Creative Blogging.......

It's been a while since I've had time to post anything......my job takes up the majority of my time so that when I get home.....I simply don't have the energy to draw, paint, sew two pieces of fabric together............So instead......I try to take artistic photographs........that satisfy my creative side.................below is a beautiful picture of my grandniece Emma.......her expression is adorable......at the time I took her photograph.......she had been eating a cracker.....notice the piece of cracker on her lower right side of her chin......it was hot.....and she was ready for a change of pace........much like I've been feeling after stressful days at work........I tried to select a photo that expressed being upset and yet beautiful to look at    ......this photo was it......

Below is Sadie.....Emma's older sister......she is also beautiful and full of energy.....I'm always taking her picture and when not in the mood.....she tells me she doesn't want her picture taken......do I listen......of course not........this picture below was taken on an Easter weekend.......notice the confetti........she has her mother's (my niece) beautiful hair..........for those of you who are old enough.......think Shirley Temple.......;)

This is my other grand nephew....John Ray.....he looks just like his Dad.....who looks just like my brother.......this little boy has a sweet & gentle demeanor........I took this photo while he was about to make a comment, a sound, or something like this.........children are cute no matter what they do.....

For today, this is my creative outlet......pictures of the kids in my family........;)

Until next time.......;)

Pansy Study....

I finally figured out a way to recycle this pansy study that I didn't like how it turned out after I sewed it together.......I trimmed it down to 8" x 8"  size blocks and satin stitched around the edges two times around.......I also decided to frame each pansy in a shadow box to protect them from dust.....my original intention was to take them to work & hang in my office....

The next photo shows the satin stitched edges.....since it's only three layers.....the edges will ripple.....I was too lazy to use stabilizer.......but, I'll steam press those ripples flat after I'm done......

I've steam pressed the edges flat.....and found some short sequin pins (at Joann's) to tack the quilt in place......in this photo below.....I've tacked the quilt down on the black background that will be in the shadow box.....if you look closely.....you can still see a ripple in the upper right corner......does it bother me......no.....sometimes.....things are not meant to be perfect......you just have to learn to live with imperfections.......you won't see it it once framed in the shadow box.......

Below is the sequin pin and a normal size straight pin......you can see the difference in size between the two pins.......the longer straight pin is obvious in shadow box......the smaller sequin pin is not so obvious...... 

The normal size straight pins below appear extra long next to the sequin pin.

Below is one of the framed 8" x 8" inch quilts in the 12" x 12" shadow box.....the sequined pins are not noticeable and hold the quilt in place.....I found it difficult to take a picture without catching the reflection of the ceiling overhead light.....so I will take a picture of these quilts after I hang these frames on the wall.....

Again I wound up using a 12" x 12" shadow box that I found at Target.....Joann's also stock this size too.  I need to go back and buy three more for the last three pansies.  I really like how this looks....my quilts have a very professional look without having to pay an arm and a leg for framing......I hope you found this post interesting.......;)

I'm inspired to keep making these small quilts and love how they look framed like this......;)

Now if I could just get back to finishing my other small quilts.....:)

Until next time......

Inspiration.......

Today I made it a point to do something related to creating.....my job takes up a lot of my time so I have to sneak in ways to satisfy my creative spirit......

taking photos is a good way......

So I see fall flowers everywhere.......so this begs the question.....do I work on a fall quilt?  I don't have a fall quilt.....I do love all four seasons.....but.....I don't have a fall quilt....by the way.....I was born during the fall/winter season......I'm somehow drawn to the bright jewel tone colors of summer........

When I think of fall/spring....I think of pansies.....below is study I worked on of pansies a few years ago......I had not finished this quilt.......so.....I need a fast small quilt to decorate my office....but you know how people are.....they see a quilt....and they want to touch it.......do people touch paintings.....NO.....they simple admire them.........but fabric art begs to be touched.......so I'm thinking.....take a small quilt to work to decorate my office....but hang it in a shadow box........protected from dust & touching.......I never really liked the quilt I made shown below......it was a study..........so I think I will recycle it......cut it up.....and make it differently......

Here I go.....first one sliced.....

 That first one was painless.....I guess this is because I don't mind how it turns out.....I cut up the others...

So now I have three.....three is a grouping.....in decorating.......I continue.......

Before I can frame in a shadowbox.....I have to finish the edges.....sigh......believe me....it shows......then I need to figure out how to mount it inside the shadow box.....I've tried pins....that doesn't look very professional...it looks half-a.....oops....I mean....half baked......back to the drawing board.....I guess if it was easy......everyone would be on the band wagon.........was it Thomas Edison that once said.......Success.....is missed.....because it comes disguised as hard work.......or something like this.....forgive me Mr. Edison....that wasn't verbatim....but I think I got the message across......as I said before....back to the drawing board.....;)

Until next time.....;)

Yellow Tiger Swallowtail...

It's been a while since my last post.   I'm slower these days at creating & getting back to making quilts but, I'll have to just keep at it in spurts of time.

Below is the project I've been trying to get back to.

This drawing is enlarged from a photo I've taken in my backyard.  I've started with a small photo and traced simple shapes.  Below is my enlarged drawing.  I've mentioned the process in other posts so I won't mention it this time. 

I've made a lot of art quilts with just flowers and now I need to challenge myself by adding insects, bees, or butterflies to my flowers. 

I'ved colored in the drawing...

Next is pulling out fabric for the yellow part in this butterfly.

So below is what it looks like at this point.

I'll upload a picture of the progress I've made at a different time.  It's not fused down to a background just yet because I've had to step away from it for a while.  

Stay tuned.....

Have a wonderful day........until next time!

From The Garden...

Inspired by everyday activity in my backyard...

Since I'm unable to spend my days quilting, I've decided to try a different strategy.........I'll work smaller....

So below is a photo I took of a bee enjoying lunch on my miniature zinnia.....I decided to add a new element to the floral pieces I make & this photo inspired me....

Below is my pencil sketch.....bees aren't the best models for sitting still while I sketch so, my drawing happens after I take my photos.....

I traced the pencil sketch on to tracing paper and then went over it with a sharpie marker.....next made a copy of the traced image....below is the copy....yes, it is reversed.....this is something you will have to consider when making your paper pattern for your images.....

Below is what I've made so far....I decided to place this bee on lavender petals......artistic license of course......the background is a great fabric by Fossil Fern......I love when I find fabric that does some of the work for you.......this will finish at 8" x 8".....I cut the background fabric 1/2" larger & will trim down after I finish quilting........it still needs work but you get the idea as to how the base of the image looks before adding stitching to it.......I'm expecting that I'll be able to finish this piece within another few weeks or so......even if I have a mere fifteen minutes to devote to this piece, it's what I'll do to complete it.......

Stay tuned......and thank you for stopping by for a visit!

Until next time!

Looking for Inspiration...

It's been a few months since I've had the time to sit and write about what has inspired me to create, or what I would like to create.  I've been in a drought, creatively speaking, that is.  So today's post is about simply looking at things we might see that could inspire us in quilting, such as shape, color, and design.  I decided to look at everyday things around me like.........someone's pair of embroidered boots.......thought these were pretty cool.......

The grace of a beautiful ballerina perhaps.......that's my niece Alex practicing for a performance.....

Maybe a stack of trays from the local bakery....nice colorful pastries....

Maybe some vibrant petunias....

Today was the day I told myself I had to get back into the habit of posting about how to look for inspiration or what I'm thinking of making.  I see inspiration everywhere but, always seem to have to focus on other things like work, house, family, friends.  I'll be sharing photos of what's on my back burner soon.  When I can't create an art quilt, I resort to sketching and/or taking photos.  This seems to quickly satisfy my need to capture something of beauty.

I'll be posting soon again.  My goal is before the end of the week.  Keep checking back...

Until next time......