Monday, Monday

So of course now is a great time to start a new project? I should be working on all the UFO's but for right now this is fast and easy. I also found out I do not have many dark fabrics......I wanted this to look different from what I usually do with light, bright, happy colors. Maybe this is a reflection of the times?

This is the state of my sewing room, last week. It looks much more chaotic right now! I am using a lot of big prints that can be hard to work with in a quilt. I am also not matching the 2 prints I am using. I want it to look unplanned, which we all know is impossible in the real world, but I'm trying!

This quilt started out as a bunch of blocks that were impossible to make into a quilt because they would not lie flat. I starched the heck out of them, used some of my vintage fabric to frame them and sewed them together. I just love the randomness of the blocks and how value was pretty much out the window when constructing these baskets. Some of the fabrics were pieced together to be able to use as one part of the block.
I like how this is now "my" quilt. I thought about this person as they made the quilt and wondered about their life. Was she disappointed that the blocks would not go together? Did someone tell her the fabrics were ugly?
I used straight line quilting to get the job done and it is soft and snuggly.

I started a Dear Jane quilt using modern color fabrics. These are Alison Glass from a few years ago. They are small 4 1/2" finished! It is taking a lot of patience, which I don't have a lot of right now.

These blocks are from a swap I did with Barb, from Fun With Barb  I love them and want to finish them up except I don't have enough fabric.....what to do......? Use random colors for the alternate blocks? That might require concentration and planning, I don't have that now.

Last week was my daughter's birthday. We did a birthday parade, which is not nearly the same as being with the ones you love. I love being home but it is getting old. It does't help that the weather has been cold, gray and rainy.

On the bright side, spring keeps going no matter what. My redbuds were spectacular this year! Notice it is against a gray and moody sky.
For most people I talk to, creativity seems to be hard right now. Yesterday I spent way too much time on a block that should have gone together very fast. I wanted to throw it in the trash. Instead the mistake is in the bock and it may stay there as a reminder of these weird days.

Kelly

Little Paintings

The motivation is still on the loose and I can't seem to catch it! I was reading this morning, painting and sewing. Now I am not sure what I want to do...
Today is a beautiful spring day so a little sunshine was also in the mix while I finished my book.

I enjoy reading about history and the Gold Rush era is one of my favorites. This book bounces between now and the mid 1800's. He should have stayed in the 1880's, it was way more interesting. I found my self skipping/speed reading through the modern time period. Any suggestions for a gold rush book?

I love my little palette. The colors are called Tropical and for the past few days I am only using these colors. Sometime too many choices make it harder.

I have my paper, paints and water set up on my kitchen counter. It is an easy clean up if I make a mess and it lends itself to a quick creative burst. I can do it while I am making a meal, waiting for water to boil or finish something that was waiting to dry from earlier in the day. These are also small to use up leftover paper.

None of these are very hard, like everything else you just have to try it. I have kids' watercolors that I have used but these are artist grade which make the colors so much prettier and brighter. I also use real watercolor paper, it makes a difference! None of those warped charming paintings we brought home from school!

Some of my compositions are not very good but it is the fun of doing something that does not come easy but is satisfying. I always learn something every time I pick up the brush.

Just to keep it real, not everything is blog worthy!!! Duds, but now I know how to do something different. Some of it is not really liking the colors, like that faded rose looking thing in the middle or painting over a leaf like that orange mess.

I have been sewing, but not a lot. I have also started like 589 different things! Focus is not my strong suit right now. Hopefully later this week I will have some sewing to show you.

Kelly