My Name is on the Door

So you can find me on Thursday, I'll be in Room 311. And if one of you wants to come, I will give that new sign-er-up on of my hand-dyed fabrics for being the late comer. Just the last (most recently registered) on the list gets it!

Saturday for Shibori

I'll bring this one with me for this Saturday's class (AQS Des Moines) on how to make (pretty quickly) a half-square triangle quilt with my shibori fabric. They are all different patterns, and all beautiful.

Glorious Morning

We've had a stretch of superbly warm weather here, and I have admired it from within. Getting packed and ready to head off to Des Moines, and beyond, so I am not taking advantage of this day. It will return.

Finish, Hang and Ship

I am part of the mini-lecture lineup for AQS Des Moines on Wednesday night. My topic is "Finish, Hang and Ship (like a pro)." Which I just did for sending off quilts for the Schweinfurth's Quilts=Art=Quilts. They're early; my "staff" will send them out at the appropriate time. Thanks, Nancy!

The Year to Date

I have made a few works this calendar year. One was super large, and that took a while. When I finish, I sign the works in the lower right with floss. Numbers can be deceiving, so just know I am happy to have finished and on to the next.

Sloads of Shibori

Next week I'll be at the AQS show in Des Moines, Iowa, teaching "Shibori Half Square Triangle". And for that I need scads of shibori. So, in the studio I go, making wonderful patterned fabric. Come join the class if you are nearby!

Rock Solid

This glorious weather took me out of the dye studio and on to a garden tour. What caught my attention was this retaining wall from filled stones in a mesh grid. The pavers are recycled concrete pavers. Shades of gray?

Back at the Studio

For my class in October, at AQS Des Moines, I got eleven shibori pieces (pre-painted, that helped) twisted on the tubes and in the dye bath today. But this soda-soaked fabric was just calling me to do something. Maybe multitasking is ok.

Twisted Stitchers

Yes -- that is their name, and I hope you can see that most got the memo to wear purple. What a fun day making the Big Leaf. And thanks for having me over to Ajax, Ontario for the day. Loved it!

Twins for Saturday's Class in Heidelberg

We were all about stripes, and these two in my class must have gotten the memo. Great to have Sylvia and Nancy in the room. They were cut-ups.

Noteable Millie

A constant note-taker, Millie dove right in to "Slash and Burn" today. Now, those bits of pieces are not arranged and in their place just yet, but there is plenty of head start to make a strong composition. Great fun to have you in the three days.

Too Much Fun in Heidelberg

Cynthia put new meaning in "mind the grate" today, when the "Pretties" class heard her tales of touring. What a fun group, we hardly minded working so hard.

Cutting Up

Today was a day of hard work and many sketches as the great group of quilters took on the challenge to "cut of the pretties." We will return tomorrow the go big. Can't wait to see what will be on those design walls.

Off to Meet My Waterloo

My seminar for Friday and Saturday meets just outside of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. I'm bringing the quilt I made from this sketch for when we talk about (and then do) "Cutting Up the Pretties".

I Hate Labels

To send my quilts to the next show, the staff asks to cover my label. Since I don't have one (I sign them on the front) I had to add one. Then they ask I cover it with the given number. Time for this drives me wild. And you know I hardly ever complain. But I hate labels.

SAQA Auction Piece "Love and Kisses"

I don't often give works for auction, but this one went to help the Studio Art Quilt Associates for their annual fund raiser. And it sold. My thanks to the buyer, who is not only boosting my ego, but contributing to a wonderful organization. Get yourself one at http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=3220

Gearing Up

The north is calling me, and I will be near Waterloo, Canada, for a seminar later this week. One of the topics is piecing improvisationally, something I call "Slash and Burn". I'm trying a solid color strip set. Not in love yet.

Art Market

For the past 10  years, the Rochester Public Market has hosted "Artists Row" as a showcase for original art. Among the 180 artists, I found Jeanne Byrnes with her felted works. They always have a newness and zing to them. Nice to see her again.

Nightime Diversion

On a friend's pass, I was thrilled to hear a RPO pops concert. A little culture for tonight. Tile tomorrow.

Quilt National '13

Today I met the deadline to enter two works in the Quilt National 2015 exhibition. Slim chance to get in, but I can say I tried. Above was the rejected entry for QN '13 "What Lies Within". You can see it this fall at the Schweinfurth's Quilts=Art=Quilts.

Typefaces

So, did you ever wonder, if you were a typeface, what would you look like? I see this one crop up lately. It wants to be slightly animated, hand drawn, and part of a story. The balls, by the way, are meatballs.

Richard's Camera

Big wall. Good Camera. Perfect lighting. Master photographer. Check, check, check, and check. Now my shots are ready to enter the competition. Oh, and check to Richard is in the mail.

Wire Nest

Sewers collect (sometimes) those thread nests. At times, nests are even recorded and talked about. So, when I saw this blob of wire, I naturally thought of all those pulls from the bobbin.

Time for Remodeling

Now that cooler weather is here, I can get to that second floor bathroom and tackle a new floor, sink and toilet. Don't worry, I am still clocking in studio time. But excited to clean and renew this room.

Measure Twice, Cut Twice

I am leaving these hanging with the hopes that tomorrow when I return to the studio, they will be the same length. I DID measure, but fiber is a creature with its own mind.

Anniversary

Every year I take a moment to remember past events. These glads are part of that memory, and so they appear -- then fading, yes, but then returning again next year to mark time.

Photography Opening at Gallery R

Doug Manchee's work took me back many years to my work in photography. His "portraits" of the apparatus needed to print photos back in the day, were beautifully taken and gave each object, from a dryer fan to a sponge, dignity and beauty. Go see the show "Alchemic Elegy" if you are in Rochester.

Note for My Dyer Friends

On leaving (ha, pun!) the garden tour tonight was this very unusual little tree. Notice nature's perfect gradations of green to soft peach. You would want that transition in fabric, for sure.

Get Some Sun

I would show you my piles of stuff for when I  teach at AQS Des Moines (October 2-4), but that is so dull compared to what is happening in my front yard. Hope that they are blooming when I return.

Adding Circles

Layers make the fabric more intriguing. Even with screening and other processes, just adding a stamped circle -- here it is the lower right one -- is so easy. And it transforms the print yet again.

Reversal is Positive

Adding a backing fabric, then sewing two concentric circles, then cutting away the middle gives me just the odd circle I was looking for. I could have reverse applique this, but I like the craggy edge.