#365DaysOf ArtPBQChallenge - Week 11 - Exercises 71-77

71:  Add shadows to the glass bottles.  Try different ways of drawing them.

I found this one to be fun.  Not sure I found a lot of different ways of drawing them.

72:  Create a design or pattern
I enjoyed this one too.  Did a rather larger design as I had less time than I would have liked, but I found it pretty much fun.

73:  Add trees to this half page.
I took Sherry's approach and did the trunks first this time.  I liked that better.

74:Draw the weather today.
Good thing it was a sunny day with clouds.  The nor'easter this week would have been blank!  I really just gave this a passing sketch - very fast and not really dark enough.

75:Draw something that you have seen today.
OK - I did this Sunday not Friday when we were in Maine.  A bit of the coastline - I am no Winslow Homer-  but I liked doing it.

76.  Draw an object using colored pencils.  Use the background as a mid-tone.  Use light colors to draw the highlights and darker colors to draw the shadows.
I did a strawberry.  I enjoyed this but the lights were hard to get to work. I think this may be my best work this week.

77:  Explore colors that look good together.  Fill in with colors that work well as a group.
Of course, I would like this - whats not to like about working with color for a quilter.

All in all, a pretty good week in the drawing world. I do need to take these pictures as I go and in the daylight.  My apologies.

In my quilting life:
I worked on quilt with a new technique for my #IslandBatikAmbassador as well as working on my OMG - the loon.  I am nearly finished both, so we'll see which I blog about first!

Linking to:  Powered by Quilting #365DaysOfArt

#365DaysOfArtPBQChallenge Week 10, Exercises 64-70

64:  Continue to add flowers to the meadow:  I enjoyed this, but didn't feel like drawing a lot, should have been using my markers.

65:  Calligraphy practice:  Joining thin and thick strokes in a U:  Finally got a few calligraphy pens.  This was ok, but somehow maybe the wrong letters for me.  Certainly got the hang of it, but drawing U's that way felt artificial.

66: Fill the squares with different marks:  Loved doing this one.  Took some inspiration from things in the room, some from things I have been seeing or think of for quilting patterns.

67:  Complete the pattern:  I enjoyed this.  Used better pens for this, so it was easier, the inner circles got a little harder as I got sloppy with the squares.

68:Using  black fineliner, draw your hand.  I suggest you draw the hand that is drawing. Start by drawing the nib of the pen, then work up:  I rather liked this one, but not the pen.  Its a little off but not bad for drawing with a pen.

69:  Continue creating your own patterns.  Select cool, calming colors:  Adored doing this.  Just having more and more fun with patterns.  Why is that not surprising?

70: Experiment with different art materials to discover what you enjoy using.  Today, use colored pencils to create different marks.  Try using the side of the nib to create broader lines, and blending different colors.  Apply more or less pressure to change the intensity.   This was fun.  I got some other kinds of colored pens, that I can wet with water, and they were used in this exercise.  Really like the overlapping rainbow at the bottom.

Not a bad week - patterns are getting easier, but repetitive tasks sometimes don't engage my thoughts.


Link to:  Powered by Quilting #365DaysOfArt

Squiggle Finish

This quilt was a lot of fun to do.  I did it as a quilt along with Christa Quilts and it is all done.   The schedule was relaxed enough and I took the same break as Christa did, due to getting some Island Batik work done. The pattern is from her book Piece and Quilt with Precuts I think I like for the following reasons:

• it was not one of my ufo's - so I had no emotional blocks
• it was a well structured QAL
• it used up a charm pack I won and, most importantly,
• it will be a benefit quilt.

I won this group of fat quarters last fall during the Quilt Bloggers Festival.  They are from Moda and called Midnight Garden by 1Canoe2 and I thought they would be perfect for this quilt!  They were paired with a Moda Grunge and it made a great combination.

I used my Sizzix (affliate link - if you buy I get a little commision) for the first time to cut the squares and make the triangles.  It also saved the marking of the many squares.  And, with the leftovers, I cut some 2 1/2" strips.  I loved using it and know it will come in handy.  I don't forsee a huge collection of dies for me, but some of the common sizes or scrap busting sizes I will definitely use (5" square, 2 1/2" triangle,  2 1/2" strips are the basic ones I have now).  

Another fun thing was quilting as Christa did.  I used the squiggles and enjoyed the process.   It definitely is a new go to quilting pattern for me, as is the quilt pattern.

Another part of the fun of this quilt was doing it with a few of my blogging friends.  It was another nice little incentive to getting this done and staying up with the schedule. The participants included:

Wenday @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life, Jan @CocoaQuilts and the instigator, Rose @ SomethingRoseMade. [Rose says Jan instigated - no matter - it was fun to do it with 2017 New Quilt Blogger friends!]

Its a great go-to pattern for 5" squares  - I see more of these in my future.  My version measured 46" x 59".  I had a little less fabric than needed, but I made it work!  Thanks, ChristaQuilts for a fun quiltalong!

Linking up with:  Finish It Up Friday
                             Friday Foto Fun
                             Finished or Not Friday
                             Pieceful Sunday

Snomaggedon or not?

Well,  I don't know if we are getting this much snow or not.  Lot's of dire predictions and cancellations but it seems a slow start.   Well what am I going to do today???


1.  Take Percy for a playdate with the Pointer Sisters (3 chocolate labs in our old neighborhood).
2.  Work on my Island Batik rep sample - sorry no peeking just yet at this fabric collection.
3.  Work on my new technique March sample - trying a few blocks with scraps before I dive in!

4.   Maybe purchase watch some Craftsy classes while there is this awesome deal (affiliate link).  One that I can recommend is  Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting A Sampler.  This expires March 11, but it is a good way to get a bargain class.  I love the classes I have taken and think this is a great way to learn from experts without having to travel!  I realize I have some catching up to do so I am going to pick one and play while I am working.
5.  And maybe finish Squiggles.

Okay, I am officially at too many things for one day, but tomorrow looks good too.
I'll report back later - wish me luck.

#365DaysOfArtPBQChallenge Week 9, Exercises 57-63

#57: Color in the concentric circles:  I liked doing this one, but didn't like  naming the moods. Somehow, I wasn't really feeling it.

#58:  Design a T-shirt:  This was more like practicing a quilting pattern - kind of like it.

#59:  Fill a page with things that are the color yellow:  The yellow wasn't showing up well - didn't float my boat.

#60:  Color in the dots:  I enjoyed this.  Did half in orderly lines and half random.  I don't think the coloring in lines was too successful.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one.

#61:  Calligraphy practice - thick lines:  Didn't spend time. Still don't have the pen.  Maybe next week.....

#62:  Color in the waves:  Loved this - was gonna do only blue and green but then just decided to play.

#63:  Fill the opposite page with texts/marks:  I liked doing this one too.  I used seeds in a packet in top left, a knitting marker on right, a paper clip and a business card on the bottom to get the darker lines.

If you haven't joined in - there is plenty of time.  Amazon has the book 365 Days Of Art by Lorna Scobie (not an affiliate) back in stock, so you can jump on the bandwagon! Stop by Sherry's site to see what we are up to.


Linking up with:  Powered by Quilting

New Goals: OneMonthlyGoal, APQResolution, and 2nd Quarter Goals

April is here...flowers should be blooming but they are having a hard time here in New England.  Nonetheless, I am commited to setting monthly and quarterly goals and here they are!


First, my One Monthly Goal and APQ UFO Resolution Project for April will be...


For the 2018FALQ2 - Finish along Quarter 2 I will include the above quilt....


Grandmother's flower garden - needs trimming, binding made and sewn on
Rose of Sharon - finish applique, quilt and bind
Typewriter quilt - quilt, binding made and sewn on

Linking up to:  Elm Street Quilts/One Monthly Goal
Elm Street Quilts - One Monthly Goal
She Can Quilt - 2018FALQ2
All People Quilt - Resolution

Fancy Forrest Deux - OMG February Finish

I love this quilt!  It is the second time I made it, using many of the same fabrics from the first but a few changes.  The pattern is Fancy Forrest by Elizabeth Hartman and I just couldn't help myself.  I changed a few things.  I wanted my thistles to be purple and I wanted Frances the Firefly (not butterfly) to have a bright yellow bottom - all lit up - like fireflies are!

I was cutting it close with this thread when quilting!  I made it - although truth be told - I did have another similar looking spool (same color) in my stash.  Must be one I really like!

The back was a fabric I stashed for awhile.  Of course, it wasn't big enough so it has its own border.  I didn't use my printed labels as this is for a baby and I didn't want the label to be a problem. I will sign somewhere discretely or put a small label on this side when I know who is getting it.

 I did quilting with my Westalee ruler set on my Bernina 440.  It allows you to do straight lines and other lines with a little more precision.  I had fun figuring out little ways to enhance the critters and the thistle.

I liked giving Hazel the Hedgehog some spikey hair.

Frances the Firefly just got some curves added to her wings.

I am pleased it is done and think I know where it may go.  That is the really nice part, knowing the quilt will have a lovely wee one to smile at it.   If I hadn't set this goal, I am sure it would not have been done.  Thanks for the encouragement!  This quilt was on my list for OneMonthlyGoal, 2018APQ Resolution and 2018FalQ1.  So great to have it done.  

Linking up:  One Monthly Goal

                     2018FALQ1