Wrapping It Up

Yes, the end of December. I am astounded how fast it went.

• Longarmed 8 quilts
• One commissioned quilt done
• One Sashiko piece done
• One preemie quilt top done
• 2 Books read
• Wrote 9 times - journal or stories
• Day excursion to Krankies Craft Fair
• 8 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 6 Wendy B Quilt blog posts
• Watched Netflix 6 different times
• Stuffed a doll's head and body that has been sitting around for a year

I do hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve. See ya next year.

Made It

Yep, I made it; survived Christmas. It didn't work out like I'd thought. I was very excited to be in the holiday spirit this year. I was really looking forward to it and then bam! I got sort of blind sided. By what, you ask? The crazy weather. I enjoyed driving the streets at night, looking at the decorations. I got ingredients for a nice dinner. I had pot roast, red potatoes, and carrots. Fixed that on Christmas Eve in my crock pot. The best thing was the crock pot liner. Those things are amazing for people who like one dish meals and don't like to clean up afterwards. I was all set. But the weather did something to me. I was out of sorts. Not necessarily depressed but kind of confused. All of a sudden I wanted Christmas to be over. Then I heard from several others and the news that people were feeling the same thing, out of sorts. Because of the unusually warm temperatures. Yep, that would do it. So I rallied and bounced back a bit so I could enjoy Christmas Eve and Day.

It's still warm. About 20 degrees above normal for this time of year. But yesterday I continued straightening and rearranging things to get going on creating new work. I now have different stations set up for different projects. I want to jump out of the 2016 gate. Last year I had dubbed 2015 the Year of the Creative Juggernaut. That didn't happen, as the fates, faeries, and numerous goddesses were in on a joke. Me being the butt of it. I was taken in a new direction and it has been a ride. Not the worse one I've had but a weird one. I now have a growing business and it's time to get back to creating. I really want to and feel that I'm ready. I had to go through horse poo in order to get to this point. I will not say that I'm not terrified, again. Story of my life. It is my life and I'm owning it. I will work through the fear and press on. I've started my lists, written down plans and goals. I'm accumulating all my creative, intellectual, emotional ammunition and mixing it with a lot of bravery. My ancestors are watching.

2016 will be the Year of the Phoenix. There were a lot of ashes this year and I shall arise and bring along the Juggernaut.

No Pic Post

I forgot to take pics at the Krankie's Craft Fair yesterday. I used to do this fair religiously but the past couple of years, I haven't been able to make it. One, I didn't have any new work to show, and two, I'd recently started a new business. The Fair was in a new location, with lots of natural light coming in, lots more space for a variety of artists and crafters, and lots more parking. It was wonderful, people were buying from local artists the weekend before Christmas.

It was nice to see many of the artists I did the show with. It was nice to see new people there too. What was really interesting were the comments from friends and artists who were disappointed that I didn't have a table there. That really made my day. That I had work that they admired and missed. I told them that I would most definitely be there next year. I am ready to start creating again. It's been awhile, like two years of creative drought.

Stay tuned.

Wow!

Yes, wow! When I talk to friends these days and we discuss what we want to do next year, next year is in like, less than three weeks. Three weeks! And we'll have another year to deal with. I still have this month to deal with and right now, today, I'm feeling pretty good. I will be back in the studio today to longarm a small quilt, someone will pick up their quilt and then I have my quilt guild holiday meeting tonight.

I won something in an online giveaway. I rarely win anything and I love this artist's work. Her name is Diana Rader Shrome. I got a wonderful little doll in a peppermint dress and bow and she through in some Halloween guys because she knows I love Halloween.

And another friend sends me ornaments she paints every year. I'm going to need a bigger tree. The table top one is filling up. She also send me a fountain pen (which I've wanted for a long time), and miniature items. A truck and pen set for my miniature roombox that I'm working on.

Nice, early gifts. I'm still debating if I will get myself something for Christmas. I don't know if I want to be in the crowds. Maybe if I go when the store opens, I'll be okay.

A little Bit...

I promised some friends snail mail art. I've got tons of tiny sketches, I now have to put them on nice paper and paint or use color pencils to finish. Here are the first two.

Fall Again

After two weeks of rain and weird temps, we've had late summer show up once again. Very weird. Yesterday was I think 72 degrees and today in the 50s. It was very pretty out and temps are supposed to dip the next couple of days. I really like fall, autumn. Sometimes it's a very long period of time and sometimes we get a week and then it's winter. I want fall just a little while longer. My new neighbors tried out their fireplace last Saturday and I love the smell of a wood burning fire. That's part of fall for me.

I took this pic this morning. I thought it was pretty. It prepared me for the day that was coming. Boy, did I ever need this pretty picture. Because people were crazy out today. I don't know if it was because it was pretty out, warm, both. Or because the holidays are coming up and they are upping losing their minds. Some were tailgating, not stopping at stop signs, driving 20 in a 35 at the busiest time during the day Go to a park or something. Then there was the young female who hit a mail truck. Really? Not paying attention. I mean, those things are kind of big, white, have flashing lights and she plowed right into it. And the leaf guys. Shutting down roads and not having a clue as to where to direct traffic. Yeah, I love fall.

But I made it. Got another t-shirt quilt on the frame, Ran lots of errands which included the grocery store. I'm grateful I had money to go to the grocery store. But what I needed I can't eat. You know, cleaning supplies. Gah! It's all good.

And fall is coming back.

No Pic Post

Catching Up!

What's that?

I have failed at 'Catching Up'. I tried and it's a no go. And that's okay. I tried. And was driving myself nutso. Trying and failing and trying again is how life is. There are times where it gets me down but I continue to try again. Sometimes it takes awhile for me to get back on the spaceship but eventually, I do. And I'm off.

So... I've decided that I will just do. Just move forward with everything. Finish projects, continue to work on big projects, start new projects. Just do it. Because I like to do many things. That's okay. I am made up of many things. I have many interests. And that is okay. I am okay. I took a workshop to make a fancy wallet. I was planning on making a few for gifts. I made that one and that's it. I'm done with that design. It wasn't for me. I moved on to another design. I've cut those pieces out and will put them together this week. If one thing doesn't work out, there's always, always something else that will.

I will continue to work on 'going with my gut feelings' when I am working on large projects or starting new ones. If the feeling has gone, then I will move on. That is so liberating. It's taken me a long time to get here but wow! I will continue to make my lists. New projects, keep working projects, almost done projects, and just finish the darn thing.

Today is a take it easy day. I will try to work on NANO. I have been writing longhand and now I need to type it in to get an updated word count. That's about it. Last week was very trying. Truck went into the shop. No brakes. Helped a friend out who double book shows. I manned her show on Saturday. Yesterday. Got a busy week with three quilts to longarm. And then there are those lists. I'm feeling pretty good right now. Hope it lasts. At least through the week.

Welcome November!

Well, October sure did fly by. Once again, I didn't decorate like I wanted to. Things seemed to speed up and I missed everything. I'm sure the move into my studio space didn't help and getting that all set up. I was too tired to venture out for Halloween and well... I guess I'll have to make better plans for next year.

My art table is a mess. I am participating in NANOWRIMO this month and so far I'm on target. But I've got to do something about this table. It's jamming my creative frequencies and I have too much to do this month.

So this is what I accomplished last month.

• one book read (very bad indeed, so behind)
• worked on various writing projects three times (again, not good)
• 6 business quilts longarmed
• worked on applique once
• took a day trip to the Catawba Valley Quilters Show and a woodworking show as a bonus in Hickory, NC
• for entertainment, I went to a bottling party at Sutler's Spirits
• 10 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 9 Wendy B Quilts blog posts
• one Halloween drawing
• started watching a new series (for me) on Netflix
• started my first pair of mittens

For this month, I will work hard on being nice to me. I seem to forget that. I will do more of what I like to do and learn some new things as well. 

Yee Haw!

Getting settled into the new studio. I've been busy quilting and you can go on over to www.wendybquilts.blogspot.com to see those quilts. I'm still thinking about decorating the place but that may have to wait until after the holidays. You know what? I'm feeling lots better. In most areas. One quilt was giving me the blues, so I took off Saturday afternoon and Sunday to not do anything quilt related. I refused to think about quilts. I watched a series from Australia on Netflix, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, worked on my mitten, and read. I went back into the studio yesterday and finished the unruly quilt. It turned out quite well. But... but, I did something else that I hadn't done in years. I did some sketching on some new zombie Christmas ornaments. It didn't stop there. I made a pattern, got fabric, cut out and sewed five of the little buggers. I stuffed them when I got back to the apartment and will attach heads today.

I can't believe I created something else in the studio that wasn't quilt related. It felt really good to go from sketch to actually putting something together. Usually I just sketch and put them away. Into a sketch purgatory. I should rescue them. So I'm still here. Got a busy day today. Lots of running around. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Today- No Pic Post

Another post I wrote this morning before the sun came up.

How do I feel today? Okay. Just thinking about today and what needs to be done. Still working on finding my happy again. That will take time. Still battling with not hating. My mitten class last night went well. There were only two students. We laughed. that was a good thing to do. The other two students will join us next week. I'm not far ahead on my mitten but as soon as I get a little more done, I will show some pics. I now know that I can't have years in between knitting projects. My fingers and shoulder are killing me. Now, I really have to finish my jacket. I've been given a reprieve in the temps. It warmed up again but I know more cold is coming.

One good thing today. I get paid for longarming a quilt I finished yesterday. I'm not going to wonder or worry if I'll ever get to a point where I don't have to wonder or worry about paying bills. It is what it is. Also today, I will start my second business venture. I don't know if it will work. But hey, you only live once. Might as well give it a shot.
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My NANO piece is coming along or I should say pieces. The last time I succeeded at NANO, I started off with three different stories. If I got stuck on one, I could work on another. I need 50,000 words to make the goal of writing a rough draft of a novel in a month. One story eventually took over and I reached my goal. Surprisingly, that story was supposed to be a short story. Go figure. This time I have two novel ideas (adult), one short story (adult), and one mid-grade kid story. So we'll see which one wins.

One the docket today:
- put borders on Bargello quilt
- put together my next Tula Pink block
- put the collar on my jacket

I only got to the first one today. Will be working on some new stuff this evening. Toodles!

Something New

As if I don't have enough to do. Or maybe not. I bought some alpaca yarn a few years back to make some fingerless gloves with mitten flaps. I waited those years before someone decided to hold a class and I signed up. The instructor is using the Magic Loop method of knitting. I hadn't done that but how difficult could it be? I've been knitting off and on since I was about eight years old. So I taught myself. You Tube is amazing. Watched several different people do it, picked a person, one I could tolerate their voice, and did it.

I made a nice swatch.

Yesterday

I wrote this post yesterday. Got busy once I got to the apartment and wasn't able to post. So here it is today.

Okay, what's going on? I never thought that I would be a longarmer. Seriously. I do like doing it once I get started. Kind of like writing. But life really likes to keep you on your toes. Just when you think you can breathe, some huge troll body slams you, then you get hit by a wagon and tromped on by a stampede of baby goats. You wonder where the heck did that come from? What had I done or hadn't done? Why is there no break? I guess I should stop asking that question because there doesn't seem to be an answer. Or if there is one, I keep missing it. So what is one to do? I've tried many things and it all comes back to me being body slammed by life.

I'm sitting in Hoots Beer Company after a day in the studio. I'm working very hard not to burst into tears. I really couldn't afford this wonderful fall Mild Session Ale but I survived this past week, dug into my purse and truck for funds and I'm having one. I wonder how much longer I'll have to struggle? But that's not the point. You're supposed to enjoy the moment, where you are, each day. So I enjoyed working on the longarm today. Trying to keep my thoughts on the quilt before me. It's a beautiful quilt and the person who put it together is a wonderful person. She makes me laugh and she likes my work and appreciates me quilting for her. She is a cheerful person. I... am not. I'm a brooder, a worrier. I hide it well. I have many masks. I'm always asking why? Maybe I should change that because I won't get any answers. I guess that's what makes this planet go round. The different people and their different tempers. I don't mean anger but their tempers of being. I thought I had a handle on being me. Basically minding my own business. Helping those who want it when I can. But then things happen and even though you're on your guard, you get side swiped. On a regular basis. You feel stupid for falling for it. Again. A different wolf in sheep's clothing. You begin to doubt who you are and what you're doing on this rock.

And there are still no answers. I'm too goofy to give up. I still have time left. Maybe. So what do I do? To keep moving onward? I will have to come up with other income streams. I'm no good in retail, food service, or any type of corporate or government job. I am a creative person and I will work with my assets. My talents. My tenacity and stubborness.

The clouds are lifting. I can take one day at a time. That's all I can do. Don't plan too far into the future. That's a kill joy, especially when life just ants to play April Fool's jokes on you throughout the year. But that's okay. I've been knocked down before and I continue to get up. Getting knocked down will continue to happen because that is life. So I will search for the happy in each moment, during the day and keep treading.

Nice Day Today

I went to the Catawba Quilter's Guild Show today in Hickory, North Carolina. It was really nice. 278 quilts were judged and on display. I saw every quilt but only took a few pics. And went to most of the vendors. I got some fabrics for upcoming projects. Some felted wool fabric and some cottons.

From the quilt show, I went down the hall to the woodworking show (which was free, can't pass up a free event) put on by Klingspor's Woodworking Shop. Years ago, I used to do woodcarving. I really liked it and want to get back to it. I'll have to figure out how and I did find out there was a woodworking club right here in town. I met a lady who had a table there who just wanted to show people what she did which was making her own rubber stamps. I couldn't believe the detail she got in her pieces. She let me try and I made my first rubber stamp using my own drawing. So many ideas are crowding my head.

Is that cool or what?

#quiltshow #fabric #feltedwool #rubberstamp

Lists

Today is list day. Yes, I'm a lister. I make lists. There was a short period of time when I didn't make lists and I was so confused and got absolutely nothing done. Some people don't need to make lists. I'm not one of them. Even if I don't get to everything on the list, I have something to work from. I have these lists:

• things to buy for the apartment and studio which I keep in my purse for when I'm out and about
• one for business quilts
• one for non-business quilts and quilting projects
• stories to work on
• projects to start
• ideas to promote my longarm business
• posts to write

Some lists are detailed. Big projects are broken down into smaller steps so that I won't feel overwhelmed and not think that I can get things done. There's a list for the whole month and if I think about it, one for each week. Sometimes I get through them all, sometimes I don't. But when I do feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and point to something on a list and that's what I work on. Even if it's for only ten minutes.

Fun!

Being in the studio on the regular can be exciting but it can also be lonely. No one to talk to. No one to bounce ideas around with. Most times I get tucked into a project and when I look up, it's time to go home. Other times it can get to be like watching paint dry. So part of today, I will be making lists of what needs to get done, projects that need to be started and worked on, and things I would like to try.

But yesterday I had fun. I can't remember the last time I actually went out and had fun. I was invited to a Bottling Party at Sutler's Spirits. A legal distillery, the only one in town. They distill run and gin. Well, we bottled 88 cases of gin. It was a blast. We got a brief history on distilling, how Sutler's distills, and how their equipment works. Then we got to work. It was so much fun!

These barrels are full of rum.

On the little stand were the botanicals (lavender, elderberry, and others) used to flavor and make the gin.

Scott, our leader, giving us the run down on how the stills work.

The large still in the front with the round section is for distilling the rum. The one behind it is for distilling the gin.

Me and two other ladies applying labels to the bottles.

Here are the 88 cases we bottled, labeled, and packaged.

And this is what I got for my efforts. The members of the party were nice. There was lots of laughter, good snacks; I had a good time.

Today

I wrote this this morning and just getting a chance to post it now.

It's Thursday and my second full day at the new studio. I am excited. Still meeting neighbors. There's so much I can do to decorate but I've got other projects to start, work on, and finish. No running around on errands today. Lots on the docket.

• stitch down binding on a lap quilt
• start cutting 2 1/2 inch squares of scrap fabric for some paper piecing which I've never done before
• design some doll clothes
• cut out a few more Halloween dolls
• start some mug rugs
• figure out some Halloween/Christmas ornaments
• start a Tula Pink square from her book 100 Modern Quilt Blocks
• prep for NANO, yes, I'm attempting it again. I seem to hit every other year and this is that year.
• work on Sashiko

I've crossed over what I got done so far today. There are still a few more hours before bed where I can work on some other things after dinner. But, I do not like moving. I can't find a project I've been working on and I know I packed it but can't find it. Looked all over and nothing. Very frustrated. Of course it's a small project too. Ugh! Oh well, I'm sure it will show up. I hope it shows up now that I've figured out what to do with it.

Two and a half inch squares to paper piecing.

Colors selection for Tula Pink pattern number 9.

I'm Still Here

Yep, I'm still around. I'm looking for a new place to put my longarm machine. I think I may have a place but another place has come up too so I'll be looking at that one. It's going to be a bit crazy for the next two weeks while I make a decision and get everything moved and set up.

This is my new adventure. A friend helped me out when I got the machine and allowed me to set it up in his home. Now he's selling and I've got to move on. At first it was sad but now, it's quite all right. The Universe is continually moving to align itself with things that I'm supposed to go through. And now is the time to spread my wings and fly. I can't believe that next month, I would have had my longarm for a year. Crazy how time flies and now it's time for me to start having some fun. I'm behind on my faces but I will catch up. Here are two I did a few days ago.

I also have two quilts to work on, so I'll be busy with those and packing things up. I will work better on my postings.

7 & 8

Here are faces I did two days ago and just now posting. I will be doing two more before the day is out.

Surprise!

I can't believe I'm keeping up with something. I guess I've found the right size for doing this challenge and I can get two faces done at a time. The month is still early though.

#29faces

Keeping up with Faces

Okay, I did two faces today in order to keep up. Something weird happened to me and I decided that I was better than the incident and that I was going to get busy. So here are my faces.

The blue one is for how I was feeling yesterday. It was a sucky day. But... I shall persevere and keep on keeping on. The green one is one continuous line and both are done with color pencil.

I made progress on my Bargello quilt. I'm doing the wall hanging just to see how the thing is done. But I can continue on to make it a bit longer so it will turn into a throw. The backing is flannel. I'm finally excited about this project.

And here is a job on the longarm frame. So far so good for the end of the week. Time to continue to find my happy and create like nobody's business.

Rocky Start

I was off to a rocky start. Yes, I know, only three days in. Little voices of self-doubt were trying to creep in because life happens. Anyway, I got my second face done for 29 Faces. I make no promises of finishing. The weather sucks. 90 degrees and very humid. Working on staying positive in the fact that autumn is coming along with cooler temps.

I have no idea where I'm going with these faces. I'm just going to do them. The first two I've used watercolor pencils. I would like to be able to blend better. I think I know what to do now. Layers before adding the water.

I will finish longarming a quilt today. Can't show it because it's a gift. I did pull fabric for two more wallets, one is a gift. I really need to get back to my Bargello quilt top. I've given up on the garden. I will have to prep the soil this fall so there will be more nutrients in it next spring for planting. I will most definitely plan better for next year. So I guess I better get going. Seeing that there will be a lot of things I work on that I can't show because they are gifts. Hmmm...

#29faces

Hello September

A brand new month and it's close to 90 degrees and humid. Gah! Summer is just hanging on and feeling a little punky. I just keep thinking about the cooler temps that are coming. I went to my Finish It challenge meeting and showed my black and white quilt top. They liked it. Now I've got to get it on the frame. The rest of the day has been a  no go. Just couldn't get my motor running but I did manage to do something for 29 Faces. Draw, sketch, paint, sculpt a face for 29 days. Usually it happens in February but there's one going on now. That's fine. I need something else to do in my day as a break. I used Derwent Watercolor Pencils. I think I'll try another with them. Maybe more blending first, then the water.

She's summer turning into autumn.

I've also started my next Sashiko piece. It's coming along quite slowly. I have a slight idea of what to do with them once I get the last design done. I think there's one more kit.

#29faces #sashiko

Happenings

I'm still in quilt mode which is a good thing but I took a break and attended a workshop called the Necessary Clutch Wallet. It was quite intense but everyone finished their piece. I now have my first Christmas gift done and will start two more. Those I won't be able to show because those people are on my social media.

It has pockets for credit cards, a slot for receipts and dollar bills, a zippered pouch for coins, and a spot for a cell phone.

I also put the hardware on, there are rivets, a strap, and the piece to keep the wallet closed.

I also finally got around to sewing the rest of my Bargello strips together. They are two large pieces that will be cut up hopefully this week. I've got to get this one done by Christmas too. Or at least New Year's.

Trying to keep up with posting on the blogs and get to my Halloween dolls. They're still a bit under dressed. And a few more are waiting to be born. I'm glad I have a couple of more days left in this month.

Hostas

Hostas. Late summer flowers in my friend's yard. I think they're pretty. Unusual, but pretty. And soon they will go away until the same time next year.

Boy how time flies. Whether you're having fun or not. I keep saying that, only because you have to decide if you want to have fun or not. I've decided to keep working on having fun. Yes, crappy things will always happen. Bills will always be due. Life is too short and you only get one shot. You can be hateful, spiteful, and miserable or you can find your happy. Help someone if you can, be a part of the wonderful solution instead of the problem. And if that's too daunting, work on you. I'm working on me. There are things I can't change. I can't make it rain out west where all the fires are happening. I wish I could, but I can't. And that's okay. I can send prayers and blessing to those wonderful men and women out there working hard to contain those fires.

One more week of this month. A few days ago, I wrote two letters to two different friends. Yep, I still hand write letters. I love it. I makes my friends happy when they get a handwritten letter from me in the mail instead of bills or junk mail. And it's a wonderful feeling to get mail from them. Especially after a rough day. News from someone who cares and thinks about me is great.

I did manage to straighten up my computer area and some of my sewing room. Already it's back to being messy again. That's okay. Shows that I'm working on things. I'm still working on my Bargello quilt and I've signed up for a workshop that will take place this Friday. I have lots of prep work to do.
The week is still young.

Be cool peeps!

I Haven't Forgotten

I haven't forgotten you and I haven't forgotten me. Business is picking up and I have three quilts in line for longarming. Very exciting. I love to see what people do with their fabric. I have also been working on my Sashiko. I'll have to get another kit soon. Lots going on right now. I'll do a longer post soon.

Hello

I've been trying to do better with posting but it's not happening. So I shall continue to get better, which means I will have to get better at working on things. So, here we are, and I have pics of doll pins finally stuffed. I also started a new Sashiko piece. I have gotten back to Esperanto and I'm almost done with my short story. I had to hook up my tower again because I can print off my work on an old printer. I won't have to go to Kinko's every time I need to have pages printed off. Now that I have it hooked up again, no excuses. I mean, I'm just about done with the rough draft. Geesh!

The doll pins are about 5 1/2" tall.

And here is my second Sashiko piece. A bit more complicated design but I like doing them. They are very soothing once you get into a rhythm. I still don't know what I will do with them once they're done. I've seen these pieces turned into little purses. That's an idea. Time for breakfast, some coffee, and get busy. Have a good day.

Halloween Cat

I designed a Halloween Cat a couple of months ago and started it. At first I was going to machine applique it but was way too complicated for me so I appliqued it by hand. Then the piece sat. And sat. And sat. Until I got tired of looking at it. So I embroidered some detail on and put on borders. The top is finally done and it was my first piece to be finished for the Trailer Stash Fabrics Finish It Challenge. It feels good to get something done. Now to put it on the frame and attempt to do my first custom stitching.

Once it has been quilted on the longarm, I will bind it in black.

Dreams, Dreams, Dreams

I've been in a creative funk lately, even though I had fun celebrating my birthday month. I was bound and determined to turn this year around and do something, so I straightened up my work space. This type of straightening wasn't procrastinating because when my work area gets to the point where I can't find anything, it needs to be fixed. Once I could see things, my mind felt clearer. I could even breath better. And the following morning, the dreams came.

We all dream. We may not remember them, but we all do it. When I was younger, I studied dreams and all scientific things going on about dreaming. I disagreed with them on some points. Since then some things have changed. They used to say that you only dream after you reach REM, about an hour once you fall asleep. Um... yeah. I can be asleep for ten minutes and have dreams of epic proportions. That's where I get most of my story ideas from. Dreams.

Another thing they used to say was that dreams were only in black and white. I haven't kept up on dream research but for me and others I've met, that was wrong. I had one nightmare in my lifetime that was in black and white. My dreams are in wonderful Technicolor. With sounds and smells. Sometimes my dreams are just fluff, sometimes I'm flying and then I crash and burn. I'm not hurt but it's telling me that I have to work something through. That's usually the case for me. I have gone years without remembering dreams (and I had been totally miserable), I know I've had them but can't remember them. But when something in my life is happening, a big change or little is coming and I need to think things through or just not give up, the dreams come. Fast and furious like.

After I cleared the clutter in my creative work space, it seemed to allow the creative flood gates to open and thoughts in my mind to get going again. But two mornings ago, I couldn't remember the dreams. There were about four or five, one right after the next. Some were long and others short. I try to remember what's going on in my dreams so I can analyze them because they usually tell me something. What to do next, which direction to go in, what to decide but... my alarm went off just when something was going to happen. Gah! Sometimes if I just stay still I can remember bits and pieces. Nope. Not this time. It was crazy too. A whirlwind of 'what the heck' things.

Then things in real life started to change. I became productive again. Got a new longarm job. Got a positive response from a quilt shop owner for her to send some business my way. Got a message that another longarmer is sending business my way. The rough draft of my short story is almost done. The top of a wall hanging I started many moons ago is on its way to be finished. And I'm being consistent with what I do. My down time in between projects is getting shorter. Meaning, when I get to a certain point where I need to think about a project more before continuing or I get tired, I just don't turn on the TV and waste the rest of the day. I take a short break and go onto the next project. That's a good thing. I'm starting to utilize my time better. I will have pictures shortly.

Have a great day!

7/7

Okay, I mentioned that I was having a hard time creating in the past month. I don't know why I forget why it happens on occasion and what my remedy is. My work space has been a mess. Couldn't find anything. I knew I should clean up. But the procrastination pixies were running rampant. So instead of sinking into a pit of melted marshmallow mixed with peanut butter and crude oil, I decided to do something. About the mess. With the longarming of my own quilts, I had a pile of batting leftovers. I went through them, separated them, and put them into see through (that's the key) plastic bags and labeled them. The larger pieces I measured each piece, labeled, and nicely folded. They can be used for some nice size wall hangings. The next size pieces were too small for wall hangings but could be used to make some ornaments (I guess I should get going on those because you know what holiday is approaching), those also went into a labeled bag. The pieces that were too small for ornaments but too big to throw away, went into another bag. I will use those pieces to wrap doll bodies. That took about two hours of the morning but was very happy with the results. I continued to rearrange other things. I do have a few stacks of things to go through but they are neat stacks.

I practiced Esperanto, posted a blog, went to the library for more books, watched some paper mache videos, did not go on Facebook for the day (which was a bit difficult but stuck to my guns and was able to get things done), I got back to working on Verity (a pattern by Deana Hogan) and I was enjoying it. It's been awhile since I worked on a doll. I don't know why I'm so down on cloth dolls. Maybe because I've made so many of them that I want to do something different. That's fine, but I don't have to give cloth up forever.

The legs and arms have been stuffed. I now have to stitch the fingers on the hands and stuff the head and body. Her lower legs are out of a striped material to simulate stockings. I picked an olive green fabric for her dress.

I made a trip to Trailer Stash Fabrics this morning. Love that place. Got another Sashiko kit and a dress pattern. And I got into some more trouble. I signed up for a Quilt Top Challenge. We could list up to six quilt tops that we want to finish. The owner of the shop picks one of the numbers for us and that's the quilt we work on. It's not to finish the whole quilt, just the top. And the one she picked for me was my Halloween Cat wall hanging. I guess I'm going to have to get it done. I have a month. And I signed up for an open workshop that starts in the Fall. That one will be like a block-of-the-month. I can't wait to see the designs. I'm off to work on that cat and some other things. See ya later.

July, July!

No pic post today. I do hope everyone had a nice, wonderful, or uneventful 4th of July. Mine was uneventful. I house and pet sat for a friend. Latte stayed by my side through the booming storms and fireworks. She does not like them and at one point, neither did I. They were loud. Like canon fire. But it's all good. Over until next year.

It is July! Half the year is definitely over. The summer solstice has come and gone and the days are getting shorter. Yep, I said it, shorter. Some people are not having a summer yet and with time flying by, they may not get one. I feel sorry for them. Here in North Carolina, we are definitely having summer. And rain. And today, it's humid. My curls have curls and I just give up with the hair thing. Even though I was born in the summer, I've never really cared for it. Except for growing things, When I was younger my aunt had a vegetable garden every year and I helped take care of it. Now that I'm older, I deal with it. I love fall, then spring, then winter, then summer. In winter, you can always put more clothes on. In summer, well, there's only so much you can take off before the risk of being arrested. The other thing that's starting to get on my nerves is the rush for Christmas. Can't they wait until the little ones go back to school? I have seen a couple of commercials hawking Christmas. And a 'buy me' channel was hawking decorations. I have no problem with that holiday but it's still summer.

Last month was okay. I had fun doing things for my birthday celebration but felt it a bit stagnant on the creative front. Don't know why. Nothing seemed to jive and I didn't want to do anything. ANYTHING!!!!! I don't know if it was the planets doing sky bowling or the weird weather patterns we've been having. I wasn't really inspired and felt lost.

I'm still feeling a little lost but getting better. A few hours of Pinterest and watching creative videos on You Tube can help bring back the creative mojo. I have so many ideas running around in my head now, that I need to stop and sketch them out. Plus, Halloween is coming and once again, I'm not prepared and behind schedule. Gah! I have been reorganizing my creative space so I can find things and get busy.

Until next time, have a great day!

June Wrap Up

I can't believe that another month is gone. The Summer Solstice has happened and the days are getting shorter. For many, they haven't even begun to have summer yet, for me, I'm ready for the cool breezes of fall. Fall and spring are my favorite times of the year. I can wait. I have a garden this year, so summer is okay. But soon we will be bombarded with back-to-school commercials and Christmas commercials. It would be nice if things would just slow down and we could enjoy the moment.

I did some nice things to celebrate my birthday month. I had fun and decided it was time to make some big decisions in my life. And right now, I'm very excited and looking forward to the future. So here's what I did this month.

• 5 books read
• 2 business quilts
• 1 Sashiko kit
• 4 day trips- quilt shop; Sparta, NC, Black Mountain and Asheville, NC; picked blueberries at Sandy Creek Farm
• 10 days of practicing a new language (didn't start until late in the month)
• 13 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 4 Wendy B Quilts blog posts
• worked on my roombox- painted the ceiling and walls
• started 2 new dolls
• went to a dance recital, art reception

It may not seem a lot but it worked for me. I did a lot of soul searching to figure out where I want to be, what I want to do with the rest of my life. I am off to a new adventure. I hope you will join me.

A New Year!

Yesterday was my birthday. I had a fun time doing things throughout the month to celebrate my special day. Capped it all off spending time with some friends at an art reception and eats at Muddy Creek Cafe. It was so good talking and laughing with good people.

Today starts my New Year. I have some major plans on the drawing board and will have to work like a maniac for the next two years for it to happen. I've been in this spot for nine years, it's time to make a move. I have started my recons to the  mountains of North Carolina and I think I've found the spot where I want to settle. It has everything. A great art/craft vibe, lots of interesting people, tons to do: tubing down a river, rafting, hiking and biking, fishing, museums, great places to eat, lots of festivals just about all year round, and natural beauty. That's for the move, I will also kick up the creative projects up a few notches. My artwork, quilts, writing will all go into override because I am moving to the mountains. I've been toying with the idea for the past several years and now I've put it out to the universe.

Am I scared? Heck yeah! But the excitement is even more powerful. You can accomplish a lot when you're excited about something. And I will document everything. So let's get started.

I got these today from a local craft store. It has a point program and if you get so many points by the end of the year, you get a $10 coupon. Yeah, yeah, you spend more than you get back but when that $10 comes in at the beginning of the year, that's when I really need something from the store. So I'm good. I've just about run out of my paints. Some, not very good ones, so I've decided to go for the gold and get better paints. One, you don't have to use as much to get the color you want. The color saturation is so much better and basically, you get what you pay for. Plus, I haven't used artist grade paints since I was last in college and that was a long time ago. Years. Eons. You get the point.

I love the little beach chair. What will I do with it? I don't know but if I'm going to go back and get a couple more, I need a good reason to do so. I have an idea and will start sketching it out. The paint is Golden Manganese Blue Hue. Coupons help too.

I've got a list to attack. Have a great day.

Sashiko

I got my first Sashiko piece done. Once I got into it, I really enjoyed working on it. Now I will have to get another kit. I don't know what I'll do with this one. Oh well, it's done.

Monday... Again

Another Monday. Okay. My eye is bothering me. I spotted a white something on the edge of my right iris. Scared the you-know-what out of me. It feels like there's a bump on my eyeball. Of course seeing so many horror movies and a couple of episodes of Monsters Inside Me has freaked me out. I called my optometrist's office this morning and have an appointment this afternoon for her to check this space spawn out.

I finally broke open my Sashiko kit. I can't get the needle to go the way I was shown, so I'm winging it. Maybe in the near future I can learn how to do the stitch properly. So far, I just want to get my stitches even but it's very soothing once I get into a rhythm of doing the stitches.

I'll keep practicing and probably get another kit with a different design. Make a wall hanging or something. I have an idea for a bigger project and that is still on the drawing board.

I worked on the Verity doll pattern by Deanna Hogan this weekend too along with watching a bunch of movies with a repeat of The Blues Brothers. I thought this was going to be an easy week but the eye has me on edge. I have a day trip on Thursday and a blueberry festival planned on Saturday.

Cruise In Part 2 - Cars

Cars

Corsair- Corsa

Didn't get the name of this one.