Two to Tango

Jean and Margie were my most energized in my Tahoe workshop. Always kindly demanding 'what's next' and 'when do we get to that' they tried it all (I think) and were pretty happy no matter what. How could my week not be fun? It did help that some of my 'regulars' were trying out other teachers. They were fine, too.
 

Two to Start

Couples team Tom and Michelle were novices to start, but that status lasted a couple of days. Then they took off printing and the pieces became more intereting and colorful. I hope they will find time to print again, or at least use the bold fabric that they made.
 

Show Offs

The end of the printing workshop is a walk-through from other participants from the classes. It's a great way to show off the week's prints, to relish compliments, and to see others' works. I'm very proud of the class and will say how wonderful people they are. Thanks to Art Quilt Tahoe for putting  this on.

Velda the Wonderful

Art Quilt Tahoe hosts small talks through the week. Often, Velda Newman is there and shares her work. These extremely wide and wild works take a crew of tall folks to hold and show the work. It is beyond a treat to see them, all hand quilted and applique. Thank you Velda.

 

Printing Motif Madness

It's hard to describe the room with all the diverse printing styles, motifs and colorways. With a dozen people printing it's possible to see two dozen new works each hour of the class. But then there are breaks to learn another technique. Still, progress is swift and exciting. 

Sailing Along

My morning walk with sun, gentle waves, and a dream boat. Tahoe is a beauty of a lake. Class continues, we're getting into the thickener of it!

Printing the Stash

Roberta takes on making and making and making. With four days to do this, the focus is on printing fabric to incorporate into works with after the class is over. Art Quilt Tahoe is a wonderful place to work and we make the best of the time while having fun printing. 
 

Meet Up at Tahoe

Finding all the riders for the shuttle van Sunday from the airport to Art Quilt Tahoe, I had time to meet and photo capture fellow instructor David Owen Hastings. My workshop and schedule was action packed today. I'll grab some pics tomorrow. 
 

Herd

Paula Kovarik's works filled the second floor gallery at the Schweinfurth Art Center running concurrently with the quilt exhibition. They are sculptural fiber works that hold meaning, give thought, and are at times whimsical. She is in center with olive green sweater. 
 

First Up at Quilts=Art=Quilts

Couldn't miss "Chaos" at tonight's opening of Quilts=Art=Quilts at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York. Lots of artists representing a very strong show here, and if you can catch this, you won't be disappointed. I'll add more later, gotta get packing.
 

Washed Time Infinity

Scarves that will travel with me to Art Quilt Tahoe have been printed and then washed and washed and washed. Seems that the Pro Chem thickener (which I love) is reeking havoc with leaving the print stiff and 'gluey'. It takes a hot wash with premixed soda ash and synthropol (after previous washes) to rid the stiff. 
 

Making Do

Though I've figured out where to print in this studio, the holding place for the prints in progress aren't quite figured out. Hence the drape-where-they-are and toss-around-the-floor styles are prominent. The other factor is that the door leads to a walking path (don't mind the hammock) of distraction. 
 

On the Clothesine

I've been working on silk for scarves that will travel with me to Art Quilt Tahoe for next week. And I'm trying out my retractable clothesline that spans the full length of the studio space. The studio redo is on hold for a bit while I print, and I have to say, I'm loving printing in this space. Back later at renovating,
 

Tuesday Revisited

Can't figure why posting here escaped me on Tuesday, but it did. I went to a concert of members of the Golden Link, which consisted of two made-for-the-event bands, and a lovely special guest (pictured above). She was playing Dolly Parton, and her rendition of Jolene was perfect. A fun night for all. 
 

Harvest Moon

My circular stand-in for the Harvest Moon (remember: my camera can't capture the full moon well) is a button from voting. Yes, I'm wearing it upside down, but not intentionally. To celebrate, I'm eating a glazed donut from Shutte's Cider Mill. It's fitting to have a donut during the Harvest-Moon-Voting Day.

Washing Line

Anne Kelly's work depicts a form of washing line. Each piece is an existing clothing item that acts as the base for additional collage elements and stitches. Her native country is England, These intrigue me for the nature of the story line she often depicts. 
 

Mixed Messages

Teresa Bramlette Reeves used tried raffia on a raffia structure, reinforced it with matte medium and spray painted this work seen in the World of Threads exhibit. I was so intrigued at the simplicity, the technique, and the message. And it was titled "Mixed Messages" so go at it.
 

Salmon for Days at World of Threads

Meshell Melvin's work "Invocation to the Chinook of Chu Niikwan" is a stunning work that calls the Chinook salmon home to their place in the river. Made from silk and wire, and stretching out over two walls, this was part of the World of Threads Exposition in Oakville, Canada. 

 

Thread of Excellence

In the World of Threads Exhibition many work drew me in. Maininelkaos' work "Hello" has a thread line telling the story. Intricate, funny, and representational this fiber piece has all the draw one needs to stare and wonder about how and why she did what she did. 
 

World Of Threads

Judith Martin's 'Cloudy Day' is part of the World of Threads exhibition in Oakville, Canada. Visiting today I was thrilled to see her work. The detail pic has a closeup as well as a contribution from the brick wall!

 

Holding On

 Not sure how I used these drawing sticks. But they've come along to the new house and are happy on a shelf. They date from high school.

On the Hunt

I told Art Quilt Tahoe I'd bring a couple of works, this being one. "Ordered Chaos" is around here somewhere, but I can't seem to know where. Moving is an absolute upheaval. And I've only moved two miles from my other house. Imagine across states, gosh, that would do me in! Gotta find this. 
 

Time to Sign

I've sat down at my new kitchen table to add my signature to the work that will ship out this week to the Dairy Barn for the Quilt National 2027 exhibition. The first quilt I made was signed my last name and year, and I try to get all my works signed the same way -- embroidery floss camouflaged in the design.
 

My Next Tackle

This corner of the new studio was formerly two large walk-in closets. I've removed the dividing wall as well as the facing wall with two doors. Now I need to box in the I-beam, close up the open ceiling, cover the walls, paint, carpet, and locate the longarm in this space. Give me a couple of days.
 

Next Summer's Wearables

I've been intrigued with sites that offer free patterns for apparel, offering patterns that are adjusted to fit your size. I'll be teaching a class at the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville where the focus will be on printing for garments. You can do flat prints as well, but printing for the round will be encouraged. 
 

Waiting for My Prince (Prints)

These boxes ware all labeled 'fabric current' meaning that I've printed them recently, and chosen them to use in the studio, as opposed to adding them to my website sale page. They are not unboxed because I'm circling back to the studio to finish setting it up. This will take time, but once done, I'll be unboxing.
 

Entry Shenanigans

This morning was 'glue down the rug' day, so with four tubes of Liquid Nails I spread, unrolled, and weighted down the indoor/outdoor carpet replacing the 40-year-old one I tore out this summer. Most of these plants go inside ahead of the first frost, and are closer to getting inside. Townhouse maintenance.

Taking Care of Art

I've wanted to do this for years. Sealed since the mid-eighties, this oil stick drawing was in the original frame mounted to an acid foam core board. Time to give it a proper framing. I've added a closeup of the signature which reads Juliana F Williams with a date unclear. Titled "Man Picking His Teeth"!

 

Long Ago

My shibori days have passed, but once I did make and sell beautiful shibori fabric. Each had my name and year on them. This came to my workshop last weekend and we had a good laugh. And then exclaimed that you have to USE UP THAT FABRIC! So, here's the directive -- cut it up!
 

Make Room for the New Big Leaf

Laying out the pattern pieces for The New Big Leaf takes room, and the Corning Quilt Guild had whopping 8' tables for everyone, making it easy to land the pattern, the fabric, the iron (!!) and the sewing machine. I enjoy the sewing and design part of workshops as much as the printing side of my work.

 

Hanging in Corning

The Corning Quilt Guild invited me for a Friday night lecture and a Saturday workshop. We all made The New Big Leaf, and for some it was a completely new experience. But, even new to the technique they soldiered on beautifully, and will no doubt have some fabulous works to show. Thank you CQG!!
 

Noted

My newest way to keep track of stats for work is to take a shot, go immediately to edit mode, then find the text function and add the size right in the image. Save. No little piece of paper to lose!

Label It Please

I don't add labels to my works. But there are some exhibitions that ask for an ID on the back of the work. Mine are ones temporary and easily removed. Here's the one for QAQ that has been written on Tyvek and whipstitched in place. My more permanent signature and date are on the front in embroidered stitching. 
 

On the Wall

The work on the right will be for lottery at Quilts=Art=Quilts this November at the Schweinfurth Art Center. The accepted quilt is "Chaos" and this is smaller one is "A Little Bit of Chaos". Both are on their way to the art center, this is it's moment before leaving home. And yes, a peek at my dining room. 
 

Making Do

I finished the small quilt top for the QAQ auction and unearthed my longarm. I'm not yet setup for where the machine will live (and I need about 13' of length) but I swung it around, threaded it up, and in the dark -- notice the black windows -- got the little one quilted. Good thing no one is seeing this!
 

Sketches on the Design Wall

I've a deadline to send in my work for Quilts=Art=Quilts and the small quilt that will be my contribution to their silent auction. I like to make a smaller work in the same vein as the one chosen for exhibition, so it will be a 'Within the Frame' composition. But gotta get moving!
 

Quilt-A-Thon's Result

For my segment on Joe Cunningham's fundraiser for the Beamish Cottage roof restoration I demonstrated how I 'print the table'. The soft egg shapes were printed directly to my print table, then drawn through, became the monoprint, and then I printed directly on top of the monoprint the four eggs shapes. 
 

On Air

Joe Cunningham and his "Quilt-A-Thon" aired today bringing together artists, historians, crafters, novelists, and quilt lovers globally. I scrambled to set up a print station and the equipment. A fundraiser for Beamish, England's Joe the Quilter Cottage roof repair, it was great fun. And I cleaned up the studio!
 

Recommended for Motif Lovers

Someone once walked into my workshop with one of these books. There are about 4 or 5 of them, each highlighting different designers who design for applied surfaces from stationery to wallpaper to textiles. I love the simple designs and often use them as a jumping off point. 
 

Room Where it Happens

The Ah Haa School exists in a new tricked-out building a block off Telluride's main street. We were printing on the second floor. I marvel at how well equipped the room is, and my delight to find HOT water to work with soy wax on silkscreens. Big credit to the school to offer state of the art rooms. 

 

Take a Seat

 Toward the end of our week of printing Kelly pulled this one, and I encouraged her to enter it into QuiltCon. Or any other show. Pretty neat for a whole cloth, and that is hard to do -- that is, make a print from scratch, and have it hold together in a strong composition. We'll have to wait to see what comes next.

Saturday's Quilt-A-Thon (with Joe)

Joe Cunningham has organized a terrific fundraiser that will air this Saturday, October 3rd from 8am to 11am MDT. I'll be part of this, it is always fun to be involved in Joe's projects, so come join us this Saturday  (or watch it later in the recording) https://events.hum anitix.com/quilt-a-thon

Get a View

 

Telluride' gondola that will take you to some point where if you were game to hike, bike, or ski, you would start your trek. On this very rainy day, my ride offered me a view of the Rockies that surround the town. It was still glorious, even in the clouds and mist. 

Night Time at Ah Haa

The class is done for the day, and we've all gone to the next classroom for a gourmet dinner from the culinary expert at the school. It was a great day to  work over our things, and make, make, make. Tomorrow, a bit more.
 

Full Moon

 Admiral Dewey is dead center in this musical device from the last two centuries.  I saw our full moon standin in the quaint Telluride history museum.