Finally getting to art....

Number 5 grandchild arrived, and what a delight.  His mother calls him "Handsome" more than his name which is so cute.  He's growing like a weed, and very much like his father in size of hands and feet.  The rest we will discover as time flies by!

I took my first Craftsy online class and was delighted with the results.  So much so that I started a second project before the first was complete.  This piece is entitled "Moonlight Dancing".  I love the combinations of machine stitches, quilting and embroidery stitches.  The class is by Carol Ann Waugh, a Denver artist, entitled "Stupendous Stitching".

Yes, I'm still quilting.  I'm finishing one on Monday, and the next one is still on the design wall.  Will be putting it together on our next time away.  Its a wonderful quilt design by Weeks Ringle and I plan to do another.  However, there are some unfinished projects waiting to be completed that must come first.  It time for my Christmas tree skirt to be completed.  One of my Christmas tree skirts was a gift to each child, and as a gift to myself, I started a fourth one before Joanie's was finished.  And now Joanie has been married three years, and mine is still unfinished.  So, this year is the year to finish.  Its laughable really,... all I've needed to finish is 4 wisemen.  (Yes, four because it is not factual that there were three ... "we can't mix our hymnology with our theology!").

Its going to be a great next six weeks! (Sorry, I didn't want to take the time to rotate the picture.)

A Quilt for Grandchild #5

Grandchild #5 is coming soon, and its going to be the first grandson.  I'm so excited!  I was honored when my Hillary asked me to make a quilt for him.  She provided the fabrics, and I sewed.  She chose fabrics from the Dear Stella line.  The pattern she chose was something she had seen on the web. The quilt is finished and here are the pictures!  I really love it!

The backside of quilt

Binding with a flange

Love how the corners turned out!

First Steps First

Adding texture to paper is so much easier than adding it to fabric.  I've been having fun with pen and paper, and learning to doodle.  I've been drawing neat little things can "zentangles", and it makes a wonderful design.  This is a wonderful way to relax, and explore new designs.

The January Challenge for Sketchbook Challenge is "doodling," and so I've been doodling and learning new techniques...and enjoying the pleasure of relaxation!  Love this challenge!

Sandwiches and Blank Paper

Ever think about your favorite things -- or things that you treasure?  I have many favorite things and favorite people like most of you.... (and of course grandchildren being among my very top favorites).

Texture always catches my eye and I find it in so many places. It causes me to stop and take a second look.  To touch it.. if it is within reach.  And I love to create texture.  Using either a pen and paper or with my sewing machine. The purpose behind this doodling is to add texture to the surface of a piece of art or a quilt. My ultimate goal is to catch the viewer's eye, and draw them in for a closer look.

In order to hone my skills, I'm participating in two challenges this year.  The Sketchbook Challenge and the Free Motion Quilting Challenge.  Both of these skills are attained by practice.  Much practice.  So I'll be posting my progress this year for all to see. (Emotionally this is scary; my rational mind says,"The goal is all about progress and these first pieces will be great for a base line!"  So, onward, forward!

Hobbs 80/20- King Tut 40/3

I've made up many quilt "sandwiches" on which to practice.  What I'll do with them in the end is unknown, but it will be something creative -- oh -- another challenge!  I have purposely made the sandwiches with five different types of batting so I can compare the end results; so far I've found that wool batting may produce a  puffier result from a Hobbs 80/12 when stitching the same design and same spacing.  Thread weights and types will be recorded as well.  These are important when considering a project.

 So I'm learning new things this year -- and I love to learn!  Its one of my favorite things!
 It's going to be a great year!

Wool/Signature Thread