Happy Friday!

I have absolutely nothing (to quote Vicki here,) blog- worthy to report today. It's been a busy few weeks so I haven't had much freetime. I've got a few cool things in the works (and still need to post Brina's artshow pictures, )but not much progress this week on my stuff -- so I'll wait until the end of the weekend to post pictures where you can see some interesting progress.

Brina is getting ready to go on a ski trip with her class so I think we are going to head over to the Outer Banks this weekend in the Jeep (which can drive on the sand) for a night -- we'll find a nice secluded spot (which is the entire beach at this time of year!) pitch a tent, start a bonfire, do some serious star gazing whilest listening to the roar of the winter ocean (one of my favorite activities!) It's supposed to be windy and cold, but I don't care. We've got all the gear so that won't be a problem. I do love the ocean in the winter.

Did you know that wild Spanish Mustangs roam the Outer Banks? We see them every other time we head out there -- it truly is a breathtaking sight to see these wild horses that I have read - were imported by the Spaniards, some having swam to shore off Spanish ships that sank off the Atlantic Coastline. Their bloodlines have been studied and DNA examined and while not with 100% certainty, the conclusion is that the virtually unadulterated DNA of these horses can be linked back to the Spanish livestock of the 16th Century. Amazing.

What are YOU working on or doing this weekend? Whatever it is, push the limits - and have fun!

There Were (Almost) As Many Vendors.... As There Were Exhibitors!

I don't think that was problem for most -- but I would much prefer to see more exhibits and LESS shopping. There were so many vendors -- it made me dizzy. I was a pretty good girl -- I only bought a few things - several really unique batiks, a set of Cedar Canyon Texture Plates, one stencil - oh, and one pattern. For the most part, I avoided the buying frenzy!

Congratulations ---- GRACE!!!

And Tammy was the first one to figure out our winner. Nikki pointed out that the West Coasters were at a disadvantage. She's right - I didn't think about that. I'm sorry. However, it appears by all the comments and e-mails I've been receiving that y'all enjoyed my little game of hide and seek - going through my drawer, my suitcase, etc. I guess we are all voyeurs at heart! Grace and Tammy your surprises will be going out in the mail either today or tomorrow - I hope you enjoy them.

Oh and make a note: my one year of blogging milestone is coming up in a month or so -- so be watching as we will certainly be celebrating that with a surprise (or TWO!!)

Check back later today or tomorrow morning as I will be uploading pictures from the weekend. I have a bunch of work-work to catch up on today so I won't get around to posting those until later. Oh and -- Sabrina won a first place ribbon AND a second place ribbon at the art show. Pictures of that coming, as well. It's sure has been a busy month!! Have a splendid day!!

XO

And the Winner is.........

I'm NOT telling. That's right - I"m NOT telling.

I've cleaned my studio, I've packed my suitcase, and I've loaded up the car. I'm leaving this morning (Friday) at 11:30 a.m. So by the time you read this, I'm probably on my way to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. I was debating as to whether or not I should let you wait until I get home -- but I couldn't do that. After all, I promised that Sabrina will pull a name and I would post it before I left. Well -- the deed is done and we have a winner. BUT..... I have decided - I'm NOT going to tell you who it is..... you're going to have to figure out who it is - all by yourself.

And here's your clue: As I was cleaning up and packing this morning, I took some pictures.The name of the winner can be found "somwhere" in one of these pictures. So - go find it!

Is the name on my side of the studio????? Hmmmmm??

How about in my favorite drawer of stuff??????

Maybe it's in my partially packed suitcase???? Eh????

Maybe it's in my travelbag....

Or, maybe it's over on Sabrina's side of the studio???? Do you see it?????

You don't see it??? You can click on the pictures to enlarge them and really take a good hard look. It's there.

To the Winner - please e-mail me your address by Sunday evening as your prize will go out Monday morning. Oh, and the first person who e-mails me the name of the winner (cathiejean1960@yahoo.com) also gets a little surprise. But DON'T post it here. Let everyone look for it. Have a great weekend! I'll see you Sunday. And be ready for LOTS of pictures from the Mid-Atlantic Festival. XO

You Have Until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (Thursday)

To enter the drawing to win this little folk art quiltlet. Just comment on the post below and I'll add your name to the drawing scheduled to take place tomorrow morning....

Good Luck!
XO

A Present for YOU.... (A Giveaway!!)

Blogging has opened up a whole new world of friendship, encouragement and inspiration for me. I have met the most amazing artists, gardeners, poets, painters and writers and you will never know the impact you have had on this girl living in North Carolina. It is very humbling to be privy to your hopes, dreams and aspirations and I will never cease to be amazed at the HUGE talent that is out there hiding in remote European cottages, the mountains of Alaska, and even the corn fields of Kansas. Your inspiration knows no boundaries -- and for that I am so thankful. So - in honor of YOU, I have been working on a fun little folk art piece that I would like to give away.

It's a hand stitched, free motion embroidered piece which I utilized hand dyes, Island Batiks, and commercial prints. It is embellished with Swavroski crystals, glass beads and heat blasted organza. (I don't have the binding sewn on yet - it's just pinned on for the picture AND I'm adding a few more beads and embellishments.

I've been reading a book on folk art (Drawing on America's Past: Folk Art, Modernism, and the Index of American Design by Virginia Tuttle Clayton, Elizabeth Stillinger, Erika Doss, and Deborah Chotner and was inspired.

What do you have to do to win? Don't be shy - even if you've never commented before - that's okay! Just leave a comment to this post which I will leave up until Thursday evening. Bright and early Friday morning before I leave for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, Sabrina will draw a name and the winner will be notified by e-mail and by blog post. Please be sure to provide me with your your e-mail address in your post and check back on Friday for the winner.

Thank you to all of my blog friends for being such a wonderful source of inspiration and friendship. Good luck!

I've Got a Surprise to Give Away........ Do YOU Feel Lucky????

Be sure to check back on Tuesday, February 19th so you can enter your name into my drawing -- as I have been working on a little something that I plan on giving away. It's almost done and pictures will be posted Tuesday morning. I love surprises, don't you?????

This is ME... Wishing YOU A.......

Who's Going to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival Next Week....?????

I am! Woo hoo!

Can't wait - just a little more than one week until the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival happens in Hampton, Virginia. Only a little more than a three hour drive from us here in Raleigh -- I'm headin' out!

Here's a bit of information about the show from their website. Or, if you prefer, you can click on the words Mid-Atlantic below and it is linked to take you directly to the site:

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XIX

February 21 – 24, 2008

All under one roof at theHampton Roads Convention CenterHampton, Virginia

Greater Chesapeake Bay / Williamsburg Area

Join us as we continue to grow in 2008. Explore an American art that has developed and grown with the nation. In its 19th year, the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival is a compilation of quilting, fiber arts, and wearable arts - now all under one roof. It's the perfect place for quilt enthusiasts and textile artists to meet, shop, learn and explore their art.

Hampton is close to Newport News which is a cool city with lots of history, and I'm looking forward to visiting that, also. I will be -- staying for three days - and then heading home. I've never really gone anywhere without the family (or at least part of the family) in tow so this will be interesting. My first "big girl" trip! Just me, my Jeep -- and the open road (oh, and lots of quilts!!)

The show last year was unbelievable. All year long I've been seeing some of the quilts I saw at the show -- in magazines and books. There are some outstanding artists represented at the show -- some famous -- some not so famous.
So -- who else is going???

Groovy Baby.......

This month the Take it Further challenge concept is the question, " What are you old enough to remember?" What a great prompt this is -- as it has already lit a fire under so many as I have seen by visiting other members' blogs and reading their posts about this topic.

I would love to do something about my Grandma Wanda, or my Great Aunt Tiny who was a Daughter of the American Revolution, but these choices are both too intimate and I know I would devote too much time to them in order to get them completed by the deadline -- so I have put these to ideas in my journal as a future projects and have opted to go with my memory of.... "The 1960's".

It was exciting to be alive during that time -- so much was happening. And while I was too young to understand alot of it (I was born in the 60's) I was fascinated by things going on around me and to this day can't pass up a documentary or a book written about the 60's, hippies, the drug culture (Haight Ashbury, Woodstock, Timothy Leary), the politics, and, of course, the music (the Beatles, Janice Joplin, Jimi Hendrix), which I still listen to and love today. (CLICK HERE and I will take you on a tour of Haight Ashbury - I've been there and it's a really cool place) But what I remember most vividly about the 60's was the fashion. I was mesmerized even as a kid by the hippie "chic" fashion and the colors. To this day my favorite pair of jeans is an old worn out pair with "peace sign" patch on the butt which horrifies my kids when I wear them out of the house (revenge is sweet!) and one of my favorite movies is Austin Powers!

So, in honor of my "continued" love of this fashion trend (and my favorite jeans!), I went through my stash and selected my "grooviest" black and white batik fabric and a "far out" Kaffe Fassett print -- threw them together. Here's what I came up with..... check out the inside.....

and the back...... And while I would love to keep this for myself as this would be great to lug around my sketchbook and various books I carry around with me every day -- I actually have someone else in mind to give this too. Do you know who it's for????? Check out the pocket on the inside.... let me know if you figure it out!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone else's projects and reading everyone else's memories. I got mine knocked out early this time -- for a change. I also worked on my iris this weekend, but want to finish it before I post a picture -- probably in a day or so as there is alot of threadpainting. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Peace.

New Stuff Coming Soon....

It's been a crazy busy week personally, professionally and creatively. I have quite a few things to post but just won't have the time to do that until this weekend.

Creatively speaking - I've gotten my iris slice ready to threadpaint, I've begun working on Sabrina's dress for the art show -- a lovely turquoise blue crinkle satin empire waist shift (similar to the one I made her for the talent show), and I've been working on a "hippie chick" bag for a friend of mine which I designed and it is really coming together quite nicely and will also double as my response to Sharon B's TIF Challenge. In the meantime, Sabrina and I are hosting a quilting group dinner tonight at our home and I have been busy all day making homemade swedish meatballs (with a Hungarian twist), struesel cake, butterscotch brownies and a few other things. I do love to cook -- but I've been at it for 6 hours now -- enough is enough!! It's time to clean up .

Anyway..... check back over the weekend to see what's been going on in my studio.

Saturday's Progress...

After securing all the necessities for a successful quilting session (the new iron Sal bought me for Christmas, some magazines for reference AND, my favorite moose cup filled with chai tea), I began working on the appliqueing process of the iris flowers. All the flowers have been cut out, freezer paper removed, wonderunder attached to the back. Next, each and every flower is ironed down in place -- being extremely careful to place the each item along the edge "exactly" where they are on the original painting, so that when my "slice" is attached to the neighboring slice (on the left) the flowers, stamen, leaves and stems match up. I check and re-check placement as I'm working. Now - I am getting ready to lay in some white acrylic paint and some Tsukineko dark blue and black ink to highlight and outline. I use my really crappy brushes when I'm doing dry brush technique.

These cheap brushes (made in China) have long wooden handles and feel like they are made out of straw. I love them for dry brushing as the bristles stay separate and work really well for this technique.

Now comes the really fun part. I have selected several hues of blue, yellow and gold threads -- all types - rayon, cotton and silk. I use different types of thread because the way the light plays off of the different fibers (silk, cotton, rayon) adds to the texture of the piece.

LEARNING CURVE ITEM #1: I remember as a kid growing up in Ohio that every spring, our little white house was surrounded with tulips and gigantic iris. My mom loved tulips, iris and hiacynth. I remember those iris being all different shades of purple - from the lightest to the darkest, so, it naturally made sense that when I first began selecting fabrics, paints and threads for this project, I immediately went for the dark violets and purples. I went with what my "brain" told me an iris looked like rather than what Van Gogh's image of the iris was. Alas, I bought all the wrong colors. Worse yet -- I didn't even realize the colors were way off until after I had the first batch of flowers totally cut out. What I love about doing these slice quilts is that they take me far out of my comfort zone. I have to really stretch my abilities and sometimes that means doing and re-doing the same thing over and over again until I get it right. It also means that I really have to "see" things, and not just "look" at them -- and I think I'm slowly acquiring that skill. How cool is that!!!