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Thursday 25 May 2017

Art Quilt Progress

A few blogs ago, I told you about my Quilt Retreat. The one thing I worked on at the retreat was my latest Art Quilt. I really thought I would get it almost finished at the retreat. I worked from before breakfast each day until 10 pm with breaks only for meals and the occasional walk in the bush. I guess all those tiny pieces are slowing me down.

I still don't have a title for it. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Here's a recap.

Original painting



Tracing for Pattern



What I had completed before the Retreat



Completed at the retreat



Completed as of today

Now that I can begin to see the image, I am thinking about how I will quilt it once I have all my layers together. I will be putting details on the rocks with stitch and trying to make the grasses stand out. I'm not sure yet how I will handle the sky and the water but that will come to me eventually.

Thursday 18 May 2017

Spring Blossom Inspiration

I found that this Spring lasted longer than some in the past. We have had Springs that last a week or two and then the hot weather sets in. When the season is so short the spring blossoms and flower bulbs fade very quickly. However, this year, our Spring stayed on the cool side for quite a while so our blossoming trees were beautiful for a long time.

I was able to get some sketches of the various blossoms done and turned them into Mother's Day cards for my daughters. I am so glad that I took the time because yesterday and today are hot, hot days and the blooms on my trees are flying through the air and covering the ground in a carpet of pink and white. They were beautiful while they lasted.

Now we will get the lilacs, forget-me-nots, pansies, irises. Lots of inspiration!



My pear and crab apple trees







Thursday 11 May 2017

When Pondering Sparks Inspiration

As you know, I go for a walk around my neighbourhood each Thursday morning. It serves as a way to prepare my mind for my art day but it also often provides me with subjects to draw or with treasures that I pick up along the path.

This morning I received a little treasure that I thought I would pass on. As I walked I was praying for some of our family and friends who are struggling with difficult things and wondering why we are given these difficult situations on occasion. We would love to eradicate them from our lives and often we worry, become angry and despair over them. I do believe they have a purpose but what could that purpose be?

I was given this little treasure and it calmed my mind. Difficulties are not pleasant; they are painful to those going through them and those watching and supporting them. BUT....by changing our perspective, these difficulties can result in beautiful blessings. We tend to obsess about the difficulty but perhaps we have to back up and look at the bigger picture, take a God's-eye view of the situation. Try to see His grace at work in the struggle because He is definitely there and working.

It's like we used to pluck all the dandelions out of our lawn because they were WEEDS. Now that we are no longer permitted to spray weed killer, there are lawns covered with them. And interestingly, that lawn of dandelions is so joyful-looking. A bright yellow field! A pretty blessing!  And then they become pretty little puff balls.









So the inspiration that I got from this little treasure has to do with the fabric cards that I make. I just made an art quilt of many of those cards and hung it in my front hallway. It is really interesting to look at. But how cool would it be if I worked out a large pattern for an art quilt and split it up into smaller 4 X 6 inch fabric cards that I could send to people for their special occasions and when they were done with them received them back. Once they were all back, I would put them together and VOILA! the image would be revealed to all! And it would be a piece that would remind me to always look at the bigger picture.


Thursday 4 May 2017

Inspired by Other Quilters

As promised, today I've posted some of the quilts that were being created at our retreat last week.  Even though I haven't made very many traditional quilts, these women inspired me with their work.