Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Printmaking At Moon Dance Studio

 Hello Cheri Sheridan! 
Last week, she kicked off our first informal workshop at  
her Moon Dance Art Studio.

Cheri, Carol Boyer and I gathered for three days of printmaking.
Our primary intention was to delve into wood cuts; however,
after one day of cutting wood blocks we unanimously 
decided that, while we appreciate the inherent beauty 
of wood cuts and all that the carving process involves, 
it was really ok to move on and 
explore other methods of printmaking....
 During our first morning, Cheri transfers her wood cut design 
while Carol stops carving long enough to smile for the camera.
 By the end of our first day, Cheri pulled this from her wood cut.
Isn't it lovely?!
 Carol not only cut a beautiful wood block and printed it, 
but then turned around and steadily cut and fabricated 
several foam stamps. That was just our first day!
 By day two, Carol was a printmaking machine.
Every stamp she inked yielded fantastic prints!
 Carol pulling yet another gorgeous stamp. Genius.
You can see Cheri's wood cut in the background.
 Pinned up to dry, our growing body of work. 
Carol's wood cuts are in the center, Cheri's are top right.
I have the least represented because I was having 
such a great time cutting blocks and taking pictures!
 Once we gave ourselves permission to try other methods 
of printmaking, Cheri took out her Gelli plate and went to town!
 Just one of Cheri's amazing Gelli prints.
I kid with Carol and Cheri that I really just want to 
work like them, you know, free and loose. 
Whether or not that day ever comes, working alongside 
these two artistic marvels was a real inspiration!
 Over the course of our three days we enjoyed 
some super cool visitors who couldn't make the workshop, 
but wanted to stop in and check out the fun. 
Among them were Colleen North and Terri Fendya, 
and pictured above, on the right, Erika Kuryla. 
I put my tools down for one of Cheri's 
ginger cookies with chunks of candied ginger - 
oh. my. gosh.
Have I already put "Genius" after Carol Boyer's name? 
Then how about generous?
Carol gave each of us hand painted, hand cut graffiti stamps,
both the positive and the negative, of each of our names.
You can be jealous.
More of Cheri's Gelli plate experiments.
As she builds layers, she builds interest.
Here, Cheri incorporated a block carved by one of her students
which immediately inspired Ooooh's and Aahhhhh's.
A great time was had by all, and
we've even planned our next workshop: Felting.
Stay tuned for that!
In the mean time, I'd love to hear about 
your favorite workshop. Leave me a comment!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

I Met the Deadline!

 Starting my day with a fresh cup of coffee and these beauties.

Today is the day I've been preparing for 
for the past seven weeks. 
 My first official art quilt is finished, 
and I met the application deadline for the 
annual juried quilt show called

My past seven weeks have been consumed with:
sketches and cartoons
hand applique, reverse applique and fused applique
18 colors of thread
batiks and silks
and
a thoroughly joyful process.

Avoiding potential disqualification,
I'm refraining from showing you the quilt just yet. 
What I can share is that it tells not only my personal story, 
but one that is universal. I dig that.  
Should the quilt be accepted into this juried show, 
I believe I could safely reveal in October, once the show opens.
If it's denied, then I'll show it as soon as possible.
I love it, and I can't wait to share it with you!

 Last week, I showed you three bobbins of singles,
and I promised to show you all three plied together. 

Above: Fat Cat Knits, BFL, 3 ply, 844 yards (!)

Below: Bobbin ends, Fat Cat and IntoTheWhirled, 3 ply
 Below, 900 yards slung over another of my favorite coffee spots.
Wish me and my art quilt luck!
I'll let you know the results as soon as I hear. 

What are you working on?
I'd love to hear!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Fiber and Friend Fix


I'm back from a little getaway at Wiawaka on Lake George, NY.
The majority of this brief respite was spent on a huge covered porch 
just a few feet from the shore, seated at the wheel and
spinning with the best girlfriends a spinner could ask for!
The Minehaha cruising up the lake, 
surrounded by the Adirondack mountains. 
 Our group filled all of Wakonda Lodge, 
which has been newly opened 
after years of being closed up and unoccupied. 
We all agreed that this is our favorite place to stay at Wiawaka.
For the interesting history on this architectural beauty, click here.
 Priscilla, Mary and Marjorie (seated front to back).
(Sorry I didn't get a picture of you, Vickie!)
The room I called home for a few nights. Sigh. 
Sad to leave, but at the same time, anxious to get back 
to the studio! Still working toward that August 15th deadline....

 
While a few days away from the studio was just what 
the doctor ordered, a surprise side trip to Fat Cat Knits
proved an exciting fiber shopping experience!

4 oz. BFL colorways left to right:
Saint John, Piccolo, Mon Ami

I spun two of the bobbins at Wiawaka.
I will ply all three together and share the result next week! 
Before leaving for Wiawaka I had to clear some bobbins,
all of which were loaded with various IntoTheWhirled fibers.

Above, a happy three-ply of merino and silk.
Below, a glowing two-ply of polwarth and silk.
P.S. - Help! I'd love suggestions for what to knit with 
the almost 600 yds. of yarn pictured directly above!