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.

Motif Inspiration

 I'm gearing up this week to travel to Whidbey Island and Coupeville for the Pacific Northwest Art School and a week of printing. This was at the Australasian Quilt Conference I attended. Such strong graphics. 

You Floor Me

 My first full day had an agenda of new flooring and drop off longarm for checkup. I figured the flooring was more alluring. It's vital plank. 

It took considerable effort to disassemble the longarm for the move, and its gonna take mire to put it back in working order, but the process is started.

 I started this post, then somehow exhaustion took over. This is my disassembled longarm frame.  Heavy as all get out, and ready for mondays movers.

Stitch and the Story

Schweinfurth's exhibition incluides this graphic stitching, with a message I can't read -- as it's in French. No matter, it caught my eye for the composition with both heavy and light figures.

 

Goodbye Old

 It served me well. From college to the mid nineties my carousel was my faithful equipment for showing my work. It's gone to a good home, and now I'm lighter.

Schweinfurth's Summer Exhibition

This summer at the Schweinfurth Art Center there is a fiber exhibition created by Surface Design Associates. The name is something like Textiles but written in a code that makes writing about the title difficult. It is still a fastinating show despite the title. This installation caught me, a felted rock heaven.

 

Beginner's Luck

Alegre Retreat was not so very long ago. While I'm thinking about the QBL 2026 class -- Independent Studio for Surface Design -- I thought about those in  my class as newbies. Imagine a week of independent work, no assignments, but a chance to flesh out an idea or sink into a series. Even garments may show up.

QBL 2026 Indepent Print Studio

I'll be at Quilting By the Lake THIS summer from July 25 to August 1!  Independent Studio workspace is an opportunity to stretch and work in depth with students for the week. The class is not yet up on the website for the Schweinfurth, but you can call and register. Wow! I'm so excited. 
 

Delights

I've tended this garden for 12 years now, and where there was nothing, there is now loads of plants that continue to share the spotlight from one bloom to the next. This poppy is my favorite color, and I'll miss this, but I know I'll have a new landscape to enjoy. 
 

Crafty Monkies Begins TODAY

Wintertime I filmed how I printed fabric, designed, sewed and quilted a set of three blocks for Crafty Monkies. The recordings are now live on their website programs. It was challenging, but I learned a lot. You might too! (starting today) at https://www.craftymonkies.com/vip-202627-member-club-info
 

The Pleasent Surprises

Susan tried a few motifs on this half yard, with great results. It was a good three days of experimenting, technique exploration, and taking notes on how diverse the printing outcomes could be from a dozen people. The Schweinfurth offers such a nice work space for a wet studio, and I always love it there. 
 

Blue Moon!

 Jean printed this charming motif today, one I had to capture for the second full moon of May. We're using that full moon pull in prints that are turning spectacular 

Three Days to Print

 Three days to print?? Is that enough? Maybe it is. We've started with some great prints using the simplest of tools. Back tomorrow at the Schweinfurth Art Center and treat of a fiber art show opening as well.

Nightfall

My deck view. I've spent a very long day, no time to say much of anything important or topical. Just need to crawl to bed. Workshop tomorrow!
 

It'll Be None of the Above

I've tried the green and the taupe. Suffice to say, nothing is hitting the mark. So, I'll match the color of the tile floor and the kitchen cabinets for a relating color. It shouldn't be this difficult, but I find this staircase a large eyesore and demanding child. Needs a bit of calming, so it'll go some neutral cream. No judgement!
 

Two to Go

I'm sure you saw these when I revovered these two chairs with my linen printed fabric. I'll send them back to the person who gave me the chairs. I'm sure she did not expect them to return, and they'll have some life beyond Studio 301. 
 

Packin It Up

I spent today taking apart and boxing up my studio 301. You may have see this view when I was working on a piece, now it's ready for the movers. My new studio will be the lower level of my townhouse. There is boatload of work to be done there, but the reward will be satisfying. So, stay tuned.
 

Is It Time for Supper at Last?

While in Chicago's North Side, our workshop was held in a church that displayed a fine rendition or the Last Supper made in lace. It was made so suptlely that I had to look closely to see the scene.

 

Hard to Decide

The blob was supposed to have connections that were interesting, not necessarily well composed. That would be for another day, so the happenstance of it all took precident in yesterday's class in Within the Frame. We're aiming to cut this into bits, and it was always interesting to see what came out.
 

Home Improv Stretch

I spent today with the delightful group of quilters from Quilters' Connection near Waltham, Mass. The goal was to make a big blob, cut it into four squares, add a frame for "Within the Frame". I kept time poorly, so ended before that glorious finish. One day not enough! But much delight in improv piecing. Thank you Quilters' Connection!
 

Eye Candy

 Chris Wickert's applique work is meticulous. I'm happy to see it again in the GVQC quilt show last weekend. Feast for the eyes and all in silk to boot!

June is Me on Crafty Monkies

Some may know that I'm part of a series of monthly features with Crafty Monkies. And best is that I'll be the first presenter in June. I'll print, design, sew, quilt and give advice in between. To find out more, visit here for information:  https://www.craftymonkies.com/vip-202627-member-club-info
 

In the Garden Vicki's Version

Vickie Coykendall used my pattern "In the Garden" to make this quilt years ago. It was the first thing spotted at the Genesee Valley Quilt Show. When I spoke with Vickie, we agreed that although it was originally a raffle quilt, why not again. What do you say? Here is the original. Pattern on my website.

 

New Big Leaf in Unique Fabric

At this weekend's quilt show I was surprised with Leslie Delpopolo's  "New Big Leaf" both because it was a fine piecing and it was using my pattern, but more importantly, she used the fabric she made in my class. Those who have been there no that there is needed courage to cut and sew that fabric. Brava!

 

Hanging With My Quilt Show Friends

Yesterday I was invited to talk about the exhibit of the NJ/NY SAQA group "By Contrast." It was part of the Genesee Valley Quilt Fest, and I felt at home with friends I've known for years, as well as some in the recent times. This SAQA show will travel for two more venues. Then my work (seen behind me) is home.
 

May Moon

 Yes, it's full moon time. Since most of my time these days is spent looking for new parts for my townhouse, here's my full moon, AKA Ikea's paper lamp.

Tower of Printing

The latest printing class;s tower -- usually foam insulation boards with plastic cups between -- held wet prints. You've got to love the setting at Gateway Canyon where Alegre retreat was held. We'll do this again for the Schweinfurth's workshop, and use an old fashioned clothesline in Pacific Northwest Art School.

 

Print With Me May or June

Two places with two spots each are open for you and a friend (new or old) to print on fabric. May 29-31 is at the Schweinfurth Art Center for "Just Silkscreens" and then June 15-19 I'll be in Coupeville, Washington at the PNWAS of Pacific Northwest Art School for a week of printing wild. Join me!
 

Design Wall Too

My larger design wall is a set of hollow core doors (although they weigh a ton) that are affixed with the fiber board like the other wall, then covered in flannel. The have a french cleat on the back, and I'll add the mounting cleat to the wall and then hang the doors. It'll be a while, but worth it.
 

Dismantling the Design Wall

I've started to pack up Studio 301 to move to the new studio. I've taken the flannel cover off this wall. I want to show you that I took 2'x4' fiber board (used under cedar shingles typically) that I've screwed directly into the drywall. The flannel was tucked under the board using a thin dinnerware knife. 
 

Mother's Day Gift

I thought you'd enjoy seeing how I spent mother's day. My daughter and son-in-law gifted me a day of work on my new townhouse. New lamp, and hours of stripping wallpaper. Finished with an ice cream cone. One of the best gifts I could have asked for. And I didn't even ask!
 

Leaving Chicago's Fun

I didn't have enough time to gather in all of Chicago's beauties, but I did see the Botanical Gardens on a sparkling day. The gardens were full of spring color, plentiful red-winged black birds, and time to take is all in. I love gardens, and this one did not dissapoint.
 

Cutting the Blob

 Karie is about to disect her blob into squares to reassemble in the Within the Frame class in Northern Chicago. 

Size Matters

For the Northern Suburban Needlearts Guild I asked that each person have a table and a design wall, They did! So, it was great to spread out and manipulate fabric, as well as move it around on the design walls (insulation foam boards). We accomplished so much, and made exceptional designs. 
 

Composition Check

We went from working our improv studies to off-grid works, touching on composition, to make decisions. What a packed three days!

Taking on the Blob

Criss has sewn a large assemblage of fabric which I call 'the blob' with which we will work our design chops. I've been with the North Suburban Needlearts Group this week for a lecture and 2 1/2 day class. Meeting up with new folks and some 'repeat offenders' as well, we've had a great time with improv design. 

Visit the Windy City

From Red Rock Country to the skyline of Chicago, my travels brought me urban delights and some good sites. It's been a long time since I saw downtown, and was happy to tour on a quieter Sunday afternoon. Why I'm not here more often is a mystery, it's filled with such treasures. 
 

Light Tap Won't Work

I won a door prize of a geode at the Alegre retreat. Suggesting a light tap will work, I tried that twice. So I wacked it, and that did the job. It was fun, goofy, and drew a crowd. And I love my little bits of geode to treasure.
 

Tour Time

 The last hour of class on Friday was a tour of classrooms by all of those who attended. Monica was prolific and became an expert printer.  The rest of Alegre's classes agreed.

Full Colorado Moon

 My simple camera captured the nightscape at Gateway Canyon Resort last night for May's first full moon. The retreat was spectacular, the final evening a swell event. If you get the chance to go, do.