Rust and moth-balls

My experiment with rust succeeded in failure. This means I did try to use vinegar, water, found rusty objects and muslin in my experiment. It failed to produce what I wanted but succeeded in the fact that I tried it. In some places where the rusty objects touched the fabric there were markings left. But in other places where it touched there was nothing. Maybe there was not enough vinegar, oxygen or water to produce the results I wanted. I will try this again.

I continued to "fix" my experiment by adding Caran wax pastels to 4 blocks of the fabric. I believe that would be called "doctoring" the results. LOL! I am learning not to give up but proceed on. Also, I used this opportunity to try different camera settings. Interesting enough the night light settings, where I could see nothing in my lens, were the ones that turned out the best. Off to the lab for me.

On a side note a neighbor suggested I use moth balls in my flower beds to deter cats from experimenting in my yard. Besides my dog goes crazy when he sees them in his yard. Off to the store we go for those.

There is a verse in the NT that speaks of not laying up treasures on earth, where rust and moth can corrupt, but lay them up in heaven where they are safe from corruption. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. St.Matthew 6:19-21. I am beginning to understand this after experimenting with my rust.

Vote - It's A Privilege

Today across the US people are going to the polls. Voting is a privilege many ignore. But they are quick to voice their complaints if the people in office are not thinking their way. I hope you are taking this privilege seriously today. It matters.

One of the first abstract postcards I did is being voted on this week. "Bird In A Cage" is one of three I experimented with and decided I would enter it in an abstract challenge.

It's difficult to put your work out there for others to critique especially if they don't know what you were thinking when you did the piece. Or they can't feel the piece the way you did while creating it. Truly I am realizing it is very difficult to see the real beauty of a piece of art unless you have it in hand, so to speak. As I receive trade items in the mail after viewing them on line I am very aware of their true beauty and craftsmanship.

Thank you to all the artists and craftsman who bare your soul through art. What a privilege to receive a piece of your art; for in your releasing it I am receiving a part of your very soul. Gifting me with your art is not something I take lightly.

A side note: I returned from voting early this morning. Walking outside into the parking lot I looked down and what should I find; no not pennies; but nickels, 3 to be exact. I showed my DH then I had another great laugh with God. One nickel, one blessing for each of my sons. What a glorious, rainy day!!

Man Droppings - What a Contrast

On October 17th I began my blog by posting a pic of what I called "man droppings". For 8 days I picked up certain found objects while walking my dog. All the objects are sitting in a bag waiting for a quilt to transpire. But it's not time yet.

Yesterday was another day of being directed to pick up certain items. I did not go looking for any specific thing but the items on this post are what I found. The first item I came upon was the rusty blade. It is corroded and nasty looking by most people's standards but I was very excited to find this object. Continuing my walk; only a short distance I found the tennis bracelet with 28 little hearts and diamonds. I can't imagine how someone lost it, its in excellent shape. But right away a thought came to mind: "what a contrast in the two items". As soon as that thought popped into my head I heard the Lord speak to me quickly, "looks are deceiving, don't be fooled by what you see". I placed the items in my pocket and continued on.

Toward the end of the walk I found 7 pennies laying together. Now I was really excited! I began to laugh. I thanked God for having the angels drop the pennies down to me. He was reminding me of a promise He had made to me long ago. And I'm sure the pennies were left behind by a human soul not angels. But my friend who always says they are dropped by angels will be excited to hear I found 7. The number seven represents "completion".

I guess they were a burden to carry in someone else's pocket. They probably considered them to be useless too. What can a bunch of pennies buy? Nothing! But a bunch of pennies found over many days and months add up. I will give them to one of my favorite charities. I am sure I have over a hundred dollars.

According to the New Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus the definition of "contrast" as a noun is "a striking difference; a comparison to show their relative excellence." The funny thing is I also had my DH buy me the Nov./Dec. issue of "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" magazine. When I returned home I sat down to read my magazine and on the cover was the title for p66; an article titled "7 recipes for Rust." I am sure it is just coincidence that I found 7 pennies along with this article on 7 recipes for rust. No Way!! The article's inside title says "in rust we trust, faux or real, rust appeals." What a pun on the saying placed on coins "In God We Trust". Can you guess where I am headed with my artistic experimentation?

Turn Back The Hands Of Time

Today at 2pm our part of the country sets their clocks back by one hour. So we gain an hour. What's that little poem: Fall back, Spring forward. I never could remember when time changed until someone told me this little poem. I believe there is more but I don't know it.

I took a class with Bonnie McCafferty called "Painted Faces" at Quilting Adventures. At the time I wanted to experiment with round quilts. The end result was a basket weave, and my idea of quilting it was to use hoops to give it shape. I didn't want to finish the edges, they were left open exposing the batting. This quilt became known as Pharoah's Daughter. If you remember in the OT she came down to the river to bathe and found a basket with baby Moses placed safely in it. As a child I loved this story of hope and promise. Plus it didn't hurt that he was taken into the King's Palace. Most every little girl's dream: to be a princess. The red hoop represents our blood line to the greatest King, King Jesus.

I have a quilting friend that moved to Wisconsin several years back so she could be near her son. She had put him up for adoption when she was a young girl of 16 and never found him until two years ago. He wanted to know his mother and she wanted to find her son. Two wonderful stories with happy endings. She gave me the little clock with quilting symbols that represent numbers on the clock. As you can see it is moving toward "pincushion" time.

So many times I have wished I could turn back the hands of time with events that happened in my life. I guess this is the only time I am able to do that. I realize now that everything in my past is what has shaped me to be the person I am at present.

But, but, but, but, but

Since beginning my blog and joining a

group on line I learned a new word.

"lurking" - its when someone has joined a group but not taken the plunge to become involved yet. They are sitting in the background watching.

After today I will become a "lurker" again in my guild. Or can you go backwards? Today is my last day officially as the Program Chair. I lurked for many years, enjoyed watching others, then decided it was time to invest my heart and time in the guild. It has been a fun two years, a busy two years and now I have moved on. I have taken many workshops, learned great techniques, and met fantabulous quilt teachers. But! I need to go further - I have a huge collection of magazines and books. My Passion!! I love to read and read and read. I haven't found much time for that lately. But! I need to move on - past the browsing into the "doing". Here are a few of my magazines. But! In the middle sits a cute, little, children's book. I found it on the bargain rack at the book store where I frequent. Its titled: Keeper of the Doves by Betsy Byars. There is a moral to this story involving the words we speak and who is listening. You might think no one is listening But can you hear your own words echoing back to you? For today spend some quality time speaking to yourself about the wonderful person you are, the great things you have accomplished and will accomplish. But! stop the lurking, take the plunge, go for it, try the new idea rolling around in your head. How many times do we hear or speak those words: but, but, but, but, but? No but's today. Go for it!!

The Time Bandit - Procrastination

I love this little art quilt I made from an idea when my Secret Pal sent me a Harvest card. Because the little mouse wears a mask he is called "Anony-Mouse." I came across the quilt last night going through my "stuff" to finish one collection of inchies. It was then that I realized I had allowed procrastination to rob me of finishing my project on time. I kept putting it off thinking I had until December 1st. Oh boy!! Actually I have always heard it said, "If you finish on time, then you are late." I love the little cats expression of "surprise" when the mouse reaches up to extend a friendly jesture of gift giving - one lone flower. Mr. Kitty is not prepared for such a wonderful act of kindness.

You know I think many of us are not prepared to receive "random acts of kindness" as they are referred to for today. Many things steal our time and before you know it another day has passed us by. I don't know about you but I want to finish each day knowing I am fulfilled; knowing I touched another person's life with a random act of kindness.

Hidden Potential

Here is a piece I am working on from Helen Marshall's class called "Fireworks". I placed PSI inchies and true inchies on the piece. The burst of fireworks is just beginning in the top right hand side of the quilt piece. I am using colorful rayon threads to create the fireworks.

This is a fun way to display my inchies.

It's full of color and hidden potential

The inchies were sent from Elly, Veri and Carol? Can you tell where the inchies are?