Category Archives: Machine Drawing

Ice Cycles

iceHello,

Long ice cycles are one of the sure signs of spring to me.  The weather keeps shifting from cold to warm  here and that means melt and thaw and melt again.

I had lots of meetings this week.  Sat was a meeting of the Mixed Group.  It is always very stimulation and enjoyable to see the work of other artists and get their feed back on one’s own work. IMG_5183Tuesday the first of March so  both QuIG’s and the Divas meant.  Liz  found a weekly offer by Moda on   Their web sight were they publish two new blocks ever week.  She has a note book already and four blocks are completed.IMG_5184.jpg

Corinne shared her print work from our last play day at Angle’s.

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At the DIva meeting Kristen shared her shop entry for the “Row by Row “ show at

quilters corner. IMG_5186Donna shared her Bernie Sanders doll.

IMG_5189.jpg Noel showed off her piece for the “ 15” show that the Divas will have this summer.   It was inspiration to see what everyone is doing.  I am so very lucky to have such wonderfully creative friends.

 

 

IMG_5202.jpgProgress Report: Trickle    This is the forth stretched quilt that  I felted first.  For this one I did not add any thing to the back of my woven wool fabric before I felted it.  IMG_5204 This meant that it all stretch at the same rate and so it ended up much flatter.    Now I need to get the corners of the work to be smooth and flat.  It seems there is always something to learn. IMG_5206

IMG_5193Foggy Dawn      I have taken the advice of my fellow quilters from Tuesday’s meetings  on how to quilt this work and did it all in swirling patterns.   It is now ready for the facings.   

IMG_5195Briar Patch    I am having fun doing free motion raw edge applique of the leaves on this work.  I will also do free motion to add the black berries .

IMG_5198.jpgSilver Growth  I started this work because of the gift of a beautiful top that my friend Regina gave me.    The deep purple with the silver work on it at the bottom.    Now I need to figure out how to ingrate this work.

 

 

 

New Work  I have enjoyed laying out the balance of this work.   Now IMG_5191.jpgI am ready to begin the sewing step.  I will fill in the white areas with narrow strips of fabric as I always do.

IMG_5199Scrap Happy  I am to the step in this quilt  where I have put the blocks in rows.  I need to stop now and make a back for this project before I can go forward.  It will make a good quilt to pass on.

Label Block # 42  I just keep working away on these little pieces.

Keep CreatingIMG_5192.jpg

Carol

 

Creative Power

 

Hello,IMG_5147.jpg

This photo is an example of the marks of wear and tear on the local pavement that winter seems to inflict.  The pot wholes this year are big ones.

Why should we all use our creative power?  Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compass ate , so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money .                            Brenda Upland

I find this quote a very powerful one and I really believe it to be true.  Creating takes us out of ourselves in a way and makes one feel more alive.    I know I lose track of time when I am working and I have heard others say  similar things.  When one is building something the mind will not allow you to consider destruction.    What a different world we would be living in if everyone was  creating!IMG_5150

FAB meant this week and we all enjoyed each others company.   Patti showed off her die cutting press this time.  She gave me these three little fabric birds.    Judy was working on yet another sweater.  This one is red with great patterns on it.6X6

I finished my entries for the  6X6 show in Rochester and I mailed them out on Tuesday.  I always have such fun doing these little works that the gallery sells for $20.00 each as there fund raiser every spring.

IMG_5166 I tried ice dyeing with ice cubes out of the freezer this week.  I had heard about this and it means one can work all year long.   I will do   my own comparison study.

Coastal color IIIProgress Report:Coastal  Colors III     This work is  20” X 16” .I am enjoying the building process that goeson with these pieces.  In this case I felted to begin with and then I built up layers of yarn, silk paper  ribbon and fabric bits on top.   I added a layer of batting before I started the stitching on this one to help it stay flat before the stretching.

The stitching adds even more dimension to the surface.IMG_5157  The work seems to grow under the needle as I work on it.  I like the textures too.IMG_5160.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TrickleTrickle    This work is also a felt built up piece.     It is only 12” X 12”.   I used a heavy wool for the base of this one and  built up the felting on top again.    There is no extra batting in this work and I think that because of the heavy wool.    It stretched out nice and flat. IMG_5170  I plan to do two more using this technique and  size.  Then I want to experiment with cotton fabric for the base of the felting and see how much distortion I get using that fabric as my base. IMG_5171

Circling CirclesIMG_5151  I am to the quilting stage of this project.    I have finished all the circle quilting and I am now working on the wavy part.  It is a nice contrast to the open circles.

IMG_5172.jpgParts    I can see the end of this project now too.   I have all of the camera parts stitched to the surface and I am now doing the embellishment part of this project.

 

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New Work  This is not really new work  as it is the second half of a piece I cut up.  I thought I had an idea for how to finish it.    So after studying it for a while I started working by building up a  bit of Angelina to use with it. IMG_5153  The Angelina suggested black berries to me.  My mind went off on that direction.  I made some vines to put on top and then I would add the black berries……..   But it was too much of a good thing and  so I have dropped this top back to the unfinished pile and started  a new work.

Briare Patch  This is the result.  The vines are the arched units.  They are stitched to wash away now.    TBriare Patchhe new base is not completed yet and it is under the vine unit.  I have learned to go with the flow of the work , so this will grow from the idea.  Next week there will be more.

 

 

 

IMG_5132.jpgLabel Block 41  One more block is complete and I am just pushing forward on this project.

Keep Creating

Carol

Deep Winter

 

IMG_5116  Hello-

We are in the deep cold of winter here in central New York.  Ice storms and then snow on top.  I was fascinated by the ice marks on the tree yesterday when I went out for my walk.  There was melting water running down the trunk under the ice too so it added to the textures.  Alieen                My aunt Aileen gave me  a wonderful gift  this week.  She presented me with a quilt that my great Grandmother Todd had made for my grandmother Ester as a gift for the birth of her third child, Leonard McElhinney in 1928.  I IMG_5131was so very surprised and honored by the gift.    All the little hand stitches are wonderfully done.  As a child I remember sleeping under quilts made by this great grand mother and how I felt like I was protected by a layer of armor that no dream monsters could penetrate.

PartsProgress Report: Parts   This work is getting a lot of attention at the moment.  I have just about stitched down all the camera parts now and I am filling in all the hand stitches for interest.

IMG_5129Scrap Happy  This work is ready for binding and the quilting now.  Both of those steps take about an hour a piece on the machine.  That work will get tackled this week.    Then when the folks who want them for fundraisers come calling there will be at least two to choose from.

Circling Circles circling circles I did collages last week and so I was ready for a new project.  This one fills all three on my monthly  challenges.    The red shobori is Ethel’s fabric.  The blue with the purple print is some fabric I silk screened last year.  I also used (the pink) some of the fabric I snow dyed in this one.

 

New Work IMG_5120    I visited with my friend Beth this week and she was working in curvier cuts.  So I got inspired and started one using that technique  again too.  I put  a part of one of the bodices that Regina gave me in this one.     I am having fun.

New feltNew Felted Work   I have built up the base for another abstract work here.  This time I did not back the wool that I felted into and although this is much heavier wool than I used before when I tried this technique,  I do not seem to have and much warping as I had with the first ones.     Doing the machine build up on top will be the real test.

IMG_5121.jpgLabel Block 40  Hurray- this block makes me one third through this process.

Keep Creating

Carol

Snow Marks

 

Snow marksHello,

As I look more carefully for marks I see them every where.     These marks on the deck were the snow has fallen through caught me eye IMG_5081.jpgon my walk today.   I like the dark light contrast of these marks too.   I will be out of town for a few days starting tomorrow so that is why the post is early this week.

I continue to be part  of lots of shows. shot of wall This shot is of my work  and that of Mimi at the Associated  Artists of Central New York show that is hanging in the Manlius Library for Feb.   I also have work at the Turquoise Street Gallery until Feb 15.

IMG_5090.jpgProgress Report:   Blown Blossoms    This little work went together quickly when I got going.  I tried doing the free motion drawing on batting and   thick  upholstery  fabric.    It worked well, and I may try that technique again.   IMG_5095The red fabric is some I created in Pat Pauly’s class last fall.

IMG_5094 The brown and orange print I did a few summers ago in Independent studio at QBL.   I developed the quilting pattern from the floral print fabric.  That came from another friend.

 

IMG_5087.jpgCoastal Color III  I am ready to stretch this piece now.  This time I did the free motion work on top of the felted step with the addition of batting behind the whole thing.   It worked great and did not warp much at all.  Thank goodness I have lots of friends with lots of helpful ideas to help me solve the problems that I create for myself.

 

IMG_5098 New Scrap Happy   I finished the scarp happy piece from last week and started to assemble this new one.   This is just the first six rows of the top and only half of that is shown in this photo.   It will be my contribution to the local Public Television  Tel  Auc  in the spring.

 New Work    new workThis work is based on a collage that I did last week.  It has already taken on a mind of its own as it is twice the size I intended it to be.  I am having  fun with it non the less.

 

IMG_5096.jpgLabel   Block # 39     I got more labels from a friend through the mail this week.  It  is fun to get goodies that I really want to use .  She sent enough for a whole block  of just her contribution.

Keep Creating

Carol

Marks

Hello,

It has taken me a while to decide on my word of focus for this year and I have considered many and tossed several away.  But yesterday I  decided that the word would be MARKS.     I make marks f all sorts as do all humans.  Think of the margins of note books in high school.   Perhaps that is disappearing as kids spend more time on the computers , IPhones and pads, but I doubt it will ever disappear totally.  Animals leave marks of there passing in the mud , snow and dirt.  As do machines.  Like skid marks that many  of us created with our bikes.  As an artist it will be a focus that I feel I need to pursue.

I sure seem to have a lot on my plate as we move into February.   I did finish the Upstate Cancer Mask and returned it to the hospital before the dead line.   I chose to treat the whole thing as a big

IMG_5053 three  dimensional needle point project.   I can hardly wait to see how others treated this challenge.

This week being the first one of the month meant that both QuIG’s and Diva’s had meetings.   The turn IMG_5056

out for QuIG’s was small but full of exciting projects.  Sally is all ready for Valentine’s day with some wonderful cards for her grandkids.  She also created some wonderful heart shaped book marks and  bird candy holders.   IMG_5058

Liz had just finished a on line class and she enjoyed doing personal historic explorations as well as learning some new techniques.

IMG_5059.jpgThe Diva gals were busy too.  Regina is building on her doodles and adding color and bead work to them.    Noel is doing old fashion Paining work  with her wonderful silk kimono fabrics.IMG_5060I can hardly wait to see how this develops.

IMG_5063Lori and Kirsten both too a class at the Schweinfurt with Victoria Finley Wolf last month and did strong works with very different feels. IMG_5062It is the wonder of the old patterns, that different fabrics, prints, colors and sets can make such different solutions.

IMG_5069I am getting ready for the  “heART” sale at the Turquoise Street studio next week on Friday and Saturday with more images.   Please feel free to come between 11 and 8 both days.  The studio is through and behind Eureka Crafts in downtown Syracuse NY.

Progress Report:  PartsParts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am still adding parts to the surface of this work.  I can see the bottom of the box that I collected all the little bits in, so I will need to add more hand work as I go forward.

Coastal Color IIICoastal Color III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am ready to start building on this third felted base.    I am trying to  avoid the warp by adding a felted back unit to the work for this stage.   

collageNew Work   I made a bunch of collages this week and I selected this one to be the beginning of a new work.

 

 

I have pinned up these fabrics and I think they will be the start.  I do not know what color I will make the contrast pieces. IMG_5079_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

New  Work     I pulled out this big piece of print fabric and I feel ready to build on top of and add to it.  A lot of the base work is already done for me  I think.

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IMG_5066Blown Blossoms    This piece got a lot of attention this week and  I am nearly ready to add the facings and finish it up.   It is a small so it too went together quickly.

 

IMG_50656X6  I was at a bit of a loose end this week so I started my entries for the Rochester 6X6 show.  I decided to do little paper quilts this year as I had not done any work in this style for a while.  I really like working this small as they come together very quickly.  Two done and two to go.   IMG_5064

Label Block #38     IMG_5078.jpgI just keep stitching away on these.

Keep Creating

Carol

 

Winter workings

IMG_5019.jpgHello,

The week has been a full one with lots of activates.  This work is by a high school student and a part of the Scholastic Art show now going on at Onondaga Community Collage.  I was a judge a few weeks ago and I judged animation and film.  I  went to see the other works that made it into the show.  There is lots of  wonderful work, and it is well worth the effort to go and see it.Nancy's work      The FAB group also meant this week

.  Nancy  has added two more boarders on her quilt.  I love how she mixes so many different patterns in her work.  She is also so very good at making all her points.  A characteristic that I admire as I find that process so very frustrating.      I like a challenge so much more than a repeat activity.   IMG_5015So I decided to be a part of the Cancer Project.  This is the cancer mask that I will be altering in the next weeks.     I have not decided how or where I will go with this one yet,  but I really think it is fascinating.   Another thing I did this week was take four quilts off to be a part of the Cabin Fever Quilt show that hangs in Betts Branch Library  for the month of February.    I also hung a show of  15 pieces of my work at the Briar Patch in Ithaca  New York yesterday.    I am sorry that I did not take my camera so there are no pictures of that.     Because of all of our snow and the wonderful stash IMG_5011of dye that I inherited from Ethel, I  attempted some snow dyeing this week.  I had to call on the knowledge of my friend Angela to get myself going on this project .  The photo is a shot of the first batch under plastic starting to melt.  I learned from this   first one to cut way down on the amount of dye one adds to the snow as the navy blue took over and there is no yellow at all on the final piece.   The process takes a long time- about 24 hours for all the snow to melt because I am doing it in the basement were the heat is low and I may be packing too much snow in the bucket.  Anyway  the second batch looks like the yellow and green will remain a part of the color.  And I did not add any navy to it.   IMG_5036Everything is washing out now with a third bucket starting to melt.  Look for images next week.   Another thing I started this week was my 6X6 entries.  That is for the Rochester Art fundraiser.   I decided to use this paper as the base for a paper quilts for this project.

Progress Report:   Coastal Color ICoastal Color I

I really enjoyed working on these felted base works.  I ended up  adding  a fabric back and sleeve to this one to finish it.  Thanks again to the gals in QuIGs for there suggestions on this project.IMG_5031Mixing the machine work  and adding yarns and fabrics to the surface sure made the process a joy for me. IMG_5035   I have one more in the grouping to complete; I am excited  and I have not even started adding anything to the felted surface yet.

Coastal Color IICoastal Color II    This felted work is stretched over stretcher bars with a batting in  between.   Again the QuIGs  were the source for this solution to the finishing problem. This solution creates quite a different feel for the finished work.   IMG_5027  But again I got to do the thing I love the most with  the machine drawing and the fiber additions.   I just love to build up the surface.IMG_5026

 

 

Moon Fall   Moon FallI have enjoyed working on this project as the world  out side has become one of grays, white and black.     No thread  build up here but lots of fun free motion work.  I used some of the same thick thread techniques that I developed with the leaf and Autumn quilts I  did earlier this fall.   IMG_5049I mostly followed an edge when I could to make the quilting patterns.   I appliqued the moon on top without any quilting of its own so it would float above the surface a bit.  IMG_5050It seems to do that to me.

CopingCoping   Quilting away on this work was a nice contrast to all the free motion work I was doing this week.  All the quilting here is strait lines with stops and turns it it.    I   first made a series of rectangles in silver and  purples threads.IMG_5040  Then I used black to make more quilting that filled in the open ares and added a little interest to the surface.IMG_5043 It does the job I think although I do not find it overly exciting in the end.     I do like the colors and that is a good thing as I have the second half of the original  to deal with next.IMG_5021   This one  does have quite a different feel I think.  I need to look and think for a while on this one too.

 

New WorkIMG_5010   I am tying to mix some of my altered fabrics with commercial ones here.  The  some of commercial ones are Ethel’s and the flowers are from my friend Tanya.

IMG_5014Parts is Parts   I continue to stitch down the camera parts onto the surface  here.   What with the finishing of the first three quilts this week, I have not done a lot of hand work on this project.

Label Block # 37IMG_5045  The labels got their share of hand work though.    I am looking forward to my February closet clean out as I think I will be able to add some more labels to my collection when I do that project.

Keep Creating,

Carol

I could not resist adding one more Scholastic entry to this blog.

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Mild Days

 

Blue skiesHello-

I like most of folks in the east am enjoying the wonderful weather we are having.     Blue sky is always a welcome sight and the mild temps do not hurt either.

I came across this quote this week.

There are no mistakes.  What happens during the process of making something is sacred  and organic.          Vicki Noble.

I like this idea and always used and thought a similar idea when I work.   I just see errors as a small challenge to my way forward.  It is reassuring to find reinforcements for ones ideas. Judy plus quilt

There was a FAB meeting this week.   Judy is creating her one of her wool tied quilts for her daughter.     Big and bright is her motto.   IMG_4818I am finished with Scrubs for my grand daughter.  They are cheerful as she asked.

FramedProgress Report:  Near Indian Creek   This piece is 16″ X 20″ and stretch on a blank canvas.  I m trying to think of different ways to present my work and this is one of them.    There is a lot I do not know about this process.

 

It is finally complete after many starts and stops getting it stretched.  I need to thank Andrea for explaining  how to cut away the excess fabric at the cornersIMG_4821 for a smooth fold over.    Then she also suggested that I put fabric on the back instead of paper and I really like that solution too.    I have IMG_4823_thumb.jpgall the materials and I am set for three more rock  based pieces in this little series.    I learned a lot doing work this way and look forward to next ones.

 

 

 

IMG_4817.jpg  William’s Quilt   I am working away on this project and I can see the end of this step.  I only  need to assemble three more rows and the top will be done.  Then it is on to the back of the project.

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Autumn Collection   The back ground is all laid out and stitched down for this project.   Now I will begin to add the leaves.  I am so lucky to have my friends looking out for me.  In this case Patty gave me some great old scarves that are just the perfect color to use  as a part of the leaf clutter under this tree.

 

 

 

 

 

Double RockDouble Rock    This is not the official title  for this work.  Just a working one.  I am trying to make  two pieces that work together  so I am sewing both of them at the same time and I will cut them apart when I am done.  These will also be stretched pieces.    The only draw back is the  big size problem when I am doing the free motion work. But I think it will pay off in the end.

Label Block # 31    IMG_4813One more done in this process.   I  For me this  is very calming work at the end of the day.  Thanks too to the folks who have passed more labels on to me.

Keep Creating

Carol

Fall- Indian Summer

IMG_4561_thumb.jpgHello,

We are in Indian Summer now.  Many trees are changing color over the course of a single day.   My favorite time of year with its cold nights and worm days.    I have truly enjoyed my walks.  This week was a busy one.  My first adventure was a trip down to see the opening of the Rock IMG_4520.jpgGarden show.   I knew many artists in this one including Susan( pictured with her work), Carolyn and Cheri.  It was a strong show with lots of variety.

IMG_4524Then on the week end I took a class at the Schweinfurth entitled “ Surface Designs” with Pat Pauly.   I learned a lot about dyeing as I paid much more attention this time because I now have Ethel’s stash of dyes to play with.   This is my wall at the end of the first day. IMG_4523.jpg I have lots of friends in this class and that made it epically wonderful.  This shot is of Regina pulling a print.

IMG_4532 Susan was in the class and so was Victoria.    This shot is of her wall at noon on the second day.   IMG_4534_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

Annette and Regina were the first ones to sort there work out of the first days wash out  of the dyed fabric.   We all enjoyed our selves and IMG_4527

laughed a lot.

This is a shot of some of my fabric after my  the wash out when I got home.     I now  have a new stash of stuff to play with.IMG_4542.jpg

Then on Tuesday this week I had meetings of both the QuIG’s and the Diva groups.     I get a great deal of stimulation from both of those groups and find the hour drive back from Ithaca after 9:00  flies as I think about and process my day.

IMG_4543.jpgProgress Report:  Incisions   This quilt is based on a collage that I did in David’s class at QBL last summer.     It is 29 ” wide by 43″ long.    I ended up turning my quilt upside down to make it work for me- and there were lots of alterations on the design as I went along.  But I like the  process enough that I will use it again.IMG_4551This is the collage I started from.

IMG_4545  I quilted the cream areas in pebble patterns and in the browns I outlined the light areas.IMG_4547_thumb.jpg    I feel like this quilt was a real growth experience for me.     I got a lot of help form the QuIGS on how to make  the quilt lie flat.  They were very instructive at the Sept Meeting when I showed it.   I was so far off that I was ready to toss the whole thing.   Now I feel differently. IMG_4548

Project 15 IMG_4549   I have just started doing the hand quilting on this project.  I am going to mostly make that a reflective pattern of the pieces.

IMG_4541.jpgNew Work  I am ready to begin a new rock based piece.  The photo is from a long ago trip to the California shore that I took with Eric.    I have again just selected a small portion of the photo for this quilt.   So I think I will do several based on the same image.

Label Block 22IMG_4550   The process goes on  for this project.  I realized this week I will need 120 blocks to have enough for a quilt so I will be at this  for over two year span….   I almost wish I had not figured that out.

Keep Being  Creative

Carol

Fall Feeling

Susan's GrapesHello,

This is the time of year when we are reminded of Natures Bounty.   This picture is of the grapes on Susan’s front walk.  I love the light filtering through.

From my point of view it seems like I have not set down to take stock in a long time.   I have been very active.  The Friday after the last post I went and visited my friend Susan and we  had a  day that was mostly organization.  That is a task that needs to be taken on more frequently than I do it.  Susan with her eye always on the dates of her migrations to and from Florida, has a thing to teach me in that area.IMG_4405Even her desk – pictured here- is far more structured than mine.

Next on the list for me was a Creative Play Day at Varna.  I spent the IMG_4519_thumb.jpgmorning making silk paper in preparation for my workshop and after lunch I played with the 3-D pen the grand kids had given me.  I have come to the conclusion that one could make nice light weight ear rings.  I wish I could wear them.   IMG_4422  My next event was the teaching of the Silk Paper Workshop.   Alice did some IMG_4423wonderful dye painting on here silk.   Cris worked away capturing different objects in her silk.   She put in paper, leaves and flower petals to some fine results.    I experimented with using leaves as “molds” for thin layers of silk.( see photo above)

Then on Thursday Cris and I did someIMG_4510 silk screen printing.  I have two wonderful new pieces of fabric to use as a IMG_4487result.    I drove home on that afternoon.  Mother Nature was just starting her fall display  and I had to stop more than once to take pictures.

The Friday after that adventure I went south to help again with the clean out of Ethel’s house. IMG_4504.jpg Elise has been so generous with her Mother’s quilting materials- that I feel surrounded by Ethel’s love.   I have also been charged with the completion of her last quilt.   I put all the pieces together this week and will now create a back form some of her fabrics.  The hand quilting will begin some time soon.

IMG_4500The last event was this week and it was a FAB meeting.   Judy had completed the top of a new wool quilt.  She plans to tie it.  Sally got some feed back from all of us about how she could finish up a project from a old QBL class and Nancy wanted help with a new top she is considering making.  We had fun.

Progress Report: Blossoms and Butterflies IMG_4513.jpg  This is the second in the butterfly series.  I sure enjoyed doing all the  free motion work that this one entailed.  The flowers IMG_4517are all drawn in with pebble quilting for their centers.     I think with this quilt I made the Butterflies too strong.  I will try for a better light dark balance on the next one.IMG_4515

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IncisionsIMG_4512  I am almost done with the free motion work on this quilt.  I did the pebble quilting in the white areas and let the designs on the printed fabric tell me how to quilt the darker areas.

IMG_4506.jpgSilk Paper Still Life    At the creative play day I made some silk flowers.  They are pinned now and I am ready to begin hand work on them.   I do have about four other hand work projects going now so they will not get any attention for a while.

15 Challenge    I now have the 15” block assembled.  I plan to handIMG_4505_thumb.jpg quilt this project too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Label Block 21IMG_4507   I did some thinking and realized I will need at least 80 blocks of this size to create a bed quilt.  I guess I will be at this process awhile.

Keep Creating

Carol

PS: One last shot from the trip.  I enjoy how the stream bottom and the sky is reflected in this clear brook. IMG_4475.jpg

Dealing

Ethel Whittamore's work
Ethel Whittamore’s work

Hello,

We all have losses in our lives.  Some are small like losing a thimble and other are bigger like a death.  I suffered a big one with the death of my quilting buddy Ethel.  I am so very fortunate that her daughter, Elise,  has included me in her end of life events and in  doing  so, the loss, although deep, is becoming one of bitter sweetness.    I have been tasked with the completion of Ethel’s last top to become a quilt for the Quilting by the Lake raffle for the Scholarship fund.   What a gracious honor.    I plan to finish the assemblage and then hand quilt it in the style Ehtel her self would have done.    IMG_4383Elise has included me in the dismantling of Ethel’s studio and in the distribution of her many quilting treasures too.  We spent a lovely day last  Friday sorting and  boxing up her fabrics.   My studio is bursting with the boxes and I feel very comfortedIMG_4385 by there presents.   I will not keep most of the material, but pass a lot onto her many other quilting friends with the hope that it makes IMG_4388them feel her spirit around them as I do.     I did most of my dyeing with Ethel’s guidance and now I have all of her materials to continueIMG_4403_thumb.jpg the process.  I am thankful.     Ethel was also the person who got me interested in silk paper making.  That is something that I continue to explore and I even teach the process.    This week I did two sheets in preparation for  a work shop on that topic that I will be teaching next week.   There will be no post because I will be at the Pink House Art Gallery in Saranac Lake presenting at that time.

Nancy's workThere was a FAB meeting here this week too.   With lots of thought and with great care I am posting a quilt by one of the group members Okay.  Nancy is quit proud of this quilt and I think she should be.    She has a design sense that I so admire.  I have been a big part of this quilt too as the IMG_4391 thin dark  blue line near the outside boarder is one she and I  over dyed  earlier this summer.    She now has to decide how she wants to quilt this colorful work.

Progress Report: BlossomsBlossom and Butterflies and Butterflies    This work is moving along nicely now.  It is the second in the butterfly series.  The background is completed now and I will now build the butterflies to add on top.

Incusions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Incisions   This work now has a title and  I feel good about it.    I have started the free motion quilting on this piece and think it will be finished soon.    The red is the felt/batting so this part of the image will not be part of the final work.

  IMG_4399Scrap Happy      I finished the second twin Scrap Happy quilt on Tuesday and it went with the first to its new home.  I can’t seem to leave well enough alone – so I made the rows from the left overs from this project and several others.  The shoe box that I keep leftover squares in, is still overflowing so there will be at least two more quilts of this style in the near future.  

Creative Assistants    Creative AssistantsAll these guys got arms, hair and backs this week.  Now they only need there final paint embellishments  and they will be done.   I am ready to switch back to making more faces on the next batch.    That is what I do during TV   football games.

Fifteen Challenge    The Diva group is fifteen years old  and we are IMG_4397having a big show next summer.    The group  challenge is to create a 15” square quit  that has fifteen in the work in some way.  I have designed a square that  has a  roman numeral –XV  in it.   I made the block and because there is lots of bias in the shapes it got greatly distorted when I assembled it on the machine.   So I am re doing it and making the blocks by hand.     This is one fourth of the final piece.

IMG_4395Label Blocks  This is # 20 in the label block line up.  I can see this process still has weeks to go as there are still lots of labels in my box.  I am glad to take contributions from any source for this project too.

Keep Creating

Carol