Wordless Wednesday

Embracing Winter

A time for renewal

With the onset of winter my mood
would automatically change;
I would start feeling very blue.

This winter I decided that I
would embrace the winter and
try to change my attitude.

I found some Ways to beat those
winter Doldrums that so far work
for me.

When I go to the supermarket

1 - I buy a bouquet of flowers -



These were on sale for $5.00 !!

Having fresh flowers around cheers
me up.

2 - Feed the birds

During the summer; I use my deck upstairs
to dye fabric. Now it has become a
place for me to feed the birds. I put
up some suet to attract Woodpeckers.
And I was pleasantly rewarded!

Isn't he handsome!

Red Bellied Woodpecker - Female

Flicker - Female

I have never had the opportunity
to see woodpeckers this close!
And I'm shooting through my
double-glassed sliding doors
with my Kodak camera.

3 - Enjoying the Beautiful Winter
Sunsets

Glorious!

4 - Changing my routine and taking on
new challenges - such as the sketchbook
challenge.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

And more Practice!

5 - Exercise and a brisk walk in the park
is invigorating - especially on a sunny day.
And I don't forget to take my camera!

I need a caption for this..... It's so cute!

6 - Relaxing and reading a good book before
going to sleep.

I discovered a new Historical Fiction Writer!
Bernard Cornwell - I'm currently on the 3rd
book of The Saxon Series - "The Lords of the North".

So far, I'm actually enjoying the winter -
despite the snow and cold!

"Life is a Gift!"

Wordless Wednesday

Letting Go

Sketch Book Challenge

I did another sketch for the Sketch Book
Challenge - title "Learning"

Learning

I have 2 others on my Pages (on top)

See my sidebar for the button for more
info. on The Sketchbook Challenge. There
are tutorials, techniques and a lot of inspiration!
I would like to try all of the Artists' techniques
and tutorials!

For example, Melanie Testa has made a video
on Gouache. I've heard of gouache before but
didn't know much about it... Melanie's video
shows you how she uses it. So I went out and
bought some (the cheap stuff for now) and am
going to experiment with it.

There is also a Flickr page that you might
like to check out HERE
What a great group of Artists - from beginner
to the more experienced.

If you've never kept a journal before; let me
tell you that it is fun. I have several that I have
written my thoughts and ideas in, doodled and
even kept a food diary in but now I would like to
be more organized.


You'll be amazed at what you find out
about yourself. It's very cathartic!

My word for 2011 is "Grow"

Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday

Sketch Book Challenge and BOM

I'm almost caught up with Dawn's BOM
"Folk Art Tribute"

Block One

Again, I'm only using what's in my stash. For Block
One I used the freezer paper on the back. I'm also
using YLI Silk thread for the applique. I love the
way the thread just blends in with the fabric.
The red fabric is Heritage Square by Kathy Schmitz
for Moda.

Block Two

For Block Two I'm using the freezer paper on top.
This is my least favorite method because I personally
find it harder.

For the cherries; I used Karen Kay Buckley's
Perfect Circles templates. I'd be lost without them.


I used Fusible Web for the star (-:
I had this fabric for awhile it's Blackbird Village
Quilts by Kathy Schmitz for Moda. I love it!

I then skipped Block 3 and went on to Block 4
because I wanted to do the weather vane first.

Block four

I decided to do the back basting method.
It was easier and faster for me to use this method
on this block.

I searched and searched through my stash to
find a fabric that would coordinate with what
I was working with. This was a fat quarter and
there was no name on it.

Block Three

Block Three is all cut out and ready to stitch.

***************************

Have you heard of the Sketch Book Challenge?
See my side bar----------------->

It will begin on January 1st and each month
there will be a theme.

As I already have......

Almost all of the supplies; I thought that I
would join in. It sounds like it's going to fun
and there will be tips, techniques and tutorials!
I could sure use those! Hopefully I will also learn
how to be more organized.
Please visit the web page for more info.

My Pages (under the banner) will be changed
periodically - please check them out.

Wordless Wednesday

Dawn