Two years, too long

It's difficult for me to believe that I haven't posted in 2 years! With a change in leadership at my day-job, I have been very busy at work, but trust me when I say, I've been Very Busy at ArtWork, too!

I've had a group show of my work, I started a new little series, of course I've been sewing massive amounts of clothing for myself, my mom, and dear daughter!

Rather than go into alot, I'll just share pictures! More to come!

Super Sewing Summer!

Once the students graduate and the Alumni have come and gone, the Ross Museum goes to a reduced schedule, leaving me with time in the morning to spend in the Art Barn for sewing!

This summer, I've been going through my stash of thrift shop finds, cutting things up, trying out new designs, and generally having a wonderful time. So far this month, here are about half of what I've made up:



Dresses, tops, slips with lace and ruffles to wear under other things.....I usually finish at least 1 piece every day this month!

My next project will be to re-organize all my fabric storage, since things have gotten a bit too jumbled to easily find what I'm looking for, and to think about having a "Supply Reduction Sale"...but that's for July!

Spring Break fun in the Art Barn

Last week I was on Spring Break from the museum job, although of course there were things I still took care of. I did manage to do some fun things for me!

I've had lots of fun going thru the Yarn stash, knitting up these little hipster hats...I can see these covering up those man-buns, can't you? Although I did make one for myself, because they're comfy and warm, and easy to wear.(that's the hubby, being a good sport)



I splurged at the fabric store and found this great textured knit to make a cute little dress for Dear Daughter...I can see it with a skinny black belt, and maybe even a jacket or shrug. There are nice pockets, too, always handy!>

Made myself a basic grey tank dress for layering in any season,


and this burn-out knit was perfect, in white/black/cobalt and a nice purple-y mauve. I'm thinking over capri leggings and cami this summer!>

I also cut up a washed and shrunken boiled wool jacket, it has great embroidery all over it. I love my little monster pouches, but had in my mind something else....Lips! What else for holding my Burt's Bees lip gloss??!


March is National Craft Month, you know....what are You making?

My apologies!!

I don't know WHERE the time has gone! So many, many events in the family, but the bottom line is, I've neglected the blog!

So....


I finally finished the Spirit House quilt! Here's some photos, although since it was taken, I have gone in and added 3 more little houses on the hill, just to really finish it out. I wrote the haiku myself, and when I finally decided on the hands, it all came together really quickly. I'm very pleased with the results.


I've had fun at some craft shows, and whipped up some little monster pouches from recycled thrift shop sweaters. Zippers for mouths, buttons for eyes....they are so funny to play with!


I've been getting rid of all the Red Panty clothing, and have stopped sewing up any new cashmere kitties....I feel the need to change directions. I'm not sure if I'll still make clothing to sell: I'm still looking inside myself, figuring out where I need to go from here.

I've been winnowing out the Art Barn, because it's becoming quite the dumping ground...between moving Dear Daughter home this summer after graduate school, friends making "donations" of various items, accumulating vast amounts of supplies, whatever, it's just TIME to clean it up! I looked at photos of the Art Barn, after I finally got it all fixed up and situated, and I long to return to that state of cleanliness! So that's my goal, to get it finished by New Year's.

What's YOUR end-of-the-year resolution?

Red Panties on Parade

The show is UP and looking....okay, I guess. Artwork that I "pin", or admire, or really, really like is so much better than mine. I feel mine is rather cartoony, which isn't a bad description considering my life is very much like the Simpsons! But, it IS mine, and for what it's worth, it's on display at the bottom of the stairwell in Courtright Library at Otterbein!


I was happy to get the Panty quilts out in public again, it's been awhile!

I do feel happy with this particular piece, Watch What You Say. The shiny bits are the inside of a chip bag. The open mouth is printed on vellum, and the old diagram lines connect to my sewn lines leading to the words "hate" and "lies", which have the big red "NOT" circles on them. Click on the photo to see it more clearly.


Lots of other words on this one, too....."mirror, mirror"; "mind your tongue"; "do you like what you see?".

I also finished the central piece in this grouping...I don't consider them a triptych, but they hang together nicely. "Redbuds" because I love them in the spring!


There will be a little reception on Sunday, April 19th 2-4pm, so if you're around, stop by! The show will be up until the middle or end of June.

The ice dam has broken...New Artwork! (a little morality tale)

One week from today, I'll be hanging a little show of my work in the basement of Otterbein's library. I so wanted to have all new work to hang, although I certainly have more than enough already to have a nice selection.

I tried to make the little houses piece work; I thought about it, I fussed about it, I dreamt about it. This morning, I did embroider the moon....



....but I finally realized why I can't finish it right now. Too dark, to Halloween-y! That's not where I am, especially today, the first lovely day of the year, temps up to the 60's, not sunny, but not rainy. So, I decided to let Mr. Moon rest for awhile, til I feel more like fall, and start something else.

Success! Two little pieces halfway finished, one of wisteria and one of cherry blossoms. They're each about 21" tall x 10" wide.

I've decided to make a much larger piece as a companion, with flowers in it. Foxglove, maybe coneflowers, maybe lavendar. I can decide tomorrow. But as I watched the news showing photos of the Ohio River cresting and beginning to recede, I feel the same way, that dam of frozen ideas has finally given way to some warm, flowing inspiration!



What is the moral of this story? Don't force it. Don't try to jump and stomp on the debris blocking your flow....just relax. Put it away. Give yourself permission to go in a completely different direction, one that is open and unimpeded by expectations or the baggage we bring. You'll find your way back by coming at it from another side, later, when you're ready. In the meantime, you can still find joy and create beauty in other ways!

Altar Cloth & Paraments: Dedicated!

Sunday was the dedication/blessing of the completed parament set for First Presbyterian Church! I think they looked really good in their new home. I hope they bring lots of joy to the worship there for many years to come.



(CLICK the photos to see them bigger & better!)