Valerean

I'm doing some research reading on alternate uses for certain minerals and gemstones, which includes reading Jennie Harding's book Crystals . While I don't personally believe crystals have healing properties (and no offense to anyone who does) I like finding out about alternate points of view. I've also always liked crystals for their beauty and sparkle. Back when I was painting a lot I used metallic watercolors to make this piece. Although I'll always adore crystals and shiny things, my favorite kind of sparkle is light on water. It's never permanent, and yet memories like this one stay with me.

Aside from a computer desk that is going to find a new home with one of Katherine's friends, the upstairs room has been totally cleaned out. This was a herculean effort on the family's part, too, with all of us pitching in to get it done. As it's the hottest room in the house we'll be installing an mini-split a/c unit up there shortly, and having the carpet cleaned, too. Since the room hasn't been painted in fifteen years Kat and her Dad went to work on that: While they worked on that I finished clearing out another closet downstairs so we can store Kat's kitchen stuff in it while she lives with us. :)

While sorting through yet another pile of stuff I collected during my spring cleaning, I found these two watercolors tucked away in a folder: I painted these eight years ago when I took an online class in metallic watercolors. On a whim I went to see if my slideshow of the work I did for the class was still on Flickr, and it is ( click here if you want to watch it.) I'm never going to set the art world on fire, of course, but I enjoyed it for the most part, and I learned some tricks. While taking the class I also came up with my own technique to transfer the pattern of an abstract lace with the watercolor, which is what made the background for this piece: Once I finished the class and did my final project I went back to doing my own thing art-wise. I find I'm happier learning on my own from books. I also found these stashed away in another closet: Ice Cathedrals, 1996 Jax (character painting), 2004 Mattias (character painting), 2004 What I realized when I ...

Last night the insomnia kicked in again. I'm taking a little break from quilting, so I got out the watercolors my friend Maria sent me. I had a couple of plain but nice craft boxes I wanted to recycle into prettier gift boxes, and crazy quilting on my mind: Some hours later: I'll put up the results of the idea vote later today. Theo, you're the only one who has voted so far (and I know everyone is busy with the holidays, so no problem.) Looks like you might get one of your wishes. :)

To the left here is a little water-colored muslin test piece I batted and backed to use for my first attempt at free-motion quilting, so I could see if I could manage it for Not So Little Project #2. To quilt in free motion you have to drop the feed dogs on your sewing machine, and move the fabric manually. I did that for about 5 minutes before my wrists said "Okay, we're done with this." I finished the rest by spinning the piece with the feed dogs up. Frankly I suck at machine quilting, but I really stink at free-motion machine quilting. It looks so easy in all those videos, but the reality is you have to manipulate three layers of fabric and batting with only the pressure of your hands and wrists. Mine are simply not up to the task. Also, moving a quilt as you're sewing and keeping the stitches even and a uniform length should be an Olympic sport. God, I had no idea it was that hard to do. When I think of all the dense free-motion quilted pieces I'v...

Our daughter came home yesterday to mow the lawn for her dad, and after dinner she stayed to try acrylic pour painting with me. Last week we picked up some inexpensive paint kits and canvas panels to give this craft a whirl. It's messy but a lot of fun.