickets are $35, which includes dinner.

The evening includes dinner, silent auction, live auction and musical entertainment by Kevin Hamel.

The silent auction preview is 4pm-5pm. Bidding for the silent auction starts at 5pm. The live auction starts around 7pm or when dinner concludes.



The piece you see here is one I have donated to the event. It is a Mountain and Forest scene made from repurposed fabrics sewn and adhered to 140lb paper. Machine stitched with hand embroidered embellishments. The piece is 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches. It comes matted and framed. Finished size is 8 inches by 10 inches. Retail price $50. Look for it in the silent auction!

For more information about this event, please check the Bangor Y website or call 207.941.2808.

Cheers!--Janyce

The Archipelago

I'm honored to have some of my work at The Archipelago in Rockland, Maine this holiday season. Here are just some of my santa ornaments you will find there.











Cheers!--Janyce
Sojourn Quilts
"A Resting Place Along Life's Journey"