Year's End

I'm always amazed with what has happened in a year gone by -- many new places, new projects, new friends. But is also comes with saying good bye and closing chapters. For me, this suspended log is like that disbelief I feel facing another year. I've no idea what to expect.

On the Table

Time to screen some aprons. Want to take some to Sarasota next month. I'll bring these and some fabrics I am dying. If you are in Sarasota, might want to join in the fun with the Friendship Knot Quilters. My lecture is January 18th. I'm already looking for warmth!

Back to the Dye Pots

Why do they even call them "dye pots." Seems so archaic. Let's just say they are buckets of dye. And very messy. Which is why I meet people who say "I'll gladly purchase your dyed fabric, 'cause I don't want to do that myself."

Pack 'Em Up

Four bundles of six quilts are ready to load to deliver to the Bausch & Lomb headquarters building for their internal gallery. Not a well known place to see art, but many pass through the halls, and you'll bet they have great vision.

Traditions

As we made up a couple of pillowcases for gifts, I found that my daughter did some hand embroidery -- entirely in her style -- on the case's trim. Maybe some of my talents (for doing your own thing) will get passed down after all.

Fighting Off the Beasts

Gone for just a second, I return to find this Stink Bug claiming territory. As if I needed more distraction to get things done. De-bugged, and now back at work.

Luster of Midday

The full moon wasn't lustering anything tonight (no snow!) but that doesn't mean I didn't notice. It has become a marker for time's passing, That it falls on Christmas Day is twice as powerful a message, and I am grateful for any light it can shed to illuminate the way. Hope you all have had a very lovely and merry day.

Eve's Celebration

Tonight we wind down' tomorrow we'll all take a break, count how blessed we are, and enjoy what the year has been to us, and be ready for what the new year will bring. Merry Christmas!

The Night Before the Night Before

When hush settles in this evening, I return to the design wall. I've got more added, more connected. I have neither a plan for this, nor know what it means. But that's all right.

Red Berries for the Season

On our Winter Solstice I bring you winterberry holly as seen on the Highline in New York City. I got out and about (even at the risk of setting back my ankle's healing) because it was just lovely to see the city with my family.

Rubble

On the Fulton Montgomery Community College campus is a heap of rubble from (I suppose) the collapse of the twin towers in New York City. Rusting, mangled, and disconnected, the parts seem so removed from where they were once hidden and functional. It is a confusing statement for me.

Commercial Gallery

My weekend trip to New York City included a stop at ABC Carpet and Home. The furniture gallery had these Tom Dixon pink wingback chairs. The consensus of my party was that they would best fit the evil bad guy of a sci fi movie. I still thought them grand.

Silk Stitched

Sue Cavanough's piece "Ori-Kume #31" intrigued me during my visit to the Fiber Currents show. The silk is gathered, stitched, dyed and floats on the wall. I'll be looking for other works from her in the future.

Last Look at Fiber Currents/Current Fiber

I finally made it over to the exhibition curated by Judith Plotner. Her selections of fiber work -- in all manner of form -- is just a wonderful cross section of innovative fiber work. Mine is at left, Kevin Lunney second from right, and Betty Busby at right. Now all that is left is a slick catalog to remember it all.

Gift Ideas from Yours Truly

Unbelieveable, but some have watched this more than once! My DVD is available through the Quilting Arts web site (you can find the link at right) and makes a great watch while you roast chestnuts. Just sayin'.

Cutting Table Takeover

It's that time when the perfect work surface gives it up for the onslaught of wrapping paper and ribbon. I'm almost finished with decorating gifts, tomorrow it's back to cutting fabric!

Studio Time

Adding a few more bits. Just to see where the road goes. I'll move stuff around tomorrow.

Break in the Action

Just a slight sprain in the ankle keeps me from getting to the studio. I know that the design wall will wait, and I will be back to the boards any day. Meanwhile, I'll admire the glow.

There Are More People in This Room

It's hard to explain how great it is to have my work hang with so much air around it. I tell people to live with their work, to experience how different it becomes in multiple situations, and to know how it reacts to the given space. This is about as perfect as it gets.

White for the Season

As a counterpoint to yesterday's post (excessive, filling), let me add Maude White's paper carved piece now on view at the Burchfield Penney's current show. The push pins hint at the scale here. It is a stunning piece -- fragile, complex, and ephemeral.

By the Dozens

Cookie Day was here and my mother's favorite was made. These Cucidati started with 10 cups of flour. I think I've been making these for about 40 years now. Figure I've got another 30 left in me. Then my heirs can do the baking.

Let Me 'Spain Myself

Art in Craft Media, at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, hosted tonight's tour with artists that participated in the show. Bill Stewart, well known for his wild and wonderful ceramics, explains his involvement in the arts. We all listened. You see my piece (behind him) leaning in as well.

Cross Hairs

I've been experimenting with this skinny line for some time. I'm using some material that I was gifted. It is just a fabulous print, and makes a great line. I think this plaid was gifted as well. Love them together.

Sketching on the Wall

Just more moving things around. Like I say, people think I just throw fabric on the design wall and see what sticks. Sometimes, I believe it myself.

Company's Coming

Three for two dollars met my requirement for where to start a soup, and I picked these up at the public market. Now to bake them, and combine to make curry apple squash soup for later this week. I'll get to baking cookies next.

Hooked Leaves

You know I have a spot for leaves, and these I saw at a nifty yarn/hooking/quilt store Fiber & Art Emporium in Hammondsport recently. Carolyn Spiller  hooked this little rug using wool. There is a lot to tempt in this store. Maybe it's a good thing I live just that much distance away.

Listen to an Artist Everyday

Find an artist. Ask questions, listen for a different point of view, see if it makes sense. Today Ayden Ture explained that for him, he knows when a piece is finished when he wants to burn it. Meaning, I guess, that there is no further changing the work.

Saturday at 2:40

Waiting for me is this work, now hanging in the members' exhibition at Rochester Contemporary Gallery. ROCO's "The Day the Artists Speak" runs this Saturday and the next. It is a free for all, with artists speaking on their work every ten minutes. You never know what will be said, but I promise to tell all tomorrow around 2:40.

Full House for ROCO's Opening

Hardly room to move tonight, which is good. With 900 members, and this being the members' show, it should be packed. I'm wearing the required color (chartreuse) and checking my work's karma.

Needing a Road Map

Not sure which avenue this will take. Right now, it's at a crossroad, and looking for direction. Which means,  in this spirit of this analogy, it is stalled in the middle of the road. But I like the red, and I loooove the plaid.

Two Years Later

More than two years ago I acquired a hunk of ivory silk. Two years ago, I made two of five roman blinds and now it's time to finish the room. Right?