Raising the White Flag

I surrender. I am officially confessing to myself and the world, I can't do it all. Sorry to have disappeared for so long, I tried to sew, blog, work on the book, and take care of my family...not to mention prepare for the holidays. I'm trying my best to stay motivated and push to the end so the holidays can be relaxing. My tomtar guards smile at me while I'm sewing, not to mention they watch over me. I think there's a bit of magic in them.

I'm shutting the blog down for awhile to reduce the pressure that lingers in the back of my mind while I'm doing other things. I'll be back with a reenergized Tallgrass Prairie Studio after the holidays. The projects for the book will be done and I can get back to creating and sharing things with you. Honestly, I can't wait.
So, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you who come here, read my ramblings, comment on my work, and share a bit of yourselves with me.
Thanks for a great 2010!
Jacquie

Walk With Me

I started my week with a walk. It was brisk and I wasn't feeling so great, but I bundled up and did it anyway. I'm glad I did. When I headed out, the sun was barely up.I crunched through the leaves, so sneaking up on my wild friends wasn't in the cards, but I could hear them crunching too.
This snarly old tree always reminds me of the thumping trees in the Wizard of Oz, especially when its branches sway and creak on windy days.
There's so much beauty...
...and gracefulness.
I walked on the rock ledge.
Of course, Bruno was with me. He adores a walk in the woods.
Looks like a cozy place to curl up...Bruno investigated it thoroughly!
The woods are full of amazing texture...this is a shag bark hickory. Love it.
Such character in this bark.
I love walking under nature's gate. It signals that I'm close to home.
I remember, it was a walk like this that inspired this quilt. It may be the first one I finish when the quilts for the book are done.
Off to work. Hope your week had a great start too!

The winner of Malka's new book, Fresh Quilting, is Erin M who said," Like many I make things for many reasons, to see if I can do it, to save money, to give my hands something to do and on and on. Thanks for the giveaway. Sure would be fun to look through this book." Congratulations Erin! Drop me an email with your contact information. Be sure to continue the tour today with more chances to win this great book.

Take a Look at 'Fresh Quilting'

Fresh Quilting is Malka Dubrawsky's new book, published by Interweave Press. Welcome, to those of you who are hopping across the country following Malka's blog tour. I'm so happy to be a part of her tour and have the opportunity to share this fabulous book with you.

Malka is a fiber Artist from Austin, Texas and was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started quilting. Her blog, Stitch in Dye is instant eye candy for those of use who love modern, striking work. Let's take a peek inside.

The book is divided into two sections, Projects for Home, Family and Friends and Fresh Quilts for Wall, Bed and Baby. Even thought the first section is non quilt projects, just about all of them could be easily adapted into quilts. I love that about her book.

This sewing machine cover will be my first project. What a great way to cover and take care of my precious machine. She'll be looking fancy soon!

I adore the quilts in the second section. Nate's quilt has always been one of my favorites. Malka describes her style as "looking at the traditional through a different lens." Nate's quilt is a perfect example of taking a traditional block and modernizing it with a bit of improvisation.The honeycomb hexagon quilt is another classic block reinterpreted. I need to make this quilt.
I was thrilled to see Malka's explains how to piece hexagons by machine. You'll want to learn to do this!And look at Strips and Stripes.....oooooh. I'm swooning over this quilt.

I wish I could show you everything in this book. Reading Malka's story is inspiring, looking at her projects makes me want to drop everything, grab some fabric and head to the sewing machine. Isn't that what a book should do for us? This one does for sure!

In the book, Malka shares her style, her quilting knowledge, tips and techniques, but most importantly she encourages all of us to learn a little and then head out on our own. I'll leave you with some advice from Malka after a crafter friend encouraged her to "wing it."

Malka said, "She was emancipating me from a slavish devotion to patterns, allowing me take what I wanted or needed and leave the rest behind. Now I hope the same for you. Recreate the projects as they are pictured or adapt the elements for different purposes. Either way, you'll join in the magic of handmade by putting your stamp on something fresh and contemporary."

Making magic...Malka's book is one step in that inspiring journey.

If you'd like to win a copy of Malka's book, leave a comment telling why you make things. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. I'LL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER SOON!

Be sure to continue the tour

12/13 with Blair of Wisecraft

12/14 with Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio

Spiffing Up!

I want, well, I need my studio to be an inspiring place. I spend most of my day there, so I want it to be happy, bright, and inspirational. I added a few things this week to spiff up the place just a bit.
First I purchased this hand painted cabinet from Betsy at BonBon Atelier in Kansas City. Betsy's mom hand painted it. I happened to ask Betsy a few visits ago about it and she told me it was for sale. It didn't take me long to go back and take it home with me.
It's the perfect place for my collection of solids to hang out.
I had this old ladder in another part of the house. It's actually a piece from a very large ladder. The big part is the handrail on the basement stairs. This is the leftover that I had to cut off. I plopped it in the corner with a few mini quilts and my tomtar guards. I love having it in the studio.
I'm working on my selvage spools again....I have some wall space reserved for that quilt. I can't wait to finish and get it hung. Things are shaping up around here!

Waterfall

Malka's fabric is so inspiring! I made these blocks awhile ago using some of her hand dyes and I was looking at the pile of them the other day and kept visualizing a tumbling waterfall.So, I played with them awhile and put together the 'Waterfall' quilt. I love the negative space in this one...I have such a great idea for the quilting. It has to wait though. It's so odd for me to have the quilting idea before the top is even finished.
Speaking of Malka, she's got a new book out and I'm part of her blog tour across America. That's me right in the center of the country. I have her last book, Color Your Cloth, and this new book, Fresh Quilting, will be a part of my craft library as well. Be sure to follow the tour and come back here on Friday for my day!

Christmas Whimsy!

A few scraps, a little fusible web, and a little stitching and quilting and these are finished in a jiffy. I made and gave a bunch of these last year. They make great little gifts to accompany a box or bag of handmade goodies.You can made them as big or small as you want. They could be table toppers, candle mats, mug rugs or just little quilts to bring a smile to someone during the holiday.
Please don't email and ask for a pattern. You can do these all on your own, no problem. Back some fun fabrics with fusible web and start cutting out shapes and putting them together. You'd be surprised what you can come up with!
So far this week I have 5 unfinished stockings, two unfinished pillows, and two table toppers in progress, not to mention the fabric for 5 scarves....I have lots to finish, but that's how I roll. Last minute girl! How about you? Are you making holiday gifts?
Have a happy weekend! I'm going to be focused on finishing!

A Gift to Yourself is a Gift to Others

Today's holiday gift idea is brought to you by Mr. Bruno. Bru looked up at me this morning and with those irresistible eyes told me that I needed some time and he needed some too. Time for myself.
Bruno is wise. Taking time for yourself, to exercise, to pamper yourself, to breathe is not only a gift to yourself, it's a gift to those around you. You're better when you take care of yourself.
I can work a 15 hour day without blinking, but it takes a loving pet to remind me to take a few minute for myself. We walked the property together and enjoyed an owl in flight and two deer in the back pasture. I took time to enjoy the frost on the prairie grasses. I'll have a better day because of it.

Take it from Bruno, give yourself a gift this holiday season.