Funky Art Queen

I entered my first quilt challenge this year! I was inspired by a friend of mine that had entered this challenge so I decided I would give it a try. The challenge is called Pantone Quilt Challenge 2023 and you can check out all the yummy shades of magenta at #pantonequiltchallenge2023 on Instagram. This challenge is hosted by  Sarah Ruiz of https://saroy.net/ and Elizabeth Ray of https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkray/?hl=en When I learned about the challenge, I headed over to Missouri Star Quilt Company online and purchased the Kona Crush for this piece. I was not sure what I wanted to pair it with for several days until I finally decided on several tones of greens.  So I started out with these pieces. I had always wanted to see how to make the flying geese in a curve. I managed to figure out a way by using wedged pieces in between each "goose"? I have since learned that there is another way by using Foundation Paper Piecing. All the things we learn with each quilt, right...

Here is a little update on the Bargello Pattern I posted about last time. The quilt is not complete as you can see. I have basted the round Bargello on this blue printed fabric. I created one border and I'm still working on the inner corners and there will be more border. It was very fun to make and I am pleased with it. Here are some pointers.  Use the organization tags provided for your fabric choices.  Use the organization tags provided for the Sets.  Remember the pattern makes 2 of these Bargello rounds. Set A is the first one and Set B is the second one. So keep it all very organized.  Don't move fabric around while cutting wedges...you might forget what was the top-this is important- I accidentally did that on set two when I was trying to find comfortable position for cutting-somehow I turned the fabric all the way around and it totally messed up the illusion-luckily I had enough fabric to cut out another set. Pay attention when you start to cut each set ...

A couple of times at the quilting studio I heard someone mention a style of quilting called "Bordello" or at least that is what I thought I heard. So yesterday, I decided to search for definition online. Apparently a bordello is a brothel. I'm not going to lie, my first thought was why they would name a pattern after a brothel? LOL Really. Then, I decided I must be saying it wrong. A little more searching led me to the correct spelling of this word. BARGELLO! I love the sound of it. So I had to know what exactly this word meant. It is pronounced like "Bar Jello". It is from a needlework/embroidery design laid in stitches that create kind of a flame or zig zag type pattern. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello Palace in Florence, which have a "flame stitch" pattern.   This is a great example of how when we expose ourselves to one type of craft and take the knowledge into another craft. In this case quilting. I wanted to try ...

 Wow, I can't believe this blog is still here! Oh I admit I have checked in a few times to view a memory or a post I recalled writing from time to time. You know, life. There is no way I could tell you everything that happened from my last post until now.  Nor could I tell you all the different creative adventures and turns I have taken. All I can tell you is where I am at now.  I love where I am at now in my creative journey. First, we no longer live in West Texas. We transplanted Austin way in 2014. My career as a nurse brought us here and we absolutely love living in this area.  I opened an Etsy shop after we got settled here and started making tutus and baby shirts/bodysuits and all kinds of custom gifts. I dabbled with that for a while, more like a hobby and outlet from the stress of work. I finally started figuring out how to succeed in my shop daily and truly, if I had worked at it....I could have had a successful business. But, I was so bored with making the ...

The top handbag is my most recent piece of art. LOL.   Sewing on "marine vinyl" is not for the weak hearted. I had to "google" every trick in the book. You need to understand some of the basics of Vinyl before you start a project. I'm telling you this because I started the project before I knew.....which is typical of all of my projects. First, let me just say that vinyl is sticky and does not like to feed forward. It sticks and refuses to move without feeding with your hand from the back side and pulling from the other hand from the inside. Plus, after much research.....I learned that you must get a teflon foot which helps to feed the material through. You can also tape your foot with scotch tape-but the teflon foot was like 3.00 and well worth it. You will also want to do some trials on some pieces of the fabric (vinyl) that you are going to use to test out the tension and stitch length. Apparently, the weight of your thread is important, and you wa...

So, now I think I am a handbag designer. LOL. Lately, I have been obsessed with purses and handbags-making them.  What better way to feed your obsession than with Pinterest . Handbags are so personal to us girls. I think it is funny that we cradle them like a baby when it is r aining-so they don't get wet . I also think it is funny that people spend thousands of dollars on designer handbags. I could never do that.....the most I have spent on a purse is about 400.00 for a Brighton purse-and that was a moment of weakness that I really needed something special. I could not do it alone-so I recruited my husband (via telephone) to give me his support on this purchase since I was emotionally spent during a work crisis.  But, I treat this object like a baby and I find myself protecting it from the rain.....any hardships that would hurt my baby. It is just weird......but satisfying.  Every woman should have a purse/handbag that makes her feel special....secure and o...