Guild Challenge

The subject for the guild challenge for February is romance. So cliche.   I definitely wanted to stay away from the typical colours.  I dug through my bits and pieces and found a candy wrapper I cut into hearts.  I added the spiral and some hand dyed fabric softener sheets.  I covered it all with some sheer fabric, stitched and heated/burned it.  Honestly, I am glad that I am still alive after doing this piece.  While cutting out the base fabric I sliced my finger with the rotary.  I have done that before and really must be more careful!  I decided to continue but should have known better.  I took the piece to my sewing machine and trying to be careful to not bleed on it.  So while being careful of my right hand I proceeded to sew directly into my left index finger.  I yanked my hand away by instinct and broke the needle off in my finger.  With both hands bleeding I decided it was time to put it away.  Who knew art-making could be so dangerous!

I am linking to
http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Journal Page

I love my journals.  This page has a very early ribbon embroidery added to it.  It was a little experiment that was good enough at the time.  I had it in a tiny hoop and out on display for years.  My skills improved and I no longer wanted it to be on display.  I also wasn't willing to part with it.  Into my journal it goes and a few little bits and bobs were added

Work in Progress Wednesday

This is the start of my crazy quilt journal project for February.  How is it the middle of the month I have so little done on it?  Again, I have used only fabrics that I have dyed, painted, etc.  It feels great to be using these fabrics.  I am eager to get embellishing this.  Beads and threads here I come!
I am linking to
https://www.quiltfabrication.com/
http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/
http://www.esthersquiltblog.com/

Perfection

I had an interesting little conversation with Gwyned Trefethen this past weekend.  On her blog she is talking about perfection and how she doesn't pursue it.  I commented that I don't aim for perfection either.  In return, Gwyned said 'Who defines perfect, anyway?'  What a great question!  Is it me?  The creator of the work?  I was raised in the Christian tradition.  The creation story has been hotly debated but the time frame is not important to me.  What is important is this 'And God saw that it was good.'  It is interesting to me that the word good not perfect is used. Just a little something to ponder.

Years ago I recognized that perfection does not come easily to me.  In an effort to make my life better I decided I would not chase down that rabbit hole.   Call me lazy but I am all about making my life easier.  No one else is going to do that for me.  I will not let perfectionism rob me of the joy of creating. Years ago I saw a quote that said, 'Done is better than perfect'.  

Still stitching

This piece just keeps getting better and better.  I am enjoying the slow process ever so much.  This piece does not have to be finished by any certain date.  That feels really good.   I often am stitching for a challenge or something with a due date.  I enjoy those challenges and having a due date keeps me on top of things, usually, mostly.  Having a project that will be finished when it is finished is freeing and relaxing.

I am linking to
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com 

Mandala Love

This beaded mandala is being turned into a small quilt.  I love everything about this mandala.  I still need to quilt all the layers together but since this isn't a big piece it shouldn't take too long.
I am linking to
http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Journal Page

This journal has a sweet old fashioned feel to it.  Most often I go for vibrant colour in my work.  Every so often though I feel the need to work with the soft and romantic.  This journal is full of lace and doilies, old handkerchiefs and ribbons.  It feels like such a lovely place for my found poetry to land.