Busting Up UFO thinking

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My first evaluation of the UFO Busting project was posted on Monday.  Now that Vicki has resolved her technical difficulties I have had a chance to peruse her tips and act on a few of the issues she addresses.

First my oldest UFO:

Year unknown but the Mystery Quilt was featured in issue #108 of the Canada Quilts Magazine.  Long time ago. 1990???

This block, Turkey Tracks looks very nice with a diagonal set but maybe I could set it on the straight. 

 The block has many pieces which I did enjoy piecing as they all had a variety of fabrics.  There is sashing and a pieced setting triangle that is part of the border.  The blocks are done and the pieces are cut for the setting triangles and enough were done to make me quit as I was seeing dozens of the same quilt and my interest waned the more I saw. This style of quilt is so NOT me.  I really dislike the traditional 3 band borders.

I pulled some dark fabrics to see if that could work into something I'd like.

Then I pulled some light fabrics.  There is also the question of how much fabric I'd need.

So- how to set these blocks is my challenge. Straight set? Tea dye the white? The palette was a controlled scrap.  Except for the square in the 'heel' and the 'toes' in the foot which was the focus fabric, I used red scraps, taupe scraps, and white scraps.  Drat!  I should use Something from the stash!!!  Especially since I've pulled apart the stash looking for ideas!  :O  And then there are all the cut bits??? Depending how I set it I may be able to use the bits for a runner.  Great!  Two projects!  :(

Which brings me the questions.  How many of those old UFO's do I 'really' want to finish?  I found a couple more so what is the final tally?  I do think that if I want to do fresh new work I need to jettison some of these.  :O

The Tally:

open projects : th, th thirty-seven  :O

I do think most of these are viable.  The only maybe is the two trip around the world which may become one baby quilt.  I'll also see how the applique projects progress.  I do hope this teaches me to finish projects before I leap off into fantasy land where I totally lose my head over the newest flirty fashions.  ;^) 

Now it is onward or I'll bust!!!

Canoe do it?

This is DD#1's sense of humour!  A past Christmas present.  No open water anywhere round this 40 below neighbourhood!  :{

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First Monday of the month is the day to show 'the dirty laundry' over at Vicki's link up! She is currently experiencing Internet glitches so I shall link up as soon as the techies get it rectified.  Ha!  They have their own to-do lists!  :)

Up on my home bar is Projects 2015 which is where I have spent far too much time documenting my past digressions and have documented all my UFO's.  Once upon a time I edited my ufo's and here they are multiplying again.  Some of these will be done or 'edited' again by the end of the year.  :(   I can't quite get past the thirrrrty word!

 The bunny quilt needs to come off the design wall and make room for another.  It'll be an easy start.

I can get the binding ready and add it so I can limber up my fingers with some slip stitching  so I can hit the applique blocks.  Pansies I think are up next. 

I better get sledding 'cause it'll be open water and canoedelling before I know it! 

Past Present Future

There is something about Vicki's Field Trips that get me looking for my bottle of water and my back pack.

Vicki  is gonna be UFO Busting for 2015
The fact that some of these ufo's are from her last year's quilt along makes me doubt my sanity in signing up again. LOL  But as the four feathered friends sang to Mowgli, "That's what friends are for!"  ;^)  Should I...
These older projects would be a good place to start as I can hone the skills that messing/playing with paper and paint kinda set aside.  This particularly applies to my machine quilting skills.  I'm working on my page for Monday's airing of my dirty laundry which has spent the past piled up in some obscure corner!  

While I was considering the UFO issue I saw the next button.
Vicki has decided it is time to tackle a technique she's been wanting to learn.
I have always wanted to work in a series.  I see its value having dabbled a bit with the concept.  But this year, yup, THIS year, I had already planned to do a series that I set up, control and execute.  I want to explore a particular theme, find helpful techniques and then discover my style as I try various combinations.  This was meant to be!!!  It also has me quite excited.  I'm really looking forward to it. :)



I have two different ideas.

I luv house blocks.  Elizabeth Barton has excellent design and working in a series books which are very in depth.  There is a lot to learn from her but I'm worried I might rush too much in my pursuit of getting to the series part.

I have long been a follower of Katie Pasquini Masopust and this book has a great way of breaking down the steps as you try various kinds of still life styles. But I'm not luving the still life.

I spent most of yesterday pondering my options and I've decide to use my row of houses as my starting point and work through Katie's exercises.  I want to start with a reasonable facsimile and simplify each succeeding project.  This is a project to keep me intentional and present as I discover my style.  I do feel like squealing as this is gonna be exciting.  :]

Another join up project???  A Big Dream!  I am a procrastinator.  I should capitalize that!  I have a few dreams actually.  But one is to make a crazy quilt throw for the end of the bed for the winter season.  Lap size to keep the tootsies warm.  I made a wall sized crazy quilt for a quilt challenge many years ago and it was a surprise to me that I totally luved it.  I've collected some fashion fabrics, in fact two colourways.  I have also had an urge to do handwork in the evening.  I...  Should I look some more or should I just say what the hey, that's what friends are for and leap into the future...  and it can always go on next year's UFO list!  lol   



That pretty much sets the pace for the year.   I got the past, the present and the future covered!  :)

Setting up for success! word for the year

Who wants to fail?  Not anyone that I'm acquainted with and certainly not me!

So how does one set oneself up for success?   I guess you first have to know yourself and that seems to be an ongoing lifelong process. It may be my great insight but more likely I just get slower at ducking out  from under the microscope!  ;^)

So far I've come to terms with the fact that I am creative and I can develop my creativity.   My blog helps me with my creativity in that it pushes me to try new techniques, make design decisions and ask questions.   It is a huge factor for motivation.  But it also causes me to begin to narrow down my choices.  Because having it all is a tough act to follow  nor can I do it all!  Sometime in 2014 I arrived at the conclusion that fibre is my first luv.

*My priority is going to be fibre.

Part of the creative process is copying the masters.  But there comes a time to make the process ones own;  to edit the dozens of techniques and develop the ones that best move the design process forward and express the vision.

*My vision is to make projects in fibre that incorporate my sensibilities, my fabric, my design and my skills.

Good work habits will facilitate good work.  I doubt great art just happens.  You have to actually do the work, consistently.

*My framework needs to focus on a limited number of options.  Too many choices tends to paralyze me.  I must develop a few good routines and habits.  Within those perimeters I can begin to build a body of work.

Writing down the vision keeps it out where it can be seen, marks the path, and shows the finish line. 

*My ideas always gallop way ahead of my abilities, not to mention my finished projects. Now I have actually learned to value the process.  Sadly I've left behind far too many old luvs in the pursuit of a flirty new one.

Evaluating what resonates and what works should sort out promiscuous luvs.

*My success depends on keeping my own word to myself and that is my character flaw.

 I must resort to tricking myself.  Committing to an external source motives me.  I think I will do some quilt alongs because I do like to please those who have expectations of me.  Since I usually operate in play mode I need to find  reward  that is a reward and not more of what I actually am doing.  One that might work for me could be making pages for journal making. It isn't my focus and I can just stack up delicious paper for those journals.  hmmmm

CHOICES!!!  Will I settle for failure or climb higher and reach success???

To do that I need to trust my own instincts so this year is about Eea.  Essentially elle, almost?  Hmm. makes me think of eeeek!  How about Me!  Mostly elle?  hmm, sounds prideful.  Maybe mostly elle???
 It works for me. lol  I want to quit copying and produce work that is my own.  I don't think there is actually anything new under the sun but it can be new to me and still express my intent.  Sew- this is gonna be all about  mme! Ha, make that mmmmme!    

Word/focus/theme for 2015     mMe

Now to organize some goals and a vision for 2015 with mme in mind!  oh, and the only one that I am racing to the end of 2015 with is me.  It'll likely be a few brief dashes, a couple of sprints and a whole lot of slow jogging.  But with only me, myself and I doing the laps I should get a few rests during the relay.  oops, starting gun went off yesterday.  No time to tie the shoe laces till its myself's turn.  whoo hoo go, Go, GO!!!

And to new year's resolution nay sayers, I say:  If I make it further than I did last year, it'll be a success!

Ready, Setty, GO!

Before I race off half cocked into this brand new year I need to settle a few things.  When the grand kiddies and I start art class we sing, "If you are happy and you know it, clap your hands, (3x) if you're happy and you know it then your ART is gonna show it..."    It is probably a given that we want to be happy and make 'happy' art.

I'm also thinking of the quote that ends ...makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Healthy-
I'm not sick but I know I can feel better than I do if I would quit eating improperly.  I'm gonna embrace the JERF diet which is simply eating real food and then using food as medicine.  There may be a few cranky posts until I get the 6 week fresh start, which includes no coffee, under my belt. ha!
Another thing that makes me cranky is exercise but healthy involves some kind of exercise. I may start out with grabbing my camera and going for nature walks which are excellent for restoring health and creativity which leads to mental and spiritual health .  :} 

Wealthy-
My bank balance is invariably 3 digits.  $1.99  Aw, did ya think I was a chick of means?  But I am wealthy.  I have enough, more than enough.  I have family and friends, natural and virtual.  I have found my tribe!   I have stash supplies that threaten to avalanche whenever I threaten to remove something.  I have books, magazines, DVD's.  I have access to Google and all its knowledge! And I have a song in my heart!   "If you're happy and ya know it..."

Wise-
Now there is the rub!  Mistakes aren't wrong unless you keep making the same ones over and over.  I am getting wiser.  I hate analyzing myself but if I want to learn from my mistakes I must look them in the- make it bellybutton!  I will work my way up so to speak.

According to some Successful list on my friend Google-

1)Write it all down.  If it lives on paper the brain doesn't expend energy remembering it.  My problem is I scribble down everything- I just never look at it again.  :(  I think blogging helps with the write it down.  It also motivates me because I am a people pleaser.  Oldest child and all that don't cha know!

2) Prioritize or Die! The Rooster has been telling me that I can't Have it all.  I'm getting it.  Now I need to reconcile I can't Do it all.  :O  I have way too many hobby categories and storage logistics certainly helps with prioritizing as I reclaim prime real estate.

3)Forget multitasking.  Switch to single task.  This I have arrived at.  I'm an all in or all out kinda girl.  Monday mixed media, Tuesday techniques, Wednesday wips, Thursday threads and Friday fibres was frustrating the heck out of me.  I'm still thinking on how to best do all this.

4)Make things automatic.  Decisions exhaust/paralyze.  Therefore build routines and habits so you're not not deciding but just doing.  I am catching on to this from The Happiness Project.  It might be age but routine has become my friend.  phew, finally some enlightenment on the path.  ;^)  

5)Work like an athlete.  Sprint-rest-sprint. Plan for work and plan for rest.  ah, I thought it was a marathon and it turns out a dash or even a relay!  :p 

That said:
-I may actually come up with a to-do list.  I got half way through 2014 and then...
-I am prioritizing.  Fibre is my focus much as I luv messing with paint and paper.  Of course fibre can incorporate mixed media.  :)
-Single tasks will lead to a bit more continuity on the blog especially as working in a series really appeals.
-Automatic?  Routine?  Does that mean simplify things?  I'm surely trying.
-Work and Play.  This intrigues me because my bad habit is to play (mixed media)  before work (sewing). I haven't found a reward that motivates but perhaps a paper/paint play day could be a rewarding rest for doing the fibre work.  I just may have found a golden egg! :))

I'm READY because I realize I need to change some of the ways I do things.

I'm SET because I learning my limitations.  I need external accountability,  routines/good habits, single tasks, balance,  and FUN!

I'm GOing because life is better lived on the track than sitting on the sidelines.   They do have a lane for junior senior citizens. ;^)

 I'm still learning to optimize my happiness factor so I am also carrying (rereading)  'The Happiness Project'.
Because it is all about choices and that means mistakes and THAT means that I've been trying different things!  :O
Therefore:

This little race is taking place at the Coop and I'm gonna set up the refreshment stand, lay some fresh straw down on the track, make sure the nest boxes are comfy and then do a few laps inside.  Stay tuned to watch the feathers fly and perhaps I'll even lay that golden egg!

Bring on 2015!!!!

(sorry for the lack of photos but I've been busy cataloguing UFO's for tomorrow's post!!!)

From where I stand/sit

Another year has come to its closing.  Ready or not!

I'm not sure I'll actually be sitting downstairs but with a lap top maybe I will!  :)

Nor will I be continuing with this old camera.  I've ordered a new DSLR and I know nothing!  :O

As I contemplate changes for the next 365 days,  I realize I must let go what doesn't work and embrace what will.  Hence new camera photos will be uploaded on new 'puter and into hardly used Photo Shop Elements program.  Ready or not and I do mean- not so ready!!!   lol

Prepare for glitches ahead!     If I can figure things out I'd like to tweak the blog.  :O

Happy New Year!!!

Weather Alert

               EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT 

The weather has turned to 'normal' which means COLD!   That is okay, I like normal.  

Finding 'normal' is the challenge for the coming year.  I wasn't exactly impressed with the 2014 'normal'.

Things got away on me.  Even the welcoming planter hasn't been 'edited' for the winter season.  It kinda gives me reproachful looks every time I go down the walk to attend to the chickens and again on the way up the walk with the bucket of eggs.

I'd look at something else but the whole flower bed could have been better prepared.  I shall consider it winter interest!  I'm sure winter is not anywhere near over so I shall hope for heavy snowfalls to blanket everything and made a lovely blank canvas.

And a blank page awaits after all the whoop-la of the new year welcome.  The Rooster and I shall consider what lies ahead, toast to its success and go to bed early, the better to tackle its first morning.  After all, we have a weather alert!

At the table!

The Holiday Brunch was a great success!  I do enjoy setting a table.

We had an art lesson around my daughter's table as we assembled gingerbread houses for holiday decor.

I'm sure the property values in the neighbourhood will go up as each year brings improvements! 

Some secret presents were made around the art table.  They turned out great and were well received!

Eliana decorated the Christmas Eve table and she dressed me.  No photo! She wasn't quite satisfied as my shoes didn't have high enough 'sticks' at the back.  LOL  Oh, and a few more candles were added as the meal approached.  The ambiance required more! :}

We had one more time around the table at our daughter's and again ate way too much.

But what is a holiday without eating and children???  :)

And presents, of course!

At the end of the day it was agreed it would get a thumbs up!!!  :)

And now to sit down at my work table and begin to plan for the coming year.  One thing I know,  there will not be quite so much eating and a bit less sitting!  ;^)  Happy Holidays!

Dizzyness on the Path

Vicki is still moving the Cross the Drunkard's Path quilt along through the seasonal busyness.

 I am testing a few of my fabrics and I'm thinking this can work.

I am also trying to decide how big to make this project.  These were going to be the small size but they are looking rather big for the layout I am considering.  So instead of sugar plums dancing in my head I'll be dreaming about curves and circles.  In the end it is a plum of an idea!  :)

Red anyone???

Preparations for the holiday are progressing.  We'll host a Sunday Brunch and I've some little goodie bags to make up, some glasses to garnish and some napkins and silverware to bunch up.  I can't believe how fast the month of December has flown by. 

And speaking of December, the days seem to be slipping by without any of my usual blog activity.  I have to admit that I find that worrisome.  The decore8 blog is running a series on blogging thoughts.  Holly Becker's first post resonated.  Her second not so much.  I wonder what the other 18 (?) will have to say!

I seem to be stuck at a blogging red light.  Time to sprinkle some gold dust on the ol' keyboard and get the lights blinking for the new year.  A little ho, ho HO! and a whole lot of fun is what I'm thinking!   Anyone else seeing red???  ;^)

The place to be!

This island in the library's parking lot so reminded me of a scene from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.   Narnia!

 The grand kiddies were skating at the library and Jolina and I snuck through 'Narnia' to get into another magical land- the library.

We had been making our own winter wonderland in art.

 I adapted a bag pattern to form house shapes from cereal boxes.

We then coloured all the buildings for a winter village.

 A chief architect and a village in the making!

 Josh made a skating rink for some of the little figures we have accumulated. God bless those dollar stores!

Joshua and his papa built a snowman.   Does this qualify as art???  Hopefully I'll get back to warmer art before the month is out.

BUT... then I might need to make a return trip to a magical land! 

Where is the path?

I got this topper done for a fall table centre piece.  Ha!  Winter is here but I am hoping to get lots of machine quilting done in the new year so this will be a quick starter project.  Kind of a warm up. :)  I could NOT just piece and lay the blocks out willy nilly.  Those directional fabrics just made me so nervous.  I really do like it though.

I am sew liking Vicki's example for her Along the Drunkard's Path.

 I chose some Kona solids and thought a few Bali's would work but the more I think about it I think I need something subtler which is what appeals to me in the original design.

 All Kona's strikes me as maybe boring so I'm thinking to add some of Vicki's gradation fabrics.  I found two of Vicki's gradients that I thought were subtle but would add some movement.

I tossed out the yellows and thought I'd probably have to toss the pinks.

 I was right and then also was also thinking that grey taupe would prove troublesome.  The light are showing a bluish tinge but that must be the camera.

 hmmm....
One thing about blogging, you can put it out there and think hard before you start cutting.   ;^)

How many days???

 

                                                         Thirty One Days!!!

The holiday season is pretty low key here in the coop.  We take a family day, pass a few presents out to the grand kiddies and generally snack the day away.  So I don't track how many days to Christmas.

But...

A new year is coming!    2015    I don't feel I kept up with 2014 really well.  I am already thinking about how to do better.  I wanna prioritize completed projects, move forward artistically and definitely post the process.   It'll take me the whole thirty-one days to come up with the focus word, the theme for this brand new year.  I do know that it'll be a good one!  :)