Sorry for the 6 week break; suffice it to say, it was a challenging month, so I'm gonna do all of my whining in one post you can skip:
Got one of those 'organizational initiatives' notices on June 3rd--you may or may not know the experience: it's essentially a loaded 38 in an envelope--"complete by July 1 'or else'...". After being one of many staring down the gun barrels as the month-end started looming and then actually MAKING the deadline (only to receive one of those 'atta boy' certificates thanking me...you know, the kind you want to rip up into tiny pieces before hitting the recycle box) one ponders if the stated consequences (they always vary...but in the same vein...) are really THAT bad. OK, past that bad karma!!
Got my first official thanks-but-no-thanks letter in response to the APNQ show in August. Well I think it might be my first--could be my LAST. Hard to imagine I'll have another piece in the near-term that I think might have a chance. When the envelope arrives, you just want more coming out besides the polite form letter; the check-list with the 'why' would be good, but it's just not there. Saw a collage series recently & one of the pieces was made of all the artist's rejection letters from juried shows. It struck me that her perseverance obviously paid off (as this was a magazine article about her work) and also that she had many (not just one)...
Summer still had not arrived by the solstice, although there had been a few brief sun breaks. The first summer I went through in Puget Sound (27 yrs ago) was much like this one although this one is worse (at least by the record books saying we're breaking 100 yr records regularly); at least now I know that not ALL summers are like this--but it's still remarkable how much it affects me. Even though everything is lush/green, albiet remarkably late, I get that stifling feeling of 'what if I have to go another whole YEAR to have some semblance of summer'. Hard to explain to most Puget Sounders--except those who know the loss of changing seasons and MISS it (many don't!).
Tim Russert passed away--and leaves such a void.
Hillary is officially 'out of the scene' and already the new month begins with the mis-quotes, overstatements, arm-chair-quarterbacking, and hand-wringing of 'we might not be able to beat him': so let the games begin...I don't know if I have the stamina to get through the next 5 months. I don't know if I have the patience for a country that might not be able to stay focused on $720 million being spent EVERY DAY on this war and then go 'what the hell' when the economy truly beings to hit their pocket book.
I watched Face the Nation last week and witnessed Wesley Clark and Bob Schieffer--and have since witnessed the public lynching for comments that were not even made (frankly Bob was over the line--unlike him). I thought Clark was respectful and truthful; more people need to be able to say 'the king has no clothes'; for 8 yrs we've been unsuccessful in doing that for our current court jester...
OK--end of summer whine; on to the cups half-full post shortly!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Cutting Edge
Today is the anniversary of the 'birth' of the laser--May 16, 1960. As stated by one: " it was a solution looking for a problem". Here's an article (one of many) saluting this change that has become such a part of our lives. Everything from Devin's star-gazing, eye procedures that have become so commonplace (and so valuable), the financial officer's laser pointer for those tedious overheads with too many numbers, and annoying additions to fireworks displays & concerts. Here's to all the scientists past & present! (We love our physicists!)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Year in Pictures & Poetry
I'm always happy to find a new blog or website that interests me & adds to my 'art encouragement' on a simple, but ongoing basis. Here are two recent 'finds':
Check this one out for the visual. (incidentally: I've been hearing about the Cyrus picture hub-bub for awhile now but this was the first time to see the pictures. I like his comments...) I really liked the architectural picture series...great use of light & shadows. (...and the subway pix were just fun, old & new)
Check this one out for the literary inspiration.
Gonna add both to my list of links for future use. Any other recommendations from you cyber travelers?
Check this one out for the visual. (incidentally: I've been hearing about the Cyrus picture hub-bub for awhile now but this was the first time to see the pictures. I like his comments...) I really liked the architectural picture series...great use of light & shadows. (...and the subway pix were just fun, old & new)
Check this one out for the literary inspiration.
Gonna add both to my list of links for future use. Any other recommendations from you cyber travelers?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The Art Quilt Workbook Project
(Feel free to take a pass on this post if quilting seems too dorky!)
I thought it might be interesting to follow along with my round-robin quilting group as we work through our year-long project: the Art Quilt Workbook (by Davila & Waterston). The byline is "exercises & techniques to ignite your creativity"--I can always use a little ignition!
Each chapter (topic) has reading material, on-line links recommended, two to four exercises to complete, and then a homework assignment. 'Homework' is a completed piece (in this case, all are to be 9 x 11"--that's small; translates to fast, but also a challenge to think 'small'). Recommendation is to select a theme for the duration of the workbook. We are loosely doing a chapter a month--although some are a little more time consuming and therefore may take a little longer.
Chapter 1: The Basics ("All real works of art look as though they were done in joy"--R. Henri)
Homework: make the first quilt using some/any of the concepts covered in the chapter.
I thought it might be interesting to follow along with my round-robin quilting group as we work through our year-long project: the Art Quilt Workbook (by Davila & Waterston). The byline is "exercises & techniques to ignite your creativity"--I can always use a little ignition!
Just a quick review: our small group formed a few years ago to do some special projects together (and basically just have more quilting fun together!). We meet monthly and usually there are about 12 of us in the group. We've done some group oriented projects, have started a 'Christmas in July' gift exchange, and have challenged & encouraged our skill development. Towards that end, we decided to depart from our 'usual' this year and work through this workbook covering some basic art concepts, some 'advanced' skills that can be used in a variety of ways, and streeeetches us to 'get out of the box'. (Some of us are more comfortable with that, but a few of us are needing a brown bag to control the anxiety attacks for creating rather than following a pattern, plan, etc.!)
Each chapter (topic) has reading material, on-line links recommended, two to four exercises to complete, and then a homework assignment. 'Homework' is a completed piece (in this case, all are to be 9 x 11"--that's small; translates to fast, but also a challenge to think 'small'). Recommendation is to select a theme for the duration of the workbook. We are loosely doing a chapter a month--although some are a little more time consuming and therefore may take a little longer.
OK, too much time for the set-up--sorry.
Chapter 1: The Basics ("All real works of art look as though they were done in joy"--R. Henri) Exercise: have a bowl of words (not of your own choice!), draw a word from the bowl, and quickly sketch the concept. Not hard to guess that these are NOT nouns in the bowl; they were words like dance, twist, whisper, laugh, etc. (Here's a page from my sketch book for this one--'float' & 'tickle'; also had 'switch'. What would you have done to illustrate those words?!) Additional exercise: draw the outline of an object without looking and without picking up your pencil from the page (a familiar task for some art students).
Homework for the first topic was a 'freebie': pick a theme you will use throughout the workbook. We have some interesting themes so far, including flowers, leaves, a poem, a color, etc. Mine is 'a square in a square'--it will become more apparent as the year rolls along. This was a 'work-in-series' concept that I've been gearing up for, so this was the perfect adjunct to get me immersed in my goal.
Homework for the first topic was a 'freebie': pick a theme you will use throughout the workbook. We have some interesting themes so far, including flowers, leaves, a poem, a color, etc. Mine is 'a square in a square'--it will become more apparent as the year rolls along. This was a 'work-in-series' concept that I've been gearing up for, so this was the perfect adjunct to get me immersed in my goal.
Chapter 2: Color, Perspective, Border Options. ("Color is my day-long obsession, joy & torment."--Claude Monet) 
The basics of color & perspective--or creating a sense of depth by using color, diminishing size and detail, overlapping objects, etc. Exercises: using (only) color chips to illustrate words, music, cool and warm themes, and complementary colors. (Here's my sketch book page for warm, cool, complementary colors, the words 'magical' and 'rich', the song 'silent night' & some perspective approaches.)
The basics of color & perspective--or creating a sense of depth by using color, diminishing size and detail, overlapping objects, etc. Exercises: using (only) color chips to illustrate words, music, cool and warm themes, and complementary colors. (Here's my sketch book page for warm, cool, complementary colors, the words 'magical' and 'rich', the song 'silent night' & some perspective approaches.)
Homework: make the first quilt using some/any of the concepts covered in the chapter. Here's homework project #1. It's complementary colors (blue=cool, orange=warm) with perspective provided by overlapping objects, shadows, and diminishing size.
So now you're caught up-to-date with our project. I'll be adding a post from time to time with work(s) in progress for each new chapter.
So now you're caught up-to-date with our project. I'll be adding a post from time to time with work(s) in progress for each new chapter.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
News from the Quilting Loft
The 30th of April! I'm not doing so well here! Last post was the 3rd--something about threes. I've been enjoying everyone else's info, but not offering back very well.
Snow has continued to surprise our little island life on occasion this month--nothing serious, except: it's just wrong in April (now if I was still in Flagstaff it would be business as usual!). These last two weeks, though, feel like spring has taken root, and--my favorite part--the daylight hours are really sttreettcchhing out. It's almost as if you can see the ever-warmer orb in the sky pausing a little more each day. I find this such a hopeful time. The grass is growing like crazy, my favorite spring flowers have made quite a show and the rhodies are gearing up big time! It has been an odd spring, though. The Tulip Festival (in nearby Skagit County) came & went with no tulip fields in bloom--they just now have come & almost gone (very late for them). It's still all relative, though. Any day involves at least three microclimate changes or shifts--and therefore at least three layers available accordingly. The Olympic Mountains made quite a show of themselves today, and one or two glimpses make all the rest seem so much less important somehow.
The quilting guild I belong to is gearing up for the big quilt show in August--an every other year event. It's at the Greenbank Farm (outdoors) and will be entertaining. There's no judging, no pressure. It's just a fun community event. Right about now everyone is thinking: what were the things I thought I could enter? will this be finished in time to enter? could I possibly have this finisned in time to enter? Let the games begin!
Along a similar train of thought, I had a new first this month. I submitted an entry for the APNQ quilt show, also in August. (APNQ=Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters) APNQ includes Washington, Alaska, Idaho plus some participation from Oregon & beyond, and has a juried show--Quiltfest--every other year in Seattle (this year it's at the Convention Center).
I've known many folks that have submitted & been rejected--and several that have submitted and been accepted. (And I know one that actually won a very prestigious award there; a professional Whidbey Islander quilter.) It felt like a big (small) step to think I could even try. I carefully filled out my form, wrote my check, included my two-photo CD and sent my application on it's way. No response is expected until June--even though you want them to notify you right away that your application has been received & the world is all the better for it! That word 'juried' is daunting; thrilling & terrorizing all at once. You have to pass the first accept/reject just to get there--with many options for accept/reject thereafter. Either way, I'm glad I took a chance & I'm thinking the first time is the hardest (I hope!). From here on, it won't feel quite as scarey & hopefully I'll learn much in the process.
Another first this spring: my round-robin quilting group (about 12 of us) decided to take a break from the 'usual' projects and work through a quilt art workbook together this year. More about that soon.
Meanwhile, here are two UFO's for March & April. Have been working away on many others on the 'list of 41' but they haven't become FO's yet!
The batik sampler is almost a twin size quilt. This picture was taken before it was quilted and bound--but it's currently 'on loan' for awhile, so this will have to suffice. Which block do you like best? My opinion changes from time to time.
The 'Autumn Star' is a lap size quilt--and yes is very similar to the 'Winter Star' previously viewed. This one has a great paisley pattern on the back as just a little surprise. More soon!
Snow has continued to surprise our little island life on occasion this month--nothing serious, except: it's just wrong in April (now if I was still in Flagstaff it would be business as usual!). These last two weeks, though, feel like spring has taken root, and--my favorite part--the daylight hours are really sttreettcchhing out. It's almost as if you can see the ever-warmer orb in the sky pausing a little more each day. I find this such a hopeful time. The grass is growing like crazy, my favorite spring flowers have made quite a show and the rhodies are gearing up big time! It has been an odd spring, though. The Tulip Festival (in nearby Skagit County) came & went with no tulip fields in bloom--they just now have come & almost gone (very late for them). It's still all relative, though. Any day involves at least three microclimate changes or shifts--and therefore at least three layers available accordingly. The Olympic Mountains made quite a show of themselves today, and one or two glimpses make all the rest seem so much less important somehow.
The quilting guild I belong to is gearing up for the big quilt show in August--an every other year event. It's at the Greenbank Farm (outdoors) and will be entertaining. There's no judging, no pressure. It's just a fun community event. Right about now everyone is thinking: what were the things I thought I could enter? will this be finished in time to enter? could I possibly have this finisned in time to enter? Let the games begin!
Along a similar train of thought, I had a new first this month. I submitted an entry for the APNQ quilt show, also in August. (APNQ=Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters) APNQ includes Washington, Alaska, Idaho plus some participation from Oregon & beyond, and has a juried show--Quiltfest--every other year in Seattle (this year it's at the Convention Center).
I've known many folks that have submitted & been rejected--and several that have submitted and been accepted. (And I know one that actually won a very prestigious award there; a professional Whidbey Islander quilter.) It felt like a big (small) step to think I could even try. I carefully filled out my form, wrote my check, included my two-photo CD and sent my application on it's way. No response is expected until June--even though you want them to notify you right away that your application has been received & the world is all the better for it! That word 'juried' is daunting; thrilling & terrorizing all at once. You have to pass the first accept/reject just to get there--with many options for accept/reject thereafter. Either way, I'm glad I took a chance & I'm thinking the first time is the hardest (I hope!). From here on, it won't feel quite as scarey & hopefully I'll learn much in the process.
Another first this spring: my round-robin quilting group (about 12 of us) decided to take a break from the 'usual' projects and work through a quilt art workbook together this year. More about that soon.
Meanwhile, here are two UFO's for March & April. Have been working away on many others on the 'list of 41' but they haven't become FO's yet!
The batik sampler is almost a twin size quilt. This picture was taken before it was quilted and bound--but it's currently 'on loan' for awhile, so this will have to suffice. Which block do you like best? My opinion changes from time to time.
The 'Autumn Star' is a lap size quilt--and yes is very similar to the 'Winter Star' previously viewed. This one has a great paisley pattern on the back as just a little surprise. More soon!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
March marched on!
Wow, what happened to March?!
One minute it was coming in like a lion--and it went out the same way! Lots of days of snow on Whidbey at the end of the month--go figure!
St. Pat's flew by with some corned beef delights, got to have a few days with Devin for spring break--and before you knew it, it's April Fools!
Got a couple of visits to the new, improved Oystercatcher during the month. What a treat that is! Menu is a little more adventuresome, the larger atmosphere is so pleasant, and they serve Czech pilsner now! Same great service and good times...come to Coupeville: we'll take you there!
Ended the month with a special treat: went to a great concert with good friends in lovely downtown Coupeville. Three hours of incredible music, the see-to-believe kind, and much fun. Carlos Del Junco and friends. Amazing harmonica plus great guitar & bass. They're from Toronto & do two tours in the states a year--and Coupeville gets to be on their list! Henry, the very happy & funny bass player, has a daughter in Brno, CR. It is a small world sometimes... (got her name, Nick; we're thinkin' that should be a mystery adventure--see if you can find her!) Anyway, if you're interested, check him out--and most definitely see him if you ever have the chance (there's a video on the link).
Will add a post soon with my March UFO. Can definitely say: not enough quilting or sun for the month. April looks to be an improvement in both categories!
One minute it was coming in like a lion--and it went out the same way! Lots of days of snow on Whidbey at the end of the month--go figure!
St. Pat's flew by with some corned beef delights, got to have a few days with Devin for spring break--and before you knew it, it's April Fools!
Got a couple of visits to the new, improved Oystercatcher during the month. What a treat that is! Menu is a little more adventuresome, the larger atmosphere is so pleasant, and they serve Czech pilsner now! Same great service and good times...come to Coupeville: we'll take you there!
Ended the month with a special treat: went to a great concert with good friends in lovely downtown Coupeville. Three hours of incredible music, the see-to-believe kind, and much fun. Carlos Del Junco and friends. Amazing harmonica plus great guitar & bass. They're from Toronto & do two tours in the states a year--and Coupeville gets to be on their list! Henry, the very happy & funny bass player, has a daughter in Brno, CR. It is a small world sometimes... (got her name, Nick; we're thinkin' that should be a mystery adventure--see if you can find her!) Anyway, if you're interested, check him out--and most definitely see him if you ever have the chance (there's a video on the link).
Will add a post soon with my March UFO. Can definitely say: not enough quilting or sun for the month. April looks to be an improvement in both categories!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Free is good!
I really enjoyed this clip you may already know it--it was new to me, & was a brief 'feel good' endorphin boost! (I most liked the first little 'old' lady, and the skateboarder!)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Looking for your two cents
This is a 'viewer participation' post. I'm not trying to gratuitously discover if anyone is reading my posts, I really (really) want your opinion--although I will be the first to say that this is not an earth-shattering, life-changing issue (kind of a People Magazine vs The Nation sort of topic...).
So I'm looking for your vote: which layout appeals to you most?! 
Don't have to say why (or why not) you like something--or you can give your 'first/last' choice, or your top two, etc. (You can just give the row number & left/right--might be easier than trying to describe!) 
So go ahead: VOTE! 
I've just finished the blocks from my 'mystery quilt'. What the heck is that, you ask? You receive the instructions for construction only a little at a time--with no understanding of what the final product will look like. (Don't spend too much time thinking about why that might be entertaining or of interest--just chalk it up to the oddities of group quilting activities!) Anyway--this particular mystery block is quite cool as there are many choices for how to put it together. I'm enjoying playing around with it, but need to move on.
So I'm looking for your vote: which layout appeals to you most?! 
Don't have to say why (or why not) you like something--or you can give your 'first/last' choice, or your top two, etc. (You can just give the row number & left/right--might be easier than trying to describe!) Depending on what responses I get, I'll move on to the next step--putting it together, planning the outer borders, etc.
So go ahead: VOTE! 
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