Just a thought

This is somewhat of a strange/different post for me. I was reading a book titled The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. While it is a children's book, it is rich and pleasing. It is both poetic and magical. It is the story of a dog and a cat. However the overriding truth is about friendship and keeping promises.

So early this morning, I picked it up to read for a bit before I got all ready to go out into the world. I read a few chapters and then it was time to get ready to do the weekend errands.


As I started to get ready, I had to stop, breathe and then run to write down this simple but lovely thought that came to me. I confess that the story line of the book was the inspiration.

The thought: "A million things may trap you, but love will always set you free. " Gene Black 2009


I hope you think on this and see the lovely truth in it. Feel free to expound on it, give your take on it, whatever =in the comments. And have a great weekend.

Layers of Vision

I haven't posted a painting in quite a while. So I thought this might be opportunity to post one of my more vivid paintings. The colors in the image are not quite true but this is as close as I could manage. Some of the reflective paints that I used in this piece confuse the flash and other parts of the camera, I suppose.

This painting hangs in my studio (painting and quilting just a few feet apart). The colors in it remind me of the lovely batiks that Wanda AKA Exuberant Color uses in her quilts.

This painting is approx 24 inches wide by 30 inches tall (no I didn't measure, I am guessing!)

I am currently working on a smaller version of this TYPE of painting, which gains color and depth by using multiple glazes of transparent color. The small one is, I believe, 12 by 12 inches. If I can get a good picture when it is done, I will post it also. I hope you enjoy looking at my work.

Fabric Giveaway!

Wooo Wooo! Sew-fantastic is having a fabric giveaway. There are three lovely sets of fabric as prizes. I would be thrilled to win either of them. I think if you sew or know someone who does, you would love to win too. So link over there and give it a shot.
Good luck -- Hey leave ONE for me okay?

Oooh. Another giveaway - Flannel FQs

That is right. Sew-Fantastic is giving away a bundle of 6 Fat quarters equal to 1.5 yards from the new Urban Flannel Collection By: Valori Wells for Free Spirit.
Be sure to go and enter. If you don't want the prize you can give it to me! Hey that is a great idea. Ha ha.
Sew Fantastic Giveaway is here!

An Apple a day, or at least a stash of interesting Apple prizes

My friend, Chris, is holding a March giveaway over at the We Love Quilting blog.
The theme of all the cool stash is "Apple". Go enter.

Finished - The Nana Cross

I have had this finished for a few days...but I didn't want the Nana to see it before she got it.

She has the perfect place for it.

She loves it...and I am quite proud of having finished it.

This picture was taken while it was hanging in a doorway, it is NOT as crooked as it looks in the picture. It is not perfectly straight either but I am probably the only one who notices the imperfections.

Coming Soon

I have an update post that will show up on Friday afternoon. Be sure to come back and see it.

It is a surprise and I don't want to spoil it for the one who will be getting the surprise.

A Poem - By Gene Black

With Valentine's Day coming up this month, I thought I would share this image and poem, both my original works. I hope you enjoy.



Confirmed, affirmed and verified

Referred, deferred or put aside

Disclosed in full, or in part

The secrets of the human heart

Cannot be analyzed or sampled

No protocol or test procedure run

Can ever under sky or sun

Explain the love in humankind

No forensic evidence you will find

Of what is in the soul or mind

So let us stay outside the box

And not place love

'neath chains and locks

Confirmed affirmed and verified?

No! In faith, love is justified.

Copyright 2004 by Gene Black

Quilt Giveaway at Barb's

Hi there. Bejeweled Quilts by Barb is giving away her "ugly" quilt. It is really cute with appliqued daisies on the face and a floral back piece. I can't imagine why she calls it ugly.

Go look and decide for yourself. If you want to enter go ahead, but just know this: I want to win it!