Julaine in Fiberspace

Propping up the Fire

2011-12-27T18:41:00.000-06:00

Yes, I now can peel carrots while watching the 4th season of "Mad Men."

Santa brought Jeff and I a Kindle Fire for Christmas and even though I have a pool of the Kindle Cozies that I've made to store it in, I also wanted a case that when opened, would hold the Fire in place and prop it up at an angle for viewing while doing something else (idle hands, eh?)

It wasn't too difficult to design, since I had made a custom iPad cover for our Pastor Sandi a few months ago. This one just needed an extra flap with an extra button so I could close it.

I used a piece of "Lexus" (really nice) vinyl that I got at the store and some black corduroy. Jeff will be using it too, you know, so I couldn't go girlie on this one!

I'm thinking about marketing a few of them on my Etsy page - what do you think?

For Those Quick Gifts

2011-12-10T21:47:00.000-06:00

The "Make It and Take It" at the store today was inspiring!

Even though our Jo-Ann's is not an education store, we do participate in the company's "Make It and Take It" demos, and most of the time, I get to lead them. Today's offering involved making spiral paper ornaments, using one of the holiday Martha "You-Know-Who's" paper cutting template and cutter.

If you remember cutting out paper snowflakes as a child, then you'll understand...the template is triangular in shape, a top and bottom to it with a hinge, and it has all these grooves in it to accomodate the little hand held cutter. You just guide the cutter through the grooves, open it up and take the paper out. You then fold the opposite edges together and glue each one. Open it up and you're done! Hmmm...

Since I'm more of a fabric then paper gal, I started thinking that if I took one of the completed paper ones home, I could make them out of fabric. Hmmm...

Using Christmas prints, heavy duty Wonder Under and some two-sided fabric tape, this is what I came up with - so, when I hear "Dear, do you have any little artsy/crafty things I can give as gifts? I forgot I need a little something for so-and-so and that other person." "Yes, my love. It will cost you a kiss, and a promise to do some laundry (or other fun chore).

Mixed Media Shopping - In the Studio

2011-11-13T19:14:00.001-06:00

The excitement builds as I shop in my own studio for supplies.

Getting ready to start another collection of art pieces involves the gathering of stuff - you know...well, I might use this, so I'll put it somewhere close by so I won't forget it. One of the things that I get so charged up about is finding that stuff that you did forget about. So it's almost like shopping, right?

Here I have a small basket of fabrics and some of my pre-felted wool pieces, a container of mixed media papers, a heart-shaped box with felted bits, small crocheted flowers and trims, and to the right, a containter with beads and other embellishments. I am ready to go!

I have always been in love with the "Woman in Repose" rubber stamp, and have used it in so many different projects for the past 5 years. Wanting to create a collection of brooches with that image on them, but wanting it a little smaller definately presented a challenge...the only thing I could think of was to take a extreme close-up photo of the stamp and save it on the computer. After a few tries, I finally got it to the right size and resolution that would work for me. I printed 9 of them in B&W on one sheet of Transfer Artists' Paper, then ironed them onto white Kona cotton. What's so amazing about "TAP" is that you can add color to the transfer afterwards if you want. For the color, I used Adirondack alcohol inks, and then blotting with a q-tip and their blending solution, I was able to lighten the colors. I mounted the small images onto 2 pieces of very heavy cardstock, centering them so I'd have the area around the images for creative play!

Here's a shot of the first one...I've surrounded "her" with some faux suede and am deciding on just the right embellishments.

Along with 23 felted flower brooches that I've finished, I'll be showing these and "setting up shop" at our local Coldwater Creek store on Sunday, November 27th in the afternoon. If you remember from a few weeks ago, I was invited to exhibit at the store for "Art at the Creek" - if you're an artist and might be interested in participating, give your local store a call - it is a great venue!

For Thread Heaven's Sake - A Pocket of Miracles

2011-11-08T13:25:00.002-06:00

Sometimes an artist is just so clever...

I have always loved Thread Heaven,
that great thread conditioner in the cute little blue box...since I have been using longer needles to stitch up my felted flower pins (see photos below), I was trying to come up with an idea to use a little bit of it without having to take all that miracle stuff out of it's container. I know it can get dirty from your fingers, and the conditioner itself picks up bits of fiber from your project, eventually leading to a clump of gray, fiber-filled gunk (which still does the job wonderfully, by the way).

So here's what I came up with: I took 2 small pieces of fabric, 1 x 1 1/2 inches in size and scooped out a small quantity of Thread Heaven from the box. I placed the conditioner in between the pieces of fabric, then stitched all around the edges. Too boring by itself, I added a flower button and a bead.

It works beautifully! When I draw my needle and thread through it, I use my thumb and forefinger to press down on the pocket as the thread makes it's way through. It helps accomplish both tasks - conditions your thread, and removes any excess Thread Heaven on one layer of the fabric.

After creating my 30+ nuno-felted scarves for the Greenwich Art Fair, I had so many smaller pieces of merino pre-felts left. Playing with some of the pieces one day and wanting to make some brooches, I started manipulating the felt by twisting, cutting and wrapping it around itself. Hmmm...these look like flowers, I think! I put together about 10 of them for my gig at Coldwater Creek a few weeks ago, and they were a hit!

Now I'm out of pre-felts, so I crocheted a skein of roving yarn, felted it, then cut it into pieces and dyed them. They turned out pretty thick, so these brooches are a little different, but I love the fact that they remind me of fireworks. The dye didn't reach inside of the felt completely, but that's what makes these brooches unique - that explosion of color from the Fourth of July! You might notice a little sparkle in the green one..that's from a skein of olive green roving yarn that I also crocheted and felted, but I added a thin blue sparkle yarn to it. I have 24 of them in different stages of completion, all to be ready for my next "Art at the Creek" (Coldwater Creek store) event on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

One more thing before I sign off for today...I just discovered last night at work that we now carry 100% wool felt on a bolt - it is $18.99 per yard, 36" wide, so I just got 1/3 yard to try. I washed it to determine the shrinkage factor, and the results were what I expected: it shrank 50% in length, and 33% in width. I blocked it last night, and will have enough for 4 more brooches...

Where Have I Been Lately?

2011-10-26T11:06:00.001-05:00

Life as we know it, right? A week after I last posted on this blog, I experienced a week from hell that I think I'm still recovering from.

*Dear Friend, I did what I said I'd do today- thanks for the inspiration!!!*

Let's see...one of our cars bit the dust. A favorite aunt died. Jason left for college in Vermont. Excrutiating phone calls to companies trying to fix their mistakes. Our beloved Elsa was hit by a car and died. And of course, a very upsetting experience that is still not resolved is the fact that a friend still owes me a $200 balance for an art quilt that I created for him - I could really use some advice on that one!!!

I really don't remember getting so much artwork done during that time, but I did. I realize now in writing this is that I didn't enjoy the process. I was pushing to get ready for the Greenwich Art Fair, and I know that what I created was good, but I missed that joy that I usually experience...

A week after the art fair, I was heading off to Green Mountain College for their "Friends and Family Weekend." Wanting to save some money, I flew into Boston, then rented a car for the trek across Massachusetts, then north to Poultney, Vermont. Never having traveled that part of the country, I got lost big time. The drive that should have been around 3 hours took me almost 6! It was dark, there was road construction, and it was raining. I never made it to my booked motel and ended up staying somewhere else for the night.

The next morning I headed off to Green Mountain, and was never so excited than when I saw my son standing outside the main entrance to the campus with a huge smile on his face! We had a fantastic weekend and were able to just sit and talk for hours - that was the best part...

Since then, I have been working at the store and it is now the crazy time of the year for retail, so when you visit your local Jo-Ann's store, be patient and kind to all the team members.

What else, let's see...the Rockford Area Arts Council's Fall Artscene was fun this year - the Art@Emmanuel group hosted "Beyond the iCon," which is an exhibit of all things iconic. I put together a 12x12 mixed media piece inspired by the "27 Club," and it included a word search puzzle in the center with all the musicians' names and other words pertaining to their lives. I don't have a photo of it yet, so I will share one soon! Marilyn Monroe and Elvis were also there...very iconic!

I was invited to be the featured artist at the local Coldwater Creek store last week. They were wonderful to work with, and supplied me with any display items that I might have needed. It was a wonderful venue, and they've asked me to come back, so I'm thinking about the Sunday after Thanksgiving. They're calling it "Art at the Creek" and I was thrilled to be a part of it...

Also coming up will be a new venue for me as we get closer to the holidays. There are a couple of wonderful groups that are promoting events in our downtown area - this sounds good to me as Jeff and I used to live downtown and still miss being a part of it. On the first weekend in December, there will be 2 art markets that both sound promising - I just have to decide which one will be a good fit for my artwork.

Violet and Wooley Tails

2011-08-18T17:16:00.000-05:00

I love ripping silk yardage into strips, then knitting them...but what to do with those pieces?

Awhile back, a friend from church had given me a box full of mixed fabrics. I reached for the silk first. There was this 2 1/2 yard piece of fuchsia crushed silk that I knew would be nice in a scarf, so I overdyed it in violet and starting ripping, knotting, and knitting away.

I took some multi-colored wool yarn and made a crocheted chain out of the whole skein, then felted it in the washer. I cut it into different lengths and tied the pieces on the scarf in a very random pattern. Success!

Here's the photo of the whole scarf. I wish it was as good as the detail one, but you can see how cool it turned out.

I have 5 more knitted pieces to add tails to. It was a cinch to "chain" full skeins of white wool yarn, then dye it along with my roving and chiffon fabric, which is usually the silk of choice for nuno-felters.

I love this look!

Upcycled Art Cloth?

2011-08-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

It's been hanging in our livingroom for 2 years, wondering if I was going to do anything else with it.

It's a piece called "From the Dark Earth" which I completed, I'm thinking, for one of our exhibits at Emmanuel. I started with some black cotton sateen to which I removed some of the black with discharge paste. I added color with Caran 'd Arche pastels, wanting to represent the crazy growth that I'd seen in a garden somewhere, and how pollen seems to fly everywhere in the spring (Jason sneezing). It's never been out in public since 2009, and I believe it's now screaming for more attention! Aching to be quilted, perhaps, then mounted on canvas.

It could be a nice focal piece for the Greenwich Village Art Fair coming up next month here in Rockford. Yes, I'll go and get some wool batting at the store tomorrow, and make a plan to attack it with some major quilting lines.

On another note, I saw the new cardiologist last Friday, and was quite impressed with him. He answered my questions and said that he thought I would be needing that valve replaced in 3-5 years. I was relieved to hear that, although he does want me to get my knees done before that - "I want you to be feeling really good and in tip-top shape for the valve job!" I'm now hoping that the less invasive "Core Valve System" that he said is soon to be approved by the FDA in the U.S.will work out for me, timing wise. I do need some further testing, starting out with a nuclear heart stress test (no treadmill, thank God, because of my knees). He's put me on a medication to calm the arrythmia down a bit, and Lipitor, which I guess is proving to delay the progression of aortic stenosis somewhat.

In the meantime, I'll be felting lots of scarves and planning my display for Greenwich, and hopefully working on a few more of my "Hands" series pieces also for the fair. Oh, and one more thing...Jason has been accepted to Green Mountain College in Vermont, starting classes August 26th, so Jeff and I are helping him get ready to go. Gulp, my baby...

Embroidered Beads and My Heart Valve

2011-07-19T18:21:00.000-05:00

It's hard to imagine that it's been 15 years since I was diagnosed.

It was during a routine physical when the doctor asked if I knew I had a little heart murmur. I told him that yes, I remembered when I was a teenager hearing my doctor telling my mom that, but it was nothing to worry about, that it would probably go away. What went away then was the fear and that memory. Fifteeen years ago, I first visited a cardiologist who told me to have an echocardiogram every couple of years, take an antibiotic before certain medical procedures, and when I was older, I'd probably have to have that valve replaced, but by then, medical advances would assure me of having a much less invasive procedure done. So, I was thinking, maybe when I'm 70 or 80...

About a month ago, my doctor recommended that I schedule an echo since I was complaining of fatigue. I did get it scheduled, but would have to wait a few weeks to have it done. A few days later, upon leaving a local hospital complex after having a mammogram, I was not feeling well. A little chest pressure, some lightheadedness and a little shortness of breath. Knowing that I hate emergency rooms, I headed for the local walk-in clinic. The doctor there was concerned that I was having a heart attack, so he recommended I go to the ER. They said I had bronchitis, gave me an antibiotic and sent me home (all of this took almost 8 hours, you know). I asked if they could do something to bump up my echo appointment, but they said there was nothing they could do about that, and to get on a waiting list.

The lack of patience in this patient is not a good thing. I started doing what a lot of artists would do: deal with it by creating art, and for me, pulling out more handwork. I knew what I could work on would be some usually last minute embellishments for nuno felted scarves for the upcoming Greenwich Village Art Fair in September. I also took yards of silk fabrics that don't work for nuno-felting and started cutting them into strips, then knitting them into scarves with size 50 needles. I've made 7 of those so far...

Getting back to my heart valve, the echo did show some changes and now, my aortic stenosis has been classified as "moderate" disease. I think I know enough that this doesn't require valve surgery yet, but might involve medication and maybe some resriction on some activities. I'm seeing a new cardiologist who comes highly recommended by two friends. I'm hoping to get an appointment set up with him today.

This did take a little time, but I wanted to share a tutorial on some of what I've been working on: embroidered pony beads. Yes, there is something you can do with those little plastic kids' beads...

Each of them take about 1 yard of perle cotton embroidery floss. Thread an embroidery needle (size 18 or so), then insert the threaded needle through the hole in the bead. Make a simple knot, leaving a few inches as a tail. Keep wrapping the threaded needle around the bead, and with each pass of the floss closest to the first knot (I call that the "bottom"), insert the needle through the previous pass of floss and pull tight. This will keep each pass (or stitch) tight and in place. The bead will hold about 30 stitches with size 5 perle cotton...You'll know when you can't pass the needle through the bead anymore.
Finish the bead by knotting the two tails together. Put a dab of fabric glue (like Unique Stitch or similiar) on the knot. Wait for it to dry and make one more knot. Clip the tails as close as possible.

These are great stacked on top of buttons...or add a bead on top. I've also inserted them on pearl floral pins with a little glue, pinned a few on some cool hand made paper and given them away as gifts.

Latest update on a new cardiologist - I have an appointment in 2 weeks with someone who specializes in valve disorders. Keep a good thought.

A Tale of Two Skirts

2011-06-22T13:53:00.000-05:00

I think I had worn each of the two skirts once or twice. Loved the fabrics, just not sewn into skirts, I guess.

I needed to wait at the store after work last week for a few minutes, so I decided to sit at the pattern table and browse - Buttericks' were 1.99. I found this funky sling bag pattern that I liked and though I'd get it and probably end up stashing it at home in the file of multiple others that I never opened.

This one really intrigued me...maybe it was because it looked like it would be a challenge. After seeing that it took 7/8 of a yard, I thought, hmmm, let's dig through the closet...I must have something there! One of the skirts was made out of a gold patterned cotton print with a border, and the other was made from this beautiful olive green embroidered cotton print. (side story on this print: everytime I had recovered fabric at the store, I kept watching it to catch a sale, as I didn't want to pay 24.99/yd. I think I ended up using a coupon). The two fabrics looked great together and very summery. Now, would I end up having enough fabric, especially since I needed 3 1/2 yards of bias tape?

Here are the two fabrics sewn together, center piece and sides. I quilted the center fabric with some french knots and some curvy topstitching lines.

There wasn't a pocket in the pattern, but I added one, using part of an old eyelet tablecloth that I had dyed. You can see the cotton I found in my stash for the lining.

It took a lot of piecing, but I was able to make the yardage needed for the bias tape from the border and from the gold fabric.

Even had an old metal zipper that was the perfect size.

And here it is - I like it, and have already had quite a few compliments. THAT always makes a girl feel good!

Add upcycling to my list. The decontructionist artist is on the prowl. Jeff is off this afternoon, and we'll hit the Goodwill store later today.

Two More Padfolios Finished

2011-05-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

It's interesting how the mind (at age 56) can still think ahead. I'm still considering publishing a pattern for my padfolios. Hmmm...yes, I need to tweek this size a bit, change the way I do this...

I'm in the last two weeks of preparing for the Edgebrook Arts Show that will be on June 11th. Whew - one day shows are a grind, but this one will be fun as I'm doing it with 3 of the gals from the store. We all work with fiber, but in different ways.

I wanted to share photos of the 2 other padfolios that I've finished. I'm quite happy with the way they turned out!

How to Make a Duct Tape Display

2011-05-18T10:43:00.001-05:00

So I was going to cover it with some stretchy fabric when it was done. I guess that is one of the true signs of a "fiber" artist. We always have something in the stash somewhere that will work to cover something up and make it pretty.

After getting so frustrated trying to find just the right dress form at the right price (read: cheapo), I thought I'd look online to see how to make one out of duct tape. I know there are classes at Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, but I didn't really want a form of mine or anyone else's body. I just wanted a basic torso-like shaped form so I could display my nuno-felted scarves and wraps at the art fairs and other venues.

It all starts with a strong cardboard box, some 2-sided tape, and a vase. I used the tape to adhere the vase to the top of the box.

Before using the duct tape, I wrapped an old turtle neck top (sleeves removed) around the form and stitched it in place in a few areas. My plans then were to cut the duct tape into manageable lengths, then apply them, but I found it to be fairly easy to just start wrapping. I did, however, rip some smaller pieces to go around the "neck" area. I went around the form 3 times and ended up using about 35 yards (one roll plus some from my husband's stash).

Three layers of the duct tape will make the form solid and stronger. Now it was time to cut it apart and pull it out of the box/vase form. I then used a few strips of the tape to close the form up in the back.

Now heres' where I got out my fiber box, so to say...and this was a little messy! I used "Rigid Wrap," which is a form of plaster tape that you can find in art and craft stores. Messy, yes, but easy...I did cut this into about 20 inch pieces, dipped them into a plastic container of warm water and then applied them onto the form. When finished, I was glad my brain was still in gear when disposing of the water - do not dump it down the sink, because at the bottom of the container was about a 1/2 inch of wet plaster gunk - not good for the sink drains...

And so, here it is in all it's glory, with a few added elements around the top edge, soon to be re-shaped. And...there is the matter of painting it: I don't want to do black, and I'm not sure about a flesh tone, so here's where I need your help! What color should I paint it? Maybe gray?

Padfolio Pattern?

2011-05-07T20:12:00.000-05:00

Could it be that part of the business end of creating artwork for me is making a pattern?

I've taken a little side step from the "hand" series to create a few padfolios for an upcoming one day arts fair here in Rockford. I've made lots of these in the 5x7 inch size, but thought that it was time to re-size my pattern so those who use the 8 1/2 x 11 3/4 inch legal pads for taking notes at meetings would like something nice to put them into.

I started gathering fabrics, fusibles, leather strips to see what I had. The last time that buttons were half off at the store, I purchased a few that I had been eyeing...I've written everything down and have tweeked the directions for my benefit. Wondering now, is this a self-published pattern in the making?

The Hand Series has New Canvas

2011-04-26T16:10:00.000-05:00

What was I saying about now doing 8 - 8x10 inch pieces, 5 - 5x7 inch pieces, etc. for my "Hands" project?

Jeff and I were up in Madison yesterday and I wanted to go into the Jo-Ann superstore there, just because our store here in Rockford doesn't have everything, including not having a fine art supplies section...

With my employee key card in hand, I checked out their stretched canvases, and saw these very interesting sizes that came 3 to a package. I've never seen 4x12 inch ones before, and for some reason, I knew they would be perfect for a few of the pieces in my collection. When we got home, I checked online to see if their prices were comparable - Jo-Ann's had the best price - $16.00something for the three, and my discount on top of that...

Maybe I should stick with unusual sizes for the rest of the pieces.

Something else different here: had just seen on Lily's site about scented yarn, so I decided to pick up a skein of "Sugar 'n Cream Scents"...not sure what the scent is, but it is pleasing. Just think, aromaknittingtherapy.

I had thought last weekend that I had 5 days off from work, so I could delve into some major playful time in the studio, but I was wrong...I only have the next couple of days off, and wouldn't you know, this is the week for deadlines! Rockford's Greenwich Art Fair app, a one day show app that will be held at an upscale shopping complex this summer, and my art class proposals for Rock Valley College/Rockford Art Museum are due tomorrow. I wish I could pull those all-nighters like I used to, but now it just ruins the next day for me. Well, maybe I could do 1:00 am...

Colorful Balls of Felt to Lift Those Gray Sky Blues Away

2011-04-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

I just can't say it without laughing! While at best friend Bobbie's today getting ready to show her how to make a nuno felted scarf, I pulled these out of my pocket. Perfect timing it was, because of a conversation that a goofy trio (Bobbie, her hubby Lenny and myself) were having. So here they are, now cut in half to show the colorful insides...

(Okay, if you watch Project Runway, Tim Gunn once said that he "preferred the wooley ones.")
I need to stop now. It's too late in the day for falling off one's chair.

Aren't they fun? It's been so gray and dreary here for so long - the bright colors are good for the soul! I also needed a little distraction from the "hands" series, plus it does give me inspiration for next week - I have a few days off in a row from the store and plans are to make some pre-felts from roving...and maybe make a huge batch of these!

New Sizes for the Hands Series

2011-04-18T13:00:00.002-05:00

12 - 12x12's are finished, now onto the 8 - 8x10's.

I was thinking that this would be a way to decide how many pieces I could realistically handle for this series. Knowing that the largest ones were done (the tops anyway), I can focus on creating the next group without feeling overwhelmed. This is the first time I've done anything like this. What's next? 5 - 5x7's, 3 - 3x5's, and then maybe some tiny pieces. I'm feeling encouraged now, thinking that this would make a wonderful exhibit.

This is the first of the 8x10's...it was a commercial print that I fell in love with because the pattern had such movement to it. I stitched away with some of JoAnn Deck 's threads in her gift box to me.

And this is the 2nd one that I'm currently working on. While straightening the calico wall the other night at work, this print stood out. No little florals here! It's been fun so far coming up with giving the different circles a little character. And, Sherrie , that one solar-looking stitch in the detail shot is for you!

What You Can Do With Hand Dyed Wool Roving

2011-04-14T17:54:00.000-05:00

Too much for a blog post title? Well, this is about last night's nuno felted scarf class I taught at Emmanuel...

Ten wild women gathered in the Library to create their scarves. It was so much fun seeing the ladies play with the fibers, get them wet, roll them over and over again, then we went outside to "throw" them - if you're familiar with nuno felting, one of the final things that you must do is to fully felt the wool roving into the silk and the way I do it is to literally throw them. It's interesting to see who's a little reserved and who lets go - I can honestly say that all 10 of them were really getting into it!

My new camera can create 10 minute movies, so I decided to tape the gals, and now they're on YouTube! We had to go outside so any splashing of water wouldn't get on anything inside. It was starting to get dark, but we did it anyway...YouTube - Nuno Felting Frenzy

Here they are with their creations...

Here's a shot of the merino roving that I had dyed earlier this week for the class. Since our favorite yarn shop has closed in Rockford, I ordered the "superfine 80 merino" from Dharma Trading, and am very happy with it. I had NO problems with it during the process, and when it was dry, I didn't have to card it at all - hardly any tangles, and it felted fast on the silk scarves.
A few of the ladies would like to take the class again, so that's good! We just need a few more, and we'll schedule it for a Wednesday night coming up in a month or so. If you're interested, let me know...

Transfer Artists' Paper on Leather?

2011-04-07T18:45:00.003-05:00

I've been going in different directions with the printing of the hands for my series. Leather it is, and other musings from the week...

I had tried Lesley Riley's TAP before, but maybe was a little impatient with the process, so my images were not good. I decided to order another pack and give it another try for my series. This time, I got it to work on leather!

Number 11 is now finished (all the stitching, that is). I am very happy with how it turned out, especially since it didn't involve creating movement in the stitching, and those straight lines, I thought, were boring. A friend's hands, Jonathan, will be on this one...

Number 12 will be started this week, so I wanted to show you what I've chosen for this one - an elder's hands that I found on a public domain site. Aren't those threads perfect? Again, those are from the Caron Watercolors line of hand-painted 3-ply threads.

I'm not sure why I always feel like I need to start from scratch with some processes. For this series, I'm attempting to create 12x12 canvases to mount my pieces on. It may be because I can't walk into a local store (you know, the big box ones) and pick up ready to go 12x12 canvases at a lower price, and with the fabric that I want in the color I'm looking for. So...I may end up realizing that this is too much work for the same amount of money, yeah. I'm still going to try it on at least one because there is the matter of a deadline for next Monday - I'm exhibiting at Emmanuel for Rockford's Spring Artscene - "All My Relations ~ A Peaceable Kingdom." I'm finishing one of my series' pieces for the exhibit as a sort of a 'taste of things to come' - a solo exhibit in the not so distant future, I hope!
Stretcher strips together...

Gesso'd muslin as a base to be stapled on the strips...

A beautiful natural "hopsack" weave linen that will be on top of the muslin. Plans are to brush on some clear gesso...

A busy week it has been and you will be glad to know I am working diligently on the business of getting my work out there! I've been intrigued by the TAFA: The Textile and Fiber Art List, following it on Facebook. It looks like a wonderful opportunity for us textile types! In one of my other lives, I have met with the women at church regarding my resignation from my childrens' ministry position and am feeling so much better about that. Jason is back home (well, sort of), working his two jobs, going to Rock Valley College - he doesn't have a car yet, but the three of us are working that out. As usual, I've avoided doing our taxes and would normally wait until the last minute, but I had promised Jason to have them finished this weekend - for his student loan apps, he needs that info. I'm still such a good mommy...

Question: does anyone know how to add a blog widget from Etsy?

Goodies for Me?

2011-04-01T19:15:00.000-05:00

JoAnn Deck - what did I do...

to receive this wonderful box of fiber goodies in the mail today? It was just like Christmas today, coming home from work and finding that package from you...this 56 year old woman feels like a little child - THANK YOU!!!!!

I can't wait to dig through all the goodies..."Oh Jeff, supper will be a little late tonight, okay?"

Am I to "pay it forward"?

Number 9 and 10

2011-03-29T12:02:00.000-05:00

I've done it! A little scary, yes...resigned from one of my positions out there in the real world so I can focus more on the business end of creating my art.

I'm working on the 9th and 10th pieces in my "hands" series. I wish I had a title for this collection, but unfortunately, it just hasn't come yet. As I post more images and the adventures connected with these, if you have any ideas, please post a comment!

The ninth one is in honor of my dear friend, Bobbie, and will have the image of her hands on it. It started out as an olive green batik to which I discharged some areas with a floral stamp. I then did a paint wash with emerald green Setacolor and highlighted some of the "wisps" with a mixture of emerald green and turquoise Setacolor. There's a little stitchery shop in Rockford that I go to for specialty threads, loving the Caron "Watercolors" 3-ply floss. In the photos below, you can see the dark gold/olive/bluish purple floss that I chose...

The tenth one is a little different - this was actually a fat quarter with a design that reminded me of a large apartment building in a downtown area. I saw windows, and I saw "dark." I had this black leather-like trim with grommets in my stash for awhile, but just didn't know what to do with it. I knew it needed RED stitching! It's reading "HOT" now - bustling activity (not all of it good, maybe?)...

Getting back to my headline, yes I have resigned my position at Emmanuel, to be effective after Easter. I know it's not a great time to leave a position, but I'm ready. The church is ready, I believe. Now it begins, devoting more efficeint time on the computer. Getting my butt out of bed earlier in the mornings when I'm not at the store. Photographing my work - I did finally get a new camera, so now I have to learn what it can do. Going for a couple more art fairs, which I love doing. Teaching, teaching, teaching. My studio is trashed, too, and desperately needs a major purge.

Chocolate as Inspiration?

2011-03-17T21:57:00.000-05:00

Well, maybe it was the chocolate truffle egg that I enjoyed earlier today...

I've found myself looking away from the batiks for my "hands" series. I was in a strange mood today and not sure why, and now it's too late in the day for introspection. So, I'll describe what's going on with my 8th piece...

Can I finally say now that I'm in my 50's that I'm into "leatha?"

The background piece is actually polyester suedecloth with this incredible texture, and was surprisingly pretty easy to hand-stitch through. A smaller piece of copper home decor fabric on top makes a nice contrast to the dark brown suedecloth, and my "hearts in hand" stamped image on the black lexus vinyl finishes the stacked look that I was going for. Now that I've photographed it, is it just me, or do we see CHOCOLATE?

Detail shot!

I'll be anxious to hear what Sherrie Loves Color! - thinks, since she is the ultimate chocolate-holic AND the dear friend that got me addicted to iced mochas...Sherrie, are you listening?

The Beautiful Hands Series: Update

2011-03-10T23:31:00.002-06:00

Delving into this latest series, I've realized this project IS a good one. I'm focused. And...unlike my winter addiction to crochet where I was probably close to a intervention, I've actually kept up with a little housework, and to that end, I'm feeling less guilty.

This one has me fascinated. I'm looking at every pair of hands that I shake, and I want to touch them. No worries, I am asking first. Then, of course, I have to photograph them. Thinking about the caring, healing hands at Emmanuel started me thinking about who's fingers I wanted to have in my collection.

The first on my list was Millie, 90+ years old. There are stories in those hands...

I started on my 7th piece a few days ago. This one is not a batik, or even a hand dye. It was a cheap cotton print (read - 13" for 85 cents), but I was intrigued with the pattern and I think it will be good for including some masculine hands on it. Oh. Now I realize that that I can't upload a pic of it because I had to re-charge the camera batteries. I'll share the next time. I do have some others though...

This last photo is of my first experiment with a Stazon Stamp Pad. I spied something copper, and my heart starting racing. What I didn't know was that these are 19.99 each - ouch! Thank goodness they were 40% off at the store, so the sale price combined with my team member discount made it much more appealing. I like the fact that since it is solvent based, it does dry fast and you can use it on more than just paper. Other metallic stamp pads do not dry very well, and always tend to rub off. This is a sample of some very nice fake leather (vinyl) - it's name is "lexus" - go figure. I wonder which of my series this "hand" will be included on...

Late night realization here: I like how my "hearts in hand" stamp has been doing something interesting here, depending on what I stamp it on. I know that, I guess I needed to post the photos for it to sink in.

Castaway - Not for Fabrics

2011-03-02T11:50:00.000-06:00

I thought I had in mind where this new series of 12x12 pieces was taking me. I was wrong.

From mixed media paper application and color to hand quilted squares of batiks, some commercial, some that I'm creating with thiox and stamps. I think what happened was when I photographed my "Book of Repose" where I had embroidered the front with variegated perle cottons, the gears shifted, the planets fell in line...and I read about JACQUARD Castaway Stamp Pad
- sounded perfect - a way to create small intricate designs on hand dyes, kona solids and...paper. I ordered it and when it arrived, I tore into it and grabbed bits of everything to try it on. IT DOES NOT WORK ON FABRIC, JULAINE.
Who needs to read the instructions, I mean papers are natural fibers, fabrics are natural fibers. The info on the package says that it works on non-glossy papers, so I figured as long as the fabrics were washed well, it would work on them as well. No luck.
If any of you have tried this and had success with fabric, please let me in on the secret! Thanks...

So I give you some images of my pieces so far. The 5 that I'm working on are in different stages of completion. I'm looking for some interesting hands to photograph to add to the pieces, so I will try at church on Sunday - one of the dear ladies, Millie, is in her 90's and her hands tell a lot of stories...
and...that's what I'm going for - what our hands have done...how they ache sometimes...how they become gnarled with age and arthritis.

Paper and Color - The Hands and Hearts Series

2011-02-04T01:06:00.000-06:00

We were given a gift, Jeff and I...with yesterday's blizzard keeping us in the house, there were so many things (chores) that we could've engaged in, but we talked and talked.

The sun was shining, the wind had calmed down, and we decided to clear the driveway of the too many inches of snow. With that done, we headed into the house. Had a nice lunch together, watched a great movie. A nice day. It was also the day I had been waiting for to play in the studio and make a mess. Mission accomplished!

I first grabbed a piece of some old onion paper, and just started gluing down scraps of whatever was in one of my bins of "this looks interesting" stuff. Alcohol inks dripped on. Gold and copper stamp pads pressed in - one does not always need to use them with stamps. Tomorrow after work, I plan on using my hand carved "heart in hand" stamp to add to this starter piece and see where it takes me.

Starting with a Rubber Stamp

2011-02-01T12:49:00.001-06:00

"But these thy fortunes let us straight repose in this divine cave's bosom."
Chapman

It all started with a rubber stamp - Woman in Repose - she is still available at the Jo-Ann Stores...

Last year for Rockford's Spring Artscene, our Art@Emmanuel's exhibit was entitled "People of the Book" - characters that have inspired us, challenged us, sacred or secular.
I had been working on some pieces that all started with the melting of ink from National Geographic Magazines using Citra-Solv, and I knew that I wanted to create a book of pages, in which the pages would be loose and could be framed if wanted. Since the book would end up being about 3 inches deep, I needed a way to connect the front and back covers, so I attached them with pieces from an old leather belt of Jeff's.

The process (I wished now I had photographed to share with you) was very satisfying. At least I can tell you the steps:
*each page started with heavy cardstock wrapped with cheesecloth
*color was added with water soluble artists' crayons (caran d' ache)
*the altered Nat Geo pages were adhered on top of the cheesecloth
*the images were stamped onto different papers and color added with alcohol inks, then glued onto the pages (pvc glue, double sided tape)
*more color added, if needed, with markers, the crayons, inks
*sealed with a glossy gel medium (golden)

There are 10 pages all together...here are 3 of my favorites...

I used a commercial batik for the covers and hand-quilted the front with perle cotton, adding a few french knots. I love hand-stitching along the lines on batiks. The stamped image on the cover is in front of a painted piece of interfacing using one of my hand carved stamps.

Today, with the impending blizzard, this "Woman in Repose" is all I need for today's studio work. This is after, of course, planning a little outing for needed supplies - food, prescriptions, maybe some extra batteries for the flashlights...it might be 2-3 inches of snow per hour tonight. Jeff just called and said the church is closed until Thursday. Maybe I'll pick up a movie or two and some popcorn.

Art Quilt Commission

2011-01-31T23:57:00.002-06:00

"But this is only a start. Beyond lies the mystery of time, a new beginning."

Words from a poem written by a dear friend, who will be celebrating his 70th birthday in June.

He has commissioned me to create a wall hanging for him in honor of this milestone in his life. I accepted and am thrilled. The poem is just wonderful and I consider it to be the perfect inspiration. He wants to have a small party in conjunction with an art exhibit to celebrate the day. We laughed when he said that he wants an "unveiling" of the quilt. It will be a first for me, he's serious! We joked about what type of fabric to cover the quilt and how to "light" it just right. Oh, the drama...I love it!

I would love to post the entire poem, but that would not be appropriate at this time, but he's okay with just one line...

If you have any thoughts on how to make the "unveiling" extra special (or a little kitschy), please let me know!

Extreme Mixed Media

2011-01-26T14:07:00.001-06:00

Or...extreme madness? That's okay, isn't it? We creative types are always looking for ways to expand our repertoire!

Last week, I took on a new challenge at the store - I'm actually on the "task team" that is responsible for receiving weekly shipments (a small one is 100+ boxes). The boxes are loaded onto a mechanical conveyor and we move them along, open each one and remove/sort all the merchandise into bins or onto carts, depending on whether it's crafts and notions, etc. or fabric.

I used to think it was dangerous for me to stock new fabric, but that's nothing now compared to the wonders of stocking the craft aisles. Yes, there are wondrous things to behold in that department... I'm even looking at those cheap plastic beads in a different way...

I have always loved Beacon glues, so I got a bottle of their "Zip Dry" that's not supposed to wrinkle paper. Stocked scrapbooking paper and it was 6 for .96, and took home some cardboard discs that held elastic by the yard.

Desperately needed a new ironing board cover, and this one was clearanced to 4.97. It has a very thick pad, a silicone pad for resting the iron on, and a huge pocket on one side for, you know, other stuff. I may use it for scraps.

Today I stocked yarn. Oh, my...considered it a real victory that I only purchased one skein of it.

After tomorrow, I'll have 3 days off, so I'm planning on getting into lots of trouble in the studio - maybe I'll even do some art...

Alcohol Ink Adventures

2011-01-15T20:11:00.012-06:00

I have put the crochet hook down!

All it took was for my Dharma Trading order to come today...actually Jeff had to pick it up for me at the post office - could not believe that Mr. Postman didn't leave it yesterday (maybe he's on vacation). In the order was my yardage of black silk chiffon for Wednesday's nuno-felting class, and...one small bottle of Pinata Alcohol Inks.

I have most of the Adirondack Inks, but never found a nice mixing blue, so I thought I would try one of the Jacquard Pinata Colors. This paper started out as a page from last year's boring kitchen calendar - and the process begins!

1 - Citra-solv cleaner spritzed on the page
2 - Alcohol ink and copper metallic mixative (adirondack) dripped onto my special pad (make your own from a small plastic container, cover it with a little piece of hook and loop tape - the hook side - sticky back type, then place a square of cotton batting on it, remove when icky, save it because you never know...and replace as needed)

3 - Swirled the drops onto the page
4 - Sprayed rubbing alcohol onto the page
5 - Held my nose and blew the colors around - this was weird, but the effects
are nice.

Plans are to alter some Nat Geo pages in the same way, seal them, back them with muslin and do some quilting. I'll let you know how it all works out...

The other fun adventure was to take this vintage gift bag that held a birthday gift and carefully take it apart. Check out that incredible texture and all the gold leafing! It is very heavy paper and was made in India. After a little research on the internet, I'm thinking it might be made from banana paper and maybe a little silk. It smells of my MIL's basement and when it was disassembled, it became a 16x25 inch piece of wonder...

Karen Davis, aka Seamless Skin commented on Facebook that I should scan it to save the design for collage work - what a wonderful idea!

Classes, Classes, Classes

2011-01-12T23:30:00.000-06:00

Okay then. My Nuno-Felting on Silk class is now filled for next Wednesday at Unique Yarns Inc.
so we've added another offering in April. I told Becky, the owner of the yarn shop, that my brain was filling with possible other classes that I would love to teach there! She has the perfect classroom, and the fact that there is a utility room with a large sink in it right by the classroom is perfect.

The class offerings at the Rockford Art Museum are coming up next month and will run throughout the spring semester...and...I had to send in my proposals for the summer semester last week. They have this wonderful program for children called "Whiz Kids" that's been around for 25 years now, and they were looking for week-long classes for the summer. Wasn't too painful to do that since I've been working with the children at Emmanuel for 10 years, and the curricula that we use there is a rotation (multi-intelligences) program. Last year we hosted two "Five Buck Art Clubs" for when the children were on breaks from schools...

One of the week-long class proposals I came up with was a kids' quilting week that is mostly put together with fabric adhesive (i know, it's a little scary). I will do the final quilting and sewing of the final piece and then we'll donate the quilt to a childrens' organization. I'm excited about this, since it will force me into that mode of which I have been away from for awhile...

Nuno Felting 2011

2011-01-09T17:28:00.006-06:00

What a fun class this was on December 1st! The ladies quietly knitting at the table at Unique Yarns Inc . were wondering if there was some sort of high impact fiber exercises going on in the classroom...

No, just learning and laughter, and maybe a little tightening of the upper arms (we can only hope, right?) during the rolling process. Who knows, this could be an added benefit from creating what I call "Of Wool and Silk Bondage"...

I just heard yesterday that my upcoming class on January 19th is now filled, and since there are two more opportunities for nuno-felting coming up through Rock Valley College's Spring Semester 2011Community Ed springce-2011.pdf (application/pdf Object) , I'm hoping that others can come and experience this wonderful process.

Speaking of laughter, my fabulous friend, Bobbie, treated me to a birthday lunch yesterday at a great little place downtown Rockford...Bamboo is the place for the best spring rolls. Should've taken a photo of the artful plate before I started digging into the feast.

Healthy OCD?

2011-01-05T01:53:00.004-06:00

Light is on. I am definately home. And...these are fun on a hook!

The rhythmic movement of crocheting is healthy, just like almost all other handwork. I am determined to keep my hands from looking (and ouch, feeling) like so many of my female relatives. There's so much rheumatoid and osteoarthritis is my family, and I'm hoping that by this creative form of regular hand and finger exercises, I won't suffer that pain, stiffness and loss of motion. Please don't tell me that it could possibly bring it on and/or make it worse...

When I found out earlier last year that both my knees are "bone on bone," the orthopedic surgeon told me to continue walking and to take up water activities (I hate pools, so you'd be surprised what I can accomplish in the tub). He's right - whenever I've missed a few days of walking, the knees are worse.

I found the link for the pattern from the Ravelry site: Crocheted Heart Pattern « Hinzpired

Oh, and there's always relaxation and clear thinking involved, especially after you have a pattern memorized.

On the New Year

2011-01-04T00:51:00.003-06:00

"Reality runs up your spine, and the pieces finally fit."

Those words woke me up some months ago, and I've been trying to figure out what it means. The words are actually from an Elton John song called "The One" that I've always loved listening to. So it's in my soul somewhere. I hadn't listened to it for a long time because I had lost the CD that it was on. It's probably buried in a stack of Jason's music somewhere.

Challenges in the workplace...Jason's engagement to Ashley...end stage arthritis of both knees...gallery representation in Chicago...full time messes in the studio (too many projects started, never finished), going back to teaching art classes for Rock Valley College...learning how to crochet and having it take over my creative life (why? because it's easy, color filled and I can sit on my butt and watch "Mad Men" on demand)...frustrations over enabling others with volunteer projects and doing the work myself just so it gets done and makes for a satisfying outcome (why? because I was always taught to be nice to others, even if it's makes you miserable)...I haven't quilted anything in many months (a year maybe).

One thing I am sure about is that I need to develop and define my artwork and be disciplined with the business of marketing myself at a more professional level. I have the perfect photographer, but need to get it all arranged. I need to get away from checking e-mail and Facebook 3 or 4 times a day when it's mostly junk. I am such a night owl and would be perfectly happy creating all night, and sleeping till noon every day, but the rest of the world doesn't work that way.

I could've written this in my journal, but wanted to post it here on my blog in the hopes of being more committed to it. What comes along with this is reading others' blogs that I haven't checked in a long time.

The photo is of my quilt "Together" - it was my very first piece that was published - The Houston Quilt Festival catalog in 2003.

Rag and Retro

2010-11-06T10:04:00.004-05:00

Years ago, I was part of a women's group that met about once a month and we called ourselves "The Rag Group"...sounds kind of silly now, but it all started because most of us seemed to have our periods at the same time. Okay, so if you've ever heard the expression, "on the rag," you know where that one came from.

I've taken what I've spun on the drop spindle and have knitted about 1 1/2 balls into this wild piece. I used size 35 needles (Jason's comment: God Mom, can they get any bigger? Why yes, son, wait until you see me working with the bright red size 50 ones), and it knitted up very fast. I'm now thinking about making purses out of these pieces, since I'm getting ready for Emmanuel's upcoming "Bohemian Holiday Bazaar" and in the past, my funky bags have been popular...

Yesterday, I was at the store looking for fabrics to make pillowcases out of, and I found this wonderful retro print. The memories came in a flood! Not sure what to make, but you know, I had to get a couple of yards before it's gone. Since I work at the store, I know that some fabrics are not replenishable from the warehouse. The second photo is of a coordinate...
Remember a couple of years ago when I made those 3 piece fleece socks? Well I finally bought the pattern (Green Pepper) so I can make them for children and men. Next week's creative adventures will include power sewing multiple pairs...

Art Yarns

2010-10-29T20:47:00.005-05:00

I recently treated myself to a beautiful drop spindle from Golding Fiber Tools . This came after purchasing the new book "Get Spun" by Symeon North. I hadn't read enough of the book to know that the author only used a spinning wheel to create her art yarns, so I thought that I was out of luck and could only refer to the luscious pages as eye candy and would not be able to create anything with this seemingly simple drop spindle that could only be used to spin roving into boring solid color yarn.

I had e-mailed the company, and the owner responded to my questions of what to order. Tom Golding recommended the perfect weight, size and type of spindle for what I wanted to do...not 100's of yards of thin yarn, but a few yards at a time of wild, wooly, silky, polyestery (?) and whatever else I could get my hands on in the studio to ply together. I either dreamed that someone told me that these were the best, or I read it somewhere. Anyway, I am so pleased with my beautiful top whorl drop spindle...

It's taken me 3 weeks, and 3 episodes of "Mad Men" and "Project Runway" to spin 3 balls of my version of art yarn...I've started the fourth ball even though the season's over for my favorite shows. I have no idea of what I'm going to do with it afterwards. I always think that I will end up some day with a sweater or vest, something more substantial than a scarf (I have many).

Coming up soon on the horizon is a holiday art show at Rockford's Womanspace and the "Bohemian Holiday Bazaar" at Emmanuel that our art group is hosting. I'll also be teaching a nuno-felted scarf class at Unique Yarns Inc.
on December 1st. Thanks to Becky Maselli, the owner, for the opportunity...
I so look forward to teaching and being a part of creative events...
Wishing I could do my art full time.

Post Greenwich

2010-09-27T12:41:00.004-05:00

Well, another Greenwich Art Fair is history! This year's artful weekend proved to be my best one yet...as usual, I was going crazy the last few days finishing some pieces (read: no shower, same clothes for 2 of those days).

I created my first nuno-felted wrap that was modeled by Nickee, Emmanuel's beautiful model. Concerned that she couldn't wear high heels because of a sore baby toe, she still came and was my live mannequin, aka Vogue Madonna. On Sunday, a lovely woman from Minnesota purchased the wrap for herself - I was thrilled!

I also received a healthy purchase award - love a ribbon on the tent because it looks so nice AND draws attention. Sunday also involved a little bartering...a potter, Earl, who was across from me had purchased one of my scarves, so when he wanted another, I suggested trading...he had these fabulous plates and crocks...so, now I have some wonderful pottery...just need to figure out what yummy food to put into it. Oh, wait! Artscene is coming up this weekend and I'm bringing a savory something - good, now I can show off my new plate and crock.

Of Wool and Silk Bondage

2010-09-07T07:41:00.004-05:00

Oh blog, oh blog, I have sorely neglected you. Okay, so now onto what's new...I'm am in the last 2 weeks of getting ready for the annual Greenwich Art Fair! In addition to creating lots of new pieces for the fair, I'm also planning my set up and hitting the resale shops in search of perfect stuff for my display.

I absolutely hate the sidewalls on my canopy, so I bought 10plus yards of wide white muslin to make some simple curtains to hang inside - going for a boutique look I'm hoping.

I have not given up on quilting, but I did get sidetracked again: I have been learning all about nuno felting and have created some beautiful scarves and wraps. Other small pieces include felted cuffs that I've cut from the "Mom, what happened to my sweater when I washed it?" wool and a few funky purses. The images are of merino roving that I've dyed, a scarf that I laid the roving on top, then placed a pre-knitted piece on top before felting it, and of a felted necklace (or belt). I felt that "Of Wool and Silk Bondage" was a perfect name for my collection - a little edgy, maybe...that could be me, the name, or the art!

What I've learned: acid dyeing is the way to go for silks and wool, quite easy and yes, I am cooking something after all - some wool roving still has a lot of lanolin in it, so the owner of the yarn shop said to add a little alum to the water when dyeing those fibers - that was Becky at Unique Yarns here in Rockford who also gave me two huge pots for dyeing - the process of nuno felting involves NO stitching and can be very relaxing when you have plenty of time and are listening to appropriate music - the smell of vinegar doesn't bother me as I thought it would - there's something wrong with my camera, having issues getting clear, sharp images - I had always hoped that I could once again create some wearables (remember the ruanas?) -

My Son's Decision

2010-08-09T18:08:00.002-05:00

Susan Lenz has brought his decision to one of her wonderful portraits...
Art In Stitches

The Doors and Jason's graduation

2010-06-03T08:59:00.003-05:00

On Memorial Day, I decided it was the perfect day to photograph the doors of the churches that will be included in my "Doors of Rockford" piece. For a couple of them, I had to stand in the middle of the street, so I did get some looks from children riding their bikes, and from one police officer in a squad car...There will be 5 doors and I'm just including my favorite one in this post: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, of course.

Yesterday, our son, Jason, graduated from high school! I had forgotten how large public high school ceremonies were, since they're held at the local entertainment/sports arena. Downtown Rockford was a zoo! It took me about 45 minutes to pick up my mother-in-law and to get to the parking complex across from the arena. She has to walk with a little 3 wheeled walker/chair, so I let her out on the 2nd floor by a catwalk and I continued upwards to the roof to find a spot. Jeff was there, but we didn't meet up with him, because he was coming from his knee class (he's having replacement surgery in 2 weeks). That was a little frustrating because we kept looking for each other. Anyway, we finished the evening with a nice dinner out...here's a photo of him and his lady love, Ashley.

The Doors of Rockford 3

2010-05-26T13:44:00.003-05:00

I'm moving along nicely on my piece for "The Doors of Rockford" submission. It was good to read the other day that there are 42 artists participating, so since they choose 25, that's pretty good odds, if you'd like to think about it that way...

Of course, the deadline is coming up the same week as my husband's total knee replacement surgery, meetings, work and a recognition dinner for the Sunday School teachers. So you know what that means, right? It must be finished before that week even starts on June 13th.

I've painted a 36x45 inch piece of drill cloth (similiar to canvas, but lighter weight) for the backing, and also painted strips of cheesecloth that will end up being between the backing and the fabric paper pieces. Not sure how I will attach the cheesecloth to the backing. I'm hand stitching the cheesecloth strips together with perle cotton, and just may end up tacking them to the drill cloth in the same way. Here's a couple of photos of how the pieces will be laid out on the backing and what the cheesecloth looks like in all it's painted glory. I ended up using different types of acrylics for the paint: golden fluids, a little lumiere, and some craft acrylics...

The Doors of Rockford 2

2010-05-10T22:38:00.004-05:00

Like the first time making fabric paper, I'm finding it difficult to stop. The possibilities if I do one more piece and adding more to the pieces that I don't like, well, they seem to get me every time...

The finished size for the artwork cannot exceed 36x48 inches, so if each of my papers are approximately 8x10 inches and I have 13 that I'm satisfied with, do I have enough? Yes...

Here are the ones I've worked on today. I experimented with giving one of them a wash of diluted Lumiere paint. I've included a detail shot of one that has oil paper with pine needles on it.

Materials used: printed and hand dyed cottons, white muslin, tissue papers, hand made papers, painted lutradur and tear-a-way stabilizer, vintage gift wrap papers, decorated greeting card envelopes, onion skin paper, polyester sheers, painted cheesecloth, caran d'ache neocolor II artists' crayons, tee juice markers, setacolor paints, lumiere metallic paint, diluted white glue.

The Doors of Rockford

2010-05-04T14:44:00.005-05:00

The church where I am a member and work with the children is in an urban neighborhood in Rockford. Since this area was home to many Swedish immigrants back in the late 1800's and early 1900's, there are quite a few Lutheran churches. All of these churches have come together to form a community called the "Midtown Lutheran Parishes."

Zion Lutheran, just down the street from Emmanuel is home to Zion Development, an organization that has been renovating and creating housing for families in the neighborhood for 25 years now. I remember when Jason was in confirmation, he went to help in the early stages of a large renovation project, involving the creation of some loft condos above a store front just east of Emmanuel.

Every year for the past 8 years, Zion Development has sponsored "The Doors of Rockford," a fundraiser that involves an auction of fine art. They choose 25 pieces to be in the auction and each piece is sponsored by a local business or individual, so the artist is guaranteed a nice percentage of the selling price. Every year, I say that I'm going to submit something, and every year, I back away (life, you know). Well, this year I finally did it! I've started by making 31 pieces of fabric paper - fast, lots of color, no thought involved. The theme for this year's auction is "Through These Doors" - my plans are to photograph each of the churches' doors for inspiration and we'll see what comes next...I found an old book with beautiful biblical artwork from the middle ages in it and I may do something with those also.

The process of blogging about this challenge also starts the journey for me...I know you understand.

New Purse - Triangle Bag

2010-05-02T23:56:00.006-05:00

Since Jo-Ann's discontinued a ton of home dec samples, there are plenty of little 18x18 inch pieces of fabric candy to choose from. I fell in love with this faux emu skin, so decided to make myself a new purse. The top border is a printed linen that I discharged a little, and the straps are an animal print ribbon that I first folded over and sewed, then filled with a narrow piping cord.

I had made one from a pattern a couple of years ago and liked the shape and the unique way of closing it. It's basically 3-24 inch straps/cords attached to the purse at the center point of each of 3 pieces that are sewn together. The straps are then pulled through a large bead (mine was macrame) and attached at the end to a square of fabric. There are, of course, many different ways to finish the straps.

One of the gals at work found a similiar pattern in a Simplicity book. Mine was from Square Rose - Designs that liberate the CREATIVE SPIRIT .
I'm very pleased at how it turned out!

Oh, and I bought 8 other samples too...

Green Bag Fabric

2010-04-20T20:05:00.006-05:00

We just got this in at the store yesterday! It's the fabric that "green" bags are made of, and I figured I'd get a little to see what's possible. Polyester, 60" wide and a whopping 2.99 yard. I know I could easily make some gift bags from it for my patrons at this fall's Greenwich Art Fair.

There were at least 2 other bolts: one with multi-colored circles on it, and a plain white one. I chose the animal print...just because.

I've described the surface design/color processes on each photo so you can get an idea of my experiments, none of which were well-thought out. I'm still learning how not to spend too much time on the first round of experiments. I used too much paint on a few of them, so instead of wiping the excess color away, I mopped up the extra with blank ATCs. Ding! Now that's an idea! Think about having this wonderful collection of ATCs with at least a background design on them...

Sunday at IQF

2010-04-19T22:01:00.010-05:00

Wow! I had never been to festival before on a Sunday. Everyone always said that it was quiet, laid back and you could walk through the vendor aisles without any problems. This had always been a little troublesome for me, as I am very claustrophic.
It's always a sure-fire way to initiate an attack of vertigo for me...

Wanted to share some photos of Bobbie and I at our gig for Open Studios, and some from my workshop...the students were so much fun and overflowing with artful gifts of their own, and I was honored to have Lynn of Fibra Artysta - Mixed Media Fiber Art in my class!

Alas, as you probably know, this was the last year for the festival to be held in the Chicago area. We here in Northern Illinois have been spoiled for 8 years...

25 Kits for MIU!

2010-04-11T15:09:00.008-05:00

Okay, so I admit it, but I always try to cram as much stuff as possible into one box or other container when toting supplies around: my mission yesterday was to make this happen when packing the 25 kits for my "Create Texture and Dimension with Gauze" mini-workshop at Make It University! Spring 2010.

I had found this small wheeled tote a couple of years ago at the store at a clearanced price - $5.97. I think it was meant to be for knitting because it has all these wonderful compartments and pockets, but at that price, you know, it doesn't matter if you use it for it's intended purpose or not.

There's nothing in the kits that would be crushed, so I started packing...and to my delight, everything fit perfectly! Extra supplies and water bottles will fill the outside pockets, and the outside flap will hold personal stuff, so there's no need to carry a purse - yeah!

What's in the kits, you ask? Neocolor II artist's crayons, Fabri-Tac adhesive, cheesecloth, a piece of 140 lb. watercolor paper, cotton balls and swabs, paper cups (the kind I use with the kids at Emmanuel), a pre-threaded (dmc floss) needle, buttons and charms, and a piece of gauze that has been stamped, embossed and inked. The only thing missing in the kits are little pieces of chocolate, not to be forgotten you know...

For my Open Studios gig with Bobbie, packing should be very easy. We're showing shisha mirror embroidery and how to create embroidered beads. Small, lightweight supplies packed in a small tote.

I'm also showing a photo of this gorgeous blue rayon fabric that I got today at the store. It has a little nylon in it which gives it a slight sheen, similiar to some silks I've seen. It will hopefully be transformed into a new top for me to wear at the festival. Easy and quick pattern, 2 hours max, comfortable.
Come see Bobbie and I at Open Studios on Sunday, April 18th at 10:30 am. AND...
Come, put your name in the lottery for my workshop (with all the cool supplies) as soon as you can. We start at 12:00 noon.

At 1:00 pm., I'll be off to pester the vendors and see some quilts. WHERE SHOULD I SPEND SOME MAD MONEY THIS YEAR? - I HAVE 2 HOURS AND DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING REALLY GOOD...GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS, PLEASE!!!

Sherrie Spangler Blogs!

2010-04-02T19:36:00.004-05:00

It's about time, my friend!!! I guess you just needed to leave Rockford and move to the Pacific Northwest...

Oh, and the little incentive from Quilting Arts, LLC -

Here's the link - do check it out and leave a nice comment. In addition to being a great inspiration to me some years ago, she's also a wondeful writer!

Sherrie loves color!

Pinned Down Doll

2010-03-23T23:48:00.010-05:00

Local artists were asked to participate in a fundraiser for the Rockford Dance Company's upcoming benefit by transforming a white muslin ballerina doll into anything we wanted. I love it, no rules!
My doll had been patiently waiting in the studio for attention of any kind, so with the deadline looming, and seeing my best friend Bobbie's incredible doll (almost finished), I was ready...

She was so pale, so I started by giving her a coat of burnt sienna acrylic. She did not want to sit or lie still for me, so I had to pin her down, literally. I never forget how a simple thing like adding color always gives a piece "life" even in the early stages. In this photo, I've posed her so you can see the white on her other side. Check out those gams and perfectly pointed toes...

My next step was to add a coat of a Lumiere metallic acrylic - the Hi-Lite Red. Although I absolutely love the Lumiere's, you really have to give your pieces a dark undercoat first to get the full effect of the Hi-Lite colors. It was a challenge getting a smooth application for the first coat, so I sponged on the second one. After the painting was done, I was counting on her to tell me what she wanted to look like and what she wanted to wear (if anything)...and if you know this artist well, it would NOT involve a tutu.I found this beautiful, ethereal poly sheer in my novelty fabrics stash, so I just started wrapping it around her body. Okay, that was good. Wired fabric tubes wrapped around her legs. Okay, that's good too. Uh oh, here we go - the face!!! I have to admit creating the face was the most frustrating part of the process. I mean, it's what brings a doll to life, so to speak. Bobbie and I were discussing this yesterday and we decided that we didn't like the anxiety and that we were ready to drop them off at the dance company's office.

After going through many books I have at home, I came across this head shot of Anna Pavlova, early 20th Century Russian ballerina. I printed it out on heavy cardstock and gel medium'd her face. I added a little Setacolor paint to the medium to add a tint. I then glued her face on and added a few beads with perle cotton. Whew...she's good to go.

I wonder if doll artists go through this every time...

MIU supplies

2010-03-11T16:41:00.005-06:00

Thanks to John, the president of Creative Art Materials and Diane of BEACON ADHESIVES, the participants in my "Create Texture and Dimension with Gauze" workshop at Make It University will receive some pretty great materials to use during the workshop and to take home afterwards!

Look what came today...John sent 25 sets of the Neocolor II Aquarelle Half Sticks (and a 40 color set for me).

and I received these the other day from of Beacon...enough 2 oz. bottles of Fabri-Tac glue for everyone in the workshop. What's good enough for Project Runway is perfect for my workshop!The thought of putting 25 supply kits together actually excites me, at this point. I often do this for the kids in Sunday School at Emmanuel and have done it many times before when I was teaching awhile back. For me, it's like wrapping 25 gifts for special people.

Now I'm on the look out for lots of 3 inch wide surgical gauze. Gee, maybe the good Dr. Phil, foot surgeon from Emmanuel has some, you think? Doesn't have to be sterile...

Make It University Sample

2010-03-04T18:03:00.003-06:00

If you're coming to the IQF-Chicago in April, here's what I'll be teaching at Make It University for Cloth, Paper, Scissors.

My workshop is titled "Create Texture and Dimension with Gauze" and it involves wrapping pre-painted surgical gauze around small canvas panels, making folds in certain areas, deconstructing the gauze, then adding more rich color with oil pastels (Caran d' Ache Neocolor II).
CARAN d'ACHE > Company > Company > History. I have loved pastels for quite some time now, and these are my favorite for color and blending. Rich, creamy (thinking about ice cream now?) color.

Stop by and sign up - we'll have fun and make some art, too...

A Substitute for Citrasolv?

2010-03-03T23:36:00.008-06:00

I've tried almost all techniques for image transfer and after hearing so much about using Citrasolv, I thought I'd give it a try. I looked on their website to find out where I could find it in Rockford - one place. Since they didn't have it in stock, I had to order it. Alas, when calling that store today, I was told that it won't be ordered until this Friday and I'd have to wait until next Tuesday. NEXT TUESDAY? Well, that's way too long for an artist who is on a mission to try a new technique, hello?

I started my trek across the far east side of Rockford in search of it. Read: I live on the west side where there's virtually no traffic and no strip malls every few feet to slow down by to find that tiny store front. The big stores are even a little intimidating to me, but I took a deep breath and pulled into the local Home Depot.

I might have found a substitute for Citrasolv. I know it's not completely natural as Citrasolv is, but the solvent in it is the same - from orange peels.

Thank God it was sunny and a little warmer today, so a window in the studio was opened, the heat turned off, and it was time to experiment. I had read about the National Geographic art project on their website: Citra Solv's Artists Site . It involves brushing the product on every page in the magazine, squishing it together, pulling the pages apart and placing them on newspapers to dry. Messy it was, but the outcome was well worth it. Next time, however, instead of doing a whole issue, I'll just pull out certain pages.

On to image transfer...it worked. When it dried, I did feel the urge to heat set it, which left a stain on this small piece of one of my hand dyed cottons. Afraid that the image would disappear, I was hesitant to dunk it in the sink. Oh well, experimentation. I ran cool water over the fabric, rubbed it a little, and to my delight, the image stayed in place. When it dried, I noticed that some of the color had faded from the cloth - I chalked this up to the fact the this orange stuff was a "cleaner" after all. Can you say residual dye?

Fabric Paper

2009-08-11T18:26:00.011-05:00

I have been working with fabric and paper together, much like the technique published by Beryl Taylor - Mixed Media Artist
in the first Cloth, Paper, Scissors issue.
We have done similiar techniques in workshops at Emmanuel, but always with different papers, no fabric.
What's nice about her process is that you can stitch on the fabric paper by hand or my machine. It's very strong and I'm sure it will hold up to many other mixed media embellishments.
I've taken some photos of the steps that I've done on one of the pieces, so I thought I would share them with you.

white muslin on plastic, diluted white glue brushed on fabric ~

pieces of scrapbook and printer paper pressed into wet fabric ~

another layer of glue brushed on top ~

pieces of yellow tissue paper laid down ~

another layer of glue brushed on ~

silk paint (liquid acrylics, setacolor, etc. can be used) dripped on ~

paint brushed into the glue ~

the color is further spread by dabbing into the piece with a dry cloth ~

the finished piece after drying overnight ~

Here are some other finished fabric papers...using vintage wrapping paper, text and images from an old bible book, and gold crepe paper/magazine clippings.

I'm not bored yet! Went into Dick Blick yesterday with Jason and found their collection of hand made papers. Ooh-la-la. We were both drooling, me with the papers, him with the specialty spray paint.

UPDATE on quilt giveaway: Just waiting a few more days, hoping for a few more comments and numbers. Soon everyone, soon...

Back to Blogging and a Give-a-way

2009-07-20T17:06:00.010-05:00

Well, it's been four months since I've posted to my blog. Life has been, well, interesting - the easiest way to put it. There have been a few issues, both personal and professionally. I could whine, piss and moan about not being able to go to the Spring IQA show in Chicago this year and be one of the published artists for Make It University for Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. I've also missed deadlines of all sorts this year.

Instead, I'm trying to focus on the inspiration from good friends, both here in Rockford, and my cyber friends, all ready to give me a soft kick in the pants, or most of the time, a big hug, if needed.

I have been doing artful things, mostly for our Art at Emmanuel group. We are in the middle of our fourth exhibit in the church's gallery, and are preparing for our late summer show, which features the work of our children here at Emmanuel. Good friend, Bobbie came up with the title for the exhibit, "Primary Intention" - great, isn't it?

For my return to blog land, I will be posting some pieces that I wish to sell. They will be available through Paypal, or a check in the mail. Shipping fees will be included in the price, and the prices are very reasonable. You can e-mail me at: irenesdotter@comcast.net if you have any questions. Watch in the coming days for the postings.

To get things started, I'm offering this small art quilt as a give-a-way...It's called "Purple Posies at Play," and was made from my hand-dyed and painted cottons, lutradur, novelty fibers, beads and has been quilted, using a heavy top-stitch, with rayon and metallic threads. It is 8 1/2 by 19 inches in diameter.

Just leave a nice comment, pick a number between 1 and 100 (random # generator being used) and make sure I have a way to reach you! If you don't blog, just send me an e-mail, nice comment, random #, etc. Good luck, my friends...

UPDATE!!! I have 2 anonymous comments, one from Barbara (#60) and one from another person (#10) - I need to find out how to get in touch with you if you're the lucky one...

Christopher's Dream

2009-07-20T17:00:00.008-05:00

A newer art quilt, inspired by Christopher Reeves' hope for stem cell research: Hand painted interfacing, acrylic pastels, satin stitching, quilted. 9 x 21
inches.

Eclipse x 3

2009-07-20T16:59:00.007-05:00

One of my newer small art quilts: Hand dyed and discharged cotton, embroidery, beads. 8 1/2 x 20 inches.

Leaves and Such

2009-07-20T16:57:00.008-05:00

Two mixed media collages: cotton, hand carved stamp used for rubbings, embossed lutradur, beads. 6 x 6 inches each. ~ 12.00 for both.

Bubbles and Brackets

2009-07-20T16:55:00.007-05:00

This is one of the pieces I created for possible inclusion in my article from Cloth, Paper, Scissors, May/June 2007. Silk and cotton, painted and embossed hardware, beads, yarns, fl0ss, trims; quilted. 11 1/2 x 13 inches. ~ 50.00

Mixed Media Beads

2009-07-20T16:49:00.007-05:00

"More than Words" - An assortment of 10 mixed media beads: vintage and other papers, words, embossing. ~ 6.00

Bursting with News

2009-07-20T16:11:00.011-05:00

This was fun to create! Hand painted and rusted cottons, silks, hand carved stamp used for rubbings, novelty trims, quilted.
20 x 20 inches. ~ 60.00

Spring!

2009-03-19T22:10:00.002-05:00

Art Cloth: First Process

2009-03-18T05:23:00.004-05:00

I'm working on a few pieces for Rockford's Spring Artscene that is coming up mid-April. Emmanuel's Celebration Gallery is once again hosting an exhibit. According to the Rockford Area Arts Council, there will be 41 galleries participating this year! The theme of our exhibit is "Sacred Seeds: Emergence" and we'll have about 15 artists represented. Along with the art, we always have the best food, live music and this year, artists will be demoing.

This is a piece of art cloth that started out as black cotton sateen. I've just finished discharging it in 3 steps. I wanted to see what I could bring to the piece by first scrunching the cloth and painting on Soft Scrub with a brush. 2nd step - masking off areas to represent a bit of nature shooting out of the ground. 3rd step - using a very fine tip from a plastic bottle, I squirted curvy lines to represent growth; finished with lots of tiny droplets. I'm keeping an eye on it, hoping what I've done with the 3rd step will discharge to an off-white before I rinse and de-chlor.

My plans at this point are to add some color with oil pastels, then we'll see how it looks. I want to hang this piece as art cloth, but am unsure of how to hang it properly so it lays nicely. Any thoughts?

Update: the wise ones from Quiltart have given me lots of wonderful ideas - thanks everyone!

Flowers of Yo

2009-03-08T19:41:00.008-05:00

Clover has these neat yo-yo makers - easy, yes...but don't get too freaked by their printed instructions. I purchased the small flower one at the store last week and realized that today would be a good day to try them out. Side note: it has been raining for two days and I needed some signs of spring, even if those signs were fabric flowers...my first two are in this photo. Small print cottons, batiks are pretty.

Here's the package it comes in, with the two parts, disk and plate.

You start with a circle approximately 4 1/2 inches around. Place the wrong side of the fabric on top of the plate, then snap the disk into place on top of the fabric. As you can see from the photo, there are little notches and what looks like curvy cut-out sections. Knot one end of a piece of strong thread and as you fold the fabric down, you make stitches through the disk and the plate (next photo-back side). Go all the way around, finishing where you started, having your thread next to your knot.

Take another shorter piece of thread, knotted, and stitch through the center, starting from the back side. Finish as above.

Pop the disk out, then gather the center stitches and secure with a tight knot. Grab the ends of the outer stitches and pull tight, adjusting your gathers as you go around. Pull out the petals when you're done, and again after securing your stitches. It will be small...the finished size is about 2 inches around.

Sorry about the color on this photo, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like. The yo-yo is much prettier, especially with a pearl in the center.

For Krissy's Eyes Only

2009-03-05T01:24:00.002-06:00

Since she finally asked how to find my blog when we were at work last night...well, Miss Krissy, this one's for you!

A little greeting from Elsa the tabby!

What is it?

2009-02-20T22:49:00.009-06:00

If you can guess what this is, I'll send you a little goodie!

I'll be heading down to the basement late tonight with Jason when he returns home from seeing "Coraline" with friend Ashley. Jeff and I stayed home and watched "Religulous" (liked it, although we thought it dragged a bit after the visit to "Holy Land Adventure."

Midnight class in Dyeing 101...maybe we'll be dunking what's in the photo.

Go ahead, give it a try -

WE HAVE A WINNER!!! Gabriela of Threadheadsanonymous guessed right...it is waffle muslin that we carry at Jo-Ann's (you can find it with the other muslins). I purchased a yard of this to see how it would take procion dyes. After I pre-washed it, all the little waffles disappeared as the weave tightened up. As soon as I put some color into it, I'll post the results...I'm very curious.

Gabriela...send me your address ~

Shisha 4

2009-02-02T21:19:00.004-06:00

The evolution of play. A larger mirror. Two colors of perle cotton around the mirror. Other stitches and some french knots. Reddish shell coins. Tropical floral cotton in the hoop.

Starting this coming Sunday, we will be displaying samplers for the upcoming art workshops at Emmanuel. This will be one of mine...it will be attached to something. Maybe a purse?

Bla-gone-jevich

2009-01-30T23:17:00.005-06:00

Now we can get this state working again...

Shisha 3 and Art at Emmanuel

2009-01-21T20:40:00.007-06:00

Well, I've moved up to a larger embroidery hoop and have started working with larger circle mirrors (like the one that didn't make it in the shot very well), and some small square mirrors. I didn't even think about the fact that those could present a challenge, so I just started with the anchor stitches the same way, then went around all the edges. On the corners, I put the needle in the fabric just to the left of a corner, then did it the same way just to the right of the corner. I finished with a few more fill-in stitches. I could now go back and do more fill-in, but I'm happy with how it looks. More texture, more dimension, yes...

On another note, our "Art at Emmanuel" group met this evening to brainstorm some upcoming events. We do have a trio of workshops already scheduled: encaustic collage, art from digital photography, and the shisha embroidery.

Our current exhibit, which is up until February 15th is called "Inner Passages." We are planning for the next exhibit which opens February 29th, and for our exhibit as part of Rockford's Spring Artscene, which will be in April. We got excited at the prospect of hosting an outdoor arts festival in July...

The First Couple

2009-01-21T01:42:00.004-06:00

I can't resist...aren't they cute?

Shisa 2 and the Kid

2009-01-16T00:09:00.011-06:00

It's been a challenge photographing the mirrors. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know...
I've now finished 12 of them for the denim vest, having added beads to these two. I like. The process is fun and easy, so it could make for a nice art workshop at Emmanuel before Lent, and have the participants create a few to be added to a piece that can be displayed at a future exhibit in our Celebration Gallery.

Jason's self-portrait in a 4-part stencil. Very nice and cool.

Did he shoot this himself? I found it on Picasa. I'll ask. I know he was bored yesterday because he cleaned his room. It's been so cold here that school was canceled, so that has put off the rest of his finals until next Tuesday. I think he's okay with that, since he has been rehearsing his monologue for Drama class.
UPDATE: he DID set the camera up himself...

Stay warm if you're cold, you know, cuddle up to someone nice, or the quilt you may be working on.

Shisha Embroidery

2009-01-12T01:25:00.010-06:00

Amazed 25 years ago when a co-worker embellished one of her Folkwear garments with shisha embroidery, I can't imagine why I waited so long to give it a try. There's this great tutorial on the process: Tutorial: Indian Shisha (mirror) Embroidery » Joyful Abode

I've done 8 of them so far and like most other hand work it's been very relaxing. Each one gets better looking. When I had the basic technique down, I found that I didn't like when the stitches were too close together and uniform (oh, there's one of those words that bug me). I experimented, still starting out with the basic technique, but letting go of having perfect stitches. If nothing else, I'll say that I love my mistakes, at least with the adventures in shisha embroidery. Fabrics with a looser weave, such as flannel, have worked better for me. My favorite threads, you ask? Laura's Artfabrik: Extraordinary hand dyed fabric and threads,
DMC #5 perle cottons, and I just picked up a couple of the "Watercolours" 3- ply cotton floss by CARON Collection Threads at our local stitchery shop. The mirrors are from Jo-Anns.

The photo with the striped fabric in the hoop are mirrors that I hope to embellish a denim vest with. Using one strand each of the Watercolous and DMC Perle has worked very well and is giving me the texture that I crave. My plans are to cut around each one, leaving enough fabric to gather to the backs of the mirrors. Plus, it's more fun sometimes, to look at your little creations when they're sitting in a pretty container just waiting to be incorporated into your artwork. Last fall when I altered those denim jackets (and they were popular), I of course, didn't do one for myself. Jason found the vest in his closet of all places, and now that I've lost some weight, it fits me well.

Congratulations, Susan Lenz

2009-01-11T01:15:00.001-06:00

CyberFyber is here! What an amazing exhibit that Susan Lenz has put together. You must check out the video...

CYBER FYBER VIDEOS: CYBER FYBER....The Exhibition

Happy Surreal Birthday to Me

2009-01-06T19:28:00.006-06:00

I turned 54 today. It has been a most surreal day so far. The doorbell rang this morning and a florist delivered this beautiful floral arrangement that was from my sister Sharon and hubby Bob in Minnesota. What a delight! Then...this afternoon when I went to move it, the container broke in my hand - yes there was a little blood. Jason rushed to mop up the water and pick up the glass and I was scurrying around trying to find a substitute bowl (it was shaped like a small fish bowl). After the mess was cleaned up, then I looked at my finger. Lots of blood, little cut. Whew! I'm sure I'll find some blood on the kitchen floor later. Strange.

Our beloved Heather had died earlier last year and we just hadn't given much thought to getting a new kitty. I was really missing her, so I thought since it was a new year and my birthday was soon approaching, I'd check out the local shelter. I fell in love with this sweetheart after she nuzzled up to my nose and checked my hair out. She's a black and brown tiger tabby with gorgeous markings and the shelter's vet said that she was about 3 years old. A stray who's owner did not come for her after being called. I guess the Avid Microchip is a good thing. When we got her home last night, she hid under the bathroom sink most of the night, coming out a few times to eat, bless the litter box and let us know she was there but still a little skittish. Okay, flash forward to this morning. We couldn't find her. My friend Bobbie said that their Linus hid out for 5 days before she made her presence known all the time. I was trying hard to think of that, but was panicked when I thought she might have sneaked out when Jason ran to get the school bus this morning. We all looked. Before I left the house today, I memorized how the pattern of the food in her bowl looked. Jason looked when he got home. No where to be found. Well, when I got home, I noticed the food in her dish looked different!!! Hurray - she was in the house! And where do you suspect she was hiding? Right where any quilter's cat should be...in the studio! Definately surreal.
11:30 pm. update: We have named her "Elsa" ~

My other sister Barb, who I haven't talked to in a very long time called. It felt good, boy was that needed.

To finish up my birthday story, I found out that 54 years ago, someone famous was born this day...are you ready for this? Mr. Bean. End of story.

Jason and his artwork

2008-12-30T19:21:00.013-06:00

I just finished a quilt for my grand-nephew, which was commissioned by his parents, so as soon as I get some photos after it has been hung, I'll share them with you. It's been quite awhile...it's been a challenging few months. Until I get going with my blog again, I'll show you what our son has been up to!

This past October for Rockford's Fall Artscene, he sold his first piece - it was a small collage called "Blue Monday" and had one of his great stencils on it of Kurt Vonnegut. Here's what's new (and a few things I found in one of his photo folders:

Sticker art - Jason's graffiti alphabet.

The "Seamster" - I gave him my old sewing machine and showed him how to make fleece socks.

The Nordic Batman - summer goofing around.

Painted Polaroid print of Jason and a few of his spray colors. Since he's 17 now, he can purchase spray paint without our consent.

His newest piece with 4 layers of stencils - titled "I Was a Teenage Feminist."

Collage - a stencil of Max (from the film "Pi") and an image from "Jurassic Park."

Bobby Darin with a side of Woody Allen.

Greenwich 2008

2008-09-21T18:32:00.003-05:00

Twice in a month? Here are some shots from the 60th Annual Greenwich Village Art Fair, sponsored by the Rockford Art Museum. It RAINED all weekend, but those die hard art enthusiasts always come out...I made sure to include a photo of the "Copper Passion" altered denim jacket that Carol Dean Sharpe was curious about ~

The last shot is of "Arusha," which I did finish this summer. If you check out a previous post, you can see how this one started out.

What's New

2008-09-07T21:36:00.003-05:00

I hope my friends haven't given up on me yet...

I'm in my last week of preparing for the 60th Annual Greenwich Art Fair, which is sponsored by the Rockford Art Museum. Since I stopped making my ruanas last year, I needed new inspiration for a cool garment. Here's what I came up with: Altered Denim Jackets. The one with the lace collar and cuffs was the first one I finished, and the slashed one is my favorite so far, with purple elements including novelty velvets, raw-edge applique and black oilstick on collar and cuffs. They each have lots of found objects, buttons and beads on them, and the backs are finished also.

I have two others finished, and the last one that's almost done is all about copper, of which I love. The interesting embellishment on that one is a deconstructed copper wind chime. I'll post a photo when "Copper Passion" is finished!

On the home front, we're still following the "almost vegan" lifestyle. I've lost 36 pounds, and now I'm only 12 pounds from NOT lying on my driver's license. For the first time in a long time, I can cross my legs, but now I know that it's not a good thing to do because of leg VEINS. Gee, just when hubby was loving the look of my crossed gams with painted toenails and my sexy wedge sandals.

It's good to be back. Hope YOU are doing well and participating in that artsy life. Leave me a comment, okay?

It's been too long

2008-06-19T13:04:00.007-05:00

Geesh! I don't know if I've ever gone this long without posting before - I haven't been in the studio alot this past month...

Self-imposed break from artistic endeavors? Switching gears, maybe. Actually, I've been in a funk. Don't know why.

We have another art exhibit coming up at Emmanuel soon and I wanted to have a new piece for it, so I've been working on this 18x18 inch quilt. I was inspired by work I saw at IQF-Chicago by Deidre Adams who stitches, then paints the surface of her quilts. I used wool batting for the first time (a sample from Hobbs), and while I'm not used to the puffy look, it quilted beautifully. It will be interesting seeing how the paint works out. I've done a few smaller pieces and was pleased with the results - great texture...

Next Friday night, we're hosting a "Ladies' Lock-In to Creativity" at Emmanuel and we're going to be creating small collages done on 5x5" canvasses. Jo-Ann's has these and they're in the 1.00 value bins, you just have to cover up the farm images pre-printed on them.

Lifestyle update: Still going strong, walking almost every day. Jeff's lost 26 pounds. I've lost 20. Favorite foods so far on the program: home made hummus, black bean salad, grilled tofu.

These shoes are made for walkin'

2008-05-12T13:36:00.004-05:00

I have to admit that these are my first pair of walkin' shoes...let me start at the beginning, okay?

A couple of months ago, Jeff started a lifestyle program called the Coronary Health Improvement Project
that is geared toward helping you change your eating habits and get you moving, so you can drop some weight and hopefully alter the amount of cholesterol, hypertension and type 2 diabetes meds that you are taking. Some participants have even gone completely off these meds.

Since he started on the program, he's lost 15 pounds and will be presenting his graduation papers with exciting new lipid, glucose and b/p readings to his doctor this week. We're hoping that the doc will be happy AND encouraging for once. If not, we'll be shopping for a new physician.

I, too, went on the program without going to the classes, and have lost 12 pounds. Finding clothes that I haven't worn in awhile (or never) feels good. It's also funny to watch people's facial expressions when they see you, but can't quite figure out what's changed about you. I just let them wonder, unless they ask...

Jason is embracing these changes too - he understands that what he eats at home is what we're eating. He can choose to eat other stuff when he's with his friends, but even this long-legged dancing machine noticed that he feels better and stronger when he's with the program. He started running a couple of weeks ago, and is getting ready for an audition with the Rockford Dance Company.

Those endorphins do come out of hiding, believe it or not, so if I don't go out walking every day now, I feel it. I haven't joined the early morning crowd yet, so I usually go out late in the afternoon, or in the early evening.

What you eat: lots of veggies and fruit, lots of beans, lots of whole grain products. The program recommends no meat, but we're doing the carnivore thing once or twice a week with fish, chicken, or turkey - no red meat at all. It's amazing how we're not missing or craving it. I've also stopped eating most chocolate because I realized that it was making me irritable, and it takes 3 days to get it out of my system. I do still make my home-made iced mochas with Nestle's chocolate syrup (no added corn syrup) and french roast coffee, however I have been cutting back on those, too...

Now, finally, for the shoes: I've have Chuck Taylor tennies and Ked's basic tennies, but never a pair of honest to goodness athletic shoes. My heels were starting to bother me, so my men gave me these shoes for Mother's Day. I'll be trying them out later today, after finishing the Trinity Banner.

Top Chef Producers

2008-05-08T14:31:00.003-05:00

Give me a break, you producers of Top Chef! You know, if you really wanted to surprise us, and be nice at the same time, you could get rid of the Dale chefs on the program. We're used to you keeping the 'pain in the *#s' people around, but c'mon...

Let's see - tantrum after the quick-fire because another chef beat him out with that ugly monkfish fileting and it was clear that a team player he was not during the wedding feast prep. Best of luck Dale running a five-star restaurant on your own, buddy.

So...I've put up with seeing alot of other wonderful chefs having to leave, but this one made me mad!!! I'm done watching this season. Don't care who wins. Nikki, I'll be rooting for you...

Trinity Banner update

2008-05-07T13:47:00.004-05:00

I've stitched down the crescent moon shapes, hand, and dove of the banner now, using just a straight stitch. This worked out so well, appliqueing the elements separately before stitching onto the background. It's really adding some wonderful dimension to the piece...and the anxiety level was diminished because I didn't have to satin stitch through all the layers.

I will need to stitch 2 more crosses though - when placing the banner up on the design wall, I realized that 9 was not going to be enough.

So often on work this size (30x45) or larger (read: not always in my comfort zone), I tend to freak just a little. I also get visits from the intuitive muse, where the outcome is usually so much better than my original design. Maybe it's because of the time I allow for these pieces. Maybe it's coming from a deeper spiritual place inside of me. I'm not at the point of gathering beads and other possible embellishments yet, but today I felt that bubble of glee rise up too.

I am bringing it in next Tuesday for a preview with Phyllis from church, who is head of the Altar Guild and commissioned it. It will be in memory of three women who were members of that committee. Nice...

Elements of the Banner

2008-05-04T21:27:00.005-05:00

The new banner that I am creating is for Trinity Sunday, May 18th.

The background is a brocade home dec fabric and all the appliques are silk dupioni. I am doing something different this time as far as the appliqueing goes. To start with, I did all the quilting on the 30x45 inch banner first. For the elements, I wanted to add more dimension, so I appliqued them onto batting with muslin underneath, basically stitching them separate from the base of the banner. When I finished doing the stitching, I put some fusing on the back, and then carefully cut around the edges leaving some of the batting showing. This made the appliques "pop" out very nicely, and on some of the elements, like a dove and the hand, I'll be embroidering design lines on them. The other elements are 9 purple crosses. I know where everything is going, but I'm still working out how I'll secure them to the banner after I fuse them down...

There will also be words: "In the Name of the Creator - In the Name of the Redeemer - In the Name of the Holy Spirit."

After chatting with art-friend Bobbie today, I have realized now that the copper silk for the hand is a bit dark, so I have since painted it with gold Lumiere paint, but left the copper threads along the edges alone.

I'll keep you posted as the deadline approaches...

Note: I tried the bamboo/cotton batting for the first time on this project, and I like it. When doing any hand stitching, it doesn't beard as much as other all cotton batting.

Sue V...congratulations!

2008-05-02T14:54:00.002-05:00

Hey, Sue V. - you were my 10,000th visitor - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Just let me know how to contact you by e-mail -

Thanks to everyone who stopped by - let's do it again when there's another milestone...

Coming Soon - the 10,000th Visitor

2008-04-30T14:00:00.006-05:00

That's right, everyone! I just checked my sitemeter, and I'm very close to having my 10,000th visitor. What that means, dear readers, is that one of you will have that very special honor, and that I will be honoring that very special visitor with a gift!!!
Now...I'm asking that you leave a comment, or as the lady in the pic says, "Spill it, Sister." Ooh, I wonder who will be the lucky visitor???

If you'd like to hear some music while reading, put your headphones on...I found Project Playlist - Social Music Experiment
on Sara Lechner's blog.

Leaving a comment is extremely important - it will be easier to locate you if you're that lucky visitor. No comment, almost impossible...

Prom 2008

2008-04-27T19:48:00.002-05:00

Jason and the lovely, talented Miss Catherine went to her prom last night. Here are a couple of shots that I took before they headed off with Catherine's mom. Aren't they cute?

What's New after the Blur

2008-04-21T09:59:00.004-05:00

Only spending about 30 some odd hours at IQF in Chicago made the whole experience a blur for me. Oh my god...
I went in with my dear friend Bobbie Walter, who did very well with all the craziness. My gig for Open Studios was a blast, the taping for Quilting Arts TV was surreal as I mentioned in my last post, and the shopping was okay. Knowing I had just a short time to shop, I prepared by listing the vendors that I was interested in. I'm not good with crowds (claustrophic), so I stay very focused on my path to product. The surprise find was the pattern for this bag that I finished over the weekend. I remember seeing it last year, but had run out of funds, so I couldn't buy it. It really is a great pattern because of the options for creativity. Here's the link: Square Rose - Designs that liberate the CREATIVE SPIRIT
Mine is the Triangle Bag!

Other highlights: of course, Karey's reception for the Quiltart and SAQA people was fun and yummy. That Texas super woman (who is now running for mayor of her community!) really knows how to throw a party...

I did announce at the reception that the SOST exhibit was ready and that I had the CDs to prove it...handed out a few, too!

The SAQA exhibits! Oh my, they were incredible!

At least a couple of times during my Open Studios segments, I had crowds around, checking out my technique for marbling on fabric with acrylics and shaving cream. There were a few ladies who questioned why I let everything dry on the cloth and then scrape the excess off. I don't know why, it's just how I do it.

I'm afraid my photos were few. Please, please check out the other artists' sites from the MIU page: Make It University™ with Cloth Paper Scissors®

Finally, here's what's new...I'm working on another banner for Emmanuel. It is for Trinity Sunday on May 18 - check back for photos on the process, okay?
Announcement...I have another solo exhibit coming up in June at the Unitarian Church here in Rockford. My thoughts right now for this exhibit are creating a series with poetry. I finished my first one for the QA/TV taping with words from Rumi on it.

That's all for now.

My Favorite Photo

2008-04-14T09:44:00.003-05:00

Surreal? You bet! My friend Bobbie took this shot after my taping for Quilting Arts TV...

More info and photos later. Back to work today and oh, there is that little matter of finishing the taxes -

SOST

2008-04-02T23:10:00.005-05:00

Also known as "The Sisterhood of the Sagging T- ts," we are 25 strong women who celebrate what we have inherited. We're not always sure of how we inherited the phenomenon of "goin' south," but hey, we don't need to know everything! Guess how we decided to celebrate together?

SOST is also the name of a brand new art quilt exhibit of 25 works that are available to show. As the mom, I have put together CDs of the images and will have them at the IQF-Chicago to hand out to anyone who might be interested in showing our exhibit.

If I don't see you at the festival, just send me an e-mail!

We are actively seeking venues!!!

p.s. I'm not afraid to spell the "T" word out, I'm just trying to avoid any seedy blog comments.

The Last Sampler for MIU?

2008-03-20T13:24:00.004-05:00

A definate work in progress, this 12x12 quilt will be the last sampler I finish before the Chicago Quilt Festival.

Not sure why I stitched a piece of white (with tiny black circles) fabric to the golden yellow piece for the background. Maybe it had something to do with taking a walk on the wild side the other evening.

Let's see...let me tell you what happened right before I started this: I took Jason out driving for the first time!!! Oh, yes - that's what did it. I figured that if I could handle that one, why not challenge myself with a background that I normally would not start with?

The hand is from one of my hand carved stamps. It has always been one of my favorites.

Well, Fed Ex just came...ooh, there's some of those new Tee Juice markers in the box...hmmmm ~

More Samplers for Open Studios

2008-03-17T13:34:00.002-05:00

I've been playing with the newest stamp that I've carved. What I've realized by leaving the 4x6 inch block (Mastercarve) intact along all the edges and just carving a design inside, is that this size is perfect for postcards. Think of the possibilities...

Okay, so no postcards here, but I have used the same stamp for these three pieces. The first and third are samplers and the one in the middle is a notebook with pockets inside, one which holds a small legal pad and pen.

Those who can't dye because of the weather, paint! And that's what I've been doing alot of, getting ready for the Open Studios this year. I'm excited because I have something new to share with those who come to visit
Make It University™ with Cloth Paper Scissors®

Thanks for the link, CPS...

Open Studios 2008

2008-03-12T10:24:00.006-05:00

I'll be participating in Make It University™ with Cloth Paper Scissors®
Open Studios again this year at the IQF-Chicago!
Click on the link to see who else is coming...

"Creating Texture for Mixed Media Artwork" will be the focus of my time there, working on fun, surface design techniques on fabric and paper that are perfect for small applications Monoprinting, marbling, stamping, and more...

Life Comes at You Fast

2008-03-07T11:18:00.003-06:00

You know that, don't you?

Let's see...car problems x 2 with same car in the shop in a matter of 3 days ~
Monday, March 10th update - both cars had to have their front tires replaced because of the horrible pot-holed streets here in Rockford. Like I told my friend..."I'll put supper in the oven, there's a chocolate cake mix in the cabinet, and I'm not coming out of the house until June" (or at least for the Chicago Quilt Festival)...

Our beloved kitty died, and suffice it to say that her body is wrapped in a shroud of cloth in her carrier out in our shed in the back yard. The ground is too frozen to bury her, so we're going to try (I know, it sounds really weird) to warm up the earth just enough by setting a bag of charcoal ablaze on the ground, then we'll dig.

Computer started acting funny. In the hand of the local tech dudes, aka Papa Chips. Guess where I am right now...at the library.

Because of my recent long-lasting illness, this fat little goddess of out of the box textile stuff has been challenged with a lower back has been sending me messages that it's not happy. Seems I can stand or lie down with no problems, but as soon as I sit for more than 5 minutes, this stinging and burning pain hits me. It's worse when I'm driving. Help me, Lord, I am so done with doctors, I don't want to go and see the orthopedic guy who will just tell me it's because I'm fat. Geesh, I know that...

Okay, enough with the crap. I do have some good news to share...I will be one of the fabulous artists participating in the Cloth, Paper, Scissors "Open Studios at MIU" again this year. It was a blast in 2007! Will write more when the tech dudes tell me it's okay, and Jason has everything hooked up...

See ya!

Too Close to Home

2008-02-15T08:02:00.003-06:00

The shootings at Northern Illinois University were too close to home. I am saddened by all the horror that has occurred on campuses, but today it was too much.

While watching our local news this morning, they were running news blurbs on the bottom of the screen with emergency phone numbers. I guess seeing the same area code as ours here in Rockford was a wake up call. Some of the students wounded were airlifted to our hospitals here. Youth from our church attend NIU. My niece graduated from there last year.

It is now scaring me because Jason will be attending a college or university in 2 years. My only child will be leaving home. After the Virginia Tech shootings, our school district hosted emergency preparedness workshops for administrators and teachers. It was his project to go to these workshops and videotape them for the district. Some of the things he heard were too much for him.

Is my age showing now? I don't ever remember having police officers on duty in the schools. There wasn't a need to have security guards at the entrances. What is causing all this?

Congratulations, Cathy!

2008-02-13T09:23:00.010-06:00

Dateline, Thursday:

I PUT EVERYONE'S NAMES IN A HAT, OKAY, IT WAS A BASKET...THE WINNER IS..... CATHY VIGOR OF Threads

Second chance there is, you know: check out the previous post with the mixed media notecard. Answer the question first - you win!

From Wednesday:
Thanks to Pamela Rice of Quilts N More for the info...I didn't make the deadline to sign up, but I'll give this beauty away anyway, okay?
Just leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address...I'll draw a name from everyone who has posted a comment, and on Valentine's Day (tomorrow), I'll let you know who's the lucky winner of this piece: It's a 6x6 collage with stamped and embossed Lutradur, commercial cotton, the leaf image is from one of my hand carved stamps frottaged with a copper painstick, beads and embroidery floss.

Giveaways and Gallery part 3

2008-02-13T07:37:00.008-06:00

I wished I had known about the "One World, One Heart" project earlier...oh, well -

Today I am offering this mixed media notecard as a gift to the first person who answers this question:

"Who are The Three J's?"

Here's what's new in the gallery - the piece I created for my article published in Cloth, Paper, Scissors last spring: Julaine's Gallery of Artful Adventures

I hope everyone has a love-filled Valentine's Day...

HELP

2008-01-31T18:10:00.001-06:00

Is there anyone out there who would like to support this artist for one year? Let me know, I work cheap...

I would love to take a year off and create, create, create.

Giveaways and Gallery part 2

2008-01-23T15:20:00.002-06:00

Here we have another postcard for "Giveaways and Gallery" ~

I've just added some newer work to my gallery blog, so please do check it out!

The question for today:
"What's my favorite product to use in discharging fabrics?"

Be the first to answer correctly, and I'll send this beauty out to you...

WE HAVE A WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS, DONATA ...

Keep in touch...there's more to come ~

Need a hint? Look at my posts from May 2007!

Giveaways and Gallery

2008-01-22T17:27:00.000-06:00

Announcing something new! I am in the process of photographing some of my most recent works that will be added to my gallery:
Julaine's Gallery of Artful Adventures

In the meantime, here's an opportunity for readers to receive one of my fiber postcards ~

Be the first person to answer this trivia question, and I'll send it out to you...ready? This one will take a little detective work.

"My quilt, "Goodnight, Irene" was juried into one of the "I Remember Mama" exhibits for IQF. Which year did it premiere in Houston...first, second, or third?"
WE HAVE A WINNER...CONGRATULATIONS, JOANNA!

Visit again...I'll have another postcard, and another question ~

Be sure to visit again this week, I'll be posting another postcard and will have another question!

Good luck!

A Reason to Get Up Earlier on Saturday Mornings

2008-01-02T02:15:00.000-06:00

I found the listing! I guess the Chicago PBS station won't be airing it, but I did find it listed for the Madison station: Quilting Arts TV on Wisconsin Public Television

It airs this coming Saturday at 9:30 am. - I now have a reason to get up a bit earlier that day.

Hope you can find it on your local station -

2008

2008-01-01T23:48:00.001-06:00

Here we see Jason, the child with brave feet, willing to pose for a photo after the three of us danced around the Birch tree in our front yard to celebrate the birth of the new year...

We were barefoot - we laughed - we screamed in pain - then the numbness set in and Julaine almost peed her pants...

Had to have some proof of this family's new, new years' ritual and the little boy was the only one brave enough to go out there again! If you happen to click on the photo for a another look, you'll see that he appears to be wearing some strange eyeglasses from the 70's, but alas, it's really only Mom's attempt to remove the dreaded red eye.

It's a good thing (M.S. once said) that it wasn't a full moon, or we would have had to howl too, and do it naked. Oh well, there's always hope for 2009.

Lime Booties

2007-12-30T04:26:00.001-06:00

My third pair. Jason saw a solid teal fleece in my remnant pile, and I couldn't convince him that one color would be boring. Boring to make, no imagination whatsoever, no photos. He loves them anyway.

This wild lime pair will be a gift for a dear friend...

Fleece Booties

2007-12-28T14:42:00.001-06:00

for me...

I couldn't believe the amount of fleece that I cut for guests at the Jo-Ann's that I work at...tie blankets, ad nauseum...I think I was the only person in Rockford not making them for Christmas gifts! Nevertheless, I was drawn to a few remnants of the fuzzy-poly stuff...

I had received a pair of booties last year, so I decided to take one apart and make a pattern. Had to put my own spin on it, of course - floral for the sock and polka dots for the cuff...silk rosettes added for that all important embellishment ~

An early birthday gift for myself, or I needed something new for the tootsies. Or...it's just that I needed a diversion from the "hurry up and wait" syndrome that has been my life- I haven't heard the results from my CT scan. I've had a couple more episodes that could be related to more TIAs and I refuse to go to the ER again. The cardiologist's nurse told me, "next time get to the hospital asap." But unless you're gushing blood (well, I'm sure you can fill in the blanks).

Quilting Arts Blog

2007-12-20T02:19:00.000-06:00

My notebook is on the...
Quilting Arts Blog
What a nice surprise at 2:oo in the morning! Thanks, Pokey...

Holiday Eating Tips

2007-12-20T01:43:00.000-06:00

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

3. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

4. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

5. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

6. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

7. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

7. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

9. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!"