Quilt Alliance - Animals We Love

Every year the Quilt Alliance has a contest and auction to raise money for their nonprofit organization. They were established in 1993 with the intention of documenting, preserving and sharing the American quilting heritage. 

I have participated in their contest every year since I first discovered it in 2010. Creating a quilt based on their theme always invigorates me and brings me back into quilting. This year the theme was, "The Animals We Love." Recently we have frequently watched the Mexico themed movie, "Book of Life". After chatting with my husband, who is of Mexican ancestry, we came up with the idea of a sugar skull bull, a Muerto Toro.

I started the quilts with improvisational piecing of black and white fabric. I wanted the background to be neutral, but also have contrast to the bright colors that would be placed next.

Then I freehand cut the basic shape and large shaded areas of the bull face in bright, fanciful colors.

Once I was happy with the general layout, the large pieces were machine appliqued on with matching thread. Then I freehand cut the small applique accents to the bull face.

The background then became a little too quiet and I needed some color impact. I quickly drew out flying geese on a narrow strip of paper to foundation piece on.

That linear flying geese looked incredibly abrupt placed into the improved back. I did more chopping and moving so that it flowed better. The color shapes became representative of  fans cheering the Toro on in the ring. Since marigolds are traditional at Dia de los Muertos, there is a giant bloom on Toro and petals thrown from the crowd. It is now realized that Toro is no longer a fighting hero, but has fallen and moved into the next world.

All the small applique bits are hand embroidered on with perle cotton in unique touches.

Large Swarvoski beads are couched on to Toro's eye and falling tears.

Bright and in your face graffiti machine quilting covers his face and the crowd. 

The remaining background of black and white are lovingly hand quilted in big strokes with perle cotton.

I love Toro and was sad to see him off, but I hope he raises lots of money for the Quilt Alliance. And I maybe fully intending on buying him back at the auction!

I am entering this quilt and blog post into the Blogger's Quilt Festival on Amy's Creative Side. If this quilt is one that you love, please consider voting for it. XO

Ice Cream Cone - Cake Bites

My middle child is finishing up her last year of preschool before she starts homeschooling. We adore her school and will miss every one of the teachers and staff. Tomorrow there is an annual school picnic for the children and families. I volunteered to bring dessert of course, but had no idea what I was going to make. Cupcakes? Cookies? Popsicles? I searched Pinterest and found these adorable ice cream cone cake pops on Love Bake Good Cakes. I immediately knew that they would be perfect for the picnic! I made mine a bit differently, but I love them both!

For my cake bites, I baked up a rich yellow, butter cake. Once it was cool, I crumbled it up in my KitchenAid with a good scoop of mini chocolate chips and just a bit of vanilla frosting. You want to know what it taste like? Just like it looks in the picture - dangerously delicious chocolate chip cookie batter. Oh my. Scoop up with a cookie dough baller and place in fridge for an hour or two.

I melted a bunch of bright white candy melts, rolled the cake bite in and smooshed on top of a mini ice cream cake cone. Let it dry for a bit - if the "ice cream" melts down the side, I think it adds to the fun of it.

Then melt some cocoa flavored candy melts, drizzle on top and adorn with sprinkles. They will harden for a few minutes and will be perfect for a picnic! I hope you try these and maybe change up the flavors. It would be kinda fun to place a gummy bear at the bottom of the cone (my favorite ice cream parlor used to do this when I was a kid)

Art Party

A good friend of mine asked me if I would be willing to teach a painting for her daughter's birthday party, like PaintNite for kids. I was so honored and excited to be asked. They picked a cupcake painting they found on Pinterest (I believe it was from Kara's parties) and I made up a sample before the party.

As you walked through their front door - you were welcomed with this adorable sign!

Every girl was given a hand painted large t-shirt to wear as a smock and keep as a favor. (They also took home a pack of crayons and markers!)

Seriously, how adorable is this set-up? The girls were so excited and ready to paint!

Here they are hard at work on their backgrounds. I made it clear as I taught that they should embrace this painting as their own and make any changes that they wanted. I've never followed directions and wanted to give them the same freedom.

Here are a couple of the finished paintings!

I loved this yellow background - so vivid and yummy!

Each girl really expressed themselves and didn't feel pressure to be like another. They were loose with their painting and just had so much fun! Such a fun birthday!

And I've been on a bit of mini pinata/gift box kick and made this palette to hold the birthday girl's gift card.

Thanks for having us over to celebrate with Brynnan!

Summer Tea Cakepops

As many of you know, I'm not a fan of cake. I do however love cake pops - maybe it's because they are adorable small bites? Everything seems better when it is miniature, right? 

If you have never made them before, you need to spend an hour on Bakerella's website. She also has a fabulous book out, aptly titled "Cake Pops." The biggest trick will be finding the right balance of mixing your cake with the frosting.

I wanted to try making some lemon slice and tea cup cake pops. Well once I start down a road, it      usually takes new directions and I ended up with a whole slew of tea related pops. My daughter fought hard for the giant sugar cube one - I couldn't envision it at first, but it is one of my favorites!

For these pops, I baked up a lemon cake and mixed it with a bit of lemon frosting and lots of chopped maraschino cherries to create a delightful cherry lemonade flavor. So dang yum.

I have to say though, that these lemon slices are my very favorite. Don't they just sing summer?

I tried a few different ways to paint my teacups. These were done with melted coconut oil and a touch of candy colors. It dries with some texture and created perfect roses. You could also paint candy melts with candy color gel and a touch of vodka.

Mmmm.. I think it maybe time to make another batch!

Mother's Day Wreath - Tattoo Art Inspired

I can't show you any of my current Mother's Day projects - my Mum is my number one fan and maybe only reader, lol.

But this tattoo inspired wreath is one of my favorite projects. I made it 4 years ago, but this picture was just taken today. It looks as fun as ever!

Do you have a special wreath or door art for Mother's Day?
And call your mother! She loves you and is worried about you. No really, call her..