Not enough time

Not only does Christmas cause this feeling but so does the addictive quilting.  There are so many patterns, so many techniques, so many things to try.  And fabrics.  Going to a quilt store is sensory overload.  Unfortunately the mundane things of life do not go away.  Curtains remain unhemmed; clothes are a jumble of spring and summer and winter.  Those old sweats are really not going to keep one warm as they wear out with continual wearing and washing.  The only thing that does not wear out are the paint stains.

But guess what wins out. I have finished a project pictured here.  It was not planned but it took over my thoughts and had to be done to exorcise it.  The planned things are still waiting to be cut and sewn and two quilts are waiting for borders and quilting, and the frame holds an applique quilt which I am doing in very detailed quilting.  With each session of intense detail, I question my sanity.

There are twisting, winding roads between the Fundy side of  Nova Scotia and the South Shore.  I travel #10 frequently and on this particular day the autumn colour was fantastic and the twist combined with a blind crest to create a missing link between one curve and another.  This was fun to create with commercial fabrics that closely resembled the woods on either side of the road.  When the dull colours of winter bring the blues, I can just look at this and remember the absolute riot of colour that envelops in the autumn.  

And when I wanted to hurry on spring I can look at this one made from a picture taken on a spring trip with a friend when beaches are quiet (no tourists) and make a nice walk with a furry friend.  

Now to the practical.  Can I squeeze that new coat and top into the cupboard or will I really HAVE to sort my clothes out?  Can I bargain with myself that cleaning one closet translates into several hours of quilting?  And then there is that felt Christmas tree that needs to be finished.  Bargaining with oneself is not easy.  Which side is going to win.  Perhaps I can call this jury in to help with decisions.  Will they wake up enough to help?

Teaching Art Quilts

Ana Buzzalino was the Extraordinary Quilter at Mahone Bay Quilt Guild in Nova Scotia last week.  I was fortunate to be able to attend both her classes.  Being able to teach is an art in itself.  It takes patience, preparation and the ability to express your thoughts in a variety of ways depending on the listener.

Ana is a gentle and caring teacher.  I know because I am not a good pupil.  I keep wanting to forge ahead to the next step and that can be adventuresome but also leads to roads where it gets very rocky.  A good friend constantly reminds me that I march to a very different drummer.

But in spite of my short comings as a pupil, Ana made this a wonderful experience.  I love pieced quilts.  I love all types of quilting. To me as long as there is fabric and colour I am game.  But art quilts require some introspection and examination of your goals and how to get there in addition to skill at piecing and choosing colours.  Each piece is your piece, your curve, your expression in colour and texture.  Ana provided a road map that will serve me well in my making of art with fabric and thread.  She added knowledge of paints, transfers, beading, and numerous tools.  Ana gave me a road map to go down my own road.  That makes an excellent teacher.  And she quilts heavily which I enjoy doing.  Quilting gives the final kiss of life to quilts.

Ana graciously allowed pictures during the trunk show she gave at the Dessert Party which occurred the evening before the classes.  Here are a few I managed to capture over and around heads.

Ana gave permission for photos to be taken and displayed.   Enjoy these quilts.  I certainly did and so did the rest of the audience if facial expressions are anything to go by.

Spring

Time to retire pictures of winter no matter how lovely they look.  So I have changed my template to what I hope to see plenty of - soft spring green.  Not to jinx things but snow is rapidly melting and today there was lots of people out walking and the air was springlike.

I started my quest for spring by attending the Annual Maritime Fibre Arts Retreat held at the Atlantica Oak Island on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.  The machines of quilters were humming; spinners were moving pedals in rhythm and chatting; knitters were knitting and hookers were hooking; people were visiting within their own fibre fields and making contacts and learning from people in other fibre fields.

It is a good thing to get out and about when you work in your home environment.  Exchanging knowledge is an expansion of our own knowledge that  you carry home and it adds wealth to your creativity.  There is excitement in sharing projects and seeing how others work with colour regardless of their fibre choice is interesting and enervating.

Of course in all of this is the joy of waking and finding breakfast ready and your bed being made and no familial responsibilities.  That too adds to the fun.  Never discount a comfortable cocoon to work in; especially one with room service.  Also included in the benefits of the retreat was a run to a gorgeous fabric store in Mahone Bay called Suttles and Seawinds.  As a friend says I have no self control.

I finished a quilt top which is very simple but it was fun to create the cat embroideries and when it is quilted I will post a picture. It is intended as a fund raiser for an organization.  Right now as well I am working on an Art Quilt using painting on the computer, thread painting as applique and a pointillism technique to apply background fabric.  At the moment it is at a stage of what would I call it - messy thoughts and partially completed basics.  So no pictures.

My quilting machine and a pile of quilts are also looking for a bit of my attention and there are fabrics and projects emitting signals to my brain that they deserve more than a box to be stored in or a shelf to be stored on.   In fact it is all a bit chaotic.  In the midst of which a run to the vets for a couple of hours added spice? to the day.

I am also working on a table runner in a French braid design which I am trying to juggle around a bit by alternating the colours in a slightly different way.   This is a partial  clip of my EQ7 design.  I like to use EQ7 to experiment with colours to see how they work or not.

Comments are welcome.  The actual colours are batiks with the yellow being a scrumpious orangey, pinky colour but the brown and blue are fairly realistic.  Borders are up for grabs at the moment.  It is another jumble of thoughts and basics like creating a potential design.  Boy this sounds like I am flaying in a pond of projects and the truth is I AM.  Will post again when I come up for air.

Happy Spring!!!!!

Coming Home

This year has been interesting and as we approach the end of it I welcome home a quilt I never thought I would make.

I love quilting and thanks to the ladies at the Paradise Village Quilters http://paradisevillagequilters.blogspot.ca/ I have improved my skills and increased my enjoyment since moving to Nova Scotia and joining their guild.  And I have made lots of quilts in the past 4 years as well as friends and have moved into long arm quilting at the push of a very, very good friend.

I love traditional quilts but I so admire those who create art quilts often showing their hearts and minds in so doing.  So the quilt above was inspired by Art Hits the Wall  http://arthitsthewall.com/  and I took on creating something for the 2013 show which is now over.  The theme was Kaleidscope and I took it quite literally as the tie between the toy and the quilts.  So as the toy  broke on the floor the quilt and the pattern fly apart.  I called it fractured.  It is now home and hanging where I can look at it and know I can move into art quilts as well as maintain traditional quilting.  It was so much fun as my imaginings became reality in the quilt.  The spilled colours are silk pieces from saris that are felted into the flooring.  And the kaleiscope and the quilt and pattern pieces are digital embroideries which is also a passion and provides pieces for applique on quilts.  I added beads taken from a wedding dress I altered.  Reuse, repurpose.

In submitting this quilt I expanded my quilting fraternity and as my original guild has nourished me this additional fraternity has put immeasurable pleasure into my life.  I have also found welcome in a 2nd guild at Mahone Bay http://www.mahonebayquiltersguild.com/  Like all quilt guilds there is a sense of coming home and welcome at all times.  The coffee is always on and cookies are available as soon as you say 'I am a quilter'.  

Now I have joined a group called SAQA Atlantic and can only hope that some of the skill will rub off on me.  http://saqaatlanticcanada.blogspot.ca/  This is part of a world wide organization.

For those of you who read this blog who are not quilters, know that this is an activity that has ties deep into history; benefits charities around the world; has an easy calling card 'I am a quilter'; is a large part of the art world; and is a big business putting lots of dollars into economies.  But most of all it is a warm, caring community of women and men who practice an art be it traditional quilts or art quilts; none more welcoming as those in Atlantic Canada.  So as I go into a new year I carry a blessing I never thought I would receive.  A treasure and an army at my back.