Remembering 2024

This is a fraction of the people woven into 2024 that made my life fun, interesting, worthwhile. Yes, I got to see both coasts, and lots in between with lots of conversations, collaborations, and mostly fun. Thanks to those who are pictured here as well as those remembered off camera. Now bring on 2025.
 

The Artist at Lotusland

Today was drop-off day for the portrait 2025 show that opens Jan 3rd at Studio 402 at Anderson Alley Art Building. I find these fun to make, and a great collage type exercise. I ended up sewing raw edge for the majority of pieces, and adding a quilted stitch over that edge as well. It's 20 x 26 and for sale in the show.
 

Charlie's Quilt

I've finished Charlie's quilt, as well as a good portion of Jane Eyre (the Timothy Dalton version) that helped me sew the facing and sleeve. Now it's time to design and fabricate the portrait that is due Monday. I'll have progress soon.

 

Gift Giving

A dear friend ordered two yards of fabric she thought her son might like as wall art. On further thought, we asked her visiting son for his choice, and he choose this piece. Today I felt well enough to get to the longarm and get it quilted. I'll finish tomorrow morning, one of the last 'finishes' of the year.
 

It's a Start

The annual portrait show is in the Anderson Arts Building, where my studio is located. I've pulled together some fabrics I'd like to use that may suggest a figure. I've a couple of days to get this off to them, and I'm not committed, but I'd like to make the deadline. If my head clears from this cold, I might make it.

 

Some Fun

My daughter and son-in-law have confidence in their appearance to 'own' this pairing of vintage Woolrich sweaters. It was fun to hang around with them this Christmas. But I'll admit I had to wait until they were in my full-frame to know just who I was talking to.
 

Clamping Christmas

This trick falls under the heading "think quick" to hang up stockings without harming the mantle. I once entertained becoming a woodworker, and collected tools. These have been around a while. What better tool could I find? Ok, command strips, but these were instant. Hope you had a fine day.
 

To All a Good Night

On this eve, let's hope that we all can sleep like a baby -- through noise, bumps, and chaos around. And take a minute to say how grateful we are to be able to do what we do, like it immensely or not, but that we can still do. Merry Christmas my blog friends.
 

The Randomness of Life

Each time I'm at the studio I grab a piece off fabric and hang it outside my door. It shows its individual merit, and it serves as a marker for my fellow building mates that I am indeed there now and again. This one made me think of holiday ornaments even though as I printed it I had no intention of that theme. 
 

Holiday Tradition

For about 60 years now I've baked Italian  cookies (cujadate) and each time I've burned the walnuts, instead of toasting them. Perhaps that should be on my gravestone "she always burned the nuts" or something similar. And I'm not kidding -- every year.
 

Cheap Model

How to show off these square scarves was answered by my lovely porcelain head. She works overtime, needs no salary, and keeps her pose. These are on my website shop, are each about 40" square, and are all one-of-a-kind made of crepe di chine silk. Yes, I kept one for myself. Gifting me first!
 

Back At the Wall

After cleaning the tables from printing with a friend last weekend, I couldn't resist rearranging what had been waiting for my return. Seems there are two that want attention, and I'm hearing them loudly enough to not ignore them. Meanwhile, my tree is lit but bare. Ho ho.
 

A Show to See

This piece "Canopy 27" by Anna Brown from Bungwahl, Australia, caught my attention. The simple and straightforward assembly, with raw edge applique, along with a hand quilted textural stitch was refreshing. Not to mention the sparse and to the point label message. From Q=A=Q till Jan. 5.
 

Look Up and Listen

 Running errands with family in Philadelphia reminded me to take in not only the sights but the sounds, in this case, the train above on the el and the sound like bombing. Wild!

View from Above

While visiting grandchildren I realize there is no reason for adding toys, nor any more room for them. And, also I'm the entertainment.

Plants Take a Holiday

There are a few days left (till Jan 5) in the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York. The large piece here is mine, and has enough botanical elements that I can claim 'botony' for a subtheme. It's a tightly chosen show, each piece a great example of contemporary art.
 

Full Moon for December

Twilight yields the full moon, not as spectacular as viewed naturally, but capturable. I returned from the studio with little success on the thermofax prints as my machine would no longer work to burn the film. And we tried every setting a variable. But, even if it worked, it is still a small graphic size.
 

It's a Mess to Start

Two former RIT students are visiting my studio tomorrow to try out my thermofax process. I've had the equipment for years and have not used it much. I'm hoping to explore the technique more. So, the mess starts, and we'll see what we make of it. Let you all know.
 

While I Was Dyeing

Since I spent most of yesterday cleaning gutters, and no photos of any progress, let's revisit another item I dyed. The shirt dress is a Brooks Brothers linen color that when overdyed with sun yellow yielded this marvelous acid yellow, almost a chartreuse. Perfect match for the under  quilted vest. 
 

Simple Transformation

A friend offered this pinkish coat for the revamp that I did for the Beyond Fashion show. I dyed it red, then printed in a few simple graphics. When I mailed it back today I realized that the buttons stayed on through the process -- which included very hot 140 degree washout. 

 

Santa Fe Color

Madelaine Island School of the Arts (MISA) has several satellite locations. I'll be teaching at Santa Fe in March 10-14, 2025. We'll delve into the colors of Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as the pattering and motif that is found there. There are just a few spaces left, so gift yourself a printing week and join us!
 

The Coat Pattern

Last year for the Beyond Fashion show was long quilted coat. This year was shorter time, so, shorter coat. At my lecture some asked for the pattern. Many coat patterns wait to be used, and of the half dozen, this Vogue 8430 was the one. I've also made it in boiled wool purchased in lovely Oregon.

 

Quilts=Art=Quilts Lecture

The annual Quilts=Art=Quilts show has two of my works in the show. I gave a trunk show lecture today, unusual for me. But I got to share "The Devil's Garden" which will ship out this week to Form Not Function in New Albany, Indiana. You have some idea of the size. Photo courtesy of Jean McCreary. 
 

Payback

The producer/organizer/major force behind the RIT Beyond Fashion visited me during open studio today. She promised to grab one of my scarves, which became a gift from her mom. But I had the most fun doing the collection, forgetting the 2 1/2 week turnaround I had. Hey, who doesn't love a deadline? 
 

Great Success

 

The collection was a hit! I could not have asked for a nicer and more creative group of women to work with as my models. They put LIFE into these outfits, and brought things lacking (shoes, makeup, shirts) a well as great patience to wait till it was our time to walk the runway. Thank you all! Here's out last walker mugging for us all.

Dry Run

Yes, I've been engrossed in this fashion project, but it is making me pay attention to what and how I print. These two quick scenes give you an idea of how large this sound stage is and the need to overdo the impact of the works. No small jewelry, no sweet small prints. We've still to work out the details. 
 

That Other Hunk of Silk

The large run of charmeuse -- which seems shiny on both sides for me -- I printed with large dots that would land on the hem, and scraped blues over the whole. It is a type of caftan, with gathers at the side so that the length falls to floor and not beyond. Looking forward to dress rehearsal tomorrow. 
 

That Hunk of Silk

The gifted silk organza became a 'skirt' and attachable sleeves. The skirt has a 3' opening at the front, and a modest train behind. I don't think I've ever used organza before, and can't say I'd be eager to again. But the effect is nice. Thursday is our dress rehearsal for Friday's show. I'm a buttonhole away from finished.
 

Fork It

I'm putting banding on the sleeve for this simple vest. I've even added a fork patch on the front to match the skirt that will be with it. Bonus, I got to sew while watching 'Grand Design' on my gifted Britbox channel. So, life is good.
 

Are We Having Fun Yet?

It's my third week of making these garments. Thankful to have some help from a friend, I'm still woefully behind. And I don't have the talent to do the finish work well, so I have to say, I'm looking forward to bedtime and a fresh start tomorrow. Here's the scene I've left in the studio. Might talk behind my back.