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

What did you do before you started Quilting?

I have to tell you that I'm copying the title
of this post from Faye at Mimi's Passions
Faye says that her items are from 1993
or 1994 and if I remember correctly that
time period was "hot" for hand made items.


I thought that it was such an interesting and
fun thing to blog about!

I'm sure that most of us Quilters were doing
some kind of hobby before Quilting took over
all of our spare time.

I'm hoping that more of you bloggers
will also write about this topic!
If you do please let me know.

I started to make a doll after I saw a pattern
in one of the Craft magazines. After making
one; I was hooked. I had recently lost my job
thanks to "computers" my job was fazed out.

My husband suggested that I not look for another
job right away and just "play" a little. And so I did.

One of the first dolls that I made was something
like this:


All of the dolls had faces; I just never got around
to give her hers.

Some had themes:


Like this one who had spools and pins.

And this one:


"Sunflower Sadie" who had all farm themed items
in her arms and dress.

I also made quite of few "one of a kind" types.
I wish I had taken photos of those.

And then some were


Angels! The picture is of poor quality because
some of the photos were taken with a Polaroid
camera.

Behind the Angel you will see a calendar and
the year 1997. I was doing these for about
two or three years before this.



I also did some

Victorian Rabbits

I had several orders for these; they were quite
tall.

A shop had opened just a couple of blocks away
from my house and so I started to sell my dolls
in that shop. I have to say that I did quite well.

A Country type Restaurant had opened in
the area as well and they bought several pieces
to display throughout the restaurant.

Then I found another pattern in a craft
book that I just had to have:

A Unicorn!

I just loved it! (another Polaroid pic) This was
a little difficult to make at first until I got the
hang of it.

Another "hot" item back then was Cows!

I still have this one!

I could not find Cow fabric on Long Island and
so I had to come to Lancaster (where my sister had
moved - lucky for me) just to buy lots and lots of
Cow fabric. Only one shop carried it!

Cow dolls, Cow planters everywhere a moomoo (-:
The cow planter - I designed myself. I loved it!
I also made myself a "business" called it "Create -
a - scene". And Oh I forgot

Cow Coasters!

I saved a set for myself! Going through these
I noted that I have some hand painting on the
coasters and they are also quilted. A sign
of the future perhaps....

I also saved for myself


A little stuffed mouse. You can use him for a pin
cushion but I don't. (if you see any dust - just ignore it)

And just one more thing

I designed these little hanging Christmas
Trees. I just drew a triangle and cut out
the fabric and added batting. I either
added some little ornaments or buttons.

I saved most of my "bought" patterns and
have over 70 of them. I had so much fun
making all of this stuff!
Now I feel like making one! hmm maybe
a little teddy bear. (-:

Thank you Faye!