CT 61: Celebrations & Fabric Painting

It's been a long time since I participated in Creative Tuesday (CT), but I want to get back to sketching and doodling and when I saw this week's theme I couldn't resist.  Who doesn't like Celebrations!

I was a little stumped on what to draw, so I had fun imagining what it would look like if Katie and Sammy threw a little party and got dressed up for the occasion.  Party hats, confetti, and leis really set the mood and I'm sure they would have a rockin' time as long as they didn't eat the hats!

These are two pages from my doodle journal... (that black line in the middle is the crease from the middle of the book).  I do seem to enjoy drawing up quotes... and this one was so fitting.  I think I'd even like to give it another go... I have a few ideas on what I'd change.  You can find out more about this weekly challenge (don't be shy) and see what the other artists put together here.

Over the weekend I also met up with my art quilting group and I got to paint fabric for the first time!  We used Setacolor paints and even with the overcast and rainy weather... we had a blast!

Here you can see some materials to get us started.  The yellow fabric is set up with wooden circles for sun printing, I made up 'feathers' and brown cloth... so much fun!

Here are the results!  The big picture shows a beach/ocean/sunset scene that we painted on one cloth.  Really can't wait to thread paint that one... and am already itching to paint a bigger one.

Then, starting on the bottom left you can see a blue piece that might be used as sky, the results of the pink and purple feathers, a mishmash piece with a really cool blend in the middle, the result of the blue and green fabric that you can see balled up above, and the last one are the brown antique looking fabrics - LOVE!!

Once the paint is dry, you are supposed to wait 48 hours until you heat set the colors -- soooo long to wait!  But, I can finally iron these tonight and start daydreaming about how I might use them.  I also have to say that I'm very happy that the paint didn't change the hand of the fabric nearly at all.  What a fun experiment! 

I'm sharing this for Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and other weekly parties in the in case someone else might be on the fence about giving this a go.  I say go for it!!  And of course I'm happy to answer questions if you have them.

...deep breath in, and slowly let it out... now we're ready to face the day!

Happy Birthday Mr. Happy!!!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest man...

...who can make me anything, who always knows how to make me smile, who wanted a second pup, who never says yes first, who encourages my sewing, and gives me design ideas, who wants me to be happy with all his heart, who gives me a beautiful relaxing house, who hangs me hammocks, or helps me fence my veggie garden, who builds me shelves and later hangs them, who works really hard, who laughs really freely, who doesn't mind getting dirty, who can make a great date of stacking wood, who I love with all my heart!

I really can't imagine life any other way.  Wishing you a happy birthday and many many more to come!

We are a bit consumed with celebrating and vacation at the moment, but I should be back near the end of the week with a Sammy, sewing, and garden update!

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

QuiltStory Block Party - Fandango Friendship

It's a bird...?

It's a plane...?

...nope... it's Block Party time!! ... at QuiltStory to be exact!!

It seemed to be the perfect time to open up this book that I often use for inspiration and construction. 

While contemplating this challenge, I decided I wanted to pick out a keystone for my in progress 'X' Marks the Spot quilt. 

And flipping through, my fingers landed here...

I see an X, don't you?  And the rest went together rather quickly!  I am reminded how much I *heart* Fandango and how much I missed working on my X design.  I had been stumped for a few weeks on the direction I wanted to continue and this has been the perfect reason for me to find my mojo!

I know I will be making a few more of these with different combos! 

Here is the block all put together and ironed!  Introducing Fandango Friendship!

So, glad this challenge popped up and pushed me in this direction.  It's exactly what I needed!!  I will be entering in the Traditional category -- have you seen the other blocks?  So many styles I would love to try ... so much inspiration all in one place!

Just look how happy Friendship looks with the other cross blocks.  They are all getting acquainted now and I am secretly wishing for a snow day to cut and piece a bunch more!  Hey, happy cow... are you saying hi too?  Did you spot the tiny Sew-a-thon cow in that picture?

Katie, my trusty assistant, even licked the block in approval.  The slobber was added after I took these pictures, but I assure you she is a top notch assistant and quality inspector!


Check out all the other amazing entries here!!

Happy Roundup

I have spent a lot of time this week reading and taking happy things in.  I feel like I am looking for a new perpective or for life's next clue to help me find my way.  Gentle reminder to self: life doesn't always work that way.

I wanted to share some of the things I found.  They touched me in someway or even just made me a smidge happier -- even if just for a moment.

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering." ~Pooh's Little Instruction Book 
[found at Ruffles and Stuff my go to place for all things sewing inspiration]

[Eddie the golden retriever is from the dailypuppy.com.]

This really really really reminded me of my little Katie-girl and how lucky I am to have such a cute pup in my care.    

Plus how can you resist that I'm so tired I feel asleep in my food bowl look.  I'm smiling ear to ear looking at this!


 The Happiness Photo Assignment over at The Pioneer Woman.  (if haven't ever heard of the Pioneer Woman than I suggest you head over there pronto to meet Mrs. Ree and look at every single one of the happiness photos in this flickr group here.  Yes, I'll wait for you to get back.) 

On a whim I entered this snap of Katie.

Then I started looking at the other entries and couldn't tear myself away from trying to click through each and everyone of them.  It's an intstant booster shot of happiness for your day! 

Here are a couple: (really so hard to even just pick a few...)

 
 By Jenny Modesitt

 By My Way 2009

By Lizcave















By Asparks7

By gbd04213


The story of When Your Hut's On Fire, which I found over at Christine's Blog.  That still makes me giggle everytime too, because I am a Christine too!
It starts off like this:
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.



Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. ..... YES read the rest here!
 
A magical Woodland Fairy Birthday Party which I found at Kate Landers Events.
At one point, my friends joked around that I would make a great party planner.  And actually, I probably would make a pretty decent party planner.  I adore getting people together for fun, laughter, and merriment!  I love attending to every detail and I love doing unexpected things.  (some what a la Monica from Friends, but I promise I would never ask that you tightly recap your markers -- honest!) 
 
Along those lines I always find myself snooping for ideas even when I have nothing to plan which is why I find myself glued to Kate's site!  Just check out the cute details and how this woodland fairy theme is carried out to the max (pictures from Kate Landers Events blog)!

Everything looks so magical. 

I am digging the toad stools on the table and as chairs!

The names for the food are so darn creative!  The served things like fairy dust (cotton candy), toad stool cupcakes, dandelion milk, chocolate dew drops, snail sandwiches... oh my goodness!

These are cupcakes with upside down white chocolate chips shoved in as toad stool spots!

The party was complete with fairy outfits and fairy dust take aways.  Sigh.  I only wish I had the need to plan a woodland fairy party.  Mr. Happy's birthday is coming up in June, but I can't say he would be the least thrilled with this theme.  Another one to tuck into my memory for later.

Lastly, I found an artist at Etsy that has me cracking up.  Found at NayArts.
Think abstract backgrounds paired with original cleaver sayings and you get this: (it'sr really hard to try and pick just one or two that I like -- I like them all!)

link here.

Ok, I give, this is probably my favorite.
Link here.

Hilarious, no?
link here.



















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I'm not 100% sure that I have figured out what my next move is, but at least I am laughing along the way!

4th of July Decorations

Creating decorations for the 4th of July = happiness!

I got this idea from a Simply Living email (I think). It's just brown wrapping paper tied down with string and then I used stamps, markers, stickers, and decorative punches to create a festive table setting! The blue napkins with stars were from Target and I used a pinch of red ribbon to tie them around silverware. For extra party spirit I served homemade Sangria from Applewood's Blackberry wine (seen pictured on the table corner). Delicious!

The overall effect was a hit! Very festive and fun. Bonus... it was so easy to clean up the card table! Just cut off the strings and fold up the paper and voila... table is all cleaned up.