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| This week's studio view is a study in neutrals. It is a typical Appleton winter day, absence of sun, frozen lake and yes, that is ice on the brick patio. |
Tempted as I am to open my blog with a black arm band, mourning wreath or a treatise on the history of mourning jewelry, I will refrain. Just as I plan to refrain from tuning into any coverage of the inauguration of our 45th President. There are times, for self preservation, when I prefer the ostrich's approach, to hide my head in the sand. Of course, rather than sand, I hide in the studio and listen to audio books while I work.
I was speaking with the other grandmother of my granddaughters yesterday. She mentioned her New Year's resolution was to watch more TV. No, that is not a typo. She, her daughter, my daughter-in-law and I have all had to make conscious decisions on how to take time to relax. There are times when working in the studio is relaxing. Certainly I crave creative time. However, for all the joy I get from my work, relaxation isn't the first thing which springs to mind.
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| I will be adding flowers to the vines next week. Then this piece will be done. |
Relaxation is the order of the today. The good news is I have the binding to hand stitch on Where Have All the Flowers Gone? When I tire of that there is a special dance class at the Y. I can't recall the last time I allowed myself to take off midday not to run an errand or do something art related, but just to have fun.
I am grateful this week, although not one I would categorize as fun, was productive enough as you can see:
1) Continue working on Where Have All the Flowers Gone? - Done!
a) Stitched down the yo-yo flowers;
b) Squared up the quilt to the required size;
c) Made the bias binding; and
d) Attached it the front of the quilt and pinned it to the back.
2) Pot(s) made this week - Done!
I am finishing up my 4th knitted knocker. Each one is going faster than the last. I barely have to glance at the instructions to recall how to knit each of the phases. Best of all the glaring learning gaffs are nearly nonexistent!
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| It has been a while since I practiced my FMQ skills. I thought I would start with something simple. Leah Day's Trapped Ripples was just what I needed. |
3) Free motion quilting practice - Done!
I was determined to do some simple FMQ practice this week. There is something very soothing about the rhythmic flow of FMQ, especially a pattern like this where it is nearly impossible to quilt yourself into a corner.
4) Attach a sleeve to Siren's Song - Not yet.
I also started bailing out the studio after two very intense back to back deadlines. Next week I hope to finish picking up. The bare surfaces will be short lived, though. I have a hankering to pull out my scraps and just play. Before I do that I will turn my attention to:
1) Finishing Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
2) Pot(s) made this week
3) Free motion quilting practice
4) Attach a sleeve to Siren's Song
I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.
