12X12 challenge | Crazy for Fiber

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Archive for the ‘12X12 challenge’ Category

Spicing Things Up

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

I started work on my spicy piece for the next Twelve X Twelve challenge. I love the pieces that Jane LaFazio makes. She has a tutorial on her blog. She uses ribbons, sheer fabrics as well as yarn and roving on a prefelt background. I decided that I needed to make a trip to Fabric Depot for some spicy chiffon and ribbons. I love the paisley chiffons that I found. Remember, you can click on any photo to see it larger.

I got my Bernina set up with the felting attachment and proceeded to break needle after needle. Not good as they are very pricy. I could not find anymore needles in the city of Portland so I have ordered some from Nancy’s Notions. This is as far as I got on one piece of prefelt.

While I wait for the needles to arrive, I have been felting by hand. It is not as fast and not great for carpal tunnel!!

I am still having a lot of SDA work to do. I had a dry spell when the new website went live, but I am now getting to do some of the behind the scenes work on it. I have also been handling registrations for staying in the University of Minnesota dorms at the SDA conference. That job is almost done. The conference, which I am not attending, starts June 4th with pre-confeence workshops.

Posted in 12X12 challenge, Stuff I Buy, Surface Design Association | 6 Comments »

Missing in Action

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Where have I been? Good question. Not working in my studio, that is for sure. I got my hair cut one day. I have had a lot of SDA work to do. Friday, Mr C and I went to the nursery and bought some plants. On Saturday, I weeded and planted some veggies and herbs. So, I have been busy, but nothing to write home about.

I realized that I had not posted the lovely fiber post card that I received from Cynthia St. Charles. She is a fantastic fiber artist and is doing lots of different fiber post cards. If you would like a chance to win one, you only need to go to her blog and let her know.

Out next Twelve by Twelve challenge, Spice, is due on the first of June. I gathered my ingredients tonight

I am going to do some felting. I need to run out and get some more needles for my embellisher and perhaps some ribbons and yarns to add to the mix. I like the way that bit of chartreuse, my favorite neutral plays with these colors.

My studio is such a mess. I have all my inventory piled on my work tables. I need to rephotograph every thing, as suggested by Sandra Sider. I also have work that I have brought home from several shows and events piled up there. I have been rather lethargic and need a kick in the butt to get organized. Some more sunshine and warm temps would help.

Last week when it was nice, Scooter and I walked down to the Rhodie Garden. It is in full bloom right now. Here are some photos that I took.

Posted in 12X12 challenge, My neighborhood, photography, Postcards | 4 Comments »

Having Fun

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Last night, we had a delightful dinner with Mark, Jayme, Lisa, Clay and the crazy Wilfredo, Lisa’s chihuahua. Here he is fixated on the tray of cheese and crackers. He loves being the center of attention.

This morning we drove south to Santa Barbara, one of my favorite places. It was another beautiful day to enjoy the California landscape.

I love California Live Oaks on the rolling hills.

There is some very rugged terrain between N and S California.

This is our hotel, right on the water with wonderful views of the harbor.

The wharf is right across the street from us so we took a stroll.

Here is the harbor with all the sailboats.

There were several beach bum entrepeneurs who had set up a contraption for tossing coins from the wharf and promising your wishes to come true.

This is a collection of woodburning art.

The amazing thing is that he used a magnifying glass and the sun to burn the wood

Here is some local color.

After our walk, we sat on the patio in the balmy air, had a drink and people watched.

Tonight, we had dinner with fellow Twelve, Karen Rips, and her husband, who live south of SB in Thousand Oaks. We had some very good Italian food and non-stop talking — so much fun.

Posted in 12X12 challenge, Travels | 5 Comments »

Keeping On

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

I thought I would share my purchases from the great quilt store in Canon Beach. It is my kind of quilt store — great surface design books and hardly any traditional quilting fabric. I love to purchase sale fabric for backs for my art quilts. These were all 50% off. I love the batik on the top.

I found some spicy prefelt that I think I can use for the next Twelve by Twelve quilt which I plan to felt.

They had lots of gorgeous Japanese fabric and accessories. I found this great sashiko thread.

Remember my discharged alternate universe piece that has hand stitching? That blue toned thread is just what I needed to get me working on it again.

The large circle on the right has rainbow perle cotton.

I have been looking for something appropriate for the alternate universe and I really love how the sashiko looks.

I have a very busy week ahead of me. This morning, I had a guild board meeting. This afternoon, I had to deliver my work for the annual Trinity Artists Among Us Festival, and then stay to help check in art and start arranging the goodies. Tomorrow morning, I am getting my summer red color done and then in the afternoon, I am going to see the eye surgeon who will do my cataract surgery.

The week continues with appointments, except for Thursday. Thursday night is the artist/volunteer party for AAU and Friday night is the opening gala. On Saturday, I am doing a demo on printing on fabric with real leaves.

There will be lots of photo ops so I hope my new camera gets here. I ordered a used Canon Rebel from a very reputable camera shop in New York that I have used before. I am really missing my good camera. It should arrive on Thursday.

In our urgent need to finally secure our home, our latest purchase is a keyless lock for the back door which has been our problem. It will automatically lock after a few minutes and will require a code to open. I think this is a great option.

Posted in 12X12 challenge, handstitching, Stuff I Buy | 3 Comments »

Chartreuse Reveal

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

I made 2, well, if you count Klee’s Castles, I made 3 pieces for this challenge. I still have some fused fabrics so there could be more!! This one I call Chartreuse Square in a Square until I come up with something better. Maybe Chartreuse Joy because it is a very happy piece.

Here is a detail.

Here it is in progress. You can see how I drafted the piece on the paper beneath the teflon sheet. I used different sized squares that would fit into a 12 inch square. I fused the piece on the teflon with the drawing as a guide. Then the whole piece is fused to batting. I wanted to use lots of different colors to show how well chartreuse works as a neutral.