 We've been working like mad around here, but nothing really new to post a picture of. We did a big batch of dragonfly kits today and worked on a quilt shop order. So I thought I'd put up a couple of photos from our recent trip to Denali, I think I know where I get the idea for my stripey backgrounds! If you look REALLY close, there's a grizzly bear at the bottom of the second photo. :-) 
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 Alaska probably is not normally known for mushrooms, but in a rainy year like this one, they are everywhere! It is getting to be fall here, but there are still new mushrooms popping up every day. I saw lots of new ones on my walk today, but I couldn't spend too much time looking, I had to keep my eye out for the grizzly bear that has been sighted in our area recently :-) But it did inspire me to make a batch of mushroom cards when I got back!
 In case you missed it, the dragonfly kit is now available, click on the picture for more info!
Today I worked on cards to fill an order, and also did some training with my friend April who is going to be helping me out, boy can I use that! I also did a bunch of scheming to figure out how to rearrange my sewing area to make it more efficient, I think we have a great new plan, but I'll have to sit on that for a couple of days to make sure :-) If it works, I'll have a better ironing area, better fabric storage, better thread storage, a home for my 3 x 5 foot cutting mat that is ALWAYS in the way...and better storage in general, all of which would be very helpful! I have learned that I need to let things sit for at least a few hours after I design them before I finish them, because I ALWAYS see things I didn't see earlier. But, since I have very little patience when it comes to sewing, I broke my own rule with my little fall quilt yesterday. (and again today, really...) So, today I made it again, with quite a few changes, how many can you find? I only changed the background fabric because I didn't have enough of the first one, so I changed the binding color also, to keep it from looking too Christmasy. I think I like the original colors better, and the new layout better, what do you think?
 I've been playing with my Starr fabrics again. After I finished the main part, I couldn't decide how to do the edges, so I put it on Facebook for suggestions. Thanks to Faith for the idea of the accent strip, it adds a lot! Before I finished it, I took a nap and had lots of weird dreams. When I did finish it, I forgot the backing, that's a new one....I guess this one's mine! :-) I don't like the shape of the stripe, maybe I'll play with it and see if I can turn it into a kit, what do you think? Update: I think I have an idea for how to fix it, stay tuned :-) And the dragonfly kits are going fast, I already have to order more fabric! Click on the picture for more info or to order, or click home page to see all that we do.   More fun with my new batch of Starr Design fabrics! We've had a very cool and rainy summer, I decided I needed some bright flowers!
 I was inspired by my trip to Denali Park to make a Denali card, not sure why I haven't done that before.... As I was picking out fabrics for it, I realized that none of my new 180 colors was just right for the sky....(all a little too dark) so I decided to dye my own. Some Rit dye, a Gladware container, three tries but a mere 25 minutes later, I had fabric ready to use. I used the "low water immersion" dye method, which is very quick and easy! I really wanted to start dyeing more of my own fabric this year, (with the good fiber reactive dyes) but I haven't had the time or the body to do it...so for now I'll let the people at Starr Fabrics do most of it for me :-) And, in case you haven't heard, the Summer Dragonfly kit is now available, I'll probably put this in the next several blog posts to get the word out :-) Click on the picture to go to the kit. 
 It's finally here! There is quite a bit of info on the home page, or on the page for the kit, (click on the picture) so I don't think I will write it all again here :-) Happy Sewing!!
 I finally have all of my fabric from Starr Fabrics, a little of everything they make. It's pretty much the quilter's equivalent of a huge new box of crayons :-) I got some yardage of some of them that I already knew I needed in addition to these 6 sets of fat quarters. After we picked this up at the post office, I went to two fabric stores looking for coordinating batiks. I put it all in my husband's chair when we got home, so he asked if he had been replaced :-) I am blessed to have one who supports my insanity, although I have always made more money than I spend, so he can't really complain too much. As long as he doesn't mind sleeping in a quilt studio, that is. :-) This should keep me busy for awhile! I think I have all the parts for the dragonfly kits now, so those should be ready soon!   In case there was any doubt, this morning I proved that I am quite crazy. I took a perfectly good quilt, which I not only got grand champion for at the fair, I even got 100 out of 100 points, and did a bunch of stitching through the whole thing..... I did chicken out a bit and used thread that I knew wouldn't show too much :-) (for those who didn't see the earlier post, I added the treeline in the background)
And it turned out that my package slip yesterday was only HALF of my big order, I'll wait until the rest comes to post a picture of that. I'm already having fun with it though, the first draft of a fall leaf quilt is on my design wall. I have learned to let them sit for awhile, I always see things later that I didn't notice at first. That is so hard for me though, I should leave it for a few days, but I often can only scrape together enough patience to wait a few hours :-) The stitching changes them so much, I'm always anxious to get it on there! |
Beret Nelson's On The Trail Creations Blog Page
Beret NelsonI am a homeschooling mom of three fun kids, who are now old enough that I have a little time to pursue my passion for sewing! After several years of making quilted cards and art quilts, I'm now designing kits and patterns. Some of my designs have been in Keepsake Quilting and Art Quilting Studios magazine! I teach classes online, and am starting to do more traveling and teaching. I also have many tutorials, including some on YouTube. I am blessed to live in Alaska where I am surrounded by the inspiration provided by the beauty of God's creation! Free mini art quilt workshop for new subscribers!
"Like" my facebook page!I am also an independent distributor for Plexus supplements, since I credit them with enabling me to be healthy enough to do all these fun things! They target blood sugar and gut health, which are at the root of so many modern health issues. E-mail me for more info, or check out my website! I am as passionate about getting people healthy as I am about getting people creating :-)
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June 2024
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