Time for Thanks

As I sew the sleeve on this piece, I am thinking of all the wonderful dinners I shared this past year. From British Columbia, to Oregon, Massachusetts, and Florida -- with many plates in between. It was lovely to sit, talk, eat with new friends and old. I look forward to a new year of doing it all again. Thank you all, my companions! And Happy New Year.

Lovely Gift

Two copies of Patchwork Professional were sent to me in the mail. Just in time to share at Christmas. It is a magazine written in German, so I'll have to find someone who can read it to me, whilst I look at the pictures. Yes, that's me on the cover and has heaps of my work inside.

Second Draft

When there are several hunks of fabric it is easy to arrange (and rearrange forerver it seems) until the design holds up to a clear composition. Not here yet, but it's movable.

Begin Again

I'd started this months ago by selecting two pieces of my printed material, each a yard long. I had sewn some seams, cutting sections, and then I put it away in a bag. Now it's resurrected and back on the design wall. I've a habit of finishing before starting anew. So, here I go.

In the News on ArteMorbida.com

My interview is now at ArteMorbida with a boat load of images of my work. You can read it in English, or Italian, or maybe something else. It is an honor to be interviewed and to reach out to other textile lovers. Grazie! Here is the link:
http://www.artemorbida.com/2018/12/27/__trashed-2/?lang=en&utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork&fbclid=IwAR34Lf2qDpQqbn8row-Z81CCDgF_F7SlxvbVf8AVKh064WFw--NFuCb03d4

Finishing Touches

A present for my daughter was complete, I thought. But on inspection, turns out that modifications were in order. Resize, change closures, add pockets. The reason I don't make garments, I now remember. Well, a loved cape for her none the less.

Winter Cheer to You

A day with friends and family, certainly. But from my house I think of my very fun and wonderful other family I've acquired these past years teaching and traveling. Cheer to you all! May you have a lovely season of warmth.

Time for Trimming

This tree waited untrimmed until there were TWO of us (only daughter able to make it home) to hang these ornaments. That little porker is dated 1980, so he's been around a while. But then, so have I.

Do I Tell All?

Tonight was a holiday party with great food, great music (live!) and wonderful friends. They remarked on my FB posts,  saying I was all over just a bit too much. I didn't have the heart to let on I post every night to piecesandresistance. I think I'll keep this a secret.

Time to Shift

Bagged for months, this set of two fabrics found the vacancy on the design wall today.  Can't yet see where this composition is leading, so I've just left it hanging for now.

Just the Solstice

The postal service's sheet of the total eclipse of the sun reminds us that we will always be in awe of the sun and its many versions. But today we look forward to marking the end of our short day and long night. Happy Solstice!

Chocolate Reward

I spent over four hours writing for a publication that will be seen in the new year. So, I've nothing to show you save for the reward at the end of the day. My friend saved me the dough, I just did the rolling and baking. Reward, even without icing.

Comparisons

We constantly compare what we do to what someone else does. No, this is not my tree (mine got straightened in its base and lit today) but Rochester's iconic Liberty Pole tree. You can see it for a mile; mine can be seen only if you're walking by. I'll finish decorating when I've got family home.

Close Up View

I started with a quilted background, and here you can see a ladder and lots of random stitching that was the base set for the raw-edge applique. I know -- raw-edge! Then around the added shapes I drew out more lines with the longarm machine stitch. Check the added boobs.

My Portrait is Ready

I keep looking at this, and I try not to add more to it. Though I could. It is finished with a facing and sleeve to hang. Even signed. But I still want to add more. Let's call is finished.

"Textile Knows No Borders"

I await the hard copy of Patchwork Professional in the mail. Till then, here's my work on the cover and the hint of an article on my work. Christmas surprise early!

Oh, No, Now What

I continue to explore how to set this figure. Settled on a background, and reconfigured the figure, so to speak. Sit tight, I'm getting the quilting done.

Round Three

Exploring a different background and a change of clothes for this next portrait. I'll keep some of this, but maybe make it all a bit tamer.

Round Two

Another iteration of a portrait. I've a renewed admiration for those who make representational art.

Portrait Draft Begins

I've been included in a small portrait show this January. Since I seldom make recognizable people, it presents a challenge for me. Here is my first iteration. Most fabrics are leftover from the previous quilt.

Hung up for the Season

I so enjoy having my work around me all day. It gives me time to study what I like, what I see working, and how it changes in the light. You can see the scale of it here. I'm calling it "It's Hot to Go" because of all the red.

Time to Face the Facing

Part of me says to save this hand work for the evening, watch a movie, slow down and relax. But part of me just wants to get to the next project. And somehow, somewhere, this "finish what you started" attitude has crept in to my works ethic (yuk) and I can't shake it.

All Music, All Day

While crowds were shopping, I was fortunate to take in two wonderful concerts today. This afternoon a baroque filled playlist, and this evening candlelit medieval choir music. The Genesee River was still, listening as well, I gather.

On the Longarm

I've loaded the latest (and first full finished piece) on my new-to-me longarm. What fun, what ease. This will certainly make finishing less of a chore, and more enticing. Tomorrow I'll block, then on to face and finish.

Someone to Watch Over Me

Finding my work amongst the hundreds on view at the Rochester Contemporary Members' Show is always a fun chore. But this year -- bonus! I am under constant scrutiny from Individual #1. Can't think anyone will notice my work. 

Nearly There

I've three seams to join, then I'm ready to quilt. Now that I've a larger machine to do the quilting, I admit an eagerness to finish the top and load the longarm. This is about 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide.

Cookie Day

Once a year my friend and I make these monster Italian filled cookies. It becomes the start of the season, really, and I look forward to this day. Yes, I'll still put in studio time, but when I surface from the deep, I will treat myself to one of these.

Slow GO

Will get there eventually.

Quartet of Technique

Gerri Spilka's talk included recent works that use various surface design techniques. I was intrigued with the effects from direct painting with thickened dye. The tools she uses are so different (though familiar) from what I use, with surprisingly fresh results. I look forward to seeing more.

Larger Than Life

My outing was to the Schweinfurth Art Center for Gerri Spilka's talk. Her work is bold, large, graphic and full of color. All good reasons for my being attracted to her contemporary quilts. She explores graphics, piecing, and surface design so very well. Thanks for the insight today, Gerri!

Slow Slog

I'll admit, it's hard to cut these up. But, knowing that I've set up a new print table, and my dyes from Pro Chem are in, I know I can make more. And even better, I know just the results I'm looking for.

It Won't Last

This collection has started to gather. The start is all right, but who knows where these parts will run. Some may stay on path, some a shortcut -- a cheat to the finish -- and some may drop out from exhaustion.We're a long way to the finish line.

Roll 'Em

I'm near the tail end of cleaning up my studio. The stack of quilts is gone, and as I rolled them one at a time on a noodle to store, I noticed the free-form quilted line on the back. It mirrors the front, but on its own, floating free visible in the back, I  realize that this is just the way I like to quilt -- like Scribbling.

Underfeet

Friends were over today one got on his knees to turn back the edge of a carpet runner I had. He discovered the stamped fabric tag that stated the country of origin to be Iran. I walk, scrape my shoes, ignore, and occasionally clean it. Now I might be kinder.

New New Table Top

It don't seem like a big whoop-di-do, but it is for me. I've replaced the two tables cobbled together and installed one large 44 x 80 sheet of plywood, covered in plastic sheeting, taped down, with two cotton batting layers, then a white plastic cover (with its folds ironed). I'm in printing heaven.

The Sunday Crowd

Victor Vasarely's " Quasar +" from 1966 was on my tour Sunday at the Memorial Art Gallery. The serigraph was all precision, graduation, clean. That the eye wants to see an "X" in the piece is part of the optical illusion's charm. Good clean fun.

Stocking Stuff

It has to be at least 25 years since I made these for my relatives. But it's been a request to add two more for a nephew and his son. So, these took my Sunday. Hope they like them. Mail tomorrow.

Takin the Longarm for a Drive

After a studio cleanout, moving party, installing, and final tension tweaks, the longarm was ready to run. So, I had a great time trying new lines, new swigs, new blips. Might work their way into the real stuff -- this is just a test drive.

Full Moon Night

You know my moon shots are small, blurry, out of focus. Just like that rabbit I've tried to catch unsuccessfully. So, I'll offer this perfectly round and crater-pocked sphere. Happy The Beaver's Moon.

While Others Cooked Thanksgiving

I made a coat. Thanksgiving day I was invited to a lovely dinner -- and all I brought was wine. So, with a long morning to spend on myself, I nearly finished a coat that had been on my list. Thanks to Jeannette in Oregon for fabric shopping.

Your Pal

More cleaning of my shelves unearthed this tea towel embroidered by M. V. D. Seems she had a pal, and this was gifted to her friend. Love the handwriting style and the color she used. It was from my old neighborhood, so I think I'll keep this a while longer.

Walking the Line

Paula Kovarik has a way with line. It's a story, a path, a gesture. A row of her works are on view in the World of Threads exhibition which I got to see Saturday. This detail is but a glimpse of what she does with the quilted stitch.

Time for Folds

Tina Struthers' work "Untamed" was beautifully worked in denim, velvet, and thread. What intrigued me was the variety of textures she made with simple and complex folds. This was part of the World of Threads Exhibition in Oakville, Canada.

Botanically Beautiful

Ellen Ramsey's piece "Satori" has a way with layering and transparencies that give this woven tapestry great depth. I love the square format, the large "X" and breaks in the columns. Saw this at the World of Threads exhibit yesterday in Oakville, Canada. Go, if you can.

Visible and Invisible

Sun Young Kang's piece  "In Between Presence and Absence" covered the floor at the World of Threads exhibition in Oakville, Canada. Made of paper cast forms, it became a see of white and off white forms. I found it intriguing, and she states her interest is showing the visible, invisible, and emptiness.

Reordering

As I move through the corners of the studio and rearrange work stations, I've made changes. I turned to my design wall and took a hard look at the junk pinned up. Half got tossed, some made it back in a new arrangement. At least now there is some white space to think.

Turning a Corner

The new (to me) longarm is now in place and I'm ready to learn how to use it. This placement has forced me to move boxes, purge bins, settle up old bundles of "maybe-someday" to make room. We'll see how it goes, and what comes of it.

No Raking Necessary

Snowfall is nature's way of shutting down activity, and letting me know the long winter's work is at hand. And that is inside, where it is warm, well lit, and surrounded by design walls.

Winter Cleaning Phase 2

I've almost a dozen bags of scraps ready to give away, and that leaves me room to get to the stash on the shelves. Although my work uses mostly fabric I've made, I do use these commercial fabrics for practice work, ideas, and finishing. Plus, I love them too.