Quilts N More

Houses

2009-03-22T16:32:00.003-04:00

I joined a house swap for the Textile Challenges group. This is the most recent one that I have completed. I had a lot of fun working on this one. Thanks go to hubby and kids for making the huge sacrifice of eating ice cream so I could have the sticks. : )

Bookmark and Collage Tutorial (and trying out my new camera)

2009-03-04T14:12:00.005-05:00

Several people have asked how I did the fabric for the bookmarks. So I put this together. It's really easy. I'm pretty sure the painted fusible idea came from Two Creative Studios. I think the idea for fusing threads etc. and then covering with netting came from the same place but I can't remember where I saw it first for sure. Lots of people use it for surface design. If you get a chance do click on the link for Two Creative Studios. It should take you directly to the free project page. They also offer online classes at very reasonable prices and I'm dying to take several.

The background for the collages were created basically the same way but without the paint. I used snips of fabric and steps 4 and 5 to create the fabric then layered like a quilt and used fmq all over the top. I cut them to size, used a fairly large zigzag on the edges and stitched on some leaves. I then mounted them to bristol board that I had previously painted and stamped.

Step 1:

I put a piece of fabric down and painted fusible webbing that I cut into different shapes on top of it. I really like the negative that you get with this process. I don't remember what kind of fusible I used, it was either heat n bond or steam a seam. I used lumiere paint.
Step 2:

I fused the fabric to peltex 70 and fused a backing fabric on the other side. I did this first because I used netting over the entire thing and it can't handle very high heat.

Step 3:

The previously painted fusible got arranged and fused down at this point.

Step 4:

I fused a layer of mistyfuse over the entire surface. It really shows up in the picture here because I didn't really fuse it down on this piece of fabric. I'm not sure what I will use this fabric for yet so I just laid it down to get a picture.

Step 5:

You could add anything else you wanted to at this point. I just left the bookmarks plain. The postcard shown below has candelight thread on it, I just laid it out in a grid pattern over the mistyfuse. Add a layer of netting and fuse it over the top. Make sure to test your iron temp first on a scrap. It does melt. : )

Step 6:

Cut it up to whatever size you like and finish the edges. On the bookmarks as well as the postcard below I couched candelight to the edges.

Have fun. : )

P.S. I really like my new camera. : ) Very user friendly.

Real Life - Discrimination? And New Work

2009-02-28T07:15:00.008-05:00

It has been a week now since I quit my job. I know that sounds crazy with so many people being laid off and so many companies closing. My former employers really gave me no choice. My options were to stay and risk injury and further physical deterioration or leave. Not really much of a choice.

The short version of my physical condition is that I was born with a birth defect that required multiple surgeries and ultimately a hip replacement. I also have constant pain in my back. I don't go very many places I don't absolutely have to go. It about kills me to ride in the car. Every little bump sends waves of pain through my back, head and arms. That's not all but enough to get an idea.

I was with my previous employer 4 1/2 years. During that time I was off 10 months for the hip replacement. I pushed having the hip replacement done until I could barely walk. Some days walking was a gamble, I would take a step, my leg wouldn't hold the weight and down I would go. Almost immediately after I got off the crutches I went back to work with restrictions. No running, jumping, climbing or crawling. I also had to sit down quite often, though much less as time went on, by last week I was only sitting down a few minutes (less than 5 usually) at a time 3 or 4 times per shift and I was generally working on paperwork during those times so I wasn't just hanging out not doing anything. I should mention that I had worked my way up to assistant manager during my first year there so there was not much I didn't know how to do. The only reason there were a few things I didn't know how to do is because we were purchased by a different company shortly after I came back. Same concept, different procedures. When I returned I gave my manager at the time a doctor's statement outlining my restrictions. This piece of paper mysteriously disappeared when a different manager took over and I tried to talk to her regarding my restrictions. Hmmm....

Anyway, she kept insisting I do things that involved crawling on the floor (organization of floor level stuff), and climbing. I made several attemps to speak with her about this. Her response was to tell me that she knew I could handle it. At one point she asked if I could handle an hour by myself every once in a while. While not thrilled we were short a couple people and I figured I could suffer through an hour a week alone. That hour alone every once in a while turned into every day. Then a couple of days a week it was 2 hours alone. Finally on the last schedule it was 2 hours alone every day. Um..no. I tried to talk to her about it and asked her to fix that because my body couldn't handle it. Her response: No, our labor hours have been cut and I know you can handle it. End of discussion.

I'm seeing a pattern here. Was she just trying to get me to leave? Maybe. Was it discrimination? I'm not sure. Was it just poor management or did it go beyond that? I can't answer any of these questions.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this? What did you do?

On the bright side - there is almost always a bright side - I have more time now to work on art and play with fabric, fibers, paint, beads, you name it. I am even playing with the idea of trying to sell some stuff.

Here is a photo of a bracelet and pendant that I have been working on. The colors are kind of washed out, they are a good bit darker. This is my first attempt at jewelry. What do you think? I really like working with beads, I'm sure I'll be using them more frequently in the future.

Check Out These Babies

2009-02-26T01:29:00.009-05:00

These were taken at the Easyrider Bike show in Columbus OH on Feb. 15. Aren't they gorgeous? My apologies to anyone who had a bike in the show that didn't get a picture posted here. My camera is on it's last leg. I took oodles of photos of the bikes and these are the few that actually came out decent.

Winners

2009-02-25T10:05:00.007-05:00

This is a little (lot) late but I'm finally getting it posted. Better late than never so they say. Anyway Congrats to the following winners of the OWOH drawing. Everything has been sent and is creeping its way to you all.

Michelle was the first name drawn and got the fiberart collage.

Geri, Jody, Mary, Snap, and Martha are the other five (not necessarily in that order) and they each got one of the bookmarks.

I really love participating in OWOH and am already looking forward to next year. Thank you Lisa for all your work in organizing this and inspiring so much sharing.

I want to apologize to everyone who's blog I haven't visited yet. I just didn't have the time to get to all of them. I didn't even make it to 100 this year. Yet. I am still working my way thru the list though and will visit every one as time allows.

If you didn't win and are interested in one of my fiberart collages, Autumn Day has been accepted into Collage Mania and will be available starting on May 5. All the money goes directly to the American Cancer Society. Please stop by and check it out, there are many wonderful artists participating and it is for a good cause.

One World One Heart

2009-01-26T20:15:00.007-05:00

It's that time again. There are over 600 people participating so far, each having a giveaway on their blog. You can click on the globe and that will take you to the One World One Heart blog and there are links to each one on the right. If you want to enter my drawing just leave me a comment on this post with a way to contact you and on Feb. 14th at 11pm (have to work) I will use a random number generator to pick winners. The first name drawn will win this:

It's matted to 8x10 and ready for framing.

The next five will each get one of these bookmarks. I had so much fun with these.

So please be sure to leave a comment and a way for me to reach you, you can email me if you want and I'll enter you in the drawing. Don't forget to check out all the other giveaways there are lots of fantastic bloggers out there. : )

Pictures

2009-01-07T11:12:00.002-05:00

Grandbaby Update

2009-01-01T22:06:00.002-05:00

Christopher Brian Michael was born Dec. 19 and weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. Sorry no pics yet. Hopefully I will have some to post very soon. : )

Blue Leaves

2008-12-20T01:34:00.002-05:00

And purple, and green, and yellow, and pink, and gold. Goodnight. : )

Art Alarm Clock?

2008-12-19T23:28:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been so tired that you can barely hold your eyes open? Your eyes are watering and you're yawning your head off and the only thing you want to do is sleep? I was like that earlier tonight. So off to bed I went. So nice, so comfy, so sleeeepyyy...
And then...

Why can't leaves be blue?

Huh? I just want to go to sleep.

Why can't leaves be blue? Why Can't Leaves Be Blue? Why CAN'T Leaves be BLUE?

So there you have it. The question that has been bugging me for 2 hours now and not letting me sleep. Apparently I must make some blue leaves before I can sleep. So here I am, back out of my cozy bed looking thru fabric scraps and waiting for my iron to get nice and hot. I'm sure this is all because someone told me way back when that leaves are supposed to be green and tree trunks are brown and for the past umteen years all my leaves have been realistic colors and my trees have been, you guessed it, brown.

Okay so I'm sure someone has done blue leaves. Probably lots of people. I've probably seen them but I'm too tired to think about it now. The real question is 'Why can't My leaves be blue?' I have spent pretty much my whole life trying to do things right or what other people call right. I have been trying to let go of that especially in my art and it's hard after all those years of conditioning. But I'm working on it. I do this for me, not for anyone else so why shouldn't it be the way I want it? Yes, blue leaves are a breakthrough as simple as that sounds.

So is this where the real journey begins? With blue leaves?

Cyber Fyber Videos

2008-12-19T00:20:00.002-05:00

The videos of the postcards and ATCs sent in for the Cyber Fyber exhibition are online now. Go here to see them. It's a great way to spend about 20 minutes. My ATC is at 4:35 and my postcard is at 3:52. It's so exciting to see something of mine in a show like this. It is truly amazing what can be accomplished with such a small format. Alot of the cards are very intricate. Very nice.

Fiber Art

2008-12-01T23:21:00.002-05:00

I liked the way this came out so much that I decided it would look nice framed. I painted bristol board and stamped over it with leaves for the first background. The second background I left white and stamped gold leaves on it. You can't see it very well in the picture but I'm very pleased with the way it came out. I'm considering donating this one to Collage Mania. I need to figure out how to get the image sized right to send. I have a couple more of these in the works. Hmmm...Could be a series.

Sugar and Spice

2008-11-25T00:24:00.004-05:00

Aren't they cute? These lovely little girls are looking for good inside homes. They are very affectionate and playful. It would be wonderful if they could find a home together but would do fine separately. I would really love to keep them but we already have 4 other cats and keeping these two would just be too much. So if you are in the central Ohio area and are interested you can email me at rice.pamela at yahoo.com. Please, serious inquiries only, and you must be 18 or older to be considered. I am not charging an adoption fee but there will be some conditions that need to be met as I need to be sure that these babies will be loved and well cared for.

My Birthday

2008-11-20T00:00:00.002-05:00

I had to work on my birthday. Bummer. But this is what I came home to. : ) I'm a lucky mom. I have such great kids. Thanks guys, you made my day. : )

Out of Hiding

2008-11-17T02:28:00.003-05:00

One of the problems I have with keeping up with my blog is that I feel like I have to have pictures in every post. Since I haven't been really productive, I haven't had any pictures. And when I did finish a couple of mini quilts, of course, I forgot to take pictures. Anyway I finally have some pictures so here's what I've been doing.

I love making fabric postcards. I was in a fall kind of mood when I made these. I also had oodles of tiny scraps left over from making a batik mini quilt (that I forgot to photograph). So I used them to create the background for these, then added the leaves on top. I really like the look. I'll definitely be playing more with this.

When I have the time and energy I participate in the block lotto on about.com. Sophie designed some really cute house blocks. I adore these blocks. In fact I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to them. I made some 6 inch ones for the lotto, then more for me. The ones in the photos above are of the 3 inch mini blocks that I have done so far. Thanks Sophie, these are just too cute.

Updates and Future Quilters

2008-05-18T04:15:00.004-04:00

My mom's out of the hospital and getting better. She's almost as feisty as ever. : ) While she was in the hospital the kids decided to make her a couple of gifts to let her know they were thinking of her. Jessi made her first potholder.

And Josh made his first postcard.

They both really liked doing it. I think they had the most fun sorting thru my scraps. : ) They had a tough time deciding on which fabrics to use. : ) Now they both want to make more.

We finally have a due date for the baby. December 14! I'm getting into this grandma thing now. : )

While Mom was in the hospital I got to babysit her little poodle, Trevor. Between him wanting to be held ALL the time and my kitten, Shorty wanting to be held ALL the time I really had my hands full. : ) Unfortunately Mom insisted that I bring him home. I really miss the little guy. This is one of the few times they consented to sharing me.

A Lot Going On

2008-05-04T21:30:00.008-04:00

I had planned on putting pretty much everything on hold for the 6 weeks that my threadpainting class was going on but my life just isn't cooperating. As usual. : ) Friday lesson 4 was posted and I have just completed lesson 1. I spent alot of time on it trying to get it right. It's not perfect but I think I've done fairly well. I think my circles and stipples are still a little large but I suppose like everything it will get better the more I do it. I have to push forward now though before I get too far behind. I will be able to move faster now that I have gotten the technique down somewhat though. I have done a few more leaves since the ones above that look alot better but I haven't take pics yet.

We only have one car and DH works an hour away so I spent all last week driving him to work so I could take DS for the state testing. Since he is home schooled we have to do that sort of thing from time to time. This week I will spend running back and forth to my DM's house and hospital. She has pneumonia and is in the hospital. I really want her moved to a different hospital but she doesn't want to do that. I just have more confidence in another one in our area.

I did finally manage to get outside and discharge some fabric. It's very interesting to see what will happen if anything. The kids loved it, they kind of took over. I raided my scrap bin for a few things for them to try just to see what would happen. They had a ball. Of course they both loved the results on the black fabric. Now they both want to run around and get different black fabrics to discharge to see what colors will appear. : ) The bright red and bright blue above didn't really do anything. There are a couple of spots that look slightly faded but that's all. Josh did the green and Jessi did the purple. I was glad that theirs both discharged fairly well. : ) Here they are just working away at finding things to lay on their fabric and spraying it with a mild bleach solution.

And here are the results.

Have a wonderful day everyone. : ) Hopefully I'll have alot of threadpainting to post in the coming weeks.

News!!!

2008-04-19T14:59:00.003-04:00

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

2008-04-16T22:07:00.002-04:00

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

2008-04-09T21:45:00.008-04:00

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

2008-04-09T19:05:00.002-04:00

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.

Prizes Sent

2008-03-06T20:27:00.003-05:00

I finally got all of the prizes done for the OWOH Giveaway finished and in the mail. Quite a bit later than I had planned. Better late than never right? : ) I had so much fun! I'm really looking forward to participating next year. I'll have the prizes done in advance. : ) I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do. : )

I have just posted all the prizes on my webshots. If you want to have a look there is a link on the right. Now I better get back to work. I have a doll quilt to finish. I have to have it in the mail on Monday. : )

I've Been Tagged

2008-03-02T10:16:00.002-05:00

Trisha who blogs at easily amused, hard to offend . . . tagged me so I'll give it a go. Here's how it works:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Okay now for 7 facts about me:

1. I tend to be happy by nature. It doesn't take much to amuse me.
2. I love to play and experiment.
3. I try not to take anything too seriously and I don't worry much.
4. I am very unsure of myself when I meet new people, I'm never sure what to say. So I listen
alot more than I speak.
5. I forget conversations readily, so I don't gossip. Even if I could remember things well, I still
wouldn't gossip.
6. People tend to confide in me. I think it's because of numbers 4 and especially 5.
7. I am getting gray hair but I refuse to dye it for the purpose of covering up the gray. If I ever
do dye it, it will just be for fun.

On to the tagging part. : )

1. Christine Never Plan Too Far Ahead

2. Maree Maree's Quilts

3. Carol Taylor's Textile Trials

4. Nikki Whimsy Love

5. Sue Andrus Gardens & More

6. Jen Confessions of a Fabric Addict

7. Connie Cetta Cheese Chatter

Off I go to let everyone know that they've been tagged. : )

OWOH Winners!!!

2008-02-15T11:18:00.011-05:00

Hi Everyone! Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday. It was definitely Valentine's Day, ever since I can remember something has gone seriously wrong on Valentine's Day, except for one. The only one I can remember where nothing went wrong was 12 years ago when my darling hubby proposed to me. That was a great day! Anyway yesterday at 5am I got up only to discover that our furnace wasn't working. Long story short 15 hours later we had heat again! Yippie!!! Thankfully it was only a loose wire but we had to basically tear the furnace apart and test every little thing in order to find it. It was a very looonnng day.

So on with the fun stuff. I borrowed someone's idea of drawing one name for every 25 entries so I ended up with 6 winners. : ) Sorry, I don't remember who's blog that idea was on to give credit.

Here's the list:

Sandra from http://www.thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com/ won a postcard similar to this one:

Dabrah from Fickle Muse http://dabrah.blogspot.com/ won a postcard similar to this one:

Eliza of http://www.elizascorner.com/blog/ won this postcard:

Shabbyfufu http://shabbyfufu.blogspot.com/ won an ATC similar to this one:

Beth of http://www.bethquinndesigns.com/ won an ATC similar to this one:

Christine from http://pbcquiltlover.blogspot.com/ won this ATC (not completed yet):

And since I was having so much fun drawing names of winners I had a second chance drawing for everyone that was left for one of these hairy bookmarks : )

And the winner is...Diana from Adventuring Through Life http://dianas-glob.blogspot.com/.

This has been so much fun!!! I am definitely participating again next year. Right now I have a number of commitment that I need to concentrate on but after that I will probably post another giveaway or 2 throughout the year just because I had so much fun. So check back. : ) I want to thank everyone that visited my blog and everyone that participated in this.

Now I better go contact the winners. : )

Just For Fun

2008-02-14T10:13:00.001-05:00

Lets101 - Free Dating Site

Lets101 - free online dating

Cyber Fyber

2008-02-14T07:09:00.005-05:00

The gorgeous cards pictured above are the ones I received from Susan Lenz. The ones below are the ones I sent to her in return. If you scroll down a few posts you will find all the info about this event including a link to the site. I am very excited to be participating and I am hoping to be able to go to the show which will be Jan. 9-20, 2009. There are quite a few postcards and ATC's still available for trade so if you are interested scroll down and click the link. There's alot of eye candy and links to other great blogs as well. : )

One World-One Heart Giveaway

2008-02-08T00:18:00.001-05:00

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 7 pm EST ON FEB. 14

Here it is! I am a little late joining in but there is still plenty of time for you to enter. All you need to do is leave a comment below and be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, e-mail would be good. The cut off for entering the drawing is February 13 at midnight. I will be drawing the winners on Valentine's Day and contacting you thru e-mail immediately after for your shipping info. If I don't get a response within 3 days, I will draw another name for your prize, I don't think this will be an issue though. : ) There will be 3 winners. I will be giving away a fiber postcard, bookmark, and ATC. While I am not quite done yet, here is a sampling of what you may receive, I will continue to work on them over the weekend. Sorry about the photo quality, if you go to my webshots, the link is on the sidebar, and go to the ONE World-ONE Heart Giveaway album, you can view the photo full size and get a better idea. (Please keep in mind that shiny doesn't photograph well.) If I get enough comments I may add a small quilt or other items later and have more winners or I may just throw in extra items for the winners, who knows? : ) This is just too much fun.

I have been having so much fun visiting all these new blogs (well, new to me) of all these wonderful, creative, and generous people. I had to force myself to work on my projects. : ) I could just spend days (and probably will) cruising these blogs. Please visit them yourself, you'll see what I mean. : ) All the links to the participating blogs are on the ONE World-ONE Heart blog. Here is the link - http://oneworldevent.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-years-event-information.html. There are tons of great giveaways to sign up for. While you're there, please consider joining in the giveaways, there's still some time left.

Oops! I forgot to add that you don't have to be participating in the giveaway to enter the drawings. ANYONE can enter. You can enter one, pick and choose, or enter them all. : ) The blogs are really great. Have fun visiting them. : )

Giveaway!!!

2008-02-07T11:20:00.000-05:00

Okay so I found something else to participate in. I just can't help it! Anyway this one is really cool. It's the One World One Heart event. Lisa Oceandreamer is hosting this blog-wide giveaway event. The idea behind the event is to bring bloggers together from around the world and hopefully create new friendships. There are alot of great prizes being offered as well. I don't have my giveaway ready yet but I will be posting it either tonight or early tomorrow so keep checking back for it so you can enter my drawing. In the meantime check out http://oneworldevent.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-years-event-information.html
for more information on this event and links to all the blogs of the participants. Don't forget to check back here though. : )

Oops! I forgot to add that you don't have to be participating in the giveaway to enter the drawings. Anyone can enter. You can enter one, pick and choose, or enter them all. : ) The blogs are really great. Have fun visiting them. : )

February TIF Challenge

2008-02-06T16:18:00.000-05:00

The concept for this month's challenge is 'What are you old enough to remember?'. I'm old enough to remember alot of things but most of what I remember is what we didn't have that we do now. That's rather difficult to interpret in a fiber project. I could go with the color scheme
but I'd really rather work with the concept. Hmmm...I'll have to think on it some more. Something will come to me. : )

Cyber Fyber Exhibition

2008-02-05T20:47:00.000-05:00

CYBER FYBER is an exhibition of international fiber art scheduled for January 8th through 20th, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, USA. The brainchild of Susan Lenz, this exhibit will focus on the supportive, global community of fiber artists with whom Susan regularly shares new techniques, contemporary approaches to textiles, and finished work by Internet websites and blogs. The exhibition will include three primary areas: Fiber ATCs (Artist Trading Cards); fiber postcards; and the work of several invited artists. The exhibition will also include FIBER DAY and ATC trading day. From the beginning, Susan Lenz is documenting CYBER FYBER on a blog/journal.

When I saw the link (http://cyberfyberexhibition.blogspot.com/) to this I had to check it out. I adore making fiber postcards and trading them. Of course I couldn't resist trading an ATC and postcard. I will probably send another 3 ATC's for the
INTERNATIONAL RANDOM ATC TRADE. Since I'm making some anyway. : )

If you're the least interested in fiber postcards or ATC's whether you want to trade or not you should definitely check this site out. Lots of eye candy and lots of links to other blogs with lots of eye candy. : )

This is an excellent opportunity to have your work displayed in a gallery setting as well. Pretty cool huh?

Of course anyone who knows me knows I am completely addicted to swaps and challenges so there was no way I could pass this up. : )

So I'm off to work on my postcards and ATC's...in other words I'm going to PLAY!!!

I got a huge surprise!

2008-02-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

The quilt I made for the Doll Quilt Swap on about.com 'Flowers for You' is going to be in a quilt show! It will be shown in the Palm Beach County Quilters' Guild quilt show on Feb 29 & March 1. Christine was the recipient of this little quilt and she showed it around at a guild meeting and she said that the show committee requested that she enter it. How totally cool is that?! I'm so excited I just about can't stand it! The show dates seem soooo far away. : )

Swap Blocks Done

2008-02-03T22:25:00.000-05:00

I have my mini 9 patch blocks done. There was a limit of 20 sets of 5, I did 13 sets. I would like to have done the entire 20 but I don't want to run out of time on my other commitments either. I love these little blocks so if I have time later in the month I'll make more, they're just soooo cute.

Play Time

2008-01-23T00:09:00.000-05:00

I finally got to experiment a little with angelina. It's been hanging around here for a couple of months staring at me. My first attempt turned out to be a blob. I think I just added too much. I do have difficulty knowing when to stop. It really doesn't look so bad in the picture but trust me it's pretty bad. At the very least it won't work for it's originally intended purpose. I think I can cut it up and salvage most of it though.

My second attempt is a keeper. It looks way better than the photo. Funny how that worked out.

This is the final product. I'm very pleased with it. I named it Better With Buttons because it looks alot better with the buttons. Okay so I'm gonna have to get better at this naming business too. It's a new concept for me. This may turn into a series. I'm really enjoying working with these materials and colors.

2008-01-21T22:47:00.000-05:00

I just found this on someone else's blog and thought it would be fun. It's pretty close but I don't know about the living large thing. I don't need or want much and I'm pretty happy being a homebody. Well except for when I'm shopping for fun things to play with. Maybe that's my idea of living large? Give it a go, it's fun. : ) BTW I've never had a latte in my life. : )

What Your Latte Says About You

You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large.

You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious.

Intense and energetic, you aren't completely happy unless you are bouncing off the walls.

You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it.

You are a child at heart, and you don't ever miss the opportunity to do something playful.

You are deep and thoughtful, but you are never withdrawn.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

Play Time!

2008-01-18T22:15:00.000-05:00

I need a play day or 2 so I can experiment with all the cool stuff I have been collecting. I have paints, stamps, angelina and various other fibers, ribbon, eyelets, brads, just all kinds of stuff. So far I haven't had the chance to play with any of it. I think while I have a few days off I will see what I can do with all this stuff. I'm very anxious to get started. I plan on posting my results as I go along. So the only plans I have for the weekend are to play. Is there a better way to spend a cold weekend in January? : )

TIF Challenge Idea

2008-01-16T01:41:00.000-05:00

I've got it! I will make a block and dedicate it to my boss. She has just been a gem. My mother has had health problems, bleeding in her brain and lung cancer. She had brain surgery and 2 weeks later surgery to remove the mass in her lung. She has had many appointments that I needed to take her too. Most of these occurred with very short notice. Theresa (my boss) took it all in stride and rearranged the schedule numerous times in order to accomodate me while still giving me the hours I needed to work. She has never complained about letting me change the schedule or have time off when I needed it to take care of my mom. Making the schedule is difficult at best anyway and having to try and rearrange it after people have begun to make plans for the week is extremely daunting. I really appreciate all the work she put in to allow me to focus my attention on caring for my mom rather than worrying about my job.

Now I just have to translate that into fabric. I will have time to work on it starting on Thursday and I am taking several days off in a row to kind of recharge now that my life has calmed down a little. (Thanks again Theresa) I will have to think about it some, it will probably come to me in the middle of the night just as this idea did. : )

Over Committed???

2008-01-13T20:06:00.000-05:00

It's a new year and the one thing I am (er was) trying to do is not over commit. I have a bad habbit of taking on too much. If my life would stay nice and calm it wouldn't be too much but as we all know, things have a way of happening at exactly the wrong time. This is proving to be very difficult though.

I love to do fun things and swaps are right at the top of my list, as are challenges. Right now I have 2 projects I have to finish by Jan. 31. A mask for the Chooseday Challenge and something ??? don't know what yet for the Take It Further Challenge.

I entered the Block Lotto on about.com for January. It's the first one I've had the time to participate in. I already have my blocks all done for that. I had them done in the first day or 2 of the month.

I also signed up to participate in a swap on about.com for mini 9 patches. I haven't even gotten started on those yet. I have an excuse though. First I had to wait on the fabric I ordered, and now our washer is on the blink. Figures. I have a little time left, these aren't due until Feb. 29.

I have several postcards I need to make for some friends. I love making quilted postcards. I also have to make at least one for a swap I signed up for as well as a small art quilt journal size or larger. The due date hasn't been set yet but is going to be at least 6 months out.

I need to get started on an art doll for a challenge as well that is due on Easter.

I am going to be really busy. And all these are on top of various ufo's I have that need finished. I am writing myself a note to remember to take pictures and post them here as I go along. I am going to try to post at least once a week. Oh, the Chooseday Challenge and TIF are both monthly challenges so I will have at least those 2 projects each month.

So how do you think I'm doing at not over committing? : )

Inchies and Opposite Challenge

2007-12-30T19:09:00.000-05:00

I am fascinated by inchies. I thought they were cool since the first time I saw them but never tried to make any. Well I had some scraps left over from the ornaments I made for the 2007 Christmas Ornament Exchange on about.com and I needed some quick small gifts for my coworkers. I dicided to use the scraps and see what I could do. I started out with larger pieces but used those up quickly and eventually ended up with 1" squares that I stuck a hotfix rhinestud on and satin stitched the edges and added a hanging loop. The ones I handed out at work were red. The second picture is of pretty close examples, only a little bit larger and rectangular.

I also needed something to do for Opposites on the Chooseday Challenge. I was thinking of youth vs. old age. After playing with the inchie ornaments I really wanted to do something with inchies. So I did opposites in seasons. Spring vs. Fall and Summer vs. Winter. I just call it Seasons. You can't really see it very well in the photo but it's the best I could do. On the winter scene that little blob is a tree.

So what do you think?

2 Comments WooHoo!

2007-12-20T00:12:00.000-05:00

So far I have 2 comments for the Pay It Forward Challenge and I am ready to get started. I have alot of new stuff to experiment with so who knows what I'll come up with. I got some paint sticks, dye-na-flow, angelina, beads, etc. Lots of goodies! Not to mention I need to practice FM quilting as well. Now that I have caught up (well kinda) I can PLAY. So anyone else wanna be my guinea pig? hehehe Aawww come on it'll be fun. : )

Pay It Forward Challenge

2007-11-28T00:05:00.000-05:00

Join the Pay It Forward Challenge. It sounds like a lot of fun. Here's how it works:

I will send a gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet– it could be anything really- and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I have a lot of ideas that I want to try and I really like sharing with people so come on and join the fun. You can let me know some of your likes or something about yourself if you want to give me something to work from or you can let me surprise you, the choice is yours.