The Definitive Mark

Printed marks from my work in a class this spring show the infinite variables in motif and lines. I'll be in Telluride, Colorado this September 24-27 at the Ah Haa School for a class I call 'The Definitive Mark'. There's room should you want to join us; it should be magical.  https://canvas.ahhaa.org/classes/656
 

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. 

 

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!
 

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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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. 
 

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.
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

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!
 

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!
 

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. 
 

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. 

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!
 

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.

 

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.