Back Into the Swing of Things...

You know you had great vacation when you cannot quit yawning while at a quilt show, but after this breathtaking view for a week..

To now be back in work mode with the following as my view.....very nice but....just not quite the same.   I always enjoy the quilts at the Asheville Quilt Guild show in North Carolina and this year is no exception.  I'm enjoying my view from our booth.

 However this sould tell you how I'm doing.  I'm having such a hard time this morning getting into gear...can you tell.

Next weekend we will be vending at a retreat in Gatlinburg, TN....maybe I will finally be back in work mode! Stranger things have happened!

Preparations for Two Shows....

For the past few weeks we have been dyeing fabric, fibers and I swear anything that didn't move, in preparation of vending at two different locations.  Kristin will be setting up this weekend at QSDS in Columbus, Ohio, she will be there from Monday, May 30th until June 12th.  I will be headed to North Carolina Quilt Symposium in Raleigh, June 2nd through June 5th.  Really didn't think we would ever finish dyeing all the things we had planned for, but somehow we did....now to package it. 

 We haven't done any specialty pieces in a very long time, too busy dyeing fabric that could be easily replicated.  Upon being invited to be a vendor at QSDS we decided we could do some special pieces of fabric. We dyed a variety of silks and cotton fabrics, these circles below are on silk, they are so yummy.  At one point Kristin came into the dye studio and asked if I was having fun....I said no, all I could think of was how tired I was....then I started rinsing out some pieces and voila....I was having fun.  I actually stood there clapping I was so happy with what I saw.  Hope you all will think so too.

 

 Love this wonderful stack of fabrics which remind me of the colors of a rainbow. 

Below is one our newest additions to our product line...2 sizes of hand dyed ric rac....they are really pretty.  We had wanted add ric rac for a long time but......now was the perfect time.  Less shows means more time to play in the dye studio.  

 

The sad part is that we did not have enough time to dye enough to supply both booths with all of these goods in great numbers...we did try really we did, but if you stop by either location you just may find a goodie you just cannot live without.  

Be sure to say Hi and introduce yourself....we love making new friends.

Time Passes Just Too Quickly.....

I've decided that I'm just not great at keeping up with things if there is too much going on.  Since the first of the year I have found myself trying to juggle, sometimes not so well online classes, creating "stuff", dyeing, packaging and the distractions of everyday life.  Personally I'm not tech savvy, sooooo Kristin has to keep me in line and trying to teach me is a full time job.  Really I have meant to write a blog every couple of days or so, but by evening I sit down in a chair and then fall into bed.  So I thought I would try to write one that catches you up to this point.... thought I'd spare you the photos of unpacking from our "artist in residence" gig in Paducah....you would not believe the mess.

We headed to Paducah on Sunday, April 17th for our artist in residence gig which includes Quilt Week,  each spring as we drive I absolutely love the color of the fields the closer we get.....hopefully this year I will try to capture it in a piece.

 As soon as we pulled in, we unloaded, well Kristin did most of the unloading while I took a "break" in my red camping chair that travels with me.....we then had to quickly set up, because Quilt Week opened on Wednesday, April 20th and we were driving to St. Louis on Tuesday to pick up Barb Forrister.  I did pull my weight on Monday with setting things up.  This is what the front gallery looked like when we got done.  Some great people dropped in to see what we were up to and shop....they didn't even mind stepping over our piles.

We always hang something along the hallway back to the studio....this year we switched it up with garments made from our hand-dyed Osnaburg and Linen.  First garment on this end is a Tina Givens pattern and the rest are all Indygo Junction.  It was very hard not to grab one to wear as I passed by as they are so comfortable.

This side showcased our collaboration work....stacked landscapes, which we will be teaching in Houston this fall.

The two photos below are pics of a couple new pieces I worked on, I love needle felting to me it is very "painterly" and so very relaxing.  Neither piece is complete as I will be adding hand stitches to both surfaces, but at this point I was just trying to make as many as I could so that I have something to hand stitch as we travel for the remainder of the year.  Some of you know me well enough to know I just may be stitching on them next year too.....I love the soft drape of these "new fabrics"....the top one was created using water soluble stabilizers.

On this one I used a chunk of felted sweater as the base....Kristin bought a couple felted sweaters at Goodwill and had never used them....oh....open game....I actually got 4 needle felted and still have quite a bit of the sweater left to use and we found cute little vintage looking hangers at a country store to hang them by. My fingers are ready to do more....

Every year we tell ourselves we are going to drive out into the countryside around Paducah and spend time photographing things we find for inspiration.  Well.....this year we actually did it.....we found this sweet face in an area known as The Land Between the Lakes where we found a Bison and Elk preserve.  Fantastic....and the babies were absolutely to die for....(my photos are too blurry).  

Then we drove off to Illinois, to an area known as "Garden of the Gods", we thought we'd check it out as we have spent time in Colorado's "Garden of the Gods", the two are very different from one another.  Here is a shot of Camel Rock.  People did climb out onto it.....not me folks I find myself very unsteady yet and I have a profound fear of heights...Proud of myself just for this.

 The textures of the rocks is what I found absolutely wonderful....you just may see this worked into new work in the future.....going to have to work up a "inspiration board" using this photo....which means collecting things that may work for creating a piece.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Surfacing For Air ......

I love getting to spend time in my studio, it's "usually" bright and warm; however only if the weather cooperates.  Cloudy means not so much.....even the cat has been looking for the ray of sun to lay in and her bed is right in the window.  She actually walked over to the Ott light today....she either thought it was the sun or.....she wanted the pen that was laying there....everything is a toy.

Anyway I spent today sewing on paper...yup you read that right.

We won't tell Kristin I gave you a sneak peek at my class prep work.  I love "playing" and we never have enough time for that.

Wonder what I can get into tomorrow. ...hmmm.

Valentine's Day Sale of the Week

Sale of the Week

We are finally back in studio mode.  The dye pots are up and running every day and we even are managing an hour or so in the studio in the afternoon.  We haven't been this productive art wise in some time.  It is nice not having another show to run off to.  Can't wait to see what we can create with all this time in the studio.  There are even a few call for entries I have my eye on.  What are you up to? We are back to running our Sale of the Week too!  I couldn't decide on what to put on sale so (shhh....don't tell mom) I decided to put all the product on sale!  I figured it is Valentine's day coming up soon so why not do 14% off.  Use coupon code 2016LOVE at checkout to receive your discount. This does NOT include the online classes or Paducah workshops.

Classes Open for Registration

We now have two online classes listed for 2016 which will lead you through a variety of new techniques!

Texture Explorations Ever wonder just how to use silk carrier rods/cocoons or even burlap?   This class will focus on flowers and help you lose the fear of trying out those items.  You will choose one of our Texture Packs in your favorite color way.  Using those items you will create an art quilt/wall hanging.  Each week the techniques will vary, so that four panels you create will show how simple changes in the handling of the fibers can convey a different impression or emotion.  Some embroidery stitches will be covered to further enhance the surface. $70 class fee includes the majority of everything you need for the class.

Now You See It, Now You Don't In this online workshop, we will explore stitch making on water soluble fabrics.  Experimenting with different products and stitches can stimulate your creativeness.  With so many options on the market it can be overwhelming; this class will let you explore different types that could provide you with success in achieving your creative vision.  Adding a little something new to your technique "toolbox" is all it takes to spur ideas. $65 class fee includes a kit with a large variety of water soluble fabrics so you can try out each of them.

Visit our website

A.I.R. Studio Paducah We are honored to once again be artists-in-residence at A.I.R. Studio in Paducah during AQS Quilt Week.  We will be there from April 17th-May 6th.  We will be offering a total of 7 workshops during quilt week including two by guest artist Barb Forrister.  They range from art quilting, painting, 3D flowers, and embroidery to art journaling.  Check out the classes by clicking on the link below. Paducah Workshops

Thank You!

Thank you so much for all the support over the years.  We know we are changing things up this year with not vending as much as we have in the past.  We hope you will take advantage of an online class or two and enjoy learning more uses for our products.

Sincerely,

Kristin Rodriguez & Jan Girod

We Are Teaching in Houston.....

Contracts were signed and faxed in yesterday morning so we can share that we are teaching in Houston! More details will follow later as to classes and times! We are so honored to be a part of the amazing staff that IQA brings in for Festival.

Our Next Online Class Offering; Texture Explorations......

Ever wonder just how to use silk carrier rods/cocoons or even burlap?   This class will focus on flowers and help you lose the fear of trying out those items.  You will choose one of our Texture Packs in your favorite color way.  Using those items you will create an art quilt/wall hanging.  Each week the techniques will vary, so that the four panels you create will show how simple changes in the handling of the fibers can convey a different impression or emotion.  Some embroidery stitches will be covered to further enhance the surface. $70 class fee includes the majority of everything you need for the class.

 

Here is the link to the Classes page on our website:

http://www.fiberonawhim.com/module/class.htm?classId=119936

If you haven't signed up for newsletter please do, we are so excited about our new look.  Any questions do not hesitate to contact us.  Thanks for stopping by.

First Online Class Up: Now You See It, Now You Don't.......

This four week online class will walk you through a variety of techniques using water soluble fabrics.  There are so many on the market that often it is hard to decide which one is right for which project.  You will receive a kit that contains a large variety of those solubles and some other harder to find products to experiment with.  Each week you will build on the week before until you create a landscape during the last week.  Each week you will receive a pdf handout as well as at least one tutorial video.  The total cost is $65 and that includes the kit!  Here is just a peek at one technique you will learn.  Sign up now....class starts March 1st, 2016!!

 You can sign up for the class at our website
 http://www.fiberonawhim.com/module/class.htm?classId=119665


Keep your eye out as we introduce more online classes throughout the year.

Creative Explosion. ......

I am sticking with that phrase versus we are just plain messy.  We gathered as much of our mixed media supplies as we could together on one table.....

And this is just half the table.

As we left for the day we were already planning another day to play.

Prepping and Packing.....

Ahhhh, the holidays are truly over, time to get back "on the road again".  We have been prepping and packing for our first show of the year in Ontario, California at Road to California.  This will be are 3rd year as vendors there and we are so excited to catch up with new and old friends alike. If you are attending, please stop by and say hello....we'll be in the tent.  Yesterday we shipped  a few boxes and today I walked by this bag being packed on my way to the ironing board.

Sorry I didn't catch the other 3 before they were zipped shut...knowing how Kristin packs I wasn't about to reopen them even to tempt everyone with lusciousness.

Yesterday we put together some yummy eye candy scrap bags of gorgeous hand dyed silk velvet scraps and silk ribbons.  Honestly they are so wonderful they almost didn't make into the shipping box....my totebag wasn't nearby....and then they were gone.

Tomorrow we have promised ourselves a day of Art Journaling....now this is something we have said we are going to do each day since January 1st.   We are taking a wonderful online class.....however all we have had time for is to watch the videos. ...today's threats even included shutting off the computer and pulling the plug on the phones.  Hmmmmm......

Thanks for checking in...hopefully I will have some great photos to show you tomorrow.

Back to Work...

The holidays are truly over, you know how I can tell, I'm surrounded by wet fabrics.

Now this is a rather dull colorway, but I was so tired by the time I got to the pretty colors I forgot to take a photo.

Tomorrow we are going to work a little play a little.  More on that tomorrow.