"Second-Hand Rose" is off on an adventure

Introducing my newest baby, "Second-Hand Rose!"

If you have been reading my blog, you have seen the preliminary pictures of her. The final edition has a little metallic gold paint added to the fabric beads, a few Swarovski crystals, and a pretty label for the back.

Having just been born and christened, Rose has already embarked on a trip to Michigan! She will be part of the Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan at the Rock Financial Showplace. The exhibit dates for 2008 are September 26 - September 28.

After that show, she will either be coming back home, or extending her trip as part of the traveling exhibit from this show. We are not sure of the total number of quilts that will be finished by the deadline on Saturday. Lynn is expecting more than sixty quilts!

The purpose of the exhibit is to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The quilts are not being sold, but the entry fees for the show are all being donated. This year Breaking Traditions is teaming up with Virginia Spiegel's Fiberart for a Cause.

The theme of this year's exhibit is "With One Voice." Quilts submitted for the exhibit should focus on the positive influence of individuals/organizations/projects that are doing good in the world.This year's exhibit seeks to give a voice to all those who work tirelessly to enrich our lives.

I had several ideas for the creation of my quilt, but decided to encourage the re-use and re-cycling of materials in art. We can all be a friend to the planet by making something beautiful instead of adding to the landfill! (Or always adding to our fabric stash!)

Rose's outer border (and back) is made from an embroidered skirt from our local Good Will thrift shop, and her silk flowers are deconstructed from some of my old candle rings. I sewed on some pretty commercial beads for the flower centers, and scattered additional beads throughout the background.

She also has beads made from strips of fabric and fiber left over from other projects. I couldn't resist the name "Second-Hand Rose." Rose was inspired by an article in Quilting Arts Magazine by Frances Holliday Alford. She is constructed of two pieces of stiff interfacing covered with fabric. The top piece also has two layers of Textiva, one pink and one turquoise. That is where Rose gets her shine.

The Textiva film is burned away in spots with a heat gun after quilting, revealing the pink "undergarment" fabric.Rose may be a little over-exuberant, a little too flashy, perhaps even a little gaudy, but I hope she will find love on her travels!