A Reprieve ....

I Cannot Endure to Waste Anything
as Precious as Autumn Sunshine
by Staying in the House,
So I Spend Almost All the Daylight
- in the Open Air.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

"The painters/drywall guys can't "work" on Friday." "What?!" I said. "Nope" they can't work Friday. " "Well if they can't work Friday, then I can't work Friday - then whose going to do all the work????" Nobody - at least not on Friday.

That was the conversation between my husband and I last Thursday. So rather than freak out at the thought of getting even further behind schedule, we decided to take advantage of the situation (Sabrina was away on a class field trip to Williamsburg). So we set the clock for 5:00 a.m. Friday morning, grabbed two changes of clothes, jumped on the Harley and rode to one of our favorite North Carolina destinations - Maggie Valley. Maggie Valley is a popular haunt for Harley riders and it just so happens -- there was a pretty big biker rally there this past weekend. Nothing like Sturgis in South Dakota, or Bike Week in Daytona, but a rally none the less. Beautiful bikes - everywhere you look. A few weekends a year (there are two rallies in that area - Thunder in the Smokies and Rally in the Valley) this little valley nestled between the Smokies and the Blue Ridge, gets consumed by the rumble of Harley engines and music.

Blaise found us this gorgeous Cabin -- complete with a fireplace, off the beaten path where you couldn't hear the noise from the rally. We like to attend the rally, but typically don't stay long as we like spending time driving through the mountains even more.

Saturday, after getting a good night's sleep we decided to head on up through the Smokey Mountains to Tennesee. What a stunning day it was with beautiful blue skies and crisp, cool temperatures. I tried talking Blaise into taking me to "Dollywood," but no such luck. We had a long ride back, and those mountain roads are trecherous after dark - so we headed back around 4:00. After a good night's sleep and having breakfast around 6:30 a.m. with hundreds of other bikers who wanted to get home early -- we began our eight hour ride home.

We made it --safe and sound, refreshed and ready to finish what we started last week. The worst of the job is over - we're 1/2 way there. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sink or Swim, You've Gotta Give it a Whirl!! (Contest)

"Life IS a Dance." -- We all have our opportunities to lead, and we all have our opportunities to follow, or learn. It's all about sharing - sharing our experiences, sharing our knowledge, sharing our time, sharing our art, sharing our lives. Sharing makes us better -- in every way.

To honor that sharing spirit -- and in honor of my favorite season -- Autumn -- I'm going to share with you - 'cause I want to!! Don't be shy - this contest is open to ALL. You don't have to live in the U.S., and even if you're just a lurker please feel free to play!

Sabrina and I did a little shopping and picked up a few things we thought you'd like:

Moda's "Renewal" Charm Pack
(40 squares of beautiful Autumn colors)

Rainy Day Hand Dyed Cotton Floss
Fallen Leave Hand Dyed Cotton Floss

AND.......

4 Squares of Silk Dupioini - in Fall Colors)
4 Sheets of Seven Gypsies Fine Papers

Panopolie Glass Beads (Ivory and Iridescent Plum)
Panopolie Citrene Glass Teardrop Beads (4)

I tried to pull together a prize that would appeal to all - mixed media artists, quilt artists, doll artists, any fiber artist -- and I threw some cool papers in there too -- just for fun.

Now - what do you have to do to win????
You need to leave a comment to this post telling us:

One of the most valuable things / lessons you have learned (be specific!!) this year from someone else through your creative endeavors.

( Links are welcome in this post - so if there is a link that is applicable to what you are going to share or what you've learned -- please - put it in your comment for others to see.)

How easy is that?! I could name 100's of things I have learned from you all -- from cool techniques, new stitches to some pretty inspiring life's lessons.

IF you choose to play, your name will be entered into a drawing which will be performed by one of my trusty assistants - oh, let's say Wednesday. I'd like to do it on the first day of Fall - which, by the way is Monday, September 22nd at 11:44 a.m., but I don't think that's enough time.

Winner will be posted sometime Wednesday, so you have until Wednesday at noon to play.

Good luck!

Life's a Dance
You Learn as You Go
Sometimes You Lead
Sometimes You Follow....
(John Michael Montgomery)

Who's Up for a Contest????

It won't be long now -- until Sabrina and I are once again settled and can work in our studio. We both have so many WIPS and are chomping at the bit to get back to work. No painting yesterday due to rain (the plaster didn't dry) so we're one day behind schedule. Bad news for me, GOOD news for YOU.

Because you've been so patient, and encouraging with your comments and e-mails -- I've decided to have a little contest in honor of YOU and the onset of my favorite season -- FALL.

Details will be posted by Friday morning. I think you'll like the prize!!!

Wake Me Up When September Ends...

"By the end of September," my husband said, "we'll be all done - the house will be painted, the landscaping will be done, and we can sit back, relax, and enjoy the Fall." Famous last words, "sit back and WHAT?????"

Anywhoo, I took some pictures to send my dad and I thought since I have no "fiber-y" stuff to show you, I'd share my misery with you. What's that saying, "misery loves company??"

Our once blue studio which, now that that the ceiling is fixed, is in the process of being painted a whisper of buttery yellow... (I'm sick of blue)

The dining room, which was in a previous life a boring beige that was almost white, is in the process of being painted an amazing shade of -- suede something or other (????)

The living room (kitchen, great room, laundry room and hall ways) which again were a boring shade of white with a taupe tinge, are being painted a warm and delicious toasted almond. Can't you just envision it? A much warmer and richer shade than what it is below.

Now the war zone -- the ceilings are almost done. After a little more sanding a puttying, the downstairs common areas are being painted the same color as the upstairs.

I have been harboring a pile of about 200 paint chips on my desk - preparing for a different type of "art," I suppose. As the my husband handed over the selections I labored over for the last week until 6:30 this very morning to the painters, I felt as if I was getting married. My palms were sweaty, I was short of breath -- I felt faint. "Is this THE ONE?" The words, "Dont' Rush Me," "I'm not ready, I'm not ready, I'm not ready," keep whirling around in my brain. I heard Blaise mumble to the painter something about my "fear of commitment." He said it's just "paint." "Pick a few colors and be done with it." NO, it's not just paint. It's something I have to look at every minute of every day -- upstairs, downstairs, in my studio, in my bathroom, etc., etc., It's gotta be RIGHT. Gone are the days of ivory walls. "Colors MUST make a statement," I said. They laughed. "Colors directly affect your mood," I said. They laughed some more. Hopeless.

As I wander around downstairs -- in a daze, taking pictures, Sabrina and Gizmo sit on the stairs -- like two voyeurs (one with a lollipop, and one with a wet nose). "We're Hungry. When's Dinner? " she said in her sweet little voice. This time, it was my turn to laugh.

I'm done for the day and after a nice hot bubble bath, I think I'm going to work a bit on my applique' which I will share with you once the block is done (it's almost done.)

In the meantime, would you please be so kind as to tell me what you've been up to until I can return to my own studio??

Updates Coming.....

Been a little busy around the house the last few days. We're doing a major overhaul of plumbing and ceilings and figured while we're at it - we might as well paint the entire inside of the house - upstairs and downstairs - and while we're at that - might as well have the carpets all cleaned, the furniture cleaned, oh and get the landscaping ready for Fall. But NOT until Gizmo and Toby get their baths. Just a little busy!

Sabrina and I have a guild meeting all day today so I will post pictures and progress tomorrow.

I've got quite a bit done on my first applique block, more progress on Jude's CQR and a few other things in the works.

The Weekend's here - now go have some fun!

We are all ONE Child, Spinning Through the Mother Sky

Sunday evening's progress.

I (thought I)finished stitching the Proverb and started stitching with gold metallic floss around the sun and moon. I also added a few silver stars. More stitching to come.

Guess what - say "bye-bye" to the first part of the proverb, "We are all ONE child." I hate the placement so I'm ripping that out today and replacing it at a more appealing angle. Duh - it looks bad - really bad. I don't know what I was thinking.

I've also started my big block applique project. Got all the patterns cut, pieces cut, bias tube stems made, master pattern made and now.... it's time to start sewing. I've never really done applique before so this is going to be a learning experience. The pattern I picked is pictured below "Prairie Rose" in a previous post. It's so pretty

Shawnee Proverb

We are all ONE Child...
Spinning Through the Mother Sky.

I chose this Native American Proverb as the
basis for my CQR in connection with Jude's "What If" challenge, along with the theme of connection through cycles.

I painted the sun and moon with metallic Lumiere paint on ivory silk dupioni and have chosen to let the edges ravel. Right now the elements are just tacked down, but I plan on adding quite a bit of stitching in and around the entire block.

This is Me - "What If" fing........

I've been "what if" fing in my mind for about a week now. There are some amazing CQRs in progress (I've been visiting your blogs) - and I'm inspired.



Jude just keeps creating - one gorgeous block after another. Acey's (Nicobella) "pink" CQR has a fascinating story behind it -- and Paula's -- well, you need to just go and check hers out for yourself. (All three blogs can be found in my blogroll on the right.)


I finally decided that today I would stop thinking and cut into something - one way, or another.


What "IF" I participate in this challenge?



At the risk of being ostrascized - I admit it - I'm NOT the biggest "traditional" CQ fan. They've just never appealed to me. Too busy. All those prints, flowers, fussy cut patterns, beads, baubles, rick-rack -- it makes my brain hurt just thinking about them. I tend to be more of a minimalist. Less is MORE. So -- as I contemplated Jude's challenge of the CQ "Revisited" - I found "revisiting" the concept of CQ appealing. I LOVE a challenge. So, of course I said, "I'm IN."



What "IF" I incorporate the theme of cycles into my CQR?


It seems almost everything I've been reading that's worthwhile (books, articles, blogs) point to this notion of cycles -- the cycles of science, psychology, the human body (circadian and biorhythm), geological, spiritual, natural (day/night, seasons, tides, phases of the moon, water cycles, nitrogen cycles, carbon cycles, etc.) emotional cycles, etc. I am fascinated with cycles and I've decided to work with this theme.




What "IF" - I consider the cycle of color density?

Perhaps playing with the intensity of hand dyes or batiks.

What "IF" - I use the cycle of color density and combine it with a cyle of nature?


What "IF" - I incorporate some of things I've learned whilest visiting Spirit Cloth from Jude and as well the other What If(fers?)

What "IF" - I just get started and STOP thinking too hard about this?

Here's the block I came up with, working with the "cycle" of the intensity of blue hand dyes.

Now, the fun begins.......