Victorious For Lyme: Art Quilt Project

Hi everyone, it's time for an update on Victorious For Lyme: Art Quilt Project and May is Lyme Awareness Month!

I have been taking online workshops & a Quilting Arts class to help me with this project.  The Lyme ribbon pictured here was done in class where I learned to applique using "Steam A Seam" fusible paper backing...I added my own crazy stitching to it to make it my own.  =)

I am incorporating many of the techniques into the art quilt that I'm now learning. Many people have asked me about the quilt & when it will be done. I plan on doing a series of art quilts, not one that you will snuggle up with.  =)   This is a work-in-progress & I am learning A LOT right now, that is for sure! I am not exactly sure what the end result will be, as I am working in a very free & intuitive manner...working from sketches of my ideas but not holding myself to them.  My 2 favorite artists that inspire me right now are...

Traci Bautista...check out her amazing book, "Collage Unleashed" as well as her online workshops.
Alisa Burke...she has an amazing blog where she shares simple but oh-so-beautiful projects & art.

Here are some of the pictures I have already printed on fabric...faces of Lyme, prescriptions, supplements, PICC lines, treatments...these pictures are so powerful!!  It's not too late to submit your Lyme pictures...submit them here on Facebook, or here on Flickr. 

I've been busy uploading a ton of pictures for you to check out...please share the Victorious For Lyme: Art Quilt Project Facebook group & Flickr link with your Lyme friends & family...I'd love to get more HEAD SHOTS of those with Lyme, as well as pictures of your PICC line, medicine counter, medical equipment, treatments, rashes, before & after pictures, hospital or surgery pics...you get the idea!

I have received a few boxes at my P.O. Box, but would love to see it overflowing with packages!! If not a package, then how about sending me a POSTCARD with your hand written message on it to be sewn into the art quilt? Put some paint on your hand & stamp it on an old t-shirt or a piece of paper, sign & send it to me. Write your thoughts on fabric or paper...whatever you have will work! Maybe you have denial letters or other papers that can be collaged...anything goes!!!  

Please send your Lyme Art Quilt contribution to:

Victorious Vixen
P.O. Box 2404
Cypress, CA 90630

I'll have more to share with you soon, as I have taken on more projects to help my Lyme friends. Until then, you are all in my prayers & I am so grateful for your help. I've been deeply moved by the many stories shared & hope to convey that in my work.

--Nani

Holiday Bazaar

I had a great showing at the Cypress Holiday Bazaar this past weekend! Thanks to everyone who came out & stopped by my booth! I had 47 entries in my giveaway jar...awesome turnout! =)

Here is a picture of my set-up...a natural cotton for a tablecloth, a couple of bouginvilla plants to hang my handbags, strappy wallets & bags and an orchid & a cactus arrangement. My vision was actually to have a huge tree in the middle with my handbags & goodies hanging from the tree...this was what I came up with instead!

I toally loved this cactus arrangement...so cool & spiky!

The laptop was a last minute addition...my digital frame was supposed to showcase all my Victorious Vixen pictures, but when the time came, the pictures wouldn't load so I opted to put up my webpage with the slideshow looping instead. My big poster was awesome, but kinda got lost with all my things in the back...next time it needs to go UP! =)

My first "friendly" visitor, meaning, someone I invited or knew was Amanda & her family!

Here are some of the featured items displayed in front...

New cool Skulls & Zebra handbag...you know you want one!

Here is one of my items for the giveaway...congrats to Ramona Teran from Long Beach, who was the lucky winner of this Large Strappy Zippered Case, featuring designer prints from Heather Bailey. These make great makeup bags or mini purse...throw your cell phone, keys, sunglasses, ID/money & lipstick inside, zip it up & wear it on your wrist...you're off & ready for your errands! For a limited time, they will be offered at only $35 and are just as cool as all my other creations! Look out for more designs like the Skulls & Zebra, Asian Eyes, Hula Girls in this style Zippered Case...or place your custom order with me NOW, while I still have time to whip it up for you! Like always, items are gift wrapped & delivered with insurance.

More visitors...old friends from Lakewood High School. I haven't seen Isabel since we graduated in 1994! The Mendoza girls are long time softball teammates & we've grown up playing ball together...so fun to reunite & catch up...thanks so much for stoping by to see me - Jenni, time to get your free motion on! =)

The highlight of my day was when my 2 girls arrived with their auntie Adriana & grandma Nina! I was so thrilled to have them see me at my booth...afterall, it's what all the commotion was about the past few weeks! They stopped by, walked around, and shared some tasty goodies before leaving. =) Thank you Nina for watching my girls as I continue to expand my business & pursue my dreams. I appreciate ALL the things you do for me & my girls...YOU ARE AN AMAZING WOMAN!!!

Ava was tired & didn't like my idea of taking her picture, so here she is with auntie, fussy face & all!

Here's my hubby, Arthur, who has been enduring my endless hours & hours of non-stop sewing. Can you believe he even takes me to the fabric store?! lol. Thanks honey, YOU ROCK! =)

As many of you know, one of my goals while out there, is to promote Lyme awareness, namely PREVENTION. I made flyers from the CALDA (California Lyme Disease Association) website, thanks to my newly purchased membership, I have access to various flyers, handouts & other useful activist tools. I tried to keep things simple & hit on just a few talking points. I told them that children are the fastest growing demographic for Lyme disease. I also told them how most people are misdiagnosed with ALS, Fibromyalgia, MS, Parkinsons, Autism, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus...most people know someone with one of these illnesses!

I would like to improve my activist efforts & hope to include a petition available for people to sign, as well as a contact card for those who want to stay connected or participate in Lyme activist efforts. If you have any activism ideas you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you!

Lastly, here is a flyer for my upcoming show with the ever talented Feanna of Kait Emerson Designs. Stop by & enter our drawing to win one of our creations...it could be your lucky day! =)

Play More & Dream Big!

--Nani

Wallets, Fun Tote & Sneak Peeks

I've been doing a LOT of sewing lately! I finally got a good stack of wallets made - 5 for my sister's friend & co-worker Geneva. Here they are, along with a few others I recently finished.

Yaaay for finished projects!!! =) It feels GREAT to see all these wallets together. Woo-hoo!

Here's one that resembles Susan's wallet...minus the dragon on the front! (This is one of Geneva's.)

I call this one "Bright & Funky Dragon." (Another one of Geneva's.)

Here's a little more detail for you...yes, I freehand the signature "V" myself. This is FUN!

Another Asian Inspired wallet with Asian Eyes inside. (maybe for Mary or Conchi?)

I like to wrap the wallets in a simple brown paper bag & tie it with coordinating scrappy strips of fabric. It's like a sneak peek into the package...who doesn't like to unwrap a package anyhow?! Tuck in my business card & it's ready to roll!

Here's a fun little tote bag I whipped up last week. It was a take on the log cabin blocks I recently made for Project Improv. I love these prints together...it's bright & funky & fun. I'm calling it the little "Zebra Lemonade" tote. It's about 7" square & quilted.

Did some freemotion doodling here, repeating the pattern from the yellow fabric.

Zebra lining...and on the handles too!

Here's the back...quilted with love. I have 4 more log cabins like this, so I could make 4 more similar to this...or something else???? Matchy little pouch?

Kyra trying out the little "Zebra Lemonade" tote bag. She put this on her shoulder & carried it all over the place. When I asked for it back, she didn't want to give it back to me! She decided to carry her chapstick, gum & water bottle in the bag...too cute!

***SNEAK PEEKS!!!***

Here is an Asian Inspired wallet that is in progrss. Working that decorative stitching again...and some more echo type quilting in the red.

Here's another new quilt top...this will be a new SIZE...BIGGER and with a ZIPPER! It will be much like a clutch & the front will be bigger to showcase the Asian faces.

More decorative & freemotion quilting...I used veriegated thread for both. The scallops remind me of dragon scales!

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We've been keeping busy with other things too...like painting! Here's Kyra's new art...fun, fun, fun! It's always fun to see what my little ones will create.

Kyra...the newest gamer in the family. She just got this Nintendo DS from her auntie. Too bad daddy keeps jacking it from her!!!

I've been putting the girls to work! Everyone gets a sponge & cleans SOMEthing! =) This is helping our "ant" situation...they like to invade our house this time of the year. I've been forced into "Spring Cleaning" against my will thanks to the ants! They find every crumb and attack. It's not easy to keep up with my girls & their messes, so I've enlisted their help! I just love this picture of Ava & Kyra cleaning their little table. Kyra is a champ is does a great job cleaning for me. Ava...I'm lucky if she doesn't make a new mess while we clean! LOL, oh well!

Ready for juicing!!! Peaches, carrots, apples, oranges, ginger, lemon, mango, cilantro, garlic, beets, cantalope, watermelon, red cabbage and the kitchen sink! I've been juicing for my dad, hence the ginger, cilantro, garlic & red cabbage. Today I pulled a bunch of stuff out of the fridge to rinse & prepare for juicing. I have a kick butt Breville juicer that I am so very happy with. I purchased it refurbished on eBay last year. Saved a $100 that way! =)

5th Generation Wallets

Here are my 5th Generation wallets with heavy interfacing for a super sturdy feel. 1 Asian inspired & 3 Spring Inspired. I will be taking these with me to the Spring Fling carnival this morning as samples for people to order. Wish me luck!