Posts

Showing posts from December, 2016

It feels good to be on top of things

Image
I have already completed my January guild challenge.  I love the way my little tree turned out!  Orange and blue were the colors chosen for January.  This is not a combination I use normally but I do like it.  I really enjoyed stitching this one! I am linking with http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.ca/

Journal prompt week 52

Image
The quote for this week was "It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."  I wasn't overly keen on this quote.  I decided to use the proverb that says 'a merry heart doeth good like medicine.'  There is actual science to prove this to be true.  I know a lot of people think 2016 was a terrible year.  I honestly prefer to think upon all the positives that have happened.  I have a long list of things that I am grateful happened this year.  I am looking forward to doing this journal prompt again next year.  I am hoping that I can handle on the fun projects I have signed up to participate in 2017.

Work in Progress Wednesday

Image
I managed to complete my three crazy quilt ornaments for my sons.  The green and white striped fabric was from a shirt from Dad.  The solid red fabric was from a blouse from my Mom.  I think using fabric from their clothes makes the ornaments special.  I think my sons appreciate that too.  I had so much fun doing a little class to teach my daughter in law, her sister and two of my nieces how to make these ornaments.  It was a lovely evening spent with some terrific young women.  My husband called it a party because he saw how much I enjoyed it. I am linking with http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/ http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-90/

I heart Macro

Image
I find the pattern rather interesting.  The colors are a little dull for me but it still a cool photo.  I can get totally wrapped up in the texture that I find at the auto wreckers.  I find myself looking at the world in a totally different way and that is good. I am linking with http://image-in-ing.blogspot.ca/?utm_source=image-in-ing&utm_campaign=f63ea12dd1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adfb5a538b-f63ea12dd1-70817477 https://mersad-photography.blogspot.ca/2016/12/at-end-of-year-through-my-lens-nr-74.html

December Bead Journal

Image
Another year coming to a close.  Another year of doing bead journals.  I have been participating in this for a number of years now.  I still love it.  I am excited to begin a new year of bead journals in 2017.  I have signed up to participate in the Crazy Quilt Journal Project for 2017.  I took 2016 off from participating in that group.  I needed a rest from it.  I have a number of ideas  that will incorporate my bead journals.  I am excited to get started on that.  There are so many marvelous ways to keep my hands busy.  I am so very blessed. I am linking with http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.ca/ http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-89/

Journal Week #51

Image
This journal project is almost finished.  I have truly enjoyed it this year.  I am hoping that this project is offered again next year. The quote this week is "Creativity is the way I share my soul with the world."  Sharing my creativity is a great joy for me.  Last night I got to teach four lovely young women how to make crazy quilt Christmas ornaments.  It was a delight!

Work in Progress Wednesday

Image
Orange and blue are the colors for our guild challenge for January.  This is my start.  The background is paper adhered to fabric and then stitched.  The paper was colored with some shimmery paints.  The camera did not capture the shimmer  :(  My plan is to add beads and buttons to the tree. I am linking with http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/

I heart Macro

Image
I have spent many a happy hour at a wrecking yard.  This image is rather different than most of my photos I have captured there.  Not a lot of color.  Still I find it striking.  The plant material with a back drop of a faded auto.  It is a bright and sunshiny day today, possibly that is why I am okay with lack of color. I am linking with http://image-in-ing.blogspot.ca/?utm_source=image-in-ing&utm_campaign=248ebe9518-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adfb5a538b-248ebe9518-70817477 https://mersad-photography.blogspot.ca/2016/12/holiday-baking-through-my-lens-nr-73.html

Guild Challenge

Image
I have completed my six inch square guild challenge.  I wasn't overly inspired with this challenge but it looks okay.  It is a bright and cheerful color scheme.  I am excited to see what all the other guild members created.  There is so much talent and creativity in our guild. I am linking with http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.ca/

Journal week #50

Image
A flower does not compete with the flower next to it, it just blooms.  A great quote.  Competition is common place in our world.  I try to not join in that struggle.  Sometimes I am successful but not always.  I am most happy when I just do my best and am not concerned with the outcome.

Work in Progress Wednesday

Image
I am having fun with my bead journal for December.  I am going for a floral theme.  I haven't done as much as I would like so far but I will get it done. I am linking with http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/ http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-88/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

Image
This is the last stitch for this year.  It is good to take a break at the holiday season.  I added the Woven Zig Zag Chain stitch to this CQ block.  I like the texture it adds.  Thanks to Sharon B at  Pintangle  for hosting this learning opportunity.

My Perfect Little Tree

Image
My Christmas tree is so nicely shaped this year.  It isn't as tall as we usually have but that's okay.  My Christmas ornaments are a mish mash of homemade and store bought.  They all have special memories for me.  I especially love the miniature knitted socks, mittens and hat my Mom made so many years ago. I am linking with https://mersad-photography.blogspot.ca/2016/12/frosty-morning-in-munich.html http://image-in-ing.blogspot.ca/

Added Color

Image
My leaf rubbings have been updated with some color.  I used Inktense pencils.  Oh man, do I love them!  I am much happier now that they have some vibrant color.  I am considering sewing them into a block and donating it.  Next year Canada will be 150 years old and a large quilt is being created to commemorate that. I am linking with http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.ca/ http://francenadeau.com/blog/

Week 49 Journal challenge

Image
And suddenly you just know it's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.  I enjoy starting something new.  Possibilities seem endless when you are starting something new.  Sticking with something when the newness has worn off isn't quite as much fun.  Over the years I have learned to persist and stick with it.  There is a certain pleasure in seeing a job finished.  I have definitely become better at finishing and also not starting something new when it is likely I won't be able to finish it.

Work in Progress Wednesday

Image
This is the start of my six inch guild challenge piece.  Clearly the colors for this month are red and yellow.  I created the little heart with two pieces of plastic and some stars, glitter, crayon sandwiched between and then ironed to melt it all together.  It is fun and textural.  I added some silk sari yarn couched down around the edge.  More stitching is needed.  Not sure if I will have time or not.  It really is too plain without some added embroidery though.  I will have to find the time. I am linking with http://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.ca/ http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-87/  

Take a Stitch Tuesday

Image
The Raised Cup stitch is just so cool.  I love the way it looks.  I have repeated it a number of times in the above two photos.  I also tried doing it with gold beads, top photo.  Will definitely be doing more of this stitch.  Thanks to  Sharon B  for the instructions.  I really appreciate being reminded of this stitch!

I heart Macro

Image
A few weeks ago my sweet hubby gave me a bouquet of roses.  They have since died but I never got around to composting them.  There is something to be said for being a not so great housekeeper because a spider built a web on this rose. I thought it would make a cool photograph.   I spritzed it with a bit of water and it is even more interesting. I am linking with https://mersad-photography.blogspot.ca/2016/12/sunny-winter-days-and-breaks-through-my.html http://image-in-ing.blogspot.ca/?utm_source=image-in-ing&utm_campaign=561fb0c8c2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adfb5a538b-561fb0c8c2-70817477

Leaves

Image
The leaves are pretty much all gone now.  The landscape is grey and bleak.  So is my mood today, a rarity for me.  I am mostly an upbeat person.  The frustrations of the week have gotten to me.  blah!  My leaf rubbings pictured above have helped to add a bit of color to my life.  MUCH more color is needed for the leaves to really sing.  I haven't quite decided how to do that.  It needs to be easy and fun though! I am linking with http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.ca/ http://francenadeau.com/blog/

Journal Page #48

Image
We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.  Great quote.  I enjoy helping when I can.  I love when I feel I have made a difference in someone's life.  My life seems so rich.  I have been volunteering at community center that caters to the homeless and needy.  Last week we did a found poetry journal page.  I had cut up old book pages into strips.  We sifted through the strips to find words that jumped out at us.  The bottom image is the journal page I created with my found poetry.  It was so fun to do this.  The participants asked me to bring it back again this week.