Taking over the house

No, this is not a new tablecloth. This is batting and under that a backing for a quilt. An ART quilt. YEAH!

It has been percolating for a while, but what finally got me over the top was my Sister-in-Law's status update on facebook. She lives in Parkerville and is really good with a camera. She also has a nature show right outside her door. She posted some pictures of deer, racoons, and wild hogs that came right up to her porch. Really good pictures.

As with all great ideas, this one had to be scratched out on a scrap of paper. As with all great ideas scratched out on scraps, no one understands it but the scratcher. That's okay, I got this.

This pic doesn't do justice to this fabric. It will be the background. There is another layer of orange/yellow, so there will be (sort of) a sky and a reflection.
These also are prettier in person. These will also make up parts of the background, as well as some water, trees and other landscape components. The animals will come after much of the landscape is down.
If you think this is all vaguely familiar, you're right! This will be the second in what I hope becomes a series. The first is Secret of the Suwannee.

This one will be the St. Mary's River, where I grew up. It will have some similarities to the first river quilt, I think that's what makes it a series. Also some new things. Will there be wild hogs? hmm...have ta wait and see.

What is best?

It occurred to me, as I was finding a place for my shrinking collection of 'all purpose thread' in my sewing space, that my best work did not happen because I was using the best materials. I did not have $8 per spool thread, hand dyed high dollar fabric or a machine that cost the equivalent of a car.
My best work happened when I was inspired, no... driven to create. I had a desire to fling fabric off the shelf until I came across the right one, digging through and using what was there. When the perfect one wasn't readily available, I improvised until it fit anyway! I used all purpose thread and a Brother that came from a discount store for a couple hundred dollars. My best work had nothing at all to do with the quality of materials that were used in it!
I now have a nice machine (or two), an entire shelf devoted to King Tut Superior Thread and more than a couple stacks of pretty expensive fabric. Where I used to sew at the dining room table, I now have an entire room (plus other parts of the house) devoted to nothing but making pretty things with fabric.
All of these things feel like weights to me. The cost of all the supplies make it an obligation to produce. My best work comes to me when I throw caution to the wind and have a devil may care attitude, almost in defiance of fancy thread and a good machine. In short, I work best under pressure. Take away the pressure and I go flat!
hmm...

A painting I did for a friend. I know there is a point when you 'overdo' a painting, but I always felt I didn't take this one far enough. Parts of it I really like and other parts seem 'unfinished'.

mangoless

Since last we talked, I have been a busy bee! The remaining mangos were pureed, strained and added to some freshly brewed tea and served over ice. to me. I liked it very much! It was a little cloudy looking and no one would try it with me. More for me!
I also (even when the laptop ate my message) have prepared to be the speaker at church tomorrow. Went to swim at Alexander Springs, went shopping in the rain, spent the day at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom with two teenaged girls, and managed to avoid being involved in a terrible accident. Also, being a landlady sucks, as the A/C broke as soon as I left town. Oh yeah, the Blazer is not blazing right now! But, life is still sweet and delicious, and tomorrow I get to start again. No pictures, I am still on the very slow computer.

Mango Parfaits

If you know me at all, ya had to know I couldn't keep up that grueling schedule! Posting EVERY DAY?!?!? Just not possible!
Oh!...what's this?
Tuesday, while I wasn't blogging, I cut into 2 plump mangos. The juice ran into my palm and down my wrist. MMMM! Gonna be something good!
I cut them up into bite sized pieces and made Mango Blueberry Yogurt Parfaits. The recipe was a hybrid taken from 2 different websites;
www.freshmangos.com
Where I found that mangos are the most popular fruit in the world. Go figure.
and
www.mango.org
the National Mango Board. Again, who knew?
I had pictures of my parfaits, people enjoying my parfaits, and the carnage in the kitchen afterwards.
Then...
my laptop fried. One minute it was working and the next minute it was completely and utterly gone. (I want to go that very same way, when the time comes).
I am sorry that you cannot see those beautiful parfaits. They were very good.
Today, to try to make up for my absence I am going to cut into the 2 remaining mangos and try to load some pix onto this very slow, ancient PC.

Mangolicious

www.adventurequilter.com

Here are my mangos on day 5, and yes that one will be ready soon! It's softening up and turning a beautiful shade of...well...mango.
I think I put in a link to Ellen Lindler's website so you can check out her "Mangolicious" and "Mangolicious II" quilts. I didn't ask her permission, I don't think she'll mind a little extra publicity. Her quilts are fabulous, she is a nice person and a marketing genius! I love her site, very nice.
The two quilts are very different and were made 5 years apart. They really showcase her developement as a quilt artist. I like them both. Besides, this week we're talking mangos!

More Mangos! Day 4

http://frebblebit.wordpress.com/
Very Good Friend and I have agreed to share a link. She enjoys her privacy, and writes her blog with a certain amount of anonymity. I like to read her blog, not only for the subject matter and her wonderful style of art, but to see her craft her words carefully so as to remain, for the most part, anonymous. I have gone through my blog to make sure I haven't inadvertently given away her identity.

Because I am terribly bored with just taking a picture every day of the mango project and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I am going to draw the mangos.

Attempting to draw as VGF describes, I draw quickly, without being too studious or careful. Looks like my cabinetmaker could have used a square ruler. I have a hard time using such a fine tip pen, and relying on just one small line to convey the shadows and depth. The reflections just look like more mangos. Like there are 8 instead of just 4.

Let's do it again with a fat tip sharpie, like VGF did yesterday. I believe she used the word cavalier to describe the drawing style. Okay, cavalier it is. Even after noticing the crooked counter from the first drawing, I do the same exact thing with this one!

AARGH! MUST HAVE COLOR!

I can't stand it y'all! I HAVE to! I break out the watercolors and wash it all down with some COLOR! I have to pass my fabric stash to get to the paint, and for a second I'm tempted to start grabbing greens and yellows. Then I get a hold of myself. I remember 'Mangolicious', by Ellen Lindler, a beautiful quilt, and realize I really don't want to make a quilt right now.

I think my friend is a much better artist than I am, but this does not bother me, nor will it stop me from creating.

Thank you again, VGF, for the mangos, for the friendship, inspiration and motivation!