Answers under my nose

All I had to do was pay attention and look.  I've been sweating over what I will do next in this new series about where ocean and sand join together. I'm heading off to do some independent study soon and really want to make something new. Where, oh where, was my inspiration? Did I lose it in one of my road trips lately? Arggh!!

Somewhere between Saturday's trip to the Sacred Threads exhibit and guiding a group through watercolor fun, that old light bulb went off. I remembered some paintings I did about nine years ago - a series called The Rivers of Prayer. One painting in particular was called Low Tide. I was never 100% pleased with it, but I knew I had done a lot of sketching and research. Aha, time to pull out that painting and that sketchbook. And inspiration bloomed BIG TIME.

As I hung the painting, I looked at it with new eyes and actually like it now. The sketchbook was full of notes and drawings of things that live in the zone where water and earth meet. Woo Hoo!! Excitement that I know where I want to go with this series.

First, time to make some background fabrics. Some ice dyes that are now soaking in Synthrapol.

And time to paint some fabric. After being in the watercolor arena on Sunday, I knew how to paint it and what things to use -- some of the many brushes from my painting days. Here's the first layer.

It feels so good to have all these things come together. It's as
if the artist in me has woken up from a long nap.
Moral of this story:  Artist's Dates are so important to fill the well. So is play. And I did both this past weekend.

How are you filling your well? How are you having fun right now in your life?

Thanks for visiting. Karen

1,000 miles

in eight days and still driving. Busy days - time at the beach with my son and his family - driving them home after their car broke down - road trip to go fetch the repaired car - glad I was able to help.

Today was another road trip to see the Sacred Threads exhibit in Herndon, VA. This is truly a wonderful exhibit. My Rootedness is hanging in lovely light (see below for the image). Many of the artists were there for the reception - I enjoyed talking with a number of them and hearing more about their quilts. I took lots of photos, but hesitate to publish them here without permission. Sacred Threads has a CD that can be purchased of the entire show with comments and many audio clips from the artists. I've emailed them to find the spot on their web page to order the CD and will publish that here. It is the next best thing to being there. It's an honor to be part of the exhibit.

Vikki Pignatelli was there autographing her new book, Nurture Your Creative Spirit. With all this driving lately, I need a restful evening and now I have a new book to read.

Tomorrow I will be leading a watercolor workshop at the St. Agnes Cancer Institute where we use watercolors as prayer. This is always uplifting for me - to be able to touch some folks and offer some fun.

Off to my reading. Thanks for stopping by. Karen

Fun

Another week has flown by, July is upon us and that means heat and humidity. Sunday was my 50th high school reunion. It was a great event - the weather cooperated, important as we were on a boat in the Baltimore Harbor. Seeing so many people brought back memories of how special our high school years were. We were the first graduating class of Overlea High School and as such, we started some traditions and set some standards of sorts. I enjoyed seeing some of the folks who contributed to the legacy of the school. I loved connecting with friends from that time and hope that we can stay in touch - email makes it easier now. Even though I had my camera with me, I got so busy talking that I forgot to take any photos there.

Prior to the reunion, I picked up my friend Linda and we met for lunch with my daughter Susan. Linda is her Godmother. My only photo of the day is of two of my favorite people.

I have spent time using up my stash making some small quilts. The challenge has been that I bought fabrics that appealed to me on the spot and forgot about matching things. This invites me to try some new combos of colors and patterns - fun when I let go and just DO IT.

Tomorrow some friends and I are doing some sun printing and just playing with paint. Back to stitching a new quilt top for now. Thanks for stopping by. Karen

Lazy, that's all,

is the reason for no posts lately. Or maybe busy. Either way, it's time for a bit of catch-up.

The last six weeks have flown by. Doesn't that happen more often than ever?

At the end of May, I went off to QSDS to study with Rosalie Dace in the master class. She is an excellent teacher, coach, inspiring person and delightful as well. I wanted to explore a new series about what happens when water and earth come together. I spent a couple days working on a way to create sand. Here's a bit of progress.

Then, it was time to add the ocean.

I came home with it not quite finished and it has been on the design wall since. More later on that project. In the meantime, I taught two classes of low immersion fabric dyeing. Both days ended with everyone taking home bags of wet fabric.

Tomorrow is my 50th high school reunion on a boat in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. My dear friend, Linda, is here from Oregon and will be my 'date' for the event. It should be an interesting day.

Right now, I want to get some fabric out and make something to use up some of my stash. Sometimes, it helps my creative process to do something unlike anything on the design wall, something more traditional or straightforward. Right now, there are four pieces on the wall just waiting for the next step. So, I'll take a detour with pink batiks and make a Linus blanket.

I hope you are enjoying this second day of summer. It's been perfect weather here for the past couple days - open window days with lovely breezes and sunshine.

Thanks for tuning in. Karen

A new exhibit

The past two weeks have been busy getting ready for a solo exhibit in Berkeley Springs, WV. I had a few new pieces and some older ones. And, of course, several needed finishing -- sleeves, hangers and labels. It all got done on time. I drove down on Friday and put 15 quilts on exhibit.

Today I got an email that one piece sold already! Exciting! Here it is.

Here are two others in the exhibit.

This is Flow.

This is Colors of the Marsh.

I have also started updating my web page. You can check on my classes and other exhibits at www.karenamelia.com The next thing to work on is a 12 x 12 for the SAQA auction.

Thanks for stopping by.

Karen

Acceptance

I just learned yesterday that one of my pieces was accepted into the Sacred Threads exhibit in Herndon, Virginia, July 10 - 28, 2013. Needless to say, I am very excited. The title is Rootedness and refers to both the roots of trees and the roots we all have.

This is one of the largest non-bed quilts I have done. It measures 35" wide by 55" high. Here's some details of the many roots, some obvious and some hidden, all intersecting and touching.

I hope you can make plans to see the entire exhibit. When I saw the exhibit two years, I was moved so deeply that I had to visit it again and again.

Now, it's time to get back to finishing some pieces for an upcoming exhibit of my work in Berkeley Springs, WV, in May and June.

Let's continue to hold so many people in so many places who are hurting from events in the news in our hearts and prayers.
Karen

 

Busy from the ballet to the Peeps Show

and sewing in between. Last week began with a trip to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with Abigail for her 16th birthday event. We saw the New York City Ballet perform excerpts from Carousel, a Philip Glass ballet and a series of waltzes. It was stunning. We were impressed with the Center and loved the performances. Here are some photos - first Abigail with a bust of JFK, then the grown-up shoes we chose a while ago, then the ceiling of the Opera House.

 



 

I always get nervous travelling to D.C., having gotten lost there numerous times. Our trip down was so easy and then I used my son-in-law's GPS for the trip home. It took us through the city, but got us home.

Yesterday, Abigail, her younger brother Josh and I went to see the annual Peep Show at the Carroll Arts Center. Not a burlesque show, but a creative explosion of things made with those marshmallow Peeps.  This year, this local show even got some national TV attention. Exciting! So many cool things to look at - here are some.

Of course, a purple people eater!

Around these two events was Easter. Again, I shared the Triduum with my Benedictine friends and was richly fed spiritually.

I've been working on a few small quilts for an exhibit in May and June in WV. This is another marsh scene. I'd like some feedback. I added the green shapes near the sky, intending them to be trees waiting for trunks. Now I'm not sure. Are they trees or mountains? What do you think?

Here's a related piece that I made for the Arts Council anniversary show. It's their 10th anniversary and they asked members to create a piece 10" x 10". Here's mine, similar to the one above that is larger.

Okay, time to get back to work and watch some NCIS episodes on DVD. I spent a bunch of time walking in the woods today in 65 degree weather -- AT LAST! Hope you are getting some spring in your area.

Karen

Back home

Busy weekend - lots of fun and lots of driving. The quilt retreat time was fun and productive. I made considerable progress on the color wheel challenge and almost came to like red-orange. Photos later.

On the way home (with a 40 mile side trip), I went to the monthly meeting of the art/contemporary bee with my other guild and saw some other color wheel challenge pieces in progress. Great stuff! Our twelve quilts will make a wonderful exhibit in August at the Guild's show.

And today it is snowing! Enough winter! However, I am going to take advantage of this and do some snow dyeing. I need some backing fabric for my marsh pieces - I will use some new dyes in marshy colors. This is my usual bookkeeping job day, but the snow changed that. So I get to play. Woo Hoo! I hope I'll have photos in a day or two of newly dyed fabric.

The other news of the weekend is that my oldest grandson just bought his first car. Oh, how time flies - wasn't he just putting legos together and playing little league!!!! He's a good guy and I am happy for him making this step of independence.

Karen

Ah, quilting weekend

I'm almost completely packed and hope to be on the road by 10 tomorrow morning. I will be working on the color wheel challenge for my art mini group. I was so lucky -- not -- to work with red orange. Not a color I usually work with, but I did have some in my stash -- a good thing because all my favorite quilt shops had very little red orange fabric.

After I gathered them all, I realized that I had mostly dark and mediums -- only one light. So, I got out my fabric paints and created some textures that will look and act like lights.

Not only was the color a challenge to gather, but I could not come up with a design other than the traditional orange slice. I pulled out an old sketchbook and found two possible designs. Can't wait to get started tomorrow.

I've got my camera packed and hope to have some photos to share when I get back.

Where's your sketchbook? When did you last doodle in it?

Peace to you,
Karen

A bit of catch-up

First, apologies to anyone who has been disappointed in my lack of posts. No excuses, just busy and distracted.

This past weekend was Quilt Expo - the biennial show by the Baltimore Heritage Quilt Guild. There were over 300 quilts on display and a bunch of vendors (including my friend Alice and me with our hand dyed fabrics and stuff). As many of you know, staging such a show is a lot of work and organization - kudos to the Guild and particularly Cathy Kleeman, who is a wonder at organizing set up and take down.

Here's a photo of two of my quilts hanging. I received some great feedback on all five of my quilts. Alice and I did great - a lot of people took home some of our wares and we took home more money.

Going back a couple weeks, granddaughter Juliana turned 9. Her Grandmom Judy is a fantastic baker and always finds cake designs to thrill everyone. Juliana loves pandas. Here's her cake and then a photo of her just beaming.

Life is good. I am now trying to finish a couple charity things - a quilt for Linus and a 10 x 10" piece for our local arts council celebrating their 10th anniversary and then a color challenge for my mini-group. This weekend is the spring retreat for the Heritage Guild. Lots more lining up - busy, busy, busy - all good stuff. And the sun is shining today!!

Thanks for stopping by.
Karen

Been a long time

between posts. I am a bit embarrassed but either I forget or I feel that I have little to share. No one wants to hear whining or complaining, so I stay quiet. And then I have been exploring other blogging options. Enough blah blah.

I have pretty much completed the quilting on a large piece I am calling Rootedness. Sorry that I don't have a photo to show yet. I learned a lot working on this piece. It is roughly 58" high x 38" wide and called for lots of dense quilting to portray what I want to express.

At first, I believed I had to have all the plans worked out for all the parts of it. Ha! All that thinking did was keep me from doing anything. Finally, after who knows how long, I just started with one section that I knew what I wanted to do and did it. Every time I fell into worrying about how I was going to do IT ALL, I held up my imaginary STOP sign and focused on just one area and stitched. Of course, each next section got solved before its time as I worked on some other part. Of course, morning pages helped a lot. So, this piece taught me to stay present AGAIN.

I have it hanging on the design wall and plan to work on something else today. Tomorrow I will show it to some friends for some feedback. Part of me feels it still needs something, but I have no idea what. I'll try to get a photo here soon and keep you posted. For now, it and I need some space.

thanks for listening. Karen

Accepted!

American Lotus was accepted by the Adkins Arboretum for their upcoming show. A lovely way to start the year.

I have three other shows that I want to enter. So, it's time to get those photos and labels ready, do the email entries, then finish some bindings or facings. It's the finishing work that slows me down.

The weather is very, very cold here, 15 degrees and dropping more for the night. Brrrr. One more reason to stay inside and work on new creations.

Stay warm and cozy.
Karen

Something new for the new year

I do work well with deadlines. So, I set some for myself for the next two months. And I met the first one today. There was a call for entries for the Adkins Arboretum on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with a theme of wild nature and landscapes of the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain region. Just up my alley with my marshes.

A couple weeks ago, I worked with thin strips as described by Ann Brauer in the Dec/Jan issue of Quilting Arts. I wanted to try something different that could be part of a marsh. It's not so easy to stitch 3/4" strips and keep it all straight. I like that it is a sew and flip technique and thought it could be a good background.

In some ways, it is, but not for fusing on top of the stitched strips. After I fused the leaves and flowers, I noticed that the rows underneath became part of the fused image. Not what I wanted. You cannot see the lumps but they are there and not to my liking.

I ripped the lotus flower off and replaced it with a new flower shape on top of batting and revised the shape to give it more body.

Stitching came next. I first used a satin stitch and then covered that up with regular FM stitching. I really want to remember that I do not like satin stitching with fused appliques.

The next realization was that the leaves faded into the background. I used some interference paint (has mica in it) to give the top of the leaves some punch. Stitching in the bottom of the leaves seemed to do enough.

Finally, it was time to email my entry to the Arboretum and take time to blog. A deadline met. Success!

What would a day be without a bit of frustration? It seems that blogger.com will not let me upload photos from my computer. So I have played with Picasa, not as simple, but here we are.

Time to make some dinner. Let's hope my entries are accepted.

Karen

More catch-up

Isn't it crazy how December whooshes by us and then all of a sudden, it's January and cold. And we wonder what has happened. Briefly, the holidays were great with my family. Snow fell on Christmas Eve, so I stayed home and celebrated the next day.

On a sad note, my dear friend Peg passed away Christmas morning surrounded by her closest loved ones. She ferociously battled cancer for over two years. Hospice care was so helpful to her and her husband during the last few weeks. A celebration of Peg's life is planned for next weekend at her home. Peg was one of my go-to friends, especially for medical issues (she was a nurse). I will miss her very much. It is just plain hard to lose the people close to us.

I have taken some time to be with the loss of another friend and to be grateful for all my friends and family. I spent hours working on two huge 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Putting pieces together always gets my creativity going as well.

Today I plan to finish another marsh piece - with a deadline of Monday to enter an exhibition on Maryland Eastern Shore images. Hopefully, I'll have photos to post tonight or tomorrow.

That's it for now. Remember, it is only 75 days until the first day of spring. Blessings for your new year.

Karen

Oh my

I didn't realize how long it'seen since I have added to this blog. Sorry if you have been checking. Life has been happening at the speed of sound, at least that's what it has felt like. And quilting has been low on the to'do list. The good news is that I have some time over the next two days to be at my sewing machine. I have one gift to make - a tea cozy.

I have finished a couple pieces with bindings and facings. That always feels good. I finished quilting a piece for a friend and delivered it.

Mostly, I have been away from home. I've been able to visit my friend in Delaware who is now under hospice care two times since my last blog. It is hard to see a friend fade away. I hope that she can find peace in this process. Her husband has been great in his care for her. And now hospice can help him out. This time of year always has sadness in the midst of all the other emotions of the Christmas season. Today, the world is filled with sadness and sorrow for those victims and their families in the school disaster. I hope we all have time to hug our families more this year as we pray for those who are hurting.

I realize this post is a bit rambling. My thoughts have been all over the place lately. In my bookkeeping job,  I have been working twice as much, getting ready for the auditor who comes Thursday. More often than usual lately, I have had to be very intentional and stop and be aware of the moment.

Yesterday was a nice transition. I led a group in an Advent theme using my Praying with Watercolors retreat. I enjoyed seeing them slow down as they responded to all the music and played with the paints.

So right now, I think I'll get moving on that gift. I hope you have time in this busy season to pause and take care of yourself. Have a cup of tea and some chocolate.

Karen

Stamping and stenciling

has been my focus lately. I've been getting ready for the Carroll County Arts Council Gallery of Gifts and finished yesterday. I am very thankful that I can participate in this event in Westminster, especially after having to cancel being part of the Studio Tour. I will have dyed socks, dyed scarves (stamped and stenciled), a few shoulder bags and a bunch of quilted postcards for sale. Here are some samples of the scarves. These are silk.

 

These are rayon.

I have this wonderful table in my studio that is 48" x 48" (built by my son and son-in-law years ago) that I use for everything. It is covered and padded to make stamping, etc., easier. Here's what it looks like after my recent efforts. Who knows, I may have to use it in something later.

After I put all my paints, stamps and stuff away, I started making blocks to help those affected by Sandy. Michelle Foster, Quilters Fun blog, has organized a block collection to help other. See http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/sandy-quilt-block-drive/. I am finishing up 18 blocks tonight to send them. Check it out, especially if you have a bunch of blocks you could send.

Karen

Finally

something new, something completed as a result of the Quilt University class I took - Working in Series with Elizabeth Barton. An excellent class that I recommend. I learned a lot from the class and then about how I work.

Two exercises from the class had us sketching, first with pencil, then with watercolors. I loved both exercises, but I get carried away and keep playing well after I have plenty of sketches for quilts. I used the sketching as one more way to procrastinate doing what I say I want to do.

So, after the two anxious days waiting for Sandy when I got very little done except for eating, I decided it was time to stop wasting time and make something.

I pulled out lots of fabrics - Stonehenge textures and hand dyes - for marsh studies. Put them together, did raw edge applique (fast and adds texture), then started my special OCD FMQing to add lots of texture to this little marsh. I think I like it.

Here's a bit of detail.

Is it marshy enough? I think so -- for now.

Things I learned with this: I can get distracted so easily, even telling myself 'it' is past of my process. I can work small - the marsh is about 14 x 19", a challenge but I can do it. I design best when I play with the fabrics and use the design in my head. I can sketch or make patterns for parts, but playing is my best method. As Nike says, Just Do It.

It's November, cold and darker. I am never happy when we leave DST and it's dark at 5:30. I keep reminding myself it's only 135 days til the first day of spring. Time to turn on lights inside and get things going. It's also National Peanut Butter Month - maybe I'll make some cookies early this year to celebrate the PB. Hope your have ways to stay warm and bring out your creativity.

Karen

So far, so good

It's still raining here and fairly windy, but the worst of Sandy is past us here in Westminster. I am blessed that I did not lose electricity and very grateful for our safety. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were affected by this huge and dangerous storm.

Karen

A bit more about the grands

The past few weeks have been busier on the family front than in the studio. I have been doing some work on the QU class, but am still am behind there, too.

So, I will share some more family photos. Josh and I celebrated his 11th birthday with our traditional game of miniature golf and terrific pizza. He likes to play golf with me because he easily wins. Then we go to PeaceAPizza for his favorite - macaroni and cheese pizza (this was after his recent family dinner of cheese, cheese, cheese).

 

Here's one more picture of Miss Bella in her mermaid outfit. I think she would be happy if she could walk with her feet in the tail but she knows all about Ariel with and without feet.

I did get some ice dying done this week - things for the holiday boutique at the arts center. Still waiting for them to dry. Then I'll be stamping and stencilling on scarves.

It has been so nice weather wise that I've been able to walk each day. Today I went to the nature center and walked in the woods - so nice and spirit boosting.

Be well. Thanks for visiting. Karen

I have been working

on a couple fronts - finishing some UFO's and enjoying the exercises in the Quilt University class I am taking. It's Elizabeth Barton's Working in a Series.

Last weekend, my friend Alice and I were vendors at a local quilt show, offering our hand dyed fabrics, shirts, scarves, socks and yardage. I always forget how much effort goes into vending at a show. We were both quite tired at the end.

I am enjoying the QU class, even though I am a week behind. If you ever need a boost, try a class with QU. They are reasonably priced, full of information and help, and the discussion forum is so rich. I have gathered links to many inspiring quilt artists, giving me ideas and much food for thought. I like that we can print out the lessons and don't have to take notes. This particular class came at the right time for me. Sometimes I go in too many directions - this is helping me focus on what I really want to do with my art. And I am developing some nice ideas into a series. More later on that.

OK, it's time to get the next lesson from QU and do a bit of work tonight.

Thanks for visiting,

Karen

Mermaid success

Today was Bella's birthday party at ChickFilA, which is a great way to have a four-year-old's birthday. Food is provided. Someone else cleans up. And there's the play area so the children can burn off some of that sugar and energy.

Speaking of sugar, Bella's grandmom made super cupcakes, decorated with lots of sparkle and sprinkles. Yum.

As the children were eating, the Cow came for a visit. Lots of giggles with the cow.

When we went home after the festivities, I gave Bella her mermaid outfit. She was thrilled that she could be a mermaid and have a real tail.

She spent a bunch of time on the floor with her feet stuffed in the tail swimming and lounging about. Too cute. It was worth all the aggravation of sewing the outfit to have a happy little girl.

Karen

Sunday night is here again

What happened to this past week? I feel like I just came home from Chincoteague and just started the QU class. And now I have to get ready for a new week.

Actually it's been a busy week but not quite as busy as I wanted. A lot of family things needed my time. Today is the birthday of my daughter and my son - they're not twins, just share a birthday. Friday was the birthday for my daughter-in-law and my youngest grandson. We all gathered Friday night to celebrate and eat a mixed dinner of beef brisket, veggies, mac and cheese (for the kiddos), salad -- and then steamed crabs for my daughter, son and I. All topped off with four flavors of ice cream.

I've spent some time working on Bella's birthday gift (in two weeks). She wants a mermaid outfit with a tail. I found a pattern and bought all the slippery fabric to create it and then got frustrated. This pattern is not very well written. I guess the pattern industry is taking shortcuts to save money. I have figured out how to do this, but I feel sorry for anyone who buys the pattern who has minimum sewing experience. I finished the top (it's in two pieces) and will start the bottom (skirt/tail) tonight. I know she will be thrilled to have a tail like all the mermaids in the movies.

Got to get working now. Thanks for stopping by.

Karen

Nasturtiums

I stopped back at the arts center today and took some photos of the piece, Nasturtiums, that was purchased and will be going to a new home. The piece began with some prints using a gel plate and some actual nasturtium leaves. After a while of looking at the new leaves on the wall, I began a convergence piece that became the background. Then I added the flower petals.

Here are some detail shots that show how I cut out the leaf shapes and added the flowers.

I think it is a good piece. Thanks for visiting.

Karen

A lovely surprise

I walked down to the local Arts Council to view the annual members exhibit. I was pleased to see that my small quilt was hanging in a great location. Then I noticed the dot on the label. It SOLD! Woo hoo! How nice to have a piece in an exhibit that has found a new home. And, of course, some positive cash flow. This is Nasturtiums - not the best photo (which I cannot find).

Back to work now.

Karen

Back home

I got home Sunday night, did my Monday job and had dinner with a dear, dear friend. And now it's reality time. I want to make time for the on-line class and my mind mapping project, but first some important things need attention.

Friday night my family celebrates four birthdays, my daughter and her youngest son, my son and his wife. I am doing most of the dinner at my son's house (my apartment is not big enough for all of us). But first, I must finish a gift for Josh who will be 11 and get the rest of the presents and food stuff for everyone.  So, a busy week and a joyful week.

Right now, I should sign off and get moving on my class exercises. Elizabeth Barton is teaching. So far, the exercises are generating lots of good discussion and many references to exciting web sites. Good stuff.

And I must take a walk - it's another beautiful September day. This time, however, I have to wear shoes.

What are you feeling passionate about this week?

Karen

An amazing day

at Chincoteague. I went to the beach early today because I got sunburned yesterday and it was going to be pretty hot. After I walked, I decided to get my chair and sit for a while. Yes, I was going to work on my master plan and the on-line class this morning, but the day was too beautiful to go back inside. I told  myself that I can always work on projects, but I can't always be here on such a great day.

As I sat, the dolphins swam by, going south this time. That is really awesome. Once the air got hotter, I did go back to the condo and did some work with plans to return later. I saw another bonus as I drove around the wildlife loop -- two bald eagles perched in the marsh. One flew around a bit, showing off.

It would be so wonderful to live next to the ocean. The sound of the surf is so soothing and energizing at the same time, it drowns out other sounds and is mesmerizing. Later today, I went back to the beach to walk and work in my sketchbook, but the wind had picked up and the sand was stinging. So, I sat in the car with the window open on the downwind side and had a great time just working and hearing the ocean. On the way out of the refuge, I stopped to visit with this heron and chatted with a couple visiting from Colorado - their first trip to the east coast.

Tomorrow I must go home, but first will visit my friend Peg. I have lots of pictures to use for a series around the marsh. The colors here are beginning to turn for autumn to complement my spring photos. Life is good.

Thanks for visiting. I hope your autumn is off to a good start.

Karen