New Year A-Head

2012 was an ambitious and heavy year. Now with tasks ahead for 2013, I am looking forward to shaking off this weight and starting new. Happy New Year to my faithful 32 followers, and all my "passer-bys" as well.

Stop Watering the Tree

Just about now I tend to stop watering the tree. Even though it keeps standing tall until I say "go". I love it, always have.

Measurable Snowfall

 

After about 15" of snow, it was time to unearth the driveway. But I love the sculptural additions it makes to my magnolia.

The Last Dance

For week 52 of Quilt 2012, I took time today to spend with "The Last Dance". Working on these sketches (just 20" x 12") has taught me a tremendous amount. Thank you, Jeanne, for doing that blog.

Hanging Around

Sometimes I pin up fabric to see juxtapositions and interactions. A snapshot shows what dominates and what needs edits. And it often leads to a composition that sticks. So, here is what I have up tonight.

Mola Search

The peeps have a mola challenge that will be due this spring. Here is a pile of textiles that I can use for inspiration; but I do have to pick one. I am drawn to the boots on the left (at 10:00) and the pattern inside. So, here I go.

Little Quilt, Big Quilt

Christmas afternoon is made for recovering (from the morning) and getting ready for Christmas evening. Good thing each creature has appropriate sized quilts.

White Christmas

Heading back from Christmas Eve celebrations, there was lots of snow. Which makes all the lights more festive. Inside is our major large tree. Now to bed and visions.

More Iodine Sketches

Taking a break from the holiday hubbub to sketch another little idea for Iodine. This has acetate for substrate, and is shown half folded out. Might have to go picking for materials soon.

Germinating

I like the idea of layering. Whether used in surface design -- like over print, then discharge -- it is fun to look through a design. Here is what was stuck to my design wall, and the germ of the iodine idea. Acetate, printed fabric, fireplace mesh, and some goofy long pin thingies.

New Leaf, New Year

Bev was here today for our annual peeps holiday gathering, and she had finished her leaf quilt, which is all pieced. We got to see her great quilting, which is hard to see in this photo. She used her hand-dyes to great advantage. Thanks, Bev.

New Quilt and a Fire. Who Needs Company?

My half-square quilt is finished. And none too soon to add joy to this little critter, my studio assistant. It is the half-square shibori quilt that I teach, but without the fancy shibori fabric.

Signature, Please

Its not finished until it is signed. So, sometimes I forget, but here I am putting on the John Hancock. Matisse did not put a label on the back, far as I know. And who goes around flipping artwork to search for the name? Put it on the front.

Last Dip of the Year

Taking advantage of the 50+ degree day yesterday, I got out the dye and under-dyed fabric. Later it will be rolled and twisted "shibori" style, and redyed. Looks awful here, but it in the end, it looks great.

More Iodine

'Nother sketch for Iodine. This is half-scale, and is all folded up and 11" x 18". So, unfolded it makes 22 x 36 -- half scale of the finished size. The round thingies are the thyroid glands, the pink slash, the thyroidectomy cut. Medicine can be fun. Right? Oh, yes, that plastic is to stay.

Iodine Idea

A quarter-scale sketch for my iodine quilt shows that there is laminating film to back the elements. I plan to fold it up finishing at 22 x 36, but it would in reality be 44 x 72. Just a plan for now.

Lights = Snow

Trees are lit with white lights, and it reminds me of snow. Which is lacking just about now. Which is all right. But I know it would change the mood. But no snow gives me one more time to deer proof outdoors. Tomorrow!

Along the Erie Canal

A short walk from my house, along the old section of the Erie Canal, is the site of the Odenbach Shipyard, which made barges for use on the canal. Later, it made barges for landing craft in World War II. It would make a great movie location for something creepy.

Oil Pots (Not Tea Pots)

Java's, at the public market, had these dancing oil pots by Jennifer Buckley. I had to get a snap to share. Only good for that day, so if you want to find them, go out to RIT and their ShopOne2.

Multiples

Faces, some in profile, are hand painted on these glass balls. I love the ones that are in profile. Just to tempt me at the public market.

The Road Travelled

Quilt 2012 got my attention (and work) this week. I have sadly neglected to add my pieces, but found some time to do this one. Remember -- it is just 20" x 12". And it is called "The Road Travelled."

Time for Donations

In alphabetical order, George Eastman's secretary kept each person (Helen Keller), institution (Vassar), or cause (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) listed with the amount of money he donated. And he donated a lot. Now, for those of us with backup on the cloud -- what would happen if this box was lost?

Sweet Art

A trip to the International Museum of Photography at the George Eastman House to see the gingerbread display included this fabulous structure. Love all the color, patterning, and texture. And all with high sugar content, how can you not agree?

Lights for the Dark

For me, it is the dark, not the cold, that is so difficult to live with during winter. So, I have always appreciated seeing those lights go up (here looking down East Avenue toward the Liberty Pole). Now, I can't say they have an effect on my stitching, but you are free to associate bits of light with bits of white.

Choosing Art

First Friday was here in town tonight. That means a gallery hop. We saw lots, and my Christmas present was offered. But I had to choose. Which would you pick of the two lovely Carol Aquilano's works? It will be under the tree...

Play the Hand You are Dealt

Why can't I have the perfect color in my box of threads? This quilt is loaded on the longarm, batting in place, and I need that dark warm green spool. I am NOT driving for just that one!

Cookie Day

This is the eighth year (we think) that my friends and I have had Cookie Day. We make a traditional cucidate, or Italian filled cookie. And lots. If you stop in, you can have one.

Distraction

I am supposed to be keeping notes on my project for Iodine, but I can't get the pencil to work. Or me, for that matter. Total distraction.

Pin Interest

This year's Clothesline festival at the Memorial Art Gallery had these wonderful pins. I am sorry I have forgotten to get the artist's name. She also knitted wonderful garments. And if I believed in self-gifting, I might start here.

Presenting the Challenge

I love a good challenge. And the three listed above are for the start of the new year. And "Iodine" (it is now sinking in), is a challenge that needs documenting. And I hate documenting. But that can be my challenge, too.

Now for Something Completly Different

My microwave is now trashed, and the new one has some hanging difficulties. This, and other small tasks, are the time suck for me. (Wait till the holidays roll.) First, I need a metal cutter person to get the new one installed.

Time for a Stretch

As I come off a fully scheduled fall, it is time to regroup, take that stretch, and go back to the design wall. I have some work promised, and need to return to the studio. So, put that car in park, and wind up some bobbins.

Time for a Winter Hat

Today was spent in the yard. The last thing to do was to dress up the head, and get her ready for the season. Now it can snow, and her head will be covered.

Judge's Comments

I finally unwrapped one of my works that went to Houston's show this year. One judge wrote after her comment, and this is a quote, "I know you'll find that comment aggravating." I never met her, but she assumes to know what I would find displeasing. Maybe I need her as my personal life coach.

Follow the Path

Even though this is a "just for fun" quilt, I pay attention to the quilted stitch. Not in the most precise way, but I love to follow the pattern of the graphic. And I love that mitosis thing. I will transfer that design again, for sure.

Graphics on the Rollers

One of my favorite fabric stores is Homespun in Ithaca, New York. I bought these three one-yard cuts to make a half-square triangle quilt (via the Pauly method) and now it is loaded and ready to quilt. Love the cold and the permission to stay inside.

Schweinfurth Trunk Show

Fiber Peeps was invited to speak at the Schweinfurth's trunk show series. Here Jeanne Simpson talks about her work. Bev Kondolf, on left, and Nancy Hicks, on right, due the honors. Priscilla Kibbee is just leaving my picture frame and Marcia DeCamp is off camera. I make the last of the bunch. Fans tell me to add a link for more info. http://auburnpub.com/news/local/fiber-peeps-show-their-stuff-at-schweinfurth/article_e4e435b2-7c9a-5496-93d3-28269b37ee21.html

I Can 'Splain This

 

Sunday's trunk show at the Schweinfurth Art Center has me and my friends, the "Fiber Peeps," on at 2:00. I will have this Exquisite Corpse piece with me and I will TELL ALL. (Well, not all, but enough.) See you at the talk!

Black Friday

Okay, I will admit that we did a bit of shopping today. But we closed the night by cutting apart our block of newly made soap. Time will tell if this green tea with mint soap is worthy of gifting.

Post Thanksgiving Posture

Great sunny day, great walk outside, great food, great friends, and over indulgence on just about everything. Now to digest it all. Tomorrow is another filled day. Happy Thanksgiving.

Soup to Soap

Not being the hostess, but rather the guest for tomorrow, we had fun making soap. (We also made some squash soup, but not in the same pot). Hope the soap is finished by Christmas. Want to guess what I will be giving out?

Blooms at Track Side

One of the Thanksgiving weekend rituals is getting someone from somewhere. Here the visit to the Amtrak station included still-blooming mums.

Fiber Peeps Talk Coming Up Sunday

 

My group of fiber artists (we call ourselves the "Fiber Peeps") is set to talk at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center this Sunday at 2:00 for a trunk show, in conjunction with the Quilts=Art=Quilts. We are Marcia DeCamp, Beverly Kondolf, Jeanne Simpson, Nancy P. Hicks, and Priscilla Kibbee. Linda Bachman is in sunny Florida, but her quilts will be shown. Join us, please.

Sun's Up

What with these shorter and shorter days, best to get the most out of the day light, if you can. Rise early, take naps in the sun, and enjoy sunsets before dinner.

Late Night

If only I had seen the popcorn sooner. But I had already brushed my teeth, and flossed, so there was no going back. But, it would have been nice -- even butter.

Funky Fabric Rules

Dawn used a gifted piece of really wild fabric, one of my shibori hand dyes, and one more (from someone in the class, I think) to make the quilt in my workshop Thursday. A totally different look, for sure, and one that will be stunning.

Workshop in Poughkeepsie

Donna and Dina, my hostesses from the First Dutchess Quilt Guild, look over Donna's design for her top. It was a full day, lots of fun, lots of work. And there were some great quilts that went home, albeit in pieces.

Apple Falling Near the Tree

A hard act to follow tonight for me. Here is Elaina (?) who is showing off her prize (from the NY State Fair) winning quilt at the First Dutchess Quilt Guild's meeting tonight. All looking on with great hope that she continues making quilts.

Water, Sticks, Reflections

What to do with those sticks that are about in the yard? Add them to the bridge for the birds. This is the view at Joshua Creek Heritage Center. Don't need vast body of water, just water.

Homework

Thought I would make another Shibori Half-Square Triangle quilt before the workshop in Poughkeepsie this week. Thursday is the class, and I have stacks of shibori to use. Crash the lecture? It's Wednesday with the First Dutchess Quilters.