tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43648289809443365702024-03-19T04:48:42.927-04:00Creations - Quilts, Art, Whatever by Nina-Marie SayreMy Art Quilting Journey Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.comBlogger796125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-88027379327024147432024-03-15T00:00:00.001-04:002024-03-15T00:00:00.255-04:00Learning to Fail on Off the Wall Friday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVev1Ln0TqHWIs8hEynmfjxUomKUyfHLnPMH-KUhx1-XMeViknmcf9X9qVq0E8YH_4h9bagIhWzsldDIrN9yeAViTrcQ7IkJNZoxlfRhsIc6cUVw02Pj1cRCxc4OM2oVzWf6OrRXFNMpY1bwEJ5-TdflBxueBqubDoj7NbK1MItA3C_2C2AWMkCnHCDhzB/s737/quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="735" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVev1Ln0TqHWIs8hEynmfjxUomKUyfHLnPMH-KUhx1-XMeViknmcf9X9qVq0E8YH_4h9bagIhWzsldDIrN9yeAViTrcQ7IkJNZoxlfRhsIc6cUVw02Pj1cRCxc4OM2oVzWf6OrRXFNMpY1bwEJ5-TdflBxueBqubDoj7NbK1MItA3C_2C2AWMkCnHCDhzB/w408-h409/quote.png" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So last week, I was talking to a friend of mine and she said,<i> "Ohhhh I don't have a creative bone in my body." </i> If I only I had a dime for every time I heard that. I do believe people are born with strengths and weaknesses and there is no reason that you need to be strong in everything. HOWEVER...I believe that everyone can enjoy the joy of "making" no matter what their talents. I mean think about it. How many kids don't like to color and draw? Hardly any. It's only when they hit about age 8 do they let the world's perception of their art affect them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's all about silencing your inner critic and being willing to fail. It's scary for sure but I feel like it's the secret to being a creative success. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since we're in the middle of spring rush at work, I'll leave it there - but you get what I mean....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></div><br /><p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-58894936350209904332024-03-08T00:00:00.036-05:002024-03-08T00:00:00.285-05:00Pegboards for Quilting on Off the Wall Friday<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAQBaTeUAz2HaBWE3mxkNlGpXkoTIEXJDXm2ZY7zJBl27oCmhHpUzS_kEiWdnw4zAowA1rWHAwCuD1mgmEmdVOuUmxE0cjmgvRgjV8jufmQboVYVQOTPb4AfucDCluuGU92OiWfvFScDrzTPulrumDdPgBuNlrzbuhCjzcqK66Dndok7LWnN_tYw05Qc5/s2048/studio6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAQBaTeUAz2HaBWE3mxkNlGpXkoTIEXJDXm2ZY7zJBl27oCmhHpUzS_kEiWdnw4zAowA1rWHAwCuD1mgmEmdVOuUmxE0cjmgvRgjV8jufmQboVYVQOTPb4AfucDCluuGU92OiWfvFScDrzTPulrumDdPgBuNlrzbuhCjzcqK66Dndok7LWnN_tYw05Qc5/w501-h376/studio6.jpg" width="501" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My Pegboard, white, cut to fit the space, painted stripes, electric orange tape.<br />Baskets, cups used for additional space, labeled</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>So today I read an interesting post on my <b>Sewing/Quilting Organization </b>list on Facebook. A member was looking for ideas for the use of a <span style="font-size: large;">pegboard</span> in her sewing space and asked for pictures. My first thought was lots of people must have pegboards and they all must use them the same way. </p><p><i>Apparently,</i> I was wrong. As goes it with a list of 110K (<i>yes you read that right 110,000!</i>) quilters/sewers, you get <span style="font-size: large;">many</span> opinions and ideas on how a pegboard can be used. With the permission of the owners, I thought I would share some and why I think they are great!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP711JaD6plz1stjHChTi9dLxAXd0XSI4xAzkKSG4GLQJX_JOuCz668U5nAK_ToiI92MZ2e3goLg_1FD3mmlUoKPC6V32cYk8x0j5jQvc9uasDz4KIhQBUDP4W_vbNxHFXcBfnUiYxoggUC7ikS4NHgRiwuAJikyAgx_AqpXQUZY1uly84XhjivfJUoA7g/s587/barbp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="587" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP711JaD6plz1stjHChTi9dLxAXd0XSI4xAzkKSG4GLQJX_JOuCz668U5nAK_ToiI92MZ2e3goLg_1FD3mmlUoKPC6V32cYk8x0j5jQvc9uasDz4KIhQBUDP4W_vbNxHFXcBfnUiYxoggUC7ikS4NHgRiwuAJikyAgx_AqpXQUZY1uly84XhjivfJUoA7g/w407-h368/barbp.jpg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Barb P. hasn't taken up the full wall - cut at a rectangle it can easily be reached plus room for a great bridge painting.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7MQpzD3Bgdbe2joHiRgzQ00ljF5IkQIVItMhKLHtIAHLn1nkye7shwcPHGghYt5VFxRBgWeZGkUGvQPn_zarO501Kmk5NfQVuByvJ7TyFyHvh6XuyxJg3qtED9E78ZWaU9cOQsj6xz_UFyJ7B-NLPeEPQIcqgxjEDJXtBts7WXcUdKQlMHDF48ahFt89/s2015/christinaS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1504" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7MQpzD3Bgdbe2joHiRgzQ00ljF5IkQIVItMhKLHtIAHLn1nkye7shwcPHGghYt5VFxRBgWeZGkUGvQPn_zarO501Kmk5NfQVuByvJ7TyFyHvh6XuyxJg3qtED9E78ZWaU9cOQsj6xz_UFyJ7B-NLPeEPQIcqgxjEDJXtBts7WXcUdKQlMHDF48ahFt89/w343-h459/christinaS.jpg" width="343" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Christina S uses her to store fat quarters of fabric in attached basics</b><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvxR-Uh7_EI2Ak3JftYKpjZCWYQtu4WezaBPOFGAaAhmcho1thDj2QE8JR3u3yJAcO7ppvhXUA8Cr2FgJZ1cBAH-ACIVdhOP2xbmrchV1302v9j8mTKpw8COhxpnKESLu1B1iGHzOTqdr0qLETXjBAuQdSk3lCVVnosAGdm3DgsPa8tl8rdRUtT1-Qc3D/s462/FB_IMG_1709819601916%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="462" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvxR-Uh7_EI2Ak3JftYKpjZCWYQtu4WezaBPOFGAaAhmcho1thDj2QE8JR3u3yJAcO7ppvhXUA8Cr2FgJZ1cBAH-ACIVdhOP2xbmrchV1302v9j8mTKpw8COhxpnKESLu1B1iGHzOTqdr0qLETXjBAuQdSk3lCVVnosAGdm3DgsPa8tl8rdRUtT1-Qc3D/w372-h257/FB_IMG_1709819601916%20(1).jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Angie O. proves that bigger isn't always better</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjzoAmwtpAeZ2NRP18NUale431vJyMyS7Qbd_tAvCjljUddq859r9i-CaSXMRswF79seMdbCapW6qh3DG3f6csvDlNYoZ0WviZRW0PYVmDEgkkK2H2NWP_Tdf_CU9144PoymtB3pbe09CSibPDr19bAaeSAXC5vQPHs6QYRVKiu_rr8F4GBju3tPY8TJT/s554/bethR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="554" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjzoAmwtpAeZ2NRP18NUale431vJyMyS7Qbd_tAvCjljUddq859r9i-CaSXMRswF79seMdbCapW6qh3DG3f6csvDlNYoZ0WviZRW0PYVmDEgkkK2H2NWP_Tdf_CU9144PoymtB3pbe09CSibPDr19bAaeSAXC5vQPHs6QYRVKiu_rr8F4GBju3tPY8TJT/w453-h365/bethR.jpg" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"> <b> Beth R decided to paint hers individually and place them near her work tables</b></span><br style="text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> <i>(notice - another Janome 7700 owner - yay!</i>)</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVD189eQ21EyZALAYRQqDpc0hyJYlKd6bL_p8hhX79ImAXqa2NRPwVBbQk84rXaG0K0lZfejD7ZAr49hlcWQyWXmkSSqmnt4JM2lM2_e7RJMkXWJiEPJE6qTt5OLU_QRviuW9z1ZLua77bVDPwCl1Sk7R2bvR-9H8_FXui0pFnKbrTCZlS7ALxc_KxEgmq/s2016/429807464_2168780813465146_34904003907092923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="2016" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVD189eQ21EyZALAYRQqDpc0hyJYlKd6bL_p8hhX79ImAXqa2NRPwVBbQk84rXaG0K0lZfejD7ZAr49hlcWQyWXmkSSqmnt4JM2lM2_e7RJMkXWJiEPJE6qTt5OLU_QRviuW9z1ZLua77bVDPwCl1Sk7R2bvR-9H8_FXui0pFnKbrTCZlS7ALxc_KxEgmq/w517-h233/429807464_2168780813465146_34904003907092923_n.jpg" width="517" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shere R. organizes her thread and lets the color inspire her.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvE2vjCLLHgdfD3Rh8rVa-jtoZ8ODhfhq95x6I858W2wMonjvr_7mVRSukDeEiwEGUMMYqqfxlfaELkK4KZYLZm-F5_K23pl3Ol7C1JSleQfP4uY8xsITUfDSu-UmJy4zYJxQuUzw9nq4tYg0T_b4F4my3i1LcOsMJ15sr9aSEajnf-ottMb39sJopyhw/s720/DianeP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="720" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvE2vjCLLHgdfD3Rh8rVa-jtoZ8ODhfhq95x6I858W2wMonjvr_7mVRSukDeEiwEGUMMYqqfxlfaELkK4KZYLZm-F5_K23pl3Ol7C1JSleQfP4uY8xsITUfDSu-UmJy4zYJxQuUzw9nq4tYg0T_b4F4my3i1LcOsMJ15sr9aSEajnf-ottMb39sJopyhw/w491-h444/DianeP.jpg" width="491" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table> <b> Diane P framed hers and added Criscut Lettering </b></div><div><b> Plus notice how the envelop baskets are so handy!</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8tc5XF0ZC84sCIUcIHpQZ4-5TKmKpWQP3gXcdQG6P78Xdmasz4De57L2VJvGWrXsUK0bO4z0sfK3wYuP2uuJe87IBULPa7lpofMzmQ98bD6ZcVL0ex_TAzzptnHpFyurXure8oBBSOgc766OnOhZAaP2jhKDre8Gy_DyINWsv8wQ-fnc3Wj6cYuc2UUX/s1000/RaelynnW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="979" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8tc5XF0ZC84sCIUcIHpQZ4-5TKmKpWQP3gXcdQG6P78Xdmasz4De57L2VJvGWrXsUK0bO4z0sfK3wYuP2uuJe87IBULPa7lpofMzmQ98bD6ZcVL0ex_TAzzptnHpFyurXure8oBBSOgc766OnOhZAaP2jhKDre8Gy_DyINWsv8wQ-fnc3Wj6cYuc2UUX/w406-h415/RaelynnW.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Raelynn W uses her corner brilliantly</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe4O2fV-PG1NnWQjmuuHIfifNU-a6gxxmWP-tWX-ODpbVBvOnQSRhUgarUPmPoZi_F20HNrdDOG6g4nqL0seTyhTgbEnXIVJbqpjdyYbA-veaKhz4bFwNmOWhjptabp_BkfQaNkN0UyfiAPCu3f142G35KXtfoynbmbYGx0-5OBS5wJvT5fhU9j95pWoP/s696/Perri%20E.K..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="696" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe4O2fV-PG1NnWQjmuuHIfifNU-a6gxxmWP-tWX-ODpbVBvOnQSRhUgarUPmPoZi_F20HNrdDOG6g4nqL0seTyhTgbEnXIVJbqpjdyYbA-veaKhz4bFwNmOWhjptabp_BkfQaNkN0UyfiAPCu3f142G35KXtfoynbmbYGx0-5OBS5wJvT5fhU9j95pWoP/w507-h369/Perri%20E.K..jpg" width="507" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Perri E. K. uses the pegboard traditionally but look how GREAT this looks</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The Mugs are perfect!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZAkrT4j_SwgnlyGMDqlEqdmzJaJn-nOF_9XHlznXNQGX0YwQ82hys7GrHBpeFGnTnY7-boJJK-8f7wPxa5ugt3A4AEuyc2ueq7ndKLkKpfKgwA-s6KqASXvkowC4o_WflzaLqylP6Qas32C1h3NAE2vYhukX3dcr3xu3WhwIIQMXHGN40NZsaIz8R9-N/s720/FB_IMG_1709812203717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZAkrT4j_SwgnlyGMDqlEqdmzJaJn-nOF_9XHlznXNQGX0YwQ82hys7GrHBpeFGnTnY7-boJJK-8f7wPxa5ugt3A4AEuyc2ueq7ndKLkKpfKgwA-s6KqASXvkowC4o_WflzaLqylP6Qas32C1h3NAE2vYhukX3dcr3xu3WhwIIQMXHGN40NZsaIz8R9-N/w380-h285/FB_IMG_1709812203717.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Patrizia S. Shows how you can store just about anything on a pegboard.</div></b></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Great Ideas Right?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you use a pegboard? How? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>(Also, I am still looking for people who might want to share their sewing space here on the blog and answer questions on how it came about ... just use the "Contract Me" widget on the right!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</div><br />Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-84787383919446267102024-03-01T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-01T00:00:00.132-05:00It's Been A Week on Off the Wall Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimht64ASXkMaf-6brQH2cDYx9jPEgvvzugV3YI5vp-7F0KzXiwX8OKljR3PXMvbSYrGrINd8mAlPg9zNN0_0cEM8rmleEY9ypwxtWck1V-f-T6Y9cOCFSE28Z1FCkD2LSbBNNagPDS-qxG9d5_LLd0Ir_WI-oU-xzbdD3hip5RcCxhxZVRDQPuhhjn-I-8/s951/lange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="951" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimht64ASXkMaf-6brQH2cDYx9jPEgvvzugV3YI5vp-7F0KzXiwX8OKljR3PXMvbSYrGrINd8mAlPg9zNN0_0cEM8rmleEY9ypwxtWck1V-f-T6Y9cOCFSE28Z1FCkD2LSbBNNagPDS-qxG9d5_LLd0Ir_WI-oU-xzbdD3hip5RcCxhxZVRDQPuhhjn-I-8/w474-h321/lange.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothea Lange, Seeing People Exhibit</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p> Okay so here is this week's tip....don't think you can take a quick 2-day trip to Washington DC and <i>not</i> come home exhausted and your mind a big creative blur. We only saw 2 museums, <b>The National Gallery</b> and t<b>he National Museum of American History</b> and it still was stimuli overload. It wasn't just the museums which were amazing in themselves, but also the whole National Mall area. We took the metro in from Arlington, VA, and popped up in the Federal Triangle station which is the middle of 10 neoclassial HUGE buildings. I truly could have gone and toured the architecture of the buildings you hear every day - IRS, EPA, etc. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrhe_25-0c5H8tOIHRU4rIDYR43jUxjYEXxgxifWRP4AZ-UTyVs1DxkxbBTxl-dUOVC2h1N_7aho0dCAo_lVLPeGnVeRu8maRlnwyoAT_Y9Dy_PqN6yCwU4nHxw16-TmSM2IVkWTFfE7U3QvrOFOCKEfpuuw0bIuoEzIQPCY-jZl-B99a15HRXbcm4oRk/s1585/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1536" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrhe_25-0c5H8tOIHRU4rIDYR43jUxjYEXxgxifWRP4AZ-UTyVs1DxkxbBTxl-dUOVC2h1N_7aho0dCAo_lVLPeGnVeRu8maRlnwyoAT_Y9Dy_PqN6yCwU4nHxw16-TmSM2IVkWTFfE7U3QvrOFOCKEfpuuw0bIuoEzIQPCY-jZl-B99a15HRXbcm4oRk/w351-h362/blog4.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfHGiBqIZ231u14qrhjXa0hNHAE5a90nk_WoZxDytkaZYuYELbuF5R1GOMZ98qxeehfbgehoSdDXl1CEa0D_fB2GF_d8pp5L2rJY7VM5bvnkhGn92IY4M-shsOnI93fLrP9v-s_6lEBPBdSfFMsF8Cxb-Y8KtNTTL5dVtoQFjBMLV94SRZ2m8At_A33GB/s1000/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfHGiBqIZ231u14qrhjXa0hNHAE5a90nk_WoZxDytkaZYuYELbuF5R1GOMZ98qxeehfbgehoSdDXl1CEa0D_fB2GF_d8pp5L2rJY7VM5bvnkhGn92IY4M-shsOnI93fLrP9v-s_6lEBPBdSfFMsF8Cxb-Y8KtNTTL5dVtoQFjBMLV94SRZ2m8At_A33GB/w346-h260/blog5.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><p>The Dorothea Lange exhibit was just as <b><span style="font-size: large;">amazing</span></b> as advertised. The thing about the National Gallery is that they own so much art, that you never quite know what they are going to have up on view. Not to mention, I keep getting lost in their galleries! One of these trips, I'm going to take the map and just mark galleries off as I go through them. </p><p>The American History Museum added the Entertainment Nation exhibit on the 3rd floor. It's a mass of pop media culture with lights and music to match. It truly was crazy!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNH3pntlZi0ZtNQ4Ede0217tZ5IumYWvUf3oiyQ138Ab2OwM-F4TrfNnVDdKeQ5xzc0hFlJNTQfmaQnjTmonNRXs4bFJ4maUrgPGmptmihK58Zl45n7AexL9SxRi0g64E2mgsFIyefEERAAm1gjiSesNNWckPtoZbg-J4WArNswoIWo_qZOZrptZ0QNRq/s1200/BLOG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNH3pntlZi0ZtNQ4Ede0217tZ5IumYWvUf3oiyQ138Ab2OwM-F4TrfNnVDdKeQ5xzc0hFlJNTQfmaQnjTmonNRXs4bFJ4maUrgPGmptmihK58Zl45n7AexL9SxRi0g64E2mgsFIyefEERAAm1gjiSesNNWckPtoZbg-J4WArNswoIWo_qZOZrptZ0QNRq/w383-h215/BLOG3.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So I came home with my creative soul full and my Fitbit happy. And it got me thinking....the National Gallery is a free-use museum with all of Lange's work stored at<b><span style="font-size: large;"> the Library Congress.</span></b>...and it so happens they have a <a href="https://www.loc.gov/">very useable website.</a>....<i>andddddd</i></p><p>Down the rabbit hole, I went!</p><p>I am suggesting you take time to look at all the amazing stuff the Library of Congress has put online <b><span style="font-size: large;">BUT</span></b> don't blame me if you end up looking for three days straight. </p><p>I do have a very cool idea for my next series...but I promised my husband I would not start another until I finished my Calendar Cows. To that end, August Vacation Cow is officially sewn!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH8HTooOqXklo7DrIBiTU8K16EVLZrCNkxAVpuO5-OM5jj39Mze3zyecTxqFpOHlIthFVZ255hQLnWWfsie_STix7GeHz6xzSrAWhdZUFlPKzJrjwC-q6WInMYOzuXI9ekq7T4pZZ3o97U6qozfqiqd4KBb_FIuFsASscsTSxuyk8JRTf8DooAeGAy4tm/s544/blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="544" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH8HTooOqXklo7DrIBiTU8K16EVLZrCNkxAVpuO5-OM5jj39Mze3zyecTxqFpOHlIthFVZ255hQLnWWfsie_STix7GeHz6xzSrAWhdZUFlPKzJrjwC-q6WInMYOzuXI9ekq7T4pZZ3o97U6qozfqiqd4KBb_FIuFsASscsTSxuyk8JRTf8DooAeGAy4tm/s320/blog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzNr4p2HEKeYm-NKlAugAiaekwzRaSEllCeYB61kt-CK8xf1ASpmigDn-CVKD9ia0hQOA-FAw1DEcHguKU8ZQdClJtLDSNN6jGK54l6xRdIPkMDDFcdq9175B6-UkHjj0uO8AbpGkBjl-o_xztHO1YaNfB7nvpfPv6-CWwKK1qLlqhOcNThFIxku1lGia/s1765/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="1017" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzNr4p2HEKeYm-NKlAugAiaekwzRaSEllCeYB61kt-CK8xf1ASpmigDn-CVKD9ia0hQOA-FAw1DEcHguKU8ZQdClJtLDSNN6jGK54l6xRdIPkMDDFcdq9175B6-UkHjj0uO8AbpGkBjl-o_xztHO1YaNfB7nvpfPv6-CWwKK1qLlqhOcNThFIxku1lGia/w272-h473/blog2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><p>Seven down ....Five to go....On to finishing up June Bride Cow!</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-62843626074158611882024-02-23T00:00:00.011-05:002024-02-23T00:00:00.246-05:006 Facts You Didn't Know about Dorothea Lange on Off the Wall Friday<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcZyLOCFe9sL09JQCoRJtGyl5EZVgVD6N-T9Sm9LwSI4UaUDrPtxqx_6Erj1RwkE-czhRFKg2ZKdfh1Ag2_909xASV2FXvgq6HSsv95gHIkguZ7_OCwHSJJvcYOGqVl3XYcSfIDkZu3NQhIGMGWFKfdyEWRCovyZspIy3eYTMlcE6HBkbOCVWuXdP05T9/s1231/Dorothea_Lange_atop_automobile_in_California_(restored)_(cropped).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="846" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcZyLOCFe9sL09JQCoRJtGyl5EZVgVD6N-T9Sm9LwSI4UaUDrPtxqx_6Erj1RwkE-czhRFKg2ZKdfh1Ag2_909xASV2FXvgq6HSsv95gHIkguZ7_OCwHSJJvcYOGqVl3XYcSfIDkZu3NQhIGMGWFKfdyEWRCovyZspIy3eYTMlcE6HBkbOCVWuXdP05T9/w275-h400/Dorothea_Lange_atop_automobile_in_California_(restored)_(cropped).jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothy's Lange</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInsyellEqE1QZmIVcWeBRthQR3SSBqqB6tyoaEVJlw3025-gZFtaRSmwrSjdqcSW-q_B0nIIBq9TywJhyLNtgxHSpUg60ApnLXf4n1Y_J7WQrgKAE7NGiNmd3UrJWrGJDICXLx7UzJbLyTsu1eZnFPElGqjdGXGRkdnwRSTHXfR0d2biQxeX-ZbkYLUx8/s704/Dorothea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="704" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInsyellEqE1QZmIVcWeBRthQR3SSBqqB6tyoaEVJlw3025-gZFtaRSmwrSjdqcSW-q_B0nIIBq9TywJhyLNtgxHSpUg60ApnLXf4n1Y_J7WQrgKAE7NGiNmd3UrJWrGJDICXLx7UzJbLyTsu1eZnFPElGqjdGXGRkdnwRSTHXfR0d2biQxeX-ZbkYLUx8/w200-h159/Dorothea.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This week finds me traveling to Washington DC to visit <b>the National Gallery.</b> We love the National</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7uf1BixlTuyFjEqt6oqolwkrOCFxapXiCrLUyBr7ifRZsFF6yxv8AmQmuB6otWjJTi5J69TAeJ2OEu6TvdsgVZp9l9eSJthEgWFw66cQTtJHCwKzDLg9wG7T7oOJ3x4Bhrrk8nwc03jran1cs_yRXj9h15EN3_9c7ytkmRhUP7AfXw9XZF_rvMWQJKMu/s560/dorothea4.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="440" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7uf1BixlTuyFjEqt6oqolwkrOCFxapXiCrLUyBr7ifRZsFF6yxv8AmQmuB6otWjJTi5J69TAeJ2OEu6TvdsgVZp9l9eSJthEgWFw66cQTtJHCwKzDLg9wG7T7oOJ3x4Bhrrk8nwc03jran1cs_yRXj9h15EN3_9c7ytkmRhUP7AfXw9XZF_rvMWQJKMu/w198-h253/dorothea4.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothea Lange, Formerly enslaved <br />woman, Alabama, 1938</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Mall since we are kinda museum junkies. But we haven't been back since 2019 due to the dreaded plague. I keep an eye on the National Gallery's webpage and discovered that they are running<b> </b>a<b> <span style="font-size: large;">Dorothea Lange </span></b>exhibit through March. So Paul is indulging me with a quick trip down to see it as well as the Mark Rothko exhibit and Masters of American Furniture, the Kaufman Collection (see a little something for me....a little something for him).<p></p><p>Am I the only one who is totally in love with Dorothea Lange's work? Lange was a photojournalist who is best known for her work of depression-era migrant farm laborers in California and the documentation of the Japanese Internment during World War II. What I love about her work is that she had a way of capturing her subject's true selves and it's like you are there talking to them. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1Am7U14tFHqeZvtKV_pZuOujgk0nZIVp9xkUOTTKng50WxYyveRzZ-uBg0o_all9Q2-ohhIUJxOdtgNNilOH4VoOIsOR9owblwn20PT1dc0mznmEiVIsRAfRzLV7mJgh56Qab2m8VOrBVsKeBVff8jgVFk1HubR9W7kAtbdKDmVMKYuSNAlA5CB68JMv/s713/dorothea5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="713" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1Am7U14tFHqeZvtKV_pZuOujgk0nZIVp9xkUOTTKng50WxYyveRzZ-uBg0o_all9Q2-ohhIUJxOdtgNNilOH4VoOIsOR9owblwn20PT1dc0mznmEiVIsRAfRzLV7mJgh56Qab2m8VOrBVsKeBVff8jgVFk1HubR9W7kAtbdKDmVMKYuSNAlA5CB68JMv/w451-h354/dorothea5.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothea Lange, Migrant agricultural worker's family, Nipomo, California, February 1936</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1UjzOFtGwaNu0w_sq7TSWj_MeTCnueRmFU_xL4uYHsE-jy8wrDaFJx-Y9InYjxH5iKBdNhTZzzAehSCwPSEQFxFV__w8ZJ91EWhYNo64-fvO3BJoQY9VsvfwLF238iNV7nkLvnIzPk1hTM4ur08N5vVDHAcaIHkUYDRkHlN7-lbm6mDYFyHeHPJYdwi-/s560/Dorothea3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1UjzOFtGwaNu0w_sq7TSWj_MeTCnueRmFU_xL4uYHsE-jy8wrDaFJx-Y9InYjxH5iKBdNhTZzzAehSCwPSEQFxFV__w8ZJ91EWhYNo64-fvO3BJoQY9VsvfwLF238iNV7nkLvnIzPk1hTM4ur08N5vVDHAcaIHkUYDRkHlN7-lbm6mDYFyHeHPJYdwi-/s320/Dorothea3.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothea Lange, Nettie Featherston, wife of a migratory laborer with three children, near Childress, Texas, June 1938<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's been a while so I thought it was time for another installment of "Facts You Didn't Know".</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">6 Facts You Didn't Know about Dorothea Lange</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>1. She had polio as a child. </b> Due to her polio, it left her right leg with a limp. She felt it, "formed me, guided me, instructed me, helped me, and humiliated me." She credits this life experience with shaping the rest of her life and how she saw other people. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>2. She was married twice. </b>She married young to the famous artist Maynard Dixon who had his own prolific career as a painter. The couple had two children. After 15 years of marriage, Lange was recruited by Paul Taylor to work on his research paper on the migrant farm workers of the Dust Bowl. He felt that her photographs would be a good pairing with the written word. During this work, both divorced their spouses and married forming a long working partnership till her death in 1965.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>3. She started her career as a celebrity photographer</b> first in New York City and later in San Francisco. Here she learned about lighting, atmosphere, and composition. She also realized that to get the best photos, you needed to be in touch with your subjects. With the onset of the Depression, her business was affected leading her to start photographing street people.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hSFuixNnYm1DU-Z_SbnZJZeYDPV9jCZ_BbM7sHticJbJSQfLKOGZc4tZBqpZ_Tj7K9tIhnmOEwIWhcqcRD2kNj8JNCOZHx8CDo3UE610axe2wWo0wVV2iDV88iRXdsTRtQ1Ev_OexKWs0eBaj_4nNsEAHg6E3Slsp04uHbyA_krmB-Kapasc_sf9Seu_/s769/dorothea2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="601" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hSFuixNnYm1DU-Z_SbnZJZeYDPV9jCZ_BbM7sHticJbJSQfLKOGZc4tZBqpZ_Tj7K9tIhnmOEwIWhcqcRD2kNj8JNCOZHx8CDo3UE610axe2wWo0wVV2iDV88iRXdsTRtQ1Ev_OexKWs0eBaj_4nNsEAHg6E3Slsp04uHbyA_krmB-Kapasc_sf9Seu_/w234-h299/dorothea2.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothea Lange, Human Erosion in <br />California (Migrant Mother), 1936</td></tr></tbody></table><b><br />4. She could not be hired as a photographer for the government,</b> but rather her title was <b>stenographer. </b> Paul Taylor was given a grant through Roosevelt's New Deal initiatives. With these monies, he was able to recruit Lange but the government wouldn't accept her as "photographer" so instead she had to accept the title of "stenographer".<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>5. Her iconic photograph of Migrant Mother, Rose Thompson almost didn't happen. </b>Lange on the last day of the project, she was heading home when she passed the migrant encampment. She traveled on for 20 more miles, before deciding to go back and photograph them. She took 5 exposures. Not only did the photograph become one of the most reproduced in the world, but once it was published in San Francisco, it raised $250,000 for the migrant workers crisis.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>6. Her work was censored. </b>In 1941, she deferred a prestigious fellowship, so she could document the Japanese internment camps. Her work was so powerful, that the government seized the photos in hopes that they wouldn't persuade public opinion concerning the unconstitutional camps. The photos were not publically shown till after the war in 1946.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hcMZxhLG5aYw1AyER-h-QyMQX0q51tslHcSt9cbNY7MmwSQ3ODd03pGcJ8Sboaa_oJYy22s2ZTnIRIGntHJQq3CXnoCPd5LyeR-Z8YKqnOECll1Ykj9szpRYmA8bsNjdJWo0GM3a4dDQ2i1JoCu8aReZZJU-DcDigV33bFsj_pbBcGx-HZQhYLE-vGZB/s721/dorothea6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="721" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hcMZxhLG5aYw1AyER-h-QyMQX0q51tslHcSt9cbNY7MmwSQ3ODd03pGcJ8Sboaa_oJYy22s2ZTnIRIGntHJQq3CXnoCPd5LyeR-Z8YKqnOECll1Ykj9szpRYmA8bsNjdJWo0GM3a4dDQ2i1JoCu8aReZZJU-DcDigV33bFsj_pbBcGx-HZQhYLE-vGZB/w400-h311/dorothea6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothea Lange, Grandfather and grandson of Japanese ancestry at a War <br />Relocation Authority center, Manzanar, California, July 1942</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">If you want more information concerning the life of Dorothea Lange, I can strongly recommend the YouTube documentary, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrODn0f1z0g&ab_channel=CarletonThomasAnderson">Dorothea Lange - An American Odyssey</a>. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-43873856013337622292024-02-16T00:00:00.020-05:002024-02-16T15:05:58.050-05:00The Changing World of Social Media on Off the Wall Friday<p> So this week, it was brought to my attention, how much social media has changed over the short life of the internet. In the late 90's, it wasn't unusual to connect with other quilters on different sites including www.quilt.com. There were also forums (Reddit type) where you could ask questions and form groups. I joined a quilt guild that was active but just virtually. At the time, it was all very new and</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmk6WyC4FJGUMHMSQUKRoYYBZ3bkPKUOSrfNvakTrRnVRB0sFaGpipByelFwqS5WWqi6vIM0jtk7ACv-fo3w6t-KNw_J-8-wBGnKywxjnjD29bBOf8fpIXw2SQ_bMkDlqbv11ddXKKvjdVfEvgK6-Oijv7TkSrQFrnokOIZhDoUDgrGJlnxa46-19q78W/s720/e3b27092ccb3a48308b06fa27be8c344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="720" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmk6WyC4FJGUMHMSQUKRoYYBZ3bkPKUOSrfNvakTrRnVRB0sFaGpipByelFwqS5WWqi6vIM0jtk7ACv-fo3w6t-KNw_J-8-wBGnKywxjnjD29bBOf8fpIXw2SQ_bMkDlqbv11ddXKKvjdVfEvgK6-Oijv7TkSrQFrnokOIZhDoUDgrGJlnxa46-19q78W/s320/e3b27092ccb3a48308b06fa27be8c344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> interesting. I also belonged to two email groups (one traditional - one art quilt-based) where you would start a topic and people would chime in with their answers or two cents. These would get very active and it wasn't unusual to come home to 500+ emails. In the early 2000s, blogging took off. Here was another way to connect with like-minded people. EVERYONE and their mother started a blog. Next popped up Facebook and then Instagram and then TikTok. Each platform offered something new and shiny to the user. Sites come and go...apps come and go...(<i>do you remember the first time someone explained to you what an app was?)</i> I'm sure you, like I , have found it a bit much. Plus as the years go on, we have members aging out of the platforms where they find they have other ways to enjoy their retirement. It seems as if the new penny has lost some of its shine.<p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Or so I thought.</span></p><p>In the last couple of months, I've joined two VERY active maker's groups on Facebook. Honestly, at this point, I really thought that Facebook groups were a thing of the past. I apparently was wrong. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiG8jYbfXN17_mDtOMfOk7PsXbO5QkF3VqFOODQOl6IZaBDSHjWCeQXiA-I34btsPUw6mKGlnhs9fpixnAkaL4iVKG2F_q2_tMMXXq4ojlxZy1BBGMq5yHKKAtAgDobpF4qwZMkdvg9YadPTjWVgUsaaYM19K3od2VS9SarvJFMJx9XMBUKkMuAW_09J7/s1260/LEP-LOGO-RGB-ROUND.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiG8jYbfXN17_mDtOMfOk7PsXbO5QkF3VqFOODQOl6IZaBDSHjWCeQXiA-I34btsPUw6mKGlnhs9fpixnAkaL4iVKG2F_q2_tMMXXq4ojlxZy1BBGMq5yHKKAtAgDobpF4qwZMkdvg9YadPTjWVgUsaaYM19K3od2VS9SarvJFMJx9XMBUKkMuAW_09J7/w216-h216/LEP-LOGO-RGB-ROUND.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>The first is <a href="https://www.looseendsproject.org/">Loose Ends Project Finishers</a>. Loose Ends are matchmakers. They match the families of<br /> either passed loved ones or disabled makers who have left behind projects with makers who can finish the projects for them. It reaches out to knitters, crocheters, embroiders, quilters etc who volunteer their talents to help out. There are 22,000 finishers (me included) in 64 countries. The idea has gotten so popular that JoAnn's is an official sponsor and running a current "Round Up " campaign through the month of February to help. You can join in at their site but they also have an active FB group that shows off work that is completed.<p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Funny Story of the Day:</span></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>So my husband comes home from JoAnn's and says - hey I rounded up my change to this pretty cool group - it's a group that will finish projects when you die. I suggest you start finishing up some of these quilts so you don't keep them busy! I said - Ohhh I'm part of that group! He said - well you are a "Finisher" not a "Starter", right?! LOL I told him we don't accept suggestions from the peanut gallery in this studio. Sent him back to his woodshop.</i></span></p><p>The Second group I've joined is the<span style="font-size: large;"> Quilting/Sewing Room Organization Facebook Group. </span> It has 91K members (and counting). This is a very active group that is dedicated to exactly what the name states organizing your sewing space. As long-time readers know, peeping on other's sewing rooms is a guilty pleasure of mine and this really has fed into this big time! It's amazing where people from all over the world choose to create. Some spaces are exactly as you expect...big, no expense-spared kind of dream rooms. Others are sewers just starting out and asking for ideas on how to use their tiny space the best. Lots, like me fall in the middle. For the most part, the group is encouraging and very helpful. I really have had fun reading how people problem-solve their organizational problems and also encouraging those who have gone through life changes and need help getting their space put together. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9yd0tX6Z3ys-DebUQwbUnZgmQJeGWBWOBNG754ePrZF38bLpExeJZAkba9XmOyohyQm27AQ5EOpEFkVwryYxVn9Len5n_U80uGrJFMpT7NDNFm92ebny2jtY0q07fr8-TYRLiyLLuRtkrK4bNzHlyAhp4QidC7OEZaAdoKOwsnLD0pbtGV8G4kMyAF7v/s400/after6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="400" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9yd0tX6Z3ys-DebUQwbUnZgmQJeGWBWOBNG754ePrZF38bLpExeJZAkba9XmOyohyQm27AQ5EOpEFkVwryYxVn9Len5n_U80uGrJFMpT7NDNFm92ebny2jtY0q07fr8-TYRLiyLLuRtkrK4bNzHlyAhp4QidC7OEZaAdoKOwsnLD0pbtGV8G4kMyAF7v/w447-h212/after6.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>To tell you the truth, I have to really watch my screen time on this last group or I could lose hours - reading and answering!</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">P.S.</span></b> Since it's come up in the comments - here is the scoop about why my husband was at JoAnn's - So he went himself as I happened to be out of town that day. He had to buy some velvet that I did assure him they sell and <i>yes you just bring the bolt up to the counter and they will cut the yardage you need.</i> He needed the velvet because he was finishing up his "Wedding Time Capsule Boxes" for the upcoming season. The boxes are made big enough to hold a bottle of wine and any other mementos the couple wants to keep for future anniversaries. He is currently selling these on his<a href="https://www.6northwood.com/"> website</a> and they are customizable. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy7Vk8yEZ265KjnQHK-4rRWo1Bw7A0JCQh6pErNh5DhpV9-ntN3X5uKqEkjUURMGpqxMkAs1_UIdOGiHjagG6OKzty_diZ8y-6SIr-gyb_aBls2ImXDBjnuZzmHqxGtXrAHy9FUSC6G5DiRgHHUwxzWWFOXU2Eh1e_SLiH9LReocYTMpbepockbDn3SJo/s4032/427990256_357423517181643_3880187243906499606_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy7Vk8yEZ265KjnQHK-4rRWo1Bw7A0JCQh6pErNh5DhpV9-ntN3X5uKqEkjUURMGpqxMkAs1_UIdOGiHjagG6OKzty_diZ8y-6SIr-gyb_aBls2ImXDBjnuZzmHqxGtXrAHy9FUSC6G5DiRgHHUwxzWWFOXU2Eh1e_SLiH9LReocYTMpbepockbDn3SJo/w349-h262/427990256_357423517181643_3880187243906499606_n.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Do you have any new social media outlets you like to use?</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-10332058215537543502024-02-09T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-09T00:00:00.134-05:00Improv Quilts at John C. Campbell on Off the Wall Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arZbzXEungg/XOdRj2vXP8I/AAAAAAAAFJQ/66F7ajOiyEMEBIDIAOWu6afKQOr83ewqQCLcBGAs/s400/4a3cecd6e9273d46e12a1cacf15ce655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="400" height="327" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arZbzXEungg/XOdRj2vXP8I/AAAAAAAAFJQ/66F7ajOiyEMEBIDIAOWu6afKQOr83ewqQCLcBGAs/w422-h327/4a3cecd6e9273d46e12a1cacf15ce655.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall 1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>With 2024 starting, I thought it was a good idea to look into our next <span style="font-size: large;">creative vacation.</span> Paul and I both wanted to get back to<a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2019/06/john-c-campbell-folk-school-review-off.html"> John C. Campbells Folk School</a> in North Carolina so I started there. Luckily, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95XCDfmFuX0/XPnO1ar4udI/AAAAAAAAFKk/V5M5v9jcqacG3JT4YJ6Ovg6lKKn6CP2HwCLcBGAs/s342/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="256" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95XCDfmFuX0/XPnO1ar4udI/AAAAAAAAFKk/V5M5v9jcqacG3JT4YJ6Ovg6lKKn6CP2HwCLcBGAs/s320/sign.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I found the class, Intro to Improvisational Quilts taught by<a href="http://www.FiberAnticsbyVeronica.com"> Veronica Hofman-Ortega</a>. The class description reads....<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Explore improvisational cutting and piecing methods to create one-of-a-kind contemporary quilts. Dispense with templates, exact measurements, and block-based patchwork, and embrace the unexpected and exciting outcomes you can get with improvisational patchwork. Arrive with a sense of adventure and spontaneity and prepare to break out of the traditional quilt-making box. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought, <b>"Hey, that sounds like it would be fun!"</b>, so I talked Paul into taking another class that week. There happen to be a few great ones to choose front (<i>hint hint </i>- Open Hearth cooking - I mean who doesn't want their husband to learn how to cook over an open hearth right?) But he settled on, "Hand Building for the Garden" which contrary to what it sounds like is a pottery class that teaches beginner non-wheel clay techniques. When we go on vacations like this, I, the quilter, want to sew all week while Paul, the woodworker wants to do anything but touch wood! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once emailing Veronica and getting the supply list, I could tell it was my type of class. We're to bring all sorts of light to dark fabrics including a good gradation in gray. Go figure I have it all here. I haven't done improv piecing in forever though. In fact, I really have never worked innately. I mean I know that people do just sew and put it up on the wall and sew some more, but I still need to have a plan on where I'm going.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_o-KnIiEsM/XOdR8KDydBI/AAAAAAAAFJc/pCAck_4o2WsEgxeZJlBEgj2-_rBZ8nmEQCLcBGAs/s400/seas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="400" height="316" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_o-KnIiEsM/XOdR8KDydBI/AAAAAAAAFJc/pCAck_4o2WsEgxeZJlBEgj2-_rBZ8nmEQCLcBGAs/w430-h316/seas.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Take for instance my <span style="font-size: large;">Fall Series</span>. I started out with 8...yes 8...just improved line drawings. I picked a palette inspired by - <i><span style="font-size: large;">gasp</span></i> - fall colors and then.....just kinda sewed up what my line drawing was like. I didn't use patterns but at least I had an idea of where it was heading! I did do 2 out of the 8 and I really can see myself going back and finishing more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then there was my Crosses series. With those, I started with improv little crosses and came up with the layout using value studies. I think I did 3 or 4 of them. <i>hmmmm </i>I really liked that series; I should do some more!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mdy66GgFPw/UOYg5tG8Q9I/AAAAAAAABQg/WXcr6qqxPoM/s400/IMG_4892+(800x594).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="400" height="319" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mdy66GgFPw/UOYg5tG8Q9I/AAAAAAAABQg/WXcr6qqxPoM/w429-h319/IMG_4892+(800x594).jpg" width="429" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So needless to say, as the class date of March 24th approaches, I'm getting excited. The fun thing about this kind of class is that you never quite know where it's going to take you and where you're going to end up!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-45519169993400161462024-02-02T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-02T00:00:00.262-05:00Designing a Calendar Cow on Off the Wall Friday<p> I was looking back at previous posts (and when I say "back" I mean <i>wayyyyyy </i>back) and I realized that</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEtDPYIn6dDOhcm16FiezeZIjQYXLK-qC40YPetvquiNBowNl_j128LyKQrbRZoDNrlJ7fac_YmjkrO5r4e9RkCE362NwACJeqMnvA8PCkw8PIVMDnqR85r1nVmok01OIXvptyEp1FA-FXDEeeR6mBeubxuA6UjjwrbxsppCujUNgYTf5DZ3M9nN3XGhR/s798/weddingcow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="798" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEtDPYIn6dDOhcm16FiezeZIjQYXLK-qC40YPetvquiNBowNl_j128LyKQrbRZoDNrlJ7fac_YmjkrO5r4e9RkCE362NwACJeqMnvA8PCkw8PIVMDnqR85r1nVmok01OIXvptyEp1FA-FXDEeeR6mBeubxuA6UjjwrbxsppCujUNgYTf5DZ3M9nN3XGhR/w208-h176/weddingcow.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /> I hadn't shown <span style="font-size: large;">how</span> I designed the Calendar Cow blocks. So I thought it was a good idea to, since so many times I hear from people who see my work, "I wish I could draw." I always smile and answer, <span style="font-size: large;">"Me, too!"</span><p></p><p>So here is how to design a representational block when you can't draw but you know how to use a laptop, pencil and tracing paper.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. </b></span> <b>Come up with an Idea.</b> Since these blocks are in series, it makes it pretty easy. The next month up is June and with that<span style="font-size: large;"> June Brides</span>. I mean what cow doesn't want to have a June wedding? So then I started brainstorming the things I wanted in it - I came up with a Cow (duh!) - a veil - an old-fashioned church.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">2.</span></b> <b>Steal the Elements.</b> It's amazing how many places have royalty-free photos now online. Today I used<a href="https://unsplash.com/"> Unsplashed</a>. I chose this amazing cow photo done by<a href="https://unsplash.com/@withluke"> Luke Stackpoole </a>who graciously put his work up to be downloaded freely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOW7SiHT0Cso8YrFE9-l4ZImfQdGruTjqpEhm91K550cikvCQzAhSbAcbtaRCv5A-xeSLq6BNnQWnWdIfcF-Izl6gOkZrvgbliNfEwLncldBHDBNgbX5qrMYqV-GCL_HF98Z_0iG37gA51Epyp_auQV0iKIrClb3lYY-naJX2eC44jv_ndqCgWkAq7SKN/s3742/luke-stackpoole-RxHhxWnXmNs-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3742" data-original-width="3144" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOW7SiHT0Cso8YrFE9-l4ZImfQdGruTjqpEhm91K550cikvCQzAhSbAcbtaRCv5A-xeSLq6BNnQWnWdIfcF-Izl6gOkZrvgbliNfEwLncldBHDBNgbX5qrMYqV-GCL_HF98Z_0iG37gA51Epyp_auQV0iKIrClb3lYY-naJX2eC44jv_ndqCgWkAq7SKN/s320/luke-stackpoole-RxHhxWnXmNs-unsplash.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>After looking at many, many church photos I chose one by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@mtresemer">Michelle Tresemer</a> because it was simple and it looked like someplace a cow could have an old-fashioned wedding.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLNiRj_nKJJcEt2isKwhHiR3ST32qAc_hyphenhyphenEDSUEYcjGGIvCZhux08h_tS4K9mgaNFj-v_qPwRwzrLgBxpsnM-6eTh_T3FDLwi3iQNoPDpTWzQyO4MR2hx3uxipv8eC2ka1XBqn4u2PMBVl80MI8WQfQfkAozEEwO-5_Pyfwc3GNiqt1rPHoeLs_pyVNC2/s1920/michelle-tresemer-o2Pt_2HPCHE-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLNiRj_nKJJcEt2isKwhHiR3ST32qAc_hyphenhyphenEDSUEYcjGGIvCZhux08h_tS4K9mgaNFj-v_qPwRwzrLgBxpsnM-6eTh_T3FDLwi3iQNoPDpTWzQyO4MR2hx3uxipv8eC2ka1XBqn4u2PMBVl80MI8WQfQfkAozEEwO-5_Pyfwc3GNiqt1rPHoeLs_pyVNC2/w418-h278/michelle-tresemer-o2Pt_2HPCHE-unsplash.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br /><p>As for the viel, I thought I would work out the composition and figure that out at the end.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_VPZKC1P0duZBw3W76ha3hrnn-NveNzLlAH_T2uPEmoER6Bx7O7aF-RW5fxLxcocsXa7Woy_Y-xUOgzU-VxrvyVfHbzbJwohBvMNHLuLtZ92epIlCZEa9yldYGY_kF_c679ig111ZAchsDewXBqKLhCjgWY4f6xCEM-SpzClhWq7IZTKaTCb21bgZPsp/s2048/junecow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_VPZKC1P0duZBw3W76ha3hrnn-NveNzLlAH_T2uPEmoER6Bx7O7aF-RW5fxLxcocsXa7Woy_Y-xUOgzU-VxrvyVfHbzbJwohBvMNHLuLtZ92epIlCZEa9yldYGY_kF_c679ig111ZAchsDewXBqKLhCjgWY4f6xCEM-SpzClhWq7IZTKaTCb21bgZPsp/w248-h331/junecow.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">3. </span></b> <b>Composition of the Block.</b> So now I'm being brave here and showing you my <i>pathetic</i> line drawing. But truly that's all you need to get your basic composition down...a pathetic line drawing! I normally use this step to work out what scale I want the elements. Also, this is where I get a better idea of the main lines in the composition. Since this is part of a series, I'm using the previous blocks as a guide. Notice....big cow in the foreground and the church in the background with the horizon shown. This block though will have a stone fence rather than a wooden one. I love stone fences. <p></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. </b></span> <b>Edit the photos. </b> I edit the photos using a black and white high contrast filter. I print them out in a nice workable size. They don't need to be the <i>exact </i>size just something big enough to trace. I trace the photo with tracing paper because at this stage I can add lines and take lines away that I don't find pleasing using the original photo to help guide me. I am never super careful with the lines. Once the pattern is to my liking, I trace it onto overhead projector film sheets. (I use expo vis a vis markers ... I know my 10 years of teaching is showing but they are washable and won't rub off)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89dckIrTd7zQR4t4ULgd7l3uInozgBXmbL1Dl6LOYSYYXmgXvkiPgqUpIWxTWuVrw7Xw2TmiDsx4p5ClbEeJnyeXqImuyRdZPJGAK1PGGZSn9FNQcamF8p56kYUcFmmtYm8DXlT5BjBpKcXfJ476pLZe4jxWehQsrMMBo80RBVp-j8UNG8HOQ8P_m-nx_/s2048/junecow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89dckIrTd7zQR4t4ULgd7l3uInozgBXmbL1Dl6LOYSYYXmgXvkiPgqUpIWxTWuVrw7Xw2TmiDsx4p5ClbEeJnyeXqImuyRdZPJGAK1PGGZSn9FNQcamF8p56kYUcFmmtYm8DXlT5BjBpKcXfJ476pLZe4jxWehQsrMMBo80RBVp-j8UNG8HOQ8P_m-nx_/w380-h285/junecow2.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br /><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">5. </span> Create the pattern</b>. Now I drag out the WW II overhead projector I bought on eBay 25 years ago for 20 bucks. <i> I mean do they even still make these? </i>I draw out the 16" block and then using the overhead projector, I then move my cow and church to a scale and location I like. The line sketch from Step 3 gives me an idea of where, but I also trust my eye, As you can see here, once I got the pictures up on the block, I really liked the idea of the church scaled larger, bringing forward. Plus you gotta keep in mind this is part of a series, and this layout will look great next to July Cow and his 4th of July Barn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFW7N_pgGfRnNs6sxbWg73hbH_fROMfUUMdFjge6NwuL6zHHR7nEv26Ocw_mQVvBFlfCTnQktOOiIy-HMP5sB5-13Fk2GQN0LNgNTXnNeET4O9Afh4Sey9BG9uXEkLEsnF5EI2_wRfgTT_nSYNTqm3qUsEBM1LRFNTZmbzMYwoM284ryZ_6N3rzXWHBGm/s1410/junecow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1410" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFW7N_pgGfRnNs6sxbWg73hbH_fROMfUUMdFjge6NwuL6zHHR7nEv26Ocw_mQVvBFlfCTnQktOOiIy-HMP5sB5-13Fk2GQN0LNgNTXnNeET4O9Afh4Sey9BG9uXEkLEsnF5EI2_wRfgTT_nSYNTqm3qUsEBM1LRFNTZmbzMYwoM284ryZ_6N3rzXWHBGm/w336-h331/junecow3.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br /><p>With the final pattern trace, I can go back and put in a few details. They will be the veil, the horizon line and hopefully the stone fence. But it's getting late and I've learned never to make design decisions when you're tired. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf2Fv2Bvu5RQRIc6XMnecefqM1uiALyvzR0xJ6_LCXLt4cK3V7-vQjQp1juFYeuian3bmyCqxjKdIZDgP4QPjX1Q25RBI0Q5OcdJQ9VTevmok-zCE7IM5xw3aCodAziPuCMk2pj_5CUv5TX5oFyW6SlZwQE7IfAcHFJmx5EbIsAzL69TPkleZEEy9UztY/s2048/junecow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf2Fv2Bvu5RQRIc6XMnecefqM1uiALyvzR0xJ6_LCXLt4cK3V7-vQjQp1juFYeuian3bmyCqxjKdIZDgP4QPjX1Q25RBI0Q5OcdJQ9VTevmok-zCE7IM5xw3aCodAziPuCMk2pj_5CUv5TX5oFyW6SlZwQE7IfAcHFJmx5EbIsAzL69TPkleZEEy9UztY/w367-h275/junecow4.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know it might seem like a lot, but it really isn't. It took me about 3 hrs. It does help that I have all the supplies I like to use right at my fingertips. The nice thing about this method is that its super versatile and cheap and low tech. I know I'm still using the same box of 100 overhead projector sheets I bought back in the late 90's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now all I have to do is finish up the details on that pattern, choose the fabric, and sew it up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-56078172457241569112024-01-26T00:00:00.010-05:002024-01-26T00:00:00.129-05:00A Return of the Calendar Cows on Off the Wall Friday<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZznxzIP5l4c/TG0gUYZkbaI/AAAAAAAAAV0/D_s6WP03zk0/s640/calendarcows.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="640" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZznxzIP5l4c/TG0gUYZkbaI/AAAAAAAAAV0/D_s6WP03zk0/w552-h374/calendarcows.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January, July, February, October, April, May Cows </td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>This week my husband and I got optimistic and started <span style="font-size: large;">Spring Cleaning </span>our spare bedroom. This room, aka,<i> Tessa's second bedroom </i>has ended up storing all the odds and ends we're not quite sure what to do with. (are we the only ones with rooms like this?) Of course, it got worse when Tessa moved out since her odds and ends are now in there too. Included in this menagerie of stuff, are my<b> UFOs</b>. A while back I did actually weed this group down to pieces I wanted to finish but still, there is a nice pile of them....since..<i>.ya know</i>...I'm the squirrel of quilters. Like who wants to <span style="font-size: large;">finish </span>anything when there are so many great pieces to start?</p><p>Included in the pile was my husband's favorite project, the <b><span style="font-size: large;">Calendar Cows</span></b>. I started this project<i> wayyyyyy</i> back in 2009, when my then 11-year-old was obsessed with cows. The idea behind the project is that each block would have a monthly themed cow all designed by me. At the time, it was the first time I had tried to design anything figuratively that complex by myself. Each block felt like a little triumph. Somewhere along the way, I lost steam at <a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-cow-on-vacation-in-australia.html">"August"</a>. (You can read the story behind it on that post!) It was all designed but not sewn. And there it sat. For <b><span style="font-size: large;">14 years</span></b>. (Yeah, I have no idea where the time goes, truly!)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyelFNf_8Spcw-1XYuKXZLnuSruc7DWCVluXtqC5B4dfGcZAALgD4CFdvNI6kOwchie7-lwEJWU3Qx2KivB-PbaDl7JjkX3-rZd-Ol0ur-aydZVaFP7OxqtEY-bxpS8vheOFtfGE-jNGgqd4T-C0ufvki9kEDf4HeneVwk_6xxoea41BkniJmP5k96PTPC/s1444/cow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1444" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyelFNf_8Spcw-1XYuKXZLnuSruc7DWCVluXtqC5B4dfGcZAALgD4CFdvNI6kOwchie7-lwEJWU3Qx2KivB-PbaDl7JjkX3-rZd-Ol0ur-aydZVaFP7OxqtEY-bxpS8vheOFtfGE-jNGgqd4T-C0ufvki9kEDf4HeneVwk_6xxoea41BkniJmP5k96PTPC/w351-h337/cow.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTSXKagw9TMn17r2jw3mMr7QBjoO8h5YjuDpdJz440MqJo1X41NasrzEKLW-zhwv0jjbTboXDvuvSG2v-aq9c5jLR5ccMGVeWJ9fNqmmMVDp5kxkrl0fboKBvFhco8YxWnG7Vj1wLXnzwQhs3cWw-CXQolY-fAK85E_w6p2iRV2JfW-FE-EDR6iG_8gHI/s2048/Cow3.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTSXKagw9TMn17r2jw3mMr7QBjoO8h5YjuDpdJz440MqJo1X41NasrzEKLW-zhwv0jjbTboXDvuvSG2v-aq9c5jLR5ccMGVeWJ9fNqmmMVDp5kxkrl0fboKBvFhco8YxWnG7Vj1wLXnzwQhs3cWw-CXQolY-fAK85E_w6p2iRV2JfW-FE-EDR6iG_8gHI/w232-h174/Cow3.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiny zigzags</td></tr></tbody></table>At my husband's encouragement, the calendar cows came out into the studio. He's right ... the project is pretty cool. Plus now I have a better idea of what I'm doing. For August, it's vacation cow with her cool shades and beach bungalows. In 2010, I was using a rough edge applique technique taught by Joan Colvin where she would design her piece and put pins in them, then stitch them all down with a little zig-zag stitch. I like the technique but the pins are a pain and my old machine couldn't adjust the <p></p><p>zig-zag down to where I want it.</p><p></p><p>Jump ahead 14 years, and I now can use little dots of <span style="font-size: large;">glue baste</span> and a proper size zig zag compliments of my Janome Horizon. Also, a new addition is the <span style="font-size: large;">Deco Bob </span>for thread which makes the stitches basically disappear. I did get some time to sew today and it's already looking great. It's taking a while to get back into the hang of slowing down and stitching perfectly along the edge but I find that relaxing for sure!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPF1EDyDdJLziZb6VkXGf3OElAa6ebBzZlS4KtCIuqHzQyPbDjZ29zSBTCOd6YmCw88yWE20uur5IAUAxWMEKWzckwEZR-8DiNhfz21Ou00bMCgJOiwlYkULAKuP-Xfx2QOZmGwJWXGem9DH-jZpQGKwU-qhX5NoQkVNXsXO0FHmHkQ7rRe9xWi3Aeua5H/s2048/cow2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPF1EDyDdJLziZb6VkXGf3OElAa6ebBzZlS4KtCIuqHzQyPbDjZ29zSBTCOd6YmCw88yWE20uur5IAUAxWMEKWzckwEZR-8DiNhfz21Ou00bMCgJOiwlYkULAKuP-Xfx2QOZmGwJWXGem9DH-jZpQGKwU-qhX5NoQkVNXsXO0FHmHkQ7rRe9xWi3Aeua5H/w395-h296/cow2.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thread disappears</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Of course, I got to record all of this in my journal. It's nice to have a record for this project as well as any other future rough edge applique pieces. Plus I want to do a palette study on this piece. When I started, I was just kinda winging it, and now I know that having a set palette will make the whole piece stronger!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThlUDR_NWJZ4AXGQXcE2jjw9qTavJqqJkROsM3Zz_KKTFwnOSDprR8yEKbjRn-sGDbBgdP_zT3rEA2MCnPyN8qNHqqqoeabXQzZLqv4tPelKC0xxXe02qOTfQKwq4zAAGPOsGnkHNN_LJugG0X51Q3u91OVf2FzXWnZybscrLInYSl658qetnm_yyr8FO/s1640/cow4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1640" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThlUDR_NWJZ4AXGQXcE2jjw9qTavJqqJkROsM3Zz_KKTFwnOSDprR8yEKbjRn-sGDbBgdP_zT3rEA2MCnPyN8qNHqqqoeabXQzZLqv4tPelKC0xxXe02qOTfQKwq4zAAGPOsGnkHNN_LJugG0X51Q3u91OVf2FzXWnZybscrLInYSl658qetnm_yyr8FO/s320/cow4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my art sketchbook, ya gotta start some place!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's weird to be this excited over a 15-year-old project but there ya go... the life of a quilter!</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-50229725291997211072024-01-19T00:00:00.001-05:002024-01-19T00:00:00.127-05:00Art Sketchbooks on Off the Wall Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjQvyttCaBe4kGbSHOuJraqISVn-ISE_lBg4J0PBD22OV7FKejIQSI39djusukZ0ANy5WYG2FK24NT16f5DlQHVKk927Po2plrwsmxh7tpHntIrkdGg1MiBwryaJgamWQW9vf0THAODzb0jtP0TEyFYoP64AHbwIIf7VDbjUSJTAdbr_KEhqSg9QdpjaX/s2048/journal1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjQvyttCaBe4kGbSHOuJraqISVn-ISE_lBg4J0PBD22OV7FKejIQSI39djusukZ0ANy5WYG2FK24NT16f5DlQHVKk927Po2plrwsmxh7tpHntIrkdGg1MiBwryaJgamWQW9vf0THAODzb0jtP0TEyFYoP64AHbwIIf7VDbjUSJTAdbr_KEhqSg9QdpjaX/w470-h353/journal1.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Okay, it's guilty pleasure confession time....One of my favorite things to do when I'm avoiding working in my studio is to look at videos and TikTok of other artists' sketchbooks. It all started with me looking at my daughter's best friend's TikTok page. <span style="font-size: large;">Brittany</span> is a trained artist and it's been fun to watch her develop into this amazing professional. Here is the<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bidiza/video/7033856202870164741"> one </a>that started it all. She spent the year doing a lot of figure studies. That led to one of my favorite hashtags <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sketchbooktour">#sketchbooktour | TikTok</a> where there are a ton of them to look at! I started to get<span style="font-size: large;"> sketchbook envy</span> and wonder why I didn't take up painting and drawing instead of sewing. (<i>oh yeah I <strike>hate</strike> dislike painting immensely)</i>. Then I got the <b><span style="font-size: large;">big idea </span></b>why do I need to do a sketchbook with ink and paint? Why not use fabric - some glued - some stitched....it should work, right?</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDuRXrGbIaGkEvm_4VYoKKpc5uchTCJLzrI4f-_lq9if4tCsBcAizolHSKb4f8Z6BWfNHELB-nc1xHV5SS2EBcglTofMnXUSPHIfWlKaSXil66Iullk2YTZxpCqM4ye7el_vEIY5xvzDNRpZM6iNJIe2B4xV39sXOWsNQ6xxm16_LfiSjdLpQqU3mDYF0/s617/audraauclair.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="617" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDuRXrGbIaGkEvm_4VYoKKpc5uchTCJLzrI4f-_lq9if4tCsBcAizolHSKb4f8Z6BWfNHELB-nc1xHV5SS2EBcglTofMnXUSPHIfWlKaSXil66Iullk2YTZxpCqM4ye7el_vEIY5xvzDNRpZM6iNJIe2B4xV39sXOWsNQ6xxm16_LfiSjdLpQqU3mDYF0/w415-h250/audraauclair.png" width="415" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audra Auclair</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So I got on the phone with Brittany and we started brainstorming ideas of how an art quilter's sketchbook to go. Luckily I happen to have a nice new mixed-media sketchbook just hanging out on my shelf. Some ideas we came up with were....</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bFKoA2ZyGLQYYyA5SewrT7nNxEIDMdMTpEpwRLdfI9rgIiY25yfLkmKHhFXCDhM7_0gfWX7spriU_Fe4fGHsaFwxzbe802OuLdevKKiNniAqn1b_ifocOPV3I_fR0DGG_Jl5SLGy0-iCNrivNvofZoygFnw3KDOA5j_mLBkp3Oi_BigXGuJGNIMgdCG8/s1373/journal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="1117" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bFKoA2ZyGLQYYyA5SewrT7nNxEIDMdMTpEpwRLdfI9rgIiY25yfLkmKHhFXCDhM7_0gfWX7spriU_Fe4fGHsaFwxzbe802OuLdevKKiNniAqn1b_ifocOPV3I_fR0DGG_Jl5SLGy0-iCNrivNvofZoygFnw3KDOA5j_mLBkp3Oi_BigXGuJGNIMgdCG8/s320/journal2.jpg" width="260" /></b></a></div><b>composition studies</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>palette studies</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>creative quote prompts<br /></b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>value studies</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>Element of art exercises</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>cropped compositions from master paintings</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>line and negative space studies</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>texture and stitch ideas</b></li><li style="text-align: left;"><b>3D and shading studies</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">and that's just a handful! Now the idea was for me to take some time this week and start mine but alas work got in the way. Still, I thought this would be a good way for me to try out some new ideas in a non-threatening way plus take you all along for the ride. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what an art quilt sketchbook is going to look like in the end...but I'm game!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWmb78u3RdfSklW2KYQBwTBeVUh1PbZmiTBF4LbkqqXb2xOdi-_JmOm-a95UwsMUwrSICN1sQsk39yUv3a8NGQW7q3snKxvnvWMmNVGzuZ6ZX8qYigs5hJ1DHjHdcL2d0AKlrC59qODQbHCChkmgEkDXnsxAx4CIhdfmwzET8vICeAYPDAKKHlwMX5eWU/s1028/paulhoi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1028" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWmb78u3RdfSklW2KYQBwTBeVUh1PbZmiTBF4LbkqqXb2xOdi-_JmOm-a95UwsMUwrSICN1sQsk39yUv3a8NGQW7q3snKxvnvWMmNVGzuZ6ZX8qYigs5hJ1DHjHdcL2d0AKlrC59qODQbHCChkmgEkDXnsxAx4CIhdfmwzET8vICeAYPDAKKHlwMX5eWU/w421-h295/paulhoi.png" width="421" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So<i> hopefull</i>y by next week, I'll have a page or two filled to share!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Under things that I like</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This week I found and joined a new facebook group. It's called "Quilting/Sewing Room Organization" It's an active group with people posting their amazing sewing spaces and questions on how to get an amazing space. If you are as interested as I am in where people create, I highly suggest it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-18297905574167817282024-01-12T00:00:00.003-05:002024-01-12T00:00:00.150-05:00A Return to Off the Wall Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcBGoGRL2ZH-JTvmV7kQva1OZe2y_nmNP4-veOqZpNcyf9qvIh6tTNm5i-NtcCxhRv07yhYk_OsJVhKWpW_8O3UUhu4gix6gR-PDCZiiE6hvnYywdiajC5Uqar55uzbHAszuASzxmZUpSuYod0wHu-ggxKhGinrC7wpkytXUUfytBfVaFi8Ye2a60hjul/s770/degas2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="770" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcBGoGRL2ZH-JTvmV7kQva1OZe2y_nmNP4-veOqZpNcyf9qvIh6tTNm5i-NtcCxhRv07yhYk_OsJVhKWpW_8O3UUhu4gix6gR-PDCZiiE6hvnYywdiajC5Uqar55uzbHAszuASzxmZUpSuYod0wHu-ggxKhGinrC7wpkytXUUfytBfVaFi8Ye2a60hjul/w569-h414/degas2.png" width="569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women Ironing, 1884–86. Edgar Degas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>First I want to say a big <span style="font-size: large;">thank </span>you for all the kind words I received over the last couple of months. This has been the first significant break I took from blogging and it was really needed. I've learned that my creative journey has had its ups and downs over the years, and it's okay. To quote my friend, Rhonda, just <span style="font-size: large;">"Don't give up",</span> So I'm not. </p><p>I'm officially back in my studio! It's funny to get back into your studio and think, "Okay, where was I?"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0MN63aKxJ9k1US9LGvRbm4YsMW-vGB4BiPNcQy3QqgUyfBvZt0JOdYuHGtu1acHQvW5esSwov637RwDx2eYklWU8gL9JRCvLf9MR_JKHJFw7kkTTWwTXJXQq74Rw3bWGQxu5W1VLevCvgWVaa5ZjIoZpDJHkkWmv_E5NtzCiITYlTJziNvploUTo0xkH/s840/4.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="840" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0MN63aKxJ9k1US9LGvRbm4YsMW-vGB4BiPNcQy3QqgUyfBvZt0JOdYuHGtu1acHQvW5esSwov637RwDx2eYklWU8gL9JRCvLf9MR_JKHJFw7kkTTWwTXJXQq74Rw3bWGQxu5W1VLevCvgWVaa5ZjIoZpDJHkkWmv_E5NtzCiITYlTJziNvploUTo0xkH/s320/4.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I left off at hand appliqueing <span style="font-size: large;">Month 9 </span>of the <b>Quilt Show's BOM 2023</b>. The task-oriented side of me is kinda<i> bummed</i> I didn't finish it in 2023, but then I reminded myself that not many people were actually doing it by hand. Besides, the idea is not to beat yourself up....the idea is<b> "Don't give up!" </b> So I am going to endeavor to applique in the evenings when I'm relaxing to my favorite audiobooks.<p></p><p>Also, on my <span style="font-size: large;">2024 To-Do list </span>is to finish up the<a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2023/07/when-your-big-idea-changes-on-off-wall.html"> Sunflower Girl </a>I started in Timna Tarr's Mosaic stitch class last July. She's been sitting right where I left her when I unpacked and like Paul said - she looks lonely. I want to finish her up before I leave for John C. Campbell in March (<i>more on that in a later post!)</i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgUE54n3Bj_UqyWpbapjot0HrdGOrif15XD6Ikz_s7jYaoHkpiAoDM-KJ8HugGy1Z1IwZipAaWcr3Q8KnZs1bpwg2KKy6xcEDTivljQQ_nodIwe5rpAjmhor6Xaa1a5up3vbMLLasButNpPW-VodgPxoEKvhR2fdTsM34SK7wIahnMtP2YgJTw7ffo1Jc/s770/degas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="770" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgUE54n3Bj_UqyWpbapjot0HrdGOrif15XD6Ikz_s7jYaoHkpiAoDM-KJ8HugGy1Z1IwZipAaWcr3Q8KnZs1bpwg2KKy6xcEDTivljQQ_nodIwe5rpAjmhor6Xaa1a5up3vbMLLasButNpPW-VodgPxoEKvhR2fdTsM34SK7wIahnMtP2YgJTw7ffo1Jc/w532-h388/degas.png" width="532" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman Ironing, c. 1869. Edgar Degas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>We did find time to get over to the Cleveland Museum of Art to see the exhibit, <b>"Degas and the Laundress: Women, Work, and Impressionism." </b> So we all know Degas' fascination with dancers, but he also had a great interest in the working-class women of Paris. Over his lifetime, the laundress series spanned 30 paintings. I was a little surprised that he found the "lowly laundress" so fascinating. I mean, a male painter depicting women actually going through their normal day's work <strike>with their clothes on!</strike> Who would thunk?! Not to mention, he had people commission pieces from the series, so he wasn't the only one who found the laundress interesting. The exhibit while not huge was sooooooo good! Along with Degas, it also included works of his contemporaries, Gustave Caillebotte, Berthe Morisot, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to name a few.</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Under Things I Like....</b></span></p><p>Do you have your favorite YouTubers? Lately, we've been watching a lot of YouTube. One of our favorite vloggers is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/baumgartnerrestoration">Baumgartner Restoration. </a> Julian Baumgartner takes you along on his journey conserving paintings. I'm not sure what is more fascinating the care and attention he brings to his work or the difference between the "Before" and "After". One warning, this channel is addicting! Julian has the nicest voice and way about him. </p><p>What are your favorite YouTube channels?</p><p><i>soooooooooooo</i></p><p><b>It's very - very - good to say - once again....</b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></p>
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-71389930439287931392023-11-17T07:13:00.012-05:002023-11-30T16:31:04.480-05:00<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Due to a death in my immediate family, Off the Wall Friday will be postponed till after Christmas. I'm just going to take some family time. Sorry for the inconvenience!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Blessings to everyone!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nina</span></p>Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-71922373910427127362023-11-03T00:00:00.001-04:002023-11-03T00:00:00.141-04:00Off the Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCN6WPiroIKvGTEDN-E9XP1vxk_xvv1UXCswawb_MxsHNH4IYuFgGPZtNDNY9ihX8vzx4aVOKI8eOd9_FsZFhQoSMuL47-kDCnYiGSqOZZnWxdHNdmk88u71M70xrvXY0Mr4qWaKTcn-pp77jmpufTAGFEaFxuztF-W5QRYFD4g2ucN2XFYNsbZ7fMZtN/s960/668f03445f0d2a7978451434e5aebf0c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCN6WPiroIKvGTEDN-E9XP1vxk_xvv1UXCswawb_MxsHNH4IYuFgGPZtNDNY9ihX8vzx4aVOKI8eOd9_FsZFhQoSMuL47-kDCnYiGSqOZZnWxdHNdmk88u71M70xrvXY0Mr4qWaKTcn-pp77jmpufTAGFEaFxuztF-W5QRYFD4g2ucN2XFYNsbZ7fMZtN/s400/668f03445f0d2a7978451434e5aebf0c.jpg" /></a></div><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-51810724941259567902023-10-27T00:00:00.002-04:002023-10-27T06:27:38.447-04:00Easy-Peasy Value Studies - Off the Wall Friday<p><i> So my last week of traveling got cancelled since I finally caught the dreaded Covid. It took me 3.5 years so that is another thing I can mark off my bucket list! Luckily, with the last variant, it amounted to little more than a cold. It did disrupt my sleeping and eating though which seems to me so strange.So between those two things, I'm a bit of a mess. It's also kept me out of the studio for two weeks which is a bummer. Because of that...I am re-running a post I did on value. The reason I chose value is that I think it's the most important element in designing your own work. No matter if you're a quilter who does your own original work or one that chooses fabric for someone else's pattern, value is an important skill. </i></p><p><i>So here is the post I wrote 8 years ago.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Okay, I admit it, I've been <span style="font-size: large;"><b>lazy</b></span> and it's getting harder and harder to get into my studio. I could <span style="font-size: large;"><b>blame</b> </span>a lot of things - domestic tasks. working full time, getting Tessa back into the routine of her senior year. But honestly, I think it's<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> me</span></b>.<br /><br /> Sometimes after a big project, it's hard to get back into the swing of things. So I thought I would take it <b><span style="font-size: large;">easy</span></b> this time.<br /><br />That said, with the mood I'm in, I didn't want to over-exert myself looking for something new. I know I want to play around with simple shapes and keep working on my abstract. . . but after that it is kinda of up in the air. Luckily, I keep a<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/qudiva/architecture-inspiration/"> pinterest board of inspiration</a>. Even when I'm lazy, I still manage to keep adding to my boards.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSy9xSXOgdU/VgSzU7gFSXI/AAAAAAAADL8/wgDZdFxMc2Y/s1600/imageedit_4_2404660385.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSy9xSXOgdU/VgSzU7gFSXI/AAAAAAAADL8/wgDZdFxMc2Y/s320/imageedit_4_2404660385.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lg8TQSxp5L4/VgS1E-GsFOI/AAAAAAAADMg/B8BcVHU2MQ8/s1600/second2.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lg8TQSxp5L4/VgS1E-GsFOI/AAAAAAAADMg/B8BcVHU2MQ8/s320/second2.JPG" width="224" /></a>This time it led me to some modern architectural pictures which I found very cool. Using them as the foundation of inspiration, I wanted to abstract them out without a lot of fuss. Now I could go through tracing them and then doing value drawings by hand. Why expend all that energy?<br /><br />Instead, I used an online site -<a href="http://www166.lunapic.com/editor/"> LunaPic</a> - to help me manipulate the images. I could use my photoshop but I always find it a little bulky. This online source was easy and very intuitive to use. For my purposes today I just grayed out the picture (took the saturation of color down to 0) and pixelated them. Instant abstract value study!!! Easy-Peasy!!!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlVlbhs33aE/VgS1oVNUi0I/AAAAAAAADMk/6o24s6f21PU/s1600/third.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlVlbhs33aE/VgS1oVNUi0I/AAAAAAAADMk/6o24s6f21PU/s320/third.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ0Odp4IwvI/VgSznzhR46I/AAAAAAAADMM/QhiUq4137Bk/s1600/imageedit_2_4618121892.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ0Odp4IwvI/VgSznzhR46I/AAAAAAAADMM/QhiUq4137Bk/s320/imageedit_2_4618121892.jpg" width="220" /></a>This was so fun I think I'll work on them a bit longer finding just the right one. I have an idea of what I want to do with that but I'll save them for another post!!<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">So What Have Been Up to Creatively?</span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /></div><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-45707999406995297292023-10-20T00:00:00.002-04:002023-10-20T00:00:00.141-04:00Off the Wall Friday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUUbmNuA9D6hK_nlVLK39UcxUNqgTo8pebC9mAHTab9pB9nVZ5FScTP5OmB1HjOXj_CKPNkHQmAT4Hyt_mrNq6PU1_UmRUZ5N1oj4oqjTHOLe8QflpZg7_9mjr0B_QnCy6r2pz-ynOe2vS_eBmW4fFzTNO6FKVhwMP9pJK14hqhFTATFE9IRzQQQZxLoA/s808/quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="643" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUUbmNuA9D6hK_nlVLK39UcxUNqgTo8pebC9mAHTab9pB9nVZ5FScTP5OmB1HjOXj_CKPNkHQmAT4Hyt_mrNq6PU1_UmRUZ5N1oj4oqjTHOLe8QflpZg7_9mjr0B_QnCy6r2pz-ynOe2vS_eBmW4fFzTNO6FKVhwMP9pJK14hqhFTATFE9IRzQQQZxLoA/w405-h508/quote.png" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm still traveling this week ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</b></span></div><br /> <p></p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-12887814951469984702023-10-13T00:00:00.002-04:002023-10-13T00:00:00.142-04:00Off the Wall Friday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9htVyU9OcsRYRqZeNuwM6YwEuiKwDcL-gsnNJyA0fABwRjx_OmNLvNVgyPCn1O19hI-AZUArc_Lu953C_fChjt_gn9DUPBWUYm0yW3nDBbsQtwVOI2H8IUg16HWQ0aZPcajImoCDA-Hffchz3rxwASa3rCfZzlSXLabPrWzEot4tllO1PG8NARvSooPgB/s658/quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="658" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9htVyU9OcsRYRqZeNuwM6YwEuiKwDcL-gsnNJyA0fABwRjx_OmNLvNVgyPCn1O19hI-AZUArc_Lu953C_fChjt_gn9DUPBWUYm0yW3nDBbsQtwVOI2H8IUg16HWQ0aZPcajImoCDA-Hffchz3rxwASa3rCfZzlSXLabPrWzEot4tllO1PG8NARvSooPgB/w463-h346/quote.png" width="463" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sorry, I'm traveling the next couple of weeks so I'll just</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">be hosting!! Be assured though I still will be reading!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creative</span></b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>ly</b>?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-82004813754682969272023-10-06T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-06T00:00:00.146-04:00Stalled on Off the Wall Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvY70nbqozQ3otXQqwXLZ52NS9GzN6zmSOEM-ucC-WUP_v5IlEUwXWCMjLQ6iw-C33VShhzwl1WyBA6zgpxHMEa-gfCyIld28wq3x2hvB-X_HjW7x-fZgXztjp2A7dlvzOJLgh5mheiYs2urnjpFwn8aoF2UnU_3R0dfG_1ijnwZwGUF1-g3NLo4bKXwG/s2048/ennui.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvY70nbqozQ3otXQqwXLZ52NS9GzN6zmSOEM-ucC-WUP_v5IlEUwXWCMjLQ6iw-C33VShhzwl1WyBA6zgpxHMEa-gfCyIld28wq3x2hvB-X_HjW7x-fZgXztjp2A7dlvzOJLgh5mheiYs2urnjpFwn8aoF2UnU_3R0dfG_1ijnwZwGUF1-g3NLo4bKXwG/w456-h342/ennui.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><p> The change of seasons is tough in this part of the Great Lakes. Days get shorter with less sunlight. You never know if it's going to be 55 or 80 degrees out. It's sad thinking that 4 months of snow and glum are just on the horizon. I've learned to combat it some by getting out my Light Therapy lamp and using that while I work. It does help, but let's face it, this Sicilian girl does better in the summer.</p><p>Which brings me to the realization that I have stalled. My Quilt Show Block of the Month sits untouched. I can't seem to get myself to settle into hand applique.... My creative juices feel all dried up .... My studio is a wreck. sighhhhh I'm a mess. </p><p>At least it's not forever. I have <span style="font-size: large;">a plan</span> ... </p><p style="text-align: center;">1. Clean my studio</p><p style="text-align: center;">2. Organize/Put Away the BOM for later</p><p style="text-align: center;">3. Take out the Sunflower Girl</p><p style="text-align: center;">4. Start rotating my three main projects</p><p style="text-align: center;">(SunFlower Girl, BOM, Quilting Rain, Rain)</p><p style="text-align: center;">5. Make plans for <a href="https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/degas-and-laundress-women-work-and-impressionism">the Impressionist exhibit at CMA</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Honestly, if I don't write it all down this ennui will just go on forever. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you get stalled on a big project?</span></p><p></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-12136373290081715032023-09-29T00:00:00.001-04:002023-09-29T00:00:00.141-04:00Thinking about Classes on Off the Wall Friday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ypU1Zfxg-k/UhaxQ12TdJI/AAAAAAAAB6c/zItGtJu6-gI-ogXbC_71dlEqrM0TuQjCACPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5841%2B%2528800x552%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="320" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ypU1Zfxg-k/UhaxQ12TdJI/AAAAAAAAB6c/zItGtJu6-gI-ogXbC_71dlEqrM0TuQjCACPcBGAYYCw/w518-h358/IMG_5841%2B%2528800x552%2529.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>So it's getting to be that time again...the time when I start thinking of next year's quilt class/workshop/vacation. Every year I start the hunt for where do I want to go and what do I want to learn. In the beginning, it was so much easier....I never had been <span style="font-size: large;">anywhere </span>and I didn't know <span style="font-size: large;">anything,</span> so it was all new. I remember picking <b>Paula Nadelstern </b>for my first class, not because I actually thought I would learn to make quilts like she did (which I did not) but because I just wanted to see what kind of woman could make such amazing quilts. What did I learn? A persistent, smart one! A hard-working one! A woman who didn't mind spending hours designing her blocks just right. That was my first clue that although most great art quilters did have talent, even more, they had persistence and tenacity. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFPawdf2rps/XUO1lQ0OaPI/AAAAAAAAFQk/S4CvCK3Tr5YmSU0dx0uaZWapJKJAihiuACLcBGAs/s1600/before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFPawdf2rps/XUO1lQ0OaPI/AAAAAAAAFQk/S4CvCK3Tr5YmSU0dx0uaZWapJKJAihiuACLcBGAs/w462-h290/before.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Now 25 years later, it's getting<span style="font-size: large;"> harder </span>to find classes/workshops I want to go to. One reason is it's become that much harder to keep these types of events going. Between the economy and the plague, it has been hard on quilt conferences and retreats. Plus as the younger generation is coming up, they are much happier to take virtual classes (especially if they still have kids at home) It's a sad fact that the ladies that I've been taking classes with are aging out of traveling. Then there is the fact, that I'm getting to the point in my art where I just want to go and create. I'm not at a place to learn techniques but I would like to play more with design.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Je5K0t3K0DI/XUO6NtwoUnI/AAAAAAAAFRo/T22xwuwrQXEOAI7yt2AoRP-ZwyItEzkYQCLcBGAs/s1145/emily8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1145" height="208" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Je5K0t3K0DI/XUO6NtwoUnI/AAAAAAAAFRo/T22xwuwrQXEOAI7yt2AoRP-ZwyItEzkYQCLcBGAs/w576-h208/emily8.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Quilting by the Lake, in central New York doesn't have it's schedule out yet. Quilt Surface and Design Symposium in Columbus, Ohio is down to a 2-week schedule. Arrowmonth and John C Campbell's are always limited in quilting selections. Maybe I'll have to do a deeper dive into the creative places I wrote about <a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2018/06/creative-vacations-part-i-off-wall.html">here </a>and <a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2018/06/creative-vacations-pt-ii-off-wall-friday.html">here,</a> It seems just too much to travel to the west coast. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8S5jlrHq84/U6N9MnEwuOI/AAAAAAAACW8/eNji_o4M6VU/s800/IMG_7039+%2528800x690%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="800" height="365" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8S5jlrHq84/U6N9MnEwuOI/AAAAAAAACW8/eNji_o4M6VU/w423-h365/IMG_7039+%2528800x690%2529.jpg" width="423" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>hmmmm...shrug.... I dunno. </i>Maybe it's time for me to just try joining a retreat where quilters go and just work on their own stuff for 5 days. Or maybe its the change of seasons and I'm a little down. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anybody got any suggestions on where I can get away next year and sew?</span></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-27249857728932876562023-09-22T00:00:00.002-04:002023-09-22T00:00:00.142-04:00Sutton Foster on Off the Wall Friday<p> </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cJ_rPw9MVQJRxDXiR4IfIkBe-jD7ZXFGVr1i_ylo5FtSe1qX5IzEGukKzchZZlGruI6kbWESrJtL44QW7qvQ-ZR16sG8vJCPAiPAimb930Sk3kQaBUD5sg67fEuWnBNhWBWtsR01VkDgjDNwMWphtJRqM1fkB3a5t1gmCkgR-ksZImbDyOtEA7BCGRNe/s658/sutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="658" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cJ_rPw9MVQJRxDXiR4IfIkBe-jD7ZXFGVr1i_ylo5FtSe1qX5IzEGukKzchZZlGruI6kbWESrJtL44QW7qvQ-ZR16sG8vJCPAiPAimb930Sk3kQaBUD5sg67fEuWnBNhWBWtsR01VkDgjDNwMWphtJRqM1fkB3a5t1gmCkgR-ksZImbDyOtEA7BCGRNe/w283-h238/sutton.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center</td></tr></tbody></table><i>We interrupt your regularly schedule programming</i> to bring you something a bit different today. Anybody who is a regular reader will know that I am a firm believer in <b>exposing oneself to all sorts of art and culture</b>. My reasoning is that not only is it good for your own personal education and mental health, but also you never quite know where the inspiration for your next piece will come from. When the plague struck, it reinforced this belief that culture is essential to one's life. I told myself that I would never take for granted chances to enjoy art again. </p><p>With that in mind, I went to see Broadway/TV singer/actress, <b><span style="font-size: large;">Sutton Foster</span></b>. We are blessed in Erie, to have the Mercyhurst Institute of Arts at Mercyhurst University. They bring in a full schedule of world-class entertainment each year including singers, dancers, musicians, and authors/lecturers. Tonight it was Sutton. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicLXqZM5TmEptsJCCzziqIJZuVp-ETbRZO4LlEsAeA6dVFWVSkhuBaXYyD0X9ji-anPsJRhJauqtVGxt94AR42jiARXEhKWRkSN3_DpCQuPZsGKD-k7ORd95a2Loe0lDkovx21wayy7xsj3u1Pvlog46d1m1S30BATpxw19DSal7fFUV-lgvQZB9PJ1mH/s910/sutton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="910" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicLXqZM5TmEptsJCCzziqIJZuVp-ETbRZO4LlEsAeA6dVFWVSkhuBaXYyD0X9ji-anPsJRhJauqtVGxt94AR42jiARXEhKWRkSN3_DpCQuPZsGKD-k7ORd95a2Loe0lDkovx21wayy7xsj3u1Pvlog46d1m1S30BATpxw19DSal7fFUV-lgvQZB9PJ1mH/s320/sutton2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>I love Sutton Foster. </b> She's a two-time Tony winner who has starred in Broadway musicals like Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek the Musical, and most recently, the Music Man. She starred in the short-lived show Bun Heads (which I totally enjoyed and can't believe they canceled but still can be streamed on Hulu). You'll also see here guest stars in TV shows like Elementary and Instinct (<i>yes - you got to enjoy Alan Cummings AND Sutton Foster all in one episode!</i>) Anyway, let's just say she has had a full and successful 20-year career.</p><p>Tonight though it was just 75 min of her, a microphone, and her pianist, Michael Rafter. It really was my favorite type of concert. Just a person simply standing there showcasing her amazing voice and stage presence. We also were treated to a look into two of her obsessions...her only daughter, 6-year-old, Emily, and Crocheting. You know you've found your kind of singer when right in the middle of the concert, she takes a moment to pull out an LL Bean canvas bag and a chair ('cause these shoes are pretty but they kill your feet). Sutton went on to say that she has always been a maker all her life since her mother was a cross stitcher. She then sits down, pulls out a blanket that she has been making on this year's concert tours, and<b> proceeds to sing "Sunshine on My Shoulders" while crocheting </b>another line in </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7ZiWFc-FNXxlAG4mqiPeDnjeHe0KxnvcsnFS2Plty9-ZJf52RG0WdLfgkC70fnejy7EKMEsK7O2PNCtoPNshMHsdKzb5Mgz6PIBqlfUI15oZEXG9HBiPLpjlC4p6IFhKtNLM-73QxLt2EZXBoh7XQfSAPx8vzx1T-nNPey8rgGB3eZ3D9G4A2RwitlN1/s655/sutton3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="652" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7ZiWFc-FNXxlAG4mqiPeDnjeHe0KxnvcsnFS2Plty9-ZJf52RG0WdLfgkC70fnejy7EKMEsK7O2PNCtoPNshMHsdKzb5Mgz6PIBqlfUI15oZEXG9HBiPLpjlC4p6IFhKtNLM-73QxLt2EZXBoh7XQfSAPx8vzx1T-nNPey8rgGB3eZ3D9G4A2RwitlN1/w268-h269/sutton3.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />purple. <span style="font-size: large;"> All on key.</span> Without missing a stitch. <p></p><p>Really there are a lot of singers who can dance (and she's a great dancer btw) but how many can do it while crocheting! She also treated us to her daughter's favorite song, "Raining Tacos" which brought out my own obsession with kid's music. Among all the Broadway numbers, though my favorite song was Joni Mitchell's A Case of You. Honestly, that is just such a great song, and sung by Sutton it was the highlight of the evening of my night.</p><p>I felt so happy, I smiled all the way home. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So remember </span>check your local venues - see who is playing - spend the $$ and go!!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9bgeAnI0NVBNopyAmCvImUbyN6z7vLLJk_Y-f02JrZv2_0uadkcQKCPR5yPC1gXbIjivonbjbm9E2p5G5gj14gkDDs2jgbdSd-alTcSnScQvI75GrJjlKrodcbwRnzhpVvPSn9wX13iibMaxHvfwTPWpkTkn3YkLQv3GEf3fDZib3DfTELc5nFdJwPBW/s715/kitbasie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="463" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9bgeAnI0NVBNopyAmCvImUbyN6z7vLLJk_Y-f02JrZv2_0uadkcQKCPR5yPC1gXbIjivonbjbm9E2p5G5gj14gkDDs2jgbdSd-alTcSnScQvI75GrJjlKrodcbwRnzhpVvPSn9wX13iibMaxHvfwTPWpkTkn3YkLQv3GEf3fDZib3DfTELc5nFdJwPBW/w160-h247/kitbasie.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Under things I like,</b></span> my daughter, the author (lol), has opened her<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TessCarlettaBooks?ref=l2-about-shopname"> Etsy shop</a> featuring her <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141325717-kit-basie?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Lby4vM7KOG&rank=1">new book Kit & Basie, Tales of Long Lily. </a> Watching the success she's having has been fun since it's amazing how an indie-published book can gain a following. So if you are looking for a cozy romance (queer M/M), I highly suggest it - not because she's my daughter - but 'cause it really is a good book.<p></p><p>So next week, I promise back to quilting and art but I just wanted to share my night. I mean it's not every day you get to see one of your favorite Broadway stars perform in your own backyard!</p><p>(Sorry no photos from tonight, cameras are forbidden).</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-26681472809952532402023-09-15T00:00:00.001-04:002023-09-15T00:00:00.138-04:00Off The Wall Friday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyTt0VxpkSWwCnFDrv90jjvkIusHoA4FolT7q589InFnUGoAf6N29-etGKj8uIcd1Oba6dtArepvZGRCRkKlI4MYZZJpukyuj0AXEYJ_OD7zzai0qDW3TiHOTx2LYbBihNGFInljzn9shYFq_-k8HoJdJ5x6CsHjJfopyUmfSyuIQvbWw5R6gPpLC9AYd/s882/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="622" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyTt0VxpkSWwCnFDrv90jjvkIusHoA4FolT7q589InFnUGoAf6N29-etGKj8uIcd1Oba6dtArepvZGRCRkKlI4MYZZJpukyuj0AXEYJ_OD7zzai0qDW3TiHOTx2LYbBihNGFInljzn9shYFq_-k8HoJdJ5x6CsHjJfopyUmfSyuIQvbWw5R6gPpLC9AYd/w359-h508/quote.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since it's Fair Week around here, I'm taking off but I saw this week and thought it was something I wanted to remember!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></div><br /><p></p><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-79878207005887491322023-09-08T00:00:00.002-04:002023-09-14T17:43:45.990-04:00Build Your Own World on Off the Wall Friday<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvqWY0eK5nNv8_AgmuHCFIxZ3Lz3l74mvmgDXxfEVIgFtYcbfwWzXmR7yxPUJLgdWLrVd6Dr2uitiC7_8zOPHEyTqZMlX8lKyBXu5tkBC_YG3g-YZqWeSTS-o5neDCRixO3wFKZaFGe1Eb5s3ICWfDYuBfFn7ABH_Ad-ON8TcXOSy2jhgDKxCQGIlKZS_/s708/steal4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="708" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvqWY0eK5nNv8_AgmuHCFIxZ3Lz3l74mvmgDXxfEVIgFtYcbfwWzXmR7yxPUJLgdWLrVd6Dr2uitiC7_8zOPHEyTqZMlX8lKyBXu5tkBC_YG3g-YZqWeSTS-o5neDCRixO3wFKZaFGe1Eb5s3ICWfDYuBfFn7ABH_Ad-ON8TcXOSy2jhgDKxCQGIlKZS_/w428-h195/steal4.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The following post comes with a "<span style="color: #cc0000;">My Opinion Only</span>" Warning and you are more than welcome to disagree)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Look, I know artwork like everything else goes in and out of fashion. But lately, I've noticed a LOT of art quilt work that is more derived from rather than inspired by another artist. Now, I'm not talking about direct copying and using for profit as this <a href="https://www.demilked.com/plagiarism-stealing-art-knockoffs/">article shows</a>. More like I see art quilts that look more like they were done by the same artist when they haven't been.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>You can see where this can easily and innocently happen. For instance, many famous art quilters are now giving classes online. People take their classes because they admire their teacher's work. Now the student's work starts down the same creative path as the teacher. It feels very derived.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdos0P3wYbisD57HucNoqhGDPjJrU6ySvNmselz6GNE6PJtq44k4W-oFqH8z1N6pBxmBcFrydx5Rl2EzPYusWxl-g0ZUJfwa3f2Eks6EMy1E28OKVlkztTYdr_EUNk2fMFZuDLsnm3DSfgkhIvbhTpvMRiMMiOQlXQEygbJn26zUbIuTYzS48OeQBmZmt/s893/steal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="893" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdos0P3wYbisD57HucNoqhGDPjJrU6ySvNmselz6GNE6PJtq44k4W-oFqH8z1N6pBxmBcFrydx5Rl2EzPYusWxl-g0ZUJfwa3f2Eks6EMy1E28OKVlkztTYdr_EUNk2fMFZuDLsnm3DSfgkhIvbhTpvMRiMMiOQlXQEygbJn26zUbIuTYzS48OeQBmZmt/w456-h142/steal.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div>The problem I have with that is that's where it ends. The student doesn't grow. I remember Timna Tarr saying (and I'm paraphrasing so forgive me Timna!), "The most enjoyment I get from teaching this class is seeing what my students do with it. I hope you all come back with new ways to use what you learn this week." I thought she pretty much said what all teachers hope. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the record, this rant isn't just directed toward art quilters but also traditional quilters! Just because you're a traditional quilter doesn't mean you have to always follow the pattern of another designer. (Of course, there is nothing wrong with that if that is what you want to do - revel in the craft of quilting.) Still, as a traditional quilter, you too can develop a unique voice.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said.....</div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"> There is a lot of value in copying.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wait! What?!?</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Yep, it's a great way to learn a technique or learn how to create different effects in your art. Not to mention to gain confidence to move forward. So copy one. But then what do you do?</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Take what you made and play <b>"What If"</b></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>cut it apart and rearrange it</li><li>change the values</li><li>crop out small sections and change the scale of them</li><li>keep the composition but use a new technique</li><li>keep the technique but use a new composition </li></ul><div>You get the idea. These are just a few....but the piece may <i>still </i>seem derived. Now what? Take the element you really like the most from your second piece and use <span style="font-size: large;">THAT</span> as the jumping-off place for your new piece. Not only will your quilt feel more like you but it will be more fun to work on because it was your "favorite" part of the last two pieces. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5Pq9_QIgyeNCxPEpICCJZh6y_SBkECDzZ5WVdhJ4-MewpmpbUkT0JBLV1Udvq6ekhdA3oh0-tEB1uHO4QXqaI2pPKWlPg-Dwn6Vg2JW_CEigkBX3hvatsU8KradySWH2oBgwTmMgc102FL30kKma7M2nBAkqocSDieUWqeVG3gZzKpMis7FPvc5yA4CB/s676/steal2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="676" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5Pq9_QIgyeNCxPEpICCJZh6y_SBkECDzZ5WVdhJ4-MewpmpbUkT0JBLV1Udvq6ekhdA3oh0-tEB1uHO4QXqaI2pPKWlPg-Dwn6Vg2JW_CEigkBX3hvatsU8KradySWH2oBgwTmMgc102FL30kKma7M2nBAkqocSDieUWqeVG3gZzKpMis7FPvc5yA4CB/w379-h290/steal2.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This is<i> not</i> the first time I've had this rant on this blog, it's just that after seeing the work that is being made out there, I thought was a good time to revisit the concept of developing your own style from what you have learned. I know its harder. I know you have to be braver. But it will be well worth it!!</div><div><br /></div><div>You find more posts on this subject under the tag <a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/search/label/SteallikeAnArtist">"Steal Like an Artist"</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is what I've been thinking about as I spend hours hand appliquing...</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</b><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code--></span></div>Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-39959319530927262942023-09-01T00:00:00.001-04:002023-09-01T00:00:00.137-04:00DecoBob ThreadTalk on Off the Wall Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5-64_wVqhdyn5qOkd4YsDmfYZArFYvSEx4yAqq37Nk-I2TwKC5dgEf2i2yV5zPRsuim20c3oeJwTYM9apPcRI0WykjHaYXZiLNpCdV9r7EouwiZoIm1SIcFqJ9gX1eN7yR-CclIZE6HZVG7XljQV0MPXDyJ7CgGSkCgkBebr4RXrjj6cY8fDE2SdQA/s393/pinwheels2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="393" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5-64_wVqhdyn5qOkd4YsDmfYZArFYvSEx4yAqq37Nk-I2TwKC5dgEf2i2yV5zPRsuim20c3oeJwTYM9apPcRI0WykjHaYXZiLNpCdV9r7EouwiZoIm1SIcFqJ9gX1eN7yR-CclIZE6HZVG7XljQV0MPXDyJ7CgGSkCgkBebr4RXrjj6cY8fDE2SdQA/w464-h276/pinwheels2.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> Let me start this by saying I am in <i>no </i>way affiliated with Wonderfil. In fact, as you might have noticed, I never monetized my blog 'cause I really feel like we have enough ads in our lives and I'm not adding to the clutter.</p><p> Wonderfil is a thread manufacturer in Alberta, Canada. I came across their thread by mistake back in 2020 when I saw somewhere (I think it was on the AQS site) that they were giving away free samples of Wonderfil thread. Because all the national quilt shows had been canceled that year, they had all these thread sample boxes left. Let me tell ya, they were very smart to send me one. </p><p>The next thing ya know I've totally fallen in love with their threads, especially DecoBob. Over the next two years, they ended up sending me a lot of samples to try out which were great. You can see reviews on them <a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2020/10/wonderfil-thread-review-on-off-wall.html">Here</a> and <a href="https://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2022/07/wonderfil-thread-pt-2-on-off-wall-friday.html">Here</a>. Testing them out like that was so useful because it really gave me a good idea of how the different threads could be used. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJO0wGg7F6KxpyYrqYi7K5fDUDNM483U-LdMQkzBjsGApsdS50gbjSD6p1rcnio5vk04SEUnGlzQaoKBOo3cX-n2kvmiCuBYYatZJ3dVZCv8OC2xfUnsstXxIenSF16raYgAdzrK_8oYc7QqTk0NJg6_5If8ziJ68WvrGoPnz2wuz34px9LOduukDTSZP/s630/bob4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="630" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJO0wGg7F6KxpyYrqYi7K5fDUDNM483U-LdMQkzBjsGApsdS50gbjSD6p1rcnio5vk04SEUnGlzQaoKBOo3cX-n2kvmiCuBYYatZJ3dVZCv8OC2xfUnsstXxIenSF16raYgAdzrK_8oYc7QqTk0NJg6_5If8ziJ68WvrGoPnz2wuz34px9LOduukDTSZP/w400-h290/bob4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Today, I fed my inner thread geek even more by taking off a couple of hours from work to join a live ThreadTalk about DecoBob given by Calista and<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la83BqyyJxg"> Stephanie</a> Ngai (whose family founded the company). It was so fun to watch the two women talk so enthusiastically about their product. Since I sell clothes for a living I can really tell when people are authentic and these two were! Plus it was fun knowing that 175 other people world wide were along with me. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What did I learn?</b></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>DecoBob is very versatile</b>. You can use it in your bobbin of course. Also, when you do applique (machine & hand), machine piecing, machine quilting (long arm and domestic), in your serger (especially on filmy fabrics), machine embroidery, paper piecing (English and regular) and thread painting.</li><li>What it is not recommended for is garment construction sewing and hand piecing. </li><li>It is a c<b>ottonized polyester thread</b>. Cottonized means that the polyester has gone through a manufacturing process so that it will mimic the properties of cotton. It has a matte finish, resists shrinking and is heat resistant.</li><li>Although dependent on fabric and machine, a good needle to use with DecoBob is a <b>Microtex 80/12.</b> In free-motion quilting, a top stitch 90/12 or 90/14 is recommended.</li><li>Because DecoBob is an 80 wt thread (very fine) when you piece with it the <b>seams will lie flatter</b> than they would if you are using a 50 wt cotton thread. </li><li>DecoBob now comes in<b> 60 colors</b> which is up from 36. Soon all colors will be available in all three size spools.</li><li>Bobbin thread makes up 30% of your actual machine stitch.</li><li>A smaller stitch length will result in more precise piecing, especially in curve piecing</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY0yOe_8KFvzHEtUT6FPtV5Kyw2oI-xmpEb4saDL4diVk01EwxyVDVwVSek3_b-Yp7Gsw7iB8kEe17m8VBO7at4wksGtOXva4MHVUSF0zNGGkZ1-0wVqayfT5E8GhNso8MZr0XUu3XMWy1RongbJTRZoHH40XIaHM3zQbzGUMmVpNs6nt0RkLg9QZOflL/s1193/bob3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1193" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY0yOe_8KFvzHEtUT6FPtV5Kyw2oI-xmpEb4saDL4diVk01EwxyVDVwVSek3_b-Yp7Gsw7iB8kEe17m8VBO7at4wksGtOXva4MHVUSF0zNGGkZ1-0wVqayfT5E8GhNso8MZr0XUu3XMWy1RongbJTRZoHH40XIaHM3zQbzGUMmVpNs6nt0RkLg9QZOflL/w425-h250/bob3.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>They also gave a good speal on why we should all be using pre-wound bobbins. That has me wondering if it's actually true or not. They showed several samples with work done by regular wound bobbins and prewound. Also how the two look side by side. It's made me curious enough to give some a try that's for sure. I think for my work where it would make a difference is when I'm free motion quilting and when I'm using monofilament thread.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">My takeaway? </span></b>I think I'll try more machine piecing with decoBob. I definitely am making sure all my bobbins are wound with decoBob (I think I still have a few in there with 50 wt aurifil and I can tell the difference when I'm sewing). And yes, I'm adding some of the new colors to my Christmas list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7HRtNbGk5p2xlqRBq6AnWLX2W64mcTPnBw1Re-BzuvyKaBpJxv2r6KGs34dqyZ5W2pIjuTinv6XV3etYt_UIbre3jljGygXiHgtLgwL2cJZk-qMhWTU9W4v_V2zkOzO7KGHUuAJD0tDJETu-ZfKFwty61Z-GwOQUwqUYBYVCP4YJEy8_MKQ-ANSIYZEb/s885/bob2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="885" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7HRtNbGk5p2xlqRBq6AnWLX2W64mcTPnBw1Re-BzuvyKaBpJxv2r6KGs34dqyZ5W2pIjuTinv6XV3etYt_UIbre3jljGygXiHgtLgwL2cJZk-qMhWTU9W4v_V2zkOzO7KGHUuAJD0tDJETu-ZfKFwty61Z-GwOQUwqUYBYVCP4YJEy8_MKQ-ANSIYZEb/w472-h140/bob2.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're<span style="font-size: large;"> a thread geek</span> like me (and you know you are!), I highly suggest you take a look at the threaducation links on the <a href="https://shopwonderfil.com/">Wonderfil website</a>. If you go to the bottom of the webpage you will see the interesting links. If you want to learn more about DecoBob than really necessary, the talk was recorded and will posted to their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WonderFilThreads/videos">YouTube channel.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have Been Up to Creatively?<!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code--></span></b></div>Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-49216092754392168102023-08-25T00:00:00.003-04:002023-08-27T16:46:52.534-04:00Homeward Bound VII - Applipops - on Off the Wall Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1LiT07d89HfnZZhuShQN-qGFNoAUrkSRl_HvNKG13_IWbM8EN1AW9T_3QoEt37xG9G4hslc6-fsK-Mk_6KOa4X7OrpYoy0dhb4qLqa7hZdrCH4LC6ZzoXZHf0HN5EDJKfxSM6WezkfJ6CMalqhsWMEGXIxW-Hy8wEuj6cLxA2PQRNzz2vkMtwAJppbdw/s1344/bomjul.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1344" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1LiT07d89HfnZZhuShQN-qGFNoAUrkSRl_HvNKG13_IWbM8EN1AW9T_3QoEt37xG9G4hslc6-fsK-Mk_6KOa4X7OrpYoy0dhb4qLqa7hZdrCH4LC6ZzoXZHf0HN5EDJKfxSM6WezkfJ6CMalqhsWMEGXIxW-Hy8wEuj6cLxA2PQRNzz2vkMtwAJppbdw/w468-h458/bomjul.JPG" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeward Bound Month 7</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYBO9uvcNAMT2RHnPJZpUKJO8mJLLNNLjEYqou7Yp4_oaei0dPDUpz5BlcWoTcufoBfLDyOxtZ1MlhbUg9K9szuQIVglURMUusWGVeu20hAv6wQqFjM4sZd5gSl1F_3SnGZP4AlmxbemQDrCxqvmpIgstF8_MMCuLQYAgD1bQJ1FMvxT05KUSLkSwQLEW/s933/applipops.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="933" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYBO9uvcNAMT2RHnPJZpUKJO8mJLLNNLjEYqou7Yp4_oaei0dPDUpz5BlcWoTcufoBfLDyOxtZ1MlhbUg9K9szuQIVglURMUusWGVeu20hAv6wQqFjM4sZd5gSl1F_3SnGZP4AlmxbemQDrCxqvmpIgstF8_MMCuLQYAgD1bQJ1FMvxT05KUSLkSwQLEW/s320/applipops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Applipops</td></tr></tbody></table>Okay, I'll admit it. Even though this project is a lot of work, I am a bit<span style="font-size: large;"> obsessed</span> with it. I know<br /> Sarah Fielke designed it and hundreds of quilters are making it all over the world, but it feels perfectly unique to me. I'm always a little shocked when I get a section done. Shocked by what I learned, how much better I am at the end of the month than at the beginning, and how it looks totally different from everyone else's. <p></p><p>This month wasn't any different. Well, it was different because it took a bit longer than the other months. With July, we have entered the 3-month phase of hand appliquing the main border. I've never did a border like this - where you have to get the placement <strike>close to</strike> right on all 4 sides. Plus I'm still honing my hand applique skills. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QcJTkXKPC2h5BRWFK00i_eSbZEwAnTr3hwe0_NdGOzYGXwmYh2Zs_K3yCOUCwWv_Be9arI6Zy16UCxlQw0mUjiHp83NJ4kn_Oqo0YbcIXavbTcqzq1Bulesp4vSt0n1VNwQat4eOj5_hPvMuL3JKc3hFSWcFjs7KRmwRAyj1SxZMeX4RcPYqWUAEguJS/s2048/bom72.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QcJTkXKPC2h5BRWFK00i_eSbZEwAnTr3hwe0_NdGOzYGXwmYh2Zs_K3yCOUCwWv_Be9arI6Zy16UCxlQw0mUjiHp83NJ4kn_Oqo0YbcIXavbTcqzq1Bulesp4vSt0n1VNwQat4eOj5_hPvMuL3JKc3hFSWcFjs7KRmwRAyj1SxZMeX4RcPYqWUAEguJS/s320/bom72.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use drafting templates to cut the right size circle</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The skill this month was learning how to use my new<a href="https://www.applipops.com/"> applipops.</a> Since this month had 28 little 3/8" circles to do, I finally called<span style="font-size: large;"> uncle</span> and bought a set of these little metal washers that help you form fabric circles perfectly. From the directions and the many, many videos on YouTube they looked easy enough to use. Right? Well of course not. Like anything else, there was a learning curve. (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I had to start with the smallest of small circles). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQiS5TutLZvhtU6f5KLNTgmm8fwWHRdJ3PmlxHzunoOHoqsJjvY1YPvCHBb0l9vYkYwh4w-lkm9gipFnVkkL_rLKZ7BTNotd8LMtstNDXekAcC5efHUzy4b6gu5pv6botPkGdKyz5CpMmw587q8psm_B_tH1KL0SnAnXKw-JcuIdnTIOAuomGPRvsnSHa/s1155/bom73.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1087" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQiS5TutLZvhtU6f5KLNTgmm8fwWHRdJ3PmlxHzunoOHoqsJjvY1YPvCHBb0l9vYkYwh4w-lkm9gipFnVkkL_rLKZ7BTNotd8LMtstNDXekAcC5efHUzy4b6gu5pv6botPkGdKyz5CpMmw587q8psm_B_tH1KL0SnAnXKw-JcuIdnTIOAuomGPRvsnSHa/s320/bom73.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat side against flat side</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tips that Helped</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Use Sta-Flo liquid starch full-strength</p><p style="text-align: center;">Apply with a stiff brush but not sopping wet</p><p style="text-align: center;">Leave a 1/8" seam allowance for small circles</p><p style="text-align: center;">Place the fabric between the flat side of one ring, sandwiching the flat side of another ring</p><p style="text-align: center;">Let them cool completely</p><p style="text-align: center;">Give one final press</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rzWVkhlfEXxeSySYCXRtghWRHEGOKt3t0D0GgjIYfNwSuDKTgi3g9BTj9KMYZOKyrA32RPoaAhPbHrs-S8WNR1c4eZZ2Lmjixvrkl7F-Nf0HLIEUozJuprDr2DD2Ol57NUYaPVEDxd8R6cWB7TasrBqI6PhKtE_op4S9R94KlrxfEXqIDx_NO7vV0Ov3/s1380/bom74.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rzWVkhlfEXxeSySYCXRtghWRHEGOKt3t0D0GgjIYfNwSuDKTgi3g9BTj9KMYZOKyrA32RPoaAhPbHrs-S8WNR1c4eZZ2Lmjixvrkl7F-Nf0HLIEUozJuprDr2DD2Ol57NUYaPVEDxd8R6cWB7TasrBqI6PhKtE_op4S9R94KlrxfEXqIDx_NO7vV0Ov3/s320/bom74.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finger shape with full strength starch & Iron</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">By the time I did my last little circles, they were coming out great. I really liked spending my time prepping the circles rather than trying to needle-turn them into shape. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImvKaK3Cux7bCSImxfaqhhJhxdg1tMc9h9PxQr13hxIyYhgJkHnJ6SX89keeQNQoxFQpQ8JZFRaPIzUp1Fq24pwQQl2EOyixFNVvvBe0qJmXC0Naj3CMVix2FVatnNW8GmqzbCjkYbUvS7SFUT1GsKeeyknerPeXn7UCh6AfUGrX6l7_pf49cBevwd0aW/s2048/bom76.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImvKaK3Cux7bCSImxfaqhhJhxdg1tMc9h9PxQr13hxIyYhgJkHnJ6SX89keeQNQoxFQpQ8JZFRaPIzUp1Fq24pwQQl2EOyixFNVvvBe0qJmXC0Naj3CMVix2FVatnNW8GmqzbCjkYbUvS7SFUT1GsKeeyknerPeXn7UCh6AfUGrX6l7_pf49cBevwd0aW/w435-h238/bom76.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I'm really glad I bought the applipops. I like how they come in a nice microsuede pouch, organized with a nice wire hanger. I bought two sets since it takes a good 10 min for the circles to cool, but you can even buy custom-sized sets if you want. I can totally see myself prepping up circles and using them as a take along project.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRTMx3Y5g_eAcwKeuEbGTJdAbqcRX9zDWnrgxJ7Ly5x6HXOg7LXCdAReme0--Dt40-4estBimwpPU3GfoMa3arZNKQp5cE6blQK9-bNXpcHXvLfk2skIvefjq8ogELBkGNwXD_7wR79Mpe2E4347ALxGnUpKnpolCwSCYsUvbxnVFoqi9igRMvwMbo9ff/s2048/bom7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRTMx3Y5g_eAcwKeuEbGTJdAbqcRX9zDWnrgxJ7Ly5x6HXOg7LXCdAReme0--Dt40-4estBimwpPU3GfoMa3arZNKQp5cE6blQK9-bNXpcHXvLfk2skIvefjq8ogELBkGNwXD_7wR79Mpe2E4347ALxGnUpKnpolCwSCYsUvbxnVFoqi9igRMvwMbo9ff/s320/bom7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">40 hours later, Month 7 is done and onto Month 8...I figure sooner or later I'll get caught up. Really, hand applique is one of those things that can't be rushed!</p><p style="text-align: left;">(Linking with <a href="https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2023/08/slow-sunday-stitching_01315279555.html">Kathy's Slow Stitch Sunday</a>)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-46384885729245490882023-08-18T00:00:00.004-04:002023-08-18T13:49:42.990-04:00Do You Remember??? On Off the Wall Friday<p> This week I got the book,<span style="font-size: large;"> The Quilter's Catalog</span>, a Comprehensive Source Guide, written by Meg Cox in 2008. I bought it for a full $5.25 so it was quite the bargain. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b>"The complete quilter's companion and essential resource, jam packed with information, supplies, explert interviews, techniques, community and inspiration."</b></p></blockquote><p>And truly it is ... <i>for 2008</i>. Browsing through it, got me feeling <span style="font-size: x-large;">nostalgic</span>. Maybe it's hitting middle age but it's just odd how many things in this book from only 15 years ago are now obsolete.</p><p>I remember back in 1995, and all you would hear is "Check out our website on the World Wide Web at www.etc etc" We didn't have a personal computer more less the Internet. So after getting our first Dell desktop (which was crazy expensive - like 2 grand), I invited a workmate over to show me how to use it. I had been working on computers since 1981, but this was my first experience with a personal</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW9kecImbMkl-VFZb3CyjYSw2YD5boSRl23QI3zOc2j6KiaPPEa268Gty8HyNDijhrlvs19O4avJWOQhphgFeM7oQKpx8i0-IaXbL1rm4k8nd_UpP57eeztF5tzfW9vlUqLWqkYTqqCGxEF2Mn4392yl-k9z_NajzbIqm9lSnZuF_vD4yx9XS0UzDQb47/s491/miss.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW9kecImbMkl-VFZb3CyjYSw2YD5boSRl23QI3zOc2j6KiaPPEa268Gty8HyNDijhrlvs19O4avJWOQhphgFeM7oQKpx8i0-IaXbL1rm4k8nd_UpP57eeztF5tzfW9vlUqLWqkYTqqCGxEF2Mn4392yl-k9z_NajzbIqm9lSnZuF_vD4yx9XS0UzDQb47/s320/miss.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><p></p></blockquote><p><br /> computer and Windows 95. And I was off....</p><p>The next thing ya know, I was connecting with quilters from all over the world. It really did open a whole new world. I was doing charm swaps and round robins with ladies all over the world. I would check<a href="https://www.missingfabrics.com/"> the missing fabric website </a>on a daily basis. <i>(I had no idea that that site was still going - wow)</i> I joined a virtual quilt group, the crazy quilters who would meet most evenings to chat in actual chat rooms and stitch. Eventually, we met in the real world - in Vegas - of course, we did - lol!</p><p>Years progress and the newness of it all kinda fades. Plus there is always some kind of new site or new tech that is all the rage. Looking through the Quilter's Catalog though brought it all back.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Remember?</span></b></p><p><b>International Fabric Collection</b> - it was based here in Erie, PA (then Fairview) but mostly did mail order through their site - www.intfab.com - you could get fabric from all over the world in this shop (which in the beginning was only open on day a week to the local public) I'm sure there a lots of quilts shops that you loved that are gone now. </p><p><b>The QuiltArt List</b> started by Judy Smith in 1995 could literally have over 500 emails a day on it. The most amazing quilt subjects would be debated from all walks of life on this list. It eventually slowed down to where they moved it to Facebook. </p><p><b>The World Wide Web Quilting Page</b> was started so early (1994) that it got the domain name www.quilt.com. This page was a wealth of free information on quilting and was always my first stop when I got a chance to get online in the early years at the library!</p><p><b>Quilt University..</b>.the first real site where you could take a virtual quilt class at a very reasonable price. It would be years till the rest of the internet caught up to this great idea. The site was eventually sold as the owner retired and became <a href="https://academyofquilting.com/">Academy of Quilting</a>.</p><p>So many <span style="font-size: large;">blogs</span> I miss...Liz Berg, Elizabeth Barton, Rayna Gillman (For the record I definitely know how hard it is to keep a blog going for years!)</p><p>I guess these are the thoughts that come up when you spend HOURS hand appliqueing a border for the Block of the Month for the Quilt Show. I am now officially 3/4's done with July and it's officially August 18th. <i>Sighhhhh</i></p><p><i>Sorry, there aren't more pictures! Funny how its hard to find images of obsolete sites!</i></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">So what are the quilty things you miss from the early days of the internet?</span></b></p><!--start InLinkz code-->
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<!--end InLinkz code-->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-12579398033659459072023-08-11T00:00:00.001-04:002023-08-11T00:00:00.138-04:00Off the Wall Friday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLNk4acpnNySDNLgVLDlyg3qd3k73EL6PRCI7YPDgcpSAuFqUF65GJqVYVHlyN3zDKrSXGPFHSmiDxg7qerhciGp1q6SPue6AYi7ZRyR3vEK8It5JgkSxaSEa0n-Mdy9M1s1ECO54KP8buUFqdHwfxH506mdqc-wbq20zXIlJg5DuyXgUviqA3ievxl9B/s546/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="537" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLNk4acpnNySDNLgVLDlyg3qd3k73EL6PRCI7YPDgcpSAuFqUF65GJqVYVHlyN3zDKrSXGPFHSmiDxg7qerhciGp1q6SPue6AYi7ZRyR3vEK8It5JgkSxaSEa0n-Mdy9M1s1ECO54KP8buUFqdHwfxH506mdqc-wbq20zXIlJg5DuyXgUviqA3ievxl9B/w464-h471/quote.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I've just been hand-appliquing all week which is not over-exciting - so I'll just host....</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">What Have You Been Up to </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Creatively?</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><!-- start InLinkz code -->
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<!-- end InLinkz code -->Nina Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316034317827146338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364828980944336570.post-50857258553909513002023-08-04T00:00:00.002-04:002023-08-05T10:48:43.480-04:00Homeward Bound BOM Continues on Off the Wall Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8280QFWvf_fiibkOjG1retVlfleW5ojYub7ju6UJ4KDBOKGxYP4MvQ0nIRhBhrpee5_a0v8PJyamZ4KmGjbxmcRa1Qo8m5I2pp_s8jrhK0RXmVJ65k6phWrDPXF2iQD3lorHbt49cIsUZD2Kkqeyg4SUeL1yqW34jFCjLkshtkZxbTjtRjbmRTx0McMMO/s2048/bomJul.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8280QFWvf_fiibkOjG1retVlfleW5ojYub7ju6UJ4KDBOKGxYP4MvQ0nIRhBhrpee5_a0v8PJyamZ4KmGjbxmcRa1Qo8m5I2pp_s8jrhK0RXmVJ65k6phWrDPXF2iQD3lorHbt49cIsUZD2Kkqeyg4SUeL1yqW34jFCjLkshtkZxbTjtRjbmRTx0McMMO/w582-h384/bomJul.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One down - 3 more to go</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> It's always hard to get back into the swing of things after a vacation, isn't it? At least that is what I found this week. I did manage to get my studio unpacked and finally looked at my <a href="https://thequiltshow.com/learn/category/block-of-the-month-classroom/2023-homeward-bound">Block of the Month, Homeward Bound.</a></p><p><i>Sighhhhhhh</i></p><p>I had a few <strike>rules </strike> parameters when I started this journey last January.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Stick to the pattern</li><li style="text-align: left;">Stick to the technique the designer was teaching</li><li style="text-align: left;">Finish each month on time</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">I was doing so well......then came July and<b> it all got shot to hell.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here it is, the first week of August and I only got about 1/4 of July done. Of course, I did spend 2 weeks of July traveling, but still, I should have planned better. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not to mention, I finally called<span style="font-size: large;"> uncle</span>, and used a few different techniques that weren't what Sarah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVliD0Z0EUke-P8I6pLdB3O53ZwBHAgQ9SXnVm1bpUIsMsybZrmKuAFED6pmtbj_wjIhO9ookSbHNPCp0e1CKzscd9WihOaXVcPbuzFad8zGooQd_h65f3IXamH50dVuOzTteZIlfGcpR6fTPMjg9jxgFlKFmMY_0Ue1H4UEfwPoWwYpXtTdt_Vuu3wsYs/s2048/bomjul2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVliD0Z0EUke-P8I6pLdB3O53ZwBHAgQ9SXnVm1bpUIsMsybZrmKuAFED6pmtbj_wjIhO9ookSbHNPCp0e1CKzscd9WihOaXVcPbuzFad8zGooQd_h65f3IXamH50dVuOzTteZIlfGcpR6fTPMjg9jxgFlKFmMY_0Ue1H4UEfwPoWwYpXtTdt_Vuu3wsYs/w200-h150/bomjul2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Fielke suggested. Last month we were suppose to applique <span style="font-size: large;"><b>24</b></span> ... yes you read that right ...<b>.</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>24</b>.</span>.3/8" circles. The last time I did some that small, they all came out kinda wonky. That was using the cardboard tin foil method. So this time, I pulled out my new applipops to see if I could get better results. The answer was yes! After watching<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WP1aCeFuR4&ab_channel=Ellen%27sQuilts"> this helpful video</a>, I did manage to get them to come out mostly circular. The prep time of the circles might take a bit longer but the applique time was quick.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I did do a visual test on what color the circles should be - sticking to the adage to make visual decisions visually. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA-_BjT4vS4TIoOx-RiBAMENGtwxRVSyLWGiRWHNlg2CPWFiHhYr4LR7qsBPoAGYgVCxjBatPYeUDeIioAdr0uOvsCdUEMU0ydJhtyinAKvGbOE5nGmsf6JY_OMbK8c79zKvOPrpBLgc_zC0WerfqzL1sgEpsDWAhhVip38w4NjM7vFP7AMK9A4J_24kD/s2048/bomjul3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA-_BjT4vS4TIoOx-RiBAMENGtwxRVSyLWGiRWHNlg2CPWFiHhYr4LR7qsBPoAGYgVCxjBatPYeUDeIioAdr0uOvsCdUEMU0ydJhtyinAKvGbOE5nGmsf6JY_OMbK8c79zKvOPrpBLgc_zC0WerfqzL1sgEpsDWAhhVip38w4NjM7vFP7AMK9A4J_24kD/w464-h255/bomjul3.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The <span style="font-size: large;">dotted teal</span> won out!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sarah has given us three months to get these borders hand appliqued, so I figure I have time to catch up. Not to mention, I'm slowly working my way through 7 seasons of West Wing...again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Under Things I Like</b>...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finally gave in and bought a pair of <b>Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Scissors.</b> Timna Tarr said she<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTGU4JeTpecA783wEGBKbghL9P59IyEmNgOAnPeLt5b52qLYnIskoXHagi1xmxt5CX7wMChnZU-IJBH77azKH1_ihPwqxPCew9neB8iT628CY783wgeDdsAz1VCvrmo5-GkgEUVMqhixMQqpNXKwcjw3KHq-Irkb_30foRidWM_yb_BWG3PkPV3di3Pzx/s612/scissors.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTGU4JeTpecA783wEGBKbghL9P59IyEmNgOAnPeLt5b52qLYnIskoXHagi1xmxt5CX7wMChnZU-IJBH77azKH1_ihPwqxPCew9neB8iT628CY783wgeDdsAz1VCvrmo5-GkgEUVMqhixMQqpNXKwcjw3KHq-Irkb_30foRidWM_yb_BWG3PkPV3di3Pzx/s320/scissors.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>liked them and the 6" size was something I really have needed for a while. Plus they have one blade that is straight (that can be sharpened) and one blade that was micro serrated (that will grip the fabric better for more accurate cutting). Of course, I've heard quilters from all walks of life swear by them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After using them for a few weeks, I can say I really like the size and the narrow little point they come to. I'm not sold though on the serrated blade since I'm used to a smooth cut of the straight blade of my Kai's. BUT I do love the size and find myself reaching for them just as much as my Kai's,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I still love my <a href="https://kaiscissors.com/all-kai-scissors/kai-7000-professional-series/">Kai Professional Series Scissors </a>though - I have the 7170 and just love, love, love them. I mean you can't beat the action of the scissors plus they really do cut through fabric like butter. I might ask for the Kai's 6" 7150's for Christmas and see if I like those. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I mean really...can a girl have too many scissors?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So what do you think about your scissors?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><!--start InLinkz code-->
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