Today was half class, half bus trip. Our teacher, Cynthia Corbin, called the day "catch up" so we could finish what we had started before starting anything new. I decided to chop up the piece I had started yesterday and see if I could save it in any way. This is how I left it before the bus trip - kinda so-so.
The afternoon a trip to a museum in Zanesville, OH, an exhibit in Delaware, OH, then an exhibit at the JCC in Columbus and making it back to the college just in time for dinner. We saw quilts at all three locations - I hesitate to post any without permission from the artist.
Zanesville is home to two pottery businesses that date to the 1800's: Roseville and Willard. The museum has quite a collection from both companies - things I have only seen on Antiques Roadshow. Here's a Roseville vase.
Zanesville was home to Charles Schulze and here's a tribute to his work.
On the way to Delaware, we passed the Longaberger headquarters - a huge basket.
After dinner, I went back to whacking, chopping and sewing the piece from yesterday. I got to a 'finished' point and declared it done. Forgot to take my camera - so I'll do a photo tomorrow. Am I pleased? Well, hmmm, it's done. Tomorrow we start on our final project which I am still pondering.
Wonderful people here (aren't all quilters wonderful!). The weather has cooled and is pleasant. All around, a good week.
Karen
Yesterday was Day 1 of Cynthia Corbin's class New Directions. She is a lovely teacher who knows how to push us, which this class is all about.
The first exercise started with her asking us to pick and put on the design wall our favorite and least favorite fabrics of the day. The next step was to choose a photo and use our fav of the day to create a version of that photo. Here are my two fabrics - the fav on the left and the least fav on the right.
The goal was to work fast but in our comfort zones. My photo was of a landscape with a mountain and river. I was not very pleased with this first effort.
After lunch, we were to use the least favorite fabric and do a second version of the same photo but taking it a step further. I like this version better.
Tuesday morning, Cynthia asked us to choose three fabrics that do not go together and put them on the design wall (we each had a 4' x 8' design wall for our use - really nice). Here are my three that do not play together well.
The morning exercise was to use all three and create quickly and break all our rules. I loved the process. I wound up with two pieces, neither very exciting.
In the afternoon, we were to find an element from the morning piece and use the design of that element to create a new piece OR we could continue to work something from the morning. I chose the second option and came up with these pieces. I don't know where they are going, but it will be fun.
Soon, it will be time for bed. My suite-mates are all three taking a class with Jane Dunnewold on surface design similar to the class I took two years ago. So, we have lots to talk about.
Thanks for reading,
Karen
I am here at QSDS - all set up and just waiting for tomorrow. The drive was very easy, though long. And we had help unloading our cars and getting all our stuff to the classroom and living suite. The college is in Columbus and very modern in design. Photos tomorrow.
I did finish quilting the "plaid" Dad quilt and put the binding on, now it's waiting to be sewn down - later.
I have almost finished the commission quilt made of Judie's father's shirts. I need to finish the quilting, mostly ditch-stitching, and then put the binding on it. Judie originally wanted this for a Christmas gift, but she is so excited about it, she won't wait. I've used the concepts in Mimi Dietrich's Diary Quilt book. The photo is a bit dark - the outer border is a nice dark green.
I have just a bit of time to work on it tomorrow, but then I need to pack for QSDS and leave on Sunday. I am excited about going there - it's my first time. A whole week about quilting! I think I am taking my laptop so I can blog a bit.
Karen
Tonight was Matthew's graduation. A lovely event with all the family there. Matthew was home schooled until his senior year, which he did at the Community College, so graduation was combined with a small Christian school for a total of four graduates. Three of the four graduates spoke of their experience. We are all so proud and happy for him. Afterward was the mandatory photo shoot. Here's Matthew with both of his grandmothers. He's a good guy.
Who are you celebrating this season?
Karen
Last week, I became the grandmother of an adult - Matthew turned 18. Time for an adventure. Our tradition has been to see a minor league baseball game to celebrate his birthday. The only farm team of the Orioles that he had yet to see was the Norfolk Tides. Road trip! We left early Saturday morning with plans of going on a boat cruise to see dolphins at 2, then the game at 7:15. Traffic got in our way - a long slow backup to get to the Norfolk tunnel. Plan B was to go on the 4 pm boat cruise - got there with about 5 minutes to spare only to learn boat trips for the weekend were cancelled due to very choppy seas. Plan C became a nice walk on the beach - he knows his Mimi pretty well, how I love to walk on the beach and get my feet into the ocean. Here's Matt.
Got to the game a bit late due to more traffic, had a good time and the Tides won. In fact, the Orioles and the other farm teams all won that day.
The Norfolk area is home to several military bases. Saturday night was Armed Forces Appreciation Night, complete with fireworks. The seventh inning stretch at the stadium begins with a photo tribute to the Armed Forces to the sounds of Kate Smith leading the crowd in the singing of God Bless America. That was impressive.
We ran through our options for Sunday and decided to see another baseball game - Matt was hoping to see two of his favorite pitchers on this trip - he did see one on Sunday. And the Tides won again!
The biggest surprise of the trip for me was yet to come. As we stopped for dinner, about 50 miles south of DC, he announced he would be driving the rest of the way home. I had to take several deep breaths - it's been a long time since I drove with a teenager - but it was going to happen. As you can see, he's a good sized guy in the MimiMobile.
After a brief spin in the parking lot to test the brakes, etc., we got back on I95 north and after a while I stopped clutching the door handle and pushing the imaginary brake pedal and became the navigator with just a few gentle hints for driving in heavy, fast traffic. We both relaxed into the drive and he did fine. He described the adjustment as when a coach and a player are new to each other, both are a little on edge and have to find the groove. So, we grooved home after a fast and fun trip. So nice to have a grown grandson who still wants to travel with his "Little Mimi".
Thanks for reading, Karen
and even lovelier through clean windows. Do you remember when spring cleaning was a big deal and even talked about over the fence and on porches? It's been a long time since I have thought in that mode (I usually just move). But I just did it - I cleaned, tidied, de-cluttered, dusted, polished and even washed windows. It's nice to walk into a sparkelly home.
The mess had been getting on my nerves and I was aware of too much dust, but I can procrastinate such chores for a long time. So, I gathered my energy and tools and got busy. There may be some of this energy going around. I have read a few blogs lately from others who have taken time out to re-organize and clean their spaces. I hope they feel as good as I do - especially when my daughter came here today and noticed! She is much more diligent about housekeeping than I.
Now I can get back to some creative stuff. Anyway, that's my plan for the next two days.
Do clean windows speak to you?
Karen
At least for a while and hid the "super moon". So, I made my dinner. Then, the clouds parted and the big moon was right there, outside my back door. It's always exciting to see a full moon and this one seemed larger (or am I just seeing what I heard about). Anyway, it is lovely and I am happy to see it.
I've not been blogging very much lately and now I feel I should catch up a bit. So, here's a bit of what I've been up to lately.
I've been feeling less than creative for a few weeks and quickly got tired of that. I spent a few days stamping, stencilling and printing some fabric. I tried two versions of a flour resist. One failed totally - I tried to create a screen, but made the flour paste way too thick. The other worked better - I covered a piece of previously dyed fabric with the paste and designed a bit in it; let it dry, then painted it. I read in someone's blog a tip about using a spoon to remove the dried flour - that worked very well (sorry I can't remember whose blog, but I am thankful). Here it is still messy, then cleaned up. It has possibilities.
As I was uploading photos, I bumped into the shots from the Peep Show at our local arts council. This is an annual event that brings in huge numbers of people and is a great fundraiser. It's a wonderful display of creativity. The only requirement is that you must use those marshmallow peeps. Here's the top vote getter - it also won the prize for using the most peeps.
I'm working on a commission right now - a memory gift. I was given a group of shirts from Judy's Dad that are becoming a quilt for her Mom. We chose twelve blocks from Mimi Dietrich's Diary Quilt book and will fill in with some sashing of a solid color. It's been fun to do some very traditional blocks - and those are enough for now. I have all the blocks finished to show her and then can do the rest. She originally wanted it for Christmas - I'm happy to get it done early. It could be a nice gift for Father's Day.
Tomorrow I'm leading another session of the Praying with Watercolors for some cancer survivors. Then it's back to a usual week -- bookkeeping, Bella, book group.
I finally registered for QSDS in Ohio. This will be my first time there and I am excited about going. Can't wait for some new tricks and ideas.
Enough for tonight. Be well. Karen
