Art Project Inspired by Matisse

I posted this over at our family blog but thought those who peruse this blog might enjoy this little viewing.

We used the idea in the listed post (see below) as a spring board. We painted our background on watercolor paper and it took us all day because we had to let the paper dry in between. For the fish we painted a sheet with various shades of yellow and orange and the striped fish were a tissue paper glued to cardstock. We also did one sheet for the goldfish bowls and then I cut it in 4 so we each had our own to work with.

I love how different each of our works are. That is the joy of art. Interpretation!

So with the kids all being home this week I thought it might be fun to do an art project following along with what they are doing at school. For the past couple of weeks they have been studying Henri Matisse in art class.

I googled art projects using Matisse and came across this project. I loved the idea. It proved more complex and the kids were frustrated more than once during the day long project! Goldfish seemed like a fun idea during a rainy week.

Here is what we turned out.

William, age 3

Elizabeth, age 8

Ian, age 6Mom, age (well you don't need to know!)

Pay it Forward with a Craft

UPDATE: I just wanted to say this project is still on. I only have one comment to go!
I originally posted this in February. But as September is wearing on we have had a week straight of rain I thought I would bring this post to the front. I am still working on my gifts. Life has a way of sneaking up and taking over the fun projects!

A friend posted this and I thought it might be nice to send out something to others. I get a little caught up in my own life sometimes.

Her words:"This is how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to leave a comment on this post, you must first post a "pay it forward" on your blog. (That means that sometime during this year you will send a gift to 3 people as well.) Get it? So, the first 3 people to comment on this post who have already posted a "Pay it Forward" will be the lucky ones! Good Luck!"

"I'm not into chain things (letters, sticker clubs, whatever), I won't insist that you do, too, but I'll send a little handmade something to the first 3 commenters. February is just that depressing. It needs a bit of joy. Crafty joy :)"

I have an idea of what the little somethings I make will be but a surprise it will be.

IBOL--Iraqi Bundles of Love Update

If you heard about this project here or elsewhere I thought you might be interested in an update. IBOL guy just posted about the state of things. Current count for Bundles of Love is 1921! Lots more in the mail.

You all rock!!

IBOL Sundae

While we didn't actually get to have the Sundaes on Sunday we did eat. And they were good. We included bananas, strawberries, caramel sauce, ganache and Neapolitan ice cream.

They were enjoyed by one and all!

The First (and Second)

Carol over at a scot in tennesee featured me this week in her blog hop post. She asked that I talk a bit about the beginnings. This is the first quilt I made. It was for my BIL for his wedding. I began quilting back in August of 2001. The wedding was in the middle of September 2001. I had about a month to choose fabric, cut, piece and quilt. Squares should be simple right? For the most part I like this quilt. Love the colors. I did my best but lets just say I really should make them another quilt! I hand tied it during the reception! I think it was supposed to be queen sized but I'm not sure what the dimensions ended up being. I have learned a great deal since this first quilt. I am still okay with being imperfect in quilting. If I worried about perfection I would never get any quilts done.


This star quilt was started at the same time (or shortly thereafter) for my brother who happened to get married a week earlier than Scott's brother. I was unable to attend his wedding because I was going to fly out on 9/11. I would run through the emotions of not being able to attend and the awe over what happened that day but we were all there. There was no way for me to get on a plane let alone cross the border to Canada. This star quilt I jumped into head first like so many of my quilts. I thought stars? Diamonds? What can be so hard about this? Well it was a little harder than planned but I love the way it turned out. It was all strip pieced and I hand quilted part of it then ran out of time so machine quilted the rest of it. My sister and her husband came to visit from Banff and they took it and delivered it for me. I think the quilt hung on the wall for a long time. Their apartment had a dark wood paneled wall. It helped to brighten up the place.
I dove into quilting head first and have never looked back. I still love the creation process.

Projects in progress

One of two triangle quilts I am working on for two nieces. They have been cut out and waiting for this step for far too long. I am very hopeful that I can get these twin quilts done before Halloween. It will be a big stretch to get big quilts done in a timely manner.

So I am in charge of the baby quilt for a new little nephew due in about a month. I am torn between making a simple square with sashing. Or a zig zag (or here) quilt. Any thoughts?