another retreat

I'm busy today, packing for another retreat starting tomorrow, Friday, until Sunday afternoon, so no sewing as I didn't even unpack my machine form earlier this week.
I did pull out my baby quilt and take a picture of it. I got the pattern from this u tube video here.

quilter's retreat

I got back around 6:30 last night from our semi annual group of 12 retreat which is always graciously held at our friend Paula's camp. It is situated on a lake in the wilderness, about an an hour's drive from town. We drive up on an unpaved road, and thus far in about a dozen years, we have had only 2 flat tires. Oddly enough, it has happened both times to Wendy. It was discovered while loading the car to get ready to leave yesterday, and just like the first time, with some cooperation from the group, the girls got the tire changed.
This was the view out the front window right beside where I was set up.

We get set up by around 10AM the first day and some work until midnight (not me). I quit around 9PM and then pulled out some knitting. We end up bunking everywhere-- the beds, the floor on mattresses, the hide-a-bed, and a cot.

By the 2nd morning, we are starting to hang our finished things on the 'wall of fame'. You can see that I got my baby blocks together.

Wendy was working on a Dresden plate made from worn men's shirts. The colors were so soft and subtle.

It seems like such a lot of work while we're packing to get ready, and every year it seems to take more effort, but the chatter, the laughter, the food and the camaraderie between friends makes it all worthwhile. We are all of different ages and walks of life, but we have a wonderful bond because of our love of quilting.

pumpkin and fall fascinators

I'm writing this quick post to let you know about the painted pumpkin in the rain. I ended up moving it into the house and will put it out on sunny days. It wasn't the gesso that came off, although it will scrape off if you rub it, it was the supposed permanent Sharpie pen that started to run in the rain.
Today, I went to my guilds UFO day. My friend, Anne, who has more energy than she knows what to do with, brought supplies to make Hallowe'en and fall inspired 'fascinators'. and as if that wasn't enough, she put together a chocolate trifle that was to die for.

We were all so excited about the craft project that I only took pictures of the hats and the dessert!

Here's mine up close. There is a hair clip with a piece of felt hot glued to it and everything else is glued to that. It all came from the dollar store. Some peaople glued theirs to a hair band. Mine is just a clip.

I may not post again until later in the week as I will be getting ready for my 2 day retreat tomorrow and will be gone Monday and Tuesday.

thread painted birch

Today, I swapped out the seashell for the birch tree. I've got the seashell up on my wall with fabric scraps pinned to it while I decide which color to choose for some appliqued seaweed. I t might help me decide if I take a picture and put it on the computer...perhaps tomorrow.

I took a picture of the birch tree rubbing as I began to thread paint it. I remembered, though, as I got going , that I wanted to add some paint to some areas, so I stopped and did that using Neocolor II water soluble crayons.

While that dried I took out some oil pastels, the Neocolor II again, and did this quick scribble in my sketchbook.

This morning I bought some paint in the same colors. My plan is to paint on an old plywood door to hang in my  living room. I got this idea to paint something in a sort of abstract style which I have never done before. I'm sure once I get going it will look totally different. I just wanted to get an idea to start with. I have lots of textural things to stamp with and some thermofax screens of trees.My husband cut a little off the door, filled the hollow spots, and is now working on sanding it.

I ironed the birch tree and went back to do some more thread painting. I took this picture at a bit of an angle so the camera picked up a little of the sparkle form the silver Shiva Paintstick.

 I was surprised by the door bell yesterday when a friend stopped by to give me a belated birthday gift (it was last week). She gave me this cup that was made by a mutual friend of ours. Her Etsy shop is here.

pumpkin a la Alisa Burke

Last night, I retrieved my pumpkin from the front step and started drawing leaves on it, an inspiration that came from a tutorial by artist and blogger, Alisa Burke. She makes it look so easy. It's not that easy to draw free hand on a pumpkin and it took me about a half hour or so to paint the white. I didn't have white paint; I thought gesso might do. I'm not sure though if it is weather proof. We'll find out when it rains tomorrow.
The stacked wooden pumpkin in the background was birthday gift last weekend form my son's girlfriend. There is a light inside of it--very cool at night.
For those who may have followed me for a while, you will know that one can never predict what I will work on from one day to the next. There are many and various projects lying and hanging around my room. After getting all the pieces of the baby blocks mostly done yesterday, , I was free today to do something else today. The baby quilt blocks will be good to put together at my 2 day retreat next Monday and Tuesday.

This afternoon, I cut and sewed the curvy borders for this seashell piece which took me a good hour. I cut them with the rotary cutter, marked the matching edges, snipped the curves and pinned every 1/2 inch. Once done, I  quickly sewed on the outside green border. It is now ready for machine quilting. I may add some applique seaweed first though. There will be lots of embellishing added after it is quilted, some by machine, some by hand. It is a work in progress that I will come back and forth to as I work on other things.
I'm linking linking (every Wednesday) to the Needle and Thread Network.

tree rubbings

My sewing machine was calling to me today, but the sun was shining so brightly I knew I should take advantage and get outside. I grabbed my camera, a couple of paint sticks, and some fabric. This was not a cardio walk! I stopped every few moments to take pictures and I even did a couple of tree bark rubbings.
Here is one section near the beginning of the trail. This is about 5 minutes from my house.

I have no real plans to do this right away but I envision some sort of a hanging with various textures of trees, perhaps with needle painted moss or leaves appliqued on top. This rubbing is of a birch tree. I used a silver Shiva Paint stick, so it must cure overnight and then be ironed. I haven't tried it before; I'm hoping that I can add a transparent paint over it in a different color before doing some thread painted details.
 The tree is first and then the rubbing is the last picture. Sorry it was folded up in my pocket, hence the creases, and it cannot be ironed until it cures.

Thanksgiving weekend so far

I picked up these leaves and the sprig of asters while out for our walk on the NB Trail last night. Gord always makes fun of me because I jsut can't come home without something in my hands or pockets.

Today is sunny and extraordinarily warm for October. Our outside thermometer read 26 C. Gord did 9 holes this morning with his dad and our youngest, Jeremy (we got 1 out of 3 home) --3 generations and grandpa usually wins! Then, I met Gord and Jeremy at 1:00 o'clock and went out with them for 9 holes. What a beautiful afternoon! I couldn't ask for anything more on Thanksgiving weekend than to golf with my family.  Since we were all out golfing we're ordering pizza for supper. I made a salad as a side, so it's partway healthy, right?

This morning I made these pumpkin cupcakes. I found the recipe here while browsing blogs the other day. The only thing I changed (I always have to do something different) was the topping; I used peanuts and coconut , just because it's what I had in the pantry. Also, I used Greek yogurt which I left to drain instead of cream cheese.

I got a few more blocks mostly sewn. I have the final strips cut except for one that I want to get form my mother-in-law tomorrow. I'm anxious to finish it now but I'll have to wait. Oh, I know the blues are all centered. I just randomly stuck them up as I went along. Once they're all done, I'll re-arrange.