JoAnnA Pierotti

Bunny Girl Truths!

Sometimes someone is the "fifth wheel"




Some stand out in a crowd!

One may loose their head!

 

There are times when some are lonely.

 

Having a best friend makes life better!

Especially when they also see life in black, white and gray!!! Jane???

Just a little bunny fun.  I will be teaching this workshop in September in the magical city, New York!  There is one more seat open if you are intrested. I may also be offering it this fall in Orange County, California. 

Bunny girl has been quite popular on Facebook.  Two of the dressed bunny girls are already sold, one going to Australia and the other to Texas.  I will have more to offer up once I return from California.

See you all soon.  Thanks for stopping by.  ♥♥♥

 

Buried Treasure Turned into A Burial Ceremony!

Artwork by Seth Apter

Last week, Seth Apter, "The Altered Page" put out a call for bloggers to dig through old posts and re-share.  Well, the other night I decided to start looking back, thirteen years worth.  I found myself a bit depressed reading some of the posts.  I had 57 pages of 1418 posts.  (As some of  you know,  the # 57 has been following me for some time now).  So anyway, I decided to archive pretty much everything prior to this year.  I called it my "Burial Ceremony".  I didn't like most of my past creations and felt that so much has changed inside of me, I could no longer identify with the old me.

Out of frustration believing Typepad was not archiving my posts after spending a couple of hours in doing so, one thing lead to the next, and I deleted everything, blogs and all!!!  At the moment I did not care until I realized most my online class videos are here.  I panicked.  It took a couple of days and I am happy to report I got my blogs back.  Thank you TYPEPAD! Lots of re-arranging things that got out of order, but it's not that bad.  I'm just thrilled to have gotten back what I stupidly deleted.  I was able to achieve pretty much everything prior, giving me a clean start.

What I value The most that is buried

The reason I started my blog in the first place when no one even knew what that word meant, was for my mom.  It was a fun way to communicate across country as she was always interested in my work.  My mom died in 2006 and prior to that, there are some comments she left here.  That is truly my buried treasure.  Here is the first comment she left me in 2005:

My Jojo, I'm so proud of you with all the creative things you are doing.Wish I could be there doing it with you. All my children are artistic,my genes are your genes.We could write a book or sing a song together.You got my creative side warming up again. You have made me happy and my mind is running rapid. Love ya, Mom

 

My Buried Treasure Posts To Share

  For some reason the pictures won't enlarge.  I  remember creating this piece and so desire to get back to creating with my rustic side.  Wish I had kept it.

May 11, 2006

 

This is my first creation after returning from Keith Lo Bue's workshop in Wisconsin at Valley Ridge.  I've used some of the techniques he taught us.  I discovered mica while there and was able to purchase some.  I really like it.  Keith uses a lot of mica in his work.  He taught us how to use old paper and make it transparent.  This paper is from a 18th century Ladies Journal.  I love forging metal, my favorite thing to do now.  I need lots of practice.  I also love riveting things together, rather than using glue.

"Spoutin Off-Tea Pots and Conversations"

May 18, 2005

 

 

I was invited to submit two pieces for an art show at the "Little City Studio & Gallery" in Amador City.  I used a vintage teapot that I rusted first.  I collaged it with old style German paper and then inked it and painted some of my own little swirls.  The front is embellished with a drawer pull backing.  Dangling are some vintage beads I standed together with wire.  When you take the lid off you see a poem I wrote which says;

Note:  kind of corny...lol

"A New Purpose"

Days long ago, on a stove-top I sat,

filled to the brim, ready for their chat.

Conversations some days made my spout perk up,

while filling up each dainty little cup.

Now I sit an empty pot,

no longer used to make water hot.

But look at me now; I'm a piece of art!

Truly I long for a brand new start.

This is the altered book I submitted depicting teapots and conversation.  As you open the first page you find a poem my mother wrote for me.  SHE WON THE PRIZE!!!  Thanks Mom so much.  Friday night is the opening of the show.  This shall be fun, a first for me in this fashion.

 

Poem my mom wrote: 

 "I have a tea pot of my own...shining with flowers of every hue, I love it dearly while alone, but I shall love it more with you. One lump please".

Sweet memories!  Miss you Mom.

Thanks for stopping by.  ♥♥♥

 

Sloppy Jojo's - Fiber Art Workshop

My new workshop offered at Little Bird Creations in New York City this coming September.

This piece started off in brand new crispy white fibers of cottons and silks.  With what I like to call, sloppy hand sewing, the pieces are assembled to create an abstract form.

Using Fabric Dyes we will then paint our pieces, steam them to fixate the dyes, then create a little book using these as the covers.

What is fun about creating these fabric abstracts, "Sloppy Jojo's", is that they can be incorporated into many things, such as collage work, art journals, collage paintings, or even embellished on a jacket or other clothing.  They could even work as doll dresses.  Your imagination is all that is needed.

I will have several colors of fabric dyes that you can choose from.  I will show you how I over dye to make the cloth look old if that is your kind of look.   Embellishing is always so much fun too.  We will create little pop-outs throughout that were once hidden.

 

These "Sloppy Jojo's" would make wonderful gifts.  They are small enough where they could be used as needle cases too.

Inside this cover I added some collage sheets I created using fiber and paper.

 

For more information, please visit Little Bird Creations.  You have to sign up for the Meet Ups to see all the info.  No obligation of course, and doesn't cost a cent to do so. 

Meet Up Groups are all over the country, so be sure to check for your area to see what is happening. 

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope to see you in New York City!

♥♥♥

Me and Jenny Craig

May 31st will mark my two year anniversary since joining Jenny Craig. 


(note:  I'm wearing the blouse I just made - see prior post) 

Every week for two years now I go to Jenny and hop on this scale.  Sometimes it isn't very nice to me but by my own doing. Jenny helps me to get back on track.  I still have not reached my goal weight but hopefully this summer I will.   But I'm still at a 50 pound loss since joining May 2011.  In the past two years I have put back on a few, then take it off again. 

 

Each week I purchase some of the dinners and snacks.  I also buy some of the weight loss foods at the market, but nothing tastes as good as Jenny.  Also Jenny's foods are much healthier, lacking the harmful stuff found in other frozen foods.   I also cook fresh Salmon every week, my favorite, along with some other things. 

I gained weight over the years because I grew up with an Italian mother who taught me to cook really yummy foods, but full of calories.  I have had to rethink how to make my favorite dinners.  And really, it's all portion control.  You can pretty much eat anything, just a lot less of it.  Vegetables are a huge key, as they really do help keep you full longer.  And lots and lots of water!!!

I meet weekly with my wonderful Jenny Consultant, Tiffany.  She has become a dear friend now.  She really helps me along the way, helping me to figure out my weaknesses and strengths when it comes to eating.  I know for me, I could not have done it without her.  I am sure I will be a life time member of Jenny and that's okay with me.  Me and Jenny just so get along.

Fifteen more pounds to loose and I know I can do it!!! 

Thank you Jenny Craig and thank you Tiffany!!!

♥♥♥

 

 

Breaking the rules

Recently, my friend, Seth Apter posted a very interesting read for me.  I had just purchased a simple sewing pattern.  It had been years since I've sewn from a pattern.  Still fresh in my memory was remembering how much I despised a lot of the rules using a pattern.  I wanted to challenge myself to break those rules and do my own thing.  After reading Seth's post, "Cross The Line", about Rachel Whetzel, I somehow found permission to proceed with my task at hand.

Even though I still had to follow the basic rules of sewing so that my blouse would be wearable, I changed it up some.  For one, I enlarged the neckline.

The Results

I used a 100% cotton muslin fabric.  My edges are raw.  I like it that way.  I've named my style in the past as "Tattered Threads" and this creation fits that description very well.

Per the pattern instructions, I did purchase the interfacing.  But when home I decided I didn't have to use it.  Instead I reinforced my neckline with tattered fibers and lots of stitches.  It worked!

 

 

I used vintage and antique lace, my favorite embellishments.

 

 

This is the back of the blouse.  It fits me perfectly.  I can roll the sleeves up or wear them down.

A simple challenge for myself, and found it a lot of fun.  I now have courage to move forward, attempting some new ideas in my head.

Thank you Seth and Rachel for being the foot that stepped on the gas pedal for me.  I wonder if my mom and grandma, The Vogue Sewers, are smiling down on me or shaking their heads.  I think smiling.

Thanks for stopping by ♥♥♥