Em Celebrates!

CELEBRATE with me! It has been too long since I did a giveaway.....

2012-06-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

Reality show takes over my little abstract quilt. I so badly attempted to make a simple solids abstract house boat floating in Lake Union but then....the drawer of people and text lured me in! Can you imagine living under this roof for an evening, week or until the season is cancelled......I cut out the UPS delivery man but figured I had to stop before it was over done!

As I review photos of quilts that I have designed and created since moving to the NW, I am curious how our creative souls can be tweaked by environment, stations in life and.......WHAT? Celebrate with me how your creative soul is influenced! My top photo is an abstract interp of the floating home on Lake Union posted below the quilt. I have wanted to play with the abstract ideas and the buildings of Seattle and this is my first attempt. So badly I wanted to leave without an embellishment, but could not. I love this text quote and found it on my recent trip to West Seattle. There are more from where it came! My place mats with silly ditties are taking off and I am delighted because they are a riot to create. These 2 are based on the theme, "NATURE".....more about human nature than Mother Earth but I could not resist when I found beach fabric and Want Ads for Paramours.....Thanks to the Quilting Loft in Ballard! And of course the staple of Seuss and Dick and Jane will continue to be incorporated. So excited! I have gotten a commission to make another Tree of Life. It will be based on my original posted on Green Fairy's Blog but with certain animals chosen by Jess who is requesting the quilt. I am tickled that I can supplement my income doing something I love. I realize that my style is not for everyone but with each hobby comes a group that will enjoy the jounrney and so I thank you who follow me! I will leave the contest open for a couple of days for the drawing. CELEBRATE! what's on your heart and what makes it beat! Leave a note of what you would like the prize to be.....It is your drawing, make it matter to you! Love, Em

Guess what?

2012-06-01T15:33:00.002-07:00

I can barely contain myself!.......Visit the Green Fairy today!

Ahhhhhhh, Doesn't it feel good to finish a quilt?!!!! and find some giggles ....

2012-05-29T06:26:00.002-07:00

Do you ever ask yourself, "How did my quilt end up looking like this, taking this direction and shape....I bought a pattern and fabric and some thread and then POOF!" or...."When I awoke this morning did I have any idea that this is what was in store for me? The mind and the heart is amazing to me especially during the creative process...whether that be creating a quilt, dinner, a love of your life or THAT moment when you just are grateful. With heart comes a need for courage to take the plunge sometimes and today....Porsche became SUP-Dog "Stand Up Paddleboard" Dog.....When I slow down....oh the beauty I see! Can you tell when Roxy is begging to quilt next?......And finally, 1 year later....the Van Gogh cats are ready to be pieced. I think Tula Pink may have the perfect pattern for them....at least for the initial plan, he he! And then there is the Poppy quilt to play with for a friend, Jen.... And how many hours are left in this day, Oooooooooooooo! Happy TOOsday, Em

Eye to the memories of loved ones while creating memories of my own and CELEBRATING the puddles along the way....

2012-05-28T09:09:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day.....As I begin this post and found the bottom photo that speaks to me of an abstract eye with wisps of hair tickling the forehead, loved ones flash by like slideshows and I smile and sigh simultaneously. While remembering Grandpa I CELEBRATE the memories that my family and I are creating each day that will one day be a sigh and a moment of reverie. Last summer my quilting breaks were on an ATV....now they are a kayak and paddle board with my boys. And the quilt....so close!!!!!! The two side borders and then this little silly ditty that is not so little, DONE! Seems to have a childlike primitive ju-ju and I am enjoying it. I hope you do too! And the fun of this quilt....Friday night I attended Seattle Modern Quilt Guild and played with the author of Quilting Modern, Katie Pedersen. Her blog is SEWKATIEDID@wordpress.com. She is so fun!!!!!! and her inspiration, OOH OOH OOH! Buy her book and you will want to create every quiilt! Oh how fun this little life in the NW is!!! Love, Em

When you see the word BEACH......and Mom's current applique....

2012-05-22T13:07:00.001-07:00

What came to mind? I make yummy noises and smile and begin to go down reverie road. As Roxy and I swirled and currented and imagined the markings of sea and sand....This quilt is my sketch pad. I practiced new fmq designs that I have wanted to try and was scared to do. My back is a complete disaster with the tension but that is how it goes. The learning curve, once what took me to to the psychiatrist's couch due to my perfectionism is now OK......The title of this quilt was once Sea and Sand...now it is, It has One Side, Front. And of course, gotta CELEBRATE mom's current applique project. Isn't the leaf fun? The little eagle is adorable that will soon adorn it! Off to play with Gwen Marston's Medallion ideas.......

"You know that feeling when you see someone you love and the only thing that matters at the moment is that moment?"

2012-05-20T11:18:00.002-07:00

This post will be one of few words because it seems they would cheapen the sentiments of my weekend. I even become emotional as I begin to type the post. My boys were both with me for the weekend, mom and shop hopped to island quilt stores while eating ginger snaps and tatting and reading on the ferry and....a quilt class I will never forget nor could have imagined the beauty that was in store as I signed up for it. Sitting in a circle listening to Gwen's stories, revelling in the quilts as she brings them out and advises on the process of making a small quilt and my favorite....as she made the rounds and she sat down next to me and looked in my eyes as she spoke to me and nodded as she was listening. A woman who I admire and now I love because of a fun intimacy she shared with us. Her adorable stories and little giggles as she would tell the punch line, teach us the secret to small curved strips in a piece and sitting in a group as we talked about little boys and their love for scraps and how fun it must have been to be with girlfriends in a red tent.....She told me that quilting is the process and if we all leave having had a good time that day then it was a success and a quilt top would be a bonus.....And my project, a tiny quilt for a dear girlfriend who shares the joy of art inspired by maxi pads.....hence the stuffing left as embellishment and the labels from packaging. Off the wall but so is she! Speaking of off the wall, something about a lady coming up behind me and asking, "Are you Em?" Turning around to my delight and having Stephanie a dear blog friend introduce herself and have our cyber lives become real. We shared a table, stories and I found it hard to believe that we were together. Love to you on this Sunday! Em

Jean Wells, I like your inspiratoin!!!!!

2012-05-18T07:55:00.001-07:00

I love Ms. Wells' advisement of finding inspiration for quilts in our everyday world...How about a surf magazine ad? I guess I did it a little backwards....began the piecing and quilting of Sea and Sand and then found the pic that was what I had visualized in my mind. With the help of the design Earn Your Stripes also. May you find some inspiration during your Friday moments!!! Em

Making progress.....

2012-05-17T11:59:00.002-07:00

Rolling along as Roxy takes the helm. Thank you, Green Fairy, for your inspirations with quilting designs. I began to enjoy the quilting when I let the perfectionism go........Happy Thursday! Mom and I are off to Port Gamble to a quilt shop, ferry at 2:30 and I am so excited. I can imagine some fun with be had! And yep, 2 days!!! until Gwen Marston. I will post pics friends! Em

Seems only natural....that pebbles and tidal designs on the beach would....

2012-05-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

Be happy dancing people when the quilt is turned on its side. Not done purposefully but I am excited with the happening. Wishing Green Fairy was doing her own magic with this quilt, but knowing that I will get it done, off I go to quilt some more.

2012-05-14T08:43:00.002-07:00

My sister's "visual aid" for her class she is teaching this Friday at Quilt Beginnings in Columbus. This is her pattern and so cute! To hear the delight in her voice as we talked about the success of her first class she taught a couple of weeks ago on the Mariner's Compass, I wish I could be there for the class this week. She is such a sweetie and her quilting is amazing!

Monday's Mantra.....Row row row your boat....or is it the question, "What floats your boat?"....the ebb and flow of the tides.....and of course a favorite of mine...The ripple effect...And while on a easy river paddle, what better than a hot dog for the picnic....Mom's current quilt is the red and yellow quilt taken from the book photographed on this post from the pattern, Dancing Squares. Mom loves hot dogs so she and I have decided to name her quilt Mustard and Ketchup with relish on the side since one of the yellow squares will be a green POP!.....How do you like Noah's assistance with my Umbrella Girls quilt, he went to my garbage can and picked out the tiny yellow scraps to make the tennis shoes into stilettos...He is a funny little boy. Happy Monday, friends. In 6 days, 6 days.....Gwen Marston and a room full of quilters, CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!! Love, Em

MMMMMMmmmmmmmmm! mmmmmmmmm, Good! "M" is for....Mom, Muertos, Moving in, Me, Mayhem, hmMMMMMMM!

2012-05-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

Me oh My! Mom's the word.....and having raised a wonderful son who I did not carry for 9 months but carried through 15 years of his life so far....Mom means so much more than just what Hallmark writes in the middle of a card. I CELEBRATE the women who are moms in every nuance and essence of those three letters. And a special hug to ladies who dreamt of being a mom and experienced heartache month after month....With every holiday comes 2 sides....and for special sisters whose Mother died this past winter, thinking of you on this holiday weekend. May: Matriarch Month! Love from a woman whose new bestfriend is an umbrella, Em

Huffing and puffing....I forgot to look up!

2012-05-08T08:25:00.001-07:00

The moment I saw this boardwalk at the beginning of Sunday's mountain bike ride at Duthie Hill, I thought....Jean Wells and her book,Intuitive Color and Design. And that was where the thought stayed, in the middle of a plank floating on the boggy waters......beyond this pathway, all guts and a lot of huffing and puffing!

"Noah and Sean, let me go ahead so that I can photograph you as you come down the boardwalk...." I love comparing the top boardwalk that I met at the beginning of our virgin ride to this mountain and then this photo of Noah leaving the park on the boardwalk. Initially, there was only the unknown and nature at its naked raw..... and leaving, memories and real stories of my family's mayhem. If you were to ask me a regret I have from my younger years.....that I did not train and go to the Olympics in mountain biking. It is a passion of my mine that so many people know little about......

Do you see what I see with the theme of this blog post in mind? I bought this fabric last week imagining it to become a part of a quilt with a bird theme....birds of a feather....but instead, tread of bike tires in the mud of Duthie.....and how fun that the bike tread is skewed hearts hooked! Oh the metaphors when one chooses to look and see and play with ideas!

My boardwalk planks are cut from a fabric that was aspen trunks. Little too light in color I realize so I tried to darken with the tan quilting thread. Initially I was disappointed because the planks look like a spine to me. But then....gotta have a backbone to ride the mountains so it seemed to work out for me. I am one who does not like to unpick my quilts so a good spin is a relief for me.

Finished piece......and the story behind the title of this post. The theme of this art piece is, Along the journey don't forget to look up, there are treetops if you take a moment to enjoy them. There are not any tree tops in this piece because I was so focused on breathing and picking my line since it was technical and my first time to this park that I never looked up, just at the trail or my surroundings eye level. While quilting last night on the porch, a friend of mine who has had quite a journey with drugs and alcohol and is now sober and completing college, texted me and I realized this piece was meant for him. He commented at one moment in the conversation that he could not wait to finish school and get on with his goals. I asked him to remember to look up during this final year and see the tree tops!.... Love, Em

How did I do, Miss Green Fairy?.....

2012-05-02T09:50:00.001-07:00

This patriotic dolly quilt is complete minus binding and what a wonderful piece to practice with Roxy. If you are new to this fmq thing, have you found that fabrics that can guide your quilting with echoing is helpful. It sure is for me. The Green Fairy quilted a flag for my father a couple of years ago and I did my best to try and remember ditties that she had quilted in the stripes. I also used her idea for gettiing a the puffy trapunto effect by using double battings. Now for the fun part...shopping at a fabulous moms-and-pops toystore in my neighborhood for the doll. I could get used to this non-career thang! Happy Wednesday, nor more wilderness but a whole lot of celebrating still! Em

Not sure what to title this.......maybe stash and stuff.....

2012-05-01T15:00:00.002-07:00

Would you agree with me that it has been too long since I have had a pic of mom's current project. Look how fun this grape block is! Mom will soon be here to my home for the month and I cannot wait!!!!! She brings out a spunk in me during visits that seems to go dormant in her absence. So fun to celebrate Mom's Day with her in person.

With a new quilt room comes a new organizing system. IKEA large bags for each color of scrap and always out begging to be used. Until I met Victoria at Bumblebeans, I threw away scraps and now...quilts are inspired by them and her and you!

"Made Fabric"....yummy peaches and the infamous names of Santa's helpers. Sighed as I stitched the fire streaks that I used in my oldest's high school grad quilt. So long ago it seems and I miss him!

Celebrating the Siamese twins. Do you see the 2 beating hearts from my Parts Department that my sis gifted 3 years ago to me. YEP! soon to thank Gwen Marston in person for her inspiration of recycling and the idea of Parts Department.

I had no idea that today's dolly quilt would be a wonky made fabric American Flag. There is a Godwink with this whispering that has yet to be revealed....Are you the Godwink as you read this blog post? Happy TOOsday! Em

The wonky, the symmetrical and the bountiful....

2012-04-29T18:47:00.001-07:00

I celebrate ripple effects as I add this tiny strip of sea and sand. Having so much fun playing with mod wonky. Hoping to have this done for when I travel to Vashon Island this Friday for Katie Pederson's book signing and quilt exhibit at Island Quilter. I would like to ask how she would quilt it. I am thinking straight geoetric lines to mirror the design.

There are few things I have always enjoyed more than eating outside whether it be on a picnic, on a porch, camping or at a favorite breakfast spot. The beauty of living in Washington is that the temps are chilly and invite a sweatshirt and outdoor heater. Since procuring an umbrella, rain or shine (literally) I am on the porch. This morning Noah enjoyed hot cocoa and coffee and Porsche's doggy loves while playing chess. Can you see the humor on Noah's mug? Squirrel costumed as a bird so that it will be given food. I so love this and Noah giggles each time he uses it!

Douglas home made the local bird church services announcements. After days of looking and beseeching birds to come and eat from the feeders, it was a frenzy today. I joked that it was singles social today after church services. Parenting never ceases to amaze me for opps of teaching and opening channels for communicatoin. Noah asked if the mother birds in nests taking care of eggs are "single moms". Interesting to hear him ask and then we googgled and went on to have a bird study course with a lot of giggling as we made up funny jokes and also spoke of importance of loyalty to a mate. Didn't know that buying bird feeders to admire while eating meals would lead to such meaningful chat about relationships and love. Happy Sunday eve, Em

Inspired by the sea, beach and the pattern, Earn Your Stripes

2012-04-27T16:42:00.001-07:00

I would daresay that I am most in love with this fabric clumping right now. So delicious as I create with the soft hues and as I piece I envision the spa ambience of cucumbers in water and yummy mint. Will be a throw for our living room and hoping for a weekend of play and piecing. Hope you are all well! Em

2012-04-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Do ever think, "I have an idea and I need to create it right now! I have 2 hours until I need to arrive to a quilters gathering and have not created my hostess gift yet. Sometimes I do not realize that ideas are sprouting up in my mind but when I enter the quilt room I go straight to a bag of scraps and there it is.....a retro fabric mimicking flapper gals sewing....HOW PERFECT for my first Rebels meeting, right? As I created this small mug rug to commemorate my first my initiation, it was fun to let my mind wander and wonder. Laughter was gathered in the reeds of the basket strip on this tiny quilt and what fun we all had! Green Fairy, your quilting of my Muertos Neighborhood was inspiring for many there. I miss you, Judi!!!!

While at Rebels, I had the fun of sitting by Patty and her gifting me this challenge fabric. Is your guess the nurse or the tucan for the assignment? I was so inspired by the meeting that I came home and pieced and played for hours and am excited to play some more today. I am discovering with the small quilts that I am journaling with them and the text fabric and applique cut-outs are entertaining for me as I recant stories that are sewn into each piece. This is a type of spoof on General Hospital meets Wild Kingdom....male birds aka doctors fluffing their feathers for the hot new nurse on the unit.....Sounds sarcastic but unfortunately all so prevalant in the medicine world.

Playing with photography as Sean and I waited in the bike clinic for the addition to our family, Scott, is the babe's new name and his 2 wheels are smooth as a baby's bottom. Just like the old days, rode 10 miles and giggled with one another along the bike path by the lake and pinched bums and kissed whenever a stop sign pops up. A type of honeymoon for us as we have been able to play together while both off work and Noah in school. A gift of 3 weeks I will always treasure and reminds me that I will never allow myself to become a runaway train in a career.

Watching a squirrel as I type.....CELEBRATING LOVE in all of its beautiful wrappings! Fur, bike spandex, girlfriend laughter and joy while shopping at local quilt shops. Happy Thursday!!!! Em

B...all you can B....Biking, beauty, boarding and beach.......

2012-04-23T08:24:00.002-07:00

Jean Wells teaches us to look for ideas from everyday sights....These are the sight from this past weekend, biking amidst the Skagit Tulip Festival and longboarding Alki beach...... The quilting has been near non-existent as I have been playing with Sean and Noah in our new land. I have added many books to my Nook and today I will begin a wonky beach blanket is the goal.....but I also have a gardening patchwork quilt to create in my front yard....hmmmmmmmmmmm. And I have a little secret that I am singing from the rooftops, I am headed to Rebels quilt meeting in 2 days with Miki and LeeAnn. Been waiting for this moment since last August when LeeAnn and I played in her home......WAHOO!!!!!!!!! Love, Em

Conversation pieces.....

2012-04-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

Pure silliness! Something so entertaining for me to look through my stash and see how each placemat takes shape. I kind of giggle as I think about each one being so unique and which mats people will be drawn to interpret. Off to make 2 more today and then quilt them up. Hope you see a ditty that makes you smile. Love, Em

My first quilt commission.....4 placemats with the theme, BIRDS

2012-04-17T10:03:00.001-07:00

As I created this silly Happy Birthday place mat for Missy pictured in the banner, I began to think, I want to create for people's homes for a conversation piece or a fun way to start the day while eating breakfast. A dear friend of mine, Jess, has asked that I make 4 place mats for her new home. She is zanier than me and my mind is a whirl with ideas!!!!!!! Roxy is loving the idea because she and I have fallen in love with the small project. Off to shop in Bellevue for some cheeky fabric I am hoping!

May your TOOsday have TOO much of something wonderFULL!

Em

Ms. Ruby is sassy and ready to PARTY!

2012-04-16T09:57:00.002-07:00

It is Missy's birthday tomorrow and creating this card reminded me how much fun a fabric scrap stash can be! I cut up Christmas presents from my Seuss Grinch line and gifted them to Ms. Ruby the Birthday pin-up and my sweet DOD couple. I always enjoy creating a landscape from random fabrics and this theme of the farmland is related to Missy and my brother living on horse acreage. Roxy is ready but I reminded her that taxes are first.....boring but necessary :).

Speaking of Ru......by, Noah's Rhu......barb pie is a yummy treat and that is begging me to have with coffee. Anyone want to join me this morning?

Happy Monday! Em

I must be in LOVE with pink......

2012-04-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine my giggly delight when I walked in to Noah's new classroom and the 2 bins of fabric scraps were present!!!!? I have had so much fun creating little ditties for sweet Kailanie's doll and a card for my father thanking him for making the drive with me to Seattle. Stories upon stories! Roxy is having so much fun with our move and I look forward to catching up with you all!

Love, Em

Bound for good! Wahoo, Missy!

2012-04-15T14:25:00.002-07:00

Missy sent me texts throughout the morning as she bound Hannah's quilt. Her first quilt she has created and she is hooked! So much fun creating this special quilt for little Hannah who lies in a hospital bed with her fate in God's hands.

It was an emotional weekend as Missy and I created this quilt knowing the grieving mom who will wrap her little 6 year old in it. Hannah was hit by a car on the freeway crossing the street to play with a neighbor. CELEBRATING a community who is praying for Hannah and Missy's intro to this wonderful hobby we call quilting!

Love, Em

Hello!!!!!!!

2012-04-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

HI!!!!! We made it to Lake Forest Park and are moved in, almost......Busy week but we have Noah in school, Roxy has a new platform with LOVE graffitied all over it and a little project I started last night for my dad. He made the drive with me and although the flowers are morning glories, I am asking them to be the cherry blossoms that were intoxicating on the campus of UDUB when we visited.

I should be back on track with time with you all in the next couple of week and cannot wait until I hug Miki and LeeAnn in person! Rebels, here I come in a couple of weeks!!!!

New job...hoping to be a school nurse and things look good. No call after hours and be able to dote on my son when he is home...AHHHHHHHHHH!

Please remember, I am no longer at entradamedical@snwp.com. If you can please change the address to Legendlime@hotmail.com. And do you know what this addresses? A favorite Mustang car color of course! When I made the switch from the station wagon to the sports car....Oh how fun life is CELEBRATING the nuances of what makes our hearts richer!

Love, Em

celebrating....

2012-04-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

On the road and recanting memories......celebrating......the past, present and Christ's love for us.