SDA Conference

We will be vending at Confluence; 2011 International Surface Design Association Conference in Minneapolis-St. Paul. You will find us at the Radison University Hotel in the Vendor Mall beginning Thursday, June 9th 6:00-8:00 PM; Friday, June 10th 8:30-2:00, Break-back 6:00-10:00 PM; Saturday, June 11th 8:30-5:00; Sunday, June 12th 8:30-10:00 AM. Come on by and introduce yourself, it's always fun to put a face with a name.

My 12 Connected Challenge Piece for "Spring" Theme: "Ain't No Spring Chicken" by Jan Girod

This is not what I orginally planned to create, but a nap with the dictionary and I awoke with a whole new plan. After recently cleaning and organizing our studio spaces, I found so many things long forgotten about. This chicken block was left over from a Mary Lou Weidman quilt I made eons ago. She provided just enough attitude to create a great looking "spring chicken".

Her curls were originally the springs in 3 older ball point pens, those pens don't work anymore and hubbys' collection is a few less. A trip to the party store provided her legs and feet. Dismantling little notebooks left me with great legs, just the right length and her feet were part of a hand clapping toy. She has made me smile and giggle ever since she was done.

You can see the other "Spring" challenge pieces by other members of the group at http://www.12connected@blogspot.com

Studios by ClothPaperScissors Summer 2011

We are excited to be included in the summer issue of "Studios" magazine in the section devoted to mother's and daughter's who share studio space. When we were invited to participate, we took one look at our mess, took action and finally organized the spaces. We now have a sewing studio and a mixed media studio, close enough to get input from the other, but not be right on top of each other. Our photographer was Jeremy Girod....son/brother.....keeping it all in the family. Since everyone who has seen the photos says the spaces are too neat for anyone to be creative in, we have talked about posting "after" photos. Hmmmm! Maybe we will have to do that.

My 12 Connected Challenge Piece for the "Bird" Theme: "Blue Bird, Blue Bird" by Jan Girod

Tomorrow, June 1st is the day for the 12 Connected Group to unveil their latest challenge and I realized that I had not posted the April 1st challenge, here it is.
When the word for this challenge was announced I leapt with joy as I have been using these birds in my work quite frequently....this would be so easy. At midnight last night (March 31st)as I stitched away I was thinking, oh what a fool you are, but it is done and I feel absolute relief. For several years now I keep finding myself using trees and birds in piece after piece....sketchbook too. I have attributed it to growing up in Minnesota, following behind my uncle who became a wildlife biologist. My friends never did get my affinity for snakes, oh well to each his own.
I began with a unique piece of hand painted fabric I had been saving for a special project, it fit perfectly. The branches are drawn in freehand and colored using Derwent Inktense Pencils...love using them. Once everything had dried I transferred on the birds using TAP-Transfer Artist Paper. Leaves are a combination of painted Wonder-Under, sheer fabrics and free motion quilting.

Yipppppeeeeee.........

I just got notice today that my quilt was accepted in to the In Full Bloom exhibit for Houston!! This quilt, other then one for the journal quilt project, will be my first one to hang at a national show!! I'm so excited!! I don't know if they allow you to post pics so I'm going to err on the side of caution and not post any!! Yipppeeeee......this has been a great month......acceptance of a quilt and our studio in Studios Magazine!!

Altered Clothing

I was going to donate this top since it was long sleeve and is now too big. Then I figured....hmmmm....wonder if I could alter it to be something I could wear now. So I sat down this past weekend and worked on it.

Here's the finished top:

I took in the side seams so that it isn't as baggy anymore. I cut off the sleeves and then used a piece from one of them to create the flower. It actually turned out!! Now I think I'll have to look at other tops a little differently before I throw them out.

Marietta Art Walk April 1st

We are so excited!! We were invited to participate in Marietta Square's Art Walk. We will be the featured artists at the Cobb Museum of Art on April 1st, 2011! We will be doing demos and also have finished artwork to sell. East Cobb Quilt Guild also has a quilt exhibit called "The Art of the Quilt" that will be on display inside the museum. Come on out to this great event. See you then!