I think I am now on the right track thanks to Margarita at http://margascrafts.blogspot.com/ and Judy at http://judyinthedyes.blogspot.com/. They had some great suggestions and one of them was to make a ATC and try something new. I have been thinking about crazy quilts with embroidery on them so I made a ATC and did just that. I think it turned our quite well. I used scraps of some quilt squares that are sitting in my studio waiting to be worked on. I think by doing this it has given me new interest in the squares so maybe I can proceed and make something from these squares.

I also looked at the classes that are offered on Joggles and oh, my there are some wonderful classes available on line. I had no idea that this was out there. I am definalty going to have to take one or more of these.

Thank you Margarita and Judy.

I am looking for some inspiration. I have been having a tough time getting motivated. I seem to be traveling in a circle and not able to focus. I have spent a good part of my days reading blogs and looking at my photographs. I have been reading some wonderful embroidery blogs. I have always loved doing hand work and I think I need to be doing something along those lines. But time will tell. I hope I can focus better tomorrow.

I want to thank all of you creative bloggers who are keeping my creative juices flowing.

I love Ikea!! We traveled to Portland a couple of weeks ago and I got to wander to Ikea. I was looking for a candle chandelier but came home with these two rings of fiber optic lights. They work so well in my sun room over our table. I also came across this fabric for $3.00 a yard and I just love the boldness of it. I have no idea what I will be using it for but for now I will just enjoy looking at it.

We are having a very rainy Sunday but we are enjoying the day.

Wonky Stars. These are for the Bushfire Project. It is a project organized by Tia Curtis who's husband is stationed in Australia. She will put together to benefit those who lost so much in the fires.

I thought I would make one and they were such fun I had to make another then a third. It is great fun. I used the tutorial on BooDilly's blog.

Here it is another project improv square. I was only planning on sending one but it was such fun that I had to make a second since I still had more of the fabric. There is something very therapeutic about doing these. I hope to pursue something of my own along these lines soon. The wonky log cabin squares are great fun.

I am feeling much better, thank you all for the good thoughts. We are expecting a rainy weekend so I hope to have time to play in my studio.

This is a quilt that my mother-in-law gave my daughter, and she has me taking care of it until she has an appropriate place(she is currently in college). I am not sure of the date but I have been really admiring it lately. It is an incredible work of art and all of the vintage fabrics are so fun. I am typically drawn to art quilts but since I have been doing more and more quilting I have a new appreciation for this. One of my concerns is that I need to take good care of it. I usually have it folded and draped over the foot of our guest room bed but I am not sure that is the best thing for it. I would like to be able to enjoy it but what is the best way to do that?

I hope to get back in my studio soon. I have been under the weather and not doing anything other than trying to take care of myself. However today I am in an upright position and beginning to notice how dirty the house is and I had better get better and take care of it.

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope everyone has a great day with their loved one.

Well, I have been on the road for the last couple of days and had the slowest internet connection ever!!! I am so spoiled. I forgot what it is like to have to wait for things to download. I have not even been able to read what all of you have been up to. I have to admit I am addicted to everyone's blogs. Now I can look forward to a weekend of catching up on the happenings with all of you.

Here is a box I made a few years ago and have been looking at again and thinking about making some of them again. I want to change things up a bit but have not decided how to yet. The box is about 1 1/2 inches square. They are very fun to make. If any of you have made boxes and have any suggestions please leave me a comment.

I have been taking photos of heart rocks for my valentines. Here is one of my favorites. This rock is just the perfect shape and I love the markings on it. As most of you know I have a thing for rocks. I will share my valentine with you after I get it photographed.

I hope all of you are having a great week.

I had a very good time this week making these things for my daughter for her birthday. The first item is a wallet. The wallet has a single fold with a pocket inside for her drivers license and credit card and a large pocket for all of the money. I fused denim to the outer fabric. The wallet resembles a simple mens single fold wallet.

The wall hanging is like the cup cake journal square that I made several months ago. Stevi loves to bake and I was thinking of her when I made it and thought she should have one to hang in her kitchen. I used a couple of old linen napkins for the background fabric and the backing. I really like the soft color and feel of them. The circles are from a plastic shopping bag from my favorite quilt shop, Fabric Visions in Ashland, Oregon.

Happy Birthday to my daughter. She is such an inspiration to me. I am so proud of her!!!! I hope she has an incredible day.

I am still on the hunt for heart shaped rocks. I always make a valentine for my family and some close friends. I make a card with some kind of artwork on it. I have begun working on some ideas. Since I am living in a new place with so many wonderful things and lots and lots of sand and rocks I thought that heart rocks are appropriate. I am going to do something with the rocks where I find them or a photo of all of the rocks together, and my other thought is to do a collage of the photos. I will share my finished product with you when it comes together. It is always a project I look forward too.

I have also been working on a couple of projects which I will show you later in the week. My daughter will turn 22 on Friday and I am mailing her a fun surprise.

I made this apron for my sister for her birthday. I thought it turned out very well. Very 50'ish. I am a big fan of rick rack.

I had this square of pieced fabric that was an experiment that did not go very well. It has been hanging around and bothering me. I should either do something with it or throw it. So yesterday I practiced my stippling. Then after finishing the stippling I decided it would be a good shopping bag. So I made it into a bag like a brown paper bag. I think it works quite well for this. I will have the best and wildest grocery bag next time I go to the market.

In the stippling department I would welcome any advice on getting my stitches to be the same size. I assume I just need to practice.

I hope all if you are having a wonderful weekend.