Putting on the Glitz!

Don't you just love all the glitzy, sparkly threads, yarns and fabrics available these days! Over the years, I 've managed to collect a lot of different fibres. As you can see, I pulled out a few balls of yarn to make more of the felted Christmas trees that I posted about a couple months ago. I will be travelling for three months this summer, so I want to get as much done as possible during the winter months. Mohair is one of my favorites to work with as it is beautiful to needle felt.

The third photo shows a tangled mess of sparkly balls of glitter yarn. I discovered (by accident) a very simple solution to correcting this. Put each ball in a self closing plastic bag but leave the tail hanging out. Just pull on the tail when a length is needed. I'm still working on that. One thing at a time!

Your Machine!

This is a very quick post about sewing machines - probably one of your most prized possessions! Threads Magazine has an excellent article about easy sewing machine maintenance that you can do to keep your machine running smoothly. Quilt artist, Frieda Anderson, also posted about this on her site. Check it out as it never hurts to refresh your memory on these things. It might actually pay for itself in the long run! For example, do you always cover your machine? If not, now is the time to start. Check out some past posts about machine covers HERE,  and HERE.  Enjoy!

A Nice Surprise

I don't usually win things but I wrote a comment on Margaret Blank's web site a couple days ago. I was just notified that I won # 76 of Inspirations 2012. Margaret lives in Alberta, Canada. She is celebrating ten years of blogging and getting very close to her 1000 post. Please drop by her blog and have a look around.

Thanks again, Margaret, for selecting my name!

Gifts Given . . . Enjoy

Here are some of the things I made for Christmas gifts. The quilt is from a kit I purchased last summer at the Hobby Horse, Georgetown, Ontario. The panel caught my eye as each block has words about the sounds each object makes. It's part of the Little Genius series. The toy giraffe pattern was from Tilda's Studio by Tone Finnanger. Both were made for my little granddaughter in Chicago.



  This bird was featured in a Quilting Arts Magazine. It lives in Manitoba. A similar one is in Tennessee.

I made five table toppers but I forgot to photograph the one gone to Texas.



 

Brrrrrr!!

Let's just say, until last night, we really didn't have any winter weather! Now we have piles of the white stuff. In fact, Environment Canada classified the weather as blizzard conditions. By the way, it's now raining outside - go figure. Here are a few ideas to keep you from getting too bored during those long winter evenings.
Enjoy!

Winter Pines Wall Hanging
Silly Snow Quake Pattern
Snowman Block
Snowflake Embroidery Pattern
Winter Colouring Pages (great for stitching)
Snowball Freebie
Crochet Snowman (scroll down for pattern)
Wintery Red Work
Snowmen Pins
Crochet Snowmen Hats
Snowmen Pincushions

Soft Sculpture

As I was exploring the internet this morning, I discovered soft sculpture artist, Ed Bing Lee. As one who works with textiles and fibre, his work fascinated me. Lee uses coloured thread and ribbons as well as thousands of knots to create soft sculpture versions of all kinds of food. Have a look at the many pieces he has created using his knotting technique. For a close-up of the food sculpture check HERE. I also found a short video of Lee working on a knotted vessel. He says that the process is more important than the object itself. How true that is! This video shows more of his work. The links above are well worth a view.  Enjoy!

Added to my Stash . . .

I visited Piece Makers Quilt Shop yesterday. They have a new shipment of batiks. I also picked up a piece of Japanese fabric which I couldn't resist!

Here's what I added to my stash! Enjoy!

 



Ready to Work!!

The Christmas ornaments are packed away for another year and my studio is ready to use again. I spent some time last week going through cupboards in my room and sorting everything. The new shelf is installed behind my computer and I can actually see my textile related videos and sketch books. I wonder how long the desktop will stay clear of 'stuff'! The black boxes on the top shelf are from one of the local box stores. They hide the things that clutter up the space. It works for me.

Check a previous post for some organizing tips.
Enjoy!

 

 

Book Review # 4

Journey to Inspired Art Quilting by Jean Wells is another book that was added to my library. This book, like her previous ones, has beautiful coloured photos and is an easy read. Jean provides the reader with more design guidelines through the exploration of line and colour as well as new exercises to try. It is strongly encouraged that we take our cameras everywhere!

My camera goes everywhere as you never know what will spark an idea!



Check out some of these Quilt Artists:

Deb Plestid
Melody Johnson
Carol Bryer Fallert
Frieda Anderson
Bonnie McCaffery
Coreen Zerr
Barbara Olson
Laurie Swim
Renske Helmuth
Sandra Meech

Enjoy!

Happy New Year!!

It's 1C, sunny and windy outside but warm and toasty in my room! At the moment my studio resembles a space that has been neglected with things on every surface. That's what happens when I'm in clean up mode. I want a fresh, clean space but that means getting rid of 'stuff' and most of my 'stuff' is useful. Whenever I give something away or just toss it, the next week or so I find a use for it. This time, my basement will receive a few more things.

I'm looking forward to 2013. One of my goals is to spend more time with family (especially those in Chicago) and with my friends. Workwise - to experiment with new techniques and apply them to my art and to work on larger pieces.

In the meantime, check these out!

Paper Piecing Freebies
Fat Quarter Handbag Tutorial
Tiny Kitten in a Box
Free Embroidery Patterns
Fabric Tray

Enjoy!

Book Review # 3

Another excellent addition to my library is Exploring Dimensional Quilt Art by C. June Barnes (British Artist). I can't begin to describe the art she creates from quilted fabric so please check out these illustrations from her book. The 3-D art I have created over the years has been more on the functional side but June Barnes has definitely gone beyond this to design and create innovative surfaces to be transformed into 'elaborate twisted and embellished structures, vessels and hanging installations'.

The book is well presented with excellent colour photos, easy to follow line drawings and directions, on making 3-D art work. Definitely a book to explore!



Enjoy!

Book Review # 2

Art in Felt & Stitch - Creating Beautiful Works of Art using Fleece, Fibres and Threads by Moy Mackay, is another one of my Christmas gifts. This book is visually stunning! Moy Mackay (Scottish artist) illustrates how to create beautiful pictures using felt and stitches. She takes you on a journey from start to finish, including the materials and tools you need, in making felted pictorial art. You, too, will end up been inspired to make art!  One of my favorite pieces in the book shows how she makes her sheep - they are delightful!

Enjoy!

Book Review

I did a Skype session with my friend on Christmas evening and during the course of the conversation, I mentioned several new books that were added to my library. I highly recommended one to her. She grinned when I showed her the cover - it was just added to her own collection! It's remarkable, how many times this has happened to us over the years. Anyway, the book is Free-Form Embroidery by Judith Baker Montano.

I have several of Judith Baker Montano's books and this one, in my opinion, is her best! She shows  how to create beautiful landscapes and seascapes using traditional stitches along with other embellishments, to create unique works of art. The illustrations and photographs are quite colourful and well done. Even if you are into mostly free-motion machine stitching, the free-form stitches along with her water colour illustrations are very inspirational.

Definitely a book to consider.



Enjoy!
I know I will . . .

Merry Christmas - A Bit Late

This Merry Christmas is a few days late. For one thing, I'm getting over a bad head cold and just didn't have the energy to do any computing other than check e-mail. On another note, my computer was out of commission for a bit as a new one was installed. I received a Windows 8, all in one computer, for Christmas! No computer box sitting on the floor as the computer and the monitor are one. I can use the mouse or just move things around on the screen with my finger - very nice piece of technology! Of course, some things on the keyboard are in different places and I have to keep searching for them. Now I really have to keep the screen clean as every finger print (there will be lots) will show up in daylight.

However, to keep with the season, here are a few Christmassy things from my home.

Enjoy!

Last year's Grandma's 1st. Christmas

Stain Glass fish was made by my brother a few years ago. The trees are
about 30 years old.

Larry's moose is hanging on my tree!



Make It Tonight!

I just drove by the Avalon Mall, St. John's. Believe me, every space where a vehicle could be parked, was filled and there was a line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot! That was not my destination today. I walked into Chapters to get gift cards, took one look at the line for the cash and walked right back out the door. I guess you can say, my patience this afternoon, was limited. I am so glad I took the time earlier this fall to make some of my Christmas presents. I don't know about you, but I enjoy making and receiving home made gifts.

At this late date, gifts of food, are wonderful choices. Have you checked out these sites with all the fantastic recipes?

Rock Recipes (NL)
Seven Spoons
Pastry Affair 
Martha Cooks (NL)
Spoonful
Midwest Living
Martha Steward
Lick My Spoon
Better Homes and Gardens
Food and Wine
Kraft Recipes

I hope you find something to make for those last minute gifts. Stay away from the shops and make something home made! It will be much appreciated by the recipient.

Enjoy!

Making Memories

Earlier this month I posted about my father's car accident. He passed away on the 13 and was buried yesterday. We celebrated his long life instead of mourning his passing. On that note, it's important to create memories with loved ones to cherish over time. As I was reading a few recent posts, I came across Miamoonlove's Salt Dough Christmas Decorations.  I'm sure, some of you have made similar ones as children.

One of the pleasures of putting up my Christmas tree each year is recalling how I received the various ornaments. Many came from my travels and family members. However, one particular salt dough ornament (an elf, the last survivor), was made when my daughter was in primary school. I was geared up to do the Christmas themed ones but not my girl! For example, she proceeded to make a pack of Smarties (candy) and a pair of hugh red lips. For years at Christmas, whenever I saw something with red lips, I would get it for her. I still get a chuckle over it.

It's important to make those precious memories. Why not dig out some craft supplies and spend some time creating your own. They will stay with you for ever.

Enjoy!

Christmas Show & Tell

We have a great bunch of quilters in this neck of the woods! Everyone is so eager to share their work. Of course, at this time of year, the focus is on Christmas. Take a look!

Add caption

Now check these out:

Door Stop This can be made for any season with a change of fabrics and embroidery design.
Candy Table Runner
Tree Skirt
Christmas Block Tutorial
Santa Ornament - cute one
Christmas Ornaments Seasonal Sampler

Enjoy!

Nothing Personal . . . and Some Sites to Explore

A great big thank you to everyone who reads my post! When I started this blog in 2009, I made a mental note to keep my personal life private. However, on that note, I'm sure you are wondering what happened to my almost daily posts. On November 16, my 91 year old father had a car accident and has been in hospital ever since. Daily trips to the hospital, moving my mother from a senior's cottage to a level 1 - 2 care facility and getting her settled in as well as trying to have her visit my father as often as she is able, takes all my time. I'm wiped out at the end of the day. I miss posting and hope that will change soon.

In the meantime, here's a few sites to explore:

The Quilting Edge Tutorials
Chez Beeper Bebe
Christmas Tree Skirt
Christmas Table Runner
Christmas Present Quilt
Snowflake Ornament

Enjoy!

Ornament Exchange

Each year, members of the St. John's Embroidery Guild, exchange hand-made ornaments at the Christmas social. I managed to get photos of a few! Such lovely work . . .

Gift Wrapping for Christmas

Eric White, a well known interior decorator, provided some wonderful gift wrapping ideas at the St. John's Embroidery Guild social last week. He also entertained everyone with great anecdotes about some of the people he has met over the years. Needless to say, the evening was enjoyable. Here are some of the ideas he presented:

The design on this present is a window decal from the $ Shop!

This is a take-out box and bow (also from the $ Shop).

The right ribbon and craft items can change an inexpensive candy dish into a lovely gift.

There is a second vase / candle holder in the box,

An unbreakable bauble is attached to a Christmas card for an inexpensive gift.