ROLLING ALONG

Hi Everyone!

February is a really short month with lots of activity around here with family, church,work and on-going art, craft and sewing projects, etc. The month has quickly slipped by.   
     
The fabrics I ordered on line arrived and have been cut and sewn into strips for the Chinese Coin Baby Quilt I am making for my soon to arrive grandson. 

My DD and I collaborated online to select the fabrics. She has a vision in her head about what she wants the nursery to look like and so....we collaborate to get this 'vision' out into quilt form.

Chinese Coins is a wonderfully  versatile (and easy) quilt pattern that  works well with a bold modern print and your not so typical baby colors. We've selected a palette of greens, browns and blue. 

We will be choosing a background fabric to pull the design together so be sure to check back with me next week to see what progress has been made! 

Until then....
Bee Creative!! 
Suzy
Linking to: SEW MANY WAYS ; CLUCK CLUCK SEW

ON A ROLL WITH CHINESE COIN QUILTS

Hello Everyone! 

     In my last post I was headed North to visit with and celebrate my best friend's 65th birthday. We have so many interests in common it is hard to narrow down the craft supplies and show-n-tell (as every quilter knows, there always MUST be a show-n-tell) plus we have birthday and Christmas gifts to exchange and the packing list grows larger and larger.  My DH watches as I bring out the last of the bags/boxes, luggage and finally a sewing machine and he comments something like " I thought you were going for a weekend, not moving out!"  Haha, but seriously, the trunk of my car was FULL!  Well, we DID plan to work on a quilt project, hence the sewing machine (I don't know about you, but I don't feel comfortable sewing on someone else's machine). 

     Last time we were together we each started cutting strips for a black and white Chinese Coins quilt. The Chinese Coin quilt is pretty easy to make and doesn't require much concentration, so we can yak and sew and accomplish our goal for the weekend. If you haven't ever made one of these simple strip style quilts go check out the how to here.  My DH loves the one I made for him (photo), it was so easy! 

Chinese Coins made for hubby

     If you like scrap quilts this is a perfect pattern to use up a variety of patterns and colors and it makes a stunning quilt. I even used Chinese Coins to update a rather plain pillow by sewing on a strip of color! 

Update a pillow with Chinese Coins pattern

    As you imagine the variations on this theme are endless. We once had a quilt gathering where each member was asked to bring 20 strips of cotton fabrics cut into 2.5" x 44" strips (across fabric width=44") to share with others plus 1.5-2.5 yds of fabric (we suggested a multi-colored print,or solid or muslin) to use as a background to their strips.  We tossed the strips into a paper bag and had each participant pull out 20 random strips (no peeking!). They were instructed to sew the 20 strips into sets of two, then sew them into groups of four, etc. to form long strips. The strips can be cut in half and turned to create more variety in the assembly process. After strips are sewn into long rows then the background fabric can be cut into dividing strips and sewn to each pieced section. It is so much fun to see how the quilt tops turn out and sharing with your quilt buddies is the best! Have fun!! 

     I love the mixed up craziness of randomly putting two prints together but with the black and white fabrics it is easy to fall into sewing them into b+w over and over again and then you get a bit of a jailbird look. SO, I broke the rule of B&W and added in some cream and gray. One of my favorite fabrics is an oriental print with a touch of red so I am also adding a red & black print just for a bit of variation and pizzazz.  Well, it is my quilt after all and I am allowed to make it the way I like....lol!  My BFF gave up on the B&W and spent her time cutting fabrics for an Envelope quilt for her newly painted and decorated bedroom! I'll share that pattern information with you next time, it is a favorite pattern that makes a beautiful scrappy quilt. 


    I don't know when the Chinese Coins quilt top will get done, it may take me several more girlfriend trips but eventually I will get the pieces together and a quilt will be born.  Speaking of being born, my grandson is due shortly and I'll be making a quilt for him and taking it to Texas to welcome him into the world! I've ordered fabrics online from www.fabric.com. ( I love being able to play with the fabrics on their design board before making a purchase)! Can you guess what pattern I'll be using to make the baby's quilt? 

    There's never enough time to spend with my BFF! We had such a great time together! I hope you will check back soon to see the progress on the two quilts. Until then, keep sewing and creating! 

Bee Creative,
Suzy 


Linking to: SEW MANY WAYS ; CLUCK CLUCK SEW

CELEBRATING MILESTONES

Hi Everyone!

I'm taking a special trip soon to visit my very best friend! We are celebrating a milestone in her life of 65 years and who better to celebrate it with than family and your very best friend.  We've been friends for 38 years so that makes us family! 

 To surprise her I've been working on these little paintings.  

To Live Simply With Purpose & Gratitude

I've chosen a graphic Spoon (Knife and Fork are on the sides) to represent my friend's gourmet cooking skills. She is self taught and one of the best cooks I know! The graphics are from The Graphics Fairy.  I've included a poem written by Henry Van Dyke "A Mile With Me", you can find it here. My friend and I have walked many "miles" together in our years of friendship. And written in purple is one of my favorite quotes (so sorry, I don't know where I got this from, but if you know this quote, please let me know so I may give credit to the author).

Using the KISS (Keep It Simple Suzy) method and the Less Is More theory to paint the Live Simple design, and Yes, it is simple in design, I collaged scrap papers onto the canvas and textured the papers with random stamping and a dab or two of paint. The flowers are freehand and highlighted with Twinkling H20's to give them depth and sparkle. I love the simplicity of this canvas painting. I think my friend will like it too.  

Live Simple. 

There's a new grandson in her life too! So we are celebrating that too! I've known Brody's father since he was 4 years old and I wanted to make something special for his new baby. The inspiration for this little painting for the baby's nursery came when I saw what Ashley was doing over at Lil Blue Boo. 

You can see the multi-talented Ashley Hackshaw's adorable creations over at  http://www.lilblueboo.com/baby!   I'm also working on a quilt for baby Brody but it isn't quite done yet, I'll post pictures of it next time. 

Bee Creative,
Suzy

Linking to: Paint Party Friday; lilblueboo; Sew Many Ways

GELLI PLATE SPECIAL

Hi Everyone!

Last week my Gelli Arts Printing Plate arrived on the doorstep! I hope you had a chance to check it out, if not just click on the link above and it will take you to the Gelli Art website where you can get the scoop on what this is and how to use it. 

I have to confess right here I jumped up and down, clapped my hands together and squealed with delight when the first print came off the printing plate! Yea, I know, a grown woman and all that...but seriously, it was super fun!!! 

An added bonus to each print is a "ghost" image (below) from paint left on the printing plate.  I also kept a piece of paper handy to clean my brayer on and it can be used for original wrapping paper or in a journal.  

I put some of the gelli prints through my printer and this is the results:

 I used my own black and white photograph of iris over the gelli print. If you look closely you will see lots of texture too. 

 Two photos over two different colored backgrounds. The first is a free download from www.friendlyscrap.blogspot.com. They have lots of free downloads and kits.  I'm sorry I can't remember where I got the flower photo, but if you recognize it, please let me know so that I might give credit to the photographer. 

Here's one of my favorite images of a bird over the gelli print. I love that you can see the textures and peek through colors of aqua and yellow. 

It's been fun experimenting with paint combinations, textures and printing photos too! I hope you enjoy them and will come back to see what other ways I discover to use my Gelli Printing plate.  

Bee Creative! 
Suzy

Linking to:   http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

New Year 2013

Happy New Year Everyone! 

During the month of December I unintentionally fell off the blog-o-sphere I caught a super bad cold from the grands. Yup, right up until Christmas I was down and out, huddled under blankets  quilts and eating nothing more than soup for days on end. All plans were cancelled (missed our live nativity at church, Christmas caroling, all craft projects went on hold as well) and I just gave myself permission to be sick for once. Enough said! I'm back now feeling well enough to get this post out. 

I'm truly excited about the New Year! Don't you just love the idea of a fresh start and new beginnings? I do! The New Year holds such promises and hope for a brighter future. This year we are expecting our first grandson to be born in April and we'll be traveling to Texas for that blessed event. I look forward to spending time with my grand-daughters each week and of course working  two part-time jobs and continuing with church activities and more art challenges. 

There are quilts to be made for my grand-niece, a family friend and my new grand baby. I found the cutest pattern for baby bibs too, can't wait to sew a few of those up for the wee ones. Also found a cute pattern for a rag doll I want to make for my grand-daughters, they are really into playing with their dollies. The list of projects goes on and on. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about! 


 Check out what Santa and his elves left on my doorstep yesterday! A Geli Plate. It's a fab printing plate for making your very own paper prints!  Seriously, if you love making art journal pages and like your own original design work you gotta get one of these babies! 
I could hardly wait to get the package open this morning and give it a go... It's so simple! There's going to be a whole lotta printmaking going on this weekend in my studio.  

I'll be posting more on Geli Plate printing soon! Stay tuned.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year filled with promise and bright beginnings!  

Bee Creative! 
Suzy

FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT

Hi Everyone!

Happy December! Yes! It IS December! It is hard to believe we are well into the first week of December already and every year I wonder where the time goes between Thanksgiving and Christmas. With Thanksgiving being earlier this year, it kinda threw me off! Hubby was raring to go to get the Christmas Tree as soon as our daughter and SIL pulled out of the driveway on Saturday after Thanksgiving. I tried to convince him it was too early to put the tree up but tradition stands and that means going to get a Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving. Okay, so the tree is up in the stand and there are strands of lights on it however, it is yet to be decorated. 

It is hard to even think about Christmas shopping when the temperature hovers near 80 degrees.  I know, it is tough but someone has to live here and enjoy the warm weather <wink>, but this is one time of the year I think about the colder climates and the romance of snowy evenings by a fire, etc. Our version of that is candles and if we really want a fire we light one in the fire pit. 

Advent begins the first Sunday in December, to celebrate the meaning of Christmas, we gather for the Advent by Candlelight and hear the story of Jesus' birth.  It is a wonderful way to start the season of Advent and to get our hearts focused on the reason for the season.  Each year as the season of Advent begins in our church, we sing "O Come Emmanuel" and it gives me goosebumps when I hear the words.  Do you have a favorite Christmas song that brings tears to your eyes or gives you goosebumps? Another favorite is "O Holy Night", I love that song. 

Of course there are other fun events like the Christmas parade and parties to celebrate, along with a shopping and gift wrapping and cookie baking. This year will be attending our granddaughter's first Christmas event at her pre-school. I can't wait to see this! 

During the hustle, bustle and business of the season, my hope is that you will take a moment to reflect on why we celebrate Christmas.  

Have a Happy Jolly Week! 
Suzy

Attitude of Gratitude Challenge Wrap Up

Hi Everyone!

Well, here we are the first day of December and I'm wrapping up the final week of An Attitude of Gratitude Journal Challenge for the month of November.  You can see the expanded stories and photos by clicking on the tab above marked Attitude of Gratitude Journal. I hope you will check out the pages in my journal and give me some feedback and comment love. Thank you so much for supporting me through this challenge, it truly was a challenge to complete during this busy month! 

I'd like to say Thank You to Bernice Hopper for putting together An Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. You can click on link above to see other participant's work too or check out the Flickr group.
You are sure to enjoy the variety of styles. 

Thanks again for joining me on the art journal adventure during the month of November! 

Bee Creative
Suzy

Linking to: Bernice Hopper:An Attitude of Gratitude; Paint Party Friday, Carolyn Dube: A Colorful Journey