Friday, August 27, 2010

IT IS A DOGS LIFE

I just came down from my studio after spending an hour or so cleaning up the mess that creativity seems to develop. I love it though. The space is so bright and big. When I am up there I feel like I am tucked away up in the clouds. What a great feeling it is. It is really cozy in the wintertime when the snow is falling. Yesterday, Jay and I went to where we bought our wood stove. They are going to fix our fireplace in September. How wonderful it is going to be to sit in front of the fireplace and knit. While we were there I saw a wonderful gas fireplace that is perfect for the studio., I just don't know where it would go but if I could get it up there it would save us tons on the electric bill.

Gibbs, our german shepherd puppy doesn't like it when I stay in the studio too long. Right now I am in the office and he is laying quietly next to me. He is totally different when we are up there together though. He runs around, plays with my yarn and generally wreaks havoc until he starts barking as if to say..."well, when are we going down stairs to play?" Sometimes he give up realizing that I am just in another zone when I am playing with my "toys". Giving up is hard for a puppy but giving up he does and with a big sigh he meanders down the stairs and plops on the rug in front of the TV which has animal planet on. Sometimes he actually watches it. But when I finally emerge he jumps up because he knows we are going out to play for a little while. The break does both of us good. What a life this dog has!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

NOT ENOUGH TIME

I have been trying to get into the studio every chance I get but somehow life in the way of housework and renovations seems to pull me out and away from my sewing machines. I do push to have my studio time though even if it is to steal a half hour away to practice on my long arm. I can't wait to finish the slip cover I promised I would make for someone. It is seven weeks and I am just getting to the point of putting it together.

There has got to be a way to corral my time and effort better than I have been. There is so much to do and to learn. I found out about a group in Delmar where they have an art quilt study group. I love it and can't wait to investigate it.

The knitting group is doing well. We have so much fun and I learn something new each time I go. The local quilting group seems to have stagnated long before I became a member which is too bad. I have had to make a decision about when and how often I can go. They like to meet every week which is fine but more often than not we don't do to much so I can not justify taking myself out of the studio for two to three hours a week. Still, I have made some very good friends there and don't want to leave all together which is why I decided that I would go to the business meeting once a month.

Time is of the essence so I had better get back to the slip cover.

Friday, August 6, 2010

QUILT SHOW

Well, I am participating in my first quilt show with the Patchworkers and it is confusing. Setting up is harder than you think, especially when you don't know what you are doing! It should be fun though.

I have been looking at the Delmar group. They have 150 members and even have a website. What is most exciting for me is that they have an art quilt study group as an offshoot. Definitely going to explore them.

Cairo seems to have a wonderful group as well. They only have their shows every two years. I thought I might look in on them.

I am realizing how important it is to have the support of other like minded artists. It is so important to be involved in a group that challenges your talents which helps you begin to push the envelope on your creativity. A group that doesn't continue to explore and learn gets stagnant and they loose members that way. I have been thinking about searching other groups for that reason. The group I am in is a group of very wonderful people who are great quilters. They have lots of experience and like the group the way it is. It just doesn't fit me and like wearing clothes that are two tight, I feel like I am always trying to break out.

Well, back to the studio. Does anyone ever read this?

From the Studio

From the Studio
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