“Friendship, love, health, energy, enthusiasm, and joy
are the things that make life worth living and exploring.” ~ Denise Austin

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Summer Goals Challenge

On the WW site today I heard about a challenge starting June 1 for three months.

I am posting here in case there is anyone interested in this challenge.  It doesn't have to be about weight...it could be fitness or anything.  Just a way to get some inspiration and motivation and to add accountability to the mix always helps.

There is a blog about it and here is the article

It is the 90 day Summer Sizzle Challenge at Mindful Sparkles blog

I plan to have some goals...step goals and WW points goals and journaling goals.  I will be posting on WW Connect and in my FB Daily Challenges group.

I might have some quilting goals too....but I don't want to overload myself as I have recently joined several creative journaling groups in addition to my online classes.

Check it out and let me know if you are going to do this.

Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Friday, May 11, 2018

Friday finish dissappearing jelly roll rails

Today I finished another mini quilt like I made a year ago.  I did a tutorial then of my accidental design.
Link to that tutorial is here 
The following photos show the way I did it this time............
 Start with 9 strips about 17" and sew them together thinking about where each strip will end up if you are making the mini quilt like the photo above.
Cut every other strip down the center.  Cut into blocks.
Lay out the 4" blocks to check the design.
This is the photo I put on instagram of quilting....I really look forward to the straight quilting 1/4" next to the seams.  For some reason...it makes me happy!!  I try to figure the best way so I can quilt in a continuous line as much as possible!

I will link with crazy mom quilts and freemotion by the river.

Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Background pages.....creative journaling

 Here are the photos of my first time trying out Lindy's magical powders.  They are very fine powders...put them on the page and then spray with water.  On some papers the color goes through to the other side....like the Midori on the right.  It will be okay to journal over.  These were done several weeks ago. 
 Today I put the powders on a piece of tile and used my waterbrush to put the the color on the page. 
 I didn't like this look............
 so I sprayed water with the mini mister for more of a watercolor look....
 Then I used the leftovers on the tile to make a more subdued background page on the right.  I will probably use a white pen to journal over the page on the left.  I really like these colors and will be trying more ways of using them.
This last photo was from last month..........practicing and playing!  Using a stencil brush and acrylic paint to attempt to paint flowers.   On the left is a watercolor background and on the right is black gesso background. 

I enjoy painting almost as much as quilting and will be searching for more ways to combine the two!  I am taking creative journaling classes and I enjoy learning new things and trying out new products. 

I am sharing this to encourage you to try new things and anyone can do this.  I would always welcome new ideas and fun things to learn about painting and quilting together.....so let me know.

Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Friday, May 4, 2018

Another Christmas mini quilt and a challenge block

 I finally finished this block.  It is from Pat Sloan's Solstice Challenge.  I have pressed some seams to the side and some open.  There are a lot of bulky seams in this and I remember a  trick I learned to flatten the seams is to spray and then they will iron flat.  I am not taking these seams out.....I am practicing to be perfectly imperfect and not rip out any seams unless absolutely necessary!
 Here is another Christmas mini quilt front and back that I finished today.

I really enjoy walking foot quilting......I have probably said that hundreds of times!! 

Linking to finish it up Friday and Linky Tuesday.

Smiles and hugs....Caryl