Laughing Dog Arts

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The Latest News


I finished another quilt awhile back.  This one was a stack the deck style quilt.  I was a little disappointed when I finished it, I thought it seemed a bit muddied up compared to the quilt blocks before I sewed them together.  But after pulling it out into the sun today to photograph it, I find that I do like the colors very much.  Windy likes it too.

This is what the blocks looked like before they were sewn together.  Sadie thinks it's boring.

Since the sun has finally returned I was able to lay my big queen size quilt out so I could pin baste it.  Above you can see the backing and batting.

I made these fabric weights out of big metal washers which I covered with Sculpey.  They work pretty well and and are fun to use.

Here is Tonka next to the quilt top, wondering when he will be able to get on it and cuddle up.

He will have to wait until all the pins are out of it!

Another project I finished today was to take these old bowling balls and turn them into garden art.  I covered them with Mod Podge to glue the aluminum foil to them.  I then rolled them around on my floor which effectively smooths the aluminum out and ensures it is adhered to the ball.

Then I colored the balls with alcohol inks and this is the result.  My redneck garden gazing balls!  The first one I made held up for a couple of years outside year round.  I was able to peel off the aluminum and re do it today.  Now I have two!

I'm taking part in the 21 Secrets online workshops and enjoying it very much.  Maybe my next post will show you some of the work I'm doing inspired by these journaling classes.   Check it out, the classes run till December 31, 2013 so you have plenty of time.  

That's it for now.  Hope all of you are enjoying some fine spring weather, or autumn.
Be well.
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23 comments:

Susan said...

Pretty quilts. I love the blue one. And redneck yard art! Fantastic!

Robbie said...

OK, first quilt is great! Love the colors!!! The weights are SO cool!!! What a unique idea!!! And the bowling ball!!! Who knew!!! Now I know what I'll look for at my next garage sale!

yoborobo said...

I love your quilts - they are really beautiful. :) And the gazing balls are so fun. I've been thinking of making some garden art. I'll see what I can find! xo

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I love your quilt work of course, but I am so taken with the aluminum foil bowling ball art. It is so very cool. We have a penny covered one in the front yard that has finally started to patina. I love the re use of stuff into "arte". And the dogs are so sweet. We only have the one left...and she is such a small and noisy little beastie but a love none the less.
Oma Linda

Uta said...

Move over Tonka, I want to snuggle under that quilt first :)

April said...

Jan, I love your 'stacked' quilt, and the batik one is absolutely beautiful. The bowling balls turned into wonderful garden ornaments! What a great idea! Do you think you could do something like that around..say, styrofoam balls, then you could mount them on spikes and they could be stuck in the ground. Maybe a project for kids, huh? Don't know if they'd turn out as lovely as yours, but it's a thought. Thanks for sharing!

Bunny said...

Jan I love your quilts the colours are wonderful. I also just love the bowling balls in the garden what a fantastic idea.

Anonymous said...

Love our crazy garden art. I can see those pup just waiting for another cozy quilt to lay upon. Mine are all comfortably sacked out as I write this. Waiting for some sun and a bit of warmth...been cold damp rainy and yucky the past two days but the flowers love it. xox

Nancy said...

Sadie got it wrong- this quilt is not boring! But she was ready to get some rest. Both are lovely. And the bowling ball idea is such fun! Spring agrees with you.

maddyrose said...

Both of the quilts are beautiful and nothing muddy or boring with either of them. I see some fabric in the one with those clever weights that looks like some that I have which will appear in future quilt top of my own.

Your bowling ball lawn art is another clever idea. You're just full of cleverness aren't you?

Have fun and enjoy this wonderful sunshine.

Cindi Myers said...

Love Love Love that quilt! The colors are amazing.
I have 2 bowling balls that I planned on gluing pennies to and using as lawn art and of course I never did!
Hmm, might have to do the aluminum foil thing, very cool.

Tanya said...

Beautiful post with all the lovely quilts, sparkly balls and happy looking dogs. What an artist! Your quilts, your weights, your balls... So many ways to express yourself! Give the doggies a pat from me!

Maggi said...

The quilt is gorgeous Jan and so is the one spread out on the deck, no wonder Tonka is looking hopeful. Love your yard art.

Karen S said...

I love this quilt -- the colors are so pretty. And you're so clever -- with the washer/clay weights and gazing balls. I'd love to take a walk or maybe just sit in your garden.

Heloise said...

Love the green, blue and purple quilt. Also the garden works of art are great fun.

Jennifer Richardson said...

those blues and greens are truly amazing....loving, swooning over that quilt!
what a beautiful wonder you created.
clapping my hands inside,
Jennifer

artymess said...

lovely post jan the quilt looks stunning gorgeous colours ...xx

Emma said...

Beautiful quilts, it so depends on the quality of light, no muddiness here tho ;)Your porch must be very clean!

Would love to see some work from 21 secrets, please ;)

Linda Vincent said...

Oh wow Jan...I love that quilt so, so much!!!! It must be lovely to snuggle up with it wrapped around you.
And those garden gazing balls are fantastic...I want a whole garden full of them!!! (Do you think the postage would be too much for you to send me some, lol!!??) xx

Flowermouse Design ❀ Lone said...

Jan, this is stunning work!!!! The quilt is so lovely - I love the colors. And what a great idea with washer weights with PC. And the garden balls - FANTASTIC!!!!! I could live there!!! How creative!

april said...

Your quilts are beautiful! Love the colors! And, oh my gosh! Those gazing balls! Fabulous! Now I need to find a bowling ball; maybe my son still has one!

Deborah said...

Well, Sadie looks like a stuffed animal, so what does she know!!!

Now you have gone beyond inspiring me!

**happy smiles**
Deb

Elena said...

OH the quilt is beautiful! And I had to smile at your creative use of the washers and bowling balls. How very cool and I can only imagine how great they look in the garden.