SO COLD!!!!

Today's high....39 degrees.  My handsome boy Cochese and his girl Nellie stand in the sun.

2011~MY GOALS ?

Not sure what my goals will be yet but first I'll clean up Christmas and then spend time with the Grand's

And start a new project......

DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS

I love to decorate...especially for Christmas

Here's what I do with my Hoosier.....

The dishes are Homer Laughlin given to me by my Grandmother.

DEPRESSION

I SUFFER with depression, especially when changes happen.  I have to remember unconditional
love.....

GIVE THANKS

I give thanks for these...My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my husband, children, grand children, family, friends, health, happiness......HAPPY THANKSGIVING

CHRISTMAS START

I found this kit on ETSY the other day.  The shop name is Bear Dance Crafts.  Isn't it cute???

PAPER WORK

This is what I have been working on.  I've never been a paper person, can't write, can't crop, no idea's using paper.  But I made these after taking pictures of other ideas.  They are going to be name banners...

GIVE THANKS

I have always had trouble with the fact that after Halloween we skip right over Thanksgiving and head into Christmas.   We should be "Giving Thanks" a lot more!!!  I will leave you with a funny Mary Engelbreit picture.....

THANK YOU!!!

What else could we say but "Thank You" for fighting for our freedom.

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

I have been out looking and shopping for Christmas....this isn't Christmas

 

This is Christmas!!!!

IF I LIVE TO BE 95

If I live to be 95 and don't buy another project, I might finish all I have.  I have been working on these pillows I bought from http://www.reetsragstostitches.com/  It took some time because I did applique, hand stitching, and then machine quilting.  The pillows where made on linen that I washed and dried twice....they crinkled up which I really love.

Here's a close up.

NA-NA'S BIRTHDAY

Today is my Grand daughter Nastya's 3rd birthday....check out those long skinny legs!!!!
WE LOVE YOU NA-NA!!

FREEDOM'S VOICE

We live in the land of freedom and the right to vote....let your voice be heard!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

TODAY...JUST FUN

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS

This is Connie (left) a two time breast cancer survivor!!!! And Melinda (center) who I met in kindergarten.  Melinda & I went all the way to college but have become closer friends as we have grown in life.  We met Connie in 7th grade.  Each year I have traveled to their homes, Colorado or California.  This year they came to visit me at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon.   It's wonderful to have life time friends.  Love you girls!!!!

Here are more pictures of the Ranch....

ART & SOUL CLASS 2

I have been busy trying to finish some of my Art & Soul projects...and then there is life too, it happens!
This class was taught by Jennifer Campbell, called Hearts & Wings.  I made the pendant on the left and the one on the right was a kit I bought from Jennifer and put together.  The dremel is my new favorite tool.

 

JULIE HAYMAKER THOMPSON

Yesterday I took a class from Julie at Art & Soul Portland.  This is "Walking Rusty" and with with Julie's expert teaching ability it turned out great!!!

I really "dig" the dog!!!

 

 Here's a picture of us together.....Hey, we have the same glasses!?!

 

QUILT EXPO

Last week I went to Quilt Expo in Portland.  They had a car like mine with this on it.....

This picture is for my husband.......he loves to fly!!!

 

And this quilt was AMAZING.......

Here are some close up pictures

MY JANET BOLTON

I am finally finished...

Janet's words of wisdom...keep it simple, add details with your stitches, play with your fabric!!!

 

MORE JANET BOLTON

Here are some other students work.....

This on says,
I must have flowers.....always, always

MY JANET BOLTON WORK

Janet suggests your first picture be flowers or birds, so I chose chickens.  At the finish of class we all laid them on a table and looked at each persons work.  I felt my stuck out like a sore thumb...to perfect.  I need to loosen up and throw out all I have learned about appliqueing a perfect square and circle...let it be simple, loose and more like folk art.

Janet looked at my piece and added two things.....can you see them?

The red dots make the picture sing!!!

JANET BOLTON DAY 2

Day 2 with Janet was fabulous...she walked in and showed us how to start a picture of flowers

Here she is working on the picture...

And now it's done....it took her about 20 minutes,
she calls this play time.













If you notice she started with a different fabric for the pot and changed it....making the picture just right.  Janet has an incredible eye for color and design.  It was so fun watching her play.

JANET BOLTON DAY 1

What a gift to take a class from Janet Bolton!!  She is charming, witty, soft spoken and just a real treat to be with.  I asked her if she knew about Jean Wells of the Stitchin' Post which she sheepishly shook her head "no", but replied she was a "picture maker" not a quilter.  Our first day of class we made the background and frame for our picture.  Here's mine....and that's me with Janet.

As you can see I have a lot to learn.

JANET BOLTON

Tomorrow I am taking a class at The Stitchin' Post and Janet Bolton is the teacher.  She comes from England and this is a sample of her work.  Very small picture quilts.
I CAN'T WAIT!!!!  I'll share what my work looks like next week.