K-2 with beads

We arrived home yesterday and I'm still trying to get caught up with email and all that stuff that is so easily abandoned while on vacation!

Here is one thing I did on those rainy days last week and in the evenings. I put seed beads in every spot of the leopard-like fabric in Kaleidoscope-2. It was just enough to give this wall hanging some zip. I also added to the title, so it is now K-2 Piping and Beads. You can see a full photo on this post, but it doesn't have the seed beads.

I'm adding beads to K-3 also, but in a totally different arrangement. I'll post a photo when finished.

Beading is surprisingly very relaxing!

On Vacation

I brought two quilts to bead (K-2 and K-3), my art supplies, and laptop. However the wireless service in the lovely remote place in the Rocky Mountains where we are staying offers such a weak connection that I am unable to connect. Right now, I'm in their main building plugged in direct with a cable. Besides that, it is pouring rain and I want to hibernate, not go out to post blog messages. As soon as the sun shines, I will be back (or when we go home, whatever comes first!)

BTW, the beads are looking good. Such a relaxing way to spend a rainy day. We have a spectacular view, even with the rain, and our chalet is roomy, warm and has everything but email. What more could I want!

Can you rescue me?

I've been challenged to make some small heart-themed center mats for a few round tables... to be used at a writer's conference with the theme "Out of the abundance of the heart the pen writes."

Any ideas? I've a few. if anyone sends me an idea or pattern, I'll put their name on a list and after the conference is over (September) make a random draw. The winner will get one of the completed mats (not the same as their submitted idea). These should be fairly simple (I'm too busy now!!) and more elegant than 'cute' as the writers are mostly older adults.

Post your idea in comments, or link me to your blog with the idea or pattern, or post a link to an online idea, or email whatever you have to: query@inscribe.org.

Thanks!

Sunflowers & Asters

I'm one of those people who move furniture often, change the pictures on the wall often, change the wallpaper on my computer very often, and obviously need to change my blog 'look' now and then.

This new template suits my taste and it may stay the same, but I will change the photo on the right now and then. This one is a quilt that I made in a class at Canmore taught by Phil Beaver. The week is hosted by the Sugar Pine quilt shop and its focus is art quilts. I took a three-day class from Phil the first time I attended. This quilt is featured on his website (main link on the right) along with others from the same class. The fabrics, except the background and vase, are hand dyed. What fun. If you every have the opportunity, take a class from this funny, hard-working man who does everything to help his students.

Jen's Kaleidoscope

Jen finished her kaleidoscope from the class I taught in March. She was the one who selected Amy Butler fabrics, which would not have been my choice, but her design is a jewel! She is planning to turn this wild and crazy top into a duvet cover for her little girl. I'm certain that Kayte will spend many hours following these patterns with her eyes and fingers!

I've finished the top with 24 of the asymetrical block that I posted a while ago. It is in an asymetrical setting and the borders are also a bit askew. I've figured out how I want to quilt it but always procrastinate at this point. It is about 63" square and not that huge, yet still requires energy to move it around under the arm of my machine. I'll post a picture later.

Pay it Forward Challenge - You are invited. . .

Something challenged me to get involved in a Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based on the concept of the movie Pay it Forward, where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness will continue to pass it on.

Here’s how it works: I will make and send a handmade gift (quilted or something else) to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. As I'm already booked for weeks, my plan is to send out the handmade items in June/July. I will email each person for their mailing address and send the handmade gift when completed.

What YOU have to do in return, then, is Pay it Forward by making the same promise on your blog to 3 different people. Unfortunately, this is only possible for those of who have a blog.

So, who wants to Pay it Forward? Leave me a message.

Mom's Mystery Quilt

This quilt is for my elderly mother-in-law, who wanted something floral, bright, and "not too busy" for her single bed. She wanted it big enough to be more like a bedspread since she does not have a dust ruffle, so I made it a queen-size. The label is not on yet, but will be later today. We deliver the quilt on Friday. She hasn't seen it, so I hope she likes it.

It began as a class project taught by a friend, a mystery quilt. When it was finished, I thought it would be just right for Mom. She would like an old-fashioned look, but a bit up-dated. The colors are bright and more up-to-date (her bedroom is all beige and much in need of some color).

I had it quilted by Connie Anderson, who designed the feathered shapes specifically for this quilt. She did a great job and the design gives it that old-fashioned look! I had to soak it in cold water (marker pencil refused to come out with spraying) so that helped make it look even "older." Double-click on the photo to see the detail.