settlers peace

Visitors

We had visitors today! Three years ago we had a pair of geese hatch out 5 babies, and each year they return to visit, but this year we have babies again! Baby geese are called goslings, but to any kind of momma, they are babies, and there are 3 of them this year. I love nature and all of the blessings that it can display, we really do have a glorious God.

I’ve also been working on a little doll quilt, inspired by this photo and some vintage fabric.

It is good to go back and do some traditional work, I suppose, makes me remember why I have become an art quilter. Geez, so many tiny triangles that are suppose to have points. I don’t mind tiny, but this just isn’t as relaxing as creating something as you go. But I am enjoying it, especially that it is so small and doable.

Finished quilt to come, soon.

Keeping busy

Wow, this could be the longest post ever, so brace yourself. So much has been going on, and on top of it, we had to get a new computer and it was a race to save everything that was on the old one, three years of photos and such that hadn’t been backed up. But, ahh, it’s done and I’m loving the new computer, really just an updated model of our old iMac, which I never really learned to do much on. Really, that’s gonna change.

So this past weekend we headed to Kansas for a surprise birthday party for my brother, he is turning 40. He wife had been hard at work for months to get our entire family there, and we all made it! He was a bit suspicious that Mom and Dad were coming, but it came as quite a shock when he walked into the restaurant for dinner to see the rest of us there. You could tell that he was surprised, and that it meant so much to him that we all made the trip. I must say that I am a bit disappointed that we haven’t been to visit earlier, but we sometimes let life get in the way.

I hope to be better about getting up there again. We really enjoyed seeing Heath and Stephanie and the kids (Justin and Brittani), what a blessing to have them as family. They also have a new home that they were excited to show us, it is beautiful and very relaxing, minus the 20 people there. Lol, but a good time was had by all.

We even got some treasure hunting time in. I am SO lucky to have a husband that considers this entertainment as much as I do. He even found a lovely wire basket for me to tote my fabric finds home in! He’s a keeper!

On our way up to Kansas, we kind of went the long way, as I had heard of a quilt shop that was a must see. It was a bit of an adventure finding it, as I forgot to pack a map and while we navigated 3 states just fine, a downtown area that is closing off for a River Festival is a bit harder to navigate. But we finally found it, Dean actually stopped and asked a postman – did I mention that he’s a keeper?
And there it was. All tucked into this amazing neighborhood, too cute to believe.

The shop is called Attic Heirlooms and is owned by Julie Craig, crazy quilter extraordinare. 1717 Briggs Wichita Kansas 316-265-4646
Ahhhh, you MUST visit. Of course the first thing that my eyes landed on was a piece of Japanese silk ribbon that I just lusted after the entire time that I was in there. I finally managed to head to the counter to inquire about the ?price? that was on the bolt, surely that IS the bolt price, not the yard price. Head hanging, I put it back, jeez o Pete, that is expensive! In the end, I decided to forgo lunch and bought 6 inches of ribbon! And I’m satisfied. The shop is filled with ribbons, thread, embellishments, and some fabrics. Inspiration is EVERYWHERE, the shop is tiny and is stacked upon itself. I really felt like I was treasure hunting and about to discover something that so many before me missed. And if I didn’t have two teenagers in tow, I would have taken the time to do so. But I made it out without having to mortgage the house and it all fit in a baggie!

So, all of this inspiration and I just had to get into some of the projects that I have had going at home. I woke up this morning thinking of a bracelet that I started some time ago, and hit a design snag. I went into the art room, pulled out the tray and low and behold, there was the answer, leftovers from a class that Dean took. I got it put together fairly quickly and am so happy with it and excited to wear it. Due to the fact that I am really having to talk to myself about taking action on projects and not just making ‘to do’ lists, I have decided to call it “The Time Is NOW”.

And now the time is for me to get up and do something else. And to think that I really had MORE that I wanted to tell you today. I guess that I have something for later, hope that you have an amazing day! ENJOY!

I want to babble, I want to whine, I have missed my blogging, and haven’t been journaling either! It is a busy time of year and I haven’t spent much time being creative. I have creatively dismantled the house, or so it seems, in an effort to do some spring cleaning and decorating. So far, piles are all I have. Here’s a snap of the dining table, it’s the only safe place at the moment.

This is an old canvas painting/prop that I bought years ago because it made me smile so much. It’s over 6 feet long and 3 feet tall! I just love the fact that she’s “cheap”. I have no idea where it originated from and I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever tire of it. It has ‘smile value’.

Outside it is green and beautiful. The roses are blooming, never minding that they haven’t had the weeds pulled around them, they are bursting forth with beauty just the same.

The honeysuckle on the back of the henhouse is full of fragrance and I love the sweet smell. Here’s a shot of Miss Martha cruising the yard near the henhouse and another one of her and Harley. I sometimes wonder if she would know the difference between he and a coyote. Being an only chick, she loves to be around others. If you go outside and she is out, she will find you soon, if she can’t find a dog or cat to tail. I just love having anilmals and spending time observing them, what characters they are. Just finished reading Enslaved By Ducks by Bob Tarte. I can relate.

Enjoy your day, whatever it holds.

22 Yard Dash

I can do it, yes I can! I awoke sunday morning with the great need/desire too make 22 pillowcases for an orphanage in Mexico that a friend was going to visit. My hours on sunday were packed and they had to be done by 5pm on Monday. I kind of did the whole, it'll pass, they wouldn't really understand the effort, someone else will do it, I'll do it when I have more time. But I awoke on Monday morning much the same - driven. Knowing that they also needed pillows, I ran to the store to purchase pillows to insure that the cases would fit. By time I got home it was noon, the fabric was flying about the room and I was thinking about each pillowcase and the child that it would go to. Every fabric was different, as I wanted them to claim their own, and I tried to make it age and gender appropriate, AND to all co-ordinate as I am sure that they share rooms. As a Mom, my day greatly shifts gears at 3pm, and I was NOT done. A job interview for O., tennis for S., and I still lack the cuffs getting hemmed. I delivered the pillows and phoned my friend begging for another hour. With a little child labor from Savannah, we made it. What a relief, to know that I can do it, when the comfort level isn't right, I can still do it! And I am proud of it! And the bonus is, there is 22 YARDS of fabric missing from my stash, what a blessing to be able to use it for God's work.

I have been busy working on many smaller projects, really just trying to finish up some things. I am really wanting to get organized, in the sense of having a travel art studio, so when I am sitting at piano and soccer practices I can be creating. In Somerset Life Magazine, there is an article from Rebecca Sower on her travel case, I had seen it on her blog last fall and was inspired. I had a hard time focusing on the contents, as I had a case to transform!

It was so fun to pick out fabrics and to create as I went along. Much was dictated by design flaws and what I had to cover up, my mistakes. But I really like how I used the selvedge edge of the fabric as trim, I just didn't cut it off, and used the frayed side as an accent. I didn't have velvet ribbon as wide as I wanted, so I cut some very wide wale corduroy fabric strips instead. I just made do with what I had on hand, stuff I knew that I really liked, that way I'd like the finished product anyway it turned out. I've been using it as a travel case for supplies, but not quite the way I wanted. I am going to pack it with things that I don't have to use elsewhere, so that it can remain packed and ready to go. That is my next project.

The Price of things

I'm not one that watches much news or tv and really live a rather quiet life. I have, however, heard of the problems with air travel lately and the price of fuel creeping up every time that I'm at the pump. Which made this absolutely hysterical to me when I came across it while driving to Paris Texas last Saturday!
Has it become SO costly to fill our tanks that the airlines are now feeling it too? Will the planes be dropping from the sky to 'top it off' so it won't cost so much to fill up when empty? I just couldn't pass up the photo op.

I was out to give a trunk show of my quilt works and had a lovely time with the Red River Valley Quilt Guild members. It was a small guild that really has a lot of fun. It was great to hear them say "I just want to go home and sew now!" I really hope to inspire people to create what makes them happy. I find such joy in sewing and want to share it with others. But I have to say that after the pressure of being in front of a group, my mind didn't seem to be all with me when I got home. But I needed to unwind and so I sat at the machine and did some sewing. This little journal quilt is the result.

And in keeping it real, the piles on the counter could also help explain why I felt my thoughts were fractured.

Deal or Dud

We went to the Auto Show last weekend, something that I don't get excited about. Luxury is nice, but I'm content with reliability and economy, but it doesn't hurt to look. Dean and the girls loved it, and I could certainly be persuaded into a new car. Hadn't really been thinking about it until we went. But then the ultimate car crossed my computer screen the other day, and I WANT one! Is this not THE COOLEST Rolls Royce that you have ever seen? Okay, so it would probably fail my criteria, of reliability and economy, but what a looker!

About finds, I found myself in one of those antique stores recently that when you walk in the door you just know that you are not going to find anything, sparse and new, reproductions everywhere, but you feel obligated to look as the owner has so eagerly greeted you. I wander around a bit, at a rather quick pace, and my eyes land on this old book that is falling apart. The cover is beautiful and would be great in an art project. Look at all of that text to use, too. I can spend the $5 on this and not feel the need to negotiate.

Then as I'm heading to the front, a cross-stitch piece draped over a drying rack catches my eye. The colors are lovely, English cottage and garden, not finished, won't lay flat, filthy, $6.95, I'll take it too. It would be great cut up for some fiber ATC's once it's clean.

It did clean up fairly well, and laid flat, once dry. The book is complete and dated 1888, with some pretty incredible writings inside. So here's the question. When is it okay to go forward with the creative plans? Financially, these things were not being valued where they were. I would not have purchased them to archive them and collect them, I don't need to have more stuff! I bought them as art fodder, supplies. But there is a really big feeling of guilt in destroying someone else's work to create my own. How do you decide if it's a deal or a dud? and how do you get over these hurdles in your own work?
Let me know your thoughts, and I'll let you know what happens.

Happy April Fool's Day

I hope that spring is being enjoyed by all. We are enjoying the weather and Savannah has been having fun with her Easter candy.

That is a favorite of mine, the humor, not the chocolate. Many years ago, I was taking every baking class that I could find in the area, and happened to take a fantastic chocolate truffle class from Mary of Puddin Hill, the only thing that I wanted after that class was a loaf of French Bread! Amazingly, it really did a job at curbing the chocolate appeal, it's been probably 10 years and a "little dab il do me".

There have been loads of good reads hitting the stands and the mailbox recently. I went to buy the Studio magazine, came out with two Somerset publications, asked when they may get the Studio issue in, and they already had it, it was hiding. And I only bought the other two to satisfy the inspiration craving until I could get my hands on the one that I really wanted! Oh well, lots to read and be inspired by now! I also got the new issue of Art & Life from Teesha last week. OH OH OH! No, it's not Christmas backwards, but just as exciting! The ArtFiberFest brochure is up and ready for this fall and the classes look amazing. I am SO there!

Here are the prayer flags that I received from the swap that I mailed off last month. I am so happy with them and have them hanging in the corner of my laundry room. See the giant clothespins in the windowsill? I just love those things too!

Here is a closer look. I could not figure a way to display them without there being some overlap, and still have some drape to the stringer of flags, but I'm okay with that. They are so creative and all carry a great message, and I feel so blessed to be among such a creative group of women.

well, NO foolin', hope that you have a wonderful day!

Friendship blocks

I haven't gotten around to getting anymore sewing done, but I wanted to share these wonderful blocks with you that I am working with. Way back in 1998, I was in my first sewing group, we were called "The Batty Bunch", and they wanted to do a friendship quilt. The idea was that we would each pick out a pattern, and each member would sew a block, we could allow them to use their own fabric or provide it. I made a kit for each block and included the pattern to make a basket block out of Aunt Grace type fabrics. I then asked each person to "plant" their own garden. They were to make flowers or plants, in whatever method that they enjoyed working in. WOW, what an assortment, just like the Batty Bunch! But it sure got me stuck on how to put them together. So now, 10 years later, I do have them all set and it is basted and I am machine quilting it. And I am struggling, I so want to do more, looser, freer work, but it just doesn't really work with the quilt. So, I am hoping that I will be happy with it once it is done, I know that I will be happy to have it done! Photos to come of it once it's done, but here are the bits of the blocks.

Spring is here!

Every spring I think that I will get out my old chocolate molds and cast some paper pulp or plaster, and yet they only seem to get as far as the table looking cute. Of course, Savannah can't bare to think
of putting anything in them but chocolate, and she gets enough of that.

In other springiness, I have been trying to finish up some old projects that have just been sitting around, and gradually wearing on me to the point of getting them done. I am motivated by the fact that I am tired of looking at them, but I find that once I finish them, I am happy to see them once again. Probably because they no longer are nagging that they ONLY need a bit to be finished up. Here is one such project, a cover for a composition book.

//www

I am also working on a quilt that was blocks done by a friendship group IN 1998!!!! Photos of that coming soon!

Quilt Show Goodies

Last Friday, I headed down to the Dallas Quilt Show with a bus full of women from our guild and area. It is SO much fun to get to ride, be dropped off at the door and to be picked up there as well, all the while visiting with like minded people. The only stress was that I was in charge, but I have done this before, so it wasn't too bad. I had a real difficult time focusing once I got there. I am usually very methodical and organized as I attend a show and view the quilts and SHOP. But this year I was all over the place, and then again, maybe not. There where so many beautiful quilts and the booths all so tempting. But how does one convince themselves that they need MORE fabric when they have this to choose from at home?

Most of the top cabinet is fat quarters with yardage stored on the lowest shelf. The bottom cabinet is multi color fabrics - like flowers, stripes, dots, plaids, and novelties that have no dominate color. This does not include the flannels, decorator, wool, and vintage fabrics that I also love. It's a sickness, I know.
But I am proud to say that I did manage to come home with no NEW fabric, not that I didn't make every attempt to go back to the show on Sunday to get some. But here is a look at some vintage goodness that I found at the show.

The fabrics are barkcloth - love that stuff - and the fuzzy stuff is vintage chenille stems, I think used for flowers on hats. Then there are 3 small rolls of hand-dyed wool. What am I going to do with it you ask?
Pet it, love it, put the stems in a jar and look at them, and eventually, make curtains from the large piece of fabric for the dining room. Who knows what will become of the smaller pieces and the wool. Guess that I need to find me another cabinet to start filling with these other fabrics, and some wall space to put it.

Hope that you are having a great first day of spring, the sun is shining here and the day looks promising!