Friday, August 30, 2013

Busy, Busy, Busy. . . Off the Wall Friday

This time of year is always busy around the house.  Not only is summer ending with the routine of school returning, but we also seem to be fitting in all the last minute fun things.  With my studio all unpacked, clothes washed and me well rested - finally - I did manage to get some sewing in this week.  Paul walked into my studio and took one look at the wall and said, "Well you do seem to have your work cut out for you."  And yeah, its unusual to walk in and see three projects going at once, but gosh, its been that kind of summer. 

I was going to sew on Sunday but instead took the 5 hr trek to the Dairy Barn in Athens, Ohio to see Quilt National (which closes this weekend!).  This is the first time I've gotten to see the show
in person and OMG it was well worth the road trip.  It was nice to see the trends in art quilting (digital photography, hand stitching, more hand dyeds than ever) and see that work up close.  The Barn is a wonderful space and the gift shop is a fiber artists heaven.  They didn't allow photography but its just as well - no photo can do these quilts justice.  Its so much better seeing them up close in person.

I did manage to get the fall quilt together and basted today before being interrupted by company and phone calls (sighhhhhh).  I used spray basting (June Tailor of all things) since it worked so well on the circles quilt.  It really wasn't too bad to spray either.  Originally I was going to do it out on my open air porch, but the spray didn't go to far so just did it on my studio work table.  It did take about an hour to get it all smooth - but gosh - it looks nice and secure.  I've never did a piece this big with spray basting so I'll let you know how it goes. 


So what have you been up to creatively?

11 comments:

Sylvia said...

How wonderful that you were able to make the trip to see Quilt National! I only get to see them in a book. The one time I could have seen the traveling exhibit in 2002 (maybe it was still 2001) a friend was visiting and we were going to see the show but ended up meeting up with a local quilter. The visit lasted longer than we had expected and then just never made it to the museum.

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Nina Marie. What, only 3 on the wall?! This piece is lovely. Enjoyed your review of Arrowmont. So enticing!
best,
nadia

Nina Marie said...

LOL! I am one of the few quilters who actually does one project at the time. I just put them up so it will remind me how much work I need to get these done before I can start something new!

The Inside Stori said...

Your fall quilt is so eye catching....colors are unexpected....soooo great!

Susan Lenz said...

Hi! Great blog post! Like you, I really enjoyed seeing Quilt National. It was a "pinch me" sort of evening to have work hanging in such a fantastic location with pieces by so many talented art quilters. If, in the future, you want to snap photos ... GO TO THE OPENING! It was wonderful; photos were permitted; and everyone collected autographs in their catalogs. FANTASTIC!

quiltedfabricart said...

3 UFO's! Horrors!!! Lol! Now you are like the rest of us but I know that those 3 UFO's are driving you crazy so I predict you will finish 2 of them quickly. We all have our own way of doing things :-) the quilt show must have been awesome - very lucky lady. Between that and Arrowmount, you must be bursting with ideas and creativity. But no! You can't start anything until you finish at least 2 of your UFO's :-)
(Grin)

quilthexle said...

Love your design wall - and thanks for making my mouth watering (so to say) for Quilt National ! Part of that show will be in a show in France next month ... and guess what, I'm going to SEE it ! sooooo looking forward to it ...

Nina Marie said...

Susan - it was so cool - I turned around to see your piece and I said - ohh those are Susan's rubbings! I thought your piece totally fit in and won't be the last time you'll be in that show!

and yesssss - have a ton of ideas - I should start a list - LOL!

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Don't forget the awesome time you had with friends while at the quilt show! ;)

Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventures said...

You've been a busy quilter and traveling artist! Thanks for sharing with us!

Mary Keasler said...

Lucky girl - Quilt National at the Dairy Barn. Maybe one day one of your pieces will be hanging there. Got some good stuff going on on your wall!