A New Year

2019!  WOW
We have spent our second Christmas in Nova Scotia. Mind you, we didn't move in until late October, 2017 so about 14 months. During that time we have built me a new studio (among many other projects). That meant everything except exterior walls and ceiling. Ours is a split entrance bungalow so most of the basement is above ground. However, the basement had a shiny cement floor but nothing else done to it. I now have a comfortable, large space with lots of light and electrical plugs. The windows and door still need trim and baseboard has to be installed. Storage units aren't built yet so I'm still using those stainless steel open shelving from Costco (brought them from NL). BUT, I can work to my heart's content!

I'm slowly getting more organized. At least I can find stuff without too much searching. I'm very pleased with all the space I have. Can you guess, I'm excited about that!! I managed to hang a few of my pieces in the room a few days ago. All the hand stitching pieces are class samples. The quilted piece is from a workshop I did with Libby Lehman, in Toronto, years ago.

stitch sampler in wool

top sampler has 50 different stitches

 

Row Houses in Hardanger - original design

My first work using free-motion, overlays of tulle and sparkly threads

 Enjoy!

Planning . . .

My husband caught me on camera a few days ago as I was planning my presentation for the Cabot Quilt Guild in February. I have been asked to talk a bit about the various stitching techniques I use in my framed textile art pieces. For example, how I create the foliage and flowers using organza and threads. I will also touch on the making of my Fantastic Fabrics which is a workshop I have taught in the past and will be offering again this winter.

In November, I did a power point talk at the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild, about some of my art work with a focus on making clapboard from cotton. I think there will eventually be a workshop on this technique as well.

On the wall behind me, there is a wall hanging with row houses. This was an experimental piece. The finished one has more houses and is part of the art collection of the Newfoundland Government. The colourful stars is called "It's Not Going Up In Here" - was completed in 2001, after taking a workshop with Libby Lehman, Houston, Texas. The Christmas Tree in the corner is cross stitch on sparkly linen. It hangs there all year. It reminds me of why I don't do cross stitch any more. I did more frog stitches in that piece, it's a wonder it ever got done (that was years ago). Oh, the frog stitch? Rip it, rip it, rip it!!!