fiberhart

The Cure for Frustration

2012-02-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

I had good intentions and plans. I was up and in the studio by 9:30 am, after an eye checkup and getting the laundry started. I really want to finish this quilt, so it can go to its intended owner. I have made progress!!

I decided to start the geometric, structured quilting- if I need to add more to the flowing lines, I can do that later. I love using the painter's tape to guide my lines, so much easier than marking- and no marks to remove! My Juki started acting weird last weekend. I would stop the machine to turn the quilt, and it would not start again. I tried turning it off, taking the power cord off and putting it back, and finally gave up after it did the same thing multiple times. When it started doing it again this weekend, I decided a trip to the repair shop was unavoidable. So I packed her up and had her in the shop by noon. I'm hoping she'll be ready before next weekend, and the bill won't be a big one.

That left me with frustrations- the need to create, and nothing to do. I'd thought about making some treats for staff at work for Valentine's Day, and that's what I did (and then some!!) By the end of it, my kitchen looked like my studio at the end of a project.

I started with Cake Pops. I first had them at Starbuck's, and was intrigued by the sweet treats that are only a few bites, and so not a calorie budget-buster. I looked on You Tube, and found many, many tutorials on how to make them. Skip the ones that call for cake mix and canned frosting, if I am going to eat sweet calories it is going to be the real thing. So I made brownies (from Moosewood's Desserts cookbook), crumbled them, and bound the crumbles together with melted white chocolate. Roll the balls, freeze them long enough to get them good and cold, then insert the sticks, and voila! Chocolate brownie cake pops!!

That white dot you see where the stick goes in the cake pop is melted white chocolate. An important step, run the stick through melted chocolate right before you insert it in the cake pop- it help cement them together. After another fifteen minutes in the freezer, then I swirled them in more melted semi-sweet chocolate. Wow- I'm a pastry chef!!

After the dark chocolate cooled, I tried decorating with melted white chocolate. This is where I learned that white chocolate is much more temperamental than dark. I managed to turn white chocolate chips into something that looked more like cottage cheese in my attempts to melt it.

Then I decided I wanted cupcakes. So I made lemon cupcakes. I think I got mesmerized by my stand mixer, I started playing with the shutter speed settings on my DSLR. So we have slow shutter speed. . .

which blurs the motion of the mixer, and fast shutter speed. . .

which freezes the motion (and lets in less light to the camera, hence the noise in the photo!)

For the first time ever, I made a European butter cream frosting in addition to my version of cream cheese frosting. OMG, what a treat. Light, silky, and not too sweet- that is was a frosting should taste like. And I flavored some of that cream cheese frosting with raspberries to fill the cupcakes. By the time I was done with them, they looked like this:

Gotta have red for Valentine's Day, right??

Then I decided I wanted to make another batch of cake pops, using a recipe from an Australian cook for raspberry white chocolate. I baked my cake instead of microwaving it like she did, and it worked fine. I did mix it with a bit of my cream cheese frosting before I made the cake pops, and it seemed to work fine.

After my disaster with white chocolate, I decided I wanted to try using melted cream cheese frosting to coat the cake pops. It sorta worked, but not nearly as well as chocolate. And I ended up dunking the top half in dark chocolate anyway. No, they aren't round and pretty like the first batch, but they taste just fine. I guess I just have to get better at handling white chocolate!

I made cookies- gotta have heart cookies,right?

And last, I had cream cheese frosting left, so I made a small batch of gingerbread cupcakes. I couldn't let that stuff go to waste!!

Don't worry, I have not fallen off the calorie conscious wagon. All of this will get taken to work tomorrow, I will get to sample one or two things, and the rest will get eaten by some one else. But I will have had the fun of creating, of getting better with my pastry bag and tips, and the pleasure of making some people happy with good food. All in all, it's not that different than the creating I do with dyes, fabric, and thread.

But I really want my Juki back!

Winter Walking (2012!)

2012-02-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Shannon and I spent part of the afternoon Saturday walking along the Provo river, close to my first home in Utah. It is winter, but it has sure been a mild one.

The lower part of the trail parallels the river to where it dumps into Utah Lake. Parts of it are surrounded by trees, in their spare winter glory.

We saw ducks along the entire walk, some mallards and some coots.

I absolutely loved the two pictures I got of reflections on the water.

And this tree stump, reflected in the water--

It really felt good to get out and walk- I haven't done it since the issues with my foot started.

And, I have no pictures yet, but I spent the better part of Saturday morning quilting! I decided I needed to get my Grace quilt done, I'm tired of having it hanging over my head. I got the free-flowing part done to my satisfaction, and started on the more structured part. I'm using one of the designs in Charlotte Warr Anderson's second book of geometric quilting designs. Because it is not densely quilted, it is coming along nicely. I am really trying to get the muse jumpstarted again!!

Balacing

2012-01-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

pretty much describes my daily quest, trying to balance the 'have-to's' with the 'want-to's.' Balance is also the theme of our next Tangled Textiles challenge. I found a couple of hours to start playing with it this weekend, and this is what I came up with.

I'm limiting myself to two colors, in a range of values. I don't know if any of these will end up in the final piece, but I am having fun playing. We'll see where this leads me.

Today was all about the kitchen. I made chicken white chili for dinner. I've done it before, but I think the pot I made today- without a recipe- is the best I've ever done. This is what was left in the pot after dinner.

So, for my own sanity, since I probably won't remember how I did it if I don't write it down NOW- here's my recipe. I chopped a large onion and about four cloves of garlic, and sliced about six stalks of celery. I sauteed these in olive oil- enough to coat the bottom of my Dutch oven- until tender. I covered the pot and let them sweat on low heat while I cut up four large chicken breast halves in to small pieces. I took the veggies out of the pan, and sauteed the chicken in three batches, so the pan wasn't too crowded. When all the chicken was cooked, I added my spices. I used about two teaspoons of roasted ground coriander, two teaspoons of ground cumin, and two teaspoons of oregano. I added salt and pepper, and cooked the chicken and spices for a few minutes. Then I returned the veggies to the pan, added four cans of drained canellini beans, two small cans of chopped green chiles, and three cans of chicken broth. That filled my Dutch oven up to the top. I let it simmer for a couple of hours this afternoon, then served it with grated queso fresco, sour cream, and cilantro. With corn muffins or tortillas, it made a scrumptious winter dinner.

I've had cans of pumpking staring at me in the pantry from Christmas- I never did make a pumpkin pie this year. So I made pumpkin gingerbread cupcakes, frosted with cream cheese frosting. Love the recipes in Williams-Sonoma Cooking at Home. The frosting recipes don't have tons of sugar in them, and aren't gagglingly sweet. Yum!!

I swear, one day I'll be a pro with my pastry bag!

So now I'm off to try to finish my latest book in my Nook- I need to start reading a library book I downloaded, I only have two weeks to get through that one. Hope your week is a flavorful and creative one!

Musings and Mumblings

2012-01-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

That's all I have to offer up tonight, without any visuals. I haven't taken any interesting photos recently, and I certainly don't need to bore you with photos of the snow we got over the weekend and today. No, Shiloh and I did not go walking in it this weekend. Since I worked on Friday, I felt rushed all weekend. Amazing how I've gotten into a three day weekend grove, I need that long to get all my domestic stuff done, and get some creative time in the studio. There was no creative time in the studio this weekend.

We have a new challenge for the Tangled Textiles group- Balance. I quite like this one, and have been mulling ideas around in my head. I think I will take some time to observe my surroundings, and get some photos of both balance and imbalance. Beyond that, I'm not sure what direction I will take.

I thought I would be taking two workshops this year. Rosalie Dace is teaching in Grand Junction in June, and I'd thought I could swing it. Last week I came to the conclusion I couldn't, and took my name off the list. Carol Soderlund was supposed to come back to Heber in July, but the studio we used for her workshop last summer is not available the week she can come- so that one has been put off until 2013. Katie PM is coming here in August, and I just can't get enthusiastic about taking a class from her. I'm getting more and more tired of taking design related classes from quilt artists. I'm really thinking I just need to find the time and motivation to stay home and do the work. So maybe the time I would have been at Carol's workshop will be staycation in the studio. Or maybe I will take a long weekend and spend time with my brother and camera somewhere around Reno. My brother would be the perfect companion for that kind of getaway. Lots to think about, at least I don't have to make a decision any time soon.

So there you have it, the boring state of my mind. I'll let you know if any of it results in action any time soon!

Winter Walking

2012-01-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

We had our first snow of the year today- and I decided that my foot was feeling good enough to go for a walk with Shiloh. I haven't been walking in a couple of months because of a plantar wart on my right foot. I had it taken off last fall, but it came back- even worse. My podiatrist took it off again a couple of weeks ago- it has taken that long for me to feel like I could walk, not limp.

So Shiloh and I drove up to Hobble Creek, where I'd learned there is a paved trail. We found it easily, and headed off. It was starting to snow, but not enough to make me change my mind. I also wanted to take some pictures with my Nikon point and shoot. I'm trying to use it and get used to the settings and it's capabilities. It will never replace my Pentax DSLR, but I love having a camera that fits easily in my purse or pocket.

We had to cross a couple of bridges. Shiloh managed to stand still long enough to have a portrait!

I loved the texture and color of the lichen on this tree trunk.

I wasn't expecting to see any green leaves this time of year- but these were peeking through the snow and underbrush.

It may have been snowing, but Hobble Creek was running fast and furious. I was intrigued by the movement of the water next to the one piece of ice.

We walked for about an hour- I think we did about three miles. When the snow on the trail got thick enough that I couldn't tell where it was icy underneath, we turned around. But it's a trail I'll be going back to when the weather improves!

Tangled Textiles Reveal Day

2012-01-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today was the reveal for the fourth Tangled Textiles challenge- "Look Up." My entry is The Eyes (don't have it anymore). I was trying to use my recent experience with a secondary cataract and subsequent laser treatment as my inspiration.

It is another mixed media piece, using the same general techniques as 'The Tools of My Trade" that I did for the last challenge. This one has a lot less paint on it, and I am not that happy with it. It never felt like it came together. Maybe it will look differently to me if I put it away for awhile, but right now I am ready to move on to something else.

I tried and successfully used some new techniques- blurring text with PSE, and transferring a laser print of the text with gel medium.

Click on over to the Tangled Textiles blog and see what the others in the group did. There are some incredibly imaginative interpretations of the theme, and some wonderful work.

More Mixed Media- and a Book Review!

2012-01-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

I got some work done on my Tangled Textiles challenge piece, which needs to be done by the 15th. I will be pushing that deadline!

I'm doing mixed media again, and have a base layer similar to the last one I did. Right now I'm waiting for some gel medium to dry that I used to do transfers using a method I've never done before. Yes, I know I'm breaking a cardinal rule, but I don't have time to do samples. I'm just praying it doesn't come back to bite me on the butt.

Here's your teaser, one corner of the piece. I haven't even started with the paint, so I suspect that it won't look like this very long.

That white rectangle is not fabric, it's my transfer mid-process.

I also added to my library this week- and I am very happy with one acquisition!

I haven't even read the entire book, but she has some exercises using your camera that I am excited to try. She does have information about camera settings and other technical information, but mostly this is a book about using the camera as an artistic tool. I knew I was reading a kindred spirit- she talks at the beginning of the book about needing to spend at least some time after work (as an attorney) each day with her fabric and sewing machine. She has some interesting ideas for using your own photographs in different kind of art projects, many of which are easily translated to fabric. For anyone who wants to be more creative with the camera, I would highly recommend this book!

We got our first snow in quite awhile yesterday. I must admit I have thoroughly enjoyed the lack of snow and the mild winter temperatures we've been having. I just hope we don't get buried in the valley the rest of the winter- it can snow all it wants in the mountains!

That's it, I'm off to see how dry my gel medium is. Here's hoping your week is a good and creative one!

Adios, 2011!!

2011-12-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

Not that I have any particularly bad memories of the year, it's been ok. I think it will go down in my memory as the Year I Learned to Control the Dyes, thanks to a week with Carol Soderlund. Worth all the other fabric related classes I've taken, and then some. I'll be taking Part Two with her in July.

I've work short hours since Christmas, and have been BUSY! Shannon and I made scrubs to give as gifts:

Pumpkin spice brown sugar scrub (smells yummy!)

Sweet orange salt scrub- another heavenly smell.

All nicely packaged and ready to gift- Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub, Sweet Orange Salt Scrub, Lavender Salt Scrub.

We made kolache, a scrumptious, highly caloric cookie I only make at Christmas. Butter, cream cheese, flour, and apricot filling- that's it. But they are to die for.

I decided it was time to get the mis-dyed color swatches done for my Dye Bible. These are the last of the dozen or so I did, ready for the washout.

And I decided it was time to clean up the studio, I have a Tangled Textile piece I need to get started on this week. And, what better way to usher in the new creative year? Wow, I can see the floor of my fabric closet! I managed to get rid of one plastic storage bin that was taking up valuable storage space, and get other stuff better organized. And yes, I threw out stuff too!!

Woohoo, Utah just pulled off a win in overtime against Georgia Tech!! (Sorry, Judy!!) What a game- BYU won their bowl game yesterday, which meant I really wanted Utah to win theirs. College football and New Year's- what better combination!

I'm wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year, with blessings and creativity. That's my prayer for the year!

It's All About the Food

2011-12-18T20:25:00.001-07:00

Because that's pretty much all I did this weekend, play in the kitchen! We had our family party with DH's sisters and their families today. We supplied scalloped potatoes and salad, one sister supplied a ham. Another brought pies- and I had to make cupcakes!!

And, just for the heck of it, I also made cookies and bread, although it wasn't out for consumption at the party.

The bread is a Christmas stollen I make every year. It's a yummy sweet yeast bread full of almonds, dried cherries, apicots, and blueberries. Not the traditional fruit, but it's what I like. I got an early Christmas present of an electric cookie press, so I had to try it out making lemon butter cookies.

I ended up making three kinds of cupcakes. Gingerbread, because Jaden specifically requested them (and he doesn't request my food very often!). I also made tiramisu cupcakes, and lemon blackberry cupcakes. The last ones were the biggest hit.

They all tasted fantastic, but I definitely need practice with the decorating tips. Fortunately drizzled blackberry puree and cocoa powder can cover a multitude of sins.

We did an inexpensive gift exchange- I ended up with kitchen towels and a fabric bread bowl. Seems fitting, somehow, doesn't it?

We drank, ate, played games and just enjoyed the time together. A lovely way to end the weekend!

Therapy Sewing

2011-12-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Rayna is right, it's the best prescription for the creative doldrums. Or just the doldrums, in this social worker's opinion!

It started with a Christmas project with Shannon, but I now have a small stash of freeform strips started. What fun to just grab fabric and start stitching. Since I started with Christmas, I'm still doing a lot of green and red and gold. But I have a stash of Easy Pieces blocks that are every shade of purple on my radar.

So the studio is in disarray, with piles of fabric sorted by value.

My pile of strips is growing. And think what I can do with those blocks! Not all the Easy Pieces blocks are purple, I did have some with green so I took those out to play with now.

I am loving how my hand dyed and printed cloth is playing with my commercial fabric stash. I have enough smaller pieces to keep doing this for quite awhile!!

My first two free form blocks, started with squares that I just kept dividing and adding to.

I have no idea how I will end up using these blocks and stirps. I just know that it is relaxing and fun, and it is something I can do even after ten hours at work. I am way to tired at night to even think about quilting, which is why 'Grace' is coming along so slowly. A couple of strip sets or blocks? No problem!

So thank you, Rayna, I feel like I've gotten two early Christmas presents!

An Early Christmas Present

2011-12-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging much lately- I haven't had much interesting to say. Not a lot of quilty work going on- I did do some more on 'Grace', but it is far from done. Maybe I'll get to it this weekend, I can only hope.

I did get two lovely presents in the mail this week. I have three quilts published in two books!!

First came Charlotte Warr Andersen's second book on geometric quilting designs.

I've used several of the designs from her first book in quilts, including one of the first I did for the Interpret This! online challenge group. That's the quilt that found its way into this book:

I know I want to use a geometric design in parts of 'Grace', so I have been thumbing my way through both books trying to decide. The jury is still out on that.

Then a few days later this showed up in my mailbox!

I read the book cover to cover the day I got it. If you don't have a copy, run get one! Rayna is fun to read, and I love her approach to design. This may be just the jump-start I need this winter to get the juices going again. Heaven knows I have enough stash to sew strips and play with them!!

'Green' and 'Pinks on Parade' are the two in Rayna's book.

'Pinks on Parade' was gifted to a friend in Grand Junction; the other two are hanging in my studio.

Although I haven't done a lot of dyeing since I took Carol Soderlund's workshop last summer, I played with a scarf last weekend. I wanted to dye it to coordinate with a sweater I got. The dye bible is worth its weight in gold- I picked the color I wanted, and got just that. Even the fact that I was dyeing silk instead of cotton didn't seem to make much difference. Today I got two dye colors from Pro Chem, so I have every color I need to dye from the book.

Winter has definitely rolled into Utah- we missed out on the high winds that blasted a lot of people in Salt Lake northward, but temperatures have dropped and snow is in the forecast. A good reason to keep warm in the studio!

I'm still here. . . .

2011-11-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

but not a lot to talk about. I haven't spent much time in the studio- I did spend several days horizontal, going through Kleenex at a very rapid rate. I hate colds.

I do have a new toy. I love my SLR, and have learned a lot about photography with it. But I decided I wanted a smaller camera that I could carry with me all the time. I did some research, picked several models that I thought would work for me, and started haunting the two used camera websites to see what they had. I ended up with a Nikon S8000- a point and shoot that got decent reviews.

I've had it ten days. I haven't played with it as much as I'd hoped, but I have done some. So far, so good. I've deleted a bunch of photos I wasn't happy with. I do like this one of a sunrise- the sky colors were just amazing.

It has been slow or no going on the creative front. I'm hoping to change that this long weekend. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with family and gratitude.

Good Eats- In Person!!

2011-11-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Although I don't blog about it often, I think I would qualify as a bonafide foodie. I love to cook, and raised three children who also love to cook. Food TV didn't exist when I was growing up, but Shannon got addicted to it early on and turned me on to it. One of the first Food TV personalities I watched was Alton Brown on Good Eats. So when Sean told me that we were going to a book signing he was doing in nearby Branden, I did not argue!

Ignore my fisted hand, I have not a clue what I was doing or thinking!

Unaware that the bookstore had been handing out numbered tickets for the event starting the evening before, we showed up at Books a Million at 5:30, and hour and a half before the signing started- and were handed number 287. Oh joy!! When Marly realized how many people were in line, and how long we would be there, her only comment was "Too many foodies in one place!!"

Staff arranged us in lines snaking around the store. I had plenty of time to read several quilting magazines, and find a copy of "Where the Wild Things Are" for Michelle. We talked to the people around us in line, and the three of us took turns staying in line while another walked Michelle around. A two year old has limited patience for slowly moving lines!

At nine pm, the store closed the doors to the mall. We were able to see Alton by this point. A few minutes later, he strode away from his table and into the crowd, saying, "Where are the little kids?" Next thing we knew, staff we going down the line, telling anyone with small children to move to the front of the line. We didn't argue!!

I asked him to sign a book for a Christmas present, Sean made a special request for his. Although it was brief, I can say that Alton Brown is pretty much the same in person as he is on TV- real, and funny! It was a fun way to spend my last night in Florida, and to leave with a one-of-a-kind Christmas present.

My Dolphin Tale

2011-11-02T20:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I may not have made it to St. Augustine, but I did get to meet a couple of celebrities while I was in Florida. Sean has lived in Tampa for ten years, and tells me he never heard of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium until I asked him about it after seeing the movie.

Monday afternoon we packed up the Michelle and my camera and headed over the bridge to Clearwater. We found it easily, it was behind a fancy seafood restaurant where Sean took Shannon and me to dinner on our first trip to Florida in 2002.

If you've seen the movie, the aquarium is easily recognizable. There's now a ticket tent in the parking lot, and there has been some remodeling inside, but it felt familiar.

Photographic proof of my presence there! What I wouldn't give to be in 85 degree weather again. . .

We wandered around the pools, wondering what we were looking at. This is a rescue and rehab operation, not a place where the dolphins put on shows. I finally asked one of the staff where Winter was, and she pointed to a dolphin in the tank I was looking at.

I learned that they would have a session with her later on, so we wandered around. I watched a training session with a young rescue dolphin, saw some river otters, and stood entranced by a tank of sting rays. I had no idea those creatures were so graceful when they swam. Finally, we decided to snag our seats for Winter.

I thought she wore the prosthetic tail most of the time, but that is not the case. Staff put it on her 3-4 times a day for about fifteen minutes, and run her through a series of exercises to strengthen the muscles that don't get used with her side-to-side swim motion. It was fascinating to watch.

This is one of the exercises they did with her after the tail was attached.

It was so interesting watching the staff interact with the dolphins.

For those with deeper pockets than we had, you could meet Winter up close and personal. I don't think this little boy knew quite what to think or do!!

I bought some tee shirts to help support the aquarium programs, and took tons of pictures. It was a fascinating afternoon, one I'd gladly do again.

Orlando

2011-10-31T20:34:00.000-06:00

We did make it to Orlando on Sunday- Michelle was feeling much better. We met my sister at her timeshare, then decided to head out to some outlet malls. I won't bore you with the details, other than I scored some shoes and a few clothing items at Coldwater Creek. I now know that Orlando is a place I don't need to visit again- it is definitely for the tourists.

After eating a late lunch, we took Carol back to her digs. The rest of us decided to hit Disney Main Street before heading home to Tampa. That's about the only time I took photos during the day!!

I saw amazing creations with Legos--

We walked and enjoyed the music and the lights--

We posed in front of the Irish pub--

Sean tried to get Michelle to sit on top of the pumpkin, but she would have no part of that.

Marly and Michelle had fun with this mime artist- he moved around depending on what the people in front of him did.

And that was our day ih Orlando. Fun, but don't know that I have any great yen to return there.

Jet Lag

2011-10-30T08:48:00.000-06:00

That pretty much described me yesterday. I got back Friday night from a week in Florida with my son and his family. After spending all day in airports and planes, I got to Salt Lake to be greeted by a horrendous Friday night traffic jam. A trip home that normally takes about an hour took over three. The joys of freeway reconstruction!!

Our original plan had been to drive to Orlando on Saturday to connect with my sister, then drive Sunday with her to St. Augustine. Michelle got sick Friday, however, so all plans were off. We spent Saturday at home, pumping her full of medication in the hopes she'd be well enough for a trip to Orlando on Sunday.

Saturday was also my son's birthday. So, stuck at home, what else is there to do but cook? (Especially true when a couple of foodies get together!!) First I made Sean's birthday cupcakes-

Yum- pound cake chocolate chunk cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. That isn't just chocolate drizzle decorating them. At Sean's request, I made this to go on the cupcakes-- dark chocolate covered bacon!!

I was not sure about that one, but tried it- and liked it! Why not, I think bacon and peanut butter are perfect together. So what's not to like about luscious dark chocolate??

Before we got to the cupcakes, however, was dinner. Sean made some special burgers- on a ciabatta roll, with garlic aioli, grilled pears, and brie cheese. They were yummy!

It's accompanied by a Latin slaw, one of the few ways Marly will eat cabbage.

After dinner, Michelle helped her daddy blow out his birthday candle. Clearly the medications were helping!!

A luscious end to Sean's birthday!

My Tools of the Trade

2011-10-22T08:49:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was the reveal day for the Tangled Textiles latest challenge, Tools. Here's my interpretation of the theme:

This was my first ever attempt at doing mixed media work. I used my rusted fabric, other hand dyed fabric, pieces of paper torn out of a dictionary, gel medium, paint, and Shiva paintstiks.

I thought long and hard about how I wanted to interpret the theme. When I thought about my work, the tools always came in secondary. The two elements that I would be helpless without are my hands and my eyes- so that is the direction I took. The choice was also probably influenced by my increasing awareness of the value of my hands! Youth takes for granted their abilities and capacities; most youthful hands perform their appointed tasks with minimal awareness on the part of the actor. But aged hands show the signs of their long use- creaks, pains, and flat-out inability to do tasks easily done before. Mine are no exception. So I have come to value my hands much more in recent years than I did as a youth!

My desire to try this was sparked by an article in the August/September Quilting Arts by Jennifer Solon. I wanted to try the way of working without creating a piece that looked like it was inspired by the article. I think I succeeded! Another goal was to find a way to use my rust dyed fabrics without driving me or my sewing machine crazy. My hope was that coating it with gel medium before I did any stitching would lock those tiny metallic particles into the fabric, preventing them from breaking my thread and making my machine go CLUNK. That theory seemed to be valid, also- I did lots of stitching, and no thread or other issues.

I layers torn strips of fabric on black felt. When I was happy with the design, I gave it a couple of coats of gel medium. I think I mixed matte and gloss. I layered on the torn pieces of paper, and stitched. Then I applied Setacolor transparent paints, stamps, more paper- I just kept going until I was happy with the result. The last element was the large hand, done with a freezer paper stencil and Shiva paintstiks. And yes, it is my hand. After I let the painstik color cure for a few days, I gave it a couple more coats of gel medium. Here's some detail shots--

I had to think long and hard about how to finish the edges. I didn't want the hard line created by a binding or satin stitched edge. I finally chose to stitch a piece of blue-green tulle around the edge, and cut it so the edge was choppy rather than straight. It gave the shadowed effect I wanted- finished, but subtly.

It was a strange experience creating this piece. At times it literally felt like a out of body experience. At times I wondered, "Where is this coming from?" As I have spent more time with it in the studio, however, it has grown on me and I'm happy to claim it as my creation. It has also sparked a desire to play more with the mixed media.

It was fascinating seeing the myriad of interpretations of the 'Tools' theme. Jump on over to the Tangled Textiles blog and take a look!

Perfect Fall Weekend

2011-10-17T20:14:00.000-06:00

Perfect as in perfect weather- not cold, not hot, just perfect walking weather. I walked by the river with the dog a couple of times- it sure felt good!

The trees in the valley are finally starting to show some color. I loved the look on this part of the walk, they form a canopy over the trail.

This thistle doesn't seem to have figured out that the growing season is fast coming to an end!! The colors really stood out among the dead and dying grasses and plants.

I also got in some studio time. I started new piece with hand dye I did over the summer. I've had it up on my wall, looking at it for quite awhile. I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to emphasize with the quilting, but I wanted to try drawing it over the fabric first.

I used my Quilter's Preview Paper (plastic, really!) to try what I had in mind. It came together so easily it scared me- exactly the effect I wanted, long flowing lines juxtaposed against a structured, geometric motif. I'm not sure just what the geometric part will end up as, but I started with the flowing lines. I quilted for about two hours, then realized that I was having puckering issues that were getting worse. I ended up ripping out ALL the stitching I'd done, and fusing the hand dye to a light-weight stabilizer, which was then fused to the black background. I'm using black felt instead of batting, so the piece should hang straight with all that. It will be more of a pain to get through the machine for the flowing part, but worth it in the long run. I got two lines quilted after I re-did it, then called it a day. I've learned that I need to quilt in the morning, not late in the day- I'm too prone to accidents then.

The Tangled Textiles reveal is Friday, which is also the day I am winging my way to Florida to spend a week with my granddaughter (and her parents!). I am so looking forward to it, she is growing up so fast and really developing her own personality. We're going to visit St. Augustine, I'm hoping to get some good architectural photos. So visit the Tangled Textile blog on Friday, and take a look at all the ways you can interpret the word 'Tools!'

Long Weekend (in the Dyepots!!)

2011-10-09T19:51:00.001-06:00

I have a long weekend, and so far have spent at least one solid day in the studio. I got my next Tangled Textiles piece totally done- but no looking at that until the reveal day on the 18th.

I bought a circular rayon scarf from Dharma a few months ago, and finally got around to dyeing it. Yeah, the red and gray that I've already posted. Something about the scarf bugged me- not the dye job, but the size. I decided it was too wide, so I cut it in half- and now I had two almost identical red and gray scarves. I like the colors and patterning, but I don't need two!

So I cooked one half in a Thiox bath. All the gray turned to white, and the red areas turned yellow. At least that's what color it was when I took it out of the Thiox bath. After I took it out of the washer, it looked like this. Yuck.

If it had stayed the yellow, I would have had lots of options for overdyeing. This not-so-lovely color (straight out of a baby's diaper, I think!) left me with limited choices. I did manage to find something I thought would work out of the Dye Book, though.

Three hours later I had this. Better, but still not enought zing for me.

So I went through my stencils and picked out a couple of Paintstik colors I thought would blend, and went to work. By this afternoon, I had this!

I ended up using three colors instead of two- I highlighted the copper squares with gold on two edges. I'm happy now, it feels done.

One interesting side note- if you look closely, you can see the thread I used to finish the edge- it's on the left in the photo. I used cotton thread, figuring it would dye with the fabric. Apparently it has enough polyester that it won't dye, or at least not much. It's not obvious, though, so I'll still wear the scarf- with a great deal of pleasure!

I also started another quilt, but Blogger is being a pain and taking forever to download photos. So I am calling it a night, maybe it will be more cooperative tomorrow.

Colorado

2011-10-02T19:39:00.000-06:00

Shannon and I spent the better part of this weekend in Grand Junction, Colorado. She is investigating Colorado Christian College's nursing program, and wanted to see what kind of place Grand Junction is. We stayed with my AQuA friend Susan, who is a wonderful hostess. It was a lovely relaxing weekend.

We got there early enough on Friday to meet with someone from the college, who answered a lot of our questions and gave both of us a better feel for their program. That meant we had all of Saturday to go play and see the town!

We visited one of the wineries in Palisade, a picturesque little town just east of Grand Junction. We both fell in love with the old homes in the town. I haven't been around so many old hippies since I don't know when.

We also found a peach grower that had some left from the late harvest, and treated ourselves to a small box of Palisade peaches. We walked around their charming little downtown, and had coffee and a sweet treat. I found inspiration looking down--

Cool sidewalk, no??

Then we drove back to Grand Junction and walked through the old downtown. I remembered it as being a nice place to walk, and we had lots of company. There was a gourd festival going on, and some of the streets were blocked to traffic. I liked how they have art all along the downtown corridor-

When the weather got a little threatening, we found a brew pub and split an order of fish and chips- yum! I found a lovely skirt in a toney thrift shop, some citric acid to use in my silk dyeing, and a couple of small rollers- one set for the kitchen, the other set for roller stamps. I also found a bunch more cool cookie cutters to use in batik.

Late in the afternoon, we joined Susan and some of her friends that I'd met on a previous trip for a movie and dinner evening. We all thoroughly enjoyed 'A Dolphin Tale', and talked and laughed over a Smash Burger and sweet potato fries. Shannon and I couldn't resist washing ours down with some good beer. All in all, a lovely trip! We got home about 2 pm today, just in time to finish up some laundry and get ready for the work week.

I asked Susan for a crit of my Tangled Textiles piece, and was very happy with her feedback. I should have that one done by the end of the week. All that's left is to fuse the backing and add the binding.

Now I'm off to do some ironing before relaxing with a book. Hope your week is a good one!!

Ahead of the Game. . .

2011-09-25T20:08:00.000-06:00

I had a lovely week working in sunny southern Utah- as far as I'm concerned, summer can hang on as long as it likes. I actually have some things from the studio to share!!

I bought one of those light rayon circular scarces from Dharma, and just got around to dyeing it. I have some colors in the frig, but not the gray I wanted to go with the red I already had. So I mixed up a .5% solution (so, so easy!!), and here is what I have marinating-

It's wet, so I should have some white left on it- fine by me. Love that gray color.

I also got a gift quilt done and ready to mail. My SIL bought these blocks on a trip to Oregon years ago, and asked if I would put them together. I got it quilted before I left for St. George, thanks to a friend with a longarm who showed me how to use a wave ruler to get the quilting I wanted.

I hope she is happy with it! I wanted a simple design that referenced the nautical or ocean feel of the quilt, and think that this succeeds.

She's also getting a pillow ready for a pillow form with another lighthouse block on it.

And as for the title of this post, my next Tangled Textiles challenge piece is almost done, three weeks ahead of schedule. I have mixed feelings about it. I tried some processes totally new to me, and had fun doing them. But I am just not sure if the quilt is 'me.' I do like, however, the way I chose to interpret the theme of 'tools.'

I can't post the entire piece until after the reveal on Oct. 18- but here is a corner preview--

I have one last thing to do to it, using this. Something else I have never done in a like manner!!

I agonized over what color to use, after deciding that my first idea wouldn't work or give the look I wanted. That idea involved metal, not fabric, and I still think it's an idea I could use in the future. As for the color- I wouldn't have believed it until I auditioned it.

With the challenge piece out of the way, I'm moving on to another hand dye I did that I want to use as a wholecloth. I love the effects possible just with thread But that is for later. Off to ready for another work weeks, hope your week is a creative one!

Next Challenge

2011-09-18T09:57:00.000-06:00

I started working on the next challenge with the Tangled Textiles group. I am loving using words to spark ideas rather than pictures- it just seems to flow better for me. And the words we have used thus far have lent themselves to multiple interpretations.

This time the word is 'tool'. Lots and lots of directions to take that one! And I have wanted to use my rusted fabric, without creating issues for my sewing machine. I hope I have found a way to do that.

So here is your sneak peek at the very beginning of the process. Lots more to be done, so it is a good thing I'm starting way before our mid-October deadsline!

I'm really looking forward to finishing this one, I'll be doing processes and using materials fairly new to me. I won't be doing anymore this week, I am leaving tonight on a work-related trip and won't be home until very late Thursday. But I'm learning that I do a lot of my 'work' in my head, so I'll have lots of time for that!

A Lost Art

2011-09-16T10:06:00.000-06:00

Or maybe it would be a lost skill? I am continually amazed at how the ability to express oneself in writing, with good grammar and spelling, is eroding. They sure don't seem to be teaching it in school!

The state of Utah recently painted off a section for motorcycles in the parking lot at the regional center in Provo. Obviously those who did the work don't have access to spellcheck, a dictionary, or any other means of ensuring spelling accuracy.

Geez.

I haven't had a lot to blog about lately, but I am off to Salt Lake to meet with my WAQ group, and also get a small gift quilt quilted. If I can manage it this weekend, I might even have some quilty content!

Winding Down

2011-09-05T18:58:00.001-06:00

from a long weekend, and definitely not ready to go back to work. Oh well.

The cotton knit I had in the dyepot Saturday is now a tee. Having cut the fabric on the fold limited the choice of patterns I had, so this is what I ended up with.

It has a bit more white than I'd intended, but I decided against overdyeing the fabric. I just didn't want to mess with the nice twisted pattern I got. And, I really like the color.

I have another tee cut out from commercial fabric- I want to test the pattern before I use any hand dyed. And, I have no more cotton knit to dye- I'll have to wait until I can get some more sent from Reno.

The weather here is cooling off, and the days are shorter. I'm an early riser whether it's a workday or not, and it's dark now when I get up. I've been looking at the trees on the mountains to check for any color changes, but none yet. It won't be long, though.

Overdyeing- Leaving the Crapshoot!!

2011-09-03T16:04:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted for two weeks, and you would think I have been busy in the studio, putting all my newly learned wisdom and knowledge to good use with fabric and dyes. You would be wrong, unfortunately.

We've cleaned carpets, moved furniture, switched bedroom occupants. I did get my dye bible completely put together in the midst of all that, and read through Carol's instructions multiple times. I even did some formulas. But not one bit of fabric, at least not until this weekend.

I dyed this piece of rayon/linen a few weeks ago.

You probably can't tell in the picture, but the pale color is not white but peachy. I knew I wanted to change it, without drastically changing the red spirals. And, I could not remember exactly what dyes I used to do this.

I used my dye bible to determine what color was closest to the background color I wanted to change, then picked the color I wanted it to be- a medium pale shade of grayed blue-lavender. I did the math, and did two dye baths last night. Since I was using fuschia and turquoise, I decided to do this in two separate dye baths, to avoid the dreaded color split that is so common with those two dyes. After the first bath in red, the fabric looked like this:

I can see the very pale yellow under the pink, so I obviously mixed fuschia or light red dye with yellow to tone down the blue cast in both those dyes. Next I overdyed it again, in a slightly darker value of turquoise. This is how it came out of the dryer this morning:

It is hard to tell, but the fabric is definitely a grayed blue lavender- and the red spirals still look red. In some places the orange is still easily visible.

The color in the pictures is not quite right, and I couldn't get it right in PSE. But it is very close to the color in my book, and I am happy with it. I am also ecstatic that I now have a tool to give me more control and predictability when I overdye!

I finally got around to doing something with the last piece of cotton spandex knit that I got in Reno. I cut it in half lenghwise, and twisted the fabric tightly after soda soaking it. I'm hoping to keep some of the white in this piece, so I added the dye while it was wet. I'll pull this one out tomorrow- I've already chosen the pattern I'll use- another simple design that highlights the fabric and can be sewn in a couple of hours.

I'm really developing a preference for colors that teeter between two. This one- is it green? Blue? I like the way a paler value of the color is wicking out. More tomorrow after the washout!

After the Workshop

2011-08-22T20:51:00.001-06:00

I have been working on getting my Dye Bible completely put together. I only have three envelopes to finish, and then I will need to go through the book carefully and identify those swatches that need to be redyed. Here's where I finished last night.

I apparently left my double-stick tape up in Heber, so I had to go buy another couple of rolls. The stuff is expensive!!

We had some fabric issues when we dyed the swatches- some of them were heavier than the rest, and came out paler than they should have as a result. It also meant our stacks of swatches were short! Fortunately the print cloth I brought was the same weight as the rest, so we used some of that to make up for the shortage. The swatches that dyed paler, however, I will want to re-dye. Good practice!

I've also decided what I will be overdyeing first. I did this piece of rayon/linen a couple of months ago, intending to make a jacket. I wasn't very happy with how it turned out.

The pale background has a sort of peachy cast, and that was the color I compared to my dye swatches to determine how I want to overdye it. Yes, it will affect the swirls- change the color somewhat and darken the valued- but mostly, I want to get rid of the peachy background. I think I know my color, but probably won't decide for sure until this weekend when I dye it.

In the meantime, it's time to tape down some more fabric swatches!

Oh- and in the midst of all that, the second reveal for Tangled Textiles was last week while I was in Heber. Take a look at all the wonderfully varied interpretations of 'Celebrate!'

Keys to the Kingdom

2011-08-20T07:57:00.000-06:00

After spending five days learning from Carol Soderlund, I think I can now say I've been granted a set of keys to the Kingdom Where the Colors are Made. My brain is spinning, there was so much to take it and so many ideas!! I will be purging the dye studio of all my measuring cups and spoons; my dye colors will only be measured with my nifty little digital scale. And as my dye colors are used up, I won't have to replace all of them; I'm betting I'll have ten to twelve colors at most. Think of the space I'll be gaining!!

One of my classmates was another member of the MX Dyers Yahoo Group. It was so much fun getting to know Cherie! I got to see some fabric she did as a part of the Ugly Cloth challenge, and it was gorgeous. Here we are on the last day of class with Carol, who's holding the Color Bible that we all now have. Mine is on-third put together, and I hope to finish it by the end of next week.

Carol is a fantastic teacher- generous with her time and knowledge, and just plain nice. We've already asked her to come back next year to teach Color Mixing 2.

I only dyed a couple of half-yard pieces as part of an exercise, but learned a lot from that and from watching what others were doing. On the last afternoon, we looked at everyone's fabric and talked about the variables that contributed to the differences. Here I am with Carol, holding my two pieces. (Ignore the fact that my eyes are shut in the picture, please!)

Would you believe that both pieces were dyed with the exact same color? True! The one on the left was done with a pale value, flag folded. I poured the dye on dry fabric, and added the soda ash after the dye color. It is a lovely shade of lavender, with marks where the fabric was folded.

The second was done with a medium dark value of that color, but it was soda soaked first, and the color added to wet fabric. What a difference! The red struck quickly, but the blue poked along, and finally bonded in the white areas of the fabric. You can also see green where the blue and yellow mixed.

What does this mean? I can now control the effects I get on my hand dyes, by understanding what process produces what result. This was only one of the many pieces of dye wisdom I acquired this week. Some of the others, I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the possibilities.

So now I'm off to finish the grocery shopping for the week, so I can get down to the studio and do some organizing and cleaning. Hopefully by this afternoon I'll be back to putting my Dye Bible together!!

Dyeing Up a Storm

2011-08-17T06:52:00.000-06:00

Two days with Carol Soderlund, and that is what we have done- dyed more than 1000 colors. I cannot believe the color book I will leave this class owning.

Carol is a wonderful teacher, generous and giving. We worked until 7 pm on Monday, and 6:30 yesterday. And she calls Wednesday the 'late' day!! I'm staying up in Park City the next two nights so I don't have to drive home til class is over.

Needless to say, I am having a blast and learning a ton. Pictures when I get back!!

Happy Birthday,Bentlee

2011-08-14T20:07:00.000-06:00

Today we celebrated Bentlee's eleventh birthday with family and friends. We enjoyed burgers, corn, and potato salad- quinessential American summer food. And I delivered on the cupcakes!

I think I've made progress from the first sorry batch I made a couple of weeks ago! A little more practice with the pastry bag and tips--

The chocolate ones were my first experience with ganache- the best frosting I've ever had. But then, what could be wrong with cream and bittersweet chocolate? I also piped some raspberry cream into the middle of the chocolate cakes. All I can say is they were YUMMY!! Bentlee got the kinds of presents an almost teen would appreciate- earrings, bath essentials, and gift cards, so she seemed happy with her celebration.

No sewing this weekend, I have spent my time collecting everything I need for five days with Carol Soderlund. I can't wait- I'm expecting to be exhausted and exilarated at the same time. I have three composition books ready for my notes, and a 'new' set of dyeing clothes from Saver's. If I'm not too tired, I'll try to post during the week.

And, Thursday is the reveal for the second Tangled Textiles challenge, 'Celebrate.' Be sure to visit the blog and see all the wonderful creations!

Injured on the Job

2011-08-07T19:16:00.000-06:00

Sewing, that is. Yes, today I joined that select group of sewists who have sewn completely through their finger with the sewing machine!

Doesn't look that bad, does it? And amazingly enough, I've had more painful injuries. I wasn't even sure what I'd done until I saw that I was attached to my machine. DJ had to pull out the part of the needle that was still embedded in my finger. I suspect it will be very sore for awhile, and my funky nail will look even funkier after this- but hey, at least I didn't hit the bone.

And I still managed to get this tee done, using the blue dyed and printed knit I did a couple of weeks ago.

I now have no projects on the horizon, which is just as well since all next week will be an intense dye workshop I hope I have enough brain cells and energy left with warm weather to get some fabric dyed using my exponentially expanded dye knowledge!

Perfection

2011-08-06T20:43:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I do achieve perfection when obsessed. I made my third batch of strawberry cupcakes in a week, and this is the one- perfection!! The strawberry taste is strong without being overwhelming or fake-tasting, and the frosting is fantastic. So, I know what I will be making next weekend for Bentlee's birthday party. The batch I made today will go to work for a staff member farewell. And if you want to try them yourself, the recipe is here. The only thing I did differently was to omit the jam- didn't think we needed it. And I got the shape cupcake I wanted!!

And, I have discovered a new grain, healthy, high in protein, and quick cooking- quinoa. I used it in a salad last weekend, and to my amazement EVERYONE- even the picky eaters- liked it. This weekend I decided to try something a little different. I mixed white and black quinoa, then after cooking it, mixed in blanched cauliflower and asparagus, grape tomatoes, and some sweet onion. I dressed it with olive oil and white wine vinegar and minced parsely. Yummy, and heakthy!!

Lest you think I haven't been in the studio- my piece for Tangled Textiles is done. I'm considering mounting it on a canvas or stretcher frames, but that is still in the thinking stage. I've got another tee cut out and ready to sew. And I'm starting to gather all my equipment for the one workshop I'm doing this year, a week with Carol Soderlund in Heber. I can't wait- one more week of work, then a week in the dyepots. I am planning to have my dye knowledge expanded exponentially!

Obsession

2011-08-01T20:41:00.000-06:00

That's what my daughter says I have, a new obsession. All because of this.

Is that not a pathetic excuse for a cupcake? No nice rounded top, and those extensions on the side- ugh. They stick like glue to my ancient muffin tins- which makes getting them out in one piece a bit of a challenge. And I have a lot to learn in the cupcake decorating department.

I must admit to a new guilty, time-wasting pleasure- the show Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. They come up with creations that make my mouth water! So when the granddaughter said she wanted strawberry cupcakes for her birthday in August, I said I would be happy to make them. And, not wanting to have a disaster the day of the birthday, I decided we needed to do some test runs well ahead of time.

I surfed the net, and found all kinds of cupcake recipes. The first go was an unmitigaged disaster- thin batter that did not rise properly, and made cupcakes that looked more like flat pancakes. I didn't even frost them.

The second run tasted much better, but was misshapen, like the one in the picture. But I am now determined to figure out why my cupcakes refuse to look like the ones on the show! I have been baking from scratch for years- this shouldn't be rocket science! I think my lousy, ancient pans are a large part of the problem. I also think I may have put a tad too much batter in them. DH says that my batter was too thick- I don't think that makes sense, since the first batter was very thin and the shapes weren't that different.

Today Shannon brought me a present- a silicone mini muffin tin. Hah! So I can test my theory, and try the third recipe I've found for strawberry cupcakes.

No, I have not fallen off the wagon when it comes to food. I am learning that I can enjoy guilty pleasures in moderation, and cupcakes are the perfect, portion controlled sweet. I indulge on the weekends, and eat healthy the rest of the week. It seems to be working great, because I am maintaining my weight loss without counting every single calorie that I eat.

And if you think I'm not doing anything in the studio, you'd be wrong. My next TT challenge is almost done, I just have some hand sewing. But I can't show that until the reveal on August 15. So until then, you'll just have to bear with me on my quest to bake a perfectly shaped cupcake!!

More Quilty Road Trip

2011-07-27T20:21:00.000-06:00

I thought I would be quilting on the holiday Monday- but no such luck. My Juki decided it wanted to eat whatever thread I fed it. So I was thankful that the Bernina shop with the sewing machine doc was open. I dropped her off, and I'm really hoping to have her back by the weekend.

So for now, we have more of the quilts from our road trip to Brigham City. These are the other artists that were part of the exhibit.

Melody Randol is a Colorado artist who belongs to the same art quilt group I do, AQuA. She's from the Denver area, but had so much fun teaching in Grand Junction that she joined the group. And one of her pieces was my favorite in the exhibit- Tall Grass.

This one just draws you in to have a closer look- is that really a tiger? Subtle, interesting, wonderful color- it had it all.

Melody had some others in the exhibit, also.

Underground Story

Glacier, 2011

Jinny Lee Snow is a Utah artist- I've seen her work at the Springville Art Museum a couple of times. This piece just jumps off the wall, the color is so vibrant.

Dianna Grundhauser from Maui had some pieces that caught my eye. I loved the simplicity of this one- the batik background was perfect, and the understated quilting set off the flowers perfectly. She calls this one 'Naupaka.'

I didn't catch the name of this one, but I do remember that she pieced almost the entire quilt using Ruth McDowell's method. Only the little purple flowers are appliqued. I loved the checkerboard border and how well it sets off the flowers and leaves!

So those are the quilts that caught my eye at the exhibit. Wish me luck getting my machine back before the weekend!

A Quilty Road Trip

2011-07-24T20:17:00.000-06:00

This is a long weekend in Utah, so I decided to take a road trip. There is a small art museum in Brigham City, which is about twenty five miles north of Ogden and about an hour and a half drive from my home. There is an exhibit there featuring Lenore Crawford, with quilts exhibited by others also. Since Shannon had the day off from work also, I had her and Bentlee for company.

It was fun to watch Shannon's reaction to one quilt, since it was depicting a scene in Annecy, France- a place she visited a couple of years ago.

(If the pictures aren't the best, it is because they were taken with Shannon's Droid. Stupid me assumed they wouldn't allow pictures, so I didn't take my camera. Note to self- don't assume, take the thing!!)

There were also some that I immediately recognized, since they've been published.

I was surprised to see that she creates the backgrounds of her floral quilts out of two-inch squares of fabric. This one, however, was different. The flower was created and then appliqued to a Ricky Tims' hand-dye.

The exhibit is small, but I'm glad I went up. They are even giving away neat posters of the exhibit with the Annecy quilt- I grabbed a couple, intending to frame one for the studio.

There were other beautiful quilts, but those are for another post.

I have also been doing quilty stuff today. That blue cotton knit that spent time in a turquoise dye bath last weekend got another layer today, this time with paint. I loved the effect this created!!

I like that it tones down the green even more than the turquoise dyebath did. The printing tool was incredibly simple---

It is rubber bands on a piece of foam core. I finally got around to using an idea in Print and Stamp Lab by Traci Bunkers. She has some cool ideas for making simple printing tools.

So now I wait for the paint (Speedball Screenprinting Ink for Fabric, opaque white) to dry, then heat set it. Then a couple of hours of sewing, and I will have another unique tee to wear!!

Ah, one more day of weekend tomorrow. I plan to start quilting on my next challenge piece for Tangled Textiles. I'm hoping my idea looks as good in the execution as it does in my head!!

Washed and Dried

2011-07-17T17:43:00.000-06:00

Got all the dyed fabric through the washer today- and for the most part, I'm happy. The cotton knit is much better, not so flat with different shades of blue running through it. It still has greeny blotches, but they are much less obvious. And I'm not done yet, I think I will be adding white paint with a homemade stamp.

The warm colored cotton also came out pretty well. On the left is the one I did by sponging the dye on the fabric, then leaving it flat to dry. The other two were loosely scrumpled in a tub, then five different colors squirted on with syringes. I thought I got dye everywhere, but there is some white. Good thing I don't mind.

Strangely enough, even though the colors aren't as intense as I like, I see the most possibility in the one on the left. And I think I can pump up the color with my thread choices. I think I will be leaving these hanging on my design wall for a couple of weeks while I work on the jacket and tee I have cut out. Who knows, something else may present itself, given enough time.

On to another work week. Hope your week is a creative one!

Satisfaction

2011-07-16T20:03:00.000-06:00

That is how I would describe a day like today- satisfying. Shannon and I were up early (for her, anyway!) so we could hit some local yard sales while the pickings were good. We hit three huge sales in parking lots that had absolutely nothing, then scored big time at an estate sale. We walked away with a brand new coffee grinder, a hand mixer, three Anchor-Hocking baking pans, a couple of large metal baking pans, a nice oval crockpot, and a waffle baker- for ten bucks. Unbelievable! I also found a nice small vacuum for the downstairs for $7 and a lint roller that I will make into a roller stamp for surface design for a quarter; Shannon got a couple more pans and a Brita filter pitcher for a couple of bucks. At the last stop, I found some great metal cookie cutters for batik; Shannon scored some wooden clothes hangers that we can cover with crochet to make padded hangers- all for two bucks. Oh, and she also got a tabletop Weber charcoal grill for $5. All that before 10 am!

After getting the grocery shopping done, I was down in the studio. I finished printing on one of the lengths of cotton knit I'd dyed last weekend. I'm happy with how this turned out, even if the champagne Tsukineko ink doesn't show at all. It will be another tee using that great pattern I found!

I also threw the blue cotton knit I was not happy with in the pot with turquoise dye. Hopefully that will tame those ugly green blobs I don't like, and be more interesting with multiple shades of blue.

I wanted some cotton dyed in warm colors in the hopes it will work for the next Tangled Textiles challenge, Celebration. The first piece is on my table with rock salt , under the heat lamp. Two more half-yard pieces are in a tub stewing in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

And finally, since I already had turquoise and orange dye mixed up- I did a half yard in orange, toned down with just a couple of drops of turquoise. Amazing what a difference just that little bit of blue can make!!

All this will stew overnight, then I'll wash them out tomorrow afternoon when I get home from church.

I also cut out fabric for a simple summer jacket yesterday, so I'll need to get that done and out of the way. I'm so glad that next weekend is another four-dayer!!

Hope your weekend is a creative one!!

Two Minute Chocolate Cake

2011-07-12T20:18:00.000-06:00

Need a quick chocolate fix? Shannon has purchased some cookbooks in preparation for moving out on her own next month. She found one published by the Food Network, and we've already sampled some good recipes from it.

The dessert section is really interesting. No complicated recipes, but a lot of simple ideas and single portions. She decided to try the Instant Chocolate Cake- mixed in a coffee cup, and baked in the microwave!! Five minutes from start to finish, and we were eating warm chocolate cake with whipped cream Yum!!

The portion size is pretty large, we shared it and probably could have split it three ways. Next time I think I'd cook it in small ramekins (at least 3), and cut down on the cooking time.

The book is Great Easy Meals if you're interested. We made the Moo Shu pork over the weekend, and everyone enjoyed it. I may have to pick up my own copy when Shannon leaves with hers!!

Undyeing and Other Adventures

2011-07-10T16:38:00.000-06:00

I parfait dyed three pieces of cotton/lycra knit this week intending them for tees. It was a parfait recipe I've used before, and loved the results. I didn't have such good luck this time.

The bottom layer was golden yellow, and it is already sewn into a top- the same pattern as the lime green I did last weekend. The middle layer was supposed to be a red violet, and it turned out a yucky dull purple. The top was blue, with splotches of greeny yellow and pink. Yuck!!! Can you tell I was unhappy, I didn't even take pictures.

Then I decided to dump the purple and blue into a pot with Rit color remover. One of them turned into an okay yellow/green. I decided it could be improved with some printing, so I pulled out some stencils I got from QA a few months ago. I'm using metallic Tsukineko inks I got at HMQS, and mixing them with aloe vera gel for screenprinting. One layer done so far!

I'll do another layer with squares and champagne ink, then evaluate.

The blue piece was still ugly in my eyes. Yesterday I decided to get out the Thiox, and see what it would do. It swam in a Thiox bath for over an hour, with me adding additional Thiox every ffifteen minutes. In the pot, it looked successful, almost no color. Once the air hit it, the blue returned. I cannot believe this fabric has been in two discharge baths!!

About the best I can say at this point is that at least the ugly pink splotches are gone. I still am not happy with it, though. I think the next step is another dye bath, I think in turquoise. Unless someone else has a better idea??

I'm still working away on my beading. This multi-strand necklace is coming along nicely, if I could quilt dropping beads off!!

Another work week beckons. I've got my salad for the week done, breakfast burritos made, and my turkey sausage out of the oven. Hope your week is a good one!!

Happy Fourth!

2011-07-04T15:46:00.000-06:00

We did most of our celebrating on Saturday, heading up to Scofield where friends have a home on the lake. We visit, drink, eat (too much), and finish off the evening sitting in their yard watching the fireworks over the lake. A really fun day!!

But I have also been spending lots of time in the studio. I made more card holder for DIL Marly--

I dyed a piece of silk I bought on my recent trip to Reno. I really had to think about what color to do, since the fabric wasn't white. I finally decided on a pastel green. I was really happy how it turned out. There's patterning, but it is subtle. It will make a gorgeous summer blouse.

I made a tee with some cotton knit I bought- a vibrant lime green. I think I have found my new favorite top pattern! Three pieces (front, back, and neckband), and two hours start to finish. Love it! The vee is deep, so if I want to wear it to work, I"ll just wear a cami under it.

I made some beaded jewelry- I've been wanting something in green. I think this necklace and earrings go great with the top!

And I am reconsidering finishing the lavender top I started last weekend. I think I can salvage it with some buttons to hold the gapping edges of the front. What do you think?

I will make the pattern again, but with a lighter weight knit, and something on the edge of the V to stabilize it. I've already got a hot pink cotton/lycra knit, and found some twill tape in my sewing stash. Maybe next weekend?

I've also got the white cotton/lycra knit I bought in Reno for a song. I'm thinking I'm going to parfait dye it in my favorite combination (gold, fuschia, purple) in pale tones, and make three of that first top with them. So I think I've already got my next weekend's projects planned!

Still Here,. . . .

2011-06-28T20:12:00.001-06:00

although I may be missing a few brain cells. Let me explain.

I sewed over the weekend. I helped Shannon make a simple skirt with the fabric we bought in Reno. I had to fit her- and she's built very differently from me!- and change the skirt so it didn't have a zipper. Done, and the skirt turned out fine.

I found some 100% cotton interlock knit for a top. I finally bought a pattern I've been eyeballing for a very long time. Simple, I should have been able to finish it in a couple of hours. But no, I spent more time unsewing than sewing. I used a double needle to turn the hems on the neck and armholes- but didn't catch the edges. Then I sewed the shoulders together, right side to wrong side. Unsew some more. At that point, I gave it up for the night.

I came back to it the next day, and managed to sew the rest without mishap. But the fabric is too heavy for the pattern, and I don't like the way the deep V neck gaps. So this top will get tossed on a pile of never to be finished clothing items. I may play with ways to stabilize the neck, but that will be it.

Then I decided to finish the blouse I'd started the week before. I got the buttonholes done- no huge issues, other than my sort-of automatic buttonhole foot for my Bernina wasn't cooperating. No biggie, I can do it manually! I finished those, then started sewing the buttons on. Three on, two ripped off- the shank was pointing the wrong way. Sewed them back on, then tried to button the blouse. The middle one is off, and will need to be done AGAIN. At that point, I quit. And I haven't been down to the studio since!

Maybe it will go better watching the Wimbledon matches. I can only hope.

First TT Challenge

2011-06-18T18:00:00.001-06:00

I'm in another internet group, and having a lot of fun with it. This one also found me- I hesitated, then decided to go for it. I'm glad I did, it seems like the small format works well for me in jump-starting creativity. I am glad, however, that it is every other month, and not monthly!!

The first theme was 'Games'- a word I've had in the back of my mind to interpret for a long time. The variety of interpretations was wonderful! I chose to work with board games, and came up with this--

I didn't have any particular game in mind, just the childhood memory of playing lots of different ones. Shannon thought this looked a lot like something Dr. Seuss would come up with, so that inspired the name- 'One Step, Two Step, You Step, I Step.' I've wanted to use buttons on something for a long time, and they were perfect on this. I also found a good use for some fusible metallic thread I bought a few years ago!

I used it to edge the steps in the game- it sure was quicker than satin stitching, and I like the effect better. ( I know that because I did some satin stitching, and ripped it out- yuck!!)

Make sure to take a look at the other interpretations on the Tangled Textiles blog- they are all wonderful, and very different. I think I am going to enjoy this journey!!

Shop Hopping

2011-06-18T09:41:00.000-06:00

I spent all day yesterday in Salt Lake with some of my WAQ friends. It was the Wasatch Front Shop Hop. We only went to some of the stores in Salt Lake- the entire shop hop encompasses stores from Brigham City, north of Ogden, to Springville close to where I live. To much territory to cover in day! We eliminated the mostly traditional shops, and proceeded to have fun looking at what is out there.

It was obvious to me that I haven't been in a quilting store looking at fabric in a very long time. Some of the stores had nice selections of batiks- most of which left me feeling ho-hum. I guess my love affair with them is over! I was rather amazed at all the bright, graphic modern prints that are available now. They are perfect for simple designs that showcase the fabric rather than the piecing. Not for art quilts, that is for sure. But they will be fun when I finally get to making a quilt for Michelle.

I found some sale fabric that I'm going to make a blouse from- here it is, along with fabrics I got in Reno in May, also for clothes.

The one to the furthest left is the one I picked up for $3 a yard on sale yesterday, the other three are fabrics I got in Reno. That pink and purple print is a Loni Rossi design, the first shirt I'll make and hopefully complete this weekend,.

I also picked up these wonderful prints done with typewritten letters- love them!

I haven't a clue what I will do with them, I just know they will find their way into a quilt at some point. They've been added to my already large collection of black and white prints.

I'm now off to cut out a shirt from the Loni Rossi print in the first photo, then out to find a pattern for the one I got yesterday- I decided the princess-seamed shirt pattern I have wouldn't work so well with that print which is almost a stripe. I have a pound cake to make for Father's Day, and gifts to wrap. I'd also like to take the dog for a walk or make it to the gym, but we'll see. Hope your weekend is a creative one!

Summer Fun, and Almost Done

2011-06-12T07:27:00.000-06:00

We've had multiple consecutive days of WARM weather! Today the whole family is going to Lagoon, the closest thing Utah has to Disneyland. Should be fun, although I don't know how many of the wild roller coaster rides I'll be doing.

I have also been working hard on my Tangled Textiles piece. It is mostly done, I just have to add some embellishments by hand, and finish the edge. I think I'm going to use the zigzagged edge with perle cotton. Easy to do, and I like the look.

The creative muse seems to be returning to the studio in fits and starts, but I can feel her presence more and more. I'm planning a dyeing day soon, either with my WAQ friends or at home. I've got some clothes I want to make with fabric ready to go. And I have at least two quilts to get quilted!

I am becoming a real thrift store junkie. While we were in Reno, Sean jokingly asked me to buy him a shirt- a Tommy Bahama silk shirt that retailed for $110. Ha ha!! Then when my brother and I were checking out the Saver's in Reno, he found a beautiful blue Tommy Bahama shirt in Sean's size- for $12. I bought it, the look on Sean's face when he saw it was priceless. I scored another one in our store a week ago that just got mailed off to him. Then Friday, I found this-

Sorry the picture is fuzzy, but I took it with my phone and I'm not very good with it. I scored a TB silk shirt for me, in a lovely black/blue/sage green flower print. Love it! It's gotten to be like a treasure hunt, you never know what you'll find. I'll bet three-quarters of my closet is now recycled treasures from Saver's. I have four or five silk shirts, all from Saver's. Unbelievable!

And a monumental event that any woman could relate to- I went shopping for a swimsuit for the first time in over ten years, and found one I like at a price I'm willing to pay. I look pretty good in it, sixty years old or not!!

Time for breakfast, hope your weekend is a fun, warm one!

Maybe Summer Will Get Here??!!

2011-06-05T20:39:00.000-06:00

Today has been the first day to make me believe there really will be a a summer. Warm and sunny, but not too hot. We decided to make some ice cream to celebrate. . .

Shannon is adding crushed gingersnaps to our peach-gingersnap frozen yogurt; behind her is the machine that has the vanilla ice cream. Something for every taste!

I also got some sewing done. I made good progress on the June Tangled Textiles piece, and figured out a technical issue- at least in my head! For once, I am not using my hand dyed fabric. All these lovely commercial prints seemed to fit the bill for my idea better.

Another work week- it would be nice if the improvement in the weather energized me enough to do some sewing in the evenings!!

DONE!!

2011-06-01T20:27:00.000-06:00

It took some work to get that last corner of flying geese to fit, but it is finally all together and ready to be sandwiched and quilted. I'm crossing my fingers that it will square up all right.

I'm glad to get that one off my mind. Now I can concentrate on my Tangled piece, reveal day is in two weeks!

I'm Still Alive (although getting moldy. . . )

2011-05-29T08:22:00.000-06:00

I think the lousy weather we've all been experiencing has affected me. I haven't felt like blogging, haven't felt like drawing- I've just been feeling blah. And we've had so much rain this spring (???) I'm beginning to feel moldy too. So, no blogging- who wants to read depressed, whiny rants??

Nothing has changed on that front over the long weekend. Lousy weather, that is supposed to improve once we go back to work. I have been hibernating in the studio. I have a smallish- challenge piece that I need to get moving on, but somehow I can't get myself to start working on it until I get this sampler quilt pieced. I do have a design in my head, really I do! And I've picked out the background fabric and done some drawing. Maybe I'll get to fabric choices later today, who knows.

I sewed most of Thursday and Friday morning, then most of yesterday afternoon. When I got to the final quadrant, I realized I'd made a mistake somewhere in the drafting of the full-size pattern. I still haven't figured out what I did wrong, but with some tweaking and judicious cuts with the rotary cutter, I think I'm back on track. I had to re-draft the final section that needs to be sewed onto the quilt, but I think it will work fine. And glory be, I had enough gridded freezer paper left to use for this section. So much easier than graph paper with glue dots!

I think I drafted that pattern at night while I was watching coverage of the royal wedding. Mmm, note to self-you don't do your best work at night, you are usually brain dead. Do your drafting and work that requires thinking IN THE MORNING!! Early, with a cup of coffee in hand!!

Here's the quilt, with only the last section of flying geese missing--

It has been interesting working on a quilt that I actually started six years ago. In the interim, I quit working in a block format, and mostly started using my own hand-dyed fabric. I've also become a lot more confident about my ability to quilt my own pieces. I think if I'd finished this six years ago, I would have panicked and handed it off to a long-armer to do. I've been thinking about how I will quilt this while I've been piecing, and I'm really looking forward to it.

If I were to do anything different, I would use the same fabric in the background of the blocks. I think it is too distracting with those different prints. One of my goals with the quilting will be to tone down those differences, and make them blend better.

So my goal for the rest of the long weekend is to get that last flying geese section pieced, and sewn onto the quilt. I should be able to do that this afternoon. Tomorrow, I definitely won't be in the studio in the morning. My favorite thrift store is having a half off sale all day, and I plan on being there when they open the doors at 7 am. You never know what treasures could be there!!

Home Again

2011-05-15T17:12:00.000-06:00

We are back from Reno- an altogether too-short vacation. I'm just not ready to face the workweek tomorrow. And, to top it off, we both came back with colds, albeit mild ones. But it has left me feeling less than energetic.

After getting the laundry done, and unpacking everything, I've finally made it into the studio. I dyed a piece of linen/rayon (destined for a summer jacket) Friday, and added another layer of color today. I've also been at work on the sampler quilt, which is coming along nicely. I've got the top part all pieced, and am working my way down.

I'm already seeing things about this quilt I would do differently- but I'm not about to change it now!

I have more wild horse pictures. They were close to the house almost every day we were there, and one day we had two different herds within easy walking distance! The second herd had four babies, a couple of them only a few weeks old. Here you can see how 'at home' they feel in my sister's neighborhood.

I learned the hard way that you don't try to sneak up on them- it spooks them, and they run. So to get these pictures, I very slowly moved towards them, making sure they could see me the whole time. I really wanted pictures of the babies, which took some maneuvering. But I was rewarded with some good shots.

This was the only time we saw this herd close up. The other herd was a regular visitor. Here they are, just walking in the neighborhood.

I don't think I'd ever get tired of watching them!

And of course, there was the best part of the trip- seeing Michelle. She is growing up so quickly, and turning into a real beauty.

I have more pictures from HMQS to show, but that is for another post. Dinner is calling, and best of all, I didn't have to cook it!

Where the Wild Things Are

2011-05-10T10:07:00.004-06:00

Shannon and I arrived in Reno on Sunday morning, and have been having fun with family. We've also gotten some good looks at wild animals that roam my sister's neighborhood regularly- herds of wild horses!

The first day, they were on the hills in back of their property, so we walked up there. I was floored by how close they let me get. At one point, I was within fifty feet of the herd's stallion, and got some great pictures with my telephoto lens.

I love these next photos! The dark chestnut standing in the first photo is the herd's stallion.

This morning, my brother woke us up to see the herd on the road just below the house. They came up and said hello to my sister's horse Chance.

They came up even closer to the house, then took off further down the neighborhood. They obviously feel right at home here! I took these from the family room in the house, leaning out the window.

They are beautiful, majestic creatures. There were a couple of babies in this herd, and at least one mare who is close to foaling. Hopefully we'll see more of them while we are here!

HMQS

2011-05-07T07:05:00.001-06:00

I haven't posted a lot lately, because I haven't had much of interest to post. But after yesterday, I have enough quilty content for several! I did my usual two-hour volunteer stint at HMQS yesterday- it gets me free admission. I also met a couple of friends there, and we walked the show. Interesting, on a couple of different levels.

I saw a number of quilts I really liked, although there weren't that many art quilts entered. There were also some special exhibits. Today, I'm just showing some of the quilts that grabbed my attention.You can click on the photos to enlarge them and get a better view.

I loved this rooster that Cheryl Lara did with discharge. After discharging the rooster, she went back in with dyes and added color- pretty subtly, for the most part. The sun and rest of the image are done with thread.

This one was quirky enough to capture my interest. I don't get the Sushi reference, but I liked her use of color and value, and the oddball shapes of the blocks. Rather reminded me of amoeba!

This gorgeous flower image was also painted. We're so hungry for spring that isn't wet and cold that any flower image was bound to attract.

Joanne Baeth's depiction of sand hill cranes against a sunset sky was beautiful, in a subtle, soft way. I loved her use of color, her perspective was well done. I found the image very relaxing and soothing.

Andrea's sunflowers were a knockout! Her background is all done with small scraps of fabric. Her use of color and value was fantastic!

And for a touch of whimsy, I loved this take on old McDonald's farm. I liked how they used values to create the animals, and colors that were not true to life.

That's it for now, lots more pictures later. My pictures aren't as clear as I'd like, but the lighting is not the best at the Expo Center, and I didn't have a lot of time to fiddle with camera settings. I hope the makers' names are all readable.

Later- I have house cleaning to get done today, and packing for a Mother's Day trip to see family in Reno.

Progress!!

2011-04-23T18:17:00.000-06:00

I had to get out early today to get some labwork done before my annual checkup in May- but once I got home and had something to eat, I went down to the studio and spent the entire afternoon there. It is now officially a disaster, but I have most of the upper section pieced!

I am loving that orange ribbon 'border', and the zing it adds! The top will have two more flying geese added to finish it off. I've figured out the arrangement of the blocks- you can kind of see it here.

It just amazes me how well Margaret Miller's template system using graph paper works. I've only had to re-do one piece, and that was due to my error. I found some gridded freezer paper I had dumped in a drawer years ago, and it works great. I hope I can find more somewhere, I don't even remember where I bought this stuff. It has made constructing this design, which has all kinds of weird angles, relatively simple.

I will have lots of time next weekend to sew, also. This is definitely not a quilt top I can sew on after work when I'm brain dead- I really have to pay attention, since I'm making templates and figuring out the sewing order as I go. Lots of partial seaming, so the quilt I did for my son Ian's girlfriend was a good warm-up for this. I know what the final destination will look like, but I have not a clue the route I'll be taking to get there. So I guess that makes this project an interesting combination of structure and improvisation!

I can feel a glimmer of mojo. . .

AWOL

2011-04-22T21:42:00.000-06:00

Away without leave, that's where what creative mojo I have has gone. So I am taking some advice, posted on the Quiltart list- (via a video on You Tube, which I cannot figure out how to do here)

Do Something

Do Anything

I am working on a quilt. Not art, not Art- just a quilt. It's actually one I started on my one and only trip to Asilomar in 2005, in an independent study workshop with Margaret Miller. I did part of one corner while there, just to be sure I got the process. Then it sat in a drawer for five years.

It's a sampler, using wonky blocks I got (and made) as part of the one and only time I participated in a Round Robin through the Utah Quilt Guild. My wonky blocks freaked out some people- some managed to make them, others just threw up their hands in despair. I wanted to combine bright prints with black and white prints. So these are some of the blocks-

This is the corner I managed to get done at the workshop--

You can see up at the top where I've started adding more pieces- they still have their freezer paper templates attached.

So I will be playing with this, and maybe sewing more clothes. I'm enjoying that again, now that I don't need to do all kinds of alterations.

Got to do something to keep my sense of humor and sanity. We're still cold, barely got into the fifties today. Yes, I can see green- but I want to feel WARM!!!

A Sense of Humor

2011-04-03T13:32:00.000-06:00

I have absolutely no doubt that God has a sense of humor, and He enjoys playing practical jokes on earthly beings. How else to explain the last couple of days?

Friday was gorgeous, in the low 70's, sunny. Yesterday was almost as warm, although overcast, and I managed to get out for an hour or so and walk the dog. I went with Shannon's small camera, hoping to catch signs that spring really is on the way.

I had to look carefully for those signs- as you can see, it is still pretty brown/gray out there.

Look closer, though- there is green on the lawns, and weeds on the riverbank. The river (creek?) is really muddy, fast, and pretty high on the banks- all a sign that spring runoff in the mountains has started.

A little further down, we saw one woman hanging laundry outside to dry. Can't do that in bad weather!!

I saw lots of a red seed pod or something on the trail. Later on, I finally figured out which tree it was coming from.

Along the riverbank, there were some bushes with new leaves showing.

I was happy, spring really does appear to be making her presence known! Driving home, I had to stop at one garden I photograph every year. Marjan, the gardener, has gorgeous spring flowers. Most haven't started to bloom yet, but we saw--

Perfect!! Complementary colors the first to be seen in her garden! The last best part of the day- I wore sandals all day, and my feet loved it. They are crying to be out of winter shoes!

I won't even show what I woke up to this morning- at least 6 inches of wet, heavy snow. Give me a break!! I haven't left the house, I just can't face the cold and wet.

So I've been down in the studio, altering tank tops so I can wear them this summer without embarrassing myself. I have another summer top to cut out, and sewing it up shouldn't take long. Sooner or later, the weather will actually catch up to where my brain and heart are. Hey, the weather forecast says we should be back at 70 by the end of the week!!

Mindless Piecing

2011-03-21T19:39:00.000-06:00

I'd decided earlier that was the prescription for what ails me (near-total inertia when it comes to fiber creativity), and that's what I did over the weekend.

My SIL Karen bought these screen-printed blocks on a trip to Oregon years ago. They show lighthouses from around the state. Apparently it sat in her possessions for some time, until she asked me if I could put them together into a quilt for her. I agreed, and they spent another year or so marinating in all my stuff. I did wash them a few months ago, but then they sat some more.

Friday I bought navy blue fabric for the sashing and backing, and got the blocks squared. It only took about three hours to get the whole thing pieced, including a mitered border. Now I need to connect with Sidney (of the magical computerized HQ16!) so I can get it quilted. I'm thinking this will take a fairly simple design, so the setup will probably take longer than the stitching. I plan to just put it in a priority mail box, and send it off to Karen. I'm hoping it will be the kind of surprise she'll like!

My lovely rust dyed jacket is already showing signs that it will be a short-lived article of clothing. Ah well. I like the pattern so much, I'm thinking I will dye some linen/rayon fabric, and make it again.

And I worked on a 12 by 12 piece- all that's left is some quilting, and finishing the edges. I'm hoping to get at least one more done this weekend.

Am I the only one out there feeling so blah? The news is uniformly depressing or frustrating, and I feel utterly helpless to do anything about it. I'm sick of cold weather, I want to feel the sun on my skin. About the only thing I've been able to focus on for any length of time is calorie counting and getting to the gym. Maybe because it's one thing I can control?

Springing Forward!!

2011-03-13T19:53:00.000-06:00

Unlike many, I love it when daylight savings time finally arrives. I love the longer days, love the promise of warmer weather- and I love setting my toesies free from winter shoes and socks!!

While I know we could still see snow here, I'm enjoying the warmer days we've had- in the low sixties. Why does that temperature feel so much warmer in March than it does in October??

I am taking a temporary hiatus from art quilts. My brain needs a break after a solid year of coming up with a new design each month. I have been sewing, however- I made some cute little nine patch blocks for Debra, and also dug up a smallish quilt top I made at a workshop several years ago that I hadn't a clue what to do with. Debra has a new longarm, so it was a perfect gift for her.

And I've been sewing clothes. Having reached my goal weight, clothes shopping is fun again! Remember that rust dyed silk I did?

It's now a lovely, semi-fitted tunic.

Rust dyeing is fun, but I've learned that it is a pain to sew on- this is the one and only garment I'll ever make with rust dyed fabric. After this, I'll stick to rust dyeing silk scarves and maybe a few pieces of fabric to use in collages or something.

And that tee I cut down? It looks so good on- I am so glad I took the time to remake it! Yeah, I already posted a picture of the tee- but it looks so much better on me than sitting on the table!!

Next, I have a simple quilt to make for my SIL. She gave me some printed blocks she bought in Oregon years ago- they have pictures of different lighthouses on them. All I have to do is square them up, cut some sashings, and put it all together. Sidney, who helped me quilt the gift quilt for my younger son's girlfriend, has already said we can do this one on her computerized machine also. Maybe by the time that one is done my creative brain will show some signs of return!

And maybe now my son will believe me when I say he has a skinny mom now!!

Taking a Break and Taking Stock

2011-03-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in a friend's living room in one of my favorite places in the world, Moab. I drove down yesterday so I could spend some time with her. I'll be working here tomorrow, then heading home. It's been a relaxing weekend so far. Spring hasn't quite arrived here, but the red rocks are as beautiful as ever.

After several weeks of feeling frustrated and uninspired, I'm taking a break from ART. I want to kick back, do some mindless piecing, which will include hopefully getting a couple of UFO's finished. Friday was a good start- my WAQ group met at Suzanne's, and helped her piece a quilt top for her mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Four of us sewed for about three hours, and we got the top almost completely done. It felt good!!

Besides the UFO's, I'm going to sew some clothing- something I haven't done for a long time. Very little of my wardrobe fits me anymore, so I have a good excuse.

So that's what's going on with me. We going to wander Moab's downtown later today, then have dinner at the Moab Brewery. It's feeling like the kind of weekend I need- relaxing, no stress or expectations of tasks needing to be completed, and enjoying a friend's company. If my hands feel the need to be busy, I brought my knitting- maybe that one sock will finally get done!!

Design Decisions

2011-02-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a sample piece, in preparation for a larger one the will be done with the same hand dyed fabric. I got the hand embroidery done while on a business trip a week ago, and finished the machine quilting today.

I tried all kinds of quilting designs on paper, and nothing much worked well- or at least, that's what I thought. I want the quilting to contrast with the curvy lines of the spiral- that decision was made after drawing some curvy quilting, kind of like McTavishing on a grayscale photocopy of the piece. Nope. None of the straight line designs did much for me either, so I went with this. I'm not sure about this one either, but at least it's only journal quilt size so I haven't got a lot of time or materials invested.

I like how the outline around the spiral appears almost like I did trapunto. That is an effect I will do again on the larger piece. I'm also happy with the hand embroidery, although I may play with color a little more in the larger piece.

I used a golden yellow for the straight line quilting, and although the colors of the thread and fabric blend well, I think it washed out the entire piece more than I like. I will probably use monofilament in the larger piece, so I get the texture without the color.

I will have more surface design going on in the larger piece- more stencilling and stamping, and probably some done after I quilt. I want the large spiral to be the focal point, but I want the viewer to see layers also once they come in for a closer look.

I am still feeling totally uninspired in the studio, unable to focus for any length of time. Diane summed up how I've been feeling very well, even though I haven't been doing any mindless piecing. Maybe I should try it, I can think of at least two UFO's I need to get done this year. I'm beginning to wonder if what creativity I have melted away with the fat I've lost the past few months??

Travel, and Repurposing

2011-02-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

I have been gone for the past week in southern Utah- not fun, work. But it was gorgeous in St. George at least one of the days I was there- it was hard to leave to come back to the cold. Winter is supposed to return this week, and I am heartily sick of it.

I did get some hand stitching done on a sample piece for a larger work I'm doing. I've dyed, overdyed, stenciled and stamped this fabric. I knew I wanted to add hand stitching, so I managed to get some done during meetings. It's already sandwiched, once the handwork is done I'll be figuring out the quilting. Yes, I know, sounds backwards but it was what would work for me.

Seed stitch adds such lovely texture! A detail--

I also stayed up late last night, working on a tee. I dyed and printed this tee from Dharma a couple of years ago.

It was big and baggy back then, and it was even bigger and baggier now that I've lost a bunch of weight. I've been going through my closet, weeding out clothes to sell at our annual garage sale this spring. I decided I didn't want to get rid of a couple of tees I dyed, though. So I found a Burda pattern for a basic tee, used some I already have that fit well to help determine measurements and sizing, and altered the pattern. I had to redraft the necklines a bit to make them fit on the fabric pieces- finally found a use for those French curves I bought!! Then I picked out the hems, took off the ribbing at the neck, and cut the shirt apart. I couldn't make it long sleeved- the sleeves are very different. The original had a flat cap, the pattern has a more fitted cap, so there wasn't enough length for long sleeves. But I am happy to say it worked, and was well worth the effort!!

It fits really well- skims my body without being overly clingy. I think it shows off my printing even better than the original. I even managed to reuse the ribbing around the neckline!

I have another tee to alter- I think I'm going to try something a little different. We'll see-- but boy am I having fun being skinny again!

Symbols

2011-02-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

I got several comments about the book I just got, and thought I'd post a few pages to give anyone interested a taste of the book. The table of contents shows the wide ranging variety of symbols the books covers--

I liked the relatively short entry on Silence--

And another, longer entry on Flood--

And finally, one on Hand--

The entire book is like this- all 700 plus pages. With my psychology/social work background, I find the information about a lot of the symbols fascinating. We'll see how it impacts my art!!

It Arrived- Finally!

2011-02-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

This book

that I ordered from Barnes and Noble the end of January FINALLY arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Can I just say I am not impressed by the shipping company they use? It went from Reno to Carson/Los Angeles, sat there for a few days, then went to Provo (nine miles north of me), to Salt Lake (fifty miles north of me!!), sat there for a couple of days, and finally came to Spanish. It would have been faster and probably better if they'd just shipped it priority mail.

I'm glad I got the book, though. I was expecting a coffee table kind of book- big, and on the thin side. It is just under 10' by 7', and at least two inches thick. There is a massive amount of written information in addition to visuals- but in smaller, very readable essays about the symbol in question. I expect to spend many nights reading this before I go to sleep!

So, if you have any interest in the symbols mankind has used for millemia- I'd highly recommend this book. I just don't recommend B & N's shipper- use the post office if at all possible, or order from Amazon.

Motivation

2011-02-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

is something I have been sorely lacking lately, hence the dearth of posts. I have been feeling flightly, unable to concentrate on much of anything. I go down to the studio, ditz around at something for fifteen minutes, and leave. Pathetic.

At least I can say I'm motivated in other areas. This weekend I decided I was going to put the carpet cleaner I got for Christmas to good use. We got the living room and our bedroom (which is huge) done. Not perfect, but a great improvement. We also rearranged the furniture. I got daring- it's on a diagonal, NOT lined up along the walls. I've watched way to many HGTV design shows!

With nice clean carpet, I wasn't about to have a dirty dog running around. So Sadie the Border collie got a haircut and a bath. Unreal how much hair that dog has, especially in cold weather. While she doesn't enjoy the experience, she does act like she's feeling better afterward.

So now that I've bored you with my weekend doings, I do have some fiber pictures. The scarf I used the DeColourant on is still waiting for its second layer of screenprinting. This is a scarf that was ugly, then got a couple of overdyes that greatly improved it.

I'd thought I'd use the DeColourant with metallic gold for the next round, and I probably still will. I used it with regular DeColourant on another scarf, and I could hardly tell the difference between the two.

I've also been slowly working on the first piece I'm doing for my ECHO group. I finally made the stamps with the spiral design I've been playing with, using sticky backed fun foam. It does work rather nicely!

The third stamp is one I did using an idea from a book I got last year, on making surface design tools with household objects. Those are corn pads, just stuck on a piece of acrylic.

Doing these, I learned that if I pay attention to how I cut, I can end up with two spirals that are slightly different. Look closely at them and you'll see what I mean. The unbroken spiral on top is actually the other part of the stamp directly below it.

Another work week tomorrow- then next week I am in southern Utah all week for work. I'll be paying a visit to the Superior Thread headquarters while I'm there!! Maybe I'll get some motivation in some warmer temperatures--

Catching Up

2011-01-30T15:54:00.001-07:00

I have been working at art, although I haven't posted much of it here yet. Here's my attempt to catch up!

The Interpret This! group comes to an official close tomorrow. We've been posting our favorite piece from the year, along with thoughts about the group and how it affected our own creative process. My piece posts tomorrow- I had a really hard time choosing one. Some were easy to eliminate, but there were three that stood out for me- not because they were perfect pieces, but the learning that went with them. Click here to see what everyone has to say and post.

Probably the one I had the most fun with is this one, because I learned I can do realistic!

This one still makes me smile, I love the colors.

I also thought a lot about choosing this one-

I loved how the hand dyes created a foggy, mysterious world behind the fence. I think it evoked a mood, one of my criteria for my choice. But in the end, the fact that I used my 'fall-back' of strip piecing made my decide against it.

Although this group is ending, four of us that participated and one other artist are working together in the coming year. We will not be doing the same pieces, but rather critiquing and encouraging. The blog is private, which we hope will foster honest communication. We had our first work-in-progress weekend, and I am happy with how it is going. I think it will help me with my biggest frustration from the past year- namely, developing my own voice! My goals is to use my own hand dyed and printed fabric in wholecloth quilts, a specific size, exploring symbols within the context of an overarching theme- seasons of life. I'm glad we are only looking to do four pieces over the year- I could not do a monthly piece again! I'm hoping to be more disciplined in my approach, and try to use my sketchbook as a tool to develop the pieces.

That lime green fabric you saw on my last post ended up in a third dye pot. The second dyeing helped, but it was still a kind of blah fabric. So I swirled it (from Benn and Morgan's Tray Dyeing), and poured turquoise dye into the bottom of the container. I'm happy with how it ended up--

I'll only be using part of this, so I think I'll make a 'frame' to audition and figure out what part I want to use. Since I plan to make all my pieces the same size, I can use it all year.

I've also done some discharge samples, and figured out that discharging isn't an option with this piece thanks to the turquoise dye. I think I will be using white paint greatly diluted with fabric medium to give me the ghost images I want to print on this. Shiva paintstiks will also be part of it.

I tried to get this new book through inter-library loan recently.

It looked really interesting, and helpful if I'm exploring archetypal symbols in my work. I was told I'd have to wait six weeks to request it again, since it is checked out. So I went to Amazon, where I'd first seen it for about $25. No any more!! It's not available from Amazon, just from other sellers, starting at $30. I looked around, and everyone else was the same or higher. On a whim, I checked out Barnes and Noble's website, and found it there for $24. I didn't hesitate, bought it right then. I hope it's delivered this week. If it turns out to be a dud, I guess I can re-sell it on Amazon- they had used copies starting at over $100!!!

I have some silk scarves that I've discharged with DeColourant in the washer right now. Photos when they are done!

Why I Dye

2011-01-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

The picture does not do it justice! This is cotton, dyed with a yellow from Pro Chem that I've never used before, golden yellow from Dharma, and charcoal gray from Dharma. The combination of yellow and gray makes some of the most glorious greens I've ever seen.

Originally I was going to use the Pro Chem yellow with cerulean blue in a snow dye to get the green I want for my next piece. When I put the blue dye in the yellow, I could see immediately it wouldn't work- I had a bottle of baby puke or baby diaper (take your pick). I did the snow dyeing, but not until I'd mixed up my trusty lemon yellow from Dharma. (More on that later in the post.)

After I did the snow dye setup, I figured I might as well use some of the dyes I have in my dye frig just for fun. I took the Pro Chem yellow 114 and golden yellow and splattered them across a length of cotton. I wanted to add something, so I looked to see what I already had mixed up. I almost grabbed light red- then I saw the charcoal gray sitting in the back. I grabbed that, and liberally doused the fabric. I left it to batch overnight, just scrumpled up in a container.

I washed it out this morning, and loved what I saw after I ironed it. Those lighter spots up at the top just glow against the darker values!

My snow dye was much less successful. It came out yellow, not green. I now know why you don't use old snow to dye- it has STUFF in it. Yes, it all rinsed out ok, but still- what a pain. After rinsing, I dumped the fabric in soda ash again to soak, while I mixed up more lemon yellow and turquoise dye. I laid out the fabric on plastic, and sponged on color where I wanted it.

It is now scrumpled up in a container, batching under a heat lamp. I won't wash it out until tomorrow afternoon, since turquoise likes a longer batch time.

I also grabbed three silk scarves I've had sitting in the studio since I rust dyed them last fall. They came out ugly- so what the heck, I decided to find out what happens when you mix MX dyes with rust dyed fabric. I soaked the scarves in vinegar, then chose colors. One got charcoal gray, one got turquoise, and one got that baby puke/diaper color I'd mixed up yesterday. After nuking them one at a time, they got washed out with the cotton. Here's how they came out--

An improvement for sure. I was floored at how turquoise the one scarf is- I figured it would be more brown-y, since the whole scarf had a tan undertone.

I also decided the turquoise scarf needed more- so I screened on some DeColourant, using sequin waste. It is now hanging on the design wall, drying. I'll iron it tomorrow to see what happens. Since turquoise is notorious for NOT discharging, we'll see what this new product does. And regardless, I think I will do some more screening on this scarf.

So, to answer the question at the beginning of the post- how else could I get such unique, glorious color? I don't worry about running out of a fabric, I can always create more since I keep a pretty good record of my dye sessions. It may not be identical, but it will definitely blend and coordinate with anything I created with the same dye colors and similar process. And, as Margaret Miller, says, why use four fabrics when you can use forty?

Interpret This!- My Last Piece

2011-01-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe I've made a piece every month for a year with this group of talented women. Here's the photo--

And here's my interpretation of the photo. No realism this month, I wanted to abstract it.

I pieced the strips, then sliced them, offset the colors, and put them together with the skinny strips. After machine quilting, I spent lots of hours doing hand embroidery, enjoying how the colors and texture of the hand stitching played against the quilting. The yellow 'flowers' are torn pieces of hand dyed cheesecloth.

I thought the quilt needed more presence, so I backed it with a separate quilted mat- something I learned from a Jean Wells book. The pieced part is bound with couched yarns, then attached to the quilted mat. I really do think that dark mat lends the piece more presence!

Although this isn't a perfect rendition of the picture I had in my mind, I'm pretty happy with it. There are some parts of this that I will be playing with in the next year. Although Interpret This! is coming to an end, I'll be working with some of the members of that group this year. We'll each be working on our own goals, and I'll be blogging about mine. Most importantly, it will be a piece a quarter, not a month- so I'm hoping to do more sketching, thinking, and developing of my ideas. That's one of my goals, anyway.

From Under the Smog---

2011-01-08T17:55:00.001-07:00

That's what it feels like here. According to the news, we have the worst air quality in the country right now. I believe it- this California native knows smog when she sees it. Yuck. It is the perpetual dilemma of winter here- no snow (no storms), and look at the ugly brown inversion, the Utah name for this stuff. If you want clean air, you better hope for successions of storms- which means dealing with all the other stuff that goes with snow. What a choice!!

You'd never know it from this blog, but I have been working on some art. I hope to have the last piece for the Interpret This! challenge done in a few days. I have been working on some hand embroidery- as long as my hands cooperate, I enjoy the slower pace. Can't show the whole piece, but here's a really close up look at what I've been doing.

I just love the texture that seed stitch can add to a piece.

And I reached another goal- the weight I was aiming for. We'll see if it's still that way on Monday, since that's when I 'officially' weigh in. But I am happy, it has been so much fun finding clothes I like that fit. I even hit our local Saver's (a thrift shop) and found several tops I like.

I'm debating going for another five pounds. Tracking my calorie intake has become such a habit that I plan to stick with it. It should make maintenance easier! I've gotten some comments at work, but not a lot. I suspect that the layers of clothes we wear in winter contributes to that. We'll see if it changes with warmer weather. Yes, I'm vain enough to like some comments and compliments about the skinnier me!

Happy New Year (and Good-Bye to 2010)

2010-12-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot of thinking about the coming year and where I hope to go with my art over the past few days- thankfully, away from work. I can look back at 2010 and know that I did consistently work at my art, although the work isn't as cohesive or unified as I would like. But I've done some pieces I'm happy with, and others that will just be added to the crap quota, and that's ok.

A lot of people on the Quiltart list are choosing a word for the year- one to inspire and perhaps provide direction. I'm thinking my word will be FOCUS: on the creative process, on staying healthy, and choosing to concentrate on all the positives in life rather than dwell on the irritations we are have. I want to take my time and do more thinking about my art rather than jumping in with the first or second idea that strikes me. I suspect I will produce fewer works this year, but I'm hoping they will be better, and more representative of my voice. You'll be hearing more about that, and sharing in my journey and work.

I have a lot to be grateful for this year. I'm 22.9 pounds lighter than I was a year ago- I've rediscovered the fun of shopping for clothes. I'm making a habit of exercising and eating healthy- although I will say it is a good thing dark chocolate in moderation is now considered healthy! I have an absolutely adorable granddaughter far away, two grandchildren here, and loving family even if we are all spread across the country. And if I don't say so myself, I look pretty good for someone who's only days away from turning 60.

I'm thankful for doors the world wide web has opened up to me. I have friends I've never met in person, but we share common bonds. I'm connected to the fiber arts world in ways that would not have been possible even ten years ago.

I wish you a blessed 2011, full of family, creativity, and whatever brings joy to your heart.

Hibernating--

2010-12-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

because it's the kind of day where you don't want to be outside. We haven't been hammered with 3 feet (yet!) like the folks on the east coast, but I still have no desire to venture outside except to shovel the back patio occasionally. Our chihuahua objects strongly to going outside in the cold, and absolutely refuses to walk in the snow- so the shoveling is for her. At least then I can throw her outside without guilt!!

Here's our table at the moment--

The storm is supposed to stick around until Friday- glad I'm off work the rest of the week. I started on my IT! piece yesterday, and I'll be down in the studio all afternoon. I may even forego my workout today, that's how much I don't want to drive!

I'm thinking I am changing what I'm doing- I'm just not that happy with what I have so far. So I'm off on another idea that involves playing with Google Earth, something I like to do anyway. Dinner is already taken care of, I have a big pot of chili in my new enamelware Dutch oven. The oven will help keep the house warm, and the smell is heavenly!

Wishing You the Blessings of Christmas

2010-12-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas, may it be filled the joys of family and the love of the Savior!

It's Gonna be a White Christmas

2010-12-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Here's the view out my back patio, 6 am this morning.

Even with the warming temperatures predicted for the rest of the week, I'd bet we'll still have plenty of the white stuff- it continued to snow until mid-afternoon!

I'm counting the days until I can hide in my studio and forget about work!!

Quiet before the Storm

2010-12-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

I'm not referring to the weather, although it does look gray, gloomy and menacing outside. It is the hour before the family start arriving for our annual Christmas party. The house is clean (smells of Pinesol, even), the salad that is my contribution is ready, and Christmas music is on the stereo. It is my rather eclectic mix, to be sure- to DJ's chagrin. I have everything from Transiberian Orchestra to medieval Christmas carols, and lots in between. I can only take so much of the stuff you hear all day on the radio this time of year.

And I have been sewing- the stockings I started last year are done and hanging by the fireplace!

I am dressed, and admittedly feeling rather pleased with the new skinnier me- even found some jeans that fit great and show it off! If I have to hit my sixth decade shortly, I can do it looking good.

I have also been doing some preliminary work on my last IT! piece. I've done some playing in PSE with the filters, and done some sketching. Still haven't decided which direction I'll go, but I'm not stressing- I'll have time off the week between Christmas and New Year's, and the reveal isn't until mid-January. Plenty of time to think and ponder before jumping in with the fabric.

If there's one advantage to getting older, it's learning that the holidays aren't worth stressing out over. I do the best I can with the time and budget I have, and just try to enjoy the season. It sure beats the alternative!

December Dash

2010-12-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's begun- and it's at least some of the reason I haven't posted much lately. But so far, I've managed to keep my equilibrium and notd become hysterical over what I'm not getting done, since there is always some of that with our schedules.

I have sent two boxes off- and it's actually fiber related. I finished Christmas stockings for both sons and their families/significant others, and shipped them Friday. The box that went to Chicago also had a completed memory quilt made for my son's girlfriend. They've seen the picture, and said they love them both.

The stockings are based on ones my mother and aunt made for our families when I was a kid. They just glued the felt pieces on the stockings. I'm guessing that glue no longer exists, because the one I found (specifically for felt, mind you) was clearly not going to hold the pieces on. So I stitched around them too, and quite liked the effect it gave. I also did some beading, another thing my mother did not do!

I realized I forgot to post our last photo for the Interpret This challenge- so here it is.

This will be a pleasure to work on in the midst of winter! I love all the greens, and it has such a serence atmosphere about it. I've decided I want to get back to trying to abstract, so I've been running ideas through my head. The December pieces won't be posted until mid-January thankfully- so I have time to sketch, maybe even play with my watercolors to come up with a design.

And I'm thinking about what I want to accomplish with my art in 2011. The Interpret This group will be ending, but I will be working with three other members during the year. The way we are setting it up, we'll each be working from our own choice of inspiration, and are only committing to four pieces. I'm glad I've kept up with the monthly pieces for a year, but I knew I couldn't do it again. I want the time to be able to put more thought into my work, and with my schedule I need more than a month. I also want time to finish some UFO's that have been taking up too much space in the studio for too long.

And, what would the holidays be without baking? With me watching calories, I won't be doing a lot of traditional baking. But I am trying some revised recipes that I can eat guilt free. I just took a cheesecake out of the oven- it's intended for a work party tomorrow. It uses nonfat yogurt chee.se and Splenda instead of cream cheese and sugar. If it works, I'll post the recipe- it came out to less than 200 calories per serving!

Christmas

2010-12-06T06:19:00.001-07:00

is officially here at our household. The tree is up, the decorations are on the fireplace and walls- I think I just have to dig out the Christmas music CD's. Best of all, it was a gorgeous weekend- warm enough that I could be outside cleaning my car without a coat. We'll see how long that lasts!!

I am starting to make plans for my fiber work next year. Fewer pieces, more focused and cohesive. I'm thinking I will start with one design strategy and stick with it through the year. I'm hoping to sprinkle some UFO's and pieces requested by family in there too- that should help the brain cells recuperate! And, I'm taking a weeklong dyeing workshop from Carol Soderlund in August.

Probably the best bit going on in my life right now is the weight loss- it continues, and I feel like I've made changes in my eating that I can stick with. I'm down a pant size, and those aren't tight. It feels really good, and it's nice to have clothes shopping be fun again!

Somewhat Eccentric- My Charming Engflish Cottage!

2010-11-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have actually completed a realistic piece! This is my latest Interpret This! piece, and I'm pretty happy with it. My perspective on part of it (the steps) is a bit off, but everything else looks like I wanted it to. No question what this is!

I had a lot of time to think while I was making this. I did enjoy the process, but kept wondering- is this really ME? Is this the art that only I can make? By the end of the month, I'd pretty much decided it isn't. I'm glad I met the challenge of proving to myself that I can do a realistic piece reasonably well, and I'm sure it would improve with more practice and time. But it's just that- a fun piece, not something pulled from my guts or psyche. And that's really what I want to do. I just am still figuring out how to get there.

Fun pieces have their place, and I'm sure this won't be my last one. I have several UFO's I hope to finish next year that I'd put in that category, or the "traditional bed quilt" category. But I'd also like to have a cohesive body of work that just says 'me.'

I do think there are some hints in this one. I didn't realize how much saturated colors dominate my stash until I went for fabric for the red bricks. I knew they were a pretty dulled red in the photo, and even eliminated my original choice because (even I) could tell it was way too saturated. I thought I'd done a good job of toning it down- until I got the brick wall mostly constructed. Bottom line, my stash of de-saturated fabrics is woefully lacking. But apparently the use of saturated colors is part of my voice, since I got a couple of comments to that effect on the IT! blog. It's a starting point!

I think I've learned that I need to pay attention to the details, even on an abstract piece. I was thrilled to hear that I'd successfully portrayed sunlight and shadows on the big tree/bush. I sure tried, and I'm glad it came off. I loved making the smaller plants, using variegated and multiple thread colors. How good are these??

So the journey continues, I keep doing the work. At some point I hope to look back and be able to say "That's MY voice speaking."

And thanks for reading my musings and thoughts! If you haven't already seen it, there's more photos of the piece on the IT! blog.

November Reveals

2010-11-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

have started on the Interpret This! blog. There's already some wonderful work posted, mine will be up tomorrow morning. And I'll have more to say about that tomorrow night!

Crazy Friday

2010-11-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

No, I did not get up in the middle of the night to fight with shoppers over deals. I just got done putting something in the crockpot for dinner, then I'm down to the studio to work on my IT! piece for a couple of hours. Then I head up to Salt Lake to Sidney's house. Today we are quilting Cory's (middle son's girlfriend) memory quilt on Sidney's Handiquilter with the computerized stitcher. We already picked out the pattern, I can't wait to see how this is all done. I do know I love the idea of having a totally done quilt in a matter of a few hours. Pictures on the process tonight!!

I will probably stop at some stores on the way up- how can I resist? (Hey, I'm down almost 15 pounds and a pant size, and even the smaller size is loose!) We'll see how traffic is, since today is also the BYU-Utah game, in Salt Lake.

Thanksgiving here was pretty quiet and laid back- we went out, since only three of us were home. DJ's sister met us at the restaurant, a buffet. I thoroughly enjoyed skipping the hassle of cooking- but the food wasn't as good as ours, of course, and their turkey was downright disgusting- a processed turkey roll. So I opted for broiled chicken and roast beef, much better. There was lots of salad, and even some of the vegetables were not bad. I waited til I got homed for dessert- my less than 200 calorie chocolate cheesecake. Yum!!

All in all, I have a lot to be thankful for. I plan on enjoying the rest of the long weekend- sewing, relaxing, maybe even a trip to the gym in there. I hope your Thanksgiving was full of family, friends, good cheer, and gratitude.

Snow and Cold--

2010-11-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

is what we woke up to today. After a lot of it has melted off, here's the view up our street towards the mountains.

It has been a weird year for foliage. Most of the trees are bare, but a few are still hanging on to their leaves. I love the fall colors against the white snow!!

The kids and grandpa went out back and made a snowman. He's all dolled up in bright colors!!

It's a good day to stay inside. I've been working on my IT! piece- after almost deciding to hold off finishing this one and do something else. This afternoon, we are all going to see the latest Harry Potter movie, and we have a nice pot roast in the crock pot. It's a short week at work- so right now, life is looking good. Stay warm- or if you are fortunate to enough to be in the Southern Hemisphere this time of year, enjoy the warmth!!

Musings and a Teaser

2010-11-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

Not much blogging going on here- there hasn't been a lot to blog about. But I am well into this month's Interpret This piece, and so far relatively happy with where it is going. This photo really does lend itself to interpretation on a number of levels. So here's your sneak peek at a very small part--

I have my background parts down, now on to the myriad detailing. I think I will end up doing more stitching before I sandwich this than I will quilting. It feels good to be so far along early in the month!!

Our WAQ group met yesterday, and got to hear all about Houston from Suzanne who spent four days there. All the winners were traditional quilts- a switch. And nothing new or exciting. Some vendors were peddling items that were ridiculously expensive for what they were. Don't know if I'll ever make it to Houston, but it would be nice to make it to the Long Beach show one day.

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do next year with my art. After listening to Suzanne, I just think more and more that I need to forget about classes and just do the work. I'm even starting to question book purchases- I looked at Gloria Loughman's new book yesterday, and didn't buy it. It was beautifully done, but had no real new information in it. I have enough resources at hand, I just need to do the work! I'd also like to finish several UFO's that I have, and both my sons have made specific requests. Plenty to think about as I head into the new year, with a milestone birthday very close on the horizon.

While it lasts. . .

2010-11-06T16:34:00.001-06:00

I'm enjoying our decidedly not-November weather. It was in the high 60's-low 70's yesterday and today, so both days I've taken the dog out for a walk. Today we went up the canyon and hiked for an hour or so. It feels great!! And it's all supposed to change come Monday- drat.

I have been working on my IT design. Once I started drawing patterns, I realized none of my grays were large enough. So I hit the LQS this morning, and managed to find a couple that I think will work. A sign of the times, this is a shop that has been around for years- the selection of fabrics seems smaller. I was glad to find something I can make work, because gray clearly is not a big color this year.

I'm also continuing to knit on the sock, although not as much as before. I'm to the boring part- knitting in rib up the leg until I run out of yarn. But I'll get there!

Well, the picture isn't from today- but this is a look at where we hiked this afternoon.

The trees are barer than in this photo, and most of the color is gone- the mountain is pretty much shades of brown that we'll live with for the next several months. But the views from the top of the mountain (hill?) we climbed to is still spectacular.

They've started gating the campground that where the trailhead is located, so I had to climb through the gate. The nice thing is that nobody else was there, so Shiloh got to run off-leash the whole time. Hopefully it means she's worn out!!

The weight continues to come off- last time I checked, almost ten pounds. I do my 'official' weigh-in on Monday mornings, so we'll see. I've found the best motivator for me to get some activity in each day- the added number of calories I can eat! It makes the hour at the gym doable.

Maybe with my extra hour tonight I can get more work done on my piece. We'll see- later!

November Challenge Photo

2010-11-01T20:30:00.000-06:00

We got our photo for November, a cottage door in England--

I really like the soothing palette in this one- the greens, touch of red, and the soft grays. I think I will have fun with this one. I've already done some playing in PSE, and have some options that I think are doable.

That's what it always comes down to for me- can I pull it off in the short time frame? I'm just counting down the years until I'm no longer working full time and can really dedicate more hours to my art. One day. . .

The other thing I'm working through- do I try to do something more realistic, or abstract the photo? Right now, I'm leaning towards more realistic, maybe because this photo has some commonalities to a couple of other realistic quilts I've done. I'll think on that a few more days, though.

I can't believe it is November. I think we are just going to go out for Thanksgiving- I just don't feel like cooking the huge meal for a small group, which is what we will be. And since DH and I never agree on when the turkey is done, we will also avoid the annual turkey war. I'll just make a couple of low cal desserts to have when we return home, and be done with it. Works for me!!

Zen-land

2010-10-30T19:46:00.000-06:00

What a nice switch- a weekend with no deadlines or pressures looming. It's been one of those gray days that just makes me want to curl up inside- so I did, except for the curling up part. I spent the morning cleaning up and organizing the studio, which sorely needed it. I did run out and get a few groceries, and also got a larger three drawer storage unit for my little fabric bits. The collection had long since outgrown the small three drawer unit, which replaced three shoeboxes!

After it was all clean, I made a holster for one of the other massage therapists at Shannon's work. She wanted purple, she got a deep purple hand dye on Kona. Worked great. I also got laundry done. But mostly, I just enjoyed being.

After a lovely dinner at Mimi's Cafe (grilled salmon on a yummy salad with low fat citrus vinaigrette), we are back home. Everyone else is out, we are being the grinches of Halloween and ignoring the doorbell. Thankfully, the wet weather meant not many are out- so not a lot of ringing. After I finish this, I think I'll pick up my knitting and watch the USC-Oregon game, apparently two teams without a defense.

As for my weight loss adventure, it is moving along well. I've taken off eight pounds last time I checked, and am rather enjoying tracking all my food. I've learned that reducing calories is a lot easier if you don't eat a lot of carbs, so hunger has not really been an issue. I'm either walking the dog or exercising at the gym about four days a week. It's been a no-stress way to do this, and I'm glad it's working. I even got into some jeans today that hadn't fit in over a year.

All in all, a nice couple of days. Hope your weekend was relaxing too!!

Lava Lamp

2010-10-29T08:39:00.000-06:00

Well, I was still working on it the night before my reveal time- but I got it in under the wire. I even got to bed at my usual time, not the middle of the night!!

This is my piece for the October Interpret This! challenge. A perfect storm of the muse deciding to take a vacation and a crisis at work left me feeling adrift and totally uncreative. A nudge from my daughter (who saw something in the picture I'd overlooked), and I managed to come up with this. It's 12 inches in diameter- I knew I couldn't manage anything even remotely large!!

The background is a piece I rusted recently, and added tea to get the lovely gray tones. The 'lamp' is from one batik that I fussy cut to get the different colors and values. The 'lamp' and the background were constructed separately, the background quilted and then the lamp appliqued. I finished the edge with satin stitching and couched yarn.

Given the sad state of my creative muse right now, I'm pretty happy with this one. I captured a piece of the photo that I liked, and love how the colors in the lamp and the rusted background play off each other. I'm really glad I don't have any projects I have to work on this weekend. I think I'm going to give the studio a good cleaning and organizing- and hopefully Ms. Muse will decide it's time to return home.

Brain Dead

2010-10-24T17:30:00.000-06:00

That about describes how I am feeling. I'm sure getting two hours of sleep Thursday night has something to do with it, but I have been feeling singularly uninspired for awhile. I did some work on my IT! piece today, but I still don't have a definite idea of where I'm going with it. Right now I'm praying for a miracle in that department.

The one fiber thing that has been going well is knitting- something that is ideally suited to those brain dead times. I am so happy with how my sock is coming along! I am past the heel, and now just knitting up the leg- I'll just keep at it til I run out of yarn, since I only bought two skeins. These will go great with jeans this winter!

I just can't believe how easy this has been on the two circular needles. I purposely bought two different kinds, and that has turned out to be a good decision. So now I'll just keep knitting up the leg with a 2 X 2 ribbing till the yarn runs out. Look what you started, Judy! My family is already thinking they will be getting socks for Christmas. And I know my next pair will be wilder, both the yarn and the stitch patterning. Size two needles turns out to be not so bad when you're only knitting on sixty stitches.

Well, hopefully I'll have something quilty to post later this week. Right now I think I need some more catch-up sleep!

Socks

2010-10-17T19:25:00.000-06:00

I've knitted since a neighbor taught me when I was a teenager. I may go years without making anything now, but every once in awhile I get the urge to feel the needles in my hands. One thing I have never done, however, is socks. I hate knitting on double pointed needles, and as far as I knew, that was the only way.

A couple of weeks ago, I learded that assumption was wrong. My cyber-friend Judy turned me onto several webpages that show how to knit seamless socks on two circular needles. Now that I can manage!

I got the yarn, and got some needles- sizes 2 and 3. I guarantee I have never knit anything on needles that small!! Then I started trying the special cast-on with two needles. It didn't sound that hard, and had some similarities to another invisible cast-on I've done. I tried, and tried. No luck. I found a youtube video showing both the knitting and the cast-on. The first was a great help, answered one question I had that the webpages didn't. The cast-on video, not so much. So I went back to the pages Judy sent me. Once I thought I had it, and started knitting. I dropped stitches all over the place, it drove me nuts. And where was my nice purl ridge between the needles?

I read the instructions again, and tried one more time. Success!! The stitches stayed put on the needles, and I had a lovely purl ridge. Yahoo! So I started knitting and increasing. I even had a lovely toe that was starting to cover my toes. I thought I was on my way.

Then I looked closer at the piece on my needles. It was starting to look like a Chinese pagoda roof. Obviously I was increasing more than four stitches every other round.

So I ripped it all out, and cast on again- this time I got it right the first time. I know I will have to count stitches every round, to make sure I'm not messing up again. And, I've made my life easier by relaxing the cables on my needles. I had no idea that running them a few times through boiling water would make such a difference!

Other than that, my fiber life has been a bust. I rusted some scarves, and am not thrilled with how they turned out. I keep thinking about my IT! piece, and trying to figure what I'll do. I think I know, but I can't say I'm excited about it. Even doing some research on the photo didn't help me. It all feels so BLAH!!

I've been here before, and know it will pass eventually. In the meantime, I'm glad I have something else to occupy my hands- and hopefully cover my feet!!

Not much to blog about-

2010-10-15T08:28:00.000-06:00

I haven't been doing much with fiber or dyes, despite the fact my next IT! piece needs to be finished in a couple of weeks. I have a meeting with my WAQ friends today- we are checking out a new independent fabric store in Salt Lake. I hear they have lovely rayon batiks. And, there's a yarn store next door, so I'm sure we'll wander in there too. We're enjoying a bit of Indian summer weather, so it should be a nice day.

And, I've stuck to my 'regimen' for almost two weeks. Funny, but logging every bit of food you eat means I'm not thinking about it much. I haven't felt deprived, and I'm not eliminating any foods- just making choices based on calorie counts. I sure hope this works, after losing three pounds I seem to be stalling a bit. But, I've no intentions of stopping it, it is becoming just a part of my daily routine.

Hopefully later this weekend I'll actually have some fiber or quilty content to post. I do have some scarves marinating in rust and tannin, those should be washed out this weekend. Now I'm off to Salt Lake--

Slowly. . .

2010-10-09T15:45:00.000-06:00

I'm getting back to 'normal' after ten days away from work and my other routines. Today I've been playing some in the studio. I got the edges zigzagged around this little piece I finished while I was in Florida--

I knew I'd need something to work on while I was there, so I threw together this little piece figuring I'd do the handwork. Call it a sample or test piece for my 12 by 12 group for 'Prairie'- it's loosely based on a photo of prairie grasses. The 12 by 12 piece will be similar, with different fabrics. And it won't be hand embroidered! I'll use this one in a demo for my Surface Design group meeting in November on how to mount and mat small fiber pieces.

A new product came up on a couple of my fiber lists- Decolourant Plus. I saw an ad for it from Quilting Arts online, I think, and it piqued my curiosity. When list members were offered a free sample to try, I jumped on it. First I tried it on two notoriously difficult colors to discharge- turquoise and fuschia. Here's the results-

This was an already-quilted sample. I applied the Decolourant with a foam roller using a light touch, I didn't want it in the 'valleys' created by the quilting. The bottom part is with just the Decolourant, the top part is with the Decolourant Plus, which adds a color in addition to discharging the fabric. I got a Deep Purple color. I rather like how that looks, I'm not too crazy about the discharge with just the Decolourant on turquoise. Here's a closer up look at that--

Then I tried both of them on a scrap of fuschia fabric, using a thermofax screen and a stamp. I like the effect on the fuschia better--

You can definitely see the discharge effect on the flip side of the purple. I for one like being able to deposit a specific color if I want, I think I will be trying this some more.

A couple of people have done this just with sunlight. We don't have any of that right now, it has been cloudy and rainy all week. So I now have two different black fabrics with Decolourant on them, sitting under a heat lamp. If nothing else, it will dry it quicker- and maybe I'll luck out and it will discharge too.

On a not-fabric related note- I think I mentioned recently that I've finally joined the bandwagon and bought myself an iPod. It's turning out that I don't listen to music much on it, but I do lots of other things! I found a free app called 'Lose it' that a number of reviews said was very helpful for losing weight. It's nothing but a food diary and database of calorie and nutrient counts, but it's amazing the difference it can make when you track that. One week into it, and I've lost a pound and a half. I'm taking this slow and easy, and not making huge changes to the way I eat anyway. I guess I'm lucky in that I don't much like junk or fast foods, and I love fresh fruits and veggies. We'll see, but I'm hopeful I can keep this up and be at my goal weight next March.

And now I'm off to try something I've sworn for years I'd never do- knit socks! Judy convinced me that it is fun, it can be done without double pointed needles (which I hate)- so I got some yarn and size 3 circular needles. First step is to figure out the toe-up cast-on- you'll know my progress (or lack thereof) later this weekend!

I'm Back. . .

2010-10-03T10:35:00.000-06:00

I got back from Florida late last night- I never did get to posting at all. It was a nice, relaxing ten days, and wonderful to see Michelle for her first birthday. Obviously, she has changed considerably from the one month old I saw on my last trip there!

Her birthday party was in a park- and it was hot and humid, Florida at it's best. She looked adorable!!

She has the most amazing big, dark brown eyes with lashes anyone (female, at least) would kill for. Daddy is already planning how he will handle the onslaught of boys!

We only went out to eat one night while I was there- the night before I left. Sean had told me about a place a friend introduced him to, Ella's Folk Art Cafe. It was wonderful! There is all kinds of eclectic art outside and inside the restaurant- I loved this horse sculpture at the front entrance. If you find yourself in Tampa, I highly recommend this place.

Inside, there was lots more. Close to us was the Elvis wall!

Miss Michelle was very well behaved, chewing on a piece of bread while we waited for our dinners.

See what I mean about those eyes??

Sean had steak, Marly had chicken, but I had to try the special that night- a pork chop with pumpkin-pecan alfredo sauce, sauteed asparagus with cranberries, and mashed potato cake. It was all absolutely wonderful.

Afterwards, we shared a piece of chocolate chai cheesecake- it was gone before I could get a picture!

OMG, I am miserable

2010-09-21T18:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my throat got scratchy and sore, and I started sneezing. Today I am in full blown cold mode despite taking echinacea, vitamin C, and Zicam as soon as I thought I might be coming down with something. I'm still taking all those several times a day, in addition to OTC cold meds and Ricola cough drops.

Geeze, I hope it eases up tomorrow. Flying is not fun with a cold, I've done it. It's travel with a cold or forfeit my fare- and that ain't happening. So I will keep medicating myself, drink lots of water and green tea, and hope I can stop sneezing so I don't infect the whole plane. It would be nice if it were not a crowded flight so I can crawl into a row all by myself.

I have my iPod full of music, and some quilting podcasts I found in addition to the good old standby solitaire. I have a book, and some hand embroidery- assuming TSA doesn't take my age 4 and under blunt nose scissors from me because they are so freaking dangerous. Maybe I should just take a travel pillow so I can sleep!!

Here's hoping for an uneventful, fast travel day.

Hard at Work. . .

2010-09-19T07:13:00.000-06:00

and nothing to show. I finished my Interpret This! piece yesterday. I'm pretty happy with the results, and am thinking I may even do some more playing with the concept since I have fabric left over. We'll see. I'm going to try to get a couple of small pieces started today, so I can have some hand work while I'm traveling next week and while I'm in Florida.

Yes, the baby is a year old- hard to believe. She is gorgeous, feisty, and already has a strong personality. I ordered her some books for her birthday, and it looks like Amazon has let me down. I thought I ordered them in plenty of time, but they haven't even shipped yet- so I'm just hoping they arrive before I return home on Oct. 2.

I leave Wednesday afternoon, so am trying to remember all the last minute stuff. I guess if I were smart I'd write them down as I remember them, since I know my memory is chancy at best!

So, if I get any fiber pictures I can show, I'll post before I leave. Otherwise, you'll hear from me next in Florida!

Singular Sensations

2010-09-16T19:33:00.000-06:00

Take a look at the Art Quilt Association website, you can see the seven juror choices for the exhibition that will be at Pacific International Quilt Festival next month. 'Reaping the Whirlwind' is in very good company!

All this has me thinking about entering the quilt in other shows- Cincinnati, maybe? Or maybe the big one- Houston in 2011??

I'll be working to finish my Interpret This piece tomorrow and Saturday, but lots to think about while I'm quilting!

Tennis

2010-09-12T16:19:00.000-06:00

has occupied a lot of my week- was not yesterday's semi-final between Federer and Djokovic amazing?

I also got a lot done on my Interpret This piece yesterday, but I can't show any pictures of that. Right now I have it up on my design wall to look at for a few days. I was thinking of adding a design twist, but now I'm not so sure. So I'll look at if off and on this week, and make my decision by Friday.

My WAQ group got together on Friday- I may be able to quilt the memory quilt using a friend's longarm. That would mean I could have it done in a couple of hours rather than a couple of days. It won't happen until after I get back from Florida in October either way.

So that has been my week. I'm playing with design ideas for a couple small pieces for a silent auction at Barnes and Noble in Grand Junction, using more rusted fabric. I've cleaned the studio, I'm thinking about quilting designs for the Interpret This piece. Nothing exciting here- I wish the rain would stop in New York so we can get this final underway!!

A Long Weekend- and a Piecing Marathon

2010-09-05T16:08:00.000-06:00

We're having a lovely long weekend- and I'm enjoying it, since much cooler weather is supposed to roll in tomorrow. I've spent a lot of time the last couple of days in the studio, madly piecing the memory quilt. With the addition of the narrow black bands between the blocks, it also became an exercise in "how do I put this together?" I did some unsewing, but not a lot, and lots of partial seams. I could never have done this on paper ahead of time- my brain just can't do it. I needed the blocks up on my wall where I could see them, and work the process through. My plan that I'd sketched out on graph paper got adjusted as I pieced, but in the end it all worked. I think the narrow black bands really add some zing to this quilt!

Adding the black bands also took care of another potential problem- bulk created when two heavier fabrics are seamed. Since the shirt fabrics are only sewn to the lighter-weight black fabric, bulk is practically eliminated.

We also got our next photo for Interpret This! It's one Deb took when she was living in Indonesia in the 90's. It also reminds me of gates I saw around homes inhabited by Europeans when I was in Africa with the Peace Corps in the early 70's. Strip piecing immediately comes to mind, but I'm going to let it marinate for a bit.

Not too long, though- I leave for Florida on Sept. 22, so I have to finish it before then.

I've got some pieces of fabric and a scarf rusting away, too. Maybe I can get some small pieces done too???

Therapy Sewing

2010-08-29T16:31:00.000-06:00

That's what Rayna Gillman calls it anyway, and I concur- even though what I'll be doing is a bit different than what she does. I'm finally making some headway on a gift quilt for my son's girlfriend. I'm using competition shirts from her father, who did triathlons (I think). I new experience for me, but I think it will turn out well. I had to figure out what to back the shirt fabric with (woven fusible interfacing), and then cut the shirts up and figure out a design. I now have the blocks up on my design wall, and it met the intended recipient's approval. I'm glad she likes bright colors, because this one just screams at you. Apparently competition biking shirts don't come in muted or pastel colors!

So here's what I have-

I'm figuring it will be 40-something inches by 50 something inches- a good size lap quilt to curl up with in the miserable Chicago winters.

This fabric is heavy enough that I've decided to have 3/4" black sashing between the blocks- that should help keep the bulk down.

I didn't count the number of shirts I used, I just know the scraps I have left are fairly small in size. I have some extra in case I run into an issue and need some, but other than that, they are in pieces. I also found out that synthetic fabric dulls a rotary blade really quickly, and my large cutting mat needs to be replaced soon. I've worn grooves in it over the years.

I'm hoping I'll have the energy to put in an hour or two after work on this. All the hard work is done, as long as I work from my design wall I shouldn't screw up adding the sashing. We'll see. I don't have any projects I have to get done until the next photo for Interpret This!, and that doesn't post until mid-week.

Time to get started on the Sunday night get ready for work-week chores, like ironing. Hope your week is a good one!

August Reveals Start Today!

2010-08-27T09:39:00.000-06:00

The reveals for August on Interpret This! started this morning, and since it was my picture this month, my quilt is first up. So here it is, Buildings and Bridges--

If you want to know what my thinking was in making this piece, head on over to the Interpret This! blog. There's also some detail shots of all the quilting I did. I'm finding it pretty hilarious that someone (me!) who was quilting-aversive six or seven years ago now does all her own, and uses it as an important part of the overall design. I can't imagine leaving it to someone else now!

I'm really looking forward to seeing what others did with the photo- some of the hints this month have been intriguing.

I hope to get some work done on another project that won't involve lot of design brainpower, but I really need to get it done. And I'll be in the dyepots a bit this weekend. Sigh- so many projects, so little time.

Mental Health Day

2010-08-26T23:09:00.000-06:00

That's what I took off from work today- spent all of it in the studio, finishing my IT! piece. It will post tomorrow at 7 am.

The rest of the day was spent downloading my CD's to this laptop. I have finally joined the rest of the world and bought an iPod Touch. I figure I can use it for my calendar, since my work phone is due for an upgrade and I won't be replacing it with a smart phone like I have now.

I bought an 8 gig Touch- plenty of room, I figured, and besides, it's what I had the budget for. Today I learned how much music I have in CD's- almost 6.5 gigs. And I am not a music junkie! I have wide-ranging tastes, but I don't buy a lot. How can I have so much???

I have another quilt project to work on this weekend, and some onesies to dye for a friend. So I'll be spending more therapy time in the studio!

Over The Moon!!

2010-08-22T07:35:00.002-06:00

Reap the Whirlwind, 2010

By Beverly Hart

Can I just say I am excited beyond belief?? Not only did my wholecloth pieced Reap the Whirlwind get juried into AQuA's special exhibit at PIQF, the juror chose it for the image on the postcard!! I've been doing a happy dance since last night when I found out, I'm surprised I slept at all!

AQuA is a fairly large group, with lots of very talented artists. To have my piece chosen for the card is absolutely incredible to me.

Here's a detail shot-

It rather boggles my mind that the quilting is what makes this piece, and I actually enjoyed doing it. Two years ago, I'd have been stressed beyond belief. Just goes to show, it's all about the practice, practice, practice. That, and making all those pieces for the crap quota.

It has been a GOOD weekend on the quilt front! I got started on the quilting for my IT! piece, and get this news!

Zoning

2010-08-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

No, not sleeping- but in the zone creatively. I spent probably twelve hours in the studio yesterday, only coming out occasionally to refuel or move some clothes from the washer to the dryer. My IT! piece is now sandwiched, and I'll be working on the quilting today.

As usual, what I thought I would do isn't exactly what I ended up doing. Some of what I've been thinking about the past two months is there. But the fabrics I thought I'd use (the ones I screenprinted in Grand Junction) just didn't work. So here's what did end up in the quilt---

The two piles on the right are the ones I used. the two on the left are ones I thought I'd use, and didn't. The green one on the left I even overdyed with a pale shade of red to knock the vivid green back a notch or two. That part worked, but the fabric still didn't work in the piece. So I solved the issue of value with thread.

This has been a fun adventure. I found batiks in my stash I'd forgotten I have!

I will also be on edge today, waiting to hear from my friends in Grand Junction what the juror (Melody Randol) has to say about my wind turbines piece.

So now I'm off for coffee and some breakfast, then back down to the studio. Housework? What's that???

I'm Excited. . .

2010-08-15T13:06:00.000-06:00

about this article that ran in the Grand Junction Sentinel this weekend! Thank you, Sherida!!!

http://www.gjsentinel.com/lifestyle/articles/dyeing_just_a_part_of_life_for