WOW

First to find my work table!

I had to do some serious cleaning.

I got the first auction sale cupboard upstairs and into position. The cupboard's top is even with the cutting table but I'd like to have Nina's actual work surface even with the cutting table because this makes free motion quilting just so much easier and better. I prefer to sew standing up so this height works for me. I could cut out an insert as there is another shelf just below but this top is thick and I'd like to keep this heavy machine on a good solid surface. The base is actually workable and because it is worn it will probably be even sturdier if we trim off the bottom 3 1/4 inches. I'll still have an open toe plate for my toes and to push the foot pedal out of the high traffic area.

When I machine quilt a big quilt I'll push the cupboard around to the side of the cutting table so I can spread out the weight. I took this picture from inside the closet and behind my computer chair. What if I had more space??? ;^)

Last Wednesday I'd done some programed stitches to experiment with the zentangle look.



This week I did use the more open embroidery stitches but I moved my fabric from side to side to vary and open up the patterned stitches for a more organic look.

Then I tried my #43 free motion couching foot. I could only find some dark grey hand embroidery thread and it is another auction sale bundle so I don't know how good it is. Anyway I didn't like the result so on my town trip today I'll see about some better and heavier cording. I was wondering, what if...

I used white string on black fabric!!!

Jotting things down

If the holidays were quiet with softly falling snow and sips of something nice and crisp pages to turn, then the starting gun for the new year was a loud canon. Whoa!

I was trying my hand at doodling every day as prep for the Sketchbook Challenge but it was a false start as I got involved with setting the scene by decluttering so I'm starting again. I am not a sketcher in the sense of realistic drawings. I think I'd rather try to do representational or stylized work. I had heard all the buzz about zentangles but resisted the whole fad idea.

I'm rethinking it because I have several page sized samples of free motion quilting that has a zen quality to it that surfaced during the clean up. The page challenge for Common Threads is a line drawing. We were shown a triangular echo technique that is actually a zentangle concept. hmmmm??? During a free motion embroidery workshop I was ecstatic with the concept of draw a shape and fill it in with teeny tiny stipple. Things are beginning to jell, methinks!

The big black spiral book has some things already in it that are kinda embarrassing but the only place to go is forward and it will be my practice/technique book for collage/wet techniques. I really liked the idea of loose pages as this fits my interest in altered books. The small brown spiral will be for the more dry techniques. The big brown spiral is THE sketchbook for the challenge. I'm dividing the 48 pages into 12 months and that gives two 2 page spreads for each theme. I'll practice and then embrace the theme which will have had some time and test runs.

I'll have my little book for daily warm ups as I try lines and patterns.

The lined molskines I bought in haste have turned out to be good for jotting down my year/month/week/day plans. I guess I can later turn them into another journal ! This is certainly an ongoing process. I have already discovered that 5 is the magic number. Too many and it is all a dream, but 5 makes me rethink my priorities for the week/day. It just tickles my fancy that I can maybe learn to be smart!!!