My voice

Artist tend to have a style that is distinctively theirs.  As I have been experimenting this year I have wanted to find something that was distinctively mine.  It does not have to be a brand new technique that no one else has ever done--but wouldn't that be fabulous and make me famous--but it does have to be something that when people see it they will say, "I bet that is jdemilo's" 

So, as I was sitting on the couch adding more handwork to the Center of the Universe I started to realize that I really like doing handwork.  I like that better than heavily encrusting my work with machine quilting or embroidery so that the piece can't even bend.  I like it better than fussily drawing patterns or fusing 12 zillion pieces of fabric to tell a story.  Not that there is anything wrong with those techniques; they just don't sing of me.

I like doing handwork.  I like that it takes me back to my young days as a Merrihand and Gay Note in the Primary where I first learned hand skills.  I like that it is portable.  I like that I can sit beside my husband while I do it.  I like that I can let my mind wonder while my fingers are busy.  I like the feel of my love going into each stitch as I work.

I don't want to be an embroiderer like my grandmother and follow other people's patterns or even like the quilters of old with their crazy quilt where embroidery was added just for the sake of more stuff.  I want the handwork to tell a story of its own in harmony with the fabric.  Fabric that I have designed with all my new surface design skills.

I am so excited to be adding my new surface design skills to my old skills and singing a song that is all me--my past, my present, and now I think my future too.

No Friday Favorites this week

No Friday Favorites this week.  I have been too busy doing handwork on my Center of the Universe quilt for the NEQM show.  No peeking.

A way to quilt and serve at the same time

I have been feeling troubled lately.  I used to cook monthly at the community kitchen and lead local Linus Project sewing days or crochet 100s of mittens for Head Start. Lately all I do is work on my art quilting skills.  Is that selfish?  I am excited that my skills are improving and I am becoming more comfortable at considering myself an artist but no one is being clothed or fed by my efforts.  Since many of the things I am making these days are for the wall, no one is especially warmed by my efforts either. So, am I being selfish?  I have been pondering that and wondering if I need to change direction.

But, AHA, a new opportunity has come forward.  Some artists in the community are putting together an Art Against Hunger show. All work needs to be related to hunger and the proceeds will go to the local community pantry.  I am excited.  I can use my new skills to entice people to buy my art and thereby donate to the community pantry that will feed people.  I can create art and still serve others!  My heart is happy.

Natural Spring in Saratoga Springs NY

October was my month to submit a picture for the 'Interpret This!' challenge.  I had to submit three choices so I did but I really REALLY wanted the picture of the fountain in Saratoga Spring NY to be chosen.  IT WAS!  YEAH!

We went there 3 or 4 years ago for a work conference, spent a week, and did lots of sightseeing.  My favorite sight was the Hawthorne Fountain.  The fountain itself is made of stone and is smooth and has a wonderful shape to it.  The bowl of the fountain is filled with amazing colors from the years of mineral deposits from the water. The water comes out of the fountain spigots in sporadic curly short bursts.  It all just added up to magic.

Here are some more pictures of the fountain.

Friday Favorites

I know that I have told you before how much I enjoy both Elizabeth Barton’s work and her blog.  Have you read her blog on First Paper and Then Fabric?  Once again she tells us some of her process in designing.

After years of frustratingly trying to make everything perfect as a quilter, I am learning to allow personality into a quilt by allowing it some imperfection. That said, it is hard to know the line between wonky and sloppy and it is hard to accept the criticism of others who think you crossed that line.  Lynn Krawczyk writes a bit about accepting imperfection in her work.  Not a long read and it certainly connected to my creative spirit.

Micky at It’s a Fiber Life started a new series she calls Revisits.  Talk about using odds and ends to turn into wonderful art.  I think it is an outstanding example of not letting perfection stifle your creativity.

LuAnn Kessi at May your Bobbin always be full (isn’t that a wonderful blessing!) gives a very nice tutorial on how to machine appliqué.  If you check out her blog, you will notice 57 tips that mostly turn out to be wonderful tutorials.  She does a great job on tutorials!

Gloria Hansen has a post from a couple of weeks ago that I am just now seeing.  It is called digital flowers.  The blog shows a picture she took of a flower and then how she played with it in Photoshop.  The blog caught my attention to two reasons.  One, I need to play more with my Photoshop Elements so that I can command it better.  Second, I thought as I looked at each of her manipulated photos that I would use different techniques with each picture to try and convert that photo to a textile art work.  In my art I am starting to understand better what techniques will give me what kind of results.  Knowing that is an important step in the design process.  It also saves tons of frustration during the construction when the technique won’t create the vision you have in your head.

Last is the new show at the New England Quilt Museum called No Holds Barred.  It is for art quilters in New England who are members of SAQA.  I am and I am.  It will be a juried show at the NEQM from January to April.  Entries have to be submitted by Nov 1.  I am going to enter. This will be my first juried show.  I have already talked to a professional photographer about taking the digital pictures I need to enter.  I will finish the Center of the Universe quilt to enter. So, no more picture of it.  Wish me luck!