My fiber artists group...studioQ...met yesterday.  We always have a great time...and what wonderful sharing of ideas!  A couple of months ago we decided to have a new challenge for ourselves...being inspired by the "12 X 12" group, we are doing a 12" x 12" mini quilt each month.   Each member will give us a topic...either a quote, favorite saying, etc and a suggested technique to use...that being optional to either suggest or do.

Last month our topic was "Counting Flowers on the Wall"...fun to do!  This month, the topic was "Walking On Sunshine"...the first one is mine...I used a technique on layering that I saw demonstrated by Beryl Taylor on a Quilting Arts video "Layer by Layer"...I haven't finished it yet; I am going to wait until all my mini's are done to see how I want to finish all of them.

My "Walking On Sunshine"

Rhonda's

Beth's

Kay's

Susan's

Bethany's

Three of our bunch weren't quite ready to show theirs yet.  I really enjoy seeing how differently everyone interprets the same topic!!  If you would like to see more of other works of art that were shown at our meeting, copy and paste the link below.

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a45794f4463774d54413d0d0a&blogview=true

For the month of May we are doing "In the field of life, be a pink flamingo!"  I already have an idea of what I want to do.

I've been considering joining the "15 Minute Challenge" again.  As a fellow blogger mentioned, it is  good way to try to keep one focused!  Here is list of the items I am either working on* or want to work on:

• T-shirt quilt for my granddaughter's graduation from High School* (the closest to completion)
• My color challenge "Bargello" for April (Whoops...missed that date!)*
• BOM for May*(fabric and pattern ready)
• Cotton Robin challenge-finish and mail*
• studioQ "Village Quilt"*(A group project I volunteered to put together)
• workshop starts!*(Many)
• Quilt for our bed* (fabric ready/Paper piecing printed off)
• Challenge for May..in my head!!
• ....and probably others that I can't think of right now!!

Let's Talk Books

I have been very negligent on "reporting" about books I have read lately!  So I am going to devote this blog to just that!

I have very eclectic taste in literature...I usually prefer fiction to non-fiction, but I do like biographies and some fiction about historical issues.  I like fantasy, scifi, historical fiction, human interest, mysteries, the classics, poetry...the list goes on!

Recently I have read the following:

• The Leopard by Jo Nesbo...the almost good replacement author for Stieg Larson of "The Girl Who...." fame.  A good Nordic/Scandinavian author whose work I highly recommend.*****

• The Third Floor by Judi Loren Grace....a book that I read from my Kindle Fire (which I really love, not just for reading but for every thing else)  This book took me back to a period of time I could relate with....a story about a young girl who becomes pregnant in the late '50's/early'60's (not sure which) and goes to an "unwed" mothers' home to deliver and give the baby up for adoption...I am not sure if it is based on a true story, but it does read very realistically!  *****

• Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.....a book I had picked up at my church's book trade table....a theme of great interest to me...the Holocaust.  Again, I highly recommend it!!*****

• And I am now reading Stephen King's 11/22/63...Yes, I am a Stephen King fan!  I have read almost all of his books...he is, as you know, a very prolific writer!! I am in awe of his ability to take  common, everyday events and "twist" them into tales of intrigue!!  This "little" novel is 845 pages long and I am on page 246 so I will have to report back on it in a few days!  The scariest thing about King's books, to me. is that they are physically dangerous!  I read in bed at night and usually get very sleepy before I am through.  I have been known to drop off and have the book fall on my face!  With books the size of his, that is a danger!!!!!

Challenge #67- Amanda/Earth Day

The Diva's #1 son decided the Earth needed a new name...so he calls her Amanda!  As we are all celebrating Earth Day this month, the Diva has selected "Amanda/Earth Day" the Challenge for week.  Laura had done her challenge in circle/mandala form which I thought was very appropriate.  My Zentangle took a kind of organic appearance...not too many standard "zentangle patterns"...but I like the effect...kind of became an "Earth, wind, water and fire" design!!

Amanda/Earth Day Challenge #67

After finishing...my husband and I got to looking at the center in various ways...and we can see a face! Can you?  I guess it is Mother Nature with a lion's mane!

Zentangle Challenge # 66-Aura

     Last week the Diva was unable to give us a zentangle challenge as she had a challenge of her own...her little guy who has so many health issues was in the hospital. But this week she was able to give us a Challenge!!  This time we are doing a Zentangle titled "Aura"...."Laura's Aura's" to be exact!

     And here is my "Aura":

Challenge # 66: Aura

There are several zentangles that can be used to create this challenge-river, ixorus, rain, web.... to name a few...actually about anything can use an "aura".  Fun design to do!

Race for the Cure 2012

Race for the Cure 2012

My daughter and I with Elsie the cow

     Today was the 18th Race for the Cure that I have done...My original goal was  to do this until age 70...well, that was last year so  now, at age 71, I have reset my goal for 75!  Every year my daughters, granddaughter and various friends have done the Race in Fort Worth, Tx.  It is always such an inspiring event to see all the women with the pink shirts (for survivors) with all the other participants...friends, family, men, women and children!  We have walked in rain, snow, heat and wind (today was pretty ideal...a little humid but overcast enough to be pleasant).

     The crowd picture is just half of the numbers...there were at least that many if not more behind us! My other daughter and my granddaughter weren't able to join us this time, but I know they'll be back!!!

A Fast Week!

      Last night I really panicked...my computer froze up and I couldn't unfreeze it...nothing would move...the cursor..couldn't even shut it down...So I plugged it in, put it to bed and went to bed myself!  In the middle of the night, I was up roaming around...I noticed that the little light went out on the computer so I opened up..it's a laptop...and bingo, it all came on again..still frozen.  So I tried pushing down on the "turn on" button and held it down for a long time..it went off!!  Today..all is well and operating.

    I am so glad because I had a very important email from Laura Farmer who mans my favorite blog with zentangle patterns.  She has developed a book of patterns which anyone can have with a donation to her blog.  She also sells supplies and has classes as well as all the patterns....EVER!  I thought it would be handy to have all the patterns easy to get to, especially if I could download it to my Kindle and be able to use it off line.  With lots of doctor visits, etc. lately,  I have totally loved my Kindle Fire...so with being able to download tutorials about anything from YouTube and being able to take my sketchbook everywhere, I am very well "self-entertained"!  Needless to say, I was thrilled to be able to download the "TanglesPatten" manual to my Kindle...so if I am caught somewhere with out access to Wifi, I can still have many things to keep me occupied.

      Yesterday, while we were at the Texas Oncology Infusion Center, I picked up this book "Lilly Oncology on Canvas".  It is an art book of various medias...pastels, watercolors, oils, photography, mixed media, and more.  The works of art are created by many persons who have had cancer of some form in their lives...either survivors, caretakers, friends, family and have been accumulated into a book and published by the Lilly Pharmaceutical company.  This beautiful book was created in  2010 and the company is preparing to publish another one.  If anyone is interested in participating, click on the above link for further information.  Even if not interested in doing a work of art for the book, the link will give you a lot of information about the  project and exhibit a lot of wonderful art work!

 

A Beautiful Spring Day!

The dive!

Free falling!

The landing!

Today, April 7, 2012, my daughter amazed me with doing a sky dive-tandem style with two of her friends.  They were going to go a few weeks ago but the weather was too windy to do it.  I am so proud of her!!  I am afraid I would never have the guts to do such an endeavor!!

I am quietly sitting at home, sewing on my granddaughter's T-shirt quilt for her high school graduation!  And working on this month's color challenge.

Color Palette Challenge for March

I am planning on doing a Bargello quilt with these fabric choices.  It will just be a mini quilt.  I had decided with these color challenges, I would attempt new techniques with each month...if they are successful, I have learned something to try again...if I do not care for them...donation for my guild's Silent Auction!!!

My excitement for the day was my mile walk with my BFF down our lane...and again, what a spring for the wildflowers!

One side of the road

And the other side

And this beauty went on for at least 1/2 mile on both sides!!

Challenge # 65-"Huggy Bear"-Stormy Weather

While I was working on my tile for this week, the Dallas/Fort Worth area was being pummeled by terrific storms!  I know the National News covered some of the freaky things that were happening throughout and I hope that none of my friends' homes were harmed!  We live Southwest of Fort Worth so, although we got rain, we were spared the devastation of the tornadoes!

The Challenge this week is from JJ LaBarbera...chosen by the Diva to use her zentangle for challenge #65.  Here is my tile and the directions to make the main tangle:

Challenge # 65-Huggy Bear

How to Make "Huggy Bears"

Color Palette Challenge for March/Zentangle Challenge #64

Challenge # 64- Fortune Teller

I missed last week's challenge and if we were going by Laura Harm's time, I would have missed this week too!  But I have 10:40 PM here in Texas so hope I am under the wire!  Fun challenge...I always enjoy these!
AND......
I finally got my wall hanging pieced for the March Color Palette Challenge.  Here is a picture posted by Vicki Welsh for the challenge and the fabrics she chose for it.

And here are the fabrics I chose and the quilt I have pieced with the Disappearing 4-patch block.

My choice of fabrics from my stash.

March Color Palette Challenge 27" x 27"

So for the last day of the month I think I am caught up with the challenges I am doing....so time to start all over again!!!

studioQ meeting for March

     My favorite bunch of fiber artists...studioQ....met Monday at my house.  We have started a new challenge.  Because we are just smitten with the 12 X 12 gals, we decided to try a 12 x 12 challenge of our own.  Each month we will do a quote from something..a song..a poem..a book..whatever one of our member's decides on..as well as a technique and/or fabric choice.

    This month we were to do a quilt with the topic of "Counting Flowers on the Wall", including use of black and white polka dot fabric somewhere on the block and could use the technique of resist if desired.  I made a Smilebox  of our meeting with the challenges and some additional items.  It was so cool to see how everyone interpreted the challenge!

     If you have not tried Smilebox before...give it a try..it is fun to make up slide shows and photo albums!

A digital slideshow by Smilebox

Crystal Bridges

     This past weekend we had a wonderful trip to Bentonville, Arkansas to visit the Crystal Bridges Art Museum in the heart of the Ozark Mountains.  Alice Walton, who lives not too far from us here in Texas grew up there...daughter of Sam Walton of Walmart fame. She is a multi-billionaire who has a terrific interest in art...and even better, in sharing her interest with the public!  So the Museum which she was the force behind opened up last fall and immediately landed on our bucket list!  Bentonville is still the corporate offices of Walmart and it is the prettiest little town with some of the best restaurants I have ever dined in.

    The trip is about seven hours from here...we went with another couple who have an equal  interest in art and architecture as ours and none of us were a bit disappointed!! We traveled on Friday, went to the Crystal Bridges grounds by 9:30 on Saturday...the museum didn't open until 11:00 but the trails and grounds offered beautiful landscaping...natural and enhanced! So we took advantage of the time to roam around for a couple of hours.

A Stainless Steel tree..like one at the Modern in Fort Worth

Dogwoods in bloom on the trail

Redbud and dogwood in bloom

Crystal Bridges from an overlook on one of the trails.

Crystal Bridges from the front.

The Last Supper, created with 20,736 spool of thread, hung on chains...upside down.  To view the work of art right side up, there was a sphere to look through!!!!  Size: Huge!!!!

A closeup

     We were astounded by the art work that Alice has collected through the years...so many very famous artists and works...and the whole exhibit is open to the public for FREE!  The area got very crowded and congested before we left, but the whole experience was totally worth every second of it!  Only one damper took place Sunday morning about 30 minutes on the road...Two young does ran right out of the ditch and in front of us!  There was no way to avoid hitting at least one of them...it all happened so fast that we are not sure if we hit both of them or not...quite a bit of damage to the hood, grillwork, head lights and bumper. It will take quite a bit of work...and our friends have only had the SUV less than an year.

Working on Color Challenge

      These are like the fabric chosen by Vicki Welsh for the March color challenge.  I love the richness of these colors and I have been working on a pattern with these fabrics from my stash that I got from the internet called "Disappearing Block".  It is an easy block, but looks complicated....very fun to make!  There are several ways to put it together so in another post, I will show the one I chose to use.

My fabrics for the challenge

Working on the "Disappearing Block"

Step # 2 for Disappearing Block

Step #3 for Disappearing Block

     I wish I had noted who this block came from...I tried to go back and find the information but was not able to...so if anyone knows who should get the credit, please let me know....at least, know that it is not MY original design...I am just an admirer!!!

    Monday, my studioQ fiber arts group meets.  We have started a new challenge for the new year....started in February.  We are all big fans of the 12 x12 group and decided to do some of our own 12 x 12 challenges.  Our challenges will consist of a quote chosen by one of us (taking turns each month) with a twist and a technique.  The quote can be from anything...a song, poem, book, speech, etc. and the twist is also chosen by the same person....the technique will be drawn from a list which we developed last month.

For March, our challenge is "Counting Flowers on the Wall"...using black and white polka dot fabric with the technique of "Resist".  Should be fun...eager to see what everyone did!

Quilts Stolen

I just saw this item from Karen Combs on Facebook and wanted to share with the quilting committee and anyone else who might be in a position to help her.

Quilts Stolen....Please click on this link and read Karen's tragic story!!

Wearing of the Green

    And a Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!   They say that everyone is Irish on this day...Well, I can honestly say that I am!  At least half...my mom's mother (my grandmother) was as Irish as they come.  I never knew her...she died before I was born, but I remember Mom telling stories of her and her family of many sisters and brothers.  Family legend has it that my great grandparents met on the boat coming over from Ireland in the 1800's at the time of the potato famine and that the voyage was so traumatic for my  great grandmother that she lost all her hair. Another legend was that she was an Irish princess.  Now, I have read since that practically every village had a "king"....like the mayor...and that his daughters would be considered princesses.  But I prefer to dream that I am of Irish royalty!!  Just my vivid imagination at work!   

    I always loved these tales and would swell with great pride when we would sing out the Wearing of the Green in choir at school.  And "Danny Boy" always gives me goosebumps!  I love "Brigadoon" and  a touch of Bailey's in my coffee,   I do love the rich Irish literature...the lore of the fantasies of the Emerald Isle...so I will continue to don my green (sitting here now with my green t-shirt on even though I didn't leave the house or yard today) and share the following blessing with everyone.

  

Challenge #62-Paradox and Spiral

Challenge # 62-Paradox and Spirals

This was a fun challenge! I find the Paradox a little daunting...so I am not sure I am totally satisfied with my results on it...but I love doing spirals!  So here is my tile!

I have a new toy....my scanner is SOOOO slow, I decided to replace it.  But because the printer still works well, I didn't want to just junk the whole thing so I purchased a hand held scanner.  And I really like it!  It copies to an micro SD card and can be attached to my computer with a USB cord to download.  I copied this latest zentangle tile on it and I think it made a really clear picture.

In reading the reviews of the one I chose, one can take it anywhere and scan things...one example given was recipes in magazines in the doctor's office...or doing research in the library....I think it will be very handy!

Lots o' Birthdays!!

This year is the 100th birthday celebration for so many well-known things....The Girl Scouts were signed into being by Juliette Low one hundred years ago today.  The Oreo cookie is 100 years old this year...and the Titanic sunk 100 years ago next month.  I am sure there are more but these are what I have heard about in the last three days!

Girl Scouting has many fond memories for me...I was Girl Scout in the 1950's...my mom was one of my leaders.  Both my daughters were Girl Scouts in the 1970's and I was a leader...and my granddaughter was a Girl Scout in the 2000's!  That is three generations in our family.

My oldest daughter

Both of my daughters and me

When I was a kid, I went to Girl Scout camp one year...we had cabins, but no plumbing...latrines and cold showers...log cabins with no heat or air conditioning...  I was probably about 11-12 at the time.  There were four of us from my home town there together..good buddies!  Even though we were really "roughin' it", I remember we had a blast!!!  I was very nearsighted as a child...I remember looking out the cabin window very early one morning...really needing to use the latrine..I couldn't find my glasses and I could swear there was a bear right across the way, between me and the latrine!  So I got everyone in my cabin up to go with me...come to find out the "bear" was a very large pile of rocks and moss covered brush!  Boy, did I have trouble living that one down!!

As my girls grew, I was active as a leader with their troops...I was still not the real rugged type, but I was ok with taking the kids on trips with other moms.  This one time we had to take a nature training class before we could take the girls on an over night!  A good friend of mine and I were really beginning to wonder about the wisdom of our plan when the leader of the class...a real outdoorsy kind of gal...told us about the way to tell the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes..by the shape of their eyes!!  Like we were going to get close enough to be able to tell what their eyes looked like!

Juliette Gordon Low

Juliette Low's birthplace in Savannah, Ga.

Several years ago my youngest daughter and I went to a quilting seminar with Jinny Beyer at Hilton Head, near Savannah.  While there, we took a tour around Savannah and saw the Low birthplace....bringing back many "scouting" memories for both of us.

And the last generation of Girl Scouts...at least to date...was my granddaughter at an awards  ceremony.

So...Happy Birthday to you, Girl Scouts of America!!  Oh....and also to Oreo cookies!!!

March is National Quilting Month

While reading some emails, I discovered that this National Quilting Month....and there is a website that has a pattern to honor National Quilting Day which is March 17...St. Pat will love that!!  The  site also has several patterns for the past four or five years that can be downloaded for free.  These patterns are sponsored by the National Quilting Association which has a pretty extensive website with all kinds of info.

We have company coming for the weekend so I have been a baking fool...cookies, brownies, coffee cake etc.  All things that can be frozen for later eating if not cleaned up by our guests!

And rain and cold weather are expected...no complaints...after our terrible drought of last summer we will never turn down rain!!  But looks like a lot of sitting around visiting rather than getting out!  Again, no complaints...we have a lot of visiting to do!!!

"Love Your Blog" Day

According to Lynn Krawczyk on her Facebook posting this morning, this is Love Your Blog Day...so I think I really should post something!  This week has been an interesting week Nature wise..

Monday when we were taking our daily walk, we saw literally hundreds of geese flying North!!!  As we are walking down our country road, we could hear "honking" and looking up, there was a huge flock heading North.  Then as they went out of sight, there were at least eight more flocks.

I didn't take this picture...thank you, visualphotos.com...but this is what they looked like. Most of them were much higher than this but one flock was almost this low!!  We could see their individual coloring and details.!

Right where we live, we often see the geese, loosing their "V" formation; then float around in circles, reform into a "V" and off again.  We think there must be air currents that they are taking a rest from beating their wings, as they will just glide around for a bit before taking off.  Weather often changes near us...storms break up; rains other areas are getting miss us entirely, etc.  Makes it interesting watching the changes.

Texas Bluebonnets from last year.

And today while walking, we saw that the fields across from us are FULL of bluebonnet leaves...hopefully that means we will have a flourishing crop to enjoy in a few more weeks!

Redbud trees South of our house 

And the redbud trees are starting to bloom...with such a mild winter, everything is blooming somewhat early!  Hope we don't have a surprise cold snap to nip all their little buds!

So Happy "Love Your Blog Day", fellow bloggers!  I love reading all of your entries!!

BOM-# six

BOM-# six, a photo by arts1plus on Flickr.

This is the sixth in the series of BOMs I am doing.  I think I am going to either make placemats or a table cloth out of the blocks when all are done.  My Fiesta Ware dishes are multicolored like this fabric and I can use some new mats!

We are having some marvelous early spring weather.  It is about time to get that hummingbird feeder going.  We have seen a couple of bluebirds checking out the house we have for them, but so far, I think the sparrows are keeping them away!  Even though bluebirds look fierce in some photographs, I think they are pretty passive until they get established somewhere and have a family to protect!  Then they get tough!!!