JYA Fiberarts

Holiday Projects

2011-12-05T16:34:00.003-05:00

I am just now getting back to posting and quilting my, " kids in the sand." I have been delayed with work on holiday projects and a new baby gift. I was recruited to make doll clothes for a little girl in NY, who lost her American Girl Doll in the floods in the fall. That project is finished, so it's back to quilting and hopefully posting a little more frequently!

Painting a Quilt

2011-10-31T21:50:00.002-04:00

Beginning is half done, right? Here is the start of a new project. It's my mental trip to the beach.

Dry Spell

2011-10-17T15:41:00.001-04:00

I am in a creative dry spell. I had begun to sketch a new quilt and then put it all away. I have done nothing since. The cure for a dry spell is action. Hopefully I'll take some soon.

Miami #2

2011-08-27T16:50:00.002-04:00

This is the completed piece using paint, sheeer fabrics, Lutrador and thread. Experiment completed!

Great Day at Lowell Quilt Festival

2011-08-14T10:03:00.002-04:00

Saturday, August 13 was the final day at the Lowell Quilt Festival. I enjoyed visiting Images at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, where my special exhibit of 14 painted quilts, was hung. It is always wonderful to watch people look at the work you have created. When they stand and chuckle or lean in to really look at details that you have stitched into the cloth, it's nice to know that there is interest in the work which you love to do.

My husband also enjoys his, "fame," as he stands in front of Morning Ride, which pictures him and our daughter on horse back. This will always be my favorite quilt.

Playing With Sheers, Paint and Lutrador

2011-08-05T15:31:00.002-04:00

I am working on another landscape, in fact another skyline of Miami. I decided to play with sheeers, paints and lutrador. I have never played with lutrador before, so this one is an experiment. Here is a photo of the quilt in process.

Saved by friends on quiltart

2011-08-04T12:37:00.002-04:00

Note that there is a change in my email address. I had a challenge getting into my blog, but as usual, friends on the quiltart list have the answers to my questions! Thanks!

Miami Skyline 1 Finished

2011-07-21T13:49:00.003-04:00

It's hot in New England, but there is a wonderful breeze blowing. I just finished the binding on this quilt. Some of you commented on the painted surface and wondered what it would look like quilted? Here it is.

I have another one of Miami in process, with a completely different look.

Comments welcome.

Whaleback Light at Night

2011-06-25T22:46:00.002-04:00

My painted whole cloth quilt, Whaleback Light at Night, won a first place ribbon at the Vermont Quilt Festival! Winning a blue ribbon is very exciting. The show was great with lots of beautiful work on display. I am very proud to be among the ribbon winners.

Another Rainy Day

2011-06-14T08:17:00.001-04:00

I don't think there will be much sunshine in New England today. It is dark and dreary with rain off and on. I am beginning to think our glimpse of summer was while we were traveling in the south during April. I have my mind back in the sunshine of Miami as I thread paint this morning.

The Rhythm of Thread Work

2011-06-10T14:59:00.004-04:00

Miami Skyline is on my long arm and I am just getting into the rhythm of quilting. Do the rest of you quilters feel that? Some times someone will ask me how I decide on my background quilting design? There is really no decision except the unconscious one. As with many design elements, "you go with the flow." I fire up the machine and the stitches just flow, like handwriting across the surface of the fabric. I get into a rhythm and begin to see the complete picture. It starts with the photo, melds into the painted surface and is completed by the stitching. Another quilter recently asked the question, when is you product art? I don't know? When I write, words jump off the end of my pen. When I create fiber art, the stitches and the colors, do much the same thing. Is this the artistic zone? What do you think?

Miami Skyline

2011-06-04T16:52:00.002-04:00

I have finally finished my first painted surface from my southern photos. I took the photo of a Miami skyline when we were on an RV trip in Florida last month. I think the painting is finished, if I can stop myself from adding one more thing, here and there! I will heat set the paint tomorrow and then I can put it on my machine to start the quilting. I am itching to quilt!

Progress on the Slice

2011-05-13T13:30:00.000-04:00

Have been layering the orange tile roofs . It's adding that pop of color.

Concept Quilting

2011-05-08T20:08:00.002-04:00

I guess that's what I'll call my work on my slice quilt today. I have been snipping small pieces from my fabric stash and bonding the pieces to fabric. I am working on the adobe roof lines at the bottom of the picture that my friends Pat and Judy and I are interpreting in fabric. As I worked this afternoon, I was thinking of a story that I read over and over again to my son Johnny, when he was little. I felt like I was creating the roof lines of Hodge Podge Lodge! What book was that, anyway?

I was also thinking that working in colaboration with other quilters, is allowing me to stretch my skills and create something different from what I usually do. It's all good!!

Traveling America's East Coast

2011-05-07T10:22:00.003-04:00

I just returned to New England after traveling to Florida and back in our RV with my husband. We skirted some very devastating storms and rode a lot of miles. We were fortunate to be out of range as tornados touched down. We lived through a tornado that touched down five miles from our house, three years ago, so we were familiar with the devastation. There are no words to describe it and our prayers go out for the families that were affected.

I was fortunate to visit a few friends along the way and I took lots of digital photos for future fiber art. We live in a beautiful country and inspiration is all around us. It's time to finish my current slice quilt project, and start work on something new!

I'll add my current project in progress and then post it again as I finish.

The daffodils are out and the sun is shining in NH. Happy Mother's Day to you all! Enjoy your day tomorrow.

Dressage Test

2011-04-02T11:09:00.002-04:00

This second painted quilt for this year, Dressage Test, is based on a digital photo that I took at UNH, here in NH. Now it's time to work on another one.

Slice Quilt: Second Round!

2011-03-31T23:01:00.002-04:00

In March my first slice quilt was completed. Ten members of SAFA, Seacoast Association of Fiber Artists, worked on translating two of my digital photos into two slice quilts. As a group we were very pleased with the results of our first attempts. Two of the members and I decided to try another slice quilt, so we have picked a photo and are now working on our slices! This is a great learning experience and we all benefit from each other's critiques.

March 12 Opening

2011-03-31T22:41:00.002-04:00

On March 12, our SAFA ( Seacoast Association of Fiber Artists ) group openned a show at the Mark Wentwoth Retirement Home in Portsmouth, NH. We hope that both the residents and community members with enjoy the display of our work. The show will continue until May 11th. The above picture captures some of my work that is hanging at this show.

Finally Figured It Out!!!

2011-03-05T15:38:00.002-05:00

About six months ago, I purchased a projector from another quilter. I don't know this artist, but she was kind enough to sell me this projector for the cost of shipping. For six months I have not been able to figure out how to project my photos from my laptop to cloth. Then another kind person on the quilt art list gave me the answer! Yesterday, I figured it out and this is my first projection.
I took the photo of this horse and rider last fall and it is the first thing I've tried sketching from the projected image. Of course, then I had to try painting it! This is what I've accomplished since yesterday afternoon. What do you think?

First Finished Piece for 2011

2011-02-23T13:02:00.002-05:00

Portsmouth Neighborhood is finally done. My goal was to have it ready for the upcoming SAFA show ( Seacoast Association Fiber Artists ). The opening reception is March 12 at the Mark Wentworth Home in Portsmouth, NH. The Mark Wentworth Home is the white home in my picture, at the end of the street.

Quilting in Progress

2011-02-09T16:16:00.002-05:00

My newest painted quilt is in process on my long arm. I am aiming to finish this piece for a group show with my SAFA ( Seacoast Association of Fiber Artists ) friends, that will be held in March, at the Mark Wentworth Home in Portsmouth, NH. The Opening Reception is March 12, 4:-6:00 PM. Come and see us!

First Strokes of Color

2011-01-28T11:36:00.002-05:00

There's a little paint on the cloth, and much more to come! I just love these old homes in Portsmouth!

"Beginning is half done...."

2011-01-27T15:49:00.003-05:00

Someone said that, don't remember who? Perhaps my mother. I started painting a street scene today. It's a cross street in Portsmouth, NH, filled with colonial homes and a glimpse of The Wentworth Home, in the distance. I hope to complete it in time for an upcoming show at The Wentworth with my art quilt group, SAFA. Time is short and I have been the procrastinating quilter! We'll see how I do!

Let It Flow !!

2011-01-06T12:52:00.002-05:00

God is good to the creative mind, if we just let the ideas flow. I have had this idea of floating sheer fabrics, hanging in front of tall sun-lit windows, with images glimmering within. I have had this thought many times lately, at night, when I cannot sleep. Today I started the initial phase. Let's see where this idea leads!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T14:33:00.002-05:00

The weather is mild and we start a new year filled with hope and new goals. In the past year I completed some fiber art that I am pleased with, although many of my show entries did not make it through the juring process. I hope to produce more this coming year and to improve my work. I hope to have more of my work accepted for shows and to take at least one class this year. It is going to be a tight financial year, so I hope to be wise with my entries and our travels. Her's to a new and successful year of personal growth!

Small Things

2010-12-29T13:22:00.003-05:00

I concentrate on large quilts, when I am counting up the projects that I have finished throughout the year, but the truth is that many small things are also created. My fiber art group, SAFA did a birthday card exchange this year, and we all enjoyed getting small pieces of art from each other, on our special days. I actually made many special cards, wall hangings and baby quilts, for special people. I enjoy giving hand made gifts. This year, like many people, I purchased an E-reader. I enjoy reading books on this device, but it also serves as a great photo album for my quilts. Of course, I made a cover for it! Here it is.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2010-12-16T08:18:00.002-05:00

It's 10 degrees outside this morning! In our part of New England we have lucked out, with no snow on the ground yet! I am writing and making Christmas cards, have almost completed my, "slice," for my first slice quilt to be done with fiber art friends and taking stock of the quilts that I have completed this year. Ho, Ho, Ho...it's almost Christmas!

It's finished: Lobster Boats

2010-12-09T14:09:00.002-05:00

This quilt is complete and I am now working on my first slice quilt, with fiber friends. Pretty soon I have to inventory what I have finished this year. It's been a big year for painted whole cloths. Thats what Lobster Boats is.
Judy

In Process

2010-12-03T11:33:00.002-05:00

I started painting this quilt the week before Thanksgiving, after painting nothing for a little while. As soon as I start with the painting, I feel better! It didn't take this one long to be finished with the painting process. It's on my machine now and almost done!

Racing Quilts

2010-12-01T16:51:00.005-05:00

Here are the horse racing quilts that I created from my digital photos. They are the result of a day at Saratoga!

Feedback welcome.

Entries

2010-12-01T16:39:00.002-05:00

I took down a picture of I quilt that I did, in order to comply with entry requirements, in an upcoming SAQA show. I wish I had not removed that post from my blog. It had great feedback from those of you who took the time to critique the work. The quilt was not accepted for the show, and I've lost the comments. Lesson learned.

Quilting on a Rainy Day

2010-10-06T15:46:00.002-04:00

It's blustery today and I am working on my current piece and listening to classical music. I am quilting vertical lines to represent barn boards. I got so into what I was listening to, that I hit reverse instead of forward on my pick up roller, which rolls my quilt on my long arm. Then I hit forward, when I wanted to reverse! I thought, "This is like learning to drive when you're a kid!"

I guess I better, " park, turn off the machine, turn off the music, and go have a cup of tea!"

I will resume when I learn how to drive!

Painting Complete

2010-09-28T13:24:00.002-04:00

It chilly in New England and definitely feels like cold weather is on the way. Our summer days may be a thing of the past. This is great painting and quilting weather. I have just completed painting ( I think! ), another picture on fabric. This is one that I have thought about doing for a while, and just didn't start it. Just a week ago, I slapped my first paint on the fabric, and the picture in my mind took off from there! As usual, it really doesn't look just like I wanted it to, but we'll see what it looks like as I add thread. Now for the stitching!

Great SAQA Weekend

2010-09-22T15:15:00.002-04:00

This past weekend, SAQA New England artists met in Searsport, Maine. A great time was had by all. There were socials, workshops and plenty of networking among artists. My friends Wen Redmond, Michele Kincaid and I attended. It was a great artistic boost just to be among these enthusiastic women.

Two Racing Quilts Completed!

2010-09-11T11:28:00.002-04:00

My first two racing quilts, inspired by my photos of racing at Saratoga, have been completed. No blog pictures yet, as they have been entered into a show. Here's hoping they get juried in!
I haven't worked on two quilts at the same time before, but working toward a short deadline, it was necessary. I am happy with the outcome.

Hurray For Art!!!!

2010-08-25T12:53:00.002-04:00

It's a chilly soaker in New England, today. It feels more like October than it does August. It's a great day to work on fiber art. I am working on a new series from my digital photos taken at Saratoga Race track. The first piece is now on my long arm and the second piece is on my easel. It is so much fun to apply the first color to the fabric and to watch the picture emerge! It reminds me of the days when I used to do some creative writing, and the words would just jump off my pen. Hurray for art! Where would we be without it!

Inspiration is Everywhere!!!

2010-08-08T11:50:00.003-04:00

Over the last week, I have been showered with inspiration! My husband and I traveled to NY state in our RV, and visited my family. Being embraced by people we love is a wonderful tonic! On Monday we went to the horse races at Saratoga, something we had not done in many years, and I took pictures with future art quilts in mind! Yesterday we set off in the RV again, and visited the NH Craftman's Fair in Sunapee, NH. Booth after booth of creativity inspired me and I was able to applaud the work of my friends Michele and Wen! I love to admire the work of other artists. I feel inspired and ready to start another piece of fiber art!

Making Binding......Yuk!!

2010-07-20T13:43:00.002-04:00

I am doing one of my least favorite sewing tasks, today. I am making the endless strip of black binding, which is what I most often use to finish my quilt edges. This is a tedious task, and I would much rather go on to a new project. I have explored other finishes, but I personally like the neatness of this edge. So, on and on I go, sewing this three inch strip, folding it in half, steam pressing it, then carefully laying it on and pinning to my quilt edge. I will sew it on, turn the edge and tonight while I watch TV, I'll do the other hated step.....hand sewing it all the way around. The reward here will be....another art quilt finished! Now to make the label!

Vermont Quilt Festival Ribbon!

2010-06-28T15:59:00.002-04:00

"Visiting Egypt," a painted whole cloth quilt, won a second place ribbon at the Vermont Quilt Festival! I am pleased as punch!

Juried into Images

2010-06-11T13:31:00.002-04:00

Just received my letter of acceptance for my quilt, Feathered Friends, which will appear at Images 2010, at The Lowell Quilt Festival.

This is the first painted quilt that I have done on black sateen.

Not Accepted at The Whistler

2010-05-29T20:21:00.004-04:00

Well, I don't regret doing it, but I wish it had been jurored in! Here is my rejected work, "Vincent's Garden."
It is based on Vincent Van Gogh's, "Irises."

Entry sent

2010-05-13T15:22:00.002-04:00

My Masters' art quilt interpretation has been sent to The Whistler! Now I will wait to hear whether it is juried into the exhibit? Here's hoping! It has been an enjoyable process.
The name of my entry is, Vincent's Garden.

The Concept Continues

2010-05-04T12:40:00.002-04:00

In previous posts, you can see the start of my fiber interpretation of the masters. I hope that I'm chaneling Van Gogh.......hold onto my ear!!!! I am really enjoying this process and hoping that what's in my head, is coming out my hands. To be continued. I'm almost ready for thread painting!

Why do we quilt??

2010-04-30T14:00:00.002-04:00

Nancy G Cook, fiber artist, http://nancygcook.blogspot.com
brought up the subject, why do we quilt rather than just paint on canvas, for those of us who paint and then quilt fabric? I have been thinking about that as I work on my current piece. For me, the answer is, I just LOVE the process. My usual projects encompass a process that I love to do: take the photo, paint the picture, enhance it with thread! There is no part of this that I don't enjoy, so this makes me very blessed. Photo to fiber, that's my thing!

Could This Be Art ???

2010-04-29T16:15:00.003-04:00

I'm continuing to work on my, Masterpiece," excuse the pun! The tools of the trade may have changed, but the concept is still trying to get through. It is taking shape in my mind. Now we'll see how it takes shape in fabric!

Painting From the Masters

2010-04-23T13:50:00.004-04:00

On quilt art, they often discuss doing art from other people's pictures or doing art that may look like another's work. I usually skim these posts and delete, because I basicly work from my own digital photos. Last year, while at the Lowell Quilt Festival in Massachusetts, I went to visit one of the smaller galleries, The Whistler. I loved that little gallery and thought that this year I would try to do a piece that I could enter there. Well, this year, they have a required theme, Reinterpreting the Masters, and that didn't interest me. I don't want to reinterpret anything, I just want to do my own work. But, this little desire to make something to enter at the Whistler has nagged at me, and I have been going to try a quilt with irises from my garden pictures, so can I try an iris quilt for the Whistler? Of course I've waited late on this project, because I am still quilting my Palm Beach quilt, and I generally work on one thing at a time.

To make a long story short.......which I can never do, if you know me......I set up my easel in the living room on Wednesday evening. While I watched the NBA playoffs, I painted my version of Van Gogh's irises. I may add paint, I may add fabric, I will do thread painting. Anyway, it may turn into nothing, but it's what was in my head on this subject, so thought I'd try it. What do you think? Have I taken this assignment too literally? I looked at the picture and kind of painted my version onto cloth.

Enries in Local Art Show

2010-04-23T11:42:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I dropped three quilts to the Exteter, NH, Buds and Blooms art show, which opens tomorrow, at the Exeter Town Hall Gallery. I debate with myself about doing these things. Do I really produce anything that anyone wants to see at an art show? There will be paintings and drawings, as well as work from area fiber artists, usually. For a long time, I was unaware that these little shows even existed in my area. What these events do for me, besides giving my work a little public expossure, is to give me personal encouragement. It makes me feel good to dress up a little and mingle with a small group of creative people. Like going to quilt shows, I feel these small gatherings validate the time and money I spend on my work, dare I say, "My art?"

I spend most of my time at home, alone, so this is my creative outlet. So tomorrow, I'll venture out briefly to be part of the little group and enjoy the imaginative work of others!

One of the quilts entered is my little quilt, Beach Birds. The other two were in earlier posts, Catching the Wind and Water Lily.

Another Show entry Sent

2010-04-20T23:52:00.002-04:00

Well, the quilt with the ducks got entered into a show today! I never did post the entire picture of the finished quilt, because of talk on the quilt art list, about posting pictures of quilts on websites, which is prohibited by some shows. So I didn't really know what to do with the quilt when I finished it? I brought it to my art quilt group, SAFA, and my friends liked it. So, today I entered it in the upcoming Lowell Quilt Festival. I hope that it gets in! If so, my ducks will swim their way to Massachusetts! Quack, quack!!!

Camel Ride to Vermont

2010-04-20T23:44:00.002-04:00

My quilt, Visiting Egypt, seen in earlier posts, was accepted into the Vermont Quilt Festival. Some of you know that the quilt was based on a photo of my friend's trip to Egypt, so my friend Michele will be riding that camel to Vermont in June.
I went to the Vermont show for the first time last year, and I was really impressed. I am very pleased to have a quilt in the show.

Street Scene in Process

2010-03-29T20:58:00.002-04:00

I am in the process of painting my newest quilt, based as usual on a digital photo. I love the photo, and hope to do it justice.

Finally Painting Again !

2010-03-25T19:31:00.002-04:00

For some reason, I found it hard to make a selection for my next quilt subject. I had sorted through digital photos, had lots of good subjects, but just couldn't seem to get started. I think that starting a quilt is like starting a lot of other things, you pick a picture or design, and then you wonder if you can do your idea justice? That old, "Fear of Failure," raises it's ugly head. I hate to take a picture that I really like and make a mess of it. Of course practise makes improvement! Notice that I didn't say practise makes perfect, because in my opinion, art is never perfect. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder.
I started a street scene today. This is new for me, so let's see if I can do one of my favorite streets, justice? Let the sketching, painting and stitching begin!

He's Back !

2010-03-20T15:30:00.002-04:00

Maybe my old friend, the pheasant, is deciding that he wants me to make a quilt of him! I no sooner wrote my last post, walked out onto the screened porch, and there he was! He squalked loudly and ran into the orchard. He really is a handsome subject for some fiber art.

Looking Through Photos

2010-03-20T14:57:00.002-04:00

It's a beautiful day in NH. It really has begun to look and feel like Spring. I have raked some of the old leaves away from those tender green shoots, that are just popping up through the soil. I have also been scanning through some of my digital pictures from last year, trying to settle on the subject for my next quilt. Will it be last summer's flowers, my friendly pheasant, who hung around our house last summer, waking us at dawn, or another favorite family picture like, " Bizzy's Birthday?" All of these pictures will probably make their way to cloth, sooner or later. The question is, what's next?

Happy spring!

Quilting on the long arm

2010-03-09T14:41:00.002-05:00

I am quilting ducks today. I have been quilting this painted quilt on black fabric, for the past few days. I am at the point of questioning myself. How much quilting is too much? Adding thread to a painted whole cloth, changes the appearance dramatically. As the quilt is spread in front of you, suddenly you see too much thread. Suddenly I think, "Well, now I've ruined it!" Faces are the hardest part for me. In the past, I think that I have erred on the side of too little quilting. I am trying to be bolder in my quilting approach. I wonder if other quilters struggle with this?

I am going to show a small shot of my ducks, not the whole quilt, just a piece. Have I wrecked the face? Oppinions welcome. Now back to thread work. Yikes!!!

Painting Ducks

2010-02-23T17:39:00.002-05:00

I have been painting a new quilt over the last few days. I would love to post my work in progress, but now I am wondering if I should? I think I have eliminated my last quilt from some shows that I might have entered, because pictures of the work have been on my blog. I think I won't post duck pictures just yet. I really want my blog to be kind of a work in progress journal, so maybe I should just not enter shows where published pictures are a problem? Don't know, haven't decided yet? Feedback anyone?

Snow Dyeing Results

2010-02-23T17:33:00.002-05:00

Well I certainly didn't have outstanding results. I have two more blah pieces, which I may over-dye at some point. I did manage to use up the old dye pastes, which had hung around for a year, so I did accomplish something!

Snow Dyeing -- Yikes!

2010-02-18T15:17:00.002-05:00

There were so many snow dyeing messages on quiltart, that they drove me nuts! Then I thought about that piece of fabric that I had soaked in soda ash last February and some left over dye paste, also a year old. So, guess who has a pot of snow on the porch! Oh well, guess I had to try it.

Egypt Quilted

2010-02-07T13:10:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm in the home stretch with my first major quilt of the new year. I have just added the binding and need to stitch it down, but I'm pretty happy with this painted quilt. I have done very dense quilting on this one. I don't always do that. I have finished it in a month's time, so that is also a good accomplishment for me.

Some people who looked at the painting in progress were interested in how it would look quilted, so here it is. Feedback is always welcome.

Masters Art Quilts at the Quilt Museum

2010-01-27T15:28:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, my fiber friends Michele, Kathy, Linda and I, took a trip to the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Ma. What a truely fabulous collection of quilts! I have had The Masters Art Quilts book since it was released, and it is one of my favorite books, but as it happens, pictures of these quilts do not do them justice. To stand in front of the work of Inge Mordal and Steen Hougs," Ringed," and the work of Hollis Chatelain, " World of Tuaregs," is a breath-taking experience. All of the of pieces inspired us to reach to higher levels with our own work. We had a really lovely and inspirational day.

Quilting Egypt

2010-01-23T13:11:00.002-05:00

My current project is now on my long arm. We'll see what it looks like as thread is added. I am moving along much faster on this painted quilt, than I usually do! I guess this was the right quilt to start in the new year.

New Project in Process

2010-01-20T12:40:00.003-05:00

I am painting another quilt and realize that this is what I love to do! My friend Michele took a trip to Egypt recently, and as soon as I saw the picture of her on her camel ride, I knew I had to try to put that scene onto fabric. Some scenes just grab you, and this one grabbed me.

I love working on big projects. I can't wait to finish painting and start quilting!

A Lesson in Book Making

2010-01-14T12:19:00.002-05:00

At the monthly meeting of SAFA, Seacoast Area Fiber Artists, my friend Wen Redmond taught us some book making skills. I have never done this before, but Wen is a pro, and we had lots of fun. Here is my book, almost complete. I still need to add some gel medium to seal the pages. Great new project!

Continue With the Familiar

2010-01-14T12:09:00.002-05:00

We are two weeks into 2010, and I haven't exactly hit the ground running! I am thinking about which projects to start, instead of just starting them, so I have come back to the familiar. Here are some seagulls, painted on a small piece of hand dyed fabric, a sheer overlay added for water, and then quilted. I have added my signature small sea shells.

I've done these before, but doing the familiar is better than doing nothing.

Cheers to a New Year!

2009-12-31T13:56:00.003-05:00

On this final day of 2009, I am thankful for good health, a wonderful family and the possibilities for the coming new year. Happy New Year!

The Healing Tree

2009-12-29T22:04:00.003-05:00

There was an old maple tree that stood for many years, on a dirt road in NH, long before our house was here. It grew to tremendous stature, weathered and aged, then fell in an ice storm last year. I have looked out my windows at that tree many times, and in my mind, I see it still, like the people who have passed through my life. Some people are gone, but they stand here still, in my mind's eye, forever there as an influence on my life. Gone for the moment, never forgotten.

Stamping and Pattern Board Quilting

2009-12-06T14:55:00.003-05:00

I just completed this piece that feels a little oriental to me. I used a stamp that I won on a give-away from Ruth Powers website. Instead of my usual intuitive freehand quilting, I used a pattern board with a spiral square. When I finished, my thought was, that anyone could have created this piece, because it doesn't, " look like me." This makes me wonder if there is the same level of satisfaction for people when they use patterns or stamps that they have not created? How do you feel that it is your own work?
I am a long arm quilter who quilts only my own pieces. I did a few customer pieces when I first got my machine, but in truth, finishing someone elses work, does nothing for my own creativity. I feel that my pieces have to be totally my own, based on my own drawing, from my own photo, from my own imagination. Do other people feel this way?

It's Snowing in New Hampshire

2009-12-05T13:57:00.002-05:00

We have snow flurries today, after unusually warm temperatures in December. I am working on small pieces. I just finished this piece which may become my fiber art grab bag gift for an upcoming Christmas party. Would you like to pull this out of the grab bag?
Back to sewing!

Water Lilly: From photo to fiber

2009-11-19T11:45:00.005-05:00

Just finished this piece that I start last week. I am working through digital photos that I have taken. This photo was taken on a northern lake in NH, this past summer. I am always intrigued with the beauty of water lillies.

I don't know if I have done too much quilting on the lily pads? I started with white cotton and painted the fabric. I trapuntoed the pads and the lilly. The water is three layers, hopefully to give it depth and shine. Feedback is welcome, not just positve feedback. Tell me what you don't like, please.

Photo to Fabric in Progress

2009-11-16T13:15:00.002-05:00

Last week I was painting fabric, trying to get the right green for the leaves of water lillies. I painted cotton and rayon lining material. I've ended up using the cotton in this piece, and I'm at the, " putting it together phase!" It's still at the sewing machine, but have a look. I layered pieces to get a dark water look......I hope. Say tuned. My husband said very little when I said, "Come look at this." That means he doesn't like it, but is not trying to discourage me. I think he wanted to give it a, "two thumbs down award!"

Two pieces finished !

2009-11-10T10:40:00.004-05:00

I recently finished two pieces and am now wondering what to start working on today? I had painted a small version of my large quilt, "Saturday in Searsport," taken from my own digital photo of a harbor seal, but never quilted it. I put it on my machine about a week ago and decided after doing some of the quilting, that it needed sheer fabrics layed over part of the painted surface, to show the, "splash." Then I decided that all the water needed sheer fabric, so I added more. Then the question was once again, to bind or not to bind? Here is the finished product. Feedback welcome.

The next piece was a labor of love, a gift for a friend. This image was in my head and wanted out! She burst onto the fabric with the pure joy, that I wish for my friend, Judy!

Now off to the drawing board to see what's next!

Discharging

2009-10-29T16:30:00.001-04:00

Discharging This video was shared by my friend Judy Marble. It is a You Tube video by Bob Adams and it is very interesting.

Project Funway; 4 so far!

2009-10-19T13:15:00.004-04:00

I've been asked to show the other Project Funway pieces I created as Journal Quilts, so here they are; Betty Beach; Penny Proper and Fancy Nan. They are a little bit of foolishness; quick and fun!

New title on last piece

2009-10-19T13:12:00.001-04:00

I decided to change sunset sail to Catching the Wind. I also put a narrow binding on it and I think it looks better. Now......what will I work on next!

Catching the Wind: From photo to fiber

2009-10-09T14:10:00.003-04:00

I have just about finished this piece. I have to do my final triming and then I think I will face it , rather than bind it. I usually like to post my photo and then my fiber, but as you can see, there is a sun bather on deck, which surprised me. I am not going to post the pictue. It was the color of the sails, against the water and sky, that caught my eye. What do you think?

Cool but sunny Morning in NH

2009-10-06T09:24:00.002-04:00

It is cool this morning, but looks like it will be a nice day, before the rain starts tomorrow. I am working on a new piece, that will be called Sunset Sail, I think. As usual for me, it's based on a photo that I took while out on our boat, fishing with my husband. You be surprised by some of the spectacular views, some surprizing, that you see through your camera lense. Hope to have this piece completed soon, and up on my blog.

Four Pieces to Fiber Fest, Exeter, NH

2009-10-01T12:18:00.003-04:00

It's October 1st, and chilly in New Hampshire. Yesterday I dropped four of my fiber art pieces at the Exeter Town Hall Gallery, for their annual Fiber Fest. There will be a variety of fiber related items, made by local artists. I have a variety of submissions, ranging from my large equestrian piece, "Morning Ride,'' plus "Beach Blossums," "New England Winter," and "Winter Beach," pictured here. All are for sale, except Morning Ride, which is a family piece.

Project Funway Continues - Paper Challenge!

2009-09-23T16:42:00.003-04:00

Just finished a journal quilt that I have been thinking about as we traveled in the RV this past weekend. I was thinking about the, "paper challenge," on PR, so my journal quilt is Reta Recycle. Her teeshirt is a tea bag envelope, her skirt is newspaper and bits of yarn, and like all self-conscious women,she put a bag on her head to cover a bad hair day. What do you think? This is # 4 in my series, Project Funway.

Just Watched PR.....

2009-09-17T23:48:00.002-04:00

I feel a personal paper challenge coming on! Yipes.....mabee I'll sort through the papers on my dining room table......I could always open the mail!!!!!

Winter In New England; finished

2009-09-17T15:23:00.003-04:00

Just made my label for this quilt that I posted about when it was on my machine. I faced this one instead of binding. What do you think? This one started out not from my usual photo, but because I wanted to use some of my metallic paints. Metallic stripes became trees, and I went on from there. I added the deer in the lower field by cutting a small deer from a picture of deer in our field that I had printed on cloth. I guess I do always have to get a photo influence in there!

I just love those shiny fabrics for an icy lake!

Feedback welcome.

Journal Quilts Submitted !

2009-09-08T22:20:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Linda Minton's generous deadline extension, I got three journal quilts into Quilt Art! I had actually forgotten about this opportunity, until Linda posted her extension.
Journal quilts are a great chance to work small and quick! For someone like me, it is exactly the change that I need. I tend to work large and keep adding more and more detail to my work. My projects go on and on!
About four years ago, I posted to the quiltart list, my thoughts for, " Fast Friday." I was thinking out-loud and said that I needed to challenge myself, like the designers on Project Runway. I needed to sketch an idea, pick fabrics and make it work! Another list member jumped on the idea and proposed starting a Yahoo group and the rest is history. I didn't need more time on the computer........I needed more creative action!
Years ago, I used to attend lots of business seminars. I would sit down front with my friend Patti and take notes, but beside the notes, I'd sketch what the women speakers were wearing. Patti used to glance at my notes and say, "You're doing it again!" My journal quilts are, "Project Funway." That's because they were just plain fun to create. If they make it to the online show, I post pictures after they have been put up on the website. Happy sewing!

Another Day Fishing - but it's winter on my longarm!

2009-09-06T20:39:00.003-04:00

We spent a lovely, but cool day, out on the boat in Portsmouth Harbor. All kinds of sailboats and kyaks were out. It was a great fall day. I got home and decided to turn on my long arm, to thread paint a little more on my winter scene. Don't know why I'm working on a winter piece right now, except that I am trying to get it off my machine! Summer pictures are waiting in the wings, and three small off-the-cuff journal quilts are waiting to be completed. So many pictures in my head and I am trying to stitch them out!

I think I am trying to get back to a clean slate. Does that ever happen? I hate having incomplete work!

It's Already September !

2009-09-04T15:41:00.003-04:00

Although it is hot and sunny today, September is already upon us! We've been out in our boat in Portsmouth Harbor just three times this summer. Each time I take many digital photos of boats, ships, lighthouses, sea birds, etc., because in my mind I can translate everything into cloth and threads. I have photos for a lifetime, because I just can't stop taking pictures!

Now the challenge is to translate these photos to fabric. I have to find a way to speed up my process. I have to think about the pieces less and produce more! Time to stitch!

World Quilt Show, Manchester, NH

2009-08-17T14:41:00.003-04:00

I spent last Thursday afternoon, at the Mancusso show in Manchester. It was a fantastic show with wonderful fiber art from around the world. Shows like this are such an inspiration! Quilters' ideas are limitless. These shows make you want to try new mediums and expand your style. Congratulations to all who exhibited their work. Sharing your vision benefits us all.

Maine Seashells & Seaweed Mounted

2009-08-04T16:12:00.003-04:00

Thanks for the feedback on the little seashell and seaweed piece. I have decided to mount it on canvas. I took 50+ digital photos yesterday, so I have plenty of new work to consider.

Beach Series / From Photo to Fiber

2009-08-01T19:55:00.006-04:00

Just finished a very small piece, for me. This one is about 13 inches square and I did not bind it, but did a zigzag stitch edge. I used a strand of pearl cotton under the zigzag, but can't see that it really made any difference. Someone gave this tip on the quiltart list, so thought I'd try it on a small piece. I don't know that I like this edge. I painted white fabric and trapuntoed the shells with a low loft batting. Feedback is welcome.

Maine Quilts

2009-07-31T13:26:00.002-04:00

Last weekend again, we fired up the RV, and headed for Maine. We spent a couple of days at one of our favorite beaches, Popham, and then headed for Augusta and the Maine Quilt Show. My Quilt, Saturday in Searsport, took a third place ribbon, and was surrounded by the work of many wonderful artists. The show was lovely and I look forward to next year.

Artistic Inspiration

2009-07-31T12:57:00.002-04:00

On July 18 & 19 we fired up the RV and headed for the Rock River Artists Tour in Vermont, with one destination in mind. I am a major admirer of the work of Deidre Scherer, art quilter. I had traveled to Boston, to the MFA, a year or so ago, to see the independant film, Holding Our Own, which was centered on Hospice care and featured Deidre and her work. I love portrait quilts and I am a former hospice nurse, so Deidre's beautiful work really speaks to my heart. There is no comparison to seeing the work in person. Both the woman and the work, are outstanding.

On the same trip, I had thought to send an email to my friend, Frances Holliday Alford, to see if she was perhaps in Vermont? Luck would have it that she was, and were were able to meet at Deidre's studio. At long last, I was able to spend time with Frances. She is a marvelous, generous person and artist, and being able to spend time with her and see some of her work, was a fantastic treat.

The world of fiber artists is full of love, talent and generosity. I am blessed.

Taking Digital photos

2009-07-17T09:05:00.002-04:00

I still have not started a new fiber piece. I have taken many more digital photos in our RV travels to northwest NH to help our daughter settle in her new home. We stayed three nights at Lake Mascoma RV park. All the moving and lifting fall to my daughter and her father, so I am the photographer.

The Sun is Shining: It's time to start a new project!

2009-07-09T07:43:00.003-04:00

Well, the sun is shining and I'd be lying if I said that my mind is going a million miles a minute! I am actually moving like a snail this morning, try ing to kick-start a creative idea. I have many digital photos for inspiration. It's time to pick a new direction and start.
I am surrounded by flowers and natural beauty. Here goes......as soon as I can focus.

Raining, raining, raining!!!!

2009-06-29T13:49:00.002-04:00

We are water-logged in NH! The town I live in has closed roads, had power outages and still, it continues to rain! Just finished up a baby quilt for the granddaughter of a friend. I love to add embroidery to these little quilts. In this case, "Sweet Dreams," and "Thank heaven for little girls." Now I'll finish the embroidered birth annoucement, then back to art quilts.

On the Road in the RV

2009-06-29T13:35:00.002-04:00

A week ago Wednesday, we hit the road for a short trip north. We headed for northern NH, Vermont and NY, so that my husband could make those out of the way sales calls, that don't fit into his usual routine. Usually I stay home, but we decided it would be a good RV trip as I have wanted to see the Vermont Quilt Festival for some time. We stayed a couple of nights on Lake Champlain in a couple different spots, we headed for Montreal and stayed just south of the city, and then headed down to Burlington, Vt for the quilt show. I took some great photos along the way and stopped at an interesting shop in Potsdam, NY, where the work of members of the St Lawrence County Arts Council was on display. The work of the members was beautiful.
The quilt festival was also well worth the trip.

Second in Beach Series: Birds Of A Feather

2009-06-14T16:10:00.003-04:00

I just stitched the binding on, "Birds Of A Feather," the second in my beach series along with Blue Jellyfish, shown in an earlier post. Boy, I hate binding! I am purposely keeping this as a, "soft quilt," as I may enter this piece in a quilt show, as part of a group exhibit with some Florida quilters.

There is this dilema, do I mount the piece on stretcher bars, on canvas, frame it, or leave it soft? Leaving it soft, is easier for shipping purposes. But the bottom line is.....oh how I hate to do binding!

What are the rest of you doing, for the most part?

Juried Into Lowell: Images 2009

2009-06-10T14:30:00.004-04:00

I just openned my acceptance letter from Lowell! Morning Ride and Saturday in Searsport have been accepted for the show! I'm excited! Saturday in Searsport will travel first to Maine Quilts in Augusta, Maine in July. Morning Ride will go to Lowell to be seen for the first time.

Okay, back to the quilt that is on my machine right now!

Up early

2009-05-30T09:29:00.003-04:00

I am up early on a Saturday morning. That's rare for me, as I tend to be up half the night and sleep late. We have a pheasant who is marching around the perimeter of our house, raising a racket! I have taken many pictures of him, but his days are numbered if he dosn't stop waking me up, after I finally fall asleep!

I decided to pay attention to, "different birds," since I was up, and started painting some seagulls from a digital photo that I have taken. On quiltart, we are talking about working in a series. I guess I work in a, "beach series," so perhaps this will be a piece to go along with my Jellyfish. I took the photos on the same beach. I guess fish, seashells and birds of a feather, should flock together!

Scotia's Videos

2009-05-23T15:39:00.003-04:00

My email address is derived from the town that I grew up in; scotiagirl@metrocast.net. This weekend, while looking over a website on Synesthesia, recommended by my daughter, Elizabeth, I found a vodcast video that I have seen before. It is an interview with Georgia O"Keefe and the video is outstanding. I have added a gadget at the bottom of my page for you all to click on and enjoy, hense the term, Scotia's videos.

Blue Cats and Chartreuse Kittens by Patricia Lynne Duffy is a book that my daughter found at the library, which is our first introduction to the term synesthesia. I am just starting the book myself, but it looks like a very informative read for anyone, but especially for artists.

This has been a great weekend, so far. I did a short paddle in my kyak with my daughter, and got pictures of nesting loons, and then some walking on Hampton Beach and Seabrook Beach, to look through tidepools and enjoy the summer sun! All of this becomes more ideas for fiber art!

Blue Jellyfish finished

2009-05-17T12:09:00.002-04:00

I just completed my blue jellyfish piece and am sewing on the sleeve and binding. My husband is making a frame for the original picture. Hopefully, I will send it off some place to be displayed. I always wish that I could send the photo and the fiber piece to a show, so viewers could see the inspiration behind the piece.

Adding Thread

2009-05-13T17:50:00.005-04:00

My fiber art pieces usually start with a digital photo that I have taken. When we were on Hutchinson Island in Florida, at Christmas, the beach was awash with blue jellyfish. Their long blue tendrils spread out over the sand, and you really had to watch where you stepped! I took some great photos, now I'm working at turning one into fiber art.

Monthly SAFA meeting

2009-05-12T12:43:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was the monthly meeting of Seacoast Area Fiber Artists, a small group of fiber artists from southern Maine and NH, that I am lucky enough to belong to. The meeting was in Old Orchard Beach, at the home of Kathy Angel Lee, and we were trying some NeoColor Water Pastels, that Kathy has worked with. These pastels were new to me. It is always fun to be able to, " Try before you buy," new art supplies. We brought a piece of PDF white fabric, or something else that we had on hand, and just sketched a design and tried a little blending with water. I reached for the, "fleshy tones," and tried sketching a face. I want to add people to my pieces, and I am always looking for another product that will work.
I like these pastels. They blended well with a light touch. Now I want to buy a big set! On the way home from the meeting, I stopped at The Art Mart in Biddeford and bought a few colors. i am now thinking of the colors that I didn't buy, so more things are added to my, "wish list."
We talk on the www.quiltart.net list about the fabric stash that many artists have, I want more paints and now pastels!
Maybe I'll add this face piece to a larger piece.

Learning to Draw

2009-05-06T13:01:00.002-04:00

I have subscribed to Sarah Ann Smith's generous offer of following along on her new blog http://seedrawquiltlearn.wordpress.com/ and have ordered the suggested books from Amazon. This is very timely for me, as the small project that I have been thinking about starting, has involved drawing hands. I did do a study of my mother's hands, last August, before she died. I had been re-reading Deidre Scherer's book, Work In Fabric & Thread, ( I highly recommend it ), and it made me want to remember the contours of my mother's hands as she held her Rosary Beads. As Sarah has said, it's about, "Seeing." For me in this instance, it was also about remembering.
I am anxious to start the project.

Great week for fiber art!

2009-05-04T09:44:00.003-04:00

This past week was great! I am usually at home with only my own on-going work to look at, but this week I went to three art shows. On Tuesday, I attended the opening of the Families First annual art exhibit in Portsmouth, NH, where there were over 100 new art works on display. Most of the work is done in oils, water colors or acrylics, but there were three fiber art pieces. My small framed piece, Whaleback 2, appeared in the show.
On Friday, 5/1, I attended the opening of Kathy Angel Lee's solo show at New England College in Biddeford, Maine. Kathy has spent the past year creating small watercolor pictures, which she has also translated into fiber art. The show runs through May and is truely lovely. I would urge anybody who can get to southern Maine to go and see the show.
On Saturday I traveled to Springfield, MA, to attend a SAQA meeting and trunk show presentation by Elin Waterston. It was great to meet other art quilters from neighboring states and see Elin's trunk show. Elin also gave a lecture on painting on fabric. It was a great day to expand my vision of art quilting.
It is now the start of a new week and time to see what new works I can create.