It SNOWED!

Here in Piedmont NC we rarely get snow. Ice, sometimes, but even that comes around only once in a while (thankfully, because it usually knocks out the power). Oh, but THIS year, we got SNOW! Not just once, but so far, twice! And not just the two-flakes-are-falling-quick-run-buy-bread-and-milk kind of snow, but honest-to-goodness-cover-the-ground-and-then-some kind of snow. Look at my driveway...Beautiful!!

(OK, I know my northern friends are experiencing SNOOOW, so this will not look like much. My heart goes out to you...some is good, but 2'+ is too much!! I used to live in the DC area and I can't imagine!)

Anyway, we had a blast sledding and watching the dogs romp about. We took a walk under the full moon which lit up the night, casting shadows of the trees. The boys even enjoyed an outdoor breakfast of hot cinnamon rolls and cocoa. And then...

I dyed.

I'll admit, when I first saw that technique in Quilting Arts I didn't give it much thought. Looked fun, but at the time it was published snow was not a consideration here. However, being inspired by those on the QA list who had tried it, I thought I might as well take advantage of this rare appearance here. And it was FUN!

I pre-soaked my scoured fabric in soda ash solution, then bunched it up in dishpan tubs, about a yard per tub. While the fabric was soaking I prepared my dyes (Procion). I like to use squirt bottles which I get at my local beauty supply store. Then I scooped up snow from the driveway, covering the fabric almost to the rim of the tubs and squirted the dye across the snow.

(I'm sure my neighbors were wondering...though they should be used to my driveway productions by now - rust dyeing, painting giant Hokie birds...)

I let it sit in the garage for a while, then moved it inside the studio so it could start melting...

Here it is all melted...pretty! I let it sit overnight to batch then did the rinse, repeat, and hot water / Synthrapol wash and....

TaaDaaa!

I'm thinking it might be OK if it snows again...just a little! :)

I am thrilled that my art quilt "Every One Fits In" made for Art Now for Autism 2009, was selected for the logo of Breaking Traditions 2010! Curated by Lynn Krawczyk, Breaking Traditions is a traveling exhibit that brings awareness and raises funding for worthwhile causes.

It is an open call art quilt event. I hope everyone will consider participating...you can find out more about the event here.

The deadline for entry is not until August 21 (receive date) so you have time to get creative!

:)

Sawtooth School

For the past two Saturdays I have had the honor of teaching surface design at the Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem, NC. We did rust dyeing, stamp making and stamping, discharging, and gelatin plate printing...and we had FUN!! These ladies were very open to learning new things and getting messy...my idea of the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Everyone came up with great stamp designs!



Randi working on her silk scarf

Laura's gelatin print from real starfish (cool, huh?)


Pat discovers the joy of gelatin printing!

After having time to learn and play with each technique, everyone had a chance to alter a silk scarf as well as something they brought from home. Lynn and Toni did t-shirts and Randi gave a linen shirt and pants that were headed out the door a brand new look. Pat discharged two t-shirts using some oriental stencils she brought in. Denni altered one of her husband's old shirts, sort of in a spirit of humor, but it turned out really cool! She also altered a gridded piece of fabric to look like Spanish tiles. Laura had even done her homework and created a completed art quilt with the stamp she created in week one!

It was such fun to see everyone's creative gears turning, hearing "oohs" along the way! I just wish my camera battery hadn't died on me!!! Hopefully I'll find some photos in my email of everyone's projects so I can post more here. (hint,hint!) :)

* Edit - you can see more of Laura's work here (thanks Laura!)

I will be teaching this again May 8 and 15, so check the Sawtooth website for registration information and come join the fun!

And I promise, I'll charge my camera... :)

Here Kitty Kitty

Hokie bird has a buddy! This one is for the Forsyth Humane Society's Art Unleashed fundraiser.

I've always wanted a cat in the quilt studio. :)

Hangin' with a Hokie

So, this is who I'll be spending time with over the next couple of months...

Yes, he's that big :)

I'll be painting and transforming him, then he will fly off to his new home in Northern Virginia! First thing to do is sand and prime. Stay tuned...I will post progress pictures along the way.

Surface Design Class

Happy New Year!!!

Start your year out with some fun...

Sign up this week for my surface design class at Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem, NC! Class is Saturday, Jan 16 from 9:30 - 12:30 and Saturday Jan. 23, 9:00 - 2:00. Come learn and play with rust dyeing, stamp making/stamping, discharging, and gelatin plate printing...it's going to be a blast!

Simply click the Sawtooth link and register...but hurry, time's running out!

Winding Down...Winding UP!

I can't believe that the year is almost over! Where did it go??? It seems like this one in particular went by at an unbelievable speed. Perhaps it was the constantly (over?)booked schedule...but that's pretty much the norm in my world. It was a great year for the most part, though it had some sharp spots in it. Normally I would call them 'rough spots' but these were downright sharp. Nevertheless, good things come out of every situation if you are willing to look for them, and having found the good, I press onward to embrace what the new year will bring.

For starters I have to get going on my fiberglass sculpture commissions. One, a 5' tall Hokie bird (ala VA Tech), which will arrive at my house this Saturday - weather permitting. The other, a cat for the Forsyth Humane Society's Art Unleashed fundraiser, due to arrive sometime in January. Both will be artfully painted. Stay tuned for postings as I get them underway. Deadline for both pieces is April. I have done several commissions like this in the past...the trick this time is that, being winter, I will need to fit them into my studio instead of the garage. That means the first thing on the agenda is to clean up and make room! :)

In January I am teaching my first class at Sawtooth School for Visual Art (Winston-Salem, NC)on surface design...Saturdays 1/16 & 23...covering rust dyeing, stamp making and stamping, discharge dyeing, and gelatin plate printing. Click here if you want to join in on the fun!

In March I will be teaching an original Easter table runner pattern at Sew Original (also in Winston-Salem)...more info on that will be posted closer to time.

I also have booked 2 small solo shows, which I am excited about. They are both local and later in the year, giving me time to create new pieces for them. I am a bit undecided on what other shows I will submit for this year. PAQA South has ARTQUILTS:illuminations coming up and I have a couple of pieces started that I want to submit for that one. My guild has a show this spring that I will put some piece into...it's always a great show. Beyond those two I still have to decide. I have committed to a street festival in Virginia in the spring, and there will be venues to arrange for the Beecassos, next year's Deck the Halls, more classes to teach, new galleries to explore, and .....oh yeah, my day job!

The new year is full of possibilities...I guess I'd better get busy!

Happy New Year everyone...make it the best ever!