Playtime

Do you remember being a little one at school or camp,and it was time to play a game? Maybe the teacher chose two kids to be team leaders, and they had to pick their teammates from the group. There always seemed to be that one, maybe it was me, screaming, hands waving up in the air, yelling, "Pick me! Pick me!"

Sometimes, when I really want to play, a fabric will scream, "Play with me! Pick me!"

Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true.

First of all, I love Westminster fabrics. This new line designed by Dan Bennett is called Frondescence.

This piece in the collection is called Pragmatic, defined by Merriam-Webster 

"as relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the 

exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters."

Interesting. 

Back story: You know that my computer crashed....bam boom! It has taken me a week to get my laptop to a place where I can do all my work. Installed Photoshop, a printer/scanner, and  Office 365. All relatively painless but time consuming. Like all day type time consuming. So, time to prep for a class on Sunday, opened up a Word document, and I got an error message that the program had stopped working. Happened multiple times. Waiting on hold for Microsoft tech-support......waiting......waiting.

Me:  Yes, I would love for you to help me!

India: May I control your computer remotely?

Me: Sure.

Me: (hitting "yes" for a series of permission screens.Then, my mouse starts moving, screens start opening, things are being clicked, deleted, etc. Done.)

India: Everything is working fine now. Anything else I can help you with today?

(Ok, so that was amazing. You take control of my computer because you know what you're doing and I don't....and...it would take three times as long to explain to me what to do.)

Needless to say, after that kind of day, I was ready to play. Ready to get those "intellectual and artistic matters" rolling. 

I chose one more piece from Dan Bennett's line and a few others.

Then I went into my stash drawers for a few other polka dots and solids and went to work play.

I have a large 24" pillow on my bed. When I want to curl up and read a book, this is what I use. The previous cover was probably 6 years old and had seriously faded from the sun. The fabric was almost thread bare. 

I had so much fun. A much needed relief from the stress. Now, I can relax on my new pillow with a good book.

Enjoy your day :)

And the winner is.....

Yes, the snow has begun. It won't be much, but it's beautiful

nonetheless.

Last night, with one single click, my computer crashed. You just never know when it's going to happen...

and it sucks!!! So, today, having to use my laptop, there will be no pictures and nothing fancy.

The recipient of the pastel batik strips is

EMMA :)

Congratulations!

Indian Summer...

January is quickly coming to an end, and we are finally getting some winter weather in SE Pennsylvania with temperatures in the teens and the prospect of a bit of snow tomorrow. 

Days like this make me long for a fireplace.

Yesterday, as I was trying to finish up this Kaffe zig-zag quilt, I discovered that I had misaligned one of the borders. I spent most of last evening with my trusted friend, the seam ripper, correcting the problem.

Today the quilt top was completed, and I will attempt a better picture when the weather warms up a bit.

I have named it "Indian Summer."

This block for the Autumn Color Project 2012 is now finished and on its way to the

Republic of Moldova.

I am making progress on my CQJP 2013 project. I now have two of these mirror blocks and have started stitching the block that will sit in-between them. 

I went out bead shopping the other day, successfully gathering some new beads and ornaments that might make their way onto this wall hanging.

Tomorrow, I will let you know who will receive the jelly roll set of batiks. 

Until then, stay warm!

January Giveaway !

One of my students told me that whenever she buys batiks, she cuts off a 2 1/2"strip and puts it away - making her own "jelly rolls." Well, I thought that was a great idea, so I set out to work on what I had. For the past week, I have been washing all my batiks and cutting TWO 2 1/2" strips....

one for me and one for one of you :)

After everything was washed, cut, and put away, I set out to organize all the strips into color groups.

This is a set of 26 strips- mostly pastels. The ones that aren't seemed to work nicely in the group.

I'm sure you want to know what hoop you have to jump through in order to get this.

I'll make it really simple.

First, tell me that you're a follower of my blog. That will make me happy.

Then, in your comment, post a link to one of your favorite blogs and tell me why you love it so much.

This does not have to be a quilt/sewing/stitching blog.....this can be any kind of blog.

I just want to know why it's your favorite....then I'm going to go visit it!

I'll be randomly choosing a winner on next Friday, January 25th.

Good Luck to all!

WIP - Wednesday

Well, I am making slow and steady progress on this first Autumn Project block that I received. I feel as if I am almost there.
A few more stitches and I'll be done this one.

I am so excited to now have my list of five people

who will be recipients of a surprise gift from me in 2013.

1. Masha   
http://alovchany.blogspot.com/2013/01/creative-pay-it-forward.html

2.  Tina  
http://feedthedogs.net/spilling-energy-2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

3.  Leslie  
http://lesliesitchintobestitchin.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-creative-pay-it-forward.html

4. Kerrie  
http://prettyladybaby.com/2013/01/05/2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

5.  Iris  
http://agildedyarn.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/2013-creative-pay-it-forward/

I'm going to be spending some time on each blog, getting to know all of you better, and trying to make my gifts to you  as personal as I can. Now, to get to work!

I have also received my first two completed blocks back from the Autumn Project. Such fun! These blocks started here in my home and have been around the world making their way back to me.
This block was embellished by Masha...
Thank you, Masha. It is so beautiful!

And this block was embellished by Natasha.
Thank you, Natasha. Your work is lovely!

Stay tuned! A giveaway is coming up in the next blog post...

Work in Progress Wednesday

Here I am, plugging away at my first CQJP block for 2013. 

When I picked these fabrics and planned out my nine block wall hanging, I was hoping for a 

bit of Asian flare.

I chose fairly soft lines for the feather stitch, then added some shimmery blue

foliage and dangling beads.

This block will be in the top left corner. So, the stitching in the top right corner will

hopefully mirror this design.

Here's to my very first Work in Progress post.

Hopefully this is the start of something new...

2013 Creative Pay-It-Forward

So, this has been flying around Facebook, and I thought it would be fun to bring it to the Blogoshpere:

"2013 Creative-Pay-It-Forward: the first five people to comment below will receive something from me within the calendar year. Your gift will be a surprise and will arrive without warning. The catch? You must post this invitation on your blog, as well.

Ready? Go!"

So, here is what I would like you to do:

1. Comment below that you would like to receive something from me within 2013.

2. Also, write in your comment the name of your blog so that I can learn something about you. In this way, I might be able to make your gift more personal.

3. Then go and post this invitation on your blog so that you can pay your creative abilities forward! 

3. Finally, email me your full name and address for mailing your gift.

I am seriously excited!

Now, here are the humble beginnings of my first CQJP 2013 block.

My mother, a collector of all things beautiful, gave me a bag of antique lace for my birthday (a week ago). When I opened the bag and saw this lace motif, I was astounded that it fit perfectly on the fabric I had chosen for this square. 

Then, after stitching the buttonhole wheels, I discovered a set of buttons she had given me,as well, that were the perfect color.

Thanks, Mom!