Poetry in Thread

You'll have to zoom in to see the words and threads on Lesley Dill's "Homage to F.K. #2" I came across at the MAG last night. Inspired by both Frida Kahlo and Emily Dickinson, she uses cloth and thread to apply lines from Dickenson's poem -- "You cannot put a Fire out---".

Summer's Night

What else to do on a warm summer's night than go to the local art museum and see the new sculpture get lit. Jim Sanborn's "Argentum: Double Positive" is about the history of Rochester, with name dropping galore. We basked in the light.

Casualty of Soda Soaking

Hanging soda soaked fabric out to dry here, and the wind flicks those drops of soda ash on to the yard. Will squirt those down before I sit.

Twisted at Lowell Quilt Museum

Mary Kerr had the great idea to reset vintage blocks and send on the quilts to talented quilters. I saw the show "Twisted" at the Lowell Quilt Museum, and offer this detail from her piece "Z is for Zoey" quilted by Karen McTavish. Go see this show if you for setting blocks and strong quilting.

Marimekko Do-Over

I stopped in Kittery, Maine, at the Crate & Barrel store and relieved them of a 100 yards or so of Marimekko fabric. This is a printed linen that I've screened over. Plan to make a tunic, it time allows!

Whatever Floats Your Boat

For George Boldt (of Boldt Castle) the perfect closet and bathroom tile floor was this puzzle piece thing on his floating barge, which is now anchored at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York. It caught my eye Saturday during a visit. Variation of a pineapple pattern?

Waiting inn the Wings

With long days, summer warmth, and time to work in the garden, the drawings for the next leaf quilt will have to wait.

Pin to Block

I mentioned in a recent class that I blocked my works by pinning them to the design wall, spraying down with water, then waiting for it to dry overnight. I'm reblocking this after I finished it, as it blead, and washing it took care to fix that.

Printing Again

In my QSDS class, Thelma had a wonderful commercial fabric with this funny slotted circle. I made a screen using it, just a bit different, and am trying it on. Kinda like it.

Solstice

Had to stay out past the sunset, and was greeted by this solar light. Capturing the energy from the sun is not such a bad idea.

Ghost Time

The pretty weigela "Ghost" is in bloom. I've been a few thousand miles out this month, and am so happy to get back home to my garden. Yes, there is work in the studio, and yes, work at the keyboard. But, first, a bit of weeding and admiring.

Sill, oh. You wets?

Can't make of this exercise in black, perched high above, in silhouette, two clothed figures with exaggerated costumes. The work of Ruben and Isobel Toledo is from their installation at the Columbus Museum of Art. Worth the visit, if nothing else, than to see these figures.

Round Robin Round the Room

I didn't count how many quilts there were, but they ringed the room. What a show (and what fun!) to see the Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild's way of treating a Round Robin challenge. One person told me it was her way to try out using pieced curves. Bravo.

Merry-Mack Leaf

Ronni used a yard of my "painted" fabric to craft her New Big Leaf today at the class with the Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild. I helped her cut it out, only because I was eager to see how it would lay out. I may have to make one for myself!

Lowell is Just Down the Road

While visiting the Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild, I had time to pop over to the New England Quilt Museum. A refreshing show of quilts called "Twisted" paired vintage blocks that were then set in a modern way. Way above average longarm quilters did their magic.

Merry Merrimack

Love was in the air tonight when the Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild got together to honor their officers, toast to the new board, and show off round robins and great show and tell. Me? I got my lecture finished just in time!

Handy Dandy Rack

As I pack for a visit to the Merrimack Valley Quilt Guild this week, I am taking some of my hand printed fabrics. Here's my new rack stepping up to the job, holding the fabrics till I wash them out. Clever, no?

One Last Look at QSDS

We made work so quickly in my two day class, I  was hardly able to get a pic of the final pieces. Larry's work -- large and intricate -- were like the others in the class. Hope I got a shot of those, too. Maybe they'll send me a photo when they're done.

Yesterday at Columbus Museum

A Maya Lin sculpture made of pressed board appeared like top sheet about to land on your bed. With a Helen Frankenthaler work in the background, all the landscapes you needed were before you.

Heading Out

Seven days of teaching have flown by, and the experience at QSDS is memorable. If you've never taken yourself to "quilt camp," find one (they're all over) and immerse yourself in your passion. You'll never be the same.

Not Being Alone

During the class, minds collaborate. Getting feedback is the best, and working side by side is a benefit -- seeing your work through another person's vision. I'll miss these people. If these friends could just walk through my studio once in a while, it would be so great.

Glad to Help

An impromptu shot of my quilt flying by as it is shown to the audience for approval at the QSDS auction. Funds raised went to the scholarship students. Glad to help out. Me? I won raffle items -- twice!

Time to Think

Space, light, time. That's what you need. Oh, and a big design wall.

Quick Walk Around

A "walk around "is just shorthand for an impromptu look at what the class is doing, a bit of examining an explaining, and a way to compare notes. Ellen has the spotlight, and I'm happy to hear her viewpoint.

Nothing Beats Having Space

Seeing the room as a teacher is not the same as seeing as a student. Having space to work, decent walls to pin work on, generous space between  people -- all are needed for the best way to work. Glad that is here at QSDS.

Resistance

Susan Shie  a teacher at QSDS, was my roommate for only one night, but we did get to meet for a while. She was kind enough to share a recent piece depicting the wall street defiant girl. She is the defiant one.

Art is the Word

Class starts tomorrow at QSDS here in Columbus. On the campus of the Columbus College of Art and Design stands the sculpture/sign/warning that says it all: study art, make art.

One Less Thing to Pack

This coming week I'll be teaching at QSDS, and on Tuesday night I get to show and sell my dyed and printed fabrics. I've also got a handful of silk scarves. Minus this one, which was sold before it got in the suitcase. See you all soon in Columbus!

First Friday Tour

When Judy Gohringer (of Anderson Alley Studios in Rochester) posted a photo of this, I was so struck with it that I challenged my Glorious Printers at Pro Chem to try this landscape with thickened dyes. Meeting her tonight, I got to see the work close up. Like it even more.

Thanks for Picking Me

My home base quilt group the Genesee Valley Quilt Club awarded me the ribbon (and a prize) for Best Surface Design for my work Time of Day: Coffee Break. The show has the full gamut of quilts, and I am in wildly talented company. See the show in Rochester this weekend at the RIT campus. Info at  http://www.geneseevalleyquiltfest.com/index.htm