Pocket Potpourri......

Forgive me, I should really look before I mention things, but honestly I thought a picture of the quilt had been shared on our blog, come to find out the only mention was on Facebook. I really had fun making this quilt, the pattern is by "Heart to Hand" and looks nothing like Kathi's example, we work in totally different colorways. 

The moment I saw her example I knew I wanted to do it in these colors, just couldn't resist.  For me this was a wonderful pattern to work from as I followed her instructions for creating the flowers...which meant "no thinking" on my part, compared to always having to figure out how to do something, it was already done for me.  Kathis' instructions were easy to follow.  The only change I made was to actually set the blocks into a quilt versus pockets on the surface of the fabric back.

Are these bumble bees adorable?

I did this block with the thought that I would make a second quilt with more muted colors, this is the same block as the rose colored one in the bottom right hand corner of the finished quilt, this would show how different the quilt can look just changing up the colors.  However, now that I have started "collecting" more colors of wool I'm sort of leaning toward a whole other colorway......just because I can.....and because it was so much fun to make.

You can find the pattern and the kit for the quilt on our website under the Hand-dyed Cheesecloth, Patterns with Cheesecloth.

Thanks for stopping by and we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Taking the Challenge......

We are taking the challenge to blog every day for the month of December.  Now for many of those who have followed this blog in the past you will know this will be easier said than done for me, but I will do my best.  Hopefully by the end of the month you will all feel your time reading has been worth it.

For the past few days I've been decorating our house for the holidays, hubby carried everything up from storage, considering I only have one hand free these days, the dog-gone cane really makes it hard to carry anything, this has been a huge accomplishment.

Our tree is positioned in front of one of my quilts from my Minnesota series, the quilt is done in a bargello style and embellished with photo's from the headwaters of the Mississippi River, my grandmothers' crocheted doilies and many of her clear glass buttons.  The tree is decorated with Santas collected over many, many years, no two are the same. 

This year I decided to try and divert attention from the window blinds by hanging a wreath at each set of windows.  Next year I swear these blinds (dust collectors that I cannot easily clean) are leaving....but for now I'll deal.  Simple and quick was the name of the game since I was running out of steam, they took on a southern flair with a paper magnolia blossom and cotton boles.

Here is a peak at what I've been stocking up on.....you got it "wool"....after making "Pocket Potpourri by Heart to Hand" I plan on creating more things combining wool, our hand-dyed osnaburg and cheesecloth.  I found all the hand stitching absolutely relaxing.

 But.....someone else seems to be very interested in my stash.....he actually had his nose buried in the piles when I yelled....whoops....caught.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Cyber Weekend Specials

Fiber on a Whim's Cyber Weekend Specials are now in place.  Simply visit

Fiber on a Whim


and click on the Cyber Weekend Specials category.  There you will find items on special from 25-75% off.  These are only running from today through 11:59PM EST while supplies last.  Here are some of the things included:

Indygo Junction Patterns Kits with Osnaburg or Linen
(one yard of fabric is given free)
Simply select the pattern, type of fabric, and size desired.  Then view all of the fabric colors and let us know which color you want to receive!


Variety of Kits
(Quilt, Burlap, Osnaburg, and more)

Inktense Pencils & Blocks


Inkjet Fabrics

Patterns- 75% off

Burlap Table Runners
(Regular Burlap and Sparkle Burlap)

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions 404-705-9164!

Thanks,
Jan and Kristin

Less Than a Week, Working.....

Yesterday I shared a photo of where I aspired to walk to, our master bedroom is over our 2 car garage so it is fairly large, seeing that chair "over yonder" with all my goodies piled around it seemed faraway and very cruel, beckoning me .......not fair.....actually had to kick one of the pups out....

It really looked inviting, my position sitting in the bed was getting very tiresome, so I moved myself and what I needed to work on over...

Actually did a little twisting and tagging of perle cotton.....and I do mean a "little", so not even a week after surgery I was back to work......well.....maybe I'm stretching that a little bit....

 Hopefully by tomorrow I will have a tad more motivation and open this "ultimate pressing surface for quilters", the Black Beauty from Steady Betty.  The moment I saw it and put it on my lap in Houston I figured that while laid up the special material that covers the board would allow me to work in bed, keeping things from slipping to the floor and out of reach.  It also seems like the perfect color for me to photograph what I'm working on so I could share with ya'll.....I am so excited to try out this product.....

Wore myself out......so I returned to my favorite spot....my bed. Think you will see this shot a lot for a few weeks folks.

I'm Hanging in There....

I'm not a patient person, I like to be able to do for myself and I need to be able to move.  I know I need to give myself time.....that's easier said than done. 

As many of you are aware, I needed to have a little surgery.  This summer while I was doctoring for my back and hips they found that I was growing a little something extra in my right knee....a 3 inch diameter tumor which was called "Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis", fairly rare with only about 600 treated in the US a year. They also thought they could help me with the arthritis in that knee as it was all right behind the kneecap.  On Friday, November 6th they removed the mass and gave me a new kneecap.  Everything went well and from the broad smile on my surgeons face he was very pleased with his work, from my perspective it hurts a little bit and I get to reserve judgment as for how long it takes to bounce back.  I was discharged on Saturday, November 7th and after an ambulance ride back to the hospital because my drainage hole decided to gush, I am doing well.

For awhile I will be restricted to the second floor and our wonderful master bedroom.  This has been my view for several days now, thank goodness that Kristin picked up a pair of Wendy Richardson's (QTSTUDIO.com) hand-dyed bamboo socks for me to wear.  Just seeing them makes me smile and look how color coordinated I am.

Here is a glimpse at what I have surrounded myself with, hoping that I will have the desire to pick something up and do, versus just looking at the back of my eyelids.  I understand that's important too, but.....

Here's my cuddle pup, the other dog comes and goes as she guards me....

 This hopefully will be gone after my therapy on Friday, she would have taken it away on Tuesday had I known exactly where my cane was.  Think she felt I was leaning too heavily on it.

This is where I aspire to walk to, freely sit for longer than 2 minutes so I can enjoy what is in the basket and bag.  As I pull things out I will show them off, talk about how I'm planning to use them, or show you what I am doing with each.  Some are new things I bought during "shopping therapy" in Houston this fall, others are things I haven't been able to get too.....I'm hoping....that motivation comes my way.

Thank you all for your well wishes.

Whimsies-To-Go Workshops Houston 2015

Fiber on a Whim is once again hosting the Whimsies-To-Go event in our Houston Festival booth. Booth #2723. Workshops will run from Thursday to Saturday and are 1 hour long. They are just $10 and include everthing you need to do the workshop. Registration will open 15 minutes before the start of the workshop.  The first 10 people in line at that time to pay the kit fee will be included. Here is the rundown again....

Thursday October 29th

11AM-12PM Mixed Media Ornament/Gift Tag by Kristin Rodriguez

12:30-1:30PM Blessed Blooms by Susan Edmonson

2-3PM Petal Pincushion Parfait by Cheryl Sleboda

3:30-4:30PM Artful Coloring by Barb Forrister

5-6PM Manipulated Pincushion by Cheryl Sleboda 

Saturday October 30th

11AM-12PM Fiber Art Flowers by Barb Forrister

12;30-1:30PM Embroidered Burlap by Janelle Girod

2-3PM Bloom & Grow by Susan Edmonso

 

3:30-4:30 Feline FUN (Playful Puppy) by Amalia Morusiewicz

5-6PM Small Stitched Landscape by Deborah Boschert

Saturday October 31st

11AM-12PM Flowery FUN by Amalia Morusiewicz

12:30-1:30PM Small Stitched Landscape by Deborah Boschert

2-3PM Artful Coloring by Barb Forrister

3:30-4:30PM Blessed Blooms by Susan Edmonson

5-6PM Fabric Bead &Found Object Bracelet by Janelle Girod

Whimsies-To-Go is Returning to Houston

Whimsies-To-Go is returning to Houston!!!

Fiber on a Whim is located in booth #2723
for the International Quilt Festival 2015

A few of Fiber on a Whim's favorite artists will be joining us in leading one hour workshops!  Learn a new technique as you create your own individual piece of art!  This year we will increase to a 10 student studio in our booth.  The workshops are $10 which includes a kit/use of supplies that will have everything you need for your project.  Registration will open 15 minutes prior to the workshop.  The first 10 individuals to stop by the register to pay the kit fee of $10 will be in the workshop.  We will be running these Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.....see the schedule below....

Photos will be posted shortly.....follow us on Facebook for the quickest view of all project photos.....we will start sharing those on Monday!

Thursday October 29th
11AM-12PM  Mixed Media Ornaments/Gift Tags with Kristin Rodriguez
12:30-1:30PM Blessed Blooms with Susan Edmonson
2-3PM Petal Pincushion Parfait with Cheryl Sleboda
3:30-4:30PM Artful Coloring with Barb Forrister
5-6PM Heirloom Smocked Pincushion with Cheryl Sleboda

Friday October 30th
11AM-12PM Fiber Art Flowers with Barb Forrister
12:30-1:30PM Embroidered Burlap with Janelle Girod
2-3PM Bloom & Grow with Susan Edmonson
3:30-4:30PM Feline FUN (Playful Puppy) with Amalia Morusiewicz
5-6PM Small Stitched Landscape with Deborah Boschert

Saturday October 31st
11AM-12PM Flowery FUN with Amalia Morusiewicz
12:30-1:30 Small Stitched Landscapes with Deborah Boschert
2-3PM Artful Coloring with Barb Forrister
3:30-4:30PM Blessed Blooms with Susan Edmonson
5-6PM Fabric Bead & Found Object Bracelet with Janelle Girod

www.fiberonawhim.com


404-705-9164