Category Archives: Circuits

Circuits, Hand work, Rustic Rambles I, Rustic Rambles II, Scrap Happy Quilts, Stretch Works

Sports Lines

IMG_2355.jpgHello,

I am still thinking about lines and although this is a shot of tire lines  I think it shows one way we see them and do not really realize they are a part of our lives.   When I made my list of line types I was surprised by how many were  related to sports.     Almost all sporting events have a starting line  or beginning line and finish line.   In Basketball there are center lines,  free throw lines,  foul lines, boarder lines, side lines.  Foot ball has some of these lines and adds yard lines, front lines, boundry lines  and line men.  In auto racing you add fuel lines, break lines and checkered lines.  Other lines in sports include kite lines, trap lines, bow lines  and in horse racing you blood lines.  I am sure there are lots of othersIMG_2501_thumb.jpg I have not though of too and perhaps I am getting to the point were the lines have different meanings- but line is a very useful tool in art and sport. I went and spent a day playing with Cheri last week.  She had some wonderful felted work to share with us.         Colleen worked on this IMG_2504_thumb.jpgbarclet for the day.  It is more than half done now and I like the colors.  Cheri worked on this wonderful spider. IMG_2505_thumb.jpg Look at the scissors near the top of the photo to get the scale of how large this project is . I spent my day working on my entries for 6X6 for the Rochester Contemporary Art Center fund raiser.       Check out the web sight and see the work for sale at  $20  for each one IMG_2506_thumb.jpgor even better send them one of your own little 6″ X ^” creations and join the fun. 

 

 

 

Progress Report: RusticIMG_2520_thumb.jpg Rambles IIMG_2518.jpg and Rustic Rambles II   This is the first of the works  new stretch series that I am doing.   I wanted to try my collage technique on a stretch surface so I an enter it in a art show that IMG_2527_thumb.jpgis specifically asking for stretched works.  I like the effect. There is no batting but I have not been using  batting in most of my foundations works for over a year.   This work also includes paper that I have done wax resits on.     I used the same machine drawing  work I have been developing for the last year. IMG_2522IMG_2523IMG_2524IMG_2525  These two works are a set and flow into one another when they are hung with that in mind. IMG_2526  

Circuits    This project is completed now and is 20″ X 30″IMG_2513.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This was a fun project to work on in the evenings while I did machine work onIMG_2515_thumb.jpg Scrap Happy’s during the day time.

I started this with the orange stamped shapes.  I used the errasor  end of a pencil for the stamp.   When the paint was dry I stated to connect the  rowsIMG_2517_thumb.jpg of dots together like the welds on a circuit board.     I added the orange beads as I tough they were needed to make the idea feel complete.  The stitching and beading became more and more complex  as I went along.   I am very happy with the final results.IMG_2516_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

Scrap Happy # 4   I am still working away on these scrap quilts and finishing them as time allows. IMG_2547 IMG_2546  Scrap Happy #5   I gave one away yesterday to the Prevention  Net Work.  It is an organizations that helps direct high school kids away from drugs.  I have starts for two more and then I will set this work aside for a while.

New works    I am still strugglingIMG_2550_thumb.jpg with how I want to finish this piece.  But yesterday I looked at it and though of my trip to Canyon De Chilly again and think I will try to push it in that direction. This is another experiment I am trying.  It really falls into my Graffiti  play stuff so I am  IMG_2548_thumb.jpgnot sure at all were it is going.  But when I give my self the Okay to play some good stuff can come out of that.

I will be away next week so there will be no post   March 5.

Keep Creating

Carol

Circuits, Felt Work, Hand work, Nail Castings, Pebble Pile, Spring Song

Happy Chinese New Year of the Goat/ Ram

IMG_2475_thumb.jpg Hello,

Here in upstate New York we are deep in snow.   The gate is 24″ off the ground and you can hardly see the top of it in this shot.

Today is the first day of the new year of the Goat/Ram if you  celebrate the Chinese system.  Lots of fire crackers, dragon dancing and paper money will be part of the goings on in many places today.   The Goat is the fifth in the symbol system.  Folks who are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 this year are also part of the goat clan.   Goat people are said to be calm, gentle, creative , honest, thoughtful, persevering and frank.    This sounds like a good group to me.

IMG_2481   I spent one day this week visiting with my friend Cheri.  We took a little time to visit the Art Center where her piece had won a first place in the art show that is up  there now.   She also did someIMG_2479_thumb.jpgwork with stenciled pieces she did last summer.   I spent my morning doing IMG_2480_thumb.jpgcollage work and came out with about four pieces that I think I am finished with.

I spent a lot of time in the studio this week too.  It has been so snowy and cold it is hard to feel like moving around too much.

Progress Report:IMG_2492.jpgSpring Song    I started this work last week.   I feel like the free motion work adds more definition to the piece.  I like how the finished work looks.  I think I will not build my next piece onIMG_2494 - CopyIMG_2495 - CopyIMG_2496 - Copy wool felt as the felting process stretches the felt too much and I can not get this to be as flat as I want it to be.  I will work on woven wool or cotton next time.  I am sure I learn lots of stuff from my mistakes.

Pebble Pile    I was  finished with this work  from  last week too.  It is done now.

IMG_2498  IIMG_2499_thumb.jpg like how the three dimensional felted units work with the flat ones.  Both projects in felting were  a good growing experiences for me.  I will try it again sooner next time.

Nail CastingsIMG_2489  I am only showing a detail of this work this week. There are so very many hand stitches  I do not know !    But I sure like trying new ones.  How the stitches interact with one another is also  enjoyable.   Line  patters are a part of my self  challenge for this year and this project is filling that bill.

Circuits   I am nowIMG_2491_thumb.jpg now done with the machine quilting on this piece and I am adding the boarders.  I am sure I will complete it in a day or two as I only need to do the facings and the sleeve now.

IMG_2484_thumb.jpg Return   I think I know were want to go with this work  now.  I am going to build some ruins on top of the background that I started a few weeks ago.   It will come together this week I hope.

New work   I started a new piece yesterday in the collage style that the rocks wereIMG_2485_thumb.jpg constructed alone.  This time I stared with the  multi/red fabric  that is in the center.   It is only in the pin up stage now and will change a lot before I begin to sew.   I just wanted to try not basing a project on any special images this time.    It is a different kind of challenge for me.    I am trying our one more new thing.  This time I am building the project on canvas instead of buckram.   I will keep folks posted as to the success or failure of this.

Keep Creating

Carol

Circuits, Hand work, Pebble Pile, Rustic Rambles I, Rustic Rambles II, Spring Song, Stretch Works

Valentines Day

2 Comments

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IMG_2436 Hello,

I have finished and sent my Valentines Day Cards.  The making is the best part of the whole event from my point of view.   It is always a fun excuse to get out the paper and play with it.   I do not care if I get any response from doing these- the joy of making is all I really want anyway.

This week has been a full one for me as they all seem to be.IMG_2439I went to visit my friend Ethel and we spent a fine day playing with felting.  I do enjoy the process and do not take time to do that very often.  I started out making a background for the pebble like  felted units that I made  on the  play day at the Blue Moon in the fall. IMG_2471   Ethel suggested that I slice the units in half to add to the surface.  I really like that idea and would not have even thought of doing that without IMG_2465_thumb.jpgmy play time with her.    Another point of view is always a good thing.       After lunch I tried a whole new picture like image in felt.  What fun.  I ran out of energy and time before I completed it, but I am sure I will finish the bird and flowers later.

IMG_2441  Ethel created this wonderful felted bag.  I love the soft colors and the button she found is just perfect for its job here.   It was a fun and productive day.   We have set a date to do something similar next month.

IMG_2456.jpgProgress Report:   Rustic Rampaging I  & II  I wanted to enter a art completion were all the work had to be mounted and framed so I did a set of pieces that would fit into that format.  I thought why not try stretching my work on a frame like one does canvas for a painting.    The first piece show here is Rustic Rampaging II – and it is not stretched.    It is ready for that step as I did the two works at the same time, but I did not have a canvas so I could not do that step until I went out and got the materials.  IMG_2470 This is Rustic Rampaging I. The process is  is all experimenting  so I am learning things.   For example -the next time I will make the piece just  a bit bigger as I like how the side were I could rap the project all the way around to the back much better then  were I just had to attached it to the side.

IMG_2464Circuits   I am finally finished with the  hand stitching on this project.   It was enjoyable,, but a slow process.  Now I need to add it to the quilt top.  That portion  will be a piecing project for this week.

Paint Play   When Cris WinterIMG_2463_thumb.jpg came to visit a few weeks ago she gave me a little gift that was work on canvas and I really liked the look.  So I did a little playing in a similar style this week.  It too will get stretched around a frame when I am done with some hand work on the surface.

IMG_2461Old work Revisited   I finally looked again at this work I had started last spring.   This time I saw a way to go forward with it.  The red on the side is added and now I will work on the embellishment to pull the work together.   Sometimes one has to just set work aside for a while and look at it again later with fresh eyes.

Keep Creating

Carol

Circuits, Dry Falls Lichens, Hand work, Nail Castings, Quilt Exploration Group (QuEGs)

Line

1 Comment

 

IMG_2400Hello,

I mentioned at the last post that I had selected my word for this year and it was line.  I have been thinking about that on my walks this week and I have compiled a list of over ninety ideas that are connected with that word.    IMG_2401 Then I sub divided the line types into categories and I will write about the different types for a few weeks.   I will start with line in relationship to  art.

When I was teaching I would have my sixth graders do a line exercise where they would first draw one line from the left side to the right that changed direction somewhat but did not cross itself.  Then they were asked to change the color they were using and add a IMG_2402second line parallel to the first that was of a different type.  It could be  a wavy line , or a loopy line  or a thick line,  or a thin line,  or a dotted line, or a broken line, or a sharp line, or a zig-zag line, or a blurred line, or one that expanded and contracted.   I am sure I gave them lots of choices and they would keep building until the page was full.  The results  were always successful and beautiful.  IMG_2403    It was a good way to introduce the concept to them.    But there are more ways that line is apart of art then just types.    There are all the lines that are a special part of perspective  for example.    Like sight lines, ruled lines, horizon lines, vanishing lines, diverging lines,  and vertical lines.  There are also lines that are just part of the IMG_2404objects in the pictures like roof lines, and tree lines and power lines.      Lines are so powerful in art.  They are everywhere.   Lines can be found  in the art  and are created  with  the materials that we use : like drawn lines,  sketched lines,  paint lines, drip lines, scratched lines, texture lines , shading lines, connecting lines, out lines, shadow lines, crease lines  and edge lines.    This topic will require more study.

IMG_2413 This week QuEG’s meant and everyone had stuff to show.  Sally has been busy  with embroidery machine and she made these lovely place matts using a patriotic theme.  She also did a bit of Valentine work for her grand daughters.IMG_2414

This card has a thread constructed heart that can be removed and worn as a necklace.  I think it is wonderful and so delicate.  I have learned to really appreciate  her great work – it is always so very lovely.IMG_2415

IMG_2420Barb is working away on her cut away project.  She is also doing free motion machine work for the quilting portion of this one.

Liz had two Valentine related projects for us to look at. The first is this wonderful “cookie” pin.  I may just have to keep this idea in mind for next year.   IMG_2418

Her second work is a combination of red work embroidery and  piecing.IMG_2421   The embroidery was done by Jean Tracy and Liz did the boarders.  A great bit of team work.   It just makes me smile!

IMG_2429Progress Report:   Dry Falls Lichens     This quilt is based on a portion of a photo I took on a trip with Marty to see the Dry Falls National Monument in Washington State.         I just  loved the high contrast between the lichens and the rock. IMG_2432

IMG_2433   Some of the lichens were dead and they had returned to a gray color,  but retained there textures.   There were bright orangeIMG_2435 lichens on this same rock- but they were too much for this piece.    There were some dark blue gray lichens too .  It was fascinating to me.

IMG_2427 No title for this work yet.  I thought I was creating a background for a stump that I created last week with Cris- but I do not think this works to support that idea any more.  It will just need to be studied  for a bit.

Nail Casings   I picked up the white plastic cast off holders from a nail gun while I was out on a walk earlier this fall.   They have been pinned to the bulletin IMG_2426board for a while and finally I started to embroider them down.     ( the very light areas on this image are from the sun shine coming into the studio  this morning)

IMG_2425 Circuits  I have been adding chain stitches and  beads to this work for a while.   It is developing in a nice fashion.  I am enjoying the way  it is growing without having a real strong plan in mind.

New Work  I am reallyIMG_2423 playing with this piece.  I  started pulling fabric that I though worked together and just started laying in down and stitching it together.   It is fun and I may just cut it up when it is done, because I need some small works for the 6″x 6″ challenge.   Time will tell.

Keep Creating

Carol