GracefulArts' Blog
GracefulArts
ArtFire Daily Collection!
Published: 09-28-2012 06:04pm
What a surprise, and honor, it was to see my recently curated collection not only on the front page the day I made it, but today on the daily ArtFire Daily Collection email! ... » Read More
By the Sea, the Beautiful Sea
Published: 06-10-2012 07:47pm
By the sea, the b... Curated By: PebblesatmyFeetArtFire.comIsn't this a lovely collection? The PebblesAtMyFeet studio curated this collection, which includes my sea shell cards along with some other amazing pieces of art!... » Read More
Inspiring Time Away
Published: 05-31-2012 11:33am
There is simply nothing like getting away to bring on the inspiration! Last week my husband and I traveled down to the Oregon coast. We have spent a fair number of summer vacations at the beaches there. This photo is from one of our favorite beaches--sorry, but I'm not naming it! This time we visited the town of Newport. We had previously driven through, but never stayed there. Regrettably, I never took any photos there, mainly because it rained pretty much all week! Not that that has stopped me before, nor does rain destroy a vacation, even to the beach! Our first morning in town, we decided to go see some of the local shops, since ... » Read More
"Hot Lava" Curated Collection by Drunkenmimes
Published: 05-15-2012 11:54pm
Hot Lava Curated By: DrunkenmimesI had the pleasure recently to be featured in a curated collection entitled "Hot Lava" by the artisan, Drunkenmimes. The necklace that was chosen for the collection was created by attaching many different wire wrapped glass dangles which hang from large circular chain links. The glass beads are in fiery shades of red and orange with a bit of yellow thrown in for good measure. It's definitely a high energy piece of jewelry, as are the other items that were featured in this collection.ArtFire.com... » Read More
I'm back!
Published: 01-24-2012 12:52am
Wow! I'm finally back! I live in the Seattle area, and if you're familiar with this part of the Northwest, you know that we don't see much snow. In fact, many years go by without any snow. But this year that is not the case. It began snowing on Sunday the 15th. By Wednesday, the 18th, we were hit with freezing rain, on top of about 5 inches of snow (at my house). I live in the woods, and awoke Thursday to no power and the crashing of tree limbs heavy laden with ice and snow, falling to the ground. What a terrible sound! Our area has been hit very hard, and the devastation is hard to take in. So many trees with missing parts t... » Read More
Featured in Venetian Blue Collection by AyaDesigns
Published: 01-18-2012 03:55pm
Venetian Blue Curated By: AyaDesignsArtFire.comIndie Design... » Read More
I've Had Unexpected Visitors!
Published: 01-04-2012 08:24pm
I was sitting here this afternoon updating listings on my computer, and something caught my eye out the window in front of me. To my amazement, there stood a male deer! He was at about eye level, being in my raised rose bed out front, and he was staring at me rather intently! I took another look, and found that he wasn't alone, there were two others, Mama deer and Youngster deer. I watched them as they nibbled leaves off my roses (the blossoms being long gone), and had a goodly amount of dandelion and clover greens. I very slowly crept across the room and grabbed the easy point & shoot camera, then took a few pics through the slats of t... » Read More
New Inspiration
Published: 01-04-2012 08:23pm
September 2011Isn't it wonderful when something you love to do provides extended benefits? My husband and I just returned from 10 days in a beautiful, warm (okay, I'm not complaining, but it was downright HOT!) tropical paradise. Ah, Hawaii!!
I really enjoy traveling because of the change in scenery, the change in routine, but especially because I love to window shop! I so enjoy seeing new things that people have created...new spins on old ideas, totally new designs, crazy creativity at its best! And, since I live in the Pacific Northwest, the tropics are quite a change of pace for me! I felt so inspired by the beauty of nature. ... » Read More
Quilting Along
Published: 01-04-2012 08:23pm
Late October 2011As you might have guessed, I've been keeping busy quilting lately! I've pieced a total of 6 table runners, and I've quilted half of them so far. I've also quilted 2 out of 3 "pro bono" quilts that will go to Deseret Industries for those in need. And, I have 2 more quilting jobs in my queue, one of which is for a wedding gift later this year.
The table runners came about because, like most quilters, I was accumulating quite a few extra pieces from quilt blocks I've made. So, I took those and pulled out more of the same fabrics, as well as some new, and created table runners. One is in black and white prints, all on a p... » Read More
Quilting Inspiration
Published: 01-04-2012 08:16pm
July 2011This past weekend I traveled to Portland, Oregon with one of my daughters and all 3 of my grandchildren. This was ostensibly as an "STP" support team for my husband, younger daughter and her husband who were participating in the 200-mile bicycle event from Seattle to Portland (hence the name STP). It's a huge thing in this part of the country which drew 10,000 entrants this year. As you may or may not be aware, this part of the Pacific Northwest is not at all flat! There are many, many, elevation changes on this route, which although there is an interstate highway connecting the two cities, is not the route traveled, for obvious r... » Read More
Christmas in July!
Published: 01-04-2012 08:15pm
It's July 1st today! And what does that mean? I live in Western Washington, so it means that summer is almost here, yippee! We really don't see any true summer weather here until after the 4th of July, so we're almost there!
But, here on ArtFire, today is the kick-off of With this, the lucky duckies whose code number was posted in today's Daily Collection email score a $250 credit in any PRO studio of their choice. Any other day the winners receive $100 credit to spend, which is, of course fabulous, but $250, wow! That's like winning the lottery, sending you right over the moon, it's a huge score!
What's that you say? You ... » Read More
A Milestone Reached
Published: 01-04-2012 08:15pm
Spring 2011 I have reached an important milestone, at least in the ArtFire world. I have now listed my 100th item in my studio! Why is this a big deal you might ask. It is said that potential customers tend to prefer studios which offer at least 100 items for sale because it helps them feel that the seller is reliable and that there is plenty to offer. And, I'm now at 100 items, so I am ready!
A couple of interesting things have occurred recently. The first was a purchase by one of my past customers (from another site); always exciting! The second experience occurred when I was doing a JoAnn's open house (I teach sewing lessons).... » Read More
Valuing Our Quilts
Published: 01-04-2012 08:14pm
2011It is a difficult task to place a value on a beautiful quilt, much less one that we have put all our creative juices, our talent and skills, and many, many hours into making! It is not an easy thing for a customer to understand, either.
I think that the first key to understanding the value of a quilt, is to let go of any preconceived notion that any quilt should be priced the same as one purchased in a "big box store", which would include the vast majority of quilts sold. Quilts that have been made in an assembly line, quilts that are made by the tens of thousands, quilts sewn in "sweat shops", these are all manufactured quilts. What ... » Read More
In a New Collection
Published: 01-04-2012 08:14pm
2011One of my baby blankets has been featured in a new collection entitled, "Beep, Beep".
It's a cute collection of cars and such...the things little (and all) boys love! Are you, or do you know someone, who is expecting a little boy? The blanket featured in the collection is just one of the "baby boy" blankets I have listed for sale, and of course I also have quilts for boys, too!
... » Read More
Spring!
Published: 01-04-2012 08:14pm
April 2011I am really looking forward to spring! Yes, it is true that the official first day of spring was weeks ago, but I live in the Northwest, so spring comes later here. In fact, in the news today is that it's now been 41 days in a row with precipitation, and tomorrow is predicted to be all sunshine! There's a cause for celebration! I've gotten a start on that today, by creating a collection here on ArtFire entitled, "Spring Flowers!". The photo accompanying my post today is along those lines, though it is one of my own photographs of pink cherry blossoms.
Why is it that we so enjoy spring? Sure, it's the change to warmer wea... » Read More
Quilting and Why
Published: 01-04-2012 08:13pm
2011Why do we quilt? After all, quilting is often described as taking a bunch of different fabrics, cutting them into small pieces, mixing them up, then sewing them together. Those of you who do quilt will recognize that there is so much more to it than just that. It's the thrill of the hunt for just the right mix of fabrics, by color, by size of print, not to mention designing the quilt to use each fabric to advantage, creating something attractive to the eye.
I really do enjoy the designing of a quilt, though admittedly, there are some frustrations to be conquered with any quilt. These vary from quilt to quilt, sometimes the ... » Read More
