New Pattern - Redwork For Girls

Whew.  Finally finished one - I'm working [or I was working] on four new patterns.  Yay one is done!  Some of these might look a little familiar, as I used several of the designs on a baby quilt a couple of years ago.  But there are some new ones!  I'm putting all 12 of the pictures in this post, as I couldn't upload them all to craftsy.  So here we go -














'Nuff pics for ya?  LOL!  Sorry - but I had to put a link on my pattern so people could see the rest of the designs.  The pattern is available in my craftsy shop, just click HERE:  Allie-oops Designs

I'm not happy with my lazy daisy stitches,  looking at these close-ups.  I think I need more practice!!!

I've been doing a lot of sitting and stitching, broke my toe getting out of bed on Friday, how stupid is that?  Instead of my slipper, I tried to put on a table leg.  Some days it just doesn't pay....I guess I need to put my coffeemaker right next to my bed, so I can have a cup before I try to get up!

I'll see you soon....go forth and stitch!

Art.

That word used to scare me.  I thought it meant Rembrandt.  Michelangelo.  Van Gogh.  Picasso.  I thought it meant going to a museum to see it, and standing far enough back from it to not draw a security guard in your direction.

But then – I became a quilter.  And suddenly, I realized that art IS for every day, it’s all around, and I could make it myself.  Growing up with an artist mum who painted [and could actually draw]  this was a novel concept to me – art took on a new meaning. An accessible meaning.  It didn’t have to be paint on canvas!  It could be something I could touch!  So, I started surrounding myself with it -

I made a quilt for my son, using his artwork….

Then, I started using other people’s patterns [especially Jenny of Elefantz, right Jenny?]

Ah but then I got brave – I had a go at it, using fabric as my medium.

Something clicked in my mind when I started playing with art.  I realized it could really be everywhere.  I realized I liked art that I could touch.  I started looking for everyday objects that were useful, but artful as well.  Even something like wall hooks!

I adore whimsical art.  It doesn’t pretend to be highbrow, or intellectually superior to me.  It speaks to me, and tells me to not take things so serious – to enjoy the little things, and to have fun.  Do you remember Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine?  I was a subscriber from the first issue.  She drew a whole world, and drew me right in.  Someone else does that for me too – Patience Brewster.

Synchronized Swimmer Journal

Rose PJ Fairy Ornament

Photos courtesy of patiencebrewster.com

I love the whimsy, the faces, the imagination.  Especially the Christmas ornaments!

How about you?  Do you surround yourself with daily art?  Do you enjoy whimsy too?  Do you surround yourself with colors you love, ornaments you cherish, quilts that warm the body as much as the soul? 

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.  William Morris

Basset Hound Candle Holder, photo courtesy of patiencebrewster.com

Go gather your art supplies  - your fabrics, your threads, your needles - and make some art.  And as you touch and hold your art, let it touch your soul.  It'll do you good!

Disclaimer:  This post is my own, I received no compensation for any part of it.

78 Years of Flickr.

Yep, according to flickr I've been taking pictures and posting them for 78 years.

Flickr has a great new feature called Camera Roll, sorts your photos by day and year.  Still in beta, but it's neat.  I've been a member since 2006.  So some of these dates don't make sense, lol.

Not much happening in Allie-land.  Still sick, all last week I was too shaky even to hold a needle!  I'm back to stitching now though, and greatly enjoying it.  However I have nothing to show you.  Yet.  Soon though.

So how about a mid-week giggle.....

See you Saturday!!!!

R.I.P. Dear Abby

Our sweet Abby had a stroke tonight - we had to make an emergency trip.




It was time.  Her back legs had been failing her lately.



There's lots of pics here, I want to remember her.






And just - a few days ago.




She rallied enough at the vet's to sniff all over the room, sniffing good sniffs and playing like a puppy.  I'm so glad we got to see her walk again before we said good-bye.

RIP darling girl, you'll be missed.

And an eternity of thanks to my sister-in-law, without whose help we wouldn't have made it tonight.  Bless you, Juliet.

A Marathon of Marples

Happy Monday everyone, although it's only been Monday for about 15 minutes.  I hope you had a great weekend, I sure did!  Although I'm not happy with Netflix, they did contribute to my good weekend.  They took the Miss Marple series off streaming, as of Feb 1,  so I had a blast just stitching and watching as many hours as I could.



Unfortunately I over-stitched....my sore arm woke me out of a Nyquil coma this morning.  I also have a cold, thus the Nyquil.

We've had a bit of snow today, so far over 10 inches.  It's gorgeous out there.  Now, you cannot have a cold in Michigan without also having Vernors on hand...



It just makes it all better.  So I sent my boys out to shovel, and dig out my car.  Abby helped.




That was this afternoon, and yes it was that dark outside.  We have several more inches now.  We discovered that John will be taking my car to work tomorrow, as his is hopelessly stuck.  If he has work....he may not!  It's supposed to still be snowing at 7am.

[My car doesn't get stuck.  Neener neener.]

I'm stitching a new/old set of little designs, 12 mini's that you can put on just about anything.  Giving it a bit of a break today though, and going visiting.  I guess I'm taking a snow day!!

Jenny's new Vintage Kitchen BOM is up, and it's a darling!

I'll be tracing it this week - are you joining in?

Off to visit some more, have a great week and stay warm [or cool] and safe - see ya soon!