Friday, July 31, 2009

ShuBoxFabrix Series Cathedral Windows Wall Quilt

Here's another little quilt from the ShuBoxFabrix Series, my new line of quilts. (The ShuBoxFabrix copyright belongs to me.) I made one earlier this week, but I'm not ready to add the pic here, yet. I've decided to do a little more work first on it. " "Yesterday was one of those days when I really should have taken my camera along on my morning walk. I saw a family of 7-8 wild hogs; the parents and the half grown brood. I was somewhat concerned because I've heard they can be dangerous, especially the papa. They ran off into the scrub as soon as they spotted me. Whew!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Sewing is my Drug of Choice

Sewing is my drug of choice...my gateway drug into a state of temporal bliss and happiness. The choices of things to (potentially) make is absolutely endless. The choices of fabrics and various textiles are equally endless...actually, I don't know that for a fact, but I sure hope so!"
" The pillows are made using a vivacious fabric that in a former life was a tablecloth that in another former life was a sheet. They have down and feathers forms. They are darn cheerful! The little quilt was once upon a time a coffee dyed tea towel. And the table napkins are new and speak for themselves. These items are available

Two Wolves

TWO WOLVES One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. "The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Monday, July 27, 2009

Pillows Talk...Simple Elegance!

Simple Elegance is the message this pillow conveys. For more details about how this pillow came to be go to http://www.eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com where it is currently available for purchase. Today while out on my morning walk along our dirt road I saw my first wild hog, in the state park adjacent to the road. Also saw two deer farther down the road. it's always a treat for me to spot deer. It rained this afternoon...one of life's simple gifts that we simply could not exist without.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

"I Heart the Guitar Player-Business Card Cozy"

Titled "I Heart the Guitar Player", this unique Business Card Cozy came form the etsy store of Andrea Baker at http://www.andreabaker.etsy.com Many of my acquaintances play or enjoy guitars and folk music. Take the time to visit her store to see how her creativity manifests itself! The skies were rumbling and grumbling most of the afternoon, but they did not deliver the goods. I spent most of my time today online trying to catch up with reading about online marketing. Tomorrow will probably be a more productive day in my sewing room. Click on the picture for a larger view. And please feel welcome to leave comments! I want to hear what you have to say!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Mini Art Quilt 1 by Sorana Gallery

This beautiful Mini Art Quilt is one of many designs by Sorana Gallery at http://www.soranagallery.etsy.com Please check the comments for the artists description and information, and add some comments, too if you are so inclined. Thanks for looking!

"Upcycled" Pillow

I really like the term "upcycled". Upcycling is something many people have been doing for a long, long time. In case it's a new word for you, it means taking one thing that still has a "good life" and making something different out of it rather than just throwing it away. This pillow used to be the skirt of an Eddie Bauer shirt dress. The buttons that went down the front are on the one side of the pillow. The new muslin form is filled with polyester batting scraps leftover from quilting projects as well as the filling from a throw pillow whose time was up. The stuffing from the pillow was commercially laundered and dried for sanitation purposes.As for the top of the Eddie Bauer dress, it is in my closet as a blouse. The colors are cheerful and suits my skin tone. And the pillow is listed as a PIF in eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com PIF=Pay It Forward.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Valerie's Round Robin Quilt Top

See comments for information about Valerie's Round Robin Quilt Top, and how it came to be. It is for sale in her store at http://www.ponderosaquilter.etsy.com.

Tote Bag

This tote bag is made (upcycled) from a very heavy duty canvas sack, and the pockets came from a canvas kitchen apron for which they were ill-suited. I enjoyed making it, especially thinking of how useful it now is; and it will wear for a long, long time. Next project is making a bed or throw pillow from the skirt of a seriously outdated Eddie Bauer shirt dress. Once hemmed the top will be a shirt for me, I think. It's a good color for my skin, so I better keep it. And then, I want to cut a throw pillow from white craft fur to sell on eclecticarmadillo...if my sewing machine can sew it!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Completion

Always feels good to get another project completed satisfactorily. And this is most certainly one of those times. I love the avocado and rust colors in these throw pillows. The pillows definitely have a feel good effect on me! If you read a previous posting about my first time venture into making yogurt, then let me just add that it was ready to eat by this morning. And I can say that I am sooo hooked! We used a gallon of 2% milk, and half of the yogurt was refrigerated in storage containers, and some of it is being drained of whey for a soft cheese spread- the consistency being somewhere between yogurt and cream cheese. For some reason it isn't keeping that well, ie. it's disappearing (not so) mysteriously! :) Fred is going to the sleep lab overnight again with the goal of resolving the sleep apnea issues. They are going to hook him up again with monitors, and what he humorously refers to as a Darth Vader mask.

Wax Begonia Plants

My mother used to grow Wax Begonias up north. They had to be cut back and taken indoors in the fall before the frost, and moved back out again in the spring. I was delighted to see that people grow them here in Florida, and bought two little plants at a spring sale this year. I would like to be growing more flowers and vegetables here, but with the extreme heat, hordes of mosquitoes, and those five dear little escape artists (pygmy goats) I don't find myself exerting too much effort. Quote~ "Family farmers are a national resource. They're great Americans and true heroes." ~Willie Nelson

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Making Yogurt for the First Time!

Fred showed me how to make yogurt today...something that was passed on to him by relatives, using the way they made it in the "old country". After the starter is added to the cooled down milk, the container ( I'm using an old cast iron roasting pot just like my Grandma had that she used to make the absolute BEST caramel pudding!) is then wrapped in Uncle Dave's old bathrobe to keep it warm for the time period required. I really love recipes like that! Comments welcome!

Blog Appearance Change

I received a suggestion that the blog would be easier on the eyes if the background color were different. I liked black because the pictures popped, but this is certainly easier on my peepers, too. Comments welcome!

Polka Dots and Paisleys!

I'm going to let these pillows speak for themselves. After all, pillows talk! I'm not referring to the kinds of juicy stories
they could tell, but rather to the statement they make. The polka dot fabric/frames came from my friend Valerie of ponderosaquilter.etsy.com Thank you for sharing the foundation for this set of vibrant pillows, Valerie!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Paisley and Plaid

"She only makes Cathedral Windows" is what I hear some say. Well, that just ain't so, but that's another story. Granted, it became a passion, but not quite all consuming. This quilted wall art came to be as a result of my friend Valerie asking me if I wanted some plaid CW frames. Said she had some for herself, we could each make something with them and see how they turn out. Couldn't pass up that opportunity for fun, now could I?! This, then is the end result of the fun I had. Fred continues to be amazed, as do I, at how each one is just so different even though they all are constructed in pretty much the same way. Speaking of Fred, he just came home now with his brand new chompers. Said they don't bite down right, but it didn't stop him from having lunch at his favorite Chinese restaurant. Making progress with the pillow tops-the backing is cut for the 4 tops that are ready. I suppose I will have to make the forms for the rectangular set. That's it for now, folks...shows over... go home!

"End of Your World" ~ Adyashanti

"End of Your World" The truth of our being is not content until it has freed itself of its own misunderstanding, its own fixations, its own illusions. To allow that to happen, as a human being, we have to be willing to be honest with ourselves. While not denying what we've seen, we also have to see how things are, right here and right now. We need to look. We need to ask: "What in me can still go into division? What in me can still go into hate, into ignorance, into greed? What in me can cause me to feel divided, isolated, full of sorrow? Where are those spots in me that are less awakened? We need to see these places, because that which is awakened in us is compassionate. Its nature is undivided, unconditioned love. It doesn't move away from that which is unawakened; it moves toward it. That within us which is awakened doesn't move away from the contradictions in our thought patterns or behaviors. It doesn't move away from fixations, it doesn't move away from pain, but quite the opposite. It moves toward it. ~Adyashanti

Caretake This Moment

Caretake This Moment Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed. Quit the evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now. You are not some disinterested bystander. Exert yourself. Respect your partnership with providence. Ask yourself often, How may I perform this particular deed such that it would be consistent with and acceptable to the divine will? Heed the answer and get to work. When your doors are shut and your room is dark you are not alone. The will of nature is within you as your natural genius is within. Listen to its importunings. Follow its directives. As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life. No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time. Give your best and always be kind. ~ Epictetus ~ (AD 55-AD 135) (Epictetus: The Art of Living a New Interpretation by Sharon Lebell.)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Valerie's Sunflower

Wowza!!! That sunflower bloom is absolutely gorgeous! Just got the pic from a friend, Valerie of http://www.ponderosaquilter.etsy.com. After thunder and rain this morning it cleared up and cooled off...A LOT! Quite unusual for July in Fla. I can take it! Today is laundry day, and working on a pillow top. Got up at 4:00 AM to catch up on paperwork, mail and reading. This evening is the quilt Guild meeting-undecided if I'll make the trip into town. Here's my twitter address if anybody wants to follow...http://twitter.com/erthnsky OK. Back to stitchin'.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Cathedral Windows Clutch

Later this year I'll be teaching a class on how to make this clutch at our local American Sewing Guild meeting, held at Sew Worth It! This is a prototype. I'm very sure I want to use another fabric combination for the tutorial. Fred had 3 more teeth extracted. On Tuesday he will be getting his temporary partial plate. He's begun to fantasize about steaks, and other more solid foods. I'm done with the 10 night house/dog sitting gig. Tomorrow it will be time to get a routine going again. And, as usual, there are so many projects waiting!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Yesterday's Loot! (shhh-just tell one person at a time)

How does it happen that you walk into a fabric store, and things tell you what they want to become?! Needless to say LOTS of tuning out has to be done, but even so.....say, when is my clone being delivered? Speaking of which, the movie Multiplicity had some really good moments in it, as well as some not so much.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Cathedral Windows Table Runners

These two tablerunners have the same fabrics in them, but using a different prominent fabric. Yes, for some peculiar reason, I prefer the word prominent rather than dominant for this description. I still want to get a bird's eye, aerial view of the tablerunners from the upstairs landing. Looks like the weather is going to keep us guessing today. There is some laundry on a folding rack outside...maybe I'll bring it into the porch, juuust in case. Fred had 2 teeth extracted yesterday, so I'm not feeling so good today. Ha ha! He actually weathers that sort of thing quite well. My last tooth extraction was still tender a year later.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Another quilt project!

Slowly, but surely another throw pillow is taking shape. This is the first of a set of two. I've barely begun with the second one or rather have barely begun with sewing the insets. The frames are made. These are in fall colors, not that I pay very much attention to working in season. It's just that these are colors I'm very fond of. Two more nights of the dog/house sitting, and then that is history. The dogs are so well behaved and sweet. Time to get some cleaning done in this house ....again, or still. Whatever!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Chit Chat

We enjoyed the local parade on the 4th of July, and neglected to take pix. I don't have a port in my head to upload mental images to my computer...not yet, anyway...that's a little futuristic! Saturday evening was the annual potluck picnic and jam for the local Folk Music Club at the usual location of Jean Hewitt's log home. As always, a most interesting assortment of food AND people came. Variety is the spice of life! Today, I am going to a friend Pat's house to get instructions on how to caretake her home and pets while she vacations in South America for 7-10 days-beginning tomorrow. I'll come home for several hours a day and stay there overnight mainly. Nothing else in particular on my schedule for today.

Friday, July 3, 2009

BrennieQuilts -Little Quilt Cards

Oh! Delightful! My purchase of two absolutely charming little quilts cards came today. The workmanship is excellent. I'm going to add these little quilt cards to a collection of art purchased from etsy stores. I intend to decorate an entire wall! These came from http://www.brenniequilts.etsy.com/ Please do take the time to visit her store!

Hot off the Sewing Machine!

Growing up in a culture where thinking too highly (or even just well) about your own accomplishments or your self, was cause for varying degrees of remonstrance. My grandmother used to say in her German dialect, "aya lobe schtinkt!" translated "self praise stinks!" The basis was part culture, part religion. Small wonder we secretly harbored feelings and longings for appreciation, but having to wait for due rewards (or punishments) till after we pass over to the other side. So, it is taking me quite awhile to determine what is a good and appropriate sense of feeling well about myself and things I make or contribute to, in THIS life. So, long story short, I just finished this set of pillows and looking at them gives me a good feeling. Especially, I like to look at my quilts and quilted projects in natural light...the play of light and shadows is ever unique!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Real Joy...~Wilfred T. Grenfell

"Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile." Wilfred T. Grenfell So true! I think most artistically inclined people would agree, as well as those whose lives are busy with the care and providence of their loved ones. That , too is art!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

One World "View"

It's a rainy day so the light source in this pic is coming from indoors. On sunny mornings the sun shines through the colored glass in interesting ways. As the seasons change the colors show up in different areas of the kitchen and living room. The previously mentioned sweet potato and potted sprouts are in the picture, as well as a Calamondin Liquor in the corner. The Liquor is Fred's experimental project. Calamondins are a very tart, little orange citrus fruit that grows in our locale.

Time's fun when you're having flies!

Closer to noon than morning here...funny how time slips by...as the frog said, "Time's fun when you're having flies!" Little did I know when only a few years ago upon joining the "wwwebster world" how easy it is to just surf the hours away, and thoroughly enjoy every minute of it! I did a little thing lately that leaves me with a good feeling-potted the sweet potato plants that sprouted from the potatoes. Some went into the garden directly, and others into pots. Gives me a little jolt of happiness...one of my favorite lines is "A little goes a long way for me!" Time to get down there and clean the kitchen, and hand wash a few fat quarters that I need to finish two Cathedral Windows throw pillows, and then...oh! I'll just play it by ear today! Best regards to all!