quilted
I'm finished with what I think is the first round of quilting on Line Study #1 and it's back up on the design wall. I'm not sure if I am going to go back over with another layer of quilting to make it more dense. The quilt lines seem thin to me.
colette berends
I've loving the atmospheric fiber art of Colette Berends. Although, not my style, I'm always fascinated with artists that can use fabric to "paint" realistic images.
my first show
I was invited by a local photography club to show my work in their monthly show. They invite 4-5 photographers to show their work and then hang out and chat.
I was fairly anxious since I didn't know what to expect. I prepared as much as I could, selecting the images I wanted to show and buying inexpensive frames. However, I couldn't find square frames as I had hoped, so I had to scramble at the last minute to matte my square images so two would fit in a rectangular frame.
I also didn't anticipate hanging my lightweight frames on chains that hung from the ceiling. They didn't have enough weight to lay flat against the wall, so they moved back and forth causing the glass to glare.
Overall, It was about what I expected. Of course I wanted my work to be hanging in a typical gallery space with white walls, super groovy music, and lots of hipstery, arty people there.
But really it turned out to be my work hanging on the wall in an awkward space above a bar. I can't complain because everyone was nice, it was great to be invited, I got experience showing my work, and... I sold a piece!
Lessons learned:
- If possible, check out the space before hand so you can plan how to hang your work.
- Know how you are going to frame/hang your work.
- Any show, even the most low key, is still a show.
Some of the images I picked to show:
I was fairly anxious since I didn't know what to expect. I prepared as much as I could, selecting the images I wanted to show and buying inexpensive frames. However, I couldn't find square frames as I had hoped, so I had to scramble at the last minute to matte my square images so two would fit in a rectangular frame.
I also didn't anticipate hanging my lightweight frames on chains that hung from the ceiling. They didn't have enough weight to lay flat against the wall, so they moved back and forth causing the glass to glare.
Overall, It was about what I expected. Of course I wanted my work to be hanging in a typical gallery space with white walls, super groovy music, and lots of hipstery, arty people there.
But really it turned out to be my work hanging on the wall in an awkward space above a bar. I can't complain because everyone was nice, it was great to be invited, I got experience showing my work, and... I sold a piece!
Lessons learned:
- If possible, check out the space before hand so you can plan how to hang your work.
- Know how you are going to frame/hang your work.
- Any show, even the most low key, is still a show.
Some of the images I picked to show:
jen bradford
I am really enjoying these abstract paintings by Jen Bradford. From her artists statement...
"I’m interested in creating a bridge between accident and control, heaviness and lightness, clarity and confusion. I feel most successful when I am able to contain two worlds in one image; most recently, to imply microscopic space and an enormous expanse simultaneously."
"I’m interested in creating a bridge between accident and control, heaviness and lightness, clarity and confusion. I feel most successful when I am able to contain two worlds in one image; most recently, to imply microscopic space and an enormous expanse simultaneously."
craft in america
One of my favorite series on PBS is Craft in America. I love hearing the artisans speak about and making a living from their craft.
I can't wait for the most recent episode about fabric artists. Here is a preview:
I can't wait for the most recent episode about fabric artists. Here is a preview:
You can watch all previous episodes online. Check them out!
ernie
A few years ago Debbie Stoller contacted me about creating a pattern for her fourth book in the Stitch 'n Bitch series. I accepted and created this fun pattern for a sweater inspired by the one Ernie wears on Sesame Street.
I only had one month to complete the sweater! I completed the entire back in one weekend. Then finished the rest in the following two weeks. I blocked and assembled the sweater the following week and then shipped it off to NYC never to see it again until the book arrived about a year later. (Debbie gave the original garment I knitted to her boyfriend.)
I had a secret fear that the pattern would be wrong and everyone who tried to knit it would end up with a garment that had 3 sleeves and was 4 sizes too big. I've gotten over that thanks to Ravelry. I love seeing the finished sweaters. There are some great ones out there!
It's not a pattern/sweater for everyone, but I'm happy that was able to create something that people respond favorably to.
Rubber ducky would be proud.
I only had one month to complete the sweater! I completed the entire back in one weekend. Then finished the rest in the following two weeks. I blocked and assembled the sweater the following week and then shipped it off to NYC never to see it again until the book arrived about a year later. (Debbie gave the original garment I knitted to her boyfriend.)
I had a secret fear that the pattern would be wrong and everyone who tried to knit it would end up with a garment that had 3 sleeves and was 4 sizes too big. I've gotten over that thanks to Ravelry. I love seeing the finished sweaters. There are some great ones out there!
It's not a pattern/sweater for everyone, but I'm happy that was able to create something that people respond favorably to.
Rubber ducky would be proud.
old projects
Lately, I've been wanting a mindless knitting project that I could work on while watching TV, etc. While looking for some yarn to start a new project, I came across an almost completed back of a sweater vest. It was stuffed in a bag, still on the needles, along with sketches and hand written instructions.
I had started the vest probably 5 years ago. No clue why I stopped knitting it. I have hours in this thing since it's on size 4 needles. Yikes!
The front will be knitted in this stitch pattern using two colors. I don't like the colors I originally chose, but the pattern is good. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the stitch pattern, so I'm going to have to do some research/digging.
Have you recently restarted a new project you had forgotten about?
I had started the vest probably 5 years ago. No clue why I stopped knitting it. I have hours in this thing since it's on size 4 needles. Yikes!
The front will be knitted in this stitch pattern using two colors. I don't like the colors I originally chose, but the pattern is good. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the stitch pattern, so I'm going to have to do some research/digging.
Have you recently restarted a new project you had forgotten about?
quilting
Line Study #1 is in the process of being quilted. I decided to do a simple grid pattern to reflect the geometric pieced quilt top. Also, this is the first quilt I have actually quilted, so I wanted to make it easy on myself.
I am getting used to the walking foot on my sewing machine. I've never used one before. I didn't have enough batting and backing fabric extending beyond the quilt top, so in some areas the walking foot made the quilt top extend beyond the batting and backing. I will just trim it flush before I bind the quilt.
I can't wait to get this pieced finished. It will be my first finished art quilt. Even though I will probably just roll it up and store it someplace, I am happy to have created something I figured out on my own.
I am getting used to the walking foot on my sewing machine. I've never used one before. I didn't have enough batting and backing fabric extending beyond the quilt top, so in some areas the walking foot made the quilt top extend beyond the batting and backing. I will just trim it flush before I bind the quilt.
I can't wait to get this pieced finished. It will be my first finished art quilt. Even though I will probably just roll it up and store it someplace, I am happy to have created something I figured out on my own.
laurie frick
I came across Laurie Frick's work on Pinterest and thought at first it was fabric. It's paper collage and I love it. It's very patchwork-like in a bold way. Very inspiring!
From the artist: "I use pattern, words and color to replicate the feel of neurons firing in the brain. I imagine the brain breaks down visual time into bits where the novel and odd are as essential to recollection as the intensely emotional. Vaguely familiar cut-up materials stand-in for everything you stumble across in a day, the amount you see and forget and the things you give only partial-attention. How much does the brain take in every day, every logo and advertisement online, every storefront you pass by, the packaging along every aisle in the grocery store, every ad on television. What does the mind retain?"
From the artist: "I use pattern, words and color to replicate the feel of neurons firing in the brain. I imagine the brain breaks down visual time into bits where the novel and odd are as essential to recollection as the intensely emotional. Vaguely familiar cut-up materials stand-in for everything you stumble across in a day, the amount you see and forget and the things you give only partial-attention. How much does the brain take in every day, every logo and advertisement online, every storefront you pass by, the packaging along every aisle in the grocery store, every ad on television. What does the mind retain?"
flames
I love this image that the Google Street View car captured. Check out lots of other amazing photos on the blog, 9 Eyes.
morris
A while ago I finished knitting a cabled cardigan for myself called Morris, a Rowan pattern. I have always loved knitting cables so I was excited to start on this.
Very few hand knitted sweaters ever look good when finished, so I'm always weary. I had seen a few photos of this pattern when finished and it looked like the fit was good and not too awkward. It also knit up very quickly because of the gauge.
I am really happy with how it turned out. It fits well and is very warm... almost like a jacket. It's great to wear on a chilly spring or autumn day. The yarn is great next to my skin so it's perfect to wear over a tshirt.
A great pattern all around. Check it out on Ravelry!
Very few hand knitted sweaters ever look good when finished, so I'm always weary. I had seen a few photos of this pattern when finished and it looked like the fit was good and not too awkward. It also knit up very quickly because of the gauge.
I am really happy with how it turned out. It fits well and is very warm... almost like a jacket. It's great to wear on a chilly spring or autumn day. The yarn is great next to my skin so it's perfect to wear over a tshirt.
A great pattern all around. Check it out on Ravelry!
war
I love this scene from Naqoyqatsi, third in the Koyaanisqatsi trilogy. I've always been a Philip Glass fan. It's especially inspiring to see his music interpreted visually.
I was fortunate enough to see Glass and his ensemble play the Koyaanisqatsi score while the movie played at the Barbican Theatre in London in 1998. I was mesmerized the entire two hours. When the show was over, I practically ran to the underground station because I was so excited and inspired.
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