Crazy Women #2

When I started work on this little lady, Arrianne decided right away that the background fabric looked like a beach scene.  How easy to sew on beads and shells to create my seashore.  The sand dollar was in my collection of shells from Corpus Christi - my favorite camp on the beach spot on Padre Island.  The other small shells probably came from the same spot.

'fly

Today I fly - how fitting to find this little guy by the garage.  I do not know my insects well enough to know exactly what he is, but he posed long enough for a few photos!

Leaving again...

Tomorrow my sister and I leave for Stockholm.  I love this city! We will spend a few days there and then head to Norway in search of family and Norwegian roots.  The last time we traveled together to Europe, we spent a week in Amsterdam and a week in Paris.  Dee is the best traveling companion!

Severin Nilsson

In the fall my cousin and I took a trip to Sweden.  We took a day and drove to the town that our great grandfather was from - Asige, a quaint area that I am happy to be from!

While exploring the countryside we discovered that an artist, Johan Severin Nilsson,  (quite well known in Sweden), had a atelier nicely preserved for tourists. He lived from 1846-1918.  Unfortunately it was not open the day we were there, but we enjoyed walking around and taking in the view.

I now have a pinterest board devoted to his paintings...

When I return to Sweden, I hope to find his artwork at the Nordic Museum in Stockholm.  I understand they have some photographs he took as well as paintings.  What a fun way to learn more about my Swedish roots!

Cruise ship inspiration

This column in the cruise ship caught my eye:

Now to play with some drawings and figure out a quilt block?

Crazy Women in my Head #1

So my dear friend, Beth, has lured me into another project.

Sharon B's PinTangle blog has gotten me into trouble more than once!  This time it is a crazy quilt project.  The goal is to use 2020 items (already in my stash, I will not purchase anything for this!) in my art piece and to complete it my the end of 2020.  I plan to use machine stitching as well as a bit of hand stitching.  I have also decided to use this little lady on each of the blocks.

Here is my first block:

Window shopping on Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden

We spent the morning on Gamla Stan, just looking and enjoying.

Tallinn, Estonia

Painted building on the walk to the walled city:

Kiel, Germany

Home.  Our trip was wonderful, but there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed after spending 24 hours getting home...  Now I get to relive our adventure.  Day 1 was spent in Kiel, Germany.  We walked and explored this charming little city.  This church (Nikolaikirche) was on the walk and I was excited to find beautiful stained glass that spoke to the quilter in me:

Travel

Besides art, gardening, cooking (and eating), I love to travel!  Arrianne and I are traveling to Copenhagen to board a cruise ship.  Our adventure takes us to many ports in the Baltic Sea.  Of course I'll take a zillion pictures, but I am not sure if I'll have enough internet to post them.  I guess we just wait and see...

MOF stenciling

I quickly stenciled a few blocks to take with me on my trip. Now to pack a few needles and thread to keep me busy!

Men of Faith / Bible Study for 2017

I have participated in 2 Bible study quilts: Books of the Bible and Women of the Bible.  This past week our group started the third study quilt: Men of Faith.  I don't want to piece the blocks.  I just don't do that kind of quilting...  My brain has been working overtime trying to come up with an idea for this year long project.  I think I may an idea that I can work with!  I started with taking pictures of my husband:

He had so much fun!  We took about 40 pictures, but I won't bore you with all of them.  I then printed a few and cut a stencil:

Next step...  try out the stencil and mask:

Now to pick my colors and do some printing!

Sad

Momma kitty killed our barn swallow.  It has been so much fun watching the birds build the nest.  I was looking forward to baby birds in a few weeks.  She may be an old cat, but can still catch her prey.