Painting....

I've done my first fabric painting and OMGosh I sure can see that this could get addictive.

I just used craft paint and fabric medium (because that's what I had easy access to) but after I've seen, and felt the results I will definitely order the good stuff to do any more.


Here's just a few pics of the finished cloth. They look better after they've been ironed.


Cool huh?






Now I'm working on my 'Still Life' and I'm trying to use these fabrics.
And for now I'll just say....
ummmm.....
It may be awhile.

Colors, colors everywhere

Between my color theory class and Evelins quilt and my yard...the colors are just striking.

I've been working on the strip sets for Evelin's bargello so I thought I'd share just one set.

OMGosh aren't they just YUMMY?

And here's closeups of the fabrics.

One more set to go and then I can start cutting them into strips to begin putting the quarter sections together to let the design begin to grow. OOOO I'm lovin' this one.!!

Yesterday Don came in & yelled for me to "Come outside quick".

So I did!!

Without my camera Duh!!

Here is a side shot of the flutterby that he had seen. Another black swallowtail.

See....I'm not the only one who is impressed with it. He hadn't seen one either.

Like a good husband, Don went back in & grabbed my camera and while he was gone....the butterfly landed on a flower right smack dab in front of my and spread his wings and stayed there . Like he was posing just for me in all his glory. OMGosh he is beautiful!!

Well it was *just for me* because by the time Don got back outside.... away he fluttered and just wouldn't come close enough again to get a really good pic. This will have to do.

This one was also out there in the same area so I got a quick shot. This is a Common Wood Nymph.

It's pretty good sized. About 2-3 inches.

A rose is a Rose, is a rose

I have so been enjoying this class I'm taking. This is the first time I've ever done something like this so it's a whole new experience for me. And I'm having so much FUN!! And OMGosh learning a lot. Yesterday I played around with my crayons some more and tried my hand at a couple more roses.

Here is the first one I did the other day. Yeah I'm pleased with it. I was pleased that I did well getting the shadows and the contour of the petals by using the colors on the wheel. (Teacher said so) heehee The most important thing I learned I think is that a shadow isn't just grey or black....but it's the compliment to the main color.

I know I've always instinctively known what looks good to my eye but until I took this class I just didn't have a solid understanding of the color wheel and why it works. That wheel has always just been an inanimate object to me and (without any art training) my drawings or paintings would just come from somewhere inside and turn out like I wanted them to or not. If they worked then that was good....but if they didn't...I didn't know how to use the color wheel to make them come alive and be what I could see in my minds eye. I think I have a much better understanding now.

Well....at least I'm starting to understand more.

Here's a couple more roses I made yesterday. I have an idea of what I want to do with them now.... just have to work on the details.

Coloring....

I've had so much fun playing with my new Crayons.

This is my first project.

A color wheel. First I marked off some squares on my fabric and started coloring them. Then used my iron to set the wax ...then cut out my shapes and fused them in place. I dug through my thread drawer till I pulled out all the corresponding colors and used the thread to accent the hearts and connect the primary colors and the secondary colors. I'm happy with the way it turned out. It's simple.

Drat's....I've got a spot of dark stuff on my yellow-orange and it won't come off....so I'll just have to learn to live with it and all it's flaws. :)

Now...moving on to the next part of the lesson..... I'm going to color a flower on cloth.

Hope you had a colorful day today.

I got crayons...

I'm doing something new. I've just joined an online class on MQResource. The class will be on Color and Design for Art Quilters. The first thing we needed to do was to get the supplies we would need. Since it has been years since I've purchased any crayons I needed to make a trip to our local Alco. I settled for the box of 96 with the sharpener since that's the largest box they had. I wonder what colors I'm missing by not being able to get the humongous box of 120 that some of the other gals are talking about? hummmm???
I'm sure I'll have just the right amount to choose from after all.
We will also be using paints so I needed to fill in just a couple colors.
This is the result of my shopping trip.

Well....ok....I take that back. The markers and the colored pencils are NOT on the list of supplies for the class...but they've been on my Want list for awhile now. I've read that I can use the washable markers when I need to mark my quilt designs. I'll give it a try.

I remember when I was a kid and each year I bought a brand spanking' new box of crayons. I used them constantly back then because they were the only art medium available for kids at that time. We didn't have markers or gel pens so our Crayola crayons were precious. I did a LOT of coloring!!
During the year I would tear that paper down bit by bit (very neatly around) till I used them right down to the stubbies. When it came time to get new ones I always wanted to buy the largest box I could get because only the big box of 48 had that one *Special* crayon.
My very favorite!!
Oh my goodness how my heart would sing when I'd open that box and look at all of them and then find *the one*. That most perfect crayon with its sharp point and all the paper neatly wrapped around it without a tear in sight. Aaahhhh!!!!
Isn't it just beautiful?
It could make any piece of paper just shine!!!

Happy heart today.... for many reasons. ....

Criminy it's HOT!

My little Weather Bug temperature thingy at the bottom of my screen is glowing red again today. 100 degrees!!
Sheesh!! And the forecast looks to be more of the same in the next few days. Looks like I'll be staying inside for sure.

As I was standing at my kitchen sink today I looked out my window and saw.... A black swallowtail butterfly!! We have the big yellow tigers every year but this is the first black one I've seen in my yard. He was sitting on one of my hosta blooms right by the gate. So I grabbed my camera and quietly slipped out the door making sure it didn't slam shut and scare it away.

Whew! I did it.

Down the steps and tippy-toed to the fence and tried to slither through the open gate. (Now truthfully.... it's just a bit difficult to get this body of mine to slither) hahaha But I thought...what the heck.... worth a try.

Poof! There he went. Away.

Oh wait....he's coming back. (Me standing very still acting like I'm not even there). What do they say...."Don't look them in the eyes". I didn't!!

Oh wait....I think that's about dogs.

Well I couldn't fool him. Away he went up in the tree.

So I decided to walk through the garden and .....

OMGosh there is another one!

This time I was able to get closer and I sneakily smashed myself into the big bush. All the while I was trying so hard to get close enough for a picture and he was fluttering around and around.... and .... these little flying bugs were everywhere and I didn't really appreciate them getting tangled in my hair.

But you know I'd do anything for a good picture. :)

I finally settled on using my zoom.

I did get some not very good pictures from not very close.

Now look closely at the Butterfly. At his wing closest to you.

The poor thing only has half a wing. No wonder he was fluttering so much. Both of his eyespots are missing. I'd venture to guess a bird almost got the better of him.

I wish him luck.

Finally finished....

Gina's quilt top is now finished and it is on hold till I get the backing. My Goodness that took me forever it seems. But I really have to admit that I didn't stay with it for hours and hours at a time.
I think it turned out nice and I have just enough dark fabric to cut the binding.
I was going to order some more of the dark to use for the backing. That's NOT happening!! Can't find any. I've been to just about every online shop and have also googled for it.....no luck.
So on to plan B. I'll take it with me to Holdrege next month when I go to my Dr. appointment and I'll stop in at Quilters Delight (my favorite LQS).
I'll be able to find something there that will be just the perfect backing. (I hope)

Sunny Sunday....

The sun is shining and the temp is cool. At least cooler than it has been. Only about 80 degrees so far and it's wonderful. I'm sure it will get much warmer by the days end....but I'll enjoy simple pleasures as I find them.

I've been working on some needleturn...just for a change of pace. It had been quite awhile since I'd actually gotten out my blocks to work on them.

This is the one I just finished (number 15). These are blocks a dear friend designed with the help of EQ5 and posted a BOM on a forum we both used to belong to a few years ago. I've saved the patterns and have been slowly slowly plodding along. I am now on my last block and should have it finished this week and then I'll move on to the task of making a decision about the sashing. I really want this to be special and I don't think just a plain sashing will do it. I think I'll play in EQ6 for awhile and see if I can come up with the *just right* sashing.

Any ideas or suggestions you might have would be appreciated if you'd like to leave a comment.

Here's a link to my finished blocks in Webshots . The colors on a lot of them are NOT true. The pics were taken before I learned how to set my camera. :(

I've also been working on Gina's drunkards path. I've started setting the rows together. Just a sneak peek at them then I'll wait till it is complete before posting more. It may be awhile since I don't have the backing yet and will have to order it.
Another decision to be made!
Black or Gold back? Decisions Decisions!!

I'm off now to grab a bite for lunch so I can play with EQ without my tummy growling.

Have a Sunny Sunday .....

Jon & Kate plus 8.....

I can't believe I stayed up till midnight last night watching that TV show!!! (Especially after the night before I had such a terrible time getting to sleep).

My DD & DGD got me started on this show and now I'm hooked. Love it!! It is such a simple reality show about a young mom & dad with a set of twins and a set of sextuplets.

Count them .... they = EIGHT!!

The show describes them as "two 6 year olds and 6 two year olds".

OMGosh... I can't even imagine! The parents are saints!!

Anyway....last night I was remote hopping and ran across this show and there was a 2 hour block of shows starting at 10:00pm. I couldn't help myself.....

As a result tho....I feel a bit like a slug this morning.

Here's some beauty for your day

I've been having a bit of fun this morning by adding a few little decorations to my blog.

Isn't kitty just the cutest thing? Try clicking on the tab that says "more" and pick up the ball on a stick. You can play as long as you want.

Do you ever have those nights that just don't end? Last night I tossed and turned and changed positions and got out of bed and went back to bed and tossed around and switched sides and got out of bed and finally took a Tylenol PM.

I don't know what time it kicked in but I woke this morning after 8:00am and feel like I've been hit by a truck.

I'm pretty sure there will be a nap in my daily plan today.

I did sew a bit yesterday and was determined to stick it out till I got thru the second pile of 144 patches for Gina's quilt. Now I am going to start setting the 3 1/2 inch squares together to form a 4 patch block. Woo Hoo!! I did it! There for awhile I started to wonder. heehee

Our summer heat has finally settled in and at this time of year I don't go outside much. I can't take the hundred degree weather so any patio coffee is put on hold till a cooler day. I did take a walk thru the yard and have some summer blooms to start showing you.

Here's one to brighten your day.

Wear sunglasses!!

I hope everyone had a Happy 4th. Life here was pretty quiet since we had no plans or fireworks to shoot off. Well.... not really quiet - quiet.... it certainly was not that! In fact it was still booming in the neighborhood until at least midnight. There were displays being shot off at the ballpark and down the street and of course across the street. I didn't mind them tho.... until around 11:30. By then I was thinking seriously of bed and I'd had enough of the cracker noise. It wasn't too much longer tho till the people down the street shut down and all was good in the neighborhood again. :)

I did a bit more sewing on Gina's quilt yesterday.

144 three inch blocks joined to make 36 - six inch blocks. While I was pressing I found one block that I hadn't matched the center seams very well and for a bit I contemplated leaving it.

But.... when I saw the second one.... that was all it took. I had to re-do! I feel better now!

Now to start on the opposite color blocks. I'm really liking this fabric. I must say tho.... I'm sure glad I'm not making a King size quilt!! I find this very boring to have to sew this many little patches together. :(

I know!! I know!!!

I've said that before!!

And it's still true!!

But .... I'm going to get back today and plod along.

It won't get done if I don't do it!!

Here's a little pretty for your day. Enjoy!

Back to everyday life....

Ok I'm sad now. :(

Well .... I AM happy for the last couple of weeks and the great memories .... but.... sad that the time went by soooo fast and now it will be weeks until I see some of them again. I hate living so far apart!!! It will probably be Christmas before I can be with the babies again.

And gosh darnit....they grow so fast.

And they all live so far away.

It was wonderful having DD here for a whole week. We spent a lot of time just relaxing and being quiet. Which is what her trip was all about after all. Took her camping ... ate at her favorite restaurant ... drove around to check out the town and surrounding area just in case something had magically appeared (nope...everything is still the same). We took life pretty easy and just enjoyed each other.

For the weekend we then all drove to see the babies. (My Great-grands) Spent a couple of days with them and enjoyed every minute. They all went swimming in the motel pool while Grandpa & I sat on the side and watched and I took pictures (which didn't turn out very well because it was too dark in there and my camera wasn't set right) I really should learn to adjust that thing for better pictures inside a big room.

The trip was so much fun being with them but much to short!!

I'm now back home and am starting to get back in the swing of my quiet life. I have been doing some sewing on Gina's quilt. Slowly but surely! I told myself that I had to get farther along on this quilt before I start this next one.

( pattern and fabric for Evelin's quilt ). I've always wanted to make a bargello and when I saw this one on the wall of the LQS I knew it was the one. We probably spent about an hour just picking out the fabrics. They are perfect for Evelin!!