View from the Deck

We have had a wee thaw here, just enough to drip a few drops from the icicles on the eave. The Head is getting more visible. Rochester, and this region, has had the coldest February on record. On record. I'm ready to face March.

6 x 6 Party

Well, the Peeps got together today and we cranked out about 20 little pieces of art (all 6" x 6") for the Rochester Contemporary's "6 x 6 x 2015" exhibit. We'll have to wait till June's opening to see them. You can purchase them at $20 each. Hard part will be finding them.

This is Just a Test

I'm working on my skinny lines for some classes, and made up a sample of what effect the line fabric has on the work. It is so much fun to make these, and more fun to slice through them.

Bondo, or Three Shades of Beige

One of my less sexy birthday gifts was this fabulous set of bondo spreaders. I can't wait to use them, and I'll bring them with me for you to try at my Studio Schweinfurth Monoprinting class in October 3 & 4. Oh, in the background is my soda soaked material drying.

Birthday Eve Celebration

I love that the mug of half hot chocolate and half decaf is so supersized, and the macaron is so small. Thought I would mark the end of the year, because tomorrow I'll be older. Wiser? Who knows.

Cutting and Blocking About

I had a hunk of fabric, a leftover from a class, and thought it would be fun to overlay a block and cut it up. Here are a few ideas for a ninepatch from the leftover fabric.

Little Lines

I'm working on a study of lines, and have come back to look at this work made a few years ago. It is just your average commercial cotton, but looks so different once quilted.

Warming Up to the Crowd

With the blast of cold weather here, I brought some warmth to the crowd at my nearest (and dearest) nursing home. I talked to two groups, both filled with wonderful, caring, and inquisitive women. Well, haven't met a group yet that wasn't. Thanks for having me.

Time to Gather the Peeps

Today is the monthly meeting with my 'Peeps' and we discuss our work and catch up on what is new (or what is coming back around) in the fiber world. This is Nancy's piece with her lovely African fabrics. The laptop is one member who is a skyping 'head'.

Here's Lookin' at You

I know, doesn't mean much to you, but for me, it is at last my first pair of dedicated computer distance glasses. Thrilled, I tell you, thrilled. Now I won't be squinting whilst I read my comments.

Middle of the Row(d)

Thanks, my fans, for sending your choices. I did pick the middle one, and now I'm off to transfer it in a drawing. Eager to translate it with fabric. That'll be tomorrow, maybe. Oh, the challenge is to make a piece that will be shown this summer in an exhibit that details HOW we make these works.

Pick One

I made up some sketches for the next challenge. I've picked one from the top row. Feel free to weigh in on your favorite. These are about 3 1/2" wide here. The piece will finish at 36" wide.

All New Clean

The old Bosch front loader has gone to the giant recycle pile, and a new Kenmore front load washer is sitting in its place. Let's hope for a long and trusty relationship. Notice, I'm starting with 'normal'.

A Good Fling

Throwing fabric on the design wall always gives me pause. I love to see the interactions, the color. And now to start a design to use these. I'm interested in working from a sketch out, as I have a challenge ahead for me to tackle.

Pin Interest

A rough and ready image of my quilt festival pin. I designed it for my quilt guild and I got to wear the first one out of the package. Neat.

Love at First Sight

Toni Foster was showing us (at the GVQC meeting) her lovely hand quilted work called "Love at First Sight". Named because she fell in love with the pattern, loved working on it, and loved how it turned out. Must be that Valentine's Day drift here. I just love it for the red and white fabrics.

Drunk Path

John Kubiniec brought his quilts today at the meeting of the Genesee Valley Quilt Club. My favorite was his drunkard's path block, here done two different ways. The strength of the red and white stays in my mind. His class in DP quilts will be at the GVQC quilt show.

Snow Day, Not Snow Dye

Did these with my secret method of using dye. (Which I will teach you this October at the Schweinfurth, if you are in the class). I think they are splendid, and even better than snow dyeing. And I'm selling these tomorrow at the GVQC meeting. The purple one is for Marty.

Trying Soy Wax on Silk Screen

Here is what I worked on this morning. I had printed the dark and left to sit overnight. This morning it needed color, so I squeegeed on more thickened dye. Much better. Should I post another now to make up for missing last night's post? Here is my back door view. And, no, I'm not snow dyeing.

Use What You Like

A few years back I bought this hunk of IKEA printed fabric. It has a lovely weight, and takes dye beautifully. Yes, I washed it and soda soaked it, before monoprinting. I'll certainly do more, and I'll look for more available printed fabric to try out.

Night Out

Through the window of the Eastman Theater's lobby's window, snow is falling, and will continue for a day. But ahead of this was a philharmonic concert that was all Beethoven. Just the perfect color and mood for a winter's day.

Being Direct

Thought I might try adding the leftover "dirty" paste directly to the soda soaked material. With a bit of texture tucked underneath, I have this lovely pattern. I'll wash it out tomorrow.

Print New Over Old

More explorations for screening today. I used a piece I made last summer ( the green circles), that had not been washed out. So, seeing that the soda ash was still there, I silkscreened over the piece, and added more color. Tomorrow is wash day. 

Power Down

Guess this one can be tossed. Let me read it for you: Best if installed by Jan 2001. Yup, its over.

Make More

I am printing here with a blank silkscreen, making a pass with the dark black color. I scrunched the fabric for the pass with the dark color, then let the screen dry. When I returned this evening, I overprinted with the screen, using the remains of the first pass. Sounds complicated, but it's not.

Monoprinting on a Winter's Day

I never left the house today. It was a snow day, and with my friend Cris, we monoprinted in the studio to our heart's content. We didn't need the snow as an excuse, but glad to find one anyway.

Fiber Like Tangle

Jesse Walp's 2011 work "Tangleberry" was on view at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. Made of walnut and basswood, it is a positively lovely tangle. I would have sworn it was metal.