Not at all what I expected!

Well I forgot to put a timer on and lifted my head after 2 hours of fiddling. A quick lunch and then I got to sewing strips. I might have gone too subtle as 12 fabric turned into 20! After supper I was considering my options but my daughter phoned to say my grandson needed to come stay with his grand dad and the rest of us needed to go the hospital. The new quilterette arrived shortly after midnight. I was home in bed by 2:30 am and the grandson was up at 6:05! And the 'beat goes on'! 8^)

Now I did manage to get the two halves up on the wall and some trim from the edges pinned to see how it might be. I have a metre of rust gradated fabric that I'm thinking of putting in-between the actual strips. No time just now to continue but the class doesn't get to the cutting step for another week. I'll also need to do a couple of deadlines before I come back to this. I also think I need to use my scanner with its black and white copy ability to figure out these values better. Another consideration is that the yellow will move down and the green up as the movement develops.

A good night's sleep will make everything wonderfully do-able! I wonder if I'll dream in pink???

D Day

This is a bit convoluted but I promise the progression from birth to junior senior citizen will only be a few sentences.

My birthday is June 6th and my Dad was a war veteran who called me his D Day daughter. (ah, a warm fuzzy moment) Anyway, I was the main chauffeur and my very punctual father would greet me at the door saying, "What kept you, daughter?". vbsigh He should have lived to see the day his dear daughter started getting her act together. lol It has taken a goodly amount of time. Hmm, D can also stand for d... it!

My goal this year is Triple F- focus, fiddle and finish. Vickie Welsh wrote about the D word (Creative Discipline) on Three Creative Studios blog. Just 'focusing' on my faults doesn't change them. I have looked at the computer screen and seen a reflection of what the problem is and it is ME! So whereas I had been emphasizing the Finish in Triple F, I now see that it needs to be on Focus and that breaks down to 3 more subtitles. The D words! Determine what needs to happen, Decide on how it'll happen and then Discipline- do it. A terrible thing at my age to find I lack self control . No despair; I have actually progressed to this point in my life where I can now move forward in a positive way.

So focus for this week was basic quilting and I fiddled at numerous things but no finished project as of yet. I was headed there. In trying to combine it with a ufo I was confronted with a new deadline, the bargello quilt. Hmm, but it should go with the deco plan for the upstairs hall where it will hang. The hall needs to bring together 4 rooms and link up with the downstairs hall. It is difficult for me to focus when I have a LOT of choices. So I narrowed down the parameters. I have made some decisions on the various paint colours I'll be needing. I used fabric which I'll take to the paint store. The decor for the winter season is kinda traditional with analogous colours, red violet thru to the golds. The organic shape every season is leaves but evergreen needles and pine cones for winter. The geometric shape will be squares and rectangles . The bargello works! phew

This morning I can cut bargello strips because I have an overall plan. The striped fabric called my name. It has the main colours but the olive green and touch of aqua keep things from being too predictable. Heaven help me that I be called predictable. 8^) I also have a challenge quilt for Three Creative Studios to consider and strips may be a part of that. I am thinking I can keep from starting new projects all the time if I develop an 'inventory' of pre-sewn units in various colour combos. It should jump start creativity as well.

So I still have the focus (basic sewing). The fiddling happens today. I've determined which project and decided the appropriate colours. The discipline will come as I crank my timer for an hour. And D... it, I better have some finished strips before I go to bed tonight; heck before lunch!

Excuse me for barging in.

I've been doing the math. NOT my strong point.

I have way more stuff than square footage but I do I need a machine for quilting. Something has to go so I can get another thing. But winter in the geographical centre of North America is costly. i.e. heating fuel. The bank balance needs a shot of green stuff. So, I gathered together my 1630 Bernina and ALL (what was I thinking) accessories. I have begun the process of offering this whiz bang machine for sale having finally come to terms with the fact that I am not a whiz bang person and don't need bells and whistles. I need basic straight stitch with large throat space and needle down function. A little angst as I contemplate losing her but I'm sure I'll luv her replacement. I just need to crunch some numbers.

And I knew it! The moment I pitched out my files something would need looking for. Last night's quilt group meeting had us all saying yes to a bargello class. It was on my to-do list and in the not so distant past I did have a file on possibilities. My QF had taught a class a few years ago and she ran thru the generalities, showed cross stitch (?) examples and it sounded like serious math to me. whoa But I'm sure once I see it in front of me I'll smack my head, aha! But she is talking basic and I had a look at one example and sure enough I'm for adding strips and things are looking like we may be entering college math. And I'm not even supposed to be considering new stuff. I'm definitely NOT buying as that will seriously compromise any math I've already figured out.

But- the focus for the week is basic quilting and how basic is sewing strips of fabric???

I am also tossing around some deco ideas for lush, warm, rich, simple shapes for my winter theme. Bargello?

The Three Creative Studios challenge could incorporate some bargello. I dunno, but it is good to keep the options open.

Opening the door

Fine time to think about it, but one is supposed to open the back door to shoo out the old and fling open the front door to welcome the new! This morning is the official start for the beginning of the beginning. I'm finding quite a few odds and ends that need some attention. Even a clock needed a new battery. This week is also looking like lots of prenatal doctor visits for the daughter and several meetings. That means lots of interruptions so I'm thinking basic quilting is the focus for the week. I also need to tweak the decorating scheme for the winter season. I have decided on size for the quilt challenge. (24" x 24") and format for the creative cue. (paper) I will iron the latest fabric acquisitions for putting away, pick a ufo, and turn my mind to possibilities for the challenges.

Fine Tuning Challenges

I've done a little fiddling with my blogging, added some to my blog list, changed some blog features and I'm still working on linking. I've resisted the urge to plunge into a whole new project but for the plan in the new year I've added a new site, Three Creative Studios, to enhance my play time. They have some creative learning opportunities happening throughout the coming year and I hope to be able to pull a few feathers out and get them to enhance the whole nest experience.

I've been wondering what to focus on first but my frustrated daughter arrived with the tools I lent her and her curtain material. I understand as my own attempt at sheer curtains showed me that there really is a reason to justify their high price. It is called 'angst'. Hopefully I can remember all I learned the hard way before I said, "never again"! Oh, well; but not quite the fine tuning and challenges I had in mind. 8^)

Drum Roll Please

A blue moon as the year goes out and a blue moon as it comes in. It's gonna be a banner year!

The theme for 2010 is Triple F

This stands for lots of things:

Fun, Food, Friends

Fast, Furious, Funky

Find it, Fix it, or Forget it.

But especially FOCUS, FIDDLE, and FINISH

Chickens just naturally lay eggs. Some hide their eggs. But broody hens collect eggs, hide them, sit or brood over them and then happily bring them out for show and tell when the mission has been accomplished. My plan for this year is to stop being an ordinary chick, dropping eggs hither and yon and running around with those noisey roosters. I'm gonna brood! I'll not be scooping up any old eggs, just my own from wherever they have rolled. Some may have passed the 'due date' and those I'll just bury. Pee Yew! Some may be duds and they'll get the same treatment. But if I patiently brood and keep my mind on the goal I'll have something for show and tell when all the other biddys bring out their own successful hatches. I wanna be in the Easter Parade, the Santa Parade and especialy my very own New Years Parade.

The Formula 1 race is about to begin. Ladies, prepare your nests.

Once in a blue moon!

The true definition of a Blue Moon is the second full moon in a month. Since the lunar cycle takes 29.5 days, this translates into an extra full moon in a month once every two and one half years. But it is really special when it occurs on New Year's Eve. That will happen this year. It is first time that has happened since 1990.

How cool is that! And once in a blue moon something extra ordinary happens.

It is about the time of the last blue moon that I began filing away magazine articles, class notes and teaching samples. Past time to clear the whole lot out.

This has to make a difference!

But it is kinda like buying underwear. Not something you show everybody but it sure does feel good! LOL These two bags have come out of the filing cabinet so it won't make much impact on the over all look. Not a great photo to end the year with but it'll be a good feeling to start the new year with.

Some was easy to part with. Some not. But as the commercial says, "You've come a long way, baby!". The lesson learned is that life moves on. Surely collecting, sorting, evaluating... releasing, is all part of the creative process. I have learned a lot. Again not necessarily visible but I'm believing it is going to make a difference.

VBSigh

All means A L L

I've been kidding myself that I've been making great strides! I've just been skipping on the top layers. I've done some teaching and I've saved everything. It is neatly put away in binders, file cabinets, and pretty baskets. But a lot is so out dated. I think the sheer tonnage is what scares me. We are talking from the mid eighties. Thrifty is NOT my nature! It is a puzzle to me why I hoarded fabrics, magazine articles, rolls and rolls of photographs, and quilt show programs! The 'oh, dear I have a problem' showed up when I saved 1 inch triangles. I have 3 metre chunks of fabric stacked up, why....

Decision Time!

This is a promise! No more lamenting. Shovel it! I've edited some stuff. Now to square up the shoulders, bite the lower lip and push off! Make up the 'to finish ' list for January 2011 and then do the final shove!

If I can keep the wet stuff out of the playroom I think I have a set up that works pretty well.

I have 3 sewing machines. I have a 1260 Bernina that has been acting like a Christmas tree . Needs a new mother board apparently. I luv it. I miss it. It machine quilts well, just no room in the throat space. I need to fix it. I have a 1630 Bernina that was going to be my creative machine. It sews in 360 degrees with a 9 mm satin stitch. I haven't used it as it is meant to be used. I have a little old Bernina Minimatic I drag to workshops. Tired but pieces wonderfully. I covet a big quilting machine like the sit down HQ 16. Hello reality??? I'm going to sell the 1630, fix the 1260, and buy a Juki which is available in my price range and I can get in our big city.

Okay, that feels like a good start. Now where is the shovel....

Out with the old...

in with the new!

I have learned so much these last few months. Thanks BloggerLand!

This huge black binder has the creme de la creme of all the things I wanted to do. That was back in the late nineties. It even has some old fabric swatches for what I had in mind. I still find myself thinking I'd like to do them. But so much has changed; myself, in particular. I don't want to copy these. I can enjoy them in the binder, I suppose. But I am trying to eliminate a lot of these paper packaged promises. I might give them another year; but they should be what ifs... Not replicas. My new fabric choices reflect where I now am.

Blogging is really journaling. There is something powerful in putting my thoughts down on a written page. It clarifies. It also motivates and commits.

This time between the 25th and the 1st is an in between time. I'm going to use it to set the direction for a very productive 2010. I'm a dreamer, not a realist. But I'm also getting tired of that too true statement: "hope deferred maketh the heart sick." I'm a great believer in hope; but my heart needs wellness.

How do you plan for a healthy heart?

Peppermint Stars

This is a smaller version of a large bed quilt I made for my mum who wanted a red and white quilt. Making a two colour quilt in one block pattern is boring but this was what my mum wanted. I did mix it up a bit. It has my version of plaid quilting.

This is also a good example of negative space. It is interesting to listen to how people see the two spaces. Which one is the positive space, which one is the negative?

Blessings of Blogging

I've noticed as I've blasted off into the blogging world that I'm not always clearing the tree line! So as I've once again bumped down to the ground and have begun to pick the leaves and branches out of my hair, I'm considering how to do things smarter, better, etc.

I had figured that my propensity to go off on tangents was not dealing with the procrastination issue. So I figured a strategy to keep me moving and hopefully finishing. Certain things on certain days. It works but I also have a short attention span so the to do list was growing and the bright ideas were languishing, not to mention the garden weeds. sheesh, I shoulda known better!

The structure is good but one day isn't enough to finish things or at least get them far enough along for a rest/rethink period.

So I'm gonna try a monthly plan. First week - quilting. Second week- gardening or garments. Third week- mixed media. Fourth week - home decorating. Fifth week- fun, fun or ...

I wish I had lists of accomplishments to show for 2009. But how do you list the "aha's, now I see". I've sorted, reorganized and rearranged. It has been physical but it has also very much been mental. To fix a problem, you have to define it. Well, the problem has been ME! So unravelling that particular thread nest, worktable jumble, and hazardous material spill has been very enlightening. There are still incident reports and government forms to be filled out! lol

Although the destination is what matters, the journey is going to need revisions as the terrain changes, the weather happens and the detours crop up.

So I think I'll check the flight plan, weather conditions, fuel gauge AND my parachute and rev up the engine once again! What if I head towards that break in the bushes right over there...

Stuck!

Gee, it does seem like my time hasn't been my own for a while. But I do feel like I've been getting things done. A lull would be nice though. I don't see one anytime soon, unfortunately.

I have cleared the leftover fabrics away. I thought a change of pace might be in order and started the fabric paper workbook. This looks very rough to me but I tore, spread and glued with great abandon. This looks like the pieces are too big but it is the premier layer and there is an element of "I'm not sure that I know what I'm doing". (ha, the truth is- I don't!) But I'm trying not to over think this as much more happens on top of all this. I am also beginning to wonder where my colour sense has gone. I seem to be stuck in black and white. But this needs to dry and then I'll have a better idea of what glues well and what doesn't. Then it'll be very much, What if...

Leftovers!

Sheesh! This could become a series. This is the row of blocks that didn't pass for the backing. Then I gathered any left over strips. Now I have a baby quilt top and the backing is a gorgeous, Paisleys on Parade. Very funky tulips and hearts. If the new grandbaby is a girl, it'll be perfect. Then I gathered up the smaller sewn strips and went for a place mat/doll quilt. Quite fun but still some leftovers. How long do leftovers retain there flavour? 4 meals? Time to clean the fridge and restock the shelves.

Distractions

oooh! Now he wants to sit on Gram'elle's lap when there is any sewing to be done. He doesn't miss a thing and his hearing is excellent!. (notice the ears) Whoa, that seriously hampers production. Then there is all this fabric to be made to dance and skip! 8^)

I did get the backing done and in my hurrying I skewed one seam that needs fixing. That was a serious design project that has created more leftovers. I shall post pictures next thing.

But I'm starting to hit my stride. I 'really' like the back, not that it couldn't be improved but it is time to move on to the next step on this uphill climb to creative conquests. I'm using fabric, not saving it. I'm waiting while the 'what ifs' percolate and then making changes. I'm actually meeting deadlines. Now I need to whip the leftovers into a quick project for a future prezzie or donation. That gets things cleaned up, old fabric used up, and leaves room for better fabric options in the stash. The leftovers can be a distraction in themselves so while the umph is there I need to press to the conclusion and then with that step completed I can use the warm fuzzies to tackle the next step.

varooom...........

Forget backing

We now have another quilt happening, reversible! vbsigh The yellow was sliding off south and the finger was beckoning for something. Half my stash has been kerfuffulled and it is coming.

Oh, I also have a young assistant who likes to see all the strips waving and dancing.

Whadda ya think?

I might have to do something else today while I consider my options! 8^)

What if....

The math doesn't work out??? Well, it is just a wonderful opportunity to be creative!!!

I completed the top of the quilt along. I have no clever tips for sewing all the blocks because I invariably mix something up. I also need the exercise so I pin them all up on the design wall. And bring them 2 at a time to the sewing machine. I bring the next pair and chain sew but the I don't have more than the two sets at the machine at one time. Not sure why I get myself turned around but I am very happy with the rhythm of the process. This works for me.

I wanted a creative happening on the back. I had the idea fabric and left over blocks and strips and this is the plan. I am seriously math challenged and the photo doesn't show the strip of yellow top that sticks out on one side. I rechecked my math and it is supposed to work out. And if it doesn't, well I'm thinking one of those dark strips will be wider or... I have those strips of yellow that Cheryl had us set aside. In fact I'm kinda liking the idea of adding those yellow strips anyway. Stay tuned for how it all turns out. I can't wait, myself! lol

Ticking along the edge

Art Quilt Monday was all about SHAPE. I'm sure I learn more than I teach. I was particularly challenged to learn more about the space around a shape; the negative space. I'll be studying more about that. But we looked at geometric shapes and organic shapes. I also see that the square or rectangle is the shape most quilters work on, the background. It is very overlooked just like the pages we turn are not seen as a shape. Squares and rectangles are the most common shape and are perceived as being familiar, safe, comforting; but their uniformity can also create a conservative or rigid effect. I don't want to be conservative or rigid. I'm somewhat mollified because I actually like the triangle shape which suggests action because of movement from corners pointing the way. They suggest growth or "reaching for the top". Circles suggest infinity,completion,softness, and security. They can focus attention because of the closure of the shape. But I hadn't thought about ellipses which aren't quite as predictable as circles. Heaven forbid I become predictable! LOL

So this little quilt, inspired by Amanda Jean's Ticker Tape Quilt was one of my examples on the shape demo. It also seemed a safe place to try frayed edges. The uniformity of the many squares and the few rectangles calmed me. The woven plaids gave me some control over the fraying. I couldn't believe I spent so much time pulling threads. Then when I saw all the 'good stuff' I was going to throw out I set them aside for... ??? Anyway, frayed edges ruffle my comfort zone edges. lol But this little quilt is very cute and got lots of smiles. I am going to be ruffling my edges some more!

I have also been thinking about the quilt along over at Naptime Quiter. Rail Fence blocks are not my favorite and this is sorta like that. Stacked or Chinese coins- I like. What if... I did some block turning but I think all those seams are not gonna be worth the hassle. So I'll stick with the plan for the front. I do need to get these sewn and off my design wall because I have to start back on the last few rows of my daughter's wedding quilt. Baby number 2 is arriving and I made a vow; no baby stuff til the wedding is done! LOL But she and the grandson#1 are staying over and we'll make those last colour choices so I can get on with my Joy In the New Year challenge.

So I am happily ticking along.

Back of the coop

Line Dancing

The art challenge for this month is all about line. Because we are building on the elements I wanted to stay in black and white and very simple. I luv the treble clef. So I did some googling and came up with the music sign and then some! I cut the fused shapes with an exacto knife. These challenges are letter page size. I did sew the music staff (?) I'm no musician, with two strands of rayon thread thru the batting but I did a few passes especially on the bottom lines. If I'd had some black cording I'd have couched it on. Then I added the backing which is grey music fabric and stitched a single line for the quilting. I fused the music signs. I decided not to do anything with the edges as these won't see much wear. I used an ivory rayon to free motion treble clefs all over the background. I'm very much liking the newer , thinner binding.

Quilting along!

I have not been idle. I'm okay with the front but I'm really excited about the back! I have the leftover blocks from the front. I must always remember to make extras because it gives more options. Then I made blocks from the leftover accent strips. yum!

Slow Time has arrived

All but one!

I picked apart one seam because it was spoiling a perfect combo. I found one set that hadn't been finished and I have an extra strip set. But this will all add to the exquisiteness of the finished top. I've had a good week. I am liking a weekly plan but I also need to just work on one thing every once in a while. This week it has been quilting. The second machine binding was not as successful as the first. Pride and shortcuts will bring about less than perfect results. oh, dear! :( Carefulness means it only needs to be done once. I hope I only need to learn this lesson one time. :)

Stripping along

I really do like piecing away randomly. Trying this fabric against that. Uglies happen but they make the others look even better. lol I almost always prefer to work on a smaller scale so I only cut a few strips 3" and I definitely have sliced some of the accents thinner. I am liking what I'm seeing. Do you see the wiggly limey Bali? I got it at the sale. It'll be full price when I go back but I am thinking that it is gonna be some useful fabric so I NEED more. Half done and the thread snippets are at least 3/4 of the way out the playroom and down the stairs! But, sew what!

The value of value

Well, I went ahead and cut the strips for the quilt along. I hope I haven't started a king size quilt. I started neatly, orderly and keeping track. And then...
I'm feeling like they'll work. I guess sewing them together will soon tell.
VALUE:
c.1300, from O.Fr. value "worth, value" (13c.), noun use of fem. pp. of valoir "be worth," from L. valere "be strong, be well, be of value" (valiant) 1)noun: relative darkness or lightness of a color 2)noun: the quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable, 3)noun: a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed 4)noun: an ideal accepted by some individual or group the amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else 5)noun: (music) the relative duration of a musical note Then there are the verbs.

Is this quilt going to be of value? Somebody will like it. Is the colour going to be 'well'? It isn't feeling sick yet. Is it a strong design? I'm hoping it isn't too strong. I'm aiming for a keepsake, a healthy combo of textures and colour with medium contrast. I'm hoping it is going to be worth it. I'm making a valiant effort to make it sing and hold the note.

Blessed be the tie that BINDS

Well, it takes almost as long to make a designer back as it does to make a front! The table topper will be reversible. Where I want things to go and my math makes for mistakes. grrrr But I did get things to fit. Why is the way so clear on the last few steps???

BUT... I will be making up time because I tried the machine sewn bindingtutorial by Rita on Red Pepper Quilts. The directions and photos are excellent. I'm pleased. I don't mind hand sewing bindings but life is too short to obsess over place mats! I really liked the neat look of the smaller width. I ironed the binding down and didn't need pins. I only missed one corner. Again, thanks Rita! I'm delighted!

I get a star,

Well, maybe a check mark! I have finished the star blocks from Block Party. 15

I put together a 9 block table topper and a 6 block table runner. I see I should have given more consideration to the medium value of the background circles, but I'm pretty pleased as this is a deviation from my usual plain backgrounds. Value is something I struggle with for some reason. I fixate on one aspect of design and ignore the other. :( To keep rolling I need to come up with a whiz bang backing!

If at first...

I clicked on the previous photo and I kinda thought they improved. So I rearranged and re photoed (now is that a word, ah- two words?). hmmm??? Where is the napper when I need her? I don't want to wimp out on the new improved ME!

Options????

I did get some more fabric for the quilt along which is along the bottom. One is a limey yellow with a blue green swirl. The leaf print will be backing. Front is yellows with the accent a blue green selection. I'm not sure how this shows up. I was thinking I need to get rid of the ones that are different. But maybe they just stretch my comfort zone. I dunno......

Creating Time

The best laid plans, etc. Things have definitely not been going 'my way'! I need to grab my time allotment and wrestle it to my own satisfaction. How can I use my time creatively?

I did restore some order after the teaching samples, notes and dust settled.

All I have had time for was to reread the camera settings so uploads work better. Done!

WIP is back up. I like the green strip. Not sure about the floaty leaves. I will be putting some significant beads on the bottom, but the falling leaves is not too successful! Comments please!

I'm off again, jiggity jig! I'll be punching up the quilt along fabrics. I need some large prints, NOT florals! Next upload will be the Naptimer's quilt along.

Variant

Not even variable. A variant is differing in form or in details from the one named or considered.

I'm varianting. I needed to repurpose the dining and sitting rooms. The stove is sending out its warmth and that means shoving the chairs and table around. Tweaking! Not a hardship. I luv it. I shoulda been a window display person.

I cut all my fabric for the friendship star and they send out a variant. COOL! But I wouldn't have had enough background to do this very cute and wonky star. I'll only get 15 of the first set. I will be doing another though! Please see the link to Block Party in the helps. (I haven't figured out links in the message yet.)

Cheryl over at Naptime Quilter has finished her nap and is slaving over a hot iron. I shall shake off slumber myself and "get 'er done". I am up for the Quilt Along as planned. I have a plan and I do see a lack in my fabric stash but I think I'll go with what I have. I need to do the squint test and then post the photo for fabric choices.

Barking up the wrong tree

I spent most of yesterday reviving my thread painting skills. Yuk! I covered them with brown organza, did a bit more and voila! I was pleased that I did think outside of the box a bit but it seems a tad dark for a wall hanging. Kinda sombre.

The line workshop went well last night though. We are all looking for lines and the new challenges will be interesting to view. I'm not sure what my idea will be but heck, there is 30 days! 8{

I was anticipating a good day to work on my ufo's but everything went sideways early on. I did restore order to the playroom but the vacuum is still in the middle of the room. I barely got out to count the chickens before they scurried off under the trees.

Today was actually garment day and I do have an idea for a skirt but I don't think I can afford to sew something every week and still get other things done. I wore my jumper for show and tell and someone said I 'just' needed a nice necklace! (I'm working on it!)

I also have been trying to figure out the new camera and if all else fails... well, it seems the instruction book does have a remedy and I shall be trying it out for the next photo session. It also looks like the new light bulbs are effective. Now I need to decide if I shall grab the camera manual, the thread painting notes, the wire jewelry magazine or the mixed media workbook for my "now I lay me down to sleep" routine.

Friendships

Sorry for the shadow but I'm in a hurry this morning. I did change the light bulbs to get a bluer light. Then I stuck my head in the way! drat!

These friendship star blocks are inspired by Block Party. (see Helps) I couldn't resist! I have enough background for 15 stars. That is the number of participants in Workshop In Progress. Kinda fitting. But I have also met some neat people thru blogging so this will be my Ode To Blogs quilt. And I am so enjoying the loose play plan and colour combo. Not sure how I'll arrange them when I'm done but... Who says you always need a plan. lol But I have to let the stars twinkle on the other side of the noon day sun while I gaze up at the tree line.

Today I am loading up my paint brush with thread. Browns for bark.

The forest for the trees!

I've got a jumble again. I couldn't resist trying some of those friendship stars over at Block Party. What an excitingly new fabric combo for me . And I did actually do it from my stash. Makes me smile! I'll post when I get a few more done.

Then I was out photographing tree trunks and branches. I need to get a lesson or two on my new camera and software and I need to read a good photography book. I must do some thread painting for this challenge. I thought I'd find a general shape and modify it to accomodate a focal point. I figure to add a moon somewhere behind that V. That has my sheers tumblimg over the fabric stars on the table.

Yesterday was butchering day. So I printed and tried a gluten-free gingerbread recipe that would give me something for the guys' coffee break. Wonder of wonders, it was a cake and not a slab! Even I was impressed. Smelled so good! Regular baking challenges me, never mind gluten free.

But hiding among my trees is a predator. 8>( One of my ducks and several chickens are missing. But we did hear the night dog doing his patrol on my side of the yard last night and early this morning. Good Boy, but time to move the feathered friends over to the main barn. We should have done it sooner.

I hope to get some time today to float wispy clouds over the moon so I can paint bark tomorrow!

In the meantime, bring on the friends and family!

Press to Entre

Time to move my art pages up on the to-do list. The first group challenge was a button. I want to think out of the box so I thought of a computer button. I tried printing it on and it was less than successful . So I touched it up with a gold gilding pen. Hind sight says that a puff paint would have worked better. I wanted to begin with no colour so the background is white. I fussy cut the flower shapes and fused them on. The bottom needed some weight so I added the dark ground. Then I machine quilted and bound it.

Now I just need to hit the entre button within me!

Dressed for Success

The jumper succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. It actually fits! A little tweaking on the next couple as I have more of this suede fabric which you can tell from the tote bag. oops, the biggest pieces would be a rusty red and a green which aren't in this tote. Stay tuned!

The trip to Michael's yielded some jewelry making tools and some mixed media embellishments.

A trip thru the furniture store display in DD's home town reveals that aqua and chocolate seem to be what the best dressed homes are wearing. The blue greens are the colour I prefer in my home decor. This is NOT good as I saw so many accessories I really liked. It is DD that is looking, not her dear old mum, so I need to cool my plastic and get back into my bedroom which has only a teeny bit of aqua. (They also had lots of metal work which is a luv as well.) But I did find a nice pottery pitcher at her thrift shop with the blue greens.

I think the dust bunnies will be dressed warm enough to be swept outside and then I need to dress up a tree challenge. Well, maybe undress. I'm thinking bare branches and a focus on the trunk bark.

Chickens don't do paths!

A path is a way especially designed for a particular use. I particularly like the meandering path thru the shade garden which is next to my coop. The chickens have a penned area but I do let them out. They dearly luv to scratch away and when all the dust settles, my carefully laid out path is obliterated. I finally penned them back up because the flower bed edges in the front yard were no longer clearly defined. The top dressing for the perennials was now top dressing the grass. I try not to encourage grass! I'm the one who has to cut it.

A path is also a course of conduct. I hope I've set the course that I'd like to travel for this winter. I think I've never felt quite so focused and it seems to be lasting. I'm a great list maker. I just write them, file them and forget them. This feels like good conduct. This feels different.

Now time off for good behavior (conduct). My path this morning leads to my DD and the grandson. I have a Michael's coupon burning a hole in my pocket and I want to show Josh's mum all the neat stuff for kids. I am also delivering the bulk of my florals and I have already dragged 3 pieces out of the bags! I'm as bad as the chooks!

Fall Cleanup

Tuesday is my Garden day. The weather has been conducive to getting things ready for winter so I had put things to bed and turned toward my indoor playroom. The chickens and ducks will be making the move to their winter quarters any day now. My coop is not readily accessible when the snow drifts settle in.

Tuesday will also be Garment day. I so want to make myself some clothes that fit and say who I am. I had not enjoyed sewing clothes but I am no longer intimidated by sewing machines and patterns. SO! I did. I wanna have jumpers like Jane Sassaman. But I do have a waist and the hips are noticable so straight won't work and gathers, hmm, not too flattering. Sew! I took a bodice from a size 8. (must have been one of my girl's) and a slinky nightie pattern. I enlarged top, over lapped the skirt till I could line them up and redrew. I could finally use that curved ruler I had to have. I made a tissue pattern with 4 pieces. I made the bodice proto type from floral reject stash, did a bit of tweaking and by golly it'll work! but .... pride goeth before the fall. I ripped! If all else fails, read the directions. I had lined the bodice with a coordinating quilt fabric and couldn't turn the darn thing right side out! But, I think I have it figured for next time. It will be fast, easy and looks not too shabby! lol

I've also been doing a bit of fall cleaning on the blog. I need to figure where some of scanner/photo options are now hiding. I need to figure out links and I did some tweaking to the over all look. Things are falling into place!

100 posts and I definitely feel like blogging is helping me to be a better, more creative chick! My jumper is purple for heaven's sake!

I'll drop ya a line!

The challenge for the line demo is to come up with quiltlets that feature lines. This is probably the most challenging because the next art demos will build on line. Text intrigues me because letters form words which form sentences which form lines. Did ya write lines in school? 8-O Cursive adds a whole other dimension to straight, stiff, letter shapes. So? What if you used text/script as a line?

Line forms to the ...

I have decided to commit to some ufo deadlines. It also seems that I underestimated how many I have lurking in out of the way places but the ones I've listed initially will do for a start.

I've begun working on line as a design element.

There isn't lots of info in my books but a line or two from each book and I'm getting a good sized paragraph. I can certainly see why artists work in a series. Ideas just seem to spark more ideas until you have a whole clothes line full of them.

So far, so good!

I've definitely had a good week.

I started off teaching a basic thread and needle demo for our local quilt group, Common Threads and we have lots of new comers. My next demo is Thread Painting. I've agreed to tackle the once a month tutorial for the art quilting and that'll mean I'll be learning lots.

I decided florals are NOT me so I edited 2 big garbage bags out of my stash. Then I reorganized the fabrics. The main book cases are now pretty much tone on tones or blenders and are easily seen when the curtain is pulled aside. I have my focus FQ's and my medleys folded in drawers so I can see at a glance what is there and bigger chunks are tucked behind the doors of my utility closet. Passe ufo's will be going with the old florals. Gee, it feels SO GOOD.

It was also good to break open the polymer clay bead book and get rolling. I need to do the same with the mixed media challenge.

Jacquie, over at Tall Grass Studios has issued a challenge called Joy in the New Year. It is to see how many ufo's can been done before the New Year. I'm not sure I need another commitment but I did decide to at least itemize some of the things I have on my to-do list.

We are having a very lovely fall weekend and there are several jobs on that list. Fence posts for the new entrance gateway are going in as well as the clothes line posts. I really was beginning to despair. After a busy day we'll be ready for the Fall Supper at the local church. I hope they have pumpkin pie. My favorite!

Creativity 101

Several Thursday evenings a month I throw open the door of the Coop and Saucer Playroom for play! We tore open the wrappings on the Sculpey 30 colour sampler. We assembled the pasta machine, the new Bead Baking Rack and turned the pages of 'How to Make Polymer Clay Beads' by Linda Patterson. We now know all about the things we didn't know! lol Five beads; mind you big beads! And it seems we have only begun; there is sanding, painting and buffing. But begun, we have!

Whipping Along

This is my 2nd try at posting a better photo for the Workshop in Progress group. Please click on the button on the side for more info on the group and the participants. This is my first try at an 'art' wall hanging. I have these little quilted sandwiches to join together and I'll add some some more detail with thread. I made 3 fabric leaves in a complimentary colour. I want to do some embellishing with beads. I have no more of the black bali, nor of the fabric leaves. I doubt that my feelings are easily hurt so critique away. I do want to grow up to be a fibre artist! 8)

CATEGORY

Eeeny, meeeny, miney, moe

Round, and round, and round we go!

Category: a collection of things sharing a common attribute

from M.Fr. catégorie, from L.L. categoria, from Gk. kategorein "to accuse, assert, predicate," from kata "down to," + agoreuein "to declaim (in the assembly)," from agora "public assembly." Original sense of "accuse" weakened to "assert, name" by the time Aristotle applied kategoria to his 10 classes of things that can be named.

Well, Aristotle is doing better than me. Even eliminating florals, I have WAY more than 10 classes of fabrics that can be named.

The idea of folding fat quarters( fq's) into old library index drawers has much merit. You can "let your fingers do the walking" rather than extending elbows to ward off avalanches. I spent the night gnashing my teeth about my lack of library furniture. The dawning of a good idea arrived about the same time as the sun! I have 2 IKEA chests under the cutting table that have drawers about the right depth. If I empty them I have lots of fq space. I can hardly imagine being able to actually see at a glance what my options are. Wooo! Now the category options. Woo hoo? hmm, where is all the stuff in the drawers gonna go? boo hoo!

Perhaps I should go to bed immediately and wait for the solution to that particular dilemma to dawn!

weeding

With a sprinkling of snow this afternoon the weeds that are still in the gardens are not an issue.

But, boy, do I have lots of weeds in my fabric stash. I have come to terms with the fact that I don't like cabbage roses, cottage floribunda or colourful bouquets! I was feeling so good as I pulled out florals from my fabric stacks. I also pruned out some old ufo's that aren't appealing. I did some needed rearranging of fashion fabric scraps, trims, and sheers. Those are now accessible for mixed media. Then I needed to put the remaining fabrics back in the shelves. Good grief, the stuff expands when it is in contact with air.

I have 2 large garbage bags for folks who make charity quilts. It is good quilting fabric and I'm reconciled to the fact that I have handled it enough to justify the expense. Some people never even lick their stamps! 8^) The half dozen ufo's that remain are do-able. But I just couldn't face the 3 large applique quilts, one of which is extremely floral, that lurk in containers under my bed. I shall live to weed another day.

Last night I did a tutorial on needles and threads for the local quilt group. It was a good refresher for me as well. I have agreed to tackle the alternate night when we do art related quilts. The challenge was trees. I should do some thread painting for mine. The first topic will be The Element of Line. I'm sure no expert so I'll be doing some googling.

Raising the bar!

I have been having a great time checking out the happenings on the sites of the participating Workshop In Progress participants. What great inspiration! I seriously need to re-evaluate where I am and where I want to go. The quote today says. "Tradition is what you resort to when you don't have the time or money to do it right." Kurt Herbert Alder awk!!! I read that to say when you leave things to the last minute you have to go into default mode! I'm gonna be drawing a line in the sand on procrastination. (oops, my little timer says 10 minutes left for blogging!) lol
The good news is that I can begin now, today. The bad news is that my stash does not reflect where I want to be/go. All those blasted florals. The good news is that I do know what I don't want and I am zeroing in on 'my' look.
So here are my options for the spring look. Modern, simple, fresh. These Amy Butler's will get me there. The striped place mat is the theme colours for the upstairs. Basic beige is going. Top right is the upstairs hall wall quilt. That multicoloured circle theme fabric is our bedroom quilt but doesn't work for the quilt along. The middle aqua's are for a rectangular 'square in a square' quilt on the guest bed. The top left combo is the wall quilt for the entrance hall downstairs. The quilt along project will be to cover the cedar chest under it.
I'm suspecting that this spring decor is close to the real me as I find putting it together fun and easy. These will be my quilting focus for this winter and I also need to get some of those old projects finished because I'm sensing that that era needs to have the sound of a door closing.