TWO NEW ZENTANGLES

DIVINE HOPE

This is my latest ZenTangle I call Divine Hope.  It was one of two that I did this past Friday while I was substituting for the art teacher at the local high school.  Students were very interested in what I was doing as I explained the concept and gave them the url where they could find out more.  For those who are interested in the concept conceived by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas click on the link above.

Yesterday I attended our monthly meeting of the Capital Region Textile Artists.  We are a group of Art Quilters always exploring the world of art quilting by learning and sharing new techniques and providing feedback to each other as we progress in our art.

BLENDING TOGETHER

I forgot to bring my newest ZenTangle to share during show and tell but I did talk about how it has helped me open up new and exciting creative ways of thinking and how I want to translate some of my tangles into art quilts.  Members listened attentively, some commenting on how they did not see the difference between doodling and the process I was explaining to them.  I explained that for me the difference was simple; doodling is mindless meanderings we tend to create while we are doing something else, like talking on the phone for example.  I think of doodling as mindless meanderings and mindless meandering is what I was very good at.  Doodling did not teach me to do anything except reinforce my lack of focus during times when I should have been quite focused.

The principles behind ZenTangle is quite the opposite.  It is purposeful, ceremonial, mindful, and extremely focused.  It is calming and a wonderful meditation practice.  When I am creating these the results are quite astonishing.  It is interesting how while I am creating a ZenTangle I don't make mistakes.  One of the key principles of ZenTangle is that there are no mistakes, just opportunities for your creation to take yet another turn that was not expected and yet belongs somehow in the overall design. It is clear to me that ZenTangle as a daily practice will raise my awareness of my art and its possibilities to its highest form possible.

QUICK HELLO

Right now I am in the middle of monitoring a sixth grade test so I thought I would take a moment to check in.  I have been thinking about what to do with my new stitch and slash project which is suppose to be a pillow in its final form.  However, I decided that if there is one thing I don't need it is another pillow so.......I decided that it will be a wall quilt.  I have so many ideas about embellishing this quilt that I don't know where to start but you can bet that there will be beads, paint, stamped images and decorative stitches somewhere in the piece.  It won't be long before you see my project although it will be in stages.  Until then......

YET ANOTHER LAYER

After peeling away the layers

Can you believe the transformation?  This is the same piece as before with several layers taken off.  Neat huh?  I love this method and I will be exploring lots more of this technique for sure.  It was so exciting to take of the different layers and see how different the piece looks now.

This one on the right is the before picture.  What a difference isn't there?  Once the piece is completely finished I will share it with you.  Until then......keep creating!

MORE STITCH AND SLASH

My first attempt

Well, I can't tell you what fun I am having doing this.  What you are looking at is four layers of fabric that have been stitched together from the back.  Once the stitching is done you then turn the piece around and begin removing layers of fabric.  You can stop removing fabric as the design begins to emerge to your liking.  It is so much fun and serves as immediate gratification.
This is a closeup of what it looks like with the first layer removed.  It is beginning to take some form but the design won't be completely apparent until all the slashing is done and then it will be on to embellishing the piece which is always my favorite part.  Stay tuned.

STITCH AND SLASH

Well, I started my Stitch and Slash class.  This is my first on-line class ever and I am very excited about it.  For those of you who don't know, Craftsy.com gives many classes in many different art/crafts.  This particular class is being given by Carol Ann Waugh.

Anyone who is a fiber artist knows she has several fabrics that are in her stash that must have been brought in by the Ugly Fabric Fairy.  I have no idea what in the world I was thinking when I bought the green and yellow bug fat quarter but it looks like it will do very nicely for this project.  I probably bought it thinking I would put it in a quilt for one of the grandchildren but I can't bring myself to think about them covering themselves up with bugs......Eeewwwwwwww.  I will post pictures as the class progresses.

GIVING THANKS

Giving a class in Embellishing

This past Thanksgiving was a wonderful one.  We spent Thursday with one of my best friends from high school.  Her home is a canvas that she is constantly adding to.  I love to spend time at her house and sit among the many clay pots, figurines and animals she has collected over the years.  My friend loves to feed the squirrels and she has one as a pet.  I can't tell the difference between her pet squirrel and the rest of them but she can.  They all have names and they come to her when she calls them.  She has two birds, two dogs, and a cat.  She loves them all and it is clear that they love her.

We then travelled to Massachusetts to visit with my sister and her family.  Every year we congregate at her house where we eat, drink and laugh the entire weekend.  This year the feast was even more impressive than the year before.  I always come home refreshed and ready for another day in my studio.  I know that I have a wonderful life filled with wonderful people who I love and who love me!  

PLAYING IN THE STUDIO

Quilt Sandwich

Yesterday I mentioned doing something with the practice machine quilting sandwiches that I have.  This is an example of what one looks like.  I have a stack of these in my scrap bin and until Saturday morning I didn't know what to do with them.  Well, last night I took out the paints that I bought at Michaels and began to doodle and paint on it.


This is what I have created so far:  I can't believe what fun I am having with this.  It isn't finished by a long shot but with the addition of thread, more paint and perhaps a little stamping, (maybe some beads?) I will have created a masterpiece!

AN IDEA FOR THOSE PRACTICE SANDWICHES

Yesterday I had written about the art group that I belong to.  One of the members showed the rest of us what she was doing with her machine quilting practice sandwiches (batting between two pieces of muslin).  I wish you could see what she created.  I was so inspired that I went to Michaels today to purchase fiber paint and water colors.  I have several of these sandwiches and quite frankly I didn't know what to do with them until now.  I will post my progress as I play!!!!!

ART QUILT GROUP

Rainbow Fish

 This morning I made the beautiful drive to Delmar to visit with other members in our Art Quilt Group.  I almost didn't go but I am so glad that I did.  It is always so inspiring to see what the members have been doing since we last met and boy have they been busy.   The picture on the right is one of what I call a free-form project where one of the members made a trace of a fish and we translated it in fabric.  Each one different.  Each one as delightful as the next.  Rainbow Fish is my translation and it was really fun to do.  Before I knew it the project took on a life of its own and ended up in blue waters with a small school of fish swimming around it.  This is what the final quilt looked like

just before I put the beaded fish on it.  It was a fun project with interesting techniques used.

We also talked about what inspires us when we are designing an art quilt.  Members brought in their favorite books (we don't only collect fabric you know) which was interesting because no one brought in the same book.  And although, all of us have books and books and books about art and quilting and art quilting members actually brought in books that were not familiar to the rest of us!  There are books out there that I have yet to own!!!!!  I have to say though, that we really read and use our books and magazines.  How wonderful.  I feel so lucky to be a part of this group.

THE COLORS OF FALL

Fall wall hanging

I don't do a great deal of traditional quilting but recently a friend of mine came to me with this pattern and asked if we could make it together.  She is new to quilting but it is a simple pattern so I agreed to make one and she would make one also.  It was fun to do and now we are both looking at making this pattern in Christmas colors.


Instead of hanging it on the wall I decided to hang it on the door that opens into the living room.  It makes the entrance look quite festive.  Fall is my favorite time of year so unlike the pattern, I made the colors bright and vivid.  It will be interesting to see what the Christmas one ends up looking like.

THE ART OF RITUAL

free digital photos.net

There was a time when my days began with a morning meditation.  I did it for many years without fail.  Meditation helped me focus and quiet my mind.  The ritual was so important to me but slowly, so slowly, I began to wane from my practice.  I don't know when it happened and now I am struggling to get it back.

Sometimes, when I am in my studio I find myself lost in the jumble of books and fiber and glue and paint and.......it is a mess for sure.  I need the ritual to keep me focused and to allow the universal creative energy to flow through me.  Practicing a ritual not only takes dedication but it is an art form all of its own.  It is why I chose the name Creative Meditations for my art.  And yet, here I am lost, unfocused and feeling as though I lack the dedication not just to my art, but to myself.  I know that I can start my daily practice again.  It is important that I do so.  It is why I decided to share this with you in this very public forum.

QUIET TIMES

I haven't been on the computer much these days.  I have actually enjoyed the quiet creative time it has brought to me.  It has been nice.  Lately, I have been asking myself what it is that I expect to get out of blogging and why did I start it in the first place.  I ask myself questions like:  do I really want to share all of my thoughts in this blog?  where do I want to take this blog?  where do I want this blog to take me?

When I first began to write here I wanted to use this place as a way to share my creations.  But I am beginning to realize that it needs to be more than that.  It needs to be a place where I explore not only what it is that I create but also why.  What is the energy that flows through me that makes me want to dance with my creations?  What happens to me when I create......where do I go in my mind?  I don't know the answers to any of these questions...not yet at least.  I do know that I will continue to blog as a way to stay connected not just with those who read my blog but also with myself.  Maybe this is why I blog at all.

SEPTEMBER????????

One of my many tangles that I have done.  It is awesome and lots of fun to do.

The studio is quite busy these days with several quilts and artwork being created.  I had hoped to have more done but apparently, from what my good friend Joanne says, I am a bit of a perfectionist because I just keep ripping out if I don't like what I am producing.  That is the nature of the art though; when something does not turn out the way you expected it then you have a choice.......rip it out or leave it alone and build on it.  I am trying not to rip out so much by treating my art in the spirit of Zentangle  which states, there is no eraser in life....just opportunities to build on to the next thing.  One line at a time.  One stitch at a time.

I put this exhibit together for the quilt show that we did last weekend.  It was a walk back in time not only because of what was represented on the table but also of great interest was that everything there was made in the US of A.  Did you know that Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania made thread?  Many of the tools were works of art as well.  One visitor stated that she remembered her mother having a "crank" Singer sewing machine.  She said that the children would turn the handle while Mom did the sewing.  Seems like it was a family affair!  I had so much fun putting together this exhibit and how many items  were made in the USA.  I wonder what we would learn if we put together an exhibit titled "Modern Tools of the Trade"!

Rainbow Fish has a home!

Well, it really has been a busy time around here.  The Vermont Quilt Festival seems like a far away place now and the Patchworkers Quilt Show is finally over.  It was so much fun but lots of hard work.  Saturday, the heat really got to us but that didn't stop the people from coming.  I entered "Rainbow Fish" to the collection and it seemed to be enjoyed.  The men who came to the show seemed to like it which did not surprise me at all.  There were several really beautiful quilts on display which made it hard to pick just one for first prize.  Rainbow Fish did not win a prize but I didn't expect it to.  It did spark conversation and questions about quilting and beading which made it even more of a delight to display.  Congratulations to Peggy who took #1.  Her quilt was spectacular and it was well deserved.

VERMONT QUILT FESTIVAL

Wow.....it has been over a month since I wrote in my blog.  The month flew by with lots of visits from family and friends!  Have several creations developing my studio and can't wait to share them.

The most exciting news besides the fact that we moved into our new bedroom is the trip to Vermont to go to the Quilt festival.  It was amazing and I had the privilege to attend some wonderful classes with great instructors.  I came back full of wonderful ideas and will share them all as soon as I can.  I have to say that my favorite class was Zentangle which was amazing.  More about that later.  Keep creating!

TIME FLIES

Jay and I have been working so hard with the renovations that I haven't had a chance for any blogging or picture taking like I had hoped.  But....we are really happy with the results.  My mother came to visit us for four days and spent mother's day with my sister and I.  It was a nice visit but trying to finish our construction projects before her arrival made it that much harder to get to the computer.  Having a deadline to finish the projects made us hustle even that much faster but even though we were exhausted I say "Thank goodness for deadlines!"  

SPECIAL EFFECTS

 

I am not a photographer and don't pretend to be but lately I have been playing with some simple software in an effort to determine how to transfer some special effects into art quilts.  The black and whites were done to look at dark and light without being distracted by color.  

The more I play the more I like the effects.  This is a new way of looking at fiber art for me and I am enjoying it.  Others have perfected this art but I am learning that the journey of exploration is where the fun is.  I am getting good ideas from all of this and hope to turn the above photo into an art quilt.  

PROMISES, PROMISES

I try so hard not to break promises and I cringe to myself every time I do.  Good intentions abound when a promise is given but sometimes things happen that makes keeping a promise impossible or at the very least, unlikely.  Take this blog for instance.  I promised myself that I would keep my readers updated where the studio redo was concerned.  Instead, I have been busy doing other things like helping my husband with the bedroom renovation.  (I promised him I would help).  It seems like breaking a promise to help someone else is how it always starts.

I also promised to keep up with my blog every day but that hasn't happened either.  Mostly because I do so many things in a day that the computer always takes a back seat. Perhaps trying to blog every day is not a goal I can keep for right now.  Perhaps what I really need to do is blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week and I have a chance to write more often I will.

In the meantime....I promise to work on keeping my promises!

A STUDIO REMAKE

Left side of studio where my long arm is. 

The spring like weather has gotten to Jay and I in  a big way.  If you look at the right side of the studio in this picture you can see the tv sitting on top of a long table.  I plan to remove the table and tv and build shelves from floor to ceiling.  This will help me to organize much more efficiently by getting things off the floor and onto shelves.  

In the meantime, Jay is going to be downstairs ripping out the paneling which is in the office and replacing it with tongue and groove pine.  It is going to be amazing when it is finished.  Then off it is to the great outdoors and the gardens.  How wonderful!!!!!.

STILL FISHING!!!!!

The weather is back to more seasonable temps and quite frankly, I am a bit happy about it.  It isn't that I don't like warm temperatures.  I do.  But what I really enjoy is the transition from one season to the next.  Spring, then summer, then fall, then winter.  It is hard on my body to go from winter to summer.  The lack of  seasonal transitions was by far the hardest thing for me to handle when I lived in the south.  Air-conditioning aside, it just didn't feel right for this northerner.

The cooler temps makes it easier to stay in the studio.  In the picture above  I am working on my fish quilt.  It is coming along quite nicely even though I am not sure if I like it yet.  It has been fun working on it though and that is what is most important to me.  I especially like the beaded fishing hook although I am not sure it fits. What do you think?  Should I keep it?

ARTISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

I was a pinterest member until I read the article on "Pinterest verses ethics and the Law" which can be found here:  http://artists-bill-of-rights.org/news/campaign-news/pinterest-versus-ethics-and-the-law-%11-part-1/.  I know that it is a long link but I think that it is important for everyone who creates, appreciates and lives their art to maintain an ethical stance concerning the beauty that others create.  Since reading the article and going back to fully reading the legal terms of being a member of pinterest, I have decided to delete my account and have removed the pin from this blog.  I believe in the rights of others and try to be respectful and considerate.  I would want others to do the same for me.

THE FINAL RESULT

This is the final quilting that I did.  The top, bottom, and sides were done in a soft grey.  

MACHINE QUILTING

I really love this quilt.  Unfortunately, the person I was quilting this for had decided that she wanted the entire quilt machine quilted in lime green.  I love lime green but I wasn't sure about doing the entire quilt that way.  There were so many pieces that were just beautiful and I was afraid the quilting would distract from them.  It is always a balancing act.  So I decided to pencil in the design I thought might work and when I was finished I knew that the lime green would have to be limited.  But before I made the final decision, I took the quilt to my customer for her final thoughts.  She agreed that the lime green should be limited.

THE SMELL OF MOTHER EARTH IS BREATHTAKING

It was such a beautiful day today.  The smells of mother earth were intoxicating.  I opened the windows in my studio and let the wind dance around my machines.  It was terrific and it makes me impatient for spring.

Despite the warm weather that beckons me to play outside, I managed to work on my art quilt.  It is coming along nicely and should be done soon.  I like the direction the quilt is taking but I think that is because I have had such fun doing it.  I will keep you posted as to my progress.

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE......WHAT?????

Tis true, tis true!  It is really snowing and it is beautiful out.  It is the 1st of March and true to the saying it is coming in like a lion.  The wind has been quite active causing white-outs on occasion.  It makes the the studio seem cozy though.  Jay is finally going to get to use the snow blower!  Let's hope it starts!

Well, my break is over and I have to get back to the quilt on my long-arm.  Tomorrow I will post pictures of my art quilt and a quilt I just finished for a friend.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO START ANY DAY

This is so uplifting and I love the art that you can create through a process called zentangle.  To find out what zentangle actually is click on the blog in my blog list titled zentangle or do a google search.  It is beautiful as well as meditative.  I plan to use it in my art.  Have fun watching.

A PARTNER TO PLAY WITH

Yesterday, my friend Marit came to visit my studio.  We had a lot of fun and got some real sewing in which was great.  I enjoy sewing with other fiber artists.  Having someone to bounce ideas off of makes things so interesting.  Off course Gibbs got into the act and thought it was so much fun having two people to annoy instead of just me!  He is a great dog though and Marit was quite impressed with how he picked up something I dropped and brought it to me.  All in all it was a splendid afternoon.  Thank you so much Marit for coming out to play!

THIS HOP SAVES GAS

I was very excited when I checked my eamil this morning and found the Blog Hop has begun.  There are two things about this that makes me very excited:  I get to visit art blogs that I didn't know existed and I get to participate in the chance to win a prize from Jerry's Artarama.  For my friends who love to create art, if you haven't had a chance or didn't know about Artful Gatherings or Jerry's site.  I would love to hear what you  think about the blogs you get to visit. Well, the sun is shining and the need to create has overcome my desire to blog. 

I AM STILL LEARNING

I have been very busy in the studio working on art quilts, my long arm, knitting and exploring art on the internet.  I came across this wonderful site titled Zentangle that I want to share.  Zentangle was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.  It is amazing what art the mind can create using simple lines.  There is so much more to learn but I find it challenging to balance the creative side with the student side of me.......Maybe it is all one.........Hmmmm.

MY AUNT MADDIE'S DRESS

This is a picture of my Aunt Maddie who passed away in 2011 at the age of 99.  She was an amazing woman who had many talents.  She loved playing the piano and she had a wonderful personality.  I wish I knew where this dress is.  I think it is amazing don't you?  Can you imagine if we wore dresses like this?  But then I think.....where would I wear it?  No one dresses up to go anywhere anymore.  Not even to church.  I wonder where she might have been going?  I remember that grandma used to get dressed every time she went out to dinner.  Of course, they didn't go very often but I would love the way she smelled and looked.  Whenever I design anything I try to implement some part of a vintage flair.  It is my way of paying homage to my grandmothers and my aunts.

MY DOG GIBBS

This is a little video af my dog Gibbs.  He stays with me in the studio and plays with scraps of my material.  In this video however, he is in the living room.  

CAN YOU NAME MY FISH

Well, OK, it isn't exactly a photo of a rainbow trout but it is colorful don't you think.  I just don't know what to name him.  He is part of an art quilt challenge that was given to us during our last art quilt meeting.  Boy, did I Zen (I mean) zone out on this one.

The first part of the challenge started when we were asked to bring an assortment of material without knowing exactly what we were going to do.  This was to be our pallet. We then were given a picture of a fish which we traced and then transferred to muslin.  When we left we had a rough version of our fish to be completed at home.  I am not quite finished with the embellishments but once I am I will then include him in an art quilt to be taken to show and tell.  It will be so much fun to see the other quilt members interpretations.  

I would love to come to the meeting with a jazzy name for my fish.  Sooooo....if anyone out there has any ideas please let me know.  There is a prize waiting!!!!