Stacy Hurt: Artist

Bridges Slideshow

2012-02-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

My Steam Punk piece called "Lower The Bridge" is #56 in the slideshow.

I would like to mention this link goes to a video of our Bridges exhibit on the Ricky Tims/Alex Anderson blog. NICE! Thanks Eileen for passing it along!
The shots were taken at Road to California

Time for a little Transparency

2012-01-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

I am often challenged by this blog gig.

Questions I find myself asking are these:

     If this is my blog about my art then aren't I allowed to give all sides of the process? (i.e. trials, tribulations, reflections as well as triumps?)
      If so then is it ok to have some posts that are more revealing? Like, "gee, not feeling it today, can't find inspiration, feeling trapped or stuck?" Is that too depressing to write in my own blog about my art?

Another question is:

     How can I share my works when so often I have to go back and take them down again because X,Y,Z show says 'if you get in, no photos on your blogs'.

Lastly,

     Many artist friends have stopped sharing works 'in process' altogether as they find their ideas, techniques or even replica quilts on someone else's blog or website! And no, no reference is given to the original artist.

     The answers don't seem to come easy and I have been in many conversations with nubie artists as well as premier ones. No definitive answers. Some artists even refuse to share works in their own art groups at 'show and tell' time for fear of piracy. So in blogland, either you share and 'damn the consequenses' or you don't share in which case your blog becomes mainly a website with selective shots of travelling pieces or older works that have returned home.

     Even if I take the numbers only approach in that I can see there are 44 followers to my blog so I might think I don't have much worry really. Until I realize: that doesn't account for is all the hits I get from folks who aren't followers. Depending on the post or photos the views can easily exceed the hundreds. (which is very cool btw).

     Ego. I love sharing what I've made when I really like it. I want to hear or read what others think, if they like it, what they 'see' in it, etc. This is often a large part of what makes me 'drive all night' to get something done if there is a meeting coming up or special event.   Maybe that sounds shallow to the unenlightened, but artists live and strive for affirmation.  No shame in that.

I'm interested in reading your thoughts. Do you have more than one blog to suit your purposes? Is one 'incognito'? How do you handle the publish vs perish mentality?

Until next we meet..

California Towhee & mate (she's at the far left corner) in our Loquat tree

'Winter' Travelling Exhibit Schedule

2012-01-11T16:27:00.000-08:00

The work above was inspired by a photo a friend took. You can see the original here:

Nathalie takes wonderful photos; you can see her blog here
And she shares a love of language as evidenced by her other blog here:

Funny story:
I keep a paper file folder (yes, NOT the electronic ones) in my sewing room. When I'm surfing the net and come across a photo that moves me I will often print it, on the back I write in the link info.
I had put the printout of Nathalie's photo in my file two years ago and neglected to put the link on. Since the work is only in shows I didn't worry too much but I had spent HOURS searching the net prior to sending it off trying to locate the original photo.

How funny that it turns out to be from a friends photostream.
Thank goodness she reads my blog!
Thanks Nathalie!
*****************************************

The Exhibit Schedule for Noble Seasons 2012
Noble Seasons - FALL
Oklahoma Winter Quilt Show
Oklahoma City, OK
January 12 - 14, 2012Noble Seasons - WINTER
Road to California Quilter’s Conference and Showcase
Ontario Convention Center, Ontario CAJanuary 19-22, 2012ALL Noble Seasons
The Quilt Fest of New Jersey VIII
March 1 - 4, 2012
Somerset, New JerseyALL Noble SeasonsDenver National Quilt Festival VII
May 3 - 6, 2012
Denver, ColoradoNoble Seasons - WINTERWestern Sew, Quilt & Textile Expo
Reno, NV
June 21 - 23, 2012ALL Noble SeasonsPennsylvania National
Quilt Extravaganza XIX
September 13 - 16, 2012
Philadelphia Area, PennsylvaniaNoble Seasons - WINTERPacific International
Quilt Festival XXI
October 11 - 14, 2012
Santa Clara, CaliforniaNoble Seasons - WINTERSoft Expressions
Anaheim, CANovember and December 2012

Take a gander at the curator's jo p. griffith's charming piece

Winter

And Pat Blair's Winter piece

which I find just exquisite!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

After reading so many blog posts about one year ending and a new one beginning it occurs to me that I like finding a personal word for the new year. My word last year was Magic, and though I stumbled with it throughout the year, (it's rather difficult to keep a handle on such things) I learned a thing or two.

The key is consistency and even as I type that, the paradox is evident. How do we keep something constant and habitual and still keep spontaneity, leaving room for a surprise?

I have chosen my word 2012 and it is perspective. Yet as I contemplate its meaning, my mind and creativity is nearly strangled by the inevitable cliche of it all. However it is still important. Seeing things from a different perspective, putting things into perspective, and sharing perspective with others. Striving for a unique vision and a way to share that vision in my art. I do have several projects I'm working on that I cannot post photos of yet so I will leave you with a wish. I wish for you hope. Hope in whatever it is you are making, whatever path you are traveling; and whatever your dreams are weaving for you. Happy New Year!

Our Noble Seasons

2011-12-10T15:46:00.001-08:00

I'm excited to say that my Winter piece is finished.

It will debut at Road to California in January and move on to various Mancuso venues.

The best news is that all four seasons will appear together (for the first time) at two of of the Mancuso shows.

Title: Ice Storm

20"W x 42"L

Here are the other seasons!

Fall

'Fall's Symphony'

Spring

"Salmon Upstream"

Summer

'Summer in the Kalahari'

Feathered Friends Un-Finished

2011-10-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

I love drawing these little guys!
These are from my sketchbook/journal.

Birds In Stitches Opens this Week!

2011-09-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'm so stoked this show opens Sept 29th.

My piece 'Midway Atoll Disaster' will be on display

(detail)

I'm thrilled to be hanging alongside many fantastic artists including Caryl Bryer Fallert and Wen Redmond

I have seen the other art work that will be in this show and it's just fantastic!

If you are in the area you should go see it!

Take photos! I'd love to see how it all looks together.

The visitor center is just beautiful overlooking lush vegitation and BIRDS of course!

'Gates' Challenge

2011-09-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the quilt I am submitting for the Quilts on the Wall 2011 Challenge

called Gates

I chose in this piece to do the

Gateway to the Imagination

In the center everything starts out so black & white but as we venture out into the creative part of our brains we find the imagination in all it's color

Size is 20"W x 42"L

detail shots

Hand lettered, machine quilted. Shading is done with tulle.

My favorite quote

"My imagination is a monastery and I am its monk" Keats

Accepted!

2011-08-31T09:00:00.001-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that my piece entitled

'Midway Atoll Disaster'

has been accepted into

Birds in Stitches

that will debut at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the Visitor Center

*see below for details and s showtiimes

I designed this piece specifically for this show.

(detail)

This piece is 30"W x 29"L

It has been machine quilted, painted, hand embroidery and has been hand lettered. Some of the materials I burned holes into and the edges. Cheesecloth was used and quilted down extensively throughout. (and no, that material is NOT fun to work with! LOL) The text are lines from the poem 'The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner' as well as maps of the Atoll. I also attached plastic straws, bottle caps, milk rings, and various plastic debris I picked up on just one 3 mile walk in my own neighborhood. (believe me, I had more but couldn't include it all)

There are images of Layasan Albatross (adults and chicks) that were transferred onto silk and stitched down. The main image (bottom third near the right side) is of one of over 2000 albatross chicks that died from starvation. The chicks were fed regularly by the parents but they were fed on plastic refuse from the ocean. Since the birds were left where they were found you can clearly see what was in them, brightly colored plastic lighters, bottle caps, etc. Given that the Midway Atoll is 2000 miles from the nearest continent this gives a crystal clear view of how our consumerism reaches it's deadly tentacles so far from our own suburban streets (that are swept clean of debris we habitually and carelessly toss out) .

If you would like more information on this disaster please visit This Site .

I am so thrilled that this piece will be seen in a place where birds are so cared about!

This is my favorite photo and he can be seen poking out of one of the holes I burned near the middle.

If you don't know much about Albatross, check out the wikipedia link. They are incredible birds that spend 90% of their lives on the wing over the ocean (sometimes just inches over the water) gliding along four hours and hours at a time. They are true masters of flight!

Here's the info on the show.

WIP

2011-08-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

small shot of a work in progress. The passage is the last chapter of JJoyce's Ulysses. YES!

I have drawn and painted her and have really wanted to do wings like this for a long time. Each brush stroke is an experiment in terror, so fraught with tension that this stroke might be the one that ruins her. But I persevere. Due to it's small size (22"W X 42"L) I feel brave enough to risk.

Long Beach 2011

2011-07-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Long Beach Quilt Festival has always been one of the highlights of my year. This year is no exception!

My piece entitled 'Lower the Bridge' was unveiled at the 'Bridges' exhibit.

This quilt is 36" Wide by 42" Long

Here was our group hanging committee: (me too)

That is jo griffith on the left and Dave & Trish Charity on the right.

Yes, that piece in the middle is all fabric. Isn't it stunning?

Bay Bridge SF

some shots of the entire exhibit. I didn't have my good camera that day :(

and you can tell the lighting hadn't been completed

they were still laying carpet the day we hung.

This made my day. My other piece 'Children of Lir' had one wall all to itself in the 'Text on Textiles' exhibit!

WOWIE!

A far away shot to show you how big the venue is! And we were one tiny exhibit in it!

this was not in our exhibit but I fell in love with the simplicity of design.

After working my three hour shift at our table; I walked the whole quilt floor and vendor area. Then I wandered outside for a bit to take in some scenery. Not a bad hangout for nice break to the day. ( I started at 8am & didn't get home till 8pm)

I received a comment from a gal on our Quilts on the Wall blog. Her name is Jen and she is from Buttonmad.com

She thanked us for putting the alternate directions online to the venue (there was a major exit closed off the freeway) and asked that we 'look her up' at festival leaving her booth number of 1762. I did! She and one of her daughters were there and her booth is just choc full of the cutest, interesting, beautifully designed, hand made buttons you've ever seen! They traveled all the way from from South Africa! Click the link, check them out! She was the most gracious to stop and chat with me. I did buy buttons; Check these out!

(the thread was my only purchases this year from Superior & Wonderful)

How cute are those little birds!!!

The SAQA/Quilt Art reception was and is a fabulous end to the day. I was happy to see many of my friends who I only 'see' on Facebook as we all live all over the place!

I will say that when I gave my 'show and tell' I wasn't ready for how overwhelmed I would feel standing with the microphone in hand (trust me, I have no problems getting up and speaking to folks) and I was even less prepared for the incredible and humbling response I got. I shared the two new pieces I'm working on that aren't finished yet. (the posts below this one show part of the "Hell Gate")

The 'Gates of Heaven and Hell' for our next exhibit entitled 'Gates'

As an artist it is really with trepidation and much anxiety that you share your work, especially when it's a work-in-progress ('WIP') and you are in front of many of the 'creme de la creme' of the quilting world. It was lump-in-my-throat time when the unfinished pieces were met with such amazing and gracious applause! (which I didn't really hear because I was in such a hurry to exit the stage and let others share!

We are asked to walk the room and stop at each table to show our works and that is a nervey wonderful feeling when you can see folks looking intently at you and waving you over to their table so they can see.

I was asked directly right then and there by a well known curator to 'Promise I wouldn't forget her' and enter these works for possible inclusion in her 2013 exhibit. (truly, you should have heard myself in my head --after the screaming quieted down, thinking how could I possibly forget her! She puts on an amazing collection of works year in and year out! I was so honored!!)

THEN, I was asked directly by a well known editor to send her photos of the pieces when they were finished!

--more inner head screaming and then I could feel my head nodding madly--

certainly it's not a guarantee, but just to be asked sent me smiling and dribbling happily 'round the room!

After I made my 'rounds' I was ready to humbly sit and get out of the way of other sharers. You can imagine my embarrassment (and subsequent horror!) when a very nice lady looked at me rather directly and said 'Excuse me, I'd like to see your quilts' So I promptly turned and amidst my effuse apologies I held them up for her. SHE was none other than Judith Baker Montano! One of my absolute mentors and idols of hand embroidery! I nearly died and then I sort of screamed (out loud this time) OH MY GOODNESS! and was promptly 'shusshed' but nearby tables! LOL.

As I drove home that night I couldn't have wiped the smile off my face or ignore the inner joy I felt just radiating out of me! I couldn't wait to get home & share all the news and excitement with my Gurl.

We went out to celebrate with nachos and shrimp tacos!

Ole!

Experiments are ongoing...

2011-07-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

When you find yourself asking..."Whatever shall I do with those fishnets?"

this is soooo much fun!

(tedious, but way fun!)

Experiment success

2011-07-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

I love working with weird materials

I wanted to work with PVC and incorporate it into a quilt.

I am working on a pair of quilts at present 20" W x 42" long

for a challenge in one of my art groups.

The theme is 'Gates'

I instantly knew I wanted to make not one but two. They will hang side by side.

One side has ravens the other side has doves.

That's all I'm saying at present.

you can see what regular black cotton looks like next to it

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to make one Raven out of PVC

first I had to see if I could fuse it.

That worked well providing I didn't iron the shiny side

Then I wanted to stitch on it. I had to use the water soluble solvy. I carefully pinned it on and had some fun

doing feathers.

I then held my breath,

rinsed all the solvy off

and voila!

This looks so much better than I had anticipated!

it looks like tooled leather

How cool!

Can't wait to use it on other things now!

Can you imagine it with rivets!

I wonder if I can get shiva paintsticks to stick to it. Silver would make it look like metal...

Navigating Inks

2011-06-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

The idea here was to plan my 1ft square donation piece. I knew ahead of time it would be larger so I could be more choosy about where to cut the 12" square.

I drew some simple circles and part of a Compass Rose.

Next I diluted the ink and started filling in shapes.

I first drew them in light pencil; then went over them with ink.

I was particularly pleased with the orange circle's wash.

I did mask off the two main radiating arms and use a rubber stamp to put in the design there; but it didn't work as well as I would have liked so I muddied the image in greens and a shimmery off white. Next up was adding words.

Notice that big white point at the top? That was a bird I drew, but it looked bad so I painted gesso over it. Then I painted the "A". the letter looks good but background is not so that entire thing will be cropped off.

different size fonts.

All done...

maybe. I might add some large letters in between the green radiating arms. Not sure. It was a fun excersize & I keep learning new things in working with this type ink.

Messing around with colors

2011-06-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

I'm working with trying to blend colors on fabric the way you can blend them on paper. Just messing around today using one of my favorite quotes. I truly just hacked off a piece of this material I had prepared because I wanted to see how it would respond to the inks. This was not a planned out piece as you can tell by the spacing issues, different letter form mix, etc. The fabric (called 'bottom weight' cotton) worked very well. The ink stayed right where I put it; whether I wanted it there or not. But it ultimately was a fun excersize and shows me just how much I really need to practice my calligraphy! This measures 9" W x 10" L.

Weekend Calligraphy Work

2011-06-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

Needed to get some 'Thank You' card material ready! El and I had fun working on this project together since she needed some 'TY' notes all ready for graduation gifts, etc. and I need to send a couple out myself.

I pre-painted this fabric the night before. It is unbleached muslin that I simply dunk-bathed in some FW acrylic wash. (this was basically putting a couple drops of the ink into water and a tub and dunking the fabric in it quickly all wrinkled up then placed on a rack in my dryer)

After it dried I ironed it to return the natural hand of the fabric. It then looked like this:

Next we had purchased some inexpensive stencils with large 6" letters.

I wanted to play with using large letters on the initial background in pale grey.

You can see how watery we made this to start.

sorry; the camera lenz went a bit fuzzy here.

We learned that even with the Jacquard 'No Flow' (that was not rinsed out) on the material along with all the pre-paint we did that was heat set, if your acrylic ink is watered down into a wash it will bleed out regardless :( I'm really glad I learned this issue as I was going to try this technique on a much larger quilt I'm making for a show and this bleed would have been a disaster! You can see the letter 'T'.

so we changed tack & used the ink full strength with a dry brush instead. Much better but it doesn't solve my problem that I worked out and will address in the next post.

Here's our background lettering finished:

After each step we heat set the ink by flipping the material over and ironing it on the high setting with no steam.

Next we went onto adding colors and shapes! FUN!

the best part of this is if you make a boo-boo, you can just add more paint or shape & cover it right up!

Then onto the hand calligraphy. We each made it a point to try a new 'font' style and we used the Parallel Pens by Pilot. They worked well on this type of material.

All Done!

Next I cut it up randomly to make 4" x 6" sizes which we then stitched onto a plain card-stock.

It took around 6 hours from start to finish and I think it was worth it. We had fun, learned something and I now have much of this left over and that will make nice additions to other projects or more cards. Tomorrow will be a post on more calligraphy for my 1ft square donation to SAQA. (which is all ready larger than 1ft square and now I don't want to cut it up) LOL

Thanks for reading!

Some Big Cat Inspiration (trip part 2)

2011-06-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Exotic Feline Breeding Compound is

a place where Big Cats are exchanged from all over the worlds zoo's to assist in

keeping the DNA diversified by using inter-zoo breeding. It's AWESOME!

The main benefit for the cats and humanity is that the gene pool won't become so diluted that we start losing the traits necessary for their survival. Sadly, right now the Cheetah population was being so inbred that the animals immune systems were in danger of being compromised. With the inter zoo breeding programs; this disaster has been temporarily averted.

The best news for me & El was that we got to visit (as anyone can!) the compound and see these glorious, indescribably beautiful and mysterious C.A.T.S.!

Here I am entering Mecca!

I encourage you to biggify the photos for extra ooooooh's.

I will start with the stars of the day! The wondrous Snow Leopards

This is Zack

Zack likes to chase Annie his lover. Here is where he 'put the sneak' on her and lept out,

she is NOT climbing those rocks dear friends. She is airborne! They were a bit below us so you can't appreciate how high she actually was! It was loud when she bounced up and off the wall to her right.

A lovely couple shot. Look how big the end of his tail is!!

Their paws are the most magnificent things! So giant!

*sigh*

As for a TUMMY shot???

ya; I nearly died. And look at those FEETS~!!!!

This little guy was next to them; he is a fisher cat. His name is Frizbee :) It was near feeding time; we checked back & sure enough; they tossed (in his bowl) several halves of big fish! He was so cute when one of the fishies got kinda stuck in one of his fangs, he was pawing like mad to get it off!

Next up is Thumper, the Canadian Lynx.

more giant snow paws! It's said that their feets are so sensitive they can feel the tiniest vibrations of meeses under the snow. That combo with those ears and you've got a great varmint hunter!

He had just turned around here to look at us. He had been staring under the crack of the door waiting for his foodz! These incredibly shy creatures are a boon to animal photographers when they are in the wild. You can see why they are so sought after.

A big cat many confuse with the Lynx is this lovely Bobcat. Note the much smaller paws; stubbed tail; light sand color. Dontcha just wanna give chin skritches to her??? So lovely.

This beauty is an Ocelot. Check out those muscular legs! He didn't just walk, he would swagger! I adore their faces and look~!

Pink TONGUE!!! squeeee

This sly devil is the Clouded Leopard. He had an odd coloring; note how dark his marks are from his front shoulders up; but from there back he was considerably lighter. I wondered if he had to be shaved or something and his fur hadn't quite come back in all the way.

The lovely Serval. Note the false eye patches on the back of the ears. I love the dark stripes right down the nape!

Zen kitty says 'Inner peace......'

Caracal. Poor thing wore a path with pacing near the food depot.

This kitty reminded me of one of mine. MeYowling nonstop for the noms.

The Pallas Cat. Think of the nastiest Persian Cat you've ever known, now times that by 10! These lovely balls of fur hissed at everything and everyone. I laughed out loud and they they hissed right at me! Poor things. They must be rather secretive (well, more so than most cats I guess) because their giant enclosures were full of boxes to hide in.

Onto the big cats. This is an Amur Leopard.

There are only 1200 IN THE WORLD. These lovely beings hail from Siberia, Russia.

There are maybe 300 in the wild. The rest are in captivity.

This big male was housed next to this female.

She was VERY interested in him; staring and pacing. The park ranger said they do play together thru the cages. When he shows more interest in her, they will snoopervise a 'joined visitation' and if all goes well they are hoping to mate them.

They said that Big Cats are just as picky as most other animals when it comes to this.

Right now, he was a bit stand offish of her.

I will say that we did observe them play batting each other, he would then saunter away from her; and bare his fangs (playfully) and then he would make this noise. I nearly peed laughing so hard. Here's this giant cat; big ol teeth and would kill you as soon as look at you and then he opens his giant maw and what comes out?

'nnnrrrrrrrrrrk'. I'm so not kidding; you had to listen pretty hard to hear it too. I had to leave the viewing area I was laughing so hard. (I didn't want to embarrass him)

Next up is another Leopard. Presumably this one is from Africa. His TAIL is as big around as my ARM!

He was awesome!

First we were incognito... Hiding behind the wind screen.

Then; he laid down and graciously gave us this shot.

Please make bigger to really enjoy this magnificence.

I swear to you on my first born that when this gaze falls upon you directly looking you in the eye; you know... beyond all doubt that you are the bottom of the food chain. They are that intense. Leopards are considered the smallest of the Big Cats. They can carry carcass' in their jaws 30 feet straight up a tree!

There was a woman pushing a stroller; her 2 year old daughter was in it. Whenever the child moved; that laser eye was on her! It was chilling (and exciting).

Next up is my personal favorite. The Puma, or Mountain Lion or Cougar (depending on where you live). I love this shot; I can imagine him thinking

'tourists!'

'Just bring the noms slaves'

'Whatever!' Now THIS is the back of disrespect!

I can respect that.

And last but not ever the least...

The Black Panther.

Panthers are a variant of the Leopard. You can tell when viewing their coats you can see the black on black rosettes. But seriously, with that profile I was not looking at his glorious coat. I was looking at the massive head and jaws. Isn't his profile just magnificent?

And look! One wild crazy white whisker! LOL.

Seriously dude; how can you still be so intimidating with that?

Well, because you can. In this shot his tail looks very foreshortened. I apologize for that, it's really quite long. But he was anxious awaiting food and didn't stay still very long.

These are just some of the 300 photos we have. Since we downloaded them all as 'raw' files it takes longer to edit them all. I hope you enjoy these and in the coming day's I'll get more up.

We are so happy to be home and Miss Jenga was so upset with our absence she's lost all the furs under her chin and it's just raw and scabby. I've had to keep her locked in her room and try to keep her from irritating it more.

Miss Jack has taken to peeing on the corner of the fridge in her irritation and Ms. Stella you all ready heard from with her super secret food stash. Miss Scraps is just so happy we are home she drools and purrs so hard just when you glance at her. Even with the TLC that they receive in our absence they simply don't like things out of their routine. Who says cat's aren't social. Well, at lease the Cattus domesticus is social. I think these Big Ones would feel differently.

Happy Friday!

Part 3 will be up shortly.

Visalia Lecture and Class (part 1)

2011-06-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

Good morning all!

I'm happy to report we are back from our travels and we couldn't have had a better time!

The Ladies of the Orange Blossom Quilt Guild were the most gracious

and lively bunch of wonderful gals!

If you've never been to Visalia I can say that the 'Old Towne' part it is very much like our Orange Circle area. Walking distance along old tree lined streets, antique shops, movie house, wonderful bistro's and a Farmers Market on Thursday Night!

Here are some of us at dinnerThursday night after the lecture/trunk show.

My photographer was busy helping show the 35 quilts I brought; I don't have photos of the lecture but you don't need to see photos of me talkin! The members said the show was very entertaining, especially when Ellen would add the 'behind the scenes' comments! Next time I think I'll have her sign a gag order, LOL.

We had Friday off and after shopping at their wonderful quilt shop 'Thimble Towne' we ventured up, up, up the mountains to enter Kings Canyon and go meet General Sherman. It was amazing & I'll post up those photos as a separate entry.

The class was on Saturday and was very well attended! There were 17 of us all together which was perfect! The lady in blue here is Adena who was the person that saw my work in Long Beach and contacted me to do the Trunk show & Class.

going around chatting

explaining how a sharpie can be used for quick outlining of letters and quilt labels

we ran short on the Speedball books so I started taking mine apart to pass pages around. (it's seen worse, believe me!)

Miss Ellen working away for pieces for her Senior Project

(which she has since done a demo on and received full marks for!)

I love this photo... Quilting ladies workin & chattin and most often all at the same time!

The lady on the left is Anna, she brought us the most wonderful chicken salad and fresh bread for lunch!

Ellen & I had taken two yards of Cotton Duck canvas and painted it prior to the trip. We then cut it up into 9"x11" sizes & after our wonderful lunch we drew names so each one could come pick out a piece to work on.

Here is Miss Ellen's piece (a lyric from one of her favorite songs I think)

And SMILE we did! Everyone had a great time, great food, lots of laughs and hopefully we all learned something new!

Thank you so much to the Orange Blossom Quilt Guild for inviting us up and making us feel so warm and welcome! We had a wonderful time!

On The Road Teaching!

2011-05-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

We will be travelling to the charming little town of Visalia Ca. located near the foot of the beautiful Sequoia National Park.

I am giving a Lecture/Trunk Show there this Thursday evening for the Orange Blossom Quilt Guild. I'm very excited and can't wait.

Saturday they have graciously requested that I teach my all day class in 'Calligraphy on Fabric!' Where the students will complete something like this sample.

I will have my trusty assistant Miss Ellen taking photos and will post them upon our return.

Wish us luck!

Bridges Exhibit Postcard!

2011-05-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Love the eye candy. Click to make it full size.

My quilt entitled 'Lower the Bridge!' can be seen 4th from the left; top row.
My other quilt 'Children of Lir' will be at this show in a different exhibit called Text on Textiles. I'm anxious to see that collection as well!

Bridges will have it's premier opening at the

International Long Beach Quilt Festvial

Dates are July 29 - 31st, 2011

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

300 East Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802

I will be table sitting this exhibit Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Please come by and say "Hi!"

Come for the quilts

Stay for the shopping!

Accepted!

2011-05-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that my piece called 'Lower the Bridge!' was accepted into the special exhibit thru Quilts on The Wall to be shown at Long Beach International Quilt Festival 7/2011!

Here's a little larger sneak peek as I can't show the full shot until the show opens!

Memorial Quilted Pillow finished

2011-04-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

bunnie nose!

Pillow measures 14" by 28"

When it's flat on the table it measures 10" high n the middle.
click any image to enlarge

Memorial Quilted Pillow

2011-04-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine Alinda Lord recently lost her beloved house rabbit Buster. She emailed and asked me if I could make her something. She wanted to be able to put his ashes inside it and hold it.

What we came up with is this:

A long pillow that she can place his ashes (sealed in pastic of course).

Then she can close the pillow (via zipper)

The covering I'm making is a quilt that will then become the pillow covering

As you can see it will wrap around and will also

have a zipper for ease in removal for cleaning if necessary.

The images of Buster were her photos that I printed on silk sheets.

Once the images were on; I peeled off the silk and ironed it on fusible interfacing for stability.

I really like how the photos on the silk feel! So smooth and soft. It was important to me to use the softest materials possible given that they will be handled quite a bit. I 'pet' Mr. Buster quite often!

She gave me a list of his pet names that I am quiling on.

As you can see I've started the names here.

She requested some deep rich desert colors. I'll do better photos when it's finished.

RabbitMatch.org
323.290.0389
info@rabbitmatch.org

House rabbits are 100% GREEN + VEGAN companions.

Give a bun the gift of life. Make adoption your option.

Sneak Peek

2011-03-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

A tiny glimpse.

A quilt that is being juried. I'll be able to post full picture soon.

Proud as a Peacock!

2011-03-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy to share! My lovely daughter El is an amazing photographer. She is also a Photoshop GURU! She was recently approached by a writer for their school magazine to do an image of him for an article he was writing. It made the cover! Her regular photographs have all ready appeared numerous times in the schools yearbook. Their yearbook is consistently rated #1 in the country! *Go Spartans!*

Isn't it cool?

P.S. she took this picture of it on her desk. It's not part of the cover but I love how I can see her ipod cordage and my favorite shirt she's borrowed this morning! :)

Calligraphy Collage Cards

2011-02-18T14:53:00.000-08:00

I'm not a fan of collage. Mainly because it forces me to recognize that all the little bits & bobs I have ~~hoarded~~ collected over time are stored in so many places that to get them all out at once is overwhelming.

I started with some muslin

And some inks

And my nibs

And off I went!

Here is after I brushed one sheet of muslin with red; then added calligraphy

For the silver writing I use this pen (sorry the pic is a bit fuzzy)

I LOVE THESE PENS!!!

They can be pricey but SO worth it!

They dry in seconds; are SUPER shiny and come in different metallic colors.

You see I discovered there is a difference in silver gel pens; silver calligraphy ink and these silver pens. I took a piece of black card stock to the store & tried each one. I also took a scrap of fabric and the pen above was hands down the best.

Anyhow; I had been given this book by my friend Jamie Fingal. It inspired me to stretch a bit. As I may have mentioned earlier I really don't like to collage.

I was also given this ink to try by my friend & fellow Calligrapher Lisa Englebrecht

This is the only bottle I have & let me tell you; when I can; I'm going to buy all the colors I can lay my hands on! It's FW Acrylic Ink. (The Acrylic part is the important part) Regular Ink like Liquitex above is too thin; it quickly absorbs into your fabric and MUST be used with a primer such as gel medium. That can change the hand of your fabric. Something I'm not always happy with.

I didn't like this experiment as much. ^

Here is the mess that drives me insane.

So after all this I made some Valentines cards.

Here is the first one:

This is the one El said was the best one

And this was a birthday card for a dear friend

This was the last one; it was a scrap of fabric I didn't use but the paint blotch looked to me like a bee to me.

I used some shiva paintsticks on the bottom to color in grass. Not the best photo but you get the idea.

So after spending a night and a day and making these it was kinda fun but I don't think I'll be doing it more. It takes up too many 'stations' in my room. The sewing machine station; the calligraphy table; the embroidery area & all the tackle boxes full of stuff!

I do have scraps now that I may use in other projects so I guess that is the silver lining.

Thanks for visiting!

Baby Quilt Commission

2011-02-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

I have been very busy as of late sewing lots of CatNip Quilts. I have some art quilt projects I can't share quite yet and some fun collaged cards that I'll be posting shortly.

I did however, finish this today.

(click on images to enlarge)

This was a cute kit I purchased for a dear, dear friend. It is for her great grandson.

Quilt measures 36" W x 50" L

I really fell for the colors mainly. The adorable animals and cool red bike!

The polka dotted alligator was my favorite.

How cute is that monkey on the giraffe's neck, in his socks?!

A darling tree pattern.

some of the quilting.

I decided against the instructions in quilting the whole thing in mono filament. Instead I chose Isacord. I have many colors of it and using it in the bobbin is key.

Great Grandma designed her label and I printed it out on Jacquard Silk sheets and appliqued it on the back. I'm mailing it out to her!

Our Noble Seasons

2011-01-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

Fall's Symphony

Artist Statement;

As winter in her elegant silver and black begins blanketing Fall; one last breeze blows through, stirring the lovely warm vibrant colors that create a symphony of burnished leaves and shimmering light.

Bargello is one of my favorite designs when I feel like piecing something. I enjoy laying the colors out and playing with texture.

Materials used:

Silk

Satin

Batik

Polished cotton

Hand embroidery

Hand Beaded

Exhibit Travel Dates:

Noble Seasons - FALL 2011

ROAD To California - January 20 - 23 2011

Ontario Convention Center

Ontario, California

Mancuso Show Management

Denver National Quilt Festival VI

April 28 - May 1, 2011

Denver, Colorado

Quilting, Stitches and Crafts Expo

June 23 - 25, 2011

Reno, NV

Ohio Sewing & Quilt Festival

September 8 - 10, 2011

Cincinnati, OH

Nebraska National Quilt Festival

October 20 - 22, 2011

Lincoln, NE

QSC Expos

Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show

Oklahoma City, OK

January 2012

WOWIE!

2011-01-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

Just got this email today from International Quilt Festival folks:

We have an opportunity to send your quilt Children of Lir overseas to be exhibited at the Open European Quilt Championships in the Netherlands during May 2011.

They wanted to know if it was all right with me..

I thought about it for all of 2 seconds then replied with:

YES!

Latest Commissioned Work

2011-01-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

T-Shirt Memory Quilts

(Betty's Quilt- that's Betty on the left)

I received a contact from a woman who's husband had passed a few years ago. Her name is Betty. She said she had wanted to give her children quilts made from her husband's t-shirts. She also mentioned that her son had been in a Christian Rock band and had many tshirts he wanted a special quilt out of as well. She said she had 3 children, and she wanted one for herself. She stated she had a budget for these and asked that even though she could see my blog & work; would I be interested in doing such a 'ordinary' project as this. We discussed terms and I met up with her to get the shirts; sign the contract & get the deposit. (for those who might be wondering; I ask for a 25% deposit.)

(This is my favorite overall quilt. )

Originally I was going to make the blocks 12" (finished) that would have made the finished quilt size 51" x 63"(including the 3" border). But as these things go (and after the contract had been signed and deposit received) the shirt designs were much larger and it was clear they wouldn't look good cropped to a 12" square. The needed to be 17" squares. Then after the 3" border was added they quilts would be 70" x 70". It may not seem like much but overall it's a big difference. Given that this was such a large project I absorbed the difference out of my cost.

Our agreement was for the quilts to have no sashing; no machine quilting (other than box stitched) and only the border. She provided the shirts (that's 16 shirts per quilt) and each family had a trash bag of shirts they chose. Since the orig. design was for 20 shirts each I had quite a few alternates which worked out quite well.

(I loved the shark tshirt too!)

I have done this type of quilt before and it's rather labor intensive. The shirt designs must be first cut from the tshirts. For this I recommend a loooong movie and some good shears! Then they must be ironed; from the wrong side as many of the designs in tshirts are notoriously meltable when in direct contact with your iron. Next; they are laid out on the rotary cutting matt; sized to 17" and cut again. The next step is to iron on the fusible interfacing to each square; then they need to be recut to the 17". (during the ironing and fusing process the material can move prior to stablization) After that is all done; it's time to arrange the designs in as pleasing a design that is possible. In some of these it was rather easy given the subject material. (i.e. some rows were all of a State; or all had the same color scheme; or similar iconic images) The hardest part of this is having enough floor space to lay out the blocks. 70" x 70" is pretty danged big!

(I found it charming that he had a shirt he wore while performing that said 'I love Darcy' That gal there is Darcy his wife.)

Once that's all arranged; it's time to sew the blocks into rows then into the finished tops. Then I added the 3" border all round & cut the backs & batting. (all that had to be done on my living room floor) . I did the pillowcase method as doing additional binding on each one (my preference) was outside the budget.

The backing fabric is all Egyptian cotton solids. Normally I wouldn't dream of solids but I really like the clean look of the back. This gives the receipients the opportunity of folding it that way to leave it out on a couch or something without being bombarded by all the design or colors on the one side. Turned out, that was a good idea. I did my labels on Jacquard Silk transfer sheets. They turned out very nicely once I had backed the silk with fusible interfacing as well.

The rock band shirts. These were really cool shirts from this band (Plankeye). Apparently they were together quite a few years and went on the road doing tours. Each year they had new shirts and new themes. Many shirts just had small (7"logos) on the back of the shirt or some were long sleeved and had a row of stars down them. I loved hearing the stories behind the pictures. Some were of someone's dog they had put sunglasses on. The graphic of the kid in the converse was such a unique perspective shot. It was drawn by one of the band members I believe and they used that graphic a lot. Since it seemed wasteful to me to just toss the smaller graphics once I had taken the main design; I kept them separate for 'just in case'. Once I put the main design together of the 16 shirts; there was no convenient place for smaller motifs and I still had shirts left over. I had an idea to make a smaller quilt for his children out of the remnants and when I delivered the initial 4 quilts to Betty I asked her about it and showed her what I had in mind. She was thrilled at that idea so I took those pieces home & whipped up that final (smaller) quilt for her grandchildren.

(This was fun to put together for the kids- I'm sad you can't see the Godzilla monster behind the wee boy. It was HIS favorite!)

From start to finish all 5 quilts were done in about two weeks. Imagine how happy I was to learn that Betty had taken photos of all the quilts on Christmas morning! Since all the photos I had taken of them were lost; with her permission; they are presented here. Thank you Betty!!

Update:

2010-12-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

For those who bid on a CatNip Quilt but didn't win; here's my offer: *note is from Ms. Stella's blog*

Ok kitties from everywheres!

Since so many of you bid on the CatNip Quilts That Woman makes she wanted to lets you know; if you wants; you can buy one for $30.00 each and she will gives Missy Teri 25% of dat. Dat way anykitty who wants one can haz one & still be doing a great thing for Mr. B & Missy T. K? Any questions; or if you wants one... Please email That Woman here: stacy (at) rocketmail (dot) com

AND if you orders one (or more) Please puts your kitteh's name so She can putz it on da quilty. Plus! She is tossin in a free CatNip bird too!

P.P. Essss. She has LOTS of different colors and fabrics so you don'tz gotta has dis one; you can have a fancy one dat will match something in your house. (She is sucha doofus; I tellz her to make the cute catz one but She says some of peoples wants it to match their stuffs)

xoxo

Ms. Stella O'Houligan

Where Art and Cat's collide

2010-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

Please allow this catblog crossover but I wanted my quilting friends who are also cat lovers to have an equal opportunity to win! You can post your comments on this blog (I'll combine them both when I post the winner)

I took this photo and I LOVE it; but for the life of me I can't caption it! So if you write a caption and it makes me fall of my stool laughing; you win and I'll send you this prize!

I had gotten this adorable bird pattern two years ago from Spool.

Then, someone had reposted it on the CBlogosphere as a cat toy and it reminded me! The two fancy birds I had made were found by Mr. Larry and became his favorite bitey toys and they didn't even have nip in 'em! So then, light bulb moment... I thought; wouldn't it be fun; stuff them with stuffing AND nip . So I've made a few for my own girls & they hang on our tree till Christmas (way up high at the top and outta reach!)

I've brought this one down so y'all can see Miss Jack and get an idea how big they are:

So if you want to win one write me your funniest caption and I'll choose by January 1st and then post the winning caption! :) This one's out of Christmas fabrics but I also make them in regular.

this one was requested by The Gurl for her room; it's lime green polka dots under and over is green; pinks, yellows & fuchsia plaid.

This one is NOT a cat toy owing to the fancy headdress!

IN other news I'm also making this offer:

As you all ready know; you can bid on one of my CatNip Quilts at the auction going on over here and I will toss in a bird toy for the winning bidder too! As bidding closes at midnight tonight I think it's OK for me let slip that I had donated TWO quilts for the auction so look for the other one coming up next week along with the quilted cat note card you see in the post below. :) Good Luck and happy bidding!

Auction for a Good Cause!

2010-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

Right now there is a rather heated auction going on and I'm happy to say that one of my Catnip Quilts is at the center of it!

So I thought I'd take a moment to let my art blogger friends know about it in case they might have cats of their own & would want one of my Catnip quilts!

The funds are 100% donated to help a fellow cat blogger AND a dear friend of mine Teri Thorsteinson. So come on over & check it out! I'm bidding too on some other wayyy cute stuff!! You can see lovely FiFi playing with one of Teri's quilts I gave her here and it's the cutest thing evar!!!

The auction for these current 30 items goes until the 20th of December; (but shhhhhh... next week there might be another surprise along with one of these!)

Piece Out!

Life imitates Art

2010-11-29T16:28:00.000-08:00

When I completed this quilt that I titled 'Salmon Upstream' I hadn't purchased the rose bush that gave the beautiful blooms you see here and had no idea one even exsited! The name of the rose bush is 'One Perfect Moment' and it certainly is. The roses last for ages in this perfect state of bloom; not to small, not bloomed out. I purchased it last year and had it in a pot; when it failed to thrive I broke down & planted it in my yard. It has rewarded me ever since with many long stemmed beauties like the ones pictured here.

I never considered myself a rose person and only had one real bush that was a gift from my daughter who was 6 at the time called 'Double Delight'. It still takes my breath away with it's beautiful roses but I can no longer tolertate the rich fruity heady scent of them without triggering a migraine, so they live in the farthest corner of my yard where I can see them; but not smell them.

These have virtually no scent at all which is sad in a way but good news for any folks out there like me who love to bury their whole face in the gloriously soft petals and inhale deeply their delicate fragrance.

Sometimes I forget...

2010-11-19T23:40:00.000-08:00

Just how much I LOVE to bead!!! Then along comes an opportunity to get my 'gear' out and thread up a needle! Below, a small commissioned piece. This was requested by a client when she found the "Tree of Life" had been sold recently at the Framery Gallery. She requested similar greens in the background & something with the line from her favorite poem entitled: "I must go down to the sea" to accompany her newly remodeled bedroom.

The calligraphy was done on broadcloth that I colored with acrylic paint. Lisa Englebrecht had gifted me a bottle of FW's white acrylic artists ink and I love the effect!

It's not entirely finished here; I need to bind it. The center pinwheel section is only 5" x 5" and has over 60 separate pieces alone! The entire finished size will be closer to 10" x 10". I love the pinwheel motif as it reminds me of the colorful baskets you see on bikes coasting down the boardwalk.

Somehow when I'm making giant quilts (be they art quilts or commissioned memory quilts) I forget just how much I love to sit and bead small motifs like this one. The 'Sea Stars' are a challenge as they are real and very brittle. (and need to be kept in a container so the cats can't find them!)

While I was at the Bowers show; another vendor there had wanted some of my cards and I really wanted something she had so we traded. I think I got the way better end of this deal. This is a piece of woolen needlepoint that was clearly removed from some type of framework. She indicated it was from back East but that is all she knew. I fell in love with the rich red wool and the elegance of the seed bead work.

You can see the different shades of seed beads used here. I love the counted cross stitch feel of it. When I used to make ccxstitch works that included beads they were my favorite to work. I have quite a collection hanging in my entry way and kitchen, but nothing as elegant as this.

The use of the difference in size of beads here is noticeable and used to great effect.

I am particularly enchanted with the way the silver lined beads look here. As you move the light source across the piece it changes and takes on a whole new look. It's quite stunning. There are a few beads missing in the upper left corner that I will replace. I think I'll mount it on a frame and hang it as is rather than use it in a mixed media work. It's only 8" x 10" give or take.

...I gotta get back to work; I've 4 memory quilts right now, each is 70" x 70" and they are due at the end of November. I'll be offline for a bit till they are done.

Holiday Festival Shots

2010-11-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

I realized I completely forgot to post these shots of us at the Holiday Festival at St. Pauls!

Here was our booth!

Right smack dab in the middle of the action!

These girls were too cute! They are modeling the festival's hottest sellers! TUTU'S!

How friggin adorable is THAT?

Why yes, I had to have one too. At just $10.00 How could I pass this up? I fell in love with the black & white ribbon! (if you must know, when I'm in a slump I will wear it at my sewing machine, I have a fabulous tiara & wand too. hey, whatever works right???~i can't talk about my slippers yet)

Here was a blue one I wanted for 'The Gurl' but she declined.

Saw this one later & nearly traded mine in, but alas... no black & white ribbon...

See how those darlings caught my eye!!

I can only wonder at a Church facility that offers this sort of sign. I just had to capture it on film.

LIVE at the BOWERS MUSEUM Day Two!

2010-11-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

Day Two at the lovely Bowers museum. Sadly I didn't think to get pictures of the lovely grounds but it was right off to inside and a day of laughing, visiting, and learning.

Ellen and I got a chance to actually go see the museum's quilt exhibit and that was cool. BUT we also got in on the last day of the 'Weird and Wonderful' exhibit that featured not only one but TWO shrunken heads! It was soooo cool!

The museum store was exquisite and was choc full of wearable art as well as other interesting things. It's nice to know that there is such a unique venue right here in my own backyard. But very soon it was time to get 'back to work' so off we went!

You can see my helper today attempting to do her homework!

Cindy's lovely little hexagon pincushions!

My card selection (happily dwindling!)

Some of my quilts

It was way fun! Tessa, one of the show co-coordinators was asking vendors if they wanted to be 'videoed' for the Bowers website, etc. At first I wasn't going to do it but then I figured if they put me on their site & anyone looking there might see me & my quilts & maybe even want one! So I sucked up the nerves & did it. It was very fun, if they actually use it I'll be sure and link it... You'll be able to giggle along with me trying to be all sophisticated.

That lady on the left hard at work is a singularly gifted calligrapher and I'm so proud to say I know her and she's a lovely person as well! Lisa Englebrecht. I spent so much time at her booth just in awe of her work. Both Ellen & I had fun just looking through all her works, prints, pens, books... It was sooo inspiring! I wanted to run right home and make stuff!

above & below are her 'cast offs' that were free in a bin

I watched her demonstration and she wrote my name!!! I so long to have such an elegant hand as she does!

The day practically flew by and it was lovely to have a helper to wrap everything up & make the trips to the car for me! So, until next year... me & El are puttin' our feet up, watching a Harry Potter marathon and enjoying some well earned time off!

LIVE at the BOWERS MUSEUM!

2010-11-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

Across from our booth, the museum had giant drop down video screens from the ceiling. They flashed the signage for each artist. Nice touch!

Here's our booth, I shared space with my fellow artist Cindy Cooksey. She is sitting in front of some of her quilts. A few of mine are hanging to the right of our customer and friend Jeanette Kelly.

We have one more day to go. Sunday we are there from 10:00am to 3:30pm. Hope to see you there!

International Quilt Festival Houston

2010-11-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

It's always exciting to have your work chosen for this venue given the size of it and the vast number of quilt submissions they must receive. I am forever humbled as one wee fish in such a giant Ocean of glorious works from all over the world!

Imagine then how awesome it was to click on those 'ruby slippers' (on the website for Quilts Inc, you can click on the shoes & be taken on a visual tour of the show) and under the Text on Textiles (go ahead; click! select 'special exhibits, then Text on Textiles) page and see see my Children of Lir quilt! Can't you hear me 'squeeeeeeeeeeing'!!!

Then when I clicked the area for 'on the show floor' there it was again!!!

I'm soooo excited when I see this kind of coverage! So often we send our quilts out to shows and the next time we see them is when they come back in the mail. So I love, love, love to be able to see them hanging in different venues & even sometimes hear feedback!

So, for now this wee fish is settling back to the bottom of the pond to get some work done, thanks for visiting!

pook, pook

VERY EXCITING!

2010-11-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Here are my two quilts in Houston right now!

First is the Cheetah that is in the exhibit for the 500 Art Quilt Book

Next is the Children of Lir Quilt in the Text on Textiles exhibit!.

THANK YOU! to my friend Jamie Fingal for taking these!

Demo Day at The Framery Gallery

2010-10-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was great fun doing a calligraphy demo at the Framery Gallery in Whittier, CA.

There were lots of folks stopping by to watch the different demo's going on. I was happy to answer any and all questions about this technique.

The most common question from fellow quilters was

"Do you pre-treat your fabric?"

The answer is yes; and no. I don't prewash. Most often on small pieces (2ft by 2ft typically) I will fuse the fabric to WonderUnder (lite). That helps keep the ink from wicking out. I keep the paper backing on for ease in moving the fabric piece and it keeps a nice smooth backing surface to heat set with the iron after the calligraphy is done.

This was the scrap piece I used to demo lettering, centering, the use of the 'invisible ink' pens (I created a double circle) for lines or shapes to follow.

The most common question from everyone was "What do you do if you make a mistake?"

The scrap piece above turned into a wonderful example for that very question! Since I had put the circle on the piece I was toying with the idea of simply doing a circular alphabet and actually wrote the letter A at the top. But then 'saw' the compass points instead and changed my A into an N. After feeling all smug that I liked the compass idea better my good friend jo griffith (cartographer) pointed out (pun intended) that my E & W compass points were reversed . So then we all had a laugh saying things like 'Artistic license' and I said something dumb like 'I'll just make up a reason why that was actually intended!

So, onward through the demo a couple cute girls came over & enjoyed watching me write their names in 'fancy' writing. After they left I was in mind of children & turned my E into an Elephant. I did like the way it sounded then; Northwind, Westwind, Southwind, Elephant! (ya, I'm weird)

The correct answer of course is that 99% of the mistakes you may (and will) make in calligraphy whether it's on fabric or paper is; you simply must start over.

There is seldom room for error when you get to the stage (as seen in this photo of my piece 'Flight') where you are putting all your words on and you've just spent several hours painting bird feathers not to mention all the bias tape Irish Insular plaits on the frame. That's why it's crucial to use the 'invisible ink' pens to write out all the words first prior to inking them in permanently.

The reason for that when you are doing calligraphy especially; you are concentrating on making the letter form; keeping your pen at the right angle; spacing the letters and forming them properly. Spelling is the last thing on your mind! It's a perfect marriage between right & left brain thinking if ever there was such a thing. The artistic side is watching shape; space; color and the left side is reciting 'i before e except after c'.. wait, what? LOL...

What is marginally easier in a way is using a language that is not your native one! I was surprised at this but after I thought about it, it made sense. You are now creating the letter, watching the spacing and since you have no preconceived or 'wrote' idea of the spelling you all ready are paying close attention to it.

The second most common question?

"How long does it take to you to do that?"

Like any art quilter worth her fabric stash I would like to answer "All My Life" but since that's not very tactful the more accurate and helpful answer would be "I can't really say'. Practicing calligraphy takes many, many hours of time and for me it was all done many years ago when I was only working on paper.

When I started making art quilts I had the idea to put words on a quilt I was making (Children of Lir) and that is when I figured that my fabrico inks I used for rubber stamping were permanent when heat set so that ink might work on fabric too. It was trial and error watering them down to get a consistency that could be used with a proper nib; but ultimately the effect pleased me greatly.

I'm happy to say that particular quilt is now on display at the Houston Quilt Festival in the special exhibit titled 'Text on Textiles'.

detail:

The best news is that in today's artquilt world your very own handwriting is perfectly acceptable and in many cases more desirable (for it's ease). After all; most time you are using text as a surface design that will be altered or chopped up partially obscured or repositioned. The intent is not necessarily to have the lines of script readable by the viewer. Maybe a word or two but the script becomes an overall part of the design and can be very striking when done effectively!

That is not to say of course that you can't create a design that focus' on the words itself:

So as you can see; it's a fun technique to use and much more cost effective compared to fancy computer generated fonts; laser printing, etc...

Thanks for reading!

Reminder: Free Calligrahphy Demonstration!

2010-10-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

I will be at the Framery Gallery this Saturday 10/23, 2010 giving a demonstration from 3 - 6pm on how to do Calligrahphy on fabric!

The Framery Art Gallery

13105 Whittier Blvd. Whitter, CA

*********************************************************************

It’s almost time for the second event related to The Framery Gallery – Quilting is Art Exhibit!

Please plan on joining the fun this coming Saturday when Quilts on the Wall: Fiber Artists –

David Charity, Rose Hughes, Stacy Hurt & Suanne Summers
Provide demonstrations in the gallery from 3-6 pm

When you stop by you’ll be able to learn –
· David’s intriguing use of inks on metals
· Rose’s tricks for beading woolies and making them into jewelry
· While Stacy shares her wonderful techniques for calligraphy on fabric
· And, Suanne will be sharing her doll making methods

Make this your opportunity to see the exhibit, and maybe add a few new tools in your Bag of Tricks & Treats (of course)
See you there!

OMG! I've Made the NEWSPAPERS!!!!

2010-10-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

You can see an article in the Whitter Daily News that features two of my quilts that are currently being shown at the Framery Art Gallery! You'll recognize 'Silence' and my 'Snow Leopard'. WHEEEEEEE!

Article is here:

Whittier Gallery Show!

2010-10-10T14:36:00.003-07:00

I'm happy to report the opening of the Whittier Gallery Show!

Address is The Framery Gallery 13105 Whittier Blvd. Whitter, CA
The show runs from now until October 30th.

On October 23rd I've been asked to do a demo on calligraphy from 3pm to 6pm. So come on down & see me all you L.A. folks! We can share a latte!

I'm excited to share one of the 5 art quilts I have in this show has all ready been sold!

I also have over 30 blank note cards on display there as well.

The come two different designs in a pack & are $12.00 per pack!

In addition some other great news! My One Foot Square donation to SAQA was sold at auction!

To read more about this piece see here

I've got a super secret work that is in progress and the other day when I had to stack all the pieces & put them aside this what they looked like. I didn't 'see' it until I had left the room & come back in! How fun! It looks nothing like the work itself but I sure have another EYEdea cookin' now! LOL

That's it for now!

PVC Fun!

2010-09-21T10:51:00.001-07:00

Here She Is!

The lovely lady who keeps all my unruly tresses in check! She lovingly refers to my haircuts as 'topiary shapings'.

A few years ago she asked me to make her an apron. She wanted it to resemble a corset in the back with a few 'metal' touches resembling L.A. club/scene wear. Recently she asked if I had any more of that fabric. Since I did she requested a 50's style apron. Something shorter and smaller to show off the 50lbs she's lost so far! She gave me some ideas & I took it from there.

The material is called PVC. If you've never worn it I suggest you give it a go. It's best if you get something tight fitting as it loves to hug the curves and make them all shiny but stretches with the body at the same time. PVC is really soft on the shiny side so other things sort of slide over it without interruption. I love the sound it makes when you walk in it. It is made to resemble Latex. But unlike Latex it breathes and you don't have to powder up your skin to get in it or find someone to lube it up after it's on. (to get the shiny)

Problem fabric? You bet. First of all you can't pin it unless you want all those tiny holes to

1.) show and

2.) create weak spots that will further open and tear.

So I use painters tape to lay the pattern out on the material. Then cut it once. It's not necessary to finish the edges.

The next problem with this fabric is that it sticks to any surface other than fabric or paper. So... first I had to put the painters tape on each side and in front of and behind the feed dogs on my machine. Next problem is the presser foot. It was impossible to put the tape under there and have it stay so I used my free motion foot to stitch. Problem there was making sure the fabric had the right amount of tension to create a nice even stitch. It was slow going. When I made her last apron I had to put the sovly stabilizer on top where I was to stitch and hope to heck that it worked as I couldn't then see where I was stitching. Sewing blind no longer meant me just trying to find my glasses! Even though you don't need to finish the edges with hems I did finish it all around with with black lace seam binding that I stitched down with bubblegum pink thread.

The neck strap and ruffle were created with Pink Organdy Ribbon. I hand gathered/pleated the ribbon for the ruffle. Did some stay stitching, then sewed it onto the (rolled) hem. I don't like to do things twice so I rolled the hem while attaching the ribbon. The back tie is Grosgrain ribbon in Bubblegum pink too. I love, love, love the idea that there is this hard edgy apron from the front with this giant pink bow right on the butt! Too cute! Since Trish has a tattoo that reads 'Princess' just below the back of her neck, this color combo seemed perfect. I simply used some pink silk chemise material for the flap insets that reveal her...erm... decolletage. Last thing was to have her try it on so I could place the darts. She didn't want to give it back to me to sew them but I assured her I would return the very next day with her finished apron.

Not much of that fabric left now. She wanted me to make her a real corset but that is sooo beyond my capabilities! I wouldn't mess with bone stays if you paid me not to mention the holes in the back for the laces!

Another sassy apron for my favorite hairdresser. She was happy and assured me her hubbie would be much pleased as well . ;)

Some Work, Some Music & Some F.U.N.!

2010-08-28T16:51:00.001-07:00

The work:

My friend Deb found this pattern in Montana when she was there on holiday. She sent it to me and asked if I'd be interested in making for her. *The really funny part was that she also included $5.00 for return postage should I decide it was too 'beneath me' to do!* I will admit; making someone elses (meaning the quiltmaker's) pattern was kinda limiting but it turned out to be just the impetus I needed to get back into my sewing room & play with my newly tuned up and repaired sewing machine!

This one block 'Hummin Blossoms is from the Pine Needles studio by artist McKenna Ryan. . It measures 14 1/2 x 39". It is from an 'At Home in the Woods Block of the Month.

I admit to being daunted when I opened up the instructions and saw all the tiny pieces that were to be fused and fussy cut but if you knew my friend Deb and all she means to me I simply put that aside and dove right in!

I could see right off there would need to be some adjustments I would need to make. Primary was that Ms. Ryan quilted her entire block (& I'm presuming the entire finished quilt) in monofilament (clear fishing line type thread). I completely understand that for the sake of speed in cranking out a pattern for the block of the month clubs. However, since I had more time to spend on this one piece and want to make it as special as I possibly can I am machine quilting it with every and any color I want. After all, my machine is all cleaned up and breaking it in with over 30 thread color changes is just what it needs :) I mean seriously! Don't those tiny jeweled hummers just beg for metallic threads??? I will also be adding some free motion designs that aren't on the pattern itself as well as adding some hand embroidery with my newly acquired Laura Wasilowski hand dyed Perle cottons. (hhehehehheeee!) I'm all goosepimply just thinkin of it.

I had cut out all the pieces, fused them all down, sewn all the borders on and was ready to start quilting it when I was invited to see Dave Matthews Band playing at the Irvine Verizon Amphitheater. It was a wonderful experience and I was overwhelmed with how great they are live!

On the Sunday after the concert I had taken a nap & when I was just starting to wake up some ideas came into my head. I remember watching cartoons when I was little (back in the late 60's and early 70's) Many of them had fun illustrations put to music (think Fantasia) and in my mind I was still remembering the music that washed over me the night before with all the bee bops, blips and crescendo's and the incredible Violin/Fiddle playing boy Boyd Tinsley.

The visions in my head reminded me of the early Pink Panther movies & and how the credits were done up in cartoon fashion prior to the movie starting. (Much the way they honored the illustrators with the Steve Martin remake; I often put the DVD in just to watch the magic of the opening credits) anyhow; with DMB's music in my head; I flew into my sewing room & grabbed some silks & attempted to re-create the old cartoon illustrations to music in fabric. The blue one was first; I loved how the orange dots just floated across the background and the long embroidery lines added later gave a grounding effect. *click on images to enlarge*

close up:

Then, carrying the idea further and trying to make a mirror image of sorts, I created the blue's opposite with this gold one. I was just too in love with the ellipticals to stop after the blue. I don't think I would still put the blue & green bars across if I were to make this into a big piece but I had fun digging thru my silk scraps & playing with Mistyfuse & the Goddess sheet! (If you don't have one I highly endorse getting one! It's truly what to my mind Mistyfuse has needed all along. Much cleaner edges & less 'hairy ends' hanging off the cut work in addition to being able to tell the really shiny side where the fusible is!) I used it on the fused commissioned one above & my fingers have been thanking me each time I embroider something onto the batik surfaces and don't have to use pliers to get thru the wonder under.

close up:

I was thrilled that after my 'lull' artistically I just jumped right back in and created some small 'experiments' like these and was happy with the playtime. And Deb, if you're reading this, your piece is coming along nicely and I will finish it over Labor Day weekend!

SOLD!

2010-08-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love that word! This piece was recently sold! It is currently on display at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, CA

Lionfish 22W x 36L

This work was also featured in the Artist Gallery section of 'Embellished Mini Quilts' book by Jamie Fingal who had this to say:

Lionfish is a sight to behold- a beaded masterpiece. (When I first read that I cried)
Orange coral, red anemones, and hand stitching on velvet ribbon give a sense of
movement in the water. Couched yarns and tulle, with clusters of beads, shells,
and pearls gather on the bottom and grow up the sides of this quilted ocean.

This work also features rocks, hundreds of sequins hand embroidery, even doll hair! It took nearly a year to complete and I loved every step with the notable exception of the thousands of beads all over my sewing room tables for that long. My OCD (or more appropriately CDO-as it should be) was really tested.

I like knowing that the pearl motif was made from a necklace that belonged to my grandmother. All of the beading is done by hand and sewn on one. at. a. time. I only stress that, as someone recently wondered how she couldn't see the 'glue'...

I'm overwhelmed that it was purchased while on display at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. (Going on until August 15th) Due to this works high price point I had indicated it was 'NFS' and was so surprised when not one but two serious buyers had emailed me about it. I'll take pictures if the buyer is willing; and share them when the quilt is delivered.

I have other works on display as well:

Silence 36W x 48L

Artist Warrior

Flamingo Walk 17"H x 22"L

Blue Heron (Water Tiger) 17"W x 22"L

Family Corvidae 17"H x 22"L

Group Quilt Celebrating the Long Beach Carousel at the Pike. I designed this 60"W x 60"L quilt. The four other artists are: Rabbit- Cindy Cooksey; Zebra- Julie Schlueter; Horse- Me; Lion - Vicki Valdez; Giraffe- Terry Waldron

Journal Book cover

This show was curated by Jamie Fingal

This show is amazingly well presented! Congrats Jamie for being the 'Featured Artist!'

How awesome is this???

I'll be working our section of the show August 15th from 2 - 4 with my good friend Cindy Cooksey! We are in Building 16. Come on by and say HI!

Long Beach Festival 2010

2010-07-29T16:18:00.001-07:00

This year at Long Beach International Quilt Festival I had SO MUCH FUN!!! I was only there one day (9:30am to 10:30pm) but I can tell you it was a total blast! Karey Bresenhan & her crew (Amanda, Carmen, Trix, et.al.) are the most professional, courteous, amazing bunch of women! I always feel so humble when I walk through the front doors and see how professionally all the exhibits are presented. From the first one (West Coast Wonders) to the last; the show is hung beautifully! The colors and quilts were wonderful!

Since this is my blog; I'm showing mine first! Here is the exhibit for Quilts on the Wall (the group I was President of for two years) entitled 'Journey's'

My quilt was called 'Journey thru Time'

It is the magnification of the inside of a stopwatch.

I had a blast putting this together with the bright colors and I love wheels and cogs. This quilt was fun to free motion quilt with my favorite 'Random Baptist Fan' motif. You can click the photo to enlarge it.

I'm excited to say I am not done with wheels and the quilt I'm working on now is total steampunk !

This piece was across from our exhibit and was a round robin (if you can believe that). I fell in love with the colors, design and flow of this work. I can't remember the title but it had the word ketchup in it!

You may recogonize this bevy of beauties! From left to right;

Patricia (Pokey) Bolton; Jane (Love that Smile) LaFazio; Jamie (Mega Metal Mama) Fingal and Leslie (The Effervescent) Tucker Jenison

Here is a shot of some fo the Quilts on the Wall crew!

From Left to right: Mark Stone, Linda Stone, Felisa Lyons, Mary Tabar & Julie Schlueter

Carol Nilsen shares her 'Flight' Quilt.

That orange is simply stunning!

I got wrangled into a Make It University by my friend Peggy Calvert

Jamie Fingal & Leslie Tucker Jenison were the teachers of this fun project making flags!

With five spaces to work with I chose my word for the year 'Begin' and created this fun project. Even though I H.A.T.E. to paint or dye for the mess, this was rather fun! I'm standing way in the back (the best place to heckle the teachers) :)

At the Quilt Art/SAQA reception the Grande Dame of Quilts herself pays our table a visit. Don't you just LOVE that teal velvet jacket!!! To die for! She was truly stunning.

She came to our table and asked 'Who does this gorgeous red hair belong to' as she put her hand on my shoulder; I nearly died! So I was feeling all gutsy and asked for a picture together. She was unfailingly kind and said yes. *note to self; have someone else take the picture so the camera isn't so close to your chubby face!'*

Here is jo Griffith with her quilt 'Sweet Charity' I really love this piece and it's incorporation of tradition shapes with the art quilt, surface design techniques too! jo does amazing work always! And she's got a terrific smile!

Our esteemed President Dave Charity and his lovely wife Trish Charity. They are a 'quilting couple' and were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary!

Here I am with one of; what I call my 'soul sisters' Bonnie McCaffrey! From the minute we met last year at festival we just hit it off! Seeing her this year was wonderful and I can't thank her enough for her generosity of spirit and hilarious sense of humor! Bonnie you ROCK! *you can see here I got better at holding the camera waaay away from my face*

Now this group of stunners is from left to right:

Sandra Hankins; Diana Bracy (from Las Vegas) and Cynthia Catlin

Sandra is holding the book that all three of them have works published in! Way to GO Ladies!

Here is Cindy Cooksey and Jane LaFazio! We loved her antler scarf! Jane is a complete riot and I was so lucky to sit next to her at dinner though it did make taking drinks a bit difficult as her timing of punch lines is impeccable! She must be a gas to have as a teacher!

I stole this picture from Jamie Fingal's blog. Me & Cindy! Love her jacket!

And because we have to have some silly time; here's Peggy Calvert & me. Apparently I was doing a Mick Jagger impression.

There were tons of quilt exhibits but I really focused more on people this year. I can't hardly wait for next year!

Piece Out!

A Whimsical Commissioned piece

2010-07-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

(click on images to make them larger)

A friend asked me to interpret her poem in an art quilt that will be given to her niece who is 4. This is the final interpretation.

I don't do whimsical well; it is always a stretch for me but I liked being able to use my regular and felt buttons in combination. I was happy to use my own calligraphy in such a fun, lighthearted way.

The colors of the work make me want to eat it. Border fabric was a gift scrap from my friend Peggy. I love whimsical material; I just have no clue how to use it! LOL

Finished size is 26 1/2 L x 14 1/2 W.

I have one more commissioned piece I need to start now; so I'm off to sew!!

Can't wait to see everyone at Long Beach!!! It's next WEEK! WHOOT!!!

Children of Lir

2010-07-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

“Children of Lir” (53"H x 58"L) Has been accepted into Text on Textiles: Words as Design in Quilts and will be exhibited at the Quilt Festival at Houston 2010 and in 2011 Cincinnati and Long Beach.

I can't even express how deliriously happy this makes me!

WOW-My very own Vid-Cast!

2010-06-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so thrilled to be able to announce that the Vid-Cast Bonnie McCaffrey did of me at Long Beach last year has been released! Here it is! Please let me know what you think! I'm still walking on clouds!

Sale!

2010-06-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

Some smaller works on sale!

These are 3, 8 1/2" by 11" works boarded and ready for hanging. They are priced to sell at $80.00 each. First come; first served. Click on image to enlarge it.

This one is my personal favorite. The beads across the fish are free floating so they move. The fish were fussy cut; placed on the white background then cut apart to resemble an Asian screen.

This piece is of my calligraphy and was featured in the Creative Quilting book you see at the left column. It was a sampler of sorts and is also beaded.

This was a work I made using both traditional piecing and hand beading. It is a 'Tree of Life'.

If you are interested in any of these please email me at corvus93@sbcglobal.net
And thanks for looking!

A time to reap or sew?

2010-05-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Memorial day weekend.

A time when I think I should do something productive considering I have three days back to back, free of ~~work~~ my day job.

So I've done the laundry, mopped the floors, power washed the front of the house (OK that was kinda fun), trimmed the overgrown shrubs. And put out our flags. Now I can go back inside where it's cool...

To This...

Oh dear!

I've been putting it off for months; just working inside the ~~mess~~ creative zone.

You know, like when you need just the right paper (yes, all that you see there is paper, not fabric- isn't it just yummy!) but to find it you must look through your entire rolled up supply.

Today, now that I've finished my chores and THANKS to Robin Atkins and her free ebook I am inspired to bead something. This shelf, the one above it and three tackle boxes must find a place to sit before that 'improvisation' can happen. Which just proves the old adage: Opportunity favors the prepared! *or is that luck?* I'll need both to help clean this place up!

And the table with all that paper on it. I must go slowly and talk gently to each piece as I roll it back up inside its brothers & sisters and promise it can come out again soon.

Well, truthfully I have been rather busy in the sewing room, I just finished a paper calligraphy commission,

I'm currently working on a large (38Wx60L) triptych; been doing some slow cloth on a smaller (16L x 38W) triptych and on top of all that watching Molly the owl raise & fledge her 4 owlets over on Ustream. The owls return to the owlbox during the day so you can still watch them. They are a lovely site to behold. During the day they all sleep as birds do; standing on one leg. They gently sway into each other like downy bowling pins and occasionally they wake and chitter to each other or hold each other's feet and kiss. (oh all right, that's anthropomorphizing but they do hold each others feet and they do get beak to beak) It is so serene to watch.

And my beloved daughter passed her behind the wheel test! Wo0T!

Anyhow; Here's a sneaky peek of one panel of the large triptych.

So now I'm here blogging but not cleaning, so enough of that... must get to cleaning up.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Enjoy your weekend & all the magic it may hold!

Published!

2010-05-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!!!

to reveal that this piece which you will recognize from my header will be featured in the gallery section of this book coming out in June! The author is my friend Rose Hughes.

At our last meeting of Quilts on the Wall, Rose had her advanced copy and I was able to sit and look through it during the meeting. It is choc full of interesting techniques (including her trademark fast pieced applique method), and lots of eye candy in the gallery section on embellishment! So much fun and inspiration! You can preorder copies signed by Rose at her site.

Journeys Postcard!

2010-05-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

Accepted!

2010-04-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

I got the GREAT news that my quilt entitled "Journey Thru Time"
was accepted into the Quilts on the Wall special Exhibit for Long Beach Quilt Festival 2010! We aren't allowed to share full pictures but here's a tiny peek! The whole quilt is 36"W x 48"L.

Also! I found out that IQA used a full picture of my quilt in their class schedule! you can click the photo to make it bigger.

SAQA 1 Foot Square Donation for Auction

2010-04-21T08:07:00.001-07:00

Celtic Pear for Peace

I am really in love with that color mustard! I drew the pear shape and then painted it in fabric medium and let it dry. Then on a sheet of paper I played with the calligraphy placing the words in the pear shape trying to get the dimensions right for the shapeliness of the pear. I then inked the design onto the fabric with my calligraphic pens. I used liquitex calligraphy inks.

The main word Siochian (can't put the fada's in this script) is Peace in Irish Gaelic. There is also Gra = Love; Neart = strength and Onoir = Honor. I then took my artist quill did the relief curlicues and tiny flowers and leaves. After that, it was off to the machine!

Machine quilted from the back in bright orange from a piece of tapestry fabric (I didn't get that photo yet) and then from from the front for all the other quilting of circles, lines, etc. I hope they can use it in auction!

Snow Leopard

2010-03-21T13:46:00.001-07:00

clicking the pictures makes them full size

Specs: 38" W x 48" L
Materials: Hand dyed cotton panels,tulle,silk.
Techniques: Water-colored, machine quilted.

The back story: I wanted to experiment with water-coloring on fabric. I searched the YouTube archives for help in this process but was left wanting. I went to the QuiltArt list and asked for advice on where more information might be found. I got a range of helpful feedback from many wonderful folks about classes, books, etc. At the present time sadly, none of those options fit in my budget.

As necessity is fond of calling herself the 'mother of invention' I subscribed to her truth; strapped on my artist warrior armour and sallied forth in what was for me at least, uncharted territory.

I decided after testing some calligraphy inks on the fabric I wanted to use, that I liked the way ink wicked out on the front but I REALLY liked the effect from the back of the fabric so the cat is painted entirely from the wrong side of the material. I attempted to prevent that same wicking from going where I didn't want it go *the technical term is called 'resist' by using fabric medium that I painted around the outline of the cat. It sounded great in theory but in practice it didn't work out so hot as later when I stitched the outline of the cat, trying to re-close those stitch holes was not fun.

I. had. so. much. fun. simply wetting the fabric & watching the paint lightly drizzle where I put it and in no time at all, the cat was done! There's things I would do differently next time; most notably NOT putting that fabric medium all around the edge.

In keeping with the elusive big ghost cat's territory, I used the blocks of color that set off the center panel much the way of a Japanese screen painting might look. *No offense meant to Japanese artists who might regard this work as an affront to their aesthetic sensibilities, I admit I have far, far to go there.* I am truly enamored with the minimalist approach however.

I enjoy playing with the subtle. The quiet values, the soft tones and for this piece and it's elusive subject, they worked out nicely all the way down to his pink(ish) nose!

My Latest Commissoned Work

2010-02-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

Is now in the hands of it's owner. I'll be posting a 'process' blog entry when I get all the photos downloaded but in the meantime she wanted to share it with some friends so I'm just posting the finished piece.

Size is 29" W x 27" L

As many of you know; Celtic knot work is labor intensive. The calligraphy is all done by hand; not computer generated or traced. It is hand painted with a combination of liquitex ink; acrylic ink & watercolor pencils.

Clicking the images will make them bigger.

Thank you Deb, it was an honor to create this for you.

This is the label on the back; it's roughly 8 1/2" x 11". The initials are Deb's & her late husbands', Joe.

Thankful Thursday Indeed!

2010-01-28T21:12:00.000-08:00

Imagine my surprise when the UPS man delivered a good sized box to me this evening. I was frightened thinking 'Oh Lord, what did she buy and NOT tell me?'. Well, after seeing the return address I was relieved. But I MUST say my GOODNESS how thrilled I was to open this box & find so much batting!!! WH00T!

Now I know what you're thinking "What? Batting scraps? Has Stacy finally lost it?" Well, no. I was talking to my dear friend Lynn Douglass about my CatNipQuilts and how I was using my batting scraps but was starting to run low. So she just packed up a box & sent them to me! Isn't she the bomb? And can I tell you as I kept pulling wad after wad of (carefully folded I might add) batting out, in the bottom there was a breath taking SURPRISE!!! As if the batting wasn't enough!
Such a cute card AND some to die for new fabric!!! I am truly spoiled Lynn. Thank you so much but you are still on for a girls night, homemade tacos & some margaritas! Don't think I've forgotten!

Oh I'm so inspired; aren't they just yummy!

Cards up on ETSY!

2010-01-26T10:13:00.000-08:00

So happy to report that I'm getting my art cards up on my ETSY site.
Cats, Dogs, Birds! Adding more daily!
They are $6.00 ea or 3 for $15.00. *unframed*

You can paint with that?

2010-01-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Just dropping in for a second *sshhhhh* I'm at work & posting this...
If you love awe inspiring illustration; incorportated with gorgeous words; wanna see something?

Check out Illustrator Jackie Morris' site today & see what she's painting with... *feathers! YA, no kidding!!!*

HERE

Amazing. I am lucky & have a few of her books; her work leaves me breathless & inspired (and many times my eyes leaking) in a way I can't quite articulate. You'll see. If you've a mind too check out her other blog about her ginger cats; written in their voices.

LOVELY HERE

I'll stop gushing & let you go.

Our Noble Elements 'Summer'

2010-01-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

This piece is the latest installment of the 'Our Nobel Elements' Challenge. 'Spring' is currently touring. This is 'Summer'.

Summer in the Kalahari
17" x 22"
This hand dyed fabric reminded me of the blood orange red sunsets in Africa.
Fused; couched fancy yarns; hand embroidery; hand beaded; machine quilted.

Travel Schedule:
Road to California
January 14-17, 2010
Ontario Convention Center
Ontario, California
www.road2CA.com

Denver National Quilt Festival V
April 29 - May 2, 2010
Denver, Colorado
www.quiltfest.com

Quilting, Stitches & Crafts Expo
Reno NV
June 24 - 26, 2010
www.qscexpos.com

Quilting, Stitches & Crafts Expo
Cincinnati, OH
September 9 - 11, 2010
www.qscexpos.com

Pacific International Quilt Festival XIX
October 14 - 17, 2010
Santa Clara, California
www.quiltfest.com

Some Faces You'll See at the Muck!

2009-12-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

Did these birds this weekend; I like the way they turned out. Making more now.

Come out and see us at the Muck! If you can't make it but would like to order leave a comment with what you'd like. I can send pix of what I have & you can choose! I'll be posting them up on Etsy later in the month. They are $6.00 each or 3 for $15.00. They come on cardstock with envelopes but are quite suitable for framing!

Fine Arts & Crafts Faire at the Muckenthaler

2009-12-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Dec 20th from Noon-5pm; Fine Arts & Craft Faire at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center's Annual Holiday Festival; Peggy Calvert, Cindy Cooksey, Jamie Fingal, Terry Waldron, and I will be selling our work at this show. Vendor booths, art exhibits, children’s art activities, music and dance performances, and tours of the facility on the 8.5 acre grounds of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, an historic 1924 estate and cultural center. This event draws about a thousand people each year. Admission is free. 1201 West Malvern Avenue, Fullerton. 'The Muck'

I will have notecards, small art quilts, & hand knit scarves. Mark your calendar if you are in the area.

Also, remember that Muckenthaler also has an art quilt exhibit at the same time which includes one of my largest works 'Children of Lir'. That exhibit continues until December 31.

Ever have one of those ideas?

2009-11-19T21:49:00.000-08:00

In your head; the kind that start with a sort of 'oh!' then you go to your stash (pushing aside the myriad other projects in process and find EXACTLY what you had in mind for this idea? You go to your design table & quickly sketch out what's in your head & it's identical to what was in your mind right off? You then begin constructing the top and it flows together without issue. You didn't even do math & yet you have exactly enough squares in different sizes. It's all fuseable and you lay it right down on your batting. Oh, and the batting; you just pull a piece from your closet & it fits perfectly! You get your backing fabric and the entire piece is done (relatively) in a matter of HOURS?

And I KNOW I have more ideas of this style coming... I feel the seeds of a series... I drew the Poppies on, then machine stitched in black. To add depth; I used a grey water color pencil (by wetting the brush first, putting the brush on the pencil tip to get color, then applying it to the fabric). I found that if I heat set it right away the color faded, so I applied the color & let it dry by itself first. Then heat set it and the color stayed. I used my Stadtler water color pencils. (well, just the grey one).

I'm glad I did this last Sunday as by Monday all heck broke loose. Two of my cats came down with urinary tract infections. One is my Bengal Foster kitty, Jenga. Hers turned out to be bladder stones (ouch!) and when Bengal rescue didn't have the funds for the $800 surgery, I set to fundraising. (Well, it was that or euthanasia.) You can read that story here. It's been going fantastically & I've even sold some quilts off my ETSY shop as a result of folks stopping by to donate for Jenga! Whoot!

I can't wait to get back to working on this piece.

Running Memory Quilt

2009-11-15T10:56:00.000-08:00

My Friend Rich is a runner. He asked me to make a quilt for him of all his bibs & some tshirts. It was fun to do. I scanned all his bibs in, then printed them on fabric sheets. The final quilt measured 4' x 6'.

This is the back, Rich loves to run at the beach so I put my favorite dolphin fabric on there. There were some plain bibs left that I put on the back also. You'll note the last square of fabric at the bottom is all junk food as Rich likes to have 'Bad Food Friday's' when he's celebrating.

I admire my friend Rich for running and staying with it. Running is hard! My favorite Bib said,

"PASS THE WEAK, HURDLE THE DEAD".

Priceless!

Zed

2009-10-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

Happy to report that my piece 'Zed' aka 'motherboard' was on display at PIQF! Sadly, the only good photos I had of the piece have been eaten. My friend Cindy Cooksey was there and took this photo! The shots below are clearer on the details.

These were WIP shots of the detail. I had such fun quilting this can you tell?!

The inital 'E' for Ellen and her princess crown.

My Initial 'S' sit's atop the Z with a more formal type crown.

That fuchia silk was is to die for! This quilt was for a challenge called 'Unfettered letters' in which you had to include either text or letters on your quilt somewhere. As I had just finished a piece with lots of text; I opted for a single letter.

It was interesting creating a background that was all geometric then adding the more organic shapes with some of the quilting lines. I believe these quilts were all the same size 28" x 38" but am not 100%.

The cotton/sateen background is from 'Hand Dyed Fabrics'. They always have a booth at Long Beach & I LOVE their stuff!!!

Lark 500 Art Quilts!

2009-10-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

Selected my quilt "Don't Say Goodbye". I'm so stoked I can hardly believe it! I can't wait to get my copy due out in Spring 2010 to see all the quilts. They received over 2000 entries. I am amazed they were able to jury down to only 500! I so humbled by the company I'm in.

This is the backing fabric by Alexander Henry. The quilt was machine quilted entirely from the back. In order to change thread colors I had to first outline from the front, the area that I was going to quilt in so I would know when to stop with that color.

Artist Reception at the Muckenthaler!

2009-10-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

My 'Children of Lir' Quilt. (52" H x 48" W.)
The exhibit was hung beautifully! Many thanks to the Matt Leslie & his crew. The Muckenthaler is an old mansion in Fullerton, CA that has been redone into a museum. The artists reception was today from 12-3 and there were lots of folks in attendance! So much fun to look at beautiful art quilts, nosh & chat with everyone.

Our exhibit "Contemporary Quilts" will be open until December 31st. I'll post pictures of my quilt when I get them. (sadly, I forgot my camera & Peggy Calvert was kind enough to photo my quilt for me)

Fabric Cards Finished!

2009-10-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank all the great artists who gave their creative and wonderful advice thru both personal emails & the QuiltArt list! You are all the best! Here's the final cards; there will be two in a pack. They are sized 5 x 7. I simply ran out of time as I didn't realize how time consuming this little project was or I would have created a matted & framed one to sit along side the card display. That was a great idea from Delores Hamilton!

So, without further adieu; the final two cards:

Many of you suggested adding a color wash so I got out my inktense pencils & added some color.

I didn't color this one but used rainbow thread to encircle the flower. As I said; I simply ran out of time. I'll know better next time.

Again, Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment! I so appreciated all your help & will post an update after the show!

This is fun!

2009-10-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

I've taken one of my sketches from my sketchbook. I particularly like this one even with all the mistakes.

Then I decided to resize it to 4x6 and do some image transfers onto fabric sheets. I have a gallery show coming up and wanted to make some fiber cards to sell. I had originally printed out images of some of my quilts and while I liked them, they didn't fall into what the gallery owner wanted. So, moved onto these. There will be 3 5x7 cards in a pack. Two of this design and one other that I haven't uploaded yet.

Here's a shot of the resized images:

Final: I'm thinking it needs more... any ideas???

Artist Warrior Update

2009-09-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

How do you handle fear?

Do you ever get to that place in a piece where you know that it's all good so far & if you try this one thing; and it goes badly it will be unalterable and you will have ruined it? I hadn't planned on painting in the eyes but I wanted to add some color to give them more presence. I knew once I applied the paint, that would be it. But that type of fear is just what my Artist Warrior is good at fending off. The fear never goes away entirely, but she's good at saying:

"So what??? If you don't risk; you gain nothing... no experience, no joy and more importantly NO SUCCESS!
And what have you lost? NOTHING!
You've spent time in your sewing room with your favorite music playing: you are not at your 'day job': you are playing with fabric and your sewing machine & all the shiny things that you adore! You've stared at your thread wall and changed your mind a dozen times on which color, which texture, which line you want to follow and been super pleased with what you DID choose! Oh ya, that's SO horrible isn't it? So be quiet; get the paint out; dip it lightly, play on a practice scrap; and then? "JUST DO IT!"

So I did.

And I'm happy with the results. Sure, there are things I would do differently next time but what I learned was that you can paint lightly then add if necessary. You can add tiny amounts of other color to pick up a different element in the work. If you mix your very fine eye make up glitter with fabric medium, it sticks to fabric and won't flake off to everywhere else! If you take a waterproof black pen, you can add tiny lines and if you add enough, they make a lovely shadow effect AND you can add tiny fine lines on the painted part that give a wonderful depth dimension too! Eyes are fun!

Artist Warrior = 1
Fear = fugeedaboudit!

Work in Progress

2009-09-24T20:52:00.002-07:00

On an inspirational site I read called Blisschick Christine was sharing insights as to how to deal with the sometimes negative chatter that goes on in the mind of the artist. To combat that chatter she called it getting your 'Artist Warrior' on. The idea so captivated me I immediately went home, cleared the design table & attempted to create what I imagined my 'Artist Warrior' would look like. A few drawings later, I had it. I put 'her' down, had the hair, staff, Raven guide, robe. But what was I looking at in the night sky?

I had to make it night sky because the only fabric I had that played well with the bright robe & hair was a darker fabric. But the trouble was then trying to imbue light back into the scene. Originally there was going to be a bright star. And that's where the work stopped. Labor Day weekend.

Sadly, we lost our youngest cat; you can read that account here and so after a couple weeks of tears and having the Artist Warrior on my design wall waiting; I found the perfect thing to be reflecting on in the night sky. Coco's eyes. This is still a work in progress as evidenced by the pins showing; there will be tulle added, beading and more quilting certainly. But it's off to a good start. It's a personal piece; not for a show or gallery necessarily, but just because I was so captivated by the idea I had to make it/her/me. What fun!

The calligraphy is in Irish and reads, 'Strength; Love and Honor'.

Any comments are appreciated!

2009-08-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

All done!

This piece is for a challenge with one of my local art groups. The theme is Archaeology.

Specs: 28" W x 38" H. Vertical Orientation
*This is actually a prototype for a quilt that will be nearly 50" x 50"*

Title: 'Among the Runes'

This piece explores symbols and letters used by civilizations from past to present. The backdrop is side of a rock face or petroglyph cave. On the top and bottom there are Runes; most ancient of all lettering. Next, a layer with the symbols of alchemy; there are seven representing base metals (gold; silver; mercury; lead; copper; iron; tin).

Ancient Japanese Kangi symbols representing 'Magic Spell': the Celtic treskle; Egyptian Eye of Horus; Native American symbol for wisdom and Fibonacci's spiral are scattered throughout.

In the very center; we've traveled through the past to 'uncover and view' the present. Upon closer inspection; the bright turquoise silk strips have binary code written upon them; representing the language of our modern world.

What was interesting was making the two quilts; the top layer and the 'inside layer' had to be put together in tandem to get the colors; placement, etc. to work together. Then the moment of truth came; cutting that top layer open! The 'inside layer' was then placed in back; it is only pinned at this point. The backing fabric is an aboriginal print with snakes (who frequent caves and dark forgotten worlds).

Materials:
Silk charmuse; organza; discharged silks, hand dyed cotton; cotton sateen; damask tulle; decorative yarns; beading; hand calligraphy.

BlissChick...Nourishment for Artists Souls

2009-08-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

This is cool by Blisschick in truth; it's BEYOND cool! And it's FREE! I'm going to print it out & give it to my daughter & also put a copy in my sewing room ON THE DOOR! So I remember daily; it's about doing what you want; breaking self imposed boundaries and having fun! Let the muse in!

Long Beach Quilt Festival 2009 or "Rockin the Purple Carpet"

2009-07-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

(my dog tags)

I would like to say THANK YOU to Karey & her fabulous band of fantastic femme's who worked so tirelessly to make the Long Beach Festival such a HUGE success! You gals ROCKED!

I nearly fainted with joy when I walked through the big open doors to see my own work staring me (literally) right back in the face! My Cheetah quilt was about as front & center as you could get. It was part of the 'West Coast Wonders II' exhibit and was flanked by one stunning piece of art after another! I was truly verklempt! So much for the mascara! After composing myself; my friend Julie snapped this pic. What a momentous occasion for this virtually unknown quilter from Orange, CA.

My Journal Quilt was there as well representing the water element: "Flamingo Walk"

My Edges Piece 'Silence'

My buddy Julie and her Edges piece:

That's all cut work, velvet. She did all that by hand!

Do you Moo too??? Here's some 'moos' I collected, can you 'guess who's moo' by the art?

I had one for Jamie Fingal but now can't find it :(

I will tell you that went I went over to Make it University & Judy Coates Perez was sitting there in her darling groovy yellow apron, I immediately went right over & said "There SHE IS!!!" Where is that lovely flip thing with your art on it??" She was gracious enough to actually act like she knew who the heck I was & what in the heck I was talking about! (Ok, I posted on her blog when she first showed it off, but really, I didn't expect her to actually remember)LOL. That's a classy gal right there!

As I kept walking I hear a voice shout out "You WIN!" and I stood there because A.) I was wearing my Tiara and B.) I'm nosey & want to see who won and what it is! This adorable little gal sitting there calls me over & gives me an ATC she's made. She says it's because of my Tiara. I'm so thrilled I don't even realize who I'm talking to! It's MELANIE TESTA!!!! I'm standing there like a big doof and MELANIE TESTA is giving me one of her ATC's!!! Just when I thought I couldn't be anymore verklemt than I was all ready between the Cheetah, Ms. Perez & being filmed by Bonnie McCaffrey (ok, more on that later!) Here it is; I will treasure it always!!! Thank YOU!!! so much Melanie!

I pinned it on my dress & wore it proudly the rest of the day!!!

Speaking of running into folks! A gal I've been friends with online for awhile now was going to be at Festival & we exchanged cell numbers so we could 'meet in person'. I was so thrilled to see her & we hung out for a good while chatting & laughing & even walking the vendor isles a bit. SO much FUN!!! I was sad when I had to leave her but it was such a great highlight of my day!!! Here we are, me & my buddie Lynn Douglass

We're standing in front of my Detours piece "Noah's Raven".

Here's a shot of me & Cynthia Catlin; she's in charge of exhibitions for Quilts on the Wall: Fiber Artists. Many of you may not know, I'm currently President of this group (2 years) and Cynthia is the past president & now Exhibitions Chair. There are over seventy members in this group. She works incredibly hard on our exhibits for Quilts on the Wall! Thank you to Susan Willen for taking this picture of us!

Here's some shots of my 'Combat Tiara for the Dangerously Fabulous!" Though there was no official 'parade of Tiara's' this year, I made one anyway just in case.

What I shared at the QA/SAQA reception: Still a WIP but getting closer Sarah!

What we bought! Julie & Cindy & I had a blast at the 'Hand Dyed' shop as usual!

That brilliant Red is one piece that has browns on either side & that gorgeous red strip right down the middle. It's amazing!

These yummy pieces were from Anansi village.

Now about Bonnie!

When we first got to Festival; Julie & I were standing at the Detours exhibit. I noticed a gal standing in front of my 'Noah's Raven' with a video recorder. She asked me if I'd like to be on film & say a few words. Being up for anything and feelin so groovy from my Cheetah high I was all excited to do it... Till I realized, I had to stand there and SAY SOMETHING on CAMERA! She asked me to say some words about the raven & my tiara, I kid you not, I stood there said 'what?'. I was so nervous I couldn't figure out what to do considering I couldn't really look at either thing while I was trying to describe it! I thought about ripping the Tiara off my head but the fear of having all my hair standing upright and askew on camera would be worse. If there was any useful footage of my fumblings I'll be amazed! I felt so dumb & my voice had tremours from being nervous! I mean, here's me who could get up & sing in front of crowds (and has) but without a script? or something to focus on? I was totally lost!

It was fun and when it's all over, she thanked me and was so nice & she left with Julie to talk about Julies piece in Edges. Then someone came up to me and asked 'So, did Bonnie McCaffrey interview you?' did I realize! OMG!!! THAT was BONNIE MCCAFFREY!!! SHUT UP!!! Well, it was a total geek out moment I can assure you! No idea, as I said, if any of the footage will wind up on the vidcasts of the show but ya; I'll be watchin! And later the next day; I looked up her site & watched nearly all her vidcasts & was blown away by not only the artists she's interviewed, but all the lovely quilts she's captured! Thank you Bonnie for showing those of us who can't go to Houston, or England those fantastic quilts!!!

So, that's my story... (not all of it; but there are somethings that have to stay under wraps just yet)

Still floatin' on cloud 10!

Noah's Raven

2009-07-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

This piece will debut at Long Beach Festival 2009 with my art group Quilts on the Wall. We curated a special exhibit entitled 'Detours' and completely funded the exhibit at both Long Beach Festival and then onto Houston Festival! WHOOT!

Teaching Calligraphy Workshop

2009-06-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

For a calligraphy workshop I'm teaching this Saturday. there are 13 students enrolled. I really like the quote by the late Danny Kaye. Wish me luck!

New Commissioned Work

2009-06-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Recently completed commission. This is a wedding gift for a couple to be married in Ireland. The saying is written in Irish and means: "Love is patient and kind". It measures 15" W x 24" L.

Hand calligraphy in Liquitex acrylics. Love knot is couched fancy yarns and metallic threads. Machine pieced and quilted. The Celtic braid is made of silk hand made bias (orange) and batik blue/green bias.

*****************************************************
This is little piece is for the person who commissioned the above work. It is her gift. The saying is "every turn of events has it's meaning/purpose" (all that in 5 Irish words)

It is 6 1/2 " W x 12" L. Hand calligraphy; Machine quilted in metallic threads and the organza is held in place by the fused green section.

Canvas Book

2009-04-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

My daughter's camera has such hi-res that it takes me forever to resize the photos to post. Here's the Canvas book that was done a few weeks ago.

Front & Back cover: The Peacock 'eye' is captured with a piece of clear cellophane from a page divider. I stitched it down. The 'Bead' was made using sculphy that I rubber stamped & painted. (same as mosaic ATC's)

Same pages with organza dragonfly in between:
The lime green page has newsprint from an Asian newspaper cut into leaf shapes and stiffened with good ol'elmers. The Marsh Wren is hand stamped & watercolored.

My Calligraphy mixed with bird stamps that were water colored.

Page pre-photo shop:

trying to be fancy in photoshop. LOVE! the way the new image draws the eye to different elements than the pre-photo shop image. must play with this more when I have more hours in the day.

Another Organza page that I stamped the hand writing on; it covers 'raw paper' that has leaves in it. The Butterfly (Zebra Swallow Tail) was a picture my daughter took when we were in Big Sur, I printed it out & put it on fusible.

Last two are more 'whimsical'. The bird tag is from K&Company (luv their stuff!).

As promised; Back Yard Visitor to the fruit tree; Wild Parrots. Here's one doing what Parrots do best! Aren't they beautiful!

Ms. Stella O'Houligan makin' a wish!

Mosiac ATC

2009-04-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

I'll be mailing these out Monday to the ATC coordinator.
They are 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.
Mine are entitled 'Your secret's safe with me."

All the embellishments sit atop a gorgeous piece of hand made paper I found. That paper was fused to tyvek for support. Originally, I was going to put lots of things on top but I just didn't like any of what I had and was really drawn to just the simple red piece in the center. This first one is a gift for the coordinator, I like it because it has the rough edge of the paper still on it.

Though simple; there were a lot of techniques going on here. 1. The red 'tablet shard' was made from rolled out sculpy; I took a large rubber stamp that was all script and pressed it into the sculpy and then took a knife and cut it into rectangles. Once it was cured; I painted the surface with acrylic ink.

The 'tassel ends' are all from Bolo ties I collected from a friend. The dark green material was actually a silk carrier rod that I dyed with Calligraphy inks. I sewed them down with some hand dyed embroidery floss.

The Chinese emblems were cut from a bangle bracelet I got at a Claire's store in the mall a few years ago. I affixed them as well as the shards & tassels with glue prior to sewing them down for added security. Then I added the beads. These were really fun; but I hate sewing through ultimately was 2 layers of fabric, tyvek & thick hand made paper that made the substrate.

More Sketchlings

2009-03-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day

4 and 20 Blackbirds...and a chandelier.

This was me trying to be Judy Coats Perez drawing bugs. I have a looooooong way to go but it was fun. I'm starting to see the limitation of a solid black pen (meaning no variations in light)

This started as just the tree that I was going to put a falcon in; decided that bird drawings should be 'up close' like the owl to get the intricacies of the feathers; this one would have been too small with my limited penmanship would have lost much of the coloration. I struggle with keeping things light. Ended up attempting a background that proved much harder that if I would have just done the dang bird! Oh well. My book, my learning.

I am working on several fabric projects right now. One of which is a canvas journal book and some of these sketches may find their way into it some how. Judy did some amazing drawing on organza! I must try this. See her blog here: http://judyperez.blogspot.com/ She is definately one of my fiber artist heroines!