Challenge reveal

 I goofed.  I didn't take enough pictures before I put this together.  This year's challenge theme was " show us your best blooms".

There is also a fabric component to it. Naturally I don't have a picture of the fabric, either.  Sorry the picture is sideways- I took it with the phone and some of those refuse to straighten up!  Anyway, the challenge fabric is circled.  It has been altered a bit.  (Mine is still recognizable.  Some of the ladies altered it so much I had to really hunt to find it.  There should be a prize for the best camouflage!)

 Anyway, this piece uses techniques from three different books- four if you count the crazy quilt book I referred to when I did the hand stitching!
I made dozens and dozens of the "Kanzashi" flowers a couple of years ago, and saved the blue ones to be a bouquet on a quilt at some point.   Fortunately, I found the excuse to do it!
First I made the vase using tiny scraps of fabric and Susan
Carlson's Serendipity Quilts.

After auditioning it on several fabrics, I decided this background was the right one.  Next, I played with Carol Ann Waugh's Stupendous Stitching techniques- which I LOVE, by the way!

 I didn't think I would do much hand stitching on it.  But once I got started, I didn't want to stop.  The book tells you to stop 2 inches from the edge to prevent the hand stitching being trimmed off of the final quilt.  I think if I do this again I will know how big the final piece will be so I don't end up with the "empty" spots I have on this one.

 


After the stitching, I appliqued the vase, layered and quilted.  I laid the flowers I had chosen on it and decided they were uninteresting.   So I tried some different ones, and was much happier.


















When I made the label, I had to come up with a name for the piece.  I decided on "Garden Jewels".  Jewels are sparkly, so I added some glitter! (which doesn't photograph well)

For my second entry, which I actually finished first,  I used some of my "Scrap Therapy" squares--Hey, I spent all that time cutting them, they have to get used up so my kids don't feel bad throwing them away when I die!!    The pattern is by "This and That".  It's a quilt as you go- very easy and a nice sized bag. 

Here's some good news- the Senate has agreed that climate change is not a hoax.  However, there is still a faction who thinks it is not due to human activity. (sigh!)
In an effort to make this whole save the planet thing more real to you, here is some good news about recycling your cans.  Thanks- and remember to peel the labels off them and recycle that with your paper!

In case you are one of the 4 people I haven't told this to three or four times- I am going to be a grandmother in May!  It is a boy, but he doesn't have a name yet.  I have three quilts kitted up and ready to work on at retreat in February!!  And I haven't stopped smiling since they told us!

I am grateful for:
Perspective
Al is feeling well enough to be back at work.
The "have-to-dos are finished for a while.
Cats who don't mind getting a pill shoved in their mouth!
Sewing time

Is it the first project or the last?

 Last summer I decided to make a portrait quilt for Cait, using this picture of her and Kiara, which she uses for her Facebook cover.  Aren't they gorgeous?  Just look at those eyes!
It was supposed to be a Christmas gift.  But there were quilts I needed to finish for the quilt show, and that renaissance costume, and- well, you know.  So I never started it until Thanksgiving.  It wasn't finished in time for Christmas, but I did get to give it to her at our sort of second Christmas last weekend while Guy was home.

I realized I should have been collecting flesh tone fabric as I traveled about in the Lancaster area in October, since I had almost nothing!  Mary helped me add to my stash and I got started.  Once you have all the pieces fused and cut out, it's time to put the puzzle together.  Along the way, I found I had done this on my ironing board.
It doesn't look at all like Cait!










  I had a difficult time with Cait's face, and am still not 100% pleased with it.  I just couldn't get the area around her nose to look right at all.  The first piece I tried was way too dark

 A different spot in the same fabric was better.





















Here they are together before I fused them. 







Once I fused them, I had to find a background.  I work from the top down rather than the bottom up.  I decided Cait would be wearing a t shirt so I didn't have to figure out yet another flesh tone for her arm.

 I've had this hand marble for several years waiting for a "special project". 

 I used watercolor crayons, colored pencils and wax pastels to enhance the fabrics, add shading or alter the colors a bit for the finished portrait. 

I didn't count this in my tally for 2014, even though most of the work was done in December.







Some news:

My "Zendala Mandala" has been juried into the AQS show in Lancaster, PA- in March.  I haven't stopped smiling since I got the notification.

And the news I have long wished for- I am going to be a grandmother in May!!!  (I did mention baby quilts last post, so you probably guessed)

If you care about environmental issues, you should be very scared for the next couple of years- while the republicans are in charge of both sides of the legislative branch.  I know I am!

I am grateful for:
Having Guy home for a nice visit!!!
The cookies are all gone!
Good laughs with great friends.
Only two more tests to retype.
Free wifi

A Look Back at the "old" Year

As we tend to do at this time of year, I have spent some time looking back at 2014 in the past couple of days.  One way I measure my year is the number of projects I have completed.  (I ma obviously a product person- needing some tangible- quantifiable?- result for my time)
This year I had felt as if I accomplished nothing.    However, when I added it all up, it looked like this:
Sewing
functional quilt (lap or bed): 4
wall/ art quilts: 6
Quilt tops: 4
garments: 10
toys/ decorations: 10
accessories/ bags/ home decor: 15
Knitting
kitty blankets:14
toys/ decorations:3
garments/accessories: 7 (including only ONE pair of socks!)
Oh- and one reupholstered chair

I think this is my favorite piece from this year, mostly because I really liked the quilting.

I also really enjoyed the "Creative Girls"- and hope to make more of them.

 (dear blogger, please add the option to "layer" pictures!)

This year, I hope to make more- as always.  I do know that I will be making some  quilts for a very special baby boy!

One thing I am proud of, even though I personally have nothing to show for it, is that I fostered 27 kittens in 2014.  I loved every one of them and keep a bit of them with me long after they go to their "furever" home.


I wish you all a very happy and hopeful 2015. 

I am grateful for:
The friends who accept me as I am.
The luxury of working part time.
Kittens to cuddle when I am feeling "dark brown".
Family, near and far- biological and those life gives us.
Music and laughter, which sustain me.

A quickie

Last weekend, I rediscovered the sharpie plate decorating stuff I bought last summer after we did it at an ArtCGirlz meeting.  So I decided to play for a bit.   I have been doing a daily zentangle just for the meditative quality of it, and some days it is the only creative thing I get to do.  So I decided this would be my daily "doodle".  (Don't ever call zentangle doodling if you are with someone who has been to a "CZT" workshop!)



Anyway, this is the plate I ended up with from it.  It's just a sandwich plate- but may find its way to the holiday table with some fudge for my family. 

I am in panic mode otherwise- having under a week to make 2 more gifts- one of which isn't even started!  So no time for a long post.  Soon maybe....

I am grateful for:
Things that are quick and easy.
Potato soup.
The "kids" stayed for dinner.
Matt and Ben have both been adopted.
An excuse to eat cookies for another week or so.

An awful lof of work for something nobody will see!

  Some time around 2009, Jane Sassaman's "Prairie Gothic" line was released.  This line included some home decorating weight fabrics for the first time!  I had found this chair at the thrift store and planned to recover it to use in my studio/ guest room.  So it was perfect timing!

I had only done simple upholstery- you know wrap and tack stuff.  So when I first began to take this apart, taking pictures as I went, I realized I needed to have everything in place to finish it as soon as possible after dis-assembly so as not to forget how it came apart!  

That is only one of the reasons it sat for 5 years.  (usually it was covered with piles of fabric anyway)




 But finally this year I decided to do it, so I spent a few weeks in late summer taking it apart the rest of the way.

 This clam shell bit was the scariest part for me.  I could see how it was made but I wasn't about the take this apart until JUST before I wanted to cut the new fabric.









And once I had nothing but a bare frame there was sanding and repainting to accomplish.  The webbing was still sound, thank goodness!




Right after the quilt show, I decided the very first thing I would do was finish the chair.  Which obviously it wasn't.  So when the Thanksgiving break came along at work, I made this my "weekend" project. 






You know everything takes longer than you think, right?  Especially when I still had so little real idea of what I was doing.  I quickly found I didn't take anywhere near enough pictures!
I figured it out as I went, and there are plenty of spots where anyone who knows about upholstery will just shake their head!

But finally I have a "brand new" chair!




I elected not to spend more than the chair and the fabric combined on decorative nails for around the edge.  (I did not want the ugly ones available locally!  They have beautiful ones here- if you are determined to spend more money on your project)










 I don't know why this is sideways.  I saved it three ways upright and it turned when I uploaded it here.  So you get neck exercise. This is just to show off the fabric.  Notice I put the spider in the center!

The chair has a temporary home in the living room so I can admire it for a couple of weeks.  Then it will live in the studio with me.  Now that we have a true guest room, there is a chance no one will ever see this but me.  I am vowing not to cover it with piles of fabric now that it is refinished- although that _would_ keep it from fading.....





I knitted another kitty for Sandy- one of the other cat ladies, who was there to help me for more than the first year I worked at the shelter.  I owe her a lot.  But all she has asked for so far is a kitty.












In New York, we are waiting for the health department to release their report on "Fracking".  The governor said it would be out by the end of the year. This report is supposed to be the final study to determine whether or not fracking will be allowed in New York or not.  I can't believe they are still considering it.  It seems like every day I read another risk associated with this process.  The most recent one is an increase in miscarriages, birth defects and infertility.
I would really like to post positive environmental news.  I will when I find some.

I am grateful for:
The big part of my Christmas shopping is done.
The insurance company finally sent a bill so I can pay it!
Christmas music.  (yup, I'm one of "those" people)
Snuggling under a quilt.
More kittens to play with. (pictures soon)

Playing with the camera again

The ArtCGirlz decided a while back we would all like to learn more about using our cameras to get better pictures we can use in our art.  So MaryLee Suggested this book.  I was a bit disappointed to find it is not a photography book, telling what the settings on my camera to use in which situations, but a guide for using photography creatively.  I can use help in that area as well, so I started reading and went on to lesson one, called 30 in 30.   

The idea is to take one picture every minute, using your cell phone, for 30 minutes.  So I took my phone on my walk around the campus.  The lesson ends by suggesting you create a collage of your photos.  So this is my 30 in 30 collage.  I didn't use all 30 photos, obviously.

At our meeting last week, Lori was explaining a bit about the settings on our cameras, since she is sort of our resident camera guru.   She sent us out to take a few pictures, using a specific mode on the camera and only changing one other setting to see what worked best for us.  It turns out my photos were not of things that show off this setting.  But I took a few I liked.  We meet at the college, so they are similar to my 30 in 30.

I spent some time admiring the students' work in the Lobby Gallery of the arts building. 

"Radiance" by Victoria Snyder

"Into the Books" by Nicole Crossett

The next day, at home, I took some pictures using the same settings.
I can see the difference now! 

 

 (The plant is the focal point.  See how the chair is blurrier in the first picture?)

So, YAY!!,I have learned something new!  Thanks, Lori!

 I read today that Cornell University has recently completed a Solar Array they hope will provide up to 1% of the power for the college. While that doesn't sound like much, it is the equivalent of 320 homes!  News like this gives me hope. 
If you want to know more about climate policy, climate news- good or bad- check out ecowatch.com

I am grateful for:
Every time someone lets me know they read my blog.  (thanks!)
Making it home safely in the worst snowstorm I have had to drive in for a very long time!
Friends who try to understand and are willing to put up with me.
Molly might finally be ready to go to her forever home!
Chocolate chip cookies.

Wait- what season is it?

 We had one of those nice warm autumn days last week, where I finally got outside to finish up in the gardens.  Now, don't for an instant believe my gardens are well tended at this point in the year. I pretty much give up on them most years around the middle of September.  (In hot summers it's mid-August!)  But I still go out and mulch the perennials, plant a mum or two, maybe transplant something, and clean up the decorations. 
Much to my surprise, some of the perennials have decided it's not too late to put on a show!
My Hellebore is either very early or very late.  (It blossomed in the spring, too)

I don't think this Foxglove will have time to blossom fully before we have a freeze.  I only hope it will be back in the spring!

Perennial aster/ bachelor buttons.  As long as you keep cutting them back, they will keep blossoming!
(see the Zebrinas peeking out from under the deck?)

Too bad the hummingbirds and butterflies are gone for the year.  The bumblebees are happy, though.

By the way, only days after I took these pictures, we had a bit of snow on the ground.







 Now that my busy busy month is over, I can start sewing again- and not because I have to (although I do have some deadlines coming....of course.)


A friend asked me to make hobo bags for her daughters. One wanted lime green and pink (MY kinda kid!) the other wanted "rasta" colors.  This was what I found on my trip to Denver, PA. 
It's made with this pattern, from Quilt woman.com

Look on the design wall in the background above the striped bag.  Those are blocks made using a Paula Nadelstern pattern and the leftovers from the lime green bag.  I can't wait!!!!






I am also working a bit on my entry for the guild's annual challenge , a new bed skirt for the guest room, and a gift or two.  I could get so much more done if my husband didn't expect to be fed every day!




Yesterday I walked into the nursery and found this.....

Fortunately I had the camera right near the door, so I could grab a picture before they got up.  I have only had these guys a few days.  Aren't they sweet?  I named them Matt and Ben.

Renewable energy sources are gaining!  We have to keep making our voices heard until the fossil fuel companies have no choice but to get out of the way or join us!

I am grateful for:
Catching my breath.
Time to go on a "date" with my hubby.
"The Judge"- how can you not love a movie starring Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr.!?
I helped send 4 kitties to their "furever" homes last Saturday.
I recently had a nice "gramma day" with Kiara.