.~Praying For Peace in 2013.~

Praying For Peace

9" X 12"

Acrylic on Canvas

Sides are painted ~ No need to frame!

Folk Art Painting by Traci Suzanne Marvel

For Sale On eBay

I live in a little log house in Montana. It snowed all day today. A perfectly wonderful day to pull out the paints and brushes and create something special. My dog Cowboy went outside several times while I was painting and sat by the Christmas tree that we have covered with cranberries for the birds.

He would put his nose up into the air and stare at the big Montana sky and I think...yes I truly think he was praying. I think he was praying for Peace in 2013.

Cowboy is often my muse in many of my paintings. This dog doesn't look like Cowboy, but he sure has Cowboy's heart.



.~In Memory.~

"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together..there is something you must always remember.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.  But the most important thing is, even if we're apart..I'll always be with you."

                                               Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

.~Keep Going.~

.~11th Day of Christmas Quote.~

.~ Moments Notice.~

"How did it happen that their lips came together?  How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that  the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill?

 A kiss, and all was said." ~ Victor Hugo

.~Good Morning Day!.~

 

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world."  Oscar Wilde

 

.~12th Day Of Christmas Quote.~

.~Tips On Eliminating Negativity.~

I discovered some tips here http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_00002d.htm
 that will be helpful for me today:
A Few Tips:
- Every time you catch yourself thinking a negative thought, reject the thought, and think a positive one instead.
- If you catch yourself visualizing failure, visualize success instead.
- If you hear yourself uttering negative words, change to positive words instead.
- When you say, "I cannot", say, "I can".
- Do you repeat negative words and phrases in your mind? Change them to positive ones.
- Open your mind to positive attitude and expect positive results.
- Decide that from today, from this very moment, you are leaving negative thinking behind, and starting on the way toward positive thinking and behavior.

[b]It is never too late to change your attitude and your life.[/b]

.~ Process of Elimination.~

e·lim·i·nate  

/iˈliməˌnāt/

Verb Completely remove or get rid of (something). Exclude (someone or something) from consideration.

Synonyms remove - exclude I believe that if one wants to reinvent oneself, then the first thing to do is to throw out the things that just are not working in their favor.  For the next 90 days my goal is to pick one thing each day that I discover hinders me in reaching my goals.. I will write them down as I discover what they are. 1. Negative thinking 2. Clutter . .

.~More Roadside Attractions.~

.~Sundance Canyon.~

Sundance Delight

If you get the chance to eat at the Foundry Grill at the Sundance Resort, I highly suggest that you indulge in the artichoke as an appetizer. The chef's there certainly know how to put the art into artichoke!

.~Thinking Of You Today.~

 

.~Thinking Of My Mom.~

.~ Perseverance.~

.~ Seven and In Heaven.~

Me at seven years of age in total bliss.

~.Memory Quilt #2~

A little memory quilt I made.

5 Elements that tell you a bit about me.

 I am a vegan. Cows are my friend.

Watching birds fills me with peace.

Daisy's are my favorite flower.

It is important for me to get out into nature every day.

Every night I reflect on my day and thank my lucky stars.

.~ Watch Dogs.~

I know there are many Dark Knights out there,

 I but I choose to focus on and have faith in

the Good Knights that exisit. ~ Traci Suzanne Marvel

.~Time Out.~

.~Lighten Up~.~ Sketch #4

Hare Short

Sketch by Traci Suzanne Marvel

We are each other's angels, we meet when it is time.

                                                                                                 ~ Chuck Brodsky

.~Lighten Up!.~ Sketch #3

- Flower Delivery -

Sketch by Traci Suzanne Marvel

"In seeking happiness for others, 
you find it for yourself." 
                                                          Anonymous 

.~Lighten Up.~ Sketch #2

Garden Party Sketch

Before summer is over, I am going to host a garden party.  

It just seems like a fun thing to do.

.~ Lighten Up.~ Sketch #1

A little sketch from my sketchbook.

Don't you just love it when someone brightens up your day?

I sure do.

I am taking a class that is offered at marilu.com

It is called Lighten Up!

Here is the goal of the class:

"To offer inspiration and support for you in lightening up your life."

Now who doesn't need a little lightening up these days?

It will be a fun and uplifting class.

Why don't you join us?

Learn all about it here: marilu.com

Hope to see you there!

Wine and Aurifil Thread Pairings: Smooth and Accessible

 

Quail Series

2008 White Blend

Buy Wine Here: Covey Run

Covey Run: Liquid Goodness since 1982

Covey Run wines are both award winning and affordable. What more can you ask for?  Located in the heart of Washington State. their website boasts that they have provided a perfect introduction to the vivid, delicious flavors of Washington State wines for nearly 30 years.

I happen to have a thing for quails, so really Covey Run had me from the label!

Wine Description

The 2008 White Wine is smooth and accessible, exhibiting floral aromas, zesty citrus and subtle spice flavors.

Read more of about this wine on their website: 2008 White Blend Wine Tasting Notes

I do encourage you to visit the Covey Run website: to learn more about their wine maker, their wine making team, their vineyards and the wonderful things they do for the Seattle's Children's Hospital.

I paired the Covey Run Quail Series 2008 White Blend with the following Aurifil Thread Colors

Buy Aurifil Threads Here: Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

2610 Aurifil Cotton Medium Grey

1125 Aurifil Cotton Deep Teal Blue

1114 Aurifil Bright Medium Green

2135 Aurifil Cotton Bright Yellow Orange

1154 Aurifil Cotton Deep Red Orange

2024 Aurifil Cotton Bright White

4241 Aurifil Cotton Soft Black

Aurifil Cotton Thread comes in 4 different wts.

50, 40, 28 and 12. 

BUY AURIFIL THREADS HERE: Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

Smooth and Accessible
describes
Covey Run Quail Series 2008 White Blend 

 and Aurifil Threads to a T! 

~ Divertirsi!

Woolin Rouge Wednesdays - Je me présente

Woolin Rouge Designs 

A Cabaret of Folk Art Designs so easy anyone

 Can~Can do them!

Mimi~La~Mutton

Bonjour, my name is Mimi~La~Mutton. I am the Grand Dame of Woolin Rouge Designs.  Sylvia and Traci - the masterminds behind this outfit - have asked me to Host Woolin Rouge Wednesdays for them. Are you familiar with Woolin Rouge Designs? 

Woolin Rouge Designs Studio 

The designs above are a work in progress right now.  Traci sketched me and the Woolin Rouge Studio and Sylvia is bringing these designs to life in wool as I type this.  And you know, it is quite hard to typw when you have hooves for fingers.  So please excuse any typo's.

Let's start Woolin Rouge Wednesdays by getting to know Sylvia and Traci a bit more.

Sylvia Gauthier
Blog: Excessive Compulsive Sewing

Meet Sylvia Gauthier

Getting To Know Sylvia Gauthier and Traci Suzanne Marvel

 5 Questions At A Time:

1. How did you and Traci meet?

I had heard about some wonderful new quilt patterns that had been introduced at Quilt Market by a company called Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. After trying to find them on the internet, I finally made a phone call to the company. Guess who answered the phone....Traci! One conversation led to another and I ended up making Trunk Shows for Bigfork Bay Cotton Company. Traci and I never actually MET until a few years later when I went to Bigfork for an Art Auction that Traci had organized to raise money for a Cancer Walk she was going to do. We have really only been face to face two other times.

2. It’s a different work relationship for two design partners to live so far apart. How do you design this way?

Thank goodness for telephones, digital cameras, and the internet. We send a lot of pictures over the internet while talking on the phone. Fortunately, we can be very honest with each other and know we aren’t stepping on toes or hurting feelings. As a team, we each have different strengths that we bring to the table and it works so well.

3. What kind of thread do you prefer in your designs?

The Brand I love is Aurifil. I love using the Aurifil Lana Wool for wool applique, the 12 weight for embroidery and stitching, and the 50 weight for piecing my quilts and machine quilting.

4. Who came up with the name Woolin Rouge?

Traci! Remember what I said about different strengths? Well, one of Traci’s strengths is an amazing creative mind. She came up with the name in the Shower. And the saying that “We are a Cabaret of folk art designs so easy anyone Can Can do them.” Don’t you just LOVE it!!! She’s brilliant.

5. Is it true that your design, Holly Birdie, was on the cover of a French Magazine?

It sure is!!! But isn’t that where a French Can Can Design should be? Marianne Byrne-Goarin, owner of a French design company called Cinnamon Patch and I had been facebook friends so I promised to meet her when I was at Quilt Market. While talking, she asked if Woolin Rouge would be interested in doing a design for the magazine Quilt Country. We submitted Holly Birdie and the next thing we knew we received our copies with Holly Birdie right there on the COVER! It was an honor to work with such a great group of women.

Mimi: Thanks Sylvia!  Next Wednesday,  I will have you answer the questions that Traci is answering today.  And Traci will answer the questions you answered today.  That way it keeps everything entertaining.  That is my responsibility as a can~can dancer, to keep things entertaining.  Life is a cabaret you know.

MEET TRACI SUZANNE MARVEL

Traci's Etsy Store

When did your love affair with quilting begin?

 Truth be known, I don't actually quilt. Well I take that back, I don't machine quilt -yet.  But I do hand sew. I enjoy English Paper Piecing.  I also enjoy making art quilts using the fusible web technique and creating designs with wool using the freezer paper method. The first time I threaded a needle I was hooked! I think that was back in 3rd or 4th grade. And textiles ~ LOVE, LOVE, LOVE textiles! I love, love, love the colors, the textures, the designs, the smells, the everything!                                                                                                             

What do you like to when you are not quilting?
I am the Sales/Marketing Director for the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company. I travel extensively to shops all over the coutry lecturing on how to bring BBCC's beautiful patterns to life, as well as, exhibit at retail quilt shows and wholesale trade shows.photography and folk art painting are also passions of mine.
Name 3 Textile Artists that inspire you?
 In the world of quilting there are inspirations around every corner!
Narrowing it down to 3 is difficult, but if I have to I would say Brenda Yirsa, Debi Hubbs and Pat Sloan.
What is your favorite experience with Woolin Rouge to date?
I think my favorite Woolin Rouge experience to date was when I opened up the package that Sylvia sent that contained the final installment of the Birdie For All Seasons Table Ensemble Series. We had Hippie Birdie, Holly Birdie and Acorn~O~Copia Birdie and now I had Humming Birdie in my hands.  As soon as I opened the package and held it in my hands, all seemed well with the world.  Oh and it  just gorgeous. Sylvia out did herself on this one!
If you were a super hero what powers would you possess?
In context to this interview, I would have to say I would be a super hero at machine motion quilting like Sylvia is. And of course...world peace:) I would want to arrange that somehow.

MIMI: Merci' girls!  Looking forward to meeting again with you next Wednesday.  For those of you who are interested in purchasing Woolin Rouge's patterns and kits visit Bigfork Bay Cotton Company's website. Aurifil wool and cotton thread can be found there as well.

~ Au Revoir ~

.~Mini Memory Art Quilt Monday.~ Week 1

Buy Total Memory Makeover at Barnes and Nobles

The lesson's I am learning from Marilu Henner's new book Total Memory Makeover inspired me to create mini memory art quilts.  I have finished my first one.  This design was conceived after I did a memory retrieval exercise that she gave us to do during her Memory Makeover Class.

In Marilu's book, she talks about different categories of memory retrieval: Horizontal, Vertical, Mushrooming and Sporadic. I tend to go straight for the sporadic for some reason.  Maybe it is because I grew up in the San Fran Bay Area in the 70's!

Sporadic memories, according to Marilu, are "sparked in your mind for no apparent reason, random images that pop into your head seemingly disconnected from what. is going on in the present time."

Basically, you start remembering one thing, which leads to another which leads to another.  Once you get going it is very hard to stop!  I find it quite exhilarating! 

Here is my first design that spawned from a sporadic memory session.

Marcel MarSnow

with

Scout & Harlequinn Hulabaloo

The starting memory was this:

First grade in art class making a snowman out of cotton balls.
Feeling pretty proud of my artwork.
The teacher told me to sign my name at the right hand corner of the pink construction paper, I remember this huge adrenaline rush go through my entire body.  I think it was at that time I decided that I wanted to be an artist.
Thinking of the snowman artwork led me to think about coming home from school. I looked so forward to seeing, Coa~Coa, our family dog who I loved (and still do) more than life itself. I started thinking how I would put biscuits on Coa~Coa's nose and have her hold them there for a minute and then I say go and she would fling the bisuit up in the air and catch it in her mouth.  She loved that game.  I changed out the biscuit from my memory to a red ball.

This is me and Coa~Coa

Now that memory led me to one of the happiest teenage memories. My mom took me to see Marcel Marceau at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA.  He was magnificent.  Through his entire performance, I felt that same adrenaline rush that I felt in first grade when I signed my artwork.
( I've learned from Marilu that memories that evoke the release of adrenaline are some of the easier memories to retrieve.) My mom managed a way for us to get back stage after the performance. I met  Mr. Marceau. He held my hand and it was so warm. That moment created yet another adreninline rush.  I will never for get that moment or that feeling.

Marcel Marceau

Picture Courtesy of NNDB

The  memory of feeling the warmth of Marcel Marceau's hands made me think of my bird  Harlequin Hullabaloo. He was a birthday gift that my mom got me when I was 12-year-old. I taught him how to talk.  And in the morning while getting ready for school, he would fly up on my shoulder and cuddle up under my hair on the nape of my neck. He always started my day that way.

That memory led me to think about my father, because I remember when my Harlequin Hullaboo passed away and my father helped me with the funeral arrangements.  I remember how sad I was and how comforting he was to me.  I can hear his voice right now and feel his hugs.

This is me and my dad

And thinking of my dad reminded me of the time he took me to the circus for the first time. It was my birthday.  I think I might have been nine or ten.  A three ring circus to boot!  It was loads of fun and one of my most fondest birthdays I can remember. My most favorite part was the clowns.  They made me laugh so hard.

And then I had to stop thinking because it was time to get ready for work. Otherwise I could have gone on a "sporadic" memory adventure for hours and hours!"
It was enough info to help design this little quilt block.

All the key elements from my memory session are there:
1. The snowman
2. The dog (which I named Scout because that was another memory I have of loving the movie to Kill A Mocking Bird)
3. Marcel Marceau: As Bip, he always wore a sailor suit and had a red flower coming out of his top hat. However I changed the top hat this this plaid hat because it reminded me of the hat my godfather, Jack Haley wore when he came to visit us. Jack by the way was the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.
4. There is the little bird.
5. And the little pennants that represent the circus.
That was super fun to make and I used wool from my stash and Aurifil thread both wool (white) and 12 wt cotton.(black) By the way, you can buy Aurifil thread at The Bigfork Bay Cotton Company
I hope this encourages you to make a memory quilt too!
If you do, be sure to share it with me!
Onto the next memory session!

.~Trust and Hope.~

Wine & Aurifil Thread Pairings Great Length, Good Weight and Crisp Finish

Oregeon based A to Z Wineworks offers Aristrocratic Wines at Democratic Prices.  Love that tag line!

Also love exploring their website.  They  have downloadable tasting sheets about each of their wines which is so helpful in finding just the wine you need for each occasion.

Wine Description
The 2011 A to Z Pinot Gris is bright with tropical aromas of lime, kiwi, orange blossom, and tangerine as well as complex aromas of rose, melon and talc. The attack is lively, juicy and pure with wonderful lush fruit and mineral notes. Tangy citrus flavors combine with ripe peach, pear and quince notes to produce a very pretty and seamless mid-palate. The wine has good weight and great length that ultimately ends with a clean, crisp finish.

2011 A to Z Pinot Gris

Buy Wine  Here: Wine Transit

Aurifil Cotton Threads  are perfectly suited for every quilt project.
Choose between 4 different wts: 50, 40, 28 and 12

Buy Aurifil Threads Here: Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

Great Length, Good Weight and Crisp Finish!
~ Divertirsi!

Wine And Aurifil Thread Pairings: Balance and Strength

Some people pair wine with food as for me...

It is a known fact that I love wine.  And I love Aurifil thread equally as well.  So I took my love of wine and my love of Aurifil thread and brought the two together.  Each week I will spotlight a bottle of wine that I have discovered and pair it with the insatiating colors of Aurifil thread.

Today's pick is a wine from Banrock Station.  I love Banrock's tag line: Fine Australian wines, making an impact around the world. This particular bottle definitly made an impact at my house.

The other wonderful thing about Banrock Station wines is that they support global enviromental projects.  Visit Banrock's website to read more about there more than 95 projects in 13 different countries.

Wine Description

A red wine with rich berry fruit flavors.

Soft Vanillan oak and a fine tanin structure

create balance and strength.

Banrock Station 2010 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Buy Wine Here: Wine Transit

I paired this wine with the following Aurifil thread colors. 

Buy Thread Here: Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

2000 Aurifil Cotton Ecru

2605 Aurifil Cotton Grey

1147 Aurifil Cotton Lime Green

1243 Aurifil Cotton Dark Lavender

~ Divertirsi!

Aurifil Cotton Threads

Aurifil Thread comes in 4 different wts.

50, 40, 28 and 12.

To learn more about Aurifil the different wts and what they are used for visit

Aurifil's Official Website

BUY AURIFIL THREADS HERE: Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

I found the balance and the strength in both Banrock Station 2010 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon and these 4 smooth Aurifil Cotton threads.