Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

 

This Old World Santa is waiting by the tree. He's new this year. Our Fiber Bee had a make-it workshop in July to make these dolls. I made this version in Buffalo Plaid.

And this one in Caribbean red and white print.

A few of the Santas gathered at our Christmas luncheon. One of the Santas is hiding a bottle inside- a clever and creative design change made by one of the members.

The new Santas join this one I made some years ago, all to add some holiday festivity to our home.

And here's a long, tall Santa. He stands about 20" high and is made from tin.

Do you believe?

This tiny acrylic Santa has a switch that allows him to light up and sparkle. Ho, ho, ho.

Our local museum had a wonderful display of a collection of Santas. So detailed.

This one gave me pause. Do you think it's Mrs. Santa, or a European costumed Santa Claus? I'm sure you've been very good this year. I appreciate your following and commenting on my blog throughout the year, and I plan to put in a good work with him on your behalf! Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Season...

 

'Tis the season to bless the horses! And we just did so on a beautiful weekend at the Horse Protection Association of Florida. They have more than 40 rescue horses, mini horses, and donkeys at their facility and they do wonderful work to improve the lives of horses. This is Courage who was abandoned and later brought to the farm. He's been through a lot in his 15 years, but is now living with people who love and care for him.

In addition to seeing to their proper feeding and health care, the staff and volunteers work with the animals to provide training and help them to become more adoptable. Most of the minis have transformed from shy and timid to confident and friendly thanks to the good care and attention of the staff.

The six mini horses at the farm are called "Miracle Minis". There is a one-mile long path around the farm where visitors can take a Spirit Walk with one of the minis. Benches along the path provide a place to sit and reflect or meditate on the qualities represented by each mini's name- Faith, Hope, Love, Courage, Fortitude, and Peace. For the blessing, the minis had a ribbon tied in their tails that dedicated them "Holy to the Lord". All of the other horses and donkeys also received a blessing as they stood in their pastures. This is Love getting ready to walk with her new two-legged friends.

This mare needed to pause for a drink before her blessing.

And this is Ana- she and two of her offspring were brought to the farm after their rescue. There are several mustangs on the property as well.

We didn't limit the blessing to horses- there were several dogs and even a chicken on the property. Some visitors brought their dogs on leash. This little Corgi is Abby, and she enjoyed her day out. The  blessing of the animals events stem from the age-old teachings of St. Francis- patron saint of animals and the environment. A lovely day and a lovely tradition!

New Life for Denim Scraps...

 

Well I've gone and followed a rabbit trail now! It seems I'm unable to stop making these denim bead necklaces. They are so simple, colorful, and easy to make that a new necklace invents itself in my mind while I'm working on the current one. And then it has to happen of course. Plus these necklaces are just so pretty. Making them long enough to go over the head means no need for clasps or findings, which really does simplify things. I just tie off the ends of the cord. And those broken pieces of jewelry and beads I've collected over the years? They wind up in these necklaces. It's quite satisfying to use up bits and pieces and upcycle materials.

This necklace is titled "Pure Water" and was made for our granddaughter. She works for a water resources company and when I found this old earring in the "parts department", it looked like a raindrop of fresh clean water.

A visit to the bead box supplied the spacer beads for all of these necklaces.  All that's needed to assemble the necklace is some cording to string the beads, chunky beads for spacers, a focal piece for the pendant, and a jewelry bail with glue to hang the pendant. Fun, fun! Would you wear a necklace like these? Do you have a favorite among these three?

The core bead begins with a strip of denim wrapped and glued around a recycled drinking straw and trimmed at the ends so the straw remains inside for stability. Then a wrapping of various colors of embroidery floss is added. And finally there's an outer wrap of metallic sewing thread or bead wire with seed beads added. Make a bunch and soon you'll have a necklace worth. 

You can see that I'm not going to be able to stop because I found so many candidates for pendants. Of course each one will require a necklace to showcase it. The bottom piece was given to me by a crafting friend. It's made from seashells and pearls. It's so delicate and lovely. I like doing fiddly things, but shell craft may be too fiddly for even me! But the results are wonderful and I'm happy to have this piece.  I'm not stopping at denim, either. Upcoming posts will show some other fabric bead styles that are just as easy to make. So, other craft projects are set aside for now while I use up these bits and pieces. That could take awhile! 

Tall Timbers Calling...

 

The title for this quilt came from a camp song we sang at Girl Scout Camp many years ago. I kept humming it as I pieced the blocks for "Tall Timbers Calling".  The pattern is Tree Time from Blue Nickel Studios. My version is a pretty wild thing, partly because of the improv piecing and partly because I was determined to use only fabrics from my stash. It was fun pairing them up for each block. The result is a pretty busy quilt. It's hard to get a good photo of a larger quilt, so when it was hanging in the recent Quilts by the River show, a quilting friend took this shot and shared it. I like the look of the quilt against that old brick wall.

While the quilt was in process, I took the blocks to a local sewing group and we had some fun trying to arrange them into an assembly order. It's helpful to have more sets of eyes on a layout to keep a balance of color and avoid having matching fabrics right next to each other. After arranging and rearranging tree blocks several times, we finalized a plan. Then I took a phone photo so I'd remember the stitching order. However, once I started sewing the rows, I realized the quilt would be wind up being nearly square. That's not my preferred look, so it required piecing blocks for a fourth row. I'm happy with the  way it turned out.

Coincidentally, one of the group members had this cute market bag with her that day. It had the same bright and whimsical tree feel as the quilt, so I wanted to show it in this post.

All Dressed Up...

 

Here's my latest fashion statement made with some paper, paint, machine and hand stitching, and embellishments. There is actually a series of these little dresses all displayed in an accordion book.

The project is one of the monthly mixed media offerings in a year-long online class called Fodder School. Artist Roxanne Padgett was the instructor who led students through making the book during July. 

Each month a different teacher demonstrates a number of methods for making "collage fodder"- handmade papers and fabrics that can be used in a variety of mixed media art.

The first half of the month includes several videos showing how to create components for the art project, and the second half of the month includes instruction for using the components to complete the project. It's a great way to learn a lot of art methods at your own pace and in your own workspace. And there is a good deal of bonus content on each month's topic supplied by other instructors, so we got a lot of instruction for the money.

We made assorted backgrounds as well as the papers for the dresses and then put them together with stitching and trims. It took a bit of time but was certainly a fun project.

One idea we also learned was to use scenic magazine images for the dresses. 

I like that look, too, and found a few landscapes to use.

We kept making and making, so I have a few extra backgrounds and dresses. I may use them in notecards.

Here's how the accordion book looks- it's not easy to get a clear photo of it, but hopefully you get the idea! Fodder School 2 is now underway, and I've signed up for that as well so will hope to have more mixed media projects to share in the coming months.

Part of the Whole...

 

Do these look like flowers, or trash, or both? Well they are. Or at least they would have been trash if members of the Fiber Art Bee hadn't recycled plastic packaging and bags into flowers and cut petals that are all on their way to New York. That's where fiber artist Natalya Khorover will soon be installing her "Hothouse" exhibition filled with repurposed plastic. Natalya spoke at a recent quilt guild meeting via Zoom and shared the story of her quilting journey along with her innovative techniques. Natalya makes "art for earth's sake" and sews many items like single-use plastic, used dryer sheets, and old linens into her artwork. She makes beautiful stitched works while calling attention to plastic pollution. Visit her site at the link above to learn more about her and see some of her astonishing art quilts, installations, and "ransom art" pieces. You'll see intensive hand and machine stitching on plastic substrates, and I think you'll be amazed! While I may never have an installation of my work or complete a large impactful project, I will often take an opportunity to be part of a collaborative effort- to be part of the whole. Natalya invited us to send her some flowers and be part of her exhibition this fall.

Another group I belong to will be putting together a collaborative quilt composed of 6" blocks made by members. The Florida Quilt Study Group invited members to contribute a block in any design and in fabrics of their choice. One dedicated member will assemble the blocks into a quilt to be displayed at FQSG events. I wanted to make a block reminiscent of a vintage quilt and am a fan of the 1930s embroidered edge designs. This is my miniaturized version of a '30s Butterfly block. Being part of the whole means having the enjoyment and privilege of making a small element. Just the ticket!

I'm sure you've heard of Quilts of Valor- the volunteer organization that has a mission of providing quilts to members of military service and veterans in thanks for their service. More than 300,000 quilts have been awarded in the 20 years the organization has existed. We have volunteer Cathy Washburn, an active dedicated member of Country Road Quilters in Ocala, who leads members in making these quilts for the organization. She prepares kits of pieces that members sew into blocks, and eventually into completed quilts. Cathy is planning an award ceremony at the guild for this November. This is one of the blocks that will become part of the whole. So while none of us can do everything, all of us can do something... and that makes a difference!

Burnin' Daylight...

 

Our neighbor is a cowboy who turned 80 years old recently. He had a bad horse accident a few years ago, but he's back in the saddle now. He's also a big John Wayne fan. So when I saw this Riley Blake panel I knew it would make a wonderful quilt project for his birthday. There just happened to be a set of Log Cabin quilt blocks in my quilt closet that I thought would enhance the rich colors in the panel. So really, the quilt came together quickly and easily. That was a good thing, too, because his daughter mailed us an invitation to a surprise birthday party for him. She did a great job, because he really was surprised!

Longarm quilter Debra Johnston chose what I thought was an interesting and effective quilting motif to use as she finished the quilt before I bound and labeled it. A friend from guild told me that the backdrop for this image is Monument Valley where a number of John Wayne westerns were filmed. Burnin' Daylight was one of the best-known John Wayne (The Duke) quotes according to an internet search. Well, it was a super-simple quilt project, but our cowboy friend is very, very happy with his quilt!

True Blue Quilting ...

 

These large quilt squares are the result of a fabric dyeing class I took a couple of years ago. The methods we used to manipulate the fabric produced the radiating designs that I find so appealing. Instructor Cindy Lohbeck led a class of about 25 members through every step, from folding and clamping to immersing the fabric bundles into a dye bath. And she did it all in a convention center classroom that had brand new carpet! We had strict instructions on what to do if even a tiny drop of dye landed on the carpeting. I believe we made it through the class with the carpet unscathed! Pretty impressive. Anyway, I transported these lovely, but still wet, squares home (again, without any mishap in the car's interior), then rinsed and dried them. And there they sat, in all their glory, in my fabric stash. Every now and again I'd get the squares out to admire them and consider how to combine them in a quilt. My plan was to make a quilt-as-you-go project (QAYG). I'd layer the squares with batting and backing, free-motion quilt each square on my sewing machine, and then join them together with narrow fabric strips to make the large quilt. It's a manageable way to handle machine quilting, and I always need practice at that skill. The quilt is reversible, which is a bonus. The reverse side, shown below, was made using commercial cotton fabrics in the same blue family as the dyed pieces. 

The dyed squares might be still sitting in the closet but for a fun project our local quilt guild came up with. It's called The UFO Project. Members were invited to list 6 unfinished quilt projects they want to complete in the coming year, and submit the list to our leader. She would then draw a number from one to six, and set a completion date two months hence. Our task would be to complete the quilt from our list that matched the number she drew and have it ready for show-and-tell on the appointed date. What a great motivator! Happily, I got to work on "True Blues" and finished it in time. There was an excellent response and 15+ members participated in the big reveal. Everyone felt good about getting a long-abandoned project across the finish line. That same night, our leader drew the next number and we have another UFO to bring to life. My next one is a project started in a class at the last big quilt show I attended before large events shut down in 2020. Stay tuned!

Soft Stuff...

 

For some reason, I'm always drawn to these cut-and-sew fabric panels. This one is "Marmalade" the cat, one of the Toys From the Attic collection made by Cranston Fabrics. I sometimes find them on our guild "free table" when someone is weeding out a fabric collection. That's where I found this one, and home it came with me. I finally decided to sew, stuff, and complete the cat. She's round and soft and quite huggable. I'm not sure where she will go to live, but I'm sure someone needs Marmalade as an easy-care companion!

A smaller silver tuxedo cat on the same panel is this one- "Licorice". Licorice has a new home already. He's gone to live with a friend who recently lost her lovely gray cat just prior to moving into an assisted living facility. I weighted the bottom of the cat with doll beads so she could use it as a door stop if needed. However, she was delighted with the cat and declared he'd have a place of honor on her bed. I think this cat has a pretty face and a more realistic gaze than the larger Marmalade.

I'm not alone in my fascination with these printed panels. At one of our recent Florida Quilt Study Group meetings, a feedsack vendor was selling this book by Gloria Nixon. It has the history of stitch-and-stuff dolls from the late 1800s and includes many photos and examples of them, many of which were offered as advertising premiums. Kathy Cray, leader of the group, collects these historic doll panels and sometimes includes them in her work. You can see a wonderful example in her "Grocery List Quilt". It was on display at the New England Quilt Museum, and featured on The Rogue Quilter blog here- just scroll down to find the quilt. It features several iconic  figures such as The Jolly Green Giant and Mr. Peanut. It's a fun one and worth a look!

And in other "soft stuff" news- two groups of quilters volunteered to knit or crochet small infant hats to be delivered to a maternity hospital in Tanzania this fall. A friend asked if I could help her meet the goal of having 300 hats for the trip. I don't knit or crochet, but I know many quilters who enjoy both of these crafts in addition to quilting. And they have generous hearts, too. Between the two guilds I asked, members made more than 150 of these little hats- half the goal. Quilters always step up!

And Then There Were Three...

 

At last I've completed the final three Ice Cream Sundae pincushions! It took some time, but they will be going to their new homes soon. Making these cute sewing tools began with one I made as a donation for our guild's quilt show. You can see that one in this post.

With just fabric scraps, embroidery floss, beads, fiber-fil, and an ice cream dish the pincushions are a fairly simple project to stitch. I'll be happy to send them on their way and put away the supplies at last. They've been "watching" me from the beading corner of the sewing room, waiting for completion.

A handful of glass marbles add some sparkle in the dish and a bit of weight to keep the pincushion balanced. They are actually quite fun to make as I always enjoy picking out fabric scraps and matching beads. You can see the other two in this post.

Another project that's waiting in the wings is a whole forest of trees similar to this one. Cutting and sewing each block follows a formula and yet each one has some improvisational twists so they look different. Another fun project that's getting closer to the finish line and I'll share it here soon!

Just Things...

 

There's been a bit of a lull in my sewing room lately. A big quilt is in the works, but not ready for viewing just yet. So I like to fill in the time between sewing projects with my dabbling attempts at art journaling. Fun resources for that include classes by artist Alisa Burke. I gave her 30-day technique class "Earth Inspired" a try. I previously enjoyed her class on hand-drawn mandalas, so I jumped right into this project that incorporates one as part of the activity.

It gave me a chance to work with acrylic paints and to try my hand at hand-lettering. What I found that I really liked though, was the idea of using flaps and fold-outs to hide or reveal parts of the journal spread. On this one, the mandala opens out to show a solar system and to reveal some written thoughts about the sun. 

So in the same vein, I loved making this project. Again, the big shade tree opens up to show more of the forest.

And it, too, has some space for journal writing. I do like the "more" aspect of using folds and flaps in journals. Lots of fun to do.

Meanwhile, I used some scraps to dress up some plain lined journals. Adding snippets of fabric and stitching them down adds a color accent and makes me want to use these journals.

I've developed the good habit of taking notes on a variety of topics, but a bad habit of writing them on post-it notes, scraps of paper, or whatever is handy. So my notes are pretty disorganized which makes it hard to go back to find information. Maybe with these colorful journals I'll grow into a better practice of keeping notes in one place! I found the idea for these in a book titled "Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson.

I set aside the scraps trimmed from the big quilt I'm working on by stuffing them into the empty tissue box seen in the upper right. Then I sewed an old t-shirt into a pillow shape, stuffed it with the scraps, and added a fabric cover to make a pet beds- actually there were enough scraps for two of them. The soft beds go to the local humane society via our quilt guild's community service coordinator. I have a few other small projects going on, so I'll be back soon with more!