Three Quilts!

I've monopolized the kitchen with my sewing stuff for an entire week, but I'm glad I did because now I've got three finished quilts. I should not be allowed to piece any more quilt tops, because I have  three others waiting to be finished, and lots more fabric.

The first quilt was Fiona's birthday quilt. This was my gift to Fiona on her 2nd birthday (she's 3 1/2 now!)  It took me quite some time to choose the "Simple Courthouse Steps" block for her quilt. The fabric used is from a fat quarter bundle by Riley Blake, called "Fiona's Fancy." You can see the three color ways in this post, Fiona's mommy picked the pinks. I chose lime green, chocolate brown,and pale yellow for the sashing and borders. The backing and binding are a hot pink print. 57 X 74 inches in size.

The second quilt was one I started in early 2012 after signing up for Jenny Doan's Quilting Quickly course on Craftsy. So it's about time I got this one done. It's made from a jelly roll - loulouthi fabric collection by anna maria horner. 48 X 71 inches in size. I underestimated how much fabric I needed for the backing, so I had to add some strips of other fabric, which you can see HERE.

The third quilt was started almost exactly one year ago, from a fund-raiser Mystery Quilt pattern called "Jack of Hearts" by Heather Spence. I made two quilt tops using this pattern, and finished one of them last night. Read more about this pattern HERE. This quilt is 63 X 63 inches, and as the actual quilting was in a simple grid pattern, it went fairly quickly. I'm very please that the quilt top was made using fabric from my stash. I did have to buy the backing, which is the same print as the binding shown here.

Crazy Weather!

It wasn't the usual drive to work this morning. Wipers were on overdrive, and the lightning was close. Very close. My 10 second sprint from my car into the hospital resulted in completely drenched scrubs (though I wore a homely raincoat to cover my upper half.)

This photo was taken this morning by Michelle Roth. I found it on facebook, and had to share it like so many others.

 

We were supposed to get high winds again this afternoon (had much wind and rain yesterday), and it's just starting to pick up now.

More than I can chew?

Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Hopefully not. I've been diligently working on the actually quilting portion of Fiona's birthday quilt the past several days. I'd considered taking it (or shipping it off) to someone so I didn't have to wrestle with it, but thought it'd be a good challenge for me.

Of course, I had to move the sewing machine downstairs and set up the card table next to the kitchen table in order to make this happen. I hope to get it done in the few days. 

 

I love my Bernina (Artista 165), but it's not technically a quilting machine. At the time I bought it, I only sewed garments and dolls. I've done a little free-motion embroidery on this machine with some success (I am the limiting factor). However, I've noticed some tension issues with this project. And some skipped stitches. To be fair, this machine is LONG OVERDUE for a tune up, so that may be the problem. I've changed needles, rethreaded, removed fiber bunnies, with some improvement. I've even (gasp!) adjusted the bobbin tension a little.

Life Book 2013 September Lessons

I finished my journal page today. The lesson was taught by Tam. I'm looking forward to doing the gel medium transfer technique again, to see what works best for me.

   

Finished this page today (9/23) though had to make do with acrylics instead of inks.

Taught by Kelly Hoernig.

 

    

Taught by Erin Faith Allen. This one features my granddaughter Fiona. Of course, when my grandson Ivan saw it, he wanted me to add him to the page. His page will come later.

     

Taught by Dawn DeVries Sokol. I miss these furry members of the family.

 

   

"What's Inside," taught by Rachelle Panagarry.

  

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

Transfer Failure :-(

I made some progress on my journal page this evening, though I can't say I'm particularly happy with my gel medium transfer. I'd hoped for a little clearer image, so probably should have left the inkjet print  in place a little longer. Live and learn.

Big picture, though, is that I know what the images are/were, and what they mean to ME. I suppose I could have done a TEST transfer, but my impatience got the better of me. One big challenge was making a collage with Photoshop Elements. I'm sure if I did this with any frequency I'd gain some degree of semi-competence.

 

I may still add some text. Or maybe not. I'm trying to decide if I should work any more on it tonight. Probably won't, as I was up at 0430 this morning. Insomnia sucks.

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

"Mindfulness" journal page progress

I'm trying to make some way on this week's journal page assignment, because a new one will be coming out tomorrow. The shading still isn't quite right, but I hesitate to mess with it any more. Maybe if I can get more of the rest of the page done I fiddle some more. Her face is watercolor crayon and gesso.

 

This lesson incorporates some gel medium transfers, so I've been thinking about what sort of images I want to include on her torso - as well as the colors I'm going to use.

 

Oh, and those four dots of color are bleed-through from a previous page - they have nothing to do with the page and will be obscured by the other layers.

 

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

Switching Gears

I've been doing a lot of art journaling lately, and I love it. But the holiday season is fast approaching, and I'd like to at least fool myself into thinking I'm a little ahead of the game. So today I sewed, working on a couple Santa dolls. I've had this pattern in my stash for awhile, but haven't used it before (Kriss Kringle by On The Edge Designs, copyright 1996).

I even stuck to my Resolution to NOT buy any new fabric. That made it a little tricky to sift through my fabric looking for reds that didn't clash. The colors in this photo aren't quite right, but you get the idea.

Sailing Day

We sailed today with a couple of friends. The weather was gorgeous, and my sunscreen failed. The wind was minimal as we motored out and hung a right a Tongue Point. We took a spin around this buoy to photograph the harbor seals.

 

Roy and Bonnie:

There were several ships, some at anchor and some headed out to the ocean. 

 

I particularly loved this one, for its bright color contrast to the blue sky and water.

 

 We anchored in a quiet area and tried out the hammock.
 
 

 In the afternoon the wind really picked up, which it is wont to do, and we had an invigorating sail back to the marina.

 

Journal Page Done! (BlogAlong day 30/30)

I finally finished my journal page this morning, though spent quite a bit of time trying to photograph it adequately. I tried using a tripod this time, which I think helped. I had to use my Photoshop Elements to tweak the color to match the page. I think this is almost spot-on.

 

All the progress photos were taken in the studio, and the lighting isn't the greatest. Today I took it to the kitchen table - as I usually do with the final pages. I'd love to know how others photograph their pages. I'm just using my simple point-and-shoot digital camera. Trying to decide if a digital SRL would be worth the investment.

 

I really enjoyed making this page - although, honestly, I've learned something with each and every page I've done. I'd love to take Life Book again in 2014. The time commitment is considerable (that is, if you do all or most of the lessons) - and I don't mind that - but it does take time away from designing and creating my art dolls. But I can't help but think that these lessons can only enhance my doll art. 

 

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

Fiona Love (BlogAlong day 29/30)

I spent much of the day (Friday, the 30th) with my granddaughter Fiona. She's always sweet, but was particularly so today. We decided to drop by the marina to watch Grandpa work on the boat. She was just content to sit there and observe. I think it's about time to get her a lifejacket and get her out sailing with us!

 

 

Later we went home and snuggled with Arthur.