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

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

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

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.