Aiden....

My darlin', my helper,
Hot Rod, my angel, George

Liam.....

The baby, Mr. Grumpy, Scooter, my sweetheart, the Hulk....

Happy Thanksgiving...and a little dogma...

The other night I was reading and very much enjoying, my new friend and fellow mixed media artist Nanette's blogs. Something she wrote prompted me to write about something I'm really thankful for and it may surprise you. I am thankful that I almost died in 2004 from complete liver failure, as I have autoimmune hepatitis. The road back has been long and is still a "work in progress," but along the way I learned a lot of things. I won't torture you with all the yucky details that being sick entails, instead I'd like to tell you why I am thankful for it.

When you're faced with what might be the end of your life you see things in a very different way. There is an urgency to "get it right." I learned that life is not about things, impressing people, or keeping up with the "Jones'". It’s not about keeping people in your life that bring you grief and heartache. I learned its okay to limit the people you allow in your life and the things you do, to those that are uplifting to you and the ones you care about. It’s about giving and helping those you can lend a hand to, expecting nothing in return. The joy comes in just being able to give in some way. It’s about the love of a child, that pure, unconditional love they give. During my recovery I was blessed with two grandsons, they've taught me a lot and have given me a reason to fight for my health.

I decided to put more people in my life who support me. I have no time for people who are "out to get others" and all that that brings. I learned that life is way too short for that. I found a great group of women (who knows maybe this next year we'll get some men, Layton?) that are supportive of my meager efforts to express myself through art. Each and every one of us want to help each other bring out the best in ourselves, and you rarely find that these days. SO.... having said ALL of that, I'd like to say a great big "Thank you" to all my peeps in the CMMAG. Just for being yourselves and "getting it" you have blessed me SO MUCH!


Okay enough of that, lets get back to creating and having FUN!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Roots.....

Charm Tote

This is a tote bag I made for my sister for her birthday. The fabric collection is by April Cornell for Moda and is called "Portugal." It is made mostly from a charm pack which is pre-cut 5" squares It is embellished with vintage pearl buttons that were my mom's. Some were left to her by an elderly dear friend, so I know some of them are quite old. I know that means a lot to my sister as we were both very close to our mom and miss her every day. It has many pockets inside. If you click on the photos they will enlarge and you can see the details.

Art of the Carolinas and the ATCs

Okay I said...more to come and I've been too tired to post because I had to recover from AoC! LOL Although it was an exhausting weekend I had a blast. I got to know several of the CMMAG members a little better and never a more supportive group will you find. I think we really made an impression on the folks at Jerry's as well. Anyway, I'm already looking forward to next year's event and just going forward with the guild in general. Great group of artists! You can learn more about us at: http://carolinamixedmediaartistsguild.blogspot.com/ and also by checking out some of the blogs I follow.

Cheers!

String Beans

I found this pic of my String Beans quilt and thought I'd post it. It is set but not quilted or bound. This quilt isn't the most traditionally beautiful quilt in the world but it means a lot to me because it was made mostly from scraps my mother left behind. I like the randomness of it, it reminds me that there is beauty everywhere you just have to look. I am quite proud of the workmanship of this quilt. It was a joy to make. Without too much effort all the corners are crisp and the setting lines are even. Hopefully after Christmas I can get it quilted and bound. My son Kevin will probably put dibs on this as he is my oddball, artsy child (25YO, yes Kevin I know you aren't a child but you will always be my baby) with the same sentimental streak as his mom. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Halloween!

Today Aiden, Liam and I made a Halloween tree and decorated the porch. The boys are SO proud! I think we did a great job. Now to see if that glow-in-the-dark spider web really glows in the dark!

A quilt I'm almost done with....

The name of it is String Beans. I learned to make this from a class I took taught by Sonja Shogren. She is an excellent teacher who now teaches at the Bernina Dealer in Raleigh.
This is a pic of it without all of the sashing. I have since added the sashing and the borders and it is a complete top ready to be quilted. I'll try and take a pic tomorrow when there is more light.