Happy Halloween!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Halloween. We spent Saturday night with our Kids and grandkids at Vail Lake trick or treating with everyone. I have never seen so many people in one area scrambling in the dark. I am amazed no one got lost or worst in all the confusion.
I thought i would share my fabulous folded bag pattern, is a fun way to make cute candy bags for gifts during the holidays. So quick and easy and you only need fat quarters. Here are my pumpkin and Christmas designs, all the templates come in the pattern. Available on my website www.desireesdesigns.com








- Desiree

Some fun projects I have done this summer!

I usually don't post other patterns on my site since there is a conflict of interest there...but.. I fell in love with this adorable hat pattern at the Long Beach show by Izzy & Ivy designs, its called Jack and Jill. I made the flower for the hat by using my scallop ruler tool I got from Janet at Quick points ruler. I have made two hats for my twin granddaughters and plan to make more! Is this cute or what!

We went to the beach, I removed the flower so we wouldn't loose it and Megan wore it all day! Last week we took them to the zoo, this is Rachel in her hat. Included in the pattern is a boys version of the hat that has no ruffle in the hat band. I am going to add fabric train tickets in the brim and make Blake a conductors hat for Christmas.
Then for their birthdays I made them Christmas Aprons to make cookies in during the holidays. I just love sewing for girls, I know, its not fair to the boys but I can't help it!

The Daily Paintworks challenge

This week for the DPW challenge we were to select just one item and divide our paper or canvas into 4 small squares, about 3"x3", so thats what I did. Then we were to take our one item and set the timer for 10 minutes and paint our object in one of the squares. When the timer goes off stop and reset the timer and move to the next square. We were not supposed to get caught up in the details as you will not finish in time. Most of the painters on the site use oils so they don't have the drying issues I was having with watercolor. I might do this challenge again and use pastels this time but I appreciated the challenge. As you paint each new image you get better at judging the time and you are able to get more in quickly. I struggled as my paint bled and moved around too much to get much of any details. I also chose persimmons since I had bought them recently and love them! I ended up with what seemed to be nothing more than 4 yellow/orange blobs. I think another fruit might be better but maybe it was me. I continued to play and fiddle, I was done with the challenge, now I was having some fun. I added lines, pencils lines, white gouche, more layers of paint, anything I wanted. Here is my progression, I don't know if I am done yet and will revisit it all tomorrow. It is starting to remind me of tiles and I am liking it. I need to get some sleep! I am under so much stress right now with not much time for painting. I find it leaves me without an outlet to relax so tonight I took some time to paint. AHHH, now for an excedrine PM and bed!

Tortured Soul is going to be at Visions Art Gallery

My quilt, Tortured soul will be one of only 37 quilts selected for the Interpertations show at Visions. I am so excited to have been choosen as one of the artist. I hope you will get a chance to see the show!

"Interpretations" - a juried member exhibition featuring the work of 37 artists - from Nov 4, 2011 to January 22, 2012;  
Opening reception is Friday, Nov 4th from 5-8pm
Visions Art Museum, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA  92106; Open Tues-Sun - 10am to 4pm

A Whisper Challenge

I can't remember if I shared this or not so I am sharing it now. My amazing art quilting group, Sub-Q, did a challenge where we divided up into two groups. Unbeknown to us, the first person was given the same photo and asked to translate it into a quilt and send to the next person on the list. The next person would translate what she thought the first person telling her by way of her quilt and then she would make a quilt and pass her quilt to the next person and so on. Well, much like the game of telephone we used to play as kids, our quilt didn't resemble much of what the first photo looked like. I wish I had the photo, but it was of a bird house in a garden setting. I did like making this quilt, I enjoyed the more subtle colors and the felt and hand work I indulged myself in while designing it. I used some of my pistachio trees berries  and twigs to help decorate the wool roving that became my crazy nest. I was depicting male birds trying to find the girl so they could nest! LOL I did crop this but my computer refuses to show the cropped version.

I met the old man of the Pumpkin Patch!

I met the old man of the Pumpkin Patch!, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

I found this crazy pumpkin calling to me as I passed by the giant bins of pumpkins. Pssst, hey you, gotta date for Halloween? I looked around and didn't see anyone. Then I looked in the bin and looking back at me was this ole guys! I guess I was the one who eventually picked him up and brought him home. I don't usually like smokers but I am making a exception this time. I thought it might be nice to spend Halloween together then maybe invite him to be a part of our pumpkin pie tradition too!

It's my birthday!

Yes, today is my birthday and I am getting to an age I only thought other people achieved. I can remember having conversations and referring to people of this age as old! OLD, wow,I don't feel old. The closer I got to this age the younger it seemed after all it's just a number,right. I have also noticed that I am slipping over to the bad side of statistics and life insurance rates. That jumping out of bed still happens but I land on sore feet and have stretch out my stiff back. It is a hard time as there are more wrinkles than not and my face is showing the signs of life,it's hard to watch our bodies giving way before we are ready! I find myself thinking of things like facelifts and hair removal where in years past it was just all about clothes,shoes and purses! Well, I guess it's still about those things and much more.

We are definitely the sandwich generation,in-between caring for our kids and our parents. It is a much different place than I dreamed it would be. Yet despite all the negative aspects of getting older there are some really wonderful things that happen as we get older. We find a way to carve out more time for ourselves. Finding time to do the things we want to do along with allowing ourselves the permission to do it! Most of us are now being surrounded by grandkids that always bring us joy without the resposibility.

Personally I thought that I would be doing more traveling at this age but with Jenn's crash our plans were forever altered yet I don't feel cheated. I am finding this time to be exciting,full,creative and so busy! We are survivors triumphant! Life can be hard but it is so good too, we learn along the way how to navigate the different seasons that our lives bring.

There are so many blessing, I know some amazing people,many of whom I call friends. I have a wonderful family that I love so much and that are healthy. I have a husband that adores me and supports me and is truly a best friend. I have a place to call home that house the things I love. I have my health and my God given gifts that allow me the ability to create! To create a way when there wasn't one,to create art, to create a home,to create memories and so much more. I could keep going but since it's my birthday today I choose to spend it painting and celebrating with my family. I have a
new drawing table that awaits it christening and I need to comply. I have some quilts to design and paintings to get ready for shows. I have orders to fill and clients to call,I have a life to live!
Happy Birthday to me and you!

Fall Card Exchange with Painting Friends

One of the many online art groups I belong to love doing holiday card exchanges. I have posted in previous years many of the cards I have sent and received. This year we are doing a Fall card exchange and a Christmas card exchange. I painted this card based on a photo posted by Valri on WC. I loved the feel of the spiderweb, representing Halloween and the fall foliage showing the seasons. I cropped and painted this card for the exchange.

The days are getting shorter and the weather is going from chilly to hot weekly. I love the sun and will miss the long days, I almost feel depressed when the sun sets at 5:00pm. I will welcome the wonderful oranges and pinks that the fall sky lays over everything. Even the stucco on our house turns a wonderful warm shade of coral in the fall. We have begun the long process of pruning and cleaning up the debris. We have already started to plant some of the bulbs and flowers that will keep us happy through spring. We have also agreed to be on the garden show tour next year so we need to prepare now so that things are blooming in the yard during that tour. Last time we were on tour we got over 800 people through our yard in two days!

This last picture was a nest made by the "Bushtit" bird. It is a woven nest that they use to raise several batches of babies. This rose did not get pruned this year and if they return it will forgo its pruning again. Well this branch anyway! Thank goodness this rose is behind the outdoor kitchen area and is not really visible unless you seek it out. The birds knew right where to put this nest!

Another Rose Arbor

Another Rose Arbor, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

With the cooler nights the roses are blooming again with vengeance. This trellis is cover with Sally Holmes, a climbing rose and one of my families favorite varieties. Whether its at my brothers house or my house or the Kids houses, you can see my mom in just about everything. She has created an amazing legacy of love for her family. She is generous to a fault and thrives on helping transform the drab into the most beautiful!

Altissimo rose

Altissimo rose, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

I found this rose variety one year at the Huntington Gardens and fell in love with it, my mom followed when she saw it at my house and has planted a few at both her house and my brothers house. It's a beautiful single rose with dark foliage that is still a show stopper after all these years. Growing on a this light stucco wall with this pineapple finial the rose stands out and makes everyone come closer for a better look.

Limelight Hydrandeas

Limelight Hydrandeas, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

The property is filled with color and things are blooming all year long. Getting to the end of their blooming season these limelight hydrangeas are still so beautiful and last for weeks on arrangements. I also painted the billiant blue lace capped hydrangeas I will share tomorrow,my last day here!

Valley views

Valley views, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

Looking out of the window from moms living room I painted the view she wakes up to every morning. Many days the fog from the ocean creeps in and lays in the bottom of the valley floor.

Anemones

Anemones, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

In one of the shady flowerbeds sits several different colored anemone flowers. Some are white, some pink but all are very invasive and tend to spread really fast. What once was treasured for the wonder flowers and color is now considered a bit of a nuisance. One day you're in, the next you're out!

Hidden Gardens

Hidden Gardens, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

My moms property is nestled on some foothills next to the redwood forest in Mendicino county. She has some of her "garden rooms" tucked under stands of redwoods, this is where this Buddah sits. Watching over this area of the garden surrounded by hydrangeas and anemones she sits on her ivy covered redwood stump.

Rose arbor

Rose arbor, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

My mom made this 75' rose arbor that ends at a gazebo in hopes of having weddings here, overlooking the valley. When blooming the cover the pathway with multicolored petals. Perfectly placed to make any bride feel special, wish it was around when I got married.

Angel wing begonia in Chinese pot

Angel wing begonia in Chinese pot, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

I am visiting my mom in wine country this week. Her 5 acre estate always amazes me. It will forever be a work in progress and filled with secret treasures. Always the interior/exterior designer her eye for beauty and detail has always allowed her to transform the worst into the best. Her deep love of gardening shows everywhere here, taking this overgrown piece of property and transforming it into a place to see in the Valley. At the base of her steps that lead up to the main floor sits this large antique pot that is filled with angel winged begonia.

September Sketching class

I teach a sketching class once a month for a wonderful group of women. Every month we learn something new, technique, paint application etc. This month we worked on how to create a page that shows distance for those distant vistas we all love to photograph when we are on vacation. I took some of my photos that I had actually taken while in Italy of the country mountainsides and printing a bunch of them up. After my demo I mixed up the photos and then had them pick from the stack face side down. This way I wanted to avoid the students making selections based on how hard or easy they thought it might be. It was wonderful to see their faces as they drew their photo!  They did an amazing job of capturing the scene, some did double page layouts some single page. I really enjoy seeing the end results and their sketchbooks are coming right along!

Plating with webbing

Plating with webbing, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

I bought some webbing and sprayed this piece of watercolor paper and then just thought it was too much. So instead of throwing it away or putting it away I grabbed one of my Italy pictures and started throwing on color. I kind of like it! So I will continue playing with it to create textures. If you want to play with me you can purchase the webbing spray at Micheals. If you apply to wet paper the webbing swells and you get bigger lines. This was done on dry paper.

Painting fabric with Copic markers

I taught a class on copic markers and the students did some great pieces. This medium is tricky, like trying to control something uncontrollable. It produces watery, loose representative pieces that can be incorporated into quilts or pillows and are completely washable. It turned out to be a great day, experimenting with different techniques and visiting with friends!

Rocks at Scotty's Cove

With the heat threatening to melt us at 109,we escaped to the ocean and ended up at Crystal Cove State beach. The weather was about 74 and perfect. I carried my art supplies and chairs ( or my hubby did) down the cliff side stairs and found the perfect place to camp out for the day. I ended up spending most of the day just enjoying the breeze, the people and the sound of the waves against the shoreline. I painted two paintings, this one is pastel, done of the rocks close to where we were sitting. The colors were amazing and they seemed to be arranged perfectly. There were tons of wonderfully colored umbrellas, lots of kids and we enjoyed every minute. I wondered why I haven't done this more often.

Rocks at Scotty's Cove

8"x10"

Pastel

The backyard is blooming!

The backyard is blooming!, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.
These Helenium Autumnale or common sneezeweed is in full bloom. The days are long and hot and these beautiful yellow and orange flowers are like a bright light in a dark flowerbed. I love them, standing about 3' tall they are covered in blooms until the frost. This is such an exciting time in the garden, and in the yard. Things are blooming, the garden is producing and we are weeding and trimming like mad! It seems to be the year of the bugs though, I have been fighting things like spider mites, and tomatoe worms along with silverfish and bunnies this year. Gardening isn't for the faint of heart!

Negative Paintings

For my last sketching class we talked about negative paintings. I love things that are painted by surrounding the positive by painting the negative. We worked on a negative painting technique with is both challenging and fun once your brain gets around it. You add layers of color underneath the previous layer and you can create some wonderful paintings. I am now turning these into quilts, excited to see how they translate to fabric.

My Fortune Cookie Quilt

We were each given a fortune cookie and asked to make a small quilt to represent our fortune. My fortune was "Try a new hat for a change in looks. Be creative!" This is Nana's New Hat, I painted the whole quilt and then quilted it. I decided to paint all the hats I wear and make them all one hat! The problem was the size restrictions, I have a whole other top section I have to put on after the show. This exhibit will be traveling to a quilt show in Ohio in October! Fun, there were about 8 of us that will be showing in the exhibit.

More of my extended weekend!

I am going to post some pictures from my weekend in San Clemente, it was an amazing time on the beach, celebrating Dianna's birthday with peach pie and vintage candle holders, visiting Andy's beautiful home on the water and taking pictures with all her funky stuff! It makes me excited for next year and I already miss everyone!

Finished!!

Finished!!, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

So nice to be finished although the weekend could have lasted forever! Lots of laughing and sharing this weekend I will post more photo later to share the fun with you!

Working on more sunflowers in San Clemente

Working on more sunflowers in San Clemente, a photo by ddhabicht on Flickr.

Having an amazing time with my art buddies in SC taking Dianna's amazing class. Our yearly get together at Pattis is always so perfect. They are warm and welcoming and make us all feel like family! This is it so far, more to come.