My Tiny Landscape!

Last fall I took a class from Wendy Butler Berns. We learned several techniques including using texture magic to make the tree, thread sketching for the tree twigs, her piecing technique for the mountains, and couching.

 This is what I accomplished last fall. I wanted to embellish, quilt and finish the project.

 Here is a close up of some of the details. First I did the quilting, then I added a handmade clay star button to the sky and glass leaf buttons to the tree.Here you can see the little owl charm in the tree and see the texture of the tree bark.

 I added silk flowers and beads for flower details. There are also tiny glass leaves on the flowers in the little bush next to the tree.

This is the back with a facing and label. Again I incorporated a hanging sleeve in the top facing.

Another completion for The Littlest Thistle.

Believe it or not there's more!

Kathy

Fly Away Butterfly!

This is a project started last winter in a workshop from Heather Thomas on Thread Painting given by our Guild.

 The Butterfly is made completely with thread and stitched directly on the fabric. Three of the leaves are needle lace which were stitched on netting and and stabilizer, rinsed and then tacked down. The 4th leaf is thread sketched onto the fabric. I quilted it and added a crocheted flower

 I used a facing instead of binding to finish the edges. I left the top facing open to use it as a hanging sleeve.

Another finish for The Littlest Thistle.

I'm not done yet!! More to come!!

Kathy

Trip to the Laundromat!

 I considered the 2 chenille throws finished, but I knew deep in my heart that they weren't because I needed to wash and dry them to fluff them up and make them more ravelly. I did not want to mess up my home machines and knew I needed to take them to the laundromat. I dreaded spending 2 hours hanging out in a laundromat!

 Well, I did it and here's proof!!!!! Pictured is the laundromat in Lincoln, which was remarkably clean and nice! The girl pictured was there washing blankets to save her home machines. It was not nearly as bad as I had imagined!

Ta-da!!!!!! Nice and fluffy!!!!!!! Wish there was a way to let you experience how soft these are!!!

Another finish for The Littlest Thistle.

Well, Onward and Upward!

Kathy

20 Year Old UFO Done!

About 20 years ago I bought an angel kit which someone had started and not completed for $1. I can't resist things that someone started working on and failed to finish. I feel sorry for the little orphans! I started finishing it using fancy stitches on my sewing machine and then lost interest and put it away. 

When I started this challenge I found it in a bag and thought this was the time! I carried it to basketball games and road trips(when I wasn't driving) and finished the embroidery by hand!

I still needed to cut it out, sew it together, turn, stuff and stabilize it so it could sit on a shelf or on a tree top.

20 year old mission accomplished!!!!!

 When I turned the wings and halo, I cut a hole in them and inadvertently cut holes in the back where they showed--duh! I used some small yoyos and buttons to cover the holes. I made a cardboard cone to help her stand up.

This is goal number 2 for The Littlest Thistle Finish Along.

On to goal # 3!!!!

Kathy

Doll UFO Makeover

I belong to a small doll club and we had a challenge to make a doll related to Alice and Wonderland. I had this stuffed doll who needed a makeover. I removed her clothes and started a modern outfit for Alice in Wonderland. I thought it could also be a gift for my 4 year old granddaughter, Hazel, who loves babies.

Here's the before.

Here's the front of the after. I finished the dress and apron, made pantaloons and a head scarf.

Here's the back. It has a velcro closure so that she can change the clothes.

This is a finish for the challenge at The Littlest Thistle. This is goal #1.

More to come!

Kathy

May Blocks

Okay! This is my block total for May and this year so far! I am participating in the block project over at Prairie Moon.

These are 11 small quilts I made for my husband's graduating senior basketball players  and managers for 2014 and 2013. I am counting these as 11 blocks. Each quilt has the player's number and is foundation paper pieced. Shown is one block. the rest are wrapped like diplomas. I had them wrapped before I thought to take pics.

I took a class at Pieces and Patches Quilt Guild on making houses without a blueprint from Sharon Phillips. This is my completed block. Do you see the monkey and bird in the windows? I'm thinking this might make the start of a book about Monkey and Bird!

This is a block I made at Scrappy Ladies. Sue Goldman and Loneta Blevins gave us instructions for this. Fun block! It will make an interesting quilt. I used 2 1/2 strips cut from my scraps. It will all be yellow and blue!

Well, my total for May is 13. My total so far this year is 184. I am over halfway to my goal after 5 months. 

Kathy

April Fun with the Grands

Last month the grandkids came for a few days. We went to a couple of our favorite places. On our way back from Tulsa we went to Wilson Park in Fayetteville. It is a magical place with a castle and pond, flowers, clay flower benches, and many avenues for imaginative play.

Ash and Eowyn in the top of the castle, hanging out with the Gargoyles!

 They are now coming down the back of the castle, heading out on adventure!

                                     Eowyn, I believe, is a fairy hanging out on a flower!

 Hazel, of course, in her favorite role--Queen!

 Close-up of the Queen!

 Grey enjoyed climbing on everything. You can see some of the artwork on the floor of the castle.

Ash enjoyed climbing on the roof.

Quite a sighting of wildlife hanging out on a flower!

The next day we went to Terra Studios/Bluebird Factory in Durham, AR. We picnicked and played for part of the day. Some of the same artists that created the clay structures at Wilson Park created the magical gnomes and structures here.

 Grey visits with the troll under the bridge. Such a brave boy!

 Ash and Eowyn had to climb the lamppost--too tempting!

                                       Papaw, Grey and Hazel climbed atop of the giant bug!

 Every time we go we have to pose with our friend,

the gnome.

                                                                    Good friends!

 No trip would be complete without a tea party with the gnomes.

 The Queen and her attendants, both real and clay!

 Ash loves the dragons! No fear!

Another tradition--Papaw throwing a grandkid in the Monster trash can.

The most amazing part of this place is that it is FREE!!!

On my way to meet Joel in OK, I stopped at the park in Siloam Springs. Eva has promised the kids a puppy when Grey gets a little older. Everyone but Hazel petted the dog in the park. After it left she said she wanted to pet it also. Convenient? Eowyn has gotten so much better with dogs.  She really wants a puppy!

Brave little girl!

Grey has no fear. He let the dog nibble on his hand.

We had such a great time and I also wanted to share with you our little corner of the world! 

Kathy