THANKSGIVING 2022

 Happy Thanksgiving ..........

WINTER BIRDS

Sometimes a comment in passing can spark an idea.  This 14" x 10" monoprinted small art quilt will be a holiday gift for a friend.........and since I don't think she reads blogs, I'm safe to share it here.

The silver/blues acrylic paints are metallic, adding a feeling of depth to the sky.  A few other couching, applique & embellishing touches and it was complete.

It's always fun to give a surprise....something I'm going to do do more often!!

NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN

 Our Fiber Frenzy group met this week to play with some cutting equipment.  I've seen both of these machines in use previously, but being old school never gave much thought of owning either. But as they say, timing is everything.

In the past I've mentioned my nagging shoulder issue.  So after another cortisone injection & a frank discussion with my doc....I can no longer ignore it for much longer if I want to avoid more damage requiring rotary cuff surgery and an unacceptable (to me) recovery period.

So......I need to reduce the stress on my joints.....I'm hoping Santa is reading this.....

Kathie gave an in-depth demo of her Brother Scan 'n cut machine.  Here's an overview of the function that would most benefit ME to own one. 

We scanned in some of Susan's designs.  They were edited to make the best use of her fabric and saved in the machine's memory.

Next her fused fabric....fused side up, was fed in & the cutting function was initiated.

After removing the excess fabric.....here's the cut motifs.

This is the tree I scanned & cut....it would have taken me so long  to trace and cut.....this is done in minutes with accurate cutting.  WOW!!!!

Judy shared her Accuquilt die cut machine.  In preparation for a largish quilt I'm planning.....and with stacking help my pals, 5 layers each packet were cut into about 300 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.

A view of the machine, the carrier that covers the foam die cut plate.

I don't do enough patchwork to justify this tool, so I'm really grateful for the generosity of Judy and my fellow Fiber Frenzy friends.  This would have probably taken me two days and way too much stress on my shoulder if cut by  hand.

ON THE FENCE

I dislike winter and cold so much I'm skipping them and going right to celebrating spring/summer with this new little piece. SOLD

ON THE FENCE - 22" x 16"

Patchwork background made with vintage indigo block printed cottons, by hard to find, Da Gama 3 Cats printed in England and South Africa. Motifs are appliqued cotton prints. Hand embroidered and quilted. Bound edges with fabric hanging sleeve attached. 

Noooooo

 What a shock......no clue this white stuff was even a possibility for our Sunday morning......boooooo  hisssssss.  Truly, I can not tolerate snow or cold weather.....I'm going to hibernate ......see you all in the spring!

EXPERIMENTING

 I've spent some time, too much time, figuring out and creating some rather flat fabric bowls.....one 16" and the other two 13".  Decided since each took about a day to make.....how is that possible you ask?  Putzy is all I can say......  In the end they will not be an impluse item to be added to my gallery space......time vs material = in the red profit margain for what I can expect to price them.

Thought you'd like to take a look anyway........in case you think I've been a couch potato!

MARVELING AT NATURE

 Marveling at nature...What looks like a snow covered lake is actually fog that hangs in a lower valley. It often moves up through our mountain valley, appearing like a white sheet being pulled over one's head. Fascinating..... And look at this darling birds nest I spotted on the road this morning during our 'forced march'....