In the midst of all of this, I came across an announcement for an art exhibit titled: Blurred Boundaries

The word boundaries (can) carry quite a negative connotation (for me).  This title intrigued me and I stopped long enough to consider entering it.  After reading the description I decided I actually did have some work that fit into this arena; okay what the heck, I’ll enter.

The concept is to showcase artists that use unique materials and techniques for fiber art; not staying within the typical boundaries.

The deadline was looming and I began to hesitate because I do not have easy access to my things as I would like (just yet); however, on the last day and the last hour, I decided to enter.   I chose three pieces I thought qualified.  The entry form asked for a detailed description of each piece, including techniques and materials which was critical to the acceptance.  Hmmmm….

Let me think, can I even remember what I did, what I used way back in 2009/or earlier this year? Here is my description of  Zen Wreath:

Most shows have a month or so of time that is allowed for the jury to take place.  This one was different.  I was notified in one week

THAT ALL 3 PIECES WERE ACCEPTED!

Tin Heart

Fragments

Zen Wreath

It is a small show, should I say “selective”.  50 pieces were entered, 20 accepted., 12 artists including me.

Now, that has NEVER happened!

I now had the next challenge: Preparing and packing them to send to Michigan.  Ehhem…..

This was truly challenging as NONE of my stuff is unpacked in my studio; as it is still under construction  Not only did I have to pack them for shipping (find a box, packing materials, etc) but in addition, two needed sleeves and all needed dowels with eye hooks.

Now, I cannot bear to use just any fabric for sleeves; it must be the same one. HA!

1-Did I even own anymore of these fabrics?And, if so, where in tarnation would it be? Which one of the zillion boxes should I look?

2-The sleeve also needed a dowel.  Same problem;  I knew I owned some, the kind I like the best.  And, where on earth are the screw eyes?

3-The sleeve has to be sewn on and the work is not soft like most fiber art but rather stiff do to the unique techniques.

Ok, the hunt is on!!

Success! I DID find the exact fabric, the dowels, the screw eyes and managed to sew the sleeve on rather awkwardly;  but I did it and they are now shipped.

Oops, I left out an integral part of the story…..

While I was scrambling to do all of this……I received a message that

ZEN WREATH had won third place!

Not only was the notification fast but also the judging.  This may sound surprising, but I never enter a show to win.  I don’t even know if the award includes money.  My honor is to be accepted.  Winning something is icing on the cake.  This is proof that excellent digital images are a must!

And, to think I almost didn’t enter, ha!

I guess I still ‘have it’ after all.

]]> http://studioquilts.com/blurred-boundaries/feed/ 4 http://studioquilts.com/making-faces/ http://studioquilts.com/making-faces/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:27:01 +0000 admin http://studioquilts.com/?p=1362 FACE PAINT CHALLENGE

Susan Sanford of Art Spark Theatre is conducting a FACE PAINT CHALLENGE

Make a face, or more than one, somewhere on the street, or in the forest, vertical or horizontal

I shared this challenge with my granddaughter Madeleine and she willingly jumped at the opportunity.

We spent [...]]]> FACE PAINT CHALLENGE

Susan Sanford of Art Spark Theatre is conducting a FACE PAINT CHALLENGE

Make a face, or more than one, somewhere on the street, or in the forest, vertical or horizontal

I shared this challenge with my granddaughter Madeleine and she willingly jumped at the opportunity.

We spent the afternoon on the beach nearby making faces.

Madeleine, age 8

Wood bark, crab claw , sea shells and rocks

A natural formation of a clump of sand layered over a broken branch from a flower provided the perfect "cat ears".

Madeleine quickly jumped right in hunting and pondering the natural elements we saw around us.  She spotted a potential “cat face” in a natural sand formation;  adding bits of wood to make whiskers, nose and mouth.

Driftwood

The beach is full of driftwood in all sizes from whole trees to tiny shreds.  Madeleine and I discussed increasing the challenge to minimize the number of details added thinking how cool it would be to find one that was already formed naturally.  Her keen eyes spotted this face on the end of a large piece of driftwood.  Madeleine saw one version that looked like a monster while her Mother Michelle saw a profile of a dinosaur.

What do you see?

Water pipe, poppies and a broken piece of sea shell

While walking back along the street Madeleine spotted a circle shape from a water pipe.  Two Poppies for eyes and a broken piece of sea shell for a mouth.

She began to find faces in most anything.  This was a fun project which opened her eyes to new possibilities.

Thank you Susan for this idea!

NOTE: You may see Madeleine’s fabulous artwork on her gallery page: Gallery M

]]> http://studioquilts.com/making-faces/feed/ 0 http://studioquilts.com/settling-in/ http://studioquilts.com/settling-in/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:02:47 +0000 admin http://studioquilts.com/?p=1348 I am now settling into my new home here in Washington.  The house feels like a good “fit”.

Rear View

The home faces the Puget Sound with the beach 100 yards away

The view of the water and park.

The room [...]]]> I am now settling into my new home here in Washington.  The house feels like a good “fit”.

Rear View

The home faces the Puget Sound with the beach 100 yards away

The view of the water and park.

My studio will be great once it is finished.

The room had carpet and that would not work for me.  A new floor is being installed called Marmoleum.  This product is “green” all natural material and layered onto a hard board and backed with cork.  It snaps together.  The builds Brian and Marie Peterson are working deligently to accomplish this task.  They take great pride in their homes as is obvious when you see it.  We are SO fortunate to have come across this home.  Marie designed the pattern for the floor.

I gave her a simple quilt block design and this is what she came up with.

She chose six colors which unite all the colors in the house.

Next she is creating storage areas.  This is challenging.  We want to preserve the aesthetics of the architecture and at the same time produce efficient use of spaces.  There are three knee wall spaces we are considering.  Other ideas are to build a long worktable with storage underneath.

It is very exciting to have this opportunity to set up the room to be functional as well as beautiful.

How can I make a mess in this room?  It is too pretty to work in.

There are windows on all four walls with views that change constantly with the weather.  A nice size full bath.  The room is the entire third floor.

Stay tuned for updates as the work continues.

]]> http://studioquilts.com/settling-in/feed/ 1 http://studioquilts.com/moving-to-the-great-north-west/ http://studioquilts.com/moving-to-the-great-north-west/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 12:18:05 +0000 admin http://studioquilts.com/?p=1336

A view of the back side of my new home in Washington State.

A view of the back side of my new home in Washington State.

Wow! Packing up a studio is a new and challenging experience.  How did I manage to accumulate SO much stuff?  I am very excited to announce that our house has finally sold here in Maryland and we are bound for Washington State the end of May.  Things are moving much faster than i anticipated.  Is it better to have a shorter time and get it over with or more time to think about what to take vs toss?

What I have discovered about sorting my studio supplies is: THIS WAS NEEDED

It is good timing.  After having this studio for the last 10 years I now know what I truly need and can zoom in on my goals.

What I have an excess of is: PLASTIC STORAGE BOXES

I am constantly sorting, moving boxes from room to room trying to be efficient.  I over did it!

Cathartic, for sure.

My new studio will be on the third floor.  The entire floor! Windows on all four sides.  The challenge is: No walls

How will I store things and not block the windows (view)?  So far I have thought of:

1. Making large tables and having storage underneath.

2.  Counter height storage units.

I am open for suggestions, please leave comments with any ideas you have.  I need help.

]]>

Textile artist Richard Box demonstrates his thread painting techniques.  What an excellent brief but detailed demo.  Worth a look.

I have been invited to be the guest speaker in a chat session organized by Quilting Weekly.

Schedule: Monday March 22nd, 2010  8 p.m. CENTRAL TIME ZONE

It is open to the public.  To participate all you have to do is go to Quilting Weekly and sign in as a guest.

Quilting Weekly is a site that is owned and operated by Chris Dahl.  The focus is on traditionally styled quilting.  She offers many things for quilters including a wide variety of courses online.  She has been receiving inquiries about fiber art; how to learn more about it.  This chat session has been set up to address this topic.   I am very pleased to have this opportunity to talk about my favorite subject: Fiber Art.

By the way….a chat session is not actually talking, rather writing to each other in an open chat room.  Everyone who participates sees all of the messages that are posted.  It is real time allowing anyone to submit and contribute to the chat.  I look forward to spending time with everyone this evening.

Directions:

Go to the goodies tab and look for “chat room”, click that and a window opens to allow you to do 1 or 3 things as explained below.

1. Click “guest” and it will show a box with guest(followed by random number) highlight this and type in your name. You will show up in the room as (name)(guest) name will be replaced with the name you type in.
2. Click “sign up” and it takes you to chatroll to set up an account.
3. Type in username and password if you are already a member of chatroll.

Once you log in either as guest or as member you simply type in your conversation in the bottom blue rectangle under the main window and hit enter on the keyboard to send a message.

A few other tips: At the bottom right corner you will see a few icons, here is what they are.

1. Speaker – turns on and off the sound (not actual conversations, rather a popping sound when a new message is posted) which is handy if you are doing multi-tasking and minimize the screen. (just like the chat screen on Face Book)
2. Bulls eye – takes you to the chatroll site
3. Box with arrow – minimizes the chat room so you can browse the web or work elsewhere on the computer.