Friday, April 26, 2019

Good News - Quilt accepted in Lancaster QuiltFest Show!

I have good news to share! My "Holiday Banner" quilt has been accepted in the 2019 Lancaster Mancuso Quilt Fest. If you are in Lancaster you can stop by and see it along with other beautiful quilts which will be on display. I've posted some photos so you can take a look, in case you can't make it to the show! The theme of the show was "Throwback Quilts". This is an earlier quilt I completed in 2013. I am just getting back into entering shows again, so I am very happy my quilt was accepted.




Detail: "Holiday Banner" Wall hanging, 
by Denise Buchwalter-Losczyk, copyright 2013.



Full View: "Holiday Banner" Wall hanging,
 Denise Buchwalter-Loscyzk, copyright 2013.
Happy Creating,

and Many Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk



Sunday, April 14, 2019

Pecan Tree Quilt Project

Happy Spring everyone!

Today I'm sharing some photos from one of the projects I've been working on. I used to work on one project at a time, but lately I've been working on different projects, off and on. It is a different approach but it is enjoyable in its own way!

Here are some photos from my Pecan Tree in Winter project:

It started with a drawing I made from my studio window of our Pecan tree during the Arizona winter months. Here is a photo of our Pecan and Pear tree.  (I edited out the Pear tree in front, and only included the Pecan tree, also the drawing was made at a slightly different angle.)

Winter pecan and pear tree in our yard.


Here is a photo of the drawing I made. I first made a pencil drawing, then traced it onto canvas, using black and blue fabric markers. I plan to add machine needle felted embellishment, and perhaps some stitching on top of the design. I'll then cut out the tree portion and applique it onto a background.


Black and blue drawing on canvas.

















I've been working on a sky background using hexies (English paper pieced hexagons).


Some of the hexies laid out on my cutting table.



Close up of the hexies (hexagons), I used snowflake 
fabrics, hand painted fabrics, and will also 
use some blue solids with a texture to them.




























I'm planning to add some shadows on the ground, as well in the design. We will see how it all looks when it is completed! Also, some additional details, which I will share as it is completed.

I enjoy imagining a design, and bringing it to fruition! 

Hope you enjoy seeing my progress, 

Happy Creating,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk


Monday, April 8, 2019

Gardening and Apple Core Block project

Good Afternoon!

It has been busy here lately! Not so much with art and quilting, but we have been busy in the garden. Starting new seeds, and preparing garden beds.

Here is one of my favorite new things in our yard/garden:

Strawberry Pyramid - we ordered a kit from Burgess.com, though you can find it at other nursery sites and other catalogs, also. The kit came with the aluminum border, and with a hose sprinkler hook up. My husband put it together for us. (though I am the strawberry lover in the family!) 

This is an early photo, the strawberries have started to grow, and a few even have flowers. I'll post an updated photo later on. 

We put screening down first to keep the gophers out, then a layer of cardboard and mulch, to deter weeds. Then we purchased good soil to help the strawberries thrive. We planted an everbearing strawberry assortment of Eversweet, Ozark Beauty, Fort Laramie, and Quinault berries. I am excited about the Eversweet Strawberries, as they are said to do well in temperatures over 100. Hoping it will be a nice strawberry patch for years to come.

Strawberry Pyramid



















Here is project that I started on, but have scrapped for the meantime! I cut the fabrics out using my Brother Scan n Cut DX electronic cutter. It is an Apple Core table runner. I used small blocks since I had 5 inch charm squares, with apple print designs that I wanted to use. The apple print fabrics were from Benartex, I included other fabrics to complement them. The blocks were small, so I had difficulty piecing them. (I will try piecing larger apple core blocks in the future, and that should be much easier!) I will most likely applique them to a background in the future to make a table runner. The pieces are living in my scrap box for now, until I feel motivated to pick them up again!  The block was one of the built in designs that came with the cutter. I do like how the fabrics look together.

Apple Core Patch Table runner project

Close up Apple Core Blocks

Fruit Tree Blossoms in our yard






















































Last is a photo of some tree blossoms in our yard. I can't remember if this is from our Almond or Fruit trees. Many are blossoming now! It is definitely feeling like Spring here!

Happy Spring to everyone! Hope you are enjoying warmer weather, and a nice Spring season.

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk