A Quilt for a Cause

These photos just came from my in-laws. I designed this quilt ages ago, I cut and designed it, my MIL did the sewing, it was hand quilted by the Mennonite women of my MIL's congregation and it will be sold at auction in Sept 2010 to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. I can't wait to see it in person, but for the moment these photos will have to do. It's king size, four colors. White, light pink, dark pink and black, all commercial cottons, pinwheel pattern.  It's draped over their double bed.

And while I'm at it I'll show the other photos my MIL included. This is a small quilt. I think my husband's grandmother embroidered the blocks (not sure on that) I found some colors in my MIL's fabric stash to make the sashing. My MIL sewed it all together and look how it turned out. There is a photo of her working at the hand quilting, I don't know if this is in progress or if she has finished it.  If it isn't finished, it will be finished soon because she'll be ready to get out in the garden.

 It's fun to see how things turn out when you are part of the team that creates something.  I'm planning on being there in September to see the auction, I've never had a quilt in the auction before and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

On the home front, I continue to improve physically.  I feel stronger each day, I'm off the narcotics and moving around - maybe a tad slowly - but I'm moving.  The parade of food from family and church friends has our fridge full to the gills, I put a bunch of stuff in the freezer this morning because were were running out of room.  It was warm here today and I spent much of the afternoon on the couch with a novel.  Tomorrow?  I want to finish that novel!  Sounds like a GREAT plan!

Happy Creating (or happy novel reading)
-Carmen Rose

Just a few items from the flurry

I have been very busy since my last post. And there is almost too much water under the bridge to fit in one post. I’ve posted my line of Garnished Poems on Etsy and also on my website. Going back through these was an interesting exercise since I haven’t looked at them since early this year. And some of them still feel very fresh to me. As always there are some I like better than others. Here is one favorite.

I’ve also posted my black and white alphabet photography series on Etsy and also on my website. I really love how graphic and quirky these alphabet photographs are when made into words. It is so fun to choose the letters that fit best from a visual perspective. It took quite some time to get all those photographs resized down to little tiny internet files but I’m happy with how things look. I had to add copyright protection information which I found rather annoying but it’s wise to protect the investment from those who would just save and print out my work as if it were their own. Anyone coming from my website can get to the Etsy page to make the purchase. I hope it’s an easy interface for most folks. I love the whole idea of these photographs. Actually, this has really led me to fall in love with the alphabet all over again. Seems strange, I know, but I love the simple graphic elements of the alphabet. It has me transfixed and I have projects waiting in the wings for a little time to complete them. More alphabet photography! Yes! I’ll be having more of that!



All the work on Etsy and my website has led to a complete overhaul of the site. An completely new look and I’ve tried some things I’ve left alone in the past. Surf on over and let me know what you think. CarmenRoseStudio.com

I’ve also been busy in the studio making soap. And I have a major event this weekend or else I’d spend some time making photos of the latest soaps and post them. I want to get that product line posted on Etsy and my website as soon as I can but it won’t be this week. I’ve gotten some reactions to the soaps now and am delighted to see that they go over beautifully. I’ll be selling soap and mineral makeup at the local Farmer’s Market. I wouldn’t have considered that a year ago but now it seems like it may be a good way to meet people in the town I call home these days.

Yeah, I make the mineral makeup that I wear but am still in the beginning stages of making a product line. I gotta tell ya, I love the products that I’ve made so far! I’ve made a skin care (not a cosmetic) combination of minerals, green tea and vitamin E that I wear under my makeup and at night. I’m completely amazed by what the simple combination has been able to do for my skin. Plus… since all mineral makeup is NOT created equal and there are a lot of products out there touting “Mineral Makeup” that actually have ingredients that are HARMFUL and known irritants… well, let’s just say I’m delighted to be making a product that I know is good for my skin and just happens to look great on me. Plus, I managed an exact match to my skin tone. You can’t say that everyday… my makeup matches me! Yay! Anyway, how did I get on that tangent?

I have a big event this weekend that has completely hijacked my schedule and I don’t mind a bit. It will be a great opportunity to share my work with a diverse group of people and support a great cause.

A thunder storm is blowing up and I must get home and let the border collies inside so they don't freak out completely.
ta ta