Throw Back a Week of So

Today I drove past the hills of Pennsylvania, on my way home, through the snow. I wanted to return to Florida. I'll have to wait just a few more weeks for warmer weather. It was only just over a week ago that I got to walk in the sunshine at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

Southward

Not far enough to have glorious weather, traveled just to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I'm working on an exhibition that will open in June. Certainly better and warmer by then.

Shibori Love

It is almost like magic when the fabric comes out of the dye bath, and runs through the wash a few times, and its patterning is revealed by ironing. I'll be taking this with me to Tennessee next month. Any thing left is up for grabs at the Piecemakers Quilters of Elmira Quilt Show late April when I will be there as a vendor.

I've Got the Long View

Today's opening of "Made in New York" at the Schweinfurth Art Center was packed. My work The Easy Life is seen from waaaay across the gallery on the far wall. The show has every kind of medium from silver, to wood, to photography, to bookmaking (printing), and in between. I love the mix.

Gonna Need a Taller Bucket

I've got the fabric that I underpainted with dye all scrunched up and ready to put in a dye bath. But, unless I can scrunch the fabric more, it won't fit. This fabric will go with me to the Shibori Half-Square Triangle Quilt workshop in Tennessee next month.

Much Rather Be Outside

Working on underpainting fabric that will be wrapped and dyed later. How I wish I could dry this outside. But outside it is snowing, so for now, the wet studio will have to do. But, a bit messy!

Ladies to Honor

From the rest stop in Interstate 90 entering back in New York, I saw these gals. I thought how glad I was to be living in the state that honors Susan B. Anthony as a revered citizen, as well as the state where Liberty calls home.Traveling back from Ohio, just being a bit in need of home.

Quilting Arts Taping At Last

Taped four segments and a DVD for the Quilting Arts group today. My work was easy --- tiring -- but easy, as long as the behind the scenes crew was on hand, and Susan there to interview me. Kristine Lundblad in the red, Vivika Hansen DeNegre (framing for a shot), and host Susan Brubaker Knapp. Glad to be there!

What to Wear

I've got my shirts picked out for tomorrow's Quilting Arts tapings, but perhaps I can slip into this for the segment on "Ways to Find Design Ideas". Thanks to Nancy from Portland for sharing this paper dress.

In the Air

A bit delayed, but not deterred, I made the flight last night from Orlando, to Washington, to Rochester. Packing up again to drive to Cleveland tomorrow, and wait till you see what's doin' there.

View From Sea Level

One treat while teaching at the Atlantic Center for the Arts was an early walk on the beach in New Smyrna. This beached  jelly fish part reminded me of part of a broken roman column, although I haven't see Roman Forum for forty years.

Open Door Policy

If I ever won the lottery (which I won't because I don't play) I'd build a studio like this one. It would have great clerestory windows, and a door leading to a deck, surrounded by lush green plants. Till that, I'll take being at the Atlantic Center for the Arts and a class at Focus on Fiber Florida Style.

Difference in Degree

On my way to the studio at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in the Focus on Fiber Florida Style class here. How welcoming and invigorating this space is. (And warmly welcoming -- here it is 77 and back home in Rochester, it is 28 at 9:00 at night.)

Focus on Fiber Florida Style 2015

That's the name of the gathering -- Focus on Fiber Florida Style 2015. And this is my classroom, with some pretty snazy quilters who have energy, great wit, and are slashing and burning like there's no tomorrow. But there IS tomorrow, and the next day as well. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Makers and Mentors at ROCO

I caught the last day of the show at Rochester Contemporary. This work is by Robin Whiteman of porcelain. They are hand-sized, delicate, and intrigue me. She has a powerful imagination, for sure.

Shipping off to Paducah

You can't enjoy the wrapping with this photo, but suffice to say the core is a noodle, then the quilt, then the wrapping fabric. Ties all over. Then plastic bag, then box and stuffing, a label, and drop off at the FedEx store. Maybe two hours. Can you see why I don't do this often?

What Goes Up Must Come Down

It was time to take down Time of Day at the AXOM gallery. Just in time for me to ship out one of the pieces to the Yeiser Art Center, and bundle a few others for some road trips in the next week. I can feel spring nipping at me to get moving.

Remembering the Adirondacks

The Bog River, in 2007, gave me this image, which I then used in a montage. That became the sketch for a quilt, which became an auction item at Schweinfurth that year, which was bought by my friend Aafke, and on and on the circle goes. You never know where the road will lead.

Quilted with Love

Chris Wickert's hand work is exquisite. This quilt was made as a gift, as well as a fund raiser. Names of donor's were sewn on the scalloped binding. Is is all silk, and stunningly beautiful. Not something I would ever make, or attempt, but very admired.

Quilting of a Different Vein

Pat Delaney was in town to speak to our local guild and brought her beautifully quilted works. She wins awards for her quilting, but this one caught me for the drawing she did to extend the printed fabric into the blank space surrounding it. And then boldly quilting with a darker thread. Lovely.

Top is Finished

Just the top is finished here, and I'll have to get an image of the quilted final work. That will be a few days. Got a few things ahead of this on my 'to do' list.

We Pause For a Little Break

Well, actually, a bend. My "head" you have seen many times. My planter head got beaned by the falling ice and the gutter. So, not much work in the studio -- instead I dug out the ice that had caused the collapse. Can we have some spring?

Full Speed Ahead

My long arm machine needs a new stitch regulator, so until then, I'm a one speed gal. And you all know what that speed would be. If you think this stitch looks a bit random, you'd be right.

One More Week in the Lights

Friends stopped in to the Axom Gallery this weekend to see my works on exhibit. I'll be up for one more week, then they are coming down to rest briefly. Some will go off to other exhibits, and some will travel with me for my next "show and tell".

Pieces and Pieces

With the little sketch at right, my fleshed out pieces are now ready to be joined. Next is a trip under the needle! In Process is getting finished bit by bit.

Back Story

I could have pieced that circle (it is drawn out clearly enough), but instead I used fabric with a circle. Here is a detail of the back freezer paper template. At least I could locate the circle exactly with my pattern.

In Process Progress

I'm fleshing out the pieces for my "In Process" piece, and you can see the sketch at right. Love using my new fabrics, and might just have to make more. Maybe take them with me to Florida for the Focus on Fiber retreat where I'm teaching a three day class. Can't wait to escape this icebox.

Warm the Winter Night

Same silkscreen, but with a delicious set of warm tones. I did some inventive pulls using different colors, and also did some direct dying with thickened dye on the remaining side. The fabric had already been hand dyed with a random pink.

Wax and Wane

Tried two versions of the circle that I need for my next piece. One is wax directly on fabric (left), and the other is wax on the silkscreen, then printed. These circles are about 12" in diameter. Like 'em both.

New Toy -- My Skillet

I was introduced to using soy wax for the silkscreen's resist by Susan Purney Mark's video. I love the idea, as waiting for the thickened dye to dry (for deconstructed screen printing) is forever. With my new birthday skillet, I melt in minutes, and the wax is set before I can get my rubber gloves on make a screen pull.

Mood Spring

Blossoms for my birthday week are saying farewell to this cold month, and I'm looking forward to spring. I know that for some of you, flowering plant are a common occurrence. For this time of year, it has to be a gift.