SAQA is inviting each of its members to create a small piece of art and donate it to the silent auction that will be held at the 2017 SAQA Conference. The 6” x 8” art quilts will be displayed in mats with a 4.5″ x 6.5” opening. These pieces will be sold through a silent auction at the Conference Banquet. All proceeds of the sales will benefit SAQA’s exhibition programs.
I love SAQA’s definition:
spot·lightnoun.
A strong beam of light that illuminates a small area, used especially to center attention on a fabulous art quilt
Here is my piece, which I have called ‘Heron Reflected’.
In May 2015, while walking along the Fraser River, I spotted a Great Blue Heron perched on a pile of debris (actually a log with roots attached, which had floated down the river and gotten stuck in the riverbed). I snapped a photo, and posted it on Instragram.
I was struck by the almost perfect reflection of the heron in the very still water, and thought it would make a great subject for a quilt. But I was not thrilled with the lack of color in my photo. So I used a photo-editing app called Sketch Guru to add some color. I printed my altered photo onto fabric, backed it with white felt and added machine quilting. I zigzag stitched around the edges.
Here is the back of my quilt – I still need to add a label.
And this is what it will look like when matted.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative projects to inspire you.
I’m participating in an Instagram challenge #organizedsewingspace2017 conceived and facilitated by Stephanie Jacobson. The challenge will run from January through June with two challenges/tasks per month and an approximate two-week window per task – a 12-step plan! I didn’t actively participate in January due to other commitments, but now I’ve joined in.
The first assignment for February was Fabric Storage and Organization. I’m happy with my basic fabric system, but it had gotten totally out of control! My fabric should all be in the 12 wire baskets, but as I’ve been working on projects, the fabric has migrated to the counter-top, and to boxes and bags on the floor. In order to get to the fabric, I first had to clean off the table. Then I moved it and the design wall out of the way. The photo below was taken just before I started re-organizing my fabric storage.
Over the next several days, I sorted and organized my fabric and pulled a lot out to give away – fabric that I bought years ago and my tastes have changed. Most of my fabric is fat quarter size or smaller – I only have one wire drawer with larger pieces, mainly used for quilt backs. The boxes on the right hold some of my scraps. The boxes and bins on the counter are intended to hold scraps, notions etc. as I continue to get organized.
The second assignment in February is Scrap Organization. I love keeping scraps, but I find it very hard to keep them organized. I’ve been through several phases of how I store my scraps. A few years ago, I decided to store my scraps in zip-lock bags, sorted by color. I liked this solution because I could easily see what I had in each color family. But then I had to find a place for the bags. I stored them in boxes on the shelf behind the design wall. In theory, the scraps would be out of the way, but still accessible when I needed them.
However, I didn’t find it easy to sort new scraps into color families, so I ended up with a few bags (and boxes) of unsorted scraps. Here you can see 3 boxes filled with scraps sorted by color, two boxes of unsorted scraps and a bag of solid scraps. Time for a new strategy.
So here’s my new scrap strategy. I bought several 11″ black fabric storage cubes and labeled them with color cards from the paint store. Each cube holds 2 of the jumbo size zip-lock bags. I LOVE ❤️ the way it looks! And it works for me – after I got these set up, I sorted all the mixed scraps into their color bins, and it seemed really easy.
While I was at it, I discarded a LOT of too-small scraps. Below you can see my 18″ tall garbage container full of scraps that I never should have saved in the first place.
I’m really liking this 12-step plan, and I can’t wait to see what the assignments are for March.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
In my last post, I showed 2 photos that I digitally altered and enhanced using a variety of apps on my iPad. I picked my favorite from each group to make two small art quilts. I printed each enhanced photo onto an 8.5 x 11 inch prepared fabric sheet, then I layered the printed photo on eco-felt and machine quilted it. I trimmed the photo portion to 8 x 8 inches, and zigzag stitched around the edge. Then I fused that onto a 10.5 x 10.5 inch background made from two layers of eco-felt fused together.
This is ‘Dotty Blossoms’. You can see the process from original photo to finished art quilt below.
And this is ‘Drama Blossoms’.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
I’m not actually working on any quilts right at the moment, but I do have two projects on the go.
I enrolled in Susie Monday’s online course Art on the iPad. Susie has introduced us to many iPad apps, and shown us how to use them artistically. I’m really enjoying the course. I’m learning so much about photo editing in general, and about specific iPad apps.
Here are two examples of the type of editing I have learned about in the first 3 weeks. I used various effects in several apps. I totally lost track of what apps, and what effects – I’m just having fun!
In the first group, you can see in the upper left a photo I took a couple of years ago of cherry blossoms, and all the variations using a number of iPad apps.
In the second group, my starting point is a 12 x 12 inch mini quilt I made a few years ago, and variations.
The other project I’m working on is an Instagram challenge #organizedsewingspace2017 organized by Stephanie Jacobson. The challenge will run from January through June with two challenges/tasks per month and an approximate two-week window per task. I didn’t actively participate in January due to other commitments, but I plan to join in. And by posting my intent here, I will feel even more motivated!
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative projects to inspire you.
Two of my quilts – ‘Circular Thinking’ and ‘Eclipse’ – were accepted to the Road to California quilt show, which started on January 19th and ends today. I was notified that my quilt ‘Eclipse’ was awarded “Honorable Mention: Modern Piecing” by the judges.
I was thrilled when Carol of Twin Creek Quilts posted a photo of my two quilts (and the ribbon!) on Instagram. You can see all of the award winning quilts here.
On January 27th, the Fibre Art Network exhibit ‘Botanical Reflections’ will open at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver BC. Unfortunately, I will be out of town for the artists reception on Saturday, January 28th, but the show will be there through to March 15, so I will see it later.
I was thrilled when I saw that the poster in the VanDusen newsletter to its members featured one of my quilts!
And while I’m boasting about my work, I recently received two quilts back that I had sent to magazines.
The Machine Quilting Unlimited 10th anniversary reader challenge ’10 x 10′ is published in their January/February 2017 issue. You can read more about my quilt here.
And the Quilting Arts Magazine reader challenge ‘Who Do You Love?’ is published in their February/March 2017 issue. You can read about how I made my entry ‘U R my Sunshine’ here.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
In my last post, I said that I would be travelling to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories to teach a 2-day workshop on my Circles techniques to the Inuvik Quilting Guild.
My husband, Robin, decided to accompany me, as he didn’t want to miss out on this adventure! We left Vancouver on Thursday, January 12th. We flew with Air North (wonderful airline!), stopping in Whitehorse, Dawson City and Old Crow before arriving in Inuvik, which is just north of the arctic circle. As we traveled north, the hours of sunlight decreased. We arrived in Inuvik at 1:30 PM on Friday, just as the sun was rising!
The lights of Whitehorse at 8:30 AM as the airplane took off for Inuvik.
Walking back out to the plane after a short stop in Old Crow on our way to Inuvik
We arrived at Inuvik airport at 1:30 PM on Friday – just in time to see the sunrise!
On Friday evening, I did a trunk show for the guild. I had packed about 40 quilts (some quite small) into a garment bag, so I would have an interesting selection for the trunk show. I was thankful that Robin was with me to wrangle the bag through the airports.
On Saturday and Sunday, I taught my Circles Circles Circles workshop. I teach participants how to design and create their own freezer paper patterns, and demonstrate a variety of techniques I use to create my circle quilts, including how to sew curves and circles with flat seams. Below you can see some of the blocks designed and created by the enthusiastic participants in the workshop.
While we were quilting, Robin was invited on several adventurous activities by friends and family of the quilters – he had the opportunity to release a weather balloon, and to drive the ice road to Tuktoyaktuk.
Robin about to release a weather balloon in Inuvik
On the ice road to Tuk. Robin’s foot on the ice road from Inuvik to the Beaufort Sea.
During our stay, we were wined and dined – Inuvik style – including a delicious dinner at Alestine’s Restaurant, where the kitchen is in the bus, and dinner is served in a small cabin. The food was fantastic!
Yes, those are icicles on the bus, and yes, that’s Robin dressed in a t-shirt!
The kitchen at Alestine’s in Inuvik – is in the bus!
The dining room at Alestine’s in Inuvik – in a small cabin, next to the kitchen-bus.
On Monday morning, we wandered around the town before our plane left. We saw some of the amazing triptych landscape quilts made by members of the guild last year, that are on display in various public buildings. Here are a few more photos taken Monday morning.
Still dark at 10 AM in Inuvik on January 16. The temperature was -31 Celsius. I love that the lights are still on this tree!
“Downtown” Inuvik at 11:30 AM. Still -31 Celsius.
There’s the sunrise! At noon, as our plane arrives at Inuvik airport.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Inuvik. Our only regret is we didn’t get to see northern lights – maybe next time!
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
At the beginning of each year, I like to review my goals for the previous year, as well as my accomplishments. Then I think about what I want to accomplish in the coming year.
My goals for the last two years have been to:
explore new exhibit opportunities to enter and show my work.
explore new workshop ideas.
create a series of tree quilts, each with different techniques.
continue to collaborate with my fiber artist sister Anne on one or more fiber art projects.
These are all still relevant for 2017. In addition, I plan to de-clutter and re-organize my studio. I also want to start a bullet journal to replace all the lists I keep making on random pieces of paper! I’ll post about my progress with these projects.
January is going to be a busy and exciting month!
Next week, I’m travelling to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories to teach a 2-day workshop on my Circles techniques. My husband is coming with me, and we’re looking forward to seeing the ice road, the northern lights and the sun peeking over the horizon. It’s going to be a great adventure!
When I return from Inuvik, I’m looking forward to starting Susie Monday’s online course Art on the iPad.
Two of my quilts – ‘Circular Thinking’ and ‘Eclipse’ – were accepted to the Road to California quilt show, which starts on January 19th. I won’t be there, but hopefully someone will send me photos of my quilts on display.
And on January 27th, the Fibre Art Network exhibit ‘Botanical Reflections’ will open at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver BC. I will be attending the artists reception on Saturday, January 28th. You can see all the fibre art pieces here.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
I’ve been looking back at 2016, reviewing my quilting-related activities and accomplishments.
Making art – I created more than 16 art quilts and other fiber art with a variety of themes and techniques. Many of them are shown below.
Exhibiting my art – I submitted my work to 10 juried shows and challenges. I had work accepted into 5 shows, and won 2 awards at Quilt Canada. I also submitted 3 pieces to Fibre Art Network group exhibitions – Ekphrastic and Botanical Reflections.
I was thrilled to have my work exhibited in 3 local venues during 2016. In July, Judy Villett and I had a two-person art gallery exhibition called ‘The Heart of the Forest’. That show led to an opportunity for my work to be exhibited in August during the New West Cultural Crawl. At the end of August, I participated in the first-ever VMQG Modern Quilt Showcase.
Trunk shows and workshops – I continued to show my work at local guilds, and teach workshops. I love showing my techniques to other quilters, and seeing what they create. You can see some examples here and here.
All in all, 2016 was a busy and fulfilling year for me. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing what I’ve been up to in the past 12 months. I’ll be back in a couple of days with information about my plans for 2017.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and are continuing to enjoy the holiday season!
At the beginning of December, I blogged about my 3 postcards for a Mistletoe fiber postcard exchange organized by Brandy Lynn of Quilter on Fire. On December 3rd, Brandy let us all know who we were exchanging postcards with, and I mailed mine off to Canada and the US. Below you can see the postcards I received from my ‘pen pals’ – all very different, and all beautiful!
You can see many of the Mistletoe exchange postcards on Pinterest here.
I’m working on my 2016 year-in-review, and I plan to post that before the end of the year.
Thanks for stopping by. Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative projects to inspire you.
Posted inArt quilts|Taggedpostcards|Comments Off on Mistletoe postcard exchange – part 2 – 2016.12.28
In January, I’ll be teaching a 2-day workshop on my Circles technique. I teach participants how to design and create their own freezer paper patterns, and demonstrate a variety of techniques I use to create my circle quilts.
In a 1-day workshop, most participants complete at least 2 (and sometimes 4 or 5!) circle blocks of their own design. At the January workshop we will have the benefit of an additional day, which will allow participants to work on bigger and/or more complex circle quilts. I also want to show how the techniques can be used for other shapes – not just circles.
I have a few class samples of circles, but now I am working on some samples showing how one of the techniques can be used for other shapes.
I made a quick design in MS Paint, then drew it out on a 12 x 12 inch piece of freezer paper. I cut apart the freezer paper and pressed it to the back of the fabrics.
This is a high-level explanation of one of the techniques I teach in the workshop. I reassembled the pattern by overlapping the seam allowances. Working from the back, I stitched in the gap between the paper templates. Then from the front, I trimmed each seam allowance very close to stitching. This leaves raw edges, which I covered with thin black bias tape. It’s fusible tape, so I pressed it into place. The tricky part was getting nice sharp corners without burning my fingers!
I love how my tools are the same colors as the fabrics. I think this is a good illustration of some of my favorite colors!
Here are all of the class samples. If they look wrinkled, it’s because most of them still have the freezer paper ironed to the back, so I can use them at the workshop to illustrate the various steps I use to construct them.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
