News!!!

Look what's blooming. They are so cheerful. That's not my news but I thought you'd like to see them. Besides I really like to add a pic when I post. Okay on with the news.

I am going to be a grandma. My son told me this past Wed. I have been trying to wrap my mind around the idea. So here's my reaction 'Well I guess I better make a baby quilt'. I just really couldn't think of anything else to say. He's only 18 so we're not exactly jumping for joy about the idea. It's taking some time to sink in. We've got some time though. Late Nov. or early Dec. We'll have a real due date after the doctor visit next week. : ) So now I guess I'll be giving grandbaby updates. Boy does that feel wierd to say. : )

Thank You

I want to thank everyone that stopped by and checked out my abstract quilt. Thank you for your feedback both in comments here and private e-mails. I am encouraged to keep playing. I don't know if this type of art is right for me but at least it seems it wasn't a total flop. I can only find what's right by trying different things. By the way the name of this piece is Hillbilly Sunset. Sorry if I offend anyone. I was born in WV and I'm still a country girl so I figure I'm allowed. I was going for very casual. The colors put me in the mind of sunset. And it kind of feels to me like hanging out in the back yard in your raggedy jeans seeing the sunset and having the sun reflect off objects that may be laying around. Of course listening to Jeff Foxworthy while working on it I'm sure had some influence on it. : ) ...if you mow your yard and find a car... LOL

What I've Been Doing

I'm not very consistant I know. Nothing for over a month and 2 posts in one day. What can I say, the real world interferes way too much. : )

I just completed my first attempt at an abstract art quilt. What do you think? My family likes it but no one wants mom unhappy ya know. I want brutal honesty here. I know the feel I was going for and what it puts me in the mind of but I'm not saying as I don't want to influence anyone. Soooo...should I continue on the abstract track or run as fast as I can back to traditional with a pattern quilting? : ) If you want to see a larger photo go to my web shots. I don't know why some of the photos you can make larger and some you can't. It's probably me being inconsistant again. : )

I got to go shopping over the weekend. : ) This is all the stuff I came home with. Quite a haul huh? Yes I am spoiled. : )

This is a better look at the beautiful yarn I picked up. I just kept going back and looking at it. In the end I just couldn't leave without it. : )

I love angelina fibers and just had to get some more. As you can see I've been playing. I got the book Amazing Angelina by Betty Blais too. I figured I could use some actual real instructions rather than bumbling through it. It's great, simple and to the point. There are instructions in it to make beads from angelina. Cool idea, easier said than done. : ) The paintbrush above was my first attempt. The angelina stuck to it. : ) Oops, I probably shouldn't have used something that was painted. But it was there, round and within reach, so... Anyway now I have a really pretty paintbrush to use to clean my sewing machine. I covered it with gel medium to protect it and wrapped a piece of candlelight thread around it. Do I get the most decorative paintbrush award? : )

I also picked up some Candlelight thread, gorgeous stuff. I had to grab some more of Superior's Bottom Line, this will definitely be a staple in my sewing room. Yes you did see some of the cheap metallic from Wally World. (Yep I'm hanging my head in shame for cutting that corner.) I've always loved playing with clay so that explains that one. The metallic acrylics were on sale. : ) I love shiny, could you tell? Last but certainly not least and what I actually went shopping for was the thread to add to my collection. I want to make sure I have enough variety for the thread painting class I'm taking. Maree Caplin is teaching it at Quilters Keep Learning and it's called Foliage, Fins, Feathers and Fur. Hopefully the link will work. You should definitely check it out if you're interested in learning thread painting. She has class examples on her blog as well http://www.mareesquilts.bigblog.com.au/index.do. There is also a link on the sidebar if this doesn't work. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes...well...

By the way check out the thread in the lower left corner, it's called Dirt. I like the thread but the name alone would have made it a must have. : )

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to leave a comment, they are so much fun to read. And I really do want your feedback on my forray into art quilting. I'm off to try and decide what to do for a doll quilt I am making for a friend. Hope everyone has a Great night. : )

TIF February/March/April

Finally, I have the computer and camera cooperating with each other and time to catch up. I didn't finish a project for Feb. I did write a letter, does that count? : ) Above is my piece for March. I actually had it done in the first week amazing as it is but couldn't get the pic posted. I had been wanting to try some beading so the beads are the details, that and the fiber couched to the edges of the ATC. In this case the details make the card I think.

I love the colors for the April challenge. I may just work with those. Animal prints come to mind as do the engravings and paintings that are sometimes found in caves. Sorry I have no idea what those are called. At one point I'm sure I did but now...well you know how it goes. Pottery is another thought. Hmmm...I do have some air dry clay that I got over the weekend.

The theme for April is 'How do you view change?'. Nothing really pops into my mind as to what kind of piece to create for the theme. I can however explain how I view change. Of course that would depend on whether I am initiating the change or I am being pushed into it. Of course if I am the one making the change I am all for it. Most of the time I am pushed into a change for whatever reason. I will admit that I don't much care for it when that happens. But I am very adaptable probably as a result all the changes I have gone through in my life. I just try to approach it in a positive manner and make the best of it. Most of the time things turn out for the best even if the change wouldn't initially be viewed in a positive light. At least that's how it's been in my life and I am very thankful for that. : ) Personally I am constantly in a state of change it seems like which is a good thing. I love adventures and I love to learn new things. I'm definitely not the same person I was 10 years ago or 5 years ago, nor would I want to be.