Comfort Cottage

Quilting With Scnibbles

I had the most delightful quilting experience this week.  I've had several sets of charm squares in my stash for some time now.  I pulled out my book, Schibbles Times Two by Carrie Nelson and pieced together my first Scnibbles quilt.  This could be addictive!

 

 

These little precut squares are so easy to work with.

 

 

I stacked them and sliced.

 

 

Working with tiny pieces was a challenege.

 

 

The squares came out surprisingly square :)

 

 

I put the squares up on the design wall so I could arrange them the way I wanted them.

 

The original design called for an inner border with plain corner squares and an outer pieced border with quarter square triangles.

 

 

I didn't have quite enough charm squares, so I chose coordinating fabrics from my stash for the quarter square triangle blocks.

 

 

After sewing the squares together and attaching the inner border, I tackled the outer border. 

 

 

One hundred little rectangles made up the pieced border.

 

 

 

When I finished I realized I was going to need another border to allow some room for the quilt to drape over the table.  I had just enough of the turquoise tone-on-tone for the outer border.

 

 

Now, all I need is the batting so I can finish!  See you again soon!

 

Until next time,

 

Safe Harbor

I don't know how it is where you are, but here in Pennsylvania, Spring has finally arrived.  Today is the first day I've been able to open the window in my studio.  It's actually warm!  I took advantage of the beautiful light and finished a painting of a place very dear to my heart - Bass Harbor, Maine.

 

 

Safe Harbor

24" x 36"

Acrylic on canvas

 

I did this one with a palette knife - a technique I am growing to love.  It is helping me to achieve one of my goals for this semester - a freer, more relaxed style.  I'm also finding a happy medium between realism and abstraction.  I'll be continuing with my classes at PAFA through the summer.  I've signed up to continue painting class with my current teacher.  I'll also be adding a new class:  silk screen printing.  I may also add watercolor or another print class.  I wanted to take a figure drawing class, but the only time it was offered during the summer session was on Saturday afternoons.  That would pretty much nix any weekend kayaking trips with my hubby, so I'll have to put it on the back burner until the fall.

 

I've been doing tons of sewing.  I'll share my new quilt top on Wednesday.  I hope your week goes well and you are able to enjoy some of this Spring weather.

 

Until next time,

 

 

Small Quilts

Hi there!  I'm a bit late getting this post up because I spent the day fabric shopping in Lancaster County :)

For WIP Wednesday, I have two small quilts in progress.  The first is a 16" x 20" quilt made from Civil War Reproduction fabrics (I know - not exactly modern).  I used a Lori Smith design from her book, Fat Quarter Quilting.  If I thought smaller would be easier, I don't anymore.  This was a challenge!  It started with miniscule half-square triangle blocks - 1 1/2".

 

These became tiny pinwheel blocks - 2 1/2".

 

 

I returned them to the design wall to make sure they got sewn together in the right order.

 

 

Finally, I put it all together with the appliqued center.  All that's left is to quilt!

 

 

I also used some of my charm squares from the Fresh Flowers collection by Deb Strain to make a small quilt.  I'm about halfway through the piecing.

 

 

 

The quilt is from Carrie Nelson's book, Schnibbles Times Two.  There are two sets of directions for each quilt.  The small versions are about 31 x 31.  The larger versions are about lap size.

 

 

Tomorrow, I'll finish sewing twenty-five 5-inch blocks.  Hopefully, I can finish the top this week.  Well, it's really late so I have to close.  If you would like to see the progress of all the quilters in the group, just click on the WIP icon in my right sidebar.  Have a great day!

 

Until next time,

 

The Inevitability Of Change

I don't know about you, but I'm about ready for some change:  SEASONAL change!  It is bitterly cold again here in Pennsylvania.  I went to the supermarket this afternoon.  When I opened the car door, the wind ripped it from my hand and nearly separated my shoulder with it!  As it continued to howl this evening, I worked on another page for my mixed media art journal.

 

 

Quote:  "Change is an inevitable part of life.  We must be careful to bend, lest we break instead."  -unknown

 

I started with Dylusions inks in bubblegum pink and crushed grape.  I misted the page with water and touched the surface of the paper with a brush loaded with the inks.   They bled nicely on the dampened paper.  I used the Crafter's Workshop stencil, "pomegranates" and alternated the ink colors as I stenciled.  At this point, I sprayed the page with matte spray to seal the inks.

 

 

I created the silhouette and the decorated circle graphics in Photoshop CS6.  I adhered them to the page with matte medium.

 

 

I added loose linework around the circles with a Pigma Micron Pen.  I also added some decorative linework with Gelly Roll pens.

 

I painted around the silhouette and the top with fluid acrylic paint in hansa yellow light.  I watered the paint down and let it run down the page.  I added touches of color to the flowers on the silhouette with Portfolio Oil Pastels.

 

I watered down some fluid acrylic in ultramarine violet and let it run.  I used a white gelly roll pen to add some writing in the circles.

 

 

 

 

I wrote in the quote with a Pigma Micron Graphic pen.  I used a Pigma Micron brush pen to fill in the writing.  I highlighted it with a blue Gelly Roll Souffle pen.  Finally, I splattered watered down fluid acrylic in ultramarine blue.

 

 

I hope you will be inspired to play with your art supplies this weekend!  I will be linking this post to Pink Saturday, Paint Party Friday, and Art Journal Every Day.  Please click on the icons in my right sidebar and visit my pink-loving, art journaling, painting friends :)

 

Until next time,

 

Feedsack Tulips

Hello everyone!  Quilt Week in Lancaster has come to an end for another year (sigh).  At least I have fond memories in the form of lots of fat quarters, patterns and a book.  I shared some of the goodies earlier this week - if you missed the post you can click here.  For my Work In Progress, my feedsack reproduction fabrics were calling to me.  I found a 1930's applique pattern in one of my quilt books called Tulips.  I'm doing these by hand, but I've discovered the joys of the fabic glue stick for basting.  It has made applique so much easier, and I find I can get better shapes this way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have two new books that I got at the AQS Quilt Show.  They are from the Harriet Truman quilt/mystery series by Arlene Sachitano.  I met Arlene at the show and had a wonderful chat with her.  She was kind enough to autograph my books.

 

 

 

I also found a quilting book that I put off getting and then couldn't find.  It is a book of 1930s quilt patterns from That Patchwork Place.  It is called Applique Quilt Revival by Nancy Mahoney.  I love the cover quilt!

 

 

Finally, I couldn't leave the quilt show without finding some Kaffe Fasset fat quarters.  Those colors just knock my socks off!

 

I'll be linking this post to Works In Progress Wednesday.  If you'd like to see some great quilt projects that other participants are working on, just click on the WIP icon in my right sidebar.  Have a wonderful day!

 

Until next time,

 

Where I'm Meant To Be

Today's mixed media art journal page is for anyone who has ever questioned where they have ended up in life.

 

 

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I've ended up where I'm meant to be."  -unknown

 

I covered the paper with gesso.  I scraped watered-down fluid acrylic in quinacridone nickel azo gold onto the paper and misted the paint with alcohol while it was still wet.  This gave the paint a nice texture.  (If you try this, be sure to water down the paint, or it won't seperate when you mist it.)

 

 

Using a Crafter's Workshop stencil and a sponge applicator, I stenciled the pattern with Dylusions Ink in postbox red.

 

 

I sprayed the surface with matte spray to prevent the red ink from running when I added more layers.  Next, I used another stencil and Pinata Ink in sapphire blue.

 

 

 I painted out an area in the center with black fluid acrylic and used a palette knife to rough up the edges.

 

 

I added a butterfly graphic that I painted and altered in Photoshop CS6.  I used a Prismacolor pencil in cobalt blue to add linework on the butterfly and then outlined it with a black Pigma Micron Graphic pen, size 1.  Using the cap from a spray bottle, I stamped circles around the black area with Liquitex medium magenta.    I printed out the phrase, "embrace your life" using the "My Underwood" font and adhered it with matte medium.

 

 

I added the light blue dots around the circles with a blue Gelly Roll Souffle pen.  The dots around the butterfly wings were done with the Pigma Micron graphic pen.  I used a Bic Wite-Out Correction Pen to write in the quote.  I splattered the page with fluid acrylic in cobalt blue.

 

 

Have a terrific day!

 

Until next time,

 

Quilter's Treasure

My sister Lorrie and I were on the road once again this week.  This time it was for the best quilt show of the year - AQS Quilt Week - in Lancaster, PA.  In between sit-down breaks to rest my poor, decrepit back, we cruised three floors of gorgeous quilts, incredible fabrics, and every imaginable quilter's gadget, machine, and book.  It was pure bliss and I'd be there again today if I had any money left :)  Neither one of us left empty-handed, so I have lots of cool stuff to show you.  Before I get to that, I have a new page to show you from my mixed media art journal. 

 

 

Quote:  Nothing external to you has any power over you.  -R.W. Emerson

 

I applied a coat of gesso to the page and then scraped Golden fluid acrylics over it.  I created the silhouettes of the woman and the star in Photoshop CS6.  I had ordered some of the 12" x 12" Crafter's Workshop Stencils from Scrapbook.com.  They came on Thursday so I tried out the "circle explosion" one on my page.  I also used the 6" x 6" "chicken wire" stencil at the bottom.  I used the Ink Essentials sponge applicator and Dylusions inks.  It was easy to do.  I sprayed just a little ink on the wax side of a piece of freezer paper and dipped the applicator into that.  Then it was just a matter of tapping or rubbing the applicator over the stencil.  I used two different colors:  fresh lime and London blue.  I applied some fluid acrylic in chromium oxide green plus hansa yellow light to the woman, and quinacridone red to the star with a palette knife.  All of the black lettering and linework was done with Pigma Micron pens and the pink letttering was done with a Sakura Pigma Callipen.  The tiny light green dots inside of the circles were done with a Gelly Roll Souffle pen.  I stamped the left side with quinacridone red and bubble paper, then splattered the page with quinacridone red.  The small squares are scraps of leftover quilting fabric.  I adhered them with a Collins Fabric glue stick rather than use gel medium.  The gel medium darkens the fabric too much. 

 

And now, for all of the quilt show goodies!  Most of you know by now that I am a fat quarter junkie.  I added lots of Civil War Reproduction fat quarters to my stash.  I just love the combination of brown and pink.

 

 

This is from a new collection called Railroad Ties.

 

 

Civil War prints of every color.

 

 

 

The vendor had a finished quilt in this pattern.  She used more subdued colors and it was absolutely stunning.

 

 

I met Lori Smith, the designer of this pattern.  She was very nice and we exchanged delightfully funny stories about cats in the studio.  She had gorgeous finished samples of all of her quilts patterns that she made herself.  Her booth was one of the most enjoyable ones I visited and her work was exquisite!  I think this pattern would make a lovely table throw.  It's just the right size.

 

 

I have a few more things to show you, but I think I'll save them for Works In Progress Wednesday.  I've begun a delightful 1930's applique quilt using reproduction feedsack fabrics.  I may see you sooner with another art journal page.  I'll be linking this post to Paint Party Friday and Art Journal Every Day.  Have a terrific weekend!

 

Until next time,

 

Another World

I thought I'd get in a quick post today before I have to go back to school.  I've had such a good time working on my mixed media art journal this week!  This is my latest page.

 

 

Quote:   "If I find in myself desires in which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."  -C. S. Lewis

I painted the background with Golden Fluid Acrylics in aqua and stipplied over it with a mix of quinacridone red and gesso.  I layered the flower arrangement over an old photo card in Photoshop.  Both graphics are from The Graphics Fairy.  I blended them and applied a Paint Daubs filter.  I adhered the finished graphic to the page with matte medium.  The bird graphic is also from The Graphics Fairy.  I cut out the silhouette in Photoshop and applied a clipping mask of an antique newspaper clipping.  The linework was done with Sakura Pigma Micron pens in various sizes.  The white linework is a Gelly Roll pen.  The pink scrolls were done with a Gelly Roll Moonlight pen.  The Japanese flowers at the bottom are a stamp from Inkadinkadoo and Ranger Ink in raspberry.  The tiny flowers at the top are filled in with a Gelly Roll Glaze pen.  I shaded around the edges with a Rembrandt pastel in turquoise and sprayed the page with matte spray to fix the pastel.  I deepened the shadows with  a Neocolor II crayon in malachite. I colorized the bird with a Neocolor II crayon in canary yellow.

 

On the subject of art journals, I got a copy of Dina Wakely's new book, Art Journal Freedom, yesterday.  Dina is very good at explaining and demonstrating principals of design and color theory.  I love her colorful, loose style.

 

 

The new issue of Somerset Digital Studio is out as well.  I've found lots of wonderful ideas that I can use in my art journal.

 

I love these images by Nicoletta Ranieri!

 

 

 

Tomorrow, I'll be traveling into the city for class.  These images give me great ideas for my photos of Philadelphia!  For now, I have to leave you.  May God bless you and keep you safe.

 

Until next time,

 

 

Be Yourself

I'm still experimenting with silhouettes in my mixed media art journal.  I thought this one fit my theme perfectly. 

 

 

Quote:  "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."  -R. W. Emerson

Here's to the "strange", the "different", the "not quite in step" with the rest of the world.  We make it a much more interesting place! 

I started by smearing paint and gesso over the page with a palette knife.

 

 

I rubbed oil pastel (the kind that is not water-soluble) over some violet tissue paper that was placed on top of a Crafter's Workshop stencil.  I used the Portfolio water-soluble oil pastels on the bird.  I adhered pieces of tissue, patterned papers, lace paper and old magazine pages with matte medium.  I prepared the silhouette in Photoshop CS6 by cutting the figure out with the pen tool and applying a clipping mask of vintage music over top of it.  I then placed another clipping mask of flowers over that. I placed this over an original digital background I created.  I printed out the figure, cut it out and applied it to the page with matte medium.  The bird shape is a stock custom shape from Photoshop CS6.

 

 

If your papers are heavier or textured, i.e. the patterned cardstock and lace paper I used, it's best to use gel medium to adhere it.  I wrote in the quote with a Pigma Micron Graphic pen-size 1.  I highlighted the lettering that was over the darker area with Gelly Roll Souffle pens.  The scroll stamp is from Inkadinkadoo and I used Ranger's Adirondack ink in rust.

This is the background I used behind the figure.  You may download it for personal use only.

 

 

This is the outline of the figure I used.  You may download it for personal use only.  Try stamping on it, painting it, etc.

 

 

Finally, I had my son take a picture of me with my painting at PAFA's juried CE Student Exhibition.

 

That's all for now.  I have a blank canvas that is calling to me!  Have a great day.

 

Until next time,

 

Healthy Thinking

With all of the challenges we each face on a daily basis, we definitely need a prescription for a sound mind.  This one has never failed me.  It's worthy of it's own page in my art journal.

 

 

Quote:  "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." -Phillipians 4:7-9

I find it is so important to reign in my thoughts and to remember what is good rather than dwell on what is wrong.  It can change the entire course of a day...and a life.

I started by adhering various scraps of paper to the page with matte medium.  Then, using a palette knife (an old credit card or a thin piece of cardboard will do), I scraped on Golden Fluid Acrylics in aqua, quinacridone red, and naples yellow.  Using a Crafter's Workshop stencil of a ledger, I rubbed pastel over it and then sprayed with matte spray to seal it.  I've been seeing lots of silhouettes lately, and I think they are terrific for art journal pages.  I made mine in Photoshop CS6.  I found a stock photo from Deviant Art and cut out the silhouette of the woman with the pen tool.  I used a free vintage clipart piece of writing and used a clipping mask to make the writing only show up in the shape of the women.  I used the stroke command to make a black outline around the silhouette and then printed it out.  The flower was a stock shape from CS6.  I prepared it in the same way as the silhouette.  After cutting out the shapes, I adhered them to the painted background with matte medium.  Using the palette knife, I roughly outlined the shapes and the stems and leaf with Golden Fluid Acrylic in black.  It looks best if the lines vary in width (think grunge).  The writing was done with a black Pigma Micron Graphic Pen - size 1.  The white highlighting around the word "think" was done with a gelly roll Souflee pen.  The rest of the white line work was done with a Bic Wite-Out pen.  I scraped some fluid acrylic in green gold on the leaf, stems, and background.  I stamped the swirl on the silhouette with a stamp from Inkadinkadoo and Ranger Ink in Pool.

That's it for now!  I hope you have a lovely day.

Until next time,