As January quickly comes to an end, I have 9 more blocks to share before leaving for 2 weeks of warmness and sunshine! This completes 28 blocks. If my estimate is correct, I will still need to do at least 32 more browns. For now, I will put brown on hold and embrace YELLOW! The sunshine color!
This quilt was made long ago by either my grandmother or great grandmother. At some point, my mom gave it to me - probably to protect furniture while moving. It is in very poor shape - complete with a giant hole chewed by a mouse. I think it was after the old cotton batting to line it's nest. I cut off the really bad part and washed the quilt a couple of times. I think it will make a good backing for Pachamama. One of my goals in creating the quilt series is to use things I have in my stash (yes, I'm always Swedish Death Cleaning!)
My current quilt is inspired by my trip, this past summer, to Peru. I was "introduced" to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. As I have been working on quilts that are a save the world statement, it seemed fitting to pursue Mother Earth as a quilt. With the Earth Fragments series, I will continue to use dresses as a stitching canvas, as well as textiles that have been salvaged, thrifted and gifted.
As I was beginning to stitch this small piece, I realized that this little butterfly could easily be classified as a sampler - a collection of various stitches. Does a sampler need text? If yes, then I could add a little more to the design. For now it goes into the growing pile to create Pachamama.
January 18: Borders - What an easy theme when you are over run with washi tape! The center flower was from a little canvas I painted ages ago. The glue was letting go, so I ripped the canvas apart and added to my journal. Repurposed, recycled, reused... and all that good stuff!
Every now and then, a little heart finds me. Or do I find it? It seems that the key to seeing is to always have your eyes wide open and observing what is right there in front of you. So often people say to me, "where do your ideas come from?" My answer is to keep looking and recording the little sparks as they come. No matter how tiny or crazy they may seem. A basket full of little ideas may become a giant project. So, there's my secret - keep your eyes open and looking.
These 2 hearts were easy to record and will go into my art ideas file on my pc. It is somewhat organized, but could probably use some attention. At least digital files are so much easier to maintain!
Oh my goodness! I loved this Stitch Club project with Priscilla Edwards. I learned so much and ended up with a sweet sculpture. It only took me 8 hours... and, I believe it needs more beads and stitch. For now it is done, I have too many other pressing things to do.
I started by making my wire frame:
Even though working on the brown yoyos has become boring, I continue to stitch one a day. I do my stitching early in the morning while enjoying the quiet and a cup or two of coffee or tea. In the winter, my choice is coffee and my current favorite is a medium roast from Guatemala. I don't sugar or cream my coffee - just black and strong. I've never been one to add anything to my coffee.
So the yoyo stitching continues. While on our trip in February, I may take a few extra to work on, as I'll have some extra free time to myself. After all, I won't be cooking!
This has been a fun challenge. I'm not stressing myself out over the prompts - instead I'm enjoying it and using up papers that have been in my stash for much too long!
Day 14: Pattern
Look at the price on this sweet pattern from long ago! 25 cents!
I'm still keeping up with my daily art journaling! Is it because we are stuck home with lots of snow, or because Jon is still in recovery mode from his knee replacement and I can't leave him alone? Probably a combination of both. Plus, I am really enjoying the daily task of creating a page. I've missed cutting and gluing papers! How long can I keep this up after the January challenge is done? The 2 weeks of travel in February will be difficult, but once home - look out stacks of papers and messy art table! I have a plan to get you under control!
I thought that it was rather lovely looking out the window at the maple tree, after the storm. It looks like it is still snowing, but it is actually ice formed on the screen. It may be gone now, but lucky us - there is another storm on the way!
The brown blocks are getting a little bit boring for me right now. I may need to switch to another color for a few weeks, just to keep me interested. For now - I've completed the first 10 days. I'm right on schedule! only 356 to go. Ouch! That sound horrible!
I am enjoying doing a little art journaling every day. I'm not letting it take much time - it's just a way to get back into paper collage after a long hiatus. Ugly, sloppy, not well thought out... It doesn't matter - I'm back in the saddle!
Five days in and I still think this is a good idea! I'm keeping the stitching as simple as possible. I think that the yellow blocks (sunshine) will be more complex and covered with shiny beads. Those blocks may be what I work on during our February Caribbean cruise! I'll have more time and a lovely sun for inspiration. I hope.
