Sun printing

For years I have loved to sun print, The first year I used a paint but since then I have used an MX dye recipe and I love to do it.

I started out this year like the 2nd or 3rd sunny day that was just a titch above cool. Some of those prints can be seen in the piece 'Joy' I have blogged about ( joy 1 and 2 are patiently waiting for the cold months to be embelished).

After that I passed into a flare and have only recently come to the surface for air. I am back on the morphine with very mixed emotions. To work or not to work, that is the question. And actually it is more a to live or not to live kinda thing.

Now I am abel to enjoy a small slice of a life with just a side order of helplessness.

Here is Ny we dont get a lot of sunny stretches but at the end of this summer we had a wonderful stretch of like 10 days. My summer gift from God (one of).

So I sunprinted, alot . My daughter joined me one day, she had a cool balloon full of dye idea. We took pictures of her at the end of our day.

I did some sun prints of flowers along with my leaves. They turned out great and I figured out a way to get some good detail. I have a 1/2 ton of them that will go up on etsy.

Baltimore

I went this week to Baltimore MD. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike large cities (really, anything bigger than say, Ithica) ?
My cousin, who is very much a sister and friend, and I went and picked up her husband from the hospital. I was prepared to stay a week but it turns out they had discharged him. He has ( or is in??) heart failure. His heart does something like 25% of what it should.

They took him off the transplant list, smiled and sent him on his way. I guess he isn't prepared to make the changes in his life that will ensure his continuation. They will not give you a heart you won't take care of, understandably.
I love him, surely I do, I pray (please join me) for his salvation.

He has 4 children that I absolutely adore, children I would and will do my best to protect. And I am very angry at him, couldn't he just give those kids 10 more years? Or do his best to try? My mind says JERK!, my heart says I am sorry he is sick.
And his wife, my cousin? The best I can do is pray, and pray I do. Sometimes love doesn't seem like enough.

Commision quilt

I was able to give the commission quilt to Barb today.

She was pleased with it and thought the recipient will be pleased as well.

It is such a blessing to see someones appreciation for your work, to see how it directly effects others is so cool!

I AM SO GLAD SHE LIKES IT!!!

It so made my day, my week! Barb is a fantastic woman of God and I am glad I know her.

Etsy sale

The children need to eat and the cars need inspecting and registering, not to mention I think our new pup Walter may actually be dating the vet tech ( after new pup visit, deworming, neutering, heart worm, and last week he needed 4 staples in a huge deep gash in his knee ). What does all this add up to you ask? It adds up to an opportunity for YOU!

A 25 % off sale at my etsy store!

Http://fortheloveofcolor.etsy.com

That is 25% off everything in my store, no exceptions, no limits. OK, well no discount on shipping but I can't strong arm the shipping guy.
Hopefully It will fund and generate a whole slew of new items in the store. Unless Walter needs braces :o)

Machine quilting table- take 2

Well, the pool noodles worked, and for 2 dollars you can't beat the price. They did a lot of drooping and were harder to control because of that. All in all not a bad solution,definitely within my price range but I do think next time I am going to try some PVC with some q-snaps. I think that will add stability without a lot of weight. I do like to control the motion of the quilt sandwich side to side and up and down. something that is easily done with a small piece.

Easy, Inexpensive, DIY Quilting table !

I have struggled with a good system for quilting.

I have a Grace machine quilting frame, a Hinterburger hand quilting frame and a mini long arm. I have used these in different combinations with no real success.

Based on a great tutorial posted by a generous and creative woman (I can no longer find the link) I came up with this little quilting surface.

It is made of a sheet of insulation cut and built up to be flush with the surface of my machine. I needed to use a piece of balsa wood to make up the difference in measurement. I then cut a piece of vinyl to top it off to make it slippery and hold it together. (if you want more specific info drop me an email) This surface worked great for small projects. I use it on the dining room table and it lifts off and on with ease. It doesn't take up a lot of room and it cost me under $10.

It seemed my solution had been found. Now I happen to be quilting a larger quilt and am having trouble. Instead of just shooshing across the surface it catches on the lip of the surface and stalls. Not good. More brain storming, and then Epiphany!

Can you guess my idea? Post to follow!!

Blog Blog Blog, a response

Awhile back someone on an artsy email group I belong to posted a "rant" about blogs. It has taken me a few days to recover from her post and to gather some thoughts.
It seems to me that a lot of people use their blog as one great big buy my stuff ad. I hope they have the success they seek. It is their blog to do with as they please. If their blog is offensive to me I click off and carry on.

All artists are on a different path, a different time table. Exploring along as they go. That's what makes art art and not industrial production. My art is a product of my experience ( this sounds SOO 60's ). If you are interested in my art then you should be interested in my experience, UNLESS , and here is what I think of as the "clinker", you are only interested in art as a "trade".

Is your art an expression of what you feel, see and do? Is it your hearts desire to convey a thought, to pass along a joy or shout out your fleeting tragedy?

Or is your art your desire to be recognized, to be seen and acknowledged? To be compensated for your labor? To show your credentials?

These 2 ideas also intercept and run parallel . An artist who seeks to express himself often is recognised for their effort and labor. An artist who seeks to sell their work is often expressing a moment from their lives.
Also, Is this just a difference in where the artists is on their journey? Is he beyond the I do because I must and a little more towards I do because I have been practiced at doing.

Their is no one path, Praise the Lord! If there was we would step on each others feet more often and be very restricted. Can you imagine if there were even just 4 artists out there on the same path? Especially now with the infamy of the Internet. Posting the same stuff at the same time? Yikes that would stink.

My blog is part of my art, mostly a way to catalog what is going on now. A place to share me and mine. My faith, feelings, and family.... dogs and all. It also is my art, look if you want, please click off if you don't.

Here is my end point,
I am glad I am on the path that I am, at the place I am.
I honestly hope you are too.

Etsy Treasury

I have been featured in another Etsy treasury, this time I understand what it is!
I am not sure I know how to post it but I will try! Here is the link at any rate -
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=56790

CONTEST, COUPON, for his name

Well, we chose a name. Actually we chose many names but I finally got the family to pick ONE. We agreed on Walter.
Yes, Walter.
Of all the names contributed, both online and via friends and family, the name we agreed on was Walter. Who knew? Sigh.... a name says so much, and we chose Walter. It's based on a family joke that started with a comedy bit by the comedian Jeff Dunham. He uses dummies in his act, one of them is named Walter. http://www.jeffdunham.com/#/videos Very funny guy.

ANYWAY
*************
Since we didn't use any one suggestion I did not pick a winner. SOOO instead I am offering a $5 coupon for my etsy store. Anyone that purchases $20 or more of merchandise can subtract $5 from their total order. Just mention the name Walter in the comments section when you place your order and I will know why you subtracted the $5. This coupon offer is good through Monday june 8th 2009. I will be adding more fabrics tonight and tomorrow if you want to check back. Feel free to wait until Monday to pay if you purchase more than 1 time ( only 1 $5 discount per person per household) Questions? just use the conversation feature on my etsy site.
http://fortheloveofcolor.etsy.com/

And Thank you to everyone!

Its a boy!

I am pleased to announce the final arrival of our newest quadraped.

Cute isn't he? He is very sweet and mild mannered, for a puppy. He needs a name, however, and our family is stumped.

He is a 9 month old St.Bernard/German Shepherd, and although he will be big he seems small compared to Mus.

We didn't think we would find such a specific breed, but he was already waiting for us.

Is God awesome, or what? His tapestry is so intricate, so beautiful.

We wanted to adopt a dog who needed a home, there are SOOO many out there! When Mus came to our family the children were little and the predictability of a pure bred dog had its advantages. I would add another Great Dane to our family, definitely. But I think of how we come to Christ, lost, lonely, in need, and in a lot of ways, damaged. And I want to love like Jesus Christ does, everyday, in all ways big and small.

So onto the "contest"! Leave a suggestion for a name, with its meaning, and the reason you are suggesting it, in my comments. If My family chooses your name I will send you either a piece of hand dyed fabric or a silk scarf. I am new to blogging and how the comment section works so give me a little leeway, let me know gently if I mess up anything OK? The best way to learn is to dive in and " get messy, make mistakes!"

Good luck, and hurry, the dog as of yet unamed really needs a name!

More Joy

I made some design choices and stitched it up, now Joy hangs on my design wall waiting to be embellished. I can't wait to start stitching!

I am back to the commission quilt though. I need to get it quilted and now, back from Florida, I can set up my quilting spot.

I couldnt help adding something, I am not sure the lettering will stay as is, its not stitched down, but its headed wrere I want it to go.

What do you think?

Camping in Florida

Our family went camping May 8th in Florida. My sisters went to a whole lotta trouble and made our trip extra special. We were able to spend time with all of the family, for good chunks of time.

There is no greater joy than family, I wish mine weren't so far away.

Our camp site was right on the water and absolutely beautiful. Take a peek.

Sun prints and "Joy"

I pulled out my inks, (Tsukineo) and Prisma pencils to put some details into Joy's flowers.

I love the flowers I did but I am not going to use them in this piece. I like the look of the simple sun print better than the dolled up ones. It is closer to what I want the piece to represent. Hopefully I can get it out of my head and onto the design wall at least close to what I see.

I did put some detail on a few of the ones set aside for the piece but not much and I stopped short of overload, at least I hope I did.

These orange pics are a before and after. This one will go into "joy".

Here is the design idea before the added details.

I am still hoping to have worked on this enough to have it ready for hand embelishing before we leave for Florida. The thought of sitting on (or near) the beach with the kids playing and me stitching is very peaceful.

I could use some peaceful, how about you?

Where will Joy lead?

The sun dye pieces I did the other day caught in my head and Since I finished the commission quilt top I decided to throw them on the design wall.

I love to use my digital camera when I am designing. I take a picture of everything I audition, put it in a folder on my computer and then I can flip back and forth between them. It really helps to see the strong points and the flaws of a design.

Something like this

There are more pics, but why bore you? This piece is called "Joy", and it feels like it. I was thinking lap quilt but one of the layouts shouted wall hanging so that is where we head. It is something I plan on having fun with and not fretting over. Some ink, beads embroidery. Just joy. That is why the Lord made artists, to bring Him glory with pure Joy. I pray I bring Him some kind of glory. At least a smidge.

Now for the extra sun dyed pieces, should I put them on Etsy or hoard them? They were not planned, just a fun jaunt, but I do like them. They have that suede look you can do with MX dyes and soy. Yum, eye candy.

Dead Mouse

I killed a mouse yesterday. On accident. I feel stupid and horrible. I get mice in my studio on and off all the time. They eat my paint sticks. So I trap them in these humane little cubes that they can get into but cant get out of. Then I take them to the woods and let them go. Usually.
I put out the trap when I saw him meandering about, no biggie. A piece of shredded wheat and some peanut butter. Healthy mouse food. Then I left the studio.
The problem was I didn't go back for a few days. With nothing pending, no rinse out no wash no nothing I forgot about the trap.
Like I said, stupid and horrible. Poor mouse died in that little "humane" cube. Scared confused and hungry.Probable more thirsty then hungry, after all he had the BAIT. UGHHHH.
I told the Lord I was sorry, and He forgives, Oh Praise Him!
But the mouse, the poor little mouse.....

Random Tuesday

I sat down to finish the commission quilt today. I sewed one long seam and knew I had to oil and clean.

I love my old singers, being able to take care of them myself, being connected to all those who sewed before me. Yes, dramatic, but I do love those singers!

I rehabbed and sold them for a few years. It was always gratifying and profitable. I stopped when I had no more room in the house. I sold them one by one, the good ones I had nurtured. I miss my treadle redeye the most. Although my green Godzilla finish was pretty cool.

I kept my 99 - Althea, and she resides in the living room so that I can sew when the family is sitting down.

An old 127 hand crank that is just gorgeous, her name is Sonya.

My black featherweight- Grace, she is in my dry studio and she is the one who had the "spa" treatment today.

Belle is my mint green featherweight, she goes with me when I travel. I bought her in Florida when I was down visiting for my niece's graduation. (this is her graduation quilt) I found her, Belle, in an antique shop. She needed some work but she was still beautiful and strong. I replaced some inner broken parts, cleaned her , tuned her up and Voila! When I came home with her she road on the plane in my lap. That was a pain, but completely worth it!

I also have a 201 in the attic that I use to free motion quilt with. Now she could use a bath!

So today, so far, I sidestepped the last few seams on the commission piece but enjoyed some time tinkering with tools.

Not bad for a random Tuesday, I am so blessed !!! :o)

Sun printing

Here are some pictures of the sun prints I did. I use a soy/mx dye mix for my sunprinting. I wanted to get into the sun and work so I just did some quick ones. I do like them, I think I am going to make a quick lap quilt with them, maybe take it to florida with me in May to do some light handwork on it. Who knows. The pictures are after heat set but before washout. I used several of my "uglies" and a comercial print. I have not used a comercial print for sun prints before, it went well.

It is scrap from my daughters applique quilt from like 1997. I don't think i will ever be out of those left overs!

Upstate Ny in April

Upstate NY in April.

Last week I was snow dyeing, this week I did some sun printing.
I was thrilled with the snow, I even emptied all of the food out of our extra freezer to fill it with snow. I collected 13 buckets of the fluffy white stuff. I love the extra variable the snow can add to dyeing. It changes strike rate, crawl speed. Everything can be tweaked and explored. Endless opportunities. I have put some of them up on my Etsy site, some I have set aside to use, some I still need to list.
Truth be told I am at the point that I am just into the fabric, the first stage of creation. Kind of like the kids, as they continue through life and need me less and less I try to fill life with other things. I do not feel drawn to them (the fabric) as I am drawn to the clean white pieces screaming for color. I love them, I created them, but I am hopeful that they will belong to someone else to continue them on to completion.
I sell them to continue buying supplies and to see (hopefully) what they were meant to be. Where they may lead someone else.
Which is exactly my job with the kids, I just can't sell the kids :o)