Gratitudes and An Art Lesson

Donna (no blog) joined in on the quilt a long and this is what she sent as a "little" thank you. I can't imagine what a big thank you would be!!! These are older reproductions from the Lowell Quilt Museum that she generously shared with me. There are two scrap quilts I've been wanting to make and these will be perfect. Thanks again Donna.

Speaking of Cheddar Cheese and Crackers, the teacher at my quilt class last week asked us to bring in some show and tell for our class on Friday. I brought in my doll quilt. Unbeknownst to me the lady who sat across from me is also an appraiser and as soon as she saw the quilt she asked me if it was old!! Now, she was still across the table when she saw it, so it is possible up close she would have been able to see the reproduction fabrics. Regardless, she loved it and it looked old, which is the look I was going for! They ooed and ahhed (or is that ewed and ahed?)and loved the hand quilting. (Karen Dianne, I guess it wasn't that bad!!) I was so glad I thought to bring it.

This is not a very good photo but I won a drawing from Vivian at Quilts and a Mug. Aren't those patterns adorable? Two of them are kits with the cutest fabrics!! I'm a huge fan of Joined at the Hip patterns. They are so much fun and written really well! I just found out they have a blog. Thank you Vivian!!!

Now, onto the art lesson......not for you, but mine!! The first day of class after lunch Tonye (sounds like Tony) asked us to look through magazines, looking beyond the photos and cut shapes to make a house. (the name of the class was House Party) Seriously I don't remember having art as a kid!!! I remember playing in mud puddles with my brother and making an ABC book in kindergarten and nothing else.

I really had no idea what she meant then she showed us a few of the other ones she did for classes. Girls, I was paralyzed!! I couldn't' see past the beautiful glossy photos. I could feel sweat starting on my brow and my heart picking up the pace. She kept saying this is fun, make it fun, have fun, be creative. I wanted to get that "exercise" over so fast and go back to applique!! It finally seemed to click what she wanted and I started seeing beyond the glossy photo, to see what something could be. I was a happy camper when I added my house to the wall. After I came home that night I thought about that darn house and how I must miss so much because I can't see beyond the obvious.

So, do you want to know which paper house is mine? The center bottom with the colored siding and a yellow background.