“Coconut Ice” Potato Chip Quilt

Cassandra Philpot has taken my directions for the Potato Chip Quilt and made it her own. I’ve lost track of the number of Potato Chip quilts she has made.

 

She’s used soft colors with just enough contrast and accent to make a great quilt.

Her use of two spacer squares between each strip adds color contrast and value contrast.

The narrow inner border with the diagonal inserts is another detail that enhances the overall design.

This still is one of the fastest quilts you’ll ever piece.

You can find the instructions at:

http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2011/04/sunrise-sunset-quilt-tutorial.html

You can also find more ideas for variations at:

http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2011/04/potato-chip-quilt-what-ifs-and.html

It’s so quick and easy you still have time to make one for a Christmas gift!

12/12/12 Twelve Tea Tables–Part 2

I thought it was interesting that this hostess found a round printed Christmas table cloth that just covered the top surface of her table.

A red Christmas table cloth always is attractive.

I loved the way this hostess used a red band around each chair and then repeated it on the table top.

This table also features layers on tabletops but done in a different unique way.

The tablecloth round topper adds a touch of glitter to this table.

The hostess who set this table always does a lovely dramatic table. It is one of those that the more you look at it the more you see.

This is a closer view of the centerpiece that extends beyond the center of the table!

I hope these table gave you some ideas of things you can do with your own table at home or for a party.

You don’t have to do things in as much detail as these tables show. Just using one of two ideas can make your tables special.

I hope you enjoy another CHristmas puzzle!

12/12/12 Twelve Tea Tables

I may be a day late reporting this, but it took place on 12/12/12 at our community center.

Each table is set by the hostess for that particular table.

There is a theme for each tea and each hostess interprets it her own way.

The tables are all set with white cloths and white chair covers. The hostesses may or may not add layers with other cloths and decorations.

In this picture you can see part of the decorations the hostess has done on her chairs.

May of the hostesses uses chargers under the plates, although this is not a requirement.

This hostess really layered her table with a table cloth, place mats and chargers!

To be continued – either later today or tomorrow – It is taking me too long to edit the photos and I DO have to do a few other things!

BIG Gridded Painting

This is almost the size of 3 of the smaller gridded paintings.

You can see the entire color progression on this full view.

Again, it was done on a fabric previously painted with Seta color paints.

How Great Thou ART!

I am continuing along the art path with these gridded paintings. The more of them I do, the more possibilities unveil themselves.

This came next. I am still using those pieces of fabric that had been previously painted with the Seta color paints.

I used a different type of paint for these 3. I found it easier to use for the most part.

I know what I am going to do with these three but I’m not telling!

I really really really like this direction the painting is taking.

Thermofax Screen Printing

I am doing more fabric painting.

These are pieces that have been previously painted.

I added some Thermofax screen printing to give another layer of pattern to them.

These will be used in future compositions.

While the painting supplies are out I am doing a lot of different things and enjoying each one.

These screens are my own original designs.

Gridded Paintings–Day 2

This is the first layer of painting I did on another piece that is similar to the first grid I did.

This is what I started with.

This is the final layer.

I also did a second piece that was smaller.

This is the first layer of paint on the second piece.

This is the piece with a second layer of paint – really a third layer as I started all of these from fabric that had already been painted with Seta Color.

This was cut from a larger piece. You can see what it originally looked like by looking at the piece on the left.

I am enjoying doing these paintings, but I will have to switch gears in a few days as I have some things with high priorities to finish.

Gridded Painting

I had an urge to paint late last night.

I pulled out several previously painted incomplete pieces and chose this one to work on.

It was done with Seta Color transparent paints with leaves to give it detail.

I did the vertical bars first. I thought I would have to wait until this morning to do the horizontal bars. I had placed in under a ceiling fan and it dried quickly enough so I could do the second layer.

This is a study piece for some other larger pieces I’d like to do.

I used Silk Screen paint for this one. I have 3 other types of paints I’d like to try this with on other study pieces. I then can decide if I want to work on the large piece I originally had the idea to do this to.

New Painting–Full View

This shows you the entire part of the canvas I painted. You can see the painting does not go to the edges.

I will have to handle that.

 

I did some cropping of the painting on my computer. I am not sure this is my final answer.

I received this comment about the painting yesterday:

“The spirit of Wasilly Kandinsky was most definitely with you as you worked.”

I found that interesting as I was working out of my head drawing on many years of living, seeing and doing.

I can see a very tiny resemblance to his work.

What do YOU see?

Painting On Canvas

 

I have about 2 yards of canvas on my table ready to apply a coat of gesso.

I covered almost all the canvas with the container of gesso I had. The gesso didn’t seem to be drying so I took it outside in the sun and laid it on the grass. It was dry in no time.

When I brought it back inside and put it on the table I put felt rather than plastic under it. I started to paint with no plan in mind. When I am designing something I often start with no plan in mind. This is also how I work when I am quilting a quilt.

I have the entire gessoed area of the canvas painted with the first layer of paint.

I have added a second layer of paint to the piece. I used random designs.

I now have 3 layers of painting with more random designs.

This is a closer view of the fourth layer of design. The colors don’t look quite the same in each picture as the sun changed its angle in the sky while I was painting and by the time I finished painting it was very bright. I don’t know if I will add anything else. I am going to look at this for a while before I decide.

I also don’t know what I  am going to do with this yet.

Originally I thought I’d cut it up into smaller pieces but I like the total look so I don’t think I’ll cut it into smaller units.

I may cut off part  of it – and then again I may not!

It’s Done–Fringe And All

I finished adding the fringe to this last night while watching DWTS!

I really like it.

I know it will go perfectly in the friends home I made it for.

I hope it will keep her warm on our chilly evenings.

Ombre Afghan

When I was organizing my studio I came across a very small amount of soft yellow yarns. It inspired me to knit this afghan for a friend who’s home is decorated in these colors. It is almost done. She does not read my blog so I can share it with all of you as I am working on it.

I have been enjoying knitting it since the color scheme is totally different than anything I’ve worked with before.

It has been keeping me warm on chilly evenings as I work on knitting it.

Thanksgiving 2012

I had a delicious dinner with my neighbors on Thanksgiving Day.

I enjoyed meeting their family.

One of the things I have been interested in this year is family holiday traditions – be they food or other things.

Betty made a wonderful dish which I had never had before. She combines apple slices and sweet potato slices and adds a small amount of sweetener and seasoning. You could taste both the apples and the sweet potatoes and they complemented each other.

I am indeed fortunate to have good friends when I am not near family at holidays.

Thanksgiving 2012 Potholders

One thing I often do is bring potholders as a hostess gift.

These are not your hang on the wall – don’t touch or use them potholders.

I use fun fabrics and make them BIG – 10” square.

There is a lot of padding and you won’t burn your hands when you use them.

They wash up beautifully and get puffier and better each time they are washed.

I’m bringing some as a hostess gift today.

Turning Fraternal Twins Into Identical Twins!

Long time readers may remember the first pair of socks I knit. They ended up being fraternal twins – different sizes.

I might have still been able to wear them but they were also too BIG!

It took me quite some time to come to the conclusion I’d have to unravel and reknit them.

I now knit both socks at the same time. I work a little on one, then a little on the other. It works and I end up with two identical socks. I use Size 0 bamboo needles and get the weight and texture I like. I also knit a longer cuff for a better fit. These are almost ready to shape the toes. They will go with so many things I wear. They are knit with Emily Parsons Sophie’s Toes sock yarn – my very favorite.

Nick’s Pizza Party

I “borrowed” this photo from my grandson Nick’s Facebook page. He’s the one in the chef’s hat to make himself look taller!

I made the half the aprons you see  – namely 1,2,3 and 5!

The aprons add to the whole ambiance!!!

“ A Make Your Own Pizza Party” is something other members of his family have hosted before.

All Hail the host and Chef Nicholas!

This is a great idea for any age group except the very youngest.

Honey I’m Home Again ………….

And I’m going to have to figure out where to put all of this in an already full house!

We filled the car to the brim and this is part of what came out of the car.

I had a great flight and sat next to a delightful couple I enjoyed visiting with.

The flight was on time (actually early) and smooth. I think there were 699 people on board as I watched them get on from my seat in Row 2!

Glad to be home again.

Hide The Amulet

Tonight we played “Hide The Amulet” on Cooper’s bright shirt!

We also did magic tricks where they disappeared (up a sleeve). He was funny because you could see him put them up his sleeve!

And then we counted and I did a little slight of hand and made some of those we had already counted appear again and they were counted twice.

He eventually did catch on!