Finishing the rainbow quilt

I finished the rainbow quilt by sewing some simple grid patterns in to the quilt. Mostly I just stitched in the ditch (followed the seam lines) and used the backing as the binding.

Finished quilt

Backing.

The above pictures were taken before I washed and dried the quilt, so it's a bit more comfy and puckered now. It usually highlights the quilting after you wash it, so you just have to imagine the grid pattern on the quilt.

I'm glad I finished this quilt. But as my Mother asks, "So what's your new project?" 

Onto the next project. Not sure if it will be a sewing hobby project, or something else. That's the great thing about hobbies. They exist only to please yourself. It's not for profit or to please anyone, just for you. There are no deadlines, and they never need to be finished unless you want to.

Artists and Illustrators of whom I am supremely jealous

Here's some work by Craig Fraizer whose blog I follow. He's a children's book illustrator that also blogs about other people's work in his industry that impresses him. One post is of his own work that started in the early eighties, and was retrofitted--re-worked--for today with the new software and techniques available.
Go here for more:

http://36pages.com/living-letters/

Just great stuff Craig. I want to get this book.

Ruth

Lullaby Book-Danny Boy

This particular song isn't a lullaby per se, but it is for me especially for my little boy,

Hope you like this illustration. I edited out the last two verses which focus very heavily on death. That and who really needs four verses in a lullaby? I don't so I cut them. I like being my own editor.

Danny boy, Illustration by Ruth Krueger

Original Sketch for Danny Boy

I had a couple hours today where I could do this project. I'm going to be uber busy with a wedding this coming week so I may postpone the next lullaby post until the week after.

Ruth

Lullaby Book-Hush Little Baby

Update: 6/6/11
Here is the revised version of Hush Little Baby. I think I like this version, where the goat is white and the Mockingbird is grey.

Here is the next installment of the Lullaby Book.
Featuring, "Hush Little Baby".

I never remembered the words to this lullaby, or rather even knew them past the first two verses. I started on this illustration yesterday and hated it immediately. So today in-between dropping of the quilt at the long arm quilters and lunch I finally worked out a sketch I liked, and finished it after putting the little guy to bed.

Here it is. It's much more subdued color wise as opposed to the last one but all the bright colors just weren't working for me.

Hush Little Baby, Illustration by Ruth Krueger

I'm starting to wonder if I should have made the billy-goat white.

Original Sketch

After a very unhappy first draft, I added the rest of the contents of the song: a looking glass, and a cart and bull. I'm happier with the final than with the first. I also perched the billy-goat differently. 

What do ya'll think?

Ruth

Artists and Illustrators of whom I am extremely jealous

For today's little envy carnival, I have found Manuel Rebollo.

Well, first, TextureCulture found him, and then Cracked.com commissioned him for illustrations, and now, I would like all of you to see his work.

Manuel Rebollo

Manuel Rebollo

He has a blog that you should really visit, as well as a portfolio website.

Manuel Rebollo

Manuel Rebollo

Good Work Manuel. Super lovely work.

Ruth

New Quilt, Single girl in a batik dress

Here is my latest quilt that I've been working on.

It's based on the Denyse Schmidt quilt pattern "Single Girl". I'm calling mine 'Single girl in a batik dress."

I don't have a dedicated sewing room, or a design wall, so it goes on the floor in the living room. But, I'm proud of myself for doing curves. It's not something I ever 'choose' to do. 

In the mean time, I found this incredible resource. It's called Yale Digital. The Yale Library is digitizing art, prints and pictures in a searchable index. So, say, if you need a picture of something, take a look there. It might be a bit better quality than say google images. Or not. But I believe the only place they would be is in the database, I think* that the art they are digitizing belongs to Yale.

http://discover.odai.yale.edu/ydc/

Here's a fun idea, just plug in a word and see what they have. They are still in the process of taking pictures and what not so not everything in the world is there. But, it's a nice search into what Yale has and it's nice that they are willing to share it.

Ruth

New Robot Pajamas

I just finished some pajamas for my little guy. I found this very loud, very fun fabric at Hobby Lobby and since I am enamored with Robots, and his room is decorated in that theme, I decided to make him some pajamas. PJ's can be really loud right?

So I finished them and he wore them last night.

So sad....Soooo Sad.

Ok, things are better.

So, it seems that the color scheme is a bit........arresting visually. He looks like he's a clown doctor.  He's wearing clown robot pajamas. They are much louder than his whines, or screams, or laughs. Somehow these pajamas are louder than the tantrums of a almost two year old who hates putting on pajamas. Especially ones with buttons. 

I used a Simplicity pattern, and decided to forgo the collar. I did add a decorative button placket out of the striped material from his pants as well as a pocket. For when he needs to carry stuff around with him...I guess.

Maybe i'll stick to store-bought pajamas from now on. 

Ruth

Style Schematic

My Good friend Nikki just migrated her blog to a new wordpress site.

Style Schematic

You should go there. Right now there is a superb posting about fabulous amazing custom wigs.
I am salivating. We wore a lot of wigs in college, and these would just about be the most wonderful wigs in the history of fake hair.

Make sure to visit the etsy seller, Sweet Hayseed.

Until then. Here are some cool pictures from a photographer and wedding planner Milkweed, they do eco wedding flowers.

Fabulous.

Ruthie

Llama Font

Look what I just found on Notcot.org!

Llama Font.

Say it in Llamas!

http://llamafont.com/llamafied/1dn

The below is "Do you like Llama's? I do!"

• d
• o

• y
• o
• u

• l
• i
• k
• e

• l
• l
• a
• m
• a
• s
• ?

• i

• d
• o
• !

Lego Round-up

Look what crazy awesome Lego themed products are out there. My little son is loving the large lego blocks, and I can imagine that these super cool lego products would keep me entertained as well...

http://design-milk.com/leg-go-stilettos/

 I can't imagine walking in these. I made a pair of 'embellished' shoes in college. I used lots of hot glue, lots of red rhinestones and made myself some Red Ruby Combat Boots. I was Dorothy for Halloween.

http://uniquedaily.com/2010/12/lego-brick-toy-box/
I really want one of these toy boxes for Jed.I. It would look a lot cooler than the overflowing clear plastic tub wouldn't it?

http://walyou.com/lego-calculator/

I just don't know how this would work. But I want to try. Can you imagine a Lego Graphing Calculator?

http://wn.com/More_Lego_stuff

I just found out that I'm not eligible for an upgrade on Verizon. My phone died in December so I had to get a new one. That means I am going without the Iphone for a little bit (1.5 years) longer. So perhaps I'll have to pretend with this lego facsimile. LEGO Iphone on the left if you're unsure. ;)

http://www.rei.com/product/807824

We just got our Son the lego light up keychain on the right. He loves it. Also, my husband and I love it too. Maybe we love it more.....not sure at this point.

http://www.amazon.com/Lego-Style-4GB-USB-Drive/dp/B0041EIFCQ

Usb thumb drives at Amazon. Gee, Legos really make me happy. They almost look as if they're smiling don't they?

<3 Ruthie