Just in Time!

I have a couple pastel portraits to complete. I'll deliver this one shortly of a friends Mom who long ago passed. This was quite a challenge... 1) never having met the lady, and 2) working from a black and white out of focus photo. I suspect this will bring tears to the recipient though I hope it is out of fondness for a lost mother as opposed to a poor likeness. Her eyes I am told were the cool blue likened to Paul Newman. Even in death, he is gorgeous to remember.

The Beginning:

Middle:
Closeup of Done:
This image is likely from a 1940s photo. A very beautiful mother indeed.

Soft Pastels on paper( not oil pastels) are so much like working with inks on fabric. It's quite another stash of sorts though! I very much enjoy them.

Sounds Like a JET Engine!

Arriving home to the mountains of California late last evening, we find we can't drive to our house as the stream in our canyon has risen above it's banks and is flowing across the road in multiple places. eeek... I am such a chicken. There is a small walk bridge across the steam that lets us walk to the house so I did that for last night... but don't know if I'll return tonight. The roar of the stream is a bit frightening! I may stay at my studio down off the mountain.
This view from my kitchen window is usually a trickle... ohhhhh how mother nature speaks!!
If Santa is coming to town, I hope he can swim! ;-)

Traveling For Santa

Tomorrow a.m., I'm headed out of state to see my grandkids. YEAH! My laptop stays home this trip so who knows if I get to post. Here's my best Christmas wishes for you all. The image: A painting of "Santa's Secret" from one of my patterns. I've proposed doing this as a class at next years IQA Festival in Houston. We'll see what works out.

A Fond Farewell

Last night: The annual Christmas party for my Material Girls Friendship Group. I've known one member for over 30 years( Terry Hill) and Terry is now retiring from telecommunications and moving out of state to be near her sons and first grandchild. Boo Hoo... we will so miss her. The quilt is hers to remember us all by.
Nice party

A Pin-Sized Pin Cushion

My secret pal is likely to be happy about this... I'm projecting ofcourse as I would love to have this tiny ( about half dollar diameter) pin cushion made of wool. I didn't make this one but have plans to replicate this baby. This, like several other smaller gifts for my secret Christmas pal came from my travels over the last year... Hawaii, Sedona Az Ecuador, etc.

Do I have to give this away?

I spend so much time with any quilt project, I often hate finishing... especially when it is intended to leave so soon. I "HAD" to see how this piece looked on my glass dining table at my studio. I wouldn't mind having this for myself. It goes to my secret pal Friendship group friend next Friday. Waaaa! " What if she has my name as a secret pal and wants to keep what she made??? " Not much chance.... I must just let it go.... I have another piece of similar exquisite over dyed cotton upholstery fabric. Maybe I should do something just for ME

Facing It Off.. the To Do list!

I like facing my pieces.... First, I block, square up the piece.... then sew a very narrow seam all the way around using a 1 3/4 to 2 inch "border" onto the already quilted piece ( yes... it looks funny.) I stay stitch the raw edge of the seam to the raw edge of the quilt to add stability. I also turn under about a quarter inch of the outer border, press and stitch. (yep... it still looks funny)
You can see both a front and back view here where I have folded the opposite ends near each other.... ( I laid a piece of light fabric atop 'the top' so you could better see the front back differences. The back side is to the left... front view on right.
After that.... You work 2 opposite sides before finishing the remaining opposite 2 sides. I dampen/steam the edges as I iron and roll the facing to the back. I pin the entire side and allow it to fully dry before I come back and stitch the facing the same way one would finish a binding. Finally work the remaining 2 opposite sides.... This time there will be double facing fabric at the corners of the piece. Don't be afraid to remove excess.
Finally.... using the same method as previous, dampen, roll the remaining facing to the back ( angleing at the corners... press/ pin/ dry and stitch).