Oh my

I didn't realize how long it'seen since I have added to this blog. Sorry if you have been checking. Life has been happening at the speed of sound, at least that's what it has felt like. And quilting has been low on the to'do list. The good news is that I have some time over the next two days to be at my sewing machine. I have one gift to make - a tea cozy.

I have finished a couple pieces with bindings and facings. That always feels good. I finished quilting a piece for a friend and delivered it.

Mostly, I have been away from home. I've been able to visit my friend in Delaware who is now under hospice care two times since my last blog. It is hard to see a friend fade away. I hope that she can find peace in this process. Her husband has been great in his care for her. And now hospice can help him out. This time of year always has sadness in the midst of all the other emotions of the Christmas season. Today, the world is filled with sadness and sorrow for those victims and their families in the school disaster. I hope we all have time to hug our families more this year as we pray for those who are hurting.

I realize this post is a bit rambling. My thoughts have been all over the place lately. In my bookkeeping job,  I have been working twice as much, getting ready for the auditor who comes Thursday. More often than usual lately, I have had to be very intentional and stop and be aware of the moment.

Yesterday was a nice transition. I led a group in an Advent theme using my Praying with Watercolors retreat. I enjoyed seeing them slow down as they responded to all the music and played with the paints.

So right now, I think I'll get moving on that gift. I hope you have time in this busy season to pause and take care of yourself. Have a cup of tea and some chocolate.

Karen

Stamping and stenciling

has been my focus lately. I've been getting ready for the Carroll County Arts Council Gallery of Gifts and finished yesterday. I am very thankful that I can participate in this event in Westminster, especially after having to cancel being part of the Studio Tour. I will have dyed socks, dyed scarves (stamped and stenciled), a few shoulder bags and a bunch of quilted postcards for sale. Here are some samples of the scarves. These are silk.

 

These are rayon.

I have this wonderful table in my studio that is 48" x 48" (built by my son and son-in-law years ago) that I use for everything. It is covered and padded to make stamping, etc., easier. Here's what it looks like after my recent efforts. Who knows, I may have to use it in something later.

After I put all my paints, stamps and stuff away, I started making blocks to help those affected by Sandy. Michelle Foster, Quilters Fun blog, has organized a block collection to help other. See http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/sandy-quilt-block-drive/. I am finishing up 18 blocks tonight to send them. Check it out, especially if you have a bunch of blocks you could send.

Karen

Finally

something new, something completed as a result of the Quilt University class I took - Working in Series with Elizabeth Barton. An excellent class that I recommend. I learned a lot from the class and then about how I work.

Two exercises from the class had us sketching, first with pencil, then with watercolors. I loved both exercises, but I get carried away and keep playing well after I have plenty of sketches for quilts. I used the sketching as one more way to procrastinate doing what I say I want to do.

So, after the two anxious days waiting for Sandy when I got very little done except for eating, I decided it was time to stop wasting time and make something.

I pulled out lots of fabrics - Stonehenge textures and hand dyes - for marsh studies. Put them together, did raw edge applique (fast and adds texture), then started my special OCD FMQing to add lots of texture to this little marsh. I think I like it.

Here's a bit of detail.

Is it marshy enough? I think so -- for now.

Things I learned with this: I can get distracted so easily, even telling myself 'it' is past of my process. I can work small - the marsh is about 14 x 19", a challenge but I can do it. I design best when I play with the fabrics and use the design in my head. I can sketch or make patterns for parts, but playing is my best method. As Nike says, Just Do It.

It's November, cold and darker. I am never happy when we leave DST and it's dark at 5:30. I keep reminding myself it's only 135 days til the first day of spring. Time to turn on lights inside and get things going. It's also National Peanut Butter Month - maybe I'll make some cookies early this year to celebrate the PB. Hope your have ways to stay warm and bring out your creativity.

Karen

So far, so good

It's still raining here and fairly windy, but the worst of Sandy is past us here in Westminster. I am blessed that I did not lose electricity and very grateful for our safety. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were affected by this huge and dangerous storm.

Karen

A bit more about the grands

The past few weeks have been busier on the family front than in the studio. I have been doing some work on the QU class, but am still am behind there, too.

So, I will share some more family photos. Josh and I celebrated his 11th birthday with our traditional game of miniature golf and terrific pizza. He likes to play golf with me because he easily wins. Then we go to PeaceAPizza for his favorite - macaroni and cheese pizza (this was after his recent family dinner of cheese, cheese, cheese).

 

Here's one more picture of Miss Bella in her mermaid outfit. I think she would be happy if she could walk with her feet in the tail but she knows all about Ariel with and without feet.

I did get some ice dying done this week - things for the holiday boutique at the arts center. Still waiting for them to dry. Then I'll be stamping and stencilling on scarves.

It has been so nice weather wise that I've been able to walk each day. Today I went to the nature center and walked in the woods - so nice and spirit boosting.

Be well. Thanks for visiting. Karen

I have been working

on a couple fronts - finishing some UFO's and enjoying the exercises in the Quilt University class I am taking. It's Elizabeth Barton's Working in a Series.

Last weekend, my friend Alice and I were vendors at a local quilt show, offering our hand dyed fabrics, shirts, scarves, socks and yardage. I always forget how much effort goes into vending at a show. We were both quite tired at the end.

I am enjoying the QU class, even though I am a week behind. If you ever need a boost, try a class with QU. They are reasonably priced, full of information and help, and the discussion forum is so rich. I have gathered links to many inspiring quilt artists, giving me ideas and much food for thought. I like that we can print out the lessons and don't have to take notes. This particular class came at the right time for me. Sometimes I go in too many directions - this is helping me focus on what I really want to do with my art. And I am developing some nice ideas into a series. More later on that.

OK, it's time to get the next lesson from QU and do a bit of work tonight.

Thanks for visiting,

Karen

Mermaid success

Today was Bella's birthday party at ChickFilA, which is a great way to have a four-year-old's birthday. Food is provided. Someone else cleans up. And there's the play area so the children can burn off some of that sugar and energy.

Speaking of sugar, Bella's grandmom made super cupcakes, decorated with lots of sparkle and sprinkles. Yum.

As the children were eating, the Cow came for a visit. Lots of giggles with the cow.

When we went home after the festivities, I gave Bella her mermaid outfit. She was thrilled that she could be a mermaid and have a real tail.

She spent a bunch of time on the floor with her feet stuffed in the tail swimming and lounging about. Too cute. It was worth all the aggravation of sewing the outfit to have a happy little girl.

Karen

Sunday night is here again

What happened to this past week? I feel like I just came home from Chincoteague and just started the QU class. And now I have to get ready for a new week.

Actually it's been a busy week but not quite as busy as I wanted. A lot of family things needed my time. Today is the birthday of my daughter and my son - they're not twins, just share a birthday. Friday was the birthday for my daughter-in-law and my youngest grandson. We all gathered Friday night to celebrate and eat a mixed dinner of beef brisket, veggies, mac and cheese (for the kiddos), salad -- and then steamed crabs for my daughter, son and I. All topped off with four flavors of ice cream.

I've spent some time working on Bella's birthday gift (in two weeks). She wants a mermaid outfit with a tail. I found a pattern and bought all the slippery fabric to create it and then got frustrated. This pattern is not very well written. I guess the pattern industry is taking shortcuts to save money. I have figured out how to do this, but I feel sorry for anyone who buys the pattern who has minimum sewing experience. I finished the top (it's in two pieces) and will start the bottom (skirt/tail) tonight. I know she will be thrilled to have a tail like all the mermaids in the movies.

Got to get working now. Thanks for stopping by.

Karen

Nasturtiums

I stopped back at the arts center today and took some photos of the piece, Nasturtiums, that was purchased and will be going to a new home. The piece began with some prints using a gel plate and some actual nasturtium leaves. After a while of looking at the new leaves on the wall, I began a convergence piece that became the background. Then I added the flower petals.

Here are some detail shots that show how I cut out the leaf shapes and added the flowers.

I think it is a good piece. Thanks for visiting.

Karen

A lovely surprise

I walked down to the local Arts Council to view the annual members exhibit. I was pleased to see that my small quilt was hanging in a great location. Then I noticed the dot on the label. It SOLD! Woo hoo! How nice to have a piece in an exhibit that has found a new home. And, of course, some positive cash flow. This is Nasturtiums - not the best photo (which I cannot find).

Back to work now.

Karen

Back home

I got home Sunday night, did my Monday job and had dinner with a dear, dear friend. And now it's reality time. I want to make time for the on-line class and my mind mapping project, but first some important things need attention.

Friday night my family celebrates four birthdays, my daughter and her youngest son, my son and his wife. I am doing most of the dinner at my son's house (my apartment is not big enough for all of us). But first, I must finish a gift for Josh who will be 11 and get the rest of the presents and food stuff for everyone.  So, a busy week and a joyful week.

Right now, I should sign off and get moving on my class exercises. Elizabeth Barton is teaching. So far, the exercises are generating lots of good discussion and many references to exciting web sites. Good stuff.

And I must take a walk - it's another beautiful September day. This time, however, I have to wear shoes.

What are you feeling passionate about this week?

Karen

An amazing day

at Chincoteague. I went to the beach early today because I got sunburned yesterday and it was going to be pretty hot. After I walked, I decided to get my chair and sit for a while. Yes, I was going to work on my master plan and the on-line class this morning, but the day was too beautiful to go back inside. I told  myself that I can always work on projects, but I can't always be here on such a great day.

As I sat, the dolphins swam by, going south this time. That is really awesome. Once the air got hotter, I did go back to the condo and did some work with plans to return later. I saw another bonus as I drove around the wildlife loop -- two bald eagles perched in the marsh. One flew around a bit, showing off.

It would be so wonderful to live next to the ocean. The sound of the surf is so soothing and energizing at the same time, it drowns out other sounds and is mesmerizing. Later today, I went back to the beach to walk and work in my sketchbook, but the wind had picked up and the sand was stinging. So, I sat in the car with the window open on the downwind side and had a great time just working and hearing the ocean. On the way out of the refuge, I stopped to visit with this heron and chatted with a couple visiting from Colorado - their first trip to the east coast.

Tomorrow I must go home, but first will visit my friend Peg. I have lots of pictures to use for a series around the marsh. The colors here are beginning to turn for autumn to complement my spring photos. Life is good.

Thanks for visiting. I hope your autumn is off to a good start.

Karen

Blessings, blessings, blessings

I'm taking a bit of a holiday at a favorite place, Chincoteague Island. I come here to be filled, to be amazed and to get some nature time. I took a long walk on the beach last night and spent time being grateful for all my blessings. Hugs and laughter on Wednesday with Bella. A visit with Mimi as she heals from knee surgery. A beautiful day for traveling. The beach. The ocean. Good health that lets me walk for a long time. So very much. And the sky, oh my ...

then a marvelous sunset ...



 

Just amazing gifts from God.

Aside from a delicious holiday, these days away give me time to work on some "big" stuff. Last week at our regional SAQA meeting, Leslie Riley was giving a talk on making time to make our art and answered a member's question by asking if
it fit her masterplan. Talk about a wake-up call! I woke up right away and realized how much I have been drifting in several areas of my life. I haven't had much focus for a while. This time last year, I began my get-ready-for-the-ACC-show project. After the show and my disappointment, I forgot to refocus, I forgot to get moving in any real way. My time at QSDS helped as I started several new pieces. But still, I wasn't with it. The funny thing is, I used to teach this stuff and encourage people to focus and to do what feeds their hearts and souls.

Sooooooooo, I am spending this time on two 'foci'. First, to do some mind mapping and brainstorming about a master plan. I just turned 67 (still young) and know that most of my years are done. So, what's next? Another funny thing, I read Mary Oliver's line "How do you plan to live your one wild and precious life?" every day and still have been drifting. So, time for some dreaming.

The second thing for this trip is to start Elizabeth Barton's class on Quilt University on Working in a Series. I have ideas for at least three series and hope to decide which to pursue.

And, of course, these days here offer beach time and marsh watching time - look for those herons and egrets.

Sometimes I seem to talk and write a lot. Thanks for reading and visiting again.

Do you have a master plan?

Karen

blue jello

Progress on a UFO

And it's almost finished. I started Roots back in May at QSDS and then it hung on the wall til I was packing for last week's retreat. I wasn't sure how I wanted to quilt it and decided to just do something. I quilted the river, then did the rocks and leaves, and finished it at home. Hooray! It just needs binding and a sleeve.

Maybe I can enter it in my local quilt show next month.

The weather has been wonderful lately - cool nights, open windows and a brilliant blue sky. Enjoy.

Karen

Another week has passed

and now I am home for a bit, time to sew and dye and stamp some new fabrics.

Last week I celebrated my birthday several times - with my family, with some dear friends over pizza, was serenaded by the Sisters when I went to work, and co-celebrated with another friend. I am blessed to have so many people who share my life.

The low point of the week was having to drop out of the local artists studio tour scheduled later this year. It's a long story that I cannot write about. I am saddened to leave this group of talented and good artists and sorry to lose the opportunity to share my work with others, but I had to do it.

So I got busy sewing and then went on a quilt retreat and lost myself in two projects. It is wonderful to be reminded that getting busy always helps me switch gears when I am down. I came home after making progress on those two pieces and almost finished one yesterday.

Enough of that stuff, here are a couple more photos from my Oregon trip.

Cinderella's coach along the road

Two of the Sisters mountains



Miles and miles of volcano remains from 5,000 years ago

More amazing volcano remains

 

I was enthralled with all the different landscapes and geological stuff that I saw in Oregon - so different from my Maryland home. More later.

 

Karen

 







Bella's new dress

 

and she picked it out all by herself.

A bit of Oregon

from my trip. I'm still in running around mode (visited my friend Lynn in WV the past two days, have a quilt retreat coming up this weekend) so I will share some photos from my time in Oregon.

After a couple days settling in with my friends, Lin and Mike, I took off for the coast. I am an ocean person, a coast person, and I appreciate all the differences between the Oregon coast and the Maryland/Delaware coast. Both are wonderful. The Oregon coast has mountains and forests right up to the edge of the ocean, lots of rocky coastline areas, many amazing surprises.

High overlooks:

Fog that rolls in and out daily:

Horizontal trees from the strong winds:

Nooks and crannies:



More tomorrow.

What amazed you on your vacation this summer?

Karen

Being Elmo

is an uplifting, cheerful and inspiring movie, now on DVD. It's the story of how Kevin Clash (a Baltimore native) became a puppeteer, then a muppet maker, then the voice and personality of Elmo, and now a major force at Sesame Street.

Elmo has been a lovey for two of my grandchildren and has a special place in my heart as well. And I've created various voices for other toys starting with my son's monkey up through my puppy and now to Bella's bear. I remember watching the very first Sesame Street show with my babies.

On another level, this story is about imagination, about following your dream, about creativity and about having fun with what you do in life.

If you want an inspiration boost and a bit of a fairy tale, check out this great movie.

I wonder if I can get to be a muppet for a day. This might be a new addition to my bucket list.
Karen

The power of one

can make or break your day and possibly your spirit also.

I've had a few 'one' encounters this week that have had me up, down and all around emotionally.

Tuesday was my day with Bella after three weeks away. She was so happy to see me, kept kissing and hugging me, and was in such a wonderful mood that we had a great day. We played, we shopped a bit, we sang and read and laughed. A very nice 'homecoming' for me.

Then I came home to find more than 30 emails concerning a future event in which I was going to participate. All these emails and many more to follow this week were the result of 'one' person and 'one' email to all of us. The issue is a valid consideration but the method was more of an attack and threat than sharing of information. Needless to say, this deflated my happy 'Bella' mood. I then spent too much time and emotion researching the issue and how I am impacted by it and trying to make a decision on my participation. I am very aware of how I let this affect me, but still struggled with how much chaos 'one' can create for many.

Wednesday's mail brought another 'one' that helped me switch gears emotionally and get back to the sewing machine. I received a lovely thank you note from a hospital that had received some of my Linus blankets. I quickly found another top to put together for quilting today. That 'one' note lifted my spirits. I guess I was a 'one' for a positive cause.

So, before I get stitching, I have to remind myself to be aware of what I do and say as a 'one'. Choose affirming and helpful.

What 'power of one' has touched you lately? What can you do as a 'one'?

Karen

Back home

I just got back last night from a really good vacation in Oregon. I stayed with my life-long friend Linda and her family in Eugene for nine days, taking trips to the coast, the lava fields and Crater Lake. Lots of adventure along the way -- and visits to three quilt shops. I'm still jet lagged, so this is a short blog. More to come.

Below is the sketch I did on the plane last night, trying to capture all I saw in Oregon. Lots of amazing things and places. It is a huge state, full of diversity and very different from my home state of Maryland.

Sorry to go so long between posts. Home now and maybe getting back to some kind of routine.

Enjoy these last days of summer.

Karen

A bit of catch-up

Summer has a way of getting away from me. Here it is August 4 already! I am excited that I will be leaving on vacation in ten days - I am going to visit my lifelong friend Linda and her family in Oregon. And I am taking ten days for this vacation, the first real vacation in a few years. I plan to spend a couple days at the ocean. Linda and I plan to take their camper and visit Crater Lake, the Lava Fields National Site and a few other volcanoe sites, and visit Sisters to check out quilt shops.

In the meantime, summer is in full bloom here. Temps near 100, humidity high and ants are visiting my kitchen. But I am ready for them. Those blocks of paper are filled with Terro ant stuff - it works - they come and eat and take the bait back to their nest. The rest is their history.

Yesterday I started some postcards using selvages. I will use lots of machine stitches to 'decorate' them today.

Here's a piece that is now on the design wall waiting for the next step. I started this at QSDS, using a photo as inspiration, and came home unsure of what was next. Here's its evolution:

Tried layers for the 'earth'.

Then went horizontal for a couple views.

Finally. Now I need to decide how to quilt it.

Well, that's a bit of catch-up. I need to get over to the sewing machine and play on those postcards. Hope you are staying out of the severe weather and enjoying summer.

Thanks for visiting and reading.

Karen

Thought I did this already

Camp Mimi was successful once again. Abigail made the napkins and apron that were requested. We ate out twice, tried a new ice cream place in town, watched several movies and enjoyed our time together. And we got Sam the Singer repaired by the end of the week so it can soon go home with her.

She got to sew on all three machines this week. I rather think she enjoys my Janome Horizon the most, of course, and finished up the apron on that machine.

As with all sewists (I'm still not sold on that word), she learned to unstitch as well. I let her be the judge of how the apron was coming together. Several times, she was not pleased and got out the seam ripper.

She was pleased and proud of the finished project. I had won some of these fabrics at a recent guild meeting and was pleased to see them in use (I don't use a lot of flowers).

We ended our time together by enjoying the DVD of The Secret Life of Bees with my book group along with more ice cream! Quite nice.

Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Trees and roots

Here's a bit of catch-up from the past few weeks.

While at QSDS, I sketched a few tree designs. I'm wanting to express some thoughts about rootedness by creating trees. The best sketch of those became the start for this new piece. It's larger than recent things and, of course, has a life of its own.

Living with the sketch, I began to put together layers of ground fabrics. It just kept getting bigger.

The original piece of hand dyed that I had for the sky was not large enough. So, I pieced two similar pieces to a strip down the center to get more height and width.

Here's the full size sketch against the fabric.

On a trip to Patches, a Mt. Airy quilt shop, right before the guild meeting across the street, I found several fabrics for the center tree - a gorgeous Stonehenge. Got that center tree raw edged sewn down, stood back and deflated a bit. The roots sorta blend in with the ground - not what I want. So, right now I keep looking at it for answers about how to emphasize the roots. Any ideas are welcomed.

I do like the depth created by the other trees.

Back  at Camp Mimi with Abigail,  today was a slow day. We slept late, lazed around, went to lunch with a friend and took Sam the Singer into the shop. We did get the apron pattern cut out so it's ready to go on Wednesday using the small Janome. I withheld dinner until she practiced some on that machine, just to stay in the mood. What a meanie I am!

This afternoon ended with a phone call from a guy I went to high school with - he is one of the committee that is organizing the 50th reunion of our high school graduation. Egads! And they all want a decision and money now for the event next June. It's too hot to make such a decision now.

Karen