The Road to Happiness

The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it put your whole soul into it - every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.

John D. Rockefeller III

I am lucky that I have found my passion...many people go through their entire life without realizing their passion. My passion involves anything that requires me to use a needle with thread or a paint brush on any type of fabric.

The photo above is is a quilt that I have been working on for a few years (as is with most of my projects!). I decided I wanted to learn how to applique, so I picked this quilt- probably not the best choice for my initial endeavor. It is interesting to now see my journey through my stitches. The first few blocks look pretty sloppy and as I finished, I was in a good rhythm (but with still much to learn).

The quilt was quilted by my good friend, Pam Huggins. Here is her website: http://www.huggsnquilts.com/ I love the attention to detail she puts into each quilt.
The pattern for the quilt is from the book below:

Are you an appliquer? What is your favorite applique project that you are working on or have finished?

Creative Chick Studio- again

I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them. ~Pablo Picasso

Yesterday I talked about an on-line class that I took from Creative Chick Studio. Above is my favorite thing that I made in the workshop. I began by painting the leaves and stems on fabric. I made some fabric using my Embellisher machine by placing silks, roving, chiffon on top of felt and felting it all together. From this I cut out the red heart shaped flowers. From there I went mad with the embroidery! Edging everything, making a fun triangular chain stitch down the center of the leaves. Then came the white shadow stitches; as silly as it sounds, at first I wasn't quite sure how to go about it. I began going around and around the outside of the entire shape. There was a point when I really disliked the look, but I trudged on. Once completed, I love the movement the shadow stitching gives the piece. To finish the piece, I beaded both the circles on the leaves and the ones projecting out of the stems.

Usually I place all of my work from workshops I take in my portfolio, this one I am thinking about stretching on a canvas. What do you think?

Creative Chick Studio

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. ~Henry L. Doherty

I love taking on-line art classes, I believe I have become the Queen of on-line students! Earlier this summer I took on online workshop with Susan Sorell who owns the Creative Chick Studio. The course was six weeks long and called Fertile Earth. I have admired Susan's work from afar, and enjoyed taking a class with her.

The photo is an abstract Cole Slaw that I created in the class. It began by slicing a head of cabbage in half, painting it and using it as a beginning stencil for the work. Behind all of the bright colored "cabbage strips" is extensive embroidery with both a back-stitch and straight stitch.

I have just a rough finish on the edge, I believe I am just going to place this in my portfolio of things created for future reference.