Valentine's Day

Isn't this a pretty image? Allie Aller of Allie's in Stitches blog sent it to me as a gift after I commented on her blog quite a while ago. I can almost smell the roses! She has since published a beautiful book on crazy quilting. I haven't CQ'd in a while and do miss it. Maybe I should pull out the Boho Bags, from Pat Winter's, that I started a few months ago. They are pretty much ready for construction now.

Happy Valentine's Day to my family and friends!

Snowy Day

Snowy this morning. Pretty. I had to grab my camera and take a few shots. There is something about snow that makes one feel like hibernating is a natural thing. Hibernate I did. I worked on my snow dye challenge that Mary Lee gave us in our little art quilt group months ago. She dispersed an approximate fat quarter to each of us to see what we would do with it. I am taking a cue from current issue of Quilting Arts and my Fiberista group. I love it I must say!
I also made a batik, paper pieced block today, that will be incorporated in to a larger project on the immediate horizon. Batiks are just gorgeous fabrics....like magic.
Listed many more cool items on my Etsy shop today. Take a look!
Had dinner with Melanie last night, after attending our dear Donna's husband's wake in town. Donna is like a mother to me. She is a very grounded person. She is not blind to the changes and adjustments that will be coming her way in the next chunk of time.
I have to mention here, that there is such a loving camaraderie amongst our creative, quilting friends. I feel blessed to be in this world. We certainly reach out when needed. I love that.
Tomorrow I plan to work on Barb's retirement horse head. It is cutting and fusing, then free motion quilting. Cathy Wiggins pattern is great.

I don't believe I ever posted the pic of Melissa's tattoo to commemorate her friend Mo that died in a motorcycle accident a couple years ago. I love this crown.

I have learned:

1. A bit ago, Sarah showed me how to close all the things running on my iphone. I had no idea I needed to close them. If you double click on the home screen, it will show you everything running. Hold you finger over one of them and the minus signs will show. Click on them. We literally closed every app I ever opened since I got the phone.
2. Started watching The Guardian on Netflix. Will be my next all season viewing. 
3. My ipad fund jar is growing! 

Ice Crystals Quilt Finished (accept for the finishing)

"Ice Crystals" is almost finished! I just need to sew the sleeve on and make a label and of course, de-cat hair it. It is 40" x 30". I have Julie Brandon print the image for me month's ago. The image was taken on my Blackberry a couple of years ago in Middlebury, on a cross country walk at work.

This is a similar image taken at the same time, just a different composition. I played with it in Photoshop or BeFunky, can't remember which one, to make it more colorful. Sent the image to Julie/Red-Dog Enterprises to be printed on sateen cotton.
I had to machine quilt first. Knowing I wanted to make the ice crystals more prominent, I free motion quilted around them.

I acquired 2 yards of Mary Lee's snow/ice dyed fabric at our guild's silent auction in October, not knowing that I needed it for this piece! The next day I realized it coordinated with it perfectly! I hit on the idea of 1/2" hexi's from the dyed fabric, sewn into units and fused to the top. I constructed a design wall and pinned over 300 hexi's to the quilt, sewed the units together by hand, fused them each with Misty Fuse and stitched a triangle with silk thread at every point of every hexi. I loved every step creating this piece. I would surely do the same process again.

It will be in a show titled "Winter's End" at The Lower Mill Gallery in Honeoye, NY. Feb 28th is a reception. All quilts in show will be for sale. Please consider visiting the show throughout the month of March.
There are over 300 1/2" hexagon's on this quilt, all lovingly placed!

I have been working on a Cathy Wiggins pattern, called Olivia's Horse, for Barb, my friend at work that just retired Thursday.

She fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning horses a few years ago. I bought the pattern in North Carolina, at the HGTV quilt retreat Thearica planned. We were able to meet and see Cathy Wiggins' trunk show. As soon as I saw this pattern, I had to buy it to make for Barb's big day. In true procrastinator fashion, I am this far!
It is a large pattern. the drawing you see is the pattern overlay on thin clear vinyl.

My little Etsy shop, PearlStreetVintage, has had a steady sales record over the last few weeks. I am having fun with it as well. Keep it bookmarked and check back often to see new listings!

Yesterday, my Fiberista group met. We were short on people it seemed. Being snowy, cold February, I just could not cart my machine to do the planned project. I worked on the discharged fabric I made with my hand carved stamp which was inspired by Linda Kemshall. The group was working on the three dimensional quilt project in the current Quilting Arts magazine. It involves using grommets and rods. Julie managed to get one assembled.

She bought brass rods from a toy train store, but old knitting needles, or skewers would work also.

Val had a square cut out in her background (underneath the hand dyed cheesecloth overlay). Look forward to seeing how this turns out.
I was not interested in the project in the magazine, but when I saw what was being created by the group, I find it intriguing.

My beloved, old coot cat, Chester died last Tuesday. He had been sick for almost 5 years. We thought for sure he would go before Dean (2 years ago, March 4th) but he just kept on ticking. I knew that morning it was time, made the call to the vet for an appointment after work. Left the house that morning after saying goodbye to him, asking him to die at home for me, so I wouldn't have to kill him. A friend checked on him in the morning....still breathing. By the afternoon he had passed in his bed in the bathroom. On a towel he favored. I came home to bury him in the yard, next to Dean. He was almost 18 years old. I have had him for the last 6 years, taking him from Bonnie at work. He was a cool cat. Michael loved his no bull catness. I miss him much.

I have learned:

1. Michael was promoted to Corporal on Thursday. He is a man with a plan. It will be a year on February 7, that he was sworn in and left for boot camp. 
2. Loved all episodes of Crossing Jordan on Netflix. Again, I will miss the characters of another show. 
3. Snow dying two white cotton aprons I found at Sally Ann's for .99 cents each as I write this post. One is for me and one is for my sister, Noni. For years we have been saying we need aprons. Can't wait to see how they turn out!
4. Darcy is 14!! As of yesterday. She is a  beautiful young woman. Proud of her.
5. On cholesterol meds again. Hoping I don't develope any crippling joint issue this time. 273 needs to be dealt with. My weight also needs to be dealt with. 
6. Philip Phillips new CD. Love. 

Snow Dye Fab....Union Jack block for Row Robin

I have fallen in love with hand dyed fabric over the last few years, but I have been so hesitant to invest in the Mx Procion dyes, the soda ash and the synthrapol. It just seems like so much to deal with. So I bought 3 packets of Dylon at Joann Fabrics instead. I wet my fabric (way too much I  might add) and put into a large rectangular bin, stuffed snow on top of it, then sprinkled the three colors over the snow. I had Scarlet, Olive and I think it was Ocean blue. I really love how it turned out! Washed and dried and ready to go. I am going to snow dye two white aprons I got at Sally Ann's for .99 cents each next for me and my sister. Easy way to get that snow dye look. Rit dye would work just as well.

Spent a few hours this morning finishing my row for the Row Round Robin on HGTV. It's a version of Union Jack block. I am trying to get some people in my guild to interact by doing one of these. So far 6 people. including me, are signed on. We have over 100 members. I don't understand why people don't take a chance to collaborate with fellow quilters.

The butterscotch, red and aqua blue is an appealing color combination. I cannot wait to see what my HGTV friends come up with for my other rows! I know it will be spectacular!

Melissa is doing well. We have passed the 3 month mark. It has been confirmed that 95% sure it is a GIRL!
I want a little girl~! Olivia is still in the running. Mila has been introduced. Stella remains a contender. My vote is Olivia for the record! Thinking of having a granddaughter in less than 7 months is pretty exciting. Last night I met Melissa and Dave's 2 1/2 year old, Sophia, my friend Sandy and her daughter Lauren at Olive Garden for dinner. Sophia is so sweet and beautiful.

I have learned:

1. My return to work has been better than expected, but physically....my body is aching all over! 
2. Netflix=Crossing Jordan. Loving this right now.
3. Chester, my beloved old coot cat, died at home Tuesday. I am grateful he did this for me. I had made an appointment at the vet for 4:40 PM. I was burying him at home by that time. He was just short of 18 years old. 
4. I made 7 sales in less than three weeks from my Etsy shop!! 

Annual Challenge Reveal

Again, I forget to get a good picture of a project that I handed over for a bit! This was the BOOK Bag I made for my guild's annual challenge....Literary, anything having to do with a book. With the help of Alex, her mom, Dorothy and her father, I was able to get copies of vintage Agatha Christie paperbacks. I settled on Agatha Christie because my mother used to read them, as well as me, when I was a kid. I had a little trouble making the copies onto fabric (I am very challenged with many computer operations). I managed to copy 4 with multiples of 3. I decided to go with it!. Last weekend I picked up the book front copies and the discharge fabrics I made recently. I know I wanted to make the bag. Winging it, I came up with this. (A strap was added after this pic). I will actually use this bag!
Yesterday was the guild's reveal of the annual challenge. WOW. I am always blown away by the talent and projects everyone that participates comes up with.
My friend Elaine made this beauty.

Martha made this....I will have to get good close ups when this one is hung.

Mary Lee thread sketched a picture of her and her siblings on her grandfather's lap.

Lori made this based on books about a country doctor.

Her daughter, Bethany, made a Harry Potter piece

Mary Ellen made this tiger pattern herself. It was based on a poem.

Chris paper pieced this colorful quilt (in American Quilter magazine I believe)

Melanie made a useful ereader bag using an old Nancy Drew book cover

Gloria surprised us all with Fifty Shades of Grey!

Cynda, my lovely mail lady, made this gorgeous piece based on a book about the sea

Dodie's Princess and the Pea is dimensionally delightful!

Alex made this James and the Giant Peach piece that will hang on her son's wall,

It has come to be my favorite meeting of the year. I love seeing what everyone makes in response to a challenge. It is so exciting!

I have learned:

1. Craftermath: (noun) The clutter left lying around after you finally make the thing you found on Pinterest, but I would substitute any project. My sewing room looks like a craftermath disaster right now!
2. Second sale from my Etsy store today!
3. Cholesterol up 10 to 273 in 3 months. On a statin, again.
4. Netflix....The State Within & Mistresses, both British shows, very good.
5. Mumord and Son's has new music. Excellent.
6. Return to work. Hoping things remain on the upside for the next 3 years.
7. Melissa's gestation is moving along and the nausea subsiding.

Image Transfer etc....

I spent some time making samples of image transfers, to a lightweight canvas and a hard back canvas, yesterday.. I had volunteered to show my little art quilt group how to do it. I am not an expert for sure, but have used them in some of my work and love the different texture it adds to a piece. This is a great image of a menacing little bird I covertly tore from a magazine in a waiting room. It was so cool, I had to have it. I made copies at Office Max, because apparently laser copies are best for this process. He is about 4" x 5". I love the scratchy, worn Polaroid look of this transfer.I used Golden Fluid Matte Medium, which is a thin medium that makes the process quick. This cute little pecker will add interest to something soon! 

Face Timed with Michael, from snowy Afghanistan, this morning! I haven't "seen" his face in real time since August, so getting to talk to him and see his smile was priceless. He is in a new platoon, with more responsibility, and of course, he loves that. We are about half way through his deployment. 

How cool is that!
Here he is as a little guy....

I was showing Jenn some old photo's when she was home at Christmas. She took pics of them and created this one in an app on her iPad. You can't tell, but his hair was orange then, like a mini Leprachaun! We were in Disney World  and it had been a long, hot day for a little one. He needed some down time, away from the frazzle, so I took him to a little pool for a cool down. Good memory.

Melissa is 11 weeks and 3 days along already! Monday she had had another sonogram to make sure things were ok. Here is the little creature as Melissa would say!

There she ( hopefully) is. A life forming, and ours transforming. My only daughter is gestating my first grandchild.....her (hope again) first apartment! It is truly an interesting time.

I have learned:

1. Back to work on Monday. Human Resources exists for the company, not the employee. As expected. I am apparently being thrown back to THE wolf. Hard to believe this goes on in 2013. 
2. I opened an Etsy shop. I have thought about it for years. Inspired by my friend Nicki of Raviolee Dreams shop, I opened Pearl Street Vintage. After Melissa told me gramma Dee had sent a message on a Ouija board....KATHISJUNK...this summer, I knew what it was all about. Crazy? No, not if you knew Dee. And it wasn't Kath is junk....it was Kathi's Junk. Sell some of the cool things I have collected. I need to learn my way around Etsy, but I need to start somewhere! Check back often!
3. Counterterror NYC from National Geographic. Very interesting documentary about the security measures in the city. What a world. It is available on Netflix.
4. I want an ipad. I don't want to want one. I just do. It's a lot of $$$. I hate wanting things.

New Year

I flipped my stamp to 2013 today. I have been stamping the date and an "X" on 2" pieces of fabric for each day Michael has been deployed. My Deployment Project Quilt. 

I will be sewing them to background fabric. An X for each day.