Exercising ... keeps you fit & trim ...

I've found a great way to exercise ... invite a friend over, select a design workbook, then proceed to work the exercises described in the workbook together. Naturally you can invite more than one friend, too. If you are more organized than me, you will have the materials prepped and ready before your friends arrive so that you can begin immediately. Pause only for water and bathroom breaks. The best lunch is one of fresh veggies and fruit, with a slice or two of cheese on the side. Healthy diet with some mental exercising.

Sound like fun? I guarantee you that it is! The exercising? It's not a physical exercise program, but rather one focused on expanding your designing and creativity. We exercised our mental muscle ... our brains!

When my friend Sara Sissenwein comes to play, we exercise. We are currently working through the lessons in Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter by Katie Pasquini Masopust and Brett Barker. Sadly, I did not take photos of our blind contour drawings, but believe me, drawing a still life of 3 fruit (we used an apple, banana and orange) sounds simple enough until you try it without looking at your paper and drawing a full 25 minutes. Before you say "I can't draw," try this. It is OK how it turns out, as you can always say "I wasn't looking." Doing this with a friend helps prevent you from bending the rules too much and you will really like your results -- or your friend will. This is the importance of group exercise: the company and the encouragement! My one tip: slice at least one fruit open - this reveals more details to examine as you draw, which helps to fill that long spell of 25 minutes.

Next, we tried the Composing with Line exercises. Using solid colors (I used blue on muslin, Sara followed directions, using black on white) sliced in various widths, we created these compositions.

Here is an Asymmetrical design next to a Vertical design.


We used more straight line cuts to design these.


Notice the difference between this set and the first set above it -- every line is set at an angle, none are parallel to the sides of the white background block.










Two radiating designs.


For this mind-stretching exercise, we cut curved strips in the darker fabric, again in various widths but keeping "line" shapes.

The end result here is a framed border and a vertical design.

The last exercise was to use the leftovers of both the straight and curved lines to compose a new design.
These exercises were quite fun to do, especially with a friend. My favorites are Sara's and she likes mine!
Since we each made six, our next task will be to complete these, either putting all six into one quilt or making six separate journal quilts or any other variation.

Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter by Katie Pasquini Masopust and Brett Barker.
I highly recommend this book and these exercises! There is much more detail and lessons to learn than these dozen photos can show. Lucky for me, my local library has a copy -- but I need to own my own as I have paid for one with my late-fines for keeping this one overdue too often. I look forward to completing more of these exercises with Sara and will share our results with you.

Try this newest fad in exercising -- to keep yourself fit and trim and ready to create new original art. You will be glad you did, promise.

P.S. You can order an autographed copy of the book on Brett's website (click on "About the Book") and check out Katie's website too ("Books Supplies").

Kids Quilt Camp

This is the 2nd year the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston (my guild, with Susan Carter as President) held a one-day camp, open to kids of all ages. Susan gave out instructions ahead of time so fabrics could be selected and pre-cut prior to camp. Kids arrived with their supplies and a "Quilt Angel" (often their mother, aunt or grandmother) who guided them throughout the day, assisting as needed. Since I took both my sons and two machines, I invited a friend to come and learn while "working" as a Quilt Angel -- Laura was my extra pair of hands and greatly appreciated!

Here is Isaac arranging his last set of blocks.
The Nine-Patch pattern featured a Churn Dash, set inside a Churn Dash, set inside another Churn Dash. All the square units of rectangles and triangles were stitched first. Then Susan encouraged everyone to play with the layout, beginning with the smallest Churn Dash block, rearranging their blocks until finding a design that pleased them.

Here is Eli holding up his finished top.
Do you see how he has changed the middle Churn Dash -- flipping each square unit so that the colors do not imitate the smallest and largest Churn Dash blocks?

Isaac and Eli with their finished quilt tops.
Both are variations of the original pattern. Both look fabulous! I am so proud of my boys!
Now we are deciding whether to add a border or not. Isaac's top was stitched with larger seam allowances, creating a smaller top.
A border is a definite possibility for his quilt. Eli is happy with his top the size that it is.

Isn't it amazing to see the side-by-side comparison of two different color ways? Which appeals to you -- the warmer browns or the cooler blues?

Texas Fiber Art Slide Show

In Austin, Texas during May 24-26, 2008 (Memorial Day weekend), the Texas Museum of Fiber Art held its 2nd show, "Deep in the Art of Texas" in the State Capitol extension. The slideshow above features most of the artwork, beginning with the top prize winners. Click an image as it scrolls by to see the title and the artist's name.

I love the diversity of this show, from the very small (detail and size) to the very tall (vision and size). The artists hail from across our grand state of Texas, and many came to either the Reception Preview (Thurs, May 22) or to the show itself (Sat-Mon, May 24-26).

This is a detail view of "Contestant" (Honorable Mention) by Linda Lewis, a piece designed to be hung so that it casts a shadow. The shadow is the actually piece of art!

Sally Middleton's piece "Life's Clothesline" (Second Place) features several aprons and the invitation to sniff the contents of their pockets, thus bringing a new sense, the sense of smell, to a very tactile show.

Do you see the inspiration photo for Rachel Edwards-Ridder's second piece that she calls "Capturing Memories"? I love that Rachel dedicates this piece to her mother who will celebrate her 100th birthday this year! The edge of this quilt has so many family photographs, each made into its own little quiltlet and each telling its own story. Rachel uses a pair of her mother's glasses, too.

It was a true delight to meet so many fellow artists. My one regret is that I did not get everyone's photograph standing next to their work. I enjoyed meeting each of you and hope to see you again soon.

I must also extend a huge "Thank You" to Carol Ikard, the Executive Director of the Texas Museum of Fiber Art, and her crew all of whom worked long hours to put together this show "Deep in the Art of Texas."


After admiring these pieces by Texas fiber artists, why not make a resolution to submit your work to a local show whereever you live.
I dare you!

Tag - You're It!

I've been tagged by Any Smith!!!

If you've been tagged, copy and paste the questions and post your answers in your own blog. Be sure to let your chosen tagged peeps know they've been tagged.

So... here we go.... the questions are:

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

• My twins were one year old & just beginning to teeth -- finally! Wow, they used to nap back then -- and I napped right alongside them. Now if I nap, they head for the Wii or the computer.

2. 5 things on today's to-do list:

• start the week's laundry
• head to the grocery store (or wait until tomorrow?)
• finish some overdue fiberart postcards
• play with my kids
• figure out who's cooking supper (me or one of my 11-year-olds!)

3. Snacks I enjoy:

• fresh fruit -- especially strawberries, peaches, crisp apples
• dark chocolate -- yum!
• cheddar cheese, especially with an apple
• nachos -- with cheese, guacamole, and more.
• popcorn, easy on the salt.
• but my favorite would be ice cream! Bluebell Homemade Vanilla or Starbucks Java Chip .... mmmm, scrumptious - especially with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies -- oh my!

4. Things I'd do if I were a billionaire!

• Renovate my kitchen and put a bathroom in my upstairs studio.
• Hire a chef to prepare healthy tasty meals everyday for my family and me (or move my Stepmom next door so she can teach us to love cooking like she does)
• Buy a home in a beautiful location and share it with my family and friends.
• Travel, travel, travel, and oh, did I mention travel?
• Buy an iPhone or two or four (one for each of us!)

5. . Places I have lived:

• Sacramento, California -- then Riverside, CA (so I am a California girl, right?)
• Loring Air Force Base, Maine (my Dad was in the Air Force.)
• Omaha, Nebraska (where I learned to read, "Look" was the first word.)
• back to Loring AFB (missing a huge snowstorm while we were away. My siblings and I were so disappointed to see the photos of what we had missed, but my parents didn't mind, at all.)
• Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Santa Rosa, California
• Austin, Texas (the longest place my family lived until we kids headed out the door to colleges and started our own families.)
• San Antonio, Texas (followed the man I love... & earned my teaching certificate while here.)
• Wheaton, Maryland (1st teaching job at All Saints HS in Washington, DC)
• Brownsville, Texas (more HS & Jr High teaching in Los Fresnos, TX)
• Houston, Texas (where all three boys were born, my husband and my twins.)
• --- will I move again? My Aunt is ever hopeful that California will lure me back one day ... or to Austin ... or to another cozy place .... in my dreams, at least!

6. People I'd like to know more about:

• Mary Ann Littlejohn
• Linda Minton
• Carol Tina Taylor
• Margaret Roberts
• Alis Clair
• Barb Forrister

More bowls

I wanted to share a few of the other bowls donated by my Beyond the Borders (BTB) friends to Empty Bowls last month, which raised over $40,000. The bowls that guests take home are concrete reminders of the empty bowls in the world, especially at mealtimes.

This fiber art bowl was created by Connie Fahrion. My photo does not show the cute little frog (button or bead) stitched to the inside of the bowl. I love the button and fiber trim along the rim.

Linda T. Minton made this wonderful tiny bowl by adding decorative beading over a miniature glass bowl. This view is from overhead looking down onto the bowl. She didn't complete it in time for this year's Empty Bowls -- so be sure to come early to next year's event!

Liz Broussard wove her bowl with strips made from paper bags that had been stitched and painted -- quite fun, unique and very delicate. Thoughtful Liz made a fiber box for her bowl to travel in too.

Here are the two bowls that I brought home. As you can see, neither is a fiber art bowl, but I love them dearly. A local potter, J. Calder, made both of my bowls.

I recently learned that Volunteers at this event are paid with a ticket (for lunch -- a bowl of soup, and your choice of a bowl) so I plan to volunteer next year, especially if my friends Scott and Tammy remind me! Look for an Empty Bowls event coming to your area.

The Queen of E & Under the Sea

The Queen of E, as in "the Queen of Everything," is my 8th of 12 Bead Journal Projects (BJP). As a faithful Behinder slowly catching up in this yearlong commitment that ended last month, I'm plugging away steadily ... just think ... I only have 4 more to go ...


I finished this piece faster than all the others that I've worked so far, and it has the most beads on it, too. How is that possible? Perhaps because I merely embellished someone else's artwork. Thank you, Mary Engelbreit! This BJP is made from my last piece of Mary Engelbreit "Queen" fabrics which I had been saving for eons. Such a perfect way to use it. Don't you agree that all Queenly adornments should be sparkly with jewels and beading?

I am also behind (hmm, a familiar tendency of mine) in an ongoing Arch Swap with my friends in Carol Taylor's Textile Challenges Yahoo group. This is "Lyn's Under the Sea" April arch -- soon on its way to a new home in Florida.

This arch has a lovely batik blue for the water; a corduroy/upholstery beach; silk and rayon fiber seaweeds and grasses; beaded fish, bubbles, shells; two brass charms; and my favorite: two odd looking sea creatures (squid? jelly fish?) made from a curious artificial flower petal. The sparkle is from the shimmery tulle overlaid on top to keep the sea grasses under control.


"Under the Sea" is my 9th Bead Journal Project, hurray! It is made of the same ingredients listed above in Lyn's arch and was quite fun to put together.

Now I have only 3 more BJPs to finish up for the 2007 BJP year! It looks as if I really might finish all my 2007 pieces before the 2008 BJP begins in September. Hosted by Robin Atkins, this will be another fun adventure with lots of new friends on the horizon just waiting to meet and share their stories! Click here for more information on how to register.

Mermaids

Did you know that even a mermaid will enjoy an afternoon of quiet solitude away from the hustle and bustle of abundant sea life?This is "Solitary Mermaid," my March arch for my Textile Challenge group's Arch Swap.

My friendly mermaid (see, she's waving "hello!") is made from buttons, beads, hot glue (that has cooled in the shade of the palm tree), candy wrappers, voile, knit fabric and wild fiber hair. The palm tree has a corduroy trunk and embroidered rayon leaves. The beach is an upholstery sample, with a batik ocean and calm cotton skies above.

Why make one mermaid when you have material for two? Please meet "Mermaid with Friends."
She is made from the same ingredients as "Solitary Mermaid" above, with the addition of two friends, seahorse charms tethered with a golden cord. Notice how they are swimming in the ocean -- a bit of shimmery voile adds this dimension.

"Mermaid with Friends" is my 7th Bead Journal piece, a 4"x6" postcard, for the 2007 Bead Journal Project (BJP) which ended in May. I'm a faithful "Behinder" who is working hard to complete her promise of 12 BJPs for the year before the new 2008 Bead Journal Project begins this September. If you're interested in a year-long adventure of beading, sharing, and fun: click here for information and registration details.