Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Better Results?

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

montañas y lunasbackground

 

Here is the second discharged piece after getting thrown in the washer and dryer. I did simpler stitching – just horizontal. I think I could have stitched the lines a little closer, but it has nice texture. It shrunk more in one directions than the other. It started out square. Here is a detail shot.

mtsandmoonscloseup

 

I am going to crop out a twelve inch square for my SAQA auction piece. I am titling it Montanas y Lunas (mountains and moons). I plan to do some hand stitching on both  pieces. The other piece will be larger and titled Undulations. Here are some perle cotton auditions.

threadaudition1

 

This is a gorgeous variegated hand-dyed thread by Laura Wasilowski of Artfabrik fame.

threadaudition2

 

I am not sure where I got this thread. I think it will add some nice color to the Undulations piece.

I got the results of my gall bladder ultrasound, and I have a remarkably healthy gall bladder and all the other organs and abdominal parts that showed in the scan were in great shape. So, I am going to stop worrying about that. I think I have found the reason for the hives on my legs. I realized that we changed soap in the shower at about the time the itchiness started. I have stopped using it and so far so good. I will now stop being a hypochondriac — at least until the next symptom arises. I am an old lady, after all.

We have had a run of gorgeous weather. I planted by veggie garden yesterday and replenished the herb planters.

herbplanters

 

There is room for a few more herbs. Mr C came after me and cleaned up the deck.

Here is the garden bed with a few weeds and looking a little disheveled.

gardenbedblankslate

 

I went at it with the hoe and turned up the earth. Love it!

gardenbedsprepared

 

I planted lots of lettuce for now.

lettuceplants

 

This year, I planted the squash and cucumber in the ground next to the planter box so that they have room to spread out.

squashandcukes

 

I am going to wait to plant tomatoes, and I still have room for some other plants like eggplant and peppers.

I really enjoyed getting outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

A Productive Day

Monday, March 18th, 2013

fiestamountedonorange

 

I had a busy morning getting out reports to all the committee chairs for the SDA conference. I also got quite a bit done in the studio.

I finished painting the edges of the gallery frame for Fiesta and mounted the quilt on it with gel medium – it fit perfectly. My next thing is to add some paint details that echo the hand stitching. I sort of started. I realize that I need a better brush and I need to sit down and be careful.

fiestadetails

 

I also made more small parts for the silk quilt I am designing. I decided to lay the batting on a large table for the layout and fusing. So, I got one of my tables cleared and took care of that. I also did some hand stitching and beading on the 3 x 3 installation.

smallparts

My drawing for today is not that great; I left it until late in the day, again.

drawing 3-18-13

 

This afternoon, Mr C went to Trinity to help prepare and serve corned beef and cabbage to the low income residents in the neighborhood of the church. He was very proud of his cooking skills. He claims to be an expert at boiling food!!

Takes Two to Tango

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

potentialmotifs 

I spent yesterday cooking Argentinian food for an opening reception at Trinity. The artist,  Mabel Astarloa Haley, is from Argentina originally. She does wonderful oil pastel drawings — some abstract and some of ethereal figures.

pastelfigures

She told me that she takes photos at busy intersections and then does the drawings from the photos. She does a wonderful job of capturing body language.

I made a garbanzo bean flour flat bread, called Fainá. I topped some with carmelized onions and some with cheese and sun-dried tomatoes — gluten free.

fainaonions

fainapizza

 

I also marinated flank steak in chimichurri sauce – so good.

flanksteakchimicchurri

 

And there was also manchego cheese with quince paste on crackers.

manchangoquince

 

I also had some empanadas and potato cheese things from Trader Joes. It was declared the best reception food so far!!

We also hired the Portland State Tango Club to come and dance for us. We wondered if they would try to tango the labyrinth!

tangodancers

 

Today, I did some household chores and some SDA work and then headed for the studio. I cut the batting for a large quilt. I started cutting and fusing some possible motifs for this piece. They are in the photo at the top.

I also have done a couple of drawings. I tried to draw my left hand, but it is kind of scary. I do have wrinkled and gnarled old lady hands.

drawing3-1-13

 

And this is the little Japanese maple on my studio patio. I really am happy with this one.

drawing 3-2-13

 

I walked down to the farm stand near my house with Scooter this afternoon. I love these daffodils growing in the parking strip.

parkingstripdaffodils

 

And as a counterpoint, this cluster of pinecones.

pinecones

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

WW2-26

 

Click for larger view.

 

Where Is My Groove

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

leftover3x3s

 

I have been moving in slow motion, getting caught up on stuff like laundry, paying bills, getting things back in order after a week away. I also had some SDA work to get caught up on. I thought I would come back and feel really  motivated to do some new art because I was dreaming up new work while I was away.

Tonight, I went down and started working on the 3 x3s again. The above photo shows the pieces I have left after I have reached 7 ft in length.

3x3s7ft.

So, I have come up with another scheme for arranging them. I think that if I was more left brained, I would have had this all worked out, instead I proceed more intuitively and end up with trial and error. Stay tuned.

I finally got the pattern for Paige’s new sweater worked out and have finally done several rows without having to start over. It is difficult to see the pattern in this photo, but it is a bit complicated.

paigesweater

Confession – I was too busy to draw while I was away. Well, it was not a priority, should I say. So, here is my first drawing in over a week. I am running out of things to draw or else I am not imaginative enough.

2-21-13drawing

 

 

So, I will continue to look for my groove tomorrow.