Two more BJPs completed

Yippee, I've finished two more of my 12 Bead Journal Project pieces for the 2007 year. May I present to you: February's "Hearts all over"


"Hearts all over" has a background of several red cotton fabrics crazily pieced together. Then ribbon velvet hearts and heart-cutouts were stitched on top along with a curvy slice of fabric backed by felt. I used plain craft felt as my stabilizer this time (instead of Peltex/Timtex which I've used for most of my BJPs). Red beads in all sorts of shapes and sizes were added next. To finish the piece, I zigzagged it onto a second piece of deep red felt for the back.

To view all my BJPs to date, click here. Or to start at the home page of the Bead Journal Project's website, click here.

Here is my tenth BJP, March's "In Honor of NASA"

This BJP started as a simple postcard years ago, with just the shiny spaceship (recognize the shuttle?) flying through space, spewing the gas flames behind it -- no beads or embroidery anywhere. I happened across it this summer, took off the cardstock back and proceeded to add first a little quilty stitching to the shuttle and then the beads -- two star shapes, tube beads in the jet gases, and seed beads to spell NASA, the common name for our USA space program. NASA's full name is "the National Aeronautics and Space Administration" - originally established on July 29, 1958.
Happy 50th Birthday, NASA!

Where were you when the first man walked on the moon? Or, for the younger ones, where were you when the Space Challenger exploded? Can you believe we send astronauts to live in space for months at a time now? Or that an Astronaut lives in my neighborhood and is the Cubmaster of my son's Scout Pack? I can only wonder what the next 50 years will bring, for both space exploration and cyber-space adventures?

P is for Patsy

P is for Patsy, who has been waiting patiently since May for my arch. As per my usual, I am running behind with my Textile Challenges Yahoo group. Thirteen of us are doing a yearlong swap -- making one arch per month for each other.

My goal: to create an arch with a Victorian feel.

Techniques used: The letter "P" was made using hot glue from a hot glue gun, a fun technique explored earlier this year. Basically squirt the hot glue onto parchment paper, and while the glue is flowing, write the letter or shape that you desire. Let the shape (or shapes) dry, then paint. I used Jacquard Lumiere paints here -- two or three different colors. Let the paint set at least 24 hours -- longer is even better. Warning: you cannot heat set this paint as heat will remelt the hot-glue, thereby changing your original shape (ask me how I know this, if you dare).

The letter was stitched onto the oval frame, then circled many times with a rayon-y fiber. A fancy tulle was rouched over a pleated white batiste in the lower portion of the arch. An embroidered linen fills the top of the arch with a snippet of bridal lace adding the final touch. The entire arch is bordered with a trio of fibers, leaving a loop at the top for fun.

I hope Patsy likes this especially since she's been waiting so long for it. My apologies to her for my tardiness -- now onto create my June piece for Mags .... and July for ..... well these friends know who they are (and that I'm working as fast as I can, promise!)
I'd chat longer but I need to dash to keep my creating momentum going as I try to "keep even" on my behind-ness (if that is possible) or at least not fall further behind.

Willcox & Gibbs

Have you ever seen a more delightful sewing machine? While cruising the internet, I found this on the Workshop on the Web site.

This adorable little machine is a Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine. It does not have a bobbin or bobbin thread. Instead it stitches by locking each stitch into the loop of thread from the previous stitch -- effectively creating a chain stitch.

This reminds me of the very first toy sewing machine I ever had -- I did not know anything about bobbins and was totally confused that my new machine would not sew. Imagine trying to sew without your bobbin in place -- that was what I was trying to do all those years ago. Now here is a cute machine that sews with only a single thread, no bobbin required. Thank you for renewing a faded childhood memory.

Step aside Singer Featherweights, I lust no more to own one of you. Now I yearn to have a Willcox & Gibbs to call my own!

Where in the world can I find my own Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine?

Oh my, deadlines

Deadlines -- sometimes a motivating force, other times a screeching stop, end of energy.

The current deadline I am facing is a motivating force (whew). It is for this year's Art Quilt/Journal Quilt exhibit at our annual IQA Market and Festival here in Houston every October & November. Sadly I can tell you no more at the moment ....

Because:
a) I must finish it first (a sprinkle of beads may be the final touch that remains undone);
b) the rules stipulate that you cannot post photos of your journal piece anywhere .... until after the Houston show, I think;
c) all of the above is true.

So stay tuned, if I get accepted (we'll know by the end of August) I will announce it here. If I get politely declined, then I will be posting a longer piece with photos.

Back to work now ... The deadline (have I mentioned this?) is TOMORROW!

yikes

"It's Not a Quilt ... Or Is It?"

Hot off the Presses: Gerald and Debbie Tobola have just released information for the 3rd Fiber Art show held in their Round Top gallery, the Copper Shade Tree.

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Beyond the Borders, my local Art Quilt bee, held our first two group shows at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery. I had pieces in both shows (yea me!) and I am thrilled that Gerald has opened this show to artists across the state. I can hardly wait to see this year's fiber show.

Here are a few links to the earlier years (thank you to my blogging BTB friends!) so click away or zoom past for more information on entering the 2009 Fiber Art show....
First click for our 2007 Beyond the Borders show or click for Mary Ann Littlejohn's 2007 blog or again for Linda Minton's blog. Be sure to look at the gallery walls (yes, look beyond our art quilts) as there is a lot of great non-fiber art too. All created by fellow Texans!

Click these links to our 2008 Beyond the Borders show, on Mary Ann's 2008 blog, or on Linda Minton's 2008 blog.

Last of all -- Would you believe my very first blog showcases some of my work from both the 2007 show and the 2008 show at the Copper Shade Tree gallery?

Now back to the breaking information on the 2009 Fiber Show.....
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"It's Not A Quilt ...Or Is It?" will be a juried fiber show and is open to art quilters and fiber artists residing in the state of Texas. Note: this show is held in a gallery and all the pieces are for sale. With that in mind, only submit work you are interested in selling. Here is specific information, directly from Gerald:

Once again, it’s time to prepare for our Juried February Fiber Show. This will be the third year to host this popular event. Each year we have raised the level of artistic creativity and 2009 is no exception. We look forward to seeing what magical inspiration you have up your sleeves. The main focus of this show is the Art Quilt. Due to limited amount of wall space, we cannot accept bedding quilts. Open to Texas Residents only. The show will run for 3 weeks with the Opening Reception on Friday evening, February 6, 2009.

Important Dates:

September 5, 2008
Deadline for submitting your Artist Portfolio for the jury process. Include your Artist's Statement and either digital or hard copy photos of two (2) pieces of new work, along with descriptions, available for the show dates. Each piece should include both a full shot and a detail shot. These works should be essentially completed for the jury process. To reach the acceptance level, you must commit to at least five (5) art quilts. Also, this year all art quilts must be priced to sell. Art Quilts that are marked not for sale (NFS) will not be accepted.

September 10, 2008
Copper Shade Tree will notify the individual artists of the jury results. These artists will then have their individual pieces selected for the show in January. Once selected, further detailed information will be distributed.

October 1, 2008
Deadline for submitting digital photos to the gallery for promotional materials. Photos should be of new work that will be available for the show. This will allow time for magazine and newspaper advertising, and to order postcards to have available to hand out at the gallery and other locales.

January 27, 28, 29, 2009
The artists who have been selected to participate in the show will bring their finished artwork to Copper Shade Tree.

February 6 through 28, 2009
Opening night of "It's Not a Quilt ... Or Is It?" at Copper Shade Tree Gallery, Round Top, Texas. The show closes at the month's end, February 28, 2009.

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The essential information to be included with your application is:

• Name
• Address
• City (must be a Texas resident)
• Phone #
• Email
• Your Artist Statement
• Brief Description of each piece
• Two photos of each piece (one of the full piece, another detail shot)

Email your entry to: gerald@geraldtobola.com

Or

Mail your entry to:
Copper Shade Tree
206 E. Mill St.
Round Top, TX 78954

Please email Gerald if you have any questions: gerald@geraldtobola.com


Gerald also says: "Thank you for your interest in the show. We are a little different than most galleries and want to make this process as easy and as stress free as possible. We wouldn’t want this to get in the way of your creativity."

No fiber in this wandering ...

I am home from our family summer vacation and happy to be blogging again, but be forewarned: there is no fiber in this post. Lots of beads, but no fiber. I hope you enjoy my wanderings today anyway ....

This story begins with my Bead Journal Project pieces for 2007. Once 8 of the 12 pieces are completed, participants may post photos to their own page at the Bead Journal Project website (click the link to check it out & and sign up for next year's fun too). On my 2007 BJP page, I mention that I joined the yearlong project to learn and to expand my beading knowledge, stating: "I was fascinated with beads but tended to admire the beaded wonders created by others without daring to try beading anything on my own." Well, this post is all about my other beaded creations, not my BJPs (to see those, click here). Without further ado, may I show you the jewelry I have made?

The very first pair of earrings broke soon after I finished them. Disclaimer: I have not taken any beading or jewelry classes ;^) ... instead I have learned by reading, doing, then asking my dear friend Linda Teddlie Minton for help when I get really stuck (Thank you Linda!). Needless to say, I was not encouraged to try again very soon. But sometime this past spring, most likely just before one of our Beyond the Borders meetings, I got mad at myself and determined that I would make at least one pair of earrings.... which I did, using beads that my friend Susan King had given me (Thank you Susan).

As you can see, they are long and dangly and red. I love them & wore them nearly every day of our recent vacation. Last Saturday (July 19), that same energizer-motivator-bunny got me going again and I made two new pairs of earrings late that night when the household was quiet. The wee bewitching hours when everyone else is sleeping seem to be one of my most creative and productive times.


The next morning, while watching the live broadcast of the Tour de France bicycle race with my boys, I pulled out my beads again and made five more pairs of earrings. Now I am the proud owner of seven new pairs of earrings and I couldn't be happier. I love all of them -- even with the quirks and imperfections of my novice jewelry-making techniques.


Yet this is not the only jewelry I have made. An early mis-fire became one of my first BJPs (know which one I'm referring to?). I am getting ahead of myself. At the International Quilt Market and Festival two years ago, I bought a Looney Lentil bracelet kit from Wild Hair Studio. They assured me that it was a great beginner project, and they were right! This bracelet is truly the first beaded jewelry that I ever made myself. It was so simple that I dared to make another bracelet right away. I was also motivated by the wonderful bracelets made by friends Linda Minton and Nancy Dickey. My first solo attempt misfired and is now captured on my "DNA gone wild!" BJP piece. The second effort was more successful. Both bracelets need matching earrings and naturally the leftover beads were not easily located during my recent earring-making-binge. However, these (see photo) may work, at least until my next attack of "must-make-jewelry." My original bracelet is the top one, Looney Lentils is below it.


One more look at my growing earring collection. Hmm, I believe there are colors that are under-represented -- I will make more earrings one day, but only after finishing my 2007 BJPs, my arches for Textile Challenges, seven traditional quilts for my extended family, not to mention the other art quilts that are brewing in my head. Stay tuned ...

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").