WIP Wednesday

Oh, hi, Wednesday. I wasn't expecting you to show up so soon. My grand plans for the weekend? Oh yes, that kind of went out the window. In order to get more sleep, I have been forcing myself to go to bed when I get home from work, even if it's only 9 pm, which cuts out my time to unwind and work on these projects. I do feel more rested though so I guess it's a good thing.

The other thing that is going to be affecting my spare time is taking time to visit Chad's father. The decision to start hospice care was made last week so we are taking advantage of any time to see him. Good thing the drive to see them is only a couple hours. I need to get together handwork to bring with me, that's for sure.

On to my weekly update. It's a beautiful day outside and I have some homework to get done before I can squeeze in a walk with my dogs.

Completed:

Nothing! So close on so many things though.

Progress Made:

Sparkle QAL - I had hopes for this one to be done. That is until I discovered that I sewed all of the points on one of the sparkles together wrong. So my extra time has gone to unpicking (which I almost dislike as much as trimming) and I haven't started to sew that one back together.

No Progress:

Garter Stitch scarf

Dessert of the Month Club: January - I'm splitting these up into each month. This is going to be on my list all year. I'm determined to finish the first two months by the end of February.

Dessert of the Month Club: February

Drunkard's Path QAL

Sewing Machine Cover

Migration Blocks - Seriously, all I have to do is baste, quilt, and bind these.

Wedding Present (embroidered towels) - This is probably going to turn into a 1st year anniversary gift at this rate.

Kaleidoscope QAL

Zig Zag QAL

Tangerine Tango Challenge - My fabric has arrived! I just have to flesh out my design and get started. This isn't at the top of my list though because the deadline isn't for some time.

2012 Color Challenge: January - Even though I missed the deadline to link up for this (and win a prize...), I'm going to make my design anyway. Just need to find the time to concentrate on it.

2012 Color Challenge: February - Fabrics are supposed to arrive Friday. I may start playing with this one on Saturday or in the truck on Sunday.

Curves Class - Just started on Monday. I haven't checked the class blog for a few days but know the project I want to do from this week won't be posted until tomorrow.

For the Love of Solids Swap - I have solids and I have ideas. I need to sketch out some and post to see if my partner comments on my idea. Goal for that is Friday.

Made in Cherry QAL

Mouthy Stitches Swap - I want to sew up a couple options and see what my partner has to say. This is also a goal for this weekend.

Embroidery Journal Project: January - (Geez, I have a lot of year long things going on here!) I have a theme and supplies. That's as far as I am.

Embroidery Journal Project: February

Embroidered Ornament set

Mini QT Swap - I've been thinking of ideas.

Project Quilting Challenge: Music - Missed the deadline on this one too but still want to make my design. I just need more time each day. Sigh.

Project Quilting Challenge: Tools - The deadline is this Sunday. I have a couple ideas and just want to start playing with those. This may be a Friday project too.

Nesting Place class - Class starts Monday and I have all of my supplies. I do need to prep the fabric though and stretch it on my frame.

Hand Pieced QAL - I did pick out some fabrics for this. I found a couple of matching charm packs that I will be using along with a solid. I'm really anxious to start this but want to knock out some other things first.

New:

Vest for Chad - This is so new that he just asked me about it an hour ago. I had thought I would get by this week without adding anything, but I can't deny this request. He has a specific style in mind and I found a base pattern that will work with some tweeking. We are planning on fabric shopping on Saturday.

I think that's it! I feel like I'm forgetting something but I really hope not. I think this is long enough, don't you think?

Linking up at Freshly Pieced. Have a great day!

Sparkle Block

Last night while watching the Super Bowl, I managed to sew together one of the Sparkle blocks and trim the other HSTs. I was supposed to go with Chad to his sister's but I was trying to get as much done on my cyanotype project and couldn't just waste the first sunlight we've had in days. I had hoped to finish it, but I'm still exposing right now. It's overcast, which takes longer, but at least it's not foggy.

Anyway, here's my Sparkle. This is my first time working with directional prints in this way and I'm pleased to say that all of my points are as they should be. I'm going to spend a little time this afternoon sewing up the others and maybe even the whole top. Then all that's left is to baste, quilt, and bind!

How is your Monday treating you?

Lazy Sunday

Or at least, I wish the entire day could be a lazy one. By that I mean a day where I could blow off all responsibilities and just sew. Alas, I have some cleaning to do and a little homework to work on. Then there is that little football game tonight that needs watching. Normally Chad and I just watch sporting events at home, but tonight we are going to his sister's house to watch it. I may just bring with me a portable project in case I am able to work on something.

I realized that I haven't shared any photos of my boys lately. I don't want this blog to be dog overload, but since they are by my side all the time at home, they do get in some photos that I take. Usually sniffing whatever I'm trying to photograph to share with you.

Jameson barks when he wants to play with Angus. Angus doesn't usually want to play with him though so it's just a lot of noise. Angus loves it more when I chase him around the yard, which gets Jameson running around too.

And my constant companion. If I go outside, he has to come with. Angus got his hair cut early last week and looks so cute. Good thing I can squeeze him any time I want.

I bought new boots! I've been saving for a new pair for awhile now and stumbled upon these at a farm supply store. I was there looking for paintsticks that are used to mark cattle (they work well to draw with and blend like a dream) and saw that the boots were 20% off. I would have bought these anyway but it helps that they were on sale. Much better price anyway than the pair I really want. I just don't have a spare $600 laying around though. One day.

My solids arrived from Fabric.com. So now this is my stash of solids, most of which are tagged for a few projects. I did order more than I needed so I'm hoping my partner in the FTLOS swap likes something there. If not, I do have more coming to me that are for the February color challenge. I'm hoping to actually get that project done before the end of the month.

I also bought some books that I have been wanting for some time. I'm working my way through Adventures in Design right now and love it so far. I'll share more about what I think of them as I read through each one.

I also took advantage of free shipping offered by Tasia upon the release of her latest pattern. I now have all of the Sewaholic patterns in my stash. As much as I want to sew up something from them, and the others I have, I think clothing will not be made until late spring at the earliest.

That's all I have for today! Have a great day and if I'm lucky, I will have a finished project to share early in the week.

Studio Saturday

Welcome to my weekly update on my studio classes at school. I'm a bit tired so I'm going to make this brief.

Our first sculpture was due for critique. Last week I shared my ant's body. Well I finished the rest of it in class on Monday. My concept behind this sculpture is how mankind functions like a community of ants. I used the toy cars and images of houses to represent the human community. I like it better without all of that but just the ant didn't express my idea too well.

Upon completion of this project I have crossed off (re)learning to weld from my Crafty Bucket List to the right. I remembered why I never stuck with it. I just don't have the patience.

I missed a day of painting this week because of being so tired. My eyes wouldn't open more than halfway and I was basically a zombie. Not a good thing at all, though it's not that good that I missed another day of class. The one day I did attend (we only have class twice a week) we made supports for canvas and had a demo in the wood shop. I've already been through it but it as required to attend anyway. No photos of that because I'm sure you know what a stretched canvas on wood looks like.

I played around more with cyanotypes for photography. For these I didn't yet have my contact frame so they aren't as clear as they will be with that tool.

These two are more like photograms, where you place objects on top of a photographic paper and then expose them. In this case, I used a pair of scissors and a random half gear thing I found on Chad's brother's farm.

I also tried exposing on bass wood. This didn't work as well because the wood absorbed most of the solution. If I were to do it again, the wood would have to be sized.

And this is what happens when playing with household chemicals to see if they will tone the print. I found some Lysol cleaner under the sink (active ingredient is lactic acid) and sprayed it on the paper. It did turn a brilliant turquiose and there was an image there. After drying the image was gone and the print turned this blue. Good thing I have a use for this in other work.

The weather has been putting a damper on printing though. Since cyanotypes need ultraviolet light, having the sun shine is essential. But it's been overcast and foggy most of the week through today. It's supposed to go away tomorrow though, which will give me time to expose the prints for my final project on cyanotypes before watching the Super Bowl. As much as I love football, I am happy to see this season over and for racing to start in a couple weeks.

I took some photos yesterday and today of the one thing I love about winter: hoarfrost. Yes, the fog is essential for this, so it's not all bad. I do like it more when it's early in the morning and the sun is rising, the sky is a beautiful ice blue and everything is quiet. Because of the overcast sky, the hoarfrost has stayed all day long instead of disappearing by afternoon.

See, white on white on white!

These last ones are with my new camera. I went with a Sony again because then I could use the same memory card and it is a point and shoot, which I will use more than a DSLR. So far I'm pleased with and have been playing with the panoramic setting. Thank you for your camera insights!

This is a view of the Red River, which seperates Minnesota from North Dakota. It's hard to see the banks because of the snow, but it's there.

Ok, so that was longer than I thought it would be. Hope your weekend is going well. I have more things to share with you tomorrow. See you then!

Thursday Mish Mash

I love Thursday's for Thursday Think Tank hosted by Making Rebecca Lynne. It gives me a great excuse to post a bunch of random things together and call it good. Thank you, Becca! She doesn't have her post up yet, but since she is a working mother also making another baby, I know we can all give her some slack. ;)

After reading this article, I am so glad I "deleted" my Facebook. ("Delete" because it doesn't really go anywhere if you log back in. Sigh.) If I had not already done so this would be the nail in the coffin.

I had a few packages arrive yesterday that I'm pretty excited to have. First up is some fat quarters from Etsy. Of course I had to buy the dogs. I've been trying to hunt that print down for some time and it's always so expensive.

Last week Becca posted some fabrics she was looking at for her new baby. One of which was a print I had bookmarked mentally to buy to make a skirt/dress from. Because I didn't want to forget again and had some extra spending money, I decided to hunt it down. It was hard to find but luckily Hart's Fabric had some. It's a very soft double gauze and I cannot wait to have time to pick out a pattern. The raspberry double gauze also jumped into my cart.

If you haven't heard of Hart's Fabric before, do check them out. Not only do they have a wide variety of fabrics and other items, but they ship so quickly. It took two days for my package to arrive, versus the week plus that I've been waiting on my order from Fabric.com. In fact, still waiting for that box to arrive as it has solids for quite a few projects.

I also bought a few contact press frames off of eBay. The 8x10" frame arrived and I can't wait to use it. It's a great tool to develop the cyanotypes that I've been working on. Since I love developing them, I figured this investment would be a good thing. I will be sharing more of what I've been doing with this Saturday.

And finally, Rachel's Curve Class started yesterday. She suggested we could do a little post about it and link up. I feel pretty comfortable with curves and what sold me on this class were the projects she created. I'm excited for her tips as well as she has been sewing some great items for her blog. We start officially next Monday so expect some posts on what I create from this class in the future!

I'm dreadfully behind on reading blogs and responding to e-mails. I do check them on my phone but do not like using it to reply unless it's something urgent. Nevertheless, I will catch up again this weekend.

Hope your Thursday is treating you well!

WIP Wednesday and Camera Advice Needed

Wednesday already? I have to say today has been a pretty good day. We had critique of our first sculptures this morning and I will be sharing my final result with you on Saturday. It's a beautiful day outside and nearly 40 degrees. I really love this winter!

My only downer is that my digital camera is finally going out on me. While taking photos a little while ago, I hit the 'off' button and my lens wouldn't retract without me pushing it in place. I've had the same camera (a Sony Cyber Shot) for five years now. I'm not really sure what the lifespan on them are because it seems like most people I know replace them often. I assume it's because they want something new versus the camera breaking or dying. I had hoped to have this one for a few more years because it really has been a great camera. But now I'm shopping online for a new one and have no idea what to buy. The new models all seem to have so many features that I just don't need. I really only use a digital camera to document things, whether it is something for here or as inspiration. For any nice photographs I use my SLR because I know it takes great photos and I love shooting film.

Anyway, I'm wondering what camera you use and if you would recommend it. I found a possibility but it's so hard to determine based on reviews from strangers. Some people post reviews of something they have never even used. One person on Amazon rated the camera I'm considering after just testing it in the store! That is not an honest review in my opinion.

Now on with my weekly update.

Completed:

Halloween Mini

Swoon Mini - now with a better photograph to show the quilting.

Excuse the lint. It seems like my eyes are not as great as the macro function on my camera.

Progress Made:

Garter Stitch scarf - just a few rows this week. It will probably be spring before this is even done.

No Progress:

Sparkle QAL - I haven't done last week's sewing yet. I'm saving this for the weekend to catch up on/possibly finish it.

Dessert of the Month Club - I bought my supplies for the February dessert so now I'm all set to do both of the months so far. I'm using a 28 count Evenweave to stitch on. It was either that or a sparkly Aida. I bought sparkle thread and beads instead.

Drunkard's Path QAL - Trimming=torture right now for me.

Sewing Machine Cover

Project for Migration Blocks - I've decided how I'm going to quilt them. Another project on deck for this weekend.

Wedding Present (embroidered towels)

Kaleidoscope QAL

Zig Zag QAL

Tangerine Tango Challenge - stalled until I get my Konas in the mail. They are set to arrive tomorrow, just in time to play with this weekend.

2012 Color Challenge: January - my fabrics for this are in the same order as for the Tangerine Tango fabrics. So yes, I didn't get this done in January. I do have a design I want to sew up though so I'm still going to do it.

Curves Class - starts today, but the projects aren't revealed yet.

For the Love of Solids Swap - partner assignment received and deciding on design/colors. I'm going to work on this this weekend. I put some solids I think my partner might like in my cart when I ordered for the challenges and I want to take a photograph of my selections to get input.

Made in Cherry QAL - fabrics picked out and I will be joining in. Depending on how everything else goes this weekend, I may tackle this one too.

Mouthy Stitches Swap - partner assignment received and am thinking about design ideas. I'm concentrating on this this weekend as well.

Embroidery Journal Project - I'm decided on a theme for the year but haven't stitched anything yet. I do have fabric to stitch on, so there's that. I need to draw up my designs so I can carry this project with me.

Embroidered Ornament set

Mini QT Swap - partner assigned today. Now to think about what to make her.

Project Quilting Challenge - didn't get this one done last week at all. I did buy fabrics and know what they will become. Even though I missed the deadline for this, I will be still making my design. The new challenge is going to be posted this Sunday.

New:

Nesting Place class (starts Feb 13th) - this is one new project that I gave the green light to no matter what I have going on. This is the last time Mary is running the class and I fell in love with the needlebook we will be making.

Hand Pieced QAL - I'm listing this here so I don't forget about it. I haven't sewn any blocks by hand before and this is slow paced enough that I could catch up if I get behind. The end result will be a doll quilt sampler.

I had serious thoughts about joining in on round 12 of the Doll Quilt Swap, but in the end, decided against it. I do want to participate but the thought of adding that in was a little overwhelming. Since they've been swapping this long I think I can wait it out until lucky round 13.

My homework is looking to be light this weekend, aside from a test for my online class and making my cyanotypes for my final project on this method. For the most part there is a lot of down time because of exposing, so I can do this while working on other things.

I do have it planned to spend a lot of time working on this list. I should employ a "one in, one out" (if not more out) rule to keep this list under control. So far, so good.

As always, linking up at Freshly Pieced.

How are you going on your projects?

Fresh Sewing Day

A fresh month is upon us. Here's my little mosaic of sewing makes from January.

Thank you, Lynne, for hosting this linky every month! Be back later today with my WIP update.