Welcome to Heartsdesire

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

Monday, August 27, 2012

Supporting Berner Garde Foundation and Quilts

What's on Tap
I'm so excited!!  My quilt "What's On Tap" has been accepted to the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza! Yeah!!  hope you will all stop by the  Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Sept. 13 - 16th to see it and all the other wonderful quilts that will be there from wonderful, wonderful quilt artists!

If you haven't guessed by now my Bernese Mountain Dog's are my world second to my family, and the charity closest to my heart is The Berner Garde Foundation. Berner Garde raises funds for canine disease research as well as maintaining a data base and tissue repository.

Each year I donate a quilt to the Berner Garde Health Fund Auction at the Bernese National Specialty and I am so proud that my quilt raised $7650.00 this year and over the past 4 years over $14000.00, But I want to do more.

I have decided that I will donate 10% from the purchase price of custom portraits To Berner Garde.  So, keep me busy folks and help me raise much needed funds and support Berner Garde and our beloved pets.


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Barnyard Friends Blocks

Just finished these cute little blocks I designed! Can't wait to get them worked into the quilt.
leonberger

corgie

blood hound

newfie

bernese
Double sided garden flag made of heavy nylon flagging material

Monday, August 13, 2012

Very Exciting News...

Ch. Adesa's Moonshine X Ch. Adesa's Time For Tunes  

We are so excited to announce that our Moonshine is expecting Sept. 13!!  her last litter was just beautiful and we are so very hopeful that this litter will be just as beautiful.

The above pedigree is the linage of the puppies to come.

Ch. Adesa's Time For Tunes, a.k.a. Taz is the son of AmCan Ch. Shersan's Black Tie Required a.k.a. Pace, who won the the 1986 BMDCA National Specialty. Ok, so your saying that was along time ago and Taz is only 3 years old?? Well fortunately the Kinley's had Pace  collected and 20 years later that frozen semen was used with one of my very favorite Bernese bitches Chevy!!

So we are counting down the days and looking forward to lots and lots of puppy fun.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Two New Classes Added

I have two more classes now at Quilters Corners in Ithaca.  The first is a Best Friend Studio for anyone looking for extra help and suggestions on their portraits, September 23, 1 - 4pm. The second is a Thread Painting class on October 13th from 9:30am - 12:30pm.

Hope to see you there.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Add caption
All most done, I'm so happy with how this little berner puppy turned out!  Lots and lots of thread painting and embellished with silver tulle to make the water look like it is flowing...not sure I can part with this one.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

One Very Long Day...

So today was the big day of testing for my Gastric Bypass surgery!  Starting at 9am at the Cardiac Cath Lab for an EKG and Stress test and what a surprise the tech that taking care of me is a friend I haven't seen in maybe 15 years!!  Thank goodness the doctor was late, it gave us time to catch up! So finally I'm on the treadmill, my heart rate is up to 146 and the doctor and I are just chatting away and we realize that we have met before, 30 years ago! His brother who was studying Agriculture at Cornell lived with us on our farm for a summer. Did I happen to mention they are also from France.  Small world

So onto the next test, abdominal sonogram, covered in goo, holding my breath oh the fun.
 Now onto ex-ray.  Tech looks at my patient id and says you look familiar, nope don't know him, don't remember him at all.  He is behind his little lead window while taking my chest films and all the sudden I hear, I knew I knew you.  Yup he recognized my film. He was in the OR while I had my cervical surgery and was the tech in charge of making sure my titanium plate was in the right position. Everything looks pretty good so far.

On to the next test, the one I have been dreading, the Upper GI.  So first and abdominal exray, then swallow the pop rocks, yuck, then the thick barium cocktail, double yuck!! on the table, roll around, roll back now drink the thin barium cocktail. Roll around some more ok your done here. By the way this test had to be fasting and did I mention it's now 1:30pm!! Oh my. 

One more test, this is the easy one, just a little vampire work, yeah he got it on the first try!! whew.

It's now 2:30, and I'm driving my husbands car, on my way to his office to pick him up.  I am setting at a stop light and there is a cop in the lane next to me. Light turns green and before I know it he is pulling me over!!  What have I done??? Not on the phone, seat belt on, the car is inspected, registered and insured, no clue.  So the officer tells me that my car isn't insured, but I know it is. so I give him the information and he returns to his car. ok so time is ticking still haven't eaten or had anything to drink and I'm getting a little bit on the nasty side.  He comes back to the car and yup everything is ok. What had happened was 3 months ago the bank withdrew instead of depositing a check and our insurance is automatically paid out of our account. This left our insurance policy out of commission for 4 days and the wonderful state of NY suspended our registration for it!!!  Gotta love NY.  well the officer was kind and let me go with a warning that I need to go to the dmv and get it taken care of.  thank you, thank you. thank you.. 

I'm sooo tired, Such a long day. It won't take long to fall asleep tonight.

Good night all.


Saturday, July 21, 2012

Holiday In Homer

What a wonderful day!  Spent the day at Holiday In Homer providing demonstrations at the quilt show and had the most wonderful surprise, my son Doug and his girl Lisa along with several of their friends from college showed up!

So many beautiful quilts, so many talented ladies, many many people that came to oh and ah and a gorgeous day of perfect weather!

Can't ask for anything better than that.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

What should be my next subject??

Getting ready to start another portrait. What do you think it should be?? Looking for your suggestions!

Ireland International Quilt Festival

http://www.iqfoi.com/

I would give just about anything to go to Ireland again.  Jim and I went their for our honeymoon, but to go there for a quilt show would be incredible! 

Monday, July 16, 2012

Ohhhh such pretty color




Oh such pretty colors!  Just got my shipment of Glide from Fil-tec!!

Plus something, new their new water soluble thread thread "Perish".  Can't wait to try it.

If you're looking for a great thread, with less breakage, less lint and great tension control give Glide a try!

Check out the Fil-Tec facebook page this week. Starting today they are introducing 60 new colors, one everyday for the next 60 days!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Four Generations of a very special family


This is a very special photo. Four generation, but we have to introduce them in reverse order; from right to left,
 Charzard (the number 1 bernese in the country 2003, 2004 & 2006. 
Butterfree, (number 1 bernese bitch in the country 2005) 
My heartdog and akc champion Moonshine 
Finally the baby kegger, Moonshine's and Avatar's Try Try Again, aka Ty's son and my future hopeful.
My friend and mentor Bobbi kinley Blewit entrusted Moonshine to me 4 years ago. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to raise and show Moonshine and now raise her puppies. They are so handsome and come from such wonderful ancestors.  I love my berners!!

Thank you Quilt Story

Thank you Quilt Story for featuring my blog!!  What a wonderful response and so many new visitors to my site.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Lesson # 3 getting ready to sew

In making my sandwich my favorite batting of choice is Thermor lite.  It is easy to sew through, less lint and it shifts less! 

I also baste my quilt using a water soluble thread with approx a 2 inch grid. The reasons for this are, keeping all of the pieces in place and with all the stitching from the thread painting the basting helps to keep the project flat.

 I love water soluble thread, when I'm all done stitching and ready to block, all I have to do is dampen the quilt and all the basting is gone! No threads to pick!!








So before I start stitching I need to work out a plan! So I will take my pattern and highlight with a marker the areas I want to make the main features.

The first goal is to add dimension. I will use a heavy satin stitch around the main features to make the subject appear more to dimensional. However, around the eyes I narrow the stitch width to make them softer but keep them as a main feature. This really helps to bring out the personality and the soul.

I prefer to use poly threads, they are more forgiving in the final process of blocking giving a little stretch and they also have a sheen to them which reflects light making the subject look like they have a real fur coat.  Glide by fil-tec is my thread of choice!!  love their colors, no breaking, it's just beautiful to work with.  As for needles, I use a Topstitching 90/14. Topstitching needles have a larger eye and a groove down the shaft of the needle. This allows the needle to go through all the fabric with more easy, with less stress on the thread with less breakage.

That's all for today, more to come!!

fellow artists, Sara England

Sara England Desings

I love Sara England's work!!  If your a dog lover you really need to check out her work, it will make you smile!  http://www.saraenglanddesigns.com/

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

News of the day, where to start!!

Well, very cool day lots of good stuff to report.

We started our day at the veterinarian office with Moonshine to get her progesterone levels drawn. Then off to Cornell to drop off the serum to be analysis. Well as long as we are in Ithaca a stop at Quilters Corners is in order to visit with the ladies and pick up a few little things.

On our way home we stopped at Kaleidoscope of Quilts in Little York and scheduled some class time. I will be trying something a little different, our class will run from Aug. 13th thru the 17th, 1 - 4 pm. so if your interested in trying your hand at a portrait come have some fun with us!!

Moonshine, Kegger and I followed up that wonderful visit with a walk around Dwyer Park around the lake and through the woods. What a beautiful day.

So finally at home and on line with Fil-Tec to place a thread order, but where oh where did I put that promo code for the free sample of water soluble thread????? Well I called Fil-Tec and Chris South was such a nice guy telling me not to worry, go ahead and place my order. Chris then began asking me about my quilting and asked me if i wouldn't send a few pictures and write a testimonial!  Love too!  I love Glide thread!!  So placed my order of thread and sent off the pictures. can't wait for my order to get here!  By the way Fil-tec is introducing 60 new colors!!! starting July 16th one new color each day will be introduced on their facebook page, check it out.

Dr. Martin finally called, Moonshines progesterone level is 2.89, so she has hit her LH surge and is on her way to ovulation.  We will be heading off to Ohio on Thursday morning to meet up with the puppy daddy Taz! Then the big 63 day count down will begin.

Well finally evening and there is some really yummy smells coming from the kitchen. Hubby Jim is being his masterful self with what smells like a juicy steak! mmmmm steak! 

good night all!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

I knew there was a reason...

Echo Jackson
I knew there was a reason that I save all my patterns!!

Two years ago I made a quilt of Echo Jackson, a very famous Bernese Mt. Dog, (Jackson has sired more champions than any other dog) for the Berner Garde Health Fund Auction at the Bernese National Specialty when it was held in Portland, Oregon which sold for $5000.00.

The owner of the quilt contacted me very upset that the quilt was damaged beyond repair and she was just beside herself and could I please make her another one.  Of course I would make it, but I was beside myself to think that something I had put so much time and work into was gone. Thank goodness I save all my patterns!  Well there is no way that I can replicate it exactly because of fabric availability, but I think I got it pretty close and I finished piecing it today.   Will have to make a little trip to pick up some batting before I can finish but will finish soon.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

My next big leap of faith

Ok, so I made a really big decision  a few weeks ago, after 3 years of doctor supervised weight loss without success I decided to undergo barbaric surgery.  I thought I was just over weight, unable to control my diet, unable to find the motivation to exercise. But in the past two weeks I have learned so much about (oh this is the hardest word to say!! but I have to, I have to say it, gulp, really big glup)  obesity.  I have found out there are reason why no matter how hard I diet that the weight I loose always comes back on. The goal before the surgery is to find out what those reasons are. 

One of the required test prior to surgery is to participate in a sleep study, so last night I spent the night at the Crouse Irving sleep study. I went into this thinking o.k. I know this is bunk, I don't have any problems sleeping. In fact, I get lots of sleep. I have always been a good sleeper, I can sleep a good eight to ten hours every night and if I don't get that much sleep I feel like crap and fair warning I'm a little bit on the nasty side. But the test is a requirement, so let's get it over with.

I spent an hour with the respiratory therapist answering questions, being measured and having wires attached to my head, neck, legs, chest and fingers. I didn't have any problem falling asleep, slept through the night without any problem. Then at 5am the therapist came in to wake me and said "wow did you have some really long dreams"  I looked at her astonished, how did she know that? Because, I do, man do I ever, and I did. So the therapist went on to tell me that I must have set a record for rem. not just one but 2 periods of rem that were both about an hour long, the longest she had ever seen anyone have. I also had a couple instances of apnea, but what was problematic was that during this time I was "hypopnea" which is long periods of very shallow and slowed respiration with decreased oxygen saturation levels.  My levels were down into the 80's. (not good, not good at all) O.k. no wonder I feel so tired all the time, I'm not getting the oxygen I need to rejuvenate. And to my friend Patty who frequently shares a hotel room with me at dog shows, this is also the reason that I snore worse after I have had a beer or two. The alcohol relaxes my already compromised respiratory system.

Ok so how does this relate to my weight? Well that is a question for me to ask Dr. Cooper next time I see him. But from the research I have done today low oxygenation effects metabolism, energy levels, brain function, muscles and so much more. Studies are also showing that sleep issues are one of the many causes of obesity not obesity causing sleep issues.

So that's the second of  my tests, the first were the 6 tubes of blood for a plethora of tests. Yet to come is cardiology, don't know how their gonna do that according to some I have no heart :p but I guess that will be my opportunity to prove them wrong.

There are reasons why people gain weight. Reason most people that have been thin all their lives will never understand. But the best part of having a blog is that I can express my opinion and for what it is worth here it is. Please the next time you meet someone that is over weight please treat them as you would want to be treated. Don't make weight an issue. Please don't place blame or make the individual feel shame. Don't giggle or make jokes at their expense and don't leave them out of friendship.  Blame, shame and embarrassment create depression which only leads to the need for comfort which for some is food. Make them feel love, friendship, inclusion, respected, pride in themselves and worthy of all life has to give. This is what everyone needs to feel good about themselves, it's the tools in life for happiness.  It's the tools everyone needs for self improvement. 

So my journey continues to a healthier, stronger, better me. The rest of 2012 isn't going to be boring that's for sure.  My goal, is to be healthy and next year to be able to run around the show ring with my boy kegger and together win a few purple ribbons!

Friday, July 6, 2012

And the fun begins

Well the time is here, Moonshine is in season!!  in just a little while we will be on our way to the vets office to have her blood drawn for a progesterone level, then skip off to Cornell's lab so they can process the sample.

Shines last litter was so promising and we have great hopes for them so we are excited about this breeding.

we will keep you posted!!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Anthem
"Anthem"

When I saw the picture of this little beagle I just  had to make it into a quilt! this little fella was just to darn sweet.

This quilt is for sale at my Etsy store
Heartsdesire Quilts.

Monday, July 2, 2012

My Custom Patterns Are Off to Australia

So excited my patterns have gone international!!  I sent off 2 custom patterns to Australia today along with instruction booklet and fabric suggestions.  I can't wait to see how her quilts turn out!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

What a great weekend! I got the opportunity to go to the Bainbridge dog show to assist one of my favorite friends Bobbi. Oh my gosh lots of dogs, overlapping ring times and  heat, heat, heat, but sooo much fun. Best of winners in Berners and Borzoi. New champion in Berners with Busy. Best of Breed in Newfie's and Best of Breed and a Working group 3 in Afghans. Worked with my puppy Kegger and showed him in the puppy match!
So now a quiet Sunday working on a custom pattern order to send off to Australia! How cool is that, I'm going international!! 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Another busy day in the studio, this little beagle was to cute not to turn into a quilt.  All pieced and ready to sew. 

Some days go so fast, you get started on a project and just get into the zone.  Before you know it the day has gone by and you have made such great progress.  Why can't all days be like that?

But for now putting my sewing aside and need to start packing.  Heading to the Bainbridge dog show to help out one of my favorite friends, and play with the dogs.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Just added this quilt to my Etsy store.

"To Cute" is 22 x 22 and is an original design of a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy, so young he still has his pink nose!!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Enjoying a extremely rare moment of utterly blissful peace!  The puppies let me sleep in till 7:15 this morning, that's an hour and 1/2 late. They went out did their thing ate their breakfast and all went back to sleep and the hubby never heard a thing. 


Our home is an A-Frame which is all windows facing west.  We are surrounded by over 2000 acres of woods east and west of our wetland valley and we look out over Labrador Mt. Ski Center.  How wonderful it is to be cuddled up with a cup of coffee and simply watch what is happening out the windows. The hummingbirds are fighting over the feeder, a phoebe is setting up on the power line looking for his next meal. The cat birds are in the bushes rattling on as if they were husband and wife in a really big discussion about who's turn it is to set on the nest and our baltimore orioles is perched at the very top of the tree singing to the sun as it comes over the hill.

And it's over, hubbies feet just hit the floor.  But what a great way to start the morning and wonderful inspiration.  Finish my coffee and heading back to my little room to work on the next quilt.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

http://www.bobbincentral.com/

Love this thread folks! Glide by fil-tec. No hassles, less breakage, no lint, beautiful color and great great value.

I was introduced to it last year at MQX. I brought home 6 5000m spools and fell in love.

Satin Stitching in Free Motion by Debbie Butler Miller





My very short little Satin Stitching in free motion demo.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

I am always overwhelmed by the response I get when I post a picture of a new quilt. I look at the work by some of the countries most popular quilters and hope that someday mine will be as good as theirs, but in my own small little world I love what I am doing and so happy that I can take a photo of someones best friend and turn it into something that they will cherish.

So for now I will keep creating, keep working and am thankful for this chance to love what I do and do what I love.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

"Please"

Just finished this Bernese Mountain Dog puppy portrait and it is available on my Etsy store.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartsdesireQuilts

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Just got some really cool news!!  My quilts are going to be featured on quiltstory.blogspot.com on July 13th!!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Just received this picture from one of my students of their completed work! Beautiful!!
There is still room in my studio class this weekend for anyone that would like a little extra help on their portrait!

Lesson #2; Portrait Class con't

 So, I have printed out my pattern with the use of a poster program and taped all the pages together to make my pattern. At 500% my pattern now measures 55 x 42.5.  (use masking tape it won't melt when you iron over it)  This is the right side.
Turn the pattern over and lay Heat'n'Bond lite on the wrong side of the pattern (if the patten is to large tape sheets of heat'n'bond together with masking tape) and trace the pattern on to the heat'n'bond.



 Now that you have traced the pattern onto the heat'n'bond, set it aside.
Now take your fabric selected for the "pallet" and lay it right side down. Now lay your pattern right side down on top of your pallet and tape your pattern to your pallet.

Turn the whole piece over and lay it atop a light box, this will enable you to see your pattern through the pallet and to place your applique` pieces in exactly the right place as if it were a child's puzzle.  With your original picture at hand for reference, begin cutting your pattern from the heat'n'bond (one piece at a time, or pieces will disappear on you) and select appropriate fabrics in color and movement to fit the picture. Iron the heat'n'bond to the wrong side of your fabric, peal off the paper, lay your fabric onto the pallet right into it's place in the puzzle and iron (I iron right atop my light box, I have been doing it for years without any problems)


My applique` is complete!

The next step is to sandwich my quilt. I prefer to use Thermore batting for my wall hangings. It tends to shift less and much less lint in my bobbin case as I'm sewing.

I then us a waster soluble thread to baste my quilt. With all the stitching that will be done it helps to keep the quilt flat and it keeps all my piecing in place. As you must know heat'n'bond doesn't always keep everything attached 100%.
 The best part of the water soluble thread is that when you are finished quilting and ready to block, just by getting your quilt damp makes all that basting go away and no thread to pick!

Sew here I go, time to Sew.....

More to come!

Friday, June 8, 2012

The portrait process, it starts with a picture.







It starts with a picture....

I saw this picture and couldn't resist, it called my name and said "quilt me"!

How could anyone resist this adorable face. Now to make the pattern.
  • I lay a sheet of overhead projector transparency over the top of the picture and with a fine point "sharpie" marker begin to outline the major features and color changes produced by light and shadows that I want in my quilt.
  • Then I scan the pattern and photoshop to turn the transparency image into black and white image.
  • now I have two choices when enlarging, but first remember that when enlarging any image that it must be done in percentages in order to keep your image in perspective.  If you decide for instance that you want you quilt to be a certain size and enlarge "to fit", the image will be distorted.  The first way to enlarge and the easiest is to take your black and white pattern to Staples and there you can enlarge your pattern up to 400%. The second involves a poster program I have on my computer which allows me to enlarge (still in %'s) as big as I want. The downfall of this is that it is printed out on 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper (which are numbered and have cutting lines) that must now be taped or glued together.  A bit of an inconvenience, however when you live 15 miles from the closest copy center and the price of gas what it is, I can live with a little inconvenience.
Time to go paste my pages together, more to come.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Sebastian raises $$$$$ for Berner Garde

Sebastian
 

Such exciting news!!! My quilt of Sebastian which I donated to Berner Garde Health Fund Auction to support canine disease research sold for $7650.00! 

This brings monies raised by my quilts to $14650.00 in just 4 years.