It has been a while since I posted anything finished. There is a lot of “in progress” going on in my studio. Today we meet a little girl fox in a very nice green linen coat.
The collar and pockets are rough weave (raw) silk. Her dress is a lovely Liberty cotton lawn.
Here is a close-up of the back of the dress.
and here are way too many photos!
We were on an island in the middle of a lake in New Hampshire.
There were mushrooms and assorted fungi everywhere. I’ve restrained myself and am only posting a few of my pics.
There was music and art making.
I worked with 2 people on Tiny Worlds and we had loads of fun. How amazing are these?!
After my class, I was able to sit in on some of the other classes. The other teachers were amazing. I made a diorama with Rachel Blumberg.
It is a wish altar in a transformed cigar box. I cover the outside with birch bark.
I took an encaustic class with Susan Schwake. I didn’t love it so I’m not showing. I’m vain like that ;) And on the last full day, Saturday, I painted on the beach with Mati Rose and a wonderful creative group of fellow retreaters. Sigh. Paradise!
That is my painting at the bottom. Here is what I brought home. I might work on it a little more.
The retreat was wonderful. I let myself play with unfamiliar materials and get involved in projects that aren’t part of my “biz”. I never have time for that when I’m home. I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out and I can go back next year! Here is the info from this year if you are curious.
I have a bit of a problem when I teach in venues other than my own house. Other places have other tools and when I use them, I want them.
The latest is from the San Francisco trip- that rotary cutter in the pic-
I know, it looks like a regular rotary cutter. I have a drawer full. But, it is different because it is pressure sensitive- which translates to- there is not a blade cover that you retract but the blade slips down when you press it to the fabric. My problem/frustration with rotary cutters has been that when I am cutting up against a ruler, which is pretty much how I always use them, the retracted blade cover rubs up against the ruler and moves it. Gah! I am sure other people have figured out how to work this out but I never have. This cutter works perfectly for me! It seemed like a miracle when I tried out Sonya‘s at the Tiny World class.
I bought the Omnigrid 45mm Rotary Cutter Omnigrid 45mm Rotary Cutter
but it looks like Dritz 45mm Rotary Cutter is one too.
That wasn’t all though. Someone brought an embroidery book to class. It is pretty, clearly illustrated, fun to look at, (out of print :-( so sad), and I decided I need my own copy to bring to classes.
Stitch Sampler: The Ultimate Visual Dictionary to Over 200 Classic Stitches
After teaching at Gather Here back in January, I bought myself the Gingher 8-Inch Featherweight Dressmaker Shears which I absolutely love, and a white (actually sort of translucent) self-healing cutting mat. Working on a colored surface was affecting my color perceptions- not a good thing. Anyway, I think I am seeing a dangerous pattern here!
Tomorrow I am off to Art Camp- see you after the weekend!
There is so much going on that I haven’t had time to post a schedule!
Next week I will be in New Hampshire for the Art Retreat Camp. I’ll be teaching the Tiny Worlds and having some fun art-making too. I am so excited.
September is when things really get busy. I will be in Chicago for the Renegade Craft Market, September 7 and 8. Last years’ booth-
Then, September 21, I am teaching a one-day workshop at The New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA. More Tiny Worlds. I will be back there on November 2 to teach the Swaddled Baby.
*update- direct link to workshop sign-up.
The following weekend, September 28 and 29, I will be in Washington DC for my first time at Crafty Bastards!
There are other exciting plans in the works that I’ll be able to tell you about soon. It is sooo busy around here! Besides talking on the phone about future possibilities, filling out show applications, reading business emails and all that other boring stuff, I am getting some studio time. I hope to do some dyeing of tattooed people fabrics before I leave on Wednesday. Full steam ahead!
A new batch of fish for August-
The top one is made from an old Hudson Bay blanket. Love that!
And one more scale shot-
The trip to San Francisco was a ton of work, exhausting but also exhilarating! I get very nervous beforehand so when things go well I get extra charged up.
Wednesday was our travel day. We stayed in an Airbnb which was walking distance from Fort Mason- very convenient since we don’t rent a car. This is a view of where Renegade happens-
That building in the middle of the pic (white roof) is the one. Gorgeous, isn’t it?
Thursday was for errands which can take a long time when using public transportation. Of course we also get some fun city touring in at the same time. I needed to get supplies for my booth and for my class. I had a plan (excuse!) to buy my class threads out there because I could go to Lacis where they have EVERYTHING!
I am teaching a number of classes in the next 1/2 year and I thought I would get myself some class specific threads- an entire rainbow plus the neutrals. Yes, that was fun! It is almost all DMC Perle Cotton sz 8.
One of the reasons I was stressed out beforehand was because it was looking like my box of class supplies was not going to make it in time. The day before we were leaving I made the call to pack a whole second set of supplies- and a good thing too. The boxes showed up at 2:30 on Friday, during the class and I only got them because I chased the UPS man after he just left a note on the door- grrr. That was most of my show inventory too. Anyway, it all worked out with me just a bit flustered with my second set of, not so complete, class stuff. Everyone did really well, it was a wonderful group of interesting people and I hope to do it again next year!
There was one more that had to leave early. Aren’t they wonderful?!
Renegade took up the weekend. My booth-
Lots of my little guys found new homes on the West Coast. And here is me- they always have a free photobooth at Renegade and so I took advantage of it.
Monday was the day to pack everything back up and ship it home. And go to Britex. I’ve never been there before… yes, it was amazing! It was a great trip although I didn’t have time to just relax and see friends. That will have to happen next time.
Next up, Art Retreat (I think there is still room if you are interested) and then Renegade Chicago. It is busy around here!
I was inspired by the green velveteen. But whoa, that stuff is a challenge to sew! It wiggles around and ends up somewhere else than where you want it. I figured out a crazy pinning technique that kept everything in place but not before I made a jacket that ended up in the trash.
He is already for some Masterpiece Theater!
I made one before but this is a much better season for the butterfly hunter.
He has a brown linen jacket and a rucksack on his back.
and some close-ups-
She is wearing a blue linen jacket and a dress made from another Heather Ross double gauze print.
My foxes wardrobe color palette has gotten a LOT brighter since I taught the fox class back in January. I am now using colors and combinations that I never would have considered before!
I think she looks a little bit scared in this one-
