Happy Hearts

Lsat week, I received a wonderful gift from a new friend, Elizabeth.

She made this just for me ... well, we were swap partners.
A huge "Thank you" to Carol T for pairing us together!

I absolutely love everything about this piece: the lush fabrics, the delicate beading, the shabby-chic-ness, and the purple velvet back!

This is my Puffy Heart!

Puffy Hearts were swapped recently in honor of Valentine's Day with my Textile Challenges group.


Here is the heart I made for Elizabeth.
This is one side -


And this is the other -

Happy Valentine's Day!

Missing my BTB friends ... sigh

Today is the monthly meeting of my local art quilt bee, Beyond the Borders. Sadly I will not be there as I have one child home from school with a fever (that has lasted 2 days so far ... yuk). Fortunately, it is a low one that responds well to medicine (yea!) and my other child has been resistant to it (a second yea!).

Unfortunately, I've missed many consecutive meetings and am feeling very woe-be-gone without my usual BTB "fix." Do you know what I mean? The energy and excitement of seeing what my friends are working on in person not only recharges my batteries, it also fires up my fiber art dreams often enhancing both my creativity and productivity.


On a positive note ... if I had gone today, this is what I might have taken to share:

First a thank-you to Elaine and Nancy for their lovely birthday postcards that I received in November (I mentioned it has been awhile since I have made it to our meeting, right?).


Nancy's is the birthday crow and Elaine's is the camoflaged zebra. Thank you to both of you -- I love the surprise of getting fiber art postcards in the mail and these two are especially delightful! Thank you.


Next are the arches from my yearlong Textile Challenges arch swap. I have posted about this swap before, featuring ones I made for my TC friends. The photo below shows the wonderful arches I have received. As I gathered them to take the photo today, I realized I could only locate 10 of the 12 -- and at the moment I do not recall if I am missing the last 2 or if I have misplaced them in my home (the latter is more likely correct -- a true comment on my housekeeping abilities - in fact I am now thinking I have other birthday postcards to show too. Note to self: Must clean sewing room soon).

Aren't these arches amazing? Such a wonderful collection showcasing a variety of fiber art techniques ranging from hand embroidery to machine embellishment. The original idea for this swap was inspired by a Gothic arched book made by Beryl Taylor, although I am thinking I may assemble mine into a standing-hinged-display (Do you have any other suggestions? all ideas are welcome!)

Next, I would probably have taken this assortment of screen prints.

They are the samples made during a "Screen Printing Basics" class with Marit Kucera during the 2008 International Quilt Festival last October. It was a great class, especially remarkable in that two or three women came with younger daughters & nieces! Everyone made their own design to screen, then printed multiple versions so that we each left with a sample of everyone's design. Now I need to assemble these into a small quilt, or rather, I may prefer to make more new prints first ... hmmm, I do like that second idea.

Speaking of Quilt Festival, for years I have purchased tie-dyed t-shirts from Joy's Fabrics for my boys, getting new ones as they grew into the next size. This year I treated myself to these fabric packs of a 12-step Color Wheel and a 10-step gradation from black-to-gray.

I plan to make at least one fabric color wheel .... eventually.

Last of all, I would have shared what is hidden in this box.
Wouldn't you love to get a box in the mail with this teaser poking through the small hole? It is another wonderful trade with my Textile Challenges group. I will reveal it in a day or two. For a hint, check out this blog, by one of my newest TC friends, Elizabeth. Be sure to go and look as she is offering a fun give-away in honor of her upcoming 250th blog posting (click here and leave a comment before February 14th to earn a chance to win the gift featured).

My newest ATCs

Last month I participated in Susan Lenz's amazing Cyber Fyber show -- including the International Random ATC Swap, held on January 17, 2009. Everyone around the world was encouraged to participate -- all you had to do was mail your ATC's with a stamped return envelope. A maximum of 3 ATCs could be traded with no restriction on age, location, or artistic medium. I traded two (they are at the end of this post).

My first envelope to arrive had this ATC tucked inside. Look closely. It is a photo of an alarm clock (it looks just like my old digital clock radio from ol' college dorm room days!) The time displayed is 6:00 a.m. Below the image is a clear simple statement: not good

These words echo my sentiments whenever I must arise early in the morning (I am a natural night owl who fortunately does not have to awaken before sunrise often). This thought provoking ATC was made by Amanda Graham (that's all I know -- Amanda, leave a comment if you find this post!)

My second envelope arrived the next day with this ATC tucked inside featuring 3 silk ribbon flowers and 2 tiny tatted butterflies.

This delicate creation was made by Pam Freck in Lexington, South Carolina, USA. I must ask you Pam, did you tat the butterflies yourself?

Here is a side view (just for fun & to see the dimension of this sweet ATC).


This is a peak at three ATCs I made after learning about the Cyber Fyber show. The red one was traded with Susan and was one of the 163 ATCs on display on the walls of Gallery 80808/Vista Studios in Columbia, South Carolina. The gold one lives with me as my memento of this fun challenge and show.

The third one, Space, has traveled to it's new home across the Atlantic Ocean. It now lives with Jean Toms, fiber artist in Devon, United Kingdom with a blog, Genies Art World, devoted to her fiber art and mixed media, and a second blog, Genies Photos, for her photography. This link connects directly to her comments on the Cyber Fyber ATC swap.



My spiderweb ATC has traveled in the other direction, crossing the Pacific ocean to its new home in Brisbane, Australia with Paula Hewitt. Her blog, The Beauty of Life, is filled with her various projects that range across a broad spectrum. There are tutorials on making polymer clay buttons & fabric books, photos of her embroidery & quilting projects, and best of all, her observations and comments on life and raising children.

This was fun in so many ways. First the excitement of trading postcards and ATCs directly with Susan Lenz, then seeing the entire show online, then waiting to receive the ATC's from the International Random ATC Swap and last of all, getting messages from the two who received my ATCs! Thank you Susan for enabling all this fun to happen!

A 15-minute quickie

My Textile Challenges group always has something fun going on. At the moment, Marie is leading us in a month-long challenge. Our prepatory directions were simple and clear:

"Please cut at least 3 Peltex, cardstock, felt, or product of choice into ATC size (2½" X 3½") to use as a base or foundation for later use. Keep them handy, so you know where they are when you need them."

That intrigued us all as we waited for Marie's next direction, which she posted under the daunting heading:
FEB CHALLENGE - don't read till you have 15 minutes.

Naturally, I did not have 15 minutes, but I did have about one minute, just long enough to read her directions but not do them. Oops, I have broken direction #1.

Her directions went on: Go immediately to your work area and pick the first 5 materials (fabric, embellishments, etc) that you see. Using a precut foundation, we were directed to create ATC -- in 15 minutes! No more, no less. Naturally I began thinking of the huge disarray of my studio (its perpetual state - maybe one day it will look like this, Kay Sorensen's studio, but I digress). The next day, as I pondered Marie's directions, I also read emails and saw that many of my TC friends had already completed the challenge and were posting their results! I was determined not to peek -- and not to daudle over my computer -- but alas, I looked at Carol T's (our fearless group-Mom) blog and saw her Valentine-themed piece (see it here).

By evening I managed to dash upstairs, when I immediately broke direction #2 which was to pick the First 5 materials that you see. My mind was already thinking Valentine's so I started off looking for my red yarns and other reds ... I got sidetracked (hmm, imagine that) taking longer than 15 minutes to select my 5 elements! So I started all over -- I sat at my machine & reached for 5 things .... and began to play and create .... when I finished and looked at the time, I had gone far beyond the alloted 15 minutes. Yet again, I have broken another direction. However, most everyone in TC had mentioned working about 20 minutes on their challenge ATCs. Truthfully, I was nearly double that!

Here is my ATC, made from a Lindt chocolate candy wrapper (yum!), fabric, cellophane bag, velvet ribbon and a remnant piece from my puffy heart for Elizabeth (another TC swap).


Here is a detail view, showing the dimensionality of my tiny piece.


Here is another link to Kate (a TC friend)'s blog with her Week #1 ATC.

I totally enjoyed this first challenge although I realize that I altered Marie's clear and precise directions. Therefore I am re-challenging myself to try again. This next time, I will dash upstairs, taking the kitchen timer with me! After all, if I have time to blog about it, then I have time to try this challenge once more. Care to join me?

Change...

What a momentous day ... one marked with pomp and circumstance, tradition and protocol, dignitaries and common folk all gathered together either collectively on the Mall in D.C. or individually at work or home, near a computer, television or radio ... across the nation ... and around the world ... all are eager to witness change arriving as

Barack Obama is sworn in as
the 44th President of the United States of America.

Wow! Oh to be there today, in Washington D.C. ... (a photo from Geralyn Smitherman who is!)

Yet, I am thankful to be in the comfort of my own warm home watching this piece of history via cable television. I am so excited for the changes that will come under the leadership of our new President. Perhaps it is time to make a new Presidential quilt?


Here are two views of the only political quilt I have made to date ... can you guess how old it is?



I made this about 7 or 8 years ago.

People's Choice ... cast your votes!

The Cyber Fyber show at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios is open at last! If you are near downtown Columbia, South Carolina, USA, pop into the Gallery and check it out!

I have learned that there will be a Best of Show award for the Postcards and ATCs, and also a People's Choice award for both categories. Please take a peak, leave a comment on my postcard, my ATC and on any of the others that tickle your fancy. My postcard is #223, featured here. My ATC is #139, featured here. If you list your postcard and ATC numbers in my comments below, I will return the favor by posting comments on your pieces.

Of course I really want you to enjoy looking at all the postcards and ATCs, leaving as many comments as you please -- that is what makes a true People's Choice Award! Click here for the entire Postcard exhibit and here to see all the ATCs.

Congrats and Thank you to Susan Lenz for organizing this phenomenal show! I love the story of how she entered the fiber art world -- read it here. Check out her daily blog dedicated to this exhibition here. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this international collection of fabulous fiber artists! Be sure to browse through these links ...

My 2009 words

After much pondering & deciding (sometimes I don't really like being "the Decider"), I have selected two words for my focus in the new year of 2009.

My first word is Discipline.
I need more self-discipline in many areas -- and perhaps then my life will run smoother? (one can always hope!). This includes making the time to exercise regularly, cook healthier meals for my family, finding more time to spend in my studio creating art and quilts, and maintaining so very much more ...

My second is Release.
I need to focus on releasing my clutter and my treasures out of my small home. This means that I will be moving many items out of my home, to new locations such as shows & galleries OR Goodwill & the SPCA (they love old towels and linens there!) This will take concentrated discipline and much effort on my part as I am a natural pack-rat, hoarder, and scavenger of all things.

As I work toward accomplishing the many layers and facets of these resolutions, I hope to achieve a less scattered self with a stronger sense of peaceful sanity, while still maintaining my busy life as Mom, Wife, part-time School Employee, Volunteer in many groups and activities, and Quilter/Fiber Artist. whew -- should be a fun time!



The future belongs to
Those who believe in the
beauty of their dreams.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt