The Beginnings Of A Story

Here is the state of mind I was in when these two pieces came together.

I have several projects going right now, but they just weren't stimulating enough at the moment. It's like my creative soul needed a challenge or something. Do you ever feel like this? 

 Some may call it bored. I can't explain it. Anyway, when I feel like this, I look through unfinished pieces.

These caught my attention.

 I'm not sure where I was going with this woven cloth piece.

I gave these little English paper pieced sailboats a scenic background a while ago.

I joined the two pieces, added a few more blue fabric scraps.

Added some wave stitching, and……

Now, I see sand. 

Maybe a few seashells?

11-12-13

We got our first snow fall last night.

It always seems weird bundling up for that first snow fall walk…..

Checking my boots for spiders that have made them their home and sorting through the hats and gloves that I only put away a few short months ago.

What I love about Winter walks: 

the fresh, cool, crisp air

the bare trees

sounds of nature

the birds seem to sing in a different tone

the sky is a deeper blue when the sun is out

i feel more at peace

they are my favorite 

Time For Healing Mixed With Tradition

It seems the days pass by so quickly, yet when one is dealing with a health issue, time seems to slow down.

My 8 month battle with an off and on severe skin rash is due to a wheat/gluten sensitivity. During that period, I saw three conventional doctors who insisted I had contact dermatitis or didn't really know what was causing the flare ups, and thought there was nothing wrong with me being on steroids for the rest of my life. That was not going to happen! 

Then finally, I went to see an alternative doctor, and he muscle tested for a food allergy which turned out to be wheat/gluten. Since I have been on a gluten free diet for the last three weeks, my rash has gone away.

 Finally! A doctor that was able to help me. 

You will probably hear more about my new gluten free lifestyle in the future.

Meanwhile…...

During this time I became depressed and crazy at the same time. My mind wasn't clear enough to allow creativity to take place, yet I still needed to keep my hands busy. 

I started this quilt piece…...Grandmother's Flower Garden.

I'm always drawn to traditional quilt patterns every time I see them in person or in magazines. I even have several in my quilt collection. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'll ever finish this as I will probably get tired of doing this tedious pattern over and over and over again, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time I started it.  

I chose to do this in reproduction fabrics. Below are a few antique quilts from my collection.

So Many Hearts

This is a sampler from Jude's class, Mini Hearts. The background section is from an old cotton shirt, which I love the feel and color of.

The broken heart fits perfectly right now as I have been dealing with a skin rash that has brought my world to a screeching halt, and I have shed many tears from it.
This too shall pass......

Playing With Walnut Dye

Experimenting with walnut dye.

I wrapped fabric around some rocks to let sit in the walnut dye for a week.

Interesting patterns.

Hmmm....

Half Of The Tree Arch

Finished half of the tree arch.

Now, to get myself to do the other side before cool weather sets in.....

More On The Jean Jacket

It's time to add a little more to the jean jacket before the weather cools down, and I need to wear it.

I thought a tree arch (sort of speak) over the main tree and animals. 

I've had this bark patterned fabric in my stash for quite some time, so I thought I'd use it up.

I'm liking the stitched texture on the tree trunk.
I'll have better pictures of the whole scene in a couple days.