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Archive for the ‘This and that’ Category

There Was Snow

Monday, December 9th, 2013

pileofbatiks

Yes, indeed, there was snow and then we have had several days of below freezing temps. Out furnace, like many in Portland, has failed to come on in the morning because it is in the attic and the condensation drain froze. Steve got it to start on Sunday, by using a hair dryer. Today, it was more problematic. It took a while. Thank goodness, the furnace downstairs is working just fine and so I holed up down there, working on a way to destash the fabrics that did not selll.

I had just a few intrepid buyers, so it was not a total loss. But, I still have lots of nice fabric and need to find homes for it.

I am starting with the batiks by trimming, ironing and folding them. I will sort them into groups and put them in priority mail boxes and put them on my website for sale. I have trimmed off lots of smaller scraps which could be useful to some quilters.

smallbatikscraps

Here are some of the piles of batiks that I have. Some are as large as 1/2 yard and some are smaller than a fat quarter.

batiks1

batiks2

batiks3

batiks5

After these are boxed and photographed, I will start on the Japanese scraps. I know some of my readers are interested in those.

This is all a bit time consuming, but I think it is the best way to find homes for my stash.

Stay tuned to this space!

Ready, Set, Please No Snow

Thursday, December 5th, 2013

studiosale1

With the help of my friend, Isabelle, and Mr C, my studio pop-up shop is set for visitors and sales, tomorrow. The weather forecast is giving me fits. It is very cold and there is a chance of snow tomorrow.

Here is how things look.

studiosale2

Two tables of books and magazines.

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I have reduced prices on a lot of my small art work pieces.

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studiosale5

I have several storage units for sale.

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Bins of scraps with plastic bags for stuffing.

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studiosale8

Odds and ends on a couple of tables.

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Bins of fabric and bags for stuffing.

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I guess it will be what it will be. I sent out messages on my local list serves that if it is snowy for driving, I will have the sale continue on Saturday morning. Isabelle is coming back to help me tomorrow. She was so fantastic at setting things up today.

What I’ve Been Up To

Monday, November 18th, 2013

paigemakessalad

Here is your bit of cuteness. Paige making a salad for her aunties. Can’t wait to see her next week.

I have been plugging along with the cleaning/sorting/purging. It has been slow going for the last few days because I have had so many commitments taking up my time. My goal is to finish the downstairs before we leave for California next week.

On Friday, Mr C and I drove to Eugene for the Oregon Diocese Episcopal Convention. I did a meet and greet at the Trinity Arts table and passed out the prospectus for our next show. We were sitting next to the Episcopal Integrity table. They are a group that supports the GBLT community.

episcopalintegrity

On Saturday, I should have gotten more done, but I took time out to make some Tibetan dessert for the reception to open our annual Trinity Arts holiday exhibit which features artisans from around the world. This year we have handmade items from Tibet.

So, I was up early and off to church to help set up and sell the lovely things. All proceeds will go to a school in Tibet.

These silk hangings are gorgeous and all hand made. Both of them sold right away.

Tibetanhangings

I loved this bag and if it is still there next week, it may come home with me.

Tibetanbag

I did come home with this beautiful scarf – totally my colors.

tibetscarf

I forgot to mention that on Saturday night, I got to hear and meet one of my heroines,Sister Simone who started the Nuns on the Bus. It was such an inspiring talk and then she had a long question and answer session. She is really sharp with the answers and quite the sense of humor.

sistersimone

Today, I didn’t get down stairs until the afternoon because I had 3 Constant Contact newsletters to format and send for SDA state reps. Tonight, we took a break and went to the symphony. It was wonderful. It was our first concert of the year as we missed the first one in our series.

So, there you have it. Tomorrow, I hope to get in a full day of purging. I shall persevere. And you know, it is cathartic.

More from the Archeological Dig

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

postcardshelf

Part of the clean and purge is coming in contact with things that have been around you for so long that you forgot how special they are. One of the nice things about this office is the wainscoting with a little shelf on top. I have had all my mini fiber art pieces displayed there. I started picking them up and putting them in a box to go with me to the new studio. I can remember who made each one without looking on the back. These two are by Kristin La Flamme and Connie Rose.

I found this drawing of Lisa’s long gone rescue dog, Megan. I was taking a class with Lura Schwarz Smith and I was going to make an art quilt for her with Megan’s image. I think I did just her head. I will probably find it when I get to the studio next week.

megandogdrawing

I had a big pile of yarn. Most of it was put in a bag to donate to the Prayer Shawl ladies at Trinity. I saved this variegated yard. Love the colors in all of these.

variegatedyarnleftovers

I also boxed up all my magazines. I will offer these for sale at my studio sale and the leftovers will go to the Guild Silent Auction.

quiltzines

I thought I would share some of the other journal I found. The first page says: Journal of Visual Observations. It was started in October when we lived in Wilmington, NC – I don’t know what year or why I started this. I was active in the local art museum as a docent and took art classes there. Anyway, I was amused by what I wrote.

At the beach, ocean colors change from dark  blue green to a pale, pale blue green as the waves hit shore, Sky is deep blue that becomes softened near the horizon. Clouds on the horizon at first seem to be hues of gray and white but then become shades of purple and mauve.

The sand character is determined by several qualities – the water content – wetter sand is darker and very smooth. At the shoreline as the waves meet the sand, there is an ever changing effervescent quality – bubbles and water splashing, flashes of light, stones and shells pushed to a new location.

Sailboats are beautiful to us because of the graceful lines of the sales and the hull contrasted with the vertical lines of the mast and ropes.

Walking the dog on my street, I notice the man-made clutter that punctuates nature. Paint spill on the leaves of a shrub. Trash, a yellow paint line and red flags left by NCNG, Although unappealing, the artist can use this jarring juxtaposition as an attention grabber or to make a point. Art is not always beautiful.

Dawn – dark shadows change to splashes of sun light. Followed by dapled sunlight and then full sun. Sun is sometimes bright red whe it’s hazy. This week it is bright yellow.

6pm- Sun is setting. Airlie road is in shade. Sun is still shining across the waterway on the beach community. The light is beautiful reflecting off the beach cottages and water. “Glisten” After dark, lights are reflected in the water – reds, oranges, greens. Water was still – reflections were slightly rippled. A boat is passing by causing the reflections to fracture and become distorted.

There are a few more entries. Each entry became shorter. I obviously do not have the attention span to keep up with something like this, and, yet, I am a pretty faithful blogger. Guess I just need an audience!!

I will be taking a day off from sort and purge tomorrow. Mr C and I are driving down to Eugene for the Episcopal Diocese convention. I am manning the Trinity Arts table with the prospectus and entry form for our juried show in May.

Chugging Along

Monday, September 16th, 2013

20X12quilts1

I have not had much down time — so much to do. I got my resume updated and wrote a new artist statement:

Gerrie Congdon is an artist who works with textiles. She transforms white fabric into complex cloth, using dyes and paints and a variety of techniques. The resulting fabric becomes serene landscapes and abstract compositions. Her work has been exhibited in many venues, locally, nationally and internationally. She is a member of Columbia Fiberarts Guild, High Fiber Diet, Studio Art Quilt Associates and the Surface Design Association.

I had some SDA work to do and I have also been working on preparing for an exhibit of the Twelve’s 20 x 12 quilts at NW Quilt Expo. Terry Grant is coming tomorrow and we will attach them to felt panels for display by theme. I have collected half of the quilts and she has the other half.

20X12quilts2

Those are Nikki Wheeler’s quilts on the top of the various piles. I love seeing and fondling all of the quilts made by my fellow Twelves.

I have also printed all the signage on ledger size paper.

meetthetwelves

Tomorrow afternoon, we will deliver them to the venue.

On Wednesday, Terry and I are doing a presentation for SAQA on blogs and websites. I am doing websites. After I get back from delivering the quilts, I have to print out my notes on websites and make copies.

On Thursday, after checking in with the quilt show to see how the display looks, I have to rush back home because (gulp!), we are meeting with a realtor. Looks like we are going to move ahead with the downsizing. It has to be done sooner than later and I want to do it when I have some control over it!