Have a Heart Charity Auction

Last night was the Have a Heart Charity Auction. I went for a short time. I really don't do well in crowds of people.... especially people I don't know. I still had a good time though. It was exciting to see my work hanging in a gallery.



My friends Marilyn and Joan were there. I hadn't seen Joan for quite awhile. I almost didn't recognize her. I got to see Marilyn's heart art up close. It's still my favorite piece of the whole auction. It appeals to my sense of humor about life. Doesn't she look like someone with a humorous attitude and old age spread? Kind of like the way I am these days. Definitely the old age spread part and I try to keep a sense of humor. She looks like a Maxine character.

I looked through a book laying on the entrance table. I found mine. When I took a photo of it the person at the table told me everything was on the website. Well, yes, I know that but it's not the same as seeing it in an art gallery book.

The man who gives me great pieces of cardboard was there. His wife is a friend too. She was ill and didn't attend. I confessed to him I had gotten rid of lots of the cardboard he gave me because I don't have anyplace to store it. I thought he might be upset but he wasn't. He just told me to let him know when I need more.

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I wandered around through the gallery looking at all the work on display. I could imagine some of my cardboard furniture or art quilts on display. Oh heavens, will the end of the commitments ever come? It's very hard to think about finishing up quilts when so many ideas are bouncing around in my head. Hmm... how to describe how I feel. You know how it feels when a special holiday or an especially nice vacation trip is coming up and the days seem to just drag by? As each day goes by you get more and more anxious for the day to arrive? Sort of like a child waiting on Christmas day. Well, that's the way I feel. Like the day is never going to arrive even though I know it will.

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Right before I left there was a man who introduced himself and hugged me. I felt like I really wanted to talk with him for awhile but I was already starting to panic and planning my exit. He told me his name but it kind of slipped out of my mind. I know I should remember who he is but I can't. It's gonna bug me until I figure it out. I'll have to ask Marilyn if she knows who he is.

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There will be another charity auction if February. I've got some ideas for a couple of pieces I'd like to donate if I can get them completed in time. I'll find out what the date is for it and make my plans around that. One is a cardboard furniture piece and one is a wall hanging quilt.

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Note: to those asking if I will give classes on making cardboard furniture. I'm planning to put some pieces together and take lots of pictures for my blog. (maybe another blog) I hope to make it step by step directions that anyone can follow. When you understand the basic construction techniques then any piece can be made. Sort of like learning to piece a quilt. When you know the basics of construction the design ideas are endless. I would also like to write a book with patterns of cardboard furniture. Sort of like a book with quilt patterns. I really, really have to find the time for all these plans..... and space for storing the supplies. Time and space will be the major obstacles. I'll have to deal with them as I get to them. (I have faith.)

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I've got to get off the computer now and get to the quilting machine.

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The floor guys were supposed to be here yesterday afternoon to start tearing out the old floors so I didn't want to start on a quilt and get interrupted. I worked on some plain fabric for one of my window quilts. It's not fancy.... just functional. That went rather quickly because I used the quickest panto I have.





At about lunch time I got a call that the guys were not finished with their other job so they wouldn't get here until this morning. I decided to work on these art hearts. These are from my friend Marilyn (Metaphor in fabric). She brought them to me and is looking for other people to decorate some hearts too. These are to be decorated and auctioned off to benefit a food kitchen and pantry. There are going to be several artists participating in this. The auction is going to be in a local art gallery.

Actually, I'm a little intimidated about putting my work into a gallery with a bunch of well known artists. I've tried getting my art into shows before and always get a response...... "It's not the quality of art we are looking for." Well, duh, someone has to be an artist like me. Someone has to be the kind of artist that creates all those coloring books that children love... don't they? So why not me? It's the way I learned to draw so why is it not considered art? Coloring books don't just magically appear at the store you know. Someone has to draw the pictures before they get printed into books. No, I'm not an actual coloring book artist, but that's my type of art.

Maybe because it the kind of art for children and not adults that adults don't believe its art? Well heck, if no one buys my hearts, there is no loss. I can always give a money donation. If you haven't seen Marilyn's hearts you really should! I love her heart chicken. It has great personality. I wish I had thought of it. Just look on the side bar to find her link. I believe if anyone wants to decorate a heart that there is still time. It's for a good cause. Just contact Marilyn about the details.

So what can I do with two wooden hearts?

Give them a personality of course. I have a little touching up to do before I attach the fabric to the hearts. This is a "him" heart. I thought the little mustache gave him a mischievous personality.

This is a "her" heart. Looks kind of cautious doesn't she?

Now if I can only figure out how to get the fabric attached to the hearts. I don't have a staple gun. A regular stapler is not strong enough to penetrate the wood. I'm not sure if glue will work. Anyone have any suggestions?

Well I best get off the computer and get ready for the floor guys. They told me it will take about 3 or 4 days to complete the job. When they move my computer I won't be able to post until after the work is finished.

It came back to me and I'm glad


This quilt doesn't have enough quilting. Some toppers like lots of quilting and this owner is one of them. I knew that this would most likely come back to me when I sent it out. I couldn't figure out what else to do with it. I'm still not sure what else I can do. There are lots of do-dads on the signature blocks. I have to come up with something really fast because it needs to be sent back out by Monday at the latest. Hmmm.... there goes my weekend and my MeMe time.



I'm serious. I'm really glad the owner felt she could send it back to me and that she did. The worst that can happen for a machine quilter is for a customer to be unhappy with the quilting but not tell the machine quilter. Instead of returning the quilt and working it out with the machine quilter; the topper just doesn't go back. Then when someone asks why the topper isn't going to the quilter anymore... the topper tells how unhappy they were with their quilt. Then that person tells another.... and that one tells another.... and that one tells another. See what I'm getting at?

All machine quilters know they are part of a team creating a finished quilt. A bad reputation as a team member is nearly impossible to overcome. Toppers should feel comfortable enough to go back to their machine quilter with any concerns. The machine quilter will fix the problems. So while I may be unhappy I made a mistake.... I'm really glad the customer trusted me enough to send it back.


Ok, enough type-talking.... this quilt won't get done unless I get in the studio to do it.