Quilting on the Edge

Silent Woods Art Quilt Finished!

Well here it is all finished!  I added some painting to the sides of the large trees for the effect of snow.  Quilted in all the background in the pattern of pine boughs with a grey silvery thread.  The edge is bound with transparent ribbon....I thought adding a dark binding would limit the view of the forest and end it abruptly, and I wanted the feeling of an expanse to remain.  Final measurements are 14 by 26 inches or so.   

Gorgeous Yarn for Knitting Project

I couldn't resist this beautiful yarn I saw recently! I'm knitting a
20 by 60 inch shawl in garter stitch from the pattern on the yarn
label. So easy yet so beautiful to see the colors revealed as I am
knitting. The color is called Painted Forest and that is certainly
appropriate if you've ever visited that natural site out west. So I've
added this project to my doings and it's easy, mindless, yet exciting
to see the pattern emerge. Simple pleasures!



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Heron

Heron at sunset after a stormy afternoon on Anna Maria Island.


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Art Inspiration from Sunrise

I often take my coffee in the morning up to my studio space and drink it while I look at whatever design I'm doing at the moment.  Early sun is shining brightly through my window onto the design wall.  I guess I moved my hand or something and noticed it created a shadow on that wall.  So now my interest was piqued.  Called my dh to come in and here's one of the photos he took of me creating shadows.  Then I got busy with other items.....holding something in my left hand while taking a photo with camera in my right hand. Here's a few more photos I took.......I see some art inspiration for future projects, don't you?

Other Things for Which I Give Thanks

On Thanksgiving  we are always grateful for the big ones, you know like health, happiness, friends, family.  And others.  But I've been thinking that I'd like to be more thankful for some of the smaller things that I really love about life.   So, here's a partial list of what I've thought about, maybe some apply to you.

Christmas Carols........they're starting up on the radio now, and I am always amazed at the variety.  Such beautiful music, so welcome every year for a few weeks.

A hot shower in the morning.....no explanation needed.  

A pair of socks for my cold feet in bed.  I mean, it's just the ticket, isn't it?

A cooperative sewing machine when you really want to sew......tension right, threads fine, needle working, you know the drill.  And a full bobbin.

Fresh Romaine lettuce

A surprise email from someone you haven't heard from in a while

A thank you note in the mail

A handmade greeting card (thanks, Bea)

A chance to help others anonymously....like right now, filling those food baskets that most area food pantries need filled so desperately

Seeing children excited waiting in line for Santa visits

A refund check you weren't expecting

Seeing the sunrise cause you're up early enough to see the world wake up

Carrying home fresh veggies and fruits from Farmer's Markets

Two good working legs and feet to take long walks and bike rides

A  handmade quilt while taking a short afternoon nap

A good book you can't put down

A dish you're creating that comes out delicious!

Perfecting my recipe for scones

A good cup of coffee outside at a cafe table on a sunny afternoon, watching the world go by.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody.......and don't forget the pie!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloe and Rebecca

I received these two drawings and several more plus hand wriiten notes
from a kindergarten class after I donated to their teachers project
through Donors Choose.org. This is one charity in which you get
feedback from those who benefit from your donation. You can select
what project to support and even in what state. In this case I believe
I donated to a project to purchase a few iPods for the students use in
the classroom. It's always a welcome surprise to receive the kids'
feedback in the mail.



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Winter Art Quilt Part 2

So, what happened next???  I really love my little guy, I wanted to make him in better perspective. So I have another batik I love that has small printed trees.  No, not going to cut out the trees, but I used the fabric to make strips to add to the illusion of the forest.  After trial and error, I made trunks of different widths and heights to add to the depth of the piece.  I made my red jacket boy out of fabric, and positioned him so the tiny area of his face would be visible against a dark background.  Here's what I have now. I think I'm done creating it mostly, and stitching and binding will come next.  This piece makes me feel the sense of stillness and calm in a winter woods. I wrote a quick haiku to share that feeling.                   

Snowy winter woods...... Enter the stillness within....Wrap your soul in peace. 

 

 

  

Art Quilt Inspiration: Winter???

I was attracted to this background fabric while at a quilt shop recently.....it spoke of pine needles to me, and I cut a piece and put it up on the design wall a few days ago.  My mind suggested I paint primitive tree shapes on it so I did, and here it reminds me of pines in a snowy woods.  I decided that I wanted it to seem like it was snowing heavily, so I decided to add some strips here and there of the same background fabric to partially hide some of the trees.  Then, I wondered what might happen if I created a small person looking as if they were about to enter these snowy woods?  My figure here in the next photo is made of paper and just a stand in till I make one from fabric.  The piece is 15 by 26 inches or so, I like the length because I think it gives the piece a sense of size, as does the small child on the verge of entering the woods. It's not finished yet I know, and tomorrow I'll post what I did next.  Here's the photo with the child and strips.

White egret

Waiting by the post office today I spotted this stately egret
contemplating his next move. He waited for me to get close enough for
this photo. Then he promptly flew onto the beach and I think he was
going fishing. This in on Tampa Bay at the tip of Anna Maria Island.



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Little Art

My creativity has taken a leave of absence without permission I might
add. So I decided to create an art card size piece just to keep myself
with a foot in the door. I opened my few boxes of special papers and
fabrics and stuff and went with the flow. Here's what I created. And
I guess it does show my state of mind. At least i'm beginning to see
out of the rut a little.



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