May Review

May was a month of adventures.

A day at Folly Beach gave me some interesting images for future art projects. 

Got this picture in of Myriah finding the first 4 leaf clover, and the first 5 leafer, of the season. Isn't she adorable? She has a very inquisitive mind and can drive people half crazy with questions, but I love that about her. 

Had the house power washed and gave Mr. Richard a little something extra. He has been an admirer of my hand dyed cloth pieces ever since I met him. So, while he cleaned, I mounted this small piece onto stretcher bars for his office. He said that in the landscape orientation it looked like water in a pool. He preferred the portrait orientation as it brought out the feeling of trees by the waters edge. Cool,,,

I finished a Kumihimo key chain that was started at last month's meeting of the Palmeeto Fiber Arts Guild. Thanks Kathy for helping us learn the technique. The hubster and I filled 2 bags and a box with clothing that we took to our local Goodwill store. I received another quilt from the 'Ducks' to be longarm quilted and finished it off quickly. I do enjoy quilting things with a lot of colors and varied fabric patterns. The last image below is of our screen porch. We had it repainted after the cleaning. 

I had a super fun day at Pam's house, with her and Bev. Pam lead us in an adventure with felting wool roving over a vinyl circle, both sides each got several layers. We then mashed it, rolled it, and beat the ever lovin' out of it. A lot of excitement happened, as we cut a hole in one side, pulled that vinyl disc out, and started the felting of the inside. What a terrific day we had. 

And because I had so much fun, I just had to try something further a few days later. I'll just say that I have a long way to go to be 'good' at this but,, I'm already enjoying it immensely. Thanks Pam. 

I've been working on 4 small quilt tops. Third image is an improv piece that I have been using up the bits and pieces from the other three, 36x48 is the size I want all of them to finish at. No quilting until I can be ready with all 4 to go on the longarm at once. These will be for charity situations so I usually just do a very basic edge to edge design to get them done. I don't hand stitch the binding, it would slow down the other areas that I enjoy so much more. 

Pam came over for a day of ice dyeing 

and these were her pieces. 

I enjoyed those color combos of Pam's so much that I decided to take her green/blue/yellow grouping and try some pieces for myself. I did add Amber to the mix she used on hers. Did almost the same patterning, but they always come out unique one of a kind pieces. I love the serendipity of it. 

I've been working on preparing books, boxes, and vinyl 3-ring binders for some upcoming projects. 

Trying to see what techniques work and which ones aren't going to make the cut. CitraSolve probably not, it dissolved some of my gesso! Modeling paste, although I like texture, another probably not, as it'll tend to get worn off. The lower two images are of the vinyl binder that I applied ModPodge to. I was concerned that it may just peel off like a sunburn. I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find that I'd have to work at getting it off. Yeah, this will work. Then I used more as the glue and top coat for a piece of my silk fusion and the top layer of a napkin. I used this technique on the shells a month ago. However, this time I didn't tear my napkins into small pieces and it's pretty obvious by the wrinkles. I may go back in and add more memorabilia to disguise those lines, but maybe I'll do a dry brush effect over them with a soft taupe, or maybe,,,,   I bet you can come up with a few options also. Leave them in the comment section and we'll see where it goes. 

This post would not be complete with out some special acknowledgements. First image is off a beautiful wooden ring holder and box, turned by Bob from Orangeburg. It is sitting in front of the 2 dragonfly canvases Heather painted for me. I am so blessed with creative family and friends. Then there are 12 envelopes filled with fabric 'candy' that will go out to the far corners of the world. I did this as a blessing to a new friend. The owl fabric was found on my way to one of my guild meetings. I'm not sure exactly what it's final use will be, but there is at least one grandchild that has her eye on it. 

And the last image. It was a gift from my husband. I've wanted to take 'real' art lessons since I was in 8th grade. That's over 50 years ago! I want to be able to draw what I see and be able to recognize it 2 days later, lol. There are 36 lectures, with assignments. I'll be sharing my progress during the year. 

May was a fun filled month. 

June is on the horizon and I'm giving a little thought to posting the intention list again. I'm sure some of them are pretty obvious: drawing, finishing those charity quilts, making 4 more charity quilts with a bit more masculine feel to them, journal covers from old books, more silk fusion, another felted wool item. Oh my, this list is only the tip of the iceberg! Well, it's June tomorrow, I say, "let's melt an iceberg"!

Have a creative day, Luann. 

April Review

May 8th, already? April passed with the speed of lightning for me. I'm counting on May to regroup and get back into my 'creativeness'. I enjoyed many days in April with family and friends. Here are some of the highlights.

I used some paste papers to cover a composition book, a gift for a friend. 

Processed through some of the exercises in the Creative Strength Training course I'm taking online with Jane Dunnewold and her daughter Zenna.  I used Pics Art, a free app, to do the manipulations. 

Started pulling the rows together that I have received, from around the world. We had 18 participants exchanging 6 1/2" by 36" rows, or pieces of fabric if they opted for the alternative. 

Myriah and family added chickens and ducks to the farm. 

Call and Response Challenge 2017 bags were prepared and handed out at the PFAG meeting. I have several yet to be given out. We had a great time last year doing it.  This year's bags have only one item the same in all of them, last year they were identical. The finished pieces will be revealed in the fall. If you want more info on how this works, let me know. Or, if you want to be included and get one of the goody bags, I can mail it out. Send me a message if you are interested. 

The Charleston Modern Quilt Guild requested all members to make a 12", finished size, black and white block. I call my block, Hexed Half Hexies. I was gone on meeting day so I'll get it turned in this month. I don't know what they'll be making with them, but I'm sure it'll be interesting. 

We returned to the Midwest for some time with family and friends. Miss Hannah ended up with Strep, and a week or so later lost a tooth. She is such a trooper, was sad that their time with us was cut short, but I'm glad no one else came down with it. And modern medicine took care of it quickly. 

We always enjoy spending time with everyone.

Swans on the side of the road in the UP of Michigan. 

Gifts are made and exchanged. We had a great time decorating shells. I was too busy to get any snapshots. Heather is quite the artist, and she knows I love dragonflys and damselflys. Yes, there is a distinct difference between the two. 

Wendy has been a special person in my life for about 18 years, love her as though she was born to me. 

And the youngsters made us some special gifts too. 

Snow in Michigan and beautiful weather in Berea, Kentucky. I enjoy looking at snow, but prefer to leave the shoveling to others. 

Columbus, Indiana is a city we stop in for a cup of coffee. We then capture a few interesting images before continuing on our way. 

After returning home we enjoyed a few hours at the beach and checking out the flowers in our yard. 

Myriah and her Dad went to the Daddy -Daughter Dance. 

And I just finished wrapping this piece onto the stretcher bars for Richard, the man that power washes my house. He has been a fan of my work ever since I met him, 3+ years ago. 

Not sure which direction he will hang it, but that's the beauty of the piece. And my walls are painted China Doll, a beige that just stays in the background unless I'm taking pictures,,,

Well, I'm off to get the bedding into the dryer and make some lunch. I'm not posting the intentions for May, as they are mostly related to 'cleaning and decluttering'. Oh, no, I just got another phone call from someone that's downsizing. Unlike last May and June, this lady assures me she does NOT have 30 plus boxes for me to find homes for.