Cobaltquilter's Corner

Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T18:03:00.000-08:00

My word for 2012 is SIMPLIFY...

I have been busy organizing my living/working space since the holiday show rush was over for me early in the month. It went well, I made good sales! I am going to prepare my inventory for Spring shows. Trying to get my nerve up once again to seek a space for Spring Arts Walk... we shall see.

Have been making a running list of what I have done the last 2 4 day weekends in a word document, just to track my momentum and keep it going. I do not have to get it all done in one day.

So far:
~Sorted boxes of 'saved' paperwork from 2009, and 2010! Silly stuff! Most recycled.
~My fabric is nearly all sorted, will keep picking away at the assorted boxes of scraps and 'projects.'
~Took stuff to the Goodwill. Have started another collection to take (But I did pick up a new skirt, a shirt and a sweater!)
~Added items to the 'Destash' box for the Olyteam Etsy meeting this week.
~Have a couple bags of books to donate to the Books Beans and Brownies Book Sale Saturday, February 25, 2012 10:00 AM-4:00 PM OUUC
~I have a greater awareness of my unfinished objects pile, wanting to find the best way to store and access these, as well as prioritize! The word doc will help with that!
~Had an email exchange with Ruthann Eckersley and purchased a pattern from her web site: Ruths Machine Quilting for a great table topper made with strada the way bargello quilts are! It's called Sew Easy Strata Star and I have permission to use the pattern and sell items I make. Look for these in the near future! I do not typically use patterns from other designers, but I saw a sample and this woman's pattern at Bayside Quilting and it is really a nice potential use of color and I have some great collections waiting a good place to show off.
(Some how convincing myself it isn't a new project if it is using fabric I already have. Semantics are my friend.)
~Ready to rearrange furniture in the sewing area of the living room for better access, visual appeal.

Did a bit of retail therapy at JoAnn's for some great fabric 40% off, saved $20+ on a large piece 5 yards I think, a great paisley! Also at Bayside some 50% off great blue Zodiac for the backing to a quilt in the UFO pile!

I haven't finished my reorganizing binge, but good progress!

For the last month to 6 weeks I have been working on beading/embellishing Ronn's commission at his house on the evenings we watch a movie and visit. I am making progress, nice to finally see myself put needle and thread to it. No good pictures at the moment. It will be interesting to see how long it takes me to take this one to completion. I am leaving all the beads out there with a folding table. I was provided with a really nice LED clip on light I clip to a little plastic drawer thing that hold the current beads I am using, to get good light on the working surface. It also leaves me home time to do other projects and not feel I am skipping out on Ronn's. I do have to say though that the beading is going much faster that the outline blanket stitch of the design elements. That's nice.

Have a hanging for a customer to get done for next weekend at the Weekend Market, will plan to do that Friday the 6th. Will be at Market January 7th & 8th 10 to 5!

So sad day, no pics in this post :(

Looking forward to a fantastic 2012! A year of change and awakenings!

Show off time...

2011-10-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

A few things happened in October!

Last week the quilt on loan to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center came home! Ground Water has returned to the owner. I very much appreciated the loan! It was a pleasure to see it again, eben if only for a little bit.

In addition:
~ I finished the series of Sugar skull ACEOs and Postcards uploaded them here on a new blog page.
http://cobaltquilterscorner.blogspot.com/p/sugar-skulls-aceos-and-postcards.html

I picked up spice gumdrops today to honor my maternal grandmother at an upcoming Dumb Feast. My sister and I have been playing Scrabble on line. Growing up my mom and grandmother played every time we visited. Preparing for All Soul's Day is an act of mindfulness of those who have gone before me.

~I scanned the 12 finished Stonehenge inchie pendants uploaded an photo to Facebook on my fan page. Check it out if you want more frequent updates than my blog:
https://www.facebook.com/Cobaltquilter

~ Also an image of 3 of the 4 sugar skull pendants that are 1.5 X 3 inches. I sold one at a craft show last weekend! I was out at the Carlyon Beach Craft Fair. The call went out at the last minute and I was accepted. I had a great experience and hope to do it again!

I have additional inchies in the Stonehenge Abstract left overs and a few sugar skull inchies, also larger pieces to bead. Tomorrow I will go see Nancy at the Weekend Market down town Olympia and pick up more base metal blanks for making more pendants, these are low price point items for the 3 upcoming events I mentioned in my last entry! I will post them here again!

Upcoming November shows....

Olympia Weekend Market
November 5th (Saturday 9 - 4) & November 6th (Sunday 10 - 5)
[Repeats every first weekend of the month, December 3 & 4 for last minute local shopping!]

Resident Council's Annual Holiday Bazaar
Mother Joseph Care Center
3333 Ensign Road, Olympia, WA 98506
November 11th (Friday 10am to 4pm)

Local vendors will be selling holiday decorations, cards, jewelry, and other hand crafted items. An opportunity for residence and guests to shop.

Holiday Crafts Showcase at North Thurston High School
600 Sleater Kinney Rd, Lacey, WA
Sponsored by Lacey's Community Enrichment Program
November 12th (Saturday 9am-3pm)

~Here are the Mirror Mirror 4 ACEOs, a great batik and thread painting/quilting. They are in my Etsy Shop ACEO section.

~ I found the bargello elements for an Autumn table topper, yet to be sewn, perhaps today?

I haven't listed the Stonehenge ACEOs yet, could happen any day. They still need photo editing. Today was a blog day. And I really wanted to finish and put away the sugar skull altar cards.

I have stew in the crock pot this rainy afternoon, will give me time to get several more things done before evening draws my day home from the 'day job' to a close!

Oh My, what a whiner I can be!

2011-10-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

When I update my blog I revisit my last post so I can be relevant... note to self, stay positive, I didn't even want to finish reading the post ... perspective is powerful, as always! Also finding typos in previous posts is humbling...

This is my favorite time of year, the season to celebrate all things Autumn.

Doing a bit of organizing today, hope to see a marked improvement in my working space.

Looking to see if there are supplies/stuff I want to 'exchange' at the next Etsy Olyteam Meeting November 5th. A great group of local artisans and sellers from Etsy.com.

Upcoming November shows....

Olympia Weekend Market
November 5th (Saturday 9 - 4) & November 6th (Sunday 10 - 5)
[Repeats every first weekend of the month, December 3 & 4 for last minute local shopping!]

Resident Council's Annual Holiday Bazaar
Mother Joseph Care Center
3333 Ensign Road, Olympia, WA 98506
November 11th (Friday 10am to 4pm)

Local vendors will be selling holiday decorations, cards, jewelry, and other hand crafted items. An opportunity for residence and guests to shop.

Holiday Crafts Showcase at North Thurston High School
600 Sleater Kinney Rd, Lacey, WA
Sponsoered by Lacey's Community Enrichment Program
November 12th (Saturday 9am-3pm)

Updates
*******************************
I completed an ACEO series of Gray Doodles. I had a hard time photo editing, they are listed in my shop but look so much better in real life!

I finished 16 of the Seam Allowance Stonehenge Abstract series ACEOs. Soon to be listed in my shop!

I finished 12 Seam Allowance Stonehenge Abstract series inchies, as pendants! No photos yet!

I decided the Mirror Mirror 4 ACEOs are complete without embellishment, I love the batik and the thread painting/quilting seems to be all they need. Needs photos as well.

Still in the works:
ACEOs Stonehenge with Standing stones, there are - 7, ironed on freezer paper ready to thread paint, I have gray in the machine ought to do that soon!

Ronn's commission:
I cut the hanging sleeve and strips to use for facing from the backing fabric. Have decided to not bind this one. I am getting closer to embellishment potential... in my head.

No progress on Deep Spaces, but have been gathering a few more specific beads to consider.

Will try to locate the bargello elements for an Autumn table topper I have in a box, somewhere!

Playing with 'Ask me about my Etsy shop flags' from the Spoonflower fabric, likely 2 sided. What to use for sticks and stands?

The inevitable new stuff:
Day of the Dead Table runner/toppers altar cloths for Samhain, and other Day of the dead celebrations. Plan an ACEO series that will sport hand sharpie designs on skull beads I picked up at the craft store. Well, that's the plan anyway! Fabric is washed and machine dried! I won't let myself start....

Also washed fabric for Darcy's Commission, Harvest Moon~ brainstorming the quilting design, getting there in my head... The actual construction will be straight forward.

Picked up some fun fabric at the Weekend Market. A Christmas paisley and a harvest scene. Over 2 yards of each, already washed and dried. Also washed 3+ yards of a pre-sewn patchwork fabric I got on Christmas clearance last year, table topper/runner backs perhaps.

I want to finish as many lap sized quilts for Mother Joseph Bazaar as I can, I have quite a list of tops waiting to be quilted!

I find it very hard to photograph beaded textiles, another skill I am developing, slowly! Also need to find out if I can get my scanner to make a jpeg not a copy. Better imaging for the ACEOs. So much to learn so little time!

I have been knitting, again...

2011-07-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Knitting has been my choice of busy work as of late. I find myself picking up the knitting needles and grabbing a ball of yarn when I am feeling stuck creatively and need to feel I am doing something productive and somewhat creative as I love the look and feel of yarn. I have a collection of unique yarn, I have collected when it is on close out sale or at the thrift store.

I picked up 3 balls of a mixed blue and white eyelash and nubby yarn combo for free at a yard sale a few weeks back. It knit up into a nice scarf. Then I started a strictly eyelash variegated 'mexicana' with bright orange, red and purple stripes. It ended up over 6 feet long. I was going to use 4 skeins but it was already long enough with three! Makes me think of the Tom Baker Dr Who. Just the other night I started another narrow lattice yarn scarf in pastels. Recently finished a jewel toned one, just before the blue & white one. The jewel tones had been sitting in a bag for months, I wanted the needles so I finished it up.

Last year I gave a bunch of scarves away at work, I had listed a few on Etsy but they didn't sell. There are some amazing fiber artists on Etsy, creating fantastic works, I wasn't surprised mine sat, unnoticed.

This past week I began to think about the disappointments I have recently encountered with my quilting/embellishment, to see if I can work past this bump in the road.

-didn't finish the Deep Spaces Challenge piece in time

-didn't get accepted into the Pacific West Quilt Show

-didn't finish Symbols for the Etsy Pagan Team Challenge Healing Intent in time, and the cirtisolve method for transferring text to the symbols fabric hasn't worked

-sales in my Etsy shop and at the Olympia Weekend Market have been nonexistent

-I spent a long time sewing a 'quilt as you go' piece that didn't turn out to my expectations and remains in the 'yea, not likely to finish that one' pile

-my first Stonehenge Challenge piece for Bayview Quilting stalled

So the questions has become, "Where am I now and what do I need to do so I can get my hands in the works again? What am I stuck on?"

To get a handle on that I will look at a progress update. What HAVE I been doing?

1. I wrote a blog post for the Olympia Etsy Team blog about Bayside Quilting that was recently posted- Check it out!

http://artoly.blogspot.com/

It is about the Stonehenge Challenge piece I did finish! It is the Stonehenge panel cut and fused then stippled with my doodling. Though I am a bit disappointed only 3 people turned something in...
I have since looked at the unfinished bargello elements and decided they are useable, need a nice border then quilting, so that is a salvaged disappointment! Whew!

2. Deep Spaces has more beads on it but it is to the point where I need to be resting it on the table for support so it limits when and where I can work on it. When something needs specifics like that it gets put at the bottom of the list.

3. Finally quilted Ronn's commission! I was unable to see the quilting, black on black, well enough to quilt with my random stippling design. Ended up just doing a random stipple, I am not as happy with it as I would have been if the thread had let me see it well enough to use my unique designs. It is now ready for embellishment and has stalled... I did hang the piece in his front room one evening so I could 'see' it in its future residence, that has helped some!

4. I have 3 ACEO series ready for embellishment!
-Stonehenge with Standing stones, 7 I think
-Seam Allowance Stonehenge Abstract about 17 and there are also 27 inchies cut of this!
- I cut 4 from the Mirror Mirror practice layer and trimmed the edges

5. FINALLY got a picture of Char's quilt so I can actually get it in the mail... maybe this month? It is a California King size ~108 X 108 inches! I love the traditional Kaleidoscope pattern, like Storm at Sea it makes Circles visually out of Straight lines!

I have never worked a 12 step program through, though I have read a lot about how. This quilt is part of my personal recovery [restitution, making up for things I did or didn't do because alcohol and codependency were more important that people in my life]. Not an easy 'step' but a necessary one. There are a few other projects in this 'step', but for now it feels okay to move forward with other things.

So, there is no shortage of projects to pick up and fly with... just a question of why I am feeling stuck.... I have made a few lists of projects available to work on. Just a matter of getting all Nike, "Just Do It!"

Today I am going to go to Shipwreck Beads and wander around a bit. Sometimes I go and I want everything, other times I leave with nothing as I am struggling to 'see' what I want or need. I hope today I pick up a few embellishments for Ronn's Commission, might get me started on that project!

Midsummer is coming to an end, This weekend marks the quarter day between Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox. I have been thinking about what I have 'planted' and what I am 'harvesting' as the Autumn approaches. The current economic and political climate causes me anxiety and I have become quite political on my personal facebook page!

I also started a fan page for my Etsy shop:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobaltquilter/180414748682318

Summer Solstice Sun! My faforite time of year!

2011-06-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have a bad habit of over using exclamation marks. None the less, this is a great season, the sun gives me energy to think and do things.

I have been brainstorming and doing design work on a couple things pretty consistently. New thing is I have begun to keep a log on my desktop for the various projects I have going. Fun to see a couple of them morph and merge to a potential idea using one of my symbols fabrics.

Progress...

1. "Baby Steps" was not accepted into the Pacific West Quilt Show. Only about half of all entered quilts were selected. I am disappointed but will try to not make it a stopper. Just another step along the path.

On my wall I now have several potential deadlines pinned up in hopes I will actually take another step forward.

2. Deep Spaces... I started a log on my desktop documenting the beads I am using and will back post design inspirations & current progress next time I work on it! Noted the great beads I have added:

I purchased them on Etsy when some one ws destashing, she said they are from Electrobach, but I have not found any information about her.

Also have these great beads already sewn on:
They are from:

karibeads on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/karibeads?ref=pr_shop_more

"So long and thanks for all the fish!"

Anyway it is a fun one and will eventually have a ton of beads on it. There is a pretty stiff interfacing in the layer.

So, 1,2, skip a few

Lots not moved forward the numbers no longer correspond with previous projects in line! :)

3. Got the 3 crazy Nines quilted and on the rack at the Weekend Market the first of June. Trying to get a few things ready for next weekend, seems to rush up on me all the time!!

4. Ronn's wall hanging/ commission is layered and ready for quilting, soon I hope!

5.Lot's of work on Symbols design(s), it has morphed into two different presentations, one with the 4 directional goddesses, one with the sun, earth and green man.... I have been prepping materials, elements, looking forward to starting the sewing part!

I've been listening to some great stuff from Celia not just the Symbol song.

http://youtu.be/qRagep7AOpk

And I discovered Neil Young's Living with War page has great links to current protest songs against war, LWW

I found it after I purchased a copy of CSNY Deja Vue DVD. If you haven't seen it, it is a great documentary of their Freedom of Speech Tour in 2006, released in 2008. As we approach this next political round of chaos we would do well to remember we are still living with war, every day.

6. I am trying to get a quilt finished for the Stonehenge Challenge at the local quilt shop:
Bayside Quilting
Check it out: http://www.baysidequilting.com/NewStore.htm

The Royal Stonehenge Challenge
This challenge begins on Friday-the day of the Royal wedding!! And what could be more British than Stonehenge??? We challenge you to use a minimum of one Stonehenge panel and add any fabric you'd like to create your entry into the Royal Challenge!! Stonehenge panels are 50% off-while quantities last. Use as many as you want!-but you must use one!

Bring your entry in by July 12^th. We will hang the entries and voting begins July 15. Cast your vote for your favorite entry July 15 through August 15. Viewer's Choice will be selected by popular vote and the winner receive a $50.00 gift certificate.
***********

I've cut strips for strata, potential bargello. I've strip cut the panel! Should be interesting. I have 4 great fabrics from the Maui - Maui Stonehenge collection by Linda Ludovico, from Northcott
very bright and sunny to celebrate the Summer Solstice!!

I know it was a push to clear the line before new fabrics arrived, but it will be interesting to see if I can get local challenge completed in time!

I have more to say but as always, if I do not get to the sewing machine I will not make any of the things in my head! I'm thinking of renting the long arm this weekend, Sunday... we shall see. I have a couple quilts I could work on and have ready for the Weekend Market.

Decided I best update before the month got away from me! Going to have a Yule/Christmas in July sale in my Etsy shop next month! I have a ton of items expired and ready to re-list! Might get me to post here next weekend!

Mother's Day...

2011-05-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for my mother. I continue to learn much from her and am grateful for our conversations. She can tell when I am feeling disconnected as well because I stop calling her quite so regularly. So here is a quick update because I also updated my mom today. Why disconnected... self reflection on my presumptuousness and then lack of follow through for unknown reason. Why would a positive comment cause me to stop. Perhaps the realization that other people actually read this random musing of mine on occasion.

Since February I have been to the Weekend Market for the first weekends in March, April and May, as well as, Arts Walk Weekend April 23 & 24. I have had new work to hang all but this past weekend.

I had a bad cold and it has taken nearly 3 weeks to feel myself again. That on top of a few emotional roller coaster rides which saw a light at the end of the tunnel when the Pacific West Quilt Show extended it's online deadline to May 6th.

With that note on to the updating:

1- I really did it. I sent off an entry to the Pacific West Quilt Show, I purchased a new camera because my old one was too old to shoot required jpgs to enter. I almost got someone to shoot pictures for me before I got a camera but it was a big challenge due to both our schedules. I am having a hard time believing I actually did it. I suspect I will get a drawer full of rejection slips before I find my niche. Baby Steps.

I want to develop a data base of my work, with good images so I can not fret over the details if I want to enter other shows. Also can note completed dates, etc.

I want to create a catalog of my work with statements to have available at the Market and other places I might vend. I can select one or 2 pieces to display and offer the catalog, my card and a discount code.

The Weekend Market has given me the exposure to random strangers' opinions of my work in adequate doses for me to start to believe in my potential as more than magical thinking on my part, or the Big Frog/Little Pond Syndrome.

2- I did not finish my piece for the Deep Spaces Challenge. When it is released I will be sure to announce it, both my finished piece and the exhibit. Lots of whys, some design stalls, some really wanting new work for the Market, some need for family time and the unfortunate need for extra sleep the last 2 weeks available to work on it. Maybe too big a fear of rejection after I have boasted about working on it for so long... heavy sigh.

3- The 'Here We Are" challenge piece top is completed. In line waiting to be layered and quilted.

In the pile, with 2 other tops, a star made with a line of fabric I can't recall the designer of at the moment and the pink, black and white bargello circles. The 3 Crazy Nines tops have been layered and sewn. One is pillow turned ready to pin for quilting. They are small. I wanted them for the Market but it was okay I didn't get to them they are still here. :)

4. I finished the "Turning of the Wheel" challenge piece from the Earth Path Artisans Street Team on Etsy. I decided to make it a teaching shawl, but it could get a sleeve if someone wanted one. I took pictures at it's debute at the Weekend Market. Then today someone at the Market told me there is a new Zodiac sign. I will have to look into that!

5. I layered pillow turned and quilted Conan's Pisces graphic design and it is listed on Etsy. Hung it at the Market and have had a lot of great comments. Especially to his design. I look forward to many more collaborations.

6. I completed the applique of Ronn's wall hanging/ commission. The positive of Conan's Pisces with additional elements of mine. Going to machine quilt it in my own designs, then decide if I will bead it or not. I estimated 80 - 90 hours of hand applique. Unfortunately I believe it has taken me 6 months. A little tedious to say the least. Hope the next phases go by more quickly.

7. Brainstorming a quilt called Symbols, Celia has granted me permission to use her lyrics in my work! More on this later!

8. Brainstorming Pagan Team Spring Challenge - Healing Intent due July 1st

7 & 8 may be one and the same...

To fill in a few blanks I went looking for writing I know I've done in the last 3 months, I came across this:

As the year waxes to full light in the Northern Hemisphere it is the time of year when I am more connected to that part of me that can express itself in unique ways, my imagination. I need room for growth in the fullness of the year. Letting go of previous works gracefully would be nice! I stand on the edge of another opportunity to find the key to maintaining a greater grip on reality all winter long! Not in a psychotic way, but a neurotic one for sure. The darkness of self doubt and egocentric motivations clouding my sight.

This was dated May 23, 2010. I get lost in the winter, I think less this year though...

Bad me, no pictures tonight. Getting late think I'll turn in and get a good nights sleep!

Life... it keeps on keeping on!

2011-02-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

Why does it take so long to return from a place of confusion? And why does it seem to be a series of 3 steps forward 2 steps back, so often obvious only in hindsight?

Reconciling the past with the present to project ourselves into the future is rift with deep holes. The only word I need is Awareness. Like any act of meditation conscious living requires a mantra and/or focal to draw me near. That's what/where my playing with color, textiles, embellishments including the quilting, give/take me.

The hitch can be it is still required I give an active effort to take myself back to what it is I'm doing here anyway in the process. I am so easily distracted!

I have been focusing on several potential deadlines. Am I wanting to push myself toward hard enough to actually do it? How do they all fit with staying on task, current needs & expectations... verses wants...

1- entering the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma this year. [Feels like a big step, and felt so out of reach until most recently, I'm in a 3 steps forward moment of life!]

2- Making/finishing my piece for the Deep Spaces Challenge being hosted by Larkin Jean Van Horn.

3- Finish the 'Here We Are" challenge piece..., revisit and finish the "Turning of the Wheel" challenge piece.

4- Finish old projects & making new work to hang at Weekend Market. I will be there again the first weekend in March.

It has turned into a list of things to do... yikes!

Okay progress update:

Here We Are- corners attached border 1 cut, need to be pieced. I need to square the quilt. Doesn't fold in half well!

Graphic Commission- making slow continuous progress!

Deep Spaces- Finally did the machine quilting, thread painting! Ready to start bead embellishment. Was searching images of what's been going on now art wise. Have run across some great artists. Take a look at Jimmy McBride , very cool!

New:
Found a box of my Teddy Bears in Conan's closet when he reclaimed his living space. A collection that is now, amazingly 20+ years old. I am going to list them on Etsy under vintage and see if I can sell them. Mostly North American Bear Company bears. Six years ago I tried to see if a local Ebay dealer would list them but they weren't of high enough value to make it worth her while. Now, 6 years later some are valued at over $100. That's worth my time to photo, list, ship. I not only gain space in my house, but a few more dollars, potentially. So today I got them all out, dusted and took a group photo! Now to do individual series... time elusive time. I am distracted and off to work outside, the sun is shinning!

More Progress and Happenings! And more treasuries!

2011-01-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

The progress made on current projects:

1- A large wall hanging commission for a friend. Currently hand embroidering around the edges of the elements.

I'd estimate at 2/3rds, up from an eighth, of the embroidery complete!

2- The 'Here We Are' challenge piece for the Pagan Team on Etsy.

So I didn't get it completed to enter the challenge but continue to work on the design. The border/corners are coming together. Figured a way to reverse applique the center element to its borders, went well. Will now apply the corner the same way.

3- A piece I have been brainstorming for the Deep Spaces Exhibit.

I got the borders on the whole cloth background. Layered with batting and a heavy interfacing to support the beads I will use to embellish. Ready to quilt, the design is solidifying! I layered 3 ACEOs to practice the quilting and bead embroidery on before the big one!

Two weeks ago I rented the long arm machine at Bayside Quilting.I was able to finish quilting 2 twin sized, ~50 X 70 inches, quilts. I used a 108 inch backing fabric and turned the piece long wise, it was 2.5 yards wide to accommodate the length!

One I have already turned the back to the front and machine stitched the edge. The other the bias binding is on but needs hand sewing to the back. The later is a challenge I had with a quilting friend many years ago. I played with free motion quilting a leaf design and used a variegated bright thread! I will get them listed to etsy eventually. Maybe images posted here before I wash and, dry them to pucker the batting.

The 5th and 6th of January I spent the weekend at the Olympia Weekend Market!

The reason I got so much of the above noted hand work finished! It was a free booth weekend and I wanted to see if it was somewhere the Etsy Olyteam and/or I would be interested in renting space on a regular basis. I am now considering renting a booth the first weekend of the next few months to get my work out and available. Once summer hits the Market is only 2 - 3 blocks from the Farmers Market... a good idea to be somewhere in the vicinity as getting a space at the Farmers Market is limited, they really do like people who sell their farm goods after all.

Here's an image of my booth!

And then there are the 3 new treasuries from Etsy!

Check out the great work available on Etsy!

Progress and another Treasury on Etsy!

2010-12-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

A little progress made on current projects:

1- A large wall hanging commission for a friend. Currently hand embroidering around the edges of the elements.

I'd estimate an eighth of the embroidery complete!

2- The 'Here We Are' challenge piece for the Pagan Team on Etsy. The center area has settled on a design option.

The center has morphed into a unique shape with a center 'cut out'. The fabric I wanted to use there isn't working so I am in the process of making a mosaic of 1 inch squares! I ran out of fusible grid and needed more so will hope to get it ready to iron tonight, then I can spend a few days piecing and getting it ready to quilt!

3- A piece I have been brainstorming for the Deep Spaces Exhibit.

:( no progress.... some design work i my head though!

And the Treasury! The focus is Imbolc, the next Celebration of the Turning of the Wheel and honoring Saint Bridgit. Imbolc is a time of reflection for me, I recall my intentions for the past year and focus on a new year ahead! We will never, ever loose our way to the well! We must all chop wood and haul water!

Update and 2 more treasuries I am in on Etsy!

2010-12-22T06:41:00.000-08:00

I have been busily working on a few projects at once.

1- A large wall hanging commission for a friend. It is ~45 X 72 inches. I am using a graphic design Conan (my 16 year old) drew. There is also the negative of the applique cut out in the wings now. Currently hand embroidering around the edges of the elements.

2- The 'Here We Are' challenge piece for the Pagan Team on Etsy. I have made a circular Bargello with a twist. Much larger than I intended, the center area is settling on a design option. This will be a lap quilt if it doesn't grow any bigger!

3- A piece I have been brainstorming for the Deep Spaces Exhibit. This one will be heavily beaded so I need to be sure and give myself enough time to work on it! Due date is May 2011. But we all know how fast time can move when we aren't paying attention! The whole cloth and borders are cut!

I have been featured in 2 recent treasuries on Etsy! Thanks curators!

I have to work this and next week but get 2, 3 day weekends so looking forward to some home time for working on projects! I am taking pictures of progress along the way. I will potentially post the photos along with the completed pieces when the time comes!

A Treasury I was featured in on Etsy!

2010-12-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

Etsy members create unique collections of listings they like.

This Etsy treasury showcases my Evergreen Tree Series Postcard Purple Power!

QuiltArt Jewelry Show

2010-11-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

A member of Quiltart asked if there are others who incorporate quilting and jewelry. I do pins/brooches that are pieced then hand quilted/beaded. I have been contemplating fabric beads for some time now and may actually get to some before too long!

Here is one of my bow tie pin/brooches!

Evergreen Trees Postcard Series and seeing Stars!

2010-10-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

I have been working on the Evergreen Trees in Winter Series I started in 2008 in anticipation of the Friends of Olympia Timberland Library Art Show and Sale scheduled for November 20th. I have sold a few of this series in the past, likely in 2008, and did not number them so I don't know how many total there are or will be. One was nearly complete and only needed the binding sewn to the 4 X 6 inch watercolor paper backing. It is in my Etsy shop now. It is titled Thaw, there are beads that look like water drops in the design.I uploaded an image as it is no longer front and center in my Etsy mini in the side bar. I have completed the beading on 13 more and the next step is to trim them to size, add the binding then sew them to the watercolor paper.

In addition I have begun beading another series I found unfinished. This one is stars that are 4 X 6 inches and all made from different fabrics with holly designs. I am thinking I decided to do these before the binding on the Evergreen Trees because binding is my least favorite step in the production of these postcards. But once completed there will be over 20 to have at the show. I also have a set of postcards with wrapped presents on them. I may simply finish those with binding, no need to bead. We shall see...

I have a pair of jeans I have agreed to hem for a friend. Last night I picked up the right color thread and plan to work on them Friday afternoon. Once back at the machine I hope to get the binding on a few of the trees and maybe a star so I can do the sewing to backing during my standing Saturday 'dinner and a movie' at the above mentioned friend's house! Much easier to sew bindings than it is to bead there.

I continue to collect blue beads, branching out to a bit of periwinkle. I did find and buy five 20mm cobalt blue round beads that are awesome! Then I picked up a few 10, 8, and 6 mm. Several of the 'seed bead' strands I have will take the size down to as low as 2 mm! I am searching for a few 12, 14 or 15 mm. We shall see what I find. The possibility of a 'strand' across the surface of my Deep Space project is appealing to me!

My Physical Therapy has been going well. My knees are improving noticeably, or actually I find myself doing something I haven't been able to do for years and realize my knees are getting better with out being aware of it! Looking forward to a long weekend, not on the schedule to work Saturday. However must get myself there one more day this week!

Trees Outside My Window ACEO Series Complete

2010-09-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

I will be participating in the Friends of Olympia Timberland Library Art Show and Sale in November again this year! Unfortunately there will be a new location away from the Library, I am hoping it wont effect the traffic.

To increase my inventory of smaller more affordable work I have been musing about a new ACEO series. I decided to finish the Trees Outside My Window ACEO series begun in 2008. I have the remainder of the 12 in the series now complete and listed for sale on Etsy!

This is one of my favorites, Knottwood.

I am still brainstorming a new series. In the meantime found and am embellishing another unfinished series! These are trees as well. Over 2 years ago I made an unknown amount of 4 X 6 inch blocks with a variety of solitary evergreen trees. I can not recall how many I originally made. I do know several sold a few years back. I found the remaining 13 that had been layered and machine quilted. Four, so far, are ready to have the binding added then mounted to the watercolor postcard I use as the backing! I don't know if they will hold my interest long enough to finish them all before the brainstorm of a new series jumps out!

The one currently listed in my Etsy shop can be seen in the side bar ---->

They will make nice holiday gifts that can be displayed year round.

I have been looking for my heavy interfacing as part of the brainstorm for the new series. I'm thinking heavy bead embroidery, monochromatic in blue! I have an amazing collection of blue beads, many are cobalt blue. It is the one color I seem most drawn to and I have a great selection of sizes and shapes. I was hoping they would work for the Mirror, Mirrior but it ended up needing a Montana blue. I think the base of these aceos will be the batik I used as the border for Mirror, Mirror... The evergree series is in danger of not getting finished! I can feel it!

I have also begun thinking about ideas for a new call for work:

"The Deep Spaces exhibit, curated by Larkin Jean Van Horn, will show textile works of a common size interpreting the title theme in three venues between July 2011 and June of 2012."

This is a jurried exhibit. The final deadline is not until the first of May, a lot of time from this side looking forward. But I know me and need to get a design selected and started soon so I can take it to completion! I have been looking at Hubble telescope images...

I had a great time at Innovations and now I really want a long arm machine!! Unless a benefactor or the lottery tosses a ton of money my way it will be sometime before that is a reality. In the mean time I am planning to take a class that will then allow me to rent a long arm at Bayside Quilting, a local quilt shop!

I best get myself started for the day, work, ever present, calls my name!

Innovations Fabric Challenge Complete

2010-09-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I delivered my entry in Innovations Machine Quilting Convention's Show! I finished it in funny stages. After quilting the center and first border I beaded with the quilting as the guide. I then looked at the center and determined I would likely not have time to embellish the center and as such it needed additional quilting. I returned to quilting the center. Then the binding and sleeve were added but not turned and hand sewn. I beaded the outer border in a beautiful Montana blue seed bead. I was considering a unique flower or berry motive but ended up staying with only the ivy vine.
A detail of the beading shows a bit of the machine quilting of the mirror. There were a lot of starts and stops so opportunities for error.

Over all I think it came out well. If I had had more time I would have embellished the center mirror with silver beads, buttons and charms. Perhaps after it comes home. Cindy Roth the Innovations director said there are a wide variety of Fabric Challenge entries this year. I do not anticipate winning anyhthing but will again appreciate judge's comments. And it is exciting to hang work where tons of people will see it!

Now I can return to getting my house back in order and a ton of current projects screaming for attention! Last night I worked on the Trees Outside My Window ACEO series!

Working my way to recovery!

2010-08-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

July 19th I had bilateral (meaning both knees) full knee replacements. I am recovering slowly. I needed an extra week off work than I had wanted to take but have turned a corner and am making more steady progress toward a full regaining of the range of motion needed to have a full recovery and use of my legs.

Before surgery I had finished piecing the Innovations Fabric Challenge entry. I was unable to get it quilted as I had hoped so I could spend down time while recovering working on embellishing. So, once again I will be pushing the envelope to get it done by the due date. Also my entry submission was late as I was out of contact with the computer until most recently. This means it may not be accepted and I am prepared to face that possibility.

I had planned a much more elaborate quilt, cut the pieces and was ready to construct when I realized I wasn't going to be able to get it pieced in a timely manner. Perhaps that quilt will surface one of these days! Instead I chose to use the batik in a mirror image, creating a unique design and a more manageable size. It will be approximately 17 inches by 38 inches. It is waiting for the living room to return as it is now my convalescing room with the futon open as a bed. Soon it will be folded up and moved to Conan's room as his new bed! He can open it if he wants or sleep on it in couch mode. He is looking forward to getting the queen sized bed out of his room and gaining space!

I have collected all my cobalt blue beads, even purchased several new from Shipwreck Beads before surgery. I plan to embellish the Mirror, and enhance the uniqueness of its design. This is the un-quilted piece.

Summer Time!

2010-06-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Things get busy but I don't feel like I have actually done any more than I usually do! Perception is an odd thing!

I recently, in the last month, completed a set of cushions for a friend. He is an avid guitarist who finally found a straight back chair to sit in while he plays. I agreed to help out and made this set of cushions. Considering I didn't have a pattern and it has been years since I did any upholstery work, they came out okay. They are functional and adequate for his long hours of practice/playing. I like the fabric and it matches his other furniture well. We didn't pick it out with that in mind, it just did when I brought them over!
The photo was taken by another friend who has been exploring photography and video production for his developing web site: Smiling Chi

The QuiltArt Challenge has been posted on line, a total of 80 15X15 inch quilts all unique! The QuiltArt Quinceanera! Enjoy! My entry is a crazy quilt I have posted about when it was under construction!

Still Crazy After All These Years!

The statement:
The Quilt Art 15th anniversary challenge called out for velvet and satin, a celebration of 'coming of age,' a Quinceanero. For years I have been collecting materials to 'one day' make a crazy quilt. I think of crazy quilts as the original art quilts, using surface design, often to express a specific meaning. In 2003 I joined QA and participated in my first ever challenge. That was a transitional quilt for me. I began using beads, buttons, baubles and fibers, doodling on the surface of my quilts. I visited hundreds of QA list member's websites,saw the amazing work being done, all the possibilities. QA challenges are often the inspiration for my expression. Designing, piecing and doodling have become the heart of my personal meditations. Challenge themes focus my mind's dialogue. Finding ways to express the accompanying emotions and ideas brings me to greater awareness of myself. Each of the 15 sections went through any number of design transformations before taking their final form. Some are representative of specific ideas, others are purely fantasy.

I'm working on designing my Fabric Challenge entry for this years Innovations Machine Quilting convention in Tacoma, WA. It is an awesome batik! More on this at a later time!

I'm in a new challenge!

2010-06-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Voting up until 6/28. Check it out!

VOTE HERE!

My Entry:
Also available from my Etsy shop!
Primary Practice Pentagon

New item added to the Sumer Solstice Sale on Etsy & other happenings!

2010-05-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

This is the item I added to my 50% off sale today!

See the listing on Etsy if you would like more details about this reusable journal cover!

Look for other items in my shop tagged summersolsticesale!

Yesterday someone from the Yahoo recycle group I belong to came and picked up the 2 Singer treadle machines I have had sitting here. Originally I thought I might refurbish them, which would have been awesome to own a working treadle. However I got reasonable and realized I would rather work on motorized machines. I recently purchased a Singer 15 in a cute little vintage cabinet with a drawer full of fun accessories! It will need rewiring and I am beginning the process of researching that! I am rearranging my house and will take pictures of the new addition once it is in the new spot where I will have space to work on it at my leisure!

Remember the Etsy Pagan Team Summer Solstice Sale! See current items on sale here!

Adding a new item at 50% off everyday in my Etsy Shop!

2010-05-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

This is my sale item of the day! Was $30 now $15! See the listing here in my Etsy Shop!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/9315298/on-sale-textile-art-postcard-sized-crop

The Pagan Team Summer Sale details are in this post:
http://cobaltquilterscorner.blogspot.com/2010/05/summer-sale.html

Summer Sale!

2010-05-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Etsy Pagan Team is having a Summer Sale for Solstice!

Each member will determine the specifics of their sale. I have marked items at 50% off! I decided it was time to move out and step up to this adventure and motivate myself to create more!

Today I listed 7 items at 50% off:
http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_query=summersale&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5418169

I will be adding one item a day to this 50% off sale! Keep checking back to see if your favorite is on sale!

The Team Sale tags are 'summersale' and 'summersolsticesale'

Search Etsy handmade and see all the wonderful items on sale for the Celebration of the Sun!

***************************

On a personal note...

I finished and submitted my QuiltArt 15th Anniversary piece, Still Crazy. The submissions were due April 15th, they have not been poted to the group web site yet, I will post here once they have. I look forward to seeing all the amazing tributes to QA!

I continue to sort, organize and de-clutter my living space! We are cleaning and rearranging my 15 year old son's bedroom, an adventure in itself. The cleaning is mostly done, now to put things back in where they can be easily maintained! Not directly Art related but it will allow me more comfort with the level of the overall house organization!

The kitchen arrangement has been set up, now to sort and organize the books, art supplies and stuff to have easy access!

The Etsy Pagan Team is also having a Challenge!

In celebration of Earth Day and its 40th Anniversary, April 22, we REmember
our RElationship with the planet. Create an item that helps us be more earth
friendly.
The emphasis is on recycled elements of our entries. The deadline is now May 28th. I will post a link to the voting once available!

The Etsy Earthpath Artisans Street Team, EAST, is also having a Summer Solstice Challenge!

Summer Solstice is quickly approaching, the days are longer, the sunshine is warm and inviting. The sun is and has been many things to many people.
I challenge you to create an item that is your interpretation of this theme. Be as literal as representing the celestial body or reflective of this time of growth and renewal.

I have an entry for the RE challenge waiting for the last step, thread painting, I will post when listed! The fabrics for the Sun Challenge are gathering... I love the brightness of yellows & oranges together!

I am also sewing a set of chair cushions for a friend... hard to cut fabric over $15 a yard! I will post pictures, hopefully, when finished!

I have recently packaged and sold several sets of 100 different fabric fat quarters though my Etsy shop, there is one currently listed:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/47130030/fat-quarters-100-different-fabrics
I have at least one more in my stash, it needs about 20 more different fabrics, I am sure I can find them! We shall see. I already sold 3! Talk about excess fabric! I am keeping a piece of all the fabrics I want, some I have outgrown and am including in the sets!

I best get back to work!

New up date of Etsy Pagan Team Spring Sale!

2010-04-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

New Page and Etsy Sale

2010-03-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

Just Keep Sewing, Sewing!

2010-03-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

I have a little Dory figure on my monitor at work, it reminds me that some days all we can do is keep swimming. When I'm home I like to just keep sewing! I have been working on my QuiltArt 15 year challenge piece, Lots to get done by April 15, but I'm having fun. I've been playing with designs for each section as I played with beads for the first section which will make it easier as I get closer to working on each section. I am gathering materials, beads and baubles for the white and blue sections currently. I realized blue really is my favorite, there are 4 pieces that are blue! So, here are images of the paper piecing pattern, fabric and trim collected, not sure I will use the trims.

I did not win the EAST challenge :( but did win by finishing so many pieces in the series! Yeah! Sales on Etsy are extremely slow...

Have Hilary's pillows ready to sew together, I picked up the zippers last week! Woo Hoo! She settled on 16" as an acceptable size, need to get back to sewing them soon!! It will be a project that has waited over a year to take center stage, silly pillows...

The day job once again calls my name... good thing I like work a lot once I get there! Some days it's the getting there that is difficult!

Challenges and their progress...

2010-02-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today the entries in the Etsy Team EAST Midwinter Challenge are posted to our blog with a poll for picking your favorite! Be sure to visit the blog to see all the awesome work!

East, Earthpath Artisans Blog

My entry is #6 Bridgit's Cross Table Topper

This is one of 6 table toppers I made for this theme! The sixth one still needs quilting but she is layered and ready to go, plans to finish it up this weekend! This is the first time in a long time I have completed an entire series in a timely manner! Typically I will construct several possible entries and only take one all the way to completion before the challenge entries are due. This time I have pushed and gotten them all done! Although St. Bridgit's day was February 1st, these toppers are also very spring like and the border weavings resemble baskets for Ostara, or Easter! Today I put up a second one in my Etsy Shop. I pan to post one every day for the next, now, 4 days! It is nice to have something new to list!

I've also layered and have 2 Ostara table toppers ready to pillow turn and quilt. I'm hoping doing the pillow turn method of backing will facilitate not struggling with the bindings. The Bridgit Cross quilts are edged a bit differently. I turned the top and back in to resemble a pillow turn, they came out good, needed several edge stitching to secure. Doing them as one full turn before quilting ought help. I will try it on the #6 Cross.

I did not complete the Turning of the Wheel challenge piece in time, and it is still in the embellishment phase. The width was too much for a successful mobius strip so I am brainstorming the best way to present it as a circle of the year/seasons. I am thinking a teaching quilt that is stiff enough that when the two ends are joined it can sit on a table and be turned to show the full wheel... another option would be to use the second set of elements, quilt and embellish it then combine them to make a mobius strip that actually turns through 2 full years, but it might be too unwieldy. An idea might be it's connected as a circle to show one of the years or twisted to make a mobius... hum...

I have signed up for the QuiltArt 15th anniversary challenge, Quinceanero, due April 15th. My taxes will have to compete for time! This piece needs to be 15 X 15 inches square. I have been brainstorming/designing possibilities in my head. Nothing sure yet but I am leaning toward a Crazy Quilt type using some cotton velvet I have collected. And I found an awesome black cotton velvet remnant at JoAnn's recently that screamed, "Oh, Oh! Buy me! I will go great with all those other ones you have!" So, yea, I bought it, 50% off is hard to resist. I'm playing with a fan pattern with 15 sections, or maybe bargello. I want to use a traditional pattern, but not a crazy quilt presentation... I hope it settles on an idea soon so I will be able really embellish it to the extreme!

The Greenman of Autumn piece has had the chance to steep a bit an I have come up with a way to embellish it that is better than the original but will incorporate all the original ideas and the 3D pieces I have already made with out having to make more 3D, I think!

At work I have been trying to take a 20 - 30 minute lunch break and go in the seminar room and work on picking the stitches out of the huge Aurora Quilt that is sadly in need of a requilting! It is a nice break and an easy project to work on, I have waited 2+ years to start the picking so any progress is good! I am successful about half the week at getting away from my desk. My machine quilting skills are improving so by the time this one is ready to quilt again I ought be less disappointed with my work.

So much to do, I want more hours in my day!

Letting out my inner animal!

2010-01-27T06:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday when my entry to the Quilting Arts Magazine's reader challenge, Let out Your Inner Animal, wasn't selected I was disappointed. Then I reminded myself there were probably over a hundred entries and only 20 were selected. That helped some. Then this morning I read a digest from the Quilt Art list and looked at several other entries that were not selected and realized the 20 that were selected must be amazing if the ones I looked at weren't!

I had intended to make a bear as my inner animal, have him sit beside a stream and maybe Alaskan mountains in the background. When I gathered materials and started putting things together the stream morphed into the ocean. Then the motif from a piece of blue paisley I have been saving popped out and I saw an awesome Nymph! I thought water nymph! But they are fresh water creatures. I looked up Nymph and recalled it is also a stage in some insects development, like a dragonfly. I speculated that like a developing dragonfly I am still developing, growing, changing, both as an individual and as an artist. That set the stage! I added small elements cut from a great water fabric with waves to depict the surf. Another paisley became the tide pool bordered by a rocky outcropping.

I fused the different elements to the green paisley as a foundation. Backed it with freezer paper and free motion quilted the elements. Working on the surf I decided to use a variegated thread and attempt thread painting. I was pleased with this, my first real attempt at thread painting! Once the freezer paper was removed I layered with batting & backing, did a few additional machine quilted lines, then embellished the Nymphs with seed beads and added a few 'rocks' to the beach.

I decided to enter this challenge for sure only the weekend before it was due, so I spent the evenings focused on its completion. I learned I can push myself to create and actually have a result I am pleased with in a very short time frame. The 8.5 X 11 inch format probably helped!
I will be listing this little quiltlet in my Etsy shop. I have not listed anything new for awhile, I anticipate this as the beginning of my next wave of creativity! Working small is interesting!
I have been piecing the 2 challenges due in the next 2 weeks. I am working on the design possibilities for the Quilt art 15 year challenge as well... it is good to be busy!

Here's the Solstice Altar cloth!

2010-01-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

So, I have a new again OS back to Windows XP, easier for me to navigate. I have been trying to learn photo editing with a new program and making some progress. The above image is less than optimum! However, I was able to edit and crop the entry for Quilting Arts Magazine Inner Animal Challenge and send the email entry by the deadline- yesterday! I will post an image after I know if my entry was selected, being announced next Tuesday, 1/26!

I'm busy working on Etsy challenges again after taking a week off to do the Quilting Arts Challenge! The Autumn Greenman is taking a back seat. I have designed a different option to represent The Turning of the Wheel. I am looking forward to seeing if I can make it a mobius strip out of a representation of the seasons that is continuous. That's the plan for now.

Will see if I can get back to regular short posts... always a good goal!

Oh my it's been almost 2 months since my last post!

2009-12-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

I had a computer burn out and have a new to me rebuilt box but it is way too slow... I will be getting back in touch with the person who was able to save all my hard drive data to this one to see if we can get the speed up to what I need. Also haven't been able to upload images from my camera... pout!

I have been keeping busy! I pieced a Solstice Altar cloth. It has several pentascopes (my term for kaleidoscopic elements made with 5 repeats in the stack and slash technique) of an awesome fabric of celestial images on a black background.

I have been working on bead embellishments for new piece called Greenman of Autumn. I originally considered incorporating this idea in the Solstice altar cloth as the Greenman of Autumn wins the battle to reign this half of the coming year. I want it to represent the power the Oak King holds in gathered strength as sap returns to the roots and of his acorns quietly waiting the warmth of spring. The bead elements have taken on a life of their own! I have several elements that are beaded on wire, oak leaves, fir branches, holly leaves, and ivy, more of each still to make. There are acorn charms, red beads for holly berries, as well as potential mistletoe leaves and berries still to incorporate. I haven't quilted it yet and not sure if I want to do that by machine or hand when I incorporate the embellishments... decisions, decisions, decisions! I did realize recently it will need to be mounted on a board or with perhaps several layers of interfacing with a reinforced hanging mechanism as the embellishments are going to weigh a ton! I hope this piece will hang on either in continual progress or only put aside for brief interludes of work on other projects. It would be good to finish before the Summer Solstice!

I participated in my first Juried Show/Sale hosted by Friends of the Olympia Timberland Libraryon December 11th. I would say it was a great success, having sold a larger piece, "Ground Water" to a colleague quite unexpectantly, as well as a few smaller items. It has encouraged me to consider entering other local juried shows... now where did I save that application with the dates... glad my hard drive was recovered! Only have to remember where I put it!

I have enjoyed the 4 day weekend hanging out with Conan. The coming work week ought be relatively slow considering the majority of people consider this vacation time!

I have sorted and compiled a stack of my unfinished projects, hope to work on several of these before starting anything major. I am hosting 2 challenges, one for the EAST Team, and one for the Pagan Team on Etsy! I can be a bit of an over achiever! The Greenman will work for one, if it get's completed in time. The other will likely be a table topper altar cloth in reflection of Imbolc the half quarter celebration of Bridget the Celtic Goddess, also known as Saint Bridget, though she was de-canonized when the Vatican thought she was too pagan.

Looking back through this post could i have used any more exclamation points? It is my most abused punctuation! I want everything I say to have energy, :), and I'm not going to edit them out. I hope to get the ability to upload images again soon.

I have been meaning to get to this post for days!

2009-11-08T09:47:00.001-08:00

I have finished the Balance lap quilt and it is listed on Etsy in the Paganteam Shop!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33627375

I am not 100% satisfied with the machine quilting tension or design... motivation to keep playing. I think I will return to stippling until I feel I have a better control of the whole skill... we shall see...

Here it is! A close up of the quilting and the whole top.

I have offered my sister one of the previously posted quilts, either Gypsy Rose or Spin Off, but have yet to hear which she prefers, though I also said she could wait to see what else will be available as I work though some of these tops I have waiting in the wings! Either way I hope to find out soon so I can list the other one on Etsy! Balance was made specifically for the challenge so it was necessary to list it.

I am cleaning and sorting everything in my house... good to go into the winter with a handle on my life, mentally and physically! Almost finished with my fabric and projects, then I can return to creating and finishing stuff!

I am working on designing an Altar cloth for our Circle's Greening Service the first weekend in December. My brain is having a challenge trying to get out on paper what I see in my head! Good to stretch my designing!

Back to the tasks... also taking care of my son who has the flu:( Trying to pretend I don't have it... but think I do :( Just keep doing stuff and pretend I feel OK! Sometimes it works!

Balance

2009-10-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks, since Innovations, I have been working on a lap size throw quilt. There is a small amount of the challenge fabric from Sew Batik http://www.sewbatik.com/ . There are 2 fabrics I originally purchased at Bayside Quilting 2 http://www.baysidequilting.com/ that I thought would work as border fabrics for my Spin Off quilt I was working on for Innovations http://www.mqinnovations.com/ . I added a couple other batiks from my stash and started building a quilt top. My plan was to machine quilt it in sections then connect them, not a unique to me technique. While working on it the Pagan Team on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/ selected Balance as the challenge theme. There are many ways this little quilt aligns itself with this theme. When working on any challenge piece I contemplate the theme. I find myself asking where balance is or isn't in my life. A very informative journey, it is good to take inventory! The theme was selected to reflect the equinox and our position in the universe. Autumn is my favorite season, the Autumnal Equinox signals a significant change is coming. A natural progression of life. Not going to take the time now to edit and post progress images, I have taken several pictures along the way and plan to post them on my flicker page when it is finished. Haven't posted anything on flicker for a long time!

Remember the EAST Team on Etsy Treasure Hunt! Awesome give aways! If you are not an Etsy member it is free to join and there's no influx of emails from the site. You do not have to open a shop, you can just shop! Or in this case participate in our Treasure Hunt! see more details below or on the EAST Team blog http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/ !

Back to piecing the sections of Balance together! Nice thing is how finished it is with the sections already quilted!

EAST Treasure Hunt!

2009-09-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

The following announcement is on the Team blog for my Etsy street team EAST (Earthpath Artisan Street Team) http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/

The EarthPath Artisan’s Street Team (EAST team) on Etsy invites you to participate in our Harvest Treasure Hunt! Since, for so many of us, this is a time of harvest and thanksgiving, we have chosen to begin our Treasure Hunt on, September 22 (the Autumn Equinox). Each week, for 9 weeks, thru Tuesday, November 24th, we will be giving away a different prize to one lucky treasure hunter each week - and then on Wednesday, November 25th, (the day before Thanksgiving) we will be drawing one lucky winner from all entries who will receive an amazing Bounty Basket filled with an assortment of wonderful items from a variety of EAST team shops!

As our “Harvest Treasures” we have selected an item (or items) from our participating shops that we feel represent the Harvest theme. These items may be representative of an actual harvest of fruits and vegetables or a harvest of personal/spiritual nature. When searching through our team shops, look for item titles you think are harvest related! Not as easy as it sounds when you consider how Earth friendly we all are! Designated treasures will change throughout the prize period and will contain one of the following phrases in their descriptions:

“Look EAST and harvest the fruits of our labor!”
“The EAST Team wishes you Bountiful Blessings!”
“Treasures abound when you follow your EarthPath!”

We’ll also be sprinkling around a few clues to direct you to our treasures, so be sure to check out our shops and follow our blog to help you on your way to winning! You will receive one entry for every 5 items you locate! Each entry must contain 5 different treasures. Limit of 3 entries per person. An additional entry will be given to anyone posting a purchase of an item from any shop designated with an asterisk on the list below! Once you have gathered your “treasures”, post your list of page addresses as a comment to the blog post on our team blog http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/. Comments for this promotion will be moderated for approval, so the answers won't appear there! Be sure to include your Etsy name/contact information in the post as well! Happy Harvesting! Participating shops:
*ArabesqueArtsByDarcy ( http://www.arabesqueartsbydarcy.etsy.com/ ) *Cobaltquilter ( http://www.cobaltquilter.etsy.com/ )
*dismissie ( http://www.dismissie.etsy.com/)
*divapixie ( http://www.divapixie.etsy.com/ )
*DivineDesignsByForet ( http://www.divinedesignsbyforet.etsy.com/ )
*Foret ( http://www.foret.etsy.com/ )
*ForetTwo ( http://www.forettwo.etsy.com/ )
*Howling Caterpillars ( http://www.howlingcaterpillars.etsy.com/ ) *Generationstiedye ( http://www.generationstiedye.etsy.com/ )
KarinLorenc ( http://www.karinlorenc.etsy.com/ )
*Merigreenleaf ( http://www.merigreenleaf.etsy.com/ )
Mountaindreamers ( http://www.mountaindreamers.etsy.com/ )
*Mysticwynd ( http://www.mysticwynd.etsy.com/)
*Rainfeather ( http://www.rainfeather13.etsy.com/)
*RainSews ( http://www.rainsews.etsy.com/ )
*Ravenshold ( http://www.ravenshold.etsy.com/ )
*Sagehealer ( http://www.sagehealer.etsy.com/ )
*SoulyStones ( http://www.soulystones.etsy.com/ )
*TheOmIntention ( http://www.theomintention.etsy.com/)

There are weekly Prizes and a Grand Prize Winner will receive a Bounty Basket!

There are treasures hidden in my Etsy Shop! http://www.cobaltquilter.etsy.com/
Happy hunting!

Quilts are home from Innovations!

2009-09-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

No ribbons... good comments from the judges! The same areas I knew I needed to work on were noted, it is good to know I am on the right track. I am going to try a quilt as you go technique on the current quilt I am working on to see if I can get more creative with the quilting! Great classes and information from the conference I will post more details soon. Wanted to get images of the 2 large quilts in full view from the show! I will be listing them on Etsy soon I think. I wasn't going to but they seem 'okay' to me as long as I price them accordingly and not as a master quilter! So, above you see... Spin Off and Gypsy Rose, once again!

The Harvest Challenge voting complete

2009-09-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I am pleased to have the privilege of receiving the most votes cast in the Harvest Challenge. The running was very close between a few of us. I suspect my nudge over the top has to do with the email I sent out to my family and friends. A reflection of my wanting to boast and show off what I am doing! Making the win an interesting potential for the continued sending of my "Shameless self promotion" email when I want to share what I have been doing with the limited circle that is my 'comunity'. I know I missed at least one family members address... (Note to self: work on a possible email group titled Shameless! I did ask if they wanted to be removed from my posting of these shout outs they were invited to do so.)

It is also an opportunity for them to visit the wonderful art on Etsy! Often I find myself pulled in by one person's work. Sometimes it feels like I'm wandering through an art gallery, especially when I view it in 'gallery' rather than 'list' view. http://www.etsy.com/ I love the sense of being in on others expressions of the passion they feel inside!

Haven't steam blocked Rose yet, but Spin Off is nearly ready to bind! I have to have them all ready to go a week from today! This has made me much more forgiving of my developing skill with the ratio of my needle's speed to the speed I move the quilt. I know one thing, the smaller the whole quilt the easier to manipulate. A measure that increases exponentially in the negative way! If I continue to have a desire to create these bigger pieces I will try a few 'quilt as you go' techniques. I made several quilts that way in the 80's & 90's. A bit more difficult to construct a unique whole in pieces! I'm playing with one right now that will use a set of stacked & slashed hexegons I have had a difficult time placing.

I don't think I ever look at a piece of fabric or other patterns found around me with out trying to imagine the possible kaelidoscope images it could create! Probably the same thing that keeps me buying blue and white fabric as well as autums amazing color way! Back to the quilting!

So I said an image of the Rose...
I know I'm working large when the finished quilt doesn't fit on my design wall!

August Challenge Entry!

2009-08-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

I took time to finish the last of the pieced leaf kelidoscopes, from my stash, table topper pentagons this weekend to enter in the Pagan Street Team August Challenge "Harvest"!

To see all the entries an vote on your favorite visit our blog!

http://paganteam.blogspot.com/

Or search Etsy for 'paganchallengeaug' and they will show up also!

I have completed the quilting of Gypsy Rose! I need to block/steam it and then mount it on a piece of dark fabric with a sleeve as the shape is odd and won't easily hang in the show! The fabric challenge quilt Spin Off" is next in line to begin the quilting! It is good to be busy!

I have pretty much decided to put off the Barter Fair this year... too much to do and not really up for the camping experience right now. And I don't know what I want to barter for or if I am ready to commit to barter commissions, it may freeze my creative side for the winter. That happened last fall when I was putting too much energy into 'marketing' ideas and got lost creatively! Not going to happen this year! The day job calls my name!

Gypsy Rose

2009-08-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

The images are of the design phase of the top. I have nearly finished the quilting and will post a picture soon! Machine quilting is something I am still very much a novice at. Stippling is getting better, more consistent stitch length, but not what I would like to be able to do. More, and more practice in my future...

I haven't fully figured out the placement of images! Another thing to work on....

Innovations Fabric Challenge progress!

2009-08-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

The fabric challenge fabric is the awesome batik leaves from Sew Batik! I have added 3 non batiks. Beginning with the triple Irish chain blocks I wanted to possibly do something like blooming nine patch but was unable to see it through. I have once again become fascinated with circles. I recently cut a set of wedges, not yet sewn together, from a collection of fabrics I have had for 15+ years! It may one day reach a finished state and show up here! So, I thought... I have enough batik left from the yard sent for the challenge I could make alternating wedges to add to the movement of the chain blocks. It took several days and a few alternate designs to come up with the way to connect the 2 elements. Please excuse the box of batting, my design wall is functional but would require effort to arrange it for a clear full image and I am lazy! My original intent was an image for myself so I can work on the how to quilt it phase. That is still in the works! And the final border size is under consideration as well.

My other entry is at the machine. Last night I spent an hour picking out stitches from a section I did not like the results of my limited machine quilting ability! POUT! I hate picking out stitching. Worse yet is I have to rethink how I want to continue with the quilting as it is not conforming to previously determined ideas!

Thankfully I have a few more weeks to wrap up and complete both quilts! If only the day job wasn't so ever present! But then, how would I purchase all this awesome fabric.... hum... someday my work may pay for itself, that would be fun! Off to get ready for said day job!

July Challenge on Etsy for the Pagan Street Team and more!

2009-08-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

As I have noted before I belong to several (4) Street Teams on www.Etsy.com. I have also mentioned working on challenges for these very different teams. We the recent reference to the Fiber Arts Street Team challenge ideas didn't get loud enough to get completed in time.I was also working on an entry for the Pagan Team July Challenge. It isn't fully completed either, fortunately this being the first challenge in a while they allowed us to enter an item we already had so I took advantage of this option. The Challenge theme is- Roots & Shoots, Buds & Blooms… In any manner you wish to express please create something to reflect the herbal nature of this month’s theme! There are 11 entries! Each is unique unto its own art form! This is fun but also makes it a challenge to select your favorite! Good Luck!
Please vote on the Team blog for your selection of the entry that meats the theme best! Each of us was asked to express why our entry is representative of the theme, it is interesting to see all the interpretations! The Voting is found here: www.paganteam.blogspot.com Voting begins on August 4th and will only run through August 6th! Get your vote in!

Now for the more!

I am feeling bold. I have entered 3 quilts in the Tacoma, Washington Innovations Quilt show! The web page is: www.mqinnovations.com It is specifically for machine quilters, professional long arm users all the way to me, a home machine quilter! Some day I will have a short arm machine with a much bigger area to quilt in! I have quilts in the Contemporary/Art category- In My Image: Maiden, Mother, Crone, the Fabric Challenge- Spin Off, still under construction, and one in the Challenge Series #6- Scraps, Stash, UQPs- Gypsy Rose. Begun originally for an EAST Challenge (Earthpath Artisans Street Team) on Etsy, when I deviated and did the ACEO series, this is the one I was pushing to finish as the above noted July challenge for the Pagan Team on Etsy! This went on hold when I decided to actually enter the fabric challenge knowing they might want to see a picture of the quilt! I was fast and furious designing and piecing and then realized they are going to want the picture for identification purposes, what they really needed was the entry form so my information could be in the program, but I did need to have a pretty good estimate of the dimensions, so good to get it designed! I am at the border stage in designing and it is a fun challenge. I ran out of the challenge fabric, a beautiful batik from Sew Batik www.sewbatik.com they have some of the most amazing fabrics! I also chose to use only 3 other colors, one of which I knew was limited to a small role as I had only a small piece left, it was used up in the first design element phase! This leaves me with 2 fabrics and about 3 pieces of 4inch X15inch piece of challenge fabric! I want a 12 inch border on the top, and 6 total for the main part of the sides... not sure it's enough, it's a challenge! I am having fun!

I finished the beading on the mountain element some time ago. I am stuck on how, hand or machine, and what, fancy stitch or beads or both, and then what about the sky? So it may be a while before I get back to that one! :)

Still no glass cutting.... high on the list though, would like some things done for the Olympia Family Barter Fair, www.oly-wa.us/olybarter/Home.php ,the beginning of September. Along with art and other utility items I am planing... I want to finish a few of the quilt tops I have, good time to teach myself to machine quilt better. Speaking of, I think I'll quilt a bit before sleep calls!

Quilter's Newsletter Magazine!

2009-07-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo! My quilt, The Butterfly's Friend is published on the Reader's Quilt Show pages (specifically p.33!) of the August/September issue of QNM! I am pretty excited to say the least! It has been a long wait. They requested the quilt for a photo shoot last spring after having seen it hang in Houston during the Fabled Fibers Exhibit at the International Quilt Fest! I am excited they also mentioned Operation Kid Comfort, and on the Extra Credit page (p.89!) they noted to see more of my work visit http://www.cobaltquilter.etsy.com/! Potential for national exposure! Certainly inspires me to get to work!

It was a fun project! Inspired by a challenge on www.Quiltart.com there are a lot of galleries posted there of challenges! Check it out!

Designing day dreams

2009-07-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with ideas in my head lately. Water, ocean ideas abound. The Tacoma quilt show Innovations ( http://www.mqinnovations.com/ ) is coming up in September (deadline to apply/enter is in July) and I have 3 more of the series I used one of to enter last year. I've been thinking of taking one out and quilting it in response to the judge's comments from last year... a positive growth experience. The latest encouragement for this idea comes from an Etsy street team challenge from the Etsy FAST Team = Fiber Arts Street Team, a group of fiber artists who have shops on Etsy.
Our team page: http://team.etsy.com/profilest/fast.shtml

This team hosts monthly challenges you can follow on Etsy, an index is available on the FAST Blog:http://www.etsyfast.com/blog/?page_id=66

The July Challenge is 'Splashing Fun in the Summer' so the connection to completing a second in this series of 4 quilts is a fun playground. I don't know if there is enough pull for me to get to it by the Tacoma deadline, but I have a longer range if I complete one and list it on Etsy. I can use the julychallenge tag into August a bit if needed. It is fun to play with ideas in my head! I should pick one of the remaining in the series and hang it on the design wall in the kitchen! Here is an image of the 4 pieces in the series, before one was completed last year. The finished one is available in the Etsy Shop, you can see it on the right in my Etsy mini! All the fabric, except the solid borders, is hand dyed by me.

I still have the desire to make myself complete one more table/altar cloth pentagon a week, but I would settle for one a month at this junction! That is a good goal! We shall see what happens. More and more to do... a good thing.

Reuse Recycle Cobalt Blue Glass

2009-06-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Over a year ago I noticed a friend had an empty blue bottle on his counter that had contained a supplement he takes regularly. When I commented on the blue he said he was saving it for me knowing my Cobalt Blue muse. I now have over 20. I use one as my salt dispenser. It is the perfect size to hold a small ~3 inch espresso spoon I use to scoop up and sprinkle salt. The bright red lids screw on and have an easy snap flip top that can be used to dispense the contents without removing the lid. I don’t trust this flap to work forever, and when it snaps off I will safe a few to replace as needed.

Since I began collecting these bottles I have mused about using a bottle cutter and recycling them as juice glasses or votive candle holders. I read about a variety of cutters and settled on the one where the bottle lays on its side and best utilizes gravity to align the cutters. Naturally this was the most expensive one as well. Last Friday I ordered the Ephrum Bottle Cutter system! It should arrive this week! I am excited about the possibilities. Next weekend I will be going north, up to Port Angeles, to visit family for the weekend, so may not get any cutting done for another week. Pretty sure I don’t want to try this for the first time on an evening after work when I will be tired and less careful.

I have another friend who has a small kiln for annealing glass beads. It can also be used to fuse glass; I thought I would save all the broken pieces and find a way to make something from them as well. Perhaps little dishes will work if I can find molds that will fit his kiln. However I might be able to convince the kiln owner to make small pressed pendants from the fragments. He has made some wonderful pieces in the past that came out well using a soap stone mold he hand carved, another idea to muse. I’ve also been contemplating glass etching, would be a unique possibility, particularly if I design and hand cut the mask needed.

I’m including an image of the bottles. A difficult blue to photograph! My mother collected blue glass, as do both my sister and I. I wonder if we do it for a sense of the familiar, a small comfort from the past to carry into the future. Oh I’m an armchair psychologist! I have continued beading on the mountain, nearly finished! Then on to the eagle! I have been playing with the way I want to quilt the eagle; I may opt for machine quilting with monofilament to not distract from the collage effect. We will have to wait until I get closer to actually doing it before I decide!

Much Peace Much Love

2009-06-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have decided to list the wall hanging created with a piece of my symbols fabric. I have delayed actually listing it for sale because of a small, only visible if I look for it, spot of discoloration on the vintage bias binding used for the design. It took me a long time to decide not to add embellishments to cover the spot. It would detract from my image of the piece, so I decided to let it speak for it's self. My photography leaves something to be desired! What looks like white thread on the edge of the border is actually the reflection of light on the mono filament thread I used to quilt.

The story behind the background fabric is an interesting one. I think it was 2 years ago, there was a challenge on http://www.quiltart.com/, the Internet list serve I have mentioned before. It was to represent our culture. It took me some time to decide how to do that. Shortly after the call out for the challenge the Pentacle was accepted as an image allowed on Military grave markers. This was a long hard fought success by numerous people. It became one of 39 accepted images ranging from the symbol for Atheists to obscure Christian sects. I down loaded images of the 37 symbols available, two are copy right protected. I hand cut card stock stencils of each. I proceeded to create a variety of discharged fabric pieces with these symbols in search of the one I wanted for the challenge. I have used several of these as background for whole cloth quilted wall hangings. The one seen as my avatar on this blog at the moment is the one I submitted for the Culture Challenge. It had been for sale in Etsy when my daughter saw it and asked if she could have it. It hangs in her apartment in Tennessee! I was honored she would want my work in her living space! I have one other unfinished quilt from this series and a lot of potentials in waiting! I have listed a few these samples for sale on Etsy, and have several not currently active. I haven't looked lately to see if there are additional accepted symbols, but I suspect the options keep growing! The images below are of two of these foundation pieces. The collection of quilts produced for this challenge can be seen here: http://www.quiltart.com/challenges/symbols/index.html My entry is in the top right, without its black border, I wasn't able to get a response when I asked them to re post it with the border. I think it looks significantly different, but not a necessarily bad presentation.

I haven't done discharging to speak of for a long time, perhaps this summer I will get back to the process for a few of the possibilities running in my head! I love the organic look it creates.

Well my work week is calling me, day jobs make the world go round! Well, at least my finances! One day I will enjoy the option of staying home to create art that sells well enough to make the day job an option not a norm. But not today!

Fianlly listed a new item in my Etsy Store!

2009-06-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

It has certainly taken me long enough to list the Purple and Green Fantasy Furniture! I struggled with the mini quilt, wanting to use a previously constructed pentagon from the fabric used for the walls of the bed chamber! I have several made when I was designing the "Remember Me" quilt I have posted about previously and is on line at http://www.quiltart.com/ . However I had to make a new one to fit! The others were too big!

Anyway, the listing is here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26087344

A fun set, very royal feeling!

I have made progress on the Blue and White doodling 4 poster bed as well! I have secured the 'mattress' and am searching for the linen it wants. I have several blue and white candidates but none say, "Ta da! It's me!" yet! and I'm unsure if a draping of beads between the posts that has been running through my head will come to be or not... strange way to design a project no doubt. When the right fabric and time are there it will no doubt make itself known!

You can see a portion of my studio's chaos in the background! I am finally actually working within my space again. I am only partially finished with the reorganizing begun weeks ago but the progress is helpful! The project under the blue and white bed is one I finally made progress on! It is a three layer applique' of a mountain that once trimmed (I used the reverse applique' or mola technique) demanded I bead it, it may prevent it's completion by a date I would like it to ... the way my muse operates! I am going to combine it with an element I made a year or so ago when working on the quilt project I did with a friends first grade class. The eagle is made with the raw edge fused applique technique, it is still waiting for it's quilting/embellishment but ideas are going through the design viewer recently! The background sky fabric is fabric I painted and manipulated. Fun to see it in context of the eagle!

The shadow or actually lighter background is a piece of freezer paper ironed to the back for stabilizing the fusing. The sky hints at the Alaskan blue I have seldom seen elsewhere. The hints of pink and purple hard to see and describe.

Well, I didn't get to any table toppers yet, and the Solstice bags are still loud but not loud enough to get under my scissors or needle! I must get on with the tasks at hand. Oh, the yard is calling as well! The iris are in bloom, beside the bright yellow day lillies! Enjoy the energy of Summer!

Fianally Finished the Jade bed and quilt!

2009-05-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have been moving slowly the past week or so, sinus stuff only, no worries. But, as a virus, so the Dr. stated, I have stayed home from work. First few days I slept! Good for the body and the mind. I'm still sleeping much more than I am accustom. Time has been occupied with my miniature muse. I did try to go to work on Wednesday for a few hours, I couldn't keep a track on my tasks, needed too much energy to focus, was a restful afternoon once I got home. Enough of the personal! On with the muse.

I have accepted the Jade Bed as finished. I had a hard time realizing it was not going to be part of a furniture 'set' but a stand alone bed! Then I had to accept the quilt was just perfect the shape it was so I could get the outline quilting completed and be done! Then it was about 2 weeks ago I actually took photos in the shade of an awesome sunny morning. Short stints at editing photos... you get the picture I am sure! So here is the final results of the Jade bed, the quilt colors are soft vintage colors and patterns in an original paper pieced pentagon. I have been playing with the pentagon shape for some time now! As I am sure I have said before, I must not be done. I had this image flash of all these little quiltlets to be used as candle mats and or table mats, etc. It would sure get a ton of these 8 to 12 inch pentagons I made for the Remember Me quilt... And so the muse plays at home in my stash! I also picked up a bag of fabric at the local Goodwill for $1.99, all estimates in it is about 5 to 6 yards... a nice variety of pinks, fat quarters mostly. Another fun design path. So I will post the Jade Bed set. Go list it on Etsy, then get some rest. It is good to let myself design for fun while resting! There are 2 challenges I want to explore this summer. June holds a call for an Obama quilt, my image of the impact, etc. This for a possible publication. It would be fun. There is also the postcard contest this July. I didn't send anything last year, I want to make something new this year! Goals are good. I am starting to feel better! Rest is good.

The room is the castle display box I made. The hand carved throne is from my personal collection. I purchased it from: www.Jemjoop.etsy.com ! I found the miniature spinning wheel at a local antique 'mall', fun place to wonder around on occasion! The trunk is one I will eventually add to a set, filled and draped with my accessories. The amazing Fairies are also in my personal collection, these were purchased from: www.LollyPLady.etsy.com ! Visit my shop to see more detailed images of the bed and quilt!

Unique Art Collection

2009-04-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

The other day I discovered an interesting site. It is called MVSEVM intentionally with a unique spelling! It is a collection of art that I found appealing and fun to browse through.

Grab a cup of coffee, visit the site: http://cloudery.typepad.com/mvsevm/
and enjoy the view~

I have also chosen to advertise through this venue. It was an opportunity, and I liked the idea of supporting another artist's display of work they find interesting. I also like her choices, I appreciate unique art! There is no need for me to be 'involved' with this venue beyond enjoying the art selected for viewing. A way to get traffic to my shop with out required activity on my part. That sounds like a plan to me!

This weekend I made a pair of pants... perhaps a start to the clothing muse I have been missing for some time! Usually I make dresses, I need a new one of those too!

The day job calls!

Miniatures finally listed on Etsy!

2009-04-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to remember what sparked the start of my current muse for miniatures... with out much success. Probably a slow build up from viewing all the awesome miniature artists on Etsy! Combine that with my mother's amazing talent displayed in her miniatures, made for my sister and I, when I was growing up!

I finally listed a set of Fantasy Furniture! It was reserved(potentially sold) within 24 hours of listing. Quite the encouragement to keep doing what I'm doing! :) Here is the set:

The listing was only for the furniture, you can see some of my accessories as seen in my previous post of my shadow box of unique miniature things!

The jade bed has it's mattress! I am designing the mini quilt in my head still... I have cut coordinating 1 1/2 inch strips to play with! I have been entertaining sewing up a few of the table toppers I have yet top finish, more serious consideration that I have done since last fall! There is hope I will return to sewing soon!

I must get ready for the ever interfering day job! Enjoy the spring weather in the northern hemisphere people!

Spring, ever an awakening!

2009-04-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

I have added a new link, upper right hand corner, to http://www.designstyleguide.net/ Design Style Guide. This is a unique site for seeing some of the most creative and quality work for the discriminating home decor seekers. A community I joined and posted about back in December! Spring brings energy to invest my time to share more details.

To see my work:

Follow the link in the left margin to Paintings and Wall Art to http://www.designstyleguide.net/byDepartment.php?dp=6&pr=25&ps=1
the directory to Art categories in left margin follow Fiber Art to http://www.designstyleguide.net/byCategory.php?dp=6&ct=146&pr=25&ps=1
page 1 of the gallery displaying some of the most wonderful fiber art I am happy to share the wall with!

Currently a few of my pieces are displayed on the Last Page, you can jump there http://www.designstyleguide.net/byCategory.php?tm=&mi=0&dp=6&ct=146&cl=0&st=0&rm=0&mt=0&ps=1&pr=25&btnLast=Last+Page
and see my work and follow the link back to my individual gallery, with links to my Etsy Shop, www.Cobaltquilter.etsy.com.

If you enjoy fiber art, get a cup of coffee and enjoy the tour. No need to start with my work though, I am still creeping out of the winter darkness, not much new art posted for some time. It is as I said, a wonderful collection of a fiber art techniques, all with links on to additional galleries of each individuals work. An easy place to wonder for a few minutes to regain the personal perspective, my experience, I express in my work in creative reflection of others perspectives.

A friend and I recently discussed the whole, over all hindrance to 'culturalution' (evolution of our human culture, might be a word I made up! :) may well come down to our amazing human ability to see order in chaos. Personal perspective. Community equals shared perspective. In all it's individual choices. From the art I like to the spiritual perspective I ascribe to, I belong to different communities. This wonderful human talent hinders the opportunity for two greatly opposed perspectives gaining momentum, culturalution, to bring us to a global awareness of 'whose perspective' might be the one to advance us to a more human existence, for all of us, regardless of our circumstances. Sounds simple enough to step in and tip the balance with sharing perspective for the one 'right' perspective. The balance is much more delicate and fluid than a bipolar limitation.

A rather wordy support for art education/exposure/discussion/expression! From the beginning, because it's fun! As the weather heads toward more light and less gray in the Pacific North West I enjoy the returning creative energy. No new images to show... still trying to satisfy the miniature muse. I have yet to take the time to figure out how to cut and paste in the create or edit mode of blogging yet so in hind sight I see this post may well seem disjointed, or random some might say! The self promotion was a surprising thing to see! I must start somewhere~ speaking of starting, there is a list I want to work on!

In the spirit of more frequent personal observations

2009-03-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have a better awareness of why I blog, the realization, once again, that this is self observation. A simple healthy way to touch base with myself... and in this situation, publicly. Clearly satisfying the narcissist in me! A bit of narrowing of the scope of observation is in order. My creative endeavors.

Yesterday I made a list of unfinished projects that I know isn't complete. I stopped searching my brain at 14, and several of them are potential series or large works, like queen sized contemporary utility quilts. It made me once again contemplate what it is that causes me to move on to a new project before the current one is finished. Perhaps it is the defiant side of my nature rejecting the Puritan work ethics superimposed on my mental patterning! Okay, maybe I just get bored easily!!

I am making progress on the miniature furniture. The latest screaming muse! Covering the white frame bed with marbled decoupage paper as the foundation for embellishing the bed as a fantasy furniture piece! I am having fun. This is a good thing! :)

I have done a bit of 'sorting' always helps clear the way for creating to take place. Puts all those projects that are pushing into the same space a better perspective on their place in line! I am personally challenging myself to get some overdue projects completed. A good plan to clear the way for more!

Maybe I move to another project, sometimes a new one, when I can no longer figure out where the piece I am working on is going and what it will look like that makes me want to see it finished?

I'm going to focus work/play today on embellishing the jade bed, my new name for it! I have made some 3D fabric plant elements to play with as well as beads. I'm off to play!

Disadvantage of infrequent posts

2009-03-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

I realized how counter productive long gaps between posts to my blog must actually be. I then tend to ramble on and on about my current randomness! Pretty silly. Suffice it to say that I have been playing with miniatures! I have horded quite a unique collection of props to use in my displays for selling my miniature 'creations.' Some were sent to me by my mother and include a needlepoint rug my grandmother made for my mother when she was making miniatures, when I was a kid! I finished the Castle Room Box! I have made a little blue & patterned chair that matches a bed seen in my last post. They will be offered on Etsy soon! I picked up a shadow box, oiled with mineral oil and have it set up to hold my mini collection.

Etsy Shops I have collected some amazing miniatures from!

Bella the Ladybug Baby Fairy and her sisters from http://www.lollyplady.etsy.com/
Glitzy chick from http://www.distinctlydiana.etsy.com/
Crystal ball http://www.kaleidoskopicromance.etsy.com/
Book of shadows
Bible
Quiji boards
Elemental circle http://www.mysticshoppe.etsy.com/

Bird cage http://www.sparklespunksupply.etsy.com/
Pitcher & Bowl http://www.minipotterybyanita.etsy.com/

There are several little odds and ends that are mine, such as the little maps, I glued 2 pieces of tissue paper together to make those! There are a few charms/beads as well.

The Castle Room Box has been a blast to create, I'm working up to displaying items for sale. I am always much slower than I intend!

I thought I had an image of the castle to share. Will have to wait until another day! Too much to do, so little time.... :)

Progress, progress, progress

2009-02-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

I am chewing away at my list!. I had an, 'ah ha!', about my response to mending or repair work and why it takes me so long to get it done. It isn't fun, and seldom can I make it fun. Hence, I put it off, and stress over not getting it done. Then I remember that if I don't make art I go crazy... so once again I give myself permission to play. One of these times, soon, I will listen to myself and believe the length of time any mending job takes is, as a necessity to my mental health, going to include spurts of my creative expression amidst the timeline. So, the update from my miniature muse!

The craft stick bed went together well with wood glue. The 3 coats of white acrylic may just be an adequate primed surface. I am considering 'painting' it with my doodling! I have a piece of white/off white' pre quilted' batting I'm going to use to make the mattress for this miniature bed! It is a bit over sized, as a California King might be at 5.5" X 7.75 ".

I have also been playing with cardboard. I covered the box with a tufted 'mattress' in a dark blue. I then covered each of the headboards separately in a fantastic print I have been using bit by bit for several years before attaching them to the bed. I didn't take progress pictures because I really wasn't sure this one was going to come out. I did no pattern, no measuring beyond against the pieces. It is fully 'glued' with frabri-tac. I even used it to attach the wooden bead feet. This little bed is 4.75" X 7", If I make another bed from recycled cardboard I'll take progress pictures! There are a few dancing in my head, but I only need so many different props for my displays I may not get the beds made. We shall see!

I have been knotting the edge of a tie dyed 'throw', bed spread, wall hanging thingy. I'll be getting a few of these listed on Etsy soon. The stamped series is making slower progress... still has stamping to do. But I did get a second stamp done!

I found a piece of yard sale fabric that would take dye, it feels like rayon maybe, perhaps silk. I did it a bit differently. I used the fabric wet, after a good wash with mild detergent in hot water and rinsed in hot and cold. I lay the dye ties across on a double thickness and steamed in the microwave. I did rework it once after it had dried because there had been limited transfer of the dye. Not sure what the future is for this piece if fabric!

And I got one fourth of the remaining mending done on the lining to a jacket for a friend! I have a list!

To Do ...

2009-02-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

I keep making lists of things to do in my head! Once again seeking to give myself permission to be creative and work on "my" stuff. I currently have 2 potentially 3 repair/reconstruction 'projects' to have in the most top of my "LIST" (in capitals to emphasize the silly power it has over me). Rather, the power I give it to elicit specific emotional responses toward myself... Okay, enough self diagnosis and treatment of my mind's wanderings! Suffice it to say, grow up, get to it, make time. Include getting to the house maintenance I most willingly leave to the bottom of said list. :)

What have I been doing... I actually have worked in a significant amount of my stuff. I tie dyed a piece of cotton, have cut it into small 1/12 scale bed spreads, or tapestries. I have experimented with edge techniques to make the knotting look to scale, it'll work well enough. Then to practice the stamping of images I decided to cut up a different piece of fabric I had previously painted as the tester run. Some stamping of images begun. Results are satisfactory, with significant room for improvement noted. I pretty much did this project in half hour intervals over the past few weeks. I continue my search for an easily constructed scale bed pattern to get the display set for my newest obsession, miniatures. And in an attempt to design one for myself I have collected craft sticks for $1, 2 pieces of balsa wood for ~$2, although I would pick a stronger wood if I were to make another of these. Picturing the basic bed construction options I have begun gluing pieces together. I also have a cardboard box version with head & foot boards made of the flap side of a shoebox for thickness, not yet attached as I can't get past the multitude of ways this could be finished, and how involved do I want it to be... etc.!

Yesterday in an ever continuing search for miniatures in this town I wandered about an antique 'mall' an entertaining way to spend time! I found a cute miniature sewing machine, and a scale size spinning wheel, ~$7 for both. I was really excited as I can use them as prop in my display for selling my miniature fiber/textile items! I found a set of knitting needles that go down to '000' or 1.5mm, I can only knit for so long before my hands refuse to cooperate! But I am having fun thinking of and working slowly on knitting samples! The small trunk I picked up a few weeks ago at the craft store for $1 will work with these items as a place to have items possibly draped over the side ad folded inside. The creation of a display room is a kick, I am considering a castle, I have awesome 'stonewall' fabric I could do the walls in! But I also need a 50's room. My head is having fun!

My "LIST" calls me and I want to work on everything at once! I will have to see where the day takes me. I'll start with the dishes, oddly doing the dishes, or probably rather, getting the dishes done and cleaning the kitchen, is the most immediately obvious visible to self and others act of maintenance tasks/chores. The elves continue to refrain themselves from helping me do my chores!

Time Warp

2009-01-25T07:50:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how quickly 6 weeks can go! I have been busy but unfortunately not creatively constructive beyond the knitting and crocheting I am doing to keep me from going looney tunes! :) I have been collecting yarn from trips to the local thrift stores and big discount stores. It is hard to resist a $1 skein of yarn! I decided it would make sense to list these creations in my Etsy Shop as I don't seem to be creating anything else. I made a cowl for my daughter while she was here. She picked out the yarn from my stash and she really liked the results. I have to say, I picked up that particular lot of yarn at the thrift store. It is wool, mohair, silk, and another fiber I don't immediately recall. It was 'made in... ' France or Italy. I collected it while I was still only collecting fibers to use as embellishments, a good way to end up with a fun stash! However, there were 5 or 6 skeins of obviously expensive quality yarn. I didn't like the yarn, beyond a possible embellishment opportunity, and struggled for quite a while whether to purchase the lot of them. Ever the bargain hunter, I picked them all up, not knowing how I would ever use so much of such an ugly yarn, but it sure felt soft! So, you can now imagine my surprise when this was the yarn my daughter requested, and really liked, she thought it would look awesome knit up into a cowl. I shared my opinion of the yarn and we all laughed, my son chimes in amidst the chuckle to say he really, seriously thinks it's an awesome yarn and wouldn't mind something out of it himself. It still makes me smile! I am reminded to listen to the little voice that knows, and just 'Believe' a simple word, a simple concept, a powerful reality.

I have been playing with making dollhouse quilts, little 1/12 scale quilts, pieced, quilted, possibly embellished. I have been struggling with a best fit traditional block combination, rejecting every one systematically, wanting to find the one I could construct with the least amount of effort. That hasn't really been a fun way to brainstorm creatively, once again reminded that finding a 'production product' may not be the way my work as an artist will go! So maybe what I ought to be thinking, not the typical turn of the century dollhouse, but perhaps a more resent history, style. I wonder if there are people out there designing 1960's & 1970's wear for miniaturist? What would I want on my bed? My second thought, it is small art, and can easily become equip with a small hanging sleeve or hoops, an easy alteration to make in a timely manner. It needs to be designed in scale, can be bold and bright and big, but first appealing to a small audience of 5" dolls! :) There's a design challenge and a new size of work. My postcards and aceos have a different focus. Although, could my "trees outside my window" series work as large picture windows for upstairs rooms of unique doll houses? There's an application I hadn't thought of until just now! The leaves might be a bit big for to scale.

Now here's a funny brainstorm. A few weeks ago I picked up a tie dye 'kit' at the thrift store. It contains strips of dye embedded fabric, approximately 1/4 inch wide and a couple feet long. Intended for creating tie dye effects with one application producing multiple colors, even allowing blending of color edges, and a variety of patterns. I suspect I could get effects that look like the batiks being produced today. Could I make dollhouse scale tie dyed blankets, tapestries to be used as 1/12 scale dollhouse enthusiasts trip down memory lane? Much better application than making myself a bunch of t-shirts. Hummm, what size... maybe 7" X 9", that equals 84" X 108" a possible queen/king sized throw. This will be fun to play with. Okay, what about using the awesome rubber stamps I have to make one of a kind Celtic tapestries with images stamped on little tie dyed throws?

I have been looking for a free set of plans, patterns, designs for making a simple dollhouse scale bed. There are several available that require unique construction methods, I don't really want to make miniature furniture. I now value why these small pieces of furniture can be so worth the price charged! I wanted one of those, cut it out of cardboard, paint it, it's done, kind of thing; just to use as a display for any miniatures I come up with. Well, after much fruitless searching on the wonderful world wide web, I took a colleagues advice and went to the library, an option I hadn't gotten to yet! I found several good books on construction of dollhouse scale furniture. The only 'cut it out of cardboard' pattern I have found is for a traditional, to be covered in leather, wing back chair. I could adapt the design, pad the upholstery, some what more reminiscent of my grandmother's chair, and use it to display my miniature 'quilts' over. But, no bed pattern. So I have a mind to design one myself! Maybe see if it is easy and share the silly thing with people looking for the same kind of thing. We'll see how far I let my imagination wander before I actually produce the miniatures as well as the displays!

I have started making several sets of miniature knitting needles. I tried actually knitting on them but was a bit frustrated, so I pulled out my "0" needles and am knitting with embroidery floss! I have seen only 2 other artists on Etsy selling these miniature knitting projects. Thought they might be fun and potentially saleable, we shall see. I am striving to make mine, mine, not just another version of what others are offering. We'll see where my imagination takes me! I'm thinking my scale needle have to be a size 15 or so and the resulting knit ought be lose in construction. Also I ought cut my embroidery thread down to 2 strands to represent a 2 ply yarn, perhaps. Then I had the insane idea of making broomstick lace models, I have an amazingly small hook, just not sure my hands would manage it, that's a challenge!

Well, I have numerous projects in line and a zillion more jumping around in my head, so I will go see if I will let myself create, even if I do have to knit a silly scarf I have currently on the needles, or crochet together a pale green shawl of hairpin lace. Now that would be an amazing miniature scale needle art to try and create!

Just an addition as journals go... I am unsure if I want to pursue a place to show my work during Arts Walk this Spring. I am a bit discouraged, I wasn't really at Traditions, beyond the little corner, and would love to maybe do that again. But I am not sure I want to go and ask, I fear they will say yes because they are nice, not because of my work. I could stop thinking about it as a sales outlet and see it for just what it is, an opportunity to show my work and make connections. The latter hasn't happened yet. I wonder if there is a down town business association... maybe they would reply to an artists inquiry about the best way to approach arts walk? It'd be interesting to hear their response any way! They could share with each other, and other business owners the advantages of hosting an artist, and see if more places would consider showing local work.

Enough! I'm off.

In My Image Maiden, Mother, Crone

2008-12-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

I decided to no longer wait for the challenge this quilt was made for to get posted on line. I listed it this morning in my Etsy shop, you can see it in the side bar to the right, and I am going to try to upload a larger image for the blog. Just in case the girl sells and she isn't in the side bar any longer! That or I have listed new stuff and she would be further down the page on my Etsy shop.

This quilt was made in response to a challenge, SOST, "The Sisterhood of Saggy Tits" from an online quilt forum I belong to. Unfortunately it has been many months since we all finished our pieces and sent the images and artists statements to the coordinator and we are still waiting for the challenge to be posted. My decision was both economically motivated and just wanting to show it off. I have refrained from posting images or listing it as I thought it would have more impact if viewers could go to the site where the other challenge pieces were listed. Also, due to the unique subject matter it would make a bigger impact.

I have also been making and listing more of the Trees Outside My Window series. One sold and 5 others are now listed in my shop!

I have yet to bind the 2 'nearly' finished pieces. Miss ADD decided to work on ACEOs as I have sold several in the last week and can see it might be a good 'production piece' as each is truly unique, the similarity being only the size 2.5 X 3.5 inches.

I am going to go get a few things done before the day job yanks me out of the house!

My daughter will be here this weekend for winter break, nearly a full month! I am very excited! She often has a 'project' in mind for us to work on. I'm not sure if there is one this year, but no doubt we'll have time to come up with one!

Too little time....

2008-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

I have been keeping myself a bit busy! The emotional stresses of the season are in full swing. I am keeping the 'monsters' at bay as much as possible, but it does interfere with my creativity and my ability to get as much accomplished as I would like! I have finished Conan's queen size machine quilted snowflakes quilt! It is big enough to cover his toes! That took a lot of energy & time!

I finished and submitted the EPU:2 piece, http://www.flickr.com/photos/26286141@N08/2981728998/
It is also the image I used for my free gift 'sample note card' being sold in The Little Black Box, which goes on sale December 5! Check it out, a very cool idea! I am hoping to see an increase in traffic through my store, we shall see.
http://thelittleblackboxes.com/index.html

I have also invested with another web site that does hosting of e-shops. There are a lot of awesome artists being represented there! Check it out!
http://www.dmpmc.net/THMD/
Browse by category - Art in the left margin to see my ad! I also am listed in the Arcade as well as The Holiday Shopping Village!

The Design Style Guide is another web based 'shopping mall' for interior design items, last post I neglected to post a link so here it is!
http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=124
I don't have a profile image there, not sure how to go about it yet and not taken the time... the elusive time...

I have sewn about 12 more holiday theme table toppers with poinsettias as pentescopes, 5 sided stack & slash pentagons. several are layered ready to quilt. Two are quilted ready to bind and I haven't had the energy to finish them. That is this weekends project!

I best go to work or I won't have funds to keep making the stuff I love!

Pagans Of Etsy Street Team - Samhain Sale!!

2008-10-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

Sale!

Pagans of Etsy Street Team known as POEST (search the tag "pagan team") is hosting a pre-Samhain Sale!

As a member I am offering 15% off any item tagged "paganhalloween". Look for Autumn colorways.Samhain, as I recognize it, is the Pagan New Year, when the veil between the worlds thins, and being aware of the reality that we are all 'one,' we,meaning those of similar belief, gather to honor our beloved dead, welcome the new life the year has brought, and reflect on what we chose to carry forward as the wheel turns.Please contact me and I will edit your selections' price to reflect the 15% discount, re post as reserved and notify you. If not paid for within 2 days the item will be re listed at its full price and no longer be reserved. As a promotion with a limited time frame I am sure you can understand my not wanting to tie up my inventory.
Namaste, PeggySue

The above announcement appears on my Etsy site, www.Cobaltquilter.etsy.com

There are 11 items that respond if you search my shop for 'paganhalloween' but there will be many more unique, handmade items with the tag, 'paganhalloween' in a search of all tags!

It would be nice if this sale was as successful as the last one I participated in with Eathpath Artisans Street Team, search 'east team' on Etsy!

I have finished and listed several table topper altar cloths. There are several left to complete, but no more autumn themed ones. The others can wait in line until I finish EPU: II!

I also listed the Silver Birch ACEO, perhaps an attempt to bring the rest of the series to my productive radar! All that is left is hand sewing on the rest!

EPU: II is progressing well design wise! Now to spend the time doing the hand work! I am planning on hand embroidering the photo transfer image to augment the machine quilting. I have selected the potential beads and baubles to include in the macrame' fringe that will bring the entry to the required 14 X 14 inches.

I made a couple little tote bags out of a single fat quarter and listed them in my shop as well. I am considering adding to the listing that they could be excellent reusable treat bags if trick-or-treating is a part of their tradition. Or perhaps I will make some specifically for Halloween, but I doubt the time frame will work, too soon!

I have listed Yoni, that took guts! But not too many views yet! But it is one of those things that take time.

I have joined Design Style Guide, a unique site for interior designers looking for a specific thing, they can search for unique quality art work, not just wall art! I have 8 open rotation spots for listing items! Hopefully it wont consume too much more of my time to maintain and it will bring exposure to a professional level clientele.

Well, I best get things in motion!

The Rainbow Weaving Leaving Goddesses~

2008-10-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

Keep up, just keep up!

2008-10-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

A good piece of advice, although I am not sure who I am keeping up with!

Arts Walk came and went. I did not sell anything, a few people took my new business card, very awesomely done by Avatar Man on Etsy, check out his work!

www.AvatarMan.etsy.com

Very talented graphic artist!

I completed 2 of several table topper/altar cloths and listed them for the Spirited Autumn Event on Etsy, EAST Team promotional. One sold, along with several other pieces from my shop last week! Feels pretty good, people purchasing my work! We shall see if this is a new trend or a blip in my radar!

I, in my obsessive compulsive manner, have several, 12 actually, table topper/altar cloth mini quilts that are not finished. I had planned on making double sided pieces. Then after all the piecing, even for the less detailed ones, I decided it would be fine to make the other side of these a single fabric, keeping the reversible nature but also emphasising the work that goes into a pieced design as the 'front.' All the remaining 12 are pentagons, some with kaleidoscope centers others with whole cloth centers. They will stay in the front seat of get it done projects! Many are fall autumn themed, good for Thanksgiving tables, others are generic, and 2 are Ostara fabric! The tops are all done, now I am layering and quilting. I am using cotton corduroy for the 'batting' it makes a nice thin and smooth topper so that things wont tip over on them from being bumpy! I brought all this corduroy home from Florida, not sure it will make it into clothes now! I like this use! Although it does dust up my machine when quilting...

The bargello table runner was listed as my submission for the September challenge on Etsy for the Fiber Artists Street Team, FAST Team. The theme was 'harvest'. October's challenge is 'candy', not sure what will fit there. I was brainstorming and ran across the idea of making a fabric bowl or two, to hold candy, could be holiday themed fabrics or just unique. I'll have to see if I can get this idea to fruition! I want to make it a pentacle design, I am interested to see how it might work out!

My QuiltArt EPU:II challenge piece is coming together well, in my head! (http://www.quiltart.com/challenges.html) I am looking forward to seeing it come out! It is due 10/25, seems like a lot of time! We all know how that goes! It has to have a photo transfer element and I have selected one of my batiks as the focal image. The actual piece is over 36" square so it will be fun to work with the image scaled down. There is a size limit of 14"square on this challenge. I purchased several pieces of special fabric to run through my printer, now I have the option to print another of my batiks and use it as the foundation for an additional challenge,for the Etsy Pagan Team, Elements, due 10/10.... not too far in the future so may stay a dream! :) I hope to get the images printed today. Then I could work on the elements challenge as a warm up to the EPU piece, we shall see. (http://pagansofetsy.blogspot.com/2008/09/poest-elements-challenge.html)

I am still determining the Black Box submission, whether to be a variety of note cards or a single image. I am considering the possibility of self printing on to card stock that will only need folding no gluing to be finished, I will see if it is cost effective.

I have finished one of the Trees outside my Window ACEOs, haven't listed it yet.

There are several journal covers I don't have listed either, need to locate pics and get that done soon also, seems silly not to. I am sure inventory helps sales!

I am trying to not buy too much additional fabric! I picked up a black on black and a solid black to potentially use for a Samhain altar cloth, but I am having a hard time seeing the design... that tells me to not purchase any more fabric until my brain has a clearer idea to work with ! The newest project, the table topper/altar cloth quilts are an excellent way to utilize some design elements I have hanging around, like the multitude of kaleidoscopes I made back when I was working on the Remember Me challenge! Also other orphan blocks could find a home!. The backs use a bit of fabric also, so some of those purchases of 'wow that's cheap' on sale quality fabric with less than stunning patterns will no doubt find a way to get used too!

I finished the mini rainbow weaving goddesses! I will post an image here!

Then I am off to rest my knee (giving me fits the past few days) and get a bit done!

The Spirited Autumn Event!

2008-09-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Get ready for The Spirited Autumn Event! From Monday, September 22nd (the Fall Equinox) until Monday, October 6, Members of Etsy's Earthpath Artisans Street Team are offering special promotions on selected items in their shops. The event focuses on Fall Themed and Magical items, just in time for Halloween! Search Etsy using the TSAE tag to find participating items.

http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/

I am excited about this 'event' on Etsy! One of the Street Teams (a group of artists who share common interests) is hosting a promotion to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox! This is my favorite time of year and the one I most align myself with! I have made several pieces expressing the awesomeness of fall foliage in the past and I still have a huge stash of fall colors waiting to become another display of color! I grew up in New England and miss the trees when they say, "See ya next year!"

I have a piece waiting to be finished this weekend so I can post and list it by Monday! I have such high goals! This particular piece has bee waiting for the next phase - quilting/embellishing - for several years! I think it is ready to make itself known! Here's hoping I get it all quilted and listed!

... eventually I will catch up! But not likely! Too many ideas jumping around in my head!

Purple Patch!

2008-09-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

I support AAQI (Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative) and have donated priority quilts to be auctioned to raise funds for Alzheimer research! To raise awareness on World Alzheimer's Day which is coming up on September 21st, I am displaying the 'purple patch' you see in my right side bar! Julia is a friend of mine who has been dealing with this disease since I met her. Her husband, Les, has been supported by family and friends, but it is a grueling day to day task. I also have a good friend who's mother is plagued with Alzheimer's as well. Her family has been impacted in a way few people understand who do not have close experience with this disease.

To learn more about AAQI visit:
http://www.alzquilts.org/

There are quilts available for purchase. Please share your awareness of this devastating disease, we all need to support each other when we face life changing circumstances!

Big step for me!

2008-09-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, I really did it! Yesterday was the deadline for entering the Innovations Quilt Show being held in Taccoma, Washington the begining of October -

http://www.mqinnovations.com/conference_info.htm

It is the first puplic quilting venue I have entered... yeah me! It is a machine quilters conference. It is not a jurried show, something I am reluctant to enter as it is expensive and I don't make my pieces to meet a set of standards against which to be judged compared to other contemporary artist.

The quilts selected by the pannel of highly qualified in their own art and techniqe individuals who I admire the work of are not always those I would have identified as prize/recognition candidates. That is probably the thing about Innovations that attracted me, it is peer judged. Everyone who attends is given a vote, and the winners recieve the prizes.

http://www.mqinnovations.com/Peer%20Judging.htm

Then there was the lure of:

"Cash prized will be awarded to winning quilts. More details about the cash awards will be posted at a later date. "

I haven't seen any updates to this statement, but it isn't about how much any way! $50 would cover the gas it's going to take to deliver it, pick it up, and hopefully attend one day in the middle! That's going to be 3 round trips to Taccoma...I could take the bus... perhaps this time I will, not as long a ride as to Seattle. There is a little more insentive to attend this as well, I'm hanging in it!

One day I will have a more versitile machine quilting 'system' than my home machine... that will be fun! It will add the fluidity of painting to the quilting phase!

Work has been interesting. I am in the throes of an extremely steep learning curve (can you say hit the wall) and it is an energy strain/drain on me. It is good to be learning, just intense! I am getting better at fitting in my art in the evenings... keeps me ever so much more content!

Speaking of which, I am going to go get a few projects under way!

Catch up

2008-09-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

I have been having a difficult time taking the time to update this blog! I keep writing the posts in my head and never getting here to type them! Then I feel like I already did it, and so much has changed it would be a whole new post anyway... blah, blah! All good excuses but bad reasons!

So, what's new? I finally was able to get the Gypsy Rose lap/couch quilt as well as another crib/lap size Blocks in Red and Black, actually pin basted! I needed to stay after work to use the big tables, but have been just too tired for weeks! Finally I worked a Saturday and felt like I could actually get it done! Now comes the quilting, I have been playing with design ideas for the quilting. I often change my mind a bunch as I brainstorm. We shall see how long it takes these quilts to yell loudly before I get to them!

I have made progress on my ACEO tree series, it is a lot of time and energy to make the trees, but I am enjoying it. Not sure I will use this design element on the bigger one, very tedious and detailed work that would not showcase well on the larger piece with out a significantly different set of fibers, ones the variations could be seen from a distance!

I have also begun to bead an awesome Goddess design element on a set of Rainbow weaving post card sized pieces! These are going to be fun! I have 2 of 6 complete!

The following link is to my Gypsy Rose ACEO series 'How to tutorial.' It was fun to write up!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26286141@N08/sets/72157606504066124/

I am also beginning o focus energy on a new promotional coming for the Etsy Team EAST (Earthpath Artisans Street Team) for this Equinox celebration I'll post more on this another time!

I must be off, work demands and all!

so much to do ... so little time!

2008-08-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Been a busy week, lots of ups and downs with work, energy, creativity. But, I think I am on the upswing.

I have the 2 current lap/crib size quilts ready to layer and get the quilting started. The pin basting is the hardest part for me, strains my body!

I have decided it is okay to stop the bigger pieces of work and make a few small things to feel like am getting to be creative. I have realized there is a lot more opportunity to see the variety of pieces my brain needs to see happen if I make say, a series of ACEOs, my current 'item,' it was previously pins/brooches or post cards!! I helps eliminate the challenge I have when it takes so long to get the utility size quilts and the larger wall art I have previously made, to completion. I have always liked having several pieces in the working stage, mostly as I get bogged down in the amount of energy and time one of the larger pieces takes to reach the inner view I see for that piece!

On that note I am currently working on a new ACEO series using some scraps from the Gypsy Rose, who by the way is one of the ones on the short list! This new series is interestingly enough a combination of the color way of Gypsy Rose (very narrowed) and the design element of Blocks Inside My Box (in the attic window application of tumbling blocks, a traditional quilt pattern). I am sewing into the lower sill's seam a collection of fibers that will be woven together and embellished with a variety of things in a representation of trees outside my window! This is a small application of an design idea I have had for years (there is a quilt that has been waiting those many years, to have this applied!). I am excited to see how it works in miniature, and if it is fun enough to add to the ~25" equilateral pentagon I have waiting for it! If not .. I will know before I start on a much larger more time intensive application and have to finish because I started it (albeit not necessarily for years!). This may well be the reason behind the hesitancy to get that work started!

I am doing my best to not jump on the challenges I know are going on! I want to finish a bunch of stuff I have, the lager pieces, and get to feeling like I have the time, space, and permission (needed from myself) to continue to start 'new' pieces! I'll be able to locate scraps from most of these larger pieces to make a small series of 'something' as I work! Maybe the smaller items could be challenge responses... like the Gypsy Rose ACEO series was.

Well, I am always brainstorming the next 'thing' I'm hoping for some quick, fun, item I like to make will start to sell at Arts Walk this Fall. Though I know there are limited sales made at Arts Walk for all the artists. Heavy Sigh! I am still waiting to be 'discovered'! Isn't that every artists narcissistic tendency that keeps us moving forward? I can't be the only one who feels this way! (isn't that a line from a song?)

I am off today but must work tomorrow. Looking forward to getting a lot done this weekend still! There are items I could photograph and get listed on Etsy too... So much... It's good to be busy!

Just keep swimming...

2008-08-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I picked up a small figurine of 'Dori" one of my most admired of animated characters~ she now sits on my desk at work to remind me it is a matter of just keep moving, progressing through the stuff to do at work as well as life in general! So, a busy work week, but progress at some rate on several 'projects!"

Gypsy Rose is on her second border treatment, I'm thinking one more and I will be ready to layer/baste/quilt! Recently I have been viewing several quilts on Etsy that are comparable to the size and utility I am anticipating for Gypsy Rose. Good market research and I'm getting a feel for the potential price range I can entertain! Several sellers wash and dry the utility quilts, an idea I was considering for personal assurance it would withstand the use, more an affirmation than a question of it's potential! As well as an assurance to the buyer it will withstand use, as it is being sold as a functional work of art.There are several quilt tops in the 'stash' I am playing with in my head to see where the quilting design will take me so they too, can get in line for 'de-stashing', my current personal goal. I have (probably said this already, too) recently set up my New Home machine, which was a gift several years ago, in it's own cabinet, bringing the 'arm' even with the table top... yeah I had to have discussed this with Nolan's quilt! The point of the bird walk, to note the exploration of machine quilting as a design element that will enhance the longevity of a quilt is a fun place to brainstorm in my busy, busy brain! The encouragement of a more quality product being offered consumers is a positive projection of customer appreciation!

However I must admit I purchased several yards of fabric this past week. The coordinates were just too inviting and full of awesome potential! All designed by Dan Morris, his 'What's your sign?' and 'Sky's the limit' series. They just so happen to coordinate quite well with the 2 Robert Kaufman 'stargazers' prints I have in both blue and black colorways! I have been running with the throw quilt size as a kick start point for a few smaller functional/collectible art pieces as a matter of design process for a while, all the way back to the Hexagon series from 1999-2000 projects! I am sooo presumptuous. Just keep swimming, swimming!

No progress on my new dress, still unsure of which traditional block I want to use. I suppose it will settle down and decide some day! LOL Some gatherings of fabric I have done for projects in the past survive long enough to become that item Others however get pulled away for a more immediate application. This no doubt reinforces the need to collect an amazing amount of fabrics in a wondrous variety! Too, funny, but true! I have continued to collect fabrics for a 'project' that is long finished! Blue and whites, Autumn, Paisley only a few that I am always looking for ... my available palette is obviously then full the the colors, and designs I love in combination the most. No doubt what leads one to have a personal style of their own to some degree. I have an inordinate amount of unfinished pieces that are a rainbow combination similar to the border used on 'Iris' and in other variations! These will, and are working their way to the front seat. Most if not all of my projects that are in the 'wall' and other non standard applications of quilting genre have their roots in a larger piece of quilt design that has been halted for one reason or another.

Hum.. I get the feeling I am repeating myself. Is it possible I am saying it again as I have in my previous posts speaking to my application of scraps, colorways, etc.? Heavy sigh, well there is a lot to be said about realizing your telling the 'same story' over again! If I'm going to be narcissistic I better be aware enough to not apply the same evidence on too many repeat occasions!

I called the Intercity Transit trip planner this morning and can get from home to the Seattle Convention and Trade Center (actually approx a 2 block walk from) in 2 hrs 15 min for $7. I am entertaining taking the bus to spend the afternoon at the PNQF! The return trips, the last two depart at 4:38 or 6:38, probably a max of 3 blocks from the Center. I'll have to drive to the Transit Center and leave my car downtown for the day, but Sunday parking is free down town. And the transit worker said she parks her car in the vicinity and has never had an issue. Geeze, think I've covered all the bases! I am cautious about the amount of walking I will put myself through if I chose to go, a significant decision... okay, I think I have wandered far enough off the quilting train into transportation! (trains of thought weave their way together of their own accord on occasion!)

Enough playing with words! I think it would be a blast to go to the quilt show, even alone! Not something I would have entertained 5 years ago... interesting!

I am still knitting. I've finished 3 pieces, yet to sew final seam but am thinking I will decide if it is to be something and what later! I'm in the just make it, it's quite meditative and at the moment I am in need of such distraction. I am off to get a few things underway!

Bright Blessings!

Too Tired to Muse

2008-08-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy few weeks at work! It is a great thing I love my job! However, I don't love when it limits the time I have to play with fabric!

When my energy level goes down limits my ability to play with my textile/quilting/beading projects and I can get bogged down in inertia, then nothing I have 'in progress' will talk to me, and new stuff wants to crowd in on design time, but not move to fruition 'cause ... you guessed it (!) I'm too tired!

In the last month I did accomplish completing and listing my 'full' submission to the Etsy EAST Street Team (Earthpath Artisans Street Team, search East Team on Etsy) Gypsy Challenge! I have listed all 12 ACEOs in the Gypsy Rose series in my Etsy shop! (Link in side bar!)

When the doldrums's hit I found myself wandering in a local $ store (retail therapy!), I picked up several skeins of inexpensive 'fun fur' type yarn for possible application in future projects. They were very unique looking and soft. The latter not being a necessary consideration for my textile art (unless I use it for future meditation focus dolls or items... humm, once again, brain storm is never ending! LOL); I found myself wandering to an activity I did for years, but haven't done in years!! Knitting! So I indulged in the fondling of fun fur and knit a single scarf from one skein. I have always followed a pattern in the past but I want to mess around a bit now. Going to make a few single skein length and sew them each into mobius strips. They look nice over neck once and even more unique and fun turned to wrap twice! So I will build an inventory of scarves. Odd as I did not ever see myself going there. But it is a perfect use of my time while having a regular night out for pizza and a movie with friends! Much easier than bringing the beading along, less complicated and I can get a bunch more done! Less focused energy needed in the current knitting projects. It will be my endeavor to not follow a pattern again, to any more of a degree than general dimensions, perhaps. Following a pattern, much like with cross stitch, is a very specific and focused way of expressing myself by only executing an other's designs. Many, many hours of restful, therapeutic enjoyment on hand work that was intended for gifts and personal use has given me the skills and confidence, no doubt, to express myself the way I do. I'm unsure of what will be done with the scarves, they seem like nice gifts though! And I could sell them at the Fall Arts Walk as another of my 'creations'. We shall see!

Anyway, I have finally decided on the next border application for Gypsy Rose in Blue, it sure took long enough! I have the strips cut and I'll get them applied as soon as I get myself off this confounded box!

My June Challenge for Etsy FAST (Fiber Artist Street Team, search EtsyFAST Team) themed - Heroes, though not completed in time to 'post' as an entry, has begun the beading, still in progress. I am enjoying playing with design element in my head! :)

I have selected a pallet of fabrics for the inset of a new dress I am designing with Fabric my mom sent home with me! I made a new dress with one length of fabric (a nice seersucker plaid in mint greens) my mom sent home and got the 'nice' comments at work! I have also finished a 'unique' dress with a bargello front piece and an odd skirt. Conan's input: "It would be okay to wear to like say, a Ritual or an outing, you know, with friends. I don't think it's work attire." [or something very similar, he is very capable if telling me exact wording.] My very observant son! I did tell him that if I hadn't questioned the work wear ability I wouldn't have necessarily have asked him and I appreciated his input! I am currently considering deconstructing the dress and making it into something else! :)

I am still thinking destash my inventory of unfinished projects, at least a few! However, now that I have allowed myself the indigence of knitting, and clothing construction (Note how I discuss in terms NOT connected to my 'textile/fiber art', *smile* then It isn't breaking my purpose!)

I added a new RSS feed to the side bar, directing visitors to Etsy. I think it may be a promotional potential as it has something to do with increasing Google search bot to pick up etsy for handmade goods, I think! So it can increase traffic to etsy and potentially then my shop. Seems like a long shot, but I am committed to put some time in to promoting myself, I think it is the necessary energy drain to get me work selling so I can buy what ever materials I want to play with ! SMILE - my true motivation for selling my wares in the first place! :)

Okay, I'm off to play!

Bright Lammas Blessings to all, may your harvests be bountiful!

Sunshine!

2008-07-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

We have had an entire week of sun here in the South Sound, Puget Sound, Pacific North West, to be more, (or would it be less?), specific! I do enjoy the sun, the heat is another aside but manageable! Warm nights, with long light, are an energy source I miss from the summers in Fairbanks!

Nolan has arrived! A sweet little guy, 6lbs. 8oz. I believe! I will wait a few days or a week and see if he visits us at work before I visit. I decided he was too new for me to rush in and hold when he only just left being held and in constant contact with mom! No wonder babies want to be held, all the time is seems, but it was! My support for paternity leave, guess who is best holding him the other hours of the day for a few days? Oops, off focus into political/personal opinion territory! LOL So conclusion, I will deliver the quilt another day, or give it to her when she visits work, it would be fun to have pictures of it!

The Gypsy Rose has been working, late into the evenings... and I believe I am making progress! The blue paisley element has expanded nicely, and I am still considering including the fabric (one at least!) that I specifically went out and purchased for this quilt! But if not, those elements will show up somewhere else, just like Rose!

I am also contemplating another 'set' of Rose ACEOs with the leavings from the blue paisley element that was added after July 4! It is big enough of a print that a great variety of designs will be possible! I love brainstorming!

There are 3 more rose elements I am considering. Do I go ahead and make a sister quilt using them when Gypsy Rose is moved on to the quilting phase? Or do I make 3 more pieces using each as the center creating wall art, or functional art. I just saw the possibilities if I were to say yes to 3 different applications as I wouldn't be limited to the color/design elements of Gypsy Rose, it isn't as if the leavings from her won't end up somewhere else! And I have so many nice fabrics to choose from! My mother sent me home from Florida with about 15 yards from her 'stash' of fabrics people keep giving her because they know she sews! LOL Some of this yardage will make it into clothes! Last night I picked up a skirt & pant pattern at the Goodwill for 99 cents! I am anxious to get a few things made, can I consider this destashing? If I do it feeds into the July Etsy Fast destashing challenge!

However, it does not address the 'not start anything new' aspect of my personal destashing challenge now does it? Humm... I will have to ponder that!

I am off to see what I can finish today! Blessings to all!

Long Week, limited results...

2008-07-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a long week or so for me!

I have finished Nolan's quilt. I need to get the labeling done, and deliver it. I am kind of waiting for him to arrive so I can get to visit him, and say hello early on! I love babies! They are so 'there' :)

I was able to step aside from my initial Gypsy Challenge piece, a large pentagon kaleidoscope sort of thing, and apply the 'leavings' from cutting out all the pieces of the 'mother' quilt! I have made a series of 12 ACEOs (Art Card Editions and Originals - http://www.aceomagazine.com/page1.html). They are all fused, using a technique idea I gleaned from a conversation with a friend! I have kept a photo journal of the process and plan to post one day when I finish the series! So presumptuous of me! :)

The first ACEO is finished and listed as an entry in the Etsy Earthpath Artisans Gypsy Challenge!

Vote here - http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/

There are numerous wonderful works of art in a wide variety of mediums, truly look at them all! It will be your challenge to pick just one! :)

You can see them all here - http://www.flickr.com/groups/earthpathchallenge/pool/ - Enjoy!

I did not get my Hero's challenge done in June, but it is still very much on the front burner (of which I have more than your average stove!). I am focusing my July challenge energy on the EtsyFAST Team - Fiber Artist Street Team theme, De stashing! My goal is to complete as many Works in Progress to completed stage as possible Then I will select one to list as the challenge entry! FAST does not host voting as of yet, but it is fun to search the tags on Etsy and see all the awesome work! Try 'junechallenge' or last month's - 'maychallenge' the theme was storms!

I have redesigned my Mini Etsy to be in the left side bar, displaying some of my work. I am trying to see if I can do a mini with just the EAST challenge entries, but I have had enough of computers for today! I will save that for another.

I am working on the Gypsy Rose today! Blessings to all!

Mini Etsy

2008-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

At the foot of the blog there is now a Mini Etsy of my Shop - Cobaltquilter's Corner! It may demonstrate the ability to post the EAST Gypsy Challenge on the blog, if it can accommodate all the listings, and if everyone lists their entry.

I have finally begun to machine quilt Nolan's tumbling blocks quilt. I resisted it for ever, to the point of cleaning and putting my machine in a cabinet (I have been putting that one off for months!) so I would feel confident enough to be content with my Machine Quilting. I plan on getting the whole thing complete and delivered by tomorrow afternoon!

My Heros Challenge for Etsy FAST June Challenge has begun the embelishing stage! Yeah! Hope that will go quickly as I would love to post it on June 30th.

My Gypsy Challenge is expanding, I picked up 2 coordinating fabrics yesterday, on sale (pretty much the most common way I purchase fabric). I am toying with making a lap sized couch quilt for a change of pace! I loved 'building' Nolan's quilt and can see a lot of room for design play in the way my GYpsy challenge was moving in my head!

Still messing with Destashing ideas for the July Etsy FAST challenge. So many unfinished projects in a huge variety of stages and genre!! Too fun, but distracting!

I am looking forward to a productive/fun weekend!

Slide Show

2008-06-20T10:58:00.001-07:00

Well, I decided it would be cool to play show and tell with the slide show feature! I will spend some time in the next few days figuring out how to use it!

Very busy week, Nearly finished with a baby quilt for a friend, I will also be working on how to post pictures for show and tell and if the feature is seperate from slide show.

It is my goal to work out how to post a 'voting' feature for specific images on the Etsy Earthpath Artisans Street Team Blogspot for our current Gypsy Challenge.

http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com/

So much to learn, so little time! I suspect this falls in the realm of self promotional time, well spent.

Now I need to go promote self health and work in my studio!

Bright Blessings!

Trying out the poll feature

2008-06-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, this poll is specifically for members of Esty Street Team EAST. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

EASTies, let me know if you think the poll at the bottom of the page will work for us. I will post a link to the Flicker page for viewing the entries and have an 'answer' for each entry so people can vote.

I will see how many of the people think it will work by limiting the vote on this question to 6/20 then I can work on getting the poll for the challenge listed.

Hope to hear from a bunch of you!

Catch up

2008-06-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have been spending the last week catching up! I was out of town on a family emergency for 2 weeks and life has a way of going on with out you but requiring you pick up the pieces!

Besides the day to day stuff, I have been working on a June "heroes" challenge for Etsy FAST Street Team. It is a aprox. 20" X 40" bargello depicting the 'Star Spangled Banner' and still in need of borders and embellishment!

I have also been seriously brainstorming for the etsy EAST Street Team challenge, "Gypsy." Currently I plan on using a few elements I created for the QA 'Remember Me' challenge when I made kaleidoscope 'stars' (pentagons) from a ton of different fabrics looking for the elements to use in that challenge! You can see the results here :http://www.quiltart.com/challenges/RM/index.html
it is about half way down the page.

To add to the fun I am trying to get a baby quilt made for a co-worker who's shower is Sunday! There are not enough hours in my day!

I listed a set of hexagon "Hexes" on etsy this weekend. They are the result of using the leavings from the bed sized quilts I made in 2000. I kept the scraps together and each one brings back the memories of making the mother quilt! A fun experience for me. I have had intentions to continue this series, but 6 years later I have moved on to other projects. I may return, we will see!

I am off to explore the options on Blogger, wish me luck in figuring out the best way to post the EAST challenge!

Bright Blessings to all!

TaDa!

2008-05-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally joined Blogger, thought I'd try my hand at consistent public profile! I am not one for 'journaling' on a consistent basis, so I will post as the muse moves me! I am going to try and keep this blog more specifically work related (my art work) rather than tons of personal information.

I am offering my work for sale on Etsy :

Cobaltquilter.etsy.com

I am currently working on completing a few unfinished projects as well as the EAST Team etsy Earthpath Artisans street team challenge "Gypsy", deadline July 4th! My brain has been swirling like a Gypsy's skirt! Most likely how the muse will express itself!

I am a bit of a 'talker' once I get started, but will attempt to limit my ramblings to textile art related topics. No guarantee's however! As I said, I tend to ramble.

I have also joined so as to figure out how Blogger works so EAST Team can post it's Gypsy Challenge for voting, good thing I have some time!

Blessings!

Cobaltquilter's Corner

Happy New Year!

Show off time...

Oh My, what a whiner I can be!

I have been knitting, again...

Summer Solstice Sun! My faforite time of year!

karibeads on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/karibeads?ref=pr_shop_more

Mother's Day...

Life... it keeps on keeping on!

More Progress and Happenings! And more treasuries!

Progress and another Treasury on Etsy!

Update and 2 more treasuries I am in on Etsy!

A Treasury I was featured in on Etsy!

More postcards listed on Etsy!

QuiltArt Jewelry Show

Evergreen Trees Postcard Series and seeing Stars!

Trees Outside My Window ACEO Series Complete

Innovations Fabric Challenge Complete

Working my way to recovery!

Summer Time!

I'm in a new challenge!

New item added to the Sumer Solstice Sale on Etsy & other happenings!

Adding a new item at 50% off everyday in my Etsy Shop!

Summer Sale!

New up date of Etsy Pagan Team Spring Sale!

New Page and Etsy Sale

Just Keep Sewing, Sewing!

Challenges and their progress...

Letting out my inner animal!

Here's the Solstice Altar cloth!

Oh my it's been almost 2 months since my last post!

I have been meaning to get to this post for days!

Balance

EAST Treasure Hunt!

Quilts are home from Innovations!

The Harvest Challenge voting complete

August Challenge Entry!

Gypsy Rose

Innovations Fabric Challenge progress!

July Challenge on Etsy for the Pagan Street Team and more!

Quilter's Newsletter Magazine!

Designing day dreams

Reuse Recycle Cobalt Blue Glass

Much Peace Much Love

Fianlly listed a new item in my Etsy Store!

Fianally Finished the Jade bed and quilt!

Unique Art Collection

Miniatures finally listed on Etsy!

Spring, ever an awakening!

In the spirit of more frequent personal observations

Disadvantage of infrequent posts

Progress, progress, progress

To Do ...

Time Warp

In My Image Maiden, Mother, Crone

Too little time....

Pagans Of Etsy Street Team - Samhain Sale!!

The Rainbow Weaving Leaving Goddesses~

Keep up, just keep up!

The Spirited Autumn Event!

Purple Patch!

Big step for me!

Catch up

so much to do ... so little time!

Just keep swimming...

Too Tired to Muse

Sunshine!

Long Week, limited results...

Mini Etsy

Slide Show

Trying out the poll feature

Catch up

TaDa!