JEHJIREH SPIRIT QUILTS

Been working since November

2012-01-31T09:14:00.000-08:00

on my new garden for my front yard. The gophers has reeked havoc in my yard, so I decided to put in a drought tolerent garden with stones and boxes for the plants. Things are a little crowded since I have been planting since November ,so I'll do a little rearranging and thinning out some plants today. It is by no means complete. Each stone weights 39 pounds and I'm surrounding the empty spaces that will be left open with Calico Stones. I drew up my design and built and painted all of the boxes myself. Yesterday I received a coupon on line from Home Depot to buy one plant and get one plant free. Now, that's my kind of shopping, so I got two cactus for the price of one. The picture shows where I am at this time. I will post a picture of the finished garden, hopefully before the summer arrives . Then I'll be able to sit back and watch the fruits of my labor. And keep in mind this garden will be maintenance free once all of the plants settle in. I must put in a few hours today adding my new cacti and stones, then back to my studio for some sewing.

I'm inclined to "SEW NEW FASHIONS"

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in 2012. Here is my first attempt at sewing my own fashions in years. I've started with a skirt. The fabric was one yard and was set aside, because I could not think of what I wanted to use it for. It was on its way to the Salvation Army when I had this bright idea about making a skirt. Once the idea was in my head I proceeded to get anxious to make the skirt, when lo and behold the fabric is not wide enough for the one yard pattern I was going to use. So, back to the drawing board. I was determined to make a skirt from this some how. I used the front of a skirt for the back and front. There was to be only side seams, so I opened the back, serged the seam and folded it back to create a back vent (split) so I could move in it. The fabric is a type of light gabardine with lycra. Thank God for lycra or there would be no way I could fit this _____ into it. I folded down about an ample inch, serged the raw edges and pressed in a casing for the elastic. Oh,yeah I even managed to sew two darts in the front and two in the back which gives it a flare where the waist cinches in. While browsing http://www.style.com/ and the Banana Republic fashions there was a very close likeness of my skirt. Wow. Here I am , in my new look. All I need is a new sweater set that is navy and white since the one I'm wearing is black and white which in the photo you'd think the skirt was black and white, but is a very dark navy.
I had to crop part of the top of my head because "Honey Luv" didn't notice the two hinges that sat right at the top of my head, and I was looking as though I had horns. I know sometimes I tell him my horns are out, so he may have thought it cute. However, I cropped them out with part of the top of my head.
Well, I'm about to start on my second look for this year. Happy Sewing.

I'm finally in the "NEWS"!!

2011-12-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

I'm the woman whose husband was alledgedly lost under an avalanche of fabrics in the article. Being, this is my last post for the year 2011 I thought I'd add a little humor by posting this picture of a small wall quilt I am making for my studio.

The newsprint fabric started it all. The headline article tells of police reporting to a call from neighbors about this loud noise over at a certain house in the neighborhood. Well, I'm pretending that's my house they are referring to.

I over printed the newsprint fabric with a photo of myself and a drawing of the lady in the red dress sitting at the sewing machine to add interest. I'm looking forward to finishing it and hanging it. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my blog followers and visitors.

Yesterday was my birthday and

2011-12-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

I did somethings that I wanted to do, but probably shouldn't have done.
The first thing I did was buy my own "Oreo" birthday cake, and then I went to this Italian restaurant and ordered a 16" Italian sausage pizza with mushrooms and onions. Now keep in mind I am not supposed to do wheat and glutens since I have an intolerance to them. Oh, well, I enjoyed it all and am not sorry that I did it. You don't live but once and sometimes you should live a little dangerously as long as you don't hurt anyone.
This is not a good thing to be telling you, but I must tell someone and I don't think that very many will read this post. I have repented for my wrongdoings and I go on from this point in my life to my next challenge.
I'm still sorting through projects that need to be put in a proper place and I came upon this felted piece that I hand beaded and embroidered. It is one of the landscapes that I love to draw and work with. The felt is so easy to needle and it does not ravel so I just cut out the pieces and glued them to the black felt.
The mandala I did in the last couple of days while watching television.
Well, I must get back to my recycling of brown grocery bags. I'm making portfolios using them as a foundation for my fabric and scraps to hold my art work and having fun at the same time. Not to mention being "Green" at the same time. Hopefully I will share them at my next post.

Have you ever felt alone

2011-12-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

because people don't understand you or they just do not value the fact that you have an absolute right to your opinion regardless of how they view things? I know that is a long sentence, but I had to get that all out in one breath. I can breathe now.

I've always had my own opinion about a lot of things and find that because I do people misunderstand me or do not even wish to have me breathe my thoughts if they are different from the way they think. I'm at a loss for what to say to most people these days. But, one thing for sure,I will always voice my opinion and let the chips fall where they may. It seems as though there's a controversy as to whether it's TOMATO OR TOMOTO with some people and if you have any opinion that differs from theirs they are offended and do not wish to continue the conversation.

I think sometimes people should step back and evaluate themselves instead of always thinking the other person has a problem. Especially when they are always having some kind of relationship problem. If you enteract with a person on a regular basis and it seems that you are always causing the problem because you voice your opinion that is different from theirs I'd have to say that the problem is not with you, but with the receiver. If I can receive your opinions and explain why I see it differently then we should be able to move on and still keep the love in the relationship. What happened to freedom of speech? Do I have to change to fit into your circle?

African Mask Inspired Doodle

2011-12-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

I made it back again today. I don't know how long this blogging spell will last, but I'm intending to share some of my zentangle pieces for a change of pace from my quilts. Hope you enjoy and or are inspired to boost up your zentangling. This is a piece done in 2010 as you see in the lower right-hand corner of the scan. Black and white is always fascinating to me, but I'm in love with color also. The drawings have a soothing affect on you while you are doing them. You can relax and forget about almost anything. I love the serenity that comes along with most art. Be inspired.

There is a time and a place

2011-12-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

for everything. I know, I've been away for quite sometime now, but I haven't left the blogspot yet. Nor do I plan to. I'll try to post more often than I've done in the past, but I cannot guarantee anything. I must go with the flow of things I have to do according to priority. The blog is not a high priority on my list at this time, but I love blogging and following other blogs. Maybe if I spent less time reading other blogs and looky-luing I would have more time for my space. Enough said about that.

I 've been organizing and cataloging my art work, quilt designs, craft, sewing, and art supplies.

During the process I ran across some zentangles that I would like to share with you and hope you can get some inspiration from some of the drawings that I will try and post over the next several days.
This piece is called "Zen Lady".

I'm finally getting back to Handpainting, Collage, and

2011-09-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

cloth journal covers. I'm surely not finished with all of the other projects I'm working on. But it is time to move on because I have customers that will be expecting journal cover for their gift giving, and I must not dissappoint them. The journal covers are all one of a kind, which makes them especially unique.

If anyone knows the software that will allow me to point and click to fill the different areas in my designs without using a paint brush please let me know its name.

I have two more body warmers

2011-09-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

ready to be bound and wrapped around somebody. This quilt was really a challenge to me to quilt because there are so many small pieces. The squares in each block is one and one half inches before sewn into the block. Quilting it was a challenge because I was by no means going to stitch in the ditch of anything here. I decided to do a diagonal wavy line across the entire quilt and am satisfied with it. This quilt is made to keep your lower body wrapped as you sit and watch that mystery or scary movie. There is one more I hope to bind today as well. Will post a pictue of it next time.
I'm painting some fabrics for my journal covers I sell at this time of the year. Some will be hand painted, some pieced, some fused, you name it. This is the time I experiment with different techniques since no two are alike.
Happy Quilting Friends.

Close-up

Sold, Sold, Sold

2011-09-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

I just sold three of my latest quilts made in 2010 and 2011. Three of my quilts, "Mary Magdalene","Psalm 8", and" African Ladies" went to live in Brooklyn, NY just a few weeks ago.

Beginning this month on my website http://www.pettifordjonesquiltdesigns.com/ I will be featuring Debra Freeman McDowell, doll maker and clothing designer. Debra's dolls are custom made, one of a kind, original design cloth dolls called "Dolls With Attitude". The doll page is now under construction. Please check my site and view the beautiful dolls that have been made and sold. Since all dolls are different the dolls you see are only representative of the quality of workmanship you can expect in your doll. Debra will be glad to make the doll of your dream.

African Ladies

Mary Magdalene

Psalm 8

Getting Back Into The Swing of Things

2011-08-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm finally seeing a light at the end of my long tunnel of home repairs and upgrades.

Since my last post my computer crashed and I had to get a new one. The new furnace has been installed, the patio floor in back is completed, and a myriad of other things has been done. WHEW!!!!!

While I was away from blogging I did get to go to Balboa Park for the "Bold Expressions" show of quilts collected by an African American collector . Her name is Corrine Riley. It was an awesome display of quilts. I wanted to take pictures because they were allowing you to do so, but I did not want to try and figure out how to turn the flash off. (Can you imagine?)

I did, however take pictures of some of the buildings around the Mingei International Museum. I plan to do an art quilt depicting one or two of the buildings. You know, my interpretation of them.

My patio grout painting out back took a little over a week, since I had to seal the concrete. Here are pictures of the trip to the museum and the patio.

HELP!!! Has anyone out there

2011-05-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

ever lost your ENTHUSIASM? Well, I've lost my ENTHUSIASM. I seem to have lost interest in a lot of things lately, but I'm doing better since I am taking the time to talk about it.

Has any one out there in BLOG LAND ever been in HERE before????

There has been so much going on since my last post that I have no intention of going in to it all.

View of my kitchen window display completed

I have been under a lot of stress in trying to complete a lot of things that I started or trying to get things done on my to-do list. I have accomplished a great deal and am grateful to God for enabling me to have done so.

I have now completed seven of my BW quilts. These are at least full to king size. I have about five more I would like to complete. It is getting warmer each day and the cool mornings are good for having a big quilt about your lap doing the hand sewing, but it soon will be too hot for me to do any more with them until a cold spell comes through. So, this summer I'm looking forward to getting back to my art quilts and to continue my writings and assembling of the book I hope to publish one day.
I'm praying that there will never be such a long gap between postings or I may just have to give up on the blog thing and concentrate on doing all the task that are set before me.

Bird Quilts are still on my mind,

2011-03-06T13:50:00.000-08:00

and thought that I would share with you all one of my latest creations. This has been done for a while, but I'm just getting around to sharing the bird and the process.

The bird is hand painted on muslin with luminere fabric paints, and then machine quilted with embroider thread by sewing very close to each row of stitches in the painted colors. The beak is machine embroidered. The background fabric has also been hand painted. I used batiks to frame the bird on the diagonal. I used a traditional border with orange as the perfect contrast for the other colors used in the quilt. Machine quilting completes the piece. Let me know how you like my way of interpreting this little bird.

AND THE WINNER IS--------

2011-03-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

Karoda, who guessed 100 spools. There is actually 113 spools in the container. No one guessed within 5 over or within 5 under , so the closest guess without going over was 100. Congratulations, Karoda and keep watching for the next contest or giveaway. Please e-mail me with your mailing address and you should receive the card within 2 weeks or less.
I'm sorry in the the last post I said buttons, I meant spools. You know I'm not about to count a whole jar of buttons. I did mean "spools".

The Winner of " Count the Spools" contest

2011-02-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

will be announced March 1st . Remember the count must be no more than 5 over or no less than 5 under. However, if no one comes within this range, to insure a winner I will award the prize to the person guessing the closest amount without going over the total as the winner. Good Luck, and remember you still have time to guess all day today. One chance per person please.

You Can Win This Beautiful One Of A Kind Cloth Card

2011-02-07T19:30:00.000-08:00

by guessing how many spools are inside the container. The card can be set on your desk or mantle,or used to send a message using the space provided on the inside.

Just be the first to guess how many spools are in the container within five (5) over or five (5) under the total amount or the person guessing the closest without going over total. This is the first of other contest I plan to have this year. It is a way for me to share some of the many small projects I have on hand and would like to share, so put your thinking cap on and get busy counting.

In the Studio 2011

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The top picture is my main fabric storage area. The long table is raised with bed risers to accomodate my 5 feet 9 inch frame, and to keep from me breaking my back when I'm doing something that requires a lot of standing. I have added a drop down side on the front of the table that has been padded and covered with flannel. I use this as a small design wall and flannel board to critique some of my small pieces.

On the shelves in the corner are my magazines. The Quilting Arts magazines I have cataloged in note books in the order of their edition.

The bottom photo depicts my recently made design wall. I did not know if I were going to put this wall up or not until one day I needed to photograph a large piece. I'm really glad I did put it up now. The long cabinet next to it is where I store paints, brushes, clay, fabric marking pens and the like.

I'm currently working on finishing some large utility quilts that have been around for a while. I just finished the quilt that my guild members gave me blocks for years ago. I'm now finding borders and backing for a two and one half inch light and dark square quilt. I have about five or six large quilts that I plan to finish by the grace of God. Well, I must be getting back to work and away from this computer.

HAPPY QUILTING

Black Film Festival 2011

2011-02-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

This year the Black Film Festival was held here in San Diego and my cousin Chanel Narcissus a budding young actress and muscian had a role in one of the films. That's her in the center front as "Ebonica". The film was "Three Weekends in June". The film was written and produced by Martina Evans and directed by Stefan LaToure. You can order a DVD by e-mailing : E4Productions@aol.com. The film was hilarious. There was a fashion show, red carpet, awards and many other events.
Chanel and her mother Beverly were able to spend five glorious days here with us and the laughing and fun was on. Weeks before the event I was here as busy as I could be trying to finish some quilts that were made years ago. Some of them were block exchanges and I still have a couple to put together of blocks that were given to me as a gifts. Just wanted to touch bases with all my blogging friends and to let you all know I'm not off the scene yet, but busy as a bee. I'm hoping to be painting some fabrics and doing a little low scale batiking. I will post as I progress a long.
Until next time, PEACE and LOVE.

Goal Reached

2010-12-31T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hey, I was about to move from my computer and try to get something constructive done when it dawned on me that I had failed to post the results of my little resolution that I made to myself a couple of posts ago . Well, I finally finished the last of the quilts I had resolved to finish for 2010. Now I must look through my projects and see what are the next I'm striving to complete while I'm painting fabrics in between sewing. These two quilts have been in the making for a while now and I'm thrilled that I am finished except for some hand embroidery and maybe some beads and other embellishments. Now I'm going to make some peanut brittle. I bought some a few weeks ago that was more "BRITTLE" than peanuts. I found a recipe in a magazine, and now I'm going to make some that is more "PEANUTS" than "BRITTLE". Like I need to be eating Peanut Brittle of any kind. LOL

The Dawning of a New Day

2010-12-31T12:13:00.000-08:00

This is the dawning of a new day!!!

Thanks to Kyra who brings us all of the latest news and events. This post is presented with compliments to Kyra Hicks who knows how to get all the latest information. I have truly enjoyed the video and do hope all who visit my site will also. Happy New Year and Happy Quilting. Just click on the Black Threads link to view the video and enjoy.

Love to all

http://blackthreads.blogspot.com/2010/12/white-house-quilting-bee-on-larry-king.html?spref=bl

New Year /Old Year Resolutions

2010-12-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

San Diego Sunrise

I'm not one for making New Years resolutions, and the reason why is because it is something that is never kept by most people, myself included. It is vain to do this. I resolve everyday to do what I need to do and what is expected of me, so I rarely build up the need to resolve that I am going to do something. Well, I'm at a time when I need to make a resolve to finish the last two UFO's that are on my work table. I reluctantly a while back was completing at least one project a day, and guess what I did good for a while and then I fell off the wagon. Another good reason not to make these resolutions.

Today is Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T15:51:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know yesterday was Thanksgiving, but everyday for me is Thanksgiving. One thing that I am thankful for is another finished project. Yes, I finished the last to the journal covers that I was making this year. I also got some terrific pictures of crows from my yard. I'm hoping to do another series with the crows since they are so beautiful and photogenic. The crows, to me are sort of savory characters, and their personality always have been of an interest to me. I love to see them strut around the yard and that awesome takeoff they do when departing an area where they have been scrounging for food. Here's a few of the photos I took from their last visit and the last batch of journal covers.

"To Everything There is a Season"

2010-11-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

This is one of my new pieces that I have included for sale on my website. It is hand painted with luminere metallic paints. The fabrics used are commercial batiks. The flower in the upper left-hand corner was appliqued on by machine. The piece was gently curved and a black and white abstract border was added. The Scripture for this piece is from: Ecclestiastes 3:1

Jezebel, Queen Esther and finally

2010-11-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have gotten Mary of Bethany with her alabaster jar almost done. After a few beads and the binding sewn into place she is done.

I made some changes to the queen. She was just not right. I thought that one of her eyes were larger than the other. Can you tell what I did? I'm still not satisfied with the queen. I think I will bring her hair somewhat over her left cheek as I have done on the right side. I am a perfectionist and this does not help when designing. I am very critical of my work. This trait is sometimes debilitating, and sometimes helpful.

I finally found an art supply store that is in the same district where my doctor is and went in to browse yesterday after getting my husband his flu shot. The store is very nice and they have EVERYTHING. I finally got the shiva paintsticks I had wanted to purchase. The problem now is finding the time to experiment with them. I'm looking forward to setting aside some time for this.

I'm also almost finished with a personal quilt I'm making for myself. I'ts next to the queen on the table. Now back to all my unfinished projects that need to be done.

Jezebel and Queen Esther

2010-11-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

quilts are soon to be finished. I've been working on these two ladies for a while. Jezebel is hand painted on fabric that has a small print. I used luminere paints and hand drew the brick wall and did a faux finish on it. She is looking out of the palace window just before she is thrown to her death and eaten by dogs as the prophet Elijah prophesied. She was a very wicked woman.

Queen Esther on the other hand was just the opposite of Jezebel even though they were both queens. Esther is still in the design stage. This quilt will depict her just as she goes in to her husband king Ahaserus to plead for the lives of her people.

The fabric for her skin will be run through the printer to copy her face and the parts of her body that will be shown in the quilt. Her clothing will be hand painted, then the quilt will have borders added and the quilting begins and who know what else will be done to it.

Mary of Bethany is not shown here, but she is almost done except for the hand quilting and embroidery and maybe some beads. I will show the finished Mary in my next post.

Making Quilts for wheelchair bound

2010-10-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

veterans has been another dream of mine that I'm finally going forth with. Today has been the day of sorting and auditioning fabrics for this endeavor. I have collected patriotic fabrics for some time now and am now cutting and sewing the pieces together to make the wheelchair sized quilts to be donated to the local Veterans Hospital. I'm not only auditioning patriotic fabrics but hoping to clean out my stash of fabrics I no longer enjoy making into quilts since I have fallen in love with art quilts as my specialty.

Isn't He Adorable

By the way, the other day I had an uninvited guest in my backyard. The fence on the west side of my house is five feet tall and the east side has a six foot fence. The north side has a double five foot brick block wall. I'm still trying to figure out how the poor fellow got into my yard. He could not find his way out. He attempted to jump the fence and the wall, but was unable to get himself across. He was a beautiful bull dog and became agitated when approached. I had to call animal control who apprehended him and took him away. He appeared to have been in a fight and his ribs were showing. I felt really sorry for him. I asked the officer if they were going to put him to sleep. The look on her face led me to believe that they may just do that. I was saddened to think that might happen to him , and I felt a little guilty that I had to have them come and remove him. But he was aggressive and I could not go into the yard. I did manage to get some pictures of him. I thought he might could have been a lovely pet to some family.

I'm including a picture of my visitor and some of the fabrics I pulled from my stash.

Happy Quilting

I'm building my first website

2010-10-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

and I have been amazed at how not so hard it is. You notice I did not say "how easy it is". Well, that is because it was not too easy for me who am quite behind in doing most things others have already done or attempted.
During the course of getting the site up and running I was furiously getting my catalog done at the same time. I had to find all of the quilts that I wanted to post and the ones that were strewn here and there. I don't mean they were scattered around the house, but I had to find out which bin or box each was in. It was wonderful, because I found some pieces that I had forgotten all about to an extent. You know what I mean, you know what you have, but it leaves your mind for a moment and if it turned up totally missing you would know it was gone So now all the quilts that are finished are all lined up in order with my catalog list and easy to be found. I now have to make labels for a few, and I'm still working on several to finish.
I guess my sewing machine is wondering what the heck is going on. I have not sewn one stitch in a few weeks, and to day is the day I plan to let it rip.
Here's one of the quilts posted on the website. It's one of my small works. It is hand painted on muslin with luminere paint and machine embroidered, machine pieced and machine quilted.
I have posted a link to my website on this blog, so go by and take a look and let me know what you think.

The Crow Series Continued

2010-09-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

I finally had time to photograph the final four quilts in this series. I used a little zen doodling in the one with the black and white border. I also did this one using a technique found in the book "Stitch Alchemy" which uses card stock and fabric. It was an interesting technique. The only thing that bothered me was having to wait for the glue and paint to dry in between each application. The one with the light green border was done in a similar technique using paper. The bottom right quilt is all fabric that has been printed on to fabric from the computer and hand painted to enhance the bird and leaves and berrries. All are machine quilted. There is a little hand stitching in the upper left quilt. They all have the same scripture as the first two I presented.

The Crow Series is done

2010-09-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

and here's the picture of two of them. There are six small quilts depicting my neighborhood crows. They come out front from time to time looking for food and I just had to take pictures of them. I used one picture for all six quilts. I changed the background, borders and did all kinds of things to them to make each quilt different. I hand painted one crow and appliqued the other. I even attempted to do some hand writing on the one I copied onto fabric from the printer. As I worked on them I was contemplating a name for them and the Scripture in Matt. 6:26 came to mind which I put on each quilt. It reads "Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not better than they?

How did I do?

Blog Posting

2010-08-31T17:39:00.000-07:00

Been working on this blog trying to change and rearrange things in another format, and I have encountered so many problems. There's a lot of new things going on with Blogging and I am totally confused. Mind you it does not take much to confuse this old lady. Bear with me while I go back and forth for a while until I finally get it right, and present something that I'm proud of. I had a picture at the top of the blog which just dissappeared. I'm glad I have a sense of humor and a lot of patience and time. I should not have taken on this endeavor at this time since I'm also trying to learn how to set up my website. But, in my mind I think as the Word says, " I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me". So I will close for today and continue cataloging my quilts and sewing . Oh Yeah, the above quilt is one of the quilts I will be adding to my website for sale. It is called"Quiggly Wiggly Snake Quilt".
So much for blogging today. Whew!!!

"The Quilts of Gee's Bend"

2010-08-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

have been an inspiration to me since I first discovered them through a book that I purchased a few years ago called "The Quilts of Gees Bend". I have been so inspired by all the improvisation used in the quilts seen in this book; mostly because this is my way of designing my own art quilts. About three years ago I displayed some quilts that I made in honor of these women to exhibit at the library where I first saw this book. I titled the exhibit "Ode to Gees Bend".

For over 100 years a group of women created works of art without even knowing it. These women were from a rural black community in Alabama. Their quilts date back to the mid-1920's. The quilts represent only a portion of the quilts made by African-American women during this time, and span three or four generations. The quilts were bold and colorful improvisations, which were made of work clothes, fabric samples, cotton sacks, denim, corduroy and who know what else; representing in my opinion fine art. I am pleased to have met some of these women and their works through the pages of this book. The quilts and tops I am showcasing in this blog were inspired by these women and their quilts. By no means are my quilts meant to be copies of the quilts you will see within the pages of the book. It should also be noted that there is a vast difference in the sizes; as their quilts were meant to keep the body warm on any given cold and wintry night. My most favorite has been the quilt on the cover of the book, which was made of denim, corduroy, synthetic blends (britches legs with pockets) as noted in the book. Two of the quilts I am showing were inspired by the quilts on pages 52, and 10.

My girlfriend Alyssa

2010-06-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

who lives across the street from me has had me in stitches laughing. She is a fan of Dora Explorer (hope I got that part right), so I went back to dressmaking for 30 minutes. I purchased a few inches of this sun dress fabric with Dora on it and made her a dress for her belated birthday present. You should have seen her when she first saw the fabric before I made the dress. She was so excited. She cried because I had to take it back home to make the dress. She is the cutest thing you want to see. She came over to get her dress and I managed to get these pictures so you can see my little princess girlfriend. She put it on on top of her clothes she was wearing and I knew they were not going to get her to take it off . Guess what? Her granny says she would not let her mother take it off . She slept in it and they took it off the next day. Now don't you think that made my day and my going back to dressmaking for all of 30 minutes was worth while even though I hate making clothes.

"From Rags to Riches"

2010-05-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

describes the quilt pictured here. Back in October 2009 I found this piece of fabric with some of my hand drawn sketches and almost threw it away. I started for the trash bin when a light went on. I said to myself " You did a lot of sketching on this piece even though it was only stapled to a table as a cover for pressing other fine art pieces". I'm a born doodler and just was tempted to sketch on it one day, and continued as time went by to add more and more drawings.
Well, as shown in my October 7, 2009 post it's come a long way baby. I've done a lot of hand embroidery, some painting and some couching of ribbons along with some crystals in other places. My almost trash has become a treasure.

Color

2010-05-24T15:58:00.001-07:00

In my old studio after discovering color and before moving into my new space. The picture is not a good one at all. I think I scanned it from a photo before I got my digital camera.

FREEDOM

2010-05-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Some people have "something to say ", and some people just have to say "something". Well, today I have something to say. Isn't it wonderful to design, and create anything you want, any way you want. I find great freedom in my art world, whether its painting, sewing, designing, creating something from nothing or whatever. Isn't it wonderful to be able to have freedom to make whatever you want without any restrictions. If it's too long, cut it off. If it's too short, add some more to it. If is just plain ugly, spruce it up by adding something beautiful to it. If it's the wrong color, you can paint it, dye it, or bleach it. I'm talking about "FREEDOM". I love freedom that's why I like being my own designer. I do not like patterns that tell you how long, or how much or what color . I just like to start with the fabric and cut right into it and start making just what I have in mind. If it comes out ok, that's ok, but if it does not come out alright that's ok too. Isn't it wonderful to have this freedom. Liberation is wonderful. I remember when I first started making quilts. It was calicoes, pinks , greens and baby blues. I never thought at the time that there was more to quilt making than nine patches, triangles, 1/4 inches, lights and darks, squaring up and matching. WOW!! How good I felt the day that I realized that there were other colors in the world and that I was not being myself as long as I played that silly copy-cat quilt making game that everyone seemed so excited about. When I realized that I could not follow someone elses pattern without totally changing almost everything about it I came to realize that I was not a regular quilt maker who follows someone elses patterns but that I was actually a designer. The pattern game was so restricting to me, besides I realize that I cannot follow instructions. LOL
One day years ago I saw colors in a whole new way. I had a rude awakening that day. Color, color, color. More and more colors. I'm excited today about color and the freedom to make whatever I want, however I want, and whatever color I want. WOW!!!

(RUNAWAY SEWING MACHINE) Not a Toyota, Not a Lexus, Not made in Japan

2010-04-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was just sewing away and decided to make a stop and the machine just kept on sewing. After several tries I found that something was very much wrong. It would sew and stop as it should from time to time, but sometimes it would refuse to stop. If I took my foot off the pedal it kept on sewing. However, if I put my foot back on the( accelerator) it would stop sewing as it should have when I first removed my foot from the pedal. Not like the consumers in the runaway vehicles I was much safer as long as I did not keep my hand in the wrong place.

My dealer gave me a new pedal at no cost and said he would just send that one back to the company. He said he had never in all his years encountered an experience as this one. What is a consumer to do? We pay good money for what we think is a good product just to find that they are sometimes no better than the cheaper model.

The Quilt has spoken

2010-03-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

and I'm inclined to do as it dictated. I stretched it out on the table, measured and straightened it,and it measures 40.5 X 54.5. It has been bound with black and hung for photographing.

I'm stuck like I have never been

2010-03-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

stuck before. Here's the problem, my quilt just will not tell how it wants to be finished. This quilt has been my worse quilt to finish. I'm stuck with what color to do the binding, whether to bind or not, how to straighten,or not to straighten. I've slept on it for a few nights and am stuck. Does any one have any suggestions?

This photo shows the quilt hanging on its side. The top photo is the way it was designed to hang.

The Building is Over ( for now)

2010-03-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

Here's the finished sewing machine table. It's been sanded stained, and the polyurethane has had its 24 hrs. and more to dry. Since I had gardening to do also there was an unwanted delay in getting to try out my new" ROLLS ROYCE" sewing table. However, I enjoyed my gardening and forgot all about sewing once I engaged in filling my new rasised garden bed with soil so I can plant a few vegetables, and adding some extra plants to existing pots.
The raised bed was made with cedar fencing and stakes, chicken wire for the bottom so the gophers cannot get to my "STUFF". Well, you know where I'll be for the next few weeks, yeah, in the backyard, or at my new sewing center. I now realize that my eyes don't like to sew that much at night, so I'm planning to clean house and do all the meager chores at night, so I can have all of this new daylight savings time put to good use at my sewing machine.
I picked up a basket of drunkards path blocks and am finishing them after a few years. I only have about ten more blocks to sew in the curved piece. HOORAH! I hope to get better on keeping up with all my projects from now on. I do have another piece of wood to build another table in the near future and a shelf in the garage. I'm having so much fun improving my new studio. Happy sewing to all my friends out there.
Let's put the pedal to the metal.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!

2010-03-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

New Homemade Table

Curtains To Match Sofa

Hello, I'm back. And so soon. I started this morning with a banana and a cup of tea, with the intention of going back to bed. I leaped back in bed and began to read my scriptures for today, and a little meditating. Guess what, I slept so well last night that I could not stay under the covers.
I got up put on the crock pot and finished my dinner, and back to my new sewing table. I think in the back of my mind that was what convinced me that I was not sleepy and had to finish my project so I can get back to my sewing. Well, here is the first rough draft of my new soon to be beautiful table. The extension on the second image is the one that came with my 6600 but was not nearly enough for me to have all the fun I plan to have with all of my new space.
I'm not bragging just praising God for wisdom to accomplish the things I envision. He said in His word, that if any man lack wisdom that he should ask of Him and that he giveth liberal to those who ask. Praise God!
James 1:5

Lazy Blogger Watching Butterflies, and flowers

2010-03-13T16:52:00.000-08:00

I've been busy watching and photographing a little nature that is dear to my heart. I have also been building, gardening, cleaning , rearranging and lazy when it came time to post on my blog. The days here have been wonderful for working out of doors or indoors. Just the right climate for almost any thing.

The monarch butterflies have found glory in my flowers and in the orange and lemon trees that are blossoming at this time. We haven't been able to collect all of the crop from last year and really needing to do it so the new fruit can develop and become hardy. The hibiscus bush in the front has been blooming all the winter. Sometimes the flowers span 4 to 5 inches.

I'm still working on my studio. I've made a lot of progress bringing all the fabrics in and all of my suupplies are almost out of the closets. Now where all these things are going is another dilema for me. I have put in 3 storage space cabinets (just small ones) and I still do not have everything put away. I wanted a sewing table that would allow my sewing machine to be flush with it, but refused to pay a grand or more for one. I'm

one stingy woman, but my husband says I'm just frugal. I am now known as" Carol the builder". I've built my three work tables with design space included and my latest creation is my new sewing table. I took a desk and a foldup sewing machine table and built my table around it. Today I added the stain, and tomorrow I will polyurethane the first coat. I cant' wait because I do not have another table to sew on. This has taken me all of almost two weeks. I had no professional plans. I lay in bed and figure out how to build just what I want the way I want it. Will post the pictures of both my new raised flower bed that I built and the new sewing table in a couple of days.

Capturing San Diego Sunset

2010-02-09T14:08:00.000-08:00

Just happened to go to the front door in the evening and this is what I saw. I ran and got my camera, and luckily the batteries weren't dead. I only wish I had gotten to the door a little earlier I could have gotten a better and lighter picture. I know I will not win any awards for photography but I think they look pretty good.

Moving Right Along

2010-02-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

In the midst of rearranging and organizing I'm still pulling out my UFO'S to try and finish all my projects. Wish me luck. I have a designated closet for all finished projects that are hanging and there is not much room left either. This piece has been hanging around for some time now and I'm just putting on the table cloth and deciding on borders. This is one of my original designs that is needle turned applique. It has been a lot of work. I have found that the DMC embroidery floss has all of the colors needed for such a project and the thread is color fast and strong.

I've even found time to try out my new bread machine. Since I am gluten intolerant I had to find a machine with a program for gluten-free bread and this one does it. It is a big loaf of bread and is was good. As good as bread can get and be made without wheat. There is tapioca flour, rice flour, soy flour, potato starch flour, xanthan gum, yeast and some other things. Whew, what a list for bread. I paid over $20.00 for flour. Can you imagine everytime you want a slice of bread having to make it yourself. My son in Virginia talked bad about it when he saw this picture. He said it looked like it was made in 1716. The nerve of him.

I'm going to be getting back to putting my studio together. I'm in the process of looking for cabinets with doors to house all of my fabric in the same place. I have a hall closet that is a little ways away and I'm tired of going back and forth trying to match something so I'm searching for cabinets that will not break the bank but does not look like junk either.

I'm Back in my New Studio

2010-01-09T14:46:00.000-08:00

And, I'm back in the groove. My studio is almost set up the way I want to work. I have set up a lot and still trying to make things better and more accessible to the task that be at hand. It has been hard to try and get things back in some ways the way they were, but I'm hoping that things will be set up much better. I finished the fireplace display wall, along with the sit, relax, or hand sewing area. My media area is back for the exception of a few changes I plan to make.

Last night I even worked on a piece that has been here for a while and only needing a few details to finish.

I'm almost finished painting my flower floor cloth, except for a few minor details and the background.

Here's how the studio is coming.

I must be getting back to organizing and will try and post again next week with pictures of what I have been doing.

Getting Back In The Groove

2009-12-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

This is just another UFO that I'm hopefully going to complete. I sold the first one I made and decided to make another with a few variations since I don't like making the same thing twice unless commissioned to do so.
Taken from "Streams in the Desert" daily devotions.
J.R. Miller says "if you seem to be living in deep darkness because God is working in strange and mysterious ways, do not be afraid. Simply go forward in faith and in love, never doubting Him. He is watching and will bring goodness and beauty from all of your pain and tears".
The shuttles of His purpose move
To carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove
His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread,
You view some somber fold;
For lo, within each darker thread
There twines a thread of gold.
Spin (sew) cheerfully,
Not tearfully,
He knows the way you plod;
Spin (sew) carefully,
Spin (sew) prayerfully,
But leave the thread with God.
taken from the "Canadian Home Journal"
I leave this message with you on today in hopes that your faith may be increased as mine have since July when I had the water damage start a seemingly never ending cycle of things going wrong. I can say that God has built more faith and trust in me for Him.
The battle I was having with Home Depot ended on yesterday. They called and are refunding me every penny I spent on the flooring for my studio. When this issue came up about the different dye lots in my flooring all the fight in me had seemed to be deminished at that time, and I decided that I was really tired and that I must give the outcome over to God, and I did, and once again He came through.
Here's hoping you may find encouragement in the message.

Quilts, Quilts, and more Quilts

2009-12-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

The first piece here was drawn by a 13 year old child from Ghana. It's all finished, but I could not find the picture of t he completed piece, none the less, you get the idea. There are jewels on the tu-tu's on the female. When I find the picture I will post it.

These two pieces show the completed quilt and the lone panel before framed. The panel was purchased from an African woman from Ghana. When I started
this post I was going to tell you all about the crazy things that has transpired here, but decided to make that secondary to my post. Had internet trouble last week. Could not get online. That is fixed. The mold is gone. My studio floor is finished, but not without problems. The tiles are obviously from several dye lots, and now I'm in a fight with Home Depot and Armstrong.
I have hung in my storage closet about 50 finished quilts, and have taken out several to finish.

I just cannot seem to get to the sewing machine now that it is fully accessible. I think there was something about manuevering to get to it before that drove me to it. Gotta get motivated again, and realize that it may not be over yet, since I would like a new floor in the studio. I'm putting it back together again and thinking that I may have to take it a part again. Well, I'm tired now and the thought of fixing dinner is something that I really am not looking forward to.

Hope to be more consistent with my posting in the future for I have found that the longer I wait the more I have to say and the longer it takes to get caught up to the moment.
KEEP BLOGGING AND QUILTING

Thanksgiving for some is tomorrow,

2009-11-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

but for me Thanksgiving is everyday. I thank God for my new life in Christ. For giving me the mind and the will to do of His good pleasure. I thank God for life, health, and strength each day. I thank Him for my wonderful husband who thinks I am a queen. I thank God for good relationships with my two sons. I also thank God for putting my home back together better than it was before the water damage with very little out-of- pocket expense. I thank Him for so many things it would take forever for me to tell it all. Here's wishing each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day on tomorrow and admonish you all to be thankful each day because if we take a good look at our lives we can find a lot to be thankful for. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God.....

Two steps forward, Three steps backwards

2009-11-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

If it ain't one thing it's another.

My new floors are in, but the refrigerator caused damage to my studio floor. We pulled all the flooring and underlayment out and purchased new flooring. When removing the baseboards we discovered mold. Yes, I said mold. I have angioedema and am highly allergic to this substance, but God has been good to me. I have not had a reaction. The mold is in the corner where my tv and sofa was. This was my favorite spot next to the sewing machine area.

Had to call insurance again for the floor and the mold. They do not cover the mold, so I guess you know who has to pay. Yeah, me.

To make a long story short I'm outside my studio looking in, however, they contained the damaged area with a plastic enclosure, so I can still get to the sewing machine and my computer.

I've been drawing out some new designs to day, as if I don't already have more than enough already waiting to be put together.

The quilt I'm posting has been finished with borders but I don't have a picture of it yet, so I'm posting it as a UFO. It has already found a new home and owner. I thought this one was appropriate since it kind of smiles at you.

From Sketches to Quilts

2009-10-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm still way behind all the furniture and other things in the corner with my sewing machine. I've recently discovered that I need to replace the floor in my studio. We had to put the refrigerator in my studio, and lo and behold there is water damage on some of the floor now from the overflow pan. When we moved it the water splashed and I did not know it was on the floor and as it sat there it damaged the floor. I'm going to put in something that will not be damaged by water this time.So much for the gloom. I'm still stitching everyday by hand or by machine. I refuse to stop for stitching helps me keep my sanity.

I had a black piece of cloth on one of my work tables some time ago. As I look at it now I don't know why in the world I padded that table with black cloth, however I started drawing on it and then painting on it some time ago and had really thrown it in the "OUT" pile. When I was in the process of moving to my new studio I almost threw it away. I took a good look at it and a light went on. I decided to paint a little more on it and since I have been here with everything torn apart I decided to do some hand embroidery on it , and it is beginning to look very nice. It is about 24X36 in. I think I will mount it on a board.

I also pulled out the floor pillows that I started making covers for yearssssss ago and am working on the last one. The pillows are about 2 feet square. Thought I'd share what I've been doing since my last post besides tearing out floors and rearranging.

" A STITCH A DAY KEEPS THE BLAHS AWAY"

AM I DREAMING?

2009-08-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

Unfinished Scrap Quilts

On yesterday I worked on some hand embroidery on a long forgotten piece. I'm trying to play catchup since losing so much time setting appointments, waiting for contractors, picking out flooring, mouldings, paint, etc.

I'm so BEHIND it's discouraging. I've decided within myself that due to the unusual heat here in San Diego last week, I may have some kind of lame excuse.

Well, forget the excuses. I'm going on from where I am today"BEHIND", and continue to perservere and work on completing one UFO a day as planned.

I realized one thing while pondering where I am, where I'm going, and where I want to be, and that is that I must complete something while also working on some or one of the others, otherwise I will never complete anything.

AM I DREAMING?

Miriam Praises God

2009-08-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here's another finished UFO. Let me introduce you to "Miriam", another one of my interpretations of the women of the Bible. The same story that went with the previous "Miriam" goes with this quilt. I used a "fussy cut " from this wonderful fabric I found . It's an allover of these beautiful black women. I quilted it, added the tambourine, beads at the top and hand quilted in very fine echo stitching all aroung the motif. What fun I had and the hand sewing is very therapeutic. To read what is written on either side at the bottom of the quilt in the orange area go to Exodus 2:3-9 , Micah 6:4, and Exodus 15:21.
I'm going back through my new issue of "Quilting Arts Magazine" the June/July issue and there is this wonderful article titled "Quilt then Paint" by Sue Kelly. Her quilts are very beautiful and she uses the same technique I did for the last "Miriam" quilt. She uses "Shiva Paintsticks" instead of liquid fabric paints. The paintsticks are very beautiful on fabric . You can buy them in irredescent or matte finish. They are a must have for art quilts. Well, I guess I should be about the chores of the day and maybe work on another "UFO".
HAPPY QUILTING!