December 31, 2021

 And so it ends.  Another year filled with uncertainty and feelings of being alone in a crazy world.  We don't see an end to the pandemic - our lives continue to be controlled by a virus that just won't go away. I don't want this year to end on a sad note, but at times it is difficult to not dwell on pain and sadness.  I learned on Monday that my trip to Peru is once again on hold for yet another year.  I've yet to put away the clothes that I had been laying out, preparing to pack.  Now I am holding my breath for the Israel trip planned for the end of March.  

It is not in my nature to stay down for long.  I hear my sewing machine whispering to me.  Project ideas keep popping into my head.  I thought that finishing 6 quilts last year would satisfy my quilting bug for awhile, but this morning I had to call mom and have her talk me down from starting another (at least for a few weeks).

Today is a good day to clean my art studio and put away the supplies that piled up while writing my book.  It's a good day to reflect and say goodbye to the past year.  A snow storm is predicted for tomorrow and I've already decided that it will be a baking day.  Bread and maybe some cookies (ginger cardamom?).  Snow dyeing is also on my list.  And build a snowman.  

My saddest day this year was saying goodbye to Percy.

Happiest day was seeing my son so happy with his new husband.

Life continues.  

Christmas evening: Puzzle!

 For Christmas, I purchased a Frida puzzle for Mau.  It would be a good puzzle to seal and hang in his classroom (he teaches high school Spanish.)  We started the puzzle in the late afternoon, and by 10:00 pm it was done.  We also watched, "Frida" while puzzling.  She was an amazing woman and artist. It was a good evening.

Care December: Silver

 Care December may be over, but I feel the desire to continue with my little journal.  My trip to Peru was pulled out from under my feet this morning (thank you very much covid), and I can tell that I still need much self care to get me over this darkness.  Peru is dealing with rising numbers and we were told to not come.  This is the second time.  Oh well... 3rd times the charm, right?  It is now moved to 2023.  That seems like such a long time away.  I'm certain I can find something to fill the void.

CAM: Kathy Butterly ceramic sculptures

 I'm not too into sculpture, but my son is.  I looked at her work with the eyes of texture, colour stories and a fiber artist.  

CAM - St Louis

 I spent a few days with my son last week.  We took off for St Louis one day for art and food.  Both were yummy!  Our first stop was a shopping trip at Dick Blick.  I usually go to Galesburg for my fix, but was traveling at a not so good time to make it happen this time.  Anyway, after loading up on art supplies we went to lunch at a Chinese/Japanese/Indian/Thai place and I had the best pineapple fried rice ever.  I can't wait to return!!!

Our visit to the CAM (contemporary art museum) was fun.  Not tons of art, but pieces that got us talking.  I found this piece interesting in that the center "waterfall" canvas was not gessoed. The paint absorbed into the canvas and looked like watery splotches.  I'm thinking that I need to play with this idea using dyes on dry fabric.    

#morningtea

Finished. My goal was to be done by the end of the year.  It is available on Blurb.  Now I am off to do the happy dance!

Care december prompt: clouds

 I was all ready this morning to head outdoors, with my newly downloaded cloud identifier app, to name the clouds in the sky. Wrong. No clouds all day!

I naturally had to call my son and complain about the lack of clouds. (He is a pilot and is always watching the weather and the sky). His response:  "Clouds are made of condensed moisture, and if there are no clouds then that means the air temperature is not low enough or the air is too dry."

Carve December

 I've always enjoyed participating in #carvedecember.  This year I'm keeping the stamps quick and easy, while exploring repeating designs.    

Cruise ship: Mixed media animals

 This is why we never throw anything away!

Cruise ship art: Butterflies

 I took a different set of stairs one day, and was rewarded with this amazing art!

Coral tiles

 I'm not sure if using coral to make tiles is 'eco-correct' anymore...  When I mentioned that to a man that I was talking to, he agreed.  But he also said that they are perfect for areas that get wet, as you don't slip.  Any way - they were lovely.

Graffiti tree

 Not your normal vacation pictures...

Prayer beads

 I've not been so faithful in my blogging recently.  It seems like the days are now speeding by and I am getting less done.  Is this an aging thing?

I did manage to complete my prayer beads that I started at my Saturday Sewing group a few months ago.  The cross that was supplied seemed much too small for the size of the beads.  An early morning brainstorm sent my in search of some rusty old square nails in my stash. This is why we never throw anything away!  I am much happier with this cross.  The other was just too shiny and small. 

WIPs be gone - Corinne's quilt is finished!

 I am making quilts for these 3 ladies for Christmas.  Inspired by this day, back in 2009, I am using a bit of fairy fabric on the back of each one. 

On this sunny afternoon, the three cousins played together by the pond, pretending they were fairies.  They made cups and bowls from hosta leaves, created magic potions from pond water and flower petals, and climbed trees to escape what ever it is that chases fairies.

Each quilt is different,

but the backing includes fairies for each of my sweet little ladies.

#printinktober

 I'm am participating in inktober for a few reasons. First - it's fun to be part of a challenge.  I also like that it is only a month and I stand a chance to actually finish! Second - I'm building a stash of solar fast prints to stitch on in the dark months. I've kept up well, even with rainy/cloudy days.  Solar fast needs UV light to develop, and the clouds do let some thru.

I picked up these leaves on my walk, earlier in the day. I like the notched edges on elm leaves.