Re Work the Work

I'm always pleased when I take all the parts down, add more, and reassemble. The result never fails to be better than what was the previous design. I'll add the design before it, and you can see the change.

 

New and Just Hung Up

Game Night is over 9 feet wide, I think, and happy to be hanging out in the studio. I've got a free design walls going, and love that I've got this week to do some work on them. Friday is a First Friday, so I'll get more out to populate the walls. 
 

Small Things

Today was clean up and list day. Studio 301 got put back in order so that I can start right in Monday. So, cleaning, rearranging, reboot. This evening I stopped to make a carrying case for the group I meet with  and the hundreds of name tags. It's funky, but works. I used leftover printed canvas for the material. 
 

Studio Visitors

Just before the celebration music party started, I'd a visitor from a friend's granddaughter. She very kindly and freely gifted me her latest art piece, and I caught a quick snap of her with it. They are figures she put in a landscape. Appreciation for art should be now, always, forever.
 

Raffle Quilts

Part of the party tomorrow will be to raffle off some of my older works, some that were used in teaching as examples, and some that should be enjoyed and appreciated. So, the studio is transformed and tomorrow is a giving day.

Setting Up

Since I started occupying my second studio, I've often thought of having a concert, perhaps a sort of "house concert" style. We'll see how it goes. First time I'll have filled the space. Glad it's fairly clear when I work there.
 

Ice is Nice

We're in the start of wintery weather here. There's snow, then freezing rain, then who know what. I'm fine. There is no difference in my workday regardless of weather, day of the week, or season. Why I love the work I'm in. Work goes on no matter what. Unless there's not electric. Then I'm down.
 

Leftovers

 

After piecing the large top, I started to clean up the leftover pieces. I have all intention of using them, but often they just take up space. So, new habit: use them. A new combination, a Make It & Break It solution, and I've a nine patch to go. New things!

Winter Acting Like Spring

Fellow fiber artist tempted me to get out on this mild winter day (43?) to take a hike through one of the oldest established parks in the county. This warm spell can't last, so we take advantage and look forward to this in the real spring.
 

What Was Left on the Wall

I've almost cleared the fabric and demos left from this week's class. This is the example of "throw anything up there, and see what sticks". The uninitiated think that this is how we design, just tossing things around till the mess makes sense. It's a bit more than than, but just a bit.
 

Taking Care of Fabrics

I finally got around to loading more printed yards of my fabric yesterday to my website shop. This is what I start my photo shoot with -- so that I can track the pieces. I think this means I've put up 451 pieces on the site. I think. Who can keep a list? Ha!
 

I Asked For This

This morning as I was checking in to my blog,  I see that NOONE wanted to see my new drill (in the actual post below) so here is some eyewash for you to enjoy from Studio 301.

Part of why I make pieced quilts is because of the construction aspect of the production. What many don't know is that I love all types of construction, and have longed for a smaller battery operated drill.  So, an early birthday / late Christmas present came today. I'll be a happy driller.
 

Get Back to Studio 301

The workshop weeks split my days so that the studio work becomes staccato visits. But this will change the next week. I've got a fairly clear calendar, if you don't count taxes. And there's a lot of ideas from the sketches I did through the weeks. 
 

Can You Just Lighten Up?

I've been in a dark and heavy phase, and this is an attempt to step lightly. Can't say it will come to fruition, but I'll give it a try. This is the group on the design wall.
 

Just Right by Accident

Workshop for Columns means that lots of examples hop up on the design wall. I've always liked this set, and perhaps after this class, I might just finish. As we talk about choosing fabrics, I find I select bolder, more interesting groups than I might otherwise. I'll have to pretend there's an audience all the time!

 

The Textile Center

It's rare for a week-long design workshop, but when it's availavle, it's a blast. What hits the walls is always exciting, unusual, and diverse. The Textile Center in Minneapolis has asked me to highlight the class, especially because there is a savings if you sign up early. See www.patpauly/calendar for details.
 

Back to the Studio

With a high of 45 and sun, the studio was nearly 80 degrees. I was not ready for that, but layered down. For those who've been in a printing class, this piece is a yard of my "fake" shibori. They are a wonderful way to use thickened dyes in a haphazard outcome. 
 

Near Enough

Built in columns, this is finally together enough to use as an illustration of how I work this composition. Next week is the Columns class, and I'll have show this. Then it's put together and in the quilting queue.

Design Camp Live in April

 An extra big shout out for the Textile Center in Minneapolis who has asked me to do a week-long workshop LIVE that we're calling "Design Camp". It's the fundamentals of Improv Piecing and beyond. Oh, the things you'll learn! They offer a reduced cost until February 20th, so sign up soon. https://textilecentermn.org/product/gta-pat-pauly-april2023/

Line, Shape, Setting

A perk of an online class is that I can pull hoards of quilts from the pile and show real works that exemplify the topic. This week's class was Line, Shape, and Setting. These three and many more were great examples of improv piecing and the use of the thin stitched line. Thank you my class!
 

Where Was Wednesday?

Well, oops, Wednesday's post went missing. Must be because Pat was sitting and sewing the facing on that huge new quilt. She said she's sorry, and will try not to miss a night's post. But she said she was glad she got another side finished. 
 

Square Up

I've got a six foot metal ruler to use to square up my finished quilt. I use T-squares off this for transferring the line down the sides. And my largest rotary cutter helps. Can't imagine doing this on the floor. 
 

Wool Batting

Whilst cleaning out I found the packaging for the wool batting I'm using. I'm often asked, and can't ever remember. So, here you go. Close look and it's $54.95 at my local quilt shop. Which is think is cheaper than online. 
 

Snow Moon

Here's a detail of the quilt on the design wall now. Pretty much sums up the Snow Moon, the full moon for February. But I can see the changes in light, with that sunset stretching out day by day. 
 

Line Work

Tuesday and Thursday is the Line, Shape, Setting virtual workshop. There are a couple of spots left. This little quilt has that thin pieced line that we will practice and then use in compositions with shape. Something fun for a winter's break. 
 

Last Shot on the "Roll"

First Friday came with frigid temperatures, poor driving, and a side of caution. I made it in to Studio 301, and with few visitors, managed to get quite a bit finished. This is my stalwart Bernina 1120 from the 80's. I use it on top of the table, standing, to sew the short pieces. Hope it'll last a bit longer.

 

Nearly Near

No, it's not finished, but nearly put together. My studio time takes a section or part that needs construction. And it gets finished bit by bit. I'm building this in columns, the focus of my workshop later this month on February 14 & 16. Hope it's finished by then.
 

Line, Shape, and Setting

Next week's workshop is the foundational class for improv. It's how to sew in a thin line, how to add a shape, and how to set them in a composition. It is the skill I use for piecing, and the springboard for abstract works. Join me if you'd like. February 7 & 9. www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses