Auntie's Workshop

After having "Do at least five art/craft projects based on the prompts of  Moriah Elizabeth 's Create This Book  series/book" on my yearly list twice, I bit the bullet and got started.  The first prompt I chose was: Create a Rule. While I understand the idea for the prompt, I think the "rules" of art were what was keeping me from getting started.  I've dealt with the journaling police, the crochet police, the painting police, and the quilt police, ignoring them and their rules all the way.  For some reason I got stuck on whether I could execute the prompts correctly.  But what would that even mean?  Will I make mistakes and learn new things?  Absolutely.  But it's my book and my art, so the only way I do it "wrong" is to not do it at all. I took inspiration for this page from my two favorite "rebels" from the UK.  Robert Welsh is a professional makeup artist who shares on YouTube his knowledge about both the artistry and the business...

Since my last post, I've finished my first version of the Christmas stocking.    I'm pretty pleased with it.  However, free motion quilting is so different from straight line quilting or stitching in the ditch.  Since free motion requires the feed dogs of the machine to be down, I have to coordinate my hand movements with the speed of the needle.  So far, it's been like chasing a runaway train. As in most instructional YouTube videos, things like this aren't covered.  The videos make it seem straightforward enough. It isn't...at least for me.  I can't just do steps 1, 2, and 3 and get glorious results. Instead of a one video tutorial, I need more detailed lessons and more practice on how to catch the rhythm of this style of quilting. I also want to try another means of stitching the names on the stocking.  What I did was fine, but the lace ribbon was difficult to work with.   Speaking of straight line quilting... This is my first quilt d...

One of my favorite ornament patterns is this popcorn wreath ornament.  I got the pattern from here  more than 20 years ago.  Since I don't (and didn't) go through many tape dispenser rolls, I use Yarnology's 2-inch cabone rings from Hobby Lobby instead (not a sponsor).  Every season I have the opportunity to make these, I strive to try something different with them.  This round, I'm using a simple weave.  I may try something different the next round, or leave them sweet and simple like this.     I mentioned in my 26 for 2026 list  that I'd received my dream sewing machine.  When I say received , I mean it. I didn't buy it: some sweet person who knew I had my eye on it had it delivered to my doorstep.  I have a hint as to who it was, but I'm not 100% sure.  I don't even know if they read my blog, but if so THANK YOU! Part of the reason I wanted it is because unlike my other sewing machines, this one is computerized, has more tha...

The month of July is when my sister Clara and I usually start our "Christmas in July" crafting.  We get a jump on holiday gifts and decorations, plus it gives us time to try new ideas to see if we like them.  In previous years I've missed getting started, but not this year.  I began with a revisit to a 30 Day Art Challenge 2024 project.    This time I solved the problems I had with my first attempt at these: I used wood glue instead of hot glue to put the wooden pieces together.  I only used hot glue on the insert and that worked much better. I made use of the eye hooks I use to add picture wire to my paintings (I've got plenty). This makes a much better looking and functioning hanger than twine held down by an unsightly amount of hot glue. I cut the backings slightly smaller than preiously, plus I cut the chipboard backings with a sliding blade paper cutter.  This was so much more accurate than the ruler, pencil, and utility knife method I was using...

  If you read my other blog, you know that I'm a listener of Gretchen Rubin's Happier  podcast.  I've also read a few of her books; some I liked, some I didn't.  For the past few years I've participated in her yearly challenges and themes she has presented (To learn more about the 26 for 2026 challenge, please see the Happier podcast here ).  This year, I thought I'd double my fun and participate in the 26 for 2026 list on both blogs.  This list is more along the lines of my "artsy-fartsy" hopes and dreams for the year...and beyond (probably). Yes, I'm late to the game, but I know that finally getting this posted and on my mind will do much to benefit my psyche and ramp up my motivation. So here's my list.  As I complete each item, I will mark it as complete.  If it is blog worthy, I'll post it as a link, or where applicable include a photo, Pinterest pin, or Instagram post.  NOTE:  List is subject to change without notice. WAR...

 Let's have fun with this one: One of my favorite YouTube quilters is a gentleman named Mark Darrell, aka "The Quilting Marine."  Mark took up quilting to help deal with PTSD.  He says that while quilting is not a substitute for therapy, it is a way to pour his energy into something constructive when dark thoughts crowd in.  I learned about him from a couple of interviews he did for Missouri Star Quilt Company and Just Get It Done Quilts . I am inspired by his style because he freely admits that he doesn't necessarily follow all the rules of quilting, yet he still produces colorful intricate quilts.  His attitude is essentially "If you don't like how I do things, my channel is not for you.  Move on."  He posts when he can, doesn't chase the mysterious YouTube algorithm, and is very down-to-earth. He signs off his videos with the phrase, "Remember, it's only fabric and it's only thread."  I like that; it removes the pressure of perf...