Friday, August 30, 2013

My Little Face Quilt

My little face quilt, a class taught by Lauren Vlcek, is completed.  I went with my inspiration even though I knew my quilting skills would be challenged.  It just feel good to have a projected that is completed.





At the Butterfly House at the State Fair

This year Mother Nature played an unpleasant trick on us Minnesotans by pumping up the temperature just in time for the great get together - the State Fair.  With temps in the high 90's and the heat index even higher it was challenging to roam the fair grounds without feeling like one could faint from exhaustion.  And to rub a little salt in the wound the weather prior was the most perfect.  Bright and sunny with no humidity and with a slight cool breeze.  I had planned ahead and took the day off when kid rides were discounted.  It just happened to be the hottest of all days, 99 degrees with heat index of 110.  Somehow we managed to be at the fair for 10 hours.  My legs were sore for days.

My girls love going to the Butterfly House and I thought I would share a few of many pictures I took there.


I like Jamie's profile.

She looks like she is in a trance with the butterflies.


It takes some getting used to having the butterflies crawl on the face. Audrey doesn't mind.


I had several different pictures of Audrey with a butterfly on her nose.  This was my coworkers' favorite.
This one is my favorite





Happy Friday!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

I'm Learning to Draw Faces

I think back in March I saw on Facebook that The Quilt Show was letting people watch past episodes for free.  It was a good marketing tactic because I was hooked and decided to become a star member.  I love the amazing guests and think Alex and Ricky are great hosts.  They have many classroom techniques available to star members and I decided to learn how to draw faces on fabric with Lauren Vlcek.  Her dolls are amazing.

I'm having challenges making my eyes symmetric, but I plan on practicing some more.


These drawings are with training wheels meaning I copied the outline and used them to practice coloring them in.  Lauren suggested to do this first, then it's all free hand, which is a little intimidating for me, for example I free handed the neck on the face on the right.  I think she is a body builder with the thick neck that I gave her (ha, ha).   I'm having a blast!  This will become a mini quilt.

The weekend is almost over.  Boo Hoo!  Hope you have a great week!

Fairy Pictures

I finally got around to putting the antennae on my fairy and made her a flower to sit on.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.





























I had fun posing my fairy.  Although the busyness of the flower fabric did get me thinking, what was I thinking?!  Oh well, it feels liberating going against the shoulds sometimes (two busy fabrics clash).



Thursday, August 15, 2013

Saying Goodbye to our Tree

On August 6th a powerful storm passed through our city.  60 mph straight line winds blew hail into our siding, windows and anything else in its path.





Unfortunately, our tree in the front yard lost a big branch and almost knocked down a power line.



I think I heard it scream as it limb snapped off.

Before


After
 Goodbye nice tree who would shade my car when I came home for lunch.


To end on a positive note, a few pictures of my girls.