Monthly Archives: March 2011

Lemonjello

10×11

I think as I was laying in bed last night, I have a plan for the next month. As I complete the classes that I have started online, I will just work small. Now, I may tire of that and completely change my mind, but I feel relief in just giving myself permission for small. I am thinking of them as small studies and trying to use different color combinations rather than my comfort colors. Also, definitely improvisational with no plan in mind when I started. Just reacting to each piece and the pile of scraps I had . So, the first of small.

I love some of the shapes that have been made within this piece. This little quilt makes me happy. I named it after lemonjello- the coffee shop in Holland where I enjoy a cup of coffee with my daughter at college.

Painting more color swatches and another binding today.

Be creative, my friends!

Tints, Tones and Shades of Color

I always thought they were confusing terms. But now after painting and mixing lots of different colors in order to fill out these class charts, I will not forget.

Tint-add white
Tone-add grey
Shade-add black

I have only finished a few of the colors. Thank goodness I have until April 12th to finish. This will be a huge reference for me. I must not have been processing what I was doing with colors regularly. A beautiful true yellow is made from a lemon yellow and a golden yellow. Why did I think diluting a dye with water would produce the yellow I wanted versus trying to mix different yellows together? Stubborn I guess.

At least now I know. Just playing with scraps today and working on a binding.

Be creative, my friends!

The Petting of The Fabric

No, it really was the clean up of the studio. 🙂 I had gotten to the point where I kept losing my rotary cutter amidst the three tables and piles of fabric. And the scraps needed to be sorted and organized. I had too many piles to find the one-the only one I wanted- I needed for the binding. It’s almost back to normal. And after folding and sorting, the missing piece of fabric was found.

I also prepared my “to go” basket.

My “to go” basket is what keeps my sane for the next few months. It keeps my hands busy while I wait for sport practices, driver’s ed, guitar lessons, and anything else that comes our way. We have a tournament this weekend and four games. Indoors in case you are thinking that we are playing outdoors already. No. Not yet.

Ok, back to my basket. This is what is in it today.

1 . 2 sewing projects that need handwork and/or binding ( no sneak peeks-you will have to wait until they are done)
2. my sewing kit
3. my journal
4. my pencil case
5. one scarf. I really want this done soon.
6. one book

I have turned into the bag lady.

But my kids have stopped being embarrassed by my knitting or sewing during the breaks. And every once in awhile someone will stop and ask to see what’s up now in my basket. What’s in your “to go” basket? Or do you leave it all at home?

Be creative, my friends!

**Photos from Meijer Gardens-I know they have little to do with sewing but isn’t it beautiful there?

A Glimpse of Spring

After yesterday’s post, I did go to Meijer Garden to put my brain to rest-stop overthinking things- and just kind of be. I knew it was time for the butterfly exhibit but I had no idea it was the first day of the exhibit! It was sunny and it was really gorgeous to see them all out.

So great to see buds even though we are a long ways from that here in Michigan.

They were definitely showing off for us yesterday.

And I looked up and saw lines again. Remembering how much I love them and want to make them. And remembered I should stop whining(I detest whining in my kids.) And just get back to work. It ‘s the inbetween thing that is killing me. Wanting to be on the other side of the bridge but just at the beginning of the journey and realizing how much work there is to get there.

Back to work I am. Be creative, my friends!