New Beginnings….

I know it is February and I haven’t blog for a while. Family obligations took  first place on my list.  However I do want to go back to reflect on the New Year and a new President.  All this is reason for hope and promise  in a world that seems to be out of control.  The beginning of a new year,  some of us  make resolutions that usually we don’t keep.  For years I have done exactly that.  This year is about new beginnings and starting fresh.   Since I need to stay true to myself and be realistic at the same time I plan to take small bites.  This I think will be the best way to accomplish some my goals.  And of course I always make that list too long, knowing full well I won’t finish it.  But that’s OK!  I am not going to be hard on myself.  If a accomplish half I feel am closer to where I want to be.  I am just going to keep it real always!  Well here’s my list for 2009.  Exhale…

My Goals for 2009

1. Keeping my focus on God and all the gifts I have been blessed with.

2.  Learn new skills, like painting on my quilts and more surface designs.

3.  Learn  one  new fiber technique every month.

4.  Expand on fiber techniques I have tried before.  

5.  Spend quality time with family members

 6. Do one Journal Quilt – Small format -monthly.

7.  Dedicate time to try and experiment with new materials

8.  Eat healthier and start exercising

9. Update Statement and biography.

10.  Create a line of fiber art jewelry

11.  Create a new line of accessories.

12. Do two drawings a week!

13. Exhibit a little more. (shows , galleries, etc) limited 8 to 10 total.

14. create the unexpected

15. Plan and implement marketing campaign.

16. Get new business cards/ stationary.

17. Learn more about mixed media techniques.

Sharing….

Exhale…the gifts are all opened and the turkey is almost gone.  I,m enjoying a cup of tea while gazing out the window.  The events of the year flash through my mind, then it shifts quickly to  planning next year”s goals.  Now that is another POST!…. REALLY!  Now… SHARING…yes I said…SHARING…. will be a key word for my family this coming year.  With all the hardships of lost jobs, homes and even  retirement funds for some.   I have  taken in my nephew during these hard times because he lost his job and then his home. I had to move from my small studio into an even smaller room.  But I’m OK!  And my nephew will be too!  With that said, I wanted to share a really good recipe.  My niece made these.  She shared her treats and recipe with me!  Mmmm…good!

Butter Nut Crunch Toffee

About 40 saltine crackers

1 c. butter, not margarine

1 c. brown sugar

12 oz. chocolate chips

1 c. crushed nuts

Place crackers (do not overlap) on a foil lined cookie sheet.  Melt butter in a saucepan; add brown sugar and boil for 3 minutes exactly, stirring constantly.  Pour mixture over crackers, spreading all over the tops of crackers.  Bake in 400 degree oven for 5 minutes.  Take out of oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips; after 2 minutes, spread chocolate chips over top with the back of a spoon.  Sprinkle crushed nuts evenly over the top.  Cool in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  Cut with a sharp knife in long rows and then cut into pieces.  Clean up is a snap because of the aluminium foil.

Happy New Years!

Cyber Fyber Exhibit…

CYBER FYBER EXHIBITION AT GALLERY 80808

January 8 – 20, 2009

CYBER FYBER, an international exhibition of fiber arts created by Internet connected textile artists, opens at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios on Thursday, January 8, 2009 and runs through January 20th.An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 9 from 5 – 9 PM.
The art exhibit will feature hundreds of fiber cards from over twenty-six countries and 46 states.The work of nineteen internationally known fiber artists will also be on display.

These invited artists include:Dijanne Cevaal, Sharon Boggon, Dale Rollerson, and Doreen Grey and her granddaughter Ebony of Australia; Beate Knappe and Wanda Lenz of Germany; Emmy Schoonbeek and Jacqueline de Jong of the Netherlands; Arlee Barr of Canada; Lynda Monk and Maggie Grey of Great Britain; Annica Lindsten of Sweden; Nikki Wheeler of Washington; Veleta Staffney and Corinne Stubson of Oregon; Penny Sisto of Indiana; Jill Rumoshosky Werner of Kansas; and Susan Sorrell and Susan Lenz of South Carolina.

Peace on earth….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the holidays I especially like to reflect on peace .  This year there are many problems that we face and peace on earth seems like a dream.   Everyone should live in a peaceful environment.  Everyone should know peace in their hearts, ‘I thought.   If this were possible, wouldn’t the world over experience this?  Wouldn’t it be a reality in the true sense?  These questions  put me back in touch with reality and reminded me that all hearts are not free.  That during this holiday season  some hearts know hunger.  Some hearts know joblessness.  Some hearts know what it feels to be homeless.  Some hearts are afraid of what the future holds for themselves and their families.  Many hearts are troubled this season as  my  family too has experienced  some hardships.  This holiday  my reflections and my prayers are for hearts.  Hearts  with hopes of peace on earth… exhale…

Fiber Post Cards

I could not resist sharing some of the beautiful fiber post cards, that I have received from all over the world.  The talented ladies that sent them are part of the Art4Mail group on yahoo.  We swap fiber post cards and form many friendships along the way.  These are from a recent Oriental Swap.

Oriental fan by Vicky Baker

Kimono by Darlene Maurer

Crane by kathy Letsinger

Dare to Dream by Judy Domke

Haste…

Haste  (hast) n.   1) Speedy of movement or action; 2) Necessity for speed; urgency. 3) hurry; preciptancy. – in haste 1) Quickly. 2)Thoughtlessly; rashly. – make haste  To hurry; rush – v.t. & v.i. hasted, hasting  Archaic To hasten (<OF<Gmc.)

Exhale….We rush  the things we do everyday and in our haste we don’t realize the mistakens and the  hurt we leave behind until it is too late and glaring in our faces. We rush meals, holidays,  projects we are expected to do and even rush our families along when  our to-do list gets longer.  We always say things like’  I don’t have time right now’ and ’ maybe later’ is always a favorite. We rush that project making mistakes along the way. All the while thinking you are so smart because you finish it before the sheduled  date.  Then presentation day arrives and you discovered you have not done it correctly. You didn’t ask enough questions. Maybe so?  Why?Because you thought it would be so easy.  All a long saying  ’Oh, I know how this goes. I can do this with my eyes closed  Well, they were closed. And you got it twisted!  You rushed right along smarty pants and got it twisted. In ( e’bon!&??!!nic)  terms! Well you know how the youngsters would say it.   Yo’ !you got it twisted granny!  And I say ‘ If you just had stop long enough to think about it and map out a plan.  Stop to listen and talk with your family.  It may be important to them !  Take time to stop and smell the roses (before they are gone forever). And please get all the details before you start that PROJECT!… Please!

Pear Art Quilt

 

by Rains Studio.

This is the piece I have been working on lately. I don’t know yet but it needs something more…..maybe a vintage photo and some beads…. we’ll see.  Exhale….

New Look!

Like the new look?

I have been trying for a new look for this blog sooo… It might be this one or I may change, until I’m  comfortable with one.  This one so far …good.  I ‘d like  it to be easy to read for myself as well as anyone else reading.  You know sometimes PC screens can be shocking for the eyes to adjust to.  Well don’t stay on line so long!  OK lovey dovey.   Exhale…

sq on squares bag

 

originally uploaded by Rains Studio.

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love my zipper bags. I use these bags for organizing everything from make up to sewing threads and tools. The are great for travel too because all your small bottles of shampoo etc. fit easily which is all you are allowed  with airport restrictions. I used a design I like to call square on square collage technique. Simply cut different size squares and sew them down to a fabric base. Continue the theme by stitching each one with the square design working from inside each indiviual square and stitching outward. Look for this and other zipper bags in both of my Etsy shops.. Fill these bags with some sample products such as handmade soaps, lotions and sugar scrubs. I gave these bags filled with these goodies as graduation gifts this year and everyone loved them. Just another gift idea from me to you.

Small Quilt 1

 

originally uploaded by Rains Studio.

This little collage quilt was fun to make. I friend gave me this piece of fabric and I was unsure what to do with it for a long time.  Then I decide to cut it up and use the fruit for small quilts.  So this is one in a series that I did.  I wanted an embroidery look so I did free motion stitching with thread to match. Then I used the stipple stitch to quilt around the fruit. This technique makes the subject really pop. Perfect piece to hang in a small nook area. This one will be listed in my Etsy shop, www.rainstudio.com