West Coast Wonders-I'm in

Got the good news last Monday that my Johnny Appleseed in Sebastopol has been accepted into the West Coast Wonders Special Exhibit 2011. It will tour the major quilt shows starting with Long Beach. It will be in Houston for both the market and show andbI will get to see it there. This is really exciting and I hope you get to see one of the shows. I'll add a photo soon.

Leaves of Costa Rica

Leaves of Costa Rica

Detail

You might think you remember Leaves from before, but look again.  The first piece had holes in the design and balance and background seemed too big.  At least it looked that way to me.... kept feeling something was just not right.  So I cropped the left edge, added three new leaves with more embellishments, and nudged a few leaves in new directions.  I also now call it Leaves of Costa Rica.  Their forests are dense and I did wonder what was hidden behind.
Hope you like it and don't forget to comment. 

Side comment.  The other day someone asked how long it took me to make my wall art.  Well, I had to ponder that one.  I figured that he was trying to judge if my work was worth the prices I was asking.  The answer was that if a piece goes together quickly - the design just flows and ideas come easily - that would take less time.  But them I pointed out that the quick flow was often what made that art piece the most successful.   Beautiful art is art no matter if it takes a day or twenty.  If I struggle, the piece often feels not just right and I can work it to death or just set it aside and hope that everything makes sense later.  I'm sure this is true in any area- cooking, golf swings, gardening, or being a friend.  If it flows it works. 

Artisans in the Lodge

Here is a chance for you to see my work up close and personal!  On this upcoming Sunday (May 15), 9 to 3 at the Orchard Creek Lodge in Lincoln Hills Lincoln Ca, there will be an art sale with approx. 30 vendors!  I will have 10 pieces with special LH Discount prices.  There will be a variety of art work - paintings, ceramics, fused glass, pottery, metal art, photography and more.  Hope you can come for a visit.

Wooly Wooly Challenge

 

One Wooly -  MAQ Challenge

The first MAQ Challenge of the year was revealed this Wednesday.  The theme I chose was Wooly Wooly and since there was no further explanation, I could pretty much pick my own direction.  The center of this piece was originally an idea I had for the Davis Artery - 8" by 8" Small and Great exhibit but it just did not work.  So at a later date, I added the gold  metal mesh, black squares and punched it up with beads and gold.  It is so much fun to have a project without a due date or definition that allows me to just play.  Things would be laying on my table and I would just enjoy thinking of what I could do with the piece.  I am very pleased with it.  The name is a bit odd but since I only had the one piece of wool felt..... I called it "One Wooly".

A Prize for Pam

My Norwegian Coat won Second Place in the wearable art category at the Foothill Quilt Show.  Another prize for my coat which makes all the time I spend on those 1/4 inch diamonds seem worth while! 
What a great show.  The quality of the quilting was amazing and truly inspirational.  The MAQ Exhibit looked good and there were many compliments and ooo's and haaa's while I was there.  Lots of ribbons for the MAQ members.  I came away really impressed (again) with the wealth of talent in this area.  Thanks to Marylee and her team for such a fantastic show.

8 x 8 Small & Great - at The Artery

Three pictures of a really fun evening.  This was the Artist Reception for the show.  I think everyone in Davis took advantage of the warmer weather and came downtown on Davis - Art About - 2nd Friday event.  Here are my two pieces and even if I do say so myself, they looked good.  Thanks to The Artery and my sponsor TC for hosting such a fun event.  Hope that you can drop by before the show ends on April 19. 

A Hat - A Crown - A ????

This is a secret but I am showing you my entry into our LH Wearable Art Challenge.  The challenge was to use upholstery fabric to make an accessory.  First I tried a belt... well it started out okay but then I couldn't get the fabric to stop fraying and I realized I did not want to emphasize my waist!  I then saw a beautiful hat in a new book (I'll tell you about the book and give credit for my inspiration later).  It was only a little picture but I figured out the engineering and used prairie points vs tie folds and changed a bit more.  Lots of fun and I really like the hat.  Now if I don't sell it at the Davis Artery show I'll be able to wear it to the Challenge meeting, otherwise I will have to make another or bring pictures. 
This is another time that I am so glad I can just do what catches my interest.  Sometimes I cause so much stress with the competitions I want to do and gifts I want to make.  I know I am not alone in this habit and wonder if it isn't some left over thing from work!  The things I might have accomplished if I had just stopped to wonder and ponder.  This is something I am going to add to my "Remember This" list.