Puddle Jumper

Morning flight to Toronto was a wee plane with the copilot standing in for steward. As my friend Bev pointed out -- an aisle seat is also a window seat. Total capacity of 20. Flown like a kid's airplane, we safely landed.

Short Term Memory

I'm still thinking about the Surface Design Sampler class this week in Montreal. The group was so diverse, so welcoming, and so fun. I loved that Chris gave it her all. Only wish we could spent twice as long creating. That'll be when I teach this a Pro Chemical and Dye  August 15 - 19.

Welcome Committee

I hate to leave home, and hate to come home. And in a day, I'll be doing the leave/return thing again. So, I'm going to spend all of tomorrow greeting my greeters in my garden. Cause I don't think they'll be around when I return.

In the Thick of Dye

Suzanne went through all the processes we could think of to do with thickened dye in my Montreal "Surface Design Sampler" class. Next time I'll do this will be in August 15-19 at Pro Chemical and Dye just south of Boston. There's room, come find out what it's all about.

Cutting Great Fabric

Yesterday Suzanne took a cutter to my wonderful fabric (which she now owns) and made a glorious New Big Leaf. I hope to someday see the finished leaf. And bravo for having courage to cut with abandon!

No Image Now

I think this is a first -- some glitch won't allow me to post a photo. Might be because I'm in Canada, away from my usual smooth technology. But I'm tired, bleary eyed, and will try again tomorrow. Great day teaching in Montreal. Tomorrow the same.

Nature's Pen

Russell Serrianne's work Magnification: arbor vitae caught my eye. I was sure that it was thin wire. He has sanded the tendrils, applied a shellac to them, then glued them to paper. It is stunning.

Taking It On the Road

Time to pack it all up, the dyes, the silkscreens, the Big Leaf quilts. Car is gassed up, maps at the ready. I'm headed to Montreal tomorrow for a couple of seminars, a great quilt show, and time to see the lights on the streets in Old Town. CQQ Salon  2016.

And That's the Half of It

I have a test to see just how long is long it takes to get proper color set in dying. Not the most scientific, but I've sent half through the wash, this will be for tomorrow's load. It's packing day for Montreal tomorrow. Lots to do.

Sweet Line Up

Regina Sweet took my Surface Design Sampler class last fall at the Schweinfurth. Yesterday a group of art quilters met and her works, started from the prints she did in the class, gave evidence to both the diversity of technique and power of multiples. Well done, Regina! Thanks for sharing.

Flower Moon

I'd try to capture tonight's full moon, but my little camera is far too weak to do that. So, in lieu of this month's moon, dubbed the Flower Moon. here is the last of the tulips. I'm sure that they see the moon just fine.

Scale is Everything

It is so important to show human scale. So, my friend Bev is standing next to my water lily piece. We so often see the works with no context for how they relate to real life. So, here you go. Also, I've a new phone camera with wide format. Weird.

Delivery Day

A batch of fresh silkscreens will be coming along with me to my class Surface Design Sampler next week when I'll be in Montreal for a seminar for the Courtepointe Quilters Quebec Salon 2016. If you're there, one is for you.

Colored Light

Warren Seelig's work Shadowfield/Colored Light #2 was in Philadelphia at the Snyderman Works Gallery last month. The color and glow play on the wall. I love the interwoven armature.

On the Line

Soda soaked half-yards are drying on the line today. Next week I'll take them for my class at Courtepoint Quebec's Salon 2016 quilt show May 26-28. Surface Design Sampler still has some spots, if you want to join me in Montreal. http://cqq.ca/salon/a-propos-2/

They All Thought It Was Mine

No, even though this painted canvas (drop cloth) at the Geneva Community Center isn't mine, people pointed to it, and remarked how similar it was to the fabric I had for sale. So, therefore, it must be mine. BTW, it measures in at about 20' x 30'.

Hand Work

Ann Hawkins had several pieces in this weekend's show in Geneva, New York, for the Lake to Lake Quilt Guild. The fact that this was mostly hand pieced and hand quilted surprised me, but the bright color palette did not.

Mother's Work

I met Michele Howland on a flight from Chicago to Rochester. This work jumped off the wall yesterday. When she appeared today, and identified to this homage as hers, I was ecstatic. The crewel work, printed fabric photos of her mother's painting, and needlework were her mother's hand, but Michele's statement.

Admiring Fabric

While this woman chooses a piece of fabric, I get to admire her plaid raincoat. I had a taffeta dress like this plaid, wore it on my first flight to NYC, age 13. Gosh, that was a long time ago.

On the Board

Ironing yesterday's work. This one tells you exactly how to quilt it. I'll have it for sale at the Lake to Lake Quilt Show in Geneva, New York on Friday and Saturday. Maybe no one will take it, and it will be MINE.

Montreal and Fall River: Gearing Up

Silkscreening the day away to get ready for my Surface Design Sampler workshops soon. End of May in Montreal at Salon 2016 for a two day seminar, then August 15-19 for a five day class of surface design heaven. Come join me.

Being Coordinated

Tulips from a friend who has a greater garden than me. Couldn't help noticing how the hot color jumped from the bouquet to the quilt. There is always a good number of reasons why you look at your work. This is one of them.

Thank You

I teach classes, and often receive email with images of finished work, which I love. Today was a first ---  a card with a photo of the work, and a lovely message to thank me for my visiting her guild.  Never had a card sent. Thank me? No, it was my pleasure.

Mother's Painful Joy

Noma Bliss's piece "A Mother's Painful Joy" caught my attention at the Made in New York Exhibition Friday. Part of her Artist Statement: "As she became more distressed, my drawings came to the conclusion that she was her own misery." Powerful statement, and on Mother's Day, food for thought.

Night Lights

It was a night out with friends, music, and a warm-enough spring air. With a White Russian to end the evening.

Hanging Out

Had to check in on my work that is now on exhibit in the "Made in New York" exhibition at the Schweinfurth Art Center. Tonight was an event marking the 35th Anniversary of the center. "Trifold 2" is at the left of the door.

Approximate Size

Those who hear my lecture about making up fabric to fit the pattern, well, here you go. I've decided to rebuild the small seed pod, hoping for a better coexistence. There is already too much strife in the real world.

The Giant Seed Head

I know that I'll have too face this sooner or later. I've decided to reverse applique the fillings for the holes. For now, it lies in wait.

Feminine Mystique

I bought myself an oil painting to feed my soul, and added it my collection. It dawned on me (and don't you love that you can be old, and things still dawn on you) that most works are from women. Cathy, Cynthia, Carol, Nancy, Connie. I miss Julia.

Third Dimension

On my way home from Vermont's class, I stopped in Saranac Lake., New York. A friend took me to see a group show, where one of the artists is Sally Thurlow. Two of her works are here, and are of found driftwood (aptly called Reclamation).

Method in Madness

Margaret show the focus and drive in my Big Leaf class in St. Albans, Vermont. This was a talented group of women who made the process look easy. During Saturday's class, Margaret finished one, then Sunday, made another. Talk about high achievement!