Studio Journal Course

I received the supply list for Sharon B's studio journal class through Joggles. Ooh, one more thing to do. At the Cirque, I purchased The Spark: Igniting the Creative Fire That Lives Within Us All. One thing mentioned is that deadlines feed our creativity. When we are pushed to the wall time-wise, it forces our mind to come up with alternate solutions to problems. From experience, I know this is true. I wrote a novel in two months because I had a deadline. Editing is harder as there isn't the deadline to work under.

Initially, I signed up for the Take It Further challenge to give myself art deadlines. I wanted the same intense need to be creative in the visual field. Although I've done the projects each month, some haven't seemed very creative to me, so I signed up for the Studio Journal class.

Unfortunately, I'd managed to pull a Scarlet O'Hara and put off thinking about it until tomorrow. Now I need to find ways to amalgamate some of my projects. My black and white entry can also work as my roosting robin challenge. Work from the journal class will give me sketches to work from for the TIF challenge (something I desperately need). I've also joined a local group to work through Jane Davila's book. Ah well, what's one more thing?

Here's where June's TIF is at. Does it need anything else, or should I just quilt it? Any earthshaking suggestions for quilting? I'm thinking maybe a fashion photo like on a pattern cover, and maybe scissors and measuring tape. Feel free to discuss.

Corteo

One more sleep! Woo hoo :-}

The Strength of Love

I decided to do my piece for the Breaking Traditions show early (so I have more time for other projects). The photos are taken by my youngest daughter sporkiee.deviantart.com (used with permission). She took pictures of her older sister and her boyfriend. I overlaid the two photos using Photoshop and printed them on fabric. The borders are rust dyed fabric. I wanted to use rusty washers, but instead used stone beads that look somewhat rusty.

A Bit of This, A Bit of That

I finished the first section on my Exquisite Corpse (well probably, I'm letting it sit on my design wall today just to make sure). And that is all I will mention--no hints, no clues and definitely no pictures. What, you wanted me to wreck Christmas?

I worked a bit on my quilt for the Breaking Traditions challenge. I've almost got it quilted. There are two small sections with rust dyed fabric I wasn't sure how to quilt. I had one of those ah ha moments. I thought rusty washers attached to the surface in those two sections would be perfect. I tramped over to Canadian Tire to peruse their washers. Galvanized steel. Stainless steel. Zinc. Hum. Don't think any of those will rust for me. I bought a couple packages anyway, and put them in a dish with some water. This morning, pristine and beautiful still. So I threw some fabric and nails on top and will rust dye some more fabric instead.

And I got bored. So I turned this:


Into this:

Stories That Are (Possible).

Does anyone else see how the TIF challenges dovetail together? The month I did my SpiroFloral quilt, I didn't like it. I would look at it from across the room, and it had no visual impact. Trying to pull the viewer in, I took something that worked and made something that didn't.

The following month, the challenge was on details. I so wanted to flip the two challenges. If I'd thought of the SpiroFloral in terms of details, I would have left it alone and had a stronger piece as a result.

Last month, the question was "what do you call yourself and why?" I write, that is one of the things that I've been doing almost to distraction since the end of last year after NaNo, but it didn't work with the art idea. Stories on a page, hum how to make that into fabric. Couldn't wrap my head around it, so did something completely unrelated.

And this months challenge: think about stories that are and stories that are possible. Hum, isn't that what a writer does? We create possible stories out of nothing but words. If you want a glimpse of my thoughts on writing, I've created a blog just for that. I might take part of my novel and adhere it to fabric, quilting over it. Or I might not.

I also recently joined a round robin group called Exquisite Corpses. We all played the game as a kid, but if you are like me, didn't know there was a name for it. Do you remember drawing something on a piece of paper, folding it over so only a few lines showed and passing it to the next person? What started as a giraffe ended as a kangaroo, creating a girroo. Or something. Maybe a kangaraffe. Because of the rules in this challenge, I can't say what I'm working on. So that is a story that is and a story that is possible. Once I send it on to the next person, who knows what will become of the concept rattling around in my head.

So I have a number of possibilities. Semi-related--I have a start on my piece for the Breaking Traditions challenge. I'm rust dying a piece of fabric for the backing, then it will be quilted and sent off. Early, but done. That piece is all about a story that is and a story that could be, so it could work. Ooh, killing two birds with one stone, now there's a concept. Now to settle on an idea and run with it. Maybe I'll even like it this time.

Just in Time

What do I call myself? I still don't know. I know I'm creative, passionate and energetic. I love to push my own boundaries. The last couple of months, I've been extremely bored. During that time, I made a wedding dress for my daughter. The dress itself is beautiful, and took alterations from the pattern, but no originality. Hence, I think, the boredom. Everything I made looked ugly to me. The reality--I was bored. Bored, bored, bored.

I get cranky when I'm bored. Yeah, I know you noticed. Some of those blog posts were brutal. I also find the line between creation and obligation thins and what I'm creating no longer has that personal love behind it. I think that at times like these, the much maligned word craft is very important here. Craft (I'm not meaning toilet paper covers here, but honing of skills) speaks to me of love, intensity, stretching our abilities to perfection. It speaks of time, and labour.

I decided out of my boredom, just to make something that didn't necessarily fit inside any rules or boundaries. It doesn't really fit the May TIF as it doesn't define who I am (not that I can any way), and doesn't quite fit the colour scheme. But it does fit the idea of taking things further. I used an art theory textbook from my art school days. The problem given was: "...create four interesting line patterns. One should be composed of vertical and horizontal lines only, one of diagonal lines, one of curved lines, and one of a combination of lines in all direction. Vary the length, thickness, spacing, and colour of the lines so as to make the pattern interesting." (Art Fundamentals Theory and Practice by Ocvirk, Bone, Stinson and Wigg Third Edition)


As you can see, I didn't do three of the four patterns, and in mine, didn't add any vertical or horizontal lines, but it got me creating something again, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I've also started my piece for the Breaking Tradition challenge, signed up for a round robin group, joined a group to work through an art quilt book, signed up with stitching fingers and have been working like crazy on editing my NaNo. All the way up to chapter five in my editing, not that that is very far in the grand scheme of things, but it is progress.

I'm not feeling quite so bored now. More oh shit, what have I done? Can I do all this? But hey I always did like a challenge. As my granddaughter would say "bring it on."

An idea

I can't seem to figure out anything for the May TIF challenge. I started a piece, but don't like it at all. I haven't worked on anything since. There was the whole wedding thing this weekend, so that took up time. But I haven't felt very focused lately, so haven't had any luck with the creative process.

I took out my March TIF and changed a few things (but not enough to make me happy with it yet), but that still wasn't what it. So I went back to the drawing board, so to speak.

I have this art theory book (Art Fundaments--Theory and Practice by Ocvik, Bone, Stinson and Wigg). There are exercises in form, line, shape etc. This book has given me the impetus to try experimenting with things with no obligation to make 'art'.

The exercise I chose was one where you were to use horizontal, vertical, diagonal and circular lines. The intention was to create four different pieces, but I only did one, and chose not to use horizontal lines as they didn't seem to work (although I'll probably add them yet--maybe when I quilt it.)

So here is a potential start on the May TIF (almost the right colours too).

Of Weddings

Well, what a beautiful wedding. Here it is in photos.

The Grooms party:


The Bridesmaids (youngest daughter on the far right):

The flower girls (granddaughter is on the right):


The Bride (sorry about the ex in the picture, but what are you going to do):


And exchanging vows:


And dancing:



At the end, we were all pretty tired (but happy).



Now back to regularly scheduled programing. Hopefully I still have time to put something together for the May TIF challenge. I can use the dress, after all I am a seamstress too.

What Do I Call Myself?

This month, the challenge question is "what do you call yourself and why?" Hum, good question. Thinking back, I've never used labels to define myself. I have grown kids, was once a wife, create stuff that might be termed art (but might not) write and tango. But those aren't terms I use to define myself. At one time, I did cross stitch, I've knit and crocheted, sewed and I quilt. I read copious amounts of books across multiple genres depending on my mood and what strikes my fancy. I guess if I had to use any term to define myself, it would be multi-faceted or maybe diverse.

Ruminating on this more, I would tend to think of what I do more at the craft end of things than the art end. Craft speaks of intense labour, honing of skills, time and love. Art is often lofty, holier somehow, what I work toward. Craft is the step toward art (in any form). In my writing, I hone words to create a certain lyricism. In quilting, I've spent hours in free motion quilting honing skills that I wouldn't otherwise have. Writers have it easier. We are told to spend the hours necessary to hone our craft, and there is no shame in doing so; to be published, this is necessary. An author is just a published writer. At one time, would this same have held true for artists? If you create, spend time labour or love on any project, that is craft. If you have cash in the pocket, you are an artist.

I have unfinished cross stitch projects, left over yarn from my knitting days, paints and pastels, and fabric in my stash of stuff, and I also have a novel in the process of editing. I like the term diverse, so this month I would like to find a way to incorporate everything I've tried and where it has brought me.

Bored (or Boring)

Looking back over some of my recent quilt attempts, I've realized that they are pretty boring. I need to do something about that. So in the interest of growth, any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

Coffee Consumption

I've decided to stop drinking coffee. Yesterday, I came across a link for our sustainability in the world. It is a quick little game that asks you questions about the size of your home, the amount you drive etc. I wasn't doing too badly until I reached the question about food. I had no idea that coffee is the second largest import into America after gasoline. Wow. It would take 4.5 acres to support the amount of coffee I drink. Ouch. OMG, that is horrible. So yesterday I decided to quit drinking coffee.

Embellisher talks about our urgent need to change to avert climate change. Maybe this one small thing I do will help.

Final Thoughts on Change

There is a song by One Republic that sums up this month's challenge for me. Part of the lyrics to Stop and Stare say:

"Stop and stare
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be"
One Republic 2007

I was something I couldn't be. I could see where I wanted to be, but not how to get there, partly because I didn't know where I was. Blogging this month about change helped me identify what was missing. The harder I tried, the more resistant to change I became. Deep down inside, I knew that and changed my focus for the year. It helped, but not enough. Now to buck up, let go and move on.

p.s. Sorry I've come across as so grumpy--that is what happens when you resist changes that are necessary in your life!

Tango Bliss

Young, lived eight months in Argentina, where he learned to dance, disassociation, beautiful lead. Ah, bliss. Too bad he lives in Alaska.

Not Quite a Zipper

I should have sewn the zipper into my daughter's wedding dress. But rather than hand sew an invisible zipper into her dress, I chose to hand sew beads to a quilt. Don't ask me to explain my logic (because there isn't any).



My daughter thinking I should flip it so the light green is at the top. Any suggestions? It means I have to resew the tree-like shape on so it has the right orientation, but that is easy to do.


I had so much fun that I bought yellow, red and blue beads to add to my quilt for the April TIF. So this weekend, I need to read and make comments on two stories for my writer's group, finish the wedding dress and get the quilting done on the April project so I have time to sew on the beads. Yep, too much to do again.

What Not to Say

Yesterday I helped Richard teach another tango class at the community centre. Most of the women taking the class know absolutely nothing about dancing. They are eager and keen learners. One lady commented that she likes our teaching. She said that Richard tells them how to do a move, and I tell them why to move a certain way. As I explained how ochos work and about disassociation, she eagerly tried to put into practice the concept.

Another woman had a hard time understanding how to pivot on the ocho. She would step behind herself before turning, twisting herself into funny shapes. But she tried to understand why it wasn't working and would stop me over and over again for help, a look of pleasure on her face each time she got it right.

Then there was the "I can't". OMG, these are two words that should never be spoken by an adult. Like most follows, she stepped diagonally after the pivot, so I tried to work with her so she would step straight after the pivot. And her response: "I can't." She claimed that pivoting put too much pressure on her hips so she couldn't do what I asked. Except for one small point--she was already doing the pivot.

Here's my question, if you don't want to learn, why are you taking lessons? Why not just stay at home, or do something else. If you say to say to a teacher "I can't", there is no longer any room for teaching. It is unfortunate when we close ourselves off from learning. Learning is part of growth.

After my last post, I realized that still I wasn't embracing change and growth the way I normally would. It has been a long road back from the brink, but like Muza commented: "From now on you should be able to weather all changes that will come in your life." And she's right. A willingness to embrace change gives us the strength we need to weather them.

More Thoughts on Change

I've been thinking more about the concept of change and what it entails. I think the core of the question (thanks Juanita for reminding me of this) is how resilient we are. Everyone goes through change, some more than others. Sudden change tests our internal resolve, the very resilience of our beings.

Several years ago, I was tested almost to the breaking. That was the year my youngest was run over by a truck, my grandfather died, I separated and my middle daughter attempted suicide. Thankfully both girls survived, but it was an intensely stressful year. I'd always thought of myself as extremely resilient until then. Almost loosing two of my daughters in one years was the worst thing I've ever endured. But we all survived.

Right now, I don't want to go through any more changes in my life. I don't want my resilience tested again. I might not have enough left. Although I know if it comes right down to it, I'd survive again. I've done it before and will find the reserves deep inside myself to do it again.

Here is the start of my April TIF piece. The springboard was menopause, another large change in my life, but one I don't mind. I'll let this sit a bit before I start to quilt it--just to see if I need to change anything first.

Insulted?

A friend showed up unexpectedly at tango last night. She'd missed the last ferry back to Salt Spring, so came dancing. I offered her my couch to crash on, and we were discussing sleeping garments--can't let the poor woman sleep in her clothes after all. But, I don't think I own a nightie, or flannel jammies or well anything of that nature. I admitted I sleep in sweat pants and a fleece sweatshirt. Ooh, the images of sexiness that must provoke.

Another friend looked at me in shock, surprised I didn't own a night gown. She obviously had images of frills, lace, satin maybe. Where did she get that idea? So I asked and was told that she thought I was a 'girly girl'. Gasp. OMG, no. Not that!

"What gave you that impression?" I asked her in remarkable confusion. Girly girl? Me?

"Well, you know. The clothes. The shoes. The curves." Can't argue the curves. Or the shoes for that matter. But that makes me a... no, I can't say it again. It is just too horrible for words. I'd rather climb a tree than figure out how to put on make-up. Yep, I quilt and know how to bake extremely well, but I am not one of those. Exact opposite really.

Garbage Goddess

I was thinking of entering the "Go Green" challenge in Quilting Arts. I rummaged in my garbage can and came up with this:





















I've gotten permission to use the image in the quilt, so just need to do a write up and ship it off. It might be small, but is the first quilt contest I've entered. Rather exciting!

The Change

I figured out what to do for the TIF April challenge. In the end it was one of those duh moments brought on by yet another you guessed it--hot flash! Hah, here I sit, going through 'the change' and and it was right in front of me all along. My initial idea had to do with emotion more than anything. This will work with my initial concept. Watch this space, you'll see what I mean as I go along! Hopefully it will work the way I envision. The last two haven't, so we'll see.

Change (Will Do You Good)

Our challenge for this month is "how do you see change?" I have a love/hate relationship with change. There are two types of change that we can encounter in our lives. The first is much easier to deal with. These are the changes we initiate ourselves. We decide what to do, how and when. These are life events that we have a measure of control over. How we cope is often easier as we've weighed the pros and cons carefully before embarking on the 'adventure'.

The second change we encounter is the true measure of how we deal with change, and is the deeper, harder version. This is the version life itself throws at you--the kind with grief attached as we learn to deal with losses or unexpected change. Sudden death or unforeseen accidents bring change that is often unwelcome, always unanticipated, and therefore can be harder to deal with.

My life started on a note of change. My family had very recently gone through the death of both my dad and his father in an accident. The tragic accident occurred only three months before I was born, so I grew up with the knowledge that change is inevitable. To emphasize the point, I lost my mother in another tragic accident shortly before my fourteenth birthday. So I'm no stranger to change. That is where the hate part of the relationship comes in. I hate these kinds of changes. I'm a Scorpio. I love intensely and deeply, and the loss of those I love cuts like a knife. It is all part of change, the seasons of life etc, but I still deeply miss those I love.

Sharon's challenge strikes me as one of life's little ironies. I'd been thinking of this topic since Saturday when I was propositioned by a fellow I've known for a couple of years. His 'request' caught me rather off guard, so I waffled. Sensing it, he told me he wouldn't ask me again if I said no. Hum, blackmail. That never works with me. I'll dig in my heels instead. Which is what happened. Should have been the end of that, but instead, I found myself wondering what would have happened if I'd made that 'change' in my status of happily single and let him come home with me instead.

Frustrated with myself (partly because I'd said no and couldn't decide if it was only a fear of change), I decided to get a hair cut. Well, I really only wanted a trim--I'm rather attached to my long red hair--so specified that the length wasn't to be trifled with. And came home in tears with shoulder length hair. OMG six inches! That was when I read Sharon's posting on change. Guess sometimes I handle change with equanimity. Some times, it is a bit more challenging. I almost decided to do a quilt with six inches of symbolic red curls, but maybe not. After all, it is only hair and will grow back.