Storytelling

my hand drafted pattern book  a.k.a 'the spellbook'

......storytelling......
It happens to be one of my favorite things to do....

Manda tells stories here.....

You can follow along at the link above.

Been stitching for days. I'll share the finished doll soon enough.

Works In Progress Wednesday

I have so many many many things I'm doing at once, I feel like a machine. I am a machine. I like being a machine.
After work yesterday, I spent a few hours at the downtown studio again and finished up another quilt top and basted it. (Insert amazement here.)
That's two quilts ready for stitchery. Makes me squeal with delight.

Yes. The Summer Sampler Series I started last summer will be finished before this summer! I like this photo, the angle lets you ignore the not perfect alignment of the blocks. I didn't do that bad of a job, but you know, if it's the tiniest mistake, I see it.

Anyway, I look forward to doing a bit of stitching on both tops this weekend.

I also am working on a super special custom doll for the daughter of a very good friend. I've redesigned my patterns again, attempting a more child-play friendly design. And new eyes, no more buttons. PLUS this darling child has a passion for dressing, so I'm making this doll some nifty outfits! I'm so thrilled for the challenge.

I've got some great doll inspiration these days. I pulled some fabrics for the doll itself and below is the beautiful fabrics she gave me to incorporate as I wish, though I already know I'm going to make some fabulous little dresses to start!

Doll body fabrics

Dearest Friends contribution.....simply cheery

I leave you now with a view of my table this morning. Happy Creating!

Link up!

WIP Wednesday

The owls are a newish project, meaning ive already been working on them for about a month. Taking my time, literally and slow.

I have two almost finished commissioned owls for a friend, and the second owl, in neutrals is finished (since this picture) and about to enter the shop. Pheww. I have only some embroidery details on the first two owls left and then i'll share details.

This last photo is a nice bunch of fabric i recently purchased (as if i needed more) and i'm aching to cut into them. I'm just not sure as to what they will become just yet.

Anyhow, I wanted to join in the fun of Wednesdays at a fellow quilters blog i admire...Lee at Freshly Pieced does a wonderful blog linky so everyone can share their progress.

Here's the link to her blog and the rest of the amazing WIP Wednesday linkers. Enjoy!

Freshly Pieced Blog

Reconnections

I was sick for a bit last week, but really it helped me spend some much needed time on thinking, planning and goal setting. Yes, I said 'goal' setting. I realize it is much harder to go about accomplishing your goals if you forget you have them. If you forget what you want all together, it takes a little while to put the train cars back on track.
Since I only get sick a few times a year, i know to pay attention when i do, i'm going to be spending a lot of quiet time with "me" and that's not always so comfortable. We are our own worst critics.
This time around, it happens to have just lurched into a seasonal change, and i feel most like molting at this time. Like shedding in preparation for a winter of work. I get more done when the outside is not inviting me to lounge around and read.
It might have just been time or i might have finally realized the things i do to avoid my own plans. Habits can be broken. Habits can be reformed. That's what i'm working on. Across all aspects.So i share with you some pictures of past "Unfinished Projects" being worked on:

Butterfly borders and background quilting detail

"Sun" Owl Fabrics/Commissioned Project

"Moon" Owl Fabrics/ Commissioned Project

"Dangerous Things in Pastel" pre-quilting

"Dangerous Things" quilting detail

At the same time, i was dealing with my goals being not in proportion to what i have. I was taught somewhere along my life to "work with what you have". That should be tattoo'd on someone out there. I woke up this morning thinking about how i needed almost eleven employees to help me successfully run my business. Then repeated "Work with what you have" until i got it. I discovered the path through my personal chaos of working.
This master plan involves twelve distinct roles i must encompass in order to make a smooth operation of my success. Twelve characters i've created, each having a specific duties in the "Mammal Chupie" studio. This is going to get interesting. Needless to say, i've discovered a way to entertain myself into accomplishing all the tasks i could imagine.
More on this later.
Ciao.