Spring Art & Fiber At Watson

A little Field Sketching - on a warm spring afternoon

Leftover 3.5 inch squares become a new quilt

Glorious Color!

Machine Quilting this

Quilt top from leftover squares - dark in center, medium in corners, lights in middles. 

yum

the sun was just hitting the hillsides just right - a pleasant early evening stroll by the creek

Overall a little bit of this and a little bit of that makes for a fun creative and relaxing weekend.

International Post Card Swap Jan. 2015 - the sent cards

So every year for a while I have participated in 2 different International  Mixed Media Post Card Swaps.  This one  right now is through Shannon Ganshorn from Musings on Reality    from Canada
These are the postcards that I made to send out.   I send out 10 and in return I receive 10.  I will show what I have received  so far over  the weekend.

                 It always seems that what I envision making and what I actually make are 2 very different things.  In the end what I make is similar to what I make other years-  First I start with a Masterboard, that I add base layers of paint to, maybe collage some papers onto it, add some stamps, at some point I cut it up into  4x6 size cards and then add more to them individually.   I started with acrylic paints light teal, dark teal and a salmon color.  Then later I used Pan Pastel in a mustard yellow that really brought warmth and tied it all together.  I also used some Liquid Pearls by Ranger that make a few things pop and some glitter Modge Podge which was because I could not find the plain Modge Podge.   I added a quote that spoke to me at that moment.  Then address them, write a note and stamps and out to the mailbox on the Tundra - that is what it looks like right now.   The last 2 have magazine cuttings from Swansons Broth ad/   " Why do I cook?"   So maybe you will want to try this some day, lots of fun and lots of good mail days!

Pet Mesh Bags

So- this bag style was started in our Quilt Guild meeting.  It is called a Pet Mesh Bag as the black part is made from Pet Mesh- a material made to cover a doorway or a pet carrier or pet play-yard.  You can buy it at a Home Depot where they sell replacement screen materiel.  I got the 48 x 84 inch roll about $20.00 for 6 bags.   The construction is simple and it is fun to mix and match fabrics.  The bottom has a hard piece of timtex, cardboard or foam core to give it more stability and form.  I would estimate that it takes me about 2-3 hours to make one.  That is not to bad I did not think.   IT is very basic.  These 2 both went to Baby Showers, I have one then I gave one to a friend in early Nov. and another to a co-worker for her birthday . . . so I have made 5 - they are quick and easy and look nice.

FIber Festival 2014

The competition part of the Festival

A guilds Challenge to make the same pattern . . .

Raw wool competition

Shearing demonstration but the sheep were quite bloody.

Beautiful wool roving to spin into yarn or to needle Felt with

Beautiful wool

Alpacas all in a row.

  The Fingerlakes Fiber Festival is held annually.  Folks who love wool, yarn and felt come from all over to attend this event.  There is competition in many categories- raw wool, skeins and knitted or felted garments.               
                         I go to this on an irregular basis . . . This year I was able to go with a friend who had never been before.  It is really something to be surrounded by all this fiber and color.
                    When you stop to think about what goes into a hand knitted item,  it is really amazing.   First the sheep farmer has to raise, feed, shelter and shear the sheep.  The the wool is washed, prepared carded into wool roving, then it needs to be spun into yarn.  The the knitter has to buy it and follow a pattern to create whatever item they are doing. I am leaving out  many steps in each of the 3 areas - sheep, yarn preparation and knitted item.  There are just to many things to mention them all.
      There are a number of these Fiber Festivals around the Northeast- they vary in size and activities but if you have an interest in any of the areas- Sheep raising, Spinning or knitting/Felting- try to get yourself to one of them, it will be great fun and Inspirational.

Last Day of May!

                    Just the everyday . . . .that would probably best describe my blog . . . the every day moments that make life what it is.  That is hopefully a wonderful Journey for everyone.   Just the everyday moments that I want my kids to remember or at least be able to look back on . . .
                   It was a good end to the month of May . . . . Carnival, Parade, Finishing May Grid on the last day . . .  now to go back and fill in the days - well that is not so wonderful.
          Carnival rides at night are really fun to look at- so colorful against the night sky . . .  I do not however like to ride any of the Carnival rides, in fact there are a few that just watching them is touchy.  In and out,  up and down, round and round, these folks must have very strong vestibular systems.  I was not gifted that.
                May 2014 went fast, dinners out, Theater2x, a Confirmation, Mothers Day Brunch, a College Graduation, an Eagle Ceremony, 2 Parades, Cemetery duties and all the other wonderful day to day bits and bobs.  Like meals, laundry, cleaning, making cookies, the parts individually that are not noteworthy but together  they make a whole, a whole wonderful life. May we love the Lilacs, the longer days, the return of Tree Frogs and birds, nesting birds, quiet mornings and warmer nights, May is a most delightful month and I look forward to its return next year!

Watercolor Play . . .

A few weeks back,after watching a wonderful little video at Daisy Yellow . . . I decided to take a break from chores and play . . . this is hard for me to do as there  are so many things that pull my attention and time.  . . .  I had lots of fun and love the bright colored papers I now have to use in other creative projects.   I right away made some postcards to send out to a few friends.  Maybe you will want to see Tammy's video and get out your paints!!! You won't be disappointed.

Canada Trip 2014

Winding lane to Lake House

Sunset on Sand Lake

A view to behold every day!

Island

Boat Load of Snow and Good Bye it has been fun!

We have had the pleasure for 5 years to retreat to this lovely Lake House in late March. Usually 5-6 of us, to sew, watch movies, hike, cook, enjoy immensely the pleasure of each others company and relax from the everyday mundane and at times burdens.  This was our last year at this location and we will need to find another. Several of our group are also at crossroads in life that means we may not gather in this way for a long while. Lots of good food and fun, we shall miss this time but hold our memories close.

Patterns in Nature . . .

Just interesting patterns  we found  while walking in a nearby park.  Leaf is a beech leaf . . .

Tea any body?

         So this was a gift from a co-worker.  She is an incredibly creative and kind person.  I love tea and I love Hands.  There is a thin cardboard base like a record album - but narrow and then the clothes pins are hot glued onto the cardboard.  She added all the tea and it could be replaced with photos.  The Hands are just fun foam.  My other co-worker got one like it but it had bright red lips as she cannot work with out her Channel Red lipstick . . . I thought this was really creative.  Marsha my co-worker is such a hard worker,  kind and gentle, a hug when you need it and always a smile and positive words.   She has a lot on her plate but finds time to do such nice things as this.   The world could definitely use more Marsha's in it.   Thank you for being such a great co-worker!   The post it hangs on is right in the middle of my kitchen - so it is front and center for a while.

Post Card Swap Fall 2013

Post Cards on the right

From Israel

From Scotland

From England

From Austrailia

Daisy Yellow from Texas USA

From Florida USA

FromFlorida USA

From New York State USA

From Texas USA

This International Post Card swap was coordinated by iHanna From Sweden.  I have participated in it for many years now.  IT is a fun way to create fun art and receive some fun art.  each  one is so very different.  The artist from Israel sent me a video clip to see what Israel was like- it was very cool.