Which to Choose

Tuesday night at Quilting by the Lake is vendor night and it was difficult to choose, so sometimes you have to buy the bunch. Aside from the eveing's gathering, I also talked to Crafty Monkies via Zoom, taught a day at the independent studio set up, and came home to a gutted kitchen (work started!).
 

Monday is Go Day

Lisa wasted no time getting to print, and this dress will be ready to wear tomorrow, if only we had a washer on hand. It was a day to do EVERYTHING all at once. So I was on my toes getting the materials out, but not always as quick as I wanted. And some fine stuff is cooking, and looking good. Independence!
 

Toss 'Em In

The day started with a 'kamikaze' run to weed my old garden, then clean up to get to Quilting by the Lake, organize and set the classroom, then dinner and lecture. After driving home, a bit of hunting for missing items we'll need -- glue sticks, table risers, duct tape and containers. All tossed in the rolling suitcase. 

 

It's a Start

Thursday I cut out and tore away the kitchen sink and cabinets that were in the studio. Yesterday the wonderful plumbers installed a new utility sink. Today I mixed 24 quarts of 8 colors for Monday's print class. I have a long way to go before it's smooth operation, but this is the start. 
 

It Fits!

Today was plumbers all day, so I worked around them clearing a path to swing the long arm into its new docking site. There is room for me to quilt despite that darn post, and I'm thrilled to have more space to move. I've also lined the wall with my design boards, and started clearing the mountain of boxes.
 

Super Faculty

 Some of the instructors were hanging out at QBL's mini-mall . Carol Soderlund. Deborah Boschert, and Jane Sassaman. Pretty much all that their students could say was that they loved the class. 

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One Among Many

The day was filled with pickups, bank stuff, and most importantly, building the first base cabinet. It took hours (the first always does) so the next 6 bases should breeze by. Oh, and my wonderful helpers we just that. I even got dinner al fesco. Then I tackled removing the old vanity for the new one. Never ending.
 

Pick One

At the mini-mall diversion at Quilting By the Lake I asked the crowd to pick one they liked, and mug for this shot. It's the goofy kind of fun one can have whilst 'on vacation' at the retreat. My dinner mate said she needed to get away (husband didn't want to travel) so she was thrilled. This is the fun we have. 
 

Retail Recon

Part of putting this townhouse back 'right' is finding the materials and fixtures that will be in place, and more importantly, be on site ahead of the installers. Rugs, wall paper, do-dads can wait, but tile is the foundation. Today was paint the studio (half of it) and between coats (3!) it was reconnaissance. 

 

Fabric for Quilting by the Lake

I've one more week before leading a surface design independent study at Quilting by the Lake, the retreat sponsored by The Schweinfurth Art Center in Geneva, New York. It's started its first week, but Tuesday night I'm a 'vendor' with a pile of printed fabrics. So, amid the chaos of the studio, I'm ironing. Come see!
 

Jim Mott's Words Collection

I heard Jim Mott speak about making art in troubled times. Throughout his talk were several quotes. He relies heavily on literature for inspiration and content. If you haven't experienced his work, it is exquisite, small works, and always with an intricate back story.  site https://www.jimmott.com/index.html
 

Selective Service

I've been looking at works eligible to submit to some new exhibitions and this was the only detail I have of one of the works, Details should be an interesting composition in theselves as well as show the quilting style and type. This does, but the subject is more the quilting needle than the quilt surface. So, no go.
 

Ah-Haa

 I met the wonderful and talented Kathy Green at April's Alegre retreat. She is part of the Ah-Haa School in Telluride and promises that when I am there in September my class will be fun and smooth going. If she said otherwise, this is what my brain heard. There's a couple of spots, join me September 24-28, 2026. there https://canvas.ahhaa.org/classes/656

Check Before They Go

Newly washed out prints are going through the 'bleed' test. I've sewn a white backing with cotton batting between the color I expect to bleed. Then I drizzle water over the sewn line, wait for it all to dry, then check to see if color has wicked from front to back. If so, back in the wash. 
 

New Eyes

I sent this photo to my family, and thought you (my blog family) might want to know as well. Yesterday was my second cataract surgery, and today I feel I have the eyes of a 14 year-old. Corrected for near, I love that I can work up close without glasses. And now must rethink my lecture on mixing color!
 

The Mess I'm In

I had a few hours before some minor surgery today, so trying to keep away from eating and drinking I found myself removed to the farthest corner of the house -- the studio. Main goal was to clear a path to the outer walls and prep to paint. This will take some great effort to turn into a workable, let alone nice, space.
 

Garden Tour

Yesterday's cherry on top was a stroll in the Upper Monroe Garden Walk and Ann's garden. Like the luck we all need at a deadline, her plants obeyed the call and flowered right on time for the event. Lots of beauty, unusual plants, and stone sculptures all on a little city plot.  
 

Hot Talk in Naples

What a lovely group who came to hear my impromptu talk about the quilts on view at the Cleveland House today. We talked about everything, and best part was that a special guest could make out the sewn script on the 5th grade bicentenial quilt. Really fun, even on this hot day. Repeat talk August 29 at 1pm!
 

Noontime Garden

Those who have followed me in these posts know I had a wonderful mature garden at my last house. This townhouse has both full southern exposure and a north facing courtyard. Midday brings the most delightful spotted sunlight as it is directly overhead. These warm days finds me lunching there.
 

Charming Quilt Show

Today I had a chance to see the exhibit that will be on view this summer at The Cleveland House Museum in Naples, New York. It was a fact finding mission for my talk this Saturday at 1 pm. Along with facts, I found charm. The detail is from a fifth grade class bicentennial project, now 50 years old.

 

A New Kitchen

I've got an 'assemble-it-yourself" kitchen landing today in my garage. There will be a party Friday to assemble it, and then I'll live amongst the cabinets till mid August when it is installed. It's all part of making this needy home come up to standards. Yes, two palletts. 
 

Nearly Home

This exhuberant piece traveled about with the SAQA NY/NY exhibition "By Contrast" and I had a good time as part of the explaining crew when it was nearby. The SAQA group will organize another; they are good at finding wonderful venues. I'll be happy to have it home, and maybe find a matching plaid shirt.
 

Wonder Team

It was time to reassemble the long arm. Keep in mind that the bed is 12' wide. The wonderful duo from Delightful Quilting and Sewing, Ron and Joyce, spent the afternoon getting this machine in shape for it's new space. I'm so grateful to find this two who answered my call of 'help' and came to put it right.
 

A Distance Away

The call for entries is on for Quilt National. I've earned a spot a few times, most recently for this piece (detail of "In the Weeds" shown here) and I may enter again. I woul have to find one that was not exhibited or broadcast publically. That's what will take time. The hunt.
 

The Fourth for Reflecting

In a new house, with a new view, a new walk, and a day to reflect on that point on the map of this country I'm in. This Fourth seems very different, not worthy of celebrating independence when so many rights are gone and more are in danger of loss. So, this walk in my new country in my new country. 
 

My Kitchen View

I've a red japanese maple tree outside my courtyard at my new house. It's not looking healthy, but it may recover. Lots of thoughts go out to hang on that tree, and I'd hate to loose it. 
 

Let's Get Lost in Tile

I feel I've made this in fabric before. Or perhaps with charcoal in high school drawing class. Or a chalk line (see below) on the driveway for a kid's game. But here it is telling me that I should add this tiler as a kitchen backsplash, or somewhere somehow. The lure of the Tile Store.

 

Quilt-A-Thon in October

There will be another spectacilar 'Quilt-a -thon' hosted by Joe Cunningham to benefit Joe the Quilter's residence in Great Britin They hope to improve the museum, and we folks are getting together to help by offering tips. Join us, mark your calerndar for October 3 from 3-6 GMT

Wander the Aisles

I'll have a place in the renovation that will call for fill. And no, this wouldn't do, but boy, is it ever a great tile. And there it is, now to find a place to use it. See, there is motif at every turn.
 

This Must Be Luck

I'd moved a potted plant from a spot in the garden and a large toad jumped out. I've not seen one in years, although they were constantly around when I was growing up. Thrilled to see it, and I take this toad as a sign of good luck for all of the new things I've encountered these past few months. 
 

Strawberries and the Moon

Friends came for my first 'dinner' at the new place and we sat on the deck watching the full moon (the Strawberry Moon) eating strawberry shortcake. Delightful, and a great way to welcome summer. 
 

Blue Tape is My Guide

I'm finaly getting the three little quilts finished and ready to send out to Crafty Monkies this week. I needed to quilt just up to the finished line as well as leave ample fabric beyond that line. After placing the  pattern sized to the finish measure, I taped around the edge to guide the last bits of quilting. 
 

Telluride in September

Here's "Domino Effect" which is a good description for what I would call "a definitive mark" and also the title of the class I'll teach this September 24-28 in Telluride, Colorado for the Ah Haa School. There are a couple of spots left, so come with me and print textiles definitively.   https://canvas.ahhaa.org/classes/656
 

On the Hunt

like friends are catching fish, touring the west, and attending weddings I am hunting for a vanity and a couple of toilets.  Not glamorous,  but necessary

 

Permanently Home

My little Cape Cod transfered to new owners today and I'm slowly making my new space habitable. I've more to do, and that will take time and patience, but the end result will be worth  it. Now to clear a path for the reno crew. I've a two car garage with one path between boxes. 
 

Two to a Good Home

These were printed and shown at RIT's Shop One on the campus. Later, they were part of my studio sales items. A lovely woman who had seen them years ago and remembered them found me and asked about them. I'd put them in a safe space, and we reconnected. So, finally to the long-time admirer.
 

No Fear

An eveing stroll on my last day of class took me past manicured lawns and fearless deer. The town is liberaly sprinkled with these residents, and they take no effort to get away, and in fact, this one continued to advance closer so it was me that got away. Not my favorite pest for civilized landscapes, but still.
 

Finish Line

The weather was perfect for our week, and we made this clothesline work like mad on the last days. I love what the shadow forms become on the ground. And yes, I did caution everyone not to let their prints bake in the sun longer than to 'dry' as textile art is damaged with sun exposure. Still, nice to have this line.
 

Family Time

It's not often that family members choose to print side by side (literally) and this past week at PNWAS in Coupeville, Washington I had TWO pairs. It was fun to see the banter, the encouragement, the true pride each of the four gave to their mom/daughter and in one case their 'special daughter'. Made a great week!
 

Medallion Wins the Day

 Each student was choose a piece they admired from a colleague and talk about it. We all would have chosen this piece by Amy. It was a great finish to a week if printing. I'll return same time next year!

On the Line

A most handy closeline is up and filled within an hour of class's start. Margaret got her piece up and finished, showing how she loves clean, pure color saturation. There is a myriad of styles here, which is so great to see the variations in printing applications. And Coupeville is gracing us with perfect skies
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Field Trip to Marcia Derse

A short drive up the road is the studio of fabric desiger Marcia Derse. Her charming house and studio hold the collections and prompts she uses to design her line of printed fabric. The visit has us all enchanted with her studio and archive. Many thanks for the hospitality and tour. It is a delightful experience.
 

Taking Over

Second day of the print workshop sand the class is using every inch of space for our printing use. Wall, outside parking spots, even the front of the refrigerator. We have printing to do, and gosh, we're going to do that! Tomorow we have a bit of a field day after class, and then more to do inbetween. 
 

Let the Fun Begin

We've settled in the Pacific Northwest Art Center's workshop space with everyone grabbing two tables to print large and bold. The first day had direct scraping on fabric, rubbings and work with stencils. With silkscreens in hand, we'll start to add resists tomorrow and dive into printing more. 
 

Another Not Entirely Lazy Day

I spent about four hours setting up the class for this week, mixing dyes, organizing space, cutting plastic for tables. You know, the little stuff. And I had every intent to photograph the pots of color waiting, but forgot. So, here's my walk back from my picnic dinner along the trail in town. And the warf again.
 

Landing at Coupeville

I'll be teaching this week in Coupeville, Washington which is on Whitbey Island. I find it to be so quaint and (though it may sound corney) picturesque, and a lovely way to begin summer. This is from the last remaing warf looking back to the village. Tomorrow is making the dyes, and getting ready for class.
 

Playtime First

 My short visit with grandkids meant finding the stack of toys and cool basement air. I'll be on a plane tomorrow,  heading for Whidbey Island and a week of printing.  

Independent Studio in Surface Design

 

Independent Studio! In Surface Design, no less, so that means you do your own work, but with needed technical and design guidence when you need that, for a week in July 27 - 31. We'll meet for discussions, motifs, and motives. All in a great space and a solid retreat with Quiltng by the Lake. Come on aboard.