Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative-Stay at Home Challenge Finished

Here it is finished. I added purple shadows on the pear with Shiva Paintstiks & then the drop shadow in pewter. I am really pleased with how it turned out. What do you think?

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative-Stay at Home Challenge

I decided that I don't have enough to do with my days while job hunting, taking care of the cats, and other assorted projects I have going, I am going to do the Stay at Home Challenge. The SAHC is for those of us that are not going to the big Houston International Quilt Show. I am not able to go this year so I thought I should make a quilty to donate. We make the quilts size range of 4x6" up to 9x12" so that it fits into a Priority mail envelope from the USPS. To learn more go to: http://www.alzquilts.org/paq.html. The quilts will be auctioned & the money goes to Alzheimer's research. A very worthy cause & one I hope we find a cure for.

About my quilt: I bought the Kemshall's latest book, The Painted Quilt, and was inspired to give some of the techniques a try. I am making a larger study for myself with 4 pears in a row but made this little one to try out the quilting & threads. I like it so much I am going to use it for my Priority quilt. It's not finished but I wanted to post my progress so far. It needs a border or wide binding. Once it's done I will post again but enjoy for now.

Lily & The Pumpkin

These are some of my favorite pictures of Lily taken in 2003 right before Paris joined our family. Lily is so spoiled whatever she does I think is adorable so when she started climbing on the counter to play with the mini pumpkins I got the camera out. She hasn't played with them since. I have bought her pumpkins every year & for whatever reason she isn't interested in playing with them.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Sharks Opening Night

Last night was the NHL's North American opener to the 2008-2009 season. Another chance for the Sharks to prove to themselves they are worthy of winning the Stanley Cup. I would say "try" but as I am reminded that Yoda says: Do or do not, there is no try. Here’s to doing what needs to be done to bring the Cup to San Jose.

They are off to a great start beating the Anaheim Ducks 4-1. First period saw no scoring as both sides seemed to be struggling with the puck & the ice quality. The puck was stuck to the ice on more than one occasion or rolled over sticks. Finally in the second period saw some scoring when Jonathan Cheechoo got two quick goals early in the period. What I was most impressed with is the Sharks didn’t let up. Last season would see them resting on their laurels a bit after a goal or two & the other team would score. I didn’t see that this game. Granted it’s only one game but I see changes in their game play that must be attributed to new head coach Todd McLellan.

Next game is this Saturday with San Jose hosting the Los Angeles Kings. It should be a great game against another California rival.

White Chocolate & Violets

This little quilt is for the Take it Further Challenge for September, http://sharonb.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/september-take-it-further-challenge/ . I chose to do the color challenge rather than the concept. When I saw the colors I thought of white chocolate & violets, so hence the name of the quilt & this post. It measures 10" square. I am proud of the fact that I was able to get it square with no wobbly edges, it just looks off in the picture due to the angle I took the photo. Now my quilting, I do need to practice my swirls & spirals more but other than that I am pleased with it. It is a fused quilt on a hand painted background. All of the fused fabrics are either batiks or solid. I did buy some wooden beads for this quilt but have yet to figure out if I am going to use them or put them in the drawer. I am leaning towards the drawer at this point since I am not used to beading on abstract pieces.

Just a quick note: hockey season is starting soon so expect that other obsession of mine to pop up here on the blog.