Saturday, December 3, 2022

my creative week a finish, an inspiration, some fun videos and two faces

 Welcome to this week's creativity round-up... first a finish!!!

I went up to the happy place, my studio one (small but mighty) and looked into the Christmas "parts dept" to see 7 pieced hexie blocks. I kept looking but they called my name, know what I mean? 

they were similar sizes so I cut them all to be the same size, adding in some strips here or there. I made them a few years ago with scraps from a big Christmas quilt, and thought mug rugs. 

putting them together like this required some fancy y-seam machine work, and figuring out some bits to set in around the outside to unify it.

lots of copper and gold thread to quilt it, then sewed on two beads to each corner by hand
 

see the star fabrics?

I wanted to highlight the hexie shapes, hard to see in the crazy quilt piecing, and after talking to Joy I reluctantly decided to couch on some sparkly thick thread around a few of them

The couching foot has a hole to keep your thick thread in line while you zig zag over it

used a fun bright o.l.d. fabric to back it.

too small for this coffee table

pretty on this end table in the family room!

The table scraps challenge this month was to make something with stars... I finished early but then when inspiration strikes, I listen!

This week I took part in another creativity workshop, and while listening to the video interviews, I pulled out the scrap paper of nutrition info from printing a recipe, and doodled faces with my stabilo crayon. It's water soluble and creates shadows when brushed with water

I like seeing the wording through the face, and using paper not needed...I liked how her mouth came out and her personality too. I liked the second one even more....

she looks Italian to me. I would like to know her. Funny how each portrait done from my mind, comes out differently. Each one teaches me something too.

I'm thinking to do this embroidery this week, from a prior workshop, but will I do it for a week quilt or what? 

and Joanna Basford, my sketching mentor online (I just watch all her youtube videos) sent a free advent calendar link to newsletter people.... this was yesterday's image and I like it for an applique pattern more than coloring page!  It was her gift to us, and of course is copyright to her, for our personal use only.

our air temps are in mid 50's but the sun is fierce and it feels warmer in the house that is superheated with that sun.... but nights are colder, even for furballs like mine

I'll go finish my breakfast

and leave you to enjoy some tutorials and links I found this week:

 I loved this art made with Kisses tabs...yep those chocolate kisses

https://austinkleon.substack.com/p/kisses

I found this tutorial series and really learned a lot

this one is on simple tearing/cutting techniques. No nonsense, no extraneous chatter, focused on the info

never know when you'll need to do this... or if you might want to try collage... she has a lot of good videos
 


happy Arting y'all

patchwork Sunday    

 slow stitching Sundays                

design wall Mondays at smallquiltsanddollquilts
lovelaughquilt.mondays 



20 comments:

Helen said...

There is something so satisfying about using up scraps of fabric and bits of paper!

The Joyful Quilter said...

I see stars and that couched thread was just the right way to finish off your festive table topper, LeeAnna! I like the fact that you used that extra paper for portraits. They both turned out well, but the first one is my favorite of the too. Such a quirky personality showing through! :o))

grammajudyb said...

I love the “arty” table topper! Especially the couching thread and the beads! I admire your drawing! I don’t have any drawing ability at all! Well done!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Your tabletopper is so fun! I love that you pulled those hexagon blocks out of a bin and turned them into something. Fun with the beads on it, too!

Mari said...

Wow, that CHristmas table topper is really cool! Love the beads and the colors!

Joanne said...

Hi LeeAnna,
That's a great way to decorate for Christmas ! Great to see gold glitter thread and beads :)
thanks for the youtube links :)
0 C this morning ! Time to put on the winter leggings :)
hugs, take care,
Joanne

Susie H said...

The table topper is cool. I love hexies too. I can certainly understand the painting on nutrition labels, newsprint, etc. I like embroidering on printed backgrounds. To me, same dif!

Tommy and Teaghan said...

I love the hexagon shapes, esp. snowflakes. Fabulous idea. It's really artsy with the bright red and colors and the gold thread. Really great work.

Erin the Cat Princess said...

The end result of your patchwork is divine. Your doodles show great promise too. I'd hate to attempt even doing a face. The water colour like effect of those pens is marvellous, too.
ERin

Sara said...

That red hexie piece is fantastic! You are so good at choosing embellishments that really enhance something. I'm kind of a chicken when it comes to embellishments.

Sandy said...

LOVE your Christmas hexie made from scraps. YOu really are very talented. It looks great on the table.
Sandy's Space

Kathleen said...

That table topper is perfect. Love your drawing on used paper....it adds another layer of interest! So much fun to see all your creativity shine through.

Ann said...

It appears we are both busy using up leftovers. And you finished yours. Great job.
I like the sketches with printing showing. Neat idea.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

I would never have thought to paint over printed words but I'm really loving the result! Your Christmas mini is so pretty. That couching really was the perfect extra touch. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.

DVArtist said...

you are an amazing quilter. This is just gorgeous. The face is fantastic too. Thank you for joining FFO. Have a wonderful day.

Tails Around the Ranch said...

Wow, love those colors! Especially welcome this time of year when the outdoors are so drab.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I would have been here sooner, but I watched the entire video of cut and tear. Most of what she did, I do the same. It was still interesting to see how others deal with scissors, because I do NOT use a blade to cut my images.

As always, I am in awe of your latest quilt. It turned out great and I love how you added the little bells. Have a fantastic weekend, LeeAnna.

My name is Erika. said...

I love the red quilted piece. The beads at each pointed edge give it an Asian feel, as does all the red and the black hexi in the middle. I like it very much. Mile looks like it's nap time. Give him a pat for me. Hugs-Erika

Leanne Parsons said...

Your table topper is so fun! I love all the scrappy bits and the beads on the edges and the glittery couched thread are the perfect bling :) I can't draw at all, so I find your faces fascinating.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Amazing Table Topper!! You definitely have a talent with small pieces - that is just gorgeous!