Winter Seedlings - Food for People and Bunnies

On December 2nd, I planted seeds in 2 x 72 seed flats and 3 reused 6 packs.  The seed packets said that the seeds would take between 7 - 30 days to emerge.

 

I didn't check on them the first few days and was surprised to see that their were 1.5" high seedlings 4 days later.   

The trays were on top of the bunny condo and the seedlings were bending over toward the window.  I rotated them right before taking the photos. The early risers are: Radishes and broccoli rabe that are now 5 days old and 2" high, followed by 1" high ice lettuce, lacinato kale and endive.  Romaine and a mystery green that I seed saved but didn't label are just emerging.  Many of the seeds were a few years past their expiration dates so I'm really happy that so many have sprouted already! 

Mavis Bird

 Sketches for the Mavis stamp.  

After the onesies and a quilt were stamped for Mavis the stamp fell on the floor behind a box and the bunnies ate it.  Thankfully they survived.  

I sent off the carriage quilt /wall hanging before photographing it.  Hopefully, I'll remember to take a photo on my next trip to visit Mavis.

The Fastest Quilt in the West

 The Gee's Bend Ladies quilting style is the fastest... anywhere.  

In September, I took a three hour class with three ladies from Gee's Bend Alabama.  China Pettway opened the class with a prayer and a few gospel songs.  Here is the best video I could find of the ladies singing.

There was no group instruction.  The idea was not to do any precise measuring or worry about getting any lines straight.  I received about a minute of private encouragement and a suggestion to start with the baby quilt I had already pieced and add borders in a Housetop pattern.  There were no rules except to work quickly and have fun.  I tore most of the fabric with the grain and used the skinny quarters as the basis for the width of the borders. 

The pattern in the middle is one that I had already sewn together for a baby's carriage quilt.  The ladies call it a Standing Up and Lying Down pattern.

My goal was to lay out the top in the three hours and I just made it.  

The quilt top is 94" x 102" once I finished sewing all the pieces together the following week.

I started with scraps of fabrics that I brought from my stash.

Other participants came by to see what I was doing and added fabrics that they thought looked good, the whole pink section was donated by a collaborator.

I photographed the layout right before a wind came through and blew the fabric all over the place.

 

Here is the final quilt top.

I worked on tweaking the layout and sewing the strips together on Mom's sewing machine.  

I used the bed in an empty bedroom to lay it all out.  The back is also pieced, but it vertical strips.  The colors are similar, but no pink or purple and more grey.  It will be reversible with fluffy warm wool batting and ties instead of quilting.  Stay tuned for part II.

Quilts made by ladies from Gee's Bend, Alabama on display at the Fiber College in Searsport, Maine. 

Tiger Socks for my nephew

My nephew is a senior in high school and  captain of his varsity cross country running and cross country ski teams and so inspired me to knit some very special school spirit socks. We went to the local yarn store so he could pick out the best orange and then we worked out the school crest on graph paper. Here is a link to the project on Ravelry:  http://www.ravelry.com/projects/heatherroses/slip-stitch-heel-basic-socks-3

This is Thanksgiving week and this year I've been giving gifts as I finish them instead of waiting for Christmas.  I'm thankful that my family and friends receive and appreciate my gifts.  Handmade gifts are my meditation of love for the recipient.  I pray for the giftee and share my love for them and the materials I'm using and am thankful to God for my family, friends, my creativity, abilities and access to materials, postal services and travel freedoms. 

Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thes 5:16-18

New Watercolor Journal

Inspiration for my new watercolor/mixed media journal began with a book that Aja picked up,called 200 Projects to Get You Into Fashion Design.

Although the book is for fashion designers and stylists, it walks you through recording your creative process in a project journal - stuffed with swatches, magazine clippings, sketches, paintings, notes, etc.

Then, I discovered Geninne.  I read every archived post and bought all the art supplies that she recommends.  Geninne's posts are mostly photographs of her art, inspiration, art supplies and her home with brief descriptions.  She is amazingly talented.