Merry Christmas,  this is Lokie, he is our reindeer dog.  A sweet boy,  he wore his antlers all day and since it is Christmas Eve,  thought Lokie and I would wish all who visit a Very Joyous Christmas. As well as a really wonderful 2011 (the year for my Grandchild to arrive)

The art group from Billings Montana that I belong to decided to challenge its members to use one of the plastic torso forms to make art.  This is mine,  I did over 200 fat inchies and used many of my Moms trinkets,buttons and beads that I now have to embellish  each of the 1 and 1/2" inchies.  I like how it came out,  this was really a very difficult challenge for me. Atleast the part where I had to come up with something creative to put on this torso.  But in the end I really do like it,  now just to put the hanger on the back.  These torsos have a show at the Toucan Gallery in Billings Mt, in March.   My apologies for the quality of the photos,  I cannot seem to adjust the camera for a shot that is not blurred.          

That little bird redone

I sure do not take good pictures, this one is a bit blurred in viewing it larger.  It shows the added branch and leaves,  I painted the branch and leaves darker as well.  I think it looks better.  Not a show stopper but it will do for a FFFC.  Felt good to get back to doing FFFC.  Unfortunately, it did not last but one month.  maybe 2011 I can do better.             

Inchies as Christmas gifts

 This one was made for my friend Jane.  She is a rock hound, jewelry maker as well as a wonderful quilt artist.  Each little embellishment represents something that reminds me of Jane.

 This one was made for my friend Kathy.  Like the others each embellishment was chosen to represent something that reminded me of our friendship.

 This was made for friend Rebecca, again all embellishments represent  a reminder of that friendship.

This one is for Linda,  it goes without saying that it is embellished just for her.  I am blessed to have such wonderful talented artists friends in my life.

Flight School

Flight School

Pushing the fledglings

out of the nest

The Haiku was written by Maya Lyabenoua, the quilt  was of course made by me.

"Wild and Free"

This is my latest free-motion embroidered quilt.  I started it yesterday and finished it today.
Not sure about his nose, but it is hard to tell that he not only has a nose but is colored black in that
area.  I entered this in the Public Lands, Personal Visions.  Northwest College in collaboration with the
Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Wyoming Outdoor Council  are having a juried art exhibition in hopes that the visual dialogue will inspire more public input into the revising of the BLM's 20 year management plan
for public land.  NOW THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL!  My quilt is representing the wild horses that we often view between Cody and Greybull.  Many of these horses are captured and auctioned off to the public, with hope that that will manage the size of the herd. I just love seeing them and hope that they don't take that management view to any greater degree.  They are absolutely awesome to watch.

The Wolf has a new look.

This is the new "Hunter or Hunted".  I liked the 1st one, atleast the wolf part.  But really did not like the background and trees.  Size was another thing I was not crazy about. So... I cut the wolf out of the 1st quilt and cut him down a bit, put him on a larger background, with different fabric and larger trees.  Wala! a new look for a quilt that just did not do it for me.  I like it!  Kathy took this photo, so credit goes to her for the nice photo.

The skylines challenge

This is the quilt I made for the "Skylines" challenge.  This is Hobbit a llama belonging to my friend Kathy.  He went on a girls pack trip with us several years back. Since  that time I have wanted to show a llama in a quilt and the challenge was the perfect opportunity.  He, along with many other original art quilts will hang in Park County Library in August. These quilts will hang at Yellowstone Quilt Fest in September.  They will travel the state,  those venues and dates are yet to be decided.  I do know that next March they will all hang at Big Sky Quilt Retreat in Billings Mt.  The Artists in this challenge are in(TAGY) Textile Artists of the Greater Yellowstone,  a local fiber art group,  and  (WAV) We of Artistic Vision, a Billings Mt. group.  I am fortunate to belong to both of these very talented groups.

Photo Quilt

This is the finished 8.5" X 11" block for a project that WAV and TAGY are doing.  A photo was chosen, enlarged, cut into the 8.5"X 11" pieces,  those that participated were to finish their block, quilt it and then it will be put together to be raffled or donated.   I am not fond of mine,  I chose to free motion embroider on it. Because the original was so blurry it was really hard to define anything in my section.  I am not really liking it but have spent many hours on this, and started over 4 different times so... it is what it is!!!

Spring is just around the corner

Time seems to get away from me.  I do enjoy winter,  it gives me time to get things done, which I have.  But the problem I have with winter is the cabin fever I get.  Every morning I walk the dogs,  rain, sleet, snow, wind, whatever the weather I go.  I have learned that even doing that I get cabin fever. I think it is the gloomy days,  maybe just the anticipation of warmer weather,  not really sure.  But I think I am really tired of the winter days this year,  I am ready to do alot more than walk the dogs. 

Elk and other things I love, ha ha.

This is a pic of elk on the Lower South Fork,  about 20 miles from our home.  On this day,  we also had the honor of viewing deer,  big horn sheep, coyote and many bald eagle.


I like this pic of Russ and I.  It was actually taken in Crandall,   where we are now owners of about 7 acres of beautiful mountain land,  actually our property boundry goes into the("the wild and scenic") Clarks Fork River about 20 feet,  and the fly fishing is wonderful,  We spent most every day Russ had off last summer in our 5th wheel enjoying a place we hope to build a cabin on in the near future.  It is a WOW for beauty.

2010

Today is the 1st day of 2010.  I turn 55 this year,  I will have been married 34 years.  My oldest son will be 29 and my youngest will turn 26.   I will have lived in this same house for 28 years.  My little sister will have been deceased for 12,  my older brother for 36, my Mom 2 years.  I miss them everyday.  I am  blessed I have a wonderful oldest brother, and my Dad as well as my sons, husband and in laws this including a beautiful daughter in law and my brothers wife, many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many wonderful close friends. Everyone a true blessing in my life.

I think this year I would like to write my goals out here.  I usually do not make resolutions but I do like to make a few goals to get myself motivated to do.
1st would be to be better organized,  my Dad has recently remarried so I will need to go thru much of my Moms stuff.  I need to be strong about letting go of much of this.  This stuff is not my Mom so I need to learn to let it go.  Which means being organized,  not bringing stuff home I will not use or need. Organization!!!
2nd and this is a goal every year and I do this consistantly and that is to walk my dogs.  Not really a goal but something I do like to do and in the process I get lots of good exercise,  maybe a bit more would be good as well.
3rd I really want to do more of my own quilting.  I found a box in my shed this past week putting Christmas stuff away.  It is full of un quilted  quilt tops.  Lots I could quilt and give away.  Lots that I would just like to have finished.
4th Do more with my embrodiery machine, even more free motion.  this would include a long promised dragon quilt for my brother.

I hope to check most of these off before the end of this 2010.  If I do we will start from scatch next year if not,  just put them back on that list.
My hope is to have a wonderful 2010 just as good as 2009 and I will be happy.