Let it snow

Hard to believe it's already December 21st and the beginning of winter. Friday we had a big snowstorm. I didn't get home until late afternoon and went immediately to shovel. It was already dark and a little hard to see where the driveway ended and road began but I got most of it done. Yesterday we just stayed in which was nice. I spent all day sewing coasters and bookmarks from scraps from my first quilt. I am trying to use up anything which I can't deem "shipping-worthy".

I'm off to sew a few more bookmarks, then shovel and head out to the family Chanuka party at Alissa's. There's not much of my immediate family coming -- three of my siblings and my mother are off on vacation. But it's always nice to get together with family so I'll brave the snow and cold and bus it to the party. I made the newest family member, Ora, a Chanuka bib from flannel with colourful dreidls. Hopefully I'll get a photo of the baby wearing it.

Gifts for Jojo and Warren

Today is an engagement party for J&W. I did the regular registry gift thing but wanted to add a little something personal.
Warren asked Jojo to marry him in New York where they had gone for her birthday and among other things, to a performance of La Traviatta at the Met.
I just happen to have an historical record of same, conducted by Toscanini with Licia Albanese, Jan Peerce and Robert Merrill. J's parents, my beloved Aunt Elsie and Uncle Chaim z"l, loved the opera. So I hope that's meaningful. (I also hope they have a record player...)
When Jojo's sister got married, I made her chuppah. I had originally planned to make a chuppah using what I call "family fabrics" -- the dress Elsie wore to Alissa's wedding, Alissa's Sweet 16 dress, my sister's and my wedding dress, etc. For reasons better left unsaid, the plans changed, after I had made a great number of pieced blocks. The chuppah turned out great and from the pieced blocks, I made a quilt for Sari, embellished with jewellry and mementos from Elsie, Chaim and Mel's mother, Bea. This quilt is now in Sari's baby daughter's room. Long story but I had several blocks left over and made a small wall-hanging for Jojo and Warren. The purple lace fabric is from Elsie's dress, and the beaded heart is from Bea's beads. I was at a loss for what to do for Chaim. For Sari's quilt, I had used a "semel tnua" (scout pin) of Chaim's. In the middle of the night I remembered that Chaim had given me a book in Yiddish of Jewish history. The book had no cover and the pages are crumbling. So I (sacreligiously) tore out the foreward page, rolled it into a scroll and inserted it into a plastic beading tube, much like a mezuzah.
This is the finished product, with a batik border. I hope they like it. If I can find it, I will also post Sari's quilt.

Photos

If I could figure out how to put the photos where I want them, I'd be happy. These are two art quilts for the textile art exhibit I will be participating in at the North York Public Library with the FAT (Fibre Art Toronto) group I belong to. To get the creative juices started, we chose the theme of "Travel".
I was having difficulty getting started and I had my Pomegranate Guild challenge of "Eyshet Chayil" to do in the meantime. Once I got started on it, the ideas just started flowing. And I decided to fit my "Eyshet Chayil" into the "travel" theme by travelling back in time using Jewish texts and the printed word, which I believe is apt for a library exhibit. Just in case it's not clear, the lady in red is my "Eyshet Chayil" and her body parts are the actual text of Eshet Chayil. The other quilt is based on a poem by Ibn Gvirol, the text of which is printed on ribbon in the clouds. The clouds, btw, are from fabric samples Marilyn gave me.
I had fun making these pieces and hope the coming works will be equally as challenging and fun.

It's still November

I haven't blogged for a bit but it hasn't been a month yet so it's not too bad,right?
About this time last year, I made a "resolution" about doing more sewing-wise, exhibiting, etc.
So I haven't kept all components of the resolution but certainly have some others.
Considering that three years ago I didn't know how to quilt at all, having shown my quilts in a quilt show is somewhat of an accomplishment. Most of the quilts were traditional patterns and techniques. I am drawn to the more modern and have made progress in using colours I normally wouldn't have considered.
I have finished my second piece for the library exhibit. After failing to get the variegated thread to stop breaking, I simply flipped the piece over and used the thread in the bobbin, used one of my machine's embroidery stitches and it worked out well. I hope to post pieces 1 & 2 as soon as the camera's juiced up. I haven't jumped right into my third piece because I'm not sure what I'm going to do in it yet.
In the meantime, I made up a small project for Tu b'Shvat for the Pomegramme ( POM guild's newsletter). And from the samples I made for the project, I may make a bigger hanging. And post a tutorial.
This week I made a baby blanket for Judith's new grandson. It's a preprinted panel and I just sewed lines in diagonal to make diamonds, but it's cute.
Last night there was a "retirement" party for Menachem from camp. It was a lovely evening.
We had asked that no gifts be given to us but that donations could be made the the Shomria scholarship fund. And people have been making donations so that's encouraging. Nevertheless, we did receive gifts. Menachem got a bouquet of orchids (he loves orchids) and a box of chocolate tools. We're going to photograph them before we eat them... And I received a beautiful purse made by Edna Sandler (PTF) with a gift card for Michael's. I was actually there today but was so overwhelmed by all the Christmas decorations that I couldn't decide what I wanted. I'll go back after the holidays.
Next weekend is Johanna and Warren's engagement party. And I want to make them something and hope it will be ready on time.

Disappointed?

Thursday morning, I dropped off my quilts at the Japanese Cultural Centre for the YHQG show. I was sooooo excited. In the evening, I went back for a "hostess orientation". All the quilts were hung. I was not enamoured of the way they looked hanging with all the others. Perhaps because of their size (one a baby quilt, the other a lap quilt) they were so dwarfed by the all the doubles, queens and even kings. And as I have previously mentioned, my quilting skills are not amazing. So I was disappointed.
But then I started thinking, yeah, but who else used vintage 36 year old family fabric with a story? And who else made a baby quilt and then found out she was going to be a grandmother?
So there.
And everyone has to start somewhere. I'm not kidding myself that I'll ever be known for my exquisite quilt artistry. But I do hope to hear, yeah, my mother, grandmother, friend, or someone made it herself.
I am hostessing today at the show and hope while eavesdropping to hear favourable comments. And if not, what do they know anyways?

In other news, I am just about finished ripping out stitching on my "Autumn Wrote". My free motion stitching with the variegated threads sucked big-time. Even after I bought the topstitch needle, changed the tension and used a lighter weight bobbin thread. So once I finish ripping, I will hand stitch rain in the variegated thread. Of course the back of the piece now looks eh, butI just want to finish it and get started on my next piece.

Field Trip

This past weekend was great. Saturday, the weather was decent and we managed to rake and bag all of the leaves which had already fallen from the trees. (They're still coming down...) Then Menachem helped Rachel with a leaky tap problem. In the afternoon, we went for our flu shots and then a quick visit to my mother. So, not terribly exciting but practical.
Sunday was quite blustery but couldn't dampen my enthusiasm for FAT's field trip to Oshawa. Laura was kind enough to offer me a ride and we made arrangements to meet at Yonge and Lawrence at 11 a.m. Menachem dropped me off at 10:15-ish and I spent a leisurely 45 minutes sipping hot chocolate and reading old newspapers at Coffeetime until I met Laura.
Our field trip started at the Station Gallery. There was an exhibit of Threadworks called "Passion". I believe it's sponsored by the Ontario Network of Needleworkers so there were many types of needlwork from fine embroidery, needlepoint, quilting and anything and everything in between. Since we're doing our own exhibit in March, we were very attentive to the way pieces were mounted and they way they hung in the gallery. From there, we headed out to lunch at a cafe Maggie found. The food was delish and the atmosphere lovely. We ended our trip with a visit to an exhibit of a group (whose name escapes me at the moment) of fabric artists. I thoroughly enjoyed myself -- lots of visual stimulation, lots of ideas, good company -- what more can one ask for?
Did I mention my frustration about my variegated thread breaking on the Autumn wrote piece? One of the FAT girls suggested I call the vendor and ask if I'm doing something wrong i.e. tension, needle, etc. I did call and was told that for the 12 wt. I'm using, I should: a) use a topstitch needle; b) use a lighter weight bobbin thread; c) loosen the tension. So I'm going to buy the topstitch needle this week.
In the meantime, I scribbled around the perimeter of the clouds and they got a nice puffy texture. And I started quilting lines in the flowers.
Tomorrow, Thursday, morning, Menachem will take me to the Japanese Cultural Centre so I can drop off my quilts for the YHQG show. And then in the evening there is an orientation for the YHQG show volunteer hostesses so I have to figure out how to get back there by TTC from work. And then I'm doing hostess shifts on both Saturday and Sunday. So it should be a busy weekend.
And I want to get an outline started for my third library piece.
Focus.

Rejection

I submitted two bookmarks to the Koffler's bookmark project. I came home today to find them in envelopes in the mailbox. They were both rejected. This was the first time I had ever submitted anything to a juried show so perhaps I should be upset. But I'm not. I now have two bookmarks to give to friends... Or I may turn one into my POM mezuzah piece...

In other news, I have finished the hanging sleeves and labels for the YHQG show. I am quite pleased with the way both quilts turned out, bearing in mind that I am fairly a newbie to quilting and am on a learning curve.

I also finished a baby quilt for Beegee Kideckel. I may just also quilt the last panel I bought at last year's Hamilton Fabricland field trip, since I'm on a roll.

This morning, I started pulling out the fat quarters and cotton fabrics in my stash to see what goes with what. I realize that some of it hasn't been washed so I want to do that and then see what to do with what I have.

Sunday is FibreArts Toronto's field trip to Oshawa. I'm looking forward to it.

Baby fabric

This is the fabric of my bargoon. It's funny because when I look at it up close I see the orange and green. Here the most predominant colour seems to be blue. But it is orange and green!!

Got the sleeve sewn onto Inbal's quilt and got started on the sleeve for Deelightful.

And sandwiched a baby quilt and started quilting it.

But not much else is new.

Bargain!!

So Sunday I volunteered in the a.m. with SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Association). I'm not a member but I might just join down the road. They had an exhibit of works which was absolutely breath-taking and inspiring.
Attendance was down at the Creativ so I had plenty of time to talk with my fellow volunteer (also not a SAQA member...). And I remembered to take some handwork with to do so I finished sewing the binding on Inbal's quilt.
After my stint, I headed back to Len's Mills to look for some more of the fabric I had purchased on Saturday. At Len's Mills, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I finally found the bolt but there was not much left on it. I took it to the sales desk and asked how much fabric there actually was. 2 yards. I said I'll take it. The saleswoman said that will be $22.98. My jaw dropped. I said but I bought 4 yards yesterday at $1.49. She said it should have been $11.49 a yard. But then she gave me the extra 2 yards at $1.49. So it really was a bargain. I have to take a photo and send to Inbal and see if it's something she'd like for the baby.
Monday morning I finished the labels for the donation pieces for the YHQG silent auction. When I went to read the instructions about drop off, I realized I had to do an artist statement and a statement about each piece. Believe me, deciding on names for the pieces/quilts is hard work. But the artist and piece statements are harder than making the actual art, at least for me. Perhaps it will get better with time.
Last night was the YHQG meeting but after a long, busy day at work, I really didn't feel up to it. Menachem drove me there, I dropped off my silent auction pieces and left, forgetting to buy advance quilt show tickets. Maybe I'll phone and see if I can pick some up somewhere.
Anyways, off to work.

Creative Festival

This week is my weekend for volunteering for YHQG and SAQA at the Creative Festival (I think they spell Creative without the "e" but I refuse to do so.)
Yesterday, my shift with YHQG was in the afternoon so I went down early so I'd have enough time to browse and shop before my shift. I got there at about 11 a.m. and had more than enough time. I was disappointed because compared to previous years, there were fewer vendors, especially fabric related. There were also, IMO, fewer visitors which made getting around much, much easier.
I bought variegated purple thread for the sky and variegated blue for the flowerbeds in "Autum wrote". I vowed I wouldn't buy any more fabric but while browing in Len's Mills, I found the most adorable fabric, suitable for baby blankets and gender neutral, in oranges, yellows and greens for $1.49 a yard. At that price I bought 4 yards. And then I found two marbled type fabrics, one in yellow and one in green, so I bought a yard and a half of each at $5.49 a yard. Of course, then I had to go back and buy variegated thread in yellow-orange and yellow-green...
My stint at the YHQG guild was from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. I enjoyed the time because I got to meet some of the members up close and personal. At the guild meetings, there are 450 members so it's hard to actually get to talk with anyone.
Today, I'm doing a stint with SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Association). I am not a member but one of my FibreArt friends is, so I volunteered to person their table. (Did I mention that volunteers get free admission to the show?). My stint for SAQA is from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. so I'm again going down early and hope to do another browse afterwards. I'm going fishing at Len's Mills again -- that $1.49 fabric would make a lovely baby duvet cover... And there may be more gems lurking on their shelves.
Anyways, off to the subway.

woohoo! Quilting Finished!

I am not that great at free-motion quilting (in fact, I suck at it). So to quilt the border of Inbal's quilt, I used the walking foot and made waves around the perimeter. I hope it looks funky...
Anyways, I now have to trim and of course there's at least an inch difference between top and bottom... But once that's done, I can sew on the binding, a task many abhor but I rather like.
Still have to do the labels, but the quilting was the one thing I was really procrastinating about.

Casa Loma

I spent the day down at Casa Loma volunteering for "The Quilt" (www.thequilt.com --I think). Some of the quilts were absolutely amazing. Most of the quilts are traditional but there were a few art quilt pieces. I came home energized with a few more ideas for library exhibit piece #3.
I am almost finished embellishing library exhibit piece #2 and then it will be ready for quilting. I'm pretty excited about the way it's turning out.
I still have to finish my second quilt for the YHQG show and then do all of the sleeves and labels, including the labels for the two donation pieces.
Tomorrow we have a shiva visit in the morning, then a stop at Yunkie's for Menachem to pick something up, and hopefully we'll finish with a visit to Charles who is recuperating in the hospital from an operation. Tomorrow night is erev chag but we don't have definite plans yet.

FibreArts Group

Yesterday I hosted my FibreArts group. There were two planned activities -- silk microwave dyeing with Kool-Aid and shaving cream marbling. The latter was a bust because the shaving cream was old and didn't spray. So we did the k-a dyeing. It was fun but the dye colours come out rather pale. We all agreed it was a good activity to do with kids and grandkids.
It was supposed to be a show and share of what we've been working on for the library exhibit. I had my finished piece and my second one in progress. I received some lovely feedback for the first and some good suggestions for the second so I'm ready to get back to the drawing board and figure out how to embroider a feather on water soluble stabilizer.
I also have to get cracking on my other quilt show quilts -- finish quilting (not that much left), sleeves, labels.

Progress?

So Menachem brought me blue Kool-Aid. The colour is cool but the project was a bust. The cherry and raspberry which I hoped would be crimson turned out pink. I tried all of my blue cottons, front and back, but everything was too dark.
I was trying to tone them down by putting organza over them when the phone rang. My mother wanted me to meet her downtown. So we met up at Honest Ed's and went to Mirvish Books. She got the book she wanted and then we walked along Bloor a little. The weather was quite nice so we sat outside for lunch at the By The Way Cafe. We both had salads. Our plan was to continue walking but Mom was getting tired so we cut it short. I escorted her home by TTC, taking the roundabout way home to do so.
On my way home, I visited Fabricland and bought two half metre cuts of two light blue fabrics. I know I vowed not to purchase fabric and use up my stash but I just didn't have light blue for the sky. I console myself with the fact that the fabrics were both 40% off so they only came to just over $10. One of them is perfect for the sky. It's a batik with swirls and just a hint of purple which will suffice for crimson. So now I have to figure out onto what to print my word clouds (silk, organza), how many clouds to use, and how to simulate rain. I have some ideas so I'll just have to go with the flow.
Tomorrow I am hosting my FibreArts group. Unless someone has a better project, we'll be Kool-Aid microwaving silk scarves and maybe shaving cream marbling fabric.
Report to follow, along with the photos previously promised...

Auditioning fabrics

I spent the day yesterday auditioning fabrics for my next piece based on Ibn Gvirol's "Autumn Wrote" (translated elsewhere by T. Carmi as "Earth's Embroidery"--google it if you're interested). As many fabrics as went up on my design wall came down. They just didn't seem right and the precise concept wasn't coming to me.
There's something to be said about walking away from something and coming back with fresh eyes.
I am going to use my newly-learned Kool-Aid dyeing skills to dye a piece of white duppioni silk in sky blue and crimson "ink". And my clouds will be word clouds in English and Hebrew (on what fabric yet to be determined. And Autumn's hand writing with lightning will probably be organza.
I still have to figure out how to do earth's flower beds -- I may use some of my flowery prints for that but I am using bold silk flowers saved from a lei someone gave Menachem.
So once I locate the blueberry flavoured sugarless drink crystals, I'm in business.
And since I think I am hosting the FibreArts group on Sunday, we can try out the Kool-Aid dyeing techniques (blobs, mist spray, painting). I can hardly wait to get started.

Bookmarks

If I am making Rosh Hashana resolutions, perhaps I should resolve to figure out how to use my digital camera and how to upload pictures.I made these two fabric bookmarks for the Koffler Centre of the Arts Bookmark 2008 Project. The theme of this year's project is "Insert". So aside from making the bookmarks, I had to write an artist's statement and a bookmark statement for each one, explaining how I made them, how they tie into the "insert" theme and the connection between them.
I didn't find out about the project until about a week before the deadline so I really had to rush. Making the bookmarks was the easier task. Writing the statements was more difficult.

On another note, I have substantially completed Eshet Chayil, a challenge piece for the Pomegranate Guild, and am pleased with the result. I wasn't sure where I was going with her but once I got going, the ideas fell into place and she turned out quite well. I suck at free motion embroidery but other than that, I'm getting better.

I wasn't sure where I was going with the FibreArts exhibit at the North York Public Library in March. The group decided on a broad theme of "travel" and each of us is doing 3 pieces. Midway through Eshet Chayil, I decided to repurpose her as part of the NYPL show. My take on travel is time travel through Jewish texts, in this case, Hebrew. So if Eshet is biblical, my next piece will be middle ages, and I found a poem by Ibn Gvirol with wonderful imagery.
The third piece will be modern and I am considering Erev Ba. Right now I am grappling with copyright issues for use of the English translation for Ibn Gvirol and both Hebrew and English for Erev Ba.

I also am trying to use up fabric I have. I made a gorgeous place mat from fabric samples for my sister and b-i-l's at whose home we celebrated Rosh Hashana last night. This is the first time in many years that the get together wasn't chez nous. B and S outdid themselves. And it was a real treat for us to sit back and enjoy, although Menachem did make gefilte fish.

Today and tomorrow we're off work so we're just taking it easy. Shana Tova to anyone reading.

Name Change

Growing up, I had only one name, my Hebrew name, Chaya. Very few kids had Hebrew names (other than my siblings...). And of my siblings, I got the name which is difficult to pronounce with the "chet". Chaya means life, but there is another vocalisation which means animal. So, in addition to variations of people clearing their throats and spitting up phlegm in order to pronounce the "chet", I was often called "vildeh chaya", a wild animal, which I most certainly was not.
Although I did change my name briefly in my teens to something pronouncible but to me meaningless, I have come to terms with my name. I have even come to like it. And have finessed my comebacks to two. When someone says "Hiya Chaya (pronounced hiya hiya by those who can't or won't use the "chet") or says "vildeh chaya", I just say, now that's original. Never heard that one before. And when someone asks me how to spell my name and then pronounces it the way they think the spelling indicates, I thank them for enlightening me and saving me further embarrassment, having mispronounced it all these years...
So when I talk about a new name, I am referring to a new first name I hope to be adding soon -- Savta.
Nuff said.

So far today

I'm taking a bit of a break because I pricked myself with a needle while hand-sewing and don't want to bleed all over the work.
So far today, I've Kool-Aid & microwaved a silk scarf. Interesting results. Learning what not to do next time (if there is a next time...) but the process isn't terribly difficult, the materials aren't terribly expensive, and it could be a fun activity to do with others.
I am just about finished my second of two bookmarks I am making for entry into a show at the Koffler during Jewish book week. Once I finish the second one, I have to write artist statements about them. That may prove to be more difficult than the actual creative process but I shall try.
Now back to the sewing room and designing my next project.
Photos to follow.

Eshet Chayil

Last night at the POM meeting, our guild challenge was announced. We are to translate the "Eshet Chayil" verses from Proverbs 31:10-31 into a textile creation. Upon reading the text in the English translation provided, I was stumped. But then the lightbulb went off. On my way downtown this morning, I had my sketchbook/journal out and was drawing and jotting down ideas. I think I will be doing an Eshet Chayil a la Pamela Allen. And that's all I'm saying right now.

Getting back my groove

Not there yet but trying.
Last night I was at a local meeting of Israeli artists. Shaked invited me to joint. I was all gung-ho until I realized that their meetings are the same night as the York Heritage Quilters Guild meetings. Bummer.
But this morning before work, I started sewing bookmarks which I may or may not submit to an exhibit at the Koffler. I have a few ideas for the bookmarks. The first one didn't turn out the way I wanted but I have another idea I'll give a shot, maybe tomorrow morning.
I went downtown this morning for work and on the way back, while walking through the Atrium on Bay, I stopped into a store/gallery which had the most amazing Chinese Su embroidered pieces which gave me an idea with respect to the library travel pieces. Hmmm. Gotta think about it.
This evening is the season's first Pomegranate Guild meeting. So I'm looking forward to that.
Anyways, gotta blog more often, stitch more often, and post photos.

Go Jeremy!!

Yesterday, we went to a baseball game. Little League type. It was the championship game and our nephew, Jeremy, was playing. Jeremy only started baseball this year so to be in the championship game was quite a feat. We had a great time. The game rules are way more flexible than official baseball, considering the kids' ages and abilities. It was great though to see the parents, all supportive of their children's efforts.
And Jeremy played surprisingly well. His team came in second (I refuse to use the word "lose" in any of its variations) and there was an awards ceremony to boot. So way to go, Jeremy!

Afterwards, we popped into Costco to buy Menachem's ciabata buns. It's the only place he gets the kind he likes. Of course we left with more than just the buns, but really only essentials -- laundry detergent and hummus. I usually go up and down the aisles to see what they have but couldn't be bothered.

Stitch-wise, it's been a totally unproductive weekend, so far. I've been surfing, playing computer mahjong, and watching TCM. Maybe next week will be better.

We're waiting for special news from Inbal and sending our positive and happy thoughts her way.

Baby steps

I am slowly getting back into a routine after being out of one for so long. I still haven't been bitten with the energy I had before and my creative process has definitely slowed down. So I am trying to spend time in the studio even if it's only to reiron and refold fabric.

I have several projects underway.

For the York Heritage Quilters Guild show, one lap-size quilt is finished but needs a hanging sleeve. The second slightly larger quilt has most of the quilting done. I have finished tying and hiding thread ends. Now I need to quilt the borders, then bind, and finish with the hanging sleeve.
I am also donating one or two smaller pieces for the YHQG's silent auction, probably the "blues" I made in my fibrearts group.

I am also trying to figure out what to do for the Toronto Public Library exhibit in March. We are each doing three new textile pieces on the theme of "travel". I have a few ideas but I need to move them from the idea to the how-to stage. I guess when someone looks at a piece of art, they consider the time put into the actual making and less so the time thinking about it...

I also need to figure out how to make a textile mezuza for the Pomegranate Guild's traveling exhibit. Also due in the spring.

While reorganizing my studio, I came across a few crazy quilt pieces which are pieced and now need to be embellished. I'd like to get them done as well.

In the meantime, and back to the "baby steps" title, I am putting together a quilt from 2" squares I cut up during the summer from leftover fabrics. I arranged them on my design wall and am trying to get at least one row done a day. Then I'll add borders and hopefully have another baby quilt.

So, just to let you know what's going on.

Summer's almost done

I can't believe that my last post was at the beginning of July. But I really didn't have anything to report because I haven't done a stitch (unintended pun) of work since the summer started.
Between the trains rides to and from camp, the short work weeks, and our visitors (who we very much enjoyed having), I haven't been in my studio at all, except to unload stuff which I didn't know where else to put...

Yesterday, our Fibrearts Toronto group met and did indigo dyeing. As much as I dislike getting my hands dirty, I did enjoy the experience and came out with a few pieces which I may actually use somehow.

And this morning, I did go into my studio and started organizing a little and unpicking some stitching from Inbal's quilt. I hope to spend a little time each day in my studio so that it is organized by September 1st. I always feel like it's a new year at the beginning of the school year even though I don't have anyone at school. And I'm hoping to get several projects underway or started projects completed.

Cough sneeze sniffle

I have been down with a touch of the flu or a very bad cold or both. I was off work for a week. Normally I'd say -- great, I can stitch. But I was so miserable coughing, sneezing, sniffling with a fever and headache so I did nothing but sleep, cough, sneeze and sniffle. On Saturday, I finally got around to sandwiching and pinning version 1 of Inbal's quilt. I now have version 2 sandwiched on the dining room table but have run out of pins.
Yesterday, I considered walking from work to Fabricland (two blocks) but didn't feel I had the strength for so much activity -- shows how out of it I've been. So, I may just have to quilt version 1 today to free up the pins...

Our poor garden is so neglected. When I got home from work yesterday, I rushed to finally mow the lawn because rain clouds were hovering. It didn't rain. This morning, I went into the backyard to do a little weeding and without much work managed to fill one of those big gardening bags. And it barely made a dent. Some of the garden areas are lovely -- the sweet woodruff has filled in very nicely. The raised brick planter is disintegrating. The raised wooden planter is rotting. From afar, it looks lush. From close up it looks out of control. Especially a lovely green-red variegated perennial which keeps sending shoots all over the place.

I am hoping to make it up to camp this coming weekend and bearing that it mind, I have no plans for today other than to stitch and "veg".
There, I've blogged.

Back from camp

So I spent two weeks with Menachem up at camp. Busy days trying to get the physical aspect of things into place.
Just opening all of the shutters on the dining hall/kitchen, rec hall, staff buildings and cabins takes at least half a day.
Major projects?
We painted the kitchen -- not an easy feat because the previous paint had chipped terribly. Menachem did the scraping which alone took almost a full day. In many places, he scraped down to the original plywood. After the first coat of primer, we decided to do a second because the walls were so uneven. Even after the final coat you can still see the scraped patches but at least it looks clean and fresh. The way we do paint work is that I do all the "below waist " cut-ins (so Menachem doesn't have to get down on his bad knees) while Menachem does the ceiling cut-ins (so I don't have to climb up on a ladder). Then while Menachem paints the ceiling and walls, I am the "paint police" pointing out the areas that he may have missed with the roller.
We also painted the boy's washroom in the upper camp area. Also a two day job with a lot of uncomfortable "below waist" work -- behind the toilets, under the sink countertop, within the stalls. We were planning to do the girls' washroom as well but realized we wouldn't have enough paint, didn't want to buy any more, and realized that we were too pooped to continue painting. Maybe next year.
Then we put up the third tent in the tent area. It isn't really a difficult task but you need patience to follow the instructions step by step and it is time consuming.
We set up the office and checked the equipment and internet (dial-up) was working, opened the rec hall and evicted the raccoon family, set up Avichai's room with a queen bed (box spring from the local waste site re-use area) and mattress from Yaron's former room. Those babies were heavy!!
What with organizing the Shomria Hut (maintenance supply hut), powerwashing the kitchen metro shelving, degreasing the stove hood and ceiling fans, a little of this and a little of that, the days went by.
We spent Sunday washing down the walk-in fridge and half of the pantry in anticipation of the first food order and rehanging the shelves and stuff we had taken down to paint the kitchen.
Although I used to go up by train every weekend on Friday afternoon and return Sunday nights, not arriving home until midnight. This year I am hoping to return Monday mornings, catching the 6:30 a.m. train from Smiths Falls, arriving in Toronto between 10 and 10:30 and then subway it up to work by 11:00ish.
Yesterday was my first train ride and it went well. We're up early anyways and I read and snoozed on the train. I had baggage -- a carryon with clothes and my quilting "portfolio". Although I had taken stuff up to camp to work on, the only fabric related work I did was to cut my scraps into 2" squares for a future project. Next train ride, I hope to carry only my purse since I left clothes and toiletries at camp. OK, I may carry a bag with quilt supplies in case the muse strikes (I also left a sewing machine at camp...)
After work today, I have to mow the lawn, finish my Pomegranate challenge (well not finish but at least have it ready to show what I've done up til now) and figure out if I'm taking anything for Show and Share.
And that's all she wrote.

Off to Camp

Although I usually have every intention of posting frequently, sometimes it just doesn't work out. And since I'm off to camp Sunday for two weeks, I doubt if I'll get much posting done. But you never know.
I haven't really gotten a lot done fabric wise recently. Well that's not entirely true. I have been cutting up my scraps from previous projects into 2 inch and 1.5 inch squares. I hope to make a quilt with them. And I am working on the Pomegranate Guild "Women of the Bible" challenge for June 18th. I am making a tree, using the Hebrew words for mother, daughter, sister and wife. The tree top is fabric "paper" cutting (the Judaic art of paper cutting but done in fabric instead of paper) and the tree trunk which was supposed to be microcalligraphy on fabric is now writing on fabric. I'm not sure the letter size would qualify for micro and the lettering is in my regular handrwriting Hebrew script. I have fused the tree to a linen-like off-white background and now have to figure out what to do next. I may try to do some free motion scribbling tomorrow morning before we head out.
Which brings me to my next dilemma -- what work to take with me to camp. I am taking up a sewing machine but not my new machine so I can't do any fancy stitching. I have taken the remaining scraps with me to continue cutting into squares. If the muse strikes, I may start machine piecing.
I have also taken several books, including the Art Quilt Workbook. I have signed up on line for a group working through the book and June is chapter 1. I have to chose a theme and I think I will make it about the camp's natural surroundings -- the trees, plants, the lake, the landscape. I know, not terribly original but that's what there is.
Lest anyone think that I am going up to camp to loll about, I am joining Menachem for two weeks to help him open the buildings, paint the kitchen ceiling and walls, clean and organize. I may not have the strength or inclination to do much of anything let alone create after a hard day's work.
I hope to take at least one workshop while in Perth but won't say anything further until I've actually made the arrangements.

Photos as promised

This is my first machine pieced machine quilted (not in a grid) quilt. I will be entering it into the YHQG show. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, so much so that I have decided to keep it for my first grandchild.
This is a "cheater panel" baby quilt which I quilted in a simple diagonal grid. The next photo is with the corner lifted to show the back. This one's for my neighbour's new baby due any day now.

The black, red and white was pieced following a free pattern on the internet for charity quilts. It is also quilted in straight diagonal lines. The next photo has the corner lifted to show the back. This one is going to Project Linus after I show it at the Pomegranate Guild's show and share.

Baby quilts

I have been occupied doing baby quilts. The two shown here are not pieced or appliqued.
They're printed fabric panels we bought on our January field trip to Hamilton. The blue one with the friendly jungle animals is now in Israel, en route to Noam, our new grandnephew. The second one, the neon coloured jungle animals, is en route by airmail to Germany, where it will become a gift from my daughter & her SO to her SO's ex's new baby girl. (The photo shows it unbound, the binding is actually a lovely fuschia colour).
I have another printed panel sandwiched and ready for quilting for my next door neighbour's baby due in June, I think. PTF when finished.
I have also finally finished my PTF multi-coloured baby quilt for my first grandchild...
And I have finished my first PTF Project Linus baby quilt -- black, white and red.
Yesterday we popped into Fabricland to pick up two rolls of burlap for camp mifkad esh. While there, I bought some yellow fabric for an inside border for another Project Linus baby quilt I hope to finish this week. And some patterned fabric for the backing of another wholecloth baby quilt. And after that, I will go back to piecing my Project Linus baby quilts.
We're invited to Yunkie and Mindy's for Friday night and I want to make a table runner from fabrics samples I have. I sort of know what I want to do but haven't quite decided on the "how" yet. Also something I'm hoping to finish this week, if not today.
I ordered a book online called "Art Quilt Workbook" and I am probably joining an online group to work our way through the workbook. It looks delicious and I am looking forward to it.
So I'm busy stitch-wise.
Since I prewash my fabrics, I am off to the basement to see the machines' progress.

* PTF = photograph to follow

Two posts in one day!!

Multi-coloured quilt coming along nicely. I've finished quilting within the blocks and have done simple straight lines in the small border. All I have left to quilt now is the wide border which I will do free-motion. I tried earlier but since I hadn't done any FMQ recently, I forgot to drop the feed dogs and naturally had crummy results (and it took me a few hours to realize why...)
So my day has been fruitful. Yay!!

I'm back

What with Noam's Bar-Mitzvah and then Pesach (Passover), I haven't been in my studio much and haven't done any sewing.
But now I'm back and will try to get into a routine of sewing an hour or two a day and a bit more on the weekends.
I readied my studio, junking clippings of stuff I will never make, templates for projects I no longer care to do, etc.
This morning, I resumed quilting my curved multi-coloured baby quilt. I wasn't happy with the quilting which I started with a walking foot. But I decided to keep going and finish it. In "the big picture", the wonderful piecing will be the main event and the stitching will hold it together. I'll get more creative in the future. At this point, I just want to finish it.
Same with the quilt for Lior and Neta's new baby whose name at the moment escapes me. Oy, is the memory fuse ever faulty!
I have also decided to finally tackle Inbal's quilt to do the quilting. It doesn't have to be perfect, just heartfelt. And the charity baby quilts of the one a month new year's resolution of which so far none have been completed...
On more encouraging news, FibreArts Toronto has applied for exhibition space at the Toronto Public Libray. We won't know til mid-June if we've been accepted but it's a step in the right direction.
At the Pomegranate Guild meeting last week, we had a "garage sale". I didn't get anything packed up in time to sell but I did buy a bag of "stuff", mostly needlepoint yarns but also some fabric, for $2.00. My "fibre diet", you ask? It was a small bag and for a good cause. And everyone falls off the wagon now and then.
We were in Perth this week to check out winter damage at camp. There didn't appear to be any. Hopefully the vandals will not be overly active between our visit and June 1st when Menachem goes up for the summer.
Our next trip there is planned for the Labour Day weekend. We'll take up the stuff we need to set up our room and hopefully have a mini-vacation before the summer starts.
Back to stitch.

Studio clean-up

Just a post to let you know that I haven't given up on blogging but haven't been doing much sewing so didn't have too much to report.
I received the "Studio" issue from "Cloth, Paper, Scissors". What can I say? A Yiddish "eh". In my opinion, nothing to write home about. The good thing about it is that it motivated me to do a little tidying in my studio. I went through all my "files" holding things I may some day do or which appeared at one time to provide inspiration. Since I am more realistic now, I pared down the files to about half which opened up room on my shelfing unit. I also took out my boom-box radio with its speakers and freed up a whole shelf (the boom box sat on one shelf and one of the speakers on a second.) I had already started culling my books by donating some of them to the Pomegranate Guild library (that way I can "visit" with them when I want) and the ones which I have no intention of revisiting to the York Heritage Guild. My studio was pared down anyways and my fabric diet appears to be working except for the occasional small falling off the wagon episode of a fat quarter here, a trim there.
With Noam's bar-mitzvah last weekend (btw, he wore the kippah) and Pesach next, I am taking a small hiatus from sewing and am doing a mild spring cleaning.
We are again hosting the first seder and expect approximately 20 people. Approximately 20 because our guests sometimes bring others. The karp has been purchased and cleaned, so we're half way there already.
We're invited to Alissa and Mel's the second night and I may just sew up something for her. I'll see if the muse strikes.

Muse on vacation

I wish I could say that I spent this past long weekend stitching up a storm. I didn't.
I guess the muse is on vacation.

What I did do is realize that I am falling woefully behind in my New Year's resolution to do a charity quilt a month. I have two tops ready to quilt, maybe even a third -- I just don't remember. So I guess that's what I'll be doing when I get back to sewing.

And I made a kippah for Noam for his bar mitzvah from one of my father's ties. I'm not sure he'll want to wear it, but it's there if he does.

And I made three bookmarks for Rafi's 60th birthday to go with a gift certificate to Chapters.

So I guess the muse hasn't totally abandonned me after all.

Explanation to follow

This is a my journal piece for Adar II. At the left is a plate of hamentaschen (oznei haman), the same technique I used for the postcard exchange I took part in. On the right is the opening of Megilat Esther, downloaded from the internet and freezer-paper backed printed onto dupionni silk. And the quilting, of which I an not particularly proud is a simple scribble in variegated thread. Here are my FibreArt Toronto "blue" challenges. This first one I made, bottom of the page, is my "playing it safe blue" -- same wavy pattern as previously done, very little quilting stitches but embellished with ribbon, braids, etc. The thought behind it was texture.
This one, immediately below, is my "outside my comfort zone blue". I started out with a technique I had meant to try but had never yet done--sewing bits and pieces of threads and fabrics between two layers of Sulky soluble fibre and then washing out the soluble. It turned out nicely and I got to use up all the bits and pieces from piece #1. Then I decided to try a wholecloth facing instead of binding, which allowed me to have a wavy edge to the piece. And agains, bits and pieces, beads and trims to add texture.

The next FiberArts meeting is on Pesach (Passover) so I won't be attending. The challenge is to make something recognizable for the house, i.e. potholder, tea cozy, etc. I am going to make a bookmark(s) which will take very little time. I made one for Jeremy for his birthday and he liked it.
Then I am going to go back to conventional quilting and try to finish off several quilts I have started.
And then, I am going to use my brown circle and make three wallhangings with them in shades of brown. Or maybe throw in some colour if the muse hits me.

I've got the blues

In my last post, I promised a photo of my Adar II-Purim journal.
I have been working on blue.
I finished one piece. I actually used the same wavy pattern as in a previous Fibre Arts Toronto piece I had made. I decided to do blue textures. So I used seven different blue fancy fabrics, and then some blue stitching and blue trims, yarns and beads for the seams between the blues.
It turned out nicely. But I was playing it safe, not really challenging myself which is what the FAT is about. So I decided to do another piece. I finally tried the sulky water soluble stuff and sandwiched bits and pieces left over from the first blue and other blue and white projects. It was fun and I think I may use the technique again. Then I made fabric beads using straws. And put some textured yarn down the sides. Now, since I'm being so "creative", I may just give it a wavy edge and use the facing technique from the last Quilting Arts magazine. But I couldn't find my QA mag this morning.
And I really hope to post photos today, tomorrow or on the weekend.

Last day of procrastination, ha ha

It's Sunday and although I did get a little done this weekend, it's quite a little. I still have most of the day ahead of me but at my current rate of procrastination, I can't all that much happening.
I did get some work done while my houseguests were here. After a failed attempt at grommeting my challenge bag, I went to Fabricland and bought a different kind of grommet and did manage to finish that part. I still have to decorate the four side joins -- I have the trim, I just have to get started. And I have to figure out how to thread the top.
I finished my postcards and mailed them out. In the end, I made hamentaschen from lovely fabric, with beaded "mun" (poppyseed) centres on a creamy background with the same hamentaschen fabric as the border. My backs were not that successful, I attempted to incorporate a "ra'ashan" (noisemaker) into the back by filling a straw with beads and placing it between the stiff stuff and the fabric backing. The idea was good, the execution, not so much.
I bought 15 metres of 12" wide Steam-a-seam lite on sale at Fabricland. I guess you can see where that's going.
My challenge for the next Toronto Fibre Art group is "blue". I'm not sure where I'm going with this yet but I thought of incorporating some weaving into it. And maybe some solvy water soluble thingy.
Last Saturday, I went downtown. I had made tentative arrangements to meet with Devora at the Textile Museum but didn't fix a time with her and she wasn't home. So headed down on my own. I got off at Bloor because I was hoping to drop into Chapters. The store isn't there anymore. Shows you how often I go downtown. So I walked through Yorkville which had been transformed into an outdoor ice sculpture gallery. The work, as usual, was amazing. The thing that bothered me was the incorporation of the sponsors' logos right into the ice. Two beautiful dolphins flanking a Holt Renfrew logo? Feh. Put your sponsorship sign elsewhere and let the art be art.
I didn't stay there too long because a) it's still winter and although the sun was shining, it's still winter; and b) the sidewalks hadn't been plowed from the last snowstorm and walking was treacherous in the crowded conditions (shame on you, City of Toronto and/or Yorkville businesses).
From there I went to Eaton's Centre to Indigo, which was still there but didn't have the book I was looking for ("Second Helpings, Please" for Johanna).
My cell phone finally rang, and it was Devora and we made arrangements to meet at the Textile Museum. By the time we got there it was around 4 p.m. and the museum closes at 5 p.m. So we did a very quick walkthrough. There were two main exhibits -- "The Blues" which was a combination of the colour blue and the music. So there were blue fabrics using varying dye techniques as well as blue jeans. Although I avoid doing anything where my hands get dirty, I may have just been inspired to do some dyeing... The second exhibit was of North African fabrics from Morocco, Algeria, etc. I was sorry that we were so rushed. Next time I go, I will leave myself plenty of time to roam.
I had about 5 minutes in the gift shop and saw some uneven edged fibre art pins, probably atc sized at a whopping $29.99 price tag. Makes you think...
On our way to dinner at a vegetarian restaurant on Baldwin Street (where, btw, the food was not bad and well priced) we passed by a Curry's Art Store where I bought two shiva paintsticks -- irridescent silver and gold.
So all in all, it was a very good day.
Sunday, Menachem was off so we went to Chapters at Bayview Village and got the cookbook. Then we met up with Alissa and Mel for lunch at a place on Yonge Street just north of Steeles. The price was right and the company great but I doubt if we'd go there again.
This weekend, I'm trying to get back into a creative routine.
Yesterday, I finished my third journal quilt for Adar. It's an 11" X 8.5" Purim theme. On the one side I have a plate of hamentaschen, same technique as the postcards. On the other side, I have Megilat Esther with the opening text of the megila printed onto duppioni silk. My quilting stitches leave something to be desired but part of the challenge of the journal quilts was to practise said stitching. (photos to follow).
Today, if I can get my act together, I am going to work on my "blue" and see where that goes. I was planning to make a treasure box but yesterday, I made a sample box of a different type and I am not enamoured of the idea. I may just make another 14" square blue multi-technique piece.

I'm back

It's been 20 days since my last post. We had houseguests and times were interesting. As much as I enjoy having company, it was a bit constricting -- didn't always have access to the computer room. Also, because our routine was off, I didn't have enough studio time.
Anyways, no more goats and hopefully back to normal-ish.
Oops, later than I thought.
OK. Notes to self for next post: work done since last post, Textile Museum.

Departure from creativity

Or maybe just creativity of another kind.
I'm spending this weekend is cleaning. I know, I should have warned you to sit down first. But we're having company this week and I have some catching up to do...
I have divided the house into zones -- upstairs, main floor, family room. And interspersed, laundry.
My mission for today is the upstairs. On the upstairs level I have three rooms, a bathroom and a hallway.
I started with the bathroom and not only is everything clean, I also went through, organizing drawers and throwing out junk. There's still some stuff that DH has to part with, but hey -- it's coming along.
The computer room with a sofa bed aka spare bedroom is clean, except for setting up the bed and making it.
The next room is our bedroom which isn't terribly difficult. I'm not touching my studio until everything else is done because if I go in, I may not come out.
The sore spot on this floor is the hallway. It where stuff which is no longer needed (i.e. childrens' books in Hebrew, old tapes, miscellaneous books, a no-longer working laptop, etc.) sits until the decision is made to finally get rid of it. That decision may just happen today.

I did have a creative week. Last week I posted about the iris folding circle. I made two additional circles. One is chocolate brown organza sewn in ripples. I actually envision different types of threads, ribbons, etc. covering the rows of stitching. The other is five or six waves of various hues and textures of brown. The problem is that none of the three circles are really compatible with the others. So I may just forget about the challenge and make three separate small pieces (each approx. 14" square).

I am also just about finished my FibreArt Toronto bag challenge. I received a gift of Bo-Nash from Larkin from the QuiltArt list. And did some foil transfer. I need to practise in order to know how much to sprinkle, how hot the iron should be, how long to iron, etc. But it did give a nice shimmer to the bag. I sewed the bag together. Still need to add the grommets at the top. I have grommets I've been practising with on scrap fabric but haven't yet gotten them to close without leaving sharp edges. I also want to put some braiding on the four edges which will gather at the bottom in a tassel.

And I must finally sit down and do my fabric postcards. Oy, there's the theme of Purim/Pesach/spring but I still don't know what to do.

So I'm off to laundry now and if I finish all my tasks for today, I may still get in a little studio time.

Iris folding

Yesterday afternoon, while pondering the coffee/tea challenge, I started thinking about fusing fabric to a coffee filter and doing origami folding. I headed to the internet for instructions and couldn't find what I was looking for. I did, however, find instructions for iris folding. It's usually done with coloured paper.

I downloaded a circular pattern and got Menachem to enlarge to the size I needed.

This morning I started. Instead of folding the fabric strips in half, I just folded under about 1/4 inch. I placed the strips face down following the numbered order and pinned everything. Then I flipped it over and stitched down the pieces.

Now after having done it, I think the next one I will strip piece, sewing onto paper or press and seal and remove the paper/p&s when finished.

I now have to decide what and how to attach it to a background and what else to do. I have some thoughts but am not sure yet. That's why I have all day to play.

I guess it could also be done with ribbon (no ends to fold under). I might just try the Magen David (Star of David) that someone posted on IJQ.

Challenge

I have been pondering making something for the Grounds for Change challenge posted on the Quiltart list. On the one hand, I question my creativity, especially since I am not (as yet) into all the new techniques involved in painting/dyeing/etc. coffee filters and/or tea bags. On the other hand, if I don't jump in, I'll never take part in any challenge.
So far, I have no idea where I'm going with this one other than coffee beans are brown. So I stopped off at Fabricland and purchased some brown sheer fabrics, some brown netting and some brown ribbons. I have some brown duppioni silk, silk ribbons, beads, etc. and tomorrow I shall play. And hopefully come up with a plan I can be happy with.

Adar Aleph Finished

This is my Adar Aleph piece. The new moon is my nod to the monthly artistic effort. The fish are my nod to Pisces. The top and bottom fabrics are the same. The top is the reverse side, the bottom is the right side, covered with organza. And the binding is the same fabric, right side up.
My nod to experimentation is in the manipulation of the organza and the foil transfer using steam-a-seam lite on the new moon.

Still waiting for the Bo Nash or Texolit to continue foil transfer applications.

I got the first magazine in my Quilting Arts subscription and am very pleased. There is an article in there about finished art quilts with irregular edges by facing them. Judy Morningstar had mentioned this method in her YRHG lecture but didn't elaborate on the nitty gritty of how it is done. QA mag does. There are also many other ideas to explore. So that's good.

Printing on Ribbon, etc.

My printing on ribbon worked!! This is how I did it (on a laser printer):

1. type wording in wordprocessing program. (chose font and letter size to suit width of ribbon)
2. print onto paper
3. take doublesided tape (I used Scotch brand)
4. tape down one side over printed wording
5. to other side of tape, affix ribbon
6. put through printer and reprint
7. iron printed ribbon to set ink

Don't try this yet -- keep reading.

Then I wanted to try printing on narrower tape. I followed steps 1-5, using the same tape as before. I made the mistake of putting the narrow ribbon on the same piece of tape I used before. Not that the tape wasn't sticky enough, the exposed tape stuck to the drum!! Fortunately, I was able to remove it without damage to the printer.
So if you are using ribbon narrower than the tape, either cut the tape to size or cover the exposed tape. And don't leave any bits of ribbon or paper unattached -- they will stick in the printer.

Then I went back to my Adar Aleph piece. It is finished, except for the binding. I will post photos soon.
Off to do more experimentation with a foil wrapper from the candy bar I had this afternoon...

Adar Aleph

Further to my resolution to make an 8 1/2" by 11" piece for each Jewish month, I am now faced with Adar Aleph, (Adar I) this being a Jewish leap year. Adar is the month of Purim and this year it falls in Adar Bet (Adar II). It shouldn't be too hard to find a Purim theme for that one.
Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard for Adar Aleph either. I am making a piece with the new moon, a nod to the lunar calendar, and fish, the sign of the zodiac. I have already made the moon, adhering transfer foil to Steam-a-Seam to a black ultrasuede moon (attachment yet to be determined). I am using a blue background fabric. The reverse side is darker so I'm using that for the sky. And then I'm using the light side as the water, covered with scrunched up organza to give the feeling of waves/depth. And two fish findings I brought from Israel. A bead here, a ribbon there -- et voila! Hopefully it shouldn't be that time consuming.
I started (continued) quilting my lap quilt. I am using the walking foot and following the curves of the blocks but it is slow going, turning the fabric each time and getting it through the neck. But I can do a few blocks at a time and set it aside as there is no rush.
I really have to get started on my postcards. And that said, I am now going to type my Hebrew phrases onto paper in preparation for reprinting them onto ribbon. Cross your fingers.

New work

This is where I am so far. The top photo is without the organza overlay.

The background fabric is green dupionni. The silver is a very thin ribbon, attached with Steam a Seam Light. I also have some ribbons and machine embroidery stitches. Nothing earth shattering.

Since the exercise calls for foil transfers, I need bonding powder in order to continue. I called around Toronto -- art supply shops, quilt shops, etc. No one I found carries Bo-Nash or Supermend.

I made arrangements to get some in a rather roundabout fashion. While surfing on the internet, I found a quilt and textile store in Munich which sells a, I hope, comparable product called "Texolit" (I think that's the spelling) as well as a foil I haven't seen yet -- it's a mixture of gold/silver/copper colours. I asked my daughter who lives in Munich to buy some and take it with her when she goes to Israel on February 5th. My brother-in-law is coming from Israel to Toronto on the 10th. So, assuming they meet up, I'll have my product by the 10th.

In the meantime, however, I sent out a post to the ArtQuilt list and one of the members, Larkin, very generously offered to share some Bo-Nash from her stash. And I just received another email from someone giving me the address of a quilt shop in Kingston which carries it.

I sure hope I fall in love with the foil transfer thing after everyone going to such lengths for me.

So I have to set aside this project and work on some others.

I lost my momentum and didn't do any stitching today. Tomorrow, I want to finish quilting a lap quilt.

Then I have to start on my Purim/Pesach/spring postcards. This entails an experiment with printing from the laser printer onto ribbon. I will let you know how (if) it works out.

Anyhow, that's all for now.

Tu B'shvat, challenges, etc.

I wish I knew how to tell the photos to appear in the same order I uploaded them. The two darker wallhangings were inspired by my fabric art group's challenge. The challenge was to make a triangular bag as per instructions in Quilting Arts Gifts 2008. I swear I started following the instructions... I made the rectangles & squares first, improvising along the way. Then I decided not to make it into a bag but rather make a wallhanging. I had so much fun making it that I made a "sister" piece, using the same colour palette but with curves. I prefer the wavy one.

So, in honour of Tu B'shvat, here is my homage to trees. I'm not sure I'm finished yet -- I may try dry brush painting the sky (to cover the bleach marks...)

Now I am working on my next challenge which is also a bag as per instructions by Angie Hughes (from a magazine -- I only got the photocopies so I don't know which). It is supposed to use transfer foils.

I haven't yet, but the bag is shaping up. Since it is an exercise in transfer foils, I will make another bag using them once I buy the materials I am supposed to have in the colours I like.

Anyways, that's it for now.

Field Trips and Play Dates

Wonderful weekend.
Saturday, Menachem and I went on a field trip. Some of the IJQ women arranged to meet in Hamilton to take advantage of Fabricland's 50% off sale, stroll along Ottawa Street (fabric and sewing related stores), and visit the Quilt Art 20 exhibit in Burlington.
We were supposed to be 5 IJQers, but a bad back prevented Penina from joining us and Nancy got caught in snow squalls and decided to turn around and return home. So it was Marilyn from Hamilton, Karen from Buffalo, and Menachem and me. We met up at Fabricland and I must say that their fabric selection appeared to be better than that of either the Doncaster or Empress Walk stores. Although I wasn't really planning to buy fabric, there were several baby cheat panels and backings which were just so playful and colourful that we couldn't resist. I also took some of the fabric I had and needed to match up in order to finish projects. It was a perfect opportunity to stock up on batting, rotary discs, and steam a seam which I'll need for the postcard exchange.
From there, we walked along Ottawa Street, popping into fabric stores. I bought some organza ribbon hopefully to use on the postcards. And then we went into Uri's Textiles where I found a very textured fabric with a small multi-coloured subway brick pattern which I hope to use as inspiration for a future project. We also found a lovely fabric from which we hope to make a headboard. Perhaps, after close to 20 years in this house, our bedroom will be our next home project. We can choose the wall colours from the headboard. Uri, the owner, is a very nice Israeli man and after he and Menachem started playing Israeli geography, we got a nice discount.
It was bitterly cold and windy so our next stop was lunch at Limoncello. We had a nice meal and chat. From there, we went to the Burlington Art Centre for the Quilt Art 20 exhibit. Some of the works were truly amazing. There was also an exhibit of the Burlington Fibre Arts group members and a postcard exhibit. Beautiful postcards.

Today was my fibre arts group meeting at our house. We all showed our interpretations of the challenge from the last meeting. Interesting how each of them were so different. We talked about art shows, articles, books, etc. and ended with a demonstration of applying foil to fabric which gave me an idea or two to try. And then a project page for the next challenge. It was a pleasant afternoon and these meetings seem to energize and inspire. So let's hope positive things continue to come from them.

Busy, busy, busy

This week has been and will continue to be busy with all things fabric related.
Monday, I finished my Shvat piece (photo to follow). In the end, I didn't embroider any biblical quote, not that I didn't try, but it just didn't look right. I had marked the fabric with the purple air dissolving pen and some markings remained. I tried to bleach pen them out. Now I have little yellow smudges on the white background sky. Oh well. I appliqued wisps of clouds to try various effects. Anyways, I bound the piece and will hold onto to, either to make into a larger piece later or just leave as is.
Tuesday evening was my York Heritage Guild meeting. The speaker, Judy Morningstar's, work was amazing and her talk very uplifting. She uses the tiniest of scraps of the same colour, piecing them together, to make a larger fabric. It's called "poverty piecing". This could fulfill one's need to piece and the waste not edict. She also talked about finishing quilts with facing instead of binding. Unfortunately, I did not think to ask about how it is done. Maybe I'll email her.
While at the meeting, I received a flyer for one of the quilt shops which is selling fat quarters for $1.25 for 10 ($1.00 for 25!). So Menachem picked me up after work and we went there. The choices were nothing to write home about. I barely managed to find 10 and some of those were multiples. But I did find a nice fabric to put backings and bindings on my fibre art pieces, so it wasn't a total loss.
Then in the evening, I had the Pomegranate Guild meeting. The speaker does needle lace, some of it based on photographs of family members. The cool thing was the way she displays it. She suspends the pieces from the ceiling and lights them so their shadows project on the wall. Don't know if I'll try needle lace any time soon, but I've filed away the information.
Saturday, weather permitting, I'm joining some other women from the IJQ list on a shopping and quilt show field trip in Hamilton-Burlington. Fabricland is having a 50% off sale and I want to assess the stuff I have and see what else I need in order to complete/start projects.
And then Sunday, the fibre arts group is meeting at my house. I want to try to finish the backing and bindings this evening.
So the creative juices are still flowing.

Shvat piece

So the Shvat piece is coming along. After I wonderundered the tree tops to the background fabric, I thread painted tree trunks and over the tree tops, branches. I then thread "scribbled" over the branches with variegated green thread. It looks quite nice. I am not happy with the wonderunder. It is gummy to sew through (residued left on needle) and the fabric sandwich becomes rather stiff for my liking.
At this point, I needed a Hebrew biblical/talmudic/liturgical quotation. I put the call out to the IJQ list and received several suggestions. I debated whether to go with "k'etz shatul al palgey mayim" (as a tree planted near a stream) or "ki ha'adam etz hasadeh" (for man is like a tree in the field). Although the latter can be linked to the moral and ethical, I found the former more uplifting.
So I put in a stream. I used fancy embroidery threads in the bobbin. (Add another technique). One thread turned out beautifully. From the other I learned that some threads in the bobbin jam the machine... After unjamming, I turned the piece right side up again and tacked down the jamming thread with a zigzag stitch. The steam turned out nicely.
Now all I have left to do is the quotation which I will probably hand embroider above the tree tops using white thread on the white background. And hopefully won't be in your face but will give the appearance of clouds.
And then, even though it started out as an 8 1/5" by 11", I'll probably border it and turn it into a wallhanging.
Yay me!

Resolution #2 bites the dust

My faithful readers (reader?...) may recall that I made a resolution not to purchase new fabric in 2008 and to use up what I have. I fear, alas, that that resolution is about to bite the dust. After taking out all my fabric and trying to "group" it, I see that I have lots of lovely fabrics but very few that go together. So I may just have to purchase some. But I will take my fabric with me to the store to ensure I get a proper match. And I will have a plan in hand in advance so I don't overbuy.
So the first purchase will be the borders and backing for charity quilt #1 (another resolution to make one charity quilt a month). And with respect to charity quilt #2, I sat down yesterday with the leftovers from other projects and cut out 6" squares, and where I didn't have enough for a 6" square, I pieced a four patch, a nine patch, a crazy pattern, a striped pattern patch and a diagonal strip. I have 36 6" squares. Second purchase, borders and backing.
In keeping with my resolution to try to do a monthly Judaic piece, I started on an 8 1/2" by 11" for Shvat, specifically Tu B'Shvat. It is based on an illustration of trees I saw in a newspaper ad. So far I have wonderundered the treetops and and contemplating trying a little machine thread painting. In which case this piece will qualify both for my monthly Judaic resolution and my trying new techniques resolution.
Now back to the drawing board.

New Year's Resolutions

I didn't make very many because I tend not to keep them...
One that I did make was to make a charity quilt a month. I am using a pattern called "Streak of Sunshine" which I found at www.quiltville.com.
Yesterday, I returned to work and am trying to return to my routine of an hour in the studio before work and an hour after. In the morning, I got the eight strips joined and tubed. In the evening I got the tubed strips crosswise into strip and this morning, I got the new strips sewn into a square. Now I have to figure out what fabrics to use for borders without buying fabric. That's resolution #2-- fabric diet. I don't have serious stashes like some but I have enough to get me started. I have a lot of dark fabrics so I may need to purchase lights but only in 10" strips!! Or maybe I'll just swap with someone else.
I also have resolved to try to challenge myself by participating in challenges. There's currently one going called "Grounds for Change" with respect to coffee. I am starting to throw around ideas but I'm not sure where I'm going with it yet, or if I will participate in this one.
Anyways, I'm reading a really good book called "Love Walked In" and I want to finish it so I'll forgo any further posting for a bit.