Digital Art Journaling class

Hello! I'm having so much fun in my digital art journaling class! I haven't printed anything yet, don't know if my designs will make it to paper or fabric, but it is FUN FUN FUN! The class included a huge download of all sorts of goodies -- vintage clipart images, hand-painted background, etc. I am so inspired to play that I can't wait to get out paints to make some of my own yummy backgrounds.

We get a new prompt every day to stimulate our creativity. Our first was "HEART" and the first image is my response. I love the simplicity of it and think it could make a nice journal quilt.

Yesterday's prompt was "TREASURE" -- that one took some thinking! The text is from a song by John Denver and I'm really pleased with it. I'm trying for my own style, something that doesn't look too "scrapbook-y" but I still have a way to go to feel comfortable that I'm not copying someone else.

I love messing with digital brushes, but this one would look good with real paint as well!

Dance!

My wonderful Mumsie got me an online digital art journaling class for Christmas. Class starts next Monday, but I thought I'd play around a bit now. All images come from "Journal Your (he)ART Out 3" and the sentiment comes from a Dove chocolate. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Just a quick photo from this year's Christmas Parade -- all three dogs had on new jackets and looked so cute! It was COLD but fun. Our little "Dog Stars" performance group took 2nd place, although we just walked because the crowds made the boys nervous.

I've got new jewelry and quilt photos for you, too, see you soon. :-)

Photo Quilts on Display at PIQF

So sorry for the lack of posts, I've been a little blue lately. I'm not looking forward to cold, gloomy weather... I don't think the dogs are, either -- Yoda definitely did NOT want to walk far yesterday when it was 15F out! (not that I blame him...)

I'm part of a small photography/quilting group called "Pacific Photos 2 Fiber" and we had a special exhibit at the Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) in Santa Clara, CA a couple of weeks ago. We each had a couple of pieces in the show, all featuring photos or digital images in some way. There was a nice variety of subject matter and quilting styles. I will try to post pictures soon.

Our quilts must have made an impression on at least one person, since we were featured in her blog. Whether it was a good impression or not, I'll leave up to you! It was a good learning experience to see what someone else had to say, but definitely humbling! (my quilt is the last one she critiqued). I feel bad that my write-up wasn't more helpful so I looked at the fabric again and I can see the words (they're faint and not quite readable, but that was the intent), and she's absolutely right about the fish... Oh, well, live and learn, right?

Hope you're well and enjoying your creative time. Ta Ta for now!

A Ring of Bling!

Hello, All! Thought you might like to see the glitzy beaded beads I've been working on. They are both the same size even if the scans don't look like it (about the size of a quarter, if that helps). The pattern is "Sparkly Wheels" from Beadwork presents Beaded Beads. Both use 4mm Swarovski crystals, the top one uses Delicas and the bottom one uses size 15 seed beads. I like the slightly daintier look of the seed beads, but had a hard time getting through some of beads with multiple thread passes. I'm donating the black and gold version to a raffle for our agility club and keeping the green one.

My Challenge Quilts

Our two local quilt shows are over for the year -- phew! (Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and our guild show). A break would be nice, but I've got to finish samples for the fall term at The Stitchin' Post. Oh, well, it is nice that someone might pay me to teach the fun things I like to do so I'm not really complaining.

Every year I pose a challenge to our quilt guild, and this year's was to interpret the theme "Heart's Delight" (or "Hearts Delight"). I'm not an ooey-gooey quilter so I went for the first meaning and made three little quilts (approx. 20" x 20"). They were designed to stand alone (class samples!!!) but they were related enough in color that they could work together as well. To meet the size minimum, I stitched them together for the show. For my artist's statement, I called the grouping "Follow Your Bliss" because I combined my passions for making fiber art and running my dogs in the sport of agility. I call the small pieces Art, Work and Play:

Color of The Day -- Blue-Green!

I am back in town for a while and have been sewing and painting like crazy. Finished this fabric recently -- isn't it cool? I've got some backgrounds painted and ready for the next layer of stencils and stamps.

I should have my Laundry Blues top ready for quilting this evening -- yea!