Beginnings and Moving on

I started Drawing I at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts with Staci Offutt. A wonderful class. We are fortunate it is very small only 4 of us. Staci is helping me to see. Drawing a skill to practice so with that in mind........

My studio is on the third floor. What did I find in my fabric stash? Acorns not once, not twice, but three times. I became suspicious.

And then the scurrying noises. Last year we were told mice, this year we're thinking something bigger.

We called the trapper: Squirrels

The lone squirrel now relocated. From Squirrel Hill to?

We thought there were millions of them. Stay tuned.

Protest Series #8?

I'm not sure if this is part of the Protest Series or not. Inspired by the Sly and the Family Stone song Everybody is a Star. Many of the lyrics are protest in nature but the song and this quilt are celebratory.

"'Til the sun that loves you proud
When the system tries to bring you down
Every hand to shine tonight
You don't need darkness to do what you think is right"

Thinking about the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and acceptance of all regardless of orientation to marry or unite through civil unions.

I'm not much for blue so this color palette is unusual for me but I had great fun with the collage. I have had the romance fabric for some time and finally inspiration struck.

I haven't beaded for some time it is very soothing. This quilt rather pleases me nice to be commenting on something in a positive and celebratory way.

Mighty Grip

I am working on a piece composed of recycled rubber pads the type you open jars with. I recently scored Mighty Mouse (one of my personal favs) fabric on ebay. Walked by my stash and saw McDonalds fabric and an idea was born. I have been thinking about creating a piece about fast food.

This is the lay out on the design wall.

This is it's first incarnation. It is a work in progress. Today I submitted it to the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh for the members show Recycle, no dice but I haven't fully worked out how to install it which didn't make it easy to be juried and I have another idea brewing for presentation which would sort of kick it up a notch.

Here is a wonky close up.

I almost didn't submit it because it doesn't feel complete but possibly complete. It was a quandry. However I do think it's important to support our guild and submit to shows and see everyone.

It's going to be a great show some of my favs are in it. Recycle opens November 19 at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

The place to shop for all of your needs.

This past summer we headed west instead of east, to Bend, Oregon. So different from Maine our usual summer trip. The high desert is something to behold and experience. I have never been in so much sun before. But I think one of the high points of the trip was the Newport Market. Oh do I wish we had this market to shop for food and more. The shop was truly a stage and what decoration.

Who better to keep an eye on the bananas?

Eye candy!

Plain and peanut.

And jelly beans.

The Right Tool for the Job

The crop-a-dile. Who knew? Going through all kinds of craziness over eyelets. Where do you get them? How do you make the eyelet holes? How not to distort the surface and so on and sew on.

I am back to chains and a break from red white and blue.

I've been kicking around a number of ideas about a response to the growing concern of obesity in children in this country well not just children. Like all problems it is not simple. Answer: Mighty mouse will save the day.

Also working through some issues about how it will hang. Stay tuned..........

Portland Inspiration

We are back from vacation to Portland, Oregon for just a couple of nights and then onto Bend.

Portland has a wonderful creative vibe that started as soon as we stepped off the plane. Unfortunately due to time and number of people about I don't have proper recognition for each outfit but OMG too divine.

This outfit made of plastic cutlery, brilliant.

This dress is made from window blinds.

This my personal favorite is composed of Crown Royal liquor bags. Fabulous. Sadly my photography skills are poor and so the flash.

This dress used coffee filters.....

Finally, kitty litter bags.

Simply inspired.