Ken's Sledge and My Muscle

So, I know that my friends are well meaning, but many don't really want to do the physical work. That's O.K. I am so thankful that they let me borrow their tools. Ken's sledge hammer made easy work at breaking the 2" concrete floor under my soon-to-be shower. Now to even the floor.

Flour Resist

Maureen (our leader)  is adding some acrylic color to a piece treated and patterned with flour paste that has dried. Bev is looking on. We are eager to try out own pieces. This was yesterday's workshop in the rain.

Resist(ance) Day at Bev's Barn

Rufus is at the ready, to add more paw prints to our very wet flour resist pieces. My green fabric is the start of the soy wax resist trials. I will wait for tomorrow to wash out the dye painted over this pattern. A great, if soggy, day at Bev's Barn. We had a ball, and thanks Maureen for guiding us through the process.

Time for (Someone Else's) Garden Tour

These yellow pokers fill the frame. An extensive garden, this was on the garden group's tour tonight, and certainly makes me what to reach for a shovel and dig. But, I have to finish the inside first. Maybe this fall. Meanwhile, I am taking notes.

Seen in Ithaca

While in Lancaster this spring for the AQS show, I spotted this quilt (a great take on the New York Beauty) by the Tompkins County Quilters Guild. It is their raffle quilt for this year, and you may see it around Ithaca this summer. If you do, for heaven's sake, buy a ticket.

Moonflower

It's night, it's raining, it's blooming. Tomorrow it will be limp and spent, so even if it's meant to blossom under not-so-perfect circumstances, it will still do its job.

Can't Find My Work, But I Know its There

The 6 x 6 2013 show at Rochester Contemporary Gallery is on, and among the thousands, is my little piece. Darned if I could find it, though. If you go, and see it, it is yours for $20. Actually each and every work is $20. Such a deal. 

Jazzy Attire

The band's costume designer painted graphic lines and symbols on these suits, and the effect was marvelous. This was the scene at the Rochester International Jazz Festival tonight.

Thanks for That Sawz-All

A friend must have had a premonition when he gave me a sawz-all. Bev is taking a turn with it to remove a closet from the bathroom. Dust is a flyin' so I better finish up with the demolition.

Time to Gut the Bathroom

Remember those medicine cabinets with the little slot in the back -- to dispose of the razor blades? Must have had one in this house, because I found the blades. Really would like to install the new bathroom, so demolition is in progress. Feel free to come by and swing the sledge hammer.

Garden Make-Do

Gotta have flowers. Brought my pots with me, and the perennials and annuals sit together just fine. When time permits, I will go dig a proper bed. And need to cut more of that curly willow and pot it up. It is just in the background, and is about 4 years old.

Unfinished Objects (UFOs) at Thumbstall

Barb (on the right) had cleaned and cleared, and in doing so, found this unfinished quilt top. Now finished, she showed it to the Thumbstall Quilt Guild on Tuesday night. Nice to see those large large flowers.

Smile, You Are a Thumbstall Quilter

If you lived anywhere near Marcellus, New York, you for sure would want to be part of this quilt guild. I spoke tonight, and promised that I would include them in my blog. So, here ya go! I had a swell time. Enjoyed every bit.

Not Yet a Month

Almost a month from the time I moved in, and I have almost a complete set of cabinets. We toasted, my gardening friends and I, and enjoyed the cool night air -- see the open window? -- and knew that this room and all the rest would become a great space in which to live.

That's a Box of Pencils

This set showed up at the workshop Saturday for the Big Leaf. I suggest one bring a few colored pencils, this set took top prize! Almost to good to use as tick marks for the pattern.

Go to Mexico (New York) for a Perfect Day

Kathy was moving fast through piecing her "Big Leaf" in my workshop today in Mexico, New York. With a full house of 20 women, lots of time, and lots of talking, we saw 20 very different and stunning leaves emerge. My treat to be hosted by such an nice group. Thanks for having me, Mexicali women!

Forest for the Tree

Outside my mother's window is an enormous viburnum. In the darkest part of the center of this picture, is a robin's nest. Today I got to see the brood. Takes looking hard, sometimes, to see what is just in front of you.

Running Water -- So 20th Century

The Ikea base cabinets were screwed down tonight, and Mary hooked up a temporary sink. Now to get the counter tops made, and cabinets filled. Almost civilized.

Fun Fabric

Mary's dress has a skirt made from fabric (polyester, I believe) that takes its movement from having the fabric cut into rectangles, where the one side of the rectangle is left to join the base fabric. Gravity bends the rectangles into gentle curves. Great idea for light weight texture.

Pieces & Resistance

A detail of "Strangers in Paradise", which is currently on display in a show of my work "Pieces and Resistance" at the Iowa Artisans Gallery in Iowa City, Iowa. It opened Friday, and runs till July 20. Catchy title, hey?

Sisters, Not Being Twins

My daughter and I love to play a game we call "Twins" where friends dress alike without knowing it. Extra points are scored when we spot twin spouses as well, or triplets. These sisters we twin-like because they were so exactly opposite, with light/dark hair, black/white shirts, and white/black pants. A whole other category!

Wagon Full of Flowers

Today was the last "flower day" at the Rochester Public Market. My wagon (inside the car)  is loaded with more plants surrounding it. Made time to plant up the containers. My mother always said "flowers are food for the soul" so I must have been hungry.

Second (and Better) Kitchen Half

On the loading dock ready for the Passat, my second and final half of the kitchen is ready to load. Thanks to Sandra and Nancy who put together the five cabinets today. Now for installation. That is Monday night.

Holy Mola Exhibit Ends (For Now)

The Wayne County Council for the Arts hosted the "Holy Mola! Art Quilts Inspired by Panamanian Molas" for this past month. Today Marcia DeCamp and I went in to say farewell and put the works to rest, until this fall when they will be shown in Old Forge. Marcia's two works bookend Bev Kondolf's (left), Mary Weiser's (center) and mine (right).

Fighting Fowl

I hope I never see an actual cock fight. This one is just fine, though, and is in the Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe. The poses are perfect, as well as the jaunty hats.

Have a Laugh

Priscilla showed up for the Big Leaf class with a bin of her hand-dyed fabric. You can see that the layout is striking, with all those soft colors. That she is having a good time is just the best.

Thoughts to Act On

The Iron Quilter Challenge presented the theme "A Disappearing Act" to the competition. Nancy Hicks made this sketch, which she fleshed out in fabric, for her piece. Not a big fan of sketching, I am always intrigued when I see someone else's drawing display freedom and expression.

Epicenter

The scene of the action this past weekend was up and down the vendor's aisle. I am on the right, with the mess of hand-dyes on the table. I would tidy it up, but why?

The Big Leaf in Rochester

Terry lays out the color palette for her design in today's "Big Leaf" class. We trace the pattern on freezer paper to make the templates (the hard work), and then the fun happens when we determine a palette. Watching the progression of these designs is a treat.

Iron Quilter (Defending her Crown)

Kathi Everett returned to defend her crown, won last year in the Iron Quilter Contest, at the Genesee Valley Quilt Festival. This year she handed it to Ann Hawkins and graciously took second place. With a field of 18 quilters, Kathi proved her meddle. Might have something to do with that shibori dyed piece she used, right?