IT WAS A TEST.....

I think it is important for everyone to push their limits, in their life as well as in art. A necessary component of growing, to engage in activities that are just beyond your comfort level. Stretching and growing and learning make our lives exciting and more meaningful. As a test of my own, I decided to make a traditional strip pieced quilt using subdued colors and a traditional pattern. The precision required is definitely outside my comfort level. Of course, I did manage to do a leaf stamp on the border which I am sure is NOT traditional. But, seriously, don't you think it's pretty cool? It will be at the foot of our bed as a necessary thing for a good nap. So, here is my test. I enjoyed the process and confess I am ready to make another one! Stretching is good......

SANTA FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT.....

I got the lava lamp I have wanted for about forty years......I love it!

OUR CHRISTMAS TABLE

We will be celebrating our Christmas dinner tomorrow but I already have the table ready to serve family and friends. As a centerpiece I put out a very small portion of my ever growing collection of Santa Clauses! Notice the second from the left in the photograph below? This is a Santa carved by my Mother years ago and is the one that started me on my way to collecting many more. It will always be my favorite one. And this is a photograph of our niche with one very tall and skinny Santa Clause. This one is special to me as Roy bought it several years ago and put it in my stocking. It reminds me of him; tall and lanky and generous.

MY NEW PASSION !

I found this book at Barnes and Noble and when I opened it I almost stopped breathing! The colors and designs are stunning! Kaffe Fassett has designed the fabrics and the quilts in this book and they are photographed in marvelous locations around Portugal. The sun and the architecture and the ceramic walls where they are displayed just enhance these quilts. I was so inspired that I wanted to make a "fassett quilt"! Unfortunately, designer fabrics are not available so I was faced with the challenge of trying to create the feel of his quilts using the minimal fabric choices of my local Wal-mart. I selected several pieces there and mixed them with some floral pieces I had in my studio. Here is a photograph of the fabrics I purchased. And, here is a photograph of the first few blocks. I adapted his design to a framed four patch pattern but it still presents the same "feel" as his "Earthy Frames" quilt on the book cover as best I could create using fabrics available. I just love the way he uses color! I would really like to spend a day in his studio! What an inspiration!

Kaffe Fassett

THEY DEPEND ON ME...

It has been very cold, and very windy and very snowy the past few days. We have closed the courtyard gate to keep it from banging around and have provided an old cookie tray for the bird seed. In the center of the tray is a beautiful aquamarine piece of rough glass to keep the tray from blowing away. This morning when I put the seeds out, I had to slog through the snow. Reminded me of walking to school when I was young.

TINY STAINED GLASS WINDOWS...

OUR CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE....

Yeah, we thinks it's pretty sweet.

FIRST SNOWFALL 12/9/2008

This is what we woke up to this morning! Isn't it beautiful? My poor little birds didn't miss a beat however. They just started scratching around like they do every morning and I put on clothes and shoes(not my sandals) and got fresh seeds out. Of course it kept snowing most of the day and the seeds were quickly covered up. One of our doves is quite good at the "sweep motion" with her beak and quickly uncovered much.

So, what to do on a beautiful wintry day? Ahhhh! Two projects: baking more cookies (I know, but you really can never have too many cookies), and I started another rug. Big problem with these cookies; too many to fit in the decorative tin and I need to put them in the freezer. Oh well, we will have to eat a few. Not a problem.

Now for the rug; a recent trip to our only thrift store netted these beautiful tee shirts. All I could stuff in a plastic bag for $2.00. Here they are after being washed and dried. And, here they are after being turned into rug weaving strips. And here, the beginnings of the rug. Bright sunny colors, the perfect project for a cold day! When it is finished I will post a final photograph.