The Ascension

This is one of my art quilts; it measures about 50x80 inches. During January and Feb of 2006 I started collecting batiks in the red/orange/yellow color range. Since I was making the quilt during the time between Easter and Christ's Ascension, I was inspired by my devotions to symbolize the ascension with the colors fading at the top. The red lines depict the blood shed and the black lines symbolize how the ascension conquers death for all who believe. The quilting does not show in the picture but this was my first attempt to do machine quilting with my old Kenmore. The thread is a luscious variegated red/orange.

Art quilting is simply an original (no pattern) quilt of any size, usually to be used as a wall hanging.

knitted purse swap 2

knitted purse swap 2 questions
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I like merino wool or cotton blends the best - wool/cotton, silk/cotton, etc. I do love to knit with wool but NC is warm so I don't wear heavy wool sweaters. Lately I prefer good stitch definition so have been knitting with solid colors. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? acrylic, nylon, or extremely "fuzzy"
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a plastic case for knitting needles, but it's full.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned before I was 10, from my mom I think. But I've been actively knitting on and off for only about 5 years. I'd say I'm intermediate and teach myself by looking at good reference books.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yes, amazon under the name "White Oak Studio"
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Oh I love lots of scents - right now I really like citrus, orange, etc. I also love eucalyptus, sandalwood, and jasmine.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate covered caramels, Junior Mints, Hot Tamales and Cinnamon Jelly Bellies... mmmm Dots, Milky Way
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? No I don't spin (I don't need another hobby, my closets are full!!) I dye my own cloth and make art quilts (improvised quilts for wall hangings). I make jewelry and beads and buttons. I also do oil painting, sometimes outside.
8. What's your favorite color(s)? deep jewel tones. RED is my fav., alone or red and white or red and black. I also love lime green (alone or with black or purple) I love stripes or polka-dots. Earthy colors are great too. Any colors you just can't stand? Hmm, can't think of any. Maybe real neon colors and pastels.
9. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I've been married for 26 years to a wonderful man and we have one amazing son who is 12. Our black lab is also an important member of the family - she is an indoor dog.
10. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now - sweaters.
11. What are you knitting right now? Totes, Cardigan for Arwen and Nantucket Jacket from Interweave. And chemo cap for a friend. I've been eyeing sock "how-to"s lately so that probably means that will be my new obsession!
12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I love bamboo and I'll use circular but only when required.
13. Is there anything that you collect? no, not really. yarn. easy, easy recipes. beautiful table napkins (to use).

Color Swap 2007 Questionaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I usually prefer natural fibers. I do use Lion brand for scarves and totes. Knitters put so many hours into their creations that I think we should knit with the best and most beautiful materials we can afford.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? No and no
3. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I'm always deep into something. I rotate among knitting, oil and acrylic painting (landscapes, floral, still life), dying fabric, and art quilting. I am trying to focus more and so I'm in the process of selling and giving away my stamping, scrapbooking, beads, and polymer clay supplies.
4. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? There are so many great yarns available! I love Debbie Bliss and Rowan. Right now my favorite yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I also love cotton and cotton blends and want to try Rowan Wool Cotton soon. I've been eyeing Noro. (added 3/1/07 - Hand-painted sock yarn is now one of my obsessions).
5. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I usually don't like acrylic or metallics. I've also gotten away from using eyelash yarn and bulky yarn.
6. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Knitalongs and swaps!
7. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Sweaters (and socks (added 3/1/07))
8. What are you knitting right now? A tote.
9. Are you a sock knitter? Not yet but I hope to try this soon (update: started knitting socks feb07).
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Are there any colors you hate? I prefer jewel-tone colors, deep rich colors. I love red. Black and white is so classic. I'm also liking lime green, grey-green, avocado green, teal right now. I usually do not like pastel colors much - or neon colors.
11. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, Amazon under "White Oak Studio"
12. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) No.
13. Do you have any religious prohibitions or restrictions? I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. No dietary restrictions.
14. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love citrus, eucalyptus, and jasmine. Right now my favorite is Eucalyptus Spearmint from Bath&Body Works. I love their entire line of aromatherapy products.
15. Do you burn candles? Yes, often.
16. Do you have a sweet or salt tooth? Probably more salt than sweet, although I love both.
17. Do you drink coffee, tea or cocoa? I love strong, black coffee. And hot cocoa too. I love Starbucks lattes!
18. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I've been married 25 years and we have a 12 year old son. I like to joke and say I'm in my second marriage since we were married 13 years before having a child - so the "first" marriage is very different than the "second" :-) !! We also have a very loving black labrador retriever who has the run of the house.
19. What are some of your favorite things? Mountains, hiking, biking, singing at church, watching tv (I admit it), reading in bed, books, music, traveling (I've been to most of the national parks)
20. Is there anything that you collect? I've grown weary of having so much "stuff" so I'm not collecting anymore; I'm actually purging. Now I like to get and give beautiful things that are useable, wearable, eatable or consumable in some way.
21. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween, only because I love the autumn weather.
22. What is your birthday? (You don't have to tell the year) November 2, 1959 - I'm 47 years old! YIKES.

Stash

I bought this Knit Picks "Wool of the Andes" a couple of months ago and intended to knit a fair isle sweater with it. I love the color combination. But now I'm concerned the sweater will be too hot to wear in our Southern climate, so I'm using the yarn for a striped knitted tote. If it turns out well, it will be a gift for someone. I might have enough yarn for two totes.

This "Garter Cardi" is from the "Big Fish, Little Fish" book. I'm knitting the adult version in Lamb's Pride worsted. I love how the simple garter stitch borders set off the stst. This is the first time I've knitted buttonholes. I'm working on the sleeves now - almost finished with the first sleeve.

This is the left front of Cardigan for Arwen. I had to rip it out twice before I got the hang of the cables. Isn't the sheen from the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn amazing?