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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Week 53..
This is the last week and last project of the year. I will say that this little bracelet was the most fun I have had in a long time. I don't remember making them as a child although I think many did. I had so much fun I had to stop at five or I would have made one for everybody that I knew and even for some people I don't know..It was very addicting. It's called a wish bracelet. You tie it on and wear it , once the hemp wears out, it falls off and your wish comes true. How cool is that...

 Everyone have a fantastic year and I think I will have to continue my weekly projects because I learned so much. Hope everyone enjoyed them as much as I did....

Week 52...
For this week's project I used air dry clay and made mosaic hearts (something off of Pinterest). I changed what they did because I was having trouble finding the things that they used. I used candy making heart molds because I couldn't find ice cube heart trays. I used the air dry clay because I couldn't find plaster of paris but I did use cracked old pottery that my oldest and I found in a creek bed on the Eastern Shore while looking for sea glass. (Which I'm saving for another project.)
They should pop out of the tray easily but the clay takes 2-3 days to dry so you have to look at them in the mold for now.
So, I got creative and got out some stamps and stamped some of the clay and once it dries, I'm going to paint them. Keeping them for later in some unknown mixed media project. It was more than a little fun...

Week 51...
For this week's project I tried my hand at silk screening. You will notice in an earlier post I made silk screens around Thanksgiving. Well, now was the time to practice and with a newly made tote bag, what an opportunity. First I learned that I did not plan well and did a double screen but used the same color-(no picture)...Well, as you might think, a flop.. The second screen that I used was too small to get a good pull, so I got ink in other places. What did I learn? Make your screen big enough so you have plenty of room to pull the ink over the designs and always be prepared with different inks. This is going to be an addiction, I can tell. Oh the possibilities...
Week 50...
Okay, the year is about to end and so am I. For this week's project I finished a tote bag. I used muslin because I just wanted a pattern. Normally I would use canvas. I fashioned it after all those tote bags I get at the quilt shows (before the really good ones.) I used webbing for the handles and would normally dye it what  ever color suited my fancy. Turned out really well and I did learn lots. Will be able to make a million for whatever event that I will need them for. SWEET...and pretty cheap.

Week 49..
For this week's project I made a bracelet. I'm not a jewelry maker but I love those elastic type that fit anyone and since I have been hoarding some beads....Why not. I found some cute red coral beads and some copper beads and away I went. I watched a tutorial on Youtube how to tie the elastic cording and used as drop of glue and viola....I love it. In the picture I haven't cut the cording because I was waiting for the glue to dry. I think I'll wear it for New Year's....At work.....

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Week 48..
I also got this week's project off of pinterest but there didn't seem to be any instructions, so again I just winged it. I did actually like these keychains and had to make a few. If you don't see your initials, I'm sure it's just an oversight and you will be getting them in the mail soon. (I also have a bridge if you are interested ).
I would change a few things in the construction but that will be another time and place. Hope you enjoy....
Week 47..
 If you think that the weeks on these projects are going fast...You are right.
This week's project is a luggage tag that I got the directions for off of Pinterest.

I quit the directions half way through and just winged it because frankly, I didn't like the directions...I'm not that pleased with the luggage tag either but here it is. I spiced it up with some heat set crystals but they don't show that well in the picture.I will be using crystals and polka dot fabric again because that is what I loved about the finished project.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Week 46.
Well, I'm trying to finish this year's weekly projects. Hard to catch up but I'm making a promise to myself that next year, I won't be so behind. Ha....
This week's project is a present for a friend of mine's daughter.A ticky tacky doll. Sends shivers down my spine. I don't care much for making dolls but....She did ask and here it is in all it's glory.
Hope she likes it...It was a lot of work for such a small doll..Won't be doing another one any time soon.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Week 45.
With Christmas just a hop, skip and a jump away...We had a party at work and had an ugly sweater contest so I had to step up to the plate and be a little creative. I found a sweater that I had ( I can't believe I admitted that) and embellished it. I was jingling all the way. Even made a headband to match. Some thought it was cute and not ugly enough, but to each their own. It won 2nd place. Next year, I told them to watch out....

Week 44.
With the close of this year coming up fast, I thought I had better catch up and blog about the projects that I have finished and finish the projects that I have yet to have started.
With that said, this weeks project was playing around with making silk screens. I had bought a silk screen machine from Micheal's a while back and when my oldest was here from Los Angelos, we played. She helped me with the graphics and I then made the screens. I didn't do so well with the machine I had bought, but I had a great time with the smaller kit I had bought at a quilt show several years ago. (and had never opened.) It is called PhotoEZ by Circuit Bridge and it was awesome.It was easy and fun and actually worked. Here are the screens I made. I had to buy more film cause I have lots of ideas....



Monday, November 19, 2012

Week 43...
Hard at work, I've been.  This week's project is from a class with Lyric Kinard. This woman is amazing.She is high energy and a goddess in the mixed media world, quilting world and the world we all live in. I had to buy her DVD " Bead it like you mean it" because I learned so much in her Surface Design Sampler Platter class that I wanted to learn more of her beading techniques. Awesome is the only word that can describe....
I learned foiling, screen printing, how to make stamps out of erasers, photocopy transfers, how to make stencils and am working on a sketchbook cover with most of these techniques. Here is the cover (not actually finished and on the sketchbook yet, but you get the idea.
Now all I want is a thermofax machine. Ok, maybe not all I want but I'd like to have one. The eye is from a picture of her son's eye and she made a thermofax screen of it. I did foiling above the eyes like brows and then did beading above the right eyes and then played with caging a cabochon on the lower right. I will finish this project for sure. To check out Lyric's work go to www.LyricKinard.com. Lots to see...
Week 42....
For this weeks project I've been doing some beading. I finally learned how to cage a cabochon. Now, many that know me know that I have been collecting beer caps for various reasons. One, I can't see to throw much away, no I'm not a hoarder (?) but I keep talking about my beer quilt. Well, It's in the process now...
Here is an example of the beading that I am practicing, and what better way than to use beer caps as cabochons. Smart cookie huh? I need more practice but I've got a load of caps so I'm set.
Week 41...
This week's profect is a quilted sketchbook that I made in a class with Naomi Adams while in Houston. I was skeptical about taking this class because, well I have my reasons. One was that this girl was so young I could have given birth to her. Wow, I did have fun and created a great belated birthday presents for one of my BFFs
The outside of the sketchbook.

The inside where I sewed the papers in the book so it would be a
working sketchbook.
The back of the book.




Naomi has a website- naomisadams.com so you  can checkout her stuff there.Quite the go getter, she is. Many people in class free motion quilted their sketchbook, but since I do all my freemotion on a longarm I put the new Brother sewing machine through it's paces using the computerized stitches. It sewed like a dream and I almost bought one and brought it home.

Saturday, November 17, 2012


Week 40....
This week's project I created from a class by Heather Thomas while I was in Houston.
It was a monoprinting class using a Gelli plate. I already own one and had never used it so I thought, why the heck not. I made some amazing fabric pieces and had a great time. I have a picture of the Gelli plate with the fabric and then some of my individual pieces that I liked the best.
I worked in the same color scheme and used fabric paints, stencils and anything else I could get my hands on. I used bubblewrap, combs, coffee cup lids, washers, all kinds of found items. It was a blast.
See the jellyfish?

This was bubble wrap.

Bee stencils.

A comb in a circle.

A comb for effects and washers.
Here are my fabric samples.

Week 38....
Ok, again I'm playing catch up but in my defense I have been truly very busy.I went to two quilts shows, was sick and have worked 2 jobs. I'm tired all over just thinking about it.
For this weeks project I did another job for a friend. With all the glitter I wonder why I can't say NO....
They are sashes for the seniors at a local high school. I used glitter tulle ribbon, black batik and steam a seam  2 lite and viola..... I cleaned glitter up for a week and am still finding it in the oddest places.

Week 39...

I took a trip to Santa Clara to see my three quilts up on the walls. That's a first for me, so I wanted to be there. On the second photo, to the left of me is a quilt by Mary Pal. Her work is awesome and you should check her quilts out online.
As for my project for the week....
I took a class with Judy Coates Perez while I was in Houston working with Tsukineko Inks. I am working on one of her designs learning how to paint with inks using aloe vera gel. It's not finished yet but I learned lots.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

So I am trying to catch up with this weekly challenge thing.
Week 37
This week I had a friend ask if I could alter a ballgown. Yuck, If there is something I hate more than alterations I can't think of it, but....she had to breath in this dress so I said yes.I opened up the seam on the other side of the dress from the zipper, added a panel on both the outside and inside lining then she wanted strips to keep the thing up so I made them out of organza.
It turned out better than the pictures and better than her idea, that nonsewer that she is.

I am flying to Oakland then driving to the quilt show in Santa Clara for the day on Friday. I have 3 quilts in this show so it's a first and I'm excited. I still have to quilt my 2nd in the series "Living the good life" but haven't had the chance and this month is crazy busy.
My daughter has a show in LA tomorrow, so after work, we are driving up to check that out and offer up support. If you are in the area, it call RAW provocations I believe.
Until next time....Keep on quilting.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Okay so I am so far behind in my projects I just want to lay in the floor and quit...But, then my daughter would win the challenge of a weekly project and I just can't let that happen so....
Week 36
On a personal note, I'm going through that period where my hair is driving me crazy. Every women knows that feeling and can relate. This week's project are headbands because I am going to grow my hair out...at least for today.
I got the pattern off ...where else...pinterest.
Double sided Fabric Headbands from happytogethercreates.com
They are very comfortable and I made a few today so I could wear them to work.

Even though I haven't been blogging, I have been creating. I finished another quilt top in my series "Living the good Life". It turned out well. I'd say the best quilt yet. Everyone that has seen it says it gives them chills. I mean that in a good way. I just have to quilt it now. We will see how long that takes.
My first quilt in that series is going to be in the Pacific International Quilt Show in Santa Clara along with "Dandelion Wishes". As soon as I see if it wins a ribbon or not I will post a picture of it on this website. I feel that once it has been through one competition it's okay to put it up on my own website. My quilt "Moody Blues" will also be in Santa Clara on it's tour with the SAQA's "I'm not Crazy" exhibit. I hope lots of you will be able to go to the show. Since it's the first time I've ever had 3 quilts in one show, I am going to fly there for the day and have my picture taken with my quilts. I think it will be a good show.
I am not trying to decide what picture I'm going to use for my third quilt in the same series. I have a few in mind. I am also working on 2 other quilts that mean a lot to me. I sometimes get stuck in the process of how to get the image from my brain to the quilt but I'm working on that.
As for my art class, I am progressing slowly. I am taking "Head Drawing" this semester at the college level. I have met some interesting people and I am learning, slowly. Hope it helps with my quilting.
Well, all I can say is I will seriously try to keep up with my blog. I keep saying it, but life has a way of overwhelming me. Until next time....It's all about the quilts so quilt on.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Week 34..
Well, the 1st of "Living the good Life" Series is complete. I know that the girls at work like it but all my blog followers only get to see the label until I get it into a show. The photo was provided by Lena Servin, a nurse that I work with at "The Ranch". She was the inspiration and has now inspired a lot of others to get me pictures along the same line for my next in the series. I love it.. I learned a lot from this quilt. I need to change my fusable that I use, so I ordered some Misty fuse since it is lighter and not so thick. I have learned that I will use a design wall ALWAYS and that blocking a quilt is a MUST. Many design challenges but the next quilt will be even more awesome...

Week 35..
This is a Mariner's compass, or rather 1/4 of the block and then I have my "Magic Mirror" behind it so I can see what the block will look like finished..Sort of.. The lights and darkers are not as they should be but it gives me an idea of the final results without putting too much effort into it. I am currently working on a traditional quilt, I use that term loosely, and wanted to do a mariner's compass in the center. I know what colors I want to use and will work on EQ7 to better plot my course. I'm real excited about this quilt. I love art quilts but I also love paper piecing so I guess I'm both traditional and comtempory. Who would have thought.
I've booked my flight and classes for Houston and have volunteered for both taking down the quilts after the show with IQA and am going to the website to volunteer to work the booth for SAQA. If you are not aware of this organization, check it out. It's pretty darn awesome. I've gone to a few meetings in my area and met the most wonderful people. Of course they are wonderful, they are quilters and VERY talented. Jamie Fingal, Kathy Nida, Sandra Hankin, Mary Tabar, Jane Lafazio and Kathleen McCabe to name a few. There is so much talent in these groups that it is mindboggling, find a chapter near you and go to a meeting. They are very motivational and talented and you will be surprised what rubs off on to you.
I've deceided that when I grow up, I want to be a quilter...No wait, I want to be one now, if only I could find someone to support me totally and all I had to do was quilt. Oh, sorry, I was dreaming. What a dream...
So until next time, keep on keeping on and keep on quilting. (I'm almost keeping up with my project a week.)

Monday, August 27, 2012

Okay, so I am running far behind but have been working on a big quilt. I know it sounds like an excuse but I do believe this quilt is one of the best so far that I have done. All I have left to do is finish the binding, make a sleeve and label and attach them, then comes the part to try to find a show or competition that it can go into.
So, I do have weeks 31, 32 and 33 projects done, I just haven't stopped long enough to blog. I have about 45 minutes before my art class starts so I am getting it done.... Oh, didn't I tell you that I have started another college art class? No? Shame on me. This semester I am taking "Head Drawing". It's all about drawing faces. I think it's going to be a good class and my quilts will only improve with the knowledge that I am gaining. I hope so anyway.
Week 31 is a small bag that I made off of an idea I saw on Pinterest. The instructions were in another language so I just faked it in English. I then embellished the front and back with crystals. Cute but I don't love it..
Week 32 is a bag that I bought in Houston a couple years back and thought I would add the crystals but never got around to it, so I finally did it. The crystals seems to be too large for the spaces so if I didn't want them to fall off they would and if I wanted them to fall off they wouldn't. The overall effect was pretty but next time I would use smaller crystals. What a pain.
Week 33 is a prototype bag that I made out of fabric that I had. I have several family members that were in Kawaii with me and saw a bag they liked, we bought the fabric there and now I have several bags to make. I'm going to use nuts as the bag enclosures. They will be cute and I'll post them when I get done. Very Hawaiian.(not this one)


So I am still behind a week but as soon as I finish the big quilt I will be caught up, for now. We will see how long that will last. I'm looking forward to Houston in October. I'm waiting to hear how my "Dandelion Wishes" did at the American Quilter's Society show in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The show closed on 8/25 so I should be getting my quilt back soon. I had it appraised while it was there and will be getting a cd with all the quilts on it. Exciting. I'm sure it didn't win anything but it's just one more step on my way to being a world famous quilter, and isn't that what it's all about? Well, for some of us it is and as long as it stays fun to do and challenges you, keep on keeping on....And keep on quilting. Until next time, and I promise to try to do better with keeping up on my weekly projects and blogging.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Week 30. Thank goodness that week is over. Not only was the life at "work" a major headache but this project of the week was right up there too.
A friend stopped over and asked for a small favor. I have learned that when exhusbands say "can I ask you a question?", I must say no, roll up the window and drive away, quickly. When friends ask for a favor, I don't run fast enough, hence this week's project. This friend, rarely asks for anything, so I was intrigued.
She asked for several little pillow cases. Easy enough. When she pulled out the fabric, that's when I wanted to run. If you have worked on slippery polyester before, you can understand why. As nonsewers, people don't realize what a pain this is to sew up, much less add a zipper too. Being the person I am, I sucked it up and finished them in one day, so I wouldn't have to look at them anymore. They turned out cute, but not my favorite thing to do. I'm still working on my series quilt. I think I mentioned that I'm going to be working on a series of quilts because my oldest told me it would show a "cohesive body of work". I'm not sure why I care but I guess this will show me as a serious artist. HAHAHAHA. Sorry, I found that extremely funny for some reason. Well, maybe next week I can show something fun off. We shall see. Keep on working on those projects.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Weeks 27, 28 and 29. Well I will have to say that I've been busy and have finally caught up. Yippee.
This week I have learned a lot especially about mixed media. I figure that if something will work on paper, it should also work on fabric. Not always true, but you do get some interesting effects.For example: project week 27- watercolor crayons.



                                                                                                                                                                                                 












I learned that you really need to spray them with lots of water so that the colors will run, especially on fabric (I used canvas). They are messy and the effect on paper was lovely...Not so much on canvas, I think.


Week 28 project- A paper pieced block I made from a pattern from quilterscache.com. The block is called Night and Day. I really like the block and think it could work as a background for applique if I used muted colors. If you have never been to this website, it is amazing. So much to chose from and such great ideas, and it is free.

Week 29 project is a gessoed alcohol ink technique that I pinned off of pinterest. The tutorial was by Shelly Hickox. Once again, I thought why not fabric. I learned a lot and even have ideas on improvements with the fabric. Here is the picture of the results, I used canvas fabric and next time will try a muslin that I have backed with heavy fusible so that the embossing would show up better. I will  use a different color of embossing powder so it would also show up better. I was pleased with the results and learned to play with the alcohol inks, and the cuttlebug with the embossing plates. Pretty sweet.

 
Well, now I have caught up and have to think of a project for this week. I'm working on a big quilt and it's coming along fine, have 2 layers done of a partial piece. (I have a long way to go).
Until next week, keep on quilting and always stretch your limts.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Okay, so I'm late and behind, this will be week 26 project although it should be week 29...so I had best get my rear in gear and start to catch up. I took a two week much needed vacation and although I thought about art and quilting a lot, I didn't produce anything. I did manage to attend a quilt show in Hawaii since it wasn't far from where I was vacationing.
For this week's project, I made an adorable Circle Zip Earbud Pouch from a tutorial by Erin Erickson I pinned from pinterest. It really was easy and went together as it was supposed to.
I'm working on another quilt, having finished the pattern today. It is going to be the first of a series because my first born tells me that I have to do a series to show I have a cohesive body of work. I'm excited about it and hope it turns out okay.
I shipped my first quilt off for the exhibit "I'm not crazy" that is titled "Moody Blues". It is about depression.  It will travel for a year or so. I know that I showed my label before but here is the quilt.
At the end of the month I send my quilt "Bedazzled" to be in the exhibit "In the American Tradition" that starts in Houston in October. Here is the picture of that. This will also be traveling for a year or so. A detail picture of it is also in the catalog for Houston I think it is on page 5.
So I have been busy, just not productive, if that makes sense. I'll work on it. Until then....Keep on quilting.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Time flies when you are having fun. Ain't that the truth. It also flies when you are doing something you love or with people that make you smile. Time drags when you are doing the things you dislike. Everyone know these things, so as usual, time flew by this week and I'm still trying to catch up. I spent the weekend in LA, celebrating my oldest daughter's birthday. How did she become 25? I must have given birth to her at the age of 2, I'm sure of it... I flew to the "other coast" and dropped off the youngest for an extended visit with family and flew back within 48 hours. "TIME FLIES".

This week's project was an exercise in organization. I bought a bin system from IKEA and put it together (with help, I must add) and then organized all my quilting threads. This will increase my productivity because now I will be able to find exactly the thread I need in a timely manner. Working on becoming a world famous quilter is hard work.

I also used a great tip off pinerest regarding fixing a zipper. It worked like a charm. It was from diyfashion.about.com. It only took a few minutes and I didn't have to replace the whole zipper...Yippee.



I got my entry accepted into SAQA's exhibit "I'm Not Crazy" and got my quilt Dandelion Wishes accepted as a semifinalist in the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids, Michigan in August. Wish me luck.

So here are pictures of my new thread cabinet before and after. Hope everyone has a great week and keep on quilting.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Week 24, over and done. Summer is almost upon us and life's about to get way more busier. This week I almost finished a child's quilt for a friend at work. Her daughter loves giraffes, I found a yard of material in my stash, so I mixed and matched and turned that yard and some leftover material into a quilt. Didn't seem to make a dent in my stash though.





 I also gave dear Daughter number one her birthday present so here is a picture of the gnome wallhanging I made her. Getting ready to get on a flight to the "other coast" so until next time, keep on quilting.