musing

I was just remembering how years ago, at least 20 at this point (whuh???) when I was selling paintings on eBay (which I no longer do, the market changed and is not a place for self-supporting artists anymore–or at least not *this* one) I would now and then get an email from someone asking something along the lines of, “I love your art but can’t afford to buy it, would it be okay if I used this digital image as my screen saver?” which I thought was awfully nice and charming. Who wouldn’t like to be asked? Of course I said, Go Ahead. Because it is so easy just to right click and drag to your desktop and hey-presto, the digital image is yours now.

That was before Pinterest. Nowadays, I don’t think anyone thinks twice about saving an image–we just do. Twenty years ago when the internet was still new, people were concerned about copyrights, and stealing. Nowadays, well, it is what it is.

One of those times, I received an email from someone who said she was a high school art teacher and she wanted to use one of my images in a slideshow to demonstrate something to her students–would it be okay if she used one of my digital images? I said yes, and again was charmed to have been asked.

I never did ask her what point she wanted to demonstrate–back then I was painting in yellow/red/blue. I thought it must have been something to do with primary colors, because it was so obvious.

Anyway, fifteen years and half the country away later, two missionaries came visiting, and I let them in. I think if a missionary is driven enough to knock on doors and share the gospel, I can make a few minutes to hear about it. It must be hard having everyone say, “No,” and shut the door all day. I figure I can give encouragement wherever I can.

One of the missionaries noticed a painting on my wall and asked, “Did you paint that?” and I said I did. By this time I was painting in all colors, not just red/blue/yellow. He asked if I had let an art teacher use my images for her class, and I vaguely remembered having done so. I don’t remember if he asked me if my name was Sandra Spencer, but he might have. I just remember being stunned, and he said he’d been in a high school class and remembered seeing my paintings. He was happy about the serendipitous meeting, and said his teacher would get a kick out of the story when he told her he’d come to my house and talked to me.

I don’t know how that all ended for him.

I just think it’s a *really* small world.

sewing little bags

1i

It’s difficult to throw away fabric scraps when they are from such pretty fabric. Who knows, maybe one day I might use them, right?

I chain stitched my little HSTs and set them aside.

1j

The day came when I thought I’d better use them. I find once cut, edges start to fray, so fabric has it’s own expiration date.

I made little gift bags. Perfect size for jewelry, or some other small treasure.

1

The closure is meant to have a drawstring, but I can’t find the right kind of cording and finishing is going to have to wait until stores reopen. That’s going to be soon, right?

 

1a

I love this style of sewing, so you see me returning to it again and again. I’m out of that heavy-grain beige fabric now, and can’t find it, either, so I will be moving on to something else…for now.

1b

 

1c

 

1e

The below bag is larger, and would be perfect size for storing wedding slippers. Isn’t that a romantic idea? You’re never going to wear them again, but you save them forever in your closet, tucked into this pretty bag. Years later, your children find them and play with them and tuck them back inside the bag.

I know, I’m romantic that way.

1f

 

1g

 

1h

I’ve run out of white fabric, too, so my red/white quilt is on hold.

While it’s nice to have the time to be home, we’re going a little stir crazy. I guess like everybody else. Running out of things, little by little, and hoping the store will be restocked. Some days it is, but most of the time I go home with items left on the list for our next trip.

I hope everyone is holding up okay. And using this time to get things done! 🙂

lovelies in the mail

I won a giveaway from the lovely blog, Happy Cottage Quilter.

Aren’t quilting people the best?

3

I thought I’d be winning only one pattern, so I specified the one on the left, because I can see me making those potted flowers for sure. But then I won BOTH patterns, and I can also see me making the square rosette (is that a thing?). These will translate well into summer and spring wall hangings for next year.

Good thing we’ve all got so much time on our hands, right?

3a

I’ve never used fabric fusing, so this will be a treat. I’ve seen projects that call for it, but just sort of always muddled along without it. Having real tools to do a job right makes it all so much more pleasant, though, and hopefully much less frustrating.

3c

Look at that seam ripper! It has so much blade exposed, it’s quite unusual. I’ll bet it zips right through my mistakes, though. And who can ever have enough needles on hand? What a charming case in a great color!

Lastly, Jocelyn included the pretty fabric below. I just know it will find its way into a project soon….

3d

Thank you so much, Jocelyn, for choosing me as a winner! I’m so happy with my prizes.

😀