"Creativity Marches On"

The title of this post is a quote from my friend Jenny Lyon, an artist who lives in California and travels far more than I think is safe during a Global Pandemic!  😉

But she's right.  She wrote that as a comment on a Facebook post I made recently, right after I'd learned that the Lacombe Art Show & Sale -- at which I've been Featured-Artist-in-Waiting since post-show 2019 -- was cancelled for the third year in a row.  This time it's only partially due to the uncertainty of the omicron variant of COVID-19, the infectiousness of which is hampered by our Very Conservative province's lower vaccination up-take, but it's also due to other factors at the City which I don't know much about and to which I'm not privvy.

I've had a couple of small Pity Parties as a result, but now...well, that's just no way to live and I'm moving on.

The Creativity is Marching On.

Heck!  It's been marching for a while now!  As month end approaches, I've done a tally, and I've finished seven new pieces this month of January alone!  I featured three of them in my last post.  Since then, I've produced these:

Return to the Diner (c) 2022
Monoprint copied on organza, quilted on 
synthetic fabric, fused applique, hand-beaded.
9.25" x 6.5" -- to be mounted
on 10" x 8" painted stretched canvas and framed

January Picnic (c) 2022
My contribution to the SAQA Spotlight Auction
at the 2022 (virtual) Conference at the end of April
Stay tuned for bidding information!

Winter Flight (c) 2022
Pieced, quilted, gessoed substrate
Marker and some thread painting
7.5" x 5.5" - to be mounted on 
10" x 8" painted canvas and framed

Yes...I'm continuing to play with "substrates" (aka 'backgrounds') and how I might use pieced and quilted backgrounds to create my work.  There's a "nearly all white" background being pieced right now for a 'soft' piece (i.e. larger and not on canvas)...more about that in the future.

I also took part in "Stitch Camp" for five days (January 17-21 inclusive) via TextileArtist.org.  That was inspiring...but not quite in the way the organizers intended -- at least, not for me.  I'm not a marker on fabric most of the time.  And I prefer machine stitch first...hand stitch as accents. Still...a little inspiration goes a long way, and since I've been exploring a) using up stuff to keep it out of the landfill; and b) substrates -- I made this:

The Possibility of Light  (c) 2022
9" W x 7" L - mounted on 8" x 10"
painted stretched canvas.
Machine pieced and quilted; painted
with gesso and metallic Sharpie (R) marker;
to be framed.

I expect the framed ones will end up at my framer's gallery -- Curiosity Art & Framing in Red Deer -- and could be purchased there in person or online -- but...if any Gentle Reader is interested...send me a message via "margblank - at - xplornet - dot - ca".  (This doesn't apply to the SAQA Spotlight Auction piece, which will be available later...stay tuned.)  

In other quilting...I continue to work on the 2022 Bonnie Hunter Mystery -- "Rhododendron Trail".  I'm plugging away at Clue #5 now, which takes Clue #3 units and adds to them.  I'm much farther along now than the photo below shows...and have moved into the second selection of pink fabric, having exhausted the first.

The full piece has been revealed - and it's very pretty; that said, I'm making the quilt at 3/4 the size, and forsee that the turquoise/aqua "sky" fabric in the original may be swapped out for something else as I get closer to the finished product. 

I've now got almost 70 'wonky log cabin' blocks from strings and scraps, and over 2 dozen "Spare Squares" (a Lori Holt freebie) which will be converted to a lap quilt shortly.  Fabric scraps: the gift that keeps on giving!

In knitting... I finished my Ranunculus pullover (sorry; no 'selfies'); it fits (though I'm not sure about it's length) and will be a pretty addition to a warmer weather wardrobe.  That said, I've not caught the 'bug' that makes it addictive to some knitters.  I might make another but not in the next five minutes.  I've returned to knitting my Turtle Dove II tunic in a glorious teal, 'Haynes' Creek Heathers Aran' from Gathering Yarn.  It's a top-down pullover, and I'm nearing the end of the increases over the yoke -- soon to divide for the sleeves.

My daughter reported that the two headbands I made for her birthday kept her warm enough on a recent hiking trip to the Rockies (near Banff, Alberta).  The one made from the "special" acrylic -- Red Heart's "Heat Wave" -- was indeed cozy, but she couldn't tell if it was the yarn itself, or the fact that a) the pattern was thick cables; or b) it fit more closely than the headband made of "regular" yarn (an acrylic/wool blend).  So...whatever!  She liked them both, and for that I am grateful!  (I've a dear friend who wants one and so now that I know how well the yarn performs, I must get going on that for her too.)

I continue to embroider on other projects while waiting for Jeannette's February "mini bouquet" -- alas, no further photos to show.  Those will come...in time, along with some hand-stitch on a collage I started in the above-mentioned "Stitch Camp" -- though only very tenuously related to the activity taught at the camp!

February approaches, and with it, a forecast of colder weather and more snow.  I'm ready!  First, I have reading material.  This new tome arrived in the mail Friday...bought and paid for some months ago, from the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, written by quilt historian and friend of all quilters, Lucie Heins:

It's weighty; it's a true "coffee table book" -- so it will take some time to enjoy fully, to savour and digest the contents...but I commend it to my Alberta compatriots, to ALL Canadian quilters, and to others outside Canada who might be interested.  😊

I've a new art piece in the works, all that hand-stitch and knitting to do...a cozy home and a furry supervisor who ensures I get up each morning to feed her and keep to my routine.  

And of course I've the inspiration from all of you, Gentle Readers, including those of you who share your work over at Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday...where I'm linking this post.

I leave you with wishes for a safe, cozy, creative week, safely sheltered from storm, sturm und drang...till next month, with love... 

Sometimes It All Comes Together at Once

 Life continues apace, each day bringing a fresh start, which I try to hold onto even as my emotions continue in flux.  The challenge to keep an even keel for an entire day is very real right now!

That said, on the Very Best Days, Things Get Done!  Even better, sometimes I accomplish more than I expected because...well...sometimes it all comes together at once.

Last week I drove into Red Deer to Curiosity Art & Framing, to pick up invitations for the Christmas Reception that's happening there December 3.  I won't be the Featured Artist by then (that's coming to an end as I type, because another artist -- a painter -- will be featured) but my work is staying there for the time being, and will continue to be shown.  And I'll be at the reception from 3-5 p.m. that afternoon.  The Featured Artist will be there in the evening.

While I was talking with owner/manager Andrea, she asked if I could bring in some small pieces -- 5" x 7" -- in case someone in attendance would like to purchase something with only a little financial lay-out.  I confess, that cheered me up and lit a fire under me.  With only a couple of weeks to the event, I needed to act pronto so I could take them back to Andrea for framing.

Ol' Man Winter, it turns out, was on my side too.  We had wild wind and blowing snow here on Monday and Tuesday -- so I stayed inside and went to work.

In the summer, I'd dabbled with some fabric painting, mainly on some semi-sheer synthetic stuff -- just for fun, when I was taking the "Cloth to Codex" workshop (online) with Susan Purney Mark -- and I'd written about it HERE.  I decided to dig out the fabric and see what I could come up with.

Well...this

became this...

On the Dunes - (c) 2021 - 5" x 7" 

and this...

Slough-side - (c) 2021 - 5" x 7"

This...

became this...

A Dream of Spring (c) 2021
8" x 10" mounted on 12" x 12" 
painted stretched canvas

And another piece --  fabric print that I altered with mono-printing and paint sometime last year -- became this:

Winter Grasses - (c) 2021 - 5" x 7"

I was on a roll so, having decided to paint the canvas for A Dream of Spring, I also got busy and painted the one I needed for Forgiveness.  (Alas, I lack great spaces for phography in my house, so this was taken at an odd angle and looks wonky; it's not!)

All of these are at Andrea's now for framing -- in my usual black 'floater' frames -- but the invitees at the December 3 reception will see the finished products.  I, for one, can't wait!

In the Xmas Gift Department...

I used left-overs from at least two other, larger projects -- maybe three -- to make this comfort throw for a friend who shall remain nameless for the moment (Christmas gift, remember?)

What's Left in the Box of Chocolates? (c) 2021

It's really simply a batch of 2 1/2" squares sewn into 9-patches and then all joined together, surrounded by narrow "zingers", wider pieced borders and even wider solid-colour borders -- with outer corner-stones made from HSTs (half-square triangles) left over from yet another larger project.  No pattern; I just made it up.

Technically,  it's a medallion quilt because it features "something in the middle, and something around it" -- to quote Joe (The Quilter) Cunningham.  Further, per his friend and mentor, the late Mary Schafer, it's a "country medallion"  -- not a "fancy" or "more sophisticated" one, because the 'something in the middle' is pieced, rather than featuring a central motif that's appliqued.  And my borders include piecing, not applique. 

I learned all this on Saturday, when I was working on the borders of this piece and attending Joe's latest Quilt Freedom Workshop.  Yep; it was all about medallion quilts -- antique and vintage inspirations -- with his guests (and friends) collector and quilt historian, Julie Silber, and Carolyn Ducey, Curator of Collections at the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska.  

I confess I pay to take these classes ($50 CAD a pop) not only to see if I can play with fabric in a new way, but also because I think Joe's one of the best quilt artists out there; he makes me think; he stretches my mind and my perceptions, and he introduces me to quilt history in the most interesting way!  Not all the topics he covers interest me, so I've yet to spring for a monthly Patreon membership (about $50 CAD per month, which is expensive for me these days); I prefer to pick and choose.  So far, I've attended most months -- but not all of them.  Sometimes I make a project; sometimes I don't.  This month, my medallion piece was on theme but not even close to Joe's style.  Still, I could imagine, decades from now, someone coming across this little throw in a thrift shop or antique market, and wondering at the provenance, at the colours chosen, the design, even the size.  That's what makes quilt history come alive for me -- and Joe and his friends and colleagues have given me that appreciation. 

In that vein, I've just purchased a soon-to-be-released book -- Alberta Quiltmakers and Their Quilts -- authored by Lucie Heins, Assistant Curator for the Daily Life and Leisure Program at the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) in Edmonton.  

I met Lucie years ago when she and Patti Morris, former SAQA Western Canada Rep for Alberta, joined forces, with two other quilting organizations, and created an exhibit at the RAM.  SAQA's contribution was "Meet the Best of the West", which had toured around Canada, and finished its tour there (late summer 2014).  Here I am -- much younger -- with my piece, "Mutt and Jeff" (upper left corner) and others, at the reception for the participating artists, as many as could get there:

But I digress...there's Xmas knitting too!

And it's all done but for one piece, for a friend who lives a few blocks away.  That will be done when the time comes...

For now, I am ready to meet my daughter on Sunday to pass on gifts to her for herself, for her friend (the commission) and for my son, his partner and her son.  All are finished, washed and ready to wrap!

The commissioned socks were an adventure because of the size required, which was larger around than the lace pattern could accommodate.  I'll spare you the details -- especially those of you who don't knit or understand the language (!).  Interested parties can read my notes on this adventure on my project page on Ravelry.  Here they are, just before I grafted the toe of the second sock:

Pattern: Hummingbird 
Designer: Sandi Rosner
Publication: The Knitter's Book of Socks
by Clara Parkes
Yarn: Gathering Yarn - The Basics Sock

These are long socks -- 11" from cuff to bottom of heel; 10" from heel to toe -- but I still had some yarn left over from the skein!  And the hand-dyed yarn colour-way is spectacular!  I am more than pleased -- I only hope the recipient is too.

I've also finished the hats and mittens I planned for giving:

• Not one but two hats for my son (the first shown a few posts ago, but here it is again):

Pattern: Ribbed Toque
Source:Knitting Stories - Sylvia Olsen
Yarn: Cascade Yarns "Anthem"

And here's the second:

Pattern: "Bankhead"
Designer: Susie Gourlay
Yarn: Baycrest Sayelle Knitting Worsted (d/c)

• And a hat and fingerless mittens set for his partner:

Hat: Violet Waffles - Designed by Halldora J
Mittens: Simple Fingerless Mitts
Yarn: Schoeller + Stahl Limbo Mexiko Color
in "Fjord" 

Here's one of the mittens on my hand.  
I added an inch to the body after the cuff,
in case she wants them long enough to go inside her coat.

I finished my daughter's Christmas Socks a few months back; lest you missed that, here they are:

Pattern: Thermal Weasleys
Designer: Desiree Bowman
Yarn: Gathering Yarn Merino Sock Italian

And yes, the "Weasleys" reference is from Harry Potter... 😉

The other gifts I'm giving aren't made by me...but are ready to pack for delivery on Sunday afternoon or to put in the post later this month.

One of the latter is a selection of two designs for a 2022 calendar, created by my daughter, who is a talented photographer (as I've mentioned before, as followers of this blog will know).  This year she assembled "This Chickadee Life" and "Chubby Cheeks" (featuring squirrels and chipmunks).  You can see these on her Facebook page -- or if you are in Edmonton, Alberta, at Mandolin Books and Coffee or Apache Seeds -- available now for purchase.  I've chosen one for my cousin James in Scotland, and another for my next-door neighbours here in town.  Perfect!  

At this point, anything else I divulge would spoil surprises for Certain Gentle Readers...so that's it for now!

Aside from that one knitted gift for a local friend, I'm ready for new knits -- and for me, that means returning to two pullovers that were just started before the Xmas Knits took over.  More about them in a future post...and more about quilty things too.  Bonnie Hunter's 2021 Mystery starts in earnest a week from tomorrow (right after American Thanksgiving) -- and I'm hoping it will be another fun challenge for this year.  

I'm also closing in on the 98 string blocks (5 1/2" square, unfinished) that I need for Bonnie's free "Basket-weave Strings" pattern; this top will be reserved for when needed for charity.  I've been using a pile of collected strings, and have 84 blocks done...but the pile doesn't seem to be getting any smaller...Sigh.

Upcoming: 

The 3rd Annual (second In Person) Lacombe Encore! Under $100 Art Market at the Memorial Centre, Lacombe, Alberta -- Thursday, November 25 from 4-9 p.m., Friday, November 26 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, November 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (COVID protocols in place.)

I have four 5" x 7" pieces in the sale (NOT the ones shown above!) and my daughter Gina will have some of her photography there too.  I'll be on cash on Thursday from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m., so if you're a local reader, do come by, see the lovely work, and find something that's just right for you to give at the holiday season.

And of course, as mentioned above, Curiosity Art & Framing has a Christmas Reeption the following week (Dec. 3); I'll be there from 3-5 p.m.

After all this, I'll be glad to be home knitting and string-piecing quietly in the lead-up to Christmas.  Our parish church, where I'm now the lone musician music "team", is still discussing the timing of a Christmas Eve Service, and I've no idea what our family is able or willing to do this year re: getting together...so whatever happens, happens.

This coming week, American family and friends will be celebrating Thanksgiving.  I send good wishes to all who are doing so, and hopes that you will stay safe and have a loving, happy time together.  

I'm linking this up to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday, where she's busy bringing a new creative idea to life.  She's facing a deadline -- so I hope that for her, too, it will all come together at once!

And for you, Gentle Readers, Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans for November 25 -- and may all of us have a safe, healthy, creative week ahead!

At a Loss...and in a Project

I spent the past two days at quilt shows.  I have no photos of the one in Stettler, because I left my camera at home -- and I have no photos of the one in Wetaskiwin, because it would appear I left my camera at the show. Somewhere.  I have sent e-mails to the show's e-mail address, to the office of the church in which it was held, and to the women at the last two stops I made (Extraordinary Extras of Vermilion, AB, and Lucie Heins at the Royal Alberta Museum).  Lucie is on the road giving talks (more about that in a minute), so per her automated reply, won't be looking at office e-mail till Wednesday.  I can only hope about the other two.  Sigh.  And try not to beat myself up too much in the process of waiting.

Both shows were very nice, but the Wetaskiwin one was larger (as is the town altogether) and a bit more imaginative.  There was a wonderful, humourous quilted clock challenge that I wish I could show you (!) and an absolutely stunning quilt made entirely of silk dupioni, in simple rectangles, that I wanted to bring home with me.  You'll just have to take my word for it!

But for me the most exciting part of the day was the presence of the above-mentioned Ms. Lucie Heins, quilter and Assistant Curator of the Western Canadian History Programme at the RAM.  She's spear-heading part of a larger project, showcasing Alberta craft and its history.  The aim of the Alberta Quilt Project is to expand the documentation of Alberta heritage quilts, while concurrently updating the museum's data on what Alberta quilters are doing now -- that is, on what will become Alberta's quilting heritage fifty+ years from now.  The wee video below is a taste of what Lucie's up to.  If you want more information, try to get to one of the talks she's giving around the Province.  This week I believe she's up in Grand Prairie and Peace River area.  On Wednesday, June 20, I'm going up to Camrose to hear her speak at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 4102 - 73 Street, at 7 p.m.  Admission is FREE.  Come out to learn how you can be part of the Project!

If you can't get out to a talk, but are going to be at the Central Alberta Quilt Show in Red Deer June 8 and 9, Lucie kindly gave me a packet of her research questionnaires.  There are 3 different versions: one for traditional quilters, one for art quilters and one for long-arm quilters.  The questions explore who you are as a quilter, what materials you use, the history of your quilting education and experience, etc.; all material is kept confidential by the Museum in the research process.

I will make sure the questionnaires are available for pick up on June 8, either at the SAQA Exhibit table or at another central location chosen by the show organizers (likely the check-in or info table).  If you want a questionnaire but they're gone when you get there, or you aren't going to the show, e-mail Lucie at lucie.heins@gov.ab.ca or write her at Royal Alberta Museum, 12845 - 102 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 0M6.  Alberta quilters, this is our opportunity to share "Why Quilts Matter" to us in Canada, and in Western Canada in particular.  If you're an Alberta quilter, passionate about quilting in any and all of its wonderful forms, stand up and be counted!