3/4 finished!

Well, I'm 75% finished with the loom bracelet I'm making for a friend.  Now to weave in the 60 warp threads and attach the closure.  At this rate, I should have it finished in a week or two!  HA   Seems like it takes me forever to work on things since the 'wild child' has joined the family!  I'm sure it's our fault in training her to play all the time but....
Yesterday I finished up one portion of my group slice.  So far so good but I'm a long, long way to the end.  Monday a group of my friends and I are off to some yarn/quilt shops so that will give me a chance to pick up some fabric for the slice.  I could or may have to paint some fabric but hopefully I can find the colors I want.
Today, I'll work some more on the slice piece and weaving the threads on the bracelet.  We actually stayed home last night and had leftovers!  We're debating about going out tonight!!  Guess I better get my butt in gear and go for a walk!

What's old is new...

Well, I have been busy working on the group slice piece but since I can't show pics until it's delivered to Tommy, I thought I'd show some 'old' stuff! 

So what do you do with this???  This is a picture of snow fencing that was one of our fiber group challenges a few years ago. 

I had a tough time thinking of something to do with it so I ended up screen printing a piece of fabric and making a book cover from the fabric.  You can see other pics that our group made on my old post here.

 

This was my finished book cover for one of my art journals I keep.  You can see the inside and a book mark I made using some of the snow fencing.
It was a fun project to work on and a good use for snow fencing! 
So today I'm going to get back to working on my group slice.  I've got a LONG way to go and a SHORT time to get there!  But I'll get it done!
Yes, we did go out with friends again last night.  We enjoy our dinners at Cody's Restaurant.  Bob had the pork chop dinner (as did one of our friends) and Kara had chopped steak w/onions and I had the herb crusted salmon which was fantastic!  YUM...I'm getting hungry all over again...but tonight I'll be cooking dinner but I will have my left over salmon for lunch!

 

Look what I won! Yippee!

Yep!!  I won Lyric Kinard's 'Bead it Like You Mean it' DVD by Lyric Kinard!!!  How cool is that!!  Linda Kittmer was kind enough to give away the DVD on her blog and my 'number' was drawn!  Linda is a self taught beader who does phenomenal beading and her art quilts are just as spectacular!   Grab that cup of coffee (or margarita!) and check out some of her work!  Amazing!!  I am so excited and can't wait to watch this DVD!!!  Being self taught as well (although my work doesn't compare to Linda's), I'm anxious to pick up new tips and inspiration!    But at the moment I don't need a new project!  I started this a.m. on the group/slice quilt project Tommy is putting together.  I don't have much time to complete this piece as it's due in Tommy's hot hands by May 7th!  Yikes!  So guess I better get back to it and off the computer!  Root dyeing day today; dinner with friends tonight and tomorrow!!  The scale will be getting a workout!  Or not!

 

What else am I forgetting!

Geezz...the past week or two have been a blur...without Internet for a few days; traveling to my sisters; enjoying dinner(s) out with friends; tooting around with Carol, I'm not getting ANY art work done. Well, I am beading on the loom from time to time but no more hand work on my Georgia piece. I did receive my group quilt package in the mail from Tommy so that will be consuming my time and effort as it's due to be in Tommy's hands by May 7th! Yep...May 7th! So between being a social butterfly and getting ready to head back to Michigan, my time will be consumed with working on my portion of this group quilt. Size is 9" x 35" (or close to that - I don't remember exactly and too lazy to get up and look. 

Last Friday, Carol and I took off to the Villages for a day of walking, shopping and of course lunch .  We ended up at a wonderful Italian Restaurant called Peroni's!  This was the view from our table!

You gotta love the Villages...lots of people, golf carts all over...just a great mix!  But back to our lunch!  We had a fantastic bruschetta and split a crispy chicken salad.

You have to admit this looks great and I can't tell you how good it was.  Bob and I almost went there today...but he said he didn't think I'd want to go back since I was just there!!  Do you think he doesn't know me!  DUH!

So on the way home we went past a store I've been wanting to go in to purchase some Wood Icing (another story on this item!).  The shipping is outrageous so I thought I'd pick up a container while in Ocala...I just happened upon Decorative Designs web site and low and behold they are right around the corner from us!!  So in we stopped, I picked up my Wood Icing and some other items.  I was quite interested in this rug they called a Jellybean rug.  I couldn't decide which pattern I liked and because I'm going back next Thursday for their "make it - take it day" I thought I could think more on it.  These rugs are so cool  and are made of recycled post consumer PET plastic.  The owner of the store said the more you wash it the softer it gets...just like a pair of jeans!

As we were getting into the car, Carol handed me a package and said "thanks for the use of my sewing machine".  Carol made another baby quillow this year so she wanted to thank me!  How nice was that!!!  And I got my horse rug!

Yes, I miss my horses but guess not the work...although, you don't really think of it as work...just like raising kids or puppies, right!  So THANK YOU, Carol again for my rug!!!  Something to look forward to when we get home to place my rug in just the right spot!! 
Well, I hope to have some art work to post about soon!  Won't be able to show my group piece but hopefully I will get to finish my loom piece or Georgia.  If not, I'm sure there will be more food pics since we'll be eating out lots the next three weeks!

Too busy for pincurls!

Well, I'm not really sure what the title of my post means either...but our Aunt who raised my sister and I would say this all the time...it has something to do with just being so darn busy!  But I love being busy!!!  The visit with my sister was wonderful!  For some reason, I'm not good at taking lots of pics of people while I'm there but very good at taking pics of the dogs!  You'll have to check out Kalee's blog for those pictures.  I did get a picture of my great niece and nephews!  But I forgot to include their mom, Dianna Lynn, in the picture!!!  They drove three hours to come up and see MaryAnn and I for the day!  They've lived in south Florida for quite sometime and Lynn home schools all the children.  Each one (there are actually five kids!) have always taken college courses while in high school and continue on to college getting their associate and bachelor degrees way before most!  These kids are amazing and the credit has to go to Lynn and her hubby!  Guess my sister did a good job as well in raising her own six kids!

 Of course, Kalee had to get in the act and play with the kids!

And there's another quilter in the family!  Priscilla who is in 6th grade has made several quilts already!  This is for her nephew who is due in August!  I think she did a great job!  And she also free motion quilted letters of the alphabet on the quilt!  I told Priscilla I would send a box of fabric, threads, etc. to her when we get back to Michigan.  Looks like I'll be splitting up my stash between my grand daughter and my great niece! 

So the visit to my sis was great...I returned on Thursday afternoon in time to unpack then get ready for a night out with friends!  Friday, Carol and I took off to the Villages for a wonderful day of walking around and having a fantastic lunch!  More pics will be posted tomorrow.  Today, I'm cleaning and doing laundry so I can play tomorrow! 
So thanks again, Sis and Lynn for a wonderful visit!!! 

A little of this...a little of that!

 I'm trying to get my pics in order to post but had to show the really clever necklace my friend Verna made!  She actually made one for each of us (8!) and handed out at dinner the other night.  It's made of yarn and beads at the closure.  I love it!!  THANKS, Verna.  She made them in shades of brown or multi colored.  Carol wore hers the other day when we ran some errands and it looked great with her coral top!!  Mine matched my shirt perfectly.  I have such clever and wonderful friends.

 I finished my geometric maze bracelet for myself the other day.  I added a toggle clasp because I couldn't find the right pewter closure.  The toggle looks good but sometimes they are hard to put on. 









Now I'm starting another bracelet for our friend, Jan.  It's black and white...actually the 'white' is called a Marine Blue Gold luster...but I like it better than the silver.  I used this same bead in my geometric bracelet.  The silver is just too...too...if you know what I mean.!

 

Today will be a bead day, catch up day and packing up day!  I'm headed back down to my sister's for another 24 hour visit!!!  I'm so excited to see her again and with only a two hour drive it's not bad at all.  Beats driving 6-7 hours one way to Pennsylvania from Michigan!  At least this way we get to see each other more often.  I'm really looking forward to having Kalee play with her cousin!!  That will give me a break at night!

Finally!

We were without Internet service for several days so I am WAY behind in posting.  I know I've uploaded pictures to my laptop from my canera but I have to look at what I haven't posted about yet!
I did finish my beaded loom bracelet and put a toggle clasp on it.  See...no picture!  Hmmmmmm  But here is my Georgia on my Mind piece.  Hard to see but I'm adding some stab hand stitching.  This is such a relaxing technique!  I love hand work so this is perfect for sitting out in the lanai or front porch and just sewing!  We've had weather in the 80's for almost two weeks but always a breeze so unless you are standing out in the sun (golfing!) it doesn't feel that bad!  Between birds singing and sun shining, you can't help but feel SO good! 
Although, I think our family and friends are feeling about the same way.  It's always scary with the wonderful winter folks have had.  Are we waiting for the snow yet!  Don't worry...it will be there when we head home...always is...so we just expect it.
So until another day...I'll try to get my act together to post some pics of work I've doing/done and events we've attended!  If I can remember which is which!

Finished

Geezz...I'm working with the new Blogger Interface and hmmmmmm....hopefully, I'll get the pics where I want them!   First off, my Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly (actual name!) is finished!  Well, I do have to mount this piece and the other pieces on canvas but they are finished!  Yippee!  Although, I'm anxious to start another one...just not sure if I'll do a bird or butterfly next!

 

So today as I was putting away my beads and floss for this piece, I thought, heck, I might as well put away my sewing machine.  I won't be doing any machine stitching the next four weeks as I'm working on my beaded loom piece and my stained glass piece, which is all hand stitching.  So...I packed away my sewing machine and started on packing up other art supplies I won't be needing.

And  look how clean my table is now!  Well, other than my quilt and some yarns, hoops, beads, scissors...all the stuff I will be needing!!  Actually, I have this packing up for Florida and the return trip pretty much down pat.  At least my art supplies are 75% packed up so that just leaves me more play time to toot around with friends!  Speaking of which, yesterday, Susan, Verna and I took off for Gainesville to hit the yarn shop, have a great lunch, then to JoAnn Fabrics.  I wasn't so good at "helping the economy"...I only bought two packs of sewing machine needles and some pens for zentangle work.  

So now Kalee and I are off to the lanai to do some beading on the loom!  I'm finishing up laundry and just taking the rest of the afternoon off.  It's another beautiful day and we suppose to hit temps in the 80's (again!).  Just about the same weather every day this week...although, kids said temp is warm back home...just a little cloudy and rain at times.  But no snow!!  NOTE:  I'm kinda liking this new blogger interface!   Who knew!

Now to hand stitching

My butterfly is attached and beading finished. Now to work on the hand stitching. I did start on the leaves yesterday so hopefully I can finish the piece sometime over the next few days.
This morning Bob and I took off to go out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel! We get the 'Grandma's Special' (which for some reason isn't on the menu but all the waitresses know what it is!). Of course, we brought half home so we'll have another good breakfast tomorrow morning as well! Tonight, we won't eat much as that breakfast seems to hold us all through the day!
I'm looking forward to the next few days...Sunday, Carol and I are going to the Master Garden show, which is one of our yearly events we look forward to. I love see all the vendors and just walking around looking at all the beautiful plants. This is the same show that I've purchased my Amaryllis bulbs from. My plants bloom beautifully each year and I hope they do again this next spring! You can see what the flowers looked like last year on my post here.
Monday, Susan and I are heading out to Gainesville to help spur on the economy! And of course stop for treats along the way!! Later in the week, Carol and I are heading out to, once again!, help the economy and do a little shopping! We ladies really try to do our best to help out! So guess I'll close so Kalee and I can sit out in the lanai and bead (she'll sleep...I'll bead!...at least I hope that's what will happen!).

Technology at its best!

I love gadgets so, it's no surprise that I love my Ipod! I use it daily for so many different things - listening to books, looking up recipes, playing music, playing Words with/Friends...you get the picture! Today I'm posting about two 'technology' items! But wait! One of them does include fiber...sorta!
I'm a dedicated follower of Jill, from The Quilt Rat blog, and yesterday this talented artist impressed me again, but this time with being techy! Check out her post from yesterday on creating her own QR code for a label on her quilts! Which by the way are OUTSTANDING!!



Her QR code is in pic above and I used the Quick Scan App on my IPOD, which shows Jill's blog.










Then you click and here's her posts! How cool is that!!!

The next app I just love, love, love is Fitness Pal! This is the coolest (& free!) food diary and calorie counter I've seen or used. I have had others on my Ipod but deleted them. They were just too hard to use but this App is amazing!!! Today I found another feature where it will scan a barcode on a product so I thought I'd give it a try!
I scanned in the barcode on a package of butternut squash pasta, and check it out!

So now I can adjust the number of pieces I had for dinner and just add to my 'diary' for the day. The pic on the right is from my entry from Wed. The best part of this app is it lists the total % of calcium, carbs, sugars, etc. you've incurred during the day. I'm always interested in the amount of calcium I don't seem to get enough of so this part of the diary is great!! And did I mention it's FREE!!!
They have over a million or so products on their site but it's quick to scan in something from the frig or cupboard.
So that's my technology update for today!!! Gotta love 'em! It honestly doesn't take much to amuse me!

Together again

Yep...the wings are together again! I still have to bead the body and then add a small beaded stem but it's coming along. I worked on the piece yesterday after a quick dying session. I didn't feel like 'browsing' through my bead box for the body so I took my embroidery thread box and needle out to the lanai and starting some hand stitching. Birds were singing, sun was shining and Kalee was lounging in the rocking chair! Perfect afternoon to sit and stitch.

I've had a heck of a time trying to get the purple flower to be what I wanted but this is close enough. It's just a piece for myself and not for a show so it can be what it is. As long as I'm happy, right!



Here are some of my dyed pieces from my small dye session yesterday.

I was actually trying to dye some maroon fabric to make something for my sister. Actually the piece on the left (gold/pinkish piece) is the Radiance fabric I purchased at the marketplace last month. It did dye up beautifully but not the color I wanted. Not sure if I'll over dye it or just leave as is.
I just looked at the pics and layout of this post and appears to be a little mixed up...but that's OK. It's 'documented' enough for when I reference back to what I did!
My friend, Peggy, and I are going to an estate sale here in the community later this afternoon. It's fun going to sales and this one has lots of cut glass and other unique items. Bob has already warned me that our car is full enough and to be careful on what I buy! But who can resist going to an estate sale when you can walk to the house!! Let's just hope I don't have to walk back home to pick up the car to go back!!

Scary times!

Yep, this was scary cutting out my beaded wings! But it's done...now to the next part!
I traced my design on my background fabric, layered and quilted the piece yesterday afternoon. I'm feeling lots better today so my plan is to start painting the piece. Then I'll 'attempt' to attach the wings and bead the body of the butterfly.
It's another beautiful day here in Ocala! I just love hearing the birds sing and having the sun shine! Just makes you feel good and ready to start the day!

Half Way Point(s)!

Yep...lots of half ways going on in my life. First is we are half way through our winter 'vacation'. We'll be leaving mid April to head back to Michigan. January seems the longest month then the time in Florida flies for us. It's been another great year and I certainly appreciate being here. Miss family and friends but not the weather...although, I was just informed by my son that he was taking off for a Trip to Israel yesterday! He didn't want me to know before hand as he knew I would worry! Go figure! He was right! It's a work related trip but there are several tourist days for sight seeing. They are in a group so I'm sure he'll have safe travels and get lots of pics!
So...my butterfly is half way done...BUT...I always work my beading in a hoop...but...and here's the big BUT...this time I didn't. I'm not sure why I didn't use the hoop and now I also know why I always have and should use a hoop. My background fabric has distorted a lot. More than I can fix with blocking, steaming or stretching the heck out of it! So, I'm going to have to cut away my wings, re quilt a background piece, repaint leaves and flower then attach my wings, add the body then I can be finished! So maybe I'm not even half way done with this piece! DUH!

I am half way finished with Georgia on my Mind. I've stitched inside each of the leaded glass areas. Now to add some hand or machine stitching (hand is what I'd like to do) then bind the piece and I'll be finished.
I did have a minor setback yesterday when I started this post. On Saturday I didn't feel so hot and had some swelling around and under my eye. More than normal! By Sunday a.m. the swelling was down into my cheek and I felt crappy! So after Bob left for golf I headed off the the Quick Care office. Ended up I had a temp of 100 (who knew!) and was given a diagnosis of URI/sinusitis/ear infection. I left the UC and headed off to pharmacy (which is another long story - had to go to two places!) then back home to start 3 different meds. I'm feeling better today but still not 100%...but then do we ever feel 100%.
I did take Kalee on a walk this a.m. I felt bad as she had to be like a grown up dog and just sleep yesterday...yea, well that didn't work out so well. I think I was up and down letting her outside in the afternoon more than I laid in bed! So off to quilt and paint a background piece!! Have to do something productive today!

Liebster Blog Award

Thanks to my blog friend, Mary Stori for this award! I wasn't familar with the Liebster award but Mary was kind enough to explain on her blog (The Inside Stori):
“Liebster” is a German word meaning dearest, beloved or favorite, and the Liebster Award is given by bloggers to other bloggers - intended to showcase exceptional up-and-coming blogs with 200 or fewer followers.

There are some 'rules' for accepting this award, which are as follows:

1. Show thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from some of the most supportive people on the internet—other writers and artists.
5. And best of all – have fun and spread the karma.
   

So now it's my turn to pass this award on to some of the blogs I follow that I think are so interesting and will be for you as well!

On Diane's blog, D.E.signed by Diane Evans, you will see workmanship that will astound you! I've been a quiet follower of Diane's work for quite sometime and always look forward to her next post. Diane creats quilts but also dabbles in drawings and Zentangles. You'll be inspired to perfect your workmanship even if it's doing a 'doodle'!

Kate from Kate Boyan's Gallery actually inspired me to start doing bead embroidery. I know I'll never "grow up to be a Kate" but her work certainly keeps me trying. Kate creates artwork using beads! Her pieces look more like paintings then beadwork embroidery! I look forward to seeing what Kate is working on next and so will you!

Laurie from Artsy Chick Quilts blog will inspire you to create quilts in color!! Laurie is a Michigan gal (UP actually!) and a hair dresser...you'll see where Laurie's career has influenced her quilts!

Roberta Warshaw is a jewelry designer whose work has intrigued me since I 'met' her through the Bead Journal Project! Roberta created some interesting pieces for the BJP using seed beads so I was hooked. Roberta's medium is mainly polymer clay and you'll be amazed at the beautiful clay beads she creates.

Sally Dunn from Sally's Stuff is my next pick! Sally calls herself a quilt artist but I would just call her an artist! Sally's blog contains beautiful quilts she's created along with drawings/sketches that are wonderful! This talented lady will have you looking at her work from year's past on her blog.

So these are my picks and I know you'll be inspired, amused, delighted in reading each of these unique artists blogs!