Happy Summer

I apologize for being lax in blogging - it's been way too long!!!

Since times have gotten tougher for all of us - I'm included in that group - art has fallen to the wayside while I've been away at work. Sometimes it's just easier to work for someone else than for yourself. Being self-employed can sure take it's toll on me!!

I have been working on and doing a few arty things this summer....
* Taught a class to my regular students on recycling old paper into new paper. It was a fantastically fun class!
* Painted a JoSonja angel project for a friend. Gave it to her as a "just because" gift.
* Designed a quilted table runner - but yet to actually sew it!!!
* Helped hubby make glass pieces for upcoming shows.
* Went to a machine quilt show and market with a friend and bought some templates.

Sadly the website has been greatly ignored and for those of you who have emailed about adding your site to mine - I will get it done after school starts on the 25th and I have a little more free time. :)

To those of you going to HOOT - have a great time for me!!!!

Strip Quilting Table Runner

I know it's been a really long time since I've posted. It's been a year and half of dealing with aging parents and numerous trips to the doctor and hospital and taking care of them as well as my own family - FINALLY things are settling down so I can get back to the things I love to do, make art!!!

I saw this adorable table runner in American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine April 2008, it's made from a jelly roll of fabric strips. Strip quilting looked like so much fun that I decided to give it a try. Another reason I chose this pattern - NO BINDING!!! (I'm kinda bad at binding)

I've gotten as far as cutting out the diamonds - it was super easy using the template. I took a photo because I love the fabric - it's Moda - I love Moda fabric.

Here is the link to the fabric store when I got the kit from, and you can see the table runner... Stitchin' Heaven
I'll post my table runner when I'm finished.

Fun shops in Vegas

I had a great Easter weekend visiting family in Las Vegas. I got a chance to visit some new shops - new to me at least! LOL

Quiltique - what a super cute and fun quilt store. I wish I could have taken classes! They had awesome quilts on the walls and wonderful quilted bags! The fabrics were fantastic! They have a web site! www.quiltique.com

Las Vegas Art Stamps - this was another super fun store! Everything you need for a paper artist. Stamps, papers, fibers, tools, inks, polymer clay, classes and more. I'm definitely going back on my next visit. They also have a web site http://www.lasvegasartstamps.com

Glass Art Studio Inc - we always visit this store for our stained glass supplies. They carry different items than our local shops, and of course it's always fun to go shopping when you travel. If you're into glass they have fusing, stained, and mosaics too. Here is their web site http://www.glassartinc.com

A Finished Project

One of my New Years Resolutions
was to finish up my unfinished projects. Here is one of them! I started this
before Easter - hmmmm, not sure which Easter - but here it is. I just love it!
It is wool appliqué on a quilted table runner. The pattern is from Ginger
Cookie Company called "Hippity Hop". Here is their website
www.gingercookiecompany.com

Quilting and more quilting

I've been having fun quilting. This fun bag pattern was designed by Christine Lockhart. All of the fabric squares are from the Moda Charm Pack named Sweet Hearts. The lining was fabric I picked out at JoAnn Etc.

Now I was surprised to find out how many pinks don't go together very well. I had to take my piece in to pick out the lining fabric. I thought I could use the pink from the table runner (photo below) but it was to mauve-ish to go with the bag. LOL

I also had fun using some fancy stitches on my machine. Usually I just go with the straight stitch, but I found a fun heart shaped stitch and did the diagonals with it.

The table runner is from a pattern named "Four by Four" designed by Genii Lehmann. I know it looks crooked, but I photographed it on a soft surface. I free-motion quilted it (boy do I need more practice!) and have it on display on my coffee table. For more information about the table runner, go to www.lehmannquilting.com

I know Fabrics dot com has the Moda charm packs. I just think they are so cute!

You can get free shipping on your first order from Fabrics.com