Where does time go??

Where does the time go.... but it is fun.  I have been sewing and creating but I can't show you!  First was the whisper piece for SAQA but I can't show you until after the Feb meeting.  Next was little gift card holders, but again I couldn't let people see that in advance. Finally a really cute kitchen thing but again that was a gift.  So as it is with some of you, your art get set aside for the excitement of Christmas.  I'll be back in the swing before long and promise to return to my blog update schedule.  I wish you the most enjoyable Holiday possible and a super creative New Year.

More Sharpie Fun

My sister-in-law Carolyn, and I had a great day last Wed.  We went to both my Knitting Group and the GNO (Girls Night Out) where we had loads of fun.  Thank You to all who made her feel so welcome.  Later in the afternoon we played with Sharpie pens.  As I have explained in older blogs, Sharpie pens can be used to dye fabric.  We have all used them for marking camp clothing etc but when you layer the colors and then spray with alcohol... well then you have a whole different thing.  The alcohol mixes the dye and it often looks like watercolor.  Here are the some pictures.  Carolyn is going to go home and try her own ideas and I'm sure she will come up with something unique!
The top two are Carolyn's.  She started with circles but then laid the silk fabric over bubble wrap before spraying with alcohol.  For awhile it looked like a mistake but then as it dried....  Mine was a little less successful but I think it will become a great landscape.

Latest Moutain Art Quilter's Challenge

The challenge theme was "Anything but Cotton" and it was so much fun.  Ardy's piece was made from her husbands garage scraps!  Mine is made of felted wool, hand made paper (I purchased this), temtex painted and foiled, window screen material made into background and beads, more beads and ribbon.  Just about everything but the kitchen sink.  I wish I had been able to record all the decisions made in this piece because it just took on a life of it's own.  The mistake of making the background too large turned into a better composition, the mistake of not enough paint on the window screen turned into just the right amount when folded and rolled.  Every time there was a problem, I had more fun fixing it and going in a different direction.  Hope you like it.

I enjoy working with the small pieces and adding embellishments but the whole whole piece does not get very large.  Most of the competitions want larger pieces.  So there is something for me to think about.  If you have an opinion, please use the comment option at the bottom of this blog entry.

A Winner!

Norwegian Coat

Third Place Winner

PIQF 2010

Along with two friends - Vicky and Sue, I was a winner at PIQF 2010!  I can't believe I won for a coat that I sewed and I'm sure my Mom would be so surprised.  The coat above which started as a Rachel Clark challenge, won Third Prize for the Coat & Jacket competition.  You can imagine how excited I got when I walked up to the display?  I checked to see if maybe the ribbon had blown over from another coat, but no it was mine.  Life is good.  The bus ride home was really great because there were five of us that had been juried into the show and then there were three of us with ribbons.  Friends shared in the excitement and made the whole thing just that much better.  Again I have to thank my friends for all their support and I think of you often.
There was more good news from SAQA because they sold my donation (12 x 12" square) in the Annual Benefit Auction.  Thanks to the good friend Betty who purchased it.  She saved me from having it mailed back.  Betty was the friend that first brought me into SAQA and I thank her for all the wonderful things that have come from that kindness.

I'm Back from Tile Heaven

Hi Everyone,  I have just returned from Spain and Portugal and what a feast for the eyes.  After a 1000 pictures I am showing you just two.  In the last city I visited - Porto Portugal - all the walls were covered with beautiful tiles.  Every little building had something different in both color and design.  I would love to spend days just taking pictures.  Too bad I don't do detailed applique because I would never lack for inspiration.

Now I have to get back to work/fun and finish up the different challenges that are due.  The one for MAQ - Everything but cotton, is still wandering around in my brain; Jan's challenge to create a piece from a cup design is almost done so you should see that soon; and the SAQA challenge is waiting for loads of embellishments.  While it seems like lots of work it is really lots of fun with just a ting of stress!

Hope you will forgive the lack of updates but the wanderlust of travel calls.  More later.

Play Date

Did we use to do this in Kindergarten?  What fun to have all sorts of toys and to just play.  How does this work?  How does this look?  What if I do this... or that?  Then it looks good or maybe it needs something more.  All that my friend Debra and I did was to enjoy the day and let our left (?) brain have a field day.  Whatever your choice of fun we all need to just turn off the production mode; due date; and "I have to get this done".. mind set and enjoy the fun.  So have a end of summer fling and see what come of it.

Oh I forgot to mention we also had a wonderful salad.  I didn't include the great sugar cookies.  They were gone before I got the camera out!

Just a note, I get to go off and have some fun but won't be near a machine to update my blog, so don't worry I am not losing interest just off getting inspired.

I'm In!

Well I got the news that PIQF has accepted my coat for judging at the upcoming Pacific International Quilt Festival in October.  I also have a piece in the Mountain Art Quilters (MAQ) Special Exhibit.  Now you friends that remember me back when.... and remember how we would go to this show and just be overwhelmed with the size and beauty.. will appreciate just what this means to me.  Never would I have believed this would happen.  It makes me want to jump for joy!
I get to share this excitement with Vicky A, Susan M, and Pat P that also have work in the show.
Hope you can see it . 

You might want to look at the SAQA web site and at their Benefit Auction starting Sept 20.  Each year the artists (really great and big names) donate a 12 x 12" block.  Auction is organized first by the professional artists and then in groups of lesser known artists and then they get to my group.  Go see the site if for no other reason than to enjoy the wonderful work. 

I find it amazing and inspiring that so much art can be created.  For those of you who say you are not artistic... you need to understand that fiber and paint are not the only mediums for artistic expression.  You look around you right now at how you have decorated your space, the food you cook, the gardens you tend or just the way you decide on your clothes.  Every day and in every way, you are using your creativity.  We are all "artsy fartsy"!

Just a Little Hint

Here is just a hint of the SAQA Whisper Quilt Challenge!  As you can see I have begun my favorite thing and that is to embellish the work with beads and stuff!  This would have been further along but it is impossible to bring all the fun and inspiring treasures up to a quilt camp.  Heavens knows there was enough stuff.... stuffed in to the SUV but it still was not all that I needed.  Since the reveal of the Challenge won't be until next Feb, it will be some time before you can see the whole piece. 
That brings me to a request.  If any of you see or have fabric called Quilters Lame, I would love to hear from you.  It has been discontinued!  How could they do this to me.  So I am on the hunt and would be willing to buy any fabric you can spare. 

Needle Arts Retreat = Fun

Sewing, Knitting, Eating, Talking, Quilt Stores, Eating, and more = Loads of Fun!  Thanks to Nancy, our wonderful coordinator, all thirty of us had a wonderful time.  I am so tired I can hardly stand so that might explain why there have not been more blogs.  But I came back with lots of inspiration and excitement for my art quilts.  So just watch out now!
Thank you to everyone for a great time.

Here are some of my friends. 

Top - Vicky with her purse.  She was working with paint on fusible web.

Center - Mary Ann and Linda.  Mary Ann was working on a beautiful piece of applique.  As is the Needle Arts way, she was getting lots of help from Sue and Margie.

Left - Sue and Susan took time to look up and smile!  The beautiful quilt behind Vicky is Sue's masterpiece.  It has over 2000 leaves! 

Behind are Margie, Rebbecca, and Gretchen.

There were other pictures, but a couple were "X" rated!  The guilty person knows who I'm talking about!  More great fun!

Can't show you!

I would like to show you what I am working on but it is part of the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Association) Whisper Quilt Challenge.  A whisper quilt challenge is where the first of several people in a group, creates a art quilt from a picture.  When she is finished only the quilt is forwarded.  The next person then creates their own art quilt from the previous quilt.  The process of being inspired by the previous persons art and only passing on your quilt continues down through the group.  It is lots of fun.  One of the previous challenges started with a picture of an overpass in Hawaii and ended with a Cherry Pie!  But most important you are not to show anyone your quilt until the reveal.  So that is why there are no new pictures.  I could show you a picture of my "studio" (spare room) but it is just too ugly.  The Needle Arts Retreat is next week and my projects are all over.  So I will just share another picture of my show at The Paint Chip in Davis. 

Pam, Nancy of the Needlers Group (I once was a member)

                                           Karen, Kathy, & Dyan of LH Sports Car Club
I haven't gotten a picture of my cousin Jill and her hubby Jim but will show that later.  Thank you to all that came and thank you to those that wanted to see it but were not able. 

Flying High

I am still flying high from last Friday night at the Paint Chip and Davis ArtAbout.  We went down and set the show up Friday morning, which was a new adventure.  At first I thought I might not fill the space and then I had more than enough (as you can see!).  Maia, the co-owner of  Paint Chip, was great and moved her stock to give me more space.  That night I went back for the ArtAbout.... what fun.  People started coming in, friends showed up and I just collected all the wonderful comments from everyone. 
I have to admit it.. I had so much fun that I want to create more and more.  Making my art gives me so much joy.  Thank you to my friends and family that supported me during my pre-show cranky moods and who were so generous with their praise.  Thanks to Melanie Glover of Davis ArtAbout and to The Paint Chip for asking me to show.  I look forward to more show adventures.

This is where I wanted to go!

The Latest

This is where I wanted to go!  This is not so static but has movement.  Can't believe I already had the cording covered with gold mesh and was not going to use it.  While there were lotsof helpful comments on this journey I realize I need to listen to my own little voice.  It had led me in this direction but I over thought the design and went to a more symmetrical structure.  Well, now I am excited about this piece and will have it finished and re-named for my show at The Paint Chip this Friday (8/13 artist reception).  I hope all of you will listen more to your own little voice in your life... it really knows best!!

A Girl can change her mind!

A girl can change her mind!  After looking at my Nuggets II and talking with great friends, some changes had to be made.  You will see soon! 
Just goes to show that when something doesn't feel good to just give in and fix the something.  It is important to listen to your little voice and keep it happy.  Bet you all know how that goes. 
So come back soon and you will see how Nuggets II has changed.

Nuggets II - It's done!

Nuggets II

As you can see this was a difficult labor... but a labor of love in any case.  Just hope it's not something only a Mother could love!  Creating the triangles was so much fun and ideas just kept coming that I made over 15 of them before I knew it.  The arranging has taken a couple of weeks and has even changed after it was shown to MAQ as part of the "Off the Wall" challenge.  This grouping works the best of all.  What do you think?  Feel free to comment.   I know this started out to be called Text-tiles but that great title will have to wait for a piece with text in it.

 By the way, this piece along with 10 or more of my work will be at The Paint Chip in the Davis "ArtAbout" on Friday Aug 13 through Sunday Aug 15.  I will be at the Artist Reception Friday evening at 6:00.  (This is so cool I can hardly believe it!  Mom would be so happy!)  Hope you can visit.  If the art work is not enough of an incentive.. there will be wine and snacks!

Time flys when your having fun!!

Dear Friends,  Sorry I have not been back to you but things have been hopping around here. 
As you can see from above, I had a great time at Long Beach.  We walked in the only entrance, went down the only stairs and there right in front was Birch Tree Sun Light!  Yes, you almost ran into it.  What a thrill.
Before I left I was contacted by the Davis Art About coordinator about showing at The Paint Chip (A wonderful frame shop).  It was my first contact as a result of this blog.  Any way, I went and talked to Maia of The Paint Chip and I will be showing at Davis Second Friday Art About.  That is Aug 13 - 15 (Friday - Sunday) at 217 F St.  I will be there during the Friday Art About between 6 -9.   Please try to come.
When I got home from LB I got more great news.... my Johnny Appleseed has been juried in to the National Heritage Quilt Show.  The show is coordinated by the McMinn Country Living Heritage Museum in Athens, TN.  The show will be in October.
So, as you can see things are going great.  Hope to see some of you in Davis.

Moving Right Along

As you can see, the "Diamond" (?) piece is moving towards completion.  There are already beads added that bring a sparkle.  The plan now is to add horizontal strips of my favorite green and then connect the strips with beads and wire.  Hope you enjoy watching the piece grow! But I also hope you see how all of you can enjoy creating your own work without knowing exactly where things will take you.  So get out there and try something you have been wondering about.

Is this a Series??

For quite some time I have been encouraged by friends to do a series rather than just jumping around from technique to technique.  Problem is that I love exploring and playing with new ideas.  So I think this new thing could be just right for me.  It will be called the "Gem Series" and will consist of small decorated pieces joined together in interesting ways.  The fabrics will be mostly the Quilter's Lamie and Shock Cotton with metallic fabric thrown in for fun.  I am very excited!!!  Below is the start of my second Gem. 

This will be my entry in the MAQ Quarterly Challenge - "Off the Wall".  Originally I had this cool title - Text-tile.  See the tiles... and then I would have added text which would have made it appropriate for the challenge on adding texts, but I found I did not like text on my work.  Might be that I have not explored that technique enough but it just didn't seem to fit.


Just a note:  Please feel free to comment in the space below.  You don't have to sign in or up... just jot down your impressions of these blogs.  Thanks  Pam

HOW DO I SAY IT??

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I believe it.
 I keep having this idea but just can't seem to translate it into fiber.  I want to show the gray area between oil being the root of all evil -war, pollution of air, soil and bodies and the truth that without oil not only would we be without our comforts - transportation, convenient food storage, soap - but we would lose vital things - fertilizer to feed millions, replacement knees, hips, and hearts.  I'll just keep on drawing idea and hopefully something will jump up and grab me.

Have a happy Fourth of July and enjoy our wonderful life and country.

SAQA Benefit Auction 2010

Layers II - SAQA Benefit Auction 2010

Here is my donation to the Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA) for 2010.  You can find this piece and many many others at this site.  It is an opportunity to buy works of internationally known artists for a fraction of the usual expense.  You can also buy great work of lesser and obscure artists (this is me).  Whatever, it is really wonderful to look at all the work.  Sorry I can't just plunk in a link but that cleverness is on my "to do" list. 

This piece is more of the layering and fusing of sheer fabric along with dye discharge fabric and beads.  You can see the dye discharge in a previous blog.

 Enjoy.

I Won!!!

As mentioned in the previous blog, I had two of my fiber art pieces juried into the PAL - Lincoln Art Foundation Show.  Well, yesterday a buddy and I went to see the show and guess what.... I won second prize in Mixed Media!  I am really excited because this was my first art show and then to be awarded a prize-- Oh Boy!  On June 24, between 5 and 9PM there is an Artist Reception and Award Ceremony.   Snacks will be served and everyone is invited.  Again, thanks to everyone for their encouragement.  It is hard to imagine a more bountiful life - Thank you.

Here is a portion of the piece that won second prize. Judge - Douglas Van Howd

Layers

Sharpie Magic

Last year I saw a booklet that explored the idea of creating fabric dye using Sharpie Pens and I have been having more fun.  Previously I have used them to create lining for a vest, a flower on stretched artist canvas, and of course on fabric.  Here are my latest... Both are for challenges I am participating in.  The black and white was inspired by a cup and the Radish/Beet? are possibly for MAQ.

Left is cup inspired drawing.                            Right is after alcohol spray 

  

                            After some stitching but before beads.                       

     

These were to look like radishes but came out like beets.  Red pens changed color a bit with the alcohol.

If you would like to try this, just yell!  Pam

Just a note: Two of my fiber art - Pumpkin (in Gallery) and Layers were juried into the Placer Art League Open Juried Art Show - In cooperation with Lincoln Arts & Culture Foundation.

There will be an Artists' Reception and Award Ceremony on Thursday, June 24 at 5 to 9 PM. 

Address is Lincoln Arts Gallery 580 Sixth Street, Lincoln

It would be great to see you.  Thanks, Pam

Preparation, Perspiration, Frustration

Here is what I did this morning instead of working on my art projects.  While I always enjoy making jam - apricot/pineapple- it is frustrating to find myself not in my room during my more productive time of the day.  After lunch, I am going for it.

Support from Friends

     How many of you are surprised when someone compliments you on your work?  First reaction is to deny the compliment  and the second reaction is to be embarrassed.  Now telling someone they are not smart enough to evaluate your work is very rude, but to just look confident and accept the compliment is another story.  So what to do.  First, we really do have to accept that others can understand your work and could just possibly be correct in their evaluation.   Next is to just try and look confident, smile, and say thank you.  So that is a goal for me and it is getting better.  But it also does bring to mind just how fortunate I have been to have friends and non friends willing to give support and help.
    I started to write a posting about some of these friends and well.... the blog is not big enough.  There are so many!  Some have spent considerable time with me other less but often it was the little comment that gave me the boost I needed.  We truly are connected together and each kindness multiplies well beyond our understanding.  So how to thank so many is beyond me but it is time to thank the beginning.
   Now you might expect I would say my Mom, but learning from your Mom is often a bit difficult.  It wasn't because she didn't offer, then threaten, and plead but I was just a young stubborn girl.  The person that did get me to try hand work and quilting was my Mother In Law - "Skip" Berry.  Skip found the first magazine, provided the fabric, and the gentle persuasion.  Her quilts are made with the recipient in mind and with care.  Her work is precise and she hand quilts beautifully.  Her first quilt for my family was made of fabric from the sewing for her family over the years.  She even got fabric from my Mom that had been used to make my own dresses and outfits.  Over the years as I moved from the traditional, she was always interested and supportive.  She is a good friend.
   So, all of us must stand tall next time a compliment comes our way because not only are we taking the compliment for ourselves, but for all those wonderful people that have helped along the way.

Friends, Food, Fabric -

Hostess Marjan Kluepfel getting friends into the spirit of the day!

What a great day with good friends, food, and fabric.  On Wed Marjan Kluepfel was hostess to the Critique Group. After a exciting review of our latest work we were led by Marjan in the process of Dye Discharge.  If you have never tried this process, please do so because it is more fun and not much preparation or work.  While there are always lessons to learn the basic idea is a 50/50 mixture of household bleach and water.  Fabric is cotton (prewashed) and while solids show off stamps and templates a fabric tone on tone or pattern give surprises.  Below are some examples.

Here is Debra Hosler, Peg Fairbrook, Pam Berry & Louise Schiele preparing their fabric.

I had folded this fabric into thirds then randomly secured with rubber bands.  The bleach mixture was then "painted" over piece.  Secondary color showed immediately!  Marjan explained manufactures will  over dye one color fabric with black.  The first colors are what give you the surprise.  My surprise was the design of the folding/bands, because being a bit compulsive I had cut small pieces of my fabric and soaked them in pure bleach for 6 min.  My inner child likes some control!

Here I am using snowflake patterns I had cut out of freezer paper.  Then I used a spay of the bleach mixture to get these results---

Can you see the potential of this process?  The drips from the spray bottle make interesting marks.  This process is so immediately gratifying!

Here are some of the results.  The long orange/brown to the left is fold/band fabric discussed above.

This is Louise Schiele's patterned fabric.  You can see the original pattern in the lower right.  Can you just imagine what Louise will create with this?

Important! Safety requires that you work in a place where bleach won't splash onto something important; you should wear old clothes; and wear eye protection and gloves.  If you use a spray bottle watch out for spray and do not reuse bottle or any other purpose.

What an exciting process and it is so easy.  Anyone can do it!  So just grab some fabric, mix a 50/50 mixture of bleach/water and go for it.

Color is my chocolate!

Now I have to admit that it is a rare occasion that I turn down chocolate, but selecting fabrics for a Christine Barns class could be the next best thing. It was a wonderful day with friends and wine and all that fabric I had been collecting over the years (minus the calicos!). Now there is an answer to that silly question of "Why are you buying that fabric?" I knew it would come in handy. All that fabric to sort, touch, and put into neat rows. The subtle differences between shades and the way the colors change when next to other fabric and the impact of just a bit of contrasting color. Light in the room changed everything so we opened all the windows and turned on all the lights. What great fun we all had. Even before the class, we have learned so much. So next time you are tempted to comfort yourself with chocolate... maybe you should just go and sort your stash!

Note: Christine Barns class is in Rocklin at Meissners on July 17.

New Challenge

I don't know about you, but deciding on what I am going to create can be difficult. So many possibilities. I guess that is why I love organized challenge projects. It is a place to start, a reference point and my imagination just takes off. Just thinking of what to do makes me feel happy. I once read a quote - "If I don't create- I go crazy". Makes sense to me. So the new MAQ challenges are fiber - fruits, veg etc; use of letters or numbers; and off the wall or texture. Right now I am thinking of everything from radishes to the good/bad of oil in our lives. Guess that narrows it down. Wish me luck.

Two Sweet Bra for Breast Cancer Research

This is my contribution to the Nevada City Bra Breast Cancer Fund Raiser. It is two Hershey Kisses with M&M's. The words - Care, Contribute, Cure are written on the inside of the cup and straps. There were 13 shown at the Nevada City Pine Tree Quilt Guild Show in May 2010. Mine won 3rd Prize. The plan is to have a Silent Auction at the Walk the Pink down town festival in Oct 2010.

The Sun is out!

The sun is out and things are going great. As you can see I now have my gallery and history pages added to the blog. Took a bit of trial and error - mostly error - but here it is. With the templates available it looks pretty good but I do have plans to learn more and make it more unique
.
I have finished the Nugget piece for MAQ Mountain Art Quilters Challenge and feel pretty good about it. When I show it, I am not compelled to apologize or point out little problems. It will be in PIQF in a special MAQ Exhibit.

Life if good

Mind Soak

Have you ever noticed how your mind works without your attention and prodding? Often if you just frame the question then let go... pop your mind will come up with the answer. I have had this work for public speaking, daily living, and my art projects. It is so cool and I consider it a gift from the art spirits. I would encourage all of you to just define the problem and then let it go for a spell. But be ready with pen and paper because the "gift" just might reveal itself just as you go to sleep or when you are at another activity.

A Red Letter Day!

This is a red letter day because I now have a web presence with this Blog!

Currently I am working on a challenge with the Mountain Art Quilters (MAQ) titled - Seams Unlimited. I am moving forward and have been solving one design problem after another but isn't that the point? When I get a bit further along I'll show all of you.