Apricot Moons

A small, 8" x 10" journal page, made from a "gelli" plate mono print. In pale yellow/gold under printing, and masked with 3 round circles, and printed with a coral/peach acrylic paint. Raw edge applique with 2 branches in rust batik, and green leaves. Embellished with 2 folded flower buds and two 4-bud petaled flowers. Beaded in the center of the flowers and around the largest moon. A thread painted dragonfly is in the top left corner, with loose wings.

Drawstring Bags Finished!

I finished one of my projects, I had three draw string bags, almost done, I had to finish stitching one of them, and knot, fray check and thread the cording through the casing on all of them. I had found less expensive cording at Wal-Mart, it was very expensive at Joann's. One of the ladies in our group suggested using the colorful shoe laces the kids are wearing now-a-days, they looked great on her bags. I'm glad they are done, ready made gifts for when the moment arrives.

One of the fabrics is two inch strips of orangey batiks, the second is 4" strips of bright tree frogs, and the third is Mary Englebrite fabrics.

My Annual New Years Resolution

I have had the same resolution for the last several years, but it seams to work for me so why stop now. To start a project is easy, to finish it is the chore. I seam to loose interest when it gets tedious, but the details adds so much to a project. So I have my share of UFO's (unfinished objects in the quilt world) More than my share actually. So my resolution has been to finish a bunch of projects, to finish at least two before I start something new, and then I have to finish the new one too. In years past I have been able to get about 6 projects finished before I get distracted and go off on a tangent, but that is better than not finishing them at all. Sometimes it just means getting a top finished, and not quilted, but any progress on a project is not wasted time. Sometimes projects just need binding and a label, and sometimes I have to realize this one is no good or will NEVER get finished and I have to accept that too. Letting go is sometimes the best feeling, and not to feel guilty about the effort and fabric you have already put into it. I also try to do some of the ones that are closest to being done. But I am easily distracted, especially now I am doing art quilts, the ideas buzz around so much, it is hard to focus on one project. Having a challenge in our textile arts group "Fyber Cafe" has helped to focus me, and deadlines help too. But I like to just PLAY with new techniques and colors, and the next new idea. I have lots of patience when I want to concentrate and meet a deadline, or times when I know if I stop in the middle of something I will never go back to it, so I better stick with it NOW. I have finished some BIG projects over the years, hand applique masterpieces, pieced quilt with thousands of pieces, from king size to over beaded wall hangings, but now I know to try smaller things, easier to finish projects, and stuff that doesn't need much hand work. I love hand work, applique and beading, silk ribbon embroidery, but arthritis is killing my hands, so sadly I do more machine work now. So... time to go thru the closet and see what I can find, make a list, and cross stuff off as I finish it, that is such a GOOD feeling! Happy New Year! AMY

Life Line

I got this idea from the book "The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting" by Susan Stein. It is an accordion folded booklet with a continuous line of stitching making the pattern. I did some quick sketches on paper then divided my fabric into six 6" sections by 5" tall, I used black thread and free motion stitched my design over a disappearing ink. I used a heavy stiff iron on stabilizer behind the muslin. It was quick and fun, then I added watercolor pencils to roughly add color, and went over them with a wet Q-tip, extra color in the sky and grass added more color.

Then one day I decided to paint the backing fabric, just to have fun and add color and texture. I used several base colors, just swished the paint on with a foam brush, then printed several large flower stamps and a bird on a branch. Texturizing the rest of the fabric with sequin waste stencil, rubber grid prints, and large plastic grid added lots of detail and filled in the background. I used some silver metallic acrylic paint last to give it a little shimmer.

To finish it off, I folded the front and back together, with no batting, and stitched the page brakes top to bottom. Then I satin stitched with variegated rayon thread around the entire edge, and finished it with a button clasp and a scrunchi loop. It was a fun quick project and I really like the playful way the stitching looks and the colorful backing.

Happy Holidays

My holidays have been busy, altho I have done a little quilting. I have machine quilted several 8" x 10" gelli prints, in anticipation of spending time embellishing them with beads and buttons, while I wait in the hospital after my husbands surgery next week. I'll also take my sketchbook and wander around downtown Portland Oregon. I know how to get to Fabric Depot, the BIG fabric store, but I need to find an art supply store, and used book stores. I am sure there are great places to have lunch, besides the hospital cafeteria! So my two week vacation from school bus driving, will NOT be spent quilting :( I may take photos to inspire quilts tho, and sketch patterns and ideas. So I am thinking of it as a time to explore, be inspired by the big city, and get fresh ideas and perspectives, as well as spending a lot of time at my hubby's bedside. Have a great holiday everyone, and a Happy New Year!

My holiday baking efforts, and lots more kahlua truffles.

Charlie with new kitty "Poppy" in front of the Xmas tree.

Beach Scene Progress

I spent a lot of time this weekend working on the beach scene. It doesn't seam like much got accomplished, but it was a lot of work. I finished all the figures, and even got the larger ones glued in place. The entire surf area, from the foam, wet sand to the 1st white wave line, got completed, as well as the rest of the beach. I filled in all the holes in the sand, and continued it as far left as it goes, and got it all glued. That took a lot of time, the gluing is tedious and detailed, but it is all stable now. The whole paper design with the fabric pinned on top, was moved to the right, so the left side could be unfolded, and worked on. My design wall is only so wide, but it can be continued onto the back of the door. I finished the girl wading, in a hot pink patterned swimsuit, and flaming red hair. She will definitely stand out.

Next is the ocean fabric choices. I hand dyed a long piece of light blue turquoise sky, the texture I scrunched into it is not very distinct. It may not be long enough though, I may have to do some creative piecing. If you don't count the sky I am at least half way done, and the ocean doesn't have the detail, that I just worked on. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Beach Scene Figures

5 whole days to cook, bake, quilt, create and relax with a good book. That is one of the advantages to driving a school bus, you get time off, on all of the school holidays. I have been working on my beach scene, creatively fusing the smaller 5 figures and the sand castle. They have many fewer pieces then the main figures in the foreground, but still took time to do. Mostly I just sat and thought, value is very important here, and shadows, and I wanted the kids' swim clothes to be colorful, there is so much plain sand and water, I need the figures to draw the attention.

In the two boys skimming, the balance and body language is very important, and since I have not decided on the colors of the ocean and water, I needed to worry about value. The boys running with the soccer ball, are all about action, they are in the wet part of the beach and will have reflections in the water. Probably Angelina fibers as well, to show the wet sand. There will be a lot of cheesecloth texture at the surf line and shells and driftwood pieces too.

The boy at the far left, has a sister to the left of him, that part of the pattern has been folded under, as my design board is only so wide. There is also a kayaker and a dog swimming to the left. I am going to work on the surf line next and choose colors/fabrics for the ocean. This has become quiet a challenge, there are so many layers and details. My goal is to have this ready for the Seattle Show(Pacific NorthWest) in August.