home
about the artist
gallery
blog
links
contact

Archive for March, 2011

Now What?

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bridge piece that took over my life did not get juried into The Space Between show. I am not at all surprised and maybe a bit relieved. I was not happy with it. Value is such an important part of design for me and this one was too medium value. The bridges were the biggest problem.

When I conceived of this quilt, I was in the winter doldrums and I wanted to portray Portland in a happy, colorful way. It just didn’t work.

Last week, Mr C and I had dinner at The Urban Farmer in downtown Portland. It is a really cool new restaurant in the Nines Hotel. They had a display of digital art on the wall. It was scenes of bridges and highways around Portland. The bridges were black silhouettes with very colorful backgrounds.


I got the idea that my bridges should have been black, but by then, it was too late. But, not now. This afternoon, I went down and attacked the bridges with black paint. It may take a couple of coats to cover the batik. Then I will edge them with black satin stitch. I am really enjoying painting the bridges. At least it is not like painting the Golden Gate Bridge!

High Fiber Diet has the theme of North West Vibes and I think I will enter this in that. It fits the theme. We shall see.

I should mention that the list of those who got into the Space Between show is filled with wonderful art quilters. I am honored that I even got invited to submit a piece.

Tonight I finished quilting the second piece that I did for the chartreuse colorplay theme. It is such a simple design, but very visually pleasing to me.

Tomorrow, I am going to take Steph out to lunch. I really enjoy having special time with her without the kiddos and the guys.

 

 

 

 

 

Color Play

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

I decided I needed a bit more color in my life. These are the trimmings from the silk that I was using today. I am making a second more colorful piece for the chartreuse colorplay. This one will showcase how great a neutral chartreuse can be. It was a tedious fusing process, but I prevailed. It  is ready for quilting tomorrow. I am still mulling over how to quilt the Klee castles. I think I might have to try out the free motion foot on my new Janome. I am thinking of doing an all over spiral design.

I am feeling almost back to normal today. I went to visit the vampire early this morning. So far my blood work results have been very good. I am always happy for that.

Tomorrow is Steph’s birthday. I was hoping to take her out to lunch, but she is doing library duty at M & M’s school. I feel the need to get out of the house and do something social. Maybe I will go shopping for some much needed new walking shoes. My Keen’s are starting to show the wear and tear of daily walking.

My Indigo Moons sold on E-bay for $102.50. I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping to donate more than that. The buyer is a Quilt Art List friend. I am happy that it is going to someone who will appreciate it.

Minor Setback

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Despite being down with a nasty intestinal bug since Saturday night, I managed to finish fusing my Klee Castles. I am quite happy with this. I am not sure how I am going to quilt it so for the time being it stays on the design wall while I think about it.

I have started a third piece with the chartreuse colors. It is sort of like eating potato chips – can’t stop at one.

I took this photograph of an old cherry blossom tree on our walk today. I love the craggy old tree all dressed in pink like an old lady dressed for a tea party.

Hope I am feeling better tomorrow.

Klee Castle Progress

Saturday, March 26th, 2011

I made a bit of progress on the background for my castles. I had several household tasks to accomplish today plus a sinus headache. I finally got down to the studio for a bit this afternoon.

You can see that I have a drawing under the teflon sheet that I am using as a guide, but I do not adhere strictly to it.

I think I have not mentioned that I am a candidate for cataract surgery. I will see the eye doctor next month to get scheduled. I failed the depth of vision test because of the cataracts so I guess it is time to face the music.

Funny story. Someone said I should get my home thoroughly cleaned before the surgery because I would suddenly be able to see cobwebs and dust. I related this story at dinner last night. Mia was very offended by this. She said, “Grandma, you do not have dust and cobwebs. Your house is very clean!”  Mr C and I  enjoyed that remark!

Just heard on the news that we will break the record for number of consecutive days in March with rain. We might break the temperature record, with the average being in the low 40s. We have not had one day at 60° which usually happens several days in March. This too shall pass, and before we know it, we will be complaining about how hot it is!

Hope you are having a great week-end.

Klee Castles

Friday, March 25th, 2011

I was inspired by this piece by Klee, titled, Castle Garden.

I have my castles done, now I need to do the background. I am so taken with how he paints these geometric forms that add depth and complexity to this piece.

I finished the other piece. I am not sure if it will be my final choice for the chartreuse colorplay. I will probably do another one or two.

Tonight, we took Steph and Jack out to dinner for their birthdays. We went to The Screen Door, a local restaurant that serves low country southern food. They use local meat and veggies as much as possible. You have to go early and wait in line to get in as they do not take reservations. The food was delicious.

I will be enjoying time in my studio this week-end, staying out of the incessant rain.