Category Archives: Series

Fall presence

 

IMG_2021Hello

One of the sure signs of fall for me is the appearance of small mushrooms in my yard.   These golden ones looked like little coins  scattered  across the lawn.    IMG_2020   Marty and I made a quick trip to Maine last week  to see Elizabeth and Barbara.   We stopped at our favorite bit of geology wonder on the way home.   We had never been there in the morning when the rock was in shadow.   It changes the color a bit I think.

Progress  Report: Scrap Happy  Being away for five days meant I did not get as much work done as usual.   I am assembling the squares for  for this project now.     I am a little beyond the half way point with that step.    I always love how chance plays a part in this process.

Wild Fires I am in the free motion stitching process on this project now.   The trees are all done and I am working on the fire parts now.

IMG_2025Friends – collection   This work is moving along.   I have most of the big parts attached and I am working on details now.    This   embossed copper piece was a project from my teaching days.   The students made jewelry with this process.

FOX    I just finished all the reflective quilting on this project.   Now I will bind and finish it.

New work-  Curvie cuts  IMG_2029   I made this ripple cut background with the intention of applying all the “cut aways”  from the last few text pieces.   When I tried that I realized it is too strong to support the little pieces.    I have no idea for it’s future  now so I will live with it until inspiration hits.   As to the leftovers- well  perhaps  l will try a quieter base for them.

Label Collages:   Differences    I hope we can all be open to the uniqueness of each of the person  we meet.

Dramatic Episodes Everyone experience episodes of profound emotion it their lives.    Hopefully the sad ones do not last too long.

Keep Creating

Carol

Dye Class

IMG_1946Hello,

I took a dyeing workshop at the Schweinfurth for three days last week.   Pat Pauly was the teacher.      This was my second experience  with this teacher doing a similar class and I learned a lot.   My first class was shortly after I had inherited powered dyes form my friend Ethel.   It was also my first time dyeing where I  had to mix  the dye.  When I dyed with Ethel, I would show up and we would play.  She had done  all the prep work

IMG_1951before I arrived on the scene.   So I learned a lot that first time  about those steps in the process- But not a lot of what the teacher was  trying to impart to us  about application and techniques of using the dyes effectively.   This time I feel I got what she wanted us to learn.    IMG_1953There was lots of variety in what folks did in class as this shot of Jacquelyn with her work behind her shows.

   Up stairs at the Schweinfurth   there is a great show of stitchery and weaving by a Mayan family.   It is beautiful and I would encourage any one at all interested in visiting.

   On our way home Liz and I stopped and took a bunch of photos of this beautiful old barn.    I hope to use it as a jumping off point for a new piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have washed out some of the fabric- 30 pieces so far.   I am quiet pleased at the colors and textures that I got from the class.   I feel that because I had class with Pat before that I managed to put my own stamp on the work I created and did not just mimic Pat’s techniques.

IMG_1995 FAB meant here yesterday.  It was good to see everyone again.   Sharon shared this   nearly completed quilt that is part of a triptych that she is making for a friend.    I lone how she added just a small amount of snow on the branches.

Progress Report:   Wildfire   This work is going forward.  I feel I am ready to now add batting and backing and begin to add the free motion stitching to give detail to the work.

 

 

 

 

 

FOX    All the parts are now stitched down with nylon thread.    It is pin basted and ready for the satin stitch work to unite all the parts and move toward finishing the work.IMG_2010

Collections- Friends IMG_2006   I am adding the individual  parts to the surface of this work now.    I called this work Friends because I am putting little gems  that friends have given me together in this work.   This  trading card is from my friend Sharron.

Daily Practice   I m still adding the satin circles to the surface of this piece.

 

 

 

Creative Assistants  IMG_2015  It is football season so I am working on Creative Assistants.   These are ready for pin backs and  squeezie paint embellishments.

IMG_2003New work  I am ready to start a new piece and I have pulled these fabrics to cut and sew together to be my new base.   I want to use the cutaways from several of my text  pieces in this work.

Label Cards

IMG_1999   Dance – Life is movement so thinking of it as a dance is a normal reaction.   Sometimes we forget there is no real pattern that fits everyone.   This is a reminder that  we need to relax and go with in our  personal direction listening to our unique theme.

Dream  Dreams change as we grow and change with the events that shape our lives.   We need to keep revising and believing in our dreams.

Keep Creating,

Carol

PS-  I will be traveling next week so there will not be any Blog for Oct 4.

First Opening

Hello,

The fall is a beautiful time and I am enjoying it.   I went to visit with my friend Chris who has a camp on Kuaka  Lake this week.    This wall work is by her late husband and one of the new items she has placed in her cabin.  

This week was also the opening of the Broad Street Galley show.   This is a shot is of two of my smaller works  along with other  gallery work.     Sharon and I shared a pleasant evening talking to folks. 

On Friday Liz and I spent the day painting on fabric.  It was a new experience for Liz and she did lots of experimenting.   I painted organza for use in my Wildfire piece.

 

We had fun.

I am off to a three day workshop at the Schweinfurth Art center with Pat Pally on dyeing, tomorrow and so I have been packing.  I hope all this stuff fits into Liz’s car along with her collection too.

 

 

Progress Report:  Label Block   When you are a part of the Quilts =Art = Quilts show one is often asked to contribute a small work to be sold to raise funds for the gallery.   This is my contribution for that cause.

 

 

Mulberry Memories 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This work is 38″ w X 23″ t.    It is part of the memorrie map series about my childhood.   The town represented is Carroll Iowa and we lived in this town for 5 years.   

Playing marbles and learning to ride a bike were important events in those years.      Gene and I also spent a lot of time climbing the mulberry tree in the front yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOX    At this point I am attaching the words to the background with invisible thread.  I plan to cut away the back and then I will be ready to applique the words down and quilt the piece.

Wildfire     This work is shaping up now.    I used some of the organza that I painted on Friday in this piece and I added some silk paper from my stash too.   I need to build a foreground  now and then I will be ready to stitch the work together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Scottie block   Lori’s new granddaughter has an eye disability and she asked us to make a square with lots of texture for her.   This is my Scottie that I made with a soft velvet and an old towel for the grass.  I want to add a eye made with a doll eye to give another texture too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collection III- Friends   I have been working away on collecting more elements to add to this work and doing a little stitching too.   I feel like there are enough items on the surface now and so I will concentrate on the handwork from now on.

 

 

 

 

Daily Practice This work is moving forward.  I only have a few more circles to add to the surface and then I will be able to go forward with stitching designs.

 

 

 

 

 Label Cards:This card is obviously a travel card and it is nice to go on journeys.   But there are lots of potential trips just outside one’s own door that are journeys too.   Be open to adventure.

 

 

 

 

And this adventure is one of the immigration.

Enjoy

Carol

Bounty of Show Work

 Hello,

It is fall and the season of quilt shows.    I always submit lots of entries and this year  I really did well.   I have two works in the Associated Artists  at the Manlius Public  Library.   That show opened on the 8th of Sept and will go until the 29th.   The reception is  Sat. Oct 8 from 2:00  to 4:00 at the Library in Manlius NY.    My works Black Capped Chickadee  and Birch Trees  are a part of that exhibit.

   I am also a part of the Interwoven Journeys in Fiber Arts  show at the Broad Street Gallery in Hamilton, NY.   This show opens on Sat Sept . 15, with the reception from 5 to 7.     Indian Pipe is one of the 14 pieces that I submitted to this show.

 

Xaviorwood Ice34″ X40″

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the four works that will be in the Quilts Unlimited show in Old Forge at the View  from Oct 5 to Nov 5.   The first weekend on Sat  is the opening  with a lunchen and awards.   The other three works show are    Quartered Glyph, Asters and  Calling Crows.

 

Generational Whispers 43X38

 

 

 

Generational Whispers was the work that is in the  judged “It’s All Relative” show  by Experience Fiber Arts  in the Whiler Building,  1 E. Main St in Rochester NY.   The opening is Oct 6,  2:00 to 5:00.   This show runs until Oct 26.

I was also accepted in the international  Schweinfurth Quilts= Art= Quilts show  Judged Show.   My Label quilt was the entry for that show.  It opens Oct 27 and runs until Jan 6, 2019 .   205 Genesee St.   I also will be a part of the Members show at the Schweinfurth during the same time.  My piece Deep Jellys will be a part of that show.       I am flying high with all this work coming and going and it is requiring a bit of juggling on my part too.

Deep Jellies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have also spent a little time with my friend Tanya this week.  She is exploring dyeing silk with procion dye.    I really like her use of color on this experimental piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report:   JIG   This quilt is 40″ w X 39″ t.   I enjoyed working on this piece.   It really was  finished last week, but I wanted to fray the edges of the letters so it was in the washer last  Thur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I dyed the orange and red fabric behind these letters.  One of my personal challenges for this year was to use my hand dyed in all my works this year and this is it for this piece

 

FOX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have cut all the words for this piece and pinned them in place.  I am now in the process of stitching the words down before I satin stitch around the out sides.   The light green and the rust words use my   own hand dyed work.

 

   Forest Fire  The base for this piece is a yard of Judy Roberts fabric.   I have added Angelina  to represent the light in the burning sky.   The fur trees are fuzed down and I will build on top to create the feeling of fire burning them.

Scrap Happy    I continue to add together strips and bits of fabric from the Ethel box to create squares for the new Scrap Happy quilt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Process    The red orange in the background is some of my hand dyed  on the  fabric.  I am now adding the hand stitching to this work as well.

 Collection IV  I am working on the hand stitching on this project now.  I call it Friends because I am using lots of items that my friends have given me.  The flower applique is from Tanya.

 

 

 

 Label Cards : Life  is Art    For all of us the creation of our individual self is an ongoing process.   doing it artfully is the big challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enduring    Some images  are just universal and  speak to all of us.     They last the test of time.

 

 

   All American     The  Grand Canyon and a native American chief- both are items that are a part of our culture and no other country.

Keep Creating

Carol

 

 

 

 

 

Mill Site Lake Retreat 2018

 

Hello,

Over the weekend I went to the Mill Site Lake fall retreat at Judy’s camp.  We had a good time swimming, kayaking  and hiking.   We went to the Red Wood Sanctuary and   that is were Nancy spotted these Indian Pipes.   There were lots of colorful mushrooms in that old growth wood too.IMG_1769  We enjoyed the big old trees and I was especially taken by the wonderful bark   textures.   I took lots of photos of those too.    The weather was pleasant and it was relaxing as the retreat always is.   I did a lot of hand work.

   Earlier this week I  wash the dye out  of the fabrics I have been   dyeing this summer.  All  fabrics have three layers of printing on them.   Building up the interest was one of my main goals for this summers work.

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Collection III  This work is ready to be stretched now I think.   I took it to camp and spent a lot of time doing the hand work on it.IMG_1808I had a good time adding in the stitching and embellishing the work.   Now I can move onto the next one in this series.

JIG I just finished  the last of the machine quilting on this piece this week .   Now I need to add the facings and finish it up.

 IMG_1800Mulberry Memories    I am to the point now where I only have a little hand work to do on this piece and then I can add the facings here too.  I am gearing up for the group meetings next week.  That  always seems to give me finishing goals.

Re work- Birch Trees  IMG_1795  In the process of looking for work I want to put in the Broad Street Gallery Fiber Show, I came across this felted work and thought  it needed  additional work.   No center of interest.   So I am going to add Birch trees to the surface and see if  that action does not help the work.   The green netting that I have pinned to the top helps with color interest already.

Forest Fire I built the canopy for the trees to add to this work yesterday.  It all has fusible on the back  so when I add the tree trunks  to this and everything is in its final position I can iron it down and then stitch on top.   I will build from there forward to fill in the ” work.

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Practice IMG_1798 This work is almost finished.  I added beads and the brass flower forms that Carol gave me to the surface.  I am now to the point where I am doing “intense looking” at the work to see if it is complete or if it needs further modifications.

Label Card: Truth In this day and age of  telling half truths and open lying,  I think we need to be sure to speak clear honest unembellished truths.   No need to embellish the truth.

Keep Creating

Carol

Summer

 

Hello,

The summer is in full bloom in this area.   Lots of flowers and vegetables are available in the farmers market.   It is a great time of the year.    The weather has been so pleasant that Liz and I enjoyed dyeing   yesterday.   Now I have three layers   of color and pattern on my fabrics.  That was my goal for this summer.  I only need to do the time consuming wash out now.

I also went on a trip to the Fenimore Museum with a couple of my buddies.      The museum has a great Native American  collection.  I enjoyed it very much .  This mask is only one of many  beautiful works of indian art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Mulberry Memories  I am moving alone on this project and now I am adding in the landscape and foliage to fill many areas.   It is the fun detail stage now.IMG_1754

 

JIG    All the text is raw edge appliqued down now.    I am beginning to do the reflective quilting now.

IMG_1755When the quilting is done I am going to run this work through the washer and dryer to get even more fraying of the edges of the words.

 

Collection 3   I am  now  to the hand step  of the work on this piece .  I enjoy  adding in little found objects as well IMG_1749 to add even more texture.

 

 

Wild Fire   This is the third in the elements series.   I am also distressed by the Wild Fires in the west so this seems like a good way to think about natures power of destruction as well as creation.   I am using Angelina to add the sparkle of fire light to this  work.

 

 

  Daily Practice I am nearing the end of the hand work on this piece I think.  Adding the embellishment of the metal and beads seems like a good place to stop I think.

 

Cards: Kindness    This is a wonderful concept.   I agree that Kindness is underrated.

Comfort  There are times when it is necessary   to be still and consider our  citation.  Then are  also time to move forward.  Most of us do not spend enough time contemplating and just act.

Keep Creating

Carol

Second Visit

Hello,

I enjoyed the Kimono Exhibit at Munson Williams Proctor so much I went back with Liz and Barb this week.     I am so glad I did as I was once again floored by the work.  I even saw a whole wall of kimonos that did not register in my consciousness at the end of the exhibit because my mind was so full of work.   Winter Mt Komona   I saw and paid attention to different details too.  It was a good experience.   Liz also had to pick up the wood block print that she had purchased  so the trip did double duty.    This bee print is a second pull that was on display  in the museum.

Liz and I also dyed this week.  I want to add one more layer of color on the fabric before I start to was it out so there are no images this week.

 

 

 

 

 

I have exciting news too.   My Label Quilt III was accepted for the Quilts= Art = Quilts show at the Auburn  Center for the Arts.   I am thrilled.

 

Progress Report:   JIG

IMG_1718   I am to the point  where I am stitching down the words on this piece.

IMG_1719The work is slow as there are so many sharp changes in direction.

Mulberry Memories    I am adding the images on the surface now.   This shot shows that the spokes of the bike need to be done in black as the silver does not show up.   I also need to add a lot of hand stitching to the work.

Collections 3      I started another one of these little works that  use bits and pieces of items in the  studio.   It too needs lots of hand work now.

Collections 4 IMG_1730   Then in my clean up I discovered another collections piece so I will try not  to bury it  and work away on this one as well.      In my future I  can see lots of setting on the patio and enjoying the summer in my future while I  do handwork.

IMG_1733New Work : Fire   I am a bit distressed by the fires in the west so I am going to do a piece with a forest burning.   I have pulled out these possible fabrics to think study on while I ponder this subject.

Daily Practice IMG_1727  This work gets it attention during the news every night so it is coming along nicely.   Cards: Surface    I just love texture and this card is a collection of many of them.

 

 

 

 

Never Too Late to Learn This little fortune is a powerful message for procrastinators I think.

 

Keep Creating

Carol

Busy Summer Time

Hello,
We are enjoying summer, with lots of rain. I can’t grow Black-eyed Susans, there are from my neighbors yard, but I can grow fairy rings (

They only last a day though. There were so many things going on this week I did not do much work. I just seemed to collect ideas and memories to use later an reflect on all the experiences that I have been going through. One needs to take stock every now and then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went with Liz to Percilla’s sale last Friday. We both purchased jackets.   It was fun and we are both delighted to have our one of a kind works to wear this fall.

 

Felted Landscapes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday I went to the Northeast Felt Makers Association as Angela’s guest. We took a workshop on making small felted cards. Angelas’s cards. I have not done any wet felting in a while and I had forgotten how much the roving can move and change with the felting process. I did two small cards. Now we both need to add needle felting for detail and some embroidery to further that process. It was fun and I have joined the group and hope this helps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tue was meeting day for me. I went to the QuEG’s meeting in the morning. We did not meet in July so folks had lots to share. Sally has been working on this beautiful blue and white piece. She is a master of machine embroidery.

 

 

 

 

 

Sue Ellen went to QBL but she was not a t all happy with her piece so I did not take a photo. She did have this delightful little work to share with us though.

 

Liz showed the piece she did in Rosalie’s class on Matisse. It sure captures his love of color and simplicity of shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela had been printing on fabric with dye. She is staying true to her tapa cloth symbols although the colors are her own. I love what she is doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to Susan’s for the afternoon and we did some plant printing. I had fun and I am sure some great stuff will grow from this bit of raw material building along with my other stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Diva meeting was stimulating as usual.  Noel showed us her entry for Quilts = Art =Quilts and her latest Collaged Lady.
Susan shared her shelf garden pieces that she has been painting. They are so soft and light like the real flowers.
Donna had great works in progress for her solo show in Oct , but I did not take nay good photos of that work. It was a good meeting as usual and I went home inspired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Yak This is a project from my class with Jeannette Newberryi from QBL. It is 13″w X 15.5″ t. I really like the effects and will transfer the ideas to my own work in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jig This work goes forward. I still want to cut out about six more copies of the word and place them on the surface. I think I will raw edge applique them down as I like this material that Jennet gave me frays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mulberry Memories I mostly work on the trees and grass on this work this week. I am ready to paint and add more imagery to the surface now too.

Cards: Nature   I believe this quote because I know I can always take a short walk our of doors to put things back in perspective for myself.  It really works.

Culture

 

 

We stand on the shoulders of past cultures and for the most part we are totally unaware of their impact on us.

Keep Creating

Carol

PS-  I am still working on getting last weeks post so it can be viewed.   Thanks for your patients.

Moving forward

Hello,

I have had a busy week.  I went to the  Schweinfurth n Saturday  to the Finger Lakes Fiber Artist meeting and got to view the Modern Quilt show as a bonus.     This study in white black and orange is apart of that show.

The  Meeting was exciting with lots of great talk  and fun work.Lori Lori shared her examples for a class she is developing and got feedback on how to make it even stronger.     Sharon shared her newest work (red) and one of her pieces   from her graduate show.   Maureen's work   I really like the additional  stitch embellishment that Maureen is adding to her piece.

   Pat showed off one of her little trip tics.   All built from one piece of fabric.  That fabric is some of her hand dyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regina's work  Regina showed her work with  Hexagons.   We are a group with lots of interests and going in lots of different directions.    That diversity makes us all more open to new ideas and ways of  pushing forward.

Progress Report: How and Why?     This work is 33”w X 43” l.      As the title implies there are two words here.  It also contains lots of fabric that I have altered.   IMG_1510I am enjoying the vertical  quilting process.

Why?      This quilt is 30” w X 38” l.     I found the separation of children( kidnapping) from their parents  so upsetting  that I had to build a work about my feelings.   IMG_1504  That is part of the reason I use such a horrifying red for the text as well.IMG_1503

 

Beth’s Baby Quilt   This quilt is 42” w X 49” l.      I had a good   time creating this quilt and I hope the third child in this family feels as wrapped in joy as the first two. IMG_1470I used many different fabrics to allow this work to have different textures as a part of it. IMG_1489

Yes  IMG_1495   This is the paper pattern for the use of the word “yes”.     In this form it is still difficult to “read” the word and  that in my intent.  I am more interested in a developing a strong design than readability.

New work -Summer Heat   It was very hot last week when I was doing most of the work on this piece – that is the main reason for the title.   The contrast between the orange and blue helps convey that feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New- Collection 4   I start these works with lose blocks of fabric as the base for more materials.

IMG_1487 Sky     I am just building this piece and not as all sure where I  am going with it.

Label Cards: SpiritIMG_1482   The word Spirit has many meanings.  I  am thinking of folks from the past here and reflecting on how those ghosts influence us today.

 Begin by Choosing   The respect that John Smith   chose to show Pocahontas at the beginning of their relationship moved forward to effect  both of their lives.      Choice is power!

Gratitude

We all need to reflect on all that we have and express our gratitude for all of it.    Living in this country is a wonder!

I will be off at Quilting By the Lake for the next two weeks so there will not be any posts until   Aug 2.      IMG_1484  This is a stack of the stuff I have packed so far……

Enjoy the season.

Carol

Summer Days

 

Hello,

The yucca is blooming and the smell fills the air.

 

My big event for this week was to help hang the Associated Artist show at the Beaver  Lake Nature center on Sunday.    Aa Brial Patch It was fun and I enjoyed helping and talking with my fellow artists.   This show will be up until the end of Aug.

It was so hot on Wed that Liz and I did not dye.   I made screens with house paint and  interfacing instead.IMG_1452The light gray areas will allow the dye to pass through and print on the fabric below.

The heat has kept me in the studio and I have accomplished a lot.

Progress Report:   Linda’s Luck   This work is 36” w X 41”l.     It has been created with the use of the cut aways  from several other text pieces.   IMG_1456I used the vertical parallel stitching to do the quilting job.IMG_1457

Summer Heat     This in the start of one of my new pieces.     The center block is a scrap  of painted silk and the started the whole thing.

Beth’s Baby Quilt   This quilt is ready for the detail work now.   I have not done a baby quilt in about three years and it was a bit more difficult to get back into this process then I expected.IMG_1461

How and Why    The addition of the word why really helped this quilt work for me.  I am doing the quilting step now.  I am sure it will be finished by next Thursday.

 

 

 

 

 

 Why   I had to create a quilt using Why and this is it.  I like the strong contrast  between the text and the background.

Sky  IMG_1459I painted this piece of fabric to create  the base for my sky from the class I am following.

IMG_1451New work-  Collections 3  This is step one in the collections works.  I just lay out a few squares of fabric to build on top of.

Daily Project    I finished the   orange coring.  Then I moved onto the rickrack.  It is going very slowly as I am being so elaborate with the stitches I am using to tack it down are complex.

Label Card: Ideas

I think  that a good idea is like the cracks in mud, because it can lead and connect to so many other things.   One just needs to be open to that idea.

Enjoy the summer  and keep creating.

Carol

IMG_1445