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.

The Tour

The last day of Alegre Retreat is a tour where the entire community of the retreat goes from room to room to see what each person made. What a riot! Yes, it made us clean up a bit, but everyone was able to show there work and answer questions. It was marvelous, and I was so pleased to spend a week there. Brava!
 

Printing with Care

You'd think we were in a surgical room, all decked in plastic to protect from the whatever. But the room is so lovely, the finishes so clean, that we were encased in plastic to protect the room. No matter, we are careful, and aware that we are working with dye that would stain natural materials. 
 

Wonders Exist

Jamie took to printing light lighting. She's standing next to her piece where she's scraped color blocks throughout. Don't know if she'll add, or leave it as a color set. Either way, it's lovely. And, check out these wonderful sinks! We are spoiled at Alegre!
 

Show and Tell

Part of every retreat includes some form of 'show and tell' and Luana Rubin took the spotlight quite literally with her work and story of a close encounter with a bear. Ending: she lived to tell the tale. Alegre is proving fun, entertaining, enlightening, and all in a fantastic serene oasis in the red rocks of Colorado.
 

Get Ready Set Go

Alegre has started today for my printing class. We've built a tower of 4 x 4 Styrofoam boards with plastic cup spacers. Works great. And since it's midafternoon, there is a table set with cucumber sandwiches and petit fours. Also a tray of great cookies. You have to be happy here, if for nothing else than the food.
 

On the Way

My undoctored photo was taken at a stop along the route to Gateway, Colorado. I'm part of the Alegre Retreat, and now that I've landed, I am truly spoiled for  any other landscape, workshop room setup, dining choices, and suite if rooms. My guess is the class will be a great set of printers, and as happy as me.

 

Stop in Phiily Airport

 Small exhibit, big impact. The Philadelphia Airport has art Sprinkled around,  thjs one caught my attention. I loved the mother and child figure, speaks well of the two roles. 

Taking Them Along

For a printing workshop, I like to have washed examples of the techniques we'll be using. So, half of these are for that, and the other will be for sale. Lucky if you are in the retreat at Alegre or in the audience at the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild near Chicago. Those are my next visits, can't wait.
 

The Before,and What's Ahead

The closing for my townhouse was today, and now the raw interior can be dealt with. I've floor to repair and rejuvenate, and need to turn the walls light. I'll be away for a couple of weeks, and that will give me time to dream up what I'll do to this to made the studio work. It will, you'll see.
 

Promise a Future

Today was the walk-through and look around before closing on this townhouse. It caught my attention because of the potential for a great work space and one that was home-based. It has a different vibe than my little cape coddie, but I'm ready to modernize, shed a few things, and redo a studio. 
 

Video for the Monkies

Crafty Monkies has asked me to be a part of a project that involves 6 fiber artists. We were to film our design and execution of three blocks that will be joined and shown at some future date. My filming was in January, but one of the parts needed reshooting, so I stepped back in time and did my part. 

If It's Monday...

 

...then it's packing day. I'll take four screens and pad them between with batting (for printing a soft surface) and a few stencils and rubbings. I'll land in Colorado Saturday night, ready to start setting up Sunday for a week of printing at Alegre. Very excited, and I think the class is gonna like the week. 

A la Carte

I'll be showing this A la Carte when I visit the Alegre retreat next week. It'll travel on with me to Chicago and the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild the week after that. I'll use it to explain the fun of 'hiding' squares in a field, barely noticeable. This has several throughout the piece, well hidden.
 

A Few Hours

I've spent the last few days reorganizing my bits of videos for Crafty Monkies. They are putting together a set of online views of me doing a project, along with others, for a group  quilt. This is one of the 'blocks' I've made. I've still got to put finishing touches on the three and mail them, but these videos come first.

 

As Others See

I think I took this shot a half dozen times, so when I caught Zara Zannettino's 'travelogue' of the Australasian Quilt Conference on FB, I had to show it to you, too. There are no crowds here, my guess is that it's early morning. But you can see the grandeur of the hall and the lovely high vaulted ceiling. 

 

Schweinfurth's Head Shot

If you've not noticed, I'll be printing on (almost) home turf May 29-31 for a three day class in Just Silkscreens. We'll be hunkered down at the Schweinfurth Art Center in their lovely print workshop space. It's a great opportunity to print -- I'll mix the dyes! -- and take in a surface design opening there as well.
 

More from Melbourne

One from the Elite Taiwanese Quilt Collection caught my eye last week. I've featured a rose in a quilt that I developed into a paper-pieced pattern -- "In the Garden". This one is titled "The Wind Lifts Water, Petals Flutter" by YinPing Tuan. It's a good style between absolute realism and abstraction. 

 

A Look Behind

I brought Edge of Autumn to Australasian Quilt Conference to hang with the other works. It may have been the most exuberantly printed work, so easy for me to find. The mornings were open to the classes and tutors to stroll in long, early light. And the exposition building was every bit a World Heritage Site.
 

All In a Day

An Uber to airport at 7:30 am Melbourne time to my front door 11:30 pm Rochester time, makes for 24 hours of flights, terminals, and runway holding. I loved my week away 'down under' bot only because the AQC is so carefully planned, detailed to the max, but gathered my grateful students. My sincere thanks for having me. 
 

All Hands on Deck

Cutting apart the 'blob' is always tricky, as so much has gone into making it. Here Wendy is using her own printed fabric, all with beautiful tones and changes in color. What a great class, we're getting into Design Camp for sure. 
 

Hunkering Down to Design

First day of four and works are being drafted, cut, sewn, improvised. A truly great class, 19 in all, who took on the challenge to learn more about improvisational quilting. The Australasian Quilt Convention is run as smooth as clockwork, always support when you might need it.