Category Archives: Label Cards

3X3, Auction pieces 12 " X 12", Label Cards, Mom VI, Puck, WAVE

Inching Toward Spring

Hello,

It has been a quiet week for me.   Sometimes we need fallow times to catch up with ones self.   I did spring clean out of the closets and that sort of thing with a big run to the Rescue Mission and I am feeling  being a little lighter.  The weather is improving too.   On my walk today I heard lots of different bird songs and noted four different flocks of Canadian Geese in migration flights north.   These things plus lengthening days of sun light mean spring is coming.

Progress Report: Shore Line This work is 16” w X 32” l.   I did a lot of hand work on this piece and it is my solution to Cris’s challenge.    The white is like the egg sack that we picked up on the beach that was the basis of the challenge.IMG_2963Then I added a little challenge for my self.  Angela gave me a box of items and I tried to use a lot of the trims and items from that box  on this piece .   The white bead like items came from her box as well as  the ribbons and shells.IMG_2964The starfish too.

Starfish II   This work is 12” X 12” and my entry for the  QSDA auction for next year.   IMG_2975I just seem to get going on theme and keep at it.IMG_2976   I used the  big  starfish that was too big for the fist work and added two smaller ones  on this piece.

 

6 X 6   These three works are my entry for the 6X6 fund raiser for the Rochester Arts Center.   I had fun playing with these small works and experimenting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 X 3 C-1   This blocks location is  the upper right hand corner  of the piece.   IMG_2993I am enjoying to process and it is going smoothly.

3 X 3 B-1 This is the next block in the series.  It is the for the center of the top row.     I am enjoying this daily practice project.

IMG_2989 Here is  a shot of all of the blocks so far.   There are two blocks that have not even been started.   They are the top and middle block of the far left row.( white here)

 Wave    This is the new background for the wave word.    The contrast is much better.   Here is a shot of the old background. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Icarus Because I cannot waste  a single thing- the old background for wave  will become the background for my   Icarus quilt.  I am taking the Aloft challenge   from QSDA and this is what I want to play with.   I am working on a drawing for the figure at this time.

IMG_2974Collection VI Mom  I was pawing through  my tins when I was looking for stuff for the 6X6 cards and came across  items that my Mon had   made and given me.   The little dog and sail boat were the bib parts on some rompers that I wore as a toddler.   So I am honoring her with this collection piece.

Puck IMG_2967   I also came across this piece and due to some more recent purchases of roving I had the colors I needed to finish up the felting step of this piece.   I intend to add some stitches to it to add detail.

Cards  The Brain I have been thinking

about the brain and how it functions of late.  Sometimes my thoughts seem as confused as this image and other times it is like one picture laid over another with no real connection.  It is  really a complex item!

IMG_2998  This card is the representation of the scattered  working of ones mind.

I will be away for the next two weeks so the next post will be  April 4.

Keep creating,

Carol

3X3, Along the Shore, Creative Assistants, Finger Lakes Fiber Artist Group, Label Cards, Quilt Exploration Group (QuEGs), small god, WAVE, Word Forms

March Begins

 

IMG_2917Hello,

As the photo shows we are still having winter here.  The first day of March it did snow and it is alternating between sun shine and snow fall around here now.   The deep blue shadows that the sun creates on the white surface never seem to lose there wonder for me.

Along with a new month there are meetings.  The Finger Lakes Fiber Artists meant on Sat.  This is a shot of Marcia’s quilt.   We had a good meeting with lots of decisions about our future.    IMG_2885Liz has now finished quilting her school days quilt.   Angela is taking a class on line dealing with felting.  She has learned how to mix the fibers and now she can create any color she wishes.   IMG_2889Beverly  shared this beauty that is full of her hand dyed fabrics.   Marla shared her rug hooking project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat finished this new big piece.  This work is  the newest piece in  her series using only two fabrics that she has created.   I think it is very powerful. IMG_2896Mary shared a work she started in a workshop on silk work.  She altered it to fit what she wanted to express.  IMG_2905QuEG’s meant on Tues.  There were only three of us but we still found a lot to share.   This is a shot of Corrine’s newest book cover.  IMG_2909She also shared this beautiful scarf that is  felted work on a sorry base.   She had a whole collection she had purchased as gifts.   The idea is worth some exploration.   Angela   had her Sax keys piece that she hand quilted.  It is a whole cloth quilt that she created in a class at QBL two summers ago.

IMG_2906   This is a felted and stitched book jacket that Angela did too.

The Diva’s also meant on Tues.  Regina showed us this new top that she had created from three prints that she had made in a class at QBL2 .    IMG_2912She also shared this work with indigo she has made with a stamp on top.   IMG_2915 Joan shared some collages that she is building in prep for a new work.   It was a good meeting, even though attendance was small at this gathering too.

  Progress Report: small god – Zapoteck    This little quilt is 23” w X 32”  l.   It is based on a sculpture that I saw in Oaxaca at the ruins last month.   IMG_2932  All the parts are appliqued down with a wide satin stitch.   I may created some more work from my photos. of other sculptures.

Shore Line This work is coming along nicely.  I must have it done before the 20th of March so there is a little pressure.

IMG_2918Wave   This is a good example of how one can see in a photo problems one can not realize  when looking at the subject under natural conditions.   The picture clearly shows  that there is not enough contrast between the words and the background.  I could not quite see that in reality.   So I have pulled out new pieces for the background and I will redo it.   Finding something new to apply to the quilted background however may prove to be more of a challenge.

Creative Assistants IMG_2921  I finished up 15 more of these little guys for this summer.

Snow Dye   The snow dyeing resulted in these beautiful fabrics.

Starfish IMG_2923I keep doing the knots on the star fish.  I think this one is ready to   face and apply to the background.

3 X 3 C-2  This square is mostly complete now.    This bit of Daily Practice is going very  well.

3 X 3 C-1  IMG_2939 This square is about half done at this point.   IMG_2943 The process is very calming for me.

Label Cards: Bird Song   Despite the snow,  I have heard lots of bird songs when I have been out of doors of late.   It is encouraging.

StretchingIMG_2947  I like to stretch my mind and keep it limber.   And I would disagree with this statement for the most part.   But I have been know to take on more than I really should by stretching the idea too much.

Keep Creating

Carol

3X3, FAD (Fiber Art Dames), Label Cards, SAQA Blocks, small god, WAVE

Final Day of February

 

IMG_2849Hello,

I know I though that I would not be posting today, but due to the heavy wet show Liz and I stayed home instead of going off to a play day.    Regina said we would try again later in the spring.  IMG_2850     I did take advantage of snow and dyed some this morning .    After the last batch came out so pale I really added more dye this time.    I will post the results next week. FAD meant yesterday and Sharon had a lot to share.  She is doing a commission  of six quilts made from a woman’s clothing .   I’d say it was a big challenge.   This is the first.

Progress Report: Starfish II IMG_2861I continued to work on this second  starfish piece.this week.    The first is all packed and ready to ship to the SAQA auction  some time next week.     I may or may not finish this work any time soon as it is not due until next spring, but I always like to have a little project that I can pick up and work on  if I need some think time.

small god I finally got going on this piece.  It is based on a photo that I took in the museum at Monty Albume on my trip to Oaxaca.  I have drawn out all the patterns  and now need to cut  them out in fabric  and applique them on top.

IMG_2855Wave  I am ready to start a new text piece.   The word pattern is done( the white with green lines)  and I made all these blue and aqua curie cut sections to cut the words from.

3 X 3 A-3  Tuesday I finished this block.   So I moved  right on to the next block.

3X3 C-2    This is the fifth block so I am half way along on this project now.  I was a bit panicked as I thought the completed project  was due at the end of March- but I learned it is not due until the end of May.   IMG_2867I am enjoying the process.

Capture ScarvesIMG_2875I got busy on some new scarves when I realized that March is starting tomorrow.   I am off to visit with Chris, the woman who sells these for me and so I need to have some to pass her way.  These still need the fabric neck units added to them.

 

Label cards: Little Know Our world is so very vast I feel overwhelmed some times.  There is so much I do not know about so many things.   One needs to keep exploring and expanding one’s mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sewing OperationsI was writing out the steps for how to use the sewing machine for the girl scouts and I realized that there are many little operations in doing simple sewing events.   This is a card to honor that idea.

Keep Creating

Carol

3X3, Auction pieces 12 " X 12", Label Cards, Quilt Surface Design Assassination, Shore Lines

Winter Week

A A SatHello,

This week was a quiet one for the most part.   I did go to the Associated Artists meeting on Saturday and  enjoyed Julia’s talk about her collage technique.   She mostly paints textured papers and uses them to create her her work.   Her talk was informative.

IMG_2812We had a snow storm  this week so I did snow dye.   IMG_2816It was not  a real successful.  The yellow was power as I have used in the past.  The other colors were mixed liquids  and they did not take so well.   Too much dilution after soaking through the snow  I think.   I always think experimenting is worth while  however,   one always learns something- even learning what does not work, increases one’s knowledge. Tanya's Paintings

I had lunch with Tanya this week and she is working on Yupo paper with inks.   It sure make a bright splash of color in this dark time of year.

Progress Report:   Starfish  This little work is 12” X 12” and is what I want to send off to the QSDS  auction this year. IMG_2839  I added the French Knots on the starfish  to give it the texture  I was after  and add color.    IMG_2841

This work spawned another in the same vain.   I enjoyed doing the starfish so much I started a second. IMG_2827I see now that the starfish is too big for the background so it will have to find another home and I will have to build a different one for this project.

Scrap Happy  I did finish up the  quilt  that I was doing for  the Bed for Kids project and I passed it on to them on Tues.  In doing the back for that project I discovered  that I had a lot of material for making backs and so I decided to make another top to use up some of those pieces.   Angela had given me a box of fabric that she no longer felt she would use.    I pawed around in that box and came up with two fabrics that I though would make nice center blocks for this project.   I like the fruit ladies print  and the green batik she gave to me.

Shore Lines  Last March when I visited Cris we took a walk along the shore  and saw an egg sack of some sort and created a little challenge.  I am starting to respond to that challenge now.   The egg sack looked a little like the white unit on this piece.

3 X 3  C-3  This block is at a good stopping point for now.   Working in this segmented fashion   is difficult for me.   I find that I want the units to interact with one another and the whole and so I decided this one was complete for now.  When I get them all done I will look at the whole and make decisions about what if anything is needed to complete the project.

A-3  This is black 3 in column A.  It does not touch the other block pictured so it is difficult to see how they relate to one another.  That is part of the difficulty/challenge of working this way.   The process is   good for me I think and I am working excitedly on it

IMG_2836Label Card  Live Now    I think this message is good for all of us.   Life is short so do not put things off.

Keep Creating

Carol

PS   the post next week will be on Friday as  I will be away on Thursday  – weather permitting.

3X3, Diva Meetings, Forest Flock, Label Cards, Quilt Exploration Group (QuEGs), Sandpipers

Upcycle

Hello,

It seems like this time of year one tends to do a bit of clean out and reevaluation.  I found lots of my friends using what they had to make new work this month.

I  spent my Saturday  last week working as a part of the Bed for Kids project here in town.  Sadly there are many children in our community who do not have beds.  So this group is working on bedding as a part of the goal to meet this need.  I started this quilt and the top is almost complete now.   It is made of a project that was passed to me.   Many other women worked on creating pillow cases.  Girl Scouts and a girls basketball team also showed up and created polar fleece no sew blankets.   It was a lively and fun project to be a part of.   I also contributed 13 quilts to this worthy project.

Both of the groups that I belong to meant on Tues.   At QuEG’s , Sue Ellen showed up this top that she created  as she tries to work down her stash.   IMG_2715Dori   is doing hand work on this witches hat to  use up some of her trims.    IMG_2716 Victoria is also using up available materials.  She is cutting up all her angora sweaters that have small wholes and making a throw with them.   Susan is  going through her scrap bag and building units with raw edge applique and embroidery.  She has also set the limit of using red and turquoise as her main colors  for this pursute.   I think limiting like that  can make one be very creative with other tools.   Liz continues to happily quilt away on her  school days piece.   IMG_2727  And Sally is making cards with one of her new sewing machine patterns.  She is also experimenting with water soluble colored pencils that she had on hand.   I like the directions she is exploring.

At Diva’s, Alice  shared her new  series.  She is experimenting with India ink painting on fabric.   To good effect I would say.    IMG_2736 Regina in her wonderful way completed  this indigo piece  this month.   She really challenges herself I think.   Both meetings were full of inspiring talk and interesting works.    I came home all fired up again.

 

Progress Report: Forest Flock    This quilt is 39” w X 35”l.    I have been enjoying doing the thread painting of birds for a while and this time I tried doing them for a quilt.   IMG_2765 It is a bit different type of approach for me but I like to mix my techniques.   IMG_2766  The more I play with this process the more I seem to enjoy it.   I keep learning little things with each attempt  too.   With  these birds, I  explored  not only using the the  two layers of wash away but  a layer of nylon netting in the middle.  I had noticed that   the  shapes I had created before could easily  be distorted in the pinning and drying stage.     The nylon net seemed to make the work more solid  and helps  to avoid that  distortion problem.    Now there may be a time when that is undesirable desirableIMG_2768 but now the  nylon netting   really helps maintain  the shapes  that I am building.

 

IMG_2744Sandpipers  The birds are attached to the shore now and I am doing some intense looking as I am not really happy with the appearance   of this composition.   It seems to need something in addition.  I will study it over the course of the next few weeks and hope that I can find a solution that I am happy with.

 

3X3   This is blao B-3.  The third block in row b.   I finished it for the most part and placed block C-3 next to it so I could make connections.IMG_2750  Pressing and  a little more work should do the trick.   The I went ahead and worked on block C-3.IMG_2752I have been putting in about an hour  every day on this project.  

Label Cards: Tied Up  This week I realized how I get myself in worry knots about nonsense.  Being away from the studio and  such  helped me get a better perspective.   I hope I can continue to recognize  the unimportant things and let them go.

Color Wonder In this gray time of year I am always surprised by a sudden splash of color.   I could not get the pink nose of  my a friends dog’s nose out of my mind so I made this card to remind myself to look  with care at the world around me.

3X3, Label Cards, Sandpipers

Oaxaca Adventure

Airport ArtHello,

I had a wonderful time in Oaxaca Mexico.  Susan was a great guide and the city was a visual feast.   Every where one looked there was art.   This pony sculpture was at the airport and shows a modern twist on the Alibris’s we usually connect  with this area. I did visit a family workshop where they did that beautiful work.  As one can see here the  painted  detail is amazing.

Susan, Carolyn  and I went to many museums.  We did the Print Museum Indigo 9and the Fiber Arts Museum the first day.   There was a great display of Indigo stilt walker costumes   there.  The museum also had a  display of hand stitchery on shirts from the areas in the state of Oaxaca.    Each area had a unique style of clothing with unique stitching patterns.     I found  that  specially interesting after my slow stitch class last fall.     Each language group has a unique style.   Susan and I went to the  market and it too was a visual bombardment.    Susan’s land  lady brought her fresh flowers every day  and after this visit I can see why.    We had lunch at a Chocolate bar that day.    The shake was delightful, tasty  and very filling  along with a chicken burrito .IMG_2637This shot shows how big the drink was.

IMG_2648I took a day trip to the ruins at Monte Alban  and enjoyed the wonderful carved images  and buildings.    The guide explained a lot of history  and was very knowledgeable.    I was epically taken  by this little god image in the museum  and think he may be a jumping off place for some new work. ( this shot is life sized) IMG_2674 The tour took us to  a village that makes Black Pottery.   Many villages in this valley  specialize in one type of craftor another.   This woman who is in her late  80’s has a sure hand and a good eye.  She stated doing this type of work   nearly 68 years ago  so the fact that she does it all by eye and does not use a prepared pattern is understandable.

Cutting at Susan'sSusan and had a play day.   I  cut some of the organza we got at the market and made stencils. 

 

Susan worked on her long Lincoln and Washington projects.   The garden in their compound  was beautiful.   Poinnsetta 2I had never seen Poinsettia that were 10 feet high before.

IMG_2711I drew almost every day on this trip and this is a banana plant Susan’s  garden.

We visited the Stamp Museum one day and there was a good display of work using a big stamp as a base   for artist interpations.   Stamp collageI liked the idea of using stamps as units for a collage too.   There was also a large collection of stamps from all over the world for ones viewing.   It was a great museum. w

We went on a field trip to the Print Studio/ Museum  too.  It was an old  weaving  factory, that  has now been  converted for artists   studios.  The display space was huge and there where over 100 huge prints there.  Text Print 1Many were woodcuts that were done  on 4’X6’  sheets of plywood.   Old woman and reflection Big windows and reflective glass made taking photos very hard. Grafitti 1  I did like how their definition of prints included stenciled graffiti.    These were done on the walls of the gallery and were pristine.      There was also a wonderful  video  show in the gallery upstairs from a South African artist.Wood cut 1This woodcut block was also a part of the show.

Susan and I went to the Museum of Modern Art and saw a wonderful show of collaborations.  An artist was paired with a craft person  and  they filled a room of the gallery  with their collaborations.  A weaver and embroider were paired for the text exhibit.     Colloabation stitchersThe results were wonderful.  This    second paring  was  of women appliques and  a  poet.   I went in search of the stitchers works and purchased one of my own to bring home.

Dyed YarnWe  took another fiend trip to a village that specialized in woven rugs.   This shot shows hand dyed yarns drying on a balcony.       The men did most of the weaving and were very pleasant.   His loom was huge and as the photo shows he did it all standing.      There were rugs everywhere even  in this village – even in restaurant  where we ate lunch.  Church walls 2 We spent time in their  local church too.  It had just be restored and in the process it was discovered that may stones from the native  temple that was destroyed for the church construction were reused in the building of the church.  I love the mix  and the fact that the restoration left the  underling stones exposed.Church walls 1  

I went on a tour of the Botanical  Garden in Oaxaca  on my last full day.  It was very informative and  beautiful.  Epically when we learned that it was only 35 years old.  Elephant treeI really  like this Elephant Tree and

this tree they call the Rock Crusher. The roots are amazing.   The guide  said it was going to be cut soon as it was destroying the old abbey wall that surrounded the garden.   I took tons of photos here  and enjoyed myself.   Later that day Susan and I visited the Museum of Oaxaca and had a good history lesson.   It was a wonderful trip and so very colorful.   I am very glad I went- especially when I got back to cold central NY.

Progress Report:  3X3  This is block 2C of the 3X# challenge.    I am currently doing my daily practice on this block.     I took this one and block 2B with me to Oaxaca to work on  while I was away.

IMG_2691This is a shot of the whole background with all nine parts.

 

IMG_2692This is block 2B, the center of the 3X3 set and it is more or less complete.   As I build other squares there may be overlap that needs to be added.

 

Forest Flock  I am to the point where I am stitching down the birds with the sewing machine and making that the quilting IMG_2611step  of the project.   The trees are also part of the quilting.

 

Lily IMG_2706  I painted this  lily on pillion with Susan on one of our play days.    It was one of the flowers that her landlady had brought to her.

IMG_2707Sweet  Peas    I painted these with Susan too.   I added the background  color yesterday.

Sandpipers   I finished the thread painting of the three birds yesterday and they are washed out and drying now.   I go inspired to work hard on them after receiving payment in the mail for the sale of Black Capped Chickadees at the Associated Artist sale.

IMG_2713This is the shore background for the birds.   It is a felted background.

Jeanne’s QuiltIMG_2702All the rows are now built for this project.   I will move on to the next step now.

Label Cards Joy    One day while I was away Susan and made cards.   I used one of the many colorful magazines I had picked up to create these three cards.

 

ShootIMG_2697 They represent what was on my mind at the time.

Land  It was a great experience and I am so glad I went.

Keep Creating

Carol

Aplique, Cockle Burs- Noogoora, Collections, Label Cards, Meadowlark, Sky, Totem Fox, Waterfall

End of year

IMG_2457Hello,

I had to add this photo of my grandson’s creation for his mother for Christmas.   I am so very proud of his creative welded  work.

We are reaching the end of 2018 and reflection on all that has transpired over the course of the year seems to be apart of that ending.   I have had a wonderful year with lots of shows and lots of creative work.  I continue to be healthy and the ideas keep flowing out of my brain while the fingers do the work.      My New Years wish for you is that you too will find new beginnings and joy at every turn.

Progress Report:   Gathering Storm This work is part of the elements series from Corrine’s online class book.   I have done all the palmary work and I am now doing the finishing up of the four works  as the instructor suggests. IMG_2498I have learned a lot as I have follow the instructions.  It has revived my interest in Angelina too.IMG_2499

Cockleburs/Noogooras  I thought that this work was done last week, but upon further reflection I realized that it was not quilted enough with just stitch in the ditch work.  So I added more steams in machine drawing.  They add the quilting to make itIMG_2515avoid sagging and a quiet interest.   Do that however meant I had to re-square the work so it has become a bit smaller as well.   IMG_2514I am happier with it now.

 

Meadowlark  This work is 12” X 12” and it too has a felted base with machine drawing on top.    I really like this process and can see more works in this style down the road. IMG_2506  There is a bit of recycling in this piece too.    The fence post is made from some of the leftovers of the rock piece that became   Rain Puddle.  I added brown nylon netting on top to quiet it down a little too.   IMG_2507  I made the barb wire from yarn as it frayed like the little spikes on the wire does.

Waterfall  After adding batting  and backing I am now stitching down the parts and quilting at the same time.   I’ll finish this like Gathering Storm as it too is from the Elements class.

Forest FlockIMG_2455  I built this quiet background this week.  I am making thread painted birds to add in on the top.    I will create  felted  trees to add yet another layer of depth to the work.   This will be the biggest work that I have done using the thread drawing as a part of the process.

IMG_2508  These are some of the birds.  There are two shades of gray and red threads on them.  They need black beaks, eyes and feet to be complete.   That will be my next action.

SandpipersIMG_2519 I also did the research and some palimony drawings for the next machine drawing  bird piece this week.   After doing all the solo birds I want to do groups for a piece or two

Jeanne’s quilt   This work got about an hour’s worth of work every day that I went to the studio this week.   Some rows even got connected to the ones next to them as they got completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totem Fox   I am done with the quilting and I am adding the facings to this work now.  I think I will have it finished by tomorrow.  I have enjoyed this project.

 

IMG_2510 Collections V  This piece did not get much attention this week.   I am still collecting things that I think go together  here.   But now that Totem Fox is done I will need some hand work.

Label Cards: Rework    The new beginnings of the season  even became a part of this challenge this week.    At the same time I do not think one can leave the past behind so using some parts of an old project to build upon was a natural way to move forward for me.

The  Thing IMG_2484The future is like opening a door when you do not know what you will find.    What is” the thing “that is in your future  that will change everything that follows.   We can only move forward doing the best with what lies a head.

IMG_2486Another Thing  At the same time I can not think that good things are out there too.

Enjoy the holidays and ay your heart be full of joy.

Keep Creating

Carol

Aplique, Collections, FAD (Fiber Art Dames), Label Cards, Meadowlark, Noogora/Cockelburs, Plants, Shows, Totem Fox, Waterfall, Wildfire

Everson Show

Hello,

The big event in my life this week was the opening of the Everson show: (Re)Generate.   It is a show of women’s work from  gals all over 60 years old.  I was invited to participate and this is my Wildfire piece that is there.   The show is up until Jan 15.   I am very happy to be a part of this show along with so many friends.     The other event this week was a FAB meeting.  We went to Nancy’s new home.  It is wonderful with great views and splendid rooms.   In the basement there is a wonderful old pool table and some very old billiard   balls.BillardsI could not resist this colorful shot.

Progress Report: Noogoora/Cockleburs   All the parts are attached now and I have even done additional quilting in the form of more branches to fill in.  I will add the facing and finish it this week I hope.

Totem Fox IMG_2452I continue to do the quilting on this piece.   I am just about half way done with that step now.

Waterfall   I added the painted dryer sheet for the water fall yesterday and a bit of silk paper.   I will now free motions quilt it all down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meadowlark IMG_2444 All the base machine drawing is done now and I am ready to wash out the stabilizer.   Then on to the  felted  base.

Jeanne’s Project    I keep building away on this project.   It is slow because,  I audition a piece of fabric, look and then decide if it should be stitched on.     The if it works I stitch and move on to the next row.   I think she will be happy when it is complete.

IMG_2451Collection VI    I started a new work in this series this week.   There is not a lot on the surface yet but the building is part of the fun of these projects.

Cards: Inspire Be aware and open to the world around you.

IMG_2438 We never Know      One never knows what will spark a new direction or work.

I hope the holidays bring you joy and delight.

Keep Crating

Carol

Cockle Burs- Noogoora, Dickcissels, Label Cards, Linnen Jacket, Shows, Solo Blue Jay, Totem Fox

Quiet Days

IMG_2194  Hello,

We are in a quiet winter week at the moment.     Snow and Christmas prep keep one in the house and busy.    I had several days at home working and I enjoyed them a lot.    Sat afternoon was the opening of the 12X 12  show at the Broad Street Gallery in Hamilton.

IMG_2409Sharon and I went out together and we had a good time.  Several pieces were sold but not our work.

IMG_2410 This piece is in the show along with two more  bird pieces.   I was told by one of my Social art friends that she really liked this one.

Progress Report:    Dickcissels  This felted work is 12” X 12”.    I am having a good time doing little birds.IMG_2430   The felting portion is fun too.   Then adding all the details on the birds as I build them with the stitching is a real learning process.

Solo Blue Jay   This bird work is also 12” X 12”.   ( I have backgrounds built for two more)   I tried to make the background more interesting by putting him in a tree.   The Dickcissels   are found only in meadow settings so building trees for this background was especially enjoyable. IMG_2426 I have been experimenting with putting two treads through the eye of the needle and that makes for a more complex  color mix with the feathers.IMG_2427

 IMG_2422Totem Fox    The fox its self is all appliqued down now and I am to the quilting stage.  I am trying to follow the dye lines and create grass with them.

Jacket IMG_2420The hand work on this jacket continues.    I am still feeling the inspirations from the Slow  Stitch class  I took at the Schweinfurth last month.

Cockle burs- Noogoora’s     The bur heads are all stitched down now and I am ready to do the finish work on this piece.

 

 

 

Jean’s Project

IMG_2417This is the early stage of building this box quilt.   All the little white tags are the centers of the rows and they are labeled so I don’t accidently put them on the   wall upside down when I walk back to the pin wall.  I seem to only be able to add one  or two patches at a time on this work.   Then I must look and decide what to do next.

 

Waterfall    The tree’s crown is attached to the background.   I am now ready to begin doing the rocks and water in this piece.

 

 

Label Cards -Laughter IMG_2414  This is almost a cheat as I did so little in creating this card.   But when I saw this quote I could not stop myself from using it.

Line of Sight    I enjoy how the eye is lead up and away in this  sculpture.    Lines are strong directors for our eyes.

Keep Creating

Carol

Collage Based Work, Creative Assistants, Diva Meetings, Felt Work, Label Cards, Pods, Quilt Exploration Group (QuEGs), Two Chickadees

English

IMG_2374Hello,

This is a bit different way to begin my post, but it is where I am so here goes.   I did this card in response to the   weekly card challenge and I was struck  by how what a big part of the English  language is mixed with body terms.  When we usually hear someone say ” Body Language” we are   talking about how our physical body can send signals of thought or actions, but there is another side too.   We often use body terms to   describe the world as well.    One can use the face to raise and eyebrow, eye the competition, look through shuttered lids, roll the eye,   give a fellow the evil eye or have looks that  could kill.    One can put their nose to the grindstone, or use a sharp wit, be a loud mouth,  have a sharp thong , voice an anger, or say or do something that is jaw dropping.      One can shrug things off,  or carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.    One uses the gray matter, or brain power,  can have a pea brain, be scattered brained or hair brained.     A person can laugh things off,  but heads with a fellow , be tickled in the funny bone ,  nod off or have a  stiff  spine, stiff upper lip   and some times get kicked in the  seat of the pants.      A person can get side swiped, man handled , and piss his fellows off.      Or you can give your right arm, put you toe in, split a hair, have spring in your step or a belly laugh, get hip checked, or  even  hop to work.    My mind is reeling with the whole idea.     It is a pleasant activity to think on and I am sure you will come up with things I forgot.

Corrines workThe first Tues of the month was this week so I had my meetings with  QuEGs and Divas.    Corrine shared her leather work.  Dori's  Dori   showed us her new raw edged applique quilt.   Shabby sheek is my style she told us.

Angela's hot pads   Angela has been busy too.   This project from childhood made us all smile.

She is doing  hand work on her deconstructed piece from two summers ago.    I like the colors she used.       Then I went off to Divas.

IMG_2370This is Regina’s newest thing.    She does love that Indigo- even her shirt  is dyed.

IMG_2376I also meant with my friend Tanya this week.   She makes silk scarves to sell and this is just one of her new beauties.   She had about six that were natural elements works too.   All were beautiful.

  Progress Report:   Southern Crows  This work is 45”w X 56” l.    I did the stenciling with Susan in March.   I finally put it together and did the quilting.IMG_2380I did reflective quilting around the birds and leaves and then did parallel  quilting on the rest of the work.IMG_2381

Two Chickadees This work is 12”X 12” square.      I did the birds on wash away  with machine drawing.IMG_2385   Then I added them to the surface with machine stitching.IMG_2386   I am enjoying exploring this technique  and have learned a lot about bird plumage in the process.

Creative Assistants IMG_2383   I continue to build faces with found objects and make up these little guys.   It is fun for me.

IMG_2377Cockle Burs  All the cockle bur( Noogoora) heads are all done now and they have padding behind them.   I am ready to build the branch to cross the surface and begin adding the burs now.

Felting: IMG_2392    I’ve spent a lot of time using the felting machine this week.       Built several backgrounds with little direction of where I want to go with them.    This is one    IMG_2396 is an example of this.   I believe I can find more birds  that I would like to explore and this with work may be the answer.  These Dickcissels for example.   They are ready to be washed out  now. 

 IMG_2395   I built this felted piece with a Blue Jay  in mind.      I have only just started with the machine drawing here.

Sisterhood Challenge:   Totem Fox    I have cut out the pieces and they are required to the background fabric.  ( a Judy Roberts piece)    I am ready to zig-zag around all the parts at this point.

 

 

 

Sisterhood Challenge:   Nine Patch  This challenge has proved to be a difficult one for me.   But after several weeks to struggling I have devised a way to go forward,IMG_2402 The challenge is to make nine units that go together and are independently created.   This collage of Mentos will be my soft guide for how to build my units.  IMG_2406The block are all 18” square in my case, and they all must have back and white somewhere in the square.     I have cut by bases  ( the blue)and decided  to use this black and white print as my unifying  unit.   I also pulled two other pieces of fabric that I want to use on more than one square.      It’s a good challenge for me as I am in uncharted ground as far as I am concerned.    A good stretch and  that is what challenges are suppose to do.

Card Closed MindsIMG_2372It is good to be reminded to keep the mind open – no matter where one is.

Keep Creating

Carol