This And That!

Okay, a few things to mention here..................We've been busy at the sewing machine again.

Remember this one from a previous blog post and

another quilt top that was in the wings...........

Paper pieced BOM from Carol Doak It was one pattern each month than the wrap-up in May

Another BOM from The Painted Quilt blog, a little red work as well as some piecing

One more row to add and then this top will be ready for the quilter

Finished top!  Another border could be added, but alas, we have run out of the solid yellow and it's so hard to match

And this is from previous blog post--with borders; so glad I didn't do the piano keys!

Of course, there are a couple other charity quilt blocks in the wings--like this one using scraps from the stash................

This pattern comes from Film in the Fridge blog--Hooked Hexagons--little complicated to sew, but fun none the less--it is using up scraps!!  There are recipes for 12" & 10" blocks.

And from Fatcat Patterns we get another one of the owls in the series

Hoot!  Hoot!  yes, another stash buster each month!

More brightly colored fish from Fatcat--Sindy has mastered EQ for sure!

And new to her list of BOMs will be dogs--two times the fun with free pattern on first and fifteenth of the month--download yours now! 

"Woven Together: Firestorm"

The last two years have brutal years for wildfires!  By early August 2012, over 42,000 wildfires had been recorded in the US database and 6,000,000 acres had been turned to char.  Many of these fires consumed a record number of homes, claimed lives and displaced people from their homes. 

How does anyone cope with these disasters?  For artists, there is an outlet in their work and a chance to use their medium to design and create pieces that express this emotional turmoil they feel.  Business Arts Center in Manitou Springs, Colorado offered artists from around the country and world an opportunity to show their emotion through a juried exhibit which runs through August 2, 2013.
Curators for this exhibit were Holly Parker Dearborn and Patrick Bohnen. 

Recently, we had a chance to view this exhibit and here I share some photos. 

Juror for this exhibit was Jeanne Steiner, Arts and Crafts Program Director at Colorado College.  This was one of her pieces entitled "Smoke"

 

 

Maryse Levenson is the featured artist.  Maryse is a weaver, dyer and Kumihimo braid artist.

 

Close-up of "Out of the Fire" by Maryse

One of the wearables "Falling Ashes" by Anne Evans

 

 

"Hot Spot" by Cathy Coatney

 

"Signs of the Times" by Patricia Dunston

 

"Night of Anguish" by Carolyn Wostenberg

 

"Fire in the Forest, Fire in the City" by Jan Seltman

 

 

"Peaks" (front) "Elements" by Janet Birch

 

"Spark Blaze Afterglow" by Urban Jupena

 

 

"After the Dark Comes the Light" by Sharon Crary

 

"Fire Echo" by Sharon Crary

 

I've included these photos to show the wide range of textiles in this exhibit.  There are large and small tapestries, weavings, baskets, wearables

 

This show expresses bare emotions for the artists as well as the attendees.  Take the time to visit this exhibit and let it surround you with rare feelings but at the same time it gives you comfort.

 

 

Kimono! Kimono! Kimono!

GREETINGS! What a way to enter an exhibit! The first thing you see as you enter the gallery space is this lovely impressive kimono.........................................

 

Kimono: Textiles and Traditions from Japan
This special presentation is at TACtile Arts Center in Denver.

 

  

The opening reception included not only wine along with savory and sweet treats but a mini fashion show.  There will be other exciting happenings during the showing of this exhibit--check the webpage.

The room was filled with delightful costumes from Japan--some used for formal occasions while others were for every day wear.

Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves.  Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial.), and secured by a sash called an obi which is tied at the back, as shown in the following photo.

This fabric looks to be either weft or warp ikat.  Kimonos can be worn by men, women and children. 

This garment had a lovely painted scene around the bottom of the silk fabric.

More awesomeness! 

Looking closely--one can see where tiny threads have been tied to give this Shibori technique

Love this touch of shibori on the Obi.

More shibori technique

If you love Japanese textiles as I do, this is a must visit!  I'm hoping to attend one of the special events planned during this exhibit.  Maybe I'll see you there too!

July 7th, 1-3pm - Tea Ceremony demonstration

July 12th & 13th, 6pm - Fashion show, Kimono: A Thing to Wear

July 20th - Kimonos in Your Wardrobe workshop

July 21st, 1-3pm - Oshi-e workshop

August 3rd, 1-3pm - Furoshiki: A Very Practical Cloth workshop