Welcome to Heartsdesire

Welcome to my place! just wanted to share my art, my dogs and whatever else inspires me.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

the new house.

Well we are in, not sure I can really find anything yet but we are in.  Boy do I have projects! of course I am finding new quilts than I must make to decorate the walls, but my real inspiration is coming from the loft.  Our new home is an A-Frame with a bed room loft that is open to the down stairs living space.  Heated with wood all the heat goes right up into the loft and there is no need to even think warm with all the cold nights ahead.  in an attempt to decorate I hung one of my quilts into the peak and draped it off to the sides.  not only does it look beautiful there but it helped with the to hot situation as well!  so now I want to make a quilt to fit into the area with a big center star and in red and white!!  EQ6 don't fail me now!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Moving day is here

Yup it's here, in only one short little hour the powers of my family moving team will be here to help us finish packing and get all of it to our new house!  Can I just say, that his is the part I dread!!  I am excited to be in the new place but oh the work to getting there.......

Will be out of touch for a few days until internet service is back up and running. Wish us luck!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Moonshine Cheese Cake and Molly Waddell

Some times being the teacher comes with some really special perks!  one of my students brought in Moonshine Cheese Cake today.  Of course named after my very pretty Bernese Moonshine.  Pecan sugar cookie crust, traditional and Chocolate swirled cheese cake with chucks of chocolate, topped with camel, chocolate and pecans. MMMMMMM 

But I also was fortunate to meet Molly Waddell and certified judge, teacher and award winning quilter who just happened to be at the shop.  What a wonderful lady, she looked at my quilts and wanted to know why I hadn't entered in any shows!  She was great, gave me pointers and a list of shows she thought I should be entering!  Can't wait to see her again.

Also, finalized appointments with the publisher today to see my quilts and to start work on publishing my patterns.  all in all it was a pretty good day.  All we have to do is get through tomorrow and it will all be good.

Tomorrow is moving day, yuck!

crazy

What a crazy weekend!   Will be off to teach at Quilters Corners today and am thankful for the break it will provide from packing for our move tomorrow.  Can't wait to see what the ladies have accomplished and hope to return with some wonderful photos!!

So excited to be in our new house tomorrow as well, way out in the country with a view of Labrador Mt. Ski resort. lots of quiet and hopefully even more creativity !

Friday, November 12, 2010

my life is about to change!

Well, the e-mail came, I meet with the publisher next week about my patterns!!  I'm so excited and with the house move this week the time is going to go by sooo fast. keep me in your prayers all, I need all the help I can get!

Busy, Busy

What would I do without my morning of facebood friends!!  So much to do today and the girls have chatted me up and made me laugh!!  Found a new friend today too! Teri Harris Lucas!  Wonderful lady and quilter!

So much to do, I so wish I had a fairy god mother to come and wave her want and pack my house for me!! Moving is always stressful, but I can't wait to get into my new home and quilting space!  thinking that the creativity is gonna just flow!!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Westie

Westie quilt

original picture
Another completed commission work!

This little Westie, was so much fun.

Student Quilts

Sue, a very talented quilter and teacher in her own right, took my last class offering at Calico Gals and stopped in today while I was teaching to show me her finished project.

 I asked her if she really wanted the tire in the photo when i was making the pattern and she said that he is really never without it and she would like to have it there.

Well Sue, you were right, it makes the portrait and brings out his character!

Wonderful Sue, just wonderful!  thank you for sharing, I'm tickled!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

columbine created from a pattern of Karen Kuske


I finished "Columbine" last evening!!  It was created from a Karen Kuske pattern that I will be teaching at Calico Gals in Syracuse this winter.

Very easy pattern applique then thread paint over a layer of tulle which gives it a soft, and shiny finish!

Columbine have always been one of my very favorite flowers and any thing I can do in batik is just plain fun!

I hope you like it.



Sunday, September 26, 2010

A new beginning

I don't even know where to begin. This past week has been crazy, our house is sold and my sisters marriage has ended. Lots of tears, lots of hugs, and a really big to do list.

Check on sister, find someplace to live, check on sister, finish that quilt, check on sister, get ready for class I'm teaching on Tuesday, check on sister, get ready for dog show that I'm leaving for on Thursday, check on sister, find somewhere to live, hug husband make sure he knows how much I love him.

It's a new beginning, don't look back move forward. dream big and make it happen.

I am so great full for my family and friends. Their support and kindness are truly overwhelming and a gift from God.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

new web page design

Spent the afternoon yesterday with my friend and web designer working on updating my site.  Big new look!  Terri is very creative and cleaver. I hope that everyone likes it.

Did the mom thing yesterday too, treated my boys to lunch.  They are both working hard getting in the corn so I went to subway and tops and stocked them up on munchies, beverage and subs for the afternoon.  Love my boys! What a beautiful day they had for chopping corn. Sun, breeze and cool air, the leaves are gonna turn fast.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Mom to the rescue

So I get this text from my eldest yesterday, Mom, will you be home and can you hem a pair of pants? bring them over no problem.  and then a little text that one of the groomsman forgot to get his pants hemmed.

So here I am thinking my son is going to bring the pants over and no problem I'm just gonna give a rented tux and quickie hem, wrong!!  It's an invasion!  Before I know it my son Doug, the groom Steve (Doug's best friend from high school) the grooms mother Barbara (whom I love and haven't seen in forever) and the groomsman Billy with the pant issue all arrive!  The dogs are going nutty and all need to be put into crates, and thank God that my sister had asked me to go with her earlier in the morning to the vets or else I still would have been in my pj's!

Instead of renting tux's, all the groomsman's purchased suits! And most likely considering the age of these young men (all in their now late 20's) it didn't even cross Billy's mind to get the pants hemmed. Most likely he didn't even realize that they would need hemming seeing how all pants you buy at the mall are come that way. 

So the pants got hemmed and I was able to solve one of those little panic stricken wedding crisis's, but it was so nice to see those boys together!  I miss them barging into the  house larger than life, raiding the fridge and eating me out of house and home, hanging on the sofa watching movies then out the door again on their merry way to only who the hell knows where.

They're all grown up now, men out in the world, finding their way.  But, just for a moment they were those young high school boys again, that gave his mom a kiss on the cheek and thanked her for being there when he needed her.

Friday, September 17, 2010

3am

for all you dog lovers out there... we were woke up at 3am to the sound of the wall beat, for those that are unaware it is a 110lb Leonberger tail pounding on the wall next to our bed because he needs to go out! Then only to find out that our Bernese Telly somehow and only she could pull this off is stuck under our bed!!  I went to get up and there were feet sticking out a few inches. So my husband is attempting to lift our sleigh bed mattresses and all high enough for her to wiggle out.  At least life isn't boring!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Great day

What a great day!  My husband was promoted to the inside national sales manager of Bus Parts Warehouse, Manlius, NY!!  he is just walking on air he is that happy!!  oh dear, now he has his own office.  gonna have to make him something to decorate those bare walls..  hmmmm what can I come up with???

Quilters Consortium of New York State

Many thank you's to the NYS quilters Consortium for allowing me to join them yesterday.

What a incredible group of creative women. All of the quilts on display were breathtaking. I made new friends and caught up with some good friends as well! Lunch was very yummy, especially the chocolate raspberry cake, mmmm my favorite!

Hope to hear from you all soon, looking forward to sharing time with you

Thursday, August 12, 2010

There are no words!

This past week has been one that I will never in my life forget!  My breeder, mentor and so proud to call friend, Bobbi Kinley Blewitt, won the Eukanuba Breeders Stake at Canfield!  Even as I type I am crying, I'm so proud of my friend and I can't think of anyone that deserves this more than her especially after the day we had.

Over 70 other breeders competed for this honor, each were required to enter 3 dogs that they had breed to showcase their breeding stock and their efforts to breed to the "standard" of that breed and their uniformity. 

Bobbi is the first in line in the above picture the dog she is holding is Ch. Adesa The Heat Is On, a.k. a. Steam! Steam held the title of #1 Bernese Mountain Dog in the country in 2008.

The second dog is Ch. Adesa's Pushing The Limit aka "Boyd". Boyd was the number one bernese in the country in 2007 and is not only a champion in the U.S. but in 8 European countries as well including being the #2 dog in Finland!

The third little one in the picture is Anna.  Anna is just coming on the scene and is showing great promise!!

How do I begin to describe the fullness of my heart for Bobbi? Pride, gratitude, joy, friend, mentor, love.

A friend of mine summed Bobbi up very well, "Bobbi is a lady, she is a lady when she wins, always gracious and giving credit to those that have helped and supported her. A lady when she looses, always the first to pat you on the back and congratulate you, and you know she means it".

Bobbi I love you from the depths of my heart! Thank you for being my friend.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Busy, Busy

I never dreamed I would be so busy, writing, classes, commissions, the independence is wonderful! let's just hope that all this hard work will begin to pay off.  I am so grateful for the people around me for their support and words of wisdom. keeping the faith and not going to give up on my dream.  I just need to believe in myself, I can do this. If anyone is listening, I want to get off of the wooden rickety  temperamental worry about how I'm gonna pay the bills roller coaster and and get on the I'm creating and working like crazy ride!!

my students

I'm so proud, I just had to share! My students have done such wonderful work! This is "Milka"!  just beautiful!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Busy, Busy


So much to do, and not enough time. So why am I setting here and not in my studio?? Because this is my quiet time. The dogs have been out, fed and back to sleep. Because it's Sat. Jim is still sleeping and most likely for another few hours. I love my quiet time. Time to think, time to organize my thought (if I have any), time to catch up on the world without interruption.

Taught my first quilting class at Quilters Corners in Ithaca! What a wonderful group of ladies! I had so much fun and they were all so sweet and creative too. The work they did was just wonderful. Why didn't I do this long ago? But now that I have taught I have figured out several things I can do to improve. So, I must get busy!

My next class isn't until July 14th, however, I have 2 dog shows between now and then and one of them is in Indiana for 6 days! I will be home on the 12th late and have one day to rest and get ready for my class. that leaves me with the next 4 days to not only prepare for my class but to pack and groom dogs for the next 2 weeks of shows.

Ok, starting to feel like I'm a bit crazy, but at least it is my crazy. No clock to punch, no boss looking over my shoulder, no catty nurses aids, nurses or other staff "stirring the pot". NO MORE DRAMA! accept my own of course.

Oh well, quiet time is over and the wild rumpus of puppy play has commenced. Toys are squeaking, balls are being thrown and the sound of thud rumbles as 100 lb. plus puppies hit the floor wrestling. And now, my drowsy husband has emerged from his hibernation and doing his morning pacing. Time to retreat to my room, quiet time is over.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Spinone


Ch. Furnace Hills Barbuto

Ok so I have been a bit busy! that's good! so this is Barbuto or "BJ" for short. and the First Spinone that I have done. I think he came out very well, just hope the customer likes it too!

Such a good day!


What a great day, I had the second of my two part class teaching my portrait quilts at Quilters corners. What a wonderful class of ladies, they were so excited about their projects and they came out fantastic!

Ladies thank you so much for making my first attempt and teaching so very special!

Friday, June 11, 2010

to go or not to go that is the question.

When did I get this old that a little threat of rain would keep me from wanting to go camping?? I use to love it, wouldn't care what kind of weather, just to be outdoors was a high.

As I set here and contemplate, I really don't think it has anything to do with the weather. I think it has much more to do with the fact that I no longer get that high while camping because of all the generators running around me. I mean really when did one need a generator to go camping? I still camp in a tent for gosh sakes, I sleep on the ground, use my coleman stove and perk my coffee in a coffee pot that does not require to be plugged in.

Camping was meant for those that wanted to immerse themselves in nature, to set by a warm fire, to read, to write, to listen, to experience. When did that get replaced by generators??

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Stoney comes for a visit.



Surprise visit from my nieces and Stony yesterday. what a wonderful matching this dog was for the girls. what a funny boy Stony is. He climbed right into Murphy's Kiddie pool and layed right down. of course the water was a bit yucky with all the rain that we have had and with the muddy paws that have been getting in and out so we took the opportunity to give the Stonster a bath... he turned out so handsome don't you think.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tuesday

well it finally happened, Jim was banished to the spare room to sleep. Apparently, when he came to bed I was sound asleep surrounded by all 3 dogs. He attempted to remove them but failed and did not want to wake me, so off to the spare room for him.

last night was just one of those perfect nights to sleep. cool temperatures and a warm blanket.

So much to do this week. Finish a quilt, finish dog bibs and pack to go camping.. So why am I setting here typing away?? because the coffee is not ready yet!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Class went Great!

Well my first day of teaching at Quilters Corners went wonderfully! Everyone was so excited to see their puppy and one very pretty kitty made up into a pattern. I can't get over how quiet the class was! They were all concentrating so hard to pick out just the right colors. I can't wait to see them all in 2 weeks to see how they turned out!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Today is the day.

Well, it's here. My first day of teaching at Quilters Corners! except for a few little things I'm all ready, everything is packed. at least I hope so. A bit nervous, why I'm not to sure, I have met most of the ladies in the class already and they are so excited about having something that is really new that I don't think they will care at all if I mess up. Any way how will they know, they have never done this before. So.... just finish up the details and push on with the day!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Day 2 of my blog

The day is off to a good start! The dogs let me sleep until 7:45am almost a new record.

So much to do today... patterns to make, directions to finish in preparation for my class tomorrow at Quilters Corners. But first I must consume the required amount of coffee and wake up enough to see straight.

The wild rumpus is off to a good start in the living room. Puppies have all been fed and morning play time has commenced. Boy won't they be happy when the vacuum starts up, not!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

getting there


Well I think I'm on the right track and doing everything I can to promote my work and remaining within the budget. Did I happen to mention that this is no budget?

Keep smiling, keep working, keep your chin up, it will all work out somehow. But dear God could you please help the process along just a little faster, please??

I know patients!!!

Any way... pretty good day. Visit from my two lovely nieces Erin and the new Cortland County Dairy princes Chelsea. Chelsea has been out and about promoting milk to elementary school children today and I believe Miss Erin has been driving the team of white horses, or is that the maroon car that the brakes keep looking up on? I forget, getting way to old, burning brain cells trying to figure out how to post a blog :)
I spent most of the day preparing for the quilting class I'm teaching this weekend and started another portrait. Can you say Dreamy???

ended the day with a trip to the cemetery for more pictures. one of my favorite hobbies is attempting to figure out my family tree. So I have been taking pictures of headstones to post on my family tree through Ancestry.com. Amazing the things you find out! But it's late and once you get me going on that I might never stop.

finally, while Jim was making dinner I ventured out to my garden and picked some very sweet yummy strawberries for our dessert, mmmmmm

blogging nightmare

Ok, here it is, my first attempt at blogging.

Now that I have gone through all that work so that I can tell the world I have something to say, I find that my head is completely empty. I guess I used up all the cells just trying to figure out how to set up a blog, go figure.

Anyway, here I am. I'm married and have 2 sons that are all grown up.

I am currently embarking on a new beginning to my life as a quilt portrait artist. If you have the time and inclination I hope that you might visit my web page and look over my work.

I also for some crazy reason (at least at this moment) raise Bernese Mountain Dogs. Crazy because they are currently rolling around the house attempting to get their workout in before it is time for their afternoon nap!!

well so much for my blog today. I have so much preparation to do for a class that I am teaching this weekend at Quilters Corners in Ithaca and I have spent most of the morning working on setting up my blog!! Oh to live the "Sex and the City" life of Carrie, to be able to afford a business manager so that I can just simply work.

Ok, within the time it took me to write this blogg all the dogs are worn out and sleeping :) time for me to get to work.