Week in Review 2017 - 1/06

I thought it would be fun to include
a view from my studio as a regular
feature of my blog. This yearling was
checking out the wisteria vine. It is hard
to tell from the photo, but the lake and
river are frozen solid again.

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. This could be my motto. Sometimes the number of times I need to try again easily reaches double digits. One of these times is mastering bias presser bars. The link to the video I provided for how to create a bias tube makes the process look easy. It would be relatively easy if, and that should be IF you were making a stem no longer than the bias bar. The problem comes when you have seams in your tube. The bar gets caught at the seam, especially if you follow the directions on the package. Why? There is insufficient wiggle room to manipulate the bar through the tube and it gets hung up at the seams inside the tube. This time I made a slightly oversized tube, allowing a circumference with a 1/4" of wiggle room. The tube according to the directions would finish at a 1" circumference. Instead it finishes at 1 1/4". That bonus 1/4" gave me just enough room to manipulate the bar through the tube without ever getting hung up. Considering the tube was approximately 4 yards long with internal seams every 12" or less, it was pure joy to finally get it right.

Now you can see why I need so
many yards of stem/vine. I pinned
in it in place. Then changed my
mind. Time to try something else.

1)  Attach a sleeve to Siren's Song - Not Yet.

2) Free motion quilting practice - Not Really

I didn't do any free motion quilting. However, I have been working on my satin stitch and blind hem stitch (both by machine) for securing the appliqués on my quilt. 

3) Do some surface design work - Not Done

4) Continue working on Where Have All the Flowers Gone? - Done

I added the easel, hand stitched down the bias binding surrounding the Make Art panel, added NOT WAR and the thin line of blue satin stitch on three sides of the tombstone. I also tested out the first of ways to incorporate flowers and vines onto the piece.

5) Pot(s) made this week - Done

Back to its pre vine state.

The key for me when making pots is what did I learn from each pot made. Years of attempting to make bias stems taught me that the bias presser bar got hung up at internal seams. What eluded me was the solution on how to avoid this in the future. Opting not to make stems was only viable if I didn't need stems. Too bad the stems/vines didn't work. The lesson - they are too busy and distracting. Next week's pot making will be to try less distracting solutions.

1)  Attach a sleeve to Siren's Song

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Continue working on Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

4) Pot(s) made this week

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 12/16

Perseverance pays off as I begin
the progress of adding the
foreground over the background
to Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

It has occurred to me that there is a strong connection between perseverance and staying open. These are both traits I admire and work on developing. It can be so tempting to quit, to throw in the towel, to just give up and move on to something easier. This is especially true when trying something new. How I hate being inept. I rant. I weep. I am a jumble of prickly nerves. Why put myself through such torture? The answer, often allusive in the heat of the moment, is really quite simple. It is because of the euphoria of accomplishment. Just because figuring out the instructions for a knitted knocker or developing a graffiti font to use on Where Have All the Flowers Gone? is inconsequential compared to climbing Mt. Everest or making a scientific breakthrough worthy of receiving a Nobel Prize, doesn't mean it is any less thrilling for me. 

My week required patience, perseverance and practice. It was so, so tempting to give up. I didn't, as you can see:

1)  Attach a sleeve to Siren's Song - Not done

2) Free motion quilting practice - Done, sort of

Several styles of 3D flowers border
the gravestone. They make me smile. I opted
to use Clover's YoYo makers for expediency's
sake. They are a very quick to work up yo-yos.

I did quilt. Instead of free motion quilting, I opted to stitch in the ditch. I find this more difficult than free motion quilting. FMQ is far more forgiving. When I used to press my seams to the dark side the height differential between the triple layer of fabric (two seam allowances and the "piece") and the single layer of fabric (just the piece) made staying in the ditch and "hiding" the ditch stitching easier. I prefer a flatter overall appearance, so always press my seams open. This means that when stitching in the ditch stitch accuracy is imperative. My precision piecing falls into the category of close enough. I don't obsess over it. However, this means that if you were to hang a plumb line along one of my vertical seams, you would quickly see sections on one side or the other of plumb. Therefore, when quilting along such a meandering line, patience, coupled with letting go of the occasional deviation is vital. 

The letters aren't popping quite the way
I thought they would. I will be problem
solving how to make them more obvious.
My first thought is to run a solid line of
satin stitch around them. The question is
what color? Red, black, or rainbow
variegated? Clearly, some of my next
week will be spent experimenting.

3) Do some surface design work - Done

I have spent the past month dipping into Pinterest boards, pinning tutorials which grabbed my eye. I found myself drawn to yo-yos and other ways to make three-dimensional flowers. These scream '60s flower power adapted for quilts, to me.
4) Continue working on Where Have All the Flowers Gone? - Done

The front side of this knocker is nearly done.
Not bad for an amateur knitter. 

Why, oh why do my easy projects always take such diabolical turns? Once again, I found myself in learning mode as I tried my hand at yo-yos and the most difficult of all, designing a graffiti font of my very own. 

5) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open. - Done

I spent several days on several projects struggling close to the breaking point. The first was "starting" my knitted knockers. There were several new stitches to add to my lexicon. Then there was the font. After an obscene number of hours trolling the internet, trying out ideas free hand, moving to design attempts on EQ7, back to more internet trolling and finally back to guided (on tracing paper over graph paper) free hand, I finally was satisfied with my lettering.

I am hoping to enjoy the fruits of my perseverance next week on the following projects:

1)  Attach a sleeve to Siren's Song

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Continue working on Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

5) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 11/04

This is the back side of Siren's Song.
I designed the fabric myself using the
photograph which the abstracted
front side is based on. Part of the
fun of designing fabric using
www.spoonflower.com is figuring
out which style of repeat best suits the
fabric. There is one seam running
vertically down the center. The other
repeats naturally occur in the yardage.

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

A portion of my twice weekly yoga class is spent on balancing poses. My teacher reminded us to accept the imbalance in the balancing poses this week. This is not a new directive, but for the first time I was struck by universality of the suggestion. How often have I and others whined about the imbalance in our life? Far too often. 

During October my studio plans and the demands of my job as Chair of SAQA's Exhibition Committee were in direct conflict. It was as though I was trying to balance on a round rock, covered with muscles and seaweed, pummeled by ocean waves. Everything I tried to do to stay on that rock was useless. What if instead I let go, perhaps fell into the ocean and enjoyed being buoyed up by the salt water, floating on the surface and letting the ocean take me where it would? Perhaps I would land on a tropical island.

All the demands of my job melted away this week and I had my first 3 full days in the studio week in months. Nirvana! Not exactly a balanced life, but certainly a life I embraced fully and relished greatly. 

What did I do with this gift of studio time? I devoted 100% of it to stitching, both free motion quilting and hand stitching, as you can see.

1)  Continue quilting Siren's Song - Done

A detail from the back side of Siren's Song.
If you click on the image (or any image in
the post) you should be able to see an enlarged
image. Each pebble is approximately a
quarter inch in diameter. 

I set a goal of running through 2 bobbins worth of fine thread daily. That was all I managed the first two days. I snuck in a bonus few hours on a non studio day emptying approximately half a bobbin's worth of thread. On the third and final studio day of the week, I finished the half bobbin, plus two more bobbins worth of thread. This just may be a personal best. Yes, I am crazy enough to compete against myself.

2) Free motion quilting practice - Done

3) Do some surface design work - Done

I'm finely getting the hang of hand stitching, even trying new stitches and developing their rhythm quickly. I'm enjoying myself so much I just may have to make hand stitching a daily habit.
4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

There are tasks that must be done that I dread doing. The longer I procrastinate the more Herculean they feel. One of these is writing a monthly report to SAQA's Board about the latest happenings in the Exhibition Committee. I could spend hours with a therapist going over why this report is difficult for me. One way I stay open is promising myself I only have to take one step. That step can be as simple as sitting down at the computer and looking over the previous report or writing a list of what happened last month. The first step is always the hardest, it is the act of showing up. Once there the report nearly writes itself.

There will be difficult tasks to attend to amidst imbalance in my life next week. Even so, I know I will make time to be in my studio. When I do I will continue to work on the following:

1)  Continue quilting Siren's Song

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 10/28

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

I spent time in the studio whenever life didn't have other plans for me last week. It wasn't the balance of studio/other life ratio I would have chosen. The reality is I made choices in the past which impact what life throws at me in the present. Would I make different choices if I could rewind the clock? Probably not. Even during the toughest, most exasperating, overwhelmed moments I am able to see the positive points of my choices. I have also learned that self care is not selfish, it is essential. 

Here is a list of some of the self care habits I have adopted over the years:

1) I apply scented body cream generously after each shower. Scents sooth me and the rich body cream keeps my skin from feeling itchy.

Hand stitching is could be added
to my list of things I do for self care.
The ring of Hungarian Braided Chain
Stitch is complete.

2) I begin each day with a combination gratitude journal and morning pages. This reminds me just how fortunate I am and frequently reveals solutions to complex problems.

3) I exercise regularly. What I do varies by the day and the season. Most weeks I spend 45 minutes or more doing some sort of exercise every single day.

4) I indulge my love of computer games. The focus they require quiets my churning brain. 

5) I dress comfortably, but with care. 

6) I end my day with a book. There is always one on my nightstand - although now it resides on my iPad. 

I practice other self care habits, as well. I am especially aware of them and vigilant about maintaining them during the difficult times. They are lifeboat. They give me the strength, courage and energy to make it through trying times.

When I could, and even some times when I felt I couldn't, I headed to the studio to attend to the following:

1)  Continue quilting Siren's Song - Done!

I have moved on to creating locks of hair with
Stem Stitch. 

This is where I spent most of my time. I made significant progress, but there is still another week or so of quilting to do.

2) Free motion quilting practice - Done!

3) Do some surface design work - Done!

I finished the Hungarian Braided Chain Stitch circle on my sampler. Now I am trying my hand at Stem Stitch. I thought this would be easy since it was a staple of my teen years, when I did needlepoint and embroidery. Seems I forgot it. Fortunately, this stitch is straightforward so it didn't take long to have it feel natural again.



4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open. - Done!

My daughter gave me a coupon for the Escape Room as a birthday gift months ago. I convinced friends to accompany me and my husband. It was very tempting to let the coupon elapse or give it away. There is something about being locked in a room and having to solve clues to get out that both intrigued me and unsettled me. I stayed open and gave it a try. You won't get an endorsement from me, or the others in the room. We did OK - nothing stellar and didn't make it through all the clues. You are only given an hour. What I hadn't known and probably best that I didn't, was that 80% of the people who had done "our" room were also unsuccessful. I had assumed that the ratio would be the reverse - that the majority could succeed and it was more a question of how long it took you to get out.

I approach each new week with the same positive attitude. Just because I had less studio time than I anticipated this week, doesn't mean I won't be back to my more typical three full days in the studio next week. No matter how much time I have, my focus is the same. I will plan on doing the following:

1)  Continue quilting Siren's Song

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 09/30

The newest threads added to my collection.

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Have you noticed that no matter how many spools of thread you have on hand, when it comes time to selecting the ones to use none of them are quite right? What's a fiber artist to do? Buy more thread, of course. 

My thread choice has evolved over the years. Just as my machine quilting started with a basic all over stipple, my first thread choice was to use a clear monofilament. This had the advantage that it worked with most color fabrics since it "disappeared" and all you saw was the texture of the quilting. However, with very dark fabrics when the light hit the thread it would be sparkle and unless that was the look you wanted, it could be distracting. Hence the reason why monofilament comes in smoke - or a dark gray version today.

It didn't take long for me to stumble upon Superior Thread's King Tut line. This is a true staple Egyptian cotton thread that dramatically reduces the amount of lint build up. What drew me to King Tut was the range of variegated threads offered. There are 136 different options and the vast majority are variegated threads. The change between colors along the  thread is very short, resulting in a thread that blends well with multi-colored fabrics.

Detail from Siren's Song. I used one of the
few variegated polyester threads from
Marathon. It is my go to color for sky.
Predominately white with hints of baby
pink and blue. Not only can't your see the color
shifts in the image, but they are hard to pick up
in person. However, a solid white wouldn't
blend as well. It would be too harsh.

King Tut thread is cotton and therefore does not reflect light. It is average in thickness. Not so thick that it stands out above the fabric, but also not so fine that it hides in the fabric. Currently, I've been drawn to finer threads that add sheen to my work. I turned to Marathon Threads polyester and rayon lines. The advantage of fine thread for machine quilting is that you can do a fair amount of "unnoticeable" traveling stitching. In other words if I quilt myself  into a corner I can back track over the thread to get to where I need to go, instead of breaking thread. It simply is more efficient. Since much of my recent work has focused on interpretations of water and sunrises, the sparkle that rayon and polyester threads give enhances the design.

The finest (thinnest) thread of all is Superior Thread's Bottom Line. Love it! This is my go to bobbin thread. I choose something that "works" with my back fabric, and is mid range or so with anything happening on the quilt top. Because Bottom Line is fine, if the tension is set right you can't even see it on the quilt top. 

Most of my studio time this week was spent quilting Siren's Song. I did manage a few other things, as you can see:

1)  Siren's Song:

a) Prep for quilting - Done!

b) Begin quilting - Done!

I was pleasantly surprise how much quilting I actually did get done. I'm finished quilting the lightest sections. I'll be switching top threads next week.

2) Free motion quilting practice - Done!

Siren's Song is giving me all the FMQ practice I need. :)

3) Do some surface design work - Done!

I have started to play with some hand stitching with an eye to embellishing my work with it. I did a fair amount of embroidery, crewel and needlepoint before I turned to making quilts. I'm VERY rusty. I'd like to get my skills back.
4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

Yesterday, I was ready to give up many times over. The top thread was breaking at a annoying frequency, sometimes after less than minute, while other times lasting for 5 - 10 minutes. I'm fairly good at diagnosing the source of a thread break. This had me stymied. The "sound" suggested that the thread was getting hung up. There was "sprong" type noise just before the break. I did my best to stay calm, rethread and begin again, and again, and again... Instinct suggested the issue was with the despooling, what happens as the thread comes of the spool. At first it seemed when the thread came off the lowest section of the spool it was getting caught on the lip of the thread above. I solved this by uncoiling the thread manually each time it reached the lower limit. That worked for a while but then it got hung up no matter where the thread was being despooled from. I was close to the end of the spool and this exposed more of the top portion of the spool. I felt the rim and edges of the exposed spool. My finger snagged ever so slightly. Since there wasn't that much thread left I removed it all from the spool and run it out along the floor of my studio. Genius! I quilted for another 20 minutes until I came to the end and the thread didn't break once.

What thread adventures will I face next week? The reality is that it is always an adventure that has me both cringing when things aren't going smoothly and delighted when they are. Here is next week's adventurous plan:

1)  Continue quilting Siren's Song

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 08/26

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

I am working on one of the blocks that will
complete row 9 of Siren's Song.

Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher stated that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." How true. It is a good reminder when approaching a project of staggering proportions to determine what the first step is and take it. Otherwise it is easy to get hung up on the magnitude of the project. How to keep going when the first step, the first one hundred steps, or in Tzu terms perhaps 500 miles worth of steps have been taken? Time and effort have been expended getting this far. Turning back is no easier than moving forward. What to do? Keep on plodding. This is precisely what I have been doing with Sirens Song, one unit and one block at a time. 

1) Create 11 Siren's Song blocks. - Not even close.

I think I made four blocks this week. I am half way through another five.

2) Free motion quilting practice - Not done

3) Do some surface design work - Not done

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open. - Done

This block is from row 9 of Siren's Song.
Can you spot the one commercial fabric?

The journey continues next week. There will be a few more blocks to make for Siren's Song, then it is time to focus in on the next phase of the journey. Here is my itinerary:

1)  Siren's Song:
a) Finish row 9
b) Select image to be seen through the porthole.
c) Design backing fabric
d) Have fabric printed

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.


I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 08/19

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

What does it take to be courageous? In life? As an artist? These questions have been running through my brain, since they appear to be a common thread to what I have been experiencing this week.

I used peony leaves to mask areas of
fabric painted with Setacolor
  transparent glitter paint.

It is 7 a.m. as I sit at my computer composing this blog. There is a massive storm front coming through. I can see a patch of gray sky over the roofline and witness the maple tree bobbing and weaving in the wind. I am fortunate to be inside, dry and sheltered from the rain, wind and lightening. This thought is particularly poignant this morning, since my husband and I headed out for our morning bike ride, knowing the storm was on its way. How far from home should we stray? Would we get back in time? We could see lightening way off in the distance as we rode. In fact we felt the first drops of a shower proceeding the storm about a mile from home. Our courage and obsessive radar watching paid off. We beat the storm by a good hour and got a 20 mile bike ride in.

Have you seen Laura Kemshall's post on how she created her award winning quilt 52º 32′ N 04º03’W? Talk about courageous!  This quilt was one big experiment. Kemshall had faith that her knowledge in one area could be applied to another. 

The same fabric as above once the leaves
have been removed. It is difficult to
capture the glitter in a photograph. However,
you might be able to see it if you click on
the image for an enlarged view. It is
subtle - but a great way to add shimmer.

A while back I was struggling with how to have the glitter in my glitter infused paint stay bonded to the fabric through a typical washing. There are many bonding agents, but for the most part they are either water soluble or they change the hand of the fabric. I needed something that wouldn't wash out, wouldn't discolor, and would leave the fabric feeling soft. Research online and posing the question to many provided no help. Then it hit me. Why not add Liquetex's Gloss Medium & Varnish to the paint? So I did. It worked. The fabric felt stiff after the paint had dried. However, once I ran it through the washer (that is where the courage comes in) the fabric was dry and the vast majority of the glitter was still clinging to the fabric. Why did I suspect this would work? Because I had used gloss medium in paint as an adhesive when I spent a year taking weekly mixed classes, none of which involved fabric or quilting. 

Each week has its challenges. This one was no exception. It takes courage to test what you think might work. I am grateful for each courageous step I take. Progress is made, perhaps not as much as I might wish, but progress none the less, as you can see.

1) Create 11 Siren's Song blocks. - Another valiant attempt


I finished 7 blocks this week and start the prep work for another 4 blocks.
2) Free motion quilting practice - Not done

Row 6 and 7 of Siren's Song are complete.
I'm three blocks into row 8 with four more
to go. Row 9 is the last row. Then it is time
for another leap of faith.

3) Do some surface design work - Done!!

I had fun trying my hand at bonding glitter. When I set the painted fabric outside to dry, I couldn't resist adding some peony leaves for a mask. I purposefully didn't secure the leaves with more than one pin. I wanted some light to get under them and allow the leaves to shift slightly. This way the contrast between the masked section and unmasked sections isn't as strong.
4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open. - Done!

It is so tempting to give up. Each week that I fall short of my goal making 11 blocks I fear I may not make the deadline I need to achieve in order to enter this piece into the huge stretch of an exhibit I plan to at least try for. I remain open to the possibility that I will finish on time and persevere despite the diminishing odds.

Will my courage be there when I face next week's challenges? I believe so. I find having a plan, even as simple as the same one week after week helps. Next week will be more of the same, as you can see:

1) Create 11 Siren's Song blocks.

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2016 - 0812

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Almost overnight the glorious
plantings in our atrium started
their rapid end of summer
decline.

Signs of summer coming to an end abound where I live. You wouldn't know it by the weather. Most days for the past couple of weeks have been hot and steamy. So why do our annuals look so pitiful? It must be the diminished light, cluing them in to drop their leaves and flowers. There is a last gasp feel this week. I find myself pulled in multiple directions. One very strong pull is my job as Chair of SAQA's Exhibition Committee. The Committee is working on multiple very exciting, but time consuming projects that if they all manage to come to fruition will result in... well, I'm sworn to secrecy, but if you are a member of SAQA, lucky you. 

The National Bike Challenge winds up on September 30th for another year. I've been hovering at 102 out of approximately 1,000 active riders in our community. I have become obsessed with reaching 100 before the challenge is done. Of course the top 100 are equally obsessed. 

Finding time to spend in my studio this week has been diabolically difficult. Instead of 3 solid studio days, I was lucky to manage about 6 hours for the full week. The result is very little progress was made on Siren's Song. I'm feeling like my annuals - worn out, droopy and off my game. This has happened in the past. It will happen again in the future. Fortunately, it has never proven to be a permanent state. Even now, just as I can find flowers in the garden, I can see glimmers of progress in the past week. It isn't quite as gloomy as my mood as you can see:

The angel wing begonia and sweet potato
vine by our front door hasn't given up yet.

1) Create 11 Siren's Song blocks. - Not even close.

I completed four more Storm at Sea blocks this week. They are the more time consuming of the two alternating blocks. 
2) Free motion quilting practice - Not done.

3) Do some surface design work - Not done.

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open. - Done!

It can be so easy to give up when the going gets tough. I faced many difficult challenges this week. I never gave up. Instead, I always looked for one step, no matter how tiny, to move forward, whether it was a new approach to a work project, walking away from a daunting list of email to work an hour in the studio, or biking one "bonus" mile to the planned route for the day.

Very slow but steady progress continues
on Siren's Song. 

Attitude is crucial to moving forward. My goal for next week is to bring that can do, determination, persistence and positive attitude to the forefront. When I do, I should be able to make marked progress on the following:

1) Create 11 Siren's Song blocks.

2) Free motion quilting practice

3) Do some surface design work

4) Beware of when I find myself shutting down and find a way to stay open.

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.