Repurposed Christmas Cards

I created these anniversary cards from Christmas cards. I took verses from the inside of different cards while the hearts were from a beautiful glittery Christmas trees on a card. A tree upside down looks a lot like a heart.

Oops

I forgot to add the Scripture reference. It's machine quilted.

Be Still

A few months ago, the subject of slowing down and being still came up in a conversation. I mentioned to that one of my favorite verses is from Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I AM God". The other person said, "Yeah, for everyone but you!" I realized that they were right and have consciously spent more time being still, which is not easy but obtainable. It's a good practice.

After finishing some colorful, fun quilting, I added the verse part and 3 organza ribbons to the focal part of this piece from yesterday. The "I" "AM" "GOD" additions were made by first painting NO Flow on the fabric then written using a purple Sharpie pen - an experiment.

New Background

Several days ago while playing with batik remnants, I pieced some square in a square blocks. They were no particular size only using what size remnant was in the bin. I've used some of them to piece a background with a fuchsia center focal piece. I've started machine quilting it and will add the focal verse in 3D when the quilting is complete.

Thankfulness

I am thankful for family which is spread out over several states.
Only 1 son home for Christmas Day this year but it was a fun time.
I am thankful for technology of phones, email and Gchat.

I am thankful for the Prince Of Peace - Jesus

who offers a close relationship with Him
24/7 without technology!
Thank You LORD.

Unto Us A Child Is Born!

""Unto Us A Child Is Born" is another piece from my earlier quilting days. It was paper pieced along with our Mini Bee group doing a section at a time for the year's challenge in 2001. Even though I now prefer other methods of creating quilted art, I really like this piece and it's reminder of celebrating Jesus' birth at Christmas.

Celebrating Christmas Eve

I began quilting in the early 1990's and this is one of my first pieces from 1995. I used templates and wanted it very symmetrical. It is hand quilted. My style has changed a lot since then which can be viewed in previous posts. Merry Christmas!

Be Joyful In Hope - Finished

Some pieces just seem to flow and go together quickly. This piece is not one of those type of pieces. This piece seemed to take a lot of thought and time to complete. But it is complete. And I like it.

Birds Of The Sky

Matthew 6:26 - "Look at the birds of the sky: they don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? "

My mystery project from yesterday is a Gold Finch Bird Feeder.

Here's how simple it was to create:

First, sew on Velcro to create a flap that fold over the opening completely.

Then, sew side seams closed. Next, hole punch 2 holes on the back side of feeder as openings for hanger.

Then, thread thin piece of screen as hanger through holes and sew hanger into circle.

Lastly, fill with Niger Thistle and place on pole and watch for Gold Finch's approval.
Click photo to better view happy Gold Finch.

"...Yet Your Heavenly Father Feeds Them"

I have a mystery project for today. I've had this idea for while and now that our dog "helped redecorate" a window screen, I have the materials. The photo is of a washed piece of vinyl window screen cut and ready to sew. Can you guess what it will be? There's a clue in Matthew 6:26.

"Be joyful in hope"

I finally decided how to embroider the verse on this piece. The 2 strips of masking tape temporarily provided good boundaries for height. I used this chalk pencil that that I borrowed from Carol R. and it worked great to mark the verse. She warned not to leave it on too long, so I used this special sponge to "erase" the remaining chalk after the embroidery. Now just to add Romans 12:12, machine "sign" my name, finish sun rays, binding.....

"Fabric Throwing" Day

I'm in the "thinking" process on a couple of projects so I just wanted to create today.

I call it a "fabric throwing" day.

Post Cards are a great way to create "quickly".

I seem to create best when fabric and supplies are all over the room. And I like tiny pieces.

What fun!

Rusted Fabric Use

As I looked though the fabrics I have hand dyed, I came across this piece that I dyed with rusty objects awhile ago. I put it away since I don't usually do much with browns. But, today, I knew it was perfect for the back of a couple of green and brown fabric post cards I was finishing today. I'll use it for some others too.

Tiny Knitted Stocking

This tiny knitted stocking ornament was a gift from one of the Crafting With Kindness ladies at our party yesterday. That's a chap stick inside which gives you a good idea of how tiny the size of the stocking. Thanks Barbara. (I find it difficult to photograph tiny items with good clarity.)

Traveling Project

A gift from Marti a few years back, this transformed mailing tube safely holds a project in progress in transport. It is perfect for days like today when I will take an unfinished piece to the Crafting With Kindness group for opinions.
It unties and rolls out to hold the project on a thin layer of batting. There's also room inside the tube for other supplies ready to go.

Quilting and Bead Added

This piece, first posted Dec. 3, was quilted using a similar thread color to each section. There are gold and reddish orange beads forming the rays of the sun set. After I add the binding, I'll finish the last ray of the sun since it's so close to the edge. I still want to put a verse on it, but since it's only 8 X 10 I'm not sure where and what color to use. Any suggestions?

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Felt Snowmen and Mittens

I created these a while ago out of felt and polar fleece with beads for eyes and on the "buttons". Any suggestions as to how to use them?

Diego

Meet Diego, my daughter and her husband's new puppy. He is very sweet and loves to play.

Snowy Ohio

I rarely post photos of people or things other than quilted art etc here but since I've been gone for several days without any art to show.....here is my daughter and her husband, my hubby and I outside their church in Ohio before our son in love preached this AM. There was about 3-6 inches of snow.

Fabric Christmas Trees

Last week I posted the beginnings of these Fabric Christmas Trees the Crafting With Kindness group. We used 3 1/2 long strips, 3 inches wide ironed into thirds. Then we used applique pins to attach the folded in half strips to the Styrofoam cone. The bottoms and tops of the cones were also covered with fabric. Lastly beautiful bows and streamers were added to the tops. They were a lot of fun to make.

Sunset Added

Thanks to everyone who commented on this piece a few days ago. I hand appliqued the sunset yesterday while visiting my granddaughter. As always. she wanted to touch to pretty fabrics, thread etc. She carried the orange spool of thread for awhile as treasure which of course only lasted a little while. I'm considering tiny orange beads for the rays of sun. Any thoughts??

Lettering

Recently, I saw a quilt that incorporated lettering similar to this photo. So, I cut a strip of interfacing and wrote in pencil, " He who began a good work in you ...." from Philippians 1:6. I used the free motion foot and played a bit with the width of the zigzag stitch. Next I doubled the interfacing and came up with this. Narrower works better. I know I need more practice but then I plan to do the lettering on a strip of fabric before piecing it in the quilt. A new adventure with words on fabric for me.

Fabric Post Card Labeling

While choosing Fabric Post Cards to mail today, I changed the inside tag/label that goes inside the cellophane cover. The label now includes the line: For other Scripture Inspired Quilted Art: and then my contact info. I also noticed that I used to sign the Post Cards with my JBheart with date and "Choose Life Studio" but now sign with my JBheart, date, name and blogspot location.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. Psalm 107:1.

Mystery Gift Preparation

Our Crafting With Kindness group is making gifts for the staff of the church. We took 3 inch wide strips of Christmas fabrics and ironed them into thirds. Then they were cut into 3 1/2 inch segments. Here's my counted stacks ready for our next meeting. Intrigued? Stay tuned.

A Little Help

I started this piece today as an excercise in adding strips. It needs something - or some things. Any suggestions?

Advent Calendars On Sale

These unique, quilted Advent Calendars are created using many fabrics, including one with a Bible Verse on it. There are 25 hand sewn buttons where the yellow ultra suede stars can be attached counting the 25 days in December until Christmas. The large button is for the large yellow star for Christmas Day. The yellow pocket on the back house the stars. Each Advent Calendar is ready to hang for Christmas. There are only 4 of these left at the sale price of $98.

Happy Snow Day

We awoke to the 4th snow day of this season and it's still snowing. Lots of birds were feasting at the feeder this AM but became shy when I got out the camera.

I finished quilting this baby quilt. It has lots of loops, stars, spirals and words. "God is LOVE - I John 4:8" is also included.


This is the beginning of another preemie quilt.

Baby Gift

I pulled out these fun 6 inch strips I have been piecing as "mice" between sewing other things and put them together in this small baby quilt. I'll add a top and bottom border then quilt it. I'm sure the Lord will reveal where it is to go when the time is right.

...Through Christ Which Strengthens Me"

I simply meander quilted the green fabrics and quilted loops on the pink fabrics. Binding applied and fused to the black covered back and it's ready to be another piece for Fiber Art For A Cause. (Google it for more info.) Auction begins May 2009.

All Dry & New Skill

Here's the piece from yesterday that is dry. I like the design but prefer a softer "hand" to the fabric than this has due to the glue. I may like that technique better with all paper than this combination of paper and fabric.

This close up shows the fabric curling a bit which will be fine after it's quilted.

Also, thanks for Terri for explaining to me how to do a different layout for my photos and text.

Fiber Art For A Cause

I began this piece wanting to use a canceled postage stamp so I dumped my batik remnants and assembled them to cover a 8X10 inch space. I then diluted white glue and spread it on a piece of off white fabric on top of some wax paper. I reassembled the remnants onto the wet glue and then added pink batik accents and a verse stamped on pattern tissue and a canceled postage stamp. The pattern tissue didn't show well so I stamped a piece of paper I had painted previously and covered the original piece later. Next I diluted some green paint and covered the piece. It's drying now. I'll quilt it when it's dry. This is another piece for Fiber Art For A Cause. (Anyone willing to explain how I can post a photo, text, photo text format?)

Playing With Remnants

I am in between projects right now, except the Fall piece I am hand quilting. So, I pulled out my batik remnant bin and begin to make square in a square and some strip sets. We'll see how they go and what will come of them. Also, I am wanting to make another piece for Fiber Art For A Cause which donates 100% of their money to Cancer Research and am wanting to try a technique I've seen on the web using fabric paper.

Re Purposed Card

A card came recently in the mail and after it had served it's purpose, I re purposed it into a new card to send out soon. Re purposed materials include: card front , tiny ribbon remnants and inside of used black folder.

Woven Fabric Wallet

I made this check book /wallet a while ago and like it a lot. The cover is 2 batik fabrics woven together and then quilted randomly incorporating the batik heart. It has several sections, each for a different categories of our budget. I did have to put new Velcro closure on it yesterday.

Redoing Canvas Backgrounds

These 8 X 10 pieces were previously sewn to painted black canvases and are in some of the Sept. 2008 entries. This week I removed the quilted art and repainted the canvases since even minor handling had mussed the black paint a bit and then sprayed a sealer on it. Next I resewed each piece back onto the newly prepared canvases. I think next time, if there is a next time, I'll choose more of a matte sealer. What do you think?

Flattening A Wall Quilt

I finished this wall quilt for my Daughter-In-Love's birthday a few days ago and needed to flatten it before delivering it to her. I've been told that misting it and pressing with a steam iron onto a wood surface would accomplish this. Using what I have, my version is covering an old door with some gauze to protect the back of the quilt and misting and steaming away. It works well.