And it wouldn't be a meeting of our quilt group without a circle quilt! We just can't help ourselves, they are just so much fun to make and the results are too! This is Helen's latest in blues and greens.
Creating a Wonderful Life means teaching art, quilting, cooking, treasuring time with family and friends, and finding ways to make a difference. Thank you to the creative online community for sharing your ideas with all of us. And thanks for stopping by!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
May Quilting
Our May meeting was at Ardith's beautiful home, and so I decided to start with her cute Valentine quilt.
She loves to make whole cloth quilts, so this was quite a departure!

Terry shared this appiqued quilt she made for her grandaughter. I'm sorry I didn't get the pattern name. (I know Terry added the cowgirl outfit, complete with boots.)
Terry shared this appiqued quilt she made for her grandaughter. I'm sorry I didn't get the pattern name. (I know Terry added the cowgirl outfit, complete with boots.)
EDIT: The quilt is called Funny Babies... www.amybradleydesigns.com
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
We honored those who have given their lives for our country and our freedoms.Yet I think we best honor those who died in that service by working for Peace.
Happy Memorial Day!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Nick Cave at SAM
Don't miss it!
Nick Cave's exhibit, Meet Me at the Center of the Earth, is BEAUTIFUL!
We loved his colorful,wonderful "Sound Suits". His first pieces were made from twigs that rustled when worn, hence the name....) He also had some large, round wall pieces that I loved too.
I couldn't take photos, but this is an image from the card I purchased. The costumes/art/sculptures are mostly made from found objects and recycled materials. There is a strong connection to African ceremonial clothing, along with a great "outsider art" sensibility. (Though Nick Cave is hardly an outsider- he has an art degree and is director of the Graduate fashion program at the School of the Art Intstitutes of Chigago.)
The show ends June 5th. We may have to go see it again!
Make it a Wonderful Day!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Art Bugs
I found these at a thrift store (Value Village)...
I know finding gigantic bugs at a thrift store might send some of you running for the exit. Not me. Especially since they were made of plastic. They were from the Lakeshore company, and in brand new, never opened packaging.
We went over a few interesting facts about bugs and insects before we tackled drawing them. And we created a five-level value scale to practice getting the full range out of our pencils. (We just use #2 Ticonderogas.)

Make it a Wonderful Day!
I happened to have some cool insect stickers to add to the bulletin board sign too...
Make it a Wonderful Day!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Orange-Carrot Side
(It seems like most of my recipe posts are orange!) But we LOVED this side dish of carrots and oranges, served with broiled salmon, steamed snow pod peas, and rice. Oh, and a spinach salad with apples, lightly candied sliced almonds, and a fig dressing.
Lots of carrots pureed with satsuma oranges, fresh ginger and a touch of honey. Yum!
Orange Carrots on the Side
(inspired by a recipe from Bon Appetit, Nov. 1998 and a big bunch of carrots in the fridge...)
4 pounds carrots, scrubbed or peeled, cut into 1/2 inch rounds
5 satsuma oranges, peeled and sectioned (reserve one peel)
3 Tablespoons of fresh ginger, coarsely chopped
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons honey
1 small stick cinnamon
1/4 Cup butter, melted
Salt and Pepper
Cook carrots in large pot of boiling salted water along with cinnamon stick and orange peel until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and discard cinnamon stick and orange peel.
While the carrots are cooking, place orange sections and chopped ginger in blender or food processor, blending until fairly smooth. Add melted butter, lemon juice, and honey. Blend. Add hot cooked carrots and puree. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 6.
Notes to self: I used my stick blender and pureed the carrots right in the pot. I used my small food processor/chopper to puree the oranges and ginger. May be made a day ahead and reheated in a saucepan stirring often, or microwave.
Make it a Wonderful Day!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Roll Over Beethoven...
I just couldn't resist...
I saw him on the shelf at a thrift store, his white plaster eyes just staring back at me. I walked past, but then had to go back. I picked him up, put him back on the shelf a couple of times...But he just had to come home with me. And Art Club transformed him.

Whenever we do paper mache, we have acrylic paint left on our palletes. Some of it gets used by the next class, and sometimes I can scrape it into lidded containers. But a lot gets thrown away. Beethoven came to the rescue!
I let the kids use any leftover paint. They had a blast! The first class was the last to see him all white like a blank canvas. Three classes painted on him so there are layers of paint on many parts as each artist had a new vision of what Beethoven's bust needed. And at the end of the last class, I added a few pattern details too.

I took him home and sprayed him with a clear varnish. The next week, we presented him to the music teacher, who was thrilled to have him on display in her classroom.
Whenever we do paper mache, we have acrylic paint left on our palletes. Some of it gets used by the next class, and sometimes I can scrape it into lidded containers. But a lot gets thrown away. Beethoven came to the rescue!
The other day, she brought me a smaller bust of Chopin, hoping we can transform as well as we did Beethoven. (Maybe at our Art Club year-end party!!)
Make it a Wonderful Day!
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