Update for this post... Prices shown below in the Rapid Cart are regular prices since sale is over....
Where did July go?? We are having another soggy, rainy day here in NE PA. This earlier post has all the details of my sale which is going on at my Artfire and one Etsy shop, and my Website items on these two pages- 5x7" mini quilts, and 8x10" mini quilts. I will no longer be creating these styles of little quilts, and would love for these to find loving homes.
Above are some of the items in my Etsy Shop.
It's been a while since I showed any new flowers here, so here goes... The Echinaceas are in full bloom now, along with a few other pretties.
Now I just need to keep attacking the weed populations... Photos are great.... I can shoot around the weeds and no one knows how bad they really are:)
I don't usually post about my Fibromyalgia, but for some reason this post seemed to need to be written.... I know from experience what can cause nasty flares of my Fibro, and have learned what to do or avoid to keep flares to a minimum. This past weekend, that all went out the window, and now I am paying the price. Here is how I caused this flare... If I had not put off things that should have been done sooner, I may have avoided the flare, or at least not been hit this hard.... Living with this disease is a lifetime learning experience. Pardon any rambling, errors in grammar, etc..... Fibro fog here, too.
- Friday Evening- Finally start getting fair entries ready to deliver to fairgrounds by noon on Saturday.
- Start painting a piece of canvas needed for one of the entries. Hurry the drying process by blotting moisture from the canvas, then ironing over and over and over.... until it finally dries. Set aside.
- Finish edging on art quilt to be mounted on the painted canvas... OK, I enter things that are not fully finished....
- Stitch quilt to painted canvas.... Realize it doesn't look right... designs on canvas are too bright.
- Pull out paint and brush, thin titanium white paint to tone things down... remember the quilt is stitched to canvas.
- Late nite TV shows are now over.... go to bed...
- Saturday 7AM- Drag out of bed... fix breakfast of hot chocolate and cereal.
- Start eating cereal while checking email... no news from 2 military sons... try not to worry...
- Pull out fair entry form to lay everything out in order. Hot chocolate cooling down, cereal half eaten...
- Oops! find another item that needs work.... Fix it..
- Iron canvas that was over-painted last night... it looks OK!
- Staple canvas onto frame.... Checking to be sure the quilt is centered properly.
- Run out of staples in the staple gun... need only 2 more... can't find staples.... running out of time...
- Borrow staple gun from Ken who is finally working on our bathroom... another procrastinator in the family :)
- Look for wire and eye hooks to put on the back... can't find... steal from another piece not entered.
- Finally finished!! Eat a bit more soggy cereal... hot chocolate no longer hot.
- Cover name on quilts with tape... stack and roll, Oops...forgot... need rods to hang them....
- Put everything into the mini van.... drive to storage trailer- where are those rods?... find them.
- Drive to Ken's workshop to find dowels for smaller pieces. Find dowels, how do I cut them?? Look for something... find really rusty pliers that will work, sort of....
- By now it is 11:30AM... Troy Fairgrounds are 20 miles away.... pray for no traffic...
- Part way there realize I forgot my water bottle... getting thirsty... no time to stop anywhere...
- Lucky me... arrive at fairgrounds 11:55... take items to Home Arts building... leave most of my stuff
- Take last minute finished, canvas mounted art quilt to Fine Art building, drop off... I'll be back...
- Am told the piece is in the wrong building- it's not art... Yes it is... I'll be back...
- Check in quilts, etc. at the Home Arts building.... My canvas mounted piece is returned to me... not art?...
- Put piece into car... go to Fine Arts building to ask "What is considered mixed media??,
- Told there is no category for my piece... they do like it, though- "How did you do that?",etc...
- Mini meeting in back room.... The piece can be hung, but may not be judged, is that OK? YES!
- Whew! Done with that....
- Nearly 1PM, no water bottle, hungry.... go to McDonald's and order a Happy Meal.
- Sit and eat my Happy Meal... Realize I walked into McDonalds with a big rusty pair of pliers in my bag...
- Drive back home... much calmer now... pick up sweet corn and peaches at farm stand on the way.
- Arrive home, put away produce... Lawn Really needs mowing... it's not raining...
- Help Ken with a piece of drywall in bathroom...
- Lawn Really needs mowing....
- Check mower... add oil, drag air tank out of workshop, fill tire with air, lug tank back...
- Can't find gas... Ask Ken... doesn't know... find gas, yay! only a couple gallons and I can just lift it.
- Put on ear protection and plug into walkman... start mowing, will just do what shows most...
- Stop to help Ken with another piece of drywall.. good to stretch legs after an hour anyway....
- Back to mowing... after another hour, notice bulging front tire- not the one that goes flat...
- Keep mowing... when this thing stops, no mowing until fixed.. may be a while, so better keep going.
- Need a path to compost pile and veggie garden, keep mowing....
- Finally stop mowing without running out of gas or blowing a tire- yay!
- Hands and feet feel like being stung by bees- not fun... doesn't last long- Whew!
- Ready for a nap....
- Looks like a storm coming... yes one is coming... lots of drywall outside... full sheets, part sheets, etc....
- Ask Ken if prepared for storm... (I can see Not)... a few little sprinkles...
- "Should I help with covering things up??" No need to get big pieces into house and small ones, too.
- I help carry in small pieces (NOT that small) pretty heavy, this will hurt tomorrow...
- Now I could really use that nap, but time to fix supper....
- Cook corn and chicken on grill, eat supper...
- Can I babysit grandkids tomorrow so son can help with bathroom?? I know I'm going to hurt tomorrow...
- Kids coming... need to do dishes (sink piled and more on stove), kitchen is biggest space for kids...
- Take shower to ease aches....
- By now in manic mode.... no nap, stressful day... kids coming... need to get ready...
- Load dishwasher, load clothes washer, Ken goes to bed.... still dirty dishes... wash them by hand...
- Clean counters, stove, put away dishes.... move clothes from washer to dryer....
- I better get to bed.... nearly midnight... 2 late nights in a row not good....
- Sleep like a rock from exhaustion...
- Ken was up before me... unloaded dishwasher!! Yay!
- Wake Sunday 8AM... drag out of bed... make hot chocolate... go to studio to check email, nothing from boys,
- Find yesterday's unfinished cereal and day old, now cold chocolate... no wonder I got so hungry yesterday!
- Find clothes for church... top needs ironing, take to studio, turn on iron....
- Walk through kitchen while waiting for iron to heat up... Floor needs sweeping...
- Where is the broom?? Take out compost... Put bucket into sink with clorox and soap, start filling with hot water..
- Look for broom, find it on deck... Bucket is overflowing with suds and hot water..Oops! Sweep floor....
- Where is dustpan?? In bathroom being remodeled? too far... use a paper, sweep fine dust under trashcan.
- Almost time to leave for church.... where is my top? Oh yea, on ironing board, iron has turned off, turn it back on..
- Fix hair, iron top, get dressed.... gulp down rest of now cool hot chocolate... forgot cereal...
- Off to church eating a fiber bar on the way, don't get chocolate on skirt... Don't fall asleep during service.... good!
- Stop at grocery store on way home for a couple items....
- Arrive home, ask when kids are coming... 1PM??? it's 12:45! Kitchen table is still buried in old mail, etc.
- Put leftover mac&cheese in microwave for lunch... Ken already ate, he stayed home to work in the bathroom.
- Sort old mail, papers, put away various other stuff... find table top... Hey there it is! Pretty cobalt blue!
- 1:10PM no kids yet... wolf down mac&cheese... change clothes... no kids yet...
- Lay down in bed until kids arrive... head hits pillow, kids arrive...
- 3 kids instead of 2... Grandkids plus a cousin- 1yo baby, and 2- 5yr olds....
- Put baby in highchair, other kids at kitchen table with coloring books... they like I Spy better...
- Tell grandson and cousin to use one I Spy book... this grammy can't keep up with 2 books...
- Baby not happy in highchair, put up Pack & Play- fills kitchen... add little girl and toys...
- Baby not happy in her "cage" and very tired.... maybe a nap??? No nap.. try with playpen in bedroom, no nap...
- Daddy can't ignore the crying like this grammy can... gets his little girl to sleep for 5 minutes. Give up on that.
- Pack & Play back in kitchen... Daughter-in-law coming for supper... need to make salads...
- Entertain graddaughter while cooking pasta.... older kids want cereal, get it for them...
- Older kids still hungry... didn't eat lunch??? Find out they ate breakfast at 11AM
- Heat soup for late lunch for 2- 5yo's Forgot pasta still cooking on stove.... a bit overcooked...
- Make space in livingroom amongst stuff from remodel... unbury kid's table for puzzles.
- 5yo's busy with puzzles and games, I'm finishing salads.... baby acting sleepy....
- 5 PM... Fill bottle, baby falls asleep really fast... late for a nap, but a nap!!
- Older kids are OK in livingroom, I tell Ken and son that I'm taking a nap... baby is sleeping.
- Lay down... kids no longer in livingroom, outside in yard... sound busy and OK.
- Nearly 6PM, get up... time to start grill for burgers and hotdogs... DIL arrives...
- I find kids along the woods pulling walnut branches down to pick nuts... they have collected a lot.
- Find a place for the collected walnuts the kids will use for when they "hibernate" :)
- Serve supper on paper plates, eat supper... clear table, put away extra food, etc.
- DIL and kids leave... load dirty dishes in dishwasher...start it....
- Guys still working in bathroom... will it EVER be done?? Oh yea, it has to be done by next week...
- Check computer for signs of other sons- #2 in Iraq had a post on Facebook... he is OK... nothing from #3
- 9:30PM Crash into bed.... fall asleep even with the sound of the drywall screw gun...
- Monday 8AM, Ken up... 9AM, I can finally move enough body parts to get out of bed...
- Those are new pains!?... feel like I'm wearing a lead bodysuit... moving v e r y s l o w. . .
- Eat and drink breakfast while checking email.... find that son #3 is back in Hawaii, will call later- Yay!!
- Take phone to bedroom.... back to bed at 10:30AM...
Welcome to another Fibro Flare! Does anyone else do things like this???
I've been diagnosed for 3 years, now and have learned what will cause the worst flares. The problem is that when life gets out of hand, I don't always pay attention to what I am doing and do more than I should. It really is hard to not overdo things on good days, and the busier I am, the less pain I feel. Once I realize I have overdone things, and will probably feel bad the next day, I will end up in a manic phase and try to do everything that I know I won't feel like doing the next day..... Not that smart.... Today was a day to lay low... Tomorrow may be better, but may be worse.... I never know.... If I would not leave things for the last minute, I could reduce a lot of stress. I hate wasting the flare days in bed.... And son #3 called this afternoon!! Made a crummy feeling day better!
This has been a very busy week and especially busy weekend. Tomorrow, the 134th Troy Fair officially begins in Troy, PA. It has been a few years since I entered anything in the competitions in the fair, because I was busy doing art and craft shows, and preferred to have my best work with me in the hopes it would sell. Now that I am not doing the shows, I decided to enter some things again.
My biggest problem trying to enter my work into the fair is that it doesn't fit most of the categories in the Home Arts Department. The biggest number of quilt related classes are for bed quilts which I don't do. There are classes for framed pictures, cross stitch, hand quilting, etc. I try to find the classes that have the "other" category, or "original design" where there are no exact limitations. I entered one of my notebook covers in the household accent- "other" category, and one of my pins in the beaded jewelry category. I never know exactly what other items will be my competition- there could be almost anything.
There are a couple categories for wall hangings that I entered a few of my more recent pieces in, including my "Stained Glass and Ferns", but I decided to try something a bit different this year.... I consider my quilts to be works of art, and thought I would enter my newest quilt below in the Fine Art show in the Mixed Media category. That's what I do- mixed media... acrylic paint, digital photos, chalk pastels, and anything else I want to play with. I use fabric as one of my media.
This is a photo of "Water Road House", which is finally finished! The 12" square quilt is mounted to a piece of canvas that I painted with acrylic paint and drew on with chalk pastels to bring the design of the quilt into the canvas bordering it. This photo was taken when I thought I was was ready to mount it to the frame. I looked at this photo and decided that the colors done in the pastels were too bright and drew my eye away from the quilt more than I wanted, so the night before it was to be delivered to the show, I was painting on another layer of thin titanium white to tone things down. The result was much better to my eyes, much softer looking.
Well, when I got to the fairgrounds and delivered the piece to the Fine Arts building, I was informed that it belonged in the Home Arts building with the quilts.... There is no category I hadn't entered anything in that this would fit, and not really one it would have fit in anyway.
I decided to ask what was considered Mixed Media in this showing, so that if anything in the future might fit, I might try again (can't hurt to ask...) I explained that I believed that my piece fit that category- a work of art using multiple media. (I guess they were of the opinion that only oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings, pen and ink, charcoal, etc. were considered Fine Art media) Long story short... there was a little huddle in the back room, and my piece has been allowed to hang with the rest of the fine art (in the mixed media category) and the judge will decide whether it would be judged or not. Even if it isn't judged, at least I have got my little toe in the door, and maybe it will gain a bit of attention.
Sometimes we just have to dip out toes in new waters and see what happens. I am not sure if I will get to the fair, so it may be a week before know if my "Water Road House" got judged, or how my other pieces fared. I will update when I find out....
All the quilts shown in these photos are included in my Christmas in July Sale! If you see items in different places, and would like to purchase all in one place, let me know.... I can work that out for you. In addition to the prices being listed at 20%off, When you purchase two of my Art Quilts, you may choose a third for *FREE*! If the quilt you would like for your free gift is in a different chop than the ones you wish to purchase, no problem... I can do that... Your free quilt just has to be the same or lesser value as the purchased ones. For that matter.... if you purchase two of my $50 regular priced quilts, and see a couple little $25 regular price ones.. let me know- 2 little ones equals one of the bigger ones.
Quilts at my website on these pages- 5x7" and 8x10", are also on sale, but the prices listed there are the full prices. I will have to send you a PayPal invoice with the correct sale prices. Again, If i have totally confused you, just send an email or message using the links on the upper left of the front page here.
I am running this sale in order to move out some of my inventory, and hopefully with less inventory stacked around, I will be able to get my "creative groove" back to make even more impressive pieces!
The days in July are passing quickly! The Christmas in July Sales at Artfire shops will be over even quicker.... Some shops will be ending their promotions July 25, while other shops like mine will continue the sales promotions until July 31. In addition to all the fantastic sales going on in the shops, Artfire is also giving away 3- $100 shopping sprees that can be used at any shop there. To get your chance at winning, just follow this link to my post on the Artfire fan page at Facebook. "Like" my wall post, and it will give both of us a chance to win. Of course, be sure to read my previous blog post highlighting Tilt Creations, and Deirdre Ryan Phootgraphy, both with beautiful items.
After "Liking" my post at Artfire's fan page, click on their Wall Tab to see more posts with links to other blog posts promoting more Artfire artists.
Above are a few items from my shop at Artfire. It shows random items that can be purchased right from here! I keep adding more of my little Art Quilts each day. Remember- All items in my Artfire Shop are 20%off their regular prices. And there is MORE!!! Purchase two mini quilts at the sale price, and receive a third one free!! Choose your free quilt from my artfire shop or my website- 5x7" Art Quilts, or 8x10" Art Quilts.
Quilts on the above 5x7" Art Quilts, or 8x10" Art Quilts pages of my website are also on sale, but if you wish to purchase from there, contact me with the items you want and I will send a PayPal invoice with the modified prices.
If I have totally confused you, just contact me by message or email- links above left, just below my profile info, and I will help you out.
While many of you may be living through the heat and humidity of July (Unless you are in some parts of the Northeast- a cool, damp summer), Christmas may be the last thing on your mind, but at Artfire, there are many shops celebrating Christmas in July with many different sales and promotions.
Pop on over and check out all the great shops! Here are a couple of shops that caught my eye...
The First Shop I found is Tilt Creations, A shop full of beautiful Bags and Clutches in all sizes and styles. From July 15th through the 24th She will be offering 15% off all non-clearance items.
Another shop I found while wandering Artfire, with items I REALLY love is Deirdre Ryan Photography.... Her items are 20% off during the promotion.
Now that I have spent way too much time wandering the web again, I will end this post. It's easy to get distracted when find great artists to check out, especially when they deal with fabric or flowers.
Don't forget, my Artfire Shop also has a great sale going on!
Again, time has flown since I last posted. I finally have my garden planting all done for this year!!
As for the quilt sale.....
Back to listing little quilts....
After spending a few days in my own gardens, I thought I would get back here and show off a few of the over 600 photos I took after QSDS.
As anyone can see, I have gotten a lot of new inspiration from my trip to Columbus and back at home. Now to just get myself back on track and back into the studio.... It has taken longer to recouperate from the trip than I hoped for, but it was worth it!
Since I have been home from Columbus, OH for a few days, I thought I would start catching up here. I took the long way home from Columbus, so it took much longer to get home than it did to get there. Those detours will be discussed in future posts. Here is a quick class wrap up.
