Saturday, December 30, 2023

Creativity this week, quilting, photography, paper craft, and paint

 

Creativity... how do you use your creativity? This week I had to come up with 3 meals a day and I don't like food prep. This week I sewed a bit on my star puzzle.. putting together disparate blocks into a whole:

First I took star blocks sort of the same size, that I made with Christmas scrap fabric, to try a pattern (over the years) added to them to make it people size. Then decided to join them with an irish chain block, in a vintage gold with gold metallic fabric. 

I sewed them in rows making the sizes work, then rows together and looked for a border fabric. Above I tried lots of greens and reds and decided on one to use, the one on the left up there. It's from vintage Hoffman celestial line and has wee stars in it. I chose an angel fabric for top and bottom with more wee stars. 

then Joy said, if you do cornerstones with the gold fabric it will unite the whole thing and BOING! 

brilliant

now it's 46" wide by 70" long, a size to cover a human at nap time. Now I have to quilt it with my little domestic machine... wish me luck!

On another front,  I had an extra unsent Christmas card (I'd already sent one to that person) and love the little birds and how close they are... what to make? I found this video on a super-simple way to make a box from a card:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQtee_BoQH0
 

got out some tools

 


the back of the card was pretty for the base...

it's so small it won't hold much, but just sitting there all tidy and pretty makes me happy! 

And I know how to make a box, so easy now... not all instructional videos are equal. This one was great


I was watching tv, looked over to my window, and noticed this in my plant:

a heart made by the space between the leaves! If I'd been in any other position I might have missed it, if I hadn't really looked at the scene I would have missed it. If I hadn't taken a picture I'd never have it to share... 

some creativity takes a spark of an idea/concept

then it takes really seeing/feeling/hearing and attention to the making

it takes some action as well...

Three friends and I are going to all try the same painting experiment from a video... and then compare notes... how fun! I asked, they said yes! I hope to use my new watercolors from Kuretake of impressionist colors. I waited two years for it to come in, so.... yea!

Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI 24 Color Set II “Art nouveau”, Watercolor Paint Set, Professional-Quality for Artists and Crafters, ...

https://www.dickblick.com/items/kuretake-gansai-tambi-watercolor-art-nouveau-set-of-24/

since my husband was off work this week, we've been focused on chores and tasks taking me away from my happy place of creating... I squeezed some in, as I'm less me if I'm not making something

 pressies from Christmas

rotating cutting mat and calendar

Tell me what you think... it means so much to communicate with other creatives... 

a big thank you for 3 friends sharing their time with me on virtual visits this week... Cindy in SC, Joy in NC, and Diane in TX. It's good to have a friend, isn't it? 

do you have a wish/goal list for the new year? Helen encouraged me to return to writing, and that's my goal. Write something daily, write more of my fiction story, write about my experiences, write about what I'm thinking... write descriptions and dialogue. 

Making inspires other making. As a teaching friend once said to me, "just start, it's easier to change direction if you're moving than from a full stop" 

Love, LeeAnna
 

linking to:

design wall Mondays at smallquiltsanddollquilts

https://songbirddesigns.blog/monday-musings-6-26-23/ 

finished or not

 



15 comments:

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Your quilt is so pretty with all the gorgeous stars. I can imagine cuddling up under it and reading a good book on a cold winter day. I like all of your goals for the new year. I think that being creative keeps one's mind focused on beautiful things. You asked me if having two dogs created a lot of barking. Yes, sometimes, but living in the middle of nowhere, they are my alarm system! Wishing you a Happy and very creative New Year, dear friend. xx K

Susie H said...

Creativity friends are THE BEST! It's our most happy place and sharing with like-minded friends just super-intensifies the good vibes. Happy New Year's Eve!

Gwyned Trefethen said...

I'm old school. I love sending and receiving cards via snail mail. But oh the guilt when I think of the paper use. However, turning the cards into boxes is going to be such a fun project to do with my granddaughters. I'm always looking for simple, satisfying, useful art projects to do with them. No doubt their boxes will fill with fun erasers, hair elastics and small toys. Thanks for sharing.

Kathleen said...

I love sending and receiving cards, but the list has dwindled and I was late this year - all year! Here's hoping for a new energy in 2024 and more fun for all of us. Love the box video...and yes...I should be doing something else but I rather love the idea of recycling some fabulous cards! Maybe they can hold some of my ornaments.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

The heart and the box are definite Wows!! I look forward to connecting with you for a virtual visit. Since mid December, I've been working at least half days subbing while a new person has a chance to be hired and oriented. I have a finish wish list for the new year. . .let's see how many UFOs I can complete!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love your star quilt. Very festive colours!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

That star quilt really was a puzzle and you solved it beautifully! I know quilting is hard for you, but I hope you can quilt this one soon. Lovely job! I hope you had a lovely New Year! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2024/01/03/wednesday-wait-loss-361

Angela said...

Those watercolours look so yummy!

DVArtist said...

Your quilting is just gorgeous. You have a realy eye and hand to put it all together. That box is brilliant. My goal for the year it to take it by the tail, (dragon tail) and make this a better year. It is the year of the dragon. Thank you for joining FFO and have a wonderful day today, LeeAnna.

Christine said...

Lovely quilting.

JanineMarie said...

I like all of your projects, but the little box! I need to sort out a closet that has old cards in it. Should I prepare to be sidetracked?

peppylady (Dora) said...

It's been a while since I sewed.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

The golden cornerstones were a fabulous idea, your quilt looks wonderful. Love the little angels ;) Lovely small box too, such a fun idea to use cards!
Thank you for sharing!
Happy New Year LeeAnna, I wish you a creative and inspiring year. Hugs.

Twyla said...

As always thank you for sharing your finds. I will be making boxes and will try with 9yr old great granddaughter. I love sending and receiving snail mail cards.
I love the Jacob's ladder among the stars. And the colors are great.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Your quilt turned out great!!
I am with you - i don't like cooking that much!!