A small sneak peek!

Just a sneak peak at one of my projects I've been working on.  I did run out of beads so have to (yes, HAVE to - I need an excuse - NOT!) stop at the bead store when I go to kids on Wed.  There is a bead store in Oxford so hopefully, they'll have the right color I need.  Wish I would have checked when I was at Beadin' Mon last Friday!  

I've been busy, busy the past two days.. and the rest of this week will be busy as well!  This afternoon, I'm heading down to meet my friend, Carol T., to go with her to assist in a trunk show she's doing.  Carol will be talking about our exhibit, Inspired by the Masters (if you do a search on my blog, you'll see some of the pieces I've done). 
I'll play 'Vanna White' and hold the quilts while Carol talks about each of them.  The presentation is actually for a group of artists (watercolor/acrylic) called the Artifacts Art Club and they hold their monthly meeting at the Livonia Civic Center Library.  Only drawback is the meeting doesn't start until 7:30 p.m. so we'll be out late tonight!   My car does turn into a pumpkin after a certain point in time so sure hope I make it home in time!  

Wed. I'll be packing up Kalee and I to head to the kids for five days!  I'm looking forward to having time with the kids and so is Kalee!  She loves the kids and loves playing with the cats!  So that's my plan...not sure how much I'll be posting.  I do have hand work to take with me for the 'downtimes' I may have!  Hope I get lots of stitching done!!  And I hope no 'saga' like we had a few years ago with 'Sybil'.  You have to read that post here!  Funny now but at the time, whew!

Here we go! Or here we've been!

Just found some old pics of a pillow (it's really big!) I made for Amber back in 2006!  This pillow was so much fun to make...And, at the time, Amber wanted a "puffy" quilt so I made this one for her.  She still has this on her bed (yes, even in the summer!)...it's not used as a spread anymore but used as a 'blanket'.  I tied this quilt one weekend when Bob headed up north for a golfing weekend.  I worked the entire weekend finishing it up!  But I do like the quilt...you'll see why I'm showing old projects later in this post!

What is this, you say!!  On Saturday, I picked up Amber and Nick and headed off to the dog park in Lake Orion for the Michigan Basset Rescues Waddles weekend!

Bob's daughter, Diane & her hubby, Don, are quite active in the rescue.  I took the kids last year and it's a hoot seeing all these Bassets running all over!!!

Diane and Don work really hard throughout the year with the rescue and did so for this weekend as well.
I just love seeing all the dogs!  And even some 'non-bassets'!

It's a great location for this type of dog event...a huge fenced in area so no worry about losing your dog!  Although, I would worry that someone could take my dog!!  But that's just me!

Bob is off golfing and I've got a busy, busy week!!  Today will be bathing Kalee, getting food stuff ready for Bob's week and trying to get some sewing finished up so I can do hand work while at the kids. Like I'll have time!!!  NOT!  But I feel better taking something with me to work on.

We are having Florida weather right now...in the 80's and finally put the air on yesterday!  I'd much prefer having the widows open but we finally succumbed to the heat!  I should have some of my projects to post within the next 10 days!  Working on two different projects that I can't post progress on until due dates!!!

Yep...still here...just busy!

Yes, I've been busy sewing...but can't post pics since it's for a challenge and I don't want folks to see before the reveal time...no, this isn't for the Out of Asia challenge...this is for a 12"x12" exchange with five others.  I do have a sneak, peak picture at the bottom of this post!

Check out our Lancelot Crab tree that we see out our front door every day!  I love this tree!!!  It is ever changing from red berries to flowers to green back to red...it was only suppose to get a 6-8ft spread but you can see it's far past that!  Just a beautiful tree!!!

So, here is my sneak peak at my 12"x12" 's....you might recognize the fabric...it's from my mono printing....I'm happy with the results and hope the other five ladies will be as well!!


And...you have to check out this YouTube if you haven't seen it!  What a hoot!!!  You need to listen all the way to the end!!!  Listen closely as to what "Dancing Nana" has to say!  Love it!!

More mono printing

I had another small piece of my 'ugly' fabric so I did some mono printing on it.  You can see the texture more on this piece from using the foam roller on my plate.

This is a nice, full yard, colorful piece and a perfect canvas for mono printing!

I think it turned out really nice with the addition of mono printing.

This is  a closeup of a small section...again showing some of the texture from the roller.  We had our small fiber group meeting today and the ladies seemed to like these pieces.  I'm going to try to incorporate them in my 12"x12" challenge that I have to do.  I've got a few designs already laid out, now to see where/how/if I can use these fabrics.

A cool day today but Kalee and I had a really nice walk tonight (53 & sunny).  We went over a mile and half!!!  Poor little dog...she probably travels at least 3 miles just because she runs the entire time!  I do make her heel and sit periodically just to keep her on her toes...then I tell her to "go sniff" and she runs and runs...looking to make sure I'm still behind her!

What a nice Mother's Day!

What a wonderful Mother's Day!  Dawn had us all over for breakfast this a.m.  SO nice to see everyone and have time to talk and catch up!!

Uncle Jeff & Dawn....well, if I  had dark(er) hair or Dawn had blond hair, she would look more like her mom!

And Kris and Darrin....OK, so neither of my kids look like me!  At least they got the good genes from their dad!


They are all the best around....and you should see all the presents I got!!!



Check this out!!!  Yep...those are margarita glasses and of course, my favorite drink!!  Do they know me well!!!  Kris also got me a beautiful blouse w/matching necklace/earrings.

Dawn got me some really neat, fun items for the kitchen!  I love gadgets and Dawn is so good at finding those unusual and useful gifts....she also made up some greeting cards for both Kris and I using some of her wonderful floral/butterfly pictures she's taken.

A lettuce Keeper

An Herb Keeper!

A scrap tray

THANK you kids!!!!  Bob and I enjoyed the meal so much (Amber you did a great job helping Auntie too!!!)....and just being with family again was a perfect mother's day gift!!!

I couldn't resist....

OK, so purging and cleaning is almost finished...so I allowed myself to play some today..besides it was a gloomy/rainy day...like I need an excuse to play!
I started to work on my Out of Asia quilt for the Art Quilts Around the World blog project.  I'm not sure I'll get it finished and I'm not going to fret if I don't.  I still have Zachary to work on and I want to finish putting the binding or facing on my patchwork piece so I can hang it in our master bath.

So here's a sneak peak at Out of Asia....I can't show much until our reveal, so this is all you get until reveal time!

Of course, after watching DMTV this week, I just had to play with Laura Kemshall's mono printing....I had some leftover dyes from our last dye camp I attended...I think in 2009! and figured I'd try to use them...well, they were still good!   This is just a cheap piece of muslin that I soaked in soda ash, then I just laid the piece of fabric in a large tray and poured the dye on top.    Figured I could use it for a backing on one of my quilts.

Yea...it's 'pretty' ugly (don't you love something that is "pretty" ugly!)...ok, ok....next I followed Laura's mono printing technique on fabric and turned my ugly fabric into something I'm really looking forward to using!!!
Here are two pictures...I couldn't get the entire piece in the lens!  I have some other pieces left to do but they'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon or Sunday.

I think the pieces turned out really cool....it's hard to see but I used a foam roller to lay the paint onto my plate so there's some texture behind the lines.  Not sure if you click on the picture you can see more detail or not. If not, trust me...it looks good!


Tomorrow we get Direct TV hooked up...we're getting a bundle package and saving over $60 a month!!!  Cable is getting outrageous and we don't even get movie channels, so Bob decided to call DirectTV...couldn't pass up their promotion to bundle everything and the price is guaranteed for three years.  Worth the switch!    

Plugging along....

Still doing my spring cleaning and purging!!  I have to admit I enjoy the "purge" when we get back from Florida!  Such a good feeling to get organized and get rid of items that I haven't used nor do I need anymore.

No art work for me right now but hopefully soon!  Since I don't like a post without pics, I thought I'd post and old piece.

No, this quilt isn't one I 'purged'...it's a quilt I made for my daughter several years ago.  Dawn is an avid photographer, going on photo ops and workshops whenever she can.  I've used several of her photo's in my art work and this is a flower she photographed somewhere in Detroit years ago.  I had it printed on fabric, which at that time there was no Spoonflower!  The piece measures 20+" x 30"+ or around that.  It's hanging in Dawn & Jeff's home.  I love the flower and I was happy with how it turned out.

Today, just enjoying our spring weather and perfect for opening all the windows and smelling the fresh air!!

Happy Anniversary!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JEFF & DAWN!!!

Love you both!!!

Home

We finally made it home around 7:30 Saturday evening, as we ended up leaving right after Kayla's graduation.  We never hit any traffic or backups at all so the drive was good.  Of course, being the type A folks we are, everything was unloaded from the car, all the clothes put in drawers or hung up and after about an hour it looked like we had never left.  Of course, I still needed to hook up printer and my art room has all my supplies still in boxes or bags.  I like to do my spring cleaning when we return, so that room will be last on my list.  

Yesterday, I headed to the grocery store, worked on laundry and starting the cleaning while Bob took care of some house and yard chores.   Bob is off for golf today and I'll run to pick up our mail and go to the library for some books.  I'll take Kalee with me...she has been a doll this trip!  And she and I both made it through her overnight stay!!

Hopefully, I'll get to some artwork by this weekend!  Check out this link!  It's some ideas for raising kids!  what a hoot!  But I can see how some of them would work!

Shut the front door!

Not all of you who follow my mom, follow my blog...my name is Kalee!  Mom is really busy so I took over for her today!  This is why she's busy!

We're leaving here?  We're going where?  I'm staying with other dogs!!  Without mom and dad!  Are you kidding me!!!  

I can't believe mom kept all this a secret from me.  I know she's been busy cleaning and putting stuff in big cases but I kinda forgot what those 'cases' are for!  TRAVELING!  

Guess we are heading home!!!  AND mom just told me I'm staying overnight ALL by myself, without my mom and dad from Friday to Sunday morning!!!   Mom said she and dad are going to college.  I think they're too go to college!  But Mom said something about a graduation for Kayla (guess that's a grand daughter).  I don't understand any of it...except I'm going to be really sad. 

I don't want to tell mom but I am looking forward to doggie day care!  Mom says I get to spend Saturday - all day- playing with doggies my own size.  She also told me that at noon, I'll be given a treat then I have to take a nap.  Mom said they have a Bose system (like I really care about that!) and they play classical music so it puts us to sleep.   I think it's just to drown out the barking.  I know I'll be barking!!   After that we get to play some more, then dinner...then we're in for the night in our crate.  She said someone comes by between 10 - 11 p.m. to check on us.   I just know I'll be really happy to see mom and dad on Sunday!   And I know I'll get even with them...unless I have a really, really fun time!  Then I'll give them lots of kisses!!!  Or maybe I'll be the best little doggie ever so they never leave me again!!  So many options...

Winding down

Well, of course you'll see a margarita on my blog from time to time...ok, more often than not so had to share another picture before we head home next week.  Actually, we'll be on the road this time next week heading to Indiana for Kayla's college graduation!
The winding down from our winter vacation deals with quite a bit of eating out!!  So far we've eaten out Tues. &  last night..

My sister saw these pics on FB that I posted and she thought we looked sad...actually, I think we were all on a break from laughing!  We had a great time with everyone and did have lots of laughs...plus, good food and drinks...


This afternoon, Jan and I are heading off the Planet Cosmo for our root dye and hair cut!!  Should be a fun afternoon then on to dinner.  Tonight we're heading out with the remainder of Ocala Palms friends to our favorite Italian restaurant, Carmine's.  Then on Sat we're going to dinner at Susan's and Harvey's and Monday it's with some other golfing friends and spouses for dinner at the restaurant here in the community.  I still have two meals in the freezer so hopefully we'll get to eat them or else they'll be left for Jan and Larry!

Packing up?

OK...so this isn't me and my packing up doesn't look even close to this!  But you get the idea!

Yesterday, I did pack up my sewing machine and art supplies to get ready for the trip home.  I won't need my machine until we get back to Michigan so figured I might as well pack it all up!  I'm paying the price today!!  My back is killing me...forgot to put my brace on so today it's Advil time!

I have kept out Zachary/beads and both my hex's and Kantha piece just so I have some hand work for free time in the days and nights to come.

Right now we are planning on leaving our Florida friends on May 2nd the heading to Indiana for Kayla's college graduation on May 4th.  We'll head home on Sunday, the 5th.  It's always bittersweet to leave our winter friends!  I miss our family and friends back home and will be glad to see everyone again.  I certainly will miss eating out!!  In Michigan, Bob and I just don't eat out more than once or twice a month (if that!).  In Florida, it's 3 times a week!!  Right now I'm trying to make sure I use up all the food I have in the house in between our eating out in the next 10 days.

So, to bead a little or make some more hex's (thanks, Susan!) and rest the old back for more cleaning and packing!

Background finished

Zachary's home is at least all finished (16" x 20)!  Quilting and facing all sewn...now to finish beading Zachary!!  Because of us traveling and packing I may not put Zachary on the background until we get home...you never know where my quilts will end up on the ride home!!

So now I can start on finalizing my design for the 12" block exchange I'm in with five other ladies.  I need to make six blocks either the same or similar to exchange with five other ladies.  I have put some ideas to paper...now need to finalize!

More progress on Zachary and Kantha quilting

 I finished quilting the background on Zachery's home yesterday and today I've been playing with the placement...I took this picture with my phone so the yellow isn't showing up as bright as it should and the batik fabric for the hill looks very blah here too...but you get the idea...now to get my placement as I want, then I'll fuse down the trees and then stitch in place...still have to finish beading Zachary...this is just a paper Zachary!

And I also started on a Kantha quilting piece...I posted on starting this quilt top a few days ago...I haven't made too much progress on it but nice to have if/when I get bored beading poor Zachary!  This is a piece of fabric my daughter gave me a few years ago and I had some silk dupioni with me to add as well as some dyed tracing fabric.  Gotta use what you have, right!

 The next picture isn't the true color (above photo is more true)...

 So other than eating dinner out last night at Longhorn steak house...YUM...I had chicken & portabella mushroom which was delicious!  Tonight is another dinner out with Larry & Jan!!  I have to keep up my strength you know for all the sewing I have to do!  OK, it's the only excuse I can think of at this time!

Building a home for Zachery!

Zachery is starting to get some legs under him and a tail.  I'm still not sure if I'll bead his head separately, or if I'll just bead his head as part of his body and attach as a whole...still debating..hence, the 2nd head you see here!

I have my background design worked out for his new home...might be hard to see but here's a rough draft below.

Zachery will be sitting on the hill below the larger trees...I dyed a piece of yellow for the sky and found some cool red fabric I had with me for the trees (I best not mess up because I don't have any large piece left of this!)  and a small scrap of purple/green will become the trunk of the trees.  You can see the fabrics and  a partial layout below.




....the only issue I had was what color/fabric to use for the hill (that's the rounded area under the tree trunks)...so today my Q Buddy, Susan, and I met up for a treat at Panera's then off to JoAnn's.   We did find a cool piece of batik type fabric that would look good as a "hill"...but then Susan mentioned the new Quiltmaker magazine was all about hexes!  It's funny because earlier this week I laid my finished panel of purple hexes (you can see the strip here) against the yellow sky and the hexes looked really nice.  SO.....when I got home I cut out some 1 and 2 inch paper hexes and started basting them.

The orange/green/pink is the fabric we bought today.  It really will look good as a stand alone 'hill' but I am going to continue to make some hexes and see if I they'll work!  Don't know if you don't try!  I can always use them  in something else or follow one of the patterns in the magazine!  They won't go to waste, that's for sure!   Thanks for the idea, Susan!  I think!  

A little Florida History

I posted last week on our third trip with friends to The Freezer Tiki Bar in Homosassa...and as usual our tour guides, Jan & Larry, did another fine job introducing us to some local history.

We stopped at Monkey Island!  Yes, this is a small island and, yes, they have monkey's on the island.  You can read about the history of this place here.  Of course, I wanted to try and get a picture of a monkey or two, as we could see them moving around, but not sure you can actually see one of them at the top right in this next picture.  If not, go to the link above or use your imagination!

It was a beautiful evening and just so much fun to see this tourist attraction.  We did walk around and saw some, what looked like,  blue crab in holding tanks.  Yes, there are restaurants all around the Homosassa area so a great place for foodies!

We also stopped at another attraction, The Yule Sugar Mill ruins.  We've driven by this site several times on our way to and from The Freezer so I asked hubby to pull over so I could take pics.  Since I was sitting in the far back of the SUV, Larry was gracious enough to jump out and take some really good pics for me!  Thanks again, Larry!  You did a great job!

This is the Yule Sugar Mill ruins.

I love historical sites and reading or hearing about the history that surrounds them.  This sugar mill is quite interesting and I found a site that gives good info on the background on when and how this mill was built (1851).  Check this site if you're at all interested some Florida history!

So now that my little history lesson is over with, it's back to art work!  I'm now starting another small hand project for night time TV watching, called Kantha quilting!  A Kantha quilt is a simple quilt made without any batting and using applique and finished all by hand quilting.  It generally was made using leftover fabrics from clothes or other fabrics no longer being used.

For those who subscribe to Design Matters TV, I'm sure you'll remember when Linda Kemshall did her video on the design process for her Kantha pillow top.  I was really intrigued with this style of quilting and wanted to have a project to work on by hand when my patchwork piece was finished.
 I didn't bring very many sheer fabrics with me, but found some Dupioni silk pieces in my stash so I started to build my top!  Pics tomorrow...I actually started to hand quilt it last night.  I'm also working during the day on Zachery's background for his new home!  Susan and I are meeting Sunday a.m. for a treat at Panera's then off to JoAnn's.  I may need a small piece or pieces of fabric for the 'hill' Zachery is sitting on.  So far my colors are yellow sky, red trees and blue treat trunks!  It is reflective of Dr. Seuss, right!!

Bob is off in a golf tournament today and I'm sure enjoying the beautiful Florida weather...80's this past week and should be continuing until we leave!

Patchwork Finished! Well, almost!

 Yep...all my hand stitching is finished on my patchwork piece!!!  Almost sad it's done!!!  I have to put on a label, binding/facing and sleeve but I'm not going to do that until I get back to Michigan.  This way I can roll or fold it up and block back home.  It's approximately 24" x 24".
p.s.  Just for fun you can see when I first started this patchwork progress here!  July 2012!

So if you're tired of seeing this piece, just back out!  I'm including pics of different areas in the quilt just so I have for my own record!  I print out my blog (Blog 2 Print) on a yearly basis so I have a journal of my year's art work, family, friends and food!   Now on to Dr. Seuss!!!