Things that make me smile.

Here are a few of my favorite things, some practical, some fun, some sheer pleasure. (there is no order, just a ramble off my mind)

Art, old, new, innovative, historical....
freshly threaded looms, with linen warps
thread, especially the wooden spools
vintage and antique lace
old quilts
ribbon
hem tape, from the 50's through the 70's
any old sewing notions especially found in a box, in the basement of an estate sale
KIEHL'S
teaching someone something new
really good sheets and linens
old linens
pure classic white linen
antique stores, vintage stores, thrift stores
estate sales
beautiful high end department stores, full with designer goods
vintage clothing stores
vintage Chanel, new Chanel, Chanel
really great old bookstores
harry potter 1-7
twilight 1-4
the big stone gap series of books
books that are in a series, it makes post-bookdom a little easier to deal with
Trish Mcevoy, makeup, the organization could not have been designed better if it was me
electric pink lip sh lack by lancome, new for spring
vamp by Chanel
ruby woo by mac
black pants that fit... so flattering and classic
black cardigan
collared shirts
cute flat shoes
stilettos with an extra sparkle, buckle or sequin
scarfs, shawls
patterns
orchids
paper, to write on, make with, glue on, or to
earl grey tea
french fries
my family, such a huge part of who I am
my friends, that let me vent and keep me grounded
serra do moradal
Florence
iron bed frames
Madonna
a really good Shiraz
different beer
the idea of Paris
romantic notions
the ocean
sea-life
rubber stamps
stickers
frida kahlo
degas
shile
cobblestones
long tall skinny trees
pears
tattoos
klimit
making in my studio.

There are more, but I will not bore you. I simply wanted to get out a few of the things that drive me, make me who I am and make me smile.

Happy New Year!

Hello to all, I hope that the holidays were exciting and full of joy with you and yours in your homes. Before Christmas I went on a sewing binge and made two quilts for gifts. The last one is for my mother, with the blue. This one above, for my little sister. The colors are to match her new room. The quilt is for a double bed, and is all hand knotted. After making both quilts I have decided that the knots are the way to go for putting everything together. Something about the stichtes just works well for me. The next time that I make a quilt I will definetly cut the binding on the bias and then apply it. I had issues with both edges. Partly because I was rushing and partly because I have never done this before. Just one more week til school starts again. I am going to use it wisely and enjoy the time off. I hope that this year brings creativity, fun times, and peace all around.

addictive bookworms...

Are you ready to forget everything that has to be done in your home, at work or with your friends and family? Are you ready to be completly immersed in a book with no ability to escape it??? Are you sure... Well then you really should try these books by Stephanie Meyer. I have read the first three in a month and am on number 4 right now. I think they must put drugs in the binding.

stitching away

School finished two weeks ago, and work went right into full swing for the holidays... In the midst of everything I recieved my Praxis (art content knowledge) scores and am happy to say... I PASSED!!!! I have been busy making this quilt for christmas. It is a gift for my mother, that never reads this blog... so hopefully she will not decide to start now. I used the simple rolls of pre-cut strips due to the time I had to make it. It is the first "traditional" quilt that I have made. Which means that without fail there are things that will be done differently the next time that I make one. I am pleased with the design of the overall quilt, it was not made from a pattern just an idea that I had. I think that if I followed other people's instuctions this would have gone smoother. However I am me, and I learn by doing and doing it MY way. Which means a few seams had to be sewn and unraveled. In the end it was a great learning experience and a fun project. I hope that she loves it.

folio fun

I finally tore myself away from the vampire books to make this folio. For the past two weeks I have been making photograms in my photography class. It has not been an easy semester for me in that class, because I am not good at being told what to photograph or how to do it... However I have really enjoyed the photograms and I wanted to present them in an attractive way. The images that I choose to put in the folio represent different aspects of what the past used to look like. They are meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia in the viewer of a different time and place. I think that the folio turned out lovely, and is a clean simple way of presenting the images. I must admit it feels great to make something after a semester of dryness.

bookworkms

I held off for a long time, from reading this book. I am not usually interested in reading things that everyone else and their mother for that matter are reading. However I decided to pick it up, and low and behold... I am ADDICTED! I finished the first in the series in a few days and am well into the second book. I can see the appeal that so many are attracted to, not to mention it is light and fast to read. I also went to watch the movie last night. It was good, not as good as the book (not surprising). But definetly worth watching. If you are looking for something new to read check it out. Twilight by Stephanie Meyers.

the crisp in the air

The branches are almost completly bare and ready for the winter. The air is crisp and cold. And there is an extra blanket on my bed. It means that fall is definetly here, almost past, and winter is soon to come. This year the time has flown by. Between teaching in schools, working full time and trying to get my personal life together. Time has passed right by me. There has been too long of a gap in the making inside of my studio, which is sad. The time has finally come though where I can not take it anymore and must stich something or in some way shape or form touch textiles. The projects I make for school are fun but they do not fulfill my craving for textiles. I have a few things planned out and I hope that in the comming weeks I will be able to post some more intersting photos of things I MAKE!
For all of you that read this blog or stumble upon it, I appreciate your time, and promise that soon something better will be posted. Hope that all is well and that everyone has a great thanksgiving and enjoys the crisp cool air, that begs for hot tea and a blanket. -Ana