Quilts and Butterflies

I'm a reformed quilter.  I had quilted a lot about 30 years ago, then I got busy with other parts of life and put it aside for a long time.  When we moved from California to Tennessee, 6 years ago, we didn't know anyone, so I joined a small quilting group, hoping  to meet folks with similar interests. It turned out to be a wonderful group, and I was so lucky to be able to become a part of it.  If you'd like to see more about the activities of this group of 22 quilters, please click here.  I was still a bit stalled with my own quilting, but with their encouragement, I'm back to making quilts, and here's the one I've just finished.

 We had a time trying to find a place to photograph it, it's so big. After my husband finally got it all hung up, I realized it's sideways, but didn't have the heart to ask him to change it. So please just tilt your head to the right when you look at it, LOL.  The center basket pattern came from a Blackbird Designs pattern, and I added my own twists. I'm tickled to have a quilt that I made to sleep under. Of course, now it'll soon be to warm to use it, so I'm starting on a light weight, Summer spread next. 


It's also the time of the month when I offer new Folk Art on TDIPT Mercantile.
  

Here's one of my new pieces, which was inspired by the butterfly collections so treasured in Victorian times. Little known fact -  I worked in a Natural History Museum during my college years, behind the scenes, writing thousands of tiny labels for bird and mammal specimens, by hand, with a Rapidograph pen.  These butterflies are paper, not real specimens, with tiny wire antennae.  Soft Spring neutrals, and great for display on wall or shelf.


Happy Tuesday, from the Dog and me.

New Free Tags for You

There's been lots of designing going on around here this week, and one of the things I wanted to be sure and include was a new page of free tags for you to download.

These were made from some engravings I found in 18th Century children's books, and the line quality just takes my breath away.  I hope you like them, and I can't wait to see what you'll do with them.

Have a happy weekend, from the Dog and me.

More Vintage Post Cards

I managed to get the Flu for the second time this Winter, something I really don’t recommend at all.  I’m feeling better now, and I did use some of the time to work on new images for Digital Antiques.  Here’s one of the new offerings, “Vintage Fashion and Floral Post Cards”, and you can get it at DigitalAntiques Etsy, or Digital Antiques on Artfire.

Let me show you what one of my friends, Diane Knott, has done with these printable cards.


There are more lovely photos on Diane’s blog.  If you’re not familiar with Diane’s blog, Diane Knott’s Musings, trust me you’ll love it! Besides being an artist and fabric designer, Diane is a wonderfully inspiring crafter, who  shares her ideas and methods, along with links to other inspiring blogs and artists.  Be sure to check out the Etsy shop she and her daughter created– Cottage by the Pond.
New free downloadable tags are on the way, and should be here within the week, so stop in again soon.  Happy weekend from the Dog and me!