Quilt Philosophy

When I made this quilt for my cousin as a wedding gift, the only stipulation I sent along with it was to use it. Don't hang it on the wall, don't put it on a shelf. Use it. Get stains on it, wash it, use it.

All this love has, no doubt, added to the charm of this quilt. The ripples and softness is exactly what a quilt should be.

I think I'm going to start doing more of the same. What's your quilt philosophy?

Hurricane Season

It's always summer in Oceanside, but sometimes it's more summertime than other times.One of those times is almost here. Two more days left of school and then it's really summer.I walked into my house this afternoon and realized, it's hot in here. Last night we slept with the windows open, I don't really know if there is anything more sweet.Well, I'm holding on to the last few days and then, I fear, the real work will set in. Our sights have been sealed upon more than a few tasks to accomplish in our too short vacation, among them are remodeling the kitchen, redesigning our bedroom in as complete and thrifty way as possible, and gutting the art room at school to paint the long neglected floor. Oh, and maybe doing a mural, an illustration for another text book, private art lessons, finish (I mean start and finish) a quilt, make lots of use of our gym memberships, and visit with family from the other side of the globe.

Strawberry Cut-Out for a photo op at the Vista Strawberry Festival

Sounds like the opposite of a vacation. My hope is that I can find some time to blog, paint, and get my Etsy on amidst the hurricane. Maybe I'll be too busy to eat, too. That'd be a super easy diet plan. Anyway, until that day arrives, here's the few little things I've had time to do lately, check them all out in the Etsy shop!

But Does It Count When It's a Steal?

I'm supposed to be on a spending hiatus, but this morning I was dragged (kicking and screaming) to a huge community garage sale (can you say over 100 sales?). Spending hiatus went temporarily out the window. Miss Aimee is going to kill me, and I'm fearful I let her down, but maybe I'll be forgiven once she sees the amazing deals I got.

Item #1: Super great lap quilt
Hello! I'm so obsessed! (Actually for the rest of the day, even though it was 80 degrees, each time I got in the car I wrapped myself up in it). I'm thinking there's some Amy Butler and other designer fabric in there (please let me know if you recognize any), and while it's a lap quilt, it's a good size. This is well-made too, not what you think you'd get at a garage sale.

Item #2: Super great sewing machine
Now sure, I already have a Featherweight that I lOvE, but at this price, I knew this would be a good present, an heirloom, or a good addition to (or the beginning of) a collection. This one's not a Featherweight; I think it's an M66-16. Anyone know? Anyway, it too is in fabulous condition and I've already sewn on it. Prime. Better than cake. Better than ice cream, well, maybe not ice cream.



Now here's where jaws will drop. Anybody care to guess how much? Well, the quilt was a great price at $30. But the sewing machine? How about also $30? Yeah. Thirty bucks. Now THaT's better than ice cream. It was made at Singer on November 20, 1953 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She has a story. And I'm going to name her. Any ideas?

You just couldn't measure the grin I had from ear to ear today. Good day. Awesome day. Go ahead, tell me how serendipitous this was!

But with my tail between my legs, I go back to my spending hiatus.

A Puppy, a Park, and a Purse

This is the cutest and best puppy you'll ever have the occasion to meet. This is Lilly. I posted Mowgli already, and by request of my dad, here's Lilly. She is my best girl and while she does have a sweater on, I must defend her: I promise it is only for warmth in our freezing house.
Lilly and I go on walks to the drought-resistant garden every day. She loves it and so do I. We walk through the garden down to the dock where we either bird/duck watch, or I do my Bible study, or we sometimes just bask in the sun. Today I found another old bag I made and brought it along for a photo shoot. It came from this magazine, but I don't know which issue...it's all packed up right now. Maybe later I'll make an edit and let you know.
It was gray and stormy today, but had some sunny spots. Lilly took this one of me, and I think she did pretty good for having no thumbs! See her over there on the left?

My Trusty 1940's Featherweight

Over the weekend I accompanied my mom-in-law to her friend Mary's house for a two day sewing and quilting hibernation. There were five of us, three of whom were working on our oh-sew-cute Singer Featherweights. I thought I'd share this enviable machine that I got for my birthday 5 years ago.
I also thought I'd throw up a photo of the felted strawberry cover I made for my measuring tape. I needle felted, then wet felted the red wool, 2 pieces, then stitched them together leaving an opening for the tape. Easy as pie!Oh, and this is Mowgli. I picked him out of the litter because the first thing he did was play with my paints and lay right on my palette. He eats the thread from my machine and then runs downstairs leaving a perfect trail to direct me to the culprit. Either that or he lays behind the machine when I'm sewing and tries to catch the needle that goes up and down, up and down. This cat has dangerous hobbies.

From Amongst the Moth Balls

My Friend Pam has recently found herself princess of sewing and a fellow Amy Butler fan. So I loaned her one of Amy's books, In Stitches, from which she made a super cute bag. I made this bag last year but haven't used it in some time. So I brought it out, dusted it off and sent it for a photoshoot outside. This was a little more difficult to make, but I think I'm proud.
It has lost a little of it's boxy shape, and unfortunately that's one of it's most charming features. Regardless, the thing is cute.

I Need a Creative Swizzle Stick

In a world where I had more time and money I could get a lot of creative things accomplished. It's funny, but at the end of our lives no one ever looked back and said "I wish I worked more." So in 2009, while reality may take precedent, if it were filled with play days and I was one of those women who got to stay home and spend her husband's money this is what I'd do with it:

This is one of Denyse Schmidt's Improvisational Patchwork classes in Bridgeport, CT where she promises her students will "create exciting, rut-breaking work that will change the way we think about color, patchwork, and our own creativity."

I would invite my cousin Cecily and we'd put to use all those creative genes that our mothers gave us, we'd become better artists and better quilters and closer cousins.

I haven't quilted or sewn anything in a long time, and I haven't painted anything that I love in a few months either. I need a jump start to the underlying creativity whose surface I'm only floating on right now. I need a creative swizzle stick to stir things up for me. Cecily...come rescue me!

Oranges and a quilt

This is the latest, inspired by another watercolor artist. Not bad for a first attempt at a still life, but still only ok. Let me know your criticisms.