Currents

So this is what has been consuming my time recently, its a charity quilt for Relay For Life scheduled in May. I have since added some borders and am currently working on an additional border for the top and bottom to make it rectangular. The fabrics are a collection called Heirloom Lilacs by Debbie Beaves from RJR.

So to break the monotony of purple and green, I chose to make some lotto blocks for Mailblocks. They were quick and easy and just
the perfect break from the other

.

My sister

This is my dad and my sister Amy from a visit in September, perhaps you can see a likeness in the painting from the previous post? To answer a couple questions that I have been asked, Klye is 17, a junior in high school and he does plan on a career in art, most likely graphic arts. He got an A- as a grade, his teacher wanted to keep it to display in the annual art show and he said, "No way, I want the money!"
My mom saw the photo of the painting and is very pleased that I bought it for her, we all agree, that's Amy fifteen years ago!

Some things just can't be explained, but are just so cool!

I work nights, so Friday afternoon I woke when the boys returned home from school. As I walked into my living room, I saw this painting of my sister resting atop my printer. I said, "Wow Guys! Which one of you painted your Aunt Amy? It's great!" They responded that it was made by their friend Kyle who happened to get off the bus with them at our house. This painting was based on a photograph Kyle was given by another classmate in his art class, the students were to exchange photos and were to create a painting based on that photo. DH came home from work and had the same response, so I know its not just a sister thing, this painting is an incredible likeness of my sister in FL.
We discussed it and decided to offer Kyle some money for it, I think my mom would be thrilled to have it. Kyle was stunned and agreed to let us purchase it, but only after Monday when it needs to be presented to be graded! :-)

Quilting in IN lotto blocks

Just a couple of lottery blocks for Quilting in Indiana using Fancy Flowers block pattern from Quilterscache.com

Wool Woes

This wool thing is really starting to frustrate me. I have always been a jump before looking kind of gal so naturally when I decided to start dabbling in wool I went crazy, purchasing from many different places.
My wool collection started with a Marcus Brothers wool packet, which I have since found out is not 100% wool, but rather 70% wool and 30% nylon.
So then I bought some 100% wool from Quilters Quarter which I found to be rather expensive, but after researching, the prices are pretty comparable. I bought some Mill Dyed and hand dyed just to see the difference in coloration. When it arrived, it was plain un-felted wool. So after washing it several times, I have now felted it myself, but lost yardage due to shrinkage. I bought a pre-packed kit also 100% from The Back Door which is just up the road from me. Their wool looks nothing like the wool I felted, it has a softer, more ripply texture.
To add to my experimentation I also bought several 100% wool sweaters from the thrift store and felted them. I have found this wool to be very dense and thick. I also bought what is supposed to be 100% wool from several eBay stores, some new and some recylced all of which has completely different textures and drape.
Now I am just confused. I cannot even say which I like best, well yes I can, the hand dyes are my favorites because of the color variations. I am seriously thinking about loading up a sampling of all my wools and heading into The Back Door for some professional advice. Of all that I have learned on the Internet, I guess there's no way of ever understanding the 'hand' of any fabric without using, you know, your hand!

Penny rug attempt

wool

My first shot at a penny rug. I enjoyed it so much I went out and bought loads of wool, and have been perfecting my felting technique on new wool, and recycled wool from the thrift store.