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!!