My sewing machine: Only a few days ago I realized I haven't been at my sewing machine since early June. Even though I have some pants hemming to do for Cat, I'm really looking forward to getting back to it, getting back to working with fibres, fabrics, buttons. Journal quilts have been on hold. Today I chose to work on one for June. This is what I have planned so far, oh, and the binding and the other fibres. You'll have to wait until it's done. I forgot to mention that the orange button will be for the August quilt. YES! orange is the colour for August.

On the red fabric I used some dishwasher soap with a bit of bleach in it. I needed to experiment with the stamps. Initially I had far too much soap. Later I didn't get so much of the whitening effect, but it got darker instead. Not certain what happened. I then used black dye based ink to do some stamping. I just have to determine now if there are any possibilities for setting the ink? Hmmm, any ideas? I'm wondering if I can press it. The fabric is for Christmas projects so I've some time to sort it out. I also need to determine some time soon if I can use spray varnish on rice paper. I love to use rice paper and I've got quite a lot of it.
Angels be with you.

Words: For inspire me Thursday's theme this week we are to choose some words and be inspired by them. I chose to do a bit of a different twist on this and created around the meaning of all words in my life. I tended to be more of a writer in the last few years and only within the past year have been trying to merge into the visual arts while still using words, usually my own, within my art.
The collage is blue paper with handwriting applied to 81/2 x 11 card stock and then stamped with ink. The larger words and image are done digitally and then printed onto the card stock. The buttons - chosen to add some whimsy.


These are the words found in "my tiny treasury".

May words inspire you with every step you take.
Angels be with you.

Happy Valentine's Day

TIRED but - Friday's finds AND Valentine Inspiration:
I'm having much difficulty focusing today. It's been kind of a tough week. There've been appointments in Saskatoon. At one we learned that our daughter did not have a seizure. Her EEG was totally normal and she fainted instead of having a seizure. Huge relief sigh. I was reminded by two important people that as a large part of a teen's developmental tasks involves establishing identity, I should not be alarmed by her low self esteem but just to be encouraging and supportive, as much as one can to a teen, especially when they have issues. I have been challenged with trying not to get overburdened by other people's challenges but again to be supportive. I have realized that I have been quite strong the past few weeks even though this has typically been one of my most difficult months, for many years. I also finished a project started month's ago.

Today I feel tired. I think I should. I'm allowing myself to feel OK that I didn't do art today, other than taking a few pictures. I didn't even feel like having fun with doodling or stamping.

Yesterday I used part of some Christmas gift certificates at Fabricland. I got some taffeta, chiffon, lace, and lots of buttons. They were 50% off. I'm planning to do some experimenting with cling wrap. I happened to have some red cling wrap stashed away in the room I will eventually have cleaned to put a studio in. I'm finding numerous treasures there.

The other picture is of some of the fabric and treats I have in store for Valentine's day.

Tomorrow is another day.

Time Management: I'm trying to make better use of my time. I've decided to try to do some simple tasks while Greg drives us to our destinations and back. This morning on our way to Church, half hour away, I was cutting apart images from a little book I'd gotten at Michael's. Unfortunately my scissors were not very sharp. The other day, I think Friday, I was trying to sew some beads onto this piece of felt. On our way back it was starting to get dark. Greg kept asking about the light. I didn't need it yet.

I'd seen the idea, done with real felt. I didn't have such a thing so got cheap felt. The buttons are from my Mom's old collection. I'm not sure how old they'd be. The scan does not do them justice. They are cracked and darkened around the edges. I might sew some more beads on if I can find the right ones. then it gets blanket stitched with another and stuffed. I guess it's supposed to be a Christmas decoration. Oh well. It can just be for anytime too. I need the practice mostly.

I got a little bit of sewing done on my journal quilt but will wait until more done before I show that. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to accomplish as our daughter is having continuing problems - no seizures, but social, behavioural. This time of year and next few months tend to be her difficult time. Hopefully we can make it through. We'll get as much help as able from school.She admitted to major self-esteem problems, in her own way, on Friday. I'm trying not to agonize. I'll communicate as best I can with the people I need to. Otherwise I try very much to just place it in God's hands.

Forgot to mention, Fran has a wonderful gift for someone chosen from comments left on her blog all this coming week. Good luck.