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Joy

Mavis — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:21:21 +0000

The 1st of the 3 graces-I used a bird skull, the body is made from vintage silk velvet, the wings are antique millinery feathers. Also used, antique Victorian monogramed button, antique beads, oriental wood molding, antique turned wood dowel and vintage chain.

approximately 15″T x 8″W AVAILABLE

Sisters of the Wind

Mavis — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:09:09 +0000

SISTERS OF THE WIND

I am a huge fan of mythology-the stories, the images are quite magical.

In earlier versions OF Greed mythology,, Harpies were described as beautiful winged maidens. Later they became winged monsters with the face of an ugly old woman with crooked, sharp talons. The Harpies, sisters, were probably the personification of storm winds.

Materials:

I used a wonderful antique linen-circa mid 1800’s for the background. The appliquéd floral border is cut from a vintage 1950 batik and hand beaded. The fabulous frame is Victorian.

Techniques:

Quilting, beading, appliqué and embroidery-all work done by hand.

16” x 31”

Now I lay me down to sleep

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:26:45 +0000

Ahara me pongo trago para dormir (Now i lay me down to sleep)

This piece is the newest addition in my epitaph collection. the raven, collectors of treasures , is holding his find-a memorial pin of a small boy. These pins were quite popular in Victoriana- a memento to remember a loved one. Sadly the death of a child was quite common.

The English children’s prayer of “now i lay me down to sleep” was published in The New England Primer in the 18th century. i used a wonderful early linen towel, circa mid 1800, which i embroidered ,appliqued and beaded. the wonderful black and turkeyred wallpaper print is also circa mid 1800.i used a black wool from a Victorian mourning cape for the raven, and cut out the rose appliques from a late 19th century tablecloth.

21” x 33” AVAILABLE

now i lay me down to sleep image copyright mavis leahy

Between the Devil & the deep blue sea

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:48:44 +0000

I was inspired by this wonderful antique fine linen hankie – along with this quote that has always fascinated me. I quilted with a multicolored rayon thread, embellishing with marcasite stars, and used a circa mid 1800’s handwoven coverlet piece for the background.

Framed in black wood square

15 ½” x 15 ½” AVAILABLE

Putting her Demons to rest.

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:46:08 +0000

Sometimes it seems I have far too many demons-I’m happy to say that they seem to be “resting” for the time being.

I used a lot of Victorian wool paisley’s-the piece at the bottom is particularly quite fabulous. each paisley is not only hand embroidered but hand pieced. So in this 25” x 4” strip, there are approximately 17 individual paisleys sewn together. I used antique damask for the roof of the house and the binding-which I hand dyed. For “myself”, the demons, the moon and the beds – I used a vintage wool flannel-also hand dyed. The stars are a vintage crepe circa 1940-1950, as is the black and gold taffeta. The wooden beads at the bottom are circa 1930-1940.

technique

Hand pieced and handquilted, embroidered, & appliquéd.

25 1/2″ X 32″ AVAILABLE

Beelzebub, a study in black & red

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:39:34 +0000

I used a variety of late 1800’s & early 1900’s fabric’s for this piece. Beelzebub is cut from a Victorian black wool morning shawl and appliquéd onto a piece of late 1800 red wool, which I hand stippled in black thread. The black wool trim at the bottom is off a Victorian morning jacket as are the jet beads & sequins. For the lettering I used a hand dyed vintage muslin, which I hand stamped. The bad boy’s heart is a silver milagros, and I used a reproduction fabric for the binding. As always, the entire hanging is sewn by hand.

14″x 14″ AVAILABLE

beelzebub image copyright mavis leahy

Death of a Coral Maiden

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:28:09 +0000

death of a coral maiden copyright mavis leahy

I have been fortunate to see many of our planets coral reefs firsthand-tragically many of these beautiful living beings are dying. Ten percent of the worlds reefs are degraded beyond recovery-an estimated sixty percent could die by 2050. The primary cause is human- pollution, over fishing, and climate change.

We can save those reefs that remain-all it takes is responsibility and action.

27” x 35 “

Materials and Techniques

For the body of this hanging I used vintage muslin that I hand painted with fabric paints and then stenciled with antique lace. For “the maiden”, I used very fine vintage wool, also painted with fabric paint. The lace pieces range from a wonderful late 1800’s metallic to pieces off of a vintage 1950’s bridal gown. I made the “long beads” at the bottom out of antique silk and lace, wrapped with wire and glass beads.

All the work is done by hand- quilting, piecing and beading.

27” x 35 “ AVAILABLE

Corazon Solo

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:06:20 +0000

Love & Death

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:03:34 +0000

Dreaming of Joseph

Mavis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:33:51 +0000

This piece is part of my Epitaph’s series.

In the 19^th century- infant mortality rate was heartbreakingly high, and it was not uncommon for a family to loose more than one child.

I try and capture the fragile existence and souls of these dead children -who were very much loved and missed terribly by those they left behind.

6 3/4” x 8 1/2” AVAILABLE