One Finished and One Started

Falling Leaves on a black background, I really am liking how this one is coming along.  The oak leaves were paper pieced and they really were the worst leaves to do because for some reason, the two completed halves didn't want to fit together.
Over all, the fit of the peices was also off, but because of the layout, it really mattered very little.  I adjusting the size on some of the coping blocks and just moved on.

I'm not real sure I like my green blocks, but I really did want a scrappy look, so I think I need to just get used to them.  The red maple leaves are so fun, but again, I wish I had taken a little more time with my colors.  I'm sure that someone will like this

I do love the setting and this is on my must make again list.  I'll sash and sandwich it at home, I can't wait to try the quilting that they suggest, which brings more depth to the leaves.  That will make them look so much better.

So I moved on to my next project as quickly as I could.  I really wanted my stash of scraps to disappear while I was still here in NY, and there is so much left right now.... This is turtle for a pattern called Over the Pond.  It is made to go in a wall hanging, but I am thinking I'd like to do a set of blocks into table runner sizes instead.  Turtle is going to be my favorite

A couple blocks of blades of grass.  This guy was actually harder to keep accurate than the oak leaves, but it sure came out nice.

On to the frog blocks.  This one took a lot of ripping (rippit), but he finally straightened out and just needs eyes to be in the "done" pile.


I have dragonflies, bees and flies to play with, and they will be on my list right after I do a black cape for a customer.  Yea for paid orders!





“A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man’s brow.” — Charles Brower

Just a few doodles

It's been a while since I have done anything but sewing.  I didn't bring any other art supplies or ideas with me while visiting with  my sister, but I have been playing with doodling and markers. 
This one on the left I did on the train on the way out here, and it is  one of my favorites. 
The one on the right is a funny attempt at copying the design off a painting that hangs in my sister's living room.  The flowers are way too small.  I need to let go a little bit more and not try for such tight control of my life.

Next I tried for a sketch of the flower design on the pillow sham that matches the quilt in "my" room here.  This one was a little more fun and what I was looking for, and even going back to it, I still like some of the flowers. 
On the way to buy bricks for a project at my sister's house, I started playing with simple (way simple) rectangles and shading them in.  It ended up looking more like a walk way idea than something to close in what used to be a door.

 Shopping in Hornel, I scored this great print in a heavier fabric that is just begging to be made into a bag for my lap top.  I think if I am careful, I'll have enough to do a couple of things.

And then I found this funky felt hat.  It was only a dollar, so home it goes.  I didn't as much want the hat, as the idea to copy.  I really love it tho, and I can see doing a couple different things... Cat in the Hat hats and Steampunk top hats perhaps. 
This morning I happened to look on the inside... "Made In Tiawan".  Okay then!




“There is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.” — Martha Graham

Leaves and Witches

Last year I did an applique pattern called Demure witches.  It sold out and I was wishing that I had more of them.  I started another set this year, but they are taking me too long and I'm not going to get them online in time to sell.  Of course, I do have them ready to finish if anyone decides to special order one.  Mouths and eyes, and quilt it out.  Three of them are just That Close!

So then I started working on fall leaves.  I am really driven to use up scraps and buy as little fabric as possible, so I picked some nice fall colors and set to work on small and large leaves.  To tell the truth, I'm not as happy with the results as I'd like to be, but then it is often the work that I don't like as well that sells the fastest, so this one goes into the "ready to be finished" pile and I'm on to the next project. 

As you can see, I still have plenty of "scraps" to use up for several more projects, so SEW!!  I can't wait to get more of the blocks done for the next one, I'm setting the fall color leaves on a black background for a couch throw.  That will be fun.  At least the row of greens and rusts are disappearing.  I need to find an ocean something to do to use up some of those blues.  Turtles and frogs are in the future, I can tell!

 

 

 

 

 

CREATIVITY IS ALLOWING YOURSELF TO MAKE MISTAKES.  ART IS KNOWING WHICH ONES TO KEEP.

Scott Adams