On the Wall

Started back spring, this water lily pods are now catching the winter light. I've finally finished the piece, which is split to be a diptych. Nice to have January cleaning make way for new art.

Keeping Time

Check email (business), reply email (business), breakfast (pleasure), bury threads (business), phone call (pleasure), bury threads (business), update expense for January (business), check clock (see above), head to studio (work).

Closer View

Can't say how fun it is to quilt with abandon. If that is what you might call it. It's off the machine, ready to block.

X Marks

After much finagling, the handi-quilter is back in action. I've got a whole-cloth quilt on the machine, and am working away at the quilting. Following the "X" is easy. This quilt will go with me to QSDS this June.

Quilt Surface Design Symposium

The Quilt Surface Design Symposium has asked me to teach two classes this June. Both are built around designing improvisationally, and set out to design strictly from the materials at hand. I love working this way, and you might want to join the class. I'm in Session 3 and 4. Check out the site: http://www.qsds.com/aboutqsds.html

January Cleanup

With the tree tossed, it was time to clean the pile of fabrics mounting next to my cutting table. So many forgotten pieces, each wanting to be part of a work. Good thing I've got some blank design walls to work with.

Mine's on Top

My small part of recycling in evidence. Mine is the one on top of the pile that is spilling out of the container. Bonus -- my car now smells pine fresh!

Pleat, Please

OK, Cris, here is why the pleat matters. When the hanging slat (home depot wide rod pocket curtain rod) is added, the bulk of the rod is accounted for with the pleat I made at the bottom hem. The ease transfers to the top, which is why I've sew the sleeve 1/2" below the top edge.

Green Sleeve

After dozens of sleeves -- which are tubes for a slat that hangs the work -- I finally turned the hem's selvage to the inside. I'll drop it down half an inch from the top, and pleat the bottom, and sew all four sides.

Tools of the Trade

I noted that most all of the things I use to hand sew were gifts, and they are the tools I use. The little scissors from friends at Quilting Arts, the thread goop from a friend, the thimble, heck, even the thread was given to me. I'm so lucky.

Think Spring

For all those who feel as I do -- which is "Now we take down the decorations and endure the winter" and long for spring, well, here is spring. Courtesy of my neighborhood Ace Hardware store.