Tuesday, February 22, 2011

finding ceativity again....

When I was in the fog of depression, I learned that being creative does not come easy....Especially when it took all my energy to work...It is getting better every day and I look forward again to going upstairs and making things. I am starting to get back to myself and I like that a lot!
Julie came over with Jace and baby Ava last week and she wanted help to decorate some wood letters that spelled out Ava's name for above her crib. This is what we came up with.









We take turns holding baby girl and playing with Jace while the other one paints or glues. Jace is a such a good boy upstairs. Having the playroom next to the art room is a great thing. He runs back and forth with his toys chattering the whole time. He is two and Ava is a month so Julie has two in diapers. Our time ended when she had two little ones with full diapers.....haha.











Sometimes you think you have it really bad and then someone you know gets it worse...way worse...A guy at my work, Kevin who started the same time I did is going through the worst thing a parent can imagine. He just got over a battle with brain cancer, missed a year of work and now his 14 year old girl has bone cancer in her leg. Maddie just started a years worth of chemotherapy. Because they are treating it aggressively, all of her treatments are inpatient. I was making a pink quilt for an orphanage project but it turned into a quilt for Maddie.....









I asked Kevin to make sure she is the kind of girl who likes pink...He told me that hot pink she likes...My kind of girl. I got some hot pink cuddly fleece to back it with. I am going to get it on the quilter for her tomorrow before work. I figure if I do it a little at a time I can have it done by the weekend. I am going to zigzag on the binding and do a lot of quilting because I imagine it will be washed a lot. I hope it gives her something to snuggle with.









Val was my partner for the YOE swap. I showed the dress ornament I made her and look what she made me!








A snow fairy ornament and the most beautiful blue scarf! The fairy is on my tree and I already wore the scarf...She also sent me M&M's, hot chocolate, bath salts and a book....I don't think it gets any better.....
In December Deb asked me to do a pet portrait of her three Jack Russell's...well I finally got busy and got the background done and the first dogs face done. Everyone always asks how I do it...I draw it while looking at a close up of a picture on a white cotton and then I start sewing and painting in the details...I hope to have this one done and ready to mail by Monday.










I usually use some pretty bright background colors but she asked for sage and cream. I think with three dogs on one piece it will look really nice. Let me know what you think Deb.......

21 comments:

Pat said...

WOW....you are one super-talented, caring gal. Your creative projects are super and it's also nice how you care enough to help people along the way!

Barb said...

I was just wondering how you were doing....I am so glad that you are getting back in the sewing room.... Depression sure stiffles creativity...

Your quilt is going to make Kevin's daughter so happy and warm...what a wonderful thing to do. You are right, just when you think your life stinks, someone else has it worse. Maybe prayers for your friend Kevin and his daughter.

Michelle said...

I just love the quilt you made for Maddie - it's perfect!

I'm praying.

Joanne Lendaro said...

LOVE the quilt, letters, and the snow fairy!! But love seeing you more!! Keeping Kevin and his entire family in my prayers......hugs kiddo!!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Thanks for stopping by Melinda! You have some great works here.
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Laurie said...

I'm SO PROUD of you Melinda! First the babies are little sweethearts! All your artwork is so beautiful, the blanket is a true work of love,(my prayers are with this family) and I know the dog portrait will be loved. Mine sure is!! God Bless You my friend!

Maria said...

Hi Melinda, you sure have been busy which is great to see.Like you I suffer with depression but thankfully we often get kicked back into reality when there are folk worse off then us.
I am sure your gorgeous quilt will help Maddie get through her treatment.
Hugz
Maria

Needled Mom said...

Your paintings are amazing!!!! It looks sooooo real.

I cannot imagine the heartache of having your child endure the treatments of cancer, much less having to go through it so soon after your own treatments. Prayers go out to that family.

What a cutie that little one is! I am sure you had fun cuddling a bit. ;)

roc said...

aww shucks...i cried when i read about maddie and the quilt you were making for her. what a beautiful gesture melinda. god bless you all.

Helen in the UK said...

Maddie's quilt is gorgeous and as she loves hot pink she is going to adore it! So glad to hear that you are starting to feel more like yourself again - welcome back :)

gin said...

yep, Melinda, you seem to be back to your creative self. You have some awesome projects going on there!!

Jenny said...

Beautiful work. It seems sometimes like the more we turn outside of ours and give, even in our darkest hours, helps the healing.

Sending you a hug and a prayer sweet girl.

PeggyR said...

You are very talented my friend!

Patty said...

Its funny how everything is put into perspective when you look at someone else's life. The quilt will be much appreciated you're a good and generous woman, not to mention totally artistic!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Oh Melinda; I too have been a bit out of the blog-reading-loop for a while and have just been reading your posts backwards. I am so sorry to hear about what happened and glad you're finding your way back to your artworks. The woodoo doll is brilliant; are you sure one pin is enough??

Pam said...

The quilt will be a wonderful source of comfort as she goes through chemo. Love the dog and know the other two will be equally as wonderful. I like the colors. Very calming.

Glad you are finding your creative spirit.

JennaLouiseCreates said...

Hi Friend! Thanks for your kind comments on my blog and thanks for being so supportive! I did make it in Studios magazine thanks to inspiration from creative people like you. You talent is a gift and your heart is full of kindness:) Blessings!

Jen xo said...

youre such a sweetie Melinda, maddy is going to love it....

good to see you back being crafty too.....

Quiltingranny said...

Melinda, I am sure the orphans will understand that God led you to someone else with a need. I do that a lot...make a quilt for one person and give it to someone else!
Glad you are doing better!

Jo said...

wow Melinda ... what a beautifully giving thing to do ... i am sure that all of that pretty pink will give Maddie many many smiles ... and warm cuddles!
I am so glad you are finding your way again ...

Little Messy Missy said...

Wow you have been BUSY!!! I love the dog quilt portrait and the pink quit turned out beautiful.I am sure she will love it!!!We really need to go have coffee again! Tell David Letterman I said "hello!"
xoxoxoxox