the reason why i dragged half my studio to ohio this week...

I've been sitting on this information for a long time. I've told a few people but mostly I've hoarded the secret. Part out of superstition, part out of nervousness and part because...well...that's just the way I am I suppose. I always wait until after something has been completed to spill the beans and this one? This one is spilling quite a mountain of beans.

So without further ado...the reason I drug all of this to Ohio:




...is because of this:





Yup chickens, yours truly filmed two segments for Quilting Arts TV this past Thursday. Not only that, but I also filmed a workshop DVD!

One TV segment shows how to make the Wishing Owls I'm always going on about (which is what the last photo above is, Jen took a shot on the little TV in the green room that showed everything on set as it was being filmed) and the second TV segment talks about using Freezer Paper Stencils to create pattern on fabric.

The DVD is a doosey, took me some serious time to prep for but I had a phenomenal time filming it! (Even if my palms did start to sweat as the camera guy was counting down for me to begin.) It demonstrates three surface design techniques: thermofax screen printing (total shocker, right?), soy wax batik and freezer paper stencils. And then it walks you through how I design my abstract art quilts and my process for attaching them to fabric covered canvas.

Wow...that makes me tired just reading that... ;-)

I can honestly say this is the biggest thing that's happened so far in my fiber art career and it makes me feel all giddy and excited and...well, exhausted at the moment if you truly want to know the truth.

It was a phenomenal amount of work to prep for and like most big events, once the wheels started turning, it whizzed by in a single moment. Along with the prep, there was a healthy dose of angst involved. But I did it (and managed to not swear on camera - which I was totally worried about not because I cuss constantly but because you just never know what will come out of your mouth when you are nervous - and didn't have to use a sewing machine - yes, you all know why because that would have brought out the swearing) and I totally loved every second of it.

I was extremely excited to get to spend time with fellow artists. I actually squealed when my friend Jen Solon walked through the door. We've met in person a few times and I had no idea she would be there so it was fun to get to spend more time with her. She is super nice and such a talented artist, I'm excited for her that she is showing her stuff off! :)

Here we are together looking all blissed out after we were both done filming our TV segments:



I also got to make new friends. I met the fabulously talented and sweet Mary Pal. It was SUCH a treat to get to see her incredible portraits in person and she is such a nice person to boot!

I gabbed a lot with Terry White too. Her machine work actually has me considering giving thread painting a try.

Here is a group shot of all of us with Pokey:



I can't put into words how much fun I had. Which sounds kind of strange considering I've been so resistant to something as simple as posting pictures of myself on my blog. To be in front of the cameras actually felt comfortable and I'm still bouncing around with excitement!

I'm not sure when the DVD comes out, I need to check on that but we'll have a big party when it does. Yaaaaahhhhhoooooo!!!! (Can you tell I'm still a little hyper about the whole thing??)

I promised myself that I would rest up today. I'm heading back to work full time next week and I need to gather my strength. When I got home yesterday I was greeted by this:



Little man wasn't happy about my overnight absences but he seems to have forgiven me since he's hanging out next to me snoring his little head off.

*sigh* Just so so happy. :) Happy. :) :) :)