Planning ahead and filling in the spaces

I know I don't make resolutions at the beginning of the year, but I am always planning ahead.

Sometimes the plans don't come to fruition, but I like to collect together my ideas for projects to make, designs I may imagine, shows and contests to enter, and other opportunities that may come my way. It is good to stay open to the possibilities.

Thought I would share with you my re-furbished planner, and a notebook I have chosen for starting the year. Here are some photos:

My chosen notebook for the start of the year,

and a refurbished planner I found in my stash.

Close up of the planner, I used embossing for the numbers, 

and the photo is a print on fabric of a photo I took of our sunflowers.

Calendar collaged on with Washi Tape, 

and a little drawing/doodling in the empty spaces.

More doodling and drawing. I like the idea of using 

those empty spaces, nothing goes to waste!

The remainder of the year in the back of the book.

I like the idea of using items I have on hand, rather than running out and purchasing new items, and I have a bit of a stash of supplies to use up! (It makes me very happy!)

Wishing you good plans in the year ahead, and hope many good things come your way in 2019,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Good News! Quilt published!

I have good news to share today. My "A Milagro Pondering" quilt which I made for the "Mended" Quilting Arts Reader Challenge has been published in the February/March 2019 issue of Quilting Arts Magazine.

It was a great experience making this little quilt. The quilt is 12 in. x 12 in. in size. I made it back in August of last year, so I've known about the acceptance  for a while, but have waited until the magazine came out to share it. The design for the quilt came to me when I read about the challenge. I named it "A Milagro Pondering" because it reminded me of "Milagro" charms. "Milagro" means miracle in Spanish. The text added to the little quilt popped into my head, too, while working on the quilt.

Here are some photos of the quilt:

Full view of quilt, I used machine quilting and stitching, hand embroidery, needle-felting, tatting,  brass and button embellishments. The words on the ribbon say: "Sorrow interrupts the happiness of life, still life goes on, night, day, stars shine, birds sing, flowers grow and we heal our sorrows and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us". The little snail button was a gift many years ago from a dear friend. The binding on the quilt is Tunisian simple stitch.

Close up view of quilt. The silk embroidered patches in the center of the heart were leftover from another larger project.

Another close up.

Quilting Arts Feb/March 2019 Issue in which my quilt is published.

My entry into the "Notions" Reader Challenge was also published in the 

Dec 2018/Jan 2019 issue of Quilting Arts magazine. 

You can read more about it in earlier blog!

Hope you will check out Quilting Arts Magazine, and the other Reader Challenge entries. They are all inspiring, as is Quilting Arts Magazine!

Happy Creating and Quilting,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Happy New Year 2019! Thoughts on Resolutions and my finished mini challenge quilt!

Happy New Year 2019!

Like many others you may be busy making resolutions for the New Year. I am usually tempted to jump on the Resolution wagon and join challenges for the year. One thing I discovered last year is that the monthly challenges I joined were often not met because new opportunities presented themselves.

This year I've decided to follow my heart, leave my time more open and create more on my own. I do have an ongoing list of things I would like to achieve that I am always working towards. I'm hoping to get back to entering juried shows and showing my work. I plan to keep working on my projects, so I have some completed ones to share! Also, looking forward to exploring more in my studio, trying out new techniques to incorporate in my work and also improve on my already existing skills.

Here is a photo of my recently completed entry in the "Heat it Up" Quilting Arts Reader Challenge. My little quilt was not chosen this time, but I am very happy I took the time to make it. I explored some new techniques. I may have to set up a little gallery area in my studio for these little quilts.

I do plan to enter more Quilting Arts Magazine Challenges in the future, they are great for expanding your creativity.

Full view of my little 7 inch x 7 inch quilt. 

I used Angelina Fibers for the binding.

Detail view of quilt, using fused elements to embellish 

and enameled charms left over from an enameling class I took.

Another close up - Glass butterfly beads on the left.

Whether you chose to make Resolutions or not, I wish you Happy Creating in 2019!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk