Barbara Strobel Lardon Art quilts

Home from the Hospital

2012-01-28T12:49:00.003-06:00

After getting up at 3:30 in the morning to get to the hospital so Bob could have a defibrillator/pacemaker installed in his chest, we are now home and he is doing very well. I'm thankful to all of you friends for keeping me and him in your thoughts until he made it through this ordeal.

He'll have to take it easy for a while until the wound heals but after that it will keep him with me for a lot longer. For that, I am so grateful.

Update

2012-01-26T20:32:00.000-06:00

Decided I needed a fresh new look to my blog. I hope you like it. I especially like the new font and the new background pattern. I'm glad blogger finally added some more interesting ways to design your blog.

Poppies At Sunset

2012-01-22T13:02:00.001-06:00

I have added three of the poppies to my background. They are pretty interesting even without the leaves, There is more to come on this piece and I hope to find some time during the next few days to make some more progress.

We have started a new stricter heart healthy diet. It means spending lots of time at the grocery store READING labels on everything. Thank goodness things like fruit and vegetables only require finding out the country of origin. We are also heading up to Grafton Wi. to go to a few specialty stores to find some of the things that are unavailable at our local groceries. On this diet it is important to eat at the same time each day. This is really hard for us as we were pretty loose about that for a long time. The theory is your body goes into stress when it is not fed at regular intervals. I think my body has been under a lot of stress for a long time.

This diet also requires a lot of new recipes. That means reading and putting together meals rather than just knowing it. I am learning as I am going and will remember a lot of these recipes when I make them again. My friend, Rian also helped by sending me several ideas for me to use and that helps too.

The diet is in the book "The Spectrum" by Dr. Dean Ornish. It is a very interesting book and I have learned many things I did not know from reading it. It also comes with a meditation DVD which is an important daily ritual I would like to add to my life if I can figure out how to turn my brain off! If you are interested in learning more you can go to this link: The Spectrum

Poppy No. 1

2012-01-17T14:43:00.003-06:00

I finished quilting my background for my new poppy piece. It was snowing up a storm this morning but has stopped now at 2:30.

Referring to my sketch I constructed Poppy No. 1 on my teflon sheet.

There will be 5 poppies in the scene so permanent placement will be made once they are all finished. I love how everything changes by moving one element to different locations.

See how this makes you feel so differently to your relationship to the flower and the background recedes. This is my favorite part and can be the most frustrating part when it does not work.

And if you have time listen to this artist who is now drawing on the iPad!
http://art-landscape.blogspot.com/
His work is amazing.

A good joke Monday

2012-01-16T15:27:00.000-06:00

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding
anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant. Suddenly, a tiny
yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table. She said, 'For being such
an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all
this time, I will grant you each a wish.'

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my
darling husband The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two
tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: 'Well, this is all very romantic,
but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love,
but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me. The wife, and
the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.

So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!... the husband became 92
years old.

The moral of this story: Men who are ungrateful bastards should
remember fairies are female.....

Fish

2012-01-13T19:29:00.000-06:00

This is the most amazing artist, take time to watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=21bFpgEfDFM

A Few Additions

2012-01-12T17:43:00.003-06:00

Added some details to the new piece. It is looking better now. I am not sure of the rising sun....he may go but I am leaving him there for now.

The field of flowers were added. Just small pieces that have fusible on them.

No more time for today. We got snow and it is still snowing now. I would say we got 3" but it is really windy now so it is drifting and the drifts are pretty big.

So it does look like winter today!

New Background

2012-01-11T16:31:00.000-06:00

Began a new background today. Before I worked on this I took the dogs for a nice long walk out at my mothers. They picked up a few burdocks which had to be brushed out when we got home, but had a ball. It was 50 degrees today!

Do not get jealous though because it is dropping tonight and then we are supposed to get 5 inches of snow tomorrow and Friday.

The weather is very strange, sort of like this background right now. Remember, this is still the first layer. I like to post where I begin and where I finish.

There is still time for this to fail but it used to look like this....

Changes can be good or bad but I would have to give up the plan for this too soon for you to understand my choice.

Three Amigos At Home

2012-01-10T14:46:00.001-06:00

Three Amigos was finished last night. I put on the binding and sleeve as well as the label while watching tv. I decided to keep this one as it looked so nice in my living room. I sort of had that in mind color wise from the beginning.
The quilt I had there will go up for sale. I auditioned all the suggestions but just did not like the change it made, so I quilted the centers for the flower and will leave it that way.

"Three Amigos

Raw edged fused applique.

Machine quilted

33 1/2" X 25"

Three Amigos

2012-01-09T07:00:00.011-06:00

Well as you can see, I have a name for this piece. I constructed No. 3 last night but got stuck and decided I needed to quit while I was still successful. Those late night sessions can spell disaster for me if I push myself. This morning while the sun was shining in the window, I finished the construction and began quilting it.

I came back to my studio after lunch and cropped the entire quilt, added some more leaves and I believe I am finished! I will do the seed pods nest and then the binding, the sleeve and the label.

New Etsy Shop

2012-01-08T10:21:00.000-06:00

My daughter, Molly, has opened an Etsy Shop.

She is a graphic designer and has some wonderful designs for cards as well as some baby burpees that she has made.

Her hope is to make some money to put towards paying off their school loans.

I am very proud of her & Mark.

If you have time please visit, there is a button on my side bar to take you there fast and easy or just click here:

Sweet Potato Shop

Sunflower No.2 Quilted

2012-01-07T09:42:00.000-06:00

Last night I quilted the petals. This morning I finished the leaves on Sunflower No. 2.

All except the center seed pod.

Here is how it is looking in the full view. I like how it is working out so far.

Now on to Sunflower No. 3!

Sunflower No.2

2012-01-06T15:44:00.000-06:00

I wanted to get Sunflower No. 2 finished this morning, but it did not happen before I had to head to work. So I pinned it up anyway to show you. Needs some tweaking but is looking good.

Quilted Sunflower no.1

2012-01-05T15:36:00.000-06:00

I have finished quilting the sunflower and am trying to figure out a way to do the seed center.

I usually have done small circles all over it but thought to try loosening my tension to bring up the bobbin thread to the top for some texture. However, so far I can not get the right look.

Then I thought of french knots and I may do that but have not decided.

Any ideas?

Sunflower No. 1

2012-01-04T11:44:00.000-06:00

Continuing to refer to my drawing I finished adding petals to my sunflower seed pod.

Referring back to my drawing I trace all the leaves at the top of the sunflower.

Flipping the tracing paper over so I get the flower to be exactly like the drawing, I retrace the leaves on a piece of fusible numbering them as I go.

This is sort of fussy and tedious but worthwhile if you want it to imitate your drawing.

Then I determine which ones will be dark and which ones lighter and fuse them to the fabric choice I make.

Once again keeping my drawing close I begin assembling all the leaves.

It is then auditioned on my background.

If I am happy with it I fuse it down.

Woolah! No. 1 is finished and now just needs quilting!

Petals

2012-01-03T16:17:00.001-06:00

The petals needed to be curved and in specific sizes so I traced them from my drawing and then flip the tracing paper and retraced them with the fusible. I placed the petals on my fabric choices and fused them on. Then each was cut and placed on the already cut seed center of the sunflower.

I kept my drawing close with the numbers of each petal on both the drawing and the fusible along with the color.

Once I was happy with the construction of the sunflower petals I fused them on top of my teflon sheet.

Then I place it where my paper was on the quilt top to see how it was looking. (You can see I have already cut the center for one other one.) I like how it is looking so tomorrow I will add the leaves and the connection to the stem at the top of the petals. Once that is done I will audition it again and tweak whatever needs tweaking before fusing it to the quilt top.

Layout and Leaves

2012-01-02T16:21:00.000-06:00

I chose my fabric for the stems and fused two large strips of both light and dark. Then I free cut the stems adding little points here and there found on the sunflower stem. I fuse the dark to the light giving the stem a light and dark side.

Here is how it looks on the quilt before quilting.

I trace over my sketches just roughly so I know how large the sunflowers will be. Now I can fuse and quilt my stems.

Once the stems are finished I choose fabric for the leaves. Some dark and some lighter. I also add shadows with a dark fabric. All the leaves are free cut with no drawing on the fusible. I find this makes my leaves more realistic looking and not a perfectly balanced leaf.

I place the leaves on in different locations on the stems tucking them behind the

paper sunflowers so I know exactly how they will look. Then I fuse them down, remove the paper flowers and quilt them. I return the quilt to the design wall and put the paper flowers back on to decide if I am satisfied with the layout, especially around the flowers.

Tomorrow I will begin creating the flowers .

Sunflower background

2012-01-02T08:53:00.000-06:00

Finished the background of my Sunflower Quilt. Everything is rough cut and natural looking, loose and free. Now on to the

Sunflowers. Choosing fabrics and threads now. Let the fun begin!

Mug Rugs

2012-01-01T06:00:00.001-06:00

I made my daughter and daughter in law each a set of 4 mug rugs for Christmas.

I found these cute winter mugs which included a spoon that looked cute with them. Could not post them until they were given and not seen on here first.

Background to Sunflower Quilt

2011-12-31T09:46:00.001-06:00

Here is the beginning of the background of my Sunflower quilt.

I wanted to go back to a loose and collage type style of roughly cut pieces.

I am adding once again roughly cut strips for the landscape. This is about three fourths down the quilt. I am still tweaking as I go.

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!

A trip to Milwaukee's Art Museum

2011-12-30T14:19:00.000-06:00

Last Wednesday, Bob and I took a trip to Milwaukee's Art Museum to see the Impressionist Show. It was so interesting to see work that was not well know.

Sketches, Pastels, Pastels and Gouche, and some Oils.

I love to see the beginnings of these famous Men and Women.

It included. Monet, Manet, Gauguin, Lautrec and VanGogh.

If you have never been there, the architecture is amazing!

On your way to the show you pass amazing scuptures.

Here is one of my all time favorites by Henry Moore.

A Lipschitz.

And the most powerful Woman in the world by Gaston Lachaise.

Amazing.

The art museum is right on Lake Michigan so Bob stopped several times for me to take some wintry shots of the beach.

It definitely has an entirely different appearance then it does in summer.

As we headed north towards home we drove along Lakeshore drive to see some of the beautiful homes in Milwaukee, Shorewood and Whitefish Bay.

It is one of the most beautiful areas and has fabulous architecture.

When we got to Grafton we stopped at the Water Street Brewery for a

lunch/dinner. I had a Pale Ale and.......

A three cheese tomato avocado grilled cheese on sour dough bread. It came with homemade potato chips. It was sooooooooo good.

Just a really fun day and with no snow you can get around easily.

Best Gift

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-06:00

The best gift from Christmas has to be this hand painted birdhouse that I got from my grandson, Max who was 3 1/2 when he painted it. Can't wait to see which bird will choose to live in it.

Sketches of Sunflowers

2011-12-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

I have a "thing" for sunflowers but have been focusing on Poppies, my other favorite flower. So after looking at some of my old photos of sunflowers I sketched out a few old and dying ones. I have always felt they have some human qualities and when their season is over they become bent and old like elderly men and women standing in the field. I think this will be my next quilt.
I hope to start soon.

Sold!

2011-12-27T17:39:00.001-06:00

"School Days" has been sold. It will hang in the office of Susan Angoli at St. Norberts College in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I never even got a good photo of it but I am so happy to have such a quick sale.

Christmas

2011-12-27T17:30:00.001-06:00

I get some help from Max and Bella opening a gift.

One gift of a Wisconsin sweatshirt.......

followed by another gift of a Wisconsin sweatshirt! Lucky they both are Wisconsin fans!

My daughter Molly with her nephew & my grandson, 3mo old Clayton.

Isn't he the cutest?

Grandpa with our son Jon and his son Max.

It was a grand day!

Christmas With My Mom

2011-12-18T19:52:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Christmas at my Mothers's house today,

She is 87 and doing well. My mother had nine children of which I was the second oldest.

My younger sister Susie had a cake made up using a photo of my Mom and Dad in the middle and each of her nine children in the others.

This is Me on the left, my sister Vicki (who had the mumps) and my other sister Bonnie.

It was Christmas morning and we each got a new doll.

We had a wonderful dinner provided by all. I brought Nellie Durands

Aliscious Potatoes which were a big hit! Thank you Nellie for sharing your recipe.

It was a good day for all.

Merry Christmas to my Mother!

Fish

2011-12-12T16:55:00.000-06:00

I got further today then expected. I am liking it this way. Will sleep on it and see if further additions are needed. A good day with things flowing smoothly!

Collared Butterfly Fish

2011-12-12T14:54:00.000-06:00

Today I swore I was taking time out of the day to make up my school of
Collared Butterfly fish to add to my Fish Piece. I began with a spotted fabric where I used the right side for the body and the wrong side for the top and bottom fins. Then I began adding all the tiny details of color.

Since I needed a group of seven fish I worked on each detail at a time on each one of them. While I am doing this I do not worry if a piece hangs out off the body a bit as when they are finished a trim around the entire fish.

Here they are added in. Aren't they beautiful. Love the grey and yellow of this group. Now for a break as that is tedious detailed work. I have a few more to add and then the quilting begins.

Back to Fishing

2011-12-06T15:47:00.000-06:00

I am getting caught up on all my Christmas prep, or at least as much that I can do right now. That left time to return to the studio and my fish piece.

I have a sketch of something that I am adding so some to the fish had to be moved to make room. The Oriental Sweet Lips school had to move to the bottom of the quilt. Those were a challenge to construct. I am so glad they are finished.

I think it has more depth and the fish appear to be swimming now.

I am re-excited about it again.

Decorating decorating and More decorating!

2011-12-03T18:22:00.000-06:00

This week has been spent decorating. Not only did I have to do the windows and interior of our antique store, but my own house inside and out.

It did not leave much time in the studio so no progress has been made on the fish piece I am working on.

When I finished the house I noticed Watson curled on the chair.

"Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse!"

New Puppy

2011-11-23T14:50:00.000-06:00

My daughter Molly got a new puppy who she and Mark named Enzo.

He is soooo adorable and we are spending Thanksgiving with them on Sunday so will get to see him then. He is part lab and part Border Collie and is a rescue dog.

Every other year our children go to their in-laws for the holiday. I like that since it is only fair. So this year we will celebrate on Sunday instead.

Since we will be alone on Thanksgiving Bob and I bought Lobster tails and will have those and some great wine and a salad instead. Not too bad eh?!

SO.....

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

Fish Fish & More Fish

2011-11-22T09:49:00.000-06:00

I worked on more fish yesterday. Took my most of the afternoon to make two of them and the background of several schooling fish.

I hope to put more on the schooling fish today but there are household chores to do first.

I loved how this one turned out. I always think that if they look good prior to quilting they will look fabulous after. I used colored pencils for the line details in his body and did the same for the white one above.

I will quilt over those lines with the same colored thread.

I pinned the schooling fish on the piece just to see if I have enough.

They may not end up in these positions but it will be close.

Grandkids

2011-11-21T20:39:00.000-06:00

Auntie Molly (my daughter) with Clayton and Max dressed and ready for the Packer Game! Still Winning!

Jon and Becky boys who are total opposites with Max being fair and Blonde and Clay being dark and brunette. Too cute.

A New Beginning

2011-11-16T19:01:00.000-06:00

I decided to do a couple of fish quilts. This first one will be simpler and fun.

I started making fish today.

Here is a Clown Fish in progress.

The next one is a Pacific Blue Trigger Fish. He was pretty much fun to do.

Pretty simple really.

I had my crazy fabric that was on my design wall and I made cuts in it to

wedge the fish into so they would appear to behind the ocean greens.

Added to the other two is a 6 Line Wrasse hiding in the leaves.

I will be adding more in the next few days.

Chickadee Trail

2011-11-14T19:30:00.002-06:00

Last Wednesday I woke with a sore throat. Thursday I had a really bad cold.

So I have not been back into the studio until today. I am finished and have just sewn on the binding tonight. The title I chose is partly from Terri Stegmiller. Thanks Terri for the great idea. Since she suggested "Chickadee Trail", I thought I needed to add two more chickadees further in the distance on the right side.

You can barely see them in this photo which is really the quilt lying on my cutting table, but I rotated it to show it to you.

This is a shot of my studio all cleaned up.

Pretty small but it is efficient!

Once I get to the binding I clean the studio because one thing about a small studio, once it is a mess caused by construction, it is total chaos.

Meanwhile I have been putting pieces of fabric on my design wall looking for something that would speak to me. I found this one today. I remember buying this maybe about 6 mo. ago. I just thought it was a bit of a stretch but now I

am seeing something in this unusual piece of fabric.

I think it will be fun to work on.

No Title Quilt

2011-11-08T17:31:00.000-06:00

Finished the quilting on this piece but still have not come up with a title.

My little chickadee is quilted and has his black crystal eye with a dot of white added with paint.

Leaves are quilted along with the border.

The Moose is looking back to see what he is hearing, is it the viewer?

The outside border is a cross hatching that matches the pine needles and the inside border is leaves in a slightly contrasting thread.

Now it is time for my most unfavorite part. The binding and the sleeve and the label. Any suggestions for a title?

Poppies No. 1 & No. 2

2011-11-04T12:07:00.000-06:00

POPPIES NO. 1 is finally bound and ready to hang.
I like the colors and the size of this one so I decided to make
another in different colors so they could be sold together.

           So I made POPPIES NO. 2!
           This time I used yellows that were found in the
           background.

           These are up in my gallery and also listed in
           the Art Quilt Shoppe found in my side bar.

Nude Boy & Sparrows

2011-11-03T15:36:00.000-06:00

I looked out my kitchen window and there must have been 8 sparrows in the small bird bath at the base of my nude boy in the garden. I took a picture but many of them flew off and the rest were splashing around so much they turned into a blur! Love the colors in the photo though.

I did not get all the quilting done on my Moose piece. I worked hard but there was way more to do then I thought. So I have the bird and the border left. I must admit, I am pretty sick of green.

There were a lot of different greens in this piece and although I LOVE green, enough is enough.

I am thinking of doing another underwater piece after this one.

I enjoyed doing one a few years ago and have this idea that has been swirling around in my head.

It will be perfect to work on in winter too.

Editing

2011-11-01T18:09:00.000-06:00

There was a lot going on today but that was a good thing because I could pop into the studio and look at this piece and see if I could identify what was not working for me.

I decided it was the bright green leaves. I liked the contrast but it just seemed like too much and it became foreign to the rest of the forest. So I

picked out all the quilted ones and then removed the rest and replaced them with this fabulous fabric which to me had the spotty light filtering through the trees.

For me this is much much better!

Hope to get this quilted in the next two days.

Mountain Moose+

2011-10-30T13:33:00.000-06:00

Further progress today. I will quilt this now and add some enhancements to the large leaves and the tree, bush and ferns. I still have not decided on what to quilt in the border. Hopefully it will come to me when doing the rest.

Trick or Treaters are about to decent on our house so I had better get out there!

It is no nice out, cold and drizzly. Too bad for the kids, but I am sure it will not stop them! :)

Mountain Moose

2011-10-29T14:56:00.000-05:00

I was working on this this morning up until 5 minutes before I needed to be at the store. So I quickly took his photo with my ironing board cutting it off.

I have added a few more green leaves and a fern by the Moose on the path.

Then a tree is running up the left side with my favorite blackcapped chickadee sitting out on one of the branches. Right now I used my drawing and still need to put him together with fabric. He is in the foreground so his size will be larger.

It is getting there.

Fall Splendor Right in Your Own Backyard

2011-10-28T15:29:00.000-05:00

New Piece

2011-10-26T19:38:00.000-05:00

Hmmm, look who is walking down the path now!

The bush is not finished in front of Mr. Moose.

Stay tuned for more to come.

Today we had to put up all our patio furniture and front porch furniture.

I know we will probably have some warm days ahead but if we do not do it now surely it will get really cold and stay that way.

Winter is definitely on its way and so is Christmas! Lot of holidays coming up to share with friends and family.

Happy Pets

2011-10-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

Today we had to make a trip to Petsmart and I found this there that just needed

to come home for Watson.

I also picked up a "Thundershirt" for Barley. Debra had told me that it helped her dogs during a storm. Barley is petrified of rain, thunder , lightning and car rides. So we got him one. It started to rain, I put it on and he is fine.

The real test will be thunder though and that is not happening tonight.

Unfinished Projects

2011-10-20T13:22:00.001-05:00

Before I begin on my own garden poppies that I sketched in the previous post, I thought I better finish these two. I have them quilted now and just need the binding and pocket put on.

I took this photo by standing back further and zooming in as suggested by Bruce.

Pretty darn straight!

I have not shown this one that I have been working on in between things all summer long. It is fairly large approx. 40+ by 50+. I am not finished with it as you can see. I have some objects still to add along the path. This began as a commission but personal reasons prevented the client from continuing on. So she gave me permission to use the photo and make it my own. So now it will evolve into something new.

I am happy with it so far and think I will finish it before starting something new. It has been on my second design wall long enough. So stay tuned for some surprise additions!

Sketches

2011-10-18T15:07:00.000-05:00

After making most of my poppies sort of stylized, I thought I would pull one of my photos I took of the poppies in my garden and sketch them.

I am thinking of attempting a more realistic piece of some of the variety of poppies I have in my own garden. They are bright oranges and I will have to get some additional fabric to have enough petal variations. It will be a challenge.

I am on my new laptop. It is FABULOUS!

Photography help

2011-10-17T12:48:00.000-05:00

As you can see by these two photos the quilt does not line up square.

They are square and one is on the floor while the other is on my design wall.

So what am I doing wrong? Do I tip the camera or what?

Help would be appreciated.

17" Macbook Pro

2011-10-16T09:00:00.011-05:00

I have been saving and saving for this Macbook Pro 17" laptop.

Now it will be mine. It is ordered and coming on Tuesday.

I cannot wait! My old Apple computer was a good friend over the years but like all computers it has

become outdated to the point of no return. Now I will be updated and zooming with speed and new technology. I love Apple computers and would have no other.

Migration

2011-10-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

This morning I had to run over to Good Will to drop off some old clothes and jackets that neither of us use anymore. Behind the building is a great field with some beautiful wild flowers on the edge that is not mowed down. Seems the Canadian Geese were enjoying the short grass as a resting spot since they are migrating south right now. I had to take a photo of both the geese and the wild flowers.

More Poppies

2011-10-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

"Morning Poppies"

This piece has been purchased and is heading to Nevada today.

Closeup of Morning Poppies.

Now I am working on two pieces. I will sell them as a pair or individually.

I have not titled them yet and they are not quilted.

The closeups show the almost impressionistic look they have.

I wanted some smaller pieces for my gallery here at the store. They seem to be selling faster in these tough economic times. With Christmas coming I have to be sure to have a few for sale.

Meet Clayton Robert

2011-10-13T11:35:00.001-05:00

My newest Grandson, born 10/10/11.

Fall in the Backyard

2011-10-10T08:00:00.007-05:00

This morning it was so beautiful in the backyard even though many of my plants are cutback already.

The Maple behind our garage is brilliant!

Leaves are scattering across the grass.

Smile of the Day

2011-10-09T13:00:00.004-05:00

"What did the hat stand say to the hat?"

"You go on a head, I will stay here."

Countryside In Fall

2011-10-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

The Cattle are really enjoying the weather today. I had to stop on the way to the groomers to take their picture.

Even the grass is still bright green and evidentally delicious.

The corn is all being cut now to feed those cows through the winter.

The Onion River is beautiful.

A Drive To Algoma

2011-10-07T14:24:00.001-05:00

I have been working on a commission piece for a week now. However we are having the most beautiful weather and Bob convinced me to take a break and go for a drive in our convertible. Well how can you say no to that. So we headed up along Lake Michigan to the city of Algoma. We stopped for lunch and then to a winery where we purchased several bottles of their great wine.

The we stopped at one of my favorite Galleries - "The Flying Pig Gallery & Greenspace". (They also have a blog you can follow.) Not only does it have great art pieces inside and is eco friendly, but it has several small studios outside around a pond/wetland and many creative outdoor art objects.

I love the building and of course the peace symbol located right in front.

Here is a creative birdhouse that would house quite a few birds.

Bob standing in front of one of the studios.

An interesting creature walking up from the pond.

If I had a pond I would have purchased this fish with the water coming out of his mouth.

There is a small creek coming out of the pond and it cascades down some rocks falling into this hand that is filled now with coins.

Another studio on the other side of the pond. Wouldn't that be the place to get inspired!

Here is Mr. Turtle enjoying the weather and the view.

Now it is back to my studio with a renewed creative spirit!

The Winner Circle

2011-09-29T15:27:00.001-05:00

I entered "Gouldians" and "Honorable Mention?" in the Sheboygan County Quilt Guild Show last weekend. They were both in the same category of art quilts. Voting is done by the attendees.

I was really curious which one would possibly take a ribbon. I heard spectators talking and one person commented like this: "Awww that chicken deserves more then an honorable mention. I am voting for him!" Well, guess a lot of people felt that way because "Honorable Mention?" took first place and "Gouldians" second. Humor wins out!

I have been contacted by a Quilt Calendar publisher and she wanted me to enter "Gouldians" as a candidate for her upcoming calendar. I have done that so we will see what happens.

I have also sold another quilt down in Illinois to a Retirement Home.

"Three Poppies" will now make some elderly people happy at its new home.

In the meantime, Bob and I finished our landscaping. It was back breaking labor hauling wheelbarrows full of dirt across the yard to our bed by the new fence. Two truck loads later it was finished and all the plants replanted when it started to rain. I could not believe our luck. Now today
we are having a big thunderstorm with 40-50 mph winds. Thank goodness we do not have a pile of mud in our driveway anymore.

Now I am on to do another Poppy Quilt for a customer who is becoming a friend. She wanted to buy
"Three Poppies" but instead will get a custom piece just the size she wants.

Urban Poppies & Dancing Poppies

2011-09-23T12:56:00.000-05:00

"Urban Poppies"

I finished binding this quilt over the last few days. As you can see I decided to add some "pod" to the composition. I am pretty happy with the results.

A closeup view.

Then I began "Dancing Poppies"

I am thinking of leaving it this way and not adding leaves. So it is on my design wall and I will look at it over the next few days since I am pretty busy now with some other projects.

Still finishing up our fence project. We need to order some dirt to level out the area in front of the fence. The landscape guy came out and said we need two truck loads! So the first one will come on Tuesday and they will dump it in our driveway. We want to save money so will wheelbarrow it over and do it all ourselves. I am not sure about that part but Bob thinks we can do it. When do you get too old for this kind of stuff???

I Still Fit!

2011-09-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

Mysterious & Eerie Schreiber Print

2011-09-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

I purchased this print for our antique store. It was done in the 1930's and the artist is Schreiber.

The title is "Moon Over Mississippi".

I usually do not purchase without knowing more about something but this one had me curious.

I have not found anything out about the artist yet so if any of you know something please let me know.

I am totally stumped by the symbolism in this piece.

The title is obvious enough but what is this sign? What does the horse and carriage have to do with anything? I love the moodiness of it and the shadows are eerie.

What is your opinion?

I have a feeling this may be a hard sell.

Poppies Poppies Everywhere

2011-09-16T14:33:00.001-05:00

"Field of Poppies"

36" x 22"

Pieced, Raw Edged Fused Applique, Machine Quilted

I finished binding this quilt at night so my pictures are a bit dark. I enjoyed working on this and it will

be re-photographed after blocking.

Closeup of Poppie quilting.

Urban Poppies closeup

I am working on "Urban Poppies" I found this background fabric at the Quilt Expo and had to use a piece of it because I loved it so much. I have the binding selection on the side of it. I may add to it

but sort of like it just as is. Sometimes you have to know when to stop and keep it simple.

What do you think?

We made the decision to put up a privacy fence on one side of our property. We have had issues

with this neighbor and after 6 years of 'things' we have decided it was time to do something about it so we can once again enjoy our backyard. So we bought all the cedar and Bob cut the pickett tops.

We hired our nephew who is a carpenter to do the work and it is sooo nice.

Today the old fence comes down with the new standing behind it! We left it up because of our dogs

needed to go out. It will be so nice to have the privacy we need when out in the yard.

Quilt Expo 2011

2011-09-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

Well here I am in Madison at Quilt Expo next to "Gouldians". It failed to win a ribbon but the winners in my category were very deserving.

So what is in the overstuffed bag you ask???

A new foot for my Bernina, thread, a chicken pin cushion pattern, a great book, a new ergonomic rotary cutter I can not wait to tryout and lots and lots of new fabric of which here is a small sampling.

It was a great day all in all. My only comment is the show did have several quilts in it that were clearly inferior in all aspects. I do not understand how they were allowed in and why. The construction, technique and quilting were beginner standards and in one case below beginner standard.

I have not seen this in previous shows and was very disappointed to see it this year. They had more quilts on display than ever before but as they say "Quality over Quantity".

In my humble opinion this brought the show down.

The objective should be to make it better each year, attracting the top quilters to enter.

I hope they get enough negative feedback to get back on track next year.

Sheboygan County Fair

2011-09-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

It was a grand day at the Sheboygan County Fair. The Pigs were very happy!

Our Grandson, Max liked them best.

The Chickens were still Grandma's favorite.

I believe sitting on all the big tractors were even more fun for Max.

Of course there are always dangerous animals?????

However, the rides are the most fun.

Field of Poppies

2011-09-09T15:26:00.000-05:00

Today I am at the Quilt Expo but I scheduled this to show you my newest quilt.

I began this on Monday and work on it thru Wed. I am this far. More is still to be added.

Detail shot of one poppy.

I am pretty happy with it so far. It is fun and makes me feel happy when looking at it. You can see I couched some yarn for the stems of the buds. I also pieced the background and quilted it first.

I will let you know how the Expo turns out. I am sure I will have fun and find lots of fabulous fabrics.

Detail Photos

2011-09-03T12:30:00.001-05:00

"Honorable Mention?" deserved a better presentation then what it was given yesterday.

So here it is in all it's glory. I am very happy with it and I finished it before going back to our County Fair and taking more photos this year!

It all began with this photo I took at the 2010 Cty. Fair.

Now my Grandson, Max is here for the weekend. We will take him home on Monday.

I plan on getting back in the studio then before we begin our privacy fence project on the 10th.

"Quilt Expo" begins on the 8th and my sister and I are once again going. My "Gouldians" are in the show so it will be great fun seeing it there as well as all the other gorgeous quilts. Since the International Show has left Chicago this is the largest show I can go to right now because of not being able to leave the store for more than a day on a weekend. I am really looking forward to it.

Saved up a little bit of $ for it too!

Honorable Mention?

2011-09-02T16:28:00.000-05:00

"Honorable Mention?"

36" X 47"

Pieced, rawedged fused applique.

Commercial and Hand Dyed Fabric

Machine Quilted

I finished my Chicken Quilt. I labeled it as shown because it seemed to fit his expression.

I am happy with it and need to rephotograph it so I apologize for the pathetic photo.

I was in a hurry to get it up on the wall so it was protected because in the meantime I was contacted by

a Gallery in the Chicago area and they wanted four of my quilts.

They purchased this piece titled "Turtle Soup" for a pediatric hospital.

The other three are going before a board to decide if they are appropriate for a retirement home.

So my cup runneth over and I was busy with getting the quilts ready and shipped down there.

In the meantime here at the store I sold this piece.

"Poppies"

12" X 16"

I think my stars must be aligned!

Chicken Border

2011-08-25T12:28:00.001-05:00

The chicken is quilted and the border is attached.

All that is left to do is the quilting on the border and the attaching of one key element

that I am saving until last.

Growing Feathers

2011-08-20T12:42:00.000-05:00

Feathers are added and I am getting the shadows etc.

I changed his beak and head feathers. Did not like the old ones with the body feathers.

It was a lot of work and my assistant was exhausted!

Secret Revealed

2011-08-17T14:12:00.000-05:00

A few more bars were added to the scene.

The drawing was placed inside to see how it would look and fit.

I think the perspective is perfect!

It was sunny and breezy all day, so nice in the studio.

Once again my assistant did what he does best.

New Piece

2011-08-16T13:04:00.000-05:00

I began adding to my background on my new piece. I will let you guess where I am going with this as I move along.

I moved across the bottom and fused these on.

Then I began adding these horizontal and vertical lines.

Yup this looks good.

A little more shadowing on the "yellow-gold" area.

Now I will quilt all of this before moving on to the next stage.

I am pretty happy with it at this point and confident it is moving in the right direction.

Fall is Coming!

2011-08-13T16:50:00.002-05:00

With Fall Approaching I thought a new

look on my blog was appropriate.

Hope you like it.

Background Quilting

2011-08-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

Got up early this morning and after enjoying a few minutes in the hot tub (finally cool enough to use it again) I headed to my studio to quilt this background piece. I thought if I started early enough I could get the entire thing finished before heading to work. This quilt pattern usually goes pretty fast once you get in the "groove". So that is complete. Now the fun part starts.

Background

2011-08-11T13:34:00.000-05:00

If you read yesterday's post you will see I have abandoned the rusted fabric.

Now I am working on this. It will be the background for something that you will have to wait to see.

Have not decided on the border yet. You can see Watson on the ironing board pondering my

audition. Maybe he will give me his opinion when I get home from work.

Sewing on Rusted Fabric

2011-08-10T12:58:00.000-05:00

I bought this great piece of rusted fabric and now I am finding out how hard it is to sew through on my machine. I researched online ( I know, should have done that first) and am getting the impression I should forget it especially if

I plan on adding even more fabric on top of it. It appears to me this is not suitable for machine sewing???

I have changed all my setting numerou times, used microtex and sharps and jeans needles and still get breakage using Superior King Tut thread.

What scared me more is one person said the chemicals in the rusting may damage your machine if you machine sew it????

Should I scrap this piece and use something more quiltable?

Does someone know something that could help me here?

Thanks.

Droid

2011-08-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

My new best friend!

Well I have finally succumbed to purchasing a smart phone.

It is called a "Droid". So not me but it has made my life so much better.

I now sit on my front porch and read emails, facebook and blogs.

I can actually keep up for the first time in a long time.

I have to say....I like it.

Quilting Camouflage

2011-08-05T13:33:00.000-05:00

The last few days I have been quilting my Camouflage Quilt.

I think I have been spelling Camouflage incorrectly in previous posts so pardon me for that.

I have the border to quilt and the binding and it is finished.

It feels good to be back on track. I like to do one large piece each year. So I plan on beginning that

soon. I want to wait until Quilt Expo because there is a vendor there that I always visit who carries

very unique hand dyed and over dyed fabric which I may be able to use in this new piece.

I hope to be finished with Camo and Bee Balm by then.

Vacation In The North Woods

2011-08-01T17:35:00.001-05:00

We decided to go to Minoqua Wisconsin for some peace and tranquility for our vacation.

We took our fishing boat along and docked it at the pier.

Great fish were caught.

I enjoyed kayaking around the lake in pursuit of inspirational photos.

A pair of ducks liked to hang out at our pier.

This one like to nap under the pier in the shade.

Caught in the act.

The other hung out with me on top.


A loon flapping his wings.

There was a pair but hard to get close to and photograph in a rocking boat.


Finally one clear picture of the pair.

This was a fabulous and relaxing vacation. The kids were up for the first few days but had to return to their jobs. The rest of the time it was Bob and me along with Barley and Ozzie and a beautiful lake to relax on.

A Special Gift

2011-07-21T14:57:00.001-05:00

A special gift arrived this morning in the mail. It is one of Joyce Debreuil's quilts. I had sent her a box of trinkets that I had gathered over the past few months here at the store that I run. I thought she could use them in her art. She, being the generous and kind hearted person she is, returned the favor with this beautiful piece. This is made extra special because after she mailed this, she suffered a terrible loss when her husband died suddenly. I know right now she is going through hard times and my heart goes out to her.

Thank you Joyce for this wonderful piece and it will hang forever in a special place in my house. It is even more beautiful in person!!!!

See more of her work here: http://jdebreuilsartandquilts.blogspot.com/

Grab Your Kleenex Box

2011-07-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

You may need a kleenex box to watch and hear this

whale rescue. Unbelievable.

http://www.wimp.com/humpbackwhale/

Camoflage Etc.

2011-07-14T10:55:00.001-05:00

I have added the border and some thistle like flowers to the scene. My goose is complete except his eye which will go on last. I am wondering if it is finished or not? I have just been looking at it for the last few days. What do you think? Does it need more or is less more?

In the meantime I went back to what was going to be just a fun quicky little piece and has turned into a frustrating pain in the -----! I cropped it, took off the bird, added borders and replaced the bee outside of the border to add depth. I think I am finished with this now. I have no where else to go with it and I hope the quilting brings it back to life.

On another note, the funniest thing has happened. As most of you know we have a hot tub on our deck that we enjoy in the early morning hours. Several weeks ago I posted a photo of a tree frog sitting on one of my shutters on the back of our house. Well since that he has taken up residency under our spa cover on the top edge of the spa.

In the morning when we go to use the spa he is there. When we get in he jumps over to the railing where we have vines growing. It is about a foot jump.

Then he works his way up to the top ledge and sits there watching us.

If we stay too long he jumps back on the spa as if to say "I waited long enough, it is time for you to get out and leave me in peace!"

Now how strange and funny is that?

Back to Business

2011-07-07T14:51:00.000-05:00

Now that the wedding is behind us and I am caught up around the house and garden, I am able to get back to work in my studio. I have several projects started and I want to get them completed before moving on to a larger piece. This one above is one of them. I call it Camouflage. I am happy with it
so far.

Remember this one? Well I am still having mixed feeling about it. I want the bee to look closer to the viewer than the bird and flower but I am not totally sold on keeping the bird in the same colors as the bee and just the whole appearance of the bird. So I stopped working on it and now I am back

relooking at it. Sort of floundering on this one.

Wedding part Three

2011-07-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

My Mother and I are walking down the aisle.

Wedding party gathering.

Our son Jason and my DH!

My son Jon Decorated with stickers

Fun in the photo booth, Molly and her best friend and maid of honor Jessy.

The father daughter dance.

Awwww!

Wedding Part Two

2011-07-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Molly & her Dad.

The wedding kiss!

Heading to the cocktail party.

Arriving in the tent!

The wedding party plus some cooperative kids!

The tent lit and ready.......

The celebration.

Local Artist

2011-07-01T12:55:00.001-05:00

"Toe To Heal" by James Michael

A local artist has several of his pieces for sale at our local gallery.

I love how he uses light in his water colors and thought I would share with you.

http://www.jamesmichaelart.com/landscapes.html

Wedding Day (part one)

2011-06-30T14:37:00.001-05:00

The bride was dressed.

The bridesmaids dresses were ready to go.

The tables were set.

The cake was beautiful!

The bride was gorgeous!

Fringe Tree

2011-06-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

We bought a new tree. It is called a Fringe Tree. It has fringe like blooms that smell like Jasmine.

It is glorious right now!

Ozzie and Groucho

2011-06-17T12:30:00.001-05:00

I thought these two expressions looked somewhat similar as they both were

gazing out from the deck at me.

More From Beneath

2011-06-16T14:51:00.000-05:00

The Seven Year Iris

2011-06-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

When we moved into our bungalow 7 years ago. There were some old iris plants in the back yard where we were putting our deck addition. So I dug them up and replanted them.

Every year they came up fine but would not bloom. My elderly neighbor had some in her yard so I talked to her. She said I had them too deep. I needed to have them laying right on top the dirt. So I dug them up and a little more each year but tried to keep their roots in the soil. Still no blooms.

Each year I tried to expose more and more of the bulbous tuber. Still no blooms until this year!!!!

I had no idea what color they were until now...with two a flesh like pink and the other purple.

I am so excited as it has been a constant challenge to get to this point.

Hoorah!!!!

Pets

2011-06-13T16:30:00.001-05:00

During the day, Ozzie & Watson do not like it when they are not allowed outside.

In the evening Watson finds a warm spot next to Barley on the Ottoman.

Gotta love them all!

Canadians & Mallards

2011-06-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to the river to try to get some photos of the Canadian Geese down there for the next quilt in my series. They were all on the opposite shore from me.

The goslings are growing up way to fast and I really wanted to get a photo of them but they were too far away for my camera.

Two Mallards popped out of the weeds. It was so sunny their green heads almost glowed.

I think I will give it another try tomorrow.

Beneath

2011-06-11T13:00:00.000-05:00

I am gathering photos for a quilt that is in my mind and has not fully developed yet.

I want it to be from the perspective of being below the vegetation in a flower bed looking up.

So on the last sunny day we had I went out into my garden and put my camera on the ground and took a chance I would capture some great shots with out seeing exactly what it would be.

I was happy with all of them. So here are a few for you to see.

Fini

2011-06-10T16:08:00.000-05:00

Last night I finished my pin wheel/Dr. Seuss baby quilt that I made for my next grandchild due in October! I will do the label once he or she is born with their name on it and my special message.

It is so cute and will go well in his/her blue bedroom.

Crow

2011-06-05T09:00:00.001-05:00

This morning I decided to try once again to capture a closeup of a crow.

Actually there were two on the lines. As I approached one flew off and the other was close to following him so I had to take the shot early and too far away.

Be Aware

2011-06-04T09:00:00.002-05:00

This morning I brought my camera outside with a cup of coffee just in case a bird came close enough to photograph. I am trying to catch a big crow up close but they do not like me or my camera once I get close enough with my lens to get a really good shot.

So I was sitting on the deck and I see something on my shutter. I had to go investigate but thought it was a bug of some sort.

No bug! The tiniest toad and how he got there since it is up high I have no idea.

Went out again before leaving for work and he was gone.

He is sort of ugly but seems to have the slightest smile on his face like he just wants to say "I knew I could do it!"

Working & Resting

2011-06-03T09:00:00.003-05:00

I have been spending as much time as possible quilting my next grandchild's baby quilt.

I have all of it finished except the border now. There was one spot where I did not match up my points...see it! I do not thing he or she will mind.

Do you think Watson need a bigger bed?????

He is too funny.

Early Morning Poppies

2011-06-02T16:19:00.000-05:00

I was up early this morning and took these shots in my garden. I waited until I could take the three cycles of the plant.... Pod (whole and discarded) Bloom & Seed Head.

All of them are so interesting looking I think that is why I love poppies.

Evening Photography

2011-05-28T13:38:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to take photos at different times of the day to see what effect they have on the resulting photograph using my camera.

This shot of the Magnolia tree has an entirely different feel to it while the sun is setting and it is in shadow.

The chicks and hens on the other hand...not much of a difference but they are

pretty full this year. They must like the cooler temps and all the rain?

Garden

2011-05-27T14:22:00.000-05:00

Each spring the garden just is so inspiring to me.

Our Crab apple tree is profuse with blooms!

My first Jack in the pulpit is still growing despite having its leaves chewed off by a bunny.

Our Peach tree had such wonderful details in each bloom.

An exotic tulip is baffling in shape.

Through it all Mr. Wren stands guard over his birdhouse full of eggs.

Soooo...since the poppies are about to bloom I went upstairs and made this little fun piece and am almost finished with the quilting.

The shower

2011-05-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

The weather was grand!

Games were played.

My girls & husband....Becky, Molly, Christy, Robin and Bob!

Fun was had opening gifts.

My soon to be 87 year old Mother was beautiful.

My Daughter as well.

But Watson slept thru it all with

his friend.

A Perfect Bridal Shower In The Garden

2011-05-23T13:18:00.000-05:00

It was a glorious day for Mother & Daughter!

The shower was so much fun