tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220346442024-03-19T04:57:53.244-04:00Crazy By Design - Artist InterruptedThe goings on in the studio of Kim Marguerite LaPolla of <b><a href="http://www.crazybydesign.com">Crazy By Design</a></b> and at the <a href="http://www.greenvillearms.com">Greenville Arms 1889 Inn</a> in beautiful upstate New York. Kim is also the Director of the <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">Hudson River Valley Art Workshops</a>, which presents workshops by professional artist instructors in fiber arts and <a href="http://www.artworkshops.com">painting workshops.</a>Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-70133383086106715482016-03-11T10:21:00.001-05:002016-03-11T10:21:14.761-05:00Another Detour Through Painting on the Way Back to StitchingI took another wonderful detour into painting, although this time it was actually a blend of painting and stitch. Katie Pasquini Masopust was <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">here</a> teaching her <em>Stitched Paintings</em> workshop and I got to join in! What a treat. Besides enjoying ANY workshop taught by Katie, this was a chance to learn how she creates her ingenious abstract landscapes and still lives that start out with painted canvases.
The process starts out with painting canvas in a palette of color the will suit the landscape or still life you have in mind. The first pass at the painting is a gradated color from light to dark. Then comes the fun of a series of mark making steps to add interest and texture to your painted canvases.
These are some of mind in the various stages of painting.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KIIX_gStQAY/Vpv_SIXVTDI/AAAAAAAAFmY/CB-f_cqKuwQ/IMG_1256.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1256" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fRFNnTLNgU/Vpv_Y_68puI/AAAAAAAAFmg/mqWtpG9Wu94/IMG_1257.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1257" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tr3OX2h4OfM/Vpv_d-vF-mI/AAAAAAAAFmo/dToaegGLIII/IMG_1268.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1268" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-38-VfcL9pvU/Vpv_jk6dFPI/AAAAAAAAFmw/zlEx7-3oTpI/IMG_1269.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1269" border="0" width="500" height="375" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9jtuUHogatk/Vpv_nT0kEVI/AAAAAAAAFm4/ijVBcbzRZ3M/IMG_1270.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1270" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rYIG6VgH3S4/Vpv_rGJDjhI/AAAAAAAAFnA/7B8fnQMphs4/IMG_1278.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1278" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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One of the possible composition techniques was to stack and cut through the canvases and then re-assemble them in to a non-representational abstract.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RfTe2_VJF-E/Vpv_uGmG8NI/AAAAAAAAFnI/h8BHv9h6F_A/IMG_1279.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1279" border="0" width="500" height="375" />
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This is my landscape with the reference photo to the left of it.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxS-H5q9GRU/Vpv_yerSO3I/AAAAAAAAFnQ/nZYd8wqMhtw/IMG_1290.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1290" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
The next steps are to quilt it to a backing (batting optional) and then build a frame, and then finally attach it to the frame and paint the frame edges to complement the painting.
I didn't have time to do this part of the process, as I called away to work at various times during the class, but I've been so inspired by the process and painting in general, that this winter I've set up a tiny painting alcove near my studio where I can have all my paints and supply handy.
You can see more photos from this workshop on our <a href="http://www.innyourdreams.blogspot.com/2016/02/stitched-paintings-with-katie-pasquini.html">workshops blog</a>.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-51380945120954745592016-01-20T16:37:00.001-05:002016-01-20T16:37:06.167-05:00Detour into PaintingI admit, I was finally seduced into taking a painting workshop. For years, as director of the <a href="http://www.artworkshops.com">Hudson River Valley Art Workshops</a>, I've been watching all the fun people have been having at our painting workshops. It was just too much, I had to give it a try! So I joined in the Robert Burridge workshop this past October.
It was listed as workshop for "intermediate to advanced." Even though this would be my first painting workshop ever, I wasn't deterred because, as you know, attitude is everything, and as long as I was prepared to look like I totally didn't know what I was doing and just keep trying, all was going to be well.
The basic theme of the workshop was to work on a series. However, each morning Bob did a quick demo and set us off with some quick painting exercises to get the creative juices flowing.
The first morning, we had to create a series of paintings, working with just black and white, to the "word of the moment" that Bob gave us, like "stability" or "surrounded" or "order". He allowed us about a couple minutes per painting. The point of this exercise, besides getting our painting muscles warmed up, was to really think about what you are trying to convey in a painting. Bob said that he always picked the title of his paintings before even opening his paints. He wants to have a clear idea of the meaning / focus of what he is trying to say.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WKHpkCgIpQI/Vpv-GvVcLFI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/QlR_mX2Xb2g/IMG_1118.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1118" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rv6OrWd4LeQ/Vpv-LVo5U-I/AAAAAAAAFkY/2qTifm_3h0M/IMG_1120.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1120" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
Another morning exercise was to create "carrot" figures - with a single brush stroke, lay down a carrot shape and then top it with a oval. Then you can finesse it to look more like a person. For this exercise we were to use black and white and one other color.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uf2rneXz4a4/Vpv-OviKKYI/AAAAAAAAFkg/vzSmbBTE2Qc/IMG_1123.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1123" border="0" width="500" height="375" />
Another exercises was to play with abstract composition styles.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcFHshBUkZI/Vpv-SDOlITI/AAAAAAAAFko/KLi_ccYyDsE/IMG_1128.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1128" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
Thorough out the workshop, Bob kept a running flow of hints, tips, techniques for reworking duds into delights. Adding color over a black and white piece was one way of adding a pop of interest.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1xhgF33XOAQ/Vpv-V1Irf6I/AAAAAAAAFkw/msKxCWb2dDk/IMG_1129.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1129" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
I've a fascination with the flow and movement of a horse's mane, so I attempted to express this in this painting. It's not much, I admit, but it has some good bits and I expect to have to do, like a million paintings before I will be satisfied with the result!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jrm64sOzICQ/Vpv-Y6pKPaI/AAAAAAAAFk4/vBWFNmID4vU/IMG_1130.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1130" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
A few more small exercises, the purpose of which I've forgotten. (Good thing I have all of Bob's daily handouts and I bought a couple of his workbooks for reference.)
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XmzZdd1w9VQ/Vpv-cDzL7xI/AAAAAAAAFlA/VP7TB-zrQ-s/IMG_1131.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1131" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kYzqr9hsnPA/Vpv-fdofydI/AAAAAAAAFlI/HClzczu8xjM/IMG_1132.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1132" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
The apple is a reworked painting. The apple is revealed by painting over everything that doesn't look like the apple!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mhq8c3czZes/Vpv-iPGt_VI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/ZO6PcwJ5OT0/IMG_1134.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1134" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
These flower vases are the same principle - paint a bunch of bright splotches over a "bad" painting and then paint over the background, covering up everything that is not going to be flowers, then add a vase.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pEIkx1hNHno/Vpv-lKbVy0I/AAAAAAAAFlY/Y9n5COF0w-w/IMG_1135.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1135" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u2-BUWzQIQM/Vpv-oz68X0I/AAAAAAAAFlg/-vpFcVehjno/IMG_1143.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1143" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
Reworking the horse again. It was liberating to know that you could just paint over anything you didn't like and turn it in to something else.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ndWbjONkNUw/Vpv-r2GZshI/AAAAAAAAFlo/MINvh2ko84g/IMG_1144.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1144" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
Another exercise was painting pears, learning how to create the depth, lighting, and stylistic interest.
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tnp1Md5ZY7Y/Vpv-vNKxLBI/AAAAAAAAFlw/HG80tMzBd5U/IMG_1145.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1145" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j_tOyjA18k8/Vpv-0WaR0sI/AAAAAAAAFl4/mWTNWU-RyBw/IMG_1155.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1155" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s9RtttKisEs/Vpv-345I4rI/AAAAAAAAFmA/Dxus23oFPiw/IMG_1156.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1156" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUzJd4qCJ4Y/Vpv-6-hoifI/AAAAAAAAFmI/lCS73NdLnyI/IMG_1157.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1157" border="0" width="375" height="500" />
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<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o6UTGlnYNr8/Vpv--omouVI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/GhOAu8rN1T4/IMG_1160.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1160" border="0" width="500" height="500" />
When I gathered up my paintings at the end of the workshop, my general thought was that my work looked "mmehh." But after looking at the photos from start to finish as I added them to this blog post, I can see that I made some good progress during the 5 days of the workshop. From rank beginner to painting a credible floral bouquet and a pear.
So now I'm very motivated to continue exploring this new medium and to also use what I'm learning painting for when I am working in my preferred medium - fabric. I can definitely see how you could use painting to play with color, composition, and value a lot faster and easier than with fabric, but how these things can then be translated into fabric. I highly recommend taking workshops in a variety of media. It gives you a whole different perspective.
Now all I need is somewhere to paint! My studio is small enough without trying to make room for a painting surface and supplies, so this winter I'm working on clearing out a small storage alcove near my fiber studio to be my new painting studio.
This is what I have to work with. Looks like a disaster, right? Stay tuned for updates!
<img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T7xYgH0f7cg/Vp_66HhxGZI/AAAAAAAAFng/rQGn3r4hNuM/IMG_1371.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1371" border="0" width="500" height="500" />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-46202028524099830852015-05-16T18:44:00.001-04:002015-05-16T18:44:12.225-04:00Duck Beautification ProjectOk, real ducks look fine in the natural finery, but this white fiberglass duck needed a bit of "umphf!"<br /><br />I prepped the duck with a bit of Goldens Gac 200 and Gesso. Then started the collage process with Goldens Gel Gloss Medium. I worked from the bottom up, collaging on the fabric in small manageable pieces so that it easily molded the the figure of the duck. I was pleased to see that the fabric molded so well to the duck that you could easily see the detail of the feathers.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MF-s4mDSD4k/VVfFkyIi5KI/AAAAAAAAEzE/IR_QjiKmv-c/IMG_0742.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0742" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />Both sides of the duck are similar and I worked back and forth from one side to the other.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_HbtFCM2nOc/VVfFo9iPQOI/AAAAAAAAEzM/0bVkJqnvOPA/IMG_0744.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0744" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />The farm and flower scene is done! All that remains is to paint the ducks face and feet.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljW6dBS2R2o/VVfFrXcpRdI/AAAAAAAAEzU/ZVfURTTbFO8/IMG_0747.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0747" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />Here is the finished duck. <br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7-7y4_Lle4/VVfFt3OwcWI/AAAAAAAAEzc/09qAc4rF1CI/IMG_0751.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0751" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PhPErPbRIbg/VVfFwe9bS9I/AAAAAAAAEzk/je1hEsbGjaM/IMG_0752.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0752" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />I've delivered him to the duck committee (I was fun to walk into the town hall and say "I have a duck delivery!") and he has been given another protective clear coat. On Monday, May 18th, he is due to be installed in front of our inn, the <a href="http://www.greenvillearms.com">Greenville Arms 1889 Inn</a>, for the summer! In the Fall there will be a fun auction of all the ducks - all 46 of them!Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-71149630048219637692015-03-30T10:39:00.001-04:002015-03-30T10:39:27.033-04:00The Duck Colorization ProjectIn a departure from rabbits, I've signed up to decorate a fiberglass duck for our community beautification fund-raising project. Our town, Greenville, New York, is doing ducks because our town park pond is know for its two white ducks! I was actually one of the people who suggested painting ducks. Other local towns have done cats (Catskill), dogs (Hudson), and Bears (Cairo).<br /><br />The painted ducks will be on display all around town throughout the summer and will then be auctioned in the Fall. My duck will be on display in front of our inn because we are also a duck sponsor.<br /><br />I'm planning to collage my duck with fabric to recreate a farm scene based on a local farm that I had previously made as an art quilt. I want to thank <a href="http://www.cater-woods.com/">Laura Cater-Woods</a> for providing me with detailed instructions on how to college a fiberglass animal with fabric. She has decorated 5 fiberglass horses!<br /><br />Anyway, here is my duck. He has just gotten two coats of a mix of Golden GAC 200 and Gesso.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e9TgNiM6UIk/VQ8NmedcPLI/AAAAAAAAExY/cJJC4-mTOrk/IMG_3093.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 3093" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gR7xTMZVdHM/VQ8NpLxxQkI/AAAAAAAAExg/WV4W7XW17L0/IMG_3094.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 3094" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><br /><br />I start to apply fabric next week. Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-68269630726043316342015-03-16T17:14:00.001-04:002015-03-16T17:24:15.930-04:00Rabbit Round Up"Rabbits! Why rabbits?" I'm always asked when I turn up with yet another fiber art rabbit . Well, I like rabbits. They are very expressive in their quiet way. <br /><br />Maybe it is because my first experience of artistic acclaim came about when at the age of 5 I won an Easter Bunny coloring contest. Or maybe it was from reading <em>Watership Down</em> in high school. Or maybe I've been inspired by several rabbit pets.<br /><br />The first rabbit quilt I made was Angry Rabbit. He wasn't angry until I was working on the eyes as one of the last pieces and I was looking for a way to make the eyes stand out in this large grey and black rabbit on a green and brown background, surrounded by bright pink flowers. When I tried out the color red I knew I had found a color that I'd use for all my rabbits from then on! My rabbits are angry rabbits! Just because an animal is quiet and shy doesn't mean it doesn't have strong feelings!<br /><br />In any case, in honor of Spring, here is a round up of all my rabbits made to date.<br /><br /><h1>Angry Rabbit</h1><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O9dcd_YUDzY/VQdCFP2bdeI/AAAAAAAAEu0/HywewwIY_QQ/angryrabbit.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Angryrabbit" border="0" width="500" height="419" /><h1>Rabbits in the Grass</h1><br />This piece recently won an award at the La Connor Quilt Museum Festival in Washington. The space between the elements of this piece are open.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tn7uR7UVZPk/VQdCL0R3M3I/AAAAAAAAEu8/vZNoSPNdeis/rabbitingrass.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Rabbitingrass" border="0" width="500" height="484" /><h1>Rabbit Squared</h1><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e5lg8YnRu9Q/VQdCUCgp9uI/AAAAAAAAEvE/rqD4e_6Z4YI/rabbitsquared.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Rabbitsquared" border="0" width="200" height="204" style="float:left;" /><br /><br /> This small 12" x 12" piece was made for the Studio Art Quilt Association's annual fund-raising auction several years ago.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OgK6DT8a51g/VQdCaa_4NmI/AAAAAAAAEvM/G5UiesQedy4/hearthemusic.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Hearthemusic" border="0" width="200" height="217" style="float:right;" /><h1>Hear the Music</h1><br />This rabbit departed from my more abstract rabbits and is based off of a photograph. I created this when I was teaching my process to a group at an art retreat. The background of guitars was collaged from leftover scraps from making my "Crazy Ties."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />All of the rabbits below were completed in 2014 when I really went on a rabbit binge.<br /><h1>Rabbit on the Run</h1><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jLQuoGovJIs/VQdJsND5CII/AAAAAAAAEwE/KCNBQJga4fk/rabbitontherun.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Rabbitontherun" border="0" width="300" height="261" /><h1>Outta Here</h1><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QzT7otoG8CU/VQdJyABD1DI/AAAAAAAAEwM/y6TSvOhn9BQ/outtahere.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Outtahere" border="0" width="300" height="222" /><h1>Creative Sprit</h1><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RxPmHUJpA8s/VQdJ7Pe_eiI/AAAAAAAAEwU/kdqJUCSZe9E/creativespirit.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Creativespirit" border="0" width="250" height="383" /><h1>Between</h1><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EQOAsqne108/VQdC--QigPI/AAAAAAAAEvs/KnLzLZzf0H0/between.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Between" border="0" width="300" height="484" /><h1>Non-Conformist</h1><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V3QXJvB1u-g/VQdDDIMBFqI/AAAAAAAAEv0/rRZlfgR5mjY/Nonconformist.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Nonconformist" border="0" width="500" height="552" /><br /><br />More to come, of course, in the coming years.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-26180002651805308602014-10-13T16:10:00.001-04:002014-10-13T16:10:10.720-04:00Award at La Connor Textile and Quilt Museum FestivalOne of my goals this year was to submit to some Calls for Entry. It may have been half way through the year before I got to this, but I submitted 3 of my art quilts for the <a href="http://www.laconnerquilts.org/">La Connor Textile and Quilt Museum</a> Festival in La Connor, WA -- and all 3 of the pieces were accepted!<br /><br />Then the next exciting news was that one of the pieces had won 3rd place in the Abstract Pictorial category. The piece that won was "Rabbits in the Grass." Here is a picture of my daughter in front of the quilt. I think they did not allow photos at the exhibit, but they let my daughter "sneak" in a photo because I couldn't be there in person.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gWPUUHn-OdM/VDwuNSjFMQI/AAAAAAAAEmk/FeN6aI6b3Qc/IMG_0509.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0509" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />Nothing like an award to get you motivated to create!<br /><br />These are the other two pieces that were in the exhibit. My daughter said that her favorite of the three was the squirrel.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-REV4BxeiuMQ/VDwwi_IgocI/AAAAAAAAEm8/uEug8u0zh2w/AngryRabbit_lg.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="AngryRabbit lg" border="0" width="480" height="398" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HeKpC0SdkOs/VDwxFc0KJbI/AAAAAAAAEnE/bu9TWuN9Dys/bluegrass_lg.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Bluegrass lg" border="0" width="480" height="281" /><br /><br />I've been continuing my series with rabbits and am now working on a largish piece. It will feature a line of duplicate rabbits and then one large rabbit.<br /><br />Here are the duplicate rabbits in process. The faceless rabbits have sparked some more ideas!<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2z9avI8-Lac/VDwvICXaoAI/AAAAAAAAEms/LCk6QsibYMA/IMG_0475.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0475" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />A full hand of rabbits! I made seven, but am not sure how many I'll use in the current piece. It was great fun to make a batch of duplicate rabbits (the same fabric selection for each piece is the same of all rabbits) and fun to have a stack of them ready to use.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2xFFGs9RPHs/VDwvb-n8L4I/AAAAAAAAEm0/p3OWyv23NkY/IMG_0489.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0489" border="0" width="500" height="375" />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-84314925485886412702014-05-26T13:35:00.001-04:002014-05-26T13:35:17.824-04:00One Rabbit, Two RabbitI've just finished two more of the rabbit series that I began in K<a href="http://www.katiepm.com">atie Pasquini Masopust'</a>s workshop "Working in a Series." I've been using this rabbit image for quite a number of years, but Katie gave me the push I needed to experiment with color!<br /><br />This is the first rabbit piece. I took it easy and only expanded my palette with the color blue for all the dark and light values. I call it "Outta' Here." <br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nrTw4CpDPl4/U4N6MhQKAII/AAAAAAAAEcU/Cz6QvNOR_j8/IMG_2196.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2196" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><br /><br />I had such fun with color on that piece, I decided to go all out on the next one - a rainbow rabbit! I call this one "Creative Spirit" and it is inspired by the architecture of the resort and creative environment of the <a href="http://www.alegreretreat.com">Alegre Retreat</a>.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_iGjfkdi4IY/U4N6ebaRilI/AAAAAAAAEcc/DEyXVONr8wM/IMG_2201.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2201" border="0" width="333" height="500" />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-34964550093235319852014-04-27T16:19:00.001-04:002014-04-27T16:19:27.046-04:00Colorado Canyon RabbitsIt seem like ages ago already after being back to reality for about a week from the our trip to the <a href="http://www.gatewaycanyons.com/">Gateway Canyons Resort</a> for the <a href="http://www.alegreretreat.com/">Alegre Retreat</a>. The retreat and trip were everything I hoped for and needed. I would definitely recommend it and will be saving up to hopefully go there myself again in a couple of years.<br /><br />The location is self was quite inspiring and luxurious. I took quite a few pictures! To make it easier on you, dear reader, I'll group the photos by class photos, landscape, and cars - in that order. That way if you are not interested in canyon landscapes or antique cars, you don't have to read that far!<br /><br />First the class report. I was in Katie Pasquini Masopust's "Working in a Series" workshop. The idea for the workshop was to bring an existing piece and then build a series from there. <br /><br />The piece I brought was the one on the left, "Rabbit on the Run." For my first tentative foray in the series, I decided to add a touch of color to my usually naturally colored rabbits. I substituted blue for all the dark and light values in the rabbit. Fun! Then I had to come up with a background for this rabbit. Thinking of keeping with the theme of "rabbit on the run," I thought I'd call this piece "Outta Here" and design a setting to give the impression of a speeding rabbit running "outta here."<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--LJmKI9o_U4/U11TJ0l9oqI/AAAAAAAAEUs/uJDs5n4kNtw/IMG_0349.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0349" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />I had such fun adding that bit of blue to the rabbit, that for the next piece in the series I decided to go all out with the color and created a rainbow rabbit! The background is inspired by the adobe buildings of the resort and muted blue sky. I'll probably be adding more details, but was anxious to move on to the next piece!<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HSS-5S9FJIM/U11S9kqDMZI/AAAAAAAAEUk/9w7ZkjbzCOU/IMG_0386.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0386" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />For the final piece, I decided to stay colorful, but also go BIG! I used cool tones in this rabbit and am thinking of doing a matching facing rabbit in another piece that will use warm tones.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dx554zV1VFU/U11TfgXTg4I/AAAAAAAAEVA/SIpjoPyDJyw/IMG_0392.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0392" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />Here are all of the rabbits together for the final walk-through of the classes (everyone at the retreat walked from class to class on the final day to get a look at what everyone else was doing).<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tBAr52TrJM8/U11TaE8-cyI/AAAAAAAAEU4/0--3vVnU-K8/IMG_0390.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0390" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />Now I'm revved up about my rabbit series once again and can't wait to continue letting these rabbits multiply. I currently finishing up the quilting on rabbit #2 and should have it done in the next week.<br /><br />Okay, now on to the stunning and inspiring landscape of the Gateway Canyons.<br /><br />The first two pics are of our room and view from our room.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EfH4Po2UoME/U11YdfKTFMI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/lLL7DqAlFb8/IMG_2028.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2028" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wW1omoqzVik/U11YhjL_g3I/AAAAAAAAEVY/uszL1Ywbhwc/IMG_2030.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2030" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><br /><br />The outstanding feature of the landscape around the resort was, of course, The Palisades, that monumental tower of red rock.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nkts8tPkzzk/U11Ym6_1wyI/AAAAAAAAEVg/PbDEyNPr8gU/IMG_0342.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0342" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><br /><br />A small, but dedicated group walkers went out every morning at 6:30am. We had some morning greeters on one of the walks.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o3RBsFjcDvU/U11YuOZrI6I/AAAAAAAAEVo/A_oXL7T7WSY/IMG_0347.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0347" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />The Gateway Canyons Resort was built by the founder of the Discovery Channel, so it is not surprising that there are lots of fun stuff to discover around the property! We saw this "dinosaur nest" on one of the early morning walks.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xZpVfTAml20/U11YyXnGD7I/AAAAAAAAEVw/2n5SJkWsPJM/IMG_0343.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0343" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mzAunc8ivy8/U11Y6o7yzOI/AAAAAAAAEV4/-ZzePY2-x_Y/IMG_0378.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0378" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uoaaTov1j-8/U11Y-HRSszI/AAAAAAAAEWA/GdxoSRzY3W0/IMG_0381.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0381" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GHnFiz5eHRg/U11ZBwIj8-I/AAAAAAAAEWI/9UUGAQtZrjk/IMG_0382.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0382" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GhorzKIfoDg/U11ZFyrv_sI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/cMZLysADfFU/IMG_0388.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0388" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />After the retreat was over, we stayed an extra couple of days in Grand Junction, CO to relax and see the sights. The first grand vista was seen from the Bed and Breakfast where we stayed, <a href="http://www.losaltosgrandjunction.com/live/">The Los Altos Bed & Breakfast</a>. (I picked this inn because of the name - we use to live in Los Altos, CA!) It was a lovely inn inside as well, and the breakfasts were always yummy.<br /><br />On one day we toured around the nearby <a href="http://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm">National Monument Park</a>. Lots to inspire in this park. I loved the colors, textures, and sweep of the vista.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pmcYL9-XsQs/U11ZSuZsvyI/AAAAAAAAEWY/IsGYOuZAI0E/IMG_2032.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2032" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xkPCzBuFbn0/U11ZWPZ-ehI/AAAAAAAAEWg/2RFONOHdfdk/IMG_2038.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2038" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5oejKVTUG18/U11ZZPfLZII/AAAAAAAAEWo/WSOvOC7wa5c/IMG_2040.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2040" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7OWQY69mPvo/U11ZexXrJ7I/AAAAAAAAEWw/DNy5-26X3yI/IMG_2041.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2041" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bU73ulc6aWU/U11ZkCvBYNI/AAAAAAAAEW4/7PwEku7bH3E/IMG_2045.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2045" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QsxVa-xc6mU/U11ZovmzXBI/AAAAAAAAEXA/Q9ps1U9zcRc/IMG_2048.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2048" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SPEmXjcu-jM/U11ZsFLM7AI/AAAAAAAAEXI/nPmFncdUuv8/IMG_2049.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2049" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ami4J-tpSxE/U11ZvIErMeI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/g1EuFR8IpNY/IMG_2051.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2051" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uHtmhqSicMY/U11Zy8BNSmI/AAAAAAAAEXY/RDeg8MGQK8s/IMG_2055.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2055" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l63dY9tDqTs/U11Z4J9-duI/AAAAAAAAEXg/zlYNKpg4Ug4/IMG_2056.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2056" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lMirjprB8_w/U11Z7trehSI/AAAAAAAAEXo/ZSAtAaMFyiU/IMG_2060.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2060" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k0nkmhJeG9E/U11Z-imt74I/AAAAAAAAEXw/Zs_A4UekV54/IMG_2061.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2061" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hx0c1NDquak/U11aBcoDqnI/AAAAAAAAEX4/WcHAoqbp_YE/IMG_2070.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2070" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MWaMrxzkjW4/U11aEcACF9I/AAAAAAAAEYA/MsG2LbWU6Gc/IMG_2071.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2071" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EVQnwDFMIRc/U11aHv1UCQI/AAAAAAAAEYI/pTSCY0id7uk/IMG_2072.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2072" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RlsNWze5XRs/U11aLBbUvhI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/-0ftFN8IB2E/IMG_2078.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2078" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lFqCR3rMHxw/U11aOHF3uAI/AAAAAAAAEYY/dfoZA0PxD00/IMG_2079.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2079" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L-fnbpge5z0/U11aQ0Qp5eI/AAAAAAAAEYg/WuJiwmONdTc/IMG_2083.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2083" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ah4OwmXh6RA/U11aT1a8ZvI/AAAAAAAAEYo/M-OF0RqHWoc/IMG_2085.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2085" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FGGApuBfYFg/U11acVp7K4I/AAAAAAAAEYw/oLp8mkElPu8/IMG_2086.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2086" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CkWyJTV91rw/U11afhNRlNI/AAAAAAAAEY4/S7ZwPs07p6M/IMG_2091.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2091" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YwE7bFHrCSQ/U11akZg0NrI/AAAAAAAAEZA/bwxSjc3W1b8/IMG_2092.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 2092" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><br /><br />If you love antique cars, or just cars in general, you must plan a trip to the <a href="http://www.gatewayautomuseum.com/">Gateway Canyons Auto Museum</a>. This is John Henderick's collection of American cars. It is incredible even if you aren't in to cars. The museum is set up to display the cars as the works of art that they are, and unlike a lot of car museums, every one of these cars is completely restored to running condition! Wouldn't it be fun to take a spin in anyone of these beauties?<br /><br />Don't ask me what any of these cars are. I just loved the colors, shine and beauty of design!<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6VFSC2sg2Uo/U11ar-B7BKI/AAAAAAAAEZI/TI1MwZzF-o8/IMG_0354.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0354" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2r5NqvmR-f0/U11aunEzmiI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/amMNzy4Fvms/IMG_0355.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0355" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vbDYxGma6Fo/U11azHL_V5I/AAAAAAAAEZU/hvxYOo2U-bQ/IMG_0356.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0356" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0WV8E9OZILU/U11a2WlXEPI/AAAAAAAAEZc/AV6OQVnMWlE/IMG_0358.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0358" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qa2h7RPd6-M/U11a5_YrLyI/AAAAAAAAEZo/EZxiqJ5cPiw/IMG_0360.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0360" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pJfBpmre6OU/U11a85Z93XI/AAAAAAAAEZw/cGW0KxGABLs/IMG_0361.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0361" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pMxpM8ASZ2c/U11a_ukIl0I/AAAAAAAAEZ4/9hRcH_kz35A/IMG_0362.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0362" border="0" width="375" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wt5dQzINdvw/U11bCUFhVaI/AAAAAAAAEaA/7FCyHb9fvJ0/IMG_0363.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0363" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r3PZpKULBx8/U11bFJQ-y3I/AAAAAAAAEaI/DIXBKiBH3EE/IMG_0365.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0365" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FrKHA7vFY-w/U11bNSJChWI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/n0ks2xTNYNE/IMG_0364.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0364" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GIE1hR3GXtI/U11bSNsxg7I/AAAAAAAAEaY/lMsasVb5FxI/IMG_0366.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0366" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bxkxkTyTTpI/U11bU9p03vI/AAAAAAAAEag/hyom_PAF88I/IMG_0368.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0368" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n1ZMoXHNNfg/U11bXU7FBsI/AAAAAAAAEak/T9AxBea1tXU/IMG_0369.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0369" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dtKMqVCkWoI/U11baemtRWI/AAAAAAAAEas/dw0D74XdTtk/IMG_0370.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0370" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vcZh437G_TY/U11bdK8_eUI/AAAAAAAAEa0/di364Pp-KBQ/IMG_0371.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0371" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W8YBp8Uy3As/U11bgHKcaGI/AAAAAAAAEa8/AnnxXLXtj7Y/IMG_0374.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0374" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OiZPiqStxRQ/U11bjeOfHjI/AAAAAAAAEbI/Q3V6gT1z-XY/IMG_0376.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 0376" border="0" width="500" height="500" /><br /><br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-65799974279418473142014-03-31T18:28:00.001-04:002014-03-31T18:28:46.053-04:00Rabbit on the RunBeing the director of an <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">art workshop</a> venue may seem like a "cushy" job with lots of opportunity to sit in on classes, but the truth of the matter is that most of the time I barely have the time to walk through the classroom once day just to make sure everything is running smoothly. My normal work day starts at 5:30am and ends at 8:30pm, with just enough time to relax with my husband and the pups for an hour or so before I'm out like a light in the evening.<br /><br />I'm often asked if I get to take any of the classes, but I always say the only way I'll get to take a class is to go somewhere else! So that is what I'm doing in just a couple of weeks. I'm going to the <a href="http://www.alegreretreat.com/">Alegre Retreat</a> at the Gateway Canyons Resort in Grand Junction, Colorado to take a work with Katie Pasquini Masopust. <br /><br />I have longed for the opportunity to go to Katie's Alegre Retreat from the very beginning, way back when she held it near her home in New Mexico. When she ended that retreat, I kicked myself for missing out on all the fun I had heard about for years. Then when Katie restarted the retreat in Colorado, I was overjoyed. I swore that this time I wouldn't miss the chance to go there at least once. So two years ago when I was planning our 2014 workshops schedule for the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops, I emailed Katie to see if they had the dates yet for their 2014 retreat. We always schedule two or three years in advance, so in order to be able to go to Katie's retreat, I had to block off those weeks in our schedule. Then I had to wait two years!<br /><br />The wait is finally almost over and I'm raring to go. The workshop Katie is teaching is "Working in a Series," and in fact it is the workshop she just taught for us at HRVAW, so I got a preview of what the class was all about. <br /><br />The students are suppose to bring one existing art quilt and then develop a series based on that. I have agonized over what I might possibly start with, whether I should just pick a piece that I had already made or make a new one just for the workshop. In the end, I'm sort of doing both. I just finished another rabbit quilt - "Rabbit on the Run" and that will be my starting point. I have no idea where I am going with it, but that, as I learned is the best place to start in this class!<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J8_xmdNeRaI/Uznp9P5ireI/AAAAAAAAETM/mMwTYbdxJnw/rabbit.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Rabbit" border="0" width="500" height="375" /><br /><br />I'm also getting a new appreciation for all of the people who come to our workshops from a distance, having to deal with packing for air travel and/or shipping your supplies ahead of time. This will be the first workshop I've taken that I didn't drive to. I asked a couple of veteran distance flying workshoppers at the last class for packing tips. They said UPS is your friend, but pack the things you don't want to do without for long in your suitcase, because UPS will have your supplies several days on the way there and several days on the way back. They also advised to pack light on clothes, after all, who cares if you wear the same clothes more than once if it allows you to pack more fabric in your suitcase!<br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-46777498303920415192014-02-10T09:33:00.001-05:002014-02-10T09:33:03.715-05:00Going Crazy with TiesI had a recent customer request for 4 more of my Crazy Ties, so I've been in a tie making frenzy. Making more ties had already been on my list for this winter, as my stock was almost all gone, but this request moved this task up to the top of my to do list.<br /><br />I had promised more within 2 weeks, so was able to complete 10 of the batch yesterday. <br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fBxeePc3R-E/UvjgNCIdFHI/AAAAAAAAEM4/mcMmEkhLSK8/IMG_1718.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1718" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qgFPVMlnc2g/UvjgRBo-N1I/AAAAAAAAENA/XoAkuhSs7Ws/IMG_1723.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1723" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><img style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ELoetXF44Lo/UvjgYR2emxI/AAAAAAAAENI/eNcS305RZLM/IMG_1728.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG 1728" border="0" width="500" height="333" /><br /><br />As soon as I finish the rest of the batch of 26, I'll be taking individual pictures of each tie to get ready for listing them on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimcrazybydesign">etsy shop</a>, although I sell most of them in our <a href="http://www.greenvillearms.com">inn gift shop</a>.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-35129675763849930992013-11-07T14:46:00.001-05:002013-11-07T14:46:05.652-05:00Market Report - 2013<a href="http://www.quilts.com/home/index.php">Quilt Market</a> in Houston was marvelous. We get to feel sort of isolated being innkeepers and hosts of the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops - <a href="http://www.artworkshops.com">Paint</a> & <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">Fiber</a> (sometimes we don't leave the property for months at a time, except to get groceries), so having the opportunity to go Market this year was such a wonderful treat.<br /><br />Browsing the vendors and picking up the vibe of the industry brought us renewed enthusiasm and inspiration for our business.<br /><br />However, for me as a fiber artist, it was the exhibits that were the soul of the trip! Wow, such eye candy and artistic expression. <br /><br />The added bonus of seeing the exhibits during Market instead of Festival was that there were no crowds and I could get fairly good shots of the quilts in the exhibits that allowed photographs, were were mainly the judged exhibits.<br /><br />These are shots of my favorites. I didn't learn the results of the judging until after we were back home, but it was amazing the number of my favorites also turned out to be the favorites of the judges.<br /><br />The title and artist's name is above the photo of the quilts.<br /><br /><strong>Hand in Hand</strong> by Reiko Kato<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bKH2erujgjA/Ungt_ACTqDI/AAAAAAAAEA4/zq3hC8wiAH4/IMG_0522.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0522.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />The next four photos are of the amazing <a href="http://www.bryerpatch.com/">Caryl Bryer Fallert</a> exhibit - 30 quilts for 30 years. All thirty of these quilts were stunning - the artistry, composition, color, and stitching. We bought the CD of the exhibit so that I can be inspired whenever I want.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-950av0QoFzQ/UnguCD0ysqI/AAAAAAAAEBA/yMnMlHO_-gE/IMG_0525.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0525.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zt1LOOFyV54/UnguFGVMVsI/AAAAAAAAEBI/X63_llArWZU/IMG_0526.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0526.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JQ11GtFVMVA/UnguHnaFWFI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/lepHgWAIhSg/IMG_0527.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0527.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fQLzK4xd5jA/UnguKa9NR5I/AAAAAAAAEBY/Jt8N9w_s0fg/IMG_0528.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0528.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Wind</strong> by Masanobu Miyama<br /><br />The Superior Threads Master Award for Thread Artistry winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0HmTwcUskmo/UnguNGkM92I/AAAAAAAAEBg/VBse6wF3PLg/IMG_0529.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0529.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I just loved the feeling of wind expressed with the blowing fur and swirling colors in the sky. Just beautiful and expressive.<br /><br /><strong>House in the Valley #5</strong> by <a href="http://artfabrik.com/">Laura Wasilowski<br /></a><br />Art-Miniature - 3rd place winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n7fGZcT1g8Q/UnguP5qAd2I/AAAAAAAAEBo/I3g0JYZxGa4/IMG_0531.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0531.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />My favorite part of Laura's work is her sense of whimsey! Love it. I was sorry to see that this piece was already sold. Laura is <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com/fiber-art-workshop-instructors/laura_wasilowski.htm">teaching a workshop</a> for us next year in April.<br /><br /><strong>Tropical Fantasy</strong> by Bonnie Ouellette<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GqntHvjqJwM/UnguUIkTa_I/AAAAAAAAEBw/7szGQ9DbBtE/IMG_0533.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0533.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />What can I say, I love beads and bright colors. Some of the leaves are completely covered in beads and others are hand silk-screened fabric.<br /><br /><strong>Home at Last</strong> by Kaye Koler<br /><br />Miniature Quilts - 3rd place winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VJh2a1SDth4/UnguWvUQXzI/AAAAAAAAEB4/JLLoV5qeoW4/IMG_0535.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0535.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />The log cabin block is one of my favorite traditional patterns and this one is so wonderfully scrappy. The fact that it is no larger than about 14" square makes it all the more amazing.<br /><br /><strong>Pray for the Land of Green</strong> by Masa Yanagimoto<br /><br />Mixed Technique - 2nd place winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R1k9k8w_j5E/UnguZW1Dn9I/AAAAAAAAECA/Lg_idjDbUO0/IMG_0537.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0537.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />This piece was in the embellished category and it is a beautiful example of just the right amount and kind of embellishment. It features Japanese embroidery, Sukashi with kumiage (combination open work), hand piecing and appliqué.<br /><br /><strong>Illinois Album</strong> by <a href="http://www.janesassaman.com/">Jane Sassaman</a><br /><br />The Baby Lock Master Award for Innovative Artistry - winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YaUOwGNjtMo/UngucCI-3LI/AAAAAAAAECI/EuJZyFTL6fI/IMG_0539.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0539.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I'm always inspired by Jane's work! The photo below is a detail shot of the same quilt. Jane is <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com/fiber-art-workshop-instructors/jane_sassaman.htm">teaching another workshop</a> for us next year in December.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eQsvqDcC-h8/UngueuuQmUI/AAAAAAAAECQ/fShK06F_Bhs/IMG_0541.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0541.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>In the Bleak Midwinter</strong> by <a href="http://www.ruthpowersartquilts.com/">Ruth Powers</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uvCvZxgOAoQ/UnguhABjKBI/AAAAAAAAECY/u9TWiVqACbA/IMG_0542.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0542.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Beautiful use of hand-dyed fabric to evoke the chill of winter. Ruth will be teaching a workshop for us in 2015.<br /><br /><strong>Random Rose Garden </strong>by <a href="http://www.quilted-lizard.com/">Karen Eckmeier</a><br /><br />Innovative Pieced - 2nd place winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AoMdwFQvX9o/UngujkPTE7I/AAAAAAAAECg/u9oZlGkv7VU/IMG_0544.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0544.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Such a marvelous blending of colors.<br /><br /><strong>A Pocket Full of Paisleys</strong> by Lorilynn King (detail shot)<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6xczphFCPgU/UngumU_SfxI/AAAAAAAAECo/7hFyGVj35vA/IMG_0546.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0546.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>I Have Many Faces</strong> by Natalie Carlton<br /><br />Art-People, Portraits, and Figures - Honorable Mention<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K6mb56mYBPo/UnguqNMXf8I/AAAAAAAAECw/gYEmTc_o3LQ/IMG_0548.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0548.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Jack</strong> by <a href="http://www.sandycurran.com/">Sandy Curran</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G5DLr03N8mA/Ungus5xH3mI/AAAAAAAAEC4/GZzU39_NZ3o/IMG_0550.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0550.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>All Together</strong> by Hiroko Miyama and Masanobu Miyama<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1cggMi9jiJk/UnguvpYoAVI/AAAAAAAAEDA/pydIhos67do/IMG_0552.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0552.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Emmy Tovo</strong> by Sherri Culver<br /><br />Art-People, Portraits, and Figures - 3rd place winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9IAu4J9FdRs/UnguyMqhVOI/AAAAAAAAEDI/qobC6-xTMH4/IMG_0554.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0554.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I love the playful expression in this portrait and the use of the fabrics.<br /><br /><strong>Cock of the Walk</strong> by <a href="http://www.davidtaylorquilts.com/">David Taylor</a><br /><br />Art-Pictorial - 3rd place winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rkWlGPgHvME/Ungu04TSH4I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/I_qexj9kyeI/IMG_0556.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0556.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />David is <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com/fiber-art-workshop-instructors/David_Taylor_Quilts.htm">teaching a workshop</a> for us next year in August, which is filling fast.<br /><br /><strong>Did You Wash Your Beak?</strong> by David Taylor<br /><br />Judge’s Choice winner<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h18fRsHGfBo/Ungu3VQ_7xI/AAAAAAAAEDY/NUhc2AEhulQ/IMG_0558.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0558.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Venus in the Garden</strong> by <a href="http://zoombaby.com/">Sheila Frampton-Cooper</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hm_U6S5kze8/Ungu6YMKVfI/AAAAAAAAEDg/0muoCW8GykM/IMG_0560.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0560.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />This photo doesn't do this large piece justice. It is amazing. I love the composition, the colors, and intense stitching. Sheila will be teaching a workshop for us in 2015.<br /><br /><strong>Shadows 2</strong> by Margarete Steinhauer<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--9TB4jr39ec/Ungu9UAf4DI/AAAAAAAAEDo/tpApPYWOnkE/IMG_0562.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0562.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />This is just a general shot of a grouping of fabulous works. I'm sorry I didn't get the titles and names of the artists but my camera battery gave up the ghost right after this shot.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J7HcTW7wOgM/Ungu_4GyLbI/AAAAAAAAEDw/024NdGjgQ9c/IMG_0564.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0564.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>It Takes the Case</strong> by Karlyn Bue Lohrenz<br /><br />Art-Pictorial - Honorable Mention<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EA5wLOjrXE4/UngvCTe48-I/AAAAAAAAED4/iXKnJQ7Ggks/IMG_0565.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0565.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>The Great Barrier Reef</strong> by Miki Murakami<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fzCJlX1x0TA/UngvEocOUkI/AAAAAAAAEEA/IkBBX81JcXA/IMG_0567.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0567.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Emerald City</strong> by <a href="http://notesfromnorma.blogspot.com/">Norma Schlager</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2BY6eWY1wVA/UngvHcecJGI/AAAAAAAAEEI/FZ3XEQs8Qzs/IMG_0569.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0569.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Tutti Frutti Main Street</strong> by <a href="http://suebleiweiss.com/home.html">Susan Bleiweiss</a><br /><br />Art-Whimsical - Honorable Mention<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bzSDredFWBw/UngvJ7ihE3I/AAAAAAAAEEQ/vJoDCOYEb7w/IMG_0571.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0571.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Lair of the Amethyst Deva</strong> by Sheila Frampton-Cooper<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NaVzDKzqzUQ/UngvMq8W10I/AAAAAAAAEEY/F0tXFG0ITjI/IMG_0573.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0573.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Snow Buddies</strong> by Ruth Powers<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y17o4XY3Szw/UngvTOwYtYI/AAAAAAAAEEo/nVohQOP3_Kw/IMG_0577.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0577.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><strong>Best Friend</strong> by <a href="http://www.barbarayatesbeasley.com/">Barbara Yates Beasley</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wi9pe_YgzkY/UngvWS_2TEI/AAAAAAAAEEw/LzyJTyZvvNc/IMG_0579.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0579.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I was immediately drawn to this happy dog face, probably because, as I learned after reading the description, the dog is part Dalmatian, so I recognized the smile!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.suespargo.com/index.php">Sue Spargo's </a>booth at Market displaying all her original folk art quilts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ywV0zBkulG8/UngvZPTUzWI/AAAAAAAAEE4/GicFMUGntZI/IMG_0581.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0581.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Sue will be teaching a workshop for us in 2015.<br /><br />Jane Sassaman posing the booth featuring her new line of fabric.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oNn1HEnl_WA/UngvcP7CyqI/AAAAAAAAEFA/eOHdQRAspKs/IMG_0582.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0582.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lenorecrawford.com/">Lenore Crawford's</a> work on display in the Northcott fabric booth.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YhT0SK5Cg8c/UngvehR2BBI/AAAAAAAAEFI/Cmy-wfQ6Rvs/IMG_0584.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0584.jpg" border="0" width="375" height="500" /></div><br /><br />Lenore is <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com/fiber-art-workshop-instructors/Lenore_Crawford.htm">teaching a workshop</a> for us next year in November.<br /><br />One can dream can't one . . . . The new Bernina.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wrHGP3vJpOo/UngvhGE1WxI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/1S-PkTrAnYI/IMG_0585.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0585.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I love the art of Charlie Harper and this new line of fabric by <a href="http://www.birchfabrics.com/">Birch Fabrics</a> features his art. It is made of organic cotton.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uNatRBdOAyA/Ungvjo_jfGI/AAAAAAAAEFY/RJXveoqMZTk/IMG_0586.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0586.jpg" border="0" width="375" height="500" /></div><br /><br />On the last day of our stay in Houston, we took the <a href="http://www.texasquiltmuseum.org/">Texas Quilt Museum</a> tour. The museum is in La Grange, TX, which is about 2 hours west of Houston. The bus was very comfortable and the tour guide kept us all entertained with lively descriptions and histories of the things and towns we passed on the way.<br /><br />There are no photos allowed inside the museum, but this wonderful mural is painted on the outside.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jV-EIZjOpMI/Ungvmht_TrI/AAAAAAAAEFg/s1u6CrAJm8Q/IMG_0587.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0587.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tuRnyrPwhmg/UngvpmsVxVI/AAAAAAAAEFo/YGrc-qjUaA8/IMG_0588.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0588.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Also next to and part of the museum was this lovely historically inspired garden.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6GwnBmEo19M/UngvsTa18LI/AAAAAAAAEFw/e3_kYd6A9dw/IMG_0589.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0589.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d-B0gnkNM5E/Ungvu_DInMI/AAAAAAAAEF4/8sFOGfukPhw/IMG_0590.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0590.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X_Rcl4_SlU0/UngvxXwyXeI/AAAAAAAAEGA/0a5CkKkm8dY/IMG_0591.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0591.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ycfHVeWuicc/Ungv0XgflHI/AAAAAAAAEGI/fIQc4mP4q1E/IMG_0592.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0592.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />The museum is near the town square in La Grange. The center of the square is the location of the historic town court house, an impressive stone structure with an atrium in the center.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tA6M59d0ZnE/Ungv3EmDSpI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/Q1WvFcGnoC8/IMG_0593.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0593.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Not showed but one of the highlights of this stop was the <a href="http://www.thequiltedskein.com/">Quilted Skein</a>, my dream quilt shop that not only had loads of tempting fabric, but also yarn! It was right next door to the museum.<br /><br />Then next stop on the tour was the town of Round Top, TX (we have a Round Top, NY near us!) The feature of this little town was the Henkle Square Market - grouping a small shops, one of which was the <a href="http://www.coppershadetree.com/">Copper Shade Tree</a>, a shop featuring artisan-made products including fiber arts.<br /><br />Another of my favorite shops was the pie shop, <a href="http://royerspiehaven.com/">Royers Pie Haven</a>! I enjoyed a slice of yummy strawberry rhubarb pie on the front porch. Nothing says "country living" more than homemade pie on the front porch!<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gEAsXA1Zjng/Ungv5444BjI/AAAAAAAAEGY/kdnolqBhYZI/IMG_0594.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0594.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gZiqazn4UAE/Ungv9J8gZmI/AAAAAAAAEGg/XnvPnDjPNVA/IMG_0595.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0595.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />All in all, it was an awesome experience and I look forward to doing it all again some day.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-87712724357432809762013-09-08T17:12:00.001-04:002013-09-08T17:12:20.189-04:00Foundation RabbitThe first rabbit is complete! I'm planning to make a bunch of rabbits and then later use them in one or more compositions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cXifRbQgJJA/Uizm_A0eU0I/AAAAAAAAD-g/eet2TKZn7yY/IMG_0519.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0519.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />This one has some interesting variations in color, which I can decide to blend with stitching thread color or add shading with ink. It all depends on the setting and background.<br /><br />It will be handy to have this one pinned to my design wall as I work on the next one.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-79277231596281150332013-09-05T14:59:00.001-04:002013-09-05T14:59:32.134-04:00Art Quilt Exhibit at the Greenville, NY LibraryAn exhibit of 20 of my art quilts is on display in the downstairs gallery space of the <a href="http://greenville.lib.ny.us/">Greenville Library</a> during the month of September. The library is open Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5pm.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w4EuY-PFiHw/UijTIGOOChI/AAAAAAAAD94/45tbdRLZo7k/IMG_1296.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_1296.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aa4fmU9htbY/UijTKiAS5WI/AAAAAAAAD-A/u1kVFXSN7p8/IMG_1293.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_1293.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pMu7Ow_OWVg/UijTOFiae3I/AAAAAAAAD-I/xwu0KD0Ivpk/IMG_1295.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_1295.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nk_j-DQbMlA/UijTS7ez91I/AAAAAAAAD-Q/VMcgN4YdkHc/IMG_1294.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_1294.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-54102886533274281812013-08-21T17:37:00.001-04:002013-08-21T17:37:38.838-04:00Sparse ResultsIt's been a very busy summer with <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">Hudson River Valley Art Workshops</a>, and so I've had little time to work in my studio on art projects. However, I did finish one little landscape piece.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-op1OI2joDuA/UhUvEZORN5I/AAAAAAAAD9c/8QNqvBrpN94/IMG_0513.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0513.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I had started this with the intention of donating it to the <a href="http://www.saqa.com/gallery-mini-detail.php?ID=2379">Studio Art Quilt Association auction</a> for this September, but what with one thing or another, I didn't get it started in time to finish it by the deadline. So since I missed the deadline, I didn't have to stay within the 12" x 12" restriction! It is still small but I think the final measurement is somewhere around 12" x 14"<br /><br />I've also been relaxing with a little needlepoint and recently finished this piece.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W_wxGrMlrfs/UhUv41oQFFI/AAAAAAAAD9k/AvfxPl-sB7w/IMG_0512.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0512.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />It was a painted canvas designed by Brenda Stofft, which I purchased from the <a href="http://www.needlenook.com/">NeedleNook of La Jolla</a> in California.<br /><br />Next needlepoint I do will be of my own design. One of the nice things about doing needlepoint is that you have plenty of time to let your mind wander to think of other creative designs and ideas while your hands are busy with the one you are currently working on.<br /><br />I've now started work on another large quilted rabbit piece. I don't have a final design in mind at the moment and will just be making a bunch of rabbits in various positions, sizes and colors. Later I'll decide on a composition.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-85159744814742814852013-04-08T15:59:00.001-04:002013-04-08T15:59:15.432-04:00Finishing SpreeOn my last studio day I went on a finishing spree. I finished three projects that had been hanging around on my design wall all winter. It feels great to finally get them finished.<br /><br />The first one is one that I created from a photo of my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cw76wPcvQJM/UWMfxNmmvuI/AAAAAAAAD18/gAUlsexv0Ns/Wistful_full.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Wistful_full.jpg" border="0" width="570" height="457" /></div><br /><br />I love this image not only for Bree's sweet look, but for the lines of the paving stones and the way that they lined up with Bree's head.<br /><br />Next up are the whole cloth painted pieces that are also thread sketched that I began in the workshop with Susan Brubaker Knapp.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ad6f68ZWKfc/UWMggYNjD3I/AAAAAAAAD2E/O81kVykxYvs/Fiddleheads_full.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Fiddleheads_full.jpg" border="0" width="570" height="380" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mw0duZMJ3Ek/UWMgjYlRDCI/AAAAAAAAD2M/BI4OdOcIcwc/Dreadlocks_full.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Dreadlocks_full.jpg" border="0" width="570" height="380" /></div><br /><br />I finished the pieces with facing and then mounted them in frames.<br /><br />All of these pieces will soon be up and available on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimcrazybydesign">etsy shop</a>.<br /><br />Now comes the tough question . . . What will I start next?!<br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-56570432710401995832013-04-01T11:10:00.001-04:002013-04-01T11:10:09.710-04:00Etsy Shop is BackFinally after a long hibernation, my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimcrazybydesign">etsy shop</a> is back in business. The motivator was when I received an email from someone interested to know where they could buy one of my CrazyTies. So I told him I'd have them available on my etsy shop by the end of April. Nothing like a deadline to get you moving!<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wpw90Pw0RLo/UVmYkHi1XjI/AAAAAAAAD0s/pKbAVWttVX4/G2A_2011_full.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="G2A_2011_full.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />Besides the ties, I'm planning to sell my smaller art quilts and hand-knit items.<br /><br />Meanwhile back in the studio I'm working on completing some of my other projects, such as this one. I'm doing the thread-sketching and quilting. I've just done minimal about of stitching on the dogs face and body because I want that to stand out from the background. The background is being heavily quilted to make it lay flat, flat, flat.<br /><br />I may add some hand stitching on the "grass" areas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gGdI97Ay5Sg/UVmjDfPixqI/AAAAAAAAD08/ll0wPqSjvvg/IMG_0506.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0506.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-90995861268036771432013-02-14T11:59:00.001-05:002013-02-14T11:59:46.016-05:00Blog Lovin'I just started using BlogLovin' to follow the blogs that I like, based a recommendation from my daughter. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3625453/?claim=z6wzwzgbj3q">So now you can follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-22447629922455295932013-02-06T09:00:00.001-05:002013-02-06T09:00:14.390-05:00Ah, the Joy of Finished ProjectsI love the winter. I wish it would last all year long just because it is the time when I can spend lots of time in my studio.<br /><br />I finally finished the portrait of my ridgeback, Bree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OXzohXHqOps/URJfof0lraI/AAAAAAAADug/ElzLoywUG7U/IMG_0503.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0503.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lICaja73UxI/URJf0Z027EI/AAAAAAAADuo/3BDQMJrSbw4/IMG_0502.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0502.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />It was a very labor intensive process because all of the edges are turned under or seamed. I usually do a lot of raw edge work because you get results much faster, but it is worth it sometimes to take the extra time to turn those edges.<br /><br />I also finished a couple more quilt tops for the beds at our inn, the <a href="http://www.greenvillearms.com">Greenville Arms 1889 Inn</a>. Here they are already to be sent to be long arm quilted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ghVqMRg5ipE/URJg4bex9wI/AAAAAAAADuw/skrqz0yRdjU/IMG_0501.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0501.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Next up on the schedule is a twin quilt top to match the queen quilt. (We have several rooms that have a queen bed and a twin bed in the room.) Also, to finish the whole cloth thread sketched paintings that I started in Susan Brubaker Knapps' workshop this past December.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-88375639161837651922013-01-12T08:47:00.001-05:002013-01-12T08:47:58.410-05:00Background to the Front of the ListBree's face is finished, finally!<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oqWehh9_iPE/UPFkuZaofOI/AAAAAAAADrw/wdAZj-lH4MA/IMG_0472.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0472.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Now to create the background. <br /><br />In the original photo, she is sitting on the sofa and the wall in back of that is covered in a blue floral wallpaper. However, I didn't want to get too detailed with background because it might distract from the detail of the portrait. So, the "sofa" is created from random strip piecing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p4VD9sMrrg8/UPFlyWx2ANI/AAAAAAAADr8/uYpG9cdXySY/IMG_0471.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0471.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Then the wall behind is represented by a simple 3" square checkerboard of light blue fabrics. The two parts of the background are pieced together and then Bree was stitched in the center. <br /><br />Now it is ready for quilting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WhGCSX7Qs7U/UPFmanycmwI/AAAAAAAADsc/2Df4gWQSNus/IMG_0475.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0475.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />Here is a detail of the quilting on her nose.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_JUQEMp8WsY/UPFm51dmndI/AAAAAAAADsk/8YB_mDFC6lM/IMG_0476.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0476.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I used a wide range of thread for the quilting, pulling out every brown variegated thread in my supply that I could find - Aurifil, Mettler, Superior, Valdani, Sulky. <br /><br />I aways think that I have a good selection of threads until it comes time to actually work on a project with a lot of different values in one particular color. Then I'm thinking "why didn't I buy more thread?!"<br /><br />I'm finished with the quilting and am planning to do the edge facing, hanging sleeve and label today. Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-76865052126747508942012-12-15T12:43:00.001-05:002012-12-15T12:43:20.982-05:00Art Holiday with Susan Brubaker KnappIn a rare treat, I got to participant in one of our workshops at <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">Hudson River Valley Art Workshops</a> with <a href="http://www.bluemoonriver.com">Susan Brubaker Knapp</a>. I was in heaven! It's been quite a while since I was able to take a workshop and this was just the right one to boost my creative spirit!<br /><br />One of the things that was on my list of winter projects was to explore painting. I've been so inspired/tempted by the work I've seen the students do at the <a href="http://www.artworkshops.com">painting workshops</a> that we host, that I just had to give it a try. This was the perfect way to ease into it.<br /><br />We started from a photo that we traced on to white pfd fabric using a light box. Next the painting began. We used soft-body acrylics. I used Liquidtex brand. <br /><br />As this was my first time working with painting on fabric, so I choose a simple composition of emerging ferns.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A6cRm549AIw/UMymvgVlObI/AAAAAAAADng/Mk0PvVCqFLw/IMG_0789.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0789.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NXSOxQ9x-zs/UMym4Kk4FOI/AAAAAAAADnw/TnIhBZr9d38/IMG_0793.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0793.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />However, everyone else in the workshop selected much more complex designs, so I had time to work on a second piece - this one featuring a sheep that I photographed at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival a couple of years ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZhsBCJZexj8/UMym0mIuh4I/AAAAAAAADno/CodYOkfG5dI/IMG_0790.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0790.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />The next project was creating a fused piece, also starting from a photo. This time I selected a photo of my Ridgeback, Bree.<br /><br />A vinyl overlay is used to help precisely position the pieces on the background fabric.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DXfhb9jnrNY/UMym8tOBZcI/AAAAAAAADn4/tcNDcEYW7_k/IMG_0797.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0797.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />Once I got the main parts down, I could work without the overlay, for the most part.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OjII2vKBItI/UMym_8KtyuI/AAAAAAAADoA/e7KkNgWeHfc/IMG_0799.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0799.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />Starting to add the moss around the bricks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ri2y9kdu524/UMynEVseUTI/AAAAAAAADoI/hjRPo0qGeQ8/IMG_0829.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0829.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />After completing the Bree composition, I returned to the smaller painted pieces to start thread sketching. I wanted to start small with the thread work before tackling the larger piece.<br /><br />Here is the sheep ready for sketching.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VVDs-u-eXLk/UMynHgIQ4kI/AAAAAAAADoQ/vBTBOXCAbW4/IMG_0830.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0830.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />The finished ferns! Just needs trimming and facing on the edges.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tqSb52zuODU/UMynKixqJGI/AAAAAAAADoY/Ih_uzu-T6e4/IMG_0831.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0831.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />The finished sheep! You can't see it in this photo, but I added a double layer of batting under the body of the sheep to make him poof up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i6zHw3DffLw/UMynOKh03XI/AAAAAAAADog/w00hIHvhN6E/IMG_0834.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0834.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="333" /></div><br /><br />Susan Brubaker Knapp was an excellent instructor. She was knowledgable, organized, patient, and fun! I would highly recommend her.<br /><br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-58074951469062509262012-12-02T20:39:00.001-05:002012-12-02T20:39:41.302-05:00Let's Face ItFinally finished cutting out all the pieces, turning all the edges, and placing the pieces in the puzzle that is the portrait of my Ridgeback, Bree.<br /><br />Here you see the progression of the sections as they come together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KkBMtnHPnKM/ULwBeAEKPkI/AAAAAAAADic/4gl9AQiZX5E/IMG_0467.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0467.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--oYILktDFLI/ULwBNf-gvSI/AAAAAAAADiM/G6djB2VrloQ/IMG_0468.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0468.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-alcg0kmbq3E/ULwBQjNUDNI/AAAAAAAADiU/YFjIcGsKWhE/IMG_0469.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0469.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />The next step in the process is to zig zag stitch the pieces together on top of the stabilizer with invisible thread.<br /><br />After that, I may either turn my attention to coming up with a background or might play around with some ideas for "blending" some of the fabrics with some thread painting, inks, or ??. Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-67643133083625941472012-11-03T16:25:00.001-04:002012-11-03T16:25:22.526-04:00Getting NoseyA bit more progress on the Bree portrait.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1U498O0eiiM/UJV8i9-GuAI/AAAAAAAADhg/LEO38c_BQl0/IMG_0466.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0466.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I'm thinking that I may have to adjust a few pieces to make them blend better with each other, but I'll do that after I have everything in place. Who knows, when it is all together I may decide a couple "funky" pieces are just the right amount of character needed. After all, it is the unexpected pattern and colors that I like about working with commercial fabrics.Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-5680848918548200282012-10-14T08:35:00.001-04:002012-10-14T08:35:24.121-04:00Up to The Neck in FabricFinally completed the neck section of the portrait of Bree. That collar and surrounding area had a "million" tiny pieces!<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-prjl1G4ab8I/UHqqNEOKfnI/AAAAAAAADfY/OOLptbFOYqo/IMG_0463.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0463.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />It's exciting when a piece starts looking like something.<br /><br />This week was also a good week for sales. One of our inn guests bought the king size quilt right of the bed in his room! It was a <a href="http://www.crazybydesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/pinwheel-king-quilt.html">scrappy pinwheel quilt</a> that I just finished in February of last year. It's always thrilling to make a sale, but drats, now I have to quickly make another king size quilt for that room! My goal is to make a quilt for every one of the beds (21 in total) in our inn, <a href="http://www.greenvillearms.com">Greenville Arms 1889 Inn</a>, and now I'm back to only 5 done. LOL.<br /><br />Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-57843639466864469532012-09-17T14:17:00.001-04:002012-09-17T14:17:03.373-04:00A Bit of BreeGot in a good couple of hours in the studio last Saturday and made some more progress on the portrait of our Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HGDC4isYv1U/UFdny3uBVdI/AAAAAAAADbE/WEGmP6K20Wo/IMG_0461.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0461.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />This completes the portion that is below her collar. The collar area is next Saturday's project -- hopefully! <br /><br />The process is very time consuming, but it is enjoyable watching all the puzzle pieces come together.<br /><br />Finished two sock projects last week. I have sock projects strategically placed around the inn so that I have something to work on when I'm waiting for guests to arrive or in the evening when I'm relaxing with the dogs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kLrQwp6Uguo/UFdovS6BjSI/AAAAAAAADbM/Rm_cU5udUXE/IMG_0460.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0460.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div>Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22034644.post-22272364704975201822012-09-03T08:54:00.001-04:002012-09-03T08:54:57.329-04:00Bit By Bit ProgressWhen we are deep in our workshop season at the <a href="http://www.fiberartworkshops.com">Hudson River Valley Art Workshop</a>, my personal studio time becomes extremely limited. My work day begins at around 5:30am and ends at around 8:30pm. By then I'm exhausted and just want to hang out with my two pups and knit.<br /><br />But as one of those pups is the inspiration for my current studio project, I do still try to escape to my studio every now and then, even if it is for just a couple of hours.<br /><br />So here is an update on the bit by bit progress on the portrait of Bree, our Rhodesian Ridgeback.<br /><br />I start by pulling all potential fabrics for the project from the shelves and lining them up by value on my worktable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2SLIqZj4EN0/UESYV0bJnDI/AAAAAAAADZQ/fmL_DBG7oUc/IMG_0456.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0456.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />I keep checking the reference photo to verify color and tone with the fabrics I've selected.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U5fIA0jconE/UESYY9U9pqI/AAAAAAAADZY/p4lsDda7D_s/IMG_0457.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0457.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />The next step is to take a deep breath and just start in on it! I trace a section of the pattern from the poster board onto freezer paper. This will be my pattern for cutting out the fabric pieces. <br /><br />Then I select the fabrics I'll use for this small section. I usually then number the freezer paper pieces (before cutting them out) and arrange the fabrics on my table in order that I'll use them. This makes it easier to pick up from wherever I left off and also to remember which fabric I planned to use where when it may be a week to a month before I get a chance to work on the project again.<br /><br />Now comes the cutting, edge turning, and putting the puzzle together part! The freezer paper template is ironed on the fabric and then cut out leaving a 1/8 to 1/4 inch allowance to be turned under. Then the corresponding poster board piece is cut out and used for turning under the edges.<br /><br />I use <a href="http://maryellenproducts.com/Best-Press-Scent-Free-The-Clear-Starch-Alternative.html">Mary Ellen's Best Press</a> - the clear starch alternative. I love it. I use to use regular spray starch but Mary Ellen's is so much better and cleaner to use, plus you don't have to worry about attracting bugs to your quilt later on, especially if you don't plan to wash it, which I don't for my art quilts.<br /><br />The pointed tool is a stiletto used to hold the edges as you iron. A very handy tool that I bought from <a href="http://www.katiepm.com/">Katie Pasquini Masopust</a> when I took a class from her in the 1990's and learned the basis for this construction method. I think she still sells them!<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T3k2Ir1XTyk/UESYcR-u4wI/AAAAAAAADZg/L6RJ599IqGs/IMG_0458.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0458.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div><br /><br />The poster board template is removed from the piece and then turned-under-edge pieces are arranged on the piece of <a href="http://www.sulky.com/stabilizers/total.php">Sulky Tear-Away</a> stabilizer that also has the full pattern traced on it. The pieces are held in place just with the touch of the iron at a few places, not fully ironed down. This way you still have the chance to change pieces if they are just not working out in the over all design. I'll wait to I have the full figure complete before re-evaluating the fabrics.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-optnNFF_OAo/UESYfTA8d1I/AAAAAAAADZo/D94ZzfAXaWI/IMG_0459.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="IMG_0459.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="375" /></div>Kim Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590929953057440420noreply@blogger.com0