Reboot

Once again, its time for the Twelve by Twelve reveal. This theme is based on the colors Blue and White with a touch of black. I has a wonderful time playing with the soothing colors. I even managed to create three quilts, even it I still need to do the binding on two. Plus I'm using the same fabrics to create a wall hanging with wire and plus sized inchies. Make sure to hop over to Twelve by Twelve and check out all the wonderful quilts. I created my quilt using a simple disappearing nine patch technique. The results reminds me of a pixelated computer screen trying to reboot. Very fun and wild!

Once again, we have a crazy morning around here. At least, last night we all turned in early-- 9:08 to be exact. After a couple of late nights followed by early mornings, I just couldn't do it. Actually, I never could. In college I was going to bed at 10pm to be ready for those 8:30am classes. Pregnant, I was in bed by 8pm. My bed time has now settled around 10:30. I'm just not productive after that. The kids use it all up. One problem with this set up is I'm not really a morning person either. As I write, it's after 8am and I'm not fully awake. I'm really a middle of the day person--late morning and early afternoon are my most productive times. It seems to work for me at the moment, as long as the chaos and to-do list doesn't become overwhelming. Yesterday was volunteer day at school, so there was no art around here. But Tuesday and Wednesday were a productive days. I pulled out some of the some of the fabrics that I quilted and painted before Christmas and got to work. My newest creations are these Art Quilt Cuffs. They make wonderful, warm bracelets for the winter. I've never been a jewelery person in past, but I'm enjoying exploring the medium. I also made a bunch of Treasure Boxes, both big and small and inchies for cards, tags, and bookmarks.

Ugly Duckling Art Yarn and Time to Just Do It

Good Morning. Another sleepy day at the Wheeler house, but at least this morning the sun is poking through the clouds and the sunrise was gorgeous. I have to admit that, like many people, I have a very hard time with January. It's dark. It's cold. I just feel blah. Pretty much every January it's the same story. Some years I force myself to do a little more, some years less. I know that just getting started always helps. I need to create. I need to exercise. I need to get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. And most of all I need to not feel guilty about all the things I should be doing and just don't have the umph to do. I guilt will bring me to a sliding halt every time. So this year, I'm just going to do it in the moment and not worry about all the "shoulds." Baby steps! Every moment is new--a chance for a new start, new resolve, new opportunities, new ideas.

My hope is to warm up my writing skills again and get back to blogging. I know that I've been very neglectful over the past year and a half. I'm always so distracted with life. My head is swimming with everything. It's time to add a little clarity and get some of it written down.

I'm finally bringing a little order back to my house after the holidays and have time to create a little. I've played with my birthday toy, a Louet drum carder. Time to use that big box of fiber that I brought home from Art Fiber Fest fall 2008. I spun 10 skeins of what I call "Ugly Duckling" art yarn. I just started throwing everything into the carder. It didn't really matter the fiber, the color, the texture. It all went in. The colors are definitely more muted than I typically work with, but I really like the way they turned out. The little flakes of color are so fun and the combinations a surprise. The majority of the yarns are a soft brown from a large amount of dark, natural fiber. I did concentrate the pink in two batts, creating a brighter base for all the color. I think my favorite is a soft cream with flecks of pink and green and even some bright sparkly green firestar. I spun them very bulky. I noticed it was a little harder to do since I have been spinning thinner and thinner. I had to make a conscience effort to not draft the fiber significantly. Four ounces of fiber yeilded about 50 yards each. They each have their own character and are fun to explore. For now, I'm putting them up in my Etsy shop, but as the perfect project comes along I will steal them for myself.

Pink Explosion

I've been playing the fabrics that I created for my "Pink Refractions" quilt. I had a request from an Etsy customer for a pink treasure box since the red one sold before she could purchase it. The request inspired me to bring out the sewing machine (still my daughter's since mine is waiting for a part on backorder) and get to work. I've made several treasure boxes for the Indie Banditas Valentine's show on Bainbridge next month. I also made some small, individual chocolate sized boxes for gift giving. And I couldn't help making inchies. I've used them on a pile of cards and plan on making some little notebooks also.

I thought I would share my photo shoot set up. Typically I would try to take photos outside, but the weather has not cooperated. The days have been wet and dark. There hasn't even been enough light to charge the solar flashlight. Instead I set up a couple chairs drapped with a sheet on the dining room table. I used the chandelier and added a clip on light. With the six light bulbs I was able to have enough light for an in focus shot. I did need to do a little color correcting from the light bulbs, but I pretty happy with make shift set up.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, just in case I don't manage to stay awake for the next 54 minutes. December has once again been a whirlwind with a house full of crazy, excited children. After working nonstop to prepare for the two craft shows in November and a flurry of custom orders for Christmas, I have created very little the last two weeks. My sewing machine is in the shop and every flat surface is covered in Legos or board games. I decided to take a break from the toys and cleaning and put together a few little creativity kits to list in my Etsy shop. It gave me a chance to play with my supplies without committing to a project in the mist of Christmas vacation chaos. Very fun for me and hopefully I will be able to inspire someone else to make the jump into fiber and mixed media.

Pink Refractions

Make sure to hop over to Twelve by Twelve and check out all the new pink quilts and our next colorplay theme!

Custom Journal Complete!

Yay! Another thing checked off my list. I've spent the last week working on this custom journal. I'm not typically a warm color, especially brown, person, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. Plus I've been having major sewing machine frustrations. It just doesn't want to do the metallic thread. I need to take it in to be serviced, but just don't have the time for it right now. I really like how the journal turned out. It is filled with watercolor paper so it is ready for the artist to fill. I hope everyone likes it!

Busy, Busy, Busy

What can I say--I, like so many of you, have been crazy busy and have sadly neglected to write. Please forgive me! I had a wonderful time at both the Etsy Rain and Indie Banditas holiday bazaars. I did well with sales and now have my own Christmas budget to spend. Plus, I saved money by having no time to shop. No Black Friday shopping when I'm half asleep and buy things I wouldn't normally just because they are a good deal. I wasn't sucked in this year! Instead I've been creating!

I've been posting lots of new stuff in my etsy shop. I have holiday cards and gift tags featuring fiber art plus sized inchies. Plus bookmarks, treasure boxes and original art. I would love for you all to check it out and let me know what you think!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you all for your love and encouragement. I am blessed to have such great friends, both in person and all of you that I have met on the internet!

The Secret is Out!

I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to share some VERY EXCITING news... The Twelve by Twelve artists are excited twelve times over to announce that: (drum roll, please.... ) Sterling Publications/Lark Books will soon be publishing a book on our Twelve by Twelve Collaborative Art Quilt project! We are thrilled beyond words to have this wonderful opportunity, and so happy that our art endeavors and friendships are turning us into authors, too. We know that Lark was impressed by the loyal folks who follow our blogs and website, so thanks to all of you friends-of-Twelves for your encouraging words through our explorations! We'll keep you posted as we know publication dates. We are lifting a virtual glass of champagne to each other and to all of you for your support!

Matchbook Notebook Fun

I've been busy creating these fun little matchbook notebooks to give away in the swag bags at the Etsy RAIN Holiday Show. Each is 2"x3" and filled with blank paper, ready to fill up with secret notes. I just love these. My daughters create little books filled with pictures and stories. Santa even used one last year to keep track of his naughty and nice list. They are the perfect size to slip into a pocket or little purse. Be one of the first 50 customers either Saturday, November 21st or Sunday November 22nd at the Etsy RAIN Holiday Show at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle. Or if you can't make the show, I will be giving them away as a free gift with all orders from my Etsy show through the end of the year.

Spin, Spin, Spin

I've been spinning in so many ways -- the most enjoyable has been this beautiful yarn. Each skein, except the dark grey, is hand dyed light grey Corridale wool. I then plied it with metallic thread to create a soft, wavy yarn. Very fun! Right now I am building up my stock for the two craft shows I'm doing next month. And then I will list it all in my Etsy shop. I thinking $5 per skein, plus $.25 per yard. $17.50 for a 50 yard skein, $30 for a 100 yard skein. It seems reasonable for hand dyed, hand spun yarn. Let me know what you think!

Busy Days filled with Feelings

I really thought with 3 of the 4 kids in school I would have more free time. I'm now realizing that isn't going to happen. I'm just busier driving around, volunteering at school, supervising homework and entertaining the four year old. I guess, it's just time to get used to it and get to work.

These are a few more from my "I Felt" series. The small format seems to be about all I can accomplish these days--even the 12"x12" size seems larte. It's a season, right? Just wanted to let you know I'm still around and my intentions are to be a better blogger.

Oh, and look for posts coming up for the EtsyRAIN Holiday Craft Show and Indie Banditas Bazaar because I thought I need a couple more things to do this fall!

Check It Out!

Make sure to head over to the Twelve by Twelve blog and check out our latest quilts based on the theme "Twelve." I bet you'll never guess what mine is titled, unless of course you know obscure geometry facts. We have a lot happening over there as we finish up our first 12 sets and begin the next!

Mr. Lemur is Finished!

I finally had the opportunity to finish Mr. Lemur. I was able to add his tail this week. The girls have started school and Emitt and I are trying to get into a routine at home. Many days I feel like I had more free time homeschooling. Everyone tells me that things will settle down, so I'm counting on it. I am desperate to get back to my art! And my apologies if you have left me a comment or sent a message over the last couple of months. I appreciate the encouragement and feedback so much.