Jo-Ann Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010

I chose to enter the Jo-Anns Quilt your colors 2010 quilt contest. This will be my 3rd quilt I have made. The pink Siamese cat print was my focal fabric to work around. So became the Tic Tac Groovy Cat quilt. I designed the pinwheels and cat face appliques with borders to make up the Tic Tac grid. I still wanted the little cats from the print to have a place. I fussy cut and fussy cut til I had the squares and more borders to my likening.

I watched a you-tube on scalloped borders so I decided to try that as well. I am learning embroidery with my big Bernina so I printed the quilt name, date and my name on the large cat applique on the back.

For machine quilting I had stitched in the ditch and did some free motion quilting on the outside border. Having just had carpel tunnel surgery on both hands just before the contest ended I had to leave well enough alone.

The last day to mail the entry was on 12/18/2010. I ran out of photo paper and had to go to the local print shop. I lost my car keys while I shopped waiting for the pictures. Found my keys back at the photo shop. As I quickly stuffed the photos in to the entry package... I see the full view shot had the top and bottom edges cut off. Oh well.... off to the Post Office. Done Done ~!

My First Quilt DONE~!

Yahoo It's done. Hanging on the clothes line in the sun. Lots of practice machine stippling with my BSR foot.

Two fun pillow cases with Kitties too.

Summer Blossoms~~ Bernina 830~~Dirt and Gardens

So as I am watering everything in the yard very early... since the boys have gone off to catch some yummy catfish up on the John Day river. Boy is it gonna be a hot one for them. Lots of sun screen, gator aides and yucky chicken livers. I have having a great time sewing on my big Bernina 830. I have a twin size quilt goin' on here for my granddaughter's birthday. I am practicing withe the Berinina Stitch Regulator (BSR) Free motion stitching is new to me and I am going to have to try free hand with out the BSR after this one is done.

This quilt is goin' to be the cutest thing. All prints, lady bugs on the back too and the binding will be a yummy light blue minky.

The Patio is on it's way to be torn to smithereens~! We will have a new cement poured over the cement that is hidden.

Rhubarb on the right is an indestructible plant. John can't wait for our late, late crook neck squash to grow..grow... grow~!

The corn and tomatoes have had a hard time this year to in Oregon. The cold wet LONG spring kept everything at a stand still. Now with 98 degrees of heat today... Grow baby GROW~!

We were filled with fir trees in the back of our property. Now that we took the trees down, split and sacked all the wood for the next few winter... now on to more garden space, fruit trees and of coarse... flowers.

It's a big space that my husband can't fill up with boats. SO I will have to bring in the trees and plants.

Spring Refreshes......

Where have I been~? I have wondered that myself. My nursing job with Willamette Falls Hospital has changed to Providence Willamette Falls. Lost of big changes with computer systems.
But.... on to my art. Where has that been. Well, several of my art-y folks I have made in the past keep peeking at me and wondering what's up~! So my friend Pea at http://whimsicalendeavors.blogspot.com/ Gave me this CUTE frog prince-ess and she/he is now showing off our new countertops. Silestone in browns, creams and and and. I look like I always have a spotless kitchen.....at least on the counters.

Have been reading alot on sewing and quilting lately and stashes of fabric. Thought I would prove I am working towards having tons for my children to say, "wow, what should we do with all of this STUFF"... HA to them. This is the tip of the fabric-burg. Just got this great cubbie shelf and sorted through this much. I have another cabinet that I have to fit in my studio.

PS... the small skates are a project to paint... UHMmmmmmm... Painting is in my head too.

I some how came home with a new Babylock Evolution serger. Boy is this baby a charm. My last Babylock was 15 years old, worked like a horse and I had never changed the cutting blade.

I have this one figured out ... cover stitches, overlocking.

Also, my best new toy. ... . A Bernina 830 sewing, quilting and embroidery machine. I am taking classes to learn this big baby. Talk about the tip of the iceberg... My wonderful sister gave me her Koala Sewing cabinet that is strong enough to hold this 38 pound sewing machine.

I learned to sew from my professional dressmaker... Momma. I have plans to make my lined large picture window living room drapes and also for the dining room slider. My hubby will have to bring in a couple of saw horses and a large table top so I can work on those. Can't wait. Fabric is ordered along with the blackout lining.

My Mom was a specialist at a time for Goodell's Custom Draperies in Portland, Oregon. She made all the custom order valances and swags. I worked there in the summers during high school.

Happy 3rd Birthday to TDIPT

In just a few short days TDIPT Mercantile (not to be confused w/ the ebay group which turned 3 back in October) will be turning 3 years old!
It is hard to believe that this much time has passed since our doors opened and we made our debut onto the internet.
To help to show our appreciation to our wonderful customers and our loyal followers, we've celebrated each of our birthdays w/ a giveaway, as we will this year.
Some of our artists have created something special to be given away for this special occasion, and we will begin the festivities on the evening of Sunday February 28th at 10 PM ET, which is when the artists from the 1st of the month will have new offerings available on the Merc for your consideration.
We will draw names on March 21st.
How to enter for the drawing?
Purchase an item from the Mercantile and we will throw your name in the hat for each purchase you make
If you're on our mailing list to receive our TDIPT Newsletter, you will be entered in to win, so if you're not already receiving it, be sure to sign up on the Merc or on our TDIPT blog.
If you are a follower of our blog you will be entered in to win. If you don't already follow us, be sure to sign up.
We hope you will join us to celebrate such an important occasion!

TDIPT Blog and Mercantile and SusieDesigns

Visit our Blog
http://todwellinprimitivethymes.typepad.com/

Visit our artist Mercantile with wonderful items for sale
http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/

This little Tole ware tray's purchase price will be donated to Mercy Corps for our Hearts in Haiti

Take good look at our TDIPT art this month. The wonderful artists have donated a pieces of their work with the purchase price going to Charity. My art piece price will be matched and go to Mercy Corps.. located in Portland, Oregon.

Toleware Tin Tray....Vintage Chickens in a Basket

I sew, sculpt, paint, garden and try just about any kind of art medium....But I always come back to painting. I have oodles of old tin/metal trays to paint so I am back at that for a bit. Just listed the Chickens in a Basket and whoooosh... it sold on TDIPT. Such fun items to place on a shelf or a nook in your home for a remembrance of farm life. More to come.

TDIPT artists will be showing all sorts of bird art February 21st Ebay.

In the mean time before that... please take a look at our offerings on our Mercantile Now~!http://tdiptmercantile.com/

Upates to the New Year 2010

So a belated update from the Christmas Holidays. Our 3 kids, 2 fat puggies... Hector and Mongo and 1 granddaughter.


Spencer and Max awake, happy and loving children... eating Christmas Brunch.

My Granddaughter Teagan who helped ??? bake pies. I gave her the leftover pie dough and the roller. I forgot to put up the bin of flour so..... she had a great time rolling out her crusts.

Our daughter Stephanie and Teagan had to test out the Cinderella tent that Santa brought. The Happy Holidays were lots of fun.

Jack Johnston's ArtDoll Class 2nd DAY

Oh my what fun it is to sculpt all day long. We worked on hands and shoes all day long. Got 'em done. Everyone is happy sharing ideas and their art stories. Jack makes you so welcome to be in his class. He spends lots of time teaching, hands on helping and then you have plenty of time to individualize your work.
Tomorrow we will be doing bodies for these 18 inch dolls. We won't be costuming them but will be able to customize that at home.
Here are is all but 2 of the students heads, hands and feet. Jack can sculpt a doll in a short time... We take 3 days.

Jack Johnston Art Dolls Class Susiedesigns

We got to Salt Lake City 12/3/09, Thursday for our ArtDolls class with Jack Johnston. Class starts tomorrow... FRIDAY. We brought tons of stuff to work on today, before class and after class. We had an extra table brought in to our room. I have my reindeer to work on and some penny quilting. My sister brought one of sculpted "old sister dolls" to work on their clothing.
The weather here is beautifully sunny but BRRRRRRRRRRr cold. In the 20's. Although our home in Oregon City, Oregon just 10 degrees warmer and expecting snow this weekend.
We took a walk and went over to Kmart and my sister searched and searched for a nice gray knit top.... to cut up and use for her dolls bloomers....HA~! Crafter's all the way.
I found Heartland Paper.. a great scrap booking store but I only came out with some snowflake designs.
Below you can see some of our class...YIPEEE





Here is just a small grouping or finished heads from our class. Forgotten camera sticks...low batteries and just having too much fun to take pictures at our first class.

Artdolls.com Jack Johnstons Doll Sculpting Class

Yaaa-hooo. My sister and I arrived here in cold, cold Salt Lake City, Utah to take Jack Johnston's 3 day Prosculpt doll class. We spent the morning traveling to get here and the afternoon setting up our craft room at the Inn we are staying at. We needed an extra table because we brought lots to do before and after class. Paints, clay, wool, stuffing and more stuff..

We don't go to class until Dec 4th... TOMORROW... but we are crafting already on "stuff" from home.
More tomorrow after we have our first fun class. But we are already tired from working so hard.

Belsnickle Santa...s Primtive Folk Art Santas

2 Belsnickle Santas
I created 2 Belsnickle Santas last week. Both with 100% wool clothing that is hand dyed. Luscious feeling wool. The brown standing Santa is about 20 inches high, full lambs wool beard, naughty list, leather toy bag and a vintage type toy boat. I sculpted his head over a gourd so he is fairly light weight. His feet are hand sculpted black winter boots.


This Santa can be hung on the wall or sits on a ledge. All wool jacket and heavy cotton ticking pants. I have hand quilted his penny rug type pockets, he holds a stuffed Santa bag and has a primitive Christmas tree in his pocket. I hand made a miniature grape wreath with a "Silent Night" grungy label.
This holiday Santa is about 16 inches sitting and 26 inches tall hanging. His face is hand sculpted over a gourd to ad lightness to his total weight. Take a look at his sculpted boots with pin buttons and lace. Ho Ho Ho....

Behold a OOAK TDIPT Christmas Primitive Folk Art Doll and Baby Deer

Miss Merrilee,

This is a Christmas girl holding a baby deer. She is 25 inches tall on an old vintage candle stick. Her dress is soft quilting flannel and cotton fabric. Lots of trims and a vintage doily with wool applique. I created, sewed and painted both of these wonderful holiday souls

She will be up for sale shortly as I have a few more surprises to add to her Holiday Decorations.

She is on Ebay now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Merrilee-Christmas-OOAK-Primitive-Folk-Art-Doll-TDIPT_W0QQitemZ270485135384QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item3efa2ba018

Giveaway at TDIPT Blog site

http://todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/
Enter the drawing for one of a kind artist gifts. It's easy peasy....~!

TDIPT Halloween Penny Rug Primitive Doll

OHhhhh... so soft. Hand dyed wool fabri designed Penny Witch.
She loves to sit and watch what's going on for the holidays. Her body is Osnaburg muslin that has been aged and has a faint cinnamon smell. The bodice top, waist band and ruffled neckline is a vintage cotton hand stitched.The all wool skirt and hat that I designed are so soft and Halloweenie~! Black cats, Witch hats and french knot dots all in a vintage primitive style.

Her little antiqued hands rest comfortably on her wool skirt... see her hand painted and sanded smooth legs and black boots.

She is a bit pouty~! She wants to go trick or treating~!

She is for sale

She is listed on TDIPT Mercantile under SusieDesigns. Please take a look at all the other wonderful artists that have new one of a kind items for the 15th of this month.

http://tdiptmercantile.com/artisanpage.html

Tick Toc Halloween Cat Clock

SOLD~!!! Off to her new owner. Thank you soooo much. Hope you love your clock.
Finally, I have put this gorgeous piece together. It was originally a tall grandfather clock. I found just the top portion as a treasure to paint. The clock is working and the cat has eyes to be spooked by.