Being A Dog Mom

The Mr. and I went back and forth whether to get another dog. Our last German wirehaired pointer crossed the rainbow bridge in January. She lived a good, long life. Now Belle has joined the family. Another German wirehaired pointer about 6 weeks old. 

The breeder had two young girls and they had named the puppies after the Disney princesses. That is how Belle got her name. 

Pooped out puppy

It has been many years perhaps over 20 since I have had a puppy this young. 

Sequeing into art - This ink wash drawing I did not post because it is my least favorite. My professor said it was his favorite. You decide.  

Not even close to the reference image. I had visions of a lovely ink wash, it was so hard to control this medium. 

There won't be any sketches for awhile with the summer break, classes to resume in August. 

I have upgraded my China dishes. Soon I will have to devise some kind of storage for those I will list for sale after the wedding. I kick myself for not buying more of a certain set when it came through thrift. 

Wedding countdown is 4-1/2 months away. Nearly all is set with the exception of the groomsmens fittings. 

Waitlisted and Wedding Prep

After many months, I made it up to the large hospice thrift on Highway 50 in Placerville, California. I purchased a batch of China dessert plates, and sewing patterns. Mother's Day belated present to myself and destined for my project box. 2004 Phil Beaver Designs applique Hen  & Sunflower Mini-Quilt. 

Design: Fundamentals is the art class I am on waitlist for the fall session. It isn't the end of the world trying to register for a college class that is full, it just means you have to wait to begin the class. 

Still in the throes of wedding prep. The future MIL and I have been buying secondhand China dinner plates, dessert plates, and champagne glasses. The last of the bride's fruitcake has been baked. While I could bake more loaves, our weather is warming up I then avoid using the oven.

I could not pass up these flower quilt blocks offered on my fav auction site. I ended up paying less than $3 per block (including shipping cost) for the lot of 28. Definitely vintage fabric flower centers but I am unsure which era. 

After I whip together the National Park quilt, I will begin prepping these blocks for a quilt. They are varying sizes. Rather than trim down the largest ones, I will add fabric borders to the smallest ones.

Until next time,

Tami

Binge Watching on YouTube

I think I am like most people, when you find videos that interest you, you binge watch. My latest obsession is Dr. Lori. She provides tips on antiques. youtube.com/@DrLoriV

The reason she appeals to me is (1) her great personality, (2) I want to learn more about china and glassware, and (3) she snorts when something amuses her. 

I am winnowing down again, removing books and CDs that have languished for years. I don't mind storing sewing patterns and small items but books and blankets are coming off the boards. 

Going through another fabric purge. All of the fabric was purchased secondhand so I have no qualms about thrifting it back. With my quilt output slowed to 2 per year, I am only keeping my project boxes and the cutest of my fabric. 

Since my interests have turned to fine art, I will be creating more original works in different types of medium. 

This is the actual final project. A scene of our choosing that utilizes some of the compositional techniques learned during the semester. This is On the Front Porch graphite on sketchpad.

Below are the Sharpie night scene revised and original sketch. 

Still hoping to register for an art class in the fall semester. 

May Day and Follow Up to the Fairy Quilt

Merry May Day! Give those you love fresh flowers 🥀

Quilting update:

When I first posted about the fairy quilt, the top was partially finished. Now the quilt top and backing have been sent to the longarmer. The first image shows the added MODA Grunge green/gray border fabric. 

The backing fabric. I added one more print not shown here. 

It will be quilted in a Garden Fairies design through Flint Hills Quilting or kshilltopranch on eBay where I purchase her service. 

Hmmm, let's talk about the fabric collections that I hoard have, in no particular order. 

Americana
Patriotic (RW&B)

Plaid wovens

Christmas
Dog/cat prints

Tiki/Hawaiian

African prints

These are not stored in tidy project organizers, noooo, they are entire TUBS of fabric. I need to narrow down my project ideas and complete the ones that are queued up. Next up on my to-do list is the National Park quilt. That one I will use wool batting and it destined for the living room. 

Popping in an eBay listing update - this yarn is so pretty, wish I knew how to work with it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187184749942

College update: Nearly 2 weeks remain before I can sign up for my art class. One is given a priority registration time and date. Depending on which class remains open, it will be Design Fundamentals the shortened 8 week or full term.  

Posting my final sketch even though it hasn't been graded yet. Reference image below. 

The assignment was to only use a Sharpie pen on sketchbook pad. The task was to use 3-4 "marks" in the artwork. 
 

Ending the post with a Ted Talk on the importance of making art. 

Zest of Lemon

The last day of the April A to Z Challenge wraps up with the letter "Z." I am going with Zest of Lemon. It is some of that outer fruit skin that is scraped off for a lemony taste. 

Having said that, it is time to thank the hosts of this fun annual event. 

Founder Arlee Bird tossingitout
J Lenni Dorner jlennidorner
Zalka Csenge Virage multicoloreddiary
John Holton thesoundofonehandtyping
Jaden R. Vicente jrvincente.com adult content warning
Ronel ronelthemythmaker.com

Putting in a mention for a few new friends I discovered during this challenge. Link to my Friends post mentioning others from the challenge flowers-and-friends.

KarenMeg aglassatatime.ca

J-Dub's Grin and Bear it jilywily.wordpress.com

Lynne lynnelives.wordpress.com

wtfaioa.wordpress.com

Trophy to Me for Completing

the 2025 Challenge

Thank you to everyone that visited my blog for this April celebration. I can go back to my regular programming of thrift shop finds, eBay sales, and all of my other extracurricular activities. 

May we not only have zest of lemon in cooking, but also have a zest for living! 

Yarn and You Get One Free Pass

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187120103067

This is one way that I pose lots of yarn to sell on eBay. These skeins are from my latest listing session. 

Yarn always sells. If I find quality skeins with their bands still intact, I pick them up. I do not knit or crochet and never have. These are my bagged and photographed skeins ready for sale. This represents about 6 months of thrifting. 

Course, right when I get through a listing session, I find more yarn!

This Y day for the A to Z Challenge is a tough one, that is why I created You Get One Free Pass. I gathered a bunch of crochet images that need to go right here.  

Whoops, I think he is knitted. Creepy anyway

A to Z Challenge letter Z zips right along with Zest of Lemon.🍋

Xenodocheionology

I was going to draw a ghost sketch to lead-off this post but this image came up as one that I had saved. Fits right in here even though it is someone trying to sell something. 

Yes, I learned a new word for the X letter day on the A to Z Challenge. 

Xenodocheionology is the lores of hotels and inns. Along those lines is the YouTube channel Slapped Ham. Stay with me on this one, on that channel there are paranormal videos. Some of those videos show hotels and inns that deal with ghostly activity. It is my favorite YouTube channel.💖

I know it is stretch but what are you going to do with the letter X? 

A to Z Challenge letter Y is yearning for Yarn and You Get One Free Pass.