An update... Back to school

   Well it has been a very long time since I posted anything on this site.  In Sept 2011, I returned to school full time, working on an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology combined with Visual Arts.  As you can well imagine, that took some getting use to.  I think it had been about 26 years since I had been in that environment.  I have to say that I love it!! Besides, as long as I don't look in the mirror, spending time with young adults makes me think I'm 20 again!  How good is that?? 

   Brock University is a wonderful place.  I enjoy the warm, friendly campus and the professors have been wonderful.  It's interesting to be experiencing two different departments while I am there.  Both are very different but very enjoyable.  I have spent more time in the Visual Art department so far, mainly because the first year PSYC students can only take one course which is a pre-requisite to all the other PSYC courses.  That left me with lots of time to spend in studio classes. 

I don't have much time for quilting these days but I thought you might like to see some of my art work that I have created in my studio classes.  I have taken drawing, painting and digital art classes.    

 This contemporary painting was a great way to learn several techniques.  

I enjoyed this type of work.  It is quite large!  48" x 60"

In drawing class we had to draw either an eye, nose or mouth.  This is my eye!

These four drawings are a series in a face transformation.  

My daughter Emily is my world!

My final drawing project was lots of fun.... 

The decorative architectural detailing is something I have always loved.

It starts with just one girl....

I have been thinking a lot lately that I'd like to choose a charity

and get involved with fund raising and volunteering.

There are so many charities that have such good causes

and it has been difficult for me to decide where to get involved.

I thought about cancer because I lost my mom

and my daughter lost both of her Grandmothers to cancer.

And then I saw the commercial on TV

for this non-profit organization called

"Because I am Girl".

They are a charity that supports girls and women

that are in less fortunate situations

than we experience here in Canada.

Girls have the right to be educated, the right to be fed,

the right to be safe and their rights are human rights.

"Because I am a Girl"

believes that although girls are often the poorest of the poor,

investing in them is the key to eliminating poverty.

Empower a girl and she'll change the world!

When a girl is educated, nourished and protected,

she shares her knowledge with her family and community

and can forever change the future of a nation.

Want to join me?

Visit the "Because I am a Girl" web site to learn more

and watch for more posts about my plans to do my part.

(I will continue to make donations to charities

that support cancer research and provide family support)

And two more to finish the set!

These two wall hangings finish the set

of Seasonal quilts in the

"Nancy's Little Hang Ups" series.

They are 12.5"x 12.5" and fit perfectly

in the standing hangers from Ackfeld Manufacturing.

Patterns are $5.95

If you live in the St Catharines area,

patterns and kits are available at

Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

Summer Days!

And just in time, too!

This is the second seasonal wall hanging

in the series called "Nancy's Little Hang Ups".

It finishes 12.5" x 12.5"

It fits perfectly in the standing wire hangers

by Ackfeld Manufacturing

available at your local quilt shop.

Patterns and kits are available

at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co

in St. Catharines, ON

Patterns $5.95

Wholesale inquiries are welcome.

Please contact me at

nenighdesigns@gmail.com

Words to Live By

Here it is!

"Words to Live By"

My latest Block of the Month Design.

I wish I had a better photograph, this one doesn't do it justice.

When I get it back from being displayed at Kindred Spirits,

I think it's going for an outdoor photo shoot!

Hope that you like it!

Let me know what you think!

It's finished....finally!

The quilt that I have been working on for the

Spring Niagara Shop Hop is finally finished.

It's my last Shop Hop quilt

and was designed for Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

Here are the four outside corner blocks.

They each have a saying that I want to keep in mind everyday.

I have named the quilt

"Words to Live By"

Kindred Spirits is giving away the pattern

for these four blocks, if you visit the shop this weekend.

After that, they will be available for sale.

The quilt consists of 12 blocks and sayings

and is being offered as a Block of the Month program

at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co in St Catharines, ON

Patterns are available for the BOM at Kindred Spirits

or by contacting me at nenighdesigns@gmail.com

Wholesale Orders to qualified retailers are welcome.

Watch this blog on Monday for a photograph of the full quilt.

Until then, visit Kindred Spirits if you'd like to see it in person!

I love to stitch! It's been so much fun but I have to say,

I think I'll rest for a bit now....

My fingers need a break! lol

I hope that you like it. It's been great fun creating it....

Now, on to the next one! :-)

A sneak peak.....

Here is a sneak peak of the

Block of the Month program that I am working on.

It is called "Words to Live By".

There are 16 blocks that will be made over 12 months.

There is some simple piecing, hand embroidery

and machine (or hand) applique.

While I was working on the first block,

David's mom passed away after a long fight with cancer.

She was a very special lady.

She had a kind heart, was a wonderful cook,

and a wise woman when you needed advice.

She will be greatly missed.

I was sitting idol and couldn't stop thinking about her

so I created this small pillow that will be placed with her.

She had a very strong faith and I knew that

Psalms 23 would be just right.

It is stitched by hand and on the back it reads

"Always in our Hearts"