Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New

I guess the changing of a year is a good time to look back, see what's been accomplished and look forward and see what's yet to be done.
Hands down the most important event of 2009 for me was the birth of Amit. Nothing I create will ever come near.
That said, I have had a productive year, creativity-wise.
I participated in three exhibits, two with my "FAT" (FibreArts Toronto) Ladies, one-month long exhibits at two branches of the Toronto Public Library and one of mezuzot with the Pomegranate Guild which displayed at Baycrest, and is now a travelling exhibit.
I made two chuppot for two family (either biological or considered family) members.
And numerous other pieces, both utilitarian: Inbal's quilt, Rotem's quilt, a ton of baby quilts -- it's been a good year for babies in the Erez family!, oven mitts, placemats, etc.; and wall hangings.
Blogging has allowed me to post about the experience and conundrums of designing and making these pieces. And the uploaded photos give me a visual record of what I have accomplished.
And I did sell some of my work which is always a boost for the self-esteem.
While I create, I have time to think. And with classical music in the background, what could be better?
So that's looking back.
And looking forward? I'm just going to plug away at creating. It enriches my being. And if I can sell some of it, even better.

Spurt of creativity

So this weekend was busy but fun.
Friday night, we had family over for the last night of Chanuka. It was laid back and nice.
Saturday, I didn't do much of anything. Also nice.
Sunday morning, I started on a new piece, using bits and pieces from other projects.
Then Yunkie, Alanna, Jeremy and Michelle came over for lunch and the kids and I got busy making fabric portfolios.
Also a lot of fun.
Now if I could get the photos to go where I want them, I'd really be happy.

Last blog enty in 2009? Maybe yes, maybe no...

I can't believe it's been two months since my last posting. First we were busy getting ready for our road trip to NYC to meet up with Carmit and Michael. We had a lovely visit, even though Menachem was laid up the entire time we were there with back pains. Carmit and I did manage to do part of the Garment District walking tour. Some of the fabrics were to die for, as well as the trims, buttons, beads, etc. But I was a good girl and only bought 5 spiral buttons and one spiral charm.
Upon our return, we were busy getting ready for our trip to visit Mitki (and Inbal and Rotem). Then we spent three wonderful weeks with them, during which time I did no fabric shopping nor quilting related outings (if you don't count the birds for beading I bought, but not very many of them...) Since we've been back, I've been battling jet lag and fatigue.

I did finish my FAT challenge 12" x 12" "Wash, Rinse, Repeat" and was quite pleased with the result. I am not sure that it can be called an art quilt. I'm thinking of redefining what I do as "fabric collage". Anyways, it inspired me to do more. And since our January FAT challenge is "Graffiti", I have another one which I'm pondering.

Yesterday I got back into my studio to prepare "canvasses" for these 12 x 12 challenges. I cut up all of my quilt batting leftovers into 14" strips and pieced the strips together to make 14" x 14" inch squares. I got 21 squares made up! No pressure, eh? Since I am planning to use only fabric I already own (ha, ha, who's heard that one before?), I am also trying to take stock of my fabric samples, bits and pieces, etc. I have some lovely duppioni silks which I should just cut into and use as well.

Someone on the QuiltArt list has suggested using December as month zero of 2010, thinking about where we're going, setting goals in place, etc., sort of pre New Year's resolutions, so we can hit the ground running in the new year.

So right now, I'm doing my thinking and we'll see where it takes me.

Machine down

I've got all six quilt tops ready to go, backing fabrics washed and ready for pressing, batting cut.
This morning I pinned my first baby quilt and as I was about to get ready to quilt, I went to fill two bobbins and the bobbin winder stopped winding. I can see that there's some thread wound around the winder underneath the thing the bobbin sits on. My attempts to gently pull it out failed.
I put in an S.O.S. call to my service person. If I have the machine at his place in Newmarket at 9 a.m. tomorrow, he will fix it on the spot (and maybe fix the automatic threader as well). So I'll try to be patient and perhaps press and pin another quilt or two while I wait for my machine to return home safely. I guess I should really have it serviced in general but there's a waiting list for that. Maybe while we're away...

Long weekend, busy weekend

Middle day of three day weekend. 9 a.m. I have finished Missed Deadlines I, II and III. The labels were a pain to do but the hangings turned out alright. The stitching on the back of one of them didn't look too hot so I took a magenta Sharpie and went over the stitching lines. The back looks great but when I flipped it over, I saw that the stitching on the front, originally white, is now slightly magenta in some places. But the effect is nice so I'm not obsessing. Not my best work, but finished.
Yesterday we went to Sew Sisters to buy batting (half the price of Fabricland's...) so I can progress on the baby quilts. I still have to go to Fabricland to buy backing materials. Hopefully at noon-ish so I can continue sewing until then and we'll probably combine the trip with a visit to my mother.
So the sewing plan for today is to finish ripping out stitches on an unfinished quilt in preparation for requilting, making journals and fabric journal covers for Jordie and Eli, and maybe placemats or a tablerunner for David and Judy.
But first a bite of breakfast.

Second pink baby quilt top finished

Once the strips are cut, sewing them together takes really very little time. I now have to figure out how to do the same cutting strips from my fat quarters...

Baby Boom

My relatives and friends, here and in Israel, are dropping babies at a fast pace. And I'm trying to keep up with baby quilts. I have one baby boy who was born in Israel while I was there but I didn't get around to finishing anything then. And this past week, my aunt and uncle had a new great-grand-daughter as did Menachem's aunt and uncle, both babies in Israel. Also, a pupil of my father's is having a baby boy next month and a friend's daughter is having a baby girl in January.
I bought some pink and green fabrics for baby girl quilts while in Israel and with a little bit of fabric I purchased at Fabricland earlier this week, I had enough to do four quilt tops. I cut the fabric last night into eight 4.5" strips. I sewed the strips together this morning and then recut into nine 4.5" strips and sewed those together. All this between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., including shower and breakfast, before I left for work.
I have one top finished with 4" finished squares which repeat in a diagonal pattern. Very pretty in pink. I will lather, rinse and repeat twice more and that will take care of my baby girl quilt tops.
I actually have two more tops ready from leftovers from other projects which could definitely be suitable for boys.
I need to buy backing, batting and then quilt. I will either free-motion in the one stitch I know, use my machine's serpentine embroidery stitch or stitch diagonally through the corners of the squares.
I had cut some 1.5" or 2" squares from previous quilting projects and had started sewing them into rows but found it too tedious. I ripped out the seams (not that many) and will make the squares into 9 patches which I will alternate with solids or softly patterned neutrals to make more baby quilts.
I am really trying to avoid purchasing what I don't need to. I have fabrics which don't really go with anything else so I may need to purchase stuff to be able to use them but I am trying not to buy anything just because it's lovely...
The original reason I went to Fabricland was to buy one spool of thread for one of my "Missed Deadlines" pieces. I will try to finish them off this weekend so I can concentrate on not missing the baby deadlines.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Actually, it flies no matter what. Another week has gone by. Did I do any stitching during the week? Not really. Can't recently motivate myself to jump out of bed first thing in the morning. Then I spend too much time at the computer or watching the old movie channel. And since I'm usually at my best first thing in the morning, things don't approve when I get home from work so I go back to the computer and TV.
Yesterday, Saturday, I did jump out of bed because November 1st library show deadline is looming. With my slice finished and out of the way, I got started on three smaller pieces. My starting point was three circles made using coffee filters as the template. This was for the "Grounds for Change" challenge which I had planned to enter but missed the deadline. Then I was going to answer the call for entries the "Bend, Fold, Manipulate" exhibit and made three circles, using folded and manipulated fabrics but again I missed the deadline. Not that I couldn't have been ready. I think my hesitancy was rooted in self-doubt rather than time constraints. I am well on my way to finishing "Missed Deadlines I,II, and III".
My day was, however, interrupted by errands. We started at the hazardous waste depot where we dropped off some paint and a dead TV set. Then to Costco for quick and thrifty visit (i.e. we weren't sucked in by all the "deals" and only bought what we needed and what we think is a great birthday gift for Alanna. Then to Chapters to get a gift certificate for Mindy who never forgets our birthdays like we forgot hers... And then to Dearborn to buy accoutrements for Amit's Tripp Trapp. We got last year's model plastic seat on sale. We were not, however, about to pay $90 for two small padded cushions. I don't think he really needs them but if he does, I'll sew them. Same goes for the harness, which he does need but which I can buy the straps and closures for at Fabricland and make it myself.
In the evening, we were invited to Devora's for dinner. It was lovely, relaxed and I didn't feel tired until someone said it was almost 10. Too much excitement for me.
This morning, Sunday, I started sewing at 8 a.m. and didn't stop until noon. Partly because I need some thread and partly because I'm hungry. So off to munch and then decide what to do -- buy thread and continue or call it a day.
Oh, I also finished hemming the 5 flannel receiving blankets that Carmit asked me to make her. Actually she only asked for 3 but I couldn't decide which colours so she'll take what she wants and I'll keep the rest for someone else.

Slice done

The slice if finished. I started by laying down the grass and then row after row of pieced shingles. After which, I didn't like the fabric I had chosen for grass. Replaced the grass with bright green solid fancy fabric (not sure what it is) then overlaid it with a melange of threads, ribbons, yarns in shades of green done with Solvy. I did a simple quilting stitch in the ditch by following the lines of the shingles. It's a little rough but looks great. I just finished squaring it and there's plenty of wiggle room to get it down to the 6.5" finished size.
Ta da!

So far what I've done this week

Monday after work, I went to Baycrest to meet up with Marilyn and Annabell and her husband. Saw the mezuzah exhibit. Very nicely displayed. Some of the pieces were outstanding, a wide variety of techniques and ideas. One was, surprisingly, "chalushes" but I will not elaborate. We also went up to see the "Pardes" banners. Wow.
Tuesday -- nada.
Wednesday, I stopped in at Fabricland and bought some fabrics for the slice.
Thursday -- nada.
But this morning, waking up at 5 and trying to stay in bed until at least 6, I had a few ideas. So I jumped up and began piecing. That old adage about the first cut being the hardest is so true. But once I get started, I'm usually on a roll.
I put down the grass, and did the bottom two rows of cedar shingles. So now I know where I'm going, I hope to get it finished this weekend, errands permitting.

Small steps

Slice quilt -- I made a template on freezer paper of the cedar shingles. I had thought of using recycled pant hems, courtesy of Zev, but the colours are too dark. Since the predominant colour appears to be light grey, I may just go into Fabricland and purchase something. The total size is 6.5 inches X 24 inches -- how much fabric would I need? A few 10 cm. strips should be fine. I am debating now whether to do raw edge or pieced. I guess it will depend which fabrics I use.

Circle collages -- On the design wall but not speaking to me yet.

I may or may not get together today with IJQ visitors from Australia. I won't be available until after work (3 p.m.) and am not sure what their schedule is.

New Year -- New Start

I did finish Jojo's chuppah in time (the night before...) in spite of "interruptions" i.e. surprise visits of Inbal with baby Amit and Rotem. Since I finished the chuppah (the wedding was September 6th), I have not been in my studio. A bad cold a slight depression when the kids left, yada yada.
But it is a new year and time to get cracking on new things. Granted commitments from last year but new nevertheless.
Two of those commitments are related to FibreArts Toronto. We're doing a slice quilt and the slices were to have been completed already. I haven't started. So I've got to get moving on that. I just have to figure out if the pant hem materials I have will work.
Also we each have to do new pieces for our November library show. Since inspiration hasn't really hit, I'm going to be doing a recycled fabric triptych collage. I will use the embroidered sheer fabric removed from Jojo's chuppah perimeter and the three circles I started on for grounds for change, fuse some fancy fabrics and trims, a little machine serpentine stitching over them, some beading and embroidery, and hopefully have something to make the pieces work together. I know, not terribly original but I can claim that I'm working in a series.
We are going to New York at the end of October and then Israel mid-November so I've got to get back to a routine of an hour before work and an hour after if I want to complete things on time.
And wouldn't it be nice if I could finish "Marty's Ties" so I can take it to Ruthie?
Off to stitch.

Progress on Jojo's

From a blank slate, I'm on my way. Once I got started, I was OK. I did my own lettering, not perfect but me. Also had/having problems with steam-a-seam not always sticking... I have machine sewn down some elements and am now hand sewing some others. Then some beading to remedy the unstick problem and add further embellishment. It's off the design wall for the letter hand stitching. Once that's done, maybe I'll put it back up and photograph it. I also have to decide whether to do a traditional 3 layer quilt or just two layers and whether to do a binding and if yes, with what. So lots of stitching and planning still left to do. By Labour Day. This weekend and next, I won't be able to do much stitching. On Saturday, we are invited to Penina's for lunch and Sunday we have Netaly's wedding. Next weekend, on Saturday we have Stephen and Diana's wedding (for which I made the tartan chuppah) and Sundy Mintzy and Rafi are having an all day open house for out of town guests and "others" (we're others). So I'll be stitching morning and evening until I finish. But I'm having fun doing it.

Jojo's chuppah

Jojo was over yesterday and brought a gorgeous piece of white raw silk which I will use for the centre of her chuppah. It's a bit stiffer than the dupionni I am used to working with but again, gorgeous. I have it up on my design wall as a blank slate and am now going to get cracking. I auditioned a few fonts for the "matzati et she'ahava nafshi" but wanted thrilled with them. I am now going to try my own lettering and see how it looks.

Energized

I sewed the hanging sleeves on yesterday without pinning. Sometimes skipping a step is not a good thing. I had to rip them out and redo them. But now it's really done, hanging sleeves and label. Yay me.

I also marked out the inner square of Johanna's chuppah on my design wall. The shul's chuppah frame is 96 inches square. That's one big chuppah. And since I am assuming that Johanna and Warren may want to use the chuppah as a wall hanging, I decided to make an inner square of 48" with a 2 foot wide perimeter which can be detached after the wedding.
I am mapping out the design so I get the elements in (what I consider to be) proportion to the background. Since the background may be a piece of silk that Johanna's bringing me tomorrow, I'm kind of stuck moving forward until then when I see what she's got.

However, I decided that I should do something creative and have finally started finishing some leftover crazy quilt blocks. And since they're the colour palette of the remnants from the dress my mother had sewn for my brother's wedding, I framed two blocks and now have a small project to do handwork on. I won't be able to take it with me because the handwork involves beading, buttons, trims, and embroidery with multiple colours (too much stuff to shlepp and too much possibility for spillage). But I would like to get this one finished soon, either for the next library exhibit or just so it's done.

I should make a list, prioritized of my outstanding projects. By outstanding projects I mean the ones which I have either started or need to finish by a specific date.

Here they are:

#1 Johanna and Warren's chuppah
#2 My slice of the F.A.T. slice quilt
#3 The quilt from Marty's ties (I finally decided how I want to do it -- simple and uncomplicated)
#4 Crazy quilt projects (I think aside from the one mentioned above, there's only one more)

And then I can tackle the baby quilts, nursing aprons, etc.

So, I'd better grab myself a cup of coffee to fortify myself and get started.

Stephen and Diana's Chuppah

This is Stephen and Diana's chuppah, finished except for the hanging sleeves. I wanted to photograph it before I took it off the wall because after I attach the sleeves, I am not putting it up again.

I went to Fabricland at Empress Walk yesterday to take another shot at finding fabrics for Johanna and Warren's chuppah. I was planning to head down to Queen Street if I didn't have any luck but I found the fabrics I wanted. They're all blues-blue/greens and I'm not sure they're perfectly matched but I liked the different textures and shades so that's my plan. I would like to find some lacey fabrics as well. Or not. Now I just have to sit down and figure out what to do. I'll probably do something like the piece I made from my father's kippah and tie. Of course, I never know where I"m going until I'm there so it should be interesting.

Back?

So it's been well over two months since I posted. Not because I didn't have access to internet or time. It just didn't happen. My life has been full with the joys of being a savta (grandmother).

I did get some sewing done but mostly utilitarian stuff -- baby blankets, crib bedding, curtains for the Amit's room, drapes for Rotem's apartment. And one I'm sure not many can brag about -- a slipcover for a washing machine. Don't ask.

Now that I'm back in my studio, I have several projects to work on. I have finished Stephen and Diana's chuppah save for the hanging sleeves which I will probably do today. I was at Fabricland (Doncaster) yesterday and did not find fabric I liked for Johanna and Warren's chuppah. I may just head down to Queen Street and a few other places to check it out. I sort of know where I'm going with it but have to fondle fabrics before I continue. I may also hit Fabricland (Empress Walk) to see what they have in stock.

I want to take my sewing machine in for servicing and also my serger for repair/servicing.

Do I sound less than enthusiastic? I guess I just have to get started and things will fall into place.

Brit Milah

NQR except for the cutting...
Yesterday was Amit's Brit Milah. Inbal initially wanted to go with a medical mohel (one who is a doctor and has been trained as a mohel as well) but the price was prohibitive. Inbal didn't want the whole party who-ha atmosphere usually associated with a brit. So she got the name of a highly recommended mohel who when told there might not be a minyan said that the mitzvah of doing the brit outweighs the mitzvah of having it done with a minyan. And yesterday afternoon, in the presence of Rotem (who was the "sandak" and held the baby during the ceremony) Inbal's good friends, Naama, Simone and Yael, and me, Amit joined the ranks of the Jewish men before him.
It just dawned on me that Inbal's three friends represent three periods of her life. Yael is a childhood friend. They literally grew up together. Simone and Inbal went to school together in Canada and did their army service at the same time. And Inbal met Naama when she started working in Israel after she returned from university in Toronto. Interesting. But back to the brit. The mohel was very nice and didn't appear to be judgmental. Amit is doing fine. A few tears but handling it well. The mohel should be back for a check-up today and then nothing. Nothing meaning none of the stress related to Amit's first few days and breastfeeding difficulties or stress related to the brit -- when, who, where, etc.
So now everyone can settle into a routine of enjoying Amit.

Grandparenthood -- Who Knew?

There's a Yiddish expression about humans making plans and God laughing at them.
So Inbal's due date was May 30th and I had planned to go to Israel on the 26th. Inbal had her baby on the 19th. The process had started a few days earlier.
Needless to say, I changed my flights. I left on the 19th at 11ish p.m. (Toronto time)and arrived at Heathrow at 11ish a.m. local time the following morning. Since my next flight from Heathrow to Tel-Aviv didn't leave until, again, 11ish p.m. on the 20th, I had many hours to pass. I visited every duty-free shop at least once, read a book, and most importantly, managed to stretch out on some benches and grab a few winks. I arrived in Israel at 4:30 a.m. on the 21st and was very glad to find Rotem waiting at the airport. He drove me to Inbal's to drop off the luggage and take a quick shower and then we went straight to the hospital to see Inbal and the baby.
Amit (pronounced "uh-meet" with the emphasis on the second syllable) is adorable, delicious. He has a full face and doesn't have the scrawny wrinkled look often associated with newborns. We are all busy adjusting to one another -- Amit to being in the outside world where he has to take affirmative action to be nourished, Inbal learning to read Amit's signs and cries, and me to staying up later than 8 p.m. and waking up frequently during the night.
But it's all good.
As I write, I feel tired so I'm going to lie down for a bit. We've all got to nap when we can...

Further Update

Last bit of binding hand-sewn. So all planned baby blankets are done.
Finished cutting out the circles, squares and triangle and fused all.
Next on the agenda (after lunch) is to sew over them in a serpentine stitch (just in case the steam-a-seam isn't that long lasting), audition pick up sticks for corners, sew down word rectangles, maybe bead their binding, and attach centre love birds circle, and also maybe free-motion Stephen and Dee's names and wedding date in said circle.
But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Also envisioning Jojo and Warren's chuppah while I patchke with this one.

Where was I?

So I have finished quilting all of the baby quilts (4). I did the binding on two of them by machine by sewing the binding onto the back and then folding to the front and sewing down. The third one, I decided to do after work one day and inadvertently sewed the binding to the front so that one I have to hand sew. Bummer. I seriously considered ripping the binding and resewing it but didn't have the heart to do it. The fourth one I finished quilting this morning, have cut the binding strips and will finish, hopefully, this afternoon. This completes the baby quilt portion of my pre-trip tasks.
I have washed and pressed all the additional panels/fabrics and will take with me to Israel and maybe make some baby blankets there.
I have washed all of Devora's diapers and baby stuff. Now I just have to sort through it. Probably on the weekend, Victoria Day weekend so we have an extra day.
Hope to get to Stephen and Dee's chuppah tomorrow and/or the weekend.

So I'm doing OK, I think.

Update

Third baby blanket quilted.
Chuppah words shuffled and final arrangement decided upon. Circle, square and triangle paths marked.
Sample fabrics sorted -- one bag ready for FAT ladies to pick over then the rest going to Textile Museum for garage sale.

Goals for this week:
1. Bind baby quilts
2. Stephen & Dee's Chuppah:
Prepare circles, squares and triangles, fuse and sew down.
"Pick up sticks" between words and at corners
Attach words (with beads??)
machine embroider names and date
Ribbons?
3. Diapers
Finish washing and sorting Devora's donation
4. More baby blankets
wash panels
check how much batting is left
order microfleece/minkee
5. Jojo & Warren's Chuppah
think about design and fabrics

Not too ambitious, eh?

Chocolate Fix

Fair warning -- I don't want anyone who reads my blog to be shocked to find a recipe on it. I received an email on one of my lists for the following cake and want to save the recipe and know I'll be able to eventually find it if it's on my blog.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
Microwave safe mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

I tried it and it was delicious without chocolate chips.

IMHO, it require modification. Instead of using a mug, I will use 4 greased ramekins for 4 individual servings. And the microwave time will have to be adjusted accordingly. The sugar can be decreased as well. And maybe half and half oil and applesauce. And maybe nuts. Hmmm.

Progress Report

nursing cover finished
flannel blankets and burp cloths finished
one baby blanket quilted
one baby blanket half-quilted

More of the same tomorrow

Members' sale -- Part One

Yesterday evening, Menachem and I went to Fabricland because I needed thread to finish three baby blankets. I also bought boning to finish a nursing cover I am making for Inbal. I bought the thread and boning but because I took Menachem with me, I came home with four yards of adorable flannel, several baby panels and baby fabric. I didn't buy batting and backing fabric because I think I am going to make my future baby quilts with only two layers, the second being Minkee or microfleece which I may just order from Wazoodle since I am so happy with my first order from them. Guess what I'll doing this weekend...

Mind changing prerogative

Since it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind, I've changed mine about Stephen and Dee's chuppah. I just couldn't get the words to line up in a pleasing manner so I put them, in order as per the blessing, around the perimeter, put the bird circle in the centre and am connecting them with circles, triangles and squares. I haven't ironed anything or sewn anything down yet (because I may change my mind yet again...) but I'm leaning heavily on this configuration.

On the baby blanket front, I've got two of them sandwiched and pinned. I was going to do one, quilt it and then start on the next but alas, I do not have the right threads. I hope to get another blanket sandwiched and pinned tomorrow.
That will take care of my baby blanket commitments. But Fabricland is having a members' sale (50% off on anything not already on sale) so I may just buy some more panels, fabrics, batting and thread and whip up or at least have the materials for a few more baby blankets.

And since I was planning to get fabrics for Johanna's chuppah this weekend, the sale is right on time!

Kentucky Derby or something

I am assuming that all the recent horse-related movies on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) had something to do with an important horse race. And in keeping with that theme, I am in the final stretch of Stephen and Dee's chuppah. The elements are ready, more or less, it's just a matter of figuring out how to configure them on the fabric. The circle with birds turned out nicely, I think. I thought a circular element would offset the rectangular shape of the tartan and words. The dilemma is where to position everything. I have put the tartan words one below the other down the length of the right hand side. (The chuppah is 60" wide by 72" long after I finally had the courage to cut the fabric's length). I have positioned the circle about 2/3 in from both the top and the left hand side. I am now cutting up 1 1/2"-ish squares, circle and triangles and perhaps "pick up stick strips" to connect the circle to the rectangles. My dilemma is the rectangles. If I leave them in the order they appear in the "sheva brachot", they are not visually pleasing. If I shift them around so I can some kind of a curve, either from large to small in he middle and back to large or from small increasing in increments to the largest, it looks much better but isn't true to the text. Since I doubt that either the bride, the groom or their respective families will care, I will do the visually pleasing. And maybe put a binding on it. With rings to attach to the chuppah poles since the banquet hall has no chuppah frame.

Then I am going to try to get started on the baby quilts during the week before and after work.

Next weekend, I will get fabric for Johanna and Warren's chuppah. I think theirs will be much easier since I pretty much know what I want to do and how to do it. It's just going to be B-I-G. The chuppah frame is 96" square! I am planning to do a central panel and "frame" it with light and airy sheer-ish fabrics which can be removed after the wedding.

I look forward to finishing these projects so I can think about other things.

Weekend

Yesterday I figured out what to do in the middle of the chuppah. An embroidered dupionni silk circle with birds. I managed to get the circle and lining cut out and edges zigzagged and determine the placement of the birds. At noon, Maggie picked me up so we could go to the Creativ Festival. She is very active in her guild and needed a volunteer to "person" their booth at the Festival. I managed to sell 12 raffle tickets and bought 3 myself. I also got to browse and am proud to say that the only purchase I made was some batt to finish the baby quilts. Not that I didn't see nice fabric, threads, etc. but I'm trying to be frugal. I also managed to finish binding three tartan pieces. Since I had one done before, I now only have 8 left. Ha ha.
Also, while browsing, I stopped in at the Brother display to ask a question about my sewing machine and learned a few neat tricks while I was there. But I also taught the teacher a thing or two she didn't know about the machine!
When I got home at 7:30 p.m., there was no power. Discovered I find it difficult to sleep with no music, TV, computer and fridge humming noises. The last time I remember looking at the time (on my cell phone) it was 10:30. Still no power. I'm not sure when it came back on.
I started the embroidery on the circle. Flowers in silk and embroidery threads. Not sure how to make it cohesive but I'll work on it. I want to make serious headway on the chuppah today. So I'm off to bind, embroider, bind, embroider.

Quick Update on the Chuppah

I have decided to do the bindings in white on white cotton. I figured it would easier to find than match to the colours in the tartan. And indeed at Fabricland it was. I have several more to do but should be finished this evening.

Stephen & Dee's Chuppah

I haven't been in my studio in a l-o-n-g time, partly because I was suffering from post-exhibit stress (apparently it afflicts many artists who feel a let down after an exhibit of their work), partly because of Pesach and being away from a routine, and partly because I was stalled on Stephen and Dee's chuppah.
My starting point was this: using Dee's clan's tartan and words from the wedding "seven blessings".
I made templates for the lettering, fused steam-a-seam to dupionni silk, cut out the letters and fused them to strips of the tartan. So I had twelve words fused onto tartan.
I wasn't happy with the background fabrics I had purchased (not to worry -- they will be used in other projects) and the synthetic organza I had just didn't seem right.
On Thursday, I came home by bus so "had" to go by the Fabricland at Empress Walk at found a semi-sheer synthetic drapery fabric in white. It has white on white flowery embroidery. Once I had the background with it's visual texture, things started falling into place. I sandwiched the word panels with a layer of blue tulle on top of the lettered tartan fabric , a layer of thin batting, and a blue backing. I am going to bind them in the tartan colours. I was going to use the polyester suede but it was too clunky. So I opted for cotton. So far I have done one in red. I just have to find the other colours I need ( chocolate brown, a beigey-white, a hunterish green and maybe a blue, although that's pretty much the dominant colour in the tartan so maybe not.
Once I have them all bound, I will decide on their placement (it's also tricky because although the panels all the same 4" length, the width of each panel is different, from three letters for "joy" up to eleven for "brotherhood" . (It's so much more easy in Hebrew -- all those words are three and four letters so they can be identically sized panel [thinking ahead for Johanna and Warren's chuppah]).
Once I have the placement, more or less, I can figure out the additional stuff such as small panels with silk ribbon embroidery, beading, embellishments, etc.
I will try to post a photo so it makes sense.

Note to Self

If one cleans more often, one isn't overwhelmed by the tasks.
Pesach usually falls in spring --is a time of renewal including spring cleaning, decluttering, etc.
I had great plans in that regard for the weekend. Ha ha. Yesterday, I tackled the kitchen. I have a large well organized kitchen with lots of cupboards and drawers. Which means there's always room to put "stuff" that you're just not sure about.
And it means more stuff to move around, wipe under, etc.
I am methodical so I do my cleaning/organizing methodically. It took me 6 hours straight to go through the cupboards and drawers, assessing what I have, wiping down the surfaces and doors. This is without cleaning the oven, fridges (I have 2 in the kitchen from when we had multiple family gatherings with many participants. These days, only one fridge is in full-time use and the other I only plug in when we have a large gathering, maybe two-three times a year.)
I have started putting stuff aside for a garage sale. Really, dishes I don't and won't ever use, gadgets which looked good at the time, etc.
By the time I finished the kitchen, I was too pooped to wash the floors so I left that for this morning. This morning, after a rather sleepless night because of backache caused by overdoing it yesterday (up the ladder, down the ladder, on my knees, etc. -- I'm not 18 anymore!), I did the front hall, purging for the most part, and organizing. Then I washed the kitchen and front hall floors and moved on to my next task -- the living room, dining room. Didn't make a lot of headway here either. I did get the upper reaches of the wall unit (requiring ladder) done. And trimmed plants and dead leaves in Menachem's houseplant jungle.
And that's all I'm doing for now because I am going to my F.A.T. meeting at Laura's at 1 p.m. Meaning I have to be out of the house by 11:30 to catch the bus. So I have a bit of time to have a cup of coffee, read my emails, and shower before I go.
Our meeting today should be fun. We'll evaluate the exhibit, plan our next project -- slice quilts, talk and nibble.
Hopefully I'll get some more cleaning/organizing done when I get home.

Library Exhibit -- The End

Yesterday was the last day of the library exhibit and we ended it with a small closing reception. Most of the visitors were my family and friends. Still, the day started out with stormy weather but by the afternoon the sun had come out and it was a lovely day. After the reception, we took down the pieces. It took us several hours to hang the exhibit and maybe 20 minutes to dismantle it.
The experience was good. I can see how much my work has evolved since I started a few years ago. It would have been nice if I had sold something but this too shall come.
And then next Sunday we're getting together at Laura's to discuss our next project -- probably slice quilts.
I did get four flannel receiving blankets made on Saturday morning.
And found a missing piece of fabric for Stephen and Dori's chuppah.
So I will now try to make progress on the chuppah, buy some batting for the baby quilts and finish them. I don't lack for projects.

Daily blogs, eh?

It seems silly to sit down to blog daily when there really isn't that much to say. Perhaps I should consider it like twitter and if I only have one sentence to say, then write one sentence.

I had a busy week.

Monday I had to stay late at work to witness a document which in the end the clients didn't sign.

Tuesday, Johanna met me after work and we went to the shul to measure the chuppah frame. It is huge! 95" square. I discussed with Johanna the idea of making a central panel for the chuppah which can be attached to something sheer, organza-like for the wedding and then detached afterwards for use as a wall hanging. She brought me a magazine photo of colours she likes -- blues, very rich. I'll have to think about that one. Then in the evening, I had my YHQG meeting. I debated whether or not to go and in the end went because the speaker was a well-known beader. Unfortunately, most of her presentation was slides which don't do justice to the beading. And turn off the lights and I'm out like a light.

Wednesday, I had lunch with one of the lawyers from the office who I helped out when his secretary was on vacation. We went to the Novotel restaurant (new restaurant, not bad but don't know if I need to go again) and then I took him up to see my exhibit. I think he was duly impressed. Wednesday evening was the POM meeting which was a hands on Pesach pillow making affair. Unfortunately, at that hour I am usually brain-dead and not ready to start being creative. I brought the fixin's home. Maybe I'll make it some day... I did hand in my mezuzah for the exhibit, so that's another project completed.

Thursday, I didn't have to go out after work so I worked on cutting out the letters for Stephen & Di's chuppah. I had to send Menachem to buy some more tartan as there wasn't enough. Friday, I took Roz to the exhibit. After work, Menachem picked me up and we went to Fortino's to buy carp for the Pesach gefilte fish. Then a short visit with my mother and back home to continue on the letters. Yesterday, I finished the letters. Now I have tartan rectangles with white dupionni silk pinned on my design wall and it doesn't seem to be calling to me yet.

Today I am, so far, doing nothing. I think I will go shortly to my studio and stare at the design wall. Maybe move the rectangle around a bit. There are very strong horizontal lines and I'm thinking of countering with vertical elements.

Inbal is planning to use cloth diapers which cost a fortune. I hope to minimize the cost my making them myself. But there's so much information out there and I'm not sure yet which pattern to use. Fortunately, there's a diaper fabric store in Markham and a members' sale at Fabricland next weekend 50% off. Guess where I'm going...

Field Trip to Hamilton

Yesterday was my annual field trip to Hamilton to meet up with the IJQers from Rochester, Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto. Nancy and Karen came from Rochester, Karen from Buffalo and we all met up with Marilyn who lives in Hamilton at Fabricland. Menachem had the day off so we drove in together. We have two Fabricland stores in Toronto but the fabrics in Hamilton are different. We bought enough fabric for three complete baby quilts, front and back, and another baby quilt top. Marilyn told us that there's another members' 50% on March 28th so I'll wait for it to buy any batting I may need.
From there we went up and down Ottawa Street, peeking into stores. We wanted to take a photo in European Fabrics of the lovely way the fabric is displayed and asked the owner's permission who said no. Not sure why. I think free advertising on the internet is a good thing but her store, her rules. In the Discount Fabric Store, I did buy fabric for the 4th baby quilt backing, and some flannel for receiving blankets for Inbal and Rachel. I was seriously trying to keep to my diet and in fact I only purchased fabric for the baby quilts for the three grand nieces and nephew who we're expecting soon after our own grandbaby. The extra baby quilt fabric isn't really for playing because there's sure to another baby born somewhere, sometime, no? These baby quilts will be wholecloth because I'm not sure the recipients will appreciate piecing and I have two chuppot to make in the next six weeks so my creative time is limited. After traipsing up and down Ottawa Street, we went for lunch at Lemoncello's and had a leisurely and delicious lunch. After lunch, the New Yorker's headed back for home and Marilyn and we headed for the Burlington Arts Centre. Threadworks 2007's travelling exhibit was on display. I had already seen it out in Whitby but some of the pieces were different and I enjoyed revisiting the ones I had previously enjoyed and the new ones. It's also interesting to see how differently the two shows were hung. There was also a display of basketry and sculpture in twigs which was amazing. The shapes of the sculptures and then the shadows they cast on the wall -- breathtaking.

And speaking of the chuppot, I am working on Stephen and Dee's and my ideas about how to do it are evolving. I was influenced by some of the sheer fabrics I saw yesterday and am now leaning toward using a transparent/organza type fabric as the background, and using the tartan and suede in rectangle and squares on top of it. I also saw a lovely gigantic tassle and gorgeous trims which gave me some ideas about how to embellish it with ribbon, yarns beading, and maybe buttons. I may or may not do the organza in waves. I will be going into my studio in a bit and see what I have and how it goes. I have no size limit on the chuppah as they are probably getting married in a non-synagogue venue.

I had printed out the lettering from Word at 72 but wanted it larger and thought I'd have to enlarge on the photocopier but while in the car with Menachem who is, among other things, my computer guru, I asked him if there was a program to enlarge the letters and he suggested googling "how to enlarge Word letters". When we got home, I did and it turns out when you choose the letter size, after you've highlighted the text, you just type into the size box the number you want and it will print it out that size. So I did 100 and I think that's the size I need. I want to make some letters in different fabrics and check them out against the tartan to see how they look.

I am meeting with Johanna after work on Tuesday at the shul where she is getting married to measure the chuppah frame which will determine the size of her and Warren's chuppah. She also has some ideas about her colours so then I'll be able to get a start on that one as well. After we meet, I have my YHQG meeting and on Wednesday my POM meeting.
So it should be another hectic week. But hectic good.

A little of this, a little of that

Just came back from the library with two friends, one who had already seen the exhibit, one who hadn't. The one who hadn't gushed about how I'm an artist and this on top of a phone call from another friend on Sunday who had seen the exhibit, is very encouraging and affirming.

So I've started working on Stephen & Dee's chuppah. They asked me to use some tartan from Dee's clan (Chisholm). On Saturday I went fabric shopping with Mintzy. She brought with her a 9" by WOF and I admit I was relieved by the colours. I was afraid it might be a combination I would have difficulty working with.

My original plan was to make vertical stripes of colours with appliqued words from the "sheva brachot" (seven wedding blessings). So I bought six colours of polyester suede which "go" with the tartan's colours, though on second thought, I purchased a blue I'm not so sure about.

In the meantime, I've decided not to go so much with vertical stripes but rather do a wavy horizontal thing with five of the six colours, with a vertical stripe of tartan on both sides. And then add in other stuff. How to incorporate the lettering I haven't decided yet.

The hardest part is actually cutting into the fabric and making the "canvas" upon which I shall play. Maybe when I get home after work today.

Where now?

I finished the mezuzah casing today. So I've finished all of my outstanding obligations (except for Marty's tie quilt which is on hold until the Daddy's Ties book arrives from Amazon). I've finished most of my UFO's. I have two chuppot to make, but I am using the same design for both and don't anticipate too many snags there.
So where do I go now? I think I'll probably do some "sewing" -- potholders, placemats, cheater baby quilts, etc. because I don't know yet where I want to go art-quilt-wise.
I took the day off today because Menachem returned from Israel this morning, but other than having lunch together, he's been snoozing on and off in front of the TV. And I didn't get a start on any sewing this morning because I started out this morning with a sinus headache including shooting pain in my eye.
So today, I will also snooze, putter about and do nothing much.

Library Exhibit -- Ta Da!!

Today I am exhausted. Three "late" nights in a row.
Yesterday the FAT ladies met at the library at 5 p.m. and we hung the exhibit. The hanging was quite frustrating -- the hanging system the library provided is not well (or at all) maintained so we had to improvise. We hung with wires and with fishing line. The end product is fine. It is actually quite impressive. Needless to say, I forgot my camera... But I will go back soon, camera in hand, and post photos. Or else one of the other women will post her photos.
I feel a real sense of accomplishment -- to have improved so much in my fibre art and to be able to share it in an exhibit.
Yay me!!

Embellishing -- when is enough enough?

I am almost finished the final piece for the library exhibit. There are still two places where I think it needs a bit more embellishing. I am giving myself a deadline of 11 a.m. to finish that. Then I quilt a few lines, put on the backing and hanging corners and am done. Enough is enough!
Yesterday Alissa called and asked me to join them for lunch and a trip to Fabricland. They picked me up and instead of going out for lunch, we went to their place. And it was much nicer than going out would have been. A simple lunch of delicious soup, put together your own salad, a cup of coffee and pastry. Lovely. Then Alissa and I went to Fabricland. She was looking for a fabric to make a cover for a night table for Ora's room. She found this lovely polyester suede. They have a range of colours which got me thinking about the two chuppot I am going to be making.
She made her purchase and then brought me home and we cut the fabric using my rotary cutter. The fabric has quite a bit of stretch in it so it was a little stressful trying to get the measurements done. Which got me thinking that maybe I should rethink using it for the chuppah. Dupionni has a tendency to fray quite easily but at least it stays put. And if I immediately zigzag the cut edges, dupionni will be fine. On the other hand, if I iron interfacing to the suede...
After Alissa left, I called Shaked who had called me earlier for some help with a translation. We translated, ate pizza, and talked well beyond my bedtime (8:30...) That makes two "late" nights in a row because I was at Yunkie and Mindy's Friday night. (I whipped up oven mitts for them.)
So this morning I am finishing the embellished piece, then consulting with Stephen and Di about their chuppah. I will probably leave for the library at about 3:30 and who knows what time we'll finish hanging if we're only starting at 5? I hope not too late. Three late nights in a row is a bit much for me. I'm such an old lady.

Auf Simchas Revisited

When I went through my "Auf Simchas" phase (a series of crazy quilts inspired by Simcha (Joyous Occasion) fabrics, jewellry and stuff) I had several leftover pieced blocks which I have not as yet finished. I am now rushing to finish one for the library exhibit. I should be able to complete it by Sunday, maybe...
Anyways, my pile of UFOs, WIPs, and WISPs is diminishing so that's a good thing, no?

Library Exhibit -- Almost There

Yesterday afternoon my FAT ladies met at the library to show each other our pieces and talk a little about how we would hang, what signage we would use, etc. It looks like it will be quite interesting since our pieces are quite diverse. I may try to finish another one of my cq pieces.

I had spent the better part of Saturday doing absolutely nothing but towards the late afternoon, I started cutting up my batting scraps and Sunday morning sewing them together to make more oven mitts. I now have enough for six pairs. While at the library outing, I went to Fabricland to buy some more of the aluminum oven mitt lining. Couldn't resist an African cotton print on sale for $3 a metre so I now have 1.5 meters (end of bolt) of that. Don't ask me why.

Field trips

Tuesday evening was my YHQG meeting but between work and the meeting, I had time to kill. I wanted to pop down to the Spadina library branch to see the fibre art exhibit of Monica Bodirsky. I ran across her name and work on the internet and wanted to see it up close and personal. The works I liked on her website are not being shown at the branch because their exhibit space is quite small. It's an glass enclosed case about four feet wide by two feet deep by two feet high so the pieces displayed were small -- I'd say postcard size mounted on canvas about an inch perimeter larger than the art work itself. The pieces were fabric and paper collages, if I remember correctly, mostly black, white and grey, incorporating many textures and text. Very nicely displayed. Remind me to visit her website again and see where else her work can be seen.
I also popped into the Native Arts Centre to see if I could buy some beading thread. That's where I bought my original spool of thread when I learned beading in my U of T Native Arts & Crafts class. And since I was down to my last few feet of thread, it's a good thing I popped in and purchased some.

I still had time to kill so I went to the Miles Nadal JCC to look around and there was an exhibit of Myriam Nafte primarily of Judaic art. She does painting incorporating text. The blurbs beside the works said that she works on canvas, linen and silk but the predominant medium is paint. The colours were striking.

Then I headed off to the YHQG meeting. The speaker was a guild member, Kathy Wylie, with a computer background who relies heavily on the computer to plan and execute her quilts. It was an informative session. The quilter of the month is an art quilter so I was more drawn to her work. Bright colours.

Yesterday was my POM guild meeting and again, I utilized the time between work and the meeting, this time for a visit with Sari and Ora. I went down after work. It had started snowing so it was quite slippery. Her apartment is very nice and we had a lovely visit and dinner. I brought back to her the family wall hanging to which I had added another hanging sleeve.
We talked diapers, Ora cooed. David got home just as I was leaving.

The POM meeting was at the Baycrest museum. There is an exhibit of Sephardi culture, many items of which are textile related. Not that many people showed up because of the weather. I am looking forward to the spring when the weather is more conducive to going out. Melanie talked a little about the mezuzah exhibit.

I took my mezuzah apart and reconnected it so it leans in the right direction (see my previous post). Hopefully this afternoon/evening, I will finish it. I need something to stiffen the back, maybe a tongue depresser.

Off to work.

Oops!!

Just realized that my mezuzah is leaning in the wrong direction! It should lean into the room when hung on the right side of the door. Maybe I should just take the approach that I am leftist in leanings so if it hangs on the left side of the door, it will be fine... Or maybe I'll just fix it. Good thing I didn't leave it to the last moment.

I now have hangers for all of my wall hangings, those for the exhibit and also all of my assorted completed pieces I hope to sell. Depending on what we actually hang at the library, I may just make a mini exhibit at my office.

Menachem left last night for Israel with two suitcases, one and a half of which were filled with stuff for the kids and gifts. As he was walking out the door, he said "maybe you'll buy a ticket and join me?". As much as I'd dearly love to, I have the exhibit to hang on March 1st, and a FAT meeting to finalize the details thereof on February 22nd. So I guess the answer is no. Darn.

Today is Family Day, a statutory holiday on Ontario. I am spending family day alone -- ha, ha. I have finished ironing and folding my fabrics, organized most everything and am going to get started on the Marty's ties quilt. Once I figure out the mathematics of putting the ties in a circle, or fan shapes, I can decide on tie placement and get cracking. I have an idea to use a light batik as the backdrop for the ties. Not sure yet. Off to math class...

Mezuzah Challenge

Our Pomegranate Guild had a challenge to make a mezuzah which will be part of a travelling exhibit. The challenge was announced ages ago, but I didn't know how I would make mine. Because the POM is a guild of Judaic textiles, the mezuzah could be made from any medium, as long as it had some thread. So it could be woven, beaded, quilted, collaged, etc. I finally figured out how to make it and here it is.

Irony

I have a small drawer unit just beside the doorway inside my studio. Its top is a catch-all for things which belong in the studio but don't have a regular place. Yesterday, I worked my way through the "stuff", putting away what needs to be put away and throwing out what I don't need. At the bottom of the pile (yes, I did get to the bottom) was a photocopy of an essay by Paul Graham called "Stuff". It speaks about how accumulating "stuff" is counter-productive. That I kept it was ironic. I reread it and shredded it. So there.

Oven Mitts -- Proof

They're not in order but the red and green is for Inbal, the multi-coloured for Rotem, and the not pieced one, for not sure yet.

Oven Mitts Done--Again

So I sat down today and made three sets of oven mitts. I had previously pieced batting scraps. Today, I finished Inbal's oven mitts, then made Rotem's. Both are made with pieced strips of fabric. I had enough pieced batting to make one one set but didn't want to piece it, so I used two fabrics I had purchased several years ago and put one on the bottom, one on top. It was less time consuming than the pieced ones, but it still took about an hour and a quarter. I'm going to try to piece batting scraps as they occur and once I have enough for oven mitts, to make another pair. I will post photos soon.

I also put hanging rings on two small wall quilts. Only three more wall quilts to put rings on. I am moving right along on my "to do" list, but more stuff still keeps popping up.

I MUST make my mezuzah for the exhibit. I believe it's due at the next POM meeting.

Well on my Way

It's almost 1 p.m. and I'm still in my PJ's, a rare occurrence. I have finished Inbal's oven mitts -- jury's out over the colour choice. I'm not enamoured but I hope Inbal will be. I am almost finished Rotem's oven mitts. Just need to do the binding.
And, I am baking brownies. Now anyone who knows me knows that I haven't baked anything since a birthday cake (aka "the Volcano) which I made once when Inbal was very small. So today is truly a momentous day.

Disclaimer

For those who read yesterday's blog entry: Any perceived ideas about being forced to go out and buy fabric for my beloved firstborn are entirely unfounded. No fabric has been hurt in the making of oven mitts and any left over will join their brethren in my fabric stash, to be used for joyful purposes.

Piece by Piece

Today was a busy errand day. After seeing the oven mitts I made for Carmit, Inbal and Rotem both requested a pair. Inbal, however, asked for a colour combination I didn't have in my stash. So against my no more stash rule, we went to Fabricland at Doncaster and I purchased several greens to go with the reds in my stash. And I have a few black and whites which will balance our the green and red, I hope. Rotem is happy with stuff from my stash.
We also popped into Cayne's to buy Rotem a microplane. They were out. So we went to Yorkdale. Actually, first we went to my mother's to say hello. Then we went to Yorkdale and bought Rotem a book at Chapter's and the microplane at Williams Sonoma (I'm not even sure that's the name of the store -- last of the power shoppers here...)
And home, to wash the new fabrics (so they don't run and shrink after sewing). In recycling mode, I sewed together all of my batting strips from previous projects and have enough for three sets of oven mitts -- Inbal's, Rotem's and one more which I will make and then decide for whom. The mitts are actually a good idea for using up scraps from quilt projects.

So now I'm waiting for the fabrics to dry and tomorrow I will start and hopefully finish the mitts. I bought netting for a teddy bear hammock for Inbal and will hopefully figure out how to make it and then make it tomorrow.

I started this week on the mezuzah but don't like the results so I'm scrapping that one and will design another. I also started putting hanging corners on one of my smaller pieces but putting the corners on after the piece is finished is the pits. The corners kept getting caught in the sewing machine plate so I'm going to have to rethink that one as well. Life doesn't always flow smoothly.

And I know I said I was going to work on Marty's tie quilt (and I will) but I have an itch to make another small piece, similar to my father's kippah and tie piece, using browns and gold and textures. Perhaps it will turn into a series...

OK. It's Saturday afternoon and the movies I like (chick flicks) usually start at 4 so I'm off.

Wedding Gift Finished

I haven't photographed it yet (but will), but it's done. It's a collage of white ribbons and trims with a little silver threads, a little embroidery, a little silver embellishment, a duppioni border and satin binding. I printed on the ribbon this Ogden Nash poem "To keep your marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, Whenever you're wrong -- admit it, Whenever you're right -- shut up!"
I must stop obsessing over the imperfections of the not quite straight stitching, wonky binding corners, piece not quite laying flat, etc. because I'm pleased with the results. Each imperfect piece I make improves my output.

Last night, I decided to take advantage of the AGO (Art Gallery Ontario)'s free Wednesday evening admission. I met Devora there after work. We had a bite in the cafeteria (where they had high chairs which looked very much like the Tripp Trapp...) and then walked around. The place is somewhat overwhelming but for a first visit, it was fine. I think next time, I'll concentrate on one gallery. At any rate, what I did see which was quite amazing was a "quilt" made of flattened metallic bottle caps and metal wine bottle wrappings, wired together. The piece is called "Zebra Crossing" by Ghanian artist, El Anatsui. Quite amazing!

I was just at Brad Carlton's (quasi Jewish) funeral. Talk about dysfunctional families... Anyways, the shiva will be over in a few minutes at 5:30 (unless it carries over to tomorrow...) and I'm off to sew my next project.

Oven Mitts Done

Started on them after work yesterday. Did the piecing and quilting. This morning I did the binding. They're a little loud for me -- colouring outside the lines...
Onto next project.

Ready for Library Exhibit

Today I put the finishing touches on my three pieces. I put the binding on the kippah piece -- I used instructions from the Quilt Art list for a "bumpless" seam. It worked out O.K. but I guess I'll get better with practice. And I sewed on triangular hanging corners for the previous two pieces (which I finished before I discovered the triangular hanging corner thing).
So as far as the pieces go, I'm ready. I'm debating whether to make postcards to hang as labels beside the pieces.


I also started on a wedding gift for a friend. It's a piece made of white ribbon with silver accent ribbons/trims and silver metallic stitching.

Stitching plans for this week:

1. Finish wedding gift -- a little beading and embroidery should do the trick. Then a binding and backing.
2. Make Carmit's oven mitts -- I've really been procrastinating on this one.
3. Teddy bear hammock for Inbal.
4. Work on embellishing UFOs.
5. Put hanging sleeves/corners on everything pinned to the design wall.
6. Clear design wall and finish designing Marty's tie quilt.

I think that's a plan. I wonder how much I will actually get done since I have a POM executive meeting on Tuesday night and am meeting Devora at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) Wednesday evening, unless the snow storm forecast actually hits. Did I mention I'm tired of shovelling...

And then plans without a fixed start or finish time: make receiving blankets and quilts for all the Erez babies (4!!) due in the spring. Good times!

End of January

And what do I have to show for it?
Actually, I've just about finished the kippah piece and it is lovely. I got back to doing handwork and beading and really enjoyed it. I just have to put binding on the piece and I'm done. But the "just" isn't so straightforward. I don't have enough tie left for the entire binding so am contemplating using bits and pieces of other blue fabrics. The question is how to connect them -- with diagonal or straight seams? With diagonal, I'd be losing more fabric, so maybe just straight. And then how to piece so I don't have seams in the corners. Oy.
In other news, I had my FAT (Fibre Arts Toronto) ladies over last Sunday for a stamping fest. I don't mind stamping using stamp pads but the other messier paints -- not for me. Laura was kind enough to take four boxes of books for the university book sale and two large bags of fabrics I won't be using for her guild and/or the Textile Museum yard sale. So I got some stuff I don't need out of the house. Yay me.
I am trying to keep on top of some semblance of order in my studio. My beads are colour sorted in watchmaker's cases. My next plan is to wrap my fabrics on cardboard. (I saw this great fabric wrapping system but am too cheap to invest money in it...)
My goal this weekend is to finish the three library pieces -- I have to put hanging sleeves on the two finished ones and finish off the third. I would like to make the mezuzah for the POM travelling exhibit. And maybe finish off one of my embellished WISPs.

Ties gutted

I have finished "gutting" Marty's ties. I now have three piles -- the ties, the labels and the "guts". I may just reuse the guts in a work I will call "Kishkes" (Yiddish for intestines...)
While gutting, I pondered what type of quilt to make and I still don't know. I am leaning towards a medallion quilt with ties in a circle with the labels in the centre of the circle. I could then do simple blocks with a folded tie in each block. A few sashes from ties. I just don't know yet.
While I was gutting them, though, I was very impressed with some of the fabrics, patterns, and colours. I think my next step will be to sort them into colour and value families and see what happens.
I also had a call from Johanna for whom I will be making a chuppah. So I want to finish the ties before then. I also have to finish the mezuza for the POM exhibit. And a piece I started with my father's kippah and some ties. So I have plenty to do. If I spend less time watching old movies and surfing the web, I should get it all done...

Marty's ties and other stuff

I finished Rotem's quilt and my next project is Marty's ties quilt. There were 92 ties (I thought there were more). I washed them in lingerie bags in the washing machine in cold water on a delicate cycle. They came out untangled and I air dried them on a drying rack. None of the ties disintegrated in the process, so that's good. (I have another 5-6 of his ties previously washed and ironed open for a chuppah which didn't materialize). I now have to "cannibalize" the ties, i.e. remove the lining. Then I have to decide whether to use the ties "as is" (retaining the folds and shape and appliqueing it to the background) or iron the fabric flat. I have received conflicting reports on this. If as is, I will have two layers of each tie. If ironed flat, it is recommended that I use iron on stabilizer so the fabric doesn't shift/stretch while working with it.
I'm not sure which method I will use, but for now I need to cannibalize and that should take a while.

Today Menachem was off so we figured we'd do some errands, including buying paint for the family room. We decided to go to the Home Depot near my mother's house so we could visit with her and hear about her trip to England. I called before we left the house but there was no answer. We went there anyways because we had to pick up some stuff from her basement. Then we went to the store. We really didn't want to spend a lot of money since we probably won't be staying in the house that long and are really painting it for selling purposes. We chose a contractor's paint which has four available tints -- two are white and two are off-white. We chose an off-white called "bone white" which leans slightly to the beige/taupe and isn't quite as stark as plain white. We also looked around a bit and then I called my mother who still wasn't home. (That ruled out "gone shopping"). So I called Yunkie to ask if he knew where she was and she was there. And they invited us for lunch. We rarely refuse an invitation... And we always have a good time with them. We had a nice visit but didn't get home until close to 5 p.m. So much for getting stuff done today...

But it was a good and relaxing day so it doesn't matter.

Tomorrow is my FAT group at Laura's place. I think I will take some ties for advice and some other handwork and see what everyone else has been up to. I also finally figured out, sort of, how to do a piece using a circular needlepointed dove (formerly from my late father's kippah). I'm thinking of also using one of his ties and some machine/bobbin stitching and hand embroidery and beading. I'll see how that goes.

Off to measure the walls for baseboarding for the family room.

Finished (almost)

So I finished the quilting of Rotem's quilt, and have the binding pinned and ready to go. Perhaps today after work. Yay me.
Then what? I really should make the potholder for Carmit. And start sorting Marty's ties.

Moving right along

I had a skype conversation with Rotem this morning in which he complimented me on Inbal's quilt. So now I know who's getting the second quilt, henceforth to be known as Rotem's quilt. And I got a lot of the quilting done today so I could, theoretically, finish it tomorrow. Yay, me. But I'm not sure I will, there's no rush. If the muse grabs me, fine. If not, not.
I may just do a few mindless sewing projects to keep busy.

Ring out the old, ring in the new

I am into day 2 of a long weekend, normally fantastic for getting a ton of sewing done. I'm not as motivated as I usually am but I am doing my best to make some headway.
Last year, just before Xmas, I started a major studio cleanup. I had previously accepted other people's fabrics and "stuff" because maybe I would use it one day. Reality check. Some of it I'm sure I won't use so I'm passing it off to others who may.
I sorted my beads and have them nicely organized but I'm short on watchmaker's cases to house the rest. I don't have the heart to get rid of beads, yet. I ordered the cases from Lee Valley Hardware -- no shipping costs between December 24th and January 4th. I also ordered a magnifier which snaps onto my glasses instead of the oversized contraption I am now using.
And I am on a mission to finish my PhDs, use up the donated fabrics and minimize as much as possible. And what can't be minimized, organize.
To that end, I am making placemats, bookmarks, coasters, trivets, etc.
This morning, I started quilting my second Inbal quilt. I am using a preprogrammed stitch on my machine so I don't have the stress I usually experience free-motioning.
We're invited to Yunkie and Mindy's for dinner so I made a garbage bag holder (sleeve with gathered ends) and stuffed it, in the meantime, with a bottle of wine. I may make something else if I get around to it.
On the ArtQuilt/QuiltArt (can't remember) list, people are talking about resolutions, setting goals, and intentions.
I am hesitant to do any of the three because our lives are in such flux right now. Inbal is expecting our first grandchild and we are planning to return to Israel. Economically, now is not the best time but life happens and we will have to adjust accordingly.
I am optimistic and excited about this next chapter in our lives!!