Mr. Blue is now home!!!

Mr. Blue weighs 3.5 oz. and is 7" high and 7 3/4" wide.  Here he is all beaded and ready for his new home on a quilted wrapped canvas!!!  



And before I forget...I have to thank the ladies from the Fiber Art Bee group from Gainesville, Florida.  A few years ago I did a trunk show for them.  The ladies put together a bag of blue beads for me to use in Mr. Blue!  The bag had to weigh over five lbs!  or more!!!  I used almost all of the seed beads that were in that bag...so thank you ladies!!!







And here he is, finally!!!  Hubby helped me attach the quilted background on to canvas...we are getting to be experts at this process!  HA  I'm quite happy with the results.  Some of the color on the pictures aren't very vivid.  This green is what the background really looks like!  HA

This is an animation of the beading process...I started Mr. Blue in March of 2016....

This shows the background before I added the  French Knots...

The French knots and embroidered stem just added so much more to the piece.

  

Once the quilted background was attached to a wrapped canvas (thanks to my hubby!) I sewed Mr. Blue on.  You can see the white pin heads holding 'him' in place.

Some closeups of the background stitching and knots

Color isn't so good here!

I recently did a blog post on how I start  my bead embroidery projects.  You can read that post here.  So now it's time to be thinking of the next beaded piece!  My bud, Susan, sent me a leaf she found on the golf course in Florida.  So that leaf is headed south to Florida for our winter and possible use as a photo for a bead project.  I think the colors will be great!  Just never know what I might end up beading!!!

New Project

Last month I posted on winning the magazine, Simply Moderne, from Margarita Korioth's blog,  Margarita had an article on sun printing, which I'll be doing as soon as I can stay home during the day...this has been a busy week!

My readers will remember my beaded blue squirrel that I started in 2016 and finally finished in 2017.  You can see that post here.

Well, Mr. Blue needs a home.   I had thought of creating a hex background for him to attach to a small canvas.

Over the past several months, I've been making blue, teal, orange and yellow hex's ...well, you never know what you'll use them for, right!  Anyway, I did layout the squirrel on some hex's...colors were pretty cool...

But then, I went through my stash and found this small piece of sun printed fabric one of our former fiber group member sun printed.  Karen did some beautiful sun prints and a few years ago I helped her to sell her fabrics as she was cutting back in her stash.  I, along with my buds, purchased several pieces.

I'm kinda liking the contrast of the dark blue with the lime green and yellow!  Isn't this a beautiful background piece.

Only problem I need to add more foliage at the bottom of the piece.  Which is where I'll get to play with sun printing again.  Figure I'll just use yellow Setacolor and perhaps a touch of avocado paint.  The fabric is 13" width and 36" length.  I chopped off a small section to play with the color...now I need to find or make something for the little guy to hold in his hands!  A beaded walnut??  Hmmmmmm

Busy Work

It's been a busy week and the weekend will be taken up with painting the deck!  Bob only has a few boards left to replace!

Woohoo!  I finished all the white spindles last weekend so now we can start on the beige deck painting.  Floor will be last, of course, but at least I can start scrapping and get the painting finished on the upper boards.  We're suppose to have below 80 or 90 degree weather, which will be good.  We're always painting when it's 80 or 90 degrees out!  I've said for years that it's too hot to paint in that temperature.  We'll see if painting in the 70's works better!

With rainy days this week, I have been sewing.....



I took a piece of stamped fabric I did last winter and free motion quilted the piece.  I cut out sections about 6"x8" so I can use for fabric cards.

Evenings are filled up with working on my hex pieces! I'm wearing my splint while sewing these paper pieces, which I think is helping my wrist when I sew.  There are 123 pieces here! Doesn't look like that much but it is!  I've got a ways to go since I want to do the entire piece of fabric in hex's...mainly because I don't know what I'm going to do or how many pieces I'll need.

And good old Mr. Blue is coming along!!!  His feet are all beaded and now I just hope I have enough beads left for the remainder of his body!!!  Yikes!!!

I'm also trying to decide how to quilt a background piece for my beaded leaf.  Once quilted, I'll be wrapping around a canvas.  I'll take to my fiber meeting next month for input from the ladies.


So that's my week so far!!!

Honest..I've been busy!

Can't believe my last post was almost a week ago.  I do try to post every 2 days or so.  This is after all my journal!  I print out my posts every year or two (depending on how much of a discount coupon is being offered!) and then I have a hard copy of my life!  Speaking of life....

Yes, I have been busy!!  Mr. Blue is slowly getting his body!  I've started to outline his little feet and then I'll switch between the rest of his body and feet!  Those tiny #15 seed beads get to me so I relax with the larger beads (#10's).

 I altered his picture to black and white and sepia!  Just kinda fun to play and see the light and dark beads!

And I'll have to remember to send a final picture to The Fiber Art Bee group!  I did a lecture/trunk show  (you can see that post here)  back in 2016 and they presented me with LOTS of blue beads!
 I've used so many of the beads they gave me in Mr. Blue!!  This fiber group are wonderful and talk about active!  They always have some interesting workshop taught by members or professional artists.

I've also completed my challenge piece for the online group, Art Quilts Around the World.  Our theme this month is Nursery rhyme and it's due July 31st.  I can't say what my piece is...but here's a sneak peak!   And it's finished!  YEA!!!

And I'm now working on the 4, 12"x12" squares I need to have completed by September for Tommy's exchange this year.  Again, I can't show what I'm doing but trust me...I'm working away!

And on a good note...so far the injection in my wrist is holding up...although, I had a scare last week...I went to shift my body (hip hurts if I sit too long!  ha) and used my right hand to help move my body!  Not a good idea!  Boy, did that hurt!!!  So I  kept my brace on for a good part of a few days and iced it.  So far I'm ok!  Whew!!!!

Bob has been working hard on our deck.  We have lots of boards that, after 21 years!, are finally starting to rot.  We have had estimates but they want so much money it's ridiculous!  So, Mr. Fix-It has his project plan (on Excel!) and has been buying wood, an air compressor (the one we have is too heavy to move around!), a staple/nail gun, paint, etc.

 He's pulled off some of the boards and has painted some new ones.  Monday, I'll start painting the spindles where he removed the boards so that area is painted and hopefully will save from rotting.  Have to give Bob credit...he's taking his time...that was my main concern he would overdo and kill himself...but he's doing a little each day.  So far...so good!!!  And he's still alive!!!

Last post from Florida for 2017!

By the time most of my followers read this (although, there are some early birds aren't there!), we'll be on the road heading back to Michigan!  It seems like we've been here for quite some time (four months actually!) and yet it doesn't seem that long!  Although, with all the eating out we've been doing it does seem like a long time!  HA

So of course, we had to have a 'last 2017 supper' with the gang!

We had a great dinner (pizza!) at Dan Zano's in Ocala.  We ate there about a month ago and it was just as good  as it was the first time!   And we got one cheese pizza free!  So guess what we'll be eating Saturday night in the hotel room for dinner!

I have to say it's like leaving family when we have to say  goodbye to our Florida friends.  Hard to leave Michigan to head south and hard to leave Florida to head north!  But we are blessed and lucky to be able to spend the winter here.

A huge thanks to the gang and another hug and thanks to Jan and Larry for allowing us to 'move into' the OP home for four months!


I have to show what Jan gave me today...she asked if I wanted  a Publix shopping bag (I love, love, love Publix!). I said "OK" and look what she gave me!  Isn't it cute!  It's a key chain with a little bag!

Well, squirrel didn't get a face finished this week...but I did get lots done!

So he is now packed away in the car with all my other art and sewing supplies! No he's not a smoker...I just keep my beads in a cigar box!  Doesn't everyone!

More of 'this and that'!

Earlier this week at the hair salon, this lovely lady  came in to visit!  Her name is Daisy Duke and she is a service dog!  And a sweetheart!  She's no little girl either!  Daisy helps her mom climb stairs, walk and just stays close to her.  I remember seeing her last year but never got a picture.  Daisy has tons of hats and outfits and everyone smiles when they see that face!  She wears her sunglasses as she likes to have her head out the car window!  

And look at what I received in the mail!

It's from my blog buddy, Sherry, from Createology!  She is so talented and is SO very giving!  She is always sending out lovely items she makes and send to her friends!!  And I'm lucky to say I've received several lovely gifts from Sherry!  Thanks again Sherry!!!  You are a sweetheart!

Speaking of cards...I made this several weeks ago but forgot to take a picture.  I was with the lady who received it so I did get a picture.  The fabric was from our stamping day a few weeks ago.  Always nice to have some fabric on hand to make a fiber card from!   I was limited on the thread I had so yellow it was!

I always love showing pictures of our friends.  This is my bud, Sally and her hubby Dan.

 The cafe her in the community have a BBQ each Sunday so the 'guys' had Sally and I come for dinner.  Both the guys had the Jamician BBQ (chicken/pork/brisket/rice/vegies) but Sally and I didn't!  We still had a great dinner and the guys dinner was only $6 and included a well drink!  The Ocala Palms cafe is new and they are in the process of trying out new food items and specials.  Bob and I love their Taco Tuesday.  For $6, which includes a Corunna Beer you get chips, salsa and 2 tacos in flour shell!.  You know how much we 'oldies' love a good food or drink special!

Of course, I have to include Mr. Blue's progress....I've started on his face/arm area.

I do a lot of unbeading but you have to at this stage to make sure the beads and colors are in the right spot.  I think he's coming along.  I just hope I can keep that sweet face!  I am working on another project for the online group.  The theme is The Eyes Have It and I'm already moving along quite well...can't show any of it yet!  Not until May 31st!  And since we'll be traveling home that first week, then Dr. appointments, staying with kids and seeing my buds I sure won't have a lot of time to work on that project!  I need to get as much done this month as I can...which means, Susan and I may have to head to a quilt shop!  My fabric stash here is null!  Any excuse will do!

The Squirrel and more food! What else is there!

I have to keep taking pics of Mr. Squirrel because I like to document my process for quilts and more so for my beading.  Some of my readers may remember my leaf (you can see that progress here).

I do enjoy looking back as to how or why I started a project (thanks to Susan for the leaf!).  It's no different for this little guy! I started it February 2016 and did work on it while in Florida that winter. But after we got back home there wasn't much activity.  I brought him with me this year hoping I would get time to work on it.

Looking back on the 'start' I guess I have made progress.  Mr. Blue (decided to give him a name!) is 7 1/2" tall and 8" wide!  Beth (Quilter Beth's Blog) asked if he was heavy...yes, he's getting there.  I have not weighed my leaf, which is quite heavy too!  I will weigh them both when I get home.  I have a kitchen scale that should work perfect.  Never thought of weighing them before!  Thanks for the question, Beth!
 I've added some lighter beads on his belly and will be add some for his face too.  He is kinda cute and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can keep his face features!!!

This past Monday we headed to the Freezer with our mates Jan, Larry, Karah and Howard...shrimp was good as ever...how can it be bad.  The place was packed when we arrived but we (really it was Jan!) asked  folks at a table if we could have dibs on their table when they finished!  I didn't get a picture but Jan.  She had on a blue cowboy hat and looked adorable so how could they refuse!  Worked out great!  You have to stand in line to order so we sat quickly while the guys stood in line!

And, as always, we had to stop at DQ!  Actually, that's the main reason I like to go to the freezer!  Another good meal!!  And experience!!  Gotta love Florida winters!

Picky...picky

Who knew trying to find the right 'blue' beads for a squirrel would be so difficult!  Last week I stopped at my favorite bead shop here in Ocala! and picked up some lighter shades of blue/grays for my squirrels chest/belly area.   See the arrows...I want those a different shade from his body...Of course, the beads were not the right color so on Sunday, my bud Sally and I headed off to the bead store.  I exchanged the beads for a few different colors...still not sure it's going to work...but in the meantime....

I decided to remove the beading from around the little guys head.  Kate, from Kate Boyan's Gallery, gave me a great suggestion a few years back to outline bead my piece before I start the 'real' beading.  This was and still is a good suggestion but for this little guy I want his 'fur' beads to be more fur like?  OK, I can't think of a good word for it but I think it will work out.   So I did some unbeading...a little like 'unsewing'!   And then I started beading his little whiskers and his eye.  I'm happy with the eye and add'l whiskers will be added after he's attached to a quilt.




I finished his back/tail area and started on his shoulder area. He's coming along!!!  Slow but sure!

Another 'point' of view!

So in my last post, I showed the collaborative quilt that I participated in.  Kay posted on Face Book another 'look' at our quilt.  I think it looks rather interesting this way too!  Always fun to look at your work in different ways isn't it!

It may not be easy to hang on point since Kay already put in the sleeve and had a board cut to fit.  Anyway...it's just another point of view!

And my squirrel is coming along....slowly...I know they are fast little buggers but I'm not!  HA

On Monday, my bud, Susan and I headed off to the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop in Trenton!  We both really like this shop...they have over 7,000 bolts of fabric.  Yes, that is 7,000!  It's a great shop that is also organized so well!!!  And they have a restaurant in the front of the building...so you can look at fabric, have lunch, then go back and purchase lots!!!

I bought four 1/2 yard pieces of fabric...this is usually the one quilt shop I visit each year!  I don't shop at quilt shops back home...just too many fabrics sitting and waiting for me to use in my own house!

Sister Time!

Today I am off to  have a few days visiting with my sister south of here!  She and Nancy have moved to Florida full time now and I haven't seen her since last February.  I'm really anxious to have some time together.  Gigi will be coming with me and Kalee will stay home with dad!  She's hoping for walks and golf cart rides!  Gigi will get to visit with my sister's two dogs!

Yesterday I bathed Gigi and washed Kalee's face and feet, packed up my overnight bag then sat out in the lanai to bead.  My bud, Sally, called and said she was working on her coloring book.  So she gathered up her books and watercolor pencils and we both sat and chatted while we worked!  Of course Gigi enjoyed having a lap to sit on!

 I'm still working on my squirrel...this was the progress last week

And this is what I finished today!  Making headway but it does take time!!  

It is going to be a challenge working on his face and body to get the detail I want.  Just might need to make a visit to my favorite bead shop here in Ocala!  Like I need an excuse!