A Little Wall Quilt Finished

I finally bought some fabric to finish off this little sampler from the summer. I had layered tissue paper, paints,  pine needles and netting; added some trim and hand stitching and then was stuck because I didn't have a sewing machine this summer on vacation. I added some machine quilting when I returned home and put it aside waiting for the right fabric and inspiration to finish it off.

 I always enjoy the action shots so thought I'd include one of my own. Here's my machine doing its thing! I chose to echo the quilting I had done on the original piece so half the border had semi-straight quilt lines and with the remainder I had fun free-motion quilting. (my favorite)

There's always that decision in a quilt on how to finish the edges. After adding the wide border I laid different options behind it trying to decide if I wanted a binding or whether facing was the way to go. I settled on the dark binding. The quilting shows up better on the back of the quilt than the front.

Although I usually hang my small quilts with pins I decided to include triangles at the corners so that I could insert a flat hanger. I simply cut a piece of balsa wood to fit. I included the triangles at all four corners so it can hang in any direction.

 

I found with the balsa inserted I could hang this little piece from one of my clay wall boxes! No pins needed and it stands out from the wall. (photo at the top) Perhaps I'll make a few clay box frames just for this purpose????

On a recycling note .... I finally used some of the Styrofoam plates that I can't seem to avoid accumulating as

much as I try not to buy food packaged in them. I used them around some of the parcels that went out to the post office this month. Hopefully they will end up someplace that recycles Styrofoam; something our city does not do yet. 

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Fitting in Some Creative Time

Wow, December is flying by! Perhaps it's time I learned that it does that every year and that yes, time does pass quicker every year. Will I remember that next fall? Probably not. But there is always a chance so I will try.

I have more than a bisque load of clay work to be fired. I'm hoping to get it bisqued, glazed and fired before Christmas.

Whenever I get a chance I go gallery hopping between blogs. I 'ou and aww' (?? how does one spell that expression??) before I continue with my day totally inspired. One such gallery day led me back to my sewing room where I decided I'd make a set of cards for some dear friends who have a LOT of my pottery and baskets already.

 I started several years ago stitching petals, seeds etc together with fabric to include in my clay work. But I also love the combo without clay. This one is a simple combo with petals and rosemary. The rosemary scent adds a nice surprize. Below lavender adds a nice aroma with a little glitter from the angelina fibers.

 

Here is one of my clay wall boxes with a 'natural fiber study' with some candy wrappers. The clay hand that was cut from the box makes a fun piece for a studio wall.... in this case my sewing studio.

Hope everyone is enjoying a creative and fun holiday season!

Oh if you are searching for a quick and easy gift here's an easy tasty one. No shipping cost or wait as it is a downloadable cookbook. This illustrated & colorful digital cookzine includes 26 yummy vegan and vegetarian/easily-made-vegan recipes. All proceeds from the sale of the ebook will benefit Farm Sanctuary , a rescue for abused and neglected farm animals victimized by factory farming. At only $3.50 it makes an excellent stocking stuffer or little hostess gift.

A bit from the studio, a bit from the kitchen...

 I've unpacked what came home from the FAU Potters' Guild Holiday Show and Sale. I've been trying to get into the clay studio but time just escapes me. I did experiment in the sewing room on this postcard. I should have called it finished after I quilted it but decided to add the layer of heart print cellophane. At least I have that idea out of my system!

My soy milk maker has been the big hit in my kitchen this fall. Making fresh organic soy milk a few times each week has become a habit. With the soy milk comes the by product of okara which I hate to throw away so it makes its way into lots of goodies. I've used it in place of the eggs and fat in chocolate cake, added to my veggie burgers, and every week I make a batch of granola. I add the vanilla and ground flax seed to the okara before mixing in oats, nuts and other ingredients. It adds a lovely light crunch and added nutrition to the baked granola!

And here's one of my clay and fiber pieces; a clay box with quilt and seeds, etc. Notice the fine crack .... makes it a 'keeper'!

Shopping with a Cause

Through December 6th my Claynfiber shop is participating in the EtsyVeg promotion to raise funds for 'A Dollar for Peace', a campaign by the volunteer organization "Food Not Bombs". Participating shops are donating ten percent of all sales to this cause. In addition several shops are offering further shopping offers. I'm offering free shipping within the United States on all purchases over $50 and reduced shipping for outside the US. Check EtsyVeg for a list of shops and offers.

If you're looking for other shopping options where your money will help charities of your choice, consider charity wines. I received an email from Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, with a link to wine with their label. Seven dollars from each bottle sold goes directly to help the animals they have rescued. There are many other charities you can support through the wine site. This has solved a couple of my tough gift shopping decisions. Now to decide which bottles to order .... oh and then there's the etsy shops to check for the handmade gifts .....oh that's Cleo and Nicolas above; our two adopted rescued family members.

Back in the sewing room I found some stamps I've been saving for the moment of inspiration. Here's my first in the stamp postcards. Now I'm searching the kitchen cupboards for interesting labels!