Around the World Blog Hop-My turn!

"Currents"

So, I was tagged by Sherry from Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. to play in this Blog Hop. Sherry was tagged by Kitty from A Left-Handed Quilter. Both Sherry and Kitty are lefties and so am I :^)

Anyway, the hop is about four simple questions for me to answer-so here I go!!!

The four questions are -

1. What am I currently working on? 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

4. How does my writing/creative process work? 


1.   What am I currently working on? I am currently working on so many projects I could not begin to tell you them all. That is how I work, so many projects laid out here and there or piled up here and there. I have to work on focusing on just one, and it isn't easy.

So the main project I am working on is my "She's At The Quilt Show" quilt. I was supposed to have it done for our guild meeting in October, but my focus button went missing!!!

She coming along fine. I just need to design the ceiling and figure out how to make her feet. The pattern for my beautiful gal came with no feet or legs, so I have been drawing them out. Now how to put it all together. (Notice she won a Best Of Show on the left and a first place on the right :) .

I am also working on postcards as I belong to a group on Facebook who exchange a postcard monthly. We have members around the world and it has been a really fun experience!!!

2. How does my work differ? Hmmmmm..... I have no idea!!! I know my work looks different. I had a patient see me at the quilt store and she asked what I was currently working on. I had no words to simply tell about the quilt above other than, "Welllllll", and she laughed!!! She said, your work is always so different but I love it!!!

So no simple answer on that one, it's just plain different.

3. Why do I create? Another difficult question. I have an impelling need to create. I felt it as a child but really didn't know what it was or where it was coming from. I remember in 6th grade we learned how to use a compass and our teacher had an art contest using the compass and pencil. I won. I had SO MUCH FUN designing with that compass!!!! I cannot explain the feeling!!

I was adopted and I have found my birth family. And lo and  behold, they are artists/writers/quilters!! It finally made sense. Now I know where that energy to create came from. I am so thankful!! I was given life, a wonderful home to grow up in, and the opportunity to meet the family who gave me the creative skills. Pretty cool!!!


4. How does my process work? I do not think that hard on it!!! I really don't. Ideas, images just come to me. Sometimes at the strangest moments and I try and sketch out the idea before I lose it.

I get ideas from some of the incredible people I follow in blogland and on Instagram and on Facebook.

I get ideas from the outdoors, my garden and flowers, grandkids, trees, food, Harley Davidson Motorcycles!!! Pretty much everything around me can spark an idea!!!

Hayden with Cinderella

Cooper and his silly face

A beautiful salad!!!

My husbands Harley

So there you go. Questions answered to the best of my ability. I hope you enjoyed the journey!! Next up is a friend of mine, Cindy of Sew Many Roads. Her blog post will go up in about a week. Then???

We are hoping that one of you bloggers reading this would like to play along. If so, leave me a comment and we will tag you after Cindy!! If no one replys, then this blog hop may end here!! 
:^(    I hope not, it is fun to see how we get to where we are and share the journey!!

Thanks for visiting, Take Care,  Happy Quilting and keep those minds sharp! Martha

Preparing for The Around The World Blog Hop

This is what I did on Monday!! A very good day with the
littlest grand!!! :^)

On Monday the 17th I will be participating in The Around The World Blog Hop. Easy one. I just need to answer these four questions and then tag another blogger.

The four questions are -

1. What am I currently working on? 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

4. How does my writing/creative process work? 

So, stay tuned!!

If there are any bloggers out there who would like to participate-please leave me a comment and I will tag you in the fun!!!

Here's a sneak peek of what I have been working on lately.

"Currents"

Quilting with my Aurifil and my cute little scissors!!!

Later-take care-Happy Quilting-and check back on Monday for more fun!!! Martha

Two new Free motion quilted Postcards-done!! Ready to mail

Two more postcards done and ready to mail. I love how they turned out!!! I quilted them with my Aurifil 2315-Pale Flesh and edge stitched with this gorgeous Aurifil thread-2340-Cafe' Au Lait!! I love it!! I also used a rubber bird stamp that I found at Hobby Lobby and a black ink stamp pad!

So, the fabric did start out looking like this. I played with some Crayola crayons!!! Here is a photo of what the fabric looked like before I started and what it ended up looking like after I played with melted crayons and freezer paper flowers!!! It was a LOT of FUN!!!!!!

Before and After

One of these little gems will soon be on it's way to
Malaga Spain!!

I decided to use some of the same fabric that I began with
on the front-before crayons-for the back!! Then used
my postcard stamp, and done!!

 I am thankful for Aurifil for their lovely threads that allow me to incorporate color and design into my creations, and Crayola for their amazing, safe, crayons.

Take care everyone, Happy Quilting, and keep those seam rippers sharp!!! I use mine A LOT!!! :^)

Martha

What a mess!!! And a few My Dear Jane blocks to ease the frustrations!!!

This is part of our guild challenge that was supposed to be done last month. I
just couldn't work on it. So now I am!! The tile floor is being constructed and
it is a mess!!

I layed it out and now I am sewing the sections together and
I am not liking it a whole lot!!!

It is just a mess. This happens to me all the time. I have visions, get working
on it. Then I hate it and have a hard time continuing with the production. 

So here is a litte more with some sewing done!! I really hope it turns out like
I had envisioned.

A little more sewing. I will get back to it today, but last night I just had it. Could
not do any more as I was feeling deflated!!
So I decided to work on some of my Dear Jane blocks.
I did one last week, so I found two really easy ones to put together.

This is the one I did last week. Templates cut and ready to sew.

Love this fabric, so cute!!!

And done!!! YES!!!   A-11 Pebble's Protest

And here are the other two I made last night. So easy to sew together. A sigh of relief!!!

Simple piecing!!

M-12 Hopscotch

M-10 Simple Simon

Sometimes, when frustrations get the better of you, it's best to put things aside and work on something that you will find easy joy in. These Dear Jane blocks are just the ticket for me!!! I felt much more relaxed after getting the last two done :^)

Today I am going to get back to that floor!! I need to have it done before the next guild meeting, so I have 3 weeks to finish piecing and get it quilted!!!

Take Care, Happy Quilting and keep those needles sharp!!! Martha