Bon Appetit!

Not too much quilting but lots of eating and socializing!   Yesterday I invited several women friends over for a post christmas dinner and to watch the movie 'Julie and Julia'.    Of course, I had to cook a Julia Child recipe.....I decided on - what else - Boeuf Bourgignon!!    It took a lot of preparation and a strong constitution on my part because I eat very little meat especially beef.   I borrowed my friend's orange pot (le creuset made in France) and we all laughed when 'Julie' in the movie took her boeuf bourgignon out of the oven in that same pot!   My friends provided the trimmings - appetizers, salad, wine, and dessert.    We had a great evening....it gave me a new respect for Julia Child - her apparent wit and eccentricity, her talents, her patience, not to mention her supportive partner.   Of course, Meryl Streep played her to perfection.   And what about young Julie, taking on over 500 recipes in one year......I was exhausted after following just one recipe.

Now down to quilting.....but first New Year's Eve celebrations...

I am so thankful that I have such great women friends in my life.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow....

Well, after all the shopping, cleaning, cooking and eating, we have made it through another Christmas.  Everyone loved their gifts including me.   I have lots of fun gift certificates that I can use in my favourite art supply, quilting, and book stores.....They know what I like!  

I was looking forward to some snow shoeing and skiing and was disappointed when the weekend brought freezing rain.   However today it started to snow and we went out scrunching through the forest on our snow shoes.   We saw a very noisy raven, two deer and a woodpecker.   It was lovely with the trees covered in snow and a bit of ice from the ice storm.   I took a few photos because I'd like to start a winter scene.  I haven't done a winter quilt yet.  I keep thinking of sparkles and the aurora borealis.   My brain is just perculating with ideas....now if I can only think of what to tackle for my course in creating an art quilt.  Our next class is coming up in early January.   I'm thinking I'd like to try something more abstract but I can't seem to let go of detail.   Anybody else have that same problem?

This weekend I worked on preparing a class that will be sold online.   It is a very interesting procedure and is moving right along - except when the computer lost part of my lesson when I was moving it into a different folder.   I have photographed every step of the way and my cat 'Dru' helped out by getting into the picture a few times.  I am now ready to actually start stitching.

Hoping for more snow.....Happy New Year to everyone.

slideshow

I haven't been able to renew my connection with  Flickr photostream (to show thumbnails of work) but I have been able to add slideshows of both Flickr and Picasa photos at the right of the page.   Holiday planning and work have taken over my time recently though I did get out skiing and snowshoeing this week.....but little time to quilt or blog.

Aha!

I think I have outsmarted the computer gremlins by adding a direct link to photos of my work.   Just click on picasa or flickr link at right of page.

Blogger Issues

Since there seems to be some difficulty in showing my flickr and picasa photo galleries (see big empty spaces at the right of this screen:-) right now and since it is such a grey day outside I decided to upload some cheerful autumn pieces and hiking scenery to brighten your day and mine.  Hopefully the photos will reappear soon on their own since I have done all I can to repair the problem.

I am hoping to work on my online landscape project this afternoon.   As I posted earlier, I am preparing a class for Quilting Weekly.   I have my camera and tripod ready to start photographing every step in the process.   Hopefully it will be completed early in the new year.   I'll post information on where to find the finished product  when it is ready for distribution.

Hey guess what!  The sun just came out.
Enjoy your weekend!

Making Progress

I have been busy with three different pieces in the last few weeks.   I have just finished two of them (see photos below).  With "The Bench",  I simply finished it by binding the edges instead of creating a fabric frame because I plan to frame it.  I think its simplicity calls for a frame.    In the case of "Water Lily"  I used the same white fabric with muted pinks, yellows and blues for the backing that I had used for the petals.   I simply folded the backing over to the front to create a narrow binding.  I wanted to see it in a matted frame as well so "Water Lily" is now at the framers for a custom framing because of its odd shape.....and I am hoping it turns out the way I had envisioned.   The binding is there just to finish the piece - it will be covered by the matt once framed.  I am framing it without glass.

The third piece is a monochromatic one called "Heard it Through the Grapevine".  I began with a photo of grape leaves on my patio.  Part of my class project, I drew a pattern from the photo, agonized over the colours and placement of the leaves, trying to capture the sunlight bouncing off the larger outside leaves and the gradual darkening of the shaded underlying leaves.  I finally came up with this image......lots of embroidery stitching still to be done with this one.

The second photo shows the stitching as I start the process of embroidering each leaf -  four down, twenty more to go....more or less.

dyeing workshop

Last Saturday's class with Elaine Quehl was an exercise in dyeing fabric.   Elaine gave us very clear step-by-step instructions, we worked hard all day and, like magic, here are the results.   I was very pleased when I finished the process (rinsing and washing) at home the next evening and saw my beautiful fat quarters.   Here are some photos of my earth tone colour wheel and a few fat quarters where we added three colours for varying effects.

I have been very busy in the last two weeks with several pieces in progress and will post some photos in my next post.

Glebe Artisan and Craft Fair

I spent this past weekend at the Glebe Fair in Ottawa.   It was a lovely show with lots of talented craftspeople.    I was happy to see there was much interest in my work.    During the 3 days I got to talk to other quilters and got several good ideas for future shows.   I entered the show at the last minute so the last two weeks were busy planning my display.

The best part of it all was the way my friends supported me.    I have to thank all of you for pitching in - lending me display items, picking them up and delivering them to me,  making my table covers (don't they look great), helping me to set up and take down, providing me with food and drink, taking over so I could have a lunch break, giving constructive criticism and moral support, and even purchasing my work.

I've posted a couple of photos of my booth in the beautiful Glebe Community Centre (where I used to display my work for many years as a member of the Ottawa Guild of Potters).

This week I need to work on preparing for the Art Quilt class I am taking.  Our next session is Saturday.

My latest piece

Here is a photo of my latest piece - the first in my flower series - The Iris.   I create leaves in the winter and flowers in the autumn....it makes sense to me!

More News

In an earlier post I described the black and white challenge that I entered with one of my online quilting groups (see photo in September 26 post). A poll was taken and my piece won! What a nice surprise. The prize is a bundle of batik fat quarters - candy to a quilter!

News to Share

I am busy preparing for a show at the Glebe Community Centre in Ottawa on November 13, 14 and 15. Lots to do in the next two weeks. Besides finishing up a few pieces I have displays to prepare and need to update my business cards to include my blog address and change of email. The week after that I have my next Art Quilt class with Elaine Quehl so I'd better get going on my homework. I am also preparing to teach an online class (more about that later). Whew! I have my work cut out for me. But it's all good. I'm doing what I love.

I hope to post photos of my latest piece shortly so keep checking in.

Learning how to blog

I am taking an online blogging course through my online learning group which has taught me more about blogging. One result is my new jazzy photo heading. I am having a few challenges but hope to get back at it tomorrow and work on more improvements. Blogging can be fun!

work in progress

Here is a the piece I created in class without a pattern - all ready to stitch.   The photo above was the inspiration for this piece.  It was taken near Cheticamp out behind the cottage we rented.   The bench sits on a hill overlooking the ocean and mountains. I'll post the final product when it is completed

A New Class

I just finished my first Art Quilt class with Elaine Quehl.    Yesterday's session was on Colour and Composition.   We worked hard and learned a lot.   I find that I work mostly from instinct rather than planning according to any rules.    Since I usually use photographs as a starting point, I have already applied 'the rules' to some extent when I take the picture.  I do feel that my work could benefit from being more aware of the rules of composition during the actual process or at least going back and looking at the work critically from a colour and composition standpoint.  I am enjoying the course and looking forward to the next class in dyeing.   I'll post a photo of my first piece which was one where we created 'by the seat of our pants' without a pattern, something I love to do.

Finding Time for Us

The online quilting group I belong to recently had a lively discussion about the frustrations of never having enough time to be creative.    Last week my quilting friend and I took steps in that direction deciding to meet every second week no matter what and to spend the day quilting and learning from each other.    We feed our creativity in so many ways - I do it with walks in the woods, a trip to a fabric shop,  looking through my phtos, sketching, and connecting with other artists.  Step one is to write yourself into your calendar along with all the other responsibilities we schedule for ourselves.  Good luck!

Flickr slideshow

I have added a link to flickr on my blog.  If you click on 'view flickr photostream' it will bring you to flickr.  View photos as they are listed or click again on slideshow if you prefer.   Details and close ups are available.     Hope you enjoy the show.

Black and White Challenge

Recently I took part in a challenge with my online quilting group to create a piece in black and white with a punch of colour.   This is the result.   It's called Down the Road to Fundy Shore and it is 12" x 14".   Click on the photo to see a close up.

photos of cape breton

Cape Breton - wow!

I have returned from my hiking experience in Cape Breton full of ideas.  While hiking over 100k, I took many photos of flora, fauna, people and the outstanding views.   I have posted a few of them here.  I am inspired by the beauty of the land and the warmth of the people.   Hopefully this will translate to more fabric art.

Success!

My first post including photos was a success! Please take a look at the photos of my artwork posted below. The first piece is called Windswept I. The second piece shown here is called Joyce on Franey Lookout and was inspired by a photo of my friend after we reached the lookout on Franey Mountain in Cape Breton. We were part of a hiking experience called Hike the Highlands last September. I will be attending this year's Hike the Highlands as well and hope to return with more ideas for art quilts. In the third piece called The Earth is a Woman, I depict mother earth with all her splendor. Along the edge of the flames I have embroidered the words to this chant...."The earth is a woman and she will rise. We will live in her".

My first post

I am not a very tech oriented person but I created this blog to share my quilting art with others and to learn from other quilters and art lovers. So far I am struggling with the technical aspects of the blog but will persevere. If it works, I will post a photo of some of my art quilts.
Here's hoping.
Juanita