Exploring the Artist Within - Diane Duncan

Socks, Socks, Socks!

2012-01-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

1st & 2nd pair - 2009 - 2010

In January 2009 we headed out for a epic journey in our motor home and knowing my inability to sit for long periods of time without something to do with my hands, I made a stop at the local yarn shop before our departure. At that point in time I hadn't had knitting needles in my hands for at least 20 years and I had never tackled 'socks' - lots of sweater, hats, afghans - but no socks! That winter I completed my first pair and if you didn't look closely the 'different' heels weren't noticeable. They have served me well now for three winters and before Christmas I happened to notice that they were getting thin on the toes. Oh - oh! What to do? I checked the toes of a subsequent pair of socks and they too were getting thin on the toes - but not the heels!

3rd pair gifted 2010 - 4th pair 'Hallowe'en' above 2011

As I completed my fourth pair - my fall 2011 pair in hallowe'en colors - I mulled over what to do and after a bit of research decided to take a different approach for each pair. One pair I did a duplicate stitch in the worn area, the second pair I ripped out the toes and reknit the toes using both the old yarn and a new strand - double thickness. I think I like this method better than using the duplicate stitch, one of the suggested reinforcing methods I found.
My 'hallowe'en' socks were a toe up pattern from Cat Bordhi's book "Personal Footprints" and I really like the fit of that pair. I was too far along to 'reinforce' the toes but as the 'kroy' sock yarn I used is heavier than the yarn previously used I will see if they outwear pairs one and two. Bonus - the yarn was 99 cents a ball in a clearance bin in Michael's last fall - $2 socks!

5th pair - a keeper at $2!

Since Christmas I have completed another pair of socks from 'Kroy' wool, this time using several patterns to get what I wanted. Last year I knit a pair of socks for a gift and used the short heel shaping and discovered that for my foot this heel shaping just wasn't enough 'depth' for my high arch as this stitch pattern doesn't have a lot of give to it. However I loved the mock cable design in the pattern - the Nutkin Sock on www.Knitzi.com. I just did a narrow band of ribbing at the top rather than the fold over, proceeded with the leg design but when I got to the heel I consulted another of my reference books "Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd and used the instructions for the heel flap with the standard Sl 1, K1 reinforcing stitch. Although I don't wear out the heels it was a chance to try a new technique. I completed the sock with a side decrease and kitchener stitch bind-off. I was just completing the second sock when I made my toe discovery!

So on to yet another pair of socks! This pair is back to a toe up pattern form Cat Bordhi's book but this time I am trying something new. Instead of using Cat's toe shaping I used a reinforced toe pattern that I found while researching repair methods. It basically is a round toe and used the same reinforcing stitch as the heel on my previous pair. I think I'm going to like it.

Do you get the idea that I'm hooked on knitting socks? I'm still fascinated with the variety of technique used for shaping and it's a great way to try out new stitch patterns....and my feet love the warmth when the weather is cool!

New Year's Ramblings

2012-01-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

I want to wish everyone a happy and productive 2012. I've been quicklyscanning the blogs of a number of on-line friends and I am amazed at howambitious everyone seems to be. I continue to struggle to find blocks of time to focus intensely on my art and have to keep reminding myself of what a wonderful gift mytravel experiences are. That said, I have decided that this year I'm going to choosea word to remind myself to find the time to DO something creative every chanceI get and to not get discouraged. I've had many great ideas over the past year but nothing to show for them!

Some people choose a focus word for the year and I've been mulling this over and the word that keeps coming to mind is 'PERSEVERE'– to persist determinedly and steadily in an action or belief, usually over along period and especially despite problems or difficulties, continue, keep atit, carry on, keep trying, stick with it.

On the other hand, maybe I'm being too hard on myself. With a new granddaughter and two grandnieces last year, I've knit and smocked and quilted for them. I sewed fabric books to help start new family traditions. I've invested volunteer hours to help our RV friends in NK'Mip win the ribbon for best float in the Christmas parade. I actually sold a couple of paintings earlier in the year. I've learned new skills and now can creating beaded jewelry. More recently I've created and remodeled a wardrobe for our upcoming cruise (RVing clothes and cruising clothes are not synonymous!) Al1this and over 10,000 miles on the motor home, many hours of hiking and sightseeing, many new friends and experiences......!

Part of my action plan may be to rethink the media and format that I use. I love to work large – but maybe I shouldexplore working small; I love to do free motion and other machine work – but maybeI could explore more handwork; I love towork with fabric – but maybe I should revisit other media…watercolor, pastels,acrylics…on paper for the moment because it is easier to store, keeping in mindthat I can also use these materials on fabric if there is a theme or seriesthat evolves.

Another way for me to maintain a focus is to commit to having pieces finishedto enter in a show or to have a number of smaller items prepared for sale over the nextyear. I've missed a couple of opportunities this past fall because I didn't have enough items ready in time! The Fibre Art Network (FAN), a group of western Canada fibre artists to which I belong, hastwo shows coming up this spring and I plan to have something finished for at least one ifnot both venues.

Still Knotting!

2011-11-12T11:48:00.001-07:00

Putting the bookmark to use!

Life in Osoyoos is proving to be busy but I'm burning the midnight oil to complete my self challenge - to produce a sample of each of the 75 knots in the book '75 Chinese, Celtic, & Ornamental Knots' by Laura Williams and Elise Mann. I'm hoping that when I get to the projects I can pick up some of the finishing techniques as well. Nancy, a friend in Arizona, offered to teach me some of the basics when I get to Congress but since our arrival is not until late in the winter I couldn't wait and had the book in my traveling stash. I'm sure there will be lots of new stuff to learn when I get there but at least I will have completed the basics and feel more comfortable working with knots. She linked me to a FB page for the Mateloteurs - an international knotting group - and after a few hours of browsing the pictures and posts I was hooked!

Almost half way there

Today I will reach the half way mark in my self-challenge of completing the 75 knots. A few have been unravelled and re-attempted a couple of times and one, the Plafond knot, almost beat me. The problem was to understand which loops to 'fold' and it took me three different approaches, two on U-tube and another two web posts in addition to the book to finally figure it out! In the end it was simple!

I am currently working with lengths of drapery cord that I had in my cording bin. They come from 'shortening' some mini-blinds purchased for a house addition many years ago and I can't think of a better use for them! I like working with this cord but when I priced it in a shop yesterday I discovered it was $1.40 a yard! Too expensive!

First project - a bookmark

I also deviated last night and produced a 'book mark' using #18 Mason's line, a nylon cord I found in the hardware store. It is much softer and may have uses in making jewelry but doesn't hold the knots as well as it is somewhat springy. The florescent colors also limit how I will use it! I am experimenting with cord that is readily available as I am waiting until we head south to the US to find/order satin cord etc. We are in a very rural wine grape growing area and the small towns through the valley don't offer a lot of resources and I haven't identified a Canadian on-line source yet.

To Knot or Not!

2011-11-02T20:09:00.000-06:00

A friend from our Arizona travels tweaked my interest in the craft of tying knots. I managed at the time to stay focused on other activities but something caught that day. A little later I spotted a book in a clearance bin in Michaels and picked it up - 75 Chinese, Celtic, & Ornamental Knots by Laura Williams and Elise Mann. The book got tucked away but resurfaced this fall when we were repacking for our winter travels. Just about the same time I received a FB invite to join a group on FB - Mateloteurs - an international knotting community. Looking through the fantastic work shared on that site I really became interested and opened the book.....

Knotting is certainly one way to pass the time..... To test the waters I decided to try out some of the knots illustrated in the book. I'm now on my eleventh sample and can't put it down. I am now onto knots that would make great chains to combine with beads for jewelry.......

Will I or won't I? I haven't invested in any equipment yet.....

Journals and Socks

2011-11-01T15:53:00.000-06:00

Today....

I've been struggling to get some art routine re-established and hope that by taking advantage of the inspiration provided by Dawn DeVries Sokol's web challenge Na(tional)No(nstop) Jou(rnaling) Mo(nth), I might just succeed in November. I'm new to art journaling but have been following some journaling sites and videos for a while so decided it might fit with my November schedule. I didn't get a lot done this morning - had to break for the 9:30 walk into town - but may get back to it later.

We are currently tucked in for the months of November and December at the N'Kmip RV Park at Osoyoos BC so should be able to 'do art' for a bit. I'm finding that when we are traveling a lot, handwork is better than 'art' work so have been rediscovering some skills learned in the past and neglected for a while. In the past I have knit a number of sweaters both for myself and for my family but had not tackled socks until I started to travel.

My 4th pair of socks

Since 2009 I have completed four pair, the first two pair, traditional style with a ribbed cuff, are much loved and worn in the cooler months. The third pair of socks was knit using a pattern with a short row heel which I liked but which didn't fit me as well as other heel styles - (Nutkin sock pattern found on Knitzi.com). I followed the pattern and found them to be a very tight fit - designed for a more feminine foot than mine. They were a Christmas gift to my daughter-in-law who has a much smaller foot. However I loved the mock cable design in the pattern and the yarn I used (sorry, forgot to take a picture) and searched for more yarn this fall but couldn't find the same color mix.

This fall I purchased a book "Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters" by Cat Bordhi and just loved her toe-up approach to custom fitting a sock. The socks above are my newest pair and were knit using her instructions on 3mm needles with Kroy sock yarn that I picked up for 97¢ a ball in a clearance at Michaels. Figured I couldn't lose at that price! $2 plus change with tax for a pair of socks! For the cuff I did my variation of the inlaid pennants pattern (pg.45) - I add six rows of plain between the pattern repeats and as a result the cuff scrunches down into a series of rings when worn. Because I used a larger needle than usual I had this pair finished in a week. Hope it doesn't affect the wearability but I didn't want to spend a lot of time on them as they were a 'learning' project and I wasn't sure about the colorway - which I now love!

My current project is another pair of '$2 plus change' socks in a different colorway, this time knit on 2.5 mm needles and based on the Nutkin sock pattern but with a different heel design from "Sock Knitting Master Class" by Ann Budd. I also substituted a narrow ribbed top rather than the fold-over in the pattern but more on that to come when I get to the photography stage.

Computer Learning - Generating a Color Palette

2011-09-08T13:49:00.001-06:00

Last week, before a long weekend filled with visitors, I worked on a couple of watercolor paintings. They were definitely 'painterly' and not 'artistic'. The effort left me decidedly frustrated and I turned for a short time to a beading project (to come) while I processed what had happened and strategized on a new approach. I've been away from my brushes and paints too long! I'll share my initial efforts (maybe) in a later post when I can also show new efforts as I 'progress' (I hope) on my journey to renew my skills.

Today I've been struggling to learn some new blogging skills - working this time with bighugelabs.com to generate a color palette from a photo. You might want to check out this site as there are lots of tools and toys - free and low cost. Dale Anne Potter uses it for her Friday blog postings and I thought it might make a great 'learning' tool for some of my work.

Once I registered and uploaded a test photo, it was no problem to generate the palette. But what use is a 'palette' if I needed to go back on line to check it out while working on a piece? After some research, and trying several options, I eventually did a screen shot and saved it to a file which I then opened in Microsoft Picture Manager to crop and prepare it for posting. Then I discovered that blogger will not upload bmp files so back to the drawing board and another step in the process - in the Paint Program. I was finally able to change the format so I guess it will be directly to Paint next time! I was also able to save the palette in a format that can be used in Photoshop so learning how to use it in that program is topic for me to explore in the future.

I'm Back!

2011-08-27T23:02:00.001-06:00

I can't believe that it's eleven months since my last post! It's not that I haven't been playing, experimenting, painting, stitching, beading and in general creating! The rambling lifestyle (check out my other blog) has lots of benefits but it does take a toll on serious 'studio' time. Not to mention two years of recovering the use of my dominant hand and wrist after a serious break have taken their toll - but I'm back! And I've got some things to share.

First of all, I'm really struggling to get my head into gear to make the most of the next month or so while I am stationary and have solitary time enabling me to really get into a creative mode - I hope. I've set myself a challenge to produce some watercolor and acrylic/canvas pieces that are worth keeping towards mounting a show down the road. I've been taking thousands of pictures on our travels and have lots of subject matter. When I was working at arty things regularly, I would dream a painting into existence. I've been away from it for a long time and I realize I'm no longer doing that.

Late Season Harvest © Diane Duncan, 2011

Come to think of it, I did produce one fibreart piece Late Season Harvest that is currently traveling with a group exhibition 'Canadian Content' (Fibre Art Network). It first showed in New Zealand and, since the show returned to Canada, it has been exhibited in a number of venues in Western Canada.

Navaho Art © Diane Duncan, 2011

I also completed an acrylic painting Navaho Art (24 x 30) that I think is sold, although I haven't got confirmation of the sale yet. The painting is sitting in a condo in Phoenix and the clients have only seen a photograph. Hope they get a chance to see the painting soon.

So what am I doing to get into 'creative mode'? I found the first day or two, I became a master of procrastination! So, I dug out the books I recently purchased and started a self-guided refresher course on watercolor technique. I am really enjoying The Complete Watercolorist's Essential Notebook by Gordon MacKenzie and have been working through some of the more basic exercises in the book. That led me to the discovery that my favorite watercolor brush has lost it's tip and needs to be replaced. I also discovered that about a dozen of my tubes of watercolor paint have hardened. Reconstituting the paint from the tubes was another day of 'not painting' but worth the effort. I slit the tubes with an exacto knife and, removing the paint, I placed the contents of each tube in a section of a plastic egg carton. By adding a small amount of water to each color and stirring from time to time, I was able to reconstitute the paint. When they form up - most have today - I will have color blocks that can be used in the future. I hope the other tubes are still useable as I estimate that the ones I have rescued represent a replacement value of well over $100 and that's not in the budget right now!

In the past I have struggled to effectively use 'value' in my work and I became really conscious of this while taking a course from Sterling Edwards a few years ago. He had us do quick value sketches in watercolor before starting a painting. Part of my refresher studies will remind me of this and other qualities that can be recognized in a good painting.

A second book, Drawing with Your Artist's Brain by Carl Purcell emphasis value studies and preliminary sketches to help plan a painting. In the past I've been fairly spontaneous in my painting - charging right in - but I don't think it's going to hurt for me to spend a few days exploring the elements of good 'art'. It will apply whether I am working in paint or fabric.

Today's efforts were based on photos taken at Glacier National Park last weekend and I'm rather pleased with them. Their not perfect but they have gone a long way towards bolstering my sagging confidence.

Swift Current Lake, Glacier National Park © Diane Duncan, 2011

Self Portrait © Diane Duncan, 2011

Ripening Wheat, © Diane Duncan, 2011

First Smocking Project Completed - Yahoo!

2010-10-14T11:08:00.004-06:00

1st Smocking Project

In September I walked into the Fabric Addict in Lethbridge (the day after our arrival) and there sat a new shipment of smocking pleaters waiting to be unpacked. Now I have been thinking about exploring this media for a while. It's one of the few things I have never tackled, mainly because my Mother smocked dresses for two generations of girls in the family and I didn't want to tread on her space. She passed away last spring and I've been thinking it was time to pick up the gauntlet and learn this craft. Expecially now that I have a granddaugher and two great nieces all under a year of age!

Needless to say, other projects went on hold as I researched smocking on line, learned how to use the pleater, worked a sampler of basic stitches and prepared fabric from my stash for pleating!

For my first project I chose a striped fabric, cotton, but a firm weave - of course I didn't think ease of pleating - part of the learning curve! I choose a bishop pattern from one of the Smocking magazines I had purchased and prepared the pattern and cut out the pieces (Peaches & Cream, Simela Constant of Australia, Smocking and Embroidery, Issue 85). Now a bishop style smock or dress must be stitched together at the armholes before pleating so that the stitching is continuous all around the neckline. No problem. However by this point I had been working, thinking, breathing smocking for 12 hours and I turned the top the wrong way and by the time I realized my mistake and found that I had to start again, I had to dismantle the pleater to release the fabric. Twelve broken pleater needles later I had successfully pleated the required area. Only I had forgotten that I was working with half spaces not full spaces and hadn't used enough rows! At this point, I was glad I had left my name for a class at the store! Replacement needles and a book giving more detailed info about using a pleater are on order!

Simple stitches - but it worked!

Not to be daunted, I decided to use the prepared rows and create my own smocking plate (pattern to the none smockers among you!). I faithfully blocked the smocking gathers according to the instructions and started to stitch. I love doing smocking! I always enjoyed embroidery but wow!

Stitching completed I started the assembly of the top and companion pants. I really was thinking like a frog as going by instinct didn't work and ripit became the mantra of the day! However, this exercise served as a great refresher course in clothing construction techniques and when to check twice and when to read ahead in the pattern instructions!

All that to say that yesterday I completed the two piece outfit in a 12 month size. It is based on Australian standard sizes and looks large. Can anyone help me compare this sizing system to the Canadian or USA system?

The Companion Pants

Because the pattern called for full lining in the pants and I didn't have enough fabric left, I did some adaptation, using a decorative stitch from my machine to stitch the top of the partial lining used to create the cuff effect at the bottom of the legs and then echoed the design to attach the turn down for elastic at the waist. I really like the effect. I also like the effect of the self cording used at the neckline, cuffs - arms and legs. I must remember this as I'm not a frills and lace person and cording may be something that I will want to use in the future.

I need to take a break for a couple of days and get some errands done but I'm already planning the next project. Classes have started so I will be able to get some of my questions answered. I want to get three projects together before I decide who gets what....

Back in the Traces - Wow! Two Ribbons!!!

2010-10-04T14:43:00.001-06:00

1st for Memories of Arizona
Wearable Art

On September 23 I drove to Calgary to check out the results on two entries in the quilting and fiber art competition at the Calgary Creative Stitches and Crafting Alive Show and was ecstatic to find that I received a first on my Wearable Art entry - Memories of Arizona and a second on one of my memory quilts - The Fabric of my life.

2nd for Fabric of My Life

That's the second 'blue' ribbon this memory quilt has received. This particular quilt is a 'work in progress' as it documents my life through fabric and findings from sewing projects and a collection of lapel pins amassed over a lifetime. Before mailing it off, I added pieces from the last couple of years. I still have a few to add for this year but it is starting to look 'completed'. I will soon retire it. An earlier, much simpler, version of this quilt placed second in the Quilt Show associated with the International Plowing Match in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. It also toured the USA in an earlier rendition. I don't have a great place to photograph large work while we are traveling but here is a shot I took when the piece came home.

c 2010 Diane Duncan, The Fabric of My Life, 49"x51", pieced, painted, hand and machine stitching, machine quilted.

And this is the label info:

My Personal Challenge

to preserve memories associated with fabric and findings: Mixed fabrics, ribbons, organza, lapel pins from a personal collection, cotton batting.

When preparing to move into smaller accommodation, my Mother presented me with a bag of fabric scraps that, when examined, I realized dated back to my first sewing projects. I decided this ‘find’ was too good to not use so combined these fabric pieces with left-overs from my own stash, and a few that date back to dresses – and my wedding quilt – from my Grandmother! Both the front and back of this quilt contain only fabrics that have personal significance to me. When I was preparing to ‘down-size’ I discovered a sizable collection of lapel pins, some dating back to my husband’s and my childhood, encompassing many of the organizations to which we have belonged and some from places we have visited. Today we travel extensively in a motor home and I have continued to build this ‘scrapbook’ as we explore the North American continent.

Notes About the Symbolism in this Quilt

The crazy patch portion represents the ‘crazy’ busy years of my life – Sunday School, 4-H, Junior Farmers, high school, university, and later, time spent raising a family and participating in farm organizations, volunteer activities, travel and a return to the workplace.

The tunnel of circles represents the transition years, when we prepared for retirement, took short-term trips and started to let go of the past by sorting and distributing the accumulated trivia of a lifetime. The colors reflect the highs and lows of emotions experienced during this period of my life. The ‘golden’ end of the tunnel reflects my hopes for a simpler, more peaceful lifestyle in retirement, now overlaid with the busy reality of retirement on the road, splitting our year between visits to the home areas of a son in Calgary and a son in Phoenix, with occasional visits to eastern Canada to visit other family members.

The quiet lower area initially represented the hoped for peaceful retirement with occasions of busyness, but is quickly filling with the reality of our new lifestyle.

My Wearable Art entry 'Memories of Arizona' was inspired by my winter home, near a son who lives and works in the USA. I have been interested in rock art symbols for many years - I managed to include some Native Studies courses in my degree program - and decided to use that theme for a 'hot weather' vest and then added a simple top and culotte with similar bead and stitching embellishment to wear under the vest.

c 2009 Diane Duncan Memories of Arizona. Back of the vest

c 2009 Diane Duncan, Memories of Arizona, Knee Length Vest.
Applique, machine embellishment, beading, hand dyed fabric and threads (Linda Palaisy)

I kept the culotte and top simple but used similar beading

This past year has been hard - I've not created a lot of new work but this has spurred me on. Now to turn my plans into reality...

Follow-up on The Fabric Samples

2010-10-03T11:21:00.001-06:00

These are the before shots

Just did the heat set and thought I would publish the results. Above are the before shots. The after shots are below.

Not so much here???

I see possibilities here

I love this one!

I'm going to challenge myself to use each of the pieces someway over the next few days. I'll post the results. I'm doing a series of small and quicks so it may work out okay.

Though I would throw in a shot of this morning's sunrise.

Where did September Go and Art Under an October Sky

2010-10-02T20:30:00.000-06:00

Fabric Drying in Southern Alberta breeze after preparation for painting

I do have a lot of activities on the go - I just haven't blogged about them. There is a smocked dress, a pair of socks, samples of free motion quilting based on Leah Day's work, a challenge piece posted to Dale Anne Potter's facebook fan page ..... All this and now I have my days to myself so there will be lots more. Let's hope the weather continues to be fair! The combines will run!!!!

A little personal update to explain that last comment. My husband, a born farmer from the east, found himself a job last summer working on a harvest excursion crew that traveled from Oklahoma, through Kansas, Colorado and Montana and ended the season in Alberta, south of Lethbridge. He enjoyed being back in fields so much that even a new granddaughter couldn't keep him off the big machines this fall. We are back in the Lethbridge area while he runs a 'big red' that has replaced last years 'green machine'. While he is gone, I can work on my art. I've just completed my first fiberart piece in a long while - a response to a challenge from a Saskatchewan artist, Dale Anne Potter, who is learning the ropes in radio podcasts. You can check out all the challenge pieces on her studio page on facebook. Here is a peek at mine, inspired by a photo I took from my son's deck a week ago. I'm calling it 'Alberta Gold'.

Today was one of those glorious fall days with warm temperatures and moderate breezes (for Lethbridge!). I decided to make the most of it and spent the latter part of the day outside experimenting with paint on fabric. I've decided to go through my stash and pick out the pieces that I am least likely to use as they are and see if I can do something with them that will be more appealing.

One of the 'unfavorite' pieces I worked with

Another of the 'unfavorite' pieces

Today's effort may have been a 'win some lose some', but time will tell. I washed all the fabrics using synthrapol to remove the sizing and just played. I thought I took more pictures than I did but when they are heat-set I'll post more of the results. Here is one shot of a before and after fabric. The finished piece doesn't show well - I actually like the result! I'll take a better shot of the finished piece and post it with the others tomorrow.

Before fabric (under) and strip of painted fabric (top)

The downside of my outdoor studio is the tidy-up at the end of the day. I hope the weather holds as I could use a couple more days working outside.

A messy workspace at the end of the day!

Tonight's eastern sky was gorgeous and I happened to be at the computer so missed the sunset but caught the eastern reflection. I love this big sky country!

The end of a wonderful October Day

As for the other September activities, there will be more to come as those projects near completion. Today's playtime was more immediate and I wanted to share it today.

The Joy of Networking

2010-08-28T11:05:00.000-06:00

2008 Revisited: Retirement Angst

Check out the link to Quiltersmuse.com for a posting re one of my quilts with 'words' or writing on it (August 28th posting). I have been catching up on past postings on the quiltart digest and noticed a call for ideas about how people use words on their work and thought of this piece '2008 Revisited: Retirement Angst'. It hasn't been posted anywhere yet and this is just a teaser shot as I would like to exhibit it somewhere before I post the full piece. In this piece I used both free motion stitching and the capability of my machine to program words. The piece comments on the drastic drop of the stockmarket in the year 2008 and some of my thoughts/turmoil about having been forced to reset my retirement plans to a date earlier than originally planned. Any ideas regarding a show where this piece might be welcomed?

I'm working ahead on my Leah Day sample file and have completed the first 27 plus the 'basics' that Leah does not include in the series as she feels they are overworked. More to come on this later.

My Mobile Studio

2010-08-26T14:23:00.001-06:00

As a follow-up to all the postings on Dale Ann Potter's FB page about her dream of traveling by RV and teaching as she goes, I decided not to delay any longer with this posting. It's been planned for a while but I thought I should wait until everything was tidy! This may be a bit of a ramble and I'll try to group info but here goes!

We have been traveling full-time in our motor home since January 2009 and one of the conditions was that I would not have to stop working on my artwork, including fibre art. Long before we purchased our motor home we had both individually made up a list of needs (non-negotiable) and wants and then discussed how we would achieve as much as possible from these lists. My non-negotiable included a kitchen with some counter space and storage and work area for my art. Taking my sewing machine with me was a given! When we actually made our purchase we were on holiday with no expectation of finding 'the one' but it was meant to be and we made it work. My husband specified motor home not 5th wheel, and diesel not gas, and I'm glad now that he did. When traveling in an RV weight and weight distribution is always a concern and diesel gives more lug power. We periodically drive over a scale, weighing each wheel, to check that we have not made an inappropriate shift of weight inside the coach or storage. Interesting point we discovered this year, we travelled for a distance this year with a couple with the identical coach but theirs was much more lightly loaded and our fuel consumption wasn't much different.

Sewing Table

I purchased a Sewezi table for my machine in advance and again it was a good move. It is stable and folds down for easy storage when traveling - sometimes in the car we pull, sometimes on the bed depending on how much I anticipate using it in the immediate future. I currently have it set up in the bedroom at the foot of the bed facing a window which gives me reasonable light.

Dual Purpose Bed!

I use the bed to spread out the tools and work in progress so that it is easily accessible. I do have to gather it up at night but at least I have the use of this space during the daytime. When I work on larger pieces I will T to the table in the eating area to provide additional surface.

Outside studio when required!

If you visit our travel blog you may stumble on a picture of me working under the awning outside the coach (Casa Grande winter 2009) or more recently with my quilt frame (retrieved from storage) her in Cochrane. When I do this I set up folding table that we carry to provide work space.

When we are 'touring' I tend to work on had projects that I have prepared in advance or on computer preparation for future projects. I gather everything I need into ziplock bags, including the right needles and a small pair of scissors or other tools that are required if duplicates are available. I store a number of these bags in a large UFO bin in the storage compartment below and only keep the current ones on hand. My stash, yarn, embellishments etc. are in labeled bins in one of the storage bays below.

Books, embellishments, yarn, fabric, and ???

We are fortunate that one of the bays has a pullout tray and that was dedicated for my 'studio'. DH has been quite supportive! A few books ride topside but I select the ones I want each year from the storage locker and limit myself to two bins. I shipped the most pertinent ones west when we moved. The rest are in storage back east and will be revisited when we go back that way. We decided not to move everything until we 'come off the road' as we purchased a 40' cargo container, had the interior spray- foamed to reduce condensation and packed it with what little furniture we thought we might use in the future, family memorabilia, dishes etc.

Sewing Machine, embellisher, embroidery unit and ????

As for storage, the unit we chose has lots of cupboards. In the first six months we had to rearrange contents a couple of times to balance weight but have more or less settled on an arrangement that works. My sewing machine and embellisher sit in the bottom of a closet.

Sewing and other embellishments and tools

I have forgone a washer/dryer in favor of storing two upright plastic drawer units in the space (1) findings and small sewing tools 2) craft/art tools and supplies. Because the closet nearby was not full used for clothes, I was able to add a 3)rd unit with mainly art supplies, brushes etc. Another cupboard has my thread, paint etc. in smaller drawer units and art boxes. I've been careful to make sure anything that might be affected with temperature change is inside the coach.

Gave up closet space for art

Yet another cupboard

In the front of the coach, large sheets of paper and a large cutting board are lodge in the space behind the pull out couch. We removed a loveseat on the opposite side (not terribly comfortable even though it was leather and DH constructed a desk from prefab cupboard units from Home Depot and a piece of MDF board topped with a piece of plexiglass. The couch is in storage if the desk is a problem when we decide to sell the coach.

DH's Handiwork

The desk has a printer/scanner on a pull out tray and storage for files, small projects, map books, etc. It works as my computer space and I keep some stacked drawers on top with small sewing tool, pens etc.

All my marking/small sewing tools

Everything sits on no skid stuff so that it doesn't move when we are traveling and the draws are turned to the wall so they don't pop out. DH has a table cover that fit over the steering wheel and makes a computer space for him. It works because he is mainly surfing RV sites and reading e-mail while I often have reference material nearby.

DH is happy here!

All in all it works for us. Part of our travel experience ties in with my interest in genealogy so I also have some related materials stashed in bins down below and use a computer program for what I have managed to get recorded. This is a work in progress but the geo-tracking component makes it easy to check and see if we should check local resources for more info as we travel.

I'm sure this post will generate more questions but it will maybe provide a basis for discussion. What one needs to take with them is a very personal thing and as I 'garage saled', dealt with antique dealers, sold via word of mouth and sorted in preparation for this adventure, it became very obvious to me what was important to me. ' Things I couldn't part with on the first pass (year one) had moved to the not so important list in the second year and so on. We were four years in this preparation but then we had been family 'archivists' and 'curators' all our married lives. The benefit/cost of having lived in a large farm house for many years. Once it was determined that no-one in the family was willing/able to take on the rolls, we started seriously searching for new homes for things, always mindful of our mantra 'Is it part of our life today, do I see it as part of my life tomorrow, can it be easily replaced if I change my mind.' With both of us coming from families that have treasured family memorabilia and always re-used, recycled as much as possible, the experience of purging was freeing. Check out a previous blog posting.

More Samples

2010-08-24T17:03:00.000-06:00

19 down and 41 more ready to go!

Over the weekend I continued to work on samples until I ran out of suitable fabric - plain enough for the stitching to show but not totally plain. My machine was cantankerous, making new noises and not making perfect stitches so I was glad that I had booked a visit to the service man Gil at Rumpled Quilt Skins in Okotoks. Not next door but this store comes highly recommended by a friend back in Ottawa. What a banquet of quilts to view and fabric, books and tools to explore! They really had some pieces that got me anxious to get my embroidery unit working! The visit yesterday did not disappoint and I found out that, in addition to the usual accumulation of lint (in spite of my frequent cleaning), somewhere along the line there had not been enough lubricant used on my machine - or all the dry climates I have been in over the last two years have taken their toll. On the way back, while pursuing other errands, I located some inexpensive fabric that should do just fine for samples so I was back in business today.

It took a chunk of time today but I now have 41 quilt sandwiches prepared ready to stitch. I'm much more likely to sit down for a short period of time if I don't have to start from scratch and make the sandwich. Now to spend some time researching new fillers so that my reminder cards are ready to roll also. Then tomorrow I can get back to stitching for a while. I'm actually enjoying this exploration - not as boring as I thought it would be. The next series will be an exploration of some new surface design techniques but that will have to wait until this series is completed. I hope to actually get working on some 'work' along the way as well. Hope hubby doesn't decide to hit the road too soon!

Thanks Leah Day!

2010-08-20T23:48:00.001-06:00

A Great Start! Thanks Leah!

I'm finally back at my sewing machine. Thanks to surgery and physiotherapy, the wrist is working fairly well, although my coordination is not what I'd like it to be. So I designed my own therapy to work on that!

I started about a month ago when I tackled a task I had talked about for two years - documenting the built-in embroidery stitches on my sewing machine. Somehow the computer images just don't tell the whole story. Forty two six-inch squares later I have a reference file of the actual size and scale of each stitch and what a feast. All the time I was working on these samples I was thinking about how they could be used in my work. Even the edges of the samples were tests for various edge finishes that will work on small pieces, postcards, ATC etc. Some are working better than others but that is what 'testing' is all about. Because the project just involved preparing the fabric sandwiches (I stitched on a quilting sandwich because I want to see the texture added by the stitches) and setting the machine, this was a great project to reduce my frustration with not being able to work on my art.

One page in the sample book under construction

Sample book - 42 pages later

All that as an introduction to my newest project and the next step in my 'therapy'. It's been almost a year since I have been able to do any fiber art and I find that my skills need some refreshing. Although I was able to work at my quilt frame earlier, I am aware that my hand coordination for free motion quilting while sitting at my machine has really suffered and I am not able to work with the precision that I am accustomed to. This is where Leah Day's website 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs comes into the picture. Using the concept I developed for my sample book of machine stitches, I've started a second sample book using her patterns. I find that when I am working on a specific piece I can never find 'the right' idea for quilting and tend to revert to the same old ones. By actually stitching the samples I embed each pattern in my memory - although it may become buried - but the book will act as a reminder of options that I have tested. I'll also be able to hold the sample to the piece to be stitched to make it easier to visualize the effect. Later I'll check out some of the books in my library for other ideas.

Constructing the Sample Books

The 9-inch Square

Marking with a 6-inch Square

Digging around in my goody storage, I found two square measures, one that is 9 inches (+/-) and one that is six inches (+/-). This has made the preparation of the 9-inch quilt sandwiches easy, and serves the marking and trimming of the stitched area to 6 inches.

The Quilt Sandwich

Marked and Ready to Stitch

As part of my use-it-or-lose-it strategy, I joined strips of batting, salvaged from the edge of the quilts I made earlier, to make the 9 inch batting pieces and went through my stash looking for fabric (without a lot of pattern) that I probably would not be using. The backs of the squares are actually recycled fabric. I prepared a stack of sandwiches and then stitched an outline for the 6-inch stitching area to keep the fabric from shifting while it is being stitched. As I reviewed each day's stitch, I made notes on a 3x5 recipe card and in a 2-inch square drawn on the card, I did a hand drawing of the stitch. I reinforced an area on the top corner of each card with tape before punching it so that it could accompany the sample when placed on a 2 1/2 inch ring used to keep the samples together. I document several fillers at a time and take them to the sewing machine with me as a reminder of what I am doing and include any observations I make while stitching. Yesterday and today I have completed the first 12 and am amazed at how quickly my dexterity is improving and my confidence returning. Thanks Leah! Many of the designs are similar to ones I have used the past and its great to see new interpretations of old friends.

The McKenzie Baby Bump

2010-07-26T18:31:00.000-06:00

Drawing Squiggles

I didn't get back to the project until late in the day yesterday as an invite to lunch could not be turned down! The next step was to added the surface design. I considered using white glue and decided it would take too long to dry. I considered getting 'stringing compound' and decided it would be too expensive. So in the end I chose to use my old standby, quick drying and paintable, DAP. I had part of a tube on hand so did a sample and although I would have preferred a finer line, decided it would work and made a trip to CT to get some additional tubes. I spent a couple of hours drawing squiggles and finished just in time to respond to a invitation to have dinner with my new granddaughter! The result had to dry overnight anyway so it was great timing!

Painting with Gesso

The weather here is changeable and they are forecasting thunderstorms for later today, so I have plowed ahead with this 'work of art'. Before leaving for my Monday morning art group, I painted the surface with black gesso. I wanted a black surface for the background color. I chose black gesso as it would seal the plaster so that it will not absorb paint and would allow the paint to retain it's gloss. After painting I realized there were a couple of areas where the design was 'flat' - the result of trying to get that last bit of Dap out of the tube! So a bit of repair work was done with the hope that it would be dry enough to paint by noon.

The Base Coat Completed

Before lunch I repainted the area where repairs were made and after lunch the fun began.

Adding the 'show through' colors

I blotch painted areas in burnt sienna, ochre and a grayed yellow. The weather at the time was warm and sunny and the humidity low so it dried quickly. I added a layer of spray fixative at this point. The next layer was to blotch rub some gold and silver into the design. Again a layer of fixative.

The Final Result

The final layer was an all over rub with bright copper. The result was close to the concept requested and I think they will be pleased.

Signature Time

I promised to show the mounting. After the last post and before starting the surface design, with DH's assistance, a dowel was cut and two screwnails used to fasten it inside the body cast. Two holes were drilled through the dowel and threaded with picture wire stretched so that it would not show above the top of the piece. To finish off I will note where the cast touches the table and apply some dap so that the paint will not rub and mark the wall. All done.

Baby Bump Sculpture

2010-07-25T11:39:00.000-06:00

I've been told that the in-thing is to do a casting of the 'baby bump' and to decorate it as a piece of art. My young'uns decided that the kit was too expensive so after a discussion with me they purchased the plaster embedded tape at the local M store and got out the jar of Vaseline and went to work. Then they announced that it was over to me to decorate!
I spent all day yesterday shaping the edge with a Dremel and adding tape to build up and strengthen the edges so that it would hang flat on the wal and not collapse over time. Then left it to dry over night.
Here is my process:

The Original Casting and Proposed Shaping Lines

The Trimmed Cast

The creators and I had discussed final shaping and this is what we decided. I might have trimmed closer to the belly but the rounded edges seem to work. The trimming left raw edges so all had to be wrapped with tape and in some places had to be built up so that the finished piece would lie flat to the wall. I used two rolls of tape for this process and in the resmoothing of the surface after the edges were finished.

Smoothing and Strengthening the Edges

The Surface Finish This Morning

Before applying a final finish I added a cross piece to the back so that we can attach a hanging mechanism. I'll show this tomorrow. I used Artplaster to provide a final surface and to remove all traces of tape texture that remained. The casting needed time to dry so this is as far as I went yesterday. I mixed a small amount in a bowl and had a bowl of water nearby. I used my hand to spread a thin layer over the surface and the wet sponge/pad to smooth the surface. It's not super smooth but good enough to work with. When dry the casting seems quite strong.

Mommy and Baby Gifts

2010-07-24T10:40:00.000-06:00

The Baby Quilts

Back in the winter I undertook to make a couple of crib quilts - one for a niece's baby and one for a new grandchild expected in July. The baby quilts were finished earlier in the spring and one delivered in March when we were back in Ontario. I was using a pattern 'Twisted Triangles' that I found on allpeoplequilt.com. I just checked and I can't find the instructions but the link shows the original pattern which has more emphasis on the 'twisted triangles'. I chose to emphasis the lights and darks. The quilting is simple and minimal in this quilt as I was not able to use my left arm to any great extent. I hope the quilts stand up to frequent washings!

After cutting all the pieces I discovered that the pattern would actually make a quilt almost single bed size - larger than I intended. I had cut the pieces for two quilts so set one set of quilt pieces aside and then made two crib size tops from one set. By adding a border I got a good size for cuddle quilts (flannel backing) or for in a crib. I'm now told that you don't use stiff bedding for babies because they might pull it up and smother. Is this true? Hopefully they will be used as daytime floor blankets etc.

Mommy's Quilt

As my arm healed from the surgery in May I got restless and pulled out the second set of pieces. I found that I could do piecing with one hand and a bit so by cutting the original triangles in half was able to come up with this pattern. Because the nursery is decorated with a night time theme - dark blue walls and star and moon decals, I used 'my style' star blocks to arrive at the right number of blocks to creat this quilt (approx. 45"x50". I backed it also with flannel in a cupcake design and gave it to my daughter-in-law as her very own cuddle blanket. My son had received a T-shirt quilt a few years ago and it has had good use!

My mobile studio

I wanted to check that my Juki sewing machine and Hinterberg frame had survived shipping last fall so dug them out of storage and assembled them on the lawn under our awning one day to quilt this quilt. I sure prefer quilting large pieces on the frame! Because I did not ship the long frames (drat it all) I could only quilt the center panel of the quilt before I took the quilt from the frame (and I did leave some parts with the longer frames - to be retrieved next time we go east). I then did the border in a chain of stars from a border stencil by free motion quilting (not quite - feed dogs up and straight stitch with frequent starts and stops worked best). The Juki was cleaned and oiled before and after this project and is now back in storage until next time.

What did I learn from this project? 1) I love working with the color in quilts but I get bored easily and now I know why I have moved towards art quilting and fiberart; 2) This is a great way to do stash busting, using up fabrics that you no longer relate to; 3) It was a great way to make use of my time when serious creativity was limited by the cast on my arm; and 4) I can't wait to get into some of the new books I've acquired and start experimenting!

"What do you do to get yourself out of a creative slump or vacuum?"

2010-07-06T09:12:00.001-06:00

I've been gradually getting back to doing some of my ' art shoulds' that have accumulated during my wrist healing experience and one of the items on my list is blogging here more often. I've been able to get back to some of my quilting projects (more on this to come shortly) and have started to plan my re-entry into my 'art' work so hope to have lots to share in the next few entries. Today I want to share my response to the question "What do you do to get yourself out of a creative slump or vacuum?" issued by a group to which I belong.

Here are my Slump Remedy(s):
1. Work on a UFO. It puts my head into the 'work' zone.

2. Browse some blogs on the internet. I've included a link to out-of-the-box, one of the groups I belong to. Then take one idea I find and do a quick study.....

3. Try a new technique, experiment with a new medium, or tool.

4. Go back through some past issues of magazines. Take one idea and do a quick study ....

5. Work in another art medium, sketch, watercolor, photography.

6. Browse my photo collection. Pick a theme and some supporting photos and post them where I will see them frequently.

7. Work in a series - use a past or new theme - just to get me going! Sometimes it is a content theme, sometimes a technique.

8. Choose a competition or challenge (ideas from web sites) to do a small piece - whether I enter it or not!

9. Do something that calms my mind - music, read, walk...... I find that a 'busy' mind is the most frequent cause of my artist block or vacuum.

10. Get myself removed from 'reminders' of all the non-art 'shoulds' in my life. Surround myself with tools and materials! Go through some of my bins of supplies and tools.

11. Just play for a bit!

12. A tip from Laura Caterwoods: Make a 'to do' list at the end of a work session so that you are not facing 'a blank sheet' of paper when you re-enter your work space.

13. Keep a journal list of 'I want to do....' that captures ideas when the juices are flowing. Use it to jump start the next session when they aren't.

Can you suggest other ideas?

An Almost Challenge

2010-06-08T20:58:00.006-06:00

Well the jokes on me! Over the past couple of weeks I've been working on my 'challenge ' entry for the Fast Friday challenge, only to discover that it is blog postings I subscribed to, and not the group itself! And it's a closed group to boot!Oh well, I've completed my first fiberart journal piece I guess. With my dominant hand in a cast for the past month, I've spent a lot more time than usual surfing and found this group that gives itself really great monthly challenges. I've been following this group for a while and when I saw the specs for the last challenge 'Fabulous Fungi', I couldn't resist. I've wanted to try a tessellation piece for ages and I could see mushrooms as a possible shape to use foe a simple shape.

Well it took me most of a day to discover that I couldn't make the mushroom shape work effectively with a rectangular shape so switched to working with an equilateral triangle. That was better - I could now see how to make it work. First attempts to measure and draw the required shapes were on track but in tessellations, close doesn't cut it! I switched to Illustrator in my CS4 Suite but came to the conclusion that I need some tutorials or classes so gave up on that. However the process made me realize that the missing factor was that I hadn't established the 'centre' of the triangle. So back to manual construction!

This time with more accurate measurements and the use of a pencil 'compass' left over from a geometry set I got some symmetry into my pieces. By mirroring the marked triangle and taping two triangles together, I finally had my pattern piece.

The next step was to choose my complementary color fabric. Because it would take three pieces to complete one repeat of the tessellation, I decided to work with a split complementary and even got out my colour wheel to make sure it was a true complementary set.

Then the decision of how to construct this piece. I considered using a raw edge approach but didn't totally trust the accuracy of my cutting ability so decided to leave a 1/4 inch seam allowance around each piece. I used freezer paper templates ironed to the fabric to cut the pieces and then ironed the seam allowance along the cut edge of the freezer paper, clipping curves where necessary.

I left the paper in place while I stitched the straight and gradual curves but left the curves under the cap unstitched. This proved that the piece would lie flat and basically fit together. My lack of finesse with my left hand dictated that I would have to resort to topstitching with invisible thread to join the curves that were unstitched. I decided to combine this step with a straight stitch to outline each mushroom to quilt the piece.

After couching three rows of yarn to the edge, trimming and finishing the cut edge with a double pass of overcasting I was reasonably pleased with the result.

One of my Favorite Quilts!

2010-05-24T16:08:00.009-06:00

I just found this really neat site for an on-line quilt festival and thought I would post an entry. There is a first time for everything!

My entry is the wedding wall quilt that I made for my son and daughter-in-law a few years ago. Under the guise of making a scrapbook for them, I asked them both write the story of how they met and under another pretence got a copy of some of their digital photographs. Where I didn't have photos, I used logos or paper pieced suitable blocks. Because New York City figured large in their story, I even created a map of Central Park, where my son proposed, and pieced a New York skyline. One of the wedding party hung it at the reception so guests could see it while waiting for their photos to be taken. When the bride and groom returned, they were amazed at my 'story board'. I used the 'attic windows' concept to unite the blocks and provide a 'window' into their memories.

The pictures aren't the best, but all that I have.

Here are some detail shots.

Quilt Canada 2010 - Calgary

2010-05-01T22:02:00.011-06:00

I'm finally home after a delightful visit with friends from my Ottawa days. Vikki and Gayle thanks so much for enticing me into more than my planned activities! Dinner Thursday night with Dena Crain , a textile artist from Nakuru Kenya, was such a treat. And it was so much more fun to work the market mall with others while comparing notes.

The quilt and quilt art exhibitions was exhausting. In addition to trying to assimilate what I was seeing, my head was in a constant whirl of ideas for new projects of my own. Can you tell I've been isolated from the creative community for a while?! Tuesday night we only had time to take a quick look at the competition pieces but yesterday we took a more leisurely tour through the invitational work as well. There is so much more quilt art available in this show than a few years ago. I loved it! The traditional quilts were phenomenal and we all agreed that when we examined the $100K quilt on display it was worth every penny of the award! Sorry no pictures! Copyright issues prevent the posting of pictures of individual pieces but I've provided a couple of links to make up for it.

The couple of hours I spent as a volunteer in the SAQA exhibition were a lot of fun because I know several of the exhibitors and was able to talk with people about their work with a little bit of background knowledge. The 'Synthesis' exhibition by 18 Canadian members of SAQA has been touring since 2008 and will become part of a permanent gallery collection later in 2010. Elaine Quail's 'Hostas' certainly was a favorite among the viewers.

Before I broke my arm I had planned to send for a kit for the Trendtex Challenge but circumstances intervened. I spent some time with the numerous entries on displayed and renewed my vow to participate next time.

The unexpected bonus was a last minute opportunity to take a course with Dena Crain and to challenge myself to create a 'crystal' quilt. Dena teaches a number of techniques at Quilt University but to get to know her in a classroom setting was satisfying. I will be watching for future on-line courses with her.

Last night was a great adventure. I met Faye from High Line Alberta and was invited to have dinner with her, only to discover that her two sons would be joining us. We had a great time. Thanks to I-pod and camera I was introduced to the landscape and wildlife of this very northern part of the province - (only 200 kms) from the NW territories and the 60th parallel north. I left Faye talking with her sons and didn't get a chance to properly thank her. I know that she is not on-line and I don't have her last name or contact info so if anyone reading this can help me, I'd love to drop her a note. I wasn't able to find her classroom today.

After a quick stop for a great hamburger and chat with son and daughter-in-law we made it back home before dark - just in time for another shower to pass through. There is still a lot of snow remaining from earlier this week and the promise of some more in a couple of days. The joy of life in Alberta.

Blogger Did it to me.

2010-04-29T12:25:00.003-06:00

Here's the view referred to in the last post. I had to share it. Just as I went to upload, it disappeared from the post and I couldn't find a way to add it after the fact.

Tying Up Loose Ends

2010-04-29T11:04:00.010-06:00

We've been back in Alberta now for the past week and I'm madly trying to sort and sift the interior of the motor home to simplify life after my surgery next week. On top of that I had to fit in a couple of days for the tax man and make a number of trips for medical appointments - not all mine. Add to that refinishing a piece of furniture for a nursery... The weather was a balmy 20C when we arrived but Alberta has been experiencing a series of wintery storms that are bring much needed moisture for the growing season. We've had a lot of snow and wind over the past week. This is a view from our 'front window' in the motorhome.

I've just reread my last post and realized I've left some info hanging. The sweater has become a sweater and bonnet and is finished, the bunting bag is still in the works and I am percolating some ideas for the crocheted afghan. Maybe it won't be an afghan... The math for the sweater was a success and was only challenging when I got to the shaping at the back of the bonnet. This project was a prime example of why one should do a test sample. My yarn was obviously heavier than the pattern specs as I used quite a few less stitches. I found it easiest to 'rewrite' the pattern with the new specs rather than just pencil them in and to do all the changes before I started.

I was delighted to be a guest at the opening reception of Quilt Canada. This year it is here in Calgary. I really wanted to be a full participant but I've had a winter of battling viruses and resulting ear problems that left me fearful of my ability to attend and participate fully. My arm has strengthened so workshops would not have been as much of a problem as first feared, even though certain activities are difficult - anything that requires precision with my dominant hand is frustrating. Hopefully this will be a thing of the past in the near future.

The competition show has some really great new work in it. I cruised the merchant mall to plan my attack on Friday and left the invitational shows until Friday as well. I'm told that they are spectacular! I've only got a few hours to cover all this as I volunteered to staff the SAQA area between 2 and 4 on Friday.

Being new to the Calgary area I hope this will help me meet some of the local textile artists. I wore my samurai coat to the reception and it had the desired result. Lots of people introduced themselves and commented. I really should have entered it in a show somewhere. If you saw me at the reception please drop me a line.

I'm going to post infrequently on the travel blog for the summer and give this one a chance. Drop by often. Once I'm home after the surgery this will be a priority.

Sharing Ideas

2010-02-10T14:35:00.011-07:00

I've been lying low for a reason - I am reduced to typing with one hand and one finger due to a broken wrist shortly after my last post. Hopefully, surgery later this year will correct the resulting problem.

In the meantime I have experienced 12 weeks in a cast, visits to specialists, travelled half way across the continent west to east and back again to finalize the sale of our home and then halfway across the north and south axis to our winter destination in search of some sun and much needed R&R.

All the above to say I'm just getting into creative mode again. I have discovered that although I can't rotate my wrist to typing position, I have gradually gained enough strength to knit and crochet. So knit and crochet I am. Prolonged activity of any one kind is not in the cards so I bounce from one thing to another.

The first project this summer is a baby sweater for one of a couple of new arrivals into our family in the near future. We don't know whether they will be a boy or girl so pale green was the color of choice. I found a couple of balls of a really nice variegated yarn in my stash so I have been busy knitting. I searched on-line for a pattern I remembered from the era of my children and found a really great web site http://www.freevintageknitting.com/ I didn't find the exact pattern but did find one much like it. When I did my test swatch I found the yarn and pattern didn't match. The sweater is knit from front edge to front edge in one piece so the math to make it work wasn't too complex. I'll provide more details in a later post. The knitting is slow for me. What I would have finished in three or four days, has taken me four weeks and I'm only three quarters finished. So be it!

The second project, is a broomstick lace bunting bag from a pattern leaflet from the late 1970's. I made one for my kids and loved it so one of the babies should enjoy it. This project uses different arm and hand movements so helps me avoid stressing the wrist too much. Broomstick lace works up quickly so my slowness won't be as much of an issue. I'm always eager to get on with new projects and I'd like to add a crib quilt to my selection of gifts as well. I always try and keep a couple of gifts ahead but I depleted my ready gift stash in the fall. The next generation seems to have discovered how to make babies!

The third active project at the moment is a crocheted afghan that I started a year ago. It's one of my 'use-it-or-lose-it' projects. I had a three drawer storage unit full of worsted weight wool in many colors that has taken up space for years. I found a pattern for an afghan that works well for this kind of stash. It is long rows of single crochet using two strands of yarn with a color change at the end of each row. This creates a wonderful tweed effect that helps blend the different colors together. The throw will be heavy when finished but will hold its shape well as a result of is strength. I made it long enough that it will prevent the age-old battle to stay covered when used at nap time on the couch.

I bounce from one project to another, depending on what my wrist will tolerate and what time and weather dictate. On cool days I spend longer working on the afghan - I can wrap my legs in it. The weather here in Yuma has been cooler than usual so this is an advantage when I want to work outside. On the other hand, the other projects are great for the warmer days.

Today was one of the rare rainy days here and I have spent it surfing, reading and planning. I found a great idea for using sharpie pens to get a tie-dye effect. I want to make medallions for applique on a future project I am planning. Here is the link to the info if you are interested. http://blog.sharpie.com/2008/11/sharpie-to-tie-dye-for/

I'm back! It feels good.

I'm Back!

2009-08-12T13:25:00.003-06:00

If you are visiting for the first time or monitoring my activity, a short explanation of my absence of almost a year. My husband and I decided to do a less than traditional transition into retirement and are currently on the road travelling, destinations decided on a whim and end date undetermined. As a result this past year has been a scurry of preparations and adjustments that have limited my will and ability to return to my art work. That recently changed but more on that later.

I just receive an e-mail from a friend that has triggered some reflections that I would like to share. She asked:
Will you be downsizing to a trailer or will you rent/buy something smaller? Either way, I’m wondering how you can bear to part from some of your lovely things and all your creative “ingredients” (fabric, paint, etc). Dealing with things in my father’s house after his death in May (either in person or hearing from siblings who had more to take of than I did), I am aware of just how much junk accumulates. So, I am trying to give away/throw away things I don’t need. However, there seems to be a great deal that I feel I do need or love, so it’s a challenge and I’m interested in any advice you can provide.

From this I'm gathering that she hasn't visited our travel blog! We have been travelling in a 40' Monaco Diplomat since January 9 this year and for an update on our adventures you can check our blog at www.travelpod.com/members/momadunc This adventure has proved so right for us that we intend to continue indefinitely. Anyway here is my response:

We are traveling full-time until health or other circumstances intervene or we decide that this chapter of our life should close. The 40’ Monaco Diplomat has turned out to be a good choice and quickly became home to us. I’m fortunate in that I was able to bring a lot of my ‘studio’ stuff with me and am working on projects while Don pursues his interests. However, I’m developing a list of additional items and have identified items to leave behind at some point.

As to the possessions issue, that is never easy. We planned towards scaling back for 4-5 years before embarking on our adventure. My approach was to go through things each year asking myself whether an item was part of my present life, could I see it as part of my future life, or was it something I had a strong emotional attachment to. If it went into the ‘sale’ pile, I asked myself if it could easily be replaced if I changed my mind. I also attempted to give away things. I learned through this process that the next generation has very different tastes and that unless an item has strong family history elements, it probably wouldn’t be of interest. I also learned that I had a lot of ‘stuff’ that was important at one point of my life, but was no longer important and probably would never be. I also came to the realization that my family had been using me as a curator, not willing to house items but not wanting them to go out of the family. It was amazing how much of this stuff I could not find new homes for by giving them away.

Each year of the ‘downsizing’ period I went through things and separated things according to this criteria and held a garage sale or two. The first couple of years it was mostly ‘junk’ and old decorating items but I was amazed at how much found new home and I had great visits with people as a result of the sale. Each year I was amazed at how much more I was adding to the sale pile, things that I couldn’t part with the year before. In 2007, I filled the driveway (completely) three times on the major holiday weekends and got rid of it all! By that point I started packing the stuff that had survived and giving it one last check. Very little got discarded at that point. I now have a house that is 80% packed and only some of the larger furniture items to dispose of. Early on I had gone through and decided on the pieces I didn’t want to part with or would have to keep for house showings. I sold a number of pieces at that time. I left the house looking lived in and it is currently rented.

All this was spurred on by a similar situation. Both mother’s left longtime home at the end of April 2006 and we had to quickly disperse of their belonging so that they could go into homes. Knowing that I only had sons and that they were half way across the continent, I was spurred on to make some of these decisions sooner versus later. I also watched as some older friends were faced with downsizing and the difficulty in doing this when one is in failing health or facing other major life changes.

I found the process freeing. I rarely miss anything. I know that if we ever settle again, many of my treasures, now packed, will be enjoyed once again but they are not essential to a good life at this time. Don and I have the gift of time in a shared adventure, something many people never have and which would have been much more difficult if we had opted for a more traditional approach to retirement. We look at each other frequently and ask, how could we have gotten it so right!

I have to add at this point, my books and my 'studio' were left to the last and these items were some of the hardest to do. In the end, I only parted with popular fiction that can easily be replaced and passed on some childhood books to a niece that I know will appreciate them. Some of my treasures were also given to family members because that is where I wanted them to eventually go anyway. I also parted with books that reflected interests of the past that probably wouldn't resurface in the future.

As for my studio, most of my books and supplies survived and triggered my 'Use It or Lose It' campaign that continues as i work on UFOs and other projects that utilize existing supplies and equipment. I'm actually have fun and find that the limitations imposed by this focus are triggering creativity that might not have otherwise emerged. More on that to come. I'll try and bring you uptodate on some of my projects over the next few weeks.

Show time!

2008-09-01T17:35:00.005-06:00

Labour Day weekend is usually a quiet one around our house but not this year. I came back from holidays with a long 'to do' list! Top of the list was to prepare for a fiber art gallery show that I made a commitment to earlier in August. The first night back was a meeting with the group of artists who are cooperating. In July I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hang a solo show in a local Book Shop and have been very pleased with the feedback and the sale of a large piece. I discovered that there was another opening for the month of October and decided to run it past some friends who were interested in learning more about preparing for and hanging a show. So we're off and running.

Because I was away until midweek I have spent every available moment preparing one of my pieces - taking it far enough to do some photography for promotional purposes. Today was spent in photographing the work of the other participants so that postcards can be ordered and an e-mail flyer prepared. One of the group has also offered to set up a Picasa site specific to the group so I will post the link when it is ready.

For my 'larger' piece I decided to do an addition to my story pictures series and can't wait until I see it completed. I'm really having fun with these pieces and fulfilling my 'use it or lose it' goal at the same time. Dipping into my bits and pieces, I let the fabric speak to me and presto - 'the Rodeo Queen' was born! Here is a photo of the piece midway through construction.

Now to prepare the canvas mount/mat. the floating frames are ordered. Then to start work on piece #2. I want to make it the start of another series. It's still in the fermentation stage! We have to be ready to hang by Setember 17 and the vernissage is on September 24. Aren't deadlines great!

Once a Mother, Always a Mother!

2008-08-26T20:26:00.006-06:00

Back home tonight. What a busy ten days we have had. First a smooth flight with wonderful views of clouds and the fields and forest below as we flew west . . .

Then a walk down Stephen Street in Calgary under wonderful blue skies . . .

a rodeo in Airdrie . . .

a visit to Drumheller on a day when the thermometer registered 40 degrees Celsius and a brisk dry wind was blowing . . .

An afternoon in Banff amidst the glorious Canadian Rockies . . .

A visit with new friends in Wilderness Village RV Resort just outside Rocky Mountain House, multiple trips to the Marble Slab for icecream, evenings spent catching up on the day's events at the Olympics, chatting and sharing good food, hours at a borrowed sewing machine hemming ten pairs of pants for my son ......

And the creation of yet another of my 'memory' projects ....

My daughter-in-law entreated me to help her solve the problem of a crowded closet by finding a way to help preserve my son's memories is a more compact fashion. The result - a pillow constructed using the sweater my son wore on their first date as a base, logos from a pile of too small golf shirts that represented past work experiences and work related events and trim cut from one of the golf shirts. What do you think?

Did I mention that the memory quilt with T-shirts from high school sports activities was a hit?

What a week!

Time to Catch my Breath!

2008-08-15T08:51:00.012-06:00

We arrived in Calgary last night to a warm welcome from the 'grand-dogs'! This morning we are taking a lazy start as we are still on Ontario time and our planned trip downtown is best left until after the morning rush hour. I wonder what adventures today will hold.

The last couple of weeks were a real scurry and culminated in a marathon photography session so I could record the T-shirt quilt before it was packed for delivery. Here is the final product - and it was well received!

Sorry, even rotating these images in other software, they upload like this. What is the solution?

In addition to accommodating a number of showings on the house I was also able to finish yet another UFO - Haven't named it yet but here it is along with one that I finished while in Phoenix last winter. These are based on Wendy Fraser's 'fracture' technique where you cut multiple copies of the same design and they reassemble as one piece. I used 6 preprinted quilt blocks about 10.5 inches square to assemble the fracture portion of each of the pieces. This is a great technique for people who are math oriented but doable by anyone.

I continued to work on my piece begun two years ago in a workshop with Barbara Olsen. However it is just at the half way point and will have to wait until this fall for completion.

My show at Read's Book Shop is over so I am now on the hunt for another location to show them. I'm also trying to get a couple of pieces ready for a group show later in September and need to get my paint brushes out again for some new pieces for the VAM Market Place. Who said 'retirement' would be relaxing?

For the next few days it's over to family time and exploring new places.

Aftermath of Shopping Summer Sales

2008-07-31T13:24:00.009-06:00

On Tuesday a friend met me at my fibre art exhibit and later we had lunch and browsed through some of the local shops. I don't think either of us started out with the intent of making purchases but some of the shops had buys that were just too hard to pass up. Among my purchases was a pair of slacks, regular price $70 for $20. At 5'9" I often have difficulty getting pants that are long enough but this pair met that criteria. I also often have trouble getting sufficient crotch depth. This pair had depth to spare but did not sit right around the waist. I looked at them for a few moments and this is what my mind saw - not what they looked like in the store -good length, level waistline, few puckers - and this is also what they looked like after a few alterations! The pants are a stretchy rayon polyester blend with a wonderfully soft yet stretchy feel but unless fitted properly presented a bit of a challenge for my 'round' tummy!

While trying on the slacks, I determined that the 'no waistband' with elastic insert waistline would be easy to 'unsew' so that was the first step in my work today. Note that the waistline is almost correct in the centre front but an inch and a half high at the side seams. I had anticipated that this was part of the problem. Last fall, while drafting a updated pant pattern, I found it hard to believe how much a standard pattern needed to be altered at the waistline to provide the smooth fit required. In spite of weight gain over the years, three babies and years of computer work, resulting in little muscle tone where it counts, I have retained significant waist definition !

I used some soft cord to mark where my waistline should fall. To determine this I worked with the side seams to remove the wrinkles from the crotch and inner leg. The cord actually was sitting level, but one of the joys of trying to photograph techniques by oneself is making do - I extended my arms to take the picture and the cord distorted!

Because I also tapered the front crotch seam, which is normally a straight seam, to provide some front 'roundness', the elastic was long enough for the new waistline and did not need to be replaced or extended. I pinned it in place with one edge along the marked new waistline (I used pins on the right side rather than pencil or chalk). I used a stretch overcast stitch on my sewing machine to rejoin the elastic and pant fabric along the bottom edge - not the top - of the elastic. You can see how much excess fabric resulted! Trying the pants on once more to confirm the fit, I then trimmed the fabric close to the stitching. I may use some fraychek but on the other hand, with the stitch used, it shouldn't be necessary.

One of the advantages of doing alterations to ready made clothes is learning some of the techniques used. In this case I realized that the elastic had not been stretched when it was joined to the 'stretch' fabric, allowing both to lie smoothly along the waist when in place. I anchored the ends of the elastic to the tape on the invisible zipper to ensure that the elastic would take the 'stretch' strain not the fabric.

Note that the elastic is tucked under the tape on the zipper before stitching so that it would not interfere with the zipper function. In heavier material I don't worry about folding the excess zipper length back into a waist facing but with this lightweight fabric I decided to remove the excess 'teeth' but not the tape. This made it easier to fold the tape under the facing before handstitching the facing to the edge of the zipper tape.

I finished off by securing the bottom of the facing to the side seams, darts and zipper making sure that the exterior fabric was free of the facing. This way there are no puckers on the right side. Note the fold line where the old waistline was!

A second purchase was a wonderfully beaded denium skirt regularly priced at $145 on sale for $45. The great thing about these purchases is that I couldn't purchase the fabric and, in this case beads and hand dyed velvet, for the price I paid. I also purchased the matching beaded sweater and jeans for a fraction of their original price. Although both the jeans and skirt could be worn as is I chose to enhance the fit around the waist. Both had a dropped waist but because of the differential between my waist and hips, the 'waistline' was loose and tended to gape slightly. I decided to add some discrete elastic to both. Here is the skirt with my hand inside the waistband.

I cut a small slit on the inside of the waistband, under the location of the front belt loop and inserted some elastic with a bodkin. I left about an inch of elastic beyond the hole and later tucked it inside the waistband.
I secured the end with a pin and then using a slanted zigzag that I often use as a straight stitch on stretch fabrics, I stitched through all layers - the waistband and elastic - making sure that the belt loop was out of the way. I secured both sides of the slit and ensured that the elastic was securely attached. This is what the right side looked like with the belt loop moved to one side.

This is what it looks like when the belt loop is in place.

On the skirt I started at the front belt loops; on the jeans, which have a more distinctly dropped waistline and fit a little more snuggly, I started at the second belt loop from the zipper. This allowed me to snug the waist without adding any bulk across the front. When they are worn, the slight gathering is not noticeable but the additional comfort is. When worn with a closely fitting sweater on the outside, the profile is much smoother.

All this to say that I left my detailed free motion embroidery work today. I went to bed with a stiff neck last night so thought that I should give it a rest. More on that at a later date.

My new toy and recent inspiration

2008-07-27T09:05:00.003-06:00

Earlier this spring I had the opportunity to buy an embellisher but had little time to play with it. Now that the exhibition work is completed, I was able to use one of the recent rainy days to play and here is one of the first pieces I completed. Because this was strictly experimental I just used materials that were easy to access - quilt batt trimmed from the edges of the T-shirt quilt, some odds and ends of wool and scraps from my 'baggie' of clippings. This is a picture of the first strip before pressing. I like it so much that I plan to use it in a project in the near future. More on that at a later date.

Having spent hours doing a simple border by hand on a coat project, I was amazed at how quickly and securely fabrics were bonded together. And what a great way to use the little pieces that were originally collected to make 'snippet' pictures! Note the silver snippet and how it shredded. I cut a small piece of chiffon and placed it across the middle of this piece to secure the pieces, leaving the ends free for texture. Otherwise I think it would have pulled off the piece.

I love skies and sunsets and frequently wish I had my camera. The other night, while driving with my husband I was able to capture the following through the sun roof of his car. Enjoy.

The Quilt is Ready for Delivery!

2008-07-18T10:41:00.010-06:00

The last two weeks are a blur! Work on the quilt progressed quickly once I worked out a system and side two only took a day and a bit! By trimming and aligning logos that were similar in width and then grouping them into piles so that the lengths came out to approximately the 55 inches less the number of borders required - I was able to create the strips to be joined together. I found that I did the sorting after adding inner borders to the 'too narrow' logos so that I could just count the number of joins x 2 inches. Somehow it all worked out BUT before it did, I had to rectify the extra 8 inches in total width on side two! To do this I went back to side one to add end pieces to match the main framework fabric.

Rather than use my main sewing machine for quilting large items (my back doesn't like it), I often use my Juki machine in a Hinterburg frame for larger pieces. I still prefer to sit for doing smaller pieces requiring a lot of free motion or precise quilting. For a one sided piece I use the quilting machine frame as designed to feed the back and front of the quilt from separate rollers but for this one, a reversible quilt, I decided to do a traditional quilt sandwich because I didn't have much fudge factor if I was to ensure that the edges of the two sides stayed aligned. I basted 6 inch temporary strips of fabric to all sides of the back (underside when quilting) so that I would have fabric to pin the quilt to the leaders and to ensure that I could provide the necessary tension when stitching near the edges of the quilt. These were later removed.

When I make a quilt sandwich I like to lay the backing fabric out on the floor (sometimes using masking tape to keep it square), align the batting with the backing and then the front of the quilt on the top. I use a spray adhesive to hold the layers together. Because I was going to use my frame to do the quilting, I wanted to ensure that when the quilt was rolled it didn't shift. I added quilting pins in a grid of approximately 10 inches as well. I made sure to remove these before I started to stitch each pass.

I decided to use a simple pantograph - just a wavy line - for quilting to ensure that the quilt stays soft and puffy. Again this was a first for me. I tend to prefer to free motion work (most of my work is 'quilt art' rather than 'traditional quilting') and I wanted to discipline myself to using regular patterns when the work really calls for it.

I had an additional challenge of trying to work with rollers that were technically too short (almost the same length as the quilt width). Normally you use a minimun of at least the width of the quilt plus a foot to allow access to the sewing machine to change bobbins and to ensure that you can quilt to the edge of the quilt. Because I have to be able to prepare the house for showings (it's on the market) I didn't want to change to full length rollers. As a result I was not able to stitch right to the edge of the quilt and had to do some additional work once it came off the frame but did accomplish my goal of keeping the edges aligned.

Once off the frame I returned to my trusty tiled floor and use the tiles to roughly align the edges of the quilt. Measurements from corner to corner (X) showed that the quilt was basically square. So then I trimmed the edges by inserting one of my cutting board under the quilt and aligning my 'large' square (20 1/2 in) in one corner, and two long rulers at right angles along two sides of the quilt. Once I felt that I had a true corner that would work with two sides I used my rotary cutter to trim the sides ready for the binding. I used these two sides to help me align the sides for the other corners using the same positioning of rulers. I double check before cutting to ensure that the measurements through the centre of the quilt (w and l) and the width and length at the edges of the quilt are basically the same. Small discrepancies (1/2 in or less) I rectify when I apply the binding as I sometime feel that they arise from the quilt relaxing differently in different places. It works for me!

Binding the Quilt

I cut strips of fabric for the binding of a normal quilt 2 1/4 inches wide on the straight of grain. The length equals the perimeter of the quilt plus at least a foot. I piece the strips together on the bias so that the thickness of the seam is distributed and does not come all at one place in the binding. I do this by placing right sides together, at a right angle to each other, allowing enough of the cut edge from the underpiece to show so that I can stitch on an angle from where the two pieces cross to the opposite corner. I always check to make sure that I am sewing the right corners together to get a continuous piece as the other angle gives me a mitered corner! (See illustration below of joining the ends at right angles)

The next step is to press the binding fabric in half so that it measures just over an inch wide. Some people press the seam open but my thinking is that pressing the seam to one side is stronger.

I pin the folded binding to the edge of the quilt measuring carefully to make sure that opposite sides are exactly the same length. This sometime takes some pinning and repinning as the first of the sides pinned may need to be 'shortened' or 'lengthened' to match the corresponding side. I hold the binding taut but leave the quilt fabric relaxed, but not so much so that it 'bubbles' when stitched. I start pinning about 2 feet from a corner and leave a tail of binding about 10 in long at the start of my pinning. There should be at least the same amount of binding hanging free when you stop stitching at the other end.

Some people like to use a walking foot to stitch the binding to a quilt and I sometimes do this. On this quilt I opted to stitch using a quarter inch foot.

I stitch to the nearest corner and I stop stitching 1/4 inch from the edge and turn the fabric so that I can stitch directly to the corner of the quilt at a 45 degree angle to the binding seam, stitching right off the quilt. I remove the quilt from under the pressure foot of the machine and fold the binding so that it aligns with the next side to be stitched. The fold in the binding aligns with the side just stitched. I begin the stitching the new side at the edge of the quilt and repeat this process at each of the subsequent corners.

When I am approaching the starting point and the loose end of binding, I stop stitching about 10-12 inches short of where they will meet. This gives me sufficient space to open the binding fabric and align the two ends so that the meet at right angles, allowing me to stitch them together from corner to corner creating another bias join. I make sure that the finished length matches closely to the quilt to which it will be joined. Then I refold the binding and complete the stitching.

I like to use quilt clips to hold the binding in place for hand stitching as they do not get caught in my clothing or on the furniture while I hand stitch the binding to the back of the quilt. I use a very small blind stitch (catch the quilt fabric and slip the needle inside the binding for about 1/4 inch). I work with the corners to make sure that there is a good miter fold on both back and front and as I stitch the binding I place a few stitches in the corner to secure the miter on the back.

Hope someone finds this useful! It is at least a reminder to me when I haven't done a binding for a while!

Busy Week - One side of the Memory Quilt is Completed!

2008-07-05T09:17:00.016-06:00

How I cherish my morning walks! A friend and I meet around 8 am for a walkabout (so far just on nice days) and does it ever make a difference in my day. I am not by nature a morning person and I often can barely put words together when we start out but by the time we return we have walked and talked for 45 minutes to an hour and it seems like no time at all. I've tried to motivate myself for a daily walk for years but for me having a walking partner is essential! The other day I took my camera along and took pictures in some of the gardens along the way and then took time for some in my own. Fodder for future artwork. Here is one to illustrate what terrific inspiration can be found in our everyday world.

I have also been busy following up on some leads that have been thrown my way over the past few weeks. Thank you friend for looking out for me. As a result I now have a series of watercolours in the Virtual Art Market (V.A.M.) gallery, 77 Bridge St. in Carleton Place. It isn't open Sundays and Mondays and opens at 11 on other days but seems to be doing a great job of marketing local artists. You can preview some of these painting by following my link to galleries and checking out the watercolour folder.

I have also received word that son #2 will be visiting next weekend and the t-shirt quilt that I introduced in a previous blog is for him. So, I'm making a concerted effort to get it as far ahead as possible before his arrival. Through the blog, I will document my aha's for any of you that may want to attempt a t-shirt quilt in the future.

As previously noted, the quilt started with the sorting and washing of a bag of T-shirts saved from my sons' public and high school days. I was hesitant to proceed after all these years as my sons are well past that era but I have been assured that they would love these as a memento. Then I used a rotary cutter and a small mat that would fit inside the t-shirt to cut the logo from the shirt. I was careful to leave at least an inch or two inches of fabric around the logo for future size adjustments.

Then, I took each of the logos and ironed on tricot interfacing. I chose a fusible tricot knit,a very light weight interfacing, as it left the t-shirt material soft. By turning the stretch in the opposite direction to the greatest stretch in the t-shirt it provides stability and minimized stretch.

There weren't a lot of logos that were the same width so the first task was to make them match. I framed some of them in one of the four fabrics selected for this purpose and trimmed all of them to fit the desired width. As I will say over and over, measure, measure, measure. Each time you press a seam open or even in the stitching there will be some stretch and reshaping appear in the t-shirt material even though it has been stabilized. Make sure opposite sides match exactly. I found out the hard way that this is important!

Once the chosen logos were trimmed or bordered so that they were all the same width, I started to add the framing fabric I had chosen. Thank goodness, I chose a fabric that, when joined to a piece of the same fabric, didn't show where the joins occurred. More on that to come. I added the horizontal pieces first, creating a strip, then checked the sides of the strip for any distortion. Then I added side strips, being careful to check that the length of each logo and of the strip was the same.

Then I joined the strips to form the top. Even though I measured carefully, there were slight variations in the lengths of the strips so, I stitched them together so that one side (in this case the bottom) of the piece was even and all adjustments would occur on the other side (the top).

I did this because I determined that in a couple of strips I could open seams and make logos shorter, bringing the strip in line with its neighbours. In other cases, I made the cross framing strip wider or narrower as required. The quilt will have logos on both sides, so there will be an outside border added to bring this side of the quilt in alignment with the other side which I am sure will not measure the same!

Because I had selected a fabric where joins are not obvious, this adjustment does not jump out at you.

The top (or back) is finished!

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-01T20:14:00.007-06:00

Today was one of those glorious summer days - warm without a lot of humidity, a light breeze blowing and bright blue skies above. Don and I joined friends for an early morning walk that developed into a tour of the classic car exhibition in the local park. I think that everyone is eager to be outdoors after a month of rainy days. The participants were busy giving a last minute polish to their vehicles in hopes of catching the judge's eye later in the day but many took time to stop and chat.

Back home by lunch time, I decided I had enough time before our afternoon plans to start a memory quilt for my son. When we were packing to move to our present house in 2001 I discovered a bag full of his T-shirts from various sports teams from public and high school years. Initially tempted to just throw them out, I decided to see if I could create a 'cuddle' quilt for his family room that would not clash too much with the decor. It has to be something that meets with the approval of my daughter-in-law as well! A couple of years ago, after laundering the shirts, I used a rotary cutter to save the logos from the front of each T-shirt. Today I took knit iron-on interfacing to stabilize and add more body to the fabric. This will also strengthen the fabric from well-worn shirts. I'm still contempating how I am going to put them together. I'm not aiming for a masterpiece but I want the finished piece to be attractive and useable. Worst case scenario, I have a blanket for the 'granddogs'! More on this project in the days to come.

Then on a Canada Day party in an neighbouring town. I found a recipe for a Canadian flag cake in a recipe e-mail last week and assembled the main ingredients last night. After adding the creamy topping and strawberries, we were on our way. We spent a pleasant afternoon meeting new friends and enjoying the music of some young musicians from the community. We forgot our sweaters so returned home before the fireworks in the local park but were able to watch and photograph the fireworks in our local park from our back deck.

On Line at last!

2008-06-30T12:23:00.000-06:00

When the student is ready, the teacher appears! This seems a very apt description for my life at the moment. Retirement, travel, opportunities - everything is falling into place. And I've just launched my first fibre art show - and its a solo show! Read's Book Shop in Carleton Place, ON is a wonderful venue and between 50 and 60 friends and shop patrons showed up to get me launched! I am blessed!

Now I'm turning my attention to learning how to expand my use of the web so that I can communicate more effectively with other artists and art patrons. Through this blog site I hope that other people will become more familiar with my work and I hope to use this site to share my knowledge and experiences as I continue on my journey - as I 'explore the Artist within'. Today is all about mastering the set-up and use of a blog site. Last week I posted pictures to the web at http://picasaweb.google.com/DianeDuncan01. Once I get this mastered, I will explore the development of a web site. Join me as I round the learning curve!