'Big Stitch' Quilting, more,' Embroidery and Patchwork Revisited' Book Review...

My white Amaryllis in the sun light, it had four blossoms this year.

'Big stitch' quilting almost done on my art quilt.

More done on my embroidery kit project.

Found a great new book, 'Embroidery & Patchwork Revisited', by Janice Vaine.

What's Up Thursday!

I hope you are having a wonderfully productive week. Even if you aren't, look forward to next week, it'll come. Haven't you noticed that creativity comes in rhythms? Sometimes it's a water fall, sometimes it's a trickle.

I found 'Embroidery & Patchwork Revisited' by Janice Vaine, published by Landauer Publishing, and what a good book on all things embroidery and crazy quilting! I highly recommend it for inspiration and excellent examples and directions.

My art quilt is almost all quilted with 'big stitch' hand quilting. Again, I use 3 strands of embroidery thread because that's the way I like to do it for now. Maybe I'll use pearl cotton on the next quilt.

The embroidery kit I purchased at a local fabric store is getting done a little here and a little there.

I do like the colors on the dark background.

My Fabulous White Amaryllis is now blooming, so gorgeous.  I've got to get a picture of it in the morning light, as if I didn't already have a million pictures of it.

Here's a link to light up your day!!!!!!What Makes You Beautiful !

Butterflies, Big Stitch Quilting, Amaryllis Bloom...

My pink Amaryllis is blooming!

May 2016 butterfly, wow!

Butterfly fabric in my art quilt. I'm hand quilting it with 'big stitch.'

Happy Butterfly Monday! 

I remembered to change my calendar to May and was greeted with a lovely Purple Spotted Swallow

 Tail.

I also realized that the art quilt I'm hand quilting with 'big stitch' has some fabric with butterflies on it.

I'm hand quilting with 3 strands of embroidery floss and using a bigger needle to make that easier.

I'm celebrating butterflies with Ann @ Fret Not Yourself .

My pink Amaryllis is blooming, spectacular. I have a couple of different colors and treat them like pets.

Enjoy your day, and remember to share a smile.

'Big Stitch' Hand Quilting and Hand Embroidery Project..

'Big Stitch' hand quilting small quilt.

'Bohemian Paisley' embroidery kit  by Bucilla.

What's Up Wednesday!

I'm hand quilting my art quilt with big stitch quilting. The quilt design is by Debbie Bowles of Maple Island Quilts.

The embroidery kit I picked up at my local fabric store. The bright colors are great against the dark background. I'm doing satin stitches right now.

Don't you love the stuffed little red cat? My alter ego.

We have spring thunder showers today, entertaining!

Happy stitching!

Circa 15 Fabric Studio and Butterfly for April...

Fat quarters from Circa 15 Fabric Studio, Kirkland, WA.

My April 2016 calendar butterfly.

'Fabric Plate' by Row by Row 2016, bought in Circa 15.

Orange Tip Butterfly on my April 2016 calendar page, lovely colors.

When I was visiting Kirkland, WA I made a few stops into the local fabric shop, Circa 15 Fabric Studio, of course. Christen's shop has an exciting modern flavor. I found the turquoise fat quarters and the star dust in black, wow and I knew they would compliment my current color collection.

I also had to have the Quilt or Die fabric panel by Row by Row 2016 Fabric Plates.

It's Saturday, I plan to go out for lunch and enjoy the spring weather, yesterday I got caught in the rain and it was fun! Enjoy your day!!! It's yours.

Past Quilts Scrappy, Red and White, Kirkland, WA. Travels....

Scrappy quilt I made in late 90's.

Red and white quilt pieced by me 2011.

Machine quilted by Golden State Quilting, Campbell, CA.

Kirkland, WA Starbucks on a sunny day.

Looking across Lake Washington toward Seattle.

Looking across Lake Washington at the Olympic Mountains.

Anthony's Seafood Restaurant is a fine place to eat.

Happy Monday!!

I've been in Washington State for a couple of weeks and have to make one more trip there in a few days. The weather was sunny and we did a lot of walking. Spring was in the air.

Jane LaFazio has art, workshops and inspiration like crazy here!

Don't miss out on a good thing!

Remember to stop and take time to enjoy something beautiful, it lifts your spirit!

"Liberated' Log Cabin Four Patch, Gwen Marston's 'Liberated Quilt Making II'

My 'Liberated' log cabin four patch ready for hand quilting.

Butterick 8P282 makes a cute doll coat.

Gwen Marston's 'Liberated Quiltmaking II', always a great reference.

Happy almost Easter!

And it's spring!

I'm getting ready for a road trip north, family business. I'll take 'Liberated Quilt Making II'

for reading during down times. Gwen has a great eye for color and design, and true insight into the heart of what making a quilt is all about. All that without being pretentious.

I finished the doll coat, Butterick pattern 8P282. I first learned to sew with garment construction and I still like the challenge. I watch You Tube tutorials on garment construction for fun, not everybody does that.

My 'liberated' log cabin four patch is ready for hand quilting. I'm practicing stitches getting my hand limbered up, that does make a difference.

That's my 'What's up Wednesday' report.

Have a great day!

I'm linking up with Kaja @ Sew Slowly AHIQ,
check out the amazing improv quilts.

Get your Irish on! and 'Jam Art' by Maple Island Quilts, Nancy Zieman w Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Laying out components of art quilt.

Close-up of my version of 'Jam Art'.

'Jam Art', art quilt pattern by Debbie Bowles, Maple Island Quilts, Inc.

My version of 'Jam Art', approx. 40" x 36", ready for basting.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Get your Irish on!

I saw Debbie Bowles of Maple Island Quilts, Inc. on the Nancy Zieman show on You Tube. 

She was talking about her 'big block' quilt designs, so cool!

I found her art quilt pattern, 'Jam Art' on her .com and had to give it a try, and this is what I came up with. That's my Wednesday progress report.

Nancy Zieman also has a great series with Victoria Findlay Wolfe 

on You Tube here.  

Victoria has an interesting story on her design process and fabulous quilts.

Have a great day, stop to enjoy something beautiful, it makes you more beautiful.