Summertime Fun!

How is your summer going?  What have you done so far this summer?  What does the rest of your summer hold?  Teaching classes and taking classes are my top activities for the next few months. 

In August, I am taking several classes at the Create Mixed Media Retreat sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine in Lisle, IL.   This is the fifth year of the retreat and I've gone to all of them.  My best friend Sue and I do not miss this retreat.  In fact as soon as it finishes we are already looking forward to next year.  Check it out!  There are still classes available.  

In July and August, I am teaching over a dozen classes throughout the Chicagoland area (see schedule here). On August 1-3, the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Festival will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds, where I will teach the afternoon of August 1st.    

It is going to be a fantastic rest of the summer! Leave me a comment and let me know what fun your summer holds. 

Dress Up: Newest class - Make your own Doll Dress Mannequin

A sample of my newest class.  Details will be available on twistedfiberstudio.com soon.  

Great event - Skokie's Spring Greening

Wow! I'm exhausted but what a great event -- Skokie's Spring Greening. Got to meet lots and lots of people. The winner of the drawing for the journal will be notified via email! Thank you to all who stopped by, made something, and/or took information. I look forward to talking to you all.

 

Thanks again to the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, the Skokie Library and the Skokie Park District!

It's been a long while...

since i posted. I truly thought I'd posted more recently than early August! Busy 6 weeks since then. A business trip to Bangkok, Thailand for 9 days, 5 days (six classes) at the CREATE Retreat sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine (AWESOME - more later), the US Labor Day holiday, family functions, WORK, and an opportunity to be in the audience at the Oprah Show last week! Whew! I've loved it (most of it).

In the midst of it all, I've made several things including two baby gifts. Two family members are having baby girls so I made a receiving blanket using Amy Butler fabrics with a flannel back and a crocheted a lace trim to a fleece blanket for each other the girls. I can't wait to meet both girls!

At CREATE, the classes were phenomenal! We learned so much. Susan and I took 3 classes separately and 3 classes together! What a blast. I guess I truly learned to make paper fabric in three different ways.

I also discovered that I'm moving in a different direction -- or picked up a new hobby. In the class taught by Dawn Devries Sokol "Passport to Journaling", we made journals from an existing book with watercolor paper which she uses to document her travels to various cities and such. Sound simples but Dawn's ideas and talent are so inspiring. We are all creative in our own way and we have to remember that! Dawn showed various techniques on art journaling (and tools) and how to doodle. Now remember doodling is unique to each one and there is no wrong way (as Dawn says). I've already made another journal for future use!

One long term idea is to make a journal documenting my travels throughout the world - over 40 cities and counting. I've found the book to use -- I think. But the collecting of things to go into it has begun! I have stuff in my desk at work, at home, in storage.

Lest you think I'm moving away from fabric, don't despair. Remember that "t-shirt" quilt that I have been working on for a client? Well the quilting has begun. In fact I only have to bind it and add a couple details and it's done. I finished the "back" with a simple sand colored linen center with a French blue "provence" fabric border and a final border of blue dupioni silk. I wanted to have a "sophisticated side" that makes it fully reversible.

Susan is working on all kinds of new techniques including trying out encaustic techniques. They look so cool!

I think that's it for now... Photos are next!

Where is the time going?

It's early December, the first snow fall has happened and it's 30 degrees. Wow! The Thanksgiving holidays are past and a whirlwind it was. But I was constantly seeing ideas for new quilts. One was about concentric circles -- it was a photo of wood paneling with raised circular molding in a grid pattern. Hmmm how to replicate? I'll figure it out. Maybe buttons, maybe unravelling silk, maybe steel washers, or maybe a combination of those items.

In the meantime, I've gotten a couple requests for items. Another doll quilt a la Barbie was commissioned. My mother asked for three scarves for gifts. A good friend asked for some wall hangings - she has the materials but some arrangements and logistics (mounting plans). There may be one other larger commission but I won't talk about it any further until it's confirmed.

With the holidays approaching, hours to create are scarce but I'll find the time. Yes I'll take photos. Stay tuned. Please?