Committment

I found this quote on a Starbuck's cup a couple of weeks ago. I think it's fantastic.

"The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating — in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life." – Anne Morriss

In fact, it keeps coming back to me as I encounter various people and situations.

This is a pretty good description about how I felt about my Lent project. Once I made the commitment to finish a small art quilt each day, I was free to actually embrace the doing of it.

I wish you could come over and we could sit on my red couch, have a cuppa and chat about it.
I've been thinking more about the completed Lent project and what I learned from it both spiritually and artistically. Several thoughtful friends have suggested I should exhibit the work. I'm beginning to put some ideas together.

More Ink!

More fiber jewelry! Here's a new book of jewelry made exclusively from fabric! So very very cool. It's called Stitched Jewels: Jewelry That's Sewn, Stuffed, Gathered and Frayed. (Love that sub title!)

It includes 25 amazing projects including one designed by me!
I blogged about this necklace and the experience of having a proposal accepted more than a year ago. And now here it is! You really must check it out. I think the book could really inspire a lot of art quilters to think about how to transfer their techniques and style to other formats.

This Week

I'm giving a program at the Bear Creek Quilt Guild in Keller, TX tomorrow night. If you live in the area, I'd love to see you. I know they welcome guests. My program is titled "Getting From Start to Art: 76 Tips to Jump Start Your Creativity." I'll be showing lots of quilts and bombarding everyone with tips for making art. I really hope everyone leaves with some little nugget to inspire them.

Bear Creek Quilt Guild
Tuesday, April 21 at 7 pm
First United Methodist Church of Keller
1025 Johnson Road, Keller, TX

On Saturday, April 25 I'd doing a workshop for the guild. I'll be teaching my Landscape Triptych project. This project is also featured in the book Creative Quilting With Beads. Here's my class sample.

And here is a fabulous landscape made by my friend, Lu.
If you're interested in taking the class, I think there might be some openings. You can email Ann Thomas at awthomas2001@yahoo.com

I've got the sniffles. I'm going to have to bring a pack of tissues to the program tomorrow. Grumble.

Zine Swap

Remember way back when . . . I participated in a zine swap?! I am finally sharing all the swappy goodness that arrived in my mail box. First: I love zines. There is just something about the words, the pictures, the hand made quality, the smallness, the treasures, the personal stories and the art that combine for a real connection between the creator and the reader.

Victoria created a zine about all kinds of hand made items. It's an exploration of trying new things and embracing creativity.

Tracie Lyn Huskamp put together a beautiful collection of poems and mixed media images of birds. Stunning in its elegant simplicity.

Kara Klein created this zine about Book Arts. Ahem... swoon! Full of texture and layers and art!

Kathleen Codyrachel created a zine exploring artistic masks all over the world. What a great subject.
This little accordion book zine was created by Becky New. She actually hand wrote each zine! Wow -- that's a lot when you are swapping TEN zines. I love it.
Here is a close up of Alma's masterpiece SoulCraft zine. It's packed! She still has some in her Etsy shop. It really is extraordinary! You should treat yourself.
Something Extra was created by Judy Merrill-Smith. (Check out the amazing Peace book she made, too.)
STITCH the zine came in a sweet little fabric folder. Fab! It was created by Robin Olson Mayberry and tells the story of stitching through the generations.
Marti McClure's zine is full of so many excellent creative exercises. She really did inspire me to explore "Curiosities."
Amber Dawn Goldish created Hours. The main focus of the zine is doodling and artists who doodle. I did a fabric swap about eight years ago and I think Amber got a bit of the fabric I created, so it's fun to reconnect with her.
Here is the zine I sent off for the swap. It's an exploration of the symbols I use in my art and a little bag of symbolic treasures.I finally did a reprint and I'm thrilled to have them back in my Etsy shop.
Alma is hosting another zine swap for 2009! I don't think I can resist joining in.

In Bookstores Now!

I am thrilled to announce that I have some new artwork published! Did you know I make jewelry?! Mostly I make small bits of art and sometimes I find a way to wear it as jewelry.

This pendant is in the new issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.
It's a tiny book made of organza, clippings from an old book and sequins. I actually made three small books and they can be interchanged on the chain or worn all together. I call them "books of intention." Each book has a tag reading "seek," "be," and "to."

There are eight pages in each book with one word on each page.

Seek: identity, safe haven, spirit, loyalty, oasis, truth, hospitality, challenge
To: see, say, prepare, learn, ask, need, impress, speculate
Be: abundant, splendid, fresh, free, royal, bountiful, great, new

I began these books by simply cutting out words from an old book. I was intentionally looking for words that seemed unique. (Not that there is anything wrong with the words dream, imagine, hope, create, laugh, etc... But, there is no shortage of arty and crafty stuff made with those words. I think I've become a bit immune to their real meanings because of their popularity. Unfortunately.) I am really pleased with how they turned out.

It was a fun project and I am thrilled that Belle Armoire Jewelry included it for their readers!

Alleluia

Here is my last piece. It's the fortieth day of Lent, but it's actually quilt number 39. I had that one day where I just came up empty. But I'm ok with that. I think I will make one more. It will be an Easter piece and then the collection will be a full 40.

Move On
9.5 x 6.5" (#40)

This piece was a delight. It came together very smoothly, but with the appropriate amount of creative spontaneity. I was a bit anxious earlier in the day. I had a meeting all morning and spent the rest of the day with the family at the Dallas Museum of Art and going out for dinner. So I didn't get into the studio until after 9 pm. But, grace arrived. Thankfully.

The hand print is somewhat subtle. I used a freezer paper mask and painted over the surface. Here is the thumb and pointer finger. To emphasize it a bit, I outlined it with some long stitches.

And now...

How will I be moving on?

Ending

I'll be making my last piece today. Exhale.

Here are the pieces I made yesterday and Thursday.

Servant
11 x 10" (38)

Oppression
9 x 9" (#39)

Here is a detail shot at an angle.
Another detail. I used a polyester felt as a foundation and then I singed the edges with a heat gun after I'd finished. You probably can't really see that since it's mounted on my black design board. (Duh.)
It's very loose, layered, dark, chaotic...

Today

Just a few pieces of fabric and a few design elements... and yet it was a struggle.

Willing
9 x 7" (#37)

This is an example of a piece on which I would love to add more surface design or embellishment. But, since the stated goal is to finish a piece each day, sometimes as I am in the studio working I feel the minutes ticking away and the hovering reality of other things that have to be done that day. So I have to compromise and edit. Again, these are probably good life skills.

Diversion

I've got some swap catch up do to. Lots of amazing wonderful mail over the past several weeks. I've been so focused on the daily art/meditation/study project that I haven't taken time to post about it. Until now...

Let's start with the Birds of Change Exchange. Creative Kismet hosted this wonderful swap in January to celebrate a season of change. We also discovered that she and I share the same birthday: January 20. A very special day this year.

These birds winged their way to my studio!

The blue bird on the plaid was made by Mervi Seppanen of Finland. The serene green paper bird was made by Ashee Malloch. Another wonderful paper creation by ArtJunkie. The paisley softie is by Taryn Verleye. And the embroidered guy is by GreetingArts.

Here is the version I sent off for the swap. (Just a few left in my Etsy shop.)
I'll have more swap catch up later in the week. Cheers!

Comfort Zone

I knew this week would be better.

Measure
10 x 8" (#36)

Today's scripture was a bit about refuge. I took that cue to return to some of my familiar shapes and colors. I really like how this turned out. It's a bit busy, but that's ok. I think it benefits from viewing close up. (Seriously... I am planning to re-do all the photos soon.) I really like the quilting. I put that same leaf fabric on the back and then did the free motion quilting from the backside following the pattern.

Losing Track

Lent is nearly over. I hits some bumps over the last few days. I had a good recovery today, but ... sigh, I was frustrated. Of course, that means there were many "teachable moments." I could go on and on with metaphors about creating art and life and the journey of faith. But, I'll just let the art speak for itself for now.

Oh, and the photography is bad, too.

Breath
10 x 8" (#35)

We had a long busy somewhat disappointing weekend, so it felt good to start fresh today with this calm piece.

On Saturday, I was completely lost. I wasted away much of the day and tried to squeeze something out at the end of the day. It was a disaster.

(#34)

I didn't really throw it away. I just set this photo up to make a point. I'm not sure if I'll go back and re-do it. There are times in life when it's better to just move on and acknowledge that an opportunity was missed or mistakes were made.

Actually, I didn't even finish Friday's piece. But I am pleased with the progress...

in progress...
14 x 8" (#33)

Back to Thursday... I don't love this piece either, but I certainly explored some different fabrics and color combos.

Glad
11 x 8.5 (#32)

This week will be better. I am also eager to embrace new ideas and possibilities after Easter.

Catching Up

It's Wednesday. I am supposed to feel like the week is half over? Or is is just beginning? I can't tell. Here are three more Lent pieces. I also finished my 12x12 piece and completed two pieces for collage mania, so I think I'm having a bit of creative overload. Tomorrow: one simple Lent piece and yoga.

Any One of You
10 x 8" (#29)

All Along
16 x 8 (#30)

I just love this piece. I am so pleased with its spareness. It's just three fabrics, four if you count that brown piece I added to the binding at the bottom. And I love the free motion quilting. I loved doing it and I love the results. It's my Klimt-inspired coffee-bean motif. I haven't timed myself on all the pieces, but just for reference... this one took about an hour and a half.

Here's a detail.

And since they can't all be as successful, I followed up with this today.

No Room For My Word
11.5 x 8.5 (#31)

I won't go into all the reasons why I don't like this piece because that is totally not what this project is about, but ... blah.

Open the Window!

Today is reveal day over at our Twelve by Twelve blog! It is so exciting to see all the posts pop up throughout the day. Gerrie picked "windows" as the theme for this challenge. You'll be amazed by all the wonderful interpretations.

Here is my piece, Seeing Through.Here is a detail where you can see the printing, painting, stitching, stenciling, quilting and cutting.