inspiration,creativity,gratitude

round robin update!

Success ! Yes ~  all came in - on time and wonderfully executed! For a month each person worked on creating the round you see here -measuring, figuring colour, attempting to hide it from the others!  Past participants have become our "guest" contributors ~ note the wool baskets in the corners - ala Colleen!

 
 

 checkerboard with DOTS!! enhanced wording    

    ALL KAFFE ALL THE TIME!!!

 

Moda Figtree fabrics enhanced by wool flower! 

 Old linens strategically placed!Love the                                                                             Hydrangea fabrics- coulor palette is so clean!

Re creation of a panel into a newly formatted panel  

 movement surrounds movement in this new roundwool adds the perfect touch - and what a match!

 
 

 
 

 
 checkerboard rectangle - sets this off perfectly! love these colours!

our favorite - the flange is featured here to surround the original block - kicks off the final round with flowers out to the corner

flying geese surround and corner blocks featuring wool applique complete the look.  the little surround of black print finishes this off nicely!

Inspiration - hope this provides some for you all!!!

Creativity - surrounds us all and thrives in each of us and how we approach life daily!

Gratitude - blessed I am to have all of this beauty and more to work with!!!

how beautiful the past ~

 So I did it ~ I sent off my application to Project Runway !

Yes - it took a village to make it......... sew! LOL

And in doing so..... I am reminded of some of the really special celebrations I have had the honor to create for!

Thought I would share one of my favorites!

Creating for this wedding included all of my talents in collaboration with a wonderful vision set by the bride - Erin!  

 
 
   Marcasite, silver, swarovski crystals, garnet ~ were combined to create a drape down the back ~ LOVE this look.  Bracelet(s) were  created  to coordinate - worn together or as 2 separate.

 
 
 
 Sash across the hip became the train ~ the silk letters are the family names from the grooms side and the brides side done in tone on tone satin stitch applique.  The beautiful Turquoise color is the sash lining that peaked out as she walked and when it was bustled up!

 

Silk/Rayon velvet wrap edged and lined with the dress silk made a stunning finish to this!

inspiration ~ Today it comes from what was created in the past ~ 

creativity ~ taking that inspiration and turning it into todays creative energy!

gratitude ~ always grateful for the friends and family that encourage, laugh at ... and with me...

More Round Robin ....

  

 Continuing our round Robin Intro! The top Right Photo is inspired from a Kaffe Fassett book and Expanded - note the photo below finds Margaret and Carleen conspiring on what the 1st round might look like - stay tuned as that will be in the 'Reveal"that starts at the begining of April!     The Photo at the top right is a wonderful bit of collage and a sentiment about friendship : :How Divine is one's garden when filled with blossoms of all colors, shapes and sizes....I speak of FRIENDSHIP,  The friendship I share with my girlfriends."

 This lovely is  a bit of a vintage hand towel with open work - revealing another bit of a turquoise vintage hand towel ! A square within a square within a square, within a square within a square!  I have seen the next round on this and let me just say that the little birds really pop out!  Bird fabric is part of the Full Bloom line by Bari J from Windham Fabrics.  
 
So there you have it - 3 more for your inspiration : )

and there are more to come!

Inspiration:  All of this rain we are having is a great inspiration to hunker down and play with the color surrounding me in the sewing room!  And it is a great reminder that what follows the rain is growth and colour!!!

Creativity:  It is a state of being - solution oriented, finding the positive, seeing what is possible!

Gratitude: goes out to all of the women who are creating pillow cases as a part of the Million Pillow Case Project - our Monday group at The Quilter's Inn (Danville )has created over 60 in the last month : )  
 

New ! Round Robin begins! "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

So what is a "Round Robin"?  

It is a "Game" where the participants all come to the board with a center for their quilt. 

We always have a theme - this one is "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

 They fill out a questionnaire - questions like - what colours do you NOT want included?, What techniques would you love to see? (ie: hand applique, collage, fused applique) Not want to have ( ie: fused applique) Size restrictions ( ie: wall hanging, no larger than twin ) 

Then they hand in the center, the questionnaire and some fabrics to begin with!

  The facilitator then hands out the packages and the game begins! The first person to receive it adds something to it - to build it, to frame it, to enhance it.

  So, what I am going to do is show you the centers of the first 3.(There are 10 that started this game) 

Throughout the month I will update with the photos of the others and then what was added.

 I am present for the work - I will document the process!  We have coordinated 3 Round Robins prior to this and I will share them as I locate the photos - that is my challenge - yippee!!!

In 10 months there will 10 completed quilts with wonderful stories along the way!

 

1 ~ This center has amazing hand applique,embroidery bits and was originally a birthday block 2 ~ Satin Stitch applique ( silk)  

   3 ~ Cutest House!  ( Fabric : joanna fiqueroa/Figtree/moda)

Inspiration:

When I move 1 box and open the lid ~I discover treasures that were locked away.....I am inspired to open another and in the process I uncover wonderful , forgotten things that I am moved to share with friends!  And as I share the inspiration is passed on.....

Creativity:

I LOVE working with the "new" sewers - they have a vision of what they want and need help along that path - my creativity is expanded as I help them find the courage to try something new - quite often it has found me doing something I have not done yet : )

Gratitude:

 This weeks reminder comes in the form of loss.  I am grateful for the people in my life, the people I have met along the way and the different communities that are touched by just one human being.  Thank you Doug for the joy, mentorship and friendship that you brought and continue to bring as we all connect to celebrate you!

 
 
 Thank you ~

New ! Round Robin begins! "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

So what is a "Round Robin"?  

It is a "Game" where the participants all come to the board with a center for their quilt. 

We always have a theme - this one is "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

 They fill out a questionnaire - questions like - what colours do you NOT want included?, What techniques would you love to see? (ie: hand applique, collage, fused applique) Not want to have ( ie: fused applique) Size restrictions ( ie: wall hanging, no larger than twin ) 

Then they hand in the center, the questionnaire and some fabrics to begin with!

  The facilitator then hands out the packages and the game begins! The first person to receive it adds something to it - to build it, to frame it, to enhance it.

  So, what I am going to do is show you the centers of the first 3.(There are 10 that started this game) 

Throughout the month I will update with the photos of the others and then what was added.

 I am present for the work - I will document the process!  We have coordinated 3 Round Robins prior to this and I will share them as I locate the photos - that is my challenge - yippee!!!

In 10 months there will 10 completed quilts with wonderful stories along the way!

 

1 ~ This center has amazing hand applique,embroidery bits and was originally a birthday block 2 ~ Satin Stitch applique ( silk)  

   3 ~ Cutest House!  ( Fabric : joanna fiqueroa/Figtree/moda)

Inspiration:

When I move 1 box and open the lid ~I discover treasures that were locked away.....I am inspired to open another and in the process I uncover wonderful , forgotten things that I am moved to share with friends!  And as I share the inspiration is passed on.....

Creativity:

I LOVE working with the "new" sewers - they have a vision of what they want and need help along that path - my creativity is expanded as I help them find the courage to try something new - quite often it has found me doing something I have not done yet : )

Gratitude:

 This weeks reminder comes in the form of loss.  I am grateful for the people in my life, the people I have met along the way and the different communities that are touched by just one human being.  Thank you Doug for the joy, mentorship and friendship that you brought and continue to bring as we all connect to celebrate you!

 
 
 Thank you ~

february ~ already ? happy new year!

This is the beginning of the new year for me!  

December always finds us busy up through the Holidays so this year January was my "Reset" month - A week of creativity in Los Angeles, a sewing room cleaned up to be functional, inspirational and shared, Creating for the house and "just because". And let's not forget finishing up projects that have been sitting for a long.......while!

February starts a new class schedule - Mom(Margaret) and I start a thursday "Finish it/Start it" for beginners at The Quilters Inn, Teen classes start both at The Quilters Inn and one on one!

Mom has a series of classes - garment, drop in, Medallion Quilt( Sandy Klop/ American Jane pattern)

Come join us!

• I find inspiration -  simply from being present to what i have around me and taking the time to take it in!
  
• I experience creativity -  in sharing the joy of what is possible - a stack of fabrics, a pile of rocks in the garden, a math problem solved!
• I feel gratitude - for the people in my life, the beauty of garden, the gift of patience!

morning inspiration

Art in The Garden ~ Creativity Makes a Difference!

A bit of a plug : )

Always looking to make a difference - our friend - jewelry artist - Lucinda Page and I are hosting an event in my garden April 26th!  It is going to be a blast - another friend - Diane Tiller - music program director at Ceasar Chavez Middle School is bringing music to the day!!! 10 am to 4pm - come join us !!!

Magic in the garden with lovely sounds and lovely Created by Hand items to purchase with goodies to munch - Could you ask for anything more??? Of course - let's have the day make a difference for a good cause.... The George Mark Hospital here in Fremont is up to some amazing work with children and their families in what to some of us may think of as impossible to deal with!  They can use all the help they can get - you can see them at www.georgemark.org.

 Their Mission:A welcoming, home–like refuge for the most seriously and terminally ill children and their families — before, during and after their child’s illness and life, is over.

q

  Artists will include : Kathy August will be showing her wonderful  "special" pincushions.  Her daughter Catherine who is my inspiration) will have some of her very FUN magnets and artful yummy goodies!
Our friend Julia will have her latest book of Poetry - stunning artwork in it and I was moved by her tribute to her mother.  Lucinda's jewelry is metal art with a bit of a sculpture feel - simple and stunning.  She is hoping to bring her friend that does amazing fine silver/gold and gemstones rings ( my fingers are crossed!)
My walking buddy Lynn is making her super lattes to support the Avon Breast Cancer Walk - I could use one right now after being glued to the computer this morning!  I will have some fabric collaged books and koffee schnuggles and ???   Another amazing artist will be showing her cards - Laura Basha-Nuehausel of White Bird Rising. All of us are giving a percentage to George Mark Hospital and the Family of Women.


Thank you for letting me plug this and share my garden - more to come!!!

We are supported by and supporting the local area of the Family of Women.
Our Mission is:

 We lead, inspire and mentor women to embrace their power, purpose and value, and to take responsibility for their relationships.  We empower women to live the lives they love, igniting their passion to make a positive contribution in the world.  

inspiration this week is EVERYWHERE - Did you see the sunrise this morning?

creativity looks different to all of us - find it in others and acknowledge it in yourself.

gratitude -  looking at life through the filter of "gratitude" creates the space in your world for possibilities to thrive!

My mother inspires me!!!

This is all about Margaret and her latest - and it is tough to keep up with her...She gets on a roll and creates just to create - so ENJOY!!!!  One project leads in to the next and into the next and so on and so on...     top quilt is one of 3 brown and pinks that were her completing old block exchanges.  when quilted  we will post photos of all of them!  Baby quilt is the "brown Bear" fabric for my uncle's first great grandchild - oh my wow!!!The basket quilt is borders upon borders - again will post once quilted - great Japanese fabrics isn't this the prettiest basket?!

Collage is one of her latest - It is 3rd in a series of 3 - I hope to get all of the recipients together for a photo in December !We played hooky(sp?) the other day and took in the sites at The De Young Musuem - Bouquet De Arts, Yves St. Laurent and Andy Warhol!!! Surprise sitings of my friend Helen G. and Laura Nownes with her daughter.

   

This is truly Creativity - taking Inspiration from a piece of art and making a floral arrangement that reflects that...

This posting has me filled with Gratitude for my mom and the time we have together!!!!

Thanks for letting me share her with you all!!!

up to date.....

turned 50, had a super party! hiked in the mist to bring in the new year!  used ALL of my heart cookie cutters! 

~finished "spring" art quilt for noble elements group and shipped it - cannot wait for PIQF to see it in person!  

~recycled and repurposed wool blazers into Kofe' Schnuggles! (soon to be available at Etsy)  

~Altering and recreating clothing to extend the life, look and love of clothes for myself and lots of others.   

Looking forward to kids and moms class at Thimblecreek in March,Prom dresses in work with young designers ( photos later!) 

.....Busy with finishing past due projects - celebrating new ones!  looking forward to Moab and Telluride in June,

.....New friend, honey dew(nick ~name dewy) 

So grateful for all the opportunities to help others create and complete - Monday and Tuesdays at The Quilter's Inn ( Danville)

 Visited new location for In Between Stitches (1st St./Livermore) - amazing light! I seem to be buying green ~  as if there is any other color?!!!

celebrating success - bari and her new endeavours!

dreaming of a studio space, Grateful for family,friends and fabric!,

 Inspired by the light and color first thing in the morning after the rain stops! oh - maybe that is where the "green" comes from!

 

 

A day in the Garden....A day in the Garden with Friends....Nothing could be better!!!

Today was ...can we say a perfect day?! of course we can!!!  Create flowers to wear while being surrounded by nature - what a great idea!
Deb wanted to make a pin like I was wearing one day and that blossomed (hee hee) into inviting more friends to spend the day creating together. 
Now you know it has been warm and here in the fabulous south of the bay it gets very hot...solution = umbrellas and a fan!
We brought all the fabrics, notions and beverages out to the BIG table and to the right is one of the pins made by Deb!  It is from an Indygo Junction Pattern.

    You know Harley - he has to be in the middle - literally of everything!!!!
He stayed close to the action - minor scratch as we interrupted the wool play....

  Here you have 3 completed - bead detail and pin backs all in place!  Yes - they were wearing them home!!!
.........Thank you ladies for a super day!!
Mary,Deb and Margaret......................

Inspiration:  Working and creating with others opens my eyes and heart to new possibilities!
Creativity:  I love to collect things that are in one color group and see what can be designed, developed ~ even from the simplest thing like a button!!!  Art  & Antique Faire in Danville on the 1st had some amazing buttons!!!
Gratitude:  I am grateful for being able to see the good and the opportunity in what might otherwise be challenging!

Peace and Creativity for all!!!!