I want to make a "log cabin pillow". Not just any log cabin pillow. No. I blog, and therefore,
I know too much. Mine eyes has seen the likes of talented artists blogs, such as that of
Lisa Congdon's, A Bird in the Hand. Now, just to give you an idea on how slow I am to being "in the know", I'd been blogging for almost a year and had not come across her blog. But I do remember the day it happened. It was crisp and cool outside, the birdies were singing and there, on my screen, (as I wiped it clean) sat the picture of what I though was equal to sewing and collaging nirvana: The "log cabin pillow" and other magnificent collages (with squares I must add...)So, I digress. Next step, I did a search for a "tutorial on log cabin pillows". (This is how I start to learn most of what I do, with a good tutorial, prefably lots of pictures for this brain which has been damaged from years of exposure to household cleansers.) Anyhoo, I found
one! And guess what? It referenced Lisa Congdon's pillow! How could I get so lucky? And the title was "long cabin-i
sh" pillow, which I thought was funny because "
ish" is a verb in our house. Furthermore,
Dacia Ray's Tutorial had all these cool pics of sketches and such, loved that....Bless her and all the artists who made and share their tutorials online), otherwise, women like me who have been sentenced to "house arrest" (ie. laundry, cleaning, cooking, taking care of people who refer to them as "mom") can have access to learning how to make such deliciously perfect and prettiful pillows at 2 a.m. in the morning. And these are NOT grandma pillows, oh no! sorry, grams, but I just love the little boy scout patch numbers in there, reminds me of my boy when he was young, and I'm all for recycling those little bits I can't possibly throw away for fear I will traumatize them for life. I won't even go into the fact that the fabrics used are unique and vintagey and not cookie cutter. you can do your own thing, and y'all know how I love collage and puttin' together all kinds of colors and patterns. So, creative new years resolution #1 will be to make the log cabin pillow (a la artjunkgrl style). I will most likely make it while "normal" people are sleeping, but I have a tutorial, a cabinet of saved up vintage scraps, and a strong desire to create.
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Another resolution is to complete an altered book for my daughter who graduated from HS this year. I have collected lots of things for this book, now it's time I finish it! I am going to alter this record book album. My inspiration for this is from Charlotte Lyons. You can check out her blog
here. I think I will need some help/advice...Lilia? Yes, I must ask
Lilia for ideas on organizing the book. That's on the list.
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This year I also want to do something I've been putting off. Uploading and sharing some of my vintage photo collection with the
collage images group on flickr. I am lazy about scanning, etc, but it's time to get these out of the drawer and share with others who have also shared their wonderful photos.
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I also want to repaint, collage, alter, whatever this dresser that ended up in the garage when I did my
room redo this year. I didn't get around to it, but everytime I pull in the garage I look at it and think that I want to do it! It really would be quite useful in my studio. Esp. for fabric that I will be using more of this year.
So, I guess this is what I had on my mind in the past months. I hope to get to some or all of these this year. If I do, you know that YOU will be the first to know as I will post on my blog about whatever I'm workin' on. Now I'm off to pack for a quick trip, hope to post more soon and hear some of your resolutions! xxoo Lia
p.s. my husband told my mother in law, "lia makes squares", she looked at him like, what? I told her it was kind of a long story. Oh well, now I'm the wife who makes squares, but I'm happy, right! that's what's important! be back soon! ~Lia
There are people in my house right now and they are calling me, "MOM". They want food, shelter, clothing and presents. They want to make cookies and I'm out of sprinkles. except the chocolate one's. they told me that doesn't work for christmas. too bad I can't paint the sprinkles. Guess that means I may not be blogging so much for the next few days. you will have a break from listening to me nag you about making squares. but it won't be for long. so unless you unsubscribe and all the people keeping track tell me, I will hunt you down and still bug you about making squares. there is no safe place for you. just kidding. have a great holiday break and I will be checkin' in from time to time to make sure someone is convinced they have to start making squares.
Happy square-days.
xxoo Lia
Thank you SO much for your responses yesterday, they really warmed my heart! You all are MY inspiration!!!! I was amazed at how many of you identified and left a kind word, it really made my day. This morning I was a little leary of the phone ringing early and having a rocky start again, but it was smooth sailing, so I was happy for a quiet, uneventful morning!
Anyhoo, today I am off again to shop/prepare/etc. Each day I pick one main thing I want to accomplish. Yesterday it was FOOD shopping, a trip to the "bulk" store that I don't like, but I had help, thanks to my daughter, and we will be well stocked for the holiday cooking and visiting. But as you know, I fit in some time for"square" biz! At the moment, I have some other works-in-progress, but I will focus on those more AFTER the holiday! In the meantime, I have a quick, creative "play" exercise to share with you that I did yesterday. My lovely daughter brought me a special "art junk" present....a lovely little 
This is one of the things that I love about these squares, it get's your eyes to focus on something smaller, but at the same time combine it to make a bigger cohesive and detailed piece! I love looking at all the color and design possibilites, i really think it get's me in the creative flow. So, this is what I did with squares for today. I also painted a few watercolor pages last night to use as backgrounds for future squares. Here are my nice little square soldiers, stacked in my "in-box". 
So, for those of you who say you don't have time, just do one step of something today, nothing get's done all at once, at least for me it doesn't. Then, when I'm too tired to paint, but just want to collage, I get out my prepped squares and I'm ready to go. Ok, so enough square talk, I gotta go work on my list combo's. I'm glad you all enjoyed my "list for my lists" comment. Have a great day everyone! xxoo Lia
