Good Bye To YOU!!!

(nasty BUG!) Feeling much better. Thanks for all the e-mails and comments. Can't wait to get into the studio this weekend (after catching up on some work and chores!)

Look for lots of progress this weekend on applique block and CQR block pursuant to Jude's challenge over at "What if." Also I think I'm going to post the picture of my final "art slice quilt" slice for Margaret's picture as I am putting the finishing touches on that tonight.

I think I can put all this stuff away.

Enjoy the long weekend. To my friends over on the coast - take much care in the next few days. My dad has headed over to Beau Rivage until Monday -- Daddy - you be safe.

XO

I've Just Been Laying Around.....

.... I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. There's a yucky bug going around these parts and it finally made it's way to me.

Had all these great plans -- it was a wonderful day to "do stuff" -- heavy rain, lots of wind, a bunch of tornado warnings -- just a great weather day, but I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING. I have a brand new book I've been dying to start -- I didn't even feel like reading. Ewe.

I managed to check in on a few of my favorite blogs to see what my pals have been up to. Lots of great stuff going on. Be sure to visit Jude, Paula, Jeanne and Acey -- great eye candy. Links are over on the right.

Oh, and last night I managed to get the templates cut out for Prairie Rose. Hopefully by tomorrow night I'll have some progress on that to post. I really wanted to work on that today.

Well - It's time to go get those jammies on and cuddle with Gizmo. HE doesn't care if I'm contagious. Nobody else will come near me.

XO

Purple Quilt is Done - on to other things....

It seems every year about this time I start to get homesick. I don't know if it's the anticipation of Fall (my favorite season and Fall in Ohio is so special) or what. But I get really, really homesick and start thinking about making plans to go "home." Or, maybe it's because my dad is going back "home" in a few weeks. Whatever it is -- I'm feeling a strong need to return to my roots. Sigh.

It's been a while since I've posted anything of substance. I've been doing a little bit of this, a little bit of that - pretty much until I finished the "purple quilt." Well - it's done. I spent most of Friday evening quilting it on the frame. It didn't come out nearly as well as I would have liked - but I know it's going to take practice for me to get the hang of quilting on the Gracie. I sewed on the binding yesterday, washed it and wrapped it up with a few little surprise to cuddle with (a stuffed puppy), to color with (markers and paper) and to eat (skittles and gummie savers.) My dad is picking them up in a week or so and will be driving them up to Cleveland for special a very special little girl. I do hope she likes it. It was made with love.

And now - it's on to other things - finally!

With the fractured quilts being wrapped up this month with the delivery of Margaret's pieces -- BIG blocks are on the horizon. "What are big blocks?" Big blocks are - quilt blocks made 20" or larger. I've decided to participate in two of our guild's (Capitol Quilter's Guild - of which Sabrina and I are both members) Cyberbee big block groups --- the applique group and the pieced group.

Each group has between 4 and 6 members. Each member selects a pattern and provides the instructions, templates, color scheme (if desired) and size (at least 20" blocks - one gal's block is 30"!) to each member of the group. Each member then makes one block out of the selected pattern. In the end -- we each will have four to six blocks to do with what we choose.

For my applique pattern, I've selected Prairie Rose (upper left picture.) My blocks are going to be 20". (Any larger and I don't think I could manage them as this is a first for me.) I plan on keeping Prairie Rose for myself to go in my new office -- which I absolutely love. It's small, quiet, cozy and has a wonderful view. All it's missing is a quilt for my reading chair, or should I say a quilt for Gizmo and Toby to snuggle on. I've selected earth, muted autumn colors - gorgeous. I love the folk art flavor of this design. I've always wanted to learn how to applique and I'm guessing by the time I'm done with this group - I should have a good grasp of it.

For my pieced pattern, I've selected the bear paw -- which of course, I've never made before. I have a great book by Sally Collins, The Art of Machine Piecing . This is a really good book for those wishing to learn machine piecing. Collins covers everything from cutting, pressing, and sewing order to drafting your own blocks or, as in my case, enlarging standard blocks. I do love the bear paw block (it's always been one of my favorites) -- particularly when set off with a stark white.

I've selected a navy blue and hunter green Christmas paisley by Moda, I think -- and for the claws, navy and white, or dark green and white. These blocks will be 21" each. I think I'm going to make 4, the group will make 5 - and then I'll have enought to make Sal a nice winter quilt - maybe backed with a navy, hunter and white plaid flannel. There's nothing like a quilt backed with delicious flannel.

Finally, another glimpse of Starry Night. I'm still working on it -- a little at a time.

Tonight - I will be hemming 6 pairs of Sabrina's pants (she's got short legs like her momma) and thinking about making a trip back "home" maybe in October -- so I can sit on the banks of Lake Erie , feel the stinging wind on my cheeks and remember.

Friends.....

This has been a week of friendship and sharing of special treasures!

I received a wonderful package full of the most delightful scraps and swatches from Jude. A myriad of beautiful colors, textures, weaves - velvet, eyelet, linen, etc. If you are familiar with Jude's work, you will understand how special it is to have received a small piece of her collection. And leave it to Jude to include someone special in the package. Those of you who follow Spirit Cloth and "What if" - can you spot it?? Thank you so much Jude - you made my day!

Later in the week - Sabrina and I received a Priority Mail package from Lisa -- way over in Oregon. It was a total surprise. First there were two absolutely beautiful glass beaded "Dotee Dolls" inside. One for Sabrina, and one for me. The one for me has a special message on the back and Sabrina's is the one with the sunflower. But that's not all - there was more.

Also inside were several hand carved antique wooden type fonts from Lisa's grandfather and great-grandfather's printing business in Oregon. Lisa is a native Oregonian. I can't believe she sent these to us. Sabrina went crazy over them. How special they are. We will treasure them.

As if that wasn't enough - Lisa also sent me two curved beading needles because I am such a spazz and am having a hard time beading a doll that Grace sent me AND one of James Taylor's cds - with I think has every song he ever sang on it. I've been listening to it for two days. It's wonderful. Lisa knows I love James Taylor. Fire and Rain was the first "45" I ever bought. I was 11. I still have it.

Lisa and I have been friends for a while now. She lives in Oregon and is a master at documenting its beauty. I so enjoy her photography and narratives. I visit Pursuing Art often and we share some great conversations.

Receiving presents in the mail is "awesome" as Sabrina puts it. But the gift of friendship is even better! The world just doesn't seem so big anymore.

Why'd They Have to Go and Make Things so Complicated????

Why is it that things that are supposed to make our lives easier -- are sometimes so
COMPLICATED????

Still quilting this teeny tiny purple quilt on the frame. Almost done. I could have hand quilted it by now.

I've got Oh so many things in the works - can't wait to share, but it will be another day or two as I don't have much free time and I still have to put the binding on. This has been quite a learning experience.

NOTE TO SELF:
Don't forget that the pedal gets pushed down if you lean against the wooden handles -- even if your finger is underneath @$!@#.

Oh, and make sure to put bobbin IN the machine BEFORE spending 1/2 hour attaching, screwing and wedging the Janome into the quilting frame.
IDIOT.

Locked and Loaded.....

No free time - with the exception of an hour or two at 6:00 a.m. a few days last week. So today - after all chores were done, I decided that it's time to load up the Gracie frame with the purple quilt. Typically this would be a great "hand quilting" project, but I've no time this week. This is one of those "Git 'er done" jobs.

After many (many) hours of fussing, rolling, re-rolling, pinning, re-pinning, shooshing Gizmo off the batting (he likes to lay and roll on it) and BLEEDING (yep - I kept stabbing myself whilest pinning the quilt on to the leaders) I finally figured out how to load 'er up- straight, tight, and even. It took me over 1/2 the day. Good thing is -- you do it once -- and it's much easier the next time.


Before now, I've done only hand quilting (which I seriously enjoy), and machine quilting by bunching and rolling the quilt under the neck -- which is very doable -- but NOT FUN. I know, I'm a whimp -- but I HATE wrestling with all that fabric. I think that's why I like hand quilting so much more.

Sad thing is - it's 5:00 p.m., and I have to call it quits for tonight. We're taking the girl out for dinner as a farewell to summer as she starts school tomorrow and we're going to spend some "quality" time together -- whether she likes it or not :) So I'll have to leave Gracie alone for tonight and hopefully get a chance tomorrow or the next day to work on this as it must be on it's way to Ohio very soon.

Oh so many things in progress -- more on that tomorrow.

Enjoy your week!

One Stitch Forward, Two Stitches Back....

I've always admired beautiful hand embroidery -- which to me, is one of the most beautiful arts. I have several hand embroidered family linen pieces that are well over one hundred years old and they are among my most treasured possessions.

A while back I bought myself the Embroidery Stitch Bible and have been working on some basic stitches by putting together a stitch journal, and translating those same stitches into this Van Gogh piece.

I'm using a combination of seed and straight stitching in the sky, straight and back stitching for the houses, spires, and mountains and tiny little french knots to form the illusion of treetops which I have just started layering in different shades of green. Jude a while back had suggested using some little bits of shimmery fabric in the sky. I think I might undue the moon (or add to it) and see about putting some bits of lame' in there.

Inasmuch as this is a learning process for me, I began to wonder "what if" -- instead of working on one section at a time -- I pick up a certain color of thread and work that color all "around" the entire piece - even if I only take a stitch or two in an area with a particular color. Will this result in greater depth and texture? I think so.

I'm enjoying working in this way as it really creates a bit of mystery. I love watercolor painting -- and stitching in this fashion reminds me of painting because I'm layering, blending, highlighting -- with thread! It's all about experimentation.

There's definitely a learning curve for me here. I'm still trying to figure out the best needles to use, how many strands of floss to use, do I like cotton, rayon or silk thread for clouds, etc., etc. My first conclusion: rayon thread is NOT fun!

Needless to say I've done plenty of "unstitching." And I can see in these photographs, I still have some "unstitching" to do.

Hence the title for this post:
One Stitch Forward....... Two Stitches Back!

Progress.....

1. Worked a bunch on Starry Night this past weekend;

2. Made a zillion more 9 patches. Should be ready to sew top together soon.

3. In the planning stages for two BIG projects for cyberbee (selecting patterns, fabrics, preparing instructions and packets) - more on that soon;

4. Pinned Van Gogh's Iris together. Having a heck of time getting it to line up. I may just block it off with black "window" style strips. Not sure yet.

5. Got little purple quilt back done and am ready to load it on frame for quilting.

No new photographs today as it's just "more" of the same.
New photos and project details by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Look for the Girl with the Sun in her Eyes and She's Gone....

I'm sick of sunshine. I admit it - I am stormy by nature. Rain storms, thunder storms, snow storms, wind storms -- I adore extreme weather. The more extreme the better.

I guess my craving for dark and stormy skies has driven me to pick up Vincent again. Working on swirling clouds and dark, starry skies -- is very satisfying for me right now.

I experimented with loosely stitching some black tulle down over the spires and melting the tulle for texture. I will continue stitching the spires until they are almost completely covered - only the rought melted edges of the tulle peaking through.

Originally, I was going to cover this entire piece with stitch, (utilizing the painted pictures as a thread color guide, only) however I've come to the conclusion that the painted piece beneath -- peeking through here and there gives the stitching more depth -- and I like it.

Never Seen Such a Beautiful Girl???

Think "PINK" - August 1st through October 15th, 2008

The time has arrived. You've heard me talk about her, you've seen her pictures here and on other Pink Artist Blogs, you've visited Monica's blog and read her "story," and you may even remember when I was working on my little pieces of her. Well Love Squared has made her debut and she is exhibiting her beauty within the pages of the current edition of Art Doll Quarterly.

She will take your breath away.

(you can click on her to enlarge her)

Now -- the important part. The part every one's been waiting for.......

Would YOU like to call her your own??? YOU can!

You CAN have a chance at winning this absolutely stunning art doll. Can you believe it?

For every $10 you donate to the Susan B. Koman Foundation donation you get TWO entries into the drawing for Love Squared. All you have to do is visit Monica's Blog, at (Girl-Gone-Thread-Wild) and either click on "Make a Paypal Donation," or, you can send in a money order to the address posted on her left sidebar. TWO entries for every TEN dollars.

She stands over three feet tall and every single inch of her is hand made by artists who have poured their heart and soul into this project for their own personal reasons. Leslie -- is MY reason.(and so are you MOM -- for there are many things we need to work hard at finding a cure for.) If you haven't already done so, please visit Monica's blog for the complete story of Love Squared's journey. It's truly special.

And while you're there - make a $10 donation, or two or three or four. Hmmmmm - four $10 donations would get your name entered EIGHT TIMES! The odds dramatically increased!

This has been an amazing experience for all of us. But let's not forget the most important reason for this project, it's not the fun we had, or the friends we've made -- those are all benefits. The "reason" for this project is to find a cure -- a cure for breast cancer.

Now go and make your donation -- and I hope YOU win Love Squared. Good Luck!

(Beautiful Girl - words and music by George Harrison)

"I've" Had a Bad Day.....

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on.........

I've posted my "July" progress. Only 2.5 pounds again this month. But I'm not discouraged. Like a beautiful slow cloth full of texture and unknown journey, such is my life. There are times when I press on pleased with my progression and the beauty of the path -- and there are others when I stop and wonder how and why I got to the point I find myself .

Pertaining to THIS particular journey -- I've been keeping a strict diary, and in my review of it over the last few days I can clearly see where I am faultering. I'm doing exactly what I set out to do by virtue of eating, exercising, etc. -- however I have not been 100% committed - 100% of the time. The first month - I was 100% committed -- 100% of the time and hence the 9 pound weightloss. But with that success came a false confidence, and although I proceed on a forward path, I should be getting more out of this than I am.

So - what to do from here. I've evaluated what I believe I am doing right and what I believe I am doing wrong. Accordingly, I am making the following adjustments for this month:

Reduce carolic intake by 200 calories per day
Re-balance protein to carb ratio by 40/30 instead of the other way around
Do 2 more hours of "aerobic" exercise per week (by adding on at least 10 more minutes per day)
Increase weight training to include kettle ball workout 2x per week
Drink more water

At the end of the month I will re-evaluate my progress.
(Sometimes you hear songs, but you don't "listen."
This one is woth "listening" to. :)
(You've Had a Bad Day - Daniel Powder)

It's Purple....

Purple Quilt ....

Appliques are done,

top is pieced and

I'm ready to put the border on.

I think I'm going to piece a "scrappy purple and white" strip for around the edges, then bind with white.

QUESTION: How to quilt this? Any suggestions?????