I've been published!

Here's a fun recent fact that I want to share. If you look back in the posts on my blog here, you will see the one focusing on the pink felt breast pocket I made in support of women with breast cancer. It was made at the request for submissions for Melanie Testa's Breast Pocket project. I put the name of my mom, my sister and Melanie under the pocket flap; in memory of and in honor of their struggles with breast cancer...

Well, Melanie was interviewed by Quilting Arts Magazine this past year and she gave them some of the pockets to photograph for her spread. I subscribe to this magazine and so when I opened that issue   (Nov/Dec 2014), I was really surprised!

There, right on the page, was the pocket that I had sent to Melanie, right on the first page of the article! I was so surprised to see my work at the center of the page along with other "pockets." And so darn pleased that I did a little happy dance right then and there. If you zoom in on the first photo, you will see that my name is also in print, right page, bottom  :-)   :-)   :-)

Here are some photos I took of the spread:

“You know how sometimes, your life is so perfect you’re afraid for the next moment, because it couldn’t possibly be quite as good? That’s what it felt like.” 

― Jodi Picoult, Handle with Care

The different faces of paper

I recently finished my Level 3 Art & Design course at the Gail Harker Center for Creative Studies in La Conner WA. It's been a rewarding last 2+ years of learning about art and design. This course was a pre-requisite for the Level 3 Stitch class that I want to enroll in when it becomes available.

Level 3 Art & Design has proved to be a wonderful learning experience, although at first I missed working in stitch. The medium of choice for this course was paper, in all of its many guises – from thin tissue-like to the mighty illustration board. And then, manipulating that paper by way of dyeing, painting, distressing, cutting, assembling again and applying all sorts of gel mediums to get different effects. Along the way, we worked out aspects of design, and how to create a piece of art that fit within the parameter of the principles of design.

Each student works in an individual way creating work that is unique to their style, all of them with special talent. Gail has a gentle way of supporting us and encouraging us to “really look” at our subjects. It is with this teaching method that I have learned to expand my artistic reach. It’s been an enriching two years.

My favorite item was paper cutting, and that, along with book making will be techniques that I will further explore.

At the end of January 2015, the class held a open house to show our families, our friends and the surrounding community just what we had been up to. If you go to the center's blog you can see posts of each of the students work. Here are a few pics of my work: 

Original block print cover (see book below) enhanced with ink pens and markers

Fabric-bound, handmade book, original design and block prints

Counter change from original block print

Original block print with watercolor

Fabric bound book of my original block prints and stamps

Inside pages of fabric bound book showing handmade papers and block prints

Back of fabric bound book with original stamp cuttings

Paper cut of lines taken from a rock

Paper cut of lines on rock in grey w/hand painted papers

"The master of the garden is the one who waters it, trims the branches, plants the seeds, and pulls the weeds. If you merely stroll through the garden, you are but an acolyte."        --Vera Nazarian

What's a little rust?

Did you know that you don't have to use chemical dyes to change or alter the color of fabric and paper? I've been reading a book by India Flint, Eco Colour. She has done years of research in the area of dyes from the plant world and also from bugs. My interest in indigo dyeing brought her to my attention. I now have a nice stash of indigo dyed fabrics... There is something about the dyeing process that has captured my interest and to do it naturally, to me, is especially favorable.

For a long time I have been curious about the eco-dying process using rusted objects. So, this week I went ahead with trying this unique dyeing process which results in a nice rusty orange color.

First I needed to find some rusted items. This is where the story really begins. I asked my husband (last year) to be on the lookout for some rusted things around the house. Nothing turned up--at least nothing that registered as being rusty and that I could use. The search continued up until spring of this year. He was replacing some of our deck boards and upon removing the rusted screws and depositing them in a small bag, I happened to notice that they were a pile of "rusted" screws. Happy dance here!

So, I put those aside and continued my search. Next items to be found were out in the garden in the raised beds. We use u-shaped metal stakes to hold down the drip system hoses. Another aha moment when these stakes were being removed and I noted more rust...  woohoo! I now had enough rusted objects to experiment with.  I used some steel wool as it came out of the package, as I'd heard that you can get interesting results.

I have been reading about the process finding that is involved the use of plain white vinegar, water, plastic sheeting, salt and more water  and finally mild soap. The vinegar, water and sheeting gets the process started. I let them all process the same amount of time, which was about 19 hours. The water and salt is used to soak the dyed fabric following the processing; neutralizing the rusting action. Then the fabric is washed in a mild soap solution to remove extraneous rust and whatnot from the fabric.

I chose about five different fabric--Kona cotton, Osnaburg (indigo dyed), linen (indigo dyed), fine muslin. I also tried some inexpensive water color paper.

Steel wool and rusted screws on fine muslin

Closer look at steel wool and rusted screws on fine muslin

Steel wool and rusted screws on water color paper

The key word here is experimentation. Someone asked if my results could be precise and predictable. My answer was that each time I experiment like this, I also document the materials and objects I use so I can refer to them at a later date. I found that the rust on the water color paper most interesting, although the orange on the indigo produced some great color. (I'm not sure about the "archivability" of the rust on the paper--more study needed here) Next, I will try again on a better grade water color paper with fewer rusted objects, less time processing and maybe by then I will have more rusted objects. I would love to try wrapping fabric around something large.  Hmmmm...  

Testing, testing, 123...

This is just a test to see if my new "follow my posts" signup link is working. Hope it does. And since it is February, what better than to share something red...



Sketchbook work from my Level 2 course at Gail Harker's Center for Creative Arts

Satisfaction...

“And so you say your bead book is finished…”  Yes, indeed, my bead book is finished; and much to my satisfaction.  It is the culmination of two years of work and study encompassed in the Level 2 Design and Experimental Stitch course at the Gail Harker Center for the Creative Arts.

The bead book itself is comprised of pages of beading techniques we learned as a part of the studies included in this Level 2 course. They were to be our samples. We used our own hand-dyes fabrics to stitch the bead samples on. We then proceeded with beading the edges of the pages and designing a front cover to complete the assignment. I stitched the bound edge of each page with a Knotted Buttonhole stitch. Then used the Raised Chain Band stitch to bind it together (fourth picture).  Holding this book now is a wonderfully tactile experience. It is my little gem... and along with its completion (and the satisfaction), comes the realization that this course of study is changing my life.

The Level 2 Design and Experimental Stitch course has helped me realize my ability and potential as an artist. Gail’s unique talents and unwavering patience augment her ability to systematically teach using her extensive knowledge and background.

The course sessions included design and color, paint, print and dyeing of fabric, portfolio of stitched samples, integration of design and embroidery, historical research and study, techniques and special effects in fabric manipulation, fabric book binding, sketchbook work and documentation, and the list goes on. It has been two, very enjoyable years of studying deeply, working with other like-minded women and realizing my passion is being fulfilled. [doing little happy dance here] 

I just returned from my next course of study which is the Level 3 Art and Design and look forward to each session with great anticipation. It will consume my next two years in a very good way.

Here are some photos my bead book:

 My bead book.

  Tabbed edges.

  On end.

 The binding.

 Puddle of beads.

 Open position.

“Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” 

                                                                                                                                                    --Rumi, Essential Rumi

One brave and awesome woman!

Today, I am posting a picture of the breast pocket I have created for Melanie Testa, an artist that I admire for her strength, courage and bravery.

She has put out a challenge for folks to make 1000 breast pockets to raise awareness for the women who choose not to reconstruct their bodies after breast cancer and to pave awareness for those who would like to put their forms aside entirely. Breast pockets are coming in to Melanie from around the world! My pocket honors Melanie's passion and bravery. Here's a quote from Melanie:

"I would never have thought that an aspect of the cancer experience would make me feel so passionate. I firmly believe the ability to ‘Go Flat’ is an issue of women’s rights. This is an issue of body autonomy, women must have complete control over the only thing we can control, our bodies. As a result, Going Flat must become normalized. Women who forgo reconstruction should not wear breast forms for any other reason than having a preference to do so.

When the beautiful, diminutive 75 year old fella pool program attendee looked at me and pinched her ‘bubby’, which is what she calls her breast form, telling me she hated wearing it for the last __ years (more than 2 decades). I fell in love with her, and fell in love with being a feminist, again. Her daughter keeps telling her to put the breast form away. But she does not feel able to leave the breast form behind!

She called me brave. A teacher. She looked at me in awe.

And I am brave, many women cannot imagine leaving home without their breast forms. Others very much want to leave them behind, but feel pressure to wear them for their jobs, and for the people in their lives who expect them to look a certain way. As more women like me, Margaret W. Smith and Jodi Jaecks put their bodies and their choices out there, normalization of this bodily form, this aspect of women’s lives, will occur. Society will re-member the full array of shapes that an individual woman’s body can take in a lifetime. But no woman should feel compelled to wear forms because our society is misogynist and ignorant and has set up an expectation of what the female form should look like. Especially in light of breast cancer."

You can read more on Melanie's blog here.


Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been.
                                                                                       --Alan Alda

Play

I am currently finishing up an online class that I signed up for in August. It's called Spirit Cloth 101 and is led by Jude Hill, a wonderful embroiderer whom I admire for her whimsical and slow approach to quilting. AND, I'm having so much fun--it feels like play to me. Big shout-out to Jude Hill here.

In the class we created small sampler quilts by assembling the bases first. Those bases could be whole cloth, patch worked or woven. Of course there are other methods but these were the methods Jude taught. My favorite was the woven approach so that is how I proceeded with a base. I actually made several bases that I will use at a later date.

My sampler began with a 9-patch structure using the weave as the structure of each square and then the "what-iffing" began. I used a simple leaf shape for my focus using bits of fabric that I had laying around in my fabric stash. The leaves look playful, hence, the title. Also the word "play" will be embroidered in the top left corner.



laying out the leaves...

Finding ways to embellish has been engaging my creative abilities and I feel "at home" when doing hand stitching. That "at home" feeling seems to center me and makes life peaceful. It has a wonderful, meditative quality that I love being part of. My piece is not finished as each leaf needs a personality of its own. I will be adding some wind lines when the leaves are finished to give the piece movement. Here are some pictures of my work on this piece up to this point.

some embroidery has been added--still what-iffing on how to proceed

reverse applique

windblown tree on mini woven base

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
                                                                 ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Filling the void

Raise a glass to me! I just finished uploading my final exercises from the online color studies course I have been taking from the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center in La Conner WA. I highly recommend to anyone with an interest in fiber and art, that they look into taking some classes at the center.

It feels good to be finished and yet, there is a huge void that has been left. The void is not bad, it just leaves me craving more. Craving more can be a really good thing as it leads me to discover my next step in the feeding of my passion. So, for now, I need to do some discerning and listening to my heart as to what the next step is.

This summer, I have some unfinished work from my Level 2 class on Design and Experimental Stitch, namely "the bead book." This little book [the tiny size of 4x4"] has about 14 pages of beaded samples. Each page has a left edge knotted buttonhole stitch applied. The work that needs to be done is applying beads/beading to the edges of each page--in a creative manor--to finish each page. Then the pages will be bound together with whichever binding method I choose.  I will post some pictures once I finish. It will keep me busy for the next several weeks.

Finishing a class or project it the absolute best feeling in the world. It just might be a time to sit back and take it all in. The color studies course produced three wonderful sketchbooks of color theory, color schemes and color studies. They will be a wonderful resource to me. One of my favorite exercises in this course was the creation of monoprints. After finishing each exercise, I had a palette full of unused acrylic paint. So, with the extra sketchbook pages, I would create monoprints by pressing the page onto the palette; producing interesting color blends. Very addicting and so frugal. I've included a picture below of some small pages I did and also a picture of a sketchbook cover.


monoprints

sketchbook cover - monoprint

Art is not a treasure in the past or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples.       --Franklin D. Roosevelt

Pursuing passion--2012

Well, here I am, finally getting to another post. Guess contributing to my blog takes a little more planning than what I give to it. I've been pursuing my passion and forget that I should be posting more. My studies at the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center in La Conner, WA, have been consuming most of my spare time. I love the courses I have taken; currently finishing up a Level 2 Design & Experimental Stitch course in March. It has been a two-year-long class covering:

• Painting, printing and dyeing fabrics and threads, to create a portfolio of hand and machine stitched samples and techniques.
• Using embellishments such as beads, sequins, cords, and tassels as applications for art pieces.
• Studying of contemporary and historic artists is undertaken along with study of stitch in different cultures.
• An assessment will include the creation of an innovative stitch book from an original design.
• Learning the creative process of taking a work from design, to sample, to a finished piece, in a logical manner.

Throughout the two years of this class, I've attended a series of six, 5-day long class sessions (8am-6pm each day) of intensive instruction and learning at the La Conner school. Very hands-on and full of good stuff, if you know what I mean. I have also just begun a Color Studies 101 online course through the Gail Harker school. It will keep me busy through April 2012.

It has been very freeing and a pure joy to be able to devote my time to creativity and focus on what I am passionate about. After years of raising our girls amd nurturing my marriage--and everything that encompasses the business of daily life--I finally have time to spend on what I truly enjoy doing; and that is creating art.
I've also had some fun creating fabric portraits of my grandchildren and grandpug. These amazing 8 1/2 x 11 portraits look like black and white photos when they are matted and framed.

I hope to post more pictures in the coming months showing some of my work from the school.

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." --Thomas Merton

Outdated assumptions

I was going through some old computer files recently and came upon this interesting little tidbit I had saved in my "inspirations" folder. It's titled: Outdated Assumptions.

It can be useful and efficient to rely on assumptions. Remember, though, that most assumptions do not remain valid forever. How many of the assumptions that you rely on have long since ceased to be true? It can be truly liberating to discard some of the old assumptions that do nothing now but hold you back. Many of your assumptions have become so thoroughly ingrained in your thinking that you no longer realize they are even there. Each moment they influence what you see, think and do.

The net result is that the person you were ten, fifteen, twenty years ago is controlling the actions you take today. Though you have grown immensely in that time, much of that growth goes unrealized because you labor under outdated assumptions.

There's no need to throw out all your old assumptions. Yet it can be extremely worthwhile to question them, and to seek to go beyond them, on a regular basis.

Watch what you think, what you say, what you do, and regularly ask why. Free yourself from outdated assumptions, and you'll be amazed at the possibilities that open up to you.
--Ralph Marsten

This quote has certainly given me a lot to think about. When it comes right down to it, I do rely on my assumptions; which is not always what I should be doing. I think I may start questioning what I "assume" is right and look at what other possibilities there might be. Guess you would call that growth...

Personal photo of purple coneflower in my back yard

Purple coneflowers "growing" in my garden.

We are called to be strong companions and clear mirrors to one another, to seek those who reflect with compassion and a keen eye how we are doing, whether we seem centered or off course ... we need the nourishing company of others to create the circle needed for growth, freedom and healing.

- Wayne Muller

Summer has arrived, I think...

We all know that here in the state of Washington, summer takes it's time getting here. We've had a few teaser days and also strangely enough, the July 4th weekend weather was exceptional. I should just resign myself to accept what we are given... Update on raised beds: not enough sun to get them growing very well. Sad after all the work put into building them. Well, maybe next year the weather will be right, I think to myself. Will evaluate the whole process this winter (oops, didn't mean mention winter thing here in the middle of summer). Here's a photo of the raised beds showing planting day. The irrigation system works great thanks to the great work of my husband.

There have been many happenings so far this summer--camping at Fort Worden State Park, finishing a commissioned clergy stole for a good friend, going to the beach with the grandchildren and good friends coming to visit; not to mention a great July 4th party at our home. All of these seem to fill the great days of summer with great satisfaction despite the grayness. I must always remember that the rain helps everything stay green and we don't have to water so often. Also it keeps me indoors to work on my other passion--textile arts [smile here].

I got to put to use some of the training that I have been receiving at the Gail Harker Center for Creative Studies, when I was commissioned to make a communion stole for a friend of mine. This communion stole I designed and completed tested my abilities in the design area--not to say that I wasn't able; but for the first custom designed stole in a while, I was a bit nervous. 

I've learned at the school that first you must research your subject [in this case wheat and grapes] in order to really understand it. Drawing the subject helps you to "see it for the very first time." In all, the stole came out quite well as you can see by the pictures here. And, so rewarding to complete a great project like this!

"It may be that the satisfaction I need, depends on my going away,

so that when I've gone and come back, I find it at home." --Rumi

Raised beds, waiting and grandchildren

Hooray! We've finished our raised beds and have planted them with shelling peas, kale, squash (both zucchini, summer and crooked neck), celery, tomatoes, peppers, chard and pickling cukes. We added "timed" irrigation in hopes that the beds will be watered consistently. We have done all of this as an experiment this year, as we are not sure how "our garden will grow." Our property only gets so much sun each day... Here is a picture of the smaller bed we installed in the back. Two other beds, each 8x4 feet, were installed up in front.

And now the hard part--WAITING. Waiting is so hard! It truly is a discipline that can be difficult to develop. Waiting patiently slows life down to a slugs-pace and helps me to truly live each day 'in the moment.' [notice I said "helps."] Just short of measuring each new sprout and counting each new leaf, this "waiting" helps me to develope an unhurried stance and appreciate the leisurely advance of nature. This completely goes against my hurried, busy life and encourages presence. I guess this quote sums the work I must do:

"All good things come to those who wait." --Proverbs

In addition, I've tucked in a picture of my grandchildren taken at a family day at the beach near us. It was a fun day of picnicking, sand, sun and water. And so much fun watching them all in their different stages of development. Love them so...

Rain, rain go away...

Just plain tired of the rain and cold! Well, I guess you've heard that before. Everyone (I imagine) feels that way at this time of the year. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, summer doesn't begin until July 5th so sometimes I wonder what the dismay is all about... The childhood rhyme "rain rain go away come again another day" should be revisioned for us Pacific Northwesters at this time of year to "rain rain go away, come again only at night and less frequent and please include some sun."

It takes true discipline to get myself out into the garden on wet, cold days. I tell myself that once I get going I will warm up and that seems to help. There is so much to do out there, it's hard to know where to start. So my mantra is just dig in.

I bought some vegetable starts today: shelling peas, flat kale and some French crisphead lettuce, thus creating more work for me. Also need to make a trip to the garden place to purchase some planting compost. The shelling peas will need some poles to climb as they can reach 8 feet tall. Peas will be fun--I've never planted them before. We plan on adding some raised vegetable beds this year. Saw a great how-to on the Sunset magazine site. Ours will be fashioned after theirs.

Finding sunny spots on our property can be hard at times because of all of the tall cedar and pine trees around. We figure that the center of the property is best as it has spots that receive about 7 hours--best we can do here.

Have you planted vegetables in your garden? You might think about it because it's a really healthy thing to do. Organic for the most part. Just dig in! You'll love the outcome.

My health is so precious...

Last November was diagnosed with a 'flat polyp' following a routine colonoscopy. It was suggested that I have it surgically removed by a specialist. On January 12, 2011, I had a lower colon resection--major surgery with 6-wk recovery--at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. The very good news is that the pathology came back benign! I cried when the doctor shared this with me--I know, weird to cry at a thing like that, but I have to admit that I had been very afraid of the outcome. I feel very, very, very grateful for this diagnosis and all that it entailed. The world looks different to me now.

Today I am back happily working on my homework from my studies at the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center. I am scurrying to complete the work from the first class in November. I missed the January 22nd class as I was recovering from surgery and so now, I have the homework from that class also. Not complaining though. I am having way too much fun (if that is possible).

A gift...

Just thought I would post this sweet picture of my grandaughter wearing a pair of shoes I made for her recently. It's a pure joy for me to create something from fabric, in this case wool felt along with some DMC # 8 thread that I hand-dyed used as trim. The shoes fit her perfectly.

What is it that is so rewarding about finishing a project? Must ask that question often as sometimes I feel it may be my ego yearning for that pat on the back. Or, is it the love of giving the gift? Either way, it's huge on satisfaction.

Time to change this blog?

Ok now... my entries to this blog have been very sporadic. Should I change my blog to reflect my daily doings? my interests? my fabric focus? my creative side? Maybe being motivated to create something on a daily basis would work. Hmmmm...

I've been wanting to practice and play with dyeing fabric. Let's see how goes... My inspirations could be some of my photography. Hmmmm...

Watch for some action here.

Life is good

Wow. Can't believe that the last time I posted was 2 months ago. Christmas, New Year's and Martin Luther King's birthday have all passed. It's now almost the end of February--the very same February in which I celebrated another birthday.

Ouch! Almost never has a birthday bothered me as much. There's nothing that can be done about it--it just what is. And you know what they say, "you're only as old as you feel." So, hit the gym and eat the right foods and life will continue in a gracious way. A friend of mine told me that "motion is lotion" and I believe that whole-heartedly.

Enough rambling on about age. There are things to celebrate! Our grandson has turned 3-years-old and my youngest daughter is expecting her first child in July. We are both retired now and beginning a new phase in our lives together. We are truly blessed. Life is good.

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose

all the other ages you've been."

--Madeleine L'Engle

Sampling of work

Here, as promised, I've included a few picks of the machine embroidery samples from the class I took at the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center this past August. There's the workbook and just a few of the samples that were created for the study. All of the fabrics used in the samples were hand-dyed.

Fabric arts as a passion

The weather has changed. Temps are cooler and my focus is now switching to my indoor passion which is fabric art. This summer I took a prerequisite class at the Gail Harker Creative Studies School in Oak Harbor, WA (on Whidbey Island). The class was titled "Experimental Machine Embroidery" and it touched on everything from how to work the tensions on your sewing machine, to dying your own fabric and experimenting with free-motion stitching. Fun stuff!

I came home very excited about the class. The possibilities are limitless! I also came home with samples and notes from the class that will forever be a resource for me. Gail Harker is an accomplished author and graduate and teacher of City & Guilds of London. She is a wonderful teacher; urging you on to your fullest capabilities.

The homework involved includes finishing the sixteen (or so) sample's edges and mounting each in an attractive mat along with the notes/documentation I made in class. These will all go in a notebook. In addition she has asked each of us to create 3 new samples on newly dyed fabric in a different color scheme.

Right now, I am working on my ideas for those 3 new samples. I will be using the analogous colors in the violet/red/orange range. Tomorrow I will do the dying in my kitchen. Hope I don't make a huge mess. What I really need is a separate studio to do the dying in. I'll write that on my Christmas wish list right now...

I will take a few pictures in the coming days of the samples I have created before I send the notebook off to be evaluated by Gail Harker. Watch for them.

Sometimes have to pinch myself to realize that I am actually--finally--working on what I am passionate about. The next class I want to attend is the Level 2 Creative Machine Embroidery which is a 2-year course of study under Gail. I'm saving my pennies... maybe a good fairy will come along and wave the magic wand...

Fall is in the air...

Hello again. It's been quite a long time since I've entered anything new. I think summer happened... Now we're coming into my favorite season of the year "autumn" (with spring a close second). There's a distinct change in air--temp is crisp and it reminds me of going back to school each fall. I can just smell it. Just returned from a visit to my sister's home in Lake Tahoe, California. Had beautiful weather and the nights got very cool. Mornings were fresh and clean. A few wind gusts brought down light sprinklings of leaves. Did I say I love this time of year?

The pumpkins in my garden are turning orange and the maples are changing. The school buses arrive and depart on schedule, "picture day" comes soon. Football season begins--go Seahawks!

I sometimes wonder why autumn is my favorite. Maybe I'm just ready for a change after the long summer months. It is autumn that brings on the gusty winds and thirst quenching rains. It is autumn that uses my favorite colors to paint the landscape. It is autumn that urges me to find that cozy spot to read on a rainy day. Did I say I love this time of the year?

This photo was taken on the deck last year. The leaves fell from our bonsai maple and I could not resist the gorgeous color.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus