2020 Day 1

2020

Day 1

Sun shines bright. 

A new decade. My Spring. 

The last decade was Winter.

I refuse to make resolutions because it sets me up for failure. 

As an overthinker, I already evaluate on a minute by minute basis (oldest child).

I've realized my emotions are dictated by tiny today and my desirable, my perfect envisioned future. 

The gap is so vast and clueless I'm frozen in a moment by moment, day after day discouragement. 

But the last few new years, I've began looking over the coming  Y E A R.

Doables reflected in photo:
1. Intentional time for art
   A. Temperature quilt
2. Continue unpacking, purging, organizing
3. Self check - 'Are you overthinking? Just go with it.'
4. Local Ivy Tech

And that's enough to move forward in this day to build a good year.

Bless and be blessed,
Bobbie 

New Purse Begins

I needed a new purse, not because I wanted one but because the handles fell off the one I was using. My purse theory is like my car, drive them til they die. One purse at a time, no changing to match my outfit, just grab it and get out the door. I find or make one with enough pockets and right length of handles. And now it's time for a new one.

After seeing a customer's purse as she was walking out the door, I quickly sketched it out. Several weeks later and it percolating in the back of my mind, I pull out some discarded fabric from a local fellow textile artist. If you've followed my sporadic blogging, you'll remember my 1,500 square foot studio, reduced to 700, is still in storage. I haven't access to my fabulous supplies.

So I splurged on myself, a rare no-no, and bought the heavy backing, embroidery floss and a $.99 sale pattern with inspirational inner pockets. Technically, it's a lunch box but I rarely stick to others' parameters. I digress.

Next I draw up my own pattern and begin improvising by patching the pieces of main exterior fabrics. Now I've assembled the two outside panels and it's time for hand embellishment Machine surface design will follow.

I love hand work. I love the look! Here's where I complain. I HATE DOING HANDWORK. But I am going to push thru because I really liked the original inspirational purse and I want and need a purse. I also need a project since I've no current traveling knit project.

My finished piece will NOT look like the inspirational piece but it will have a couple prime aspects that caught my attention. So now I'm set to keep my hands busy during down time.

Both panels are 19x16. I'll post the inside pocketed lining and finished piece once I get it finished.

Bless and be blessed! 

~Bobbie

His Tag Quilt

Flannel and Mink for the little guy.

Another Tag Quilt

12" x 14" with different textures.

Spring Break

This semester I'm teaching a Jr. High art class in a private school, my first of this type. It's another learning experience as I design the curriculum, create Power Points, write handouts, order supplies, and spend time with great kids. In the middle of the semester, my pc crashed. Sheesh. But I'm getting by and praying for a miracle. I like it when they come. Don't you?!

This is spring break and though I'd love to be traveling to some distant land or simply taking in the Van Gosh Exhibit in Chicago, my limitations allow me to sew a little, transplant a couple plants and meet a friend visiting from out of town. I should discipline myself to sew even more but, but, oh I can always find a reason to not tackle my to-do list.

Now if I we're able, I'd scour the quilt stores within a 60 mile radius for fabrics to make a quilt I'd redesign from my gift to myself. Sale: buy 1 get 1 60% off.  Couldn't pass that up with the timing of my modest tax return.
     
Instead, I enjoyed making a couple tag blankets for the newest baby in the church. They have different textures included in them, made from scraps from a prior baby quilt.

While the fire's hot, I think I'll see if there's more scrap fab to make a pink one.  To make it have a softer drape, I'll substitute a knit fabric for batting. That means a run into town for a heavy knit and ribbons for tags.  Another stop on my errand list.

Someday soon, I'll have my studios out of storage and there will be no more need for fabric/accessory shopping.  No, I've a store within my storage and can't wait to unwrap all is treasures.  Until then, I'm blessed to be able to do a few things, so I smile.

Bless and be blessed,
Bobbie

Some Quilt Pic - Mine

Pressed for time but want to get some pics of some of the quilts I've made.  Also check TOPICS on the right of many other, many kinds, many sizes. 

Boundary. This piece is displayed at a local college, under Plexiglas, therefore poor pictures.  It's 3 layer that are only connected to the top bar.  All silk and velvet fabrics are my handdyed, except the black silk. I've devored some of the velvet. Aged barbed wire fencing is attached, as well as flexible webbing.  This is one of twenty pieces from each member of our then, newly founded art co-op gallery we formed, Artists' Own.  The gallery is now in it's 16th successful year but I resigned some years ago.

Traditional with batiks, 10 inch blocks. Block of the Month challenge personalizing with batiks. Something inside me insists on customizing every project I do so it won't be just like everyone else's.

Sushi for my daughter, large lap quilt.

 

 

Jetsons. This was a Block of the Month challenge personalized with batiks and retro 'Jetsons' looking fabric.  Yet to be quilted.



 

 

From my handdyed fabrics.  12"x8" cut and made into luggage tags. 

The Gift Of Listening shown in Chicago and Texas show.

 

 

My part of a 4 part collaborative baby quilt. 

 

More later.

 

Bless and be blessed!

Bobbie

Happy Colors

I can't have enough tote bags.  Made this one in an afternoon to add color to a dull winter.

Projects of Late

I've spent the last several years downsizing from 5,200 square feet, 1,500 of that studio space, to 1,200 square feet.  With an anticipated move across country for more college, I need to reduce into 700 square feet.  I can do it if I can get a place with a small yard to dye and a garage.  That would take a miracle and I'm asking for many!

The last few weeks I've been pulling things out that need to find a new home.  After seeing how little I can part with and still have a descent supplied studio and basic home furnishings, I have no idea how I fit it in a 26 foot moving van and a tiny place in CA.  Of course, I could do it nicely with either a home or a studio, but both being essential is a challenge.

So as I spy more that I will allow to leave my life, I have been finishing projects that has been patiently awaiting my attention.  Projects I won't finish before I move go into the farewell pile.  Here are a few projects I have finished in the last 10 days.

Happy creating!