living a creative life - transforming my newsletter

I've got a newsletter.

Yep, got one. Haven't sent anything in a while. Just sort of sits there starting at me, making me feel all twitchy because over 500 people have signed up to hear what I have to say.

I've struggled with it. I've even talked about it several times here that I just don't know what to do with it. I don't want to send you junk. And I don't want to mail something once a month simply because I want to tick a box off my marketing list.

I've given it a huge think and have finally realized that I'm making it far too difficult. I have a lot of tips on how to integrate creativity into a busy life, they are things that I live by so that I can fit in everything that I do.

And I'm going to use my newsletter to share them with you.

I've sent out my first newsletter just this morning and the topic is The Written Sketchbook.

I can't tell you how passionately I feel about the role writing plays in creativity. It's gotten me through some really rough patches in my life.

At any rate, I will do my level best to keep the newsletters different from the blog. May not always happen (like this month's for example) but I hope you'll sign up and join me as we navigate through our busy live. The sign up is in the sidebar at the very top.

 Here's to a creative life in 2013! :)

tangled

There's always that odd little tangle of threads that collects no matter how hard I try to keep things tidy.

Picking through it to get to the needle I need is like stepping lightly through a labyrinth, a tiny little map of the stitching I've just completed.

what color are your studio walls?

Mine are yellow. (In case you didn't notice from the previous post.)

Regina left a comment on the last post asking this:

"I have a question about your photo, not the actual post. I'm getting an addition put onto our house so that I can have a studio instead of just the dining room table and closet space. I wanted to paint the walls yellow (and I see that's what you have). Another artist suggested white so that there isn't any color reflection on photos or on the fabric and the true colors are seen. Do you find any problem with having yellow walls?"

Good question. Thought we'd give it a little talk.

My studio used to be my bedroom. I'm fond of the color yellow, find it peaceful so I painted it that color when I slept in there. I admit, I was too lazy to change it when the space became my studio and now that I'm so deeply entrenched in that room, I shudder to think of the effort and fortitude that will be needed to empty it so the walls can be patched and painted.

Do I like the yellow for a studio wall color?  Yes. And no.

I love color. I'm actually a bit of junkie about it. So I like being surrounded by something so lovely.

At the same time, it does create issues when I take photos. The camera does not appreciate the competition and it often adjusts itself to take it into account.

Last April I decided to have my artwork photos professionally done. Best decision I ever made. There were a lot of factors involved with that - mostly revolving around wanting to work larger - but I admit that the color issues I had with taking photos in my studio contributed. Can I blame it all on the yellow walls? No. There is inadequate lighting and my undying optimism that I don't actually have to hang a piece on the wall to get a good photo to take into account as well. But, yes, the yellow walls didn't help.

I really don't think it effects my color selection when working with fabric. I'm really myopic when I'm working on something. A bomb could go off next to me and I wouldn't notice.

I guess this is the long way of saying that when I finally do muster the courage to do an overhaul of the studio - one that involves emptying the room and patching/painting the walls - I'll most likely go with a neutral color wall. White or off white of some sort. I am more often finding myself wanting barer walls, maybe to offset the riot that goes along with art making.

How about you? What color are your studio walls? Do you think it matters?

nano second printing...

This week is busy.

It makes me anxious, the separation from my studio. My normal routine revolves around large blocks of concentrated work time toward the end of the week.

But I'm craving the stillness that settles on me when I stand at my print table and push paint into fabric.

So I'll rush in, print and head back out, letting the time that I'm needed elsewhere serve as the drying period for the new work. I'll do nano second printings, quick and to the point but oh so necessary.

"a month of moments" daily practice

First day of the new year.

A wide open schedule of possibility and a clean slate.

Its been on my mind that I want to do a daily art project. But let's be honest, who am I kidding? While the idea of making something every day appeals to every part of me, there isn't enough time to do it.

I used to lament that I didn't have enough time to do everything that I wanted to. I realized something this past year: I have the same amount of time as everyone else and I just need to get over that I won't get more. In other words, I learned to suck it up and work with what I've got.

It doesn't stop me from wanting some kind of daily practice, though. I really loved my Where I Stand Sunday posts but after five solid years of that weekly photo post, I ran out of material. And that's fine. But there was a great satisfaction that came with the project and I've been missing it. I felt that I was building something, I felt that no matter what else was going on in my life, it would always be there.

So I've been brooding on the topic. I do a lot, how in the world could I fit in more?

Then it became clear. I was watching a news special about social media and a portion of it was dedicated to Twitter.

I've not been able to get into Twitter. Partly because I resented the idea that I needed to keep up with something else but also because I had no clue what to say. Still, its always something I've kept in my peripheral vision.

And now I know why.

The problem with how I viewed Twitter was that I couldn't imagine anyone being interested in what I'm having for lunch or where I went shopping. And I don't really want to make it a regurgitation of the blog.

But what if it was simply a daily reflection? What it if was a brief condensed pause about a feeling or small thought? What if it was a mini journal?

I love the idea. But I admit I panicked slightly because let's face it, the day is jam packed and I'm not sure I can always come up with something. Then I noticed this in my news feed on Facebook:

Its a really cute, simple no-stress project from JustB. blog.

Ok, Universe, I can take a hint.

So here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to take the little prompt from this project each day and write a Twitter post about it. I don't promise that it will be spectacular or life changing but I like the idea that the word is provided and I can do it with it as I please. I also love that it keeps me writing each and every day.

Some might be silly, some might be flash fiction and some might just be downright boring. But I'll be there. Everyday.

If you'd like to follow along with me, here I am on Twitter.

Here's to a new daily practice. :)

the written sketchbook - student giveaway & class preview

I love these cuties, don't you?? :)

I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for a little journal. So I decided that I'd whip some custom screen printed ones. Its something I've been thinking about carrying in the shop for a while and what better way to start then to make some for my upcoming online class, The Written Sketchbook?

There are six journals for sale in my etsy shop but I'm also doing a giveaway for three of them.

If you register for the class by January 10, 2013, your name will go

into a drawing to win a journal.  

I'll pop it in the mail to you straight away and if the post office gods are on our side, you'll have it by the time class begins on January 19. (**Please note that only people registered for the class will go into the giveaway. This isn't a general giveaway.**)

And just in case you were still on the fence about whether or not you wanted to register for The Written Sketchbook, here is the Introduction chapter for the class. It captures why I love writing so much and my hope to get you to fall for this art form as well. Enjoy reading them and hope to see you in class!

**To register for the class, simply purchase a listing from my Etsy shop.**

Hope to see you in class! :)

owl pattern now available in my etsy shop! :)

You've seen these fellows around the blog plenty of times:

They're a little bit like crack. I can't tell you how many dozens of these guys I've made and how many times I've been asked how to make them.

They've gotten some good air time. I demonstrated their awesome cuteness when I was on Quilting Arts TV Episode 801:

And then the pattern for them was published in the 2011 International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene.

And now I'm really really excited to bring the pattern to you directly through my Etsy shop:

You'll notice that their name has changed a couple of times. Originally when I created them back in 2009 I called them Wishing Owls. And that's the name I use on QA TV. But then a business was started with that name and they copyrighted it. Since I never copyrighted mine, I decided to just change it.

So the pattern in the magazine was called Fabric Owls and while that's all fine and well, its not super exciting. I gave it some thought and since I think the thing that makes them special is the little pocket on their tummies for holding secrets and tiny trinkets, I decided to name them Secret Keeper Owls.

Whatever you call them, I think you'll agree they are adorable!

Now I often get weird looks when I mention these fellows because they are pretty different from what I normally make. But what can I say? I'm a crafter at heart and I like them too well to sweep them under the rug just because they aren't my normal gig.

The pattern is only $4 and when you purchase it in my shop, you'll get an email from my YouSendIt dropbox within 24 hours so you can download it. Easy peasy.

And if you make a little owl (or twenty), do send me an email and I'll post a photo here on my blog for everyone to admire. :)

And just because I've been asked many times - yes, you can sell any owls you make from this pattern. You just can't re-sell the pattern itself. So go hog wild and become known as the crazy owl making lady. :)

building a new website - do i need one?

Since I'm taking the wild ride of re-branding my business in 2013 to Smudged Textiles Studio - a process that promises a certain degree of madness - I thought I'd take you all along with me. So I'm going to check in with a blog post about the process as I plug along with it.

There are a whole lot of steps involved in it, the first of which is a new website and blog. And I always have a weird sense of let down when someone puts up a post that says "I've got a new website! Go look!" Like it came out of thin air. I always want to know how in the world they got from point A to point B.

I admit, I've never had a site designed. Up until this point in my art career, a website was simply a place to park photos of my artwork. But I do a few more things now and its time to go pro.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. The first question I needed to answer was this: Do I even need a website?

Its kind of an annoying question. Between websites, blogs, etsy shops, facebook pages and who knows what else, I sometimes feel like I need a plug installed in my head to power everything. The honest truth is that I've considered dumping my website many many times. In the end I always come back to the same conclusion:

A website is a professional snapshot of the things I do and the art I make.

I've gotten solo shows from galleries that have visited my site, sold work that didn't even have a price on it, and its nice to just give someone a link and not worry about whether or not they will have to weed through pictures of Dooley or a YouTube video I thought was funny. (Not that Dooley love isn't worth perusing.)

So the website stays. As well as the blog. I like both. The website is static and professional and I can be silly on the blog. They both have their own kind of pulse. I like to think of a website like the mellow guy sitting in bar having a drink and chilling while the blog is like a kid hopped up on pixie sticks and making her brother scream "Mom! She's staring at me!"

The trick then became how in the world would I create a new one so that I can make Smudged Textiles Studio a reality? Time is not exactly sitting around in unused stacks. The answer is simple: hire a web designer.

Major scary decision. But a relief once its made.

So that will be the next post in the website saga - how to choose a web designer. More soon...

In the meantime - tell me what you think: do you think you need both a website and a blog?

demanding

The studio and I were seamless today.

That quiet kind of disconnect where the remainder of the world fades into the background and the only thing remaining is the making. It builds as a small quiet thing and then works itself into a tiny tornado.

No matter how often it happens, I am taken aback.

It has a mind of its own, my studio. And some days I simply move as it wishes, keeping my head bowed as I work steadily.

loving wishes...

My favorite chubby caroler ornament on our tree this year. :)

I was watching the news the other night and the very serious and disapproving news anchor was lamenting about how people are so tied into the internet and all the toys that come along with keeping us connected. He clucked his tongue and shook his head and did quite a fabulous job getting the point across that he felt the internet is simply the most horrible thing in the world.

I just smiled.

I smiled because he didn't understand.

Without the internet, I wouldn't know so many wonderful artists. Many of you I've never met in person but feel as if we are friends because we "talk" all the time. And the internet has brought me face to face with people I most likely would not have crossed paths with otherwise.

Its given me the opportunity to talk with you about art. And to teach. A passion I have that is possible to share with online classes. I get to write and not feel like some weirdo talking to myself. (Well, I do that too but I don't feel as weird.) I share blogging, photos, surface design, happiness, sadness - all the things that make up life.

So as the year winds down and I turn my sights toward the new year and all the art that I want to make for you and with you, I just want to take this moment to say this:

T H A N K     Y O U

My life and my art would be so much duller without all of you and of all the things art has brought into my world, the people are by far the most precious.

I wish you the very happiest of holidays and I can't wait to spend another year with you! Here's to 2013 and a very very artful year! :)

coffee sketch

I splurged and picked up an iPad mini. I'm an admitted Apple junkie but I had resisted the iPad tractor beam for a long time (it wasn't easy). But once they shrunk it down and made it lighter, I turned into a nattering idiot as I debated over getting one.

I got curious about the different art apps that I could get and came across Paper 53.

I'm in love.

Now I don't consider myself a sketcher by any stretch but there is something very freeing about being able to remove something I don't care for with a simple swipe of the finger.

So I tried out all the features by creating a silly little homage to my love, dear coffee:



Its very painterly, not really something I do in my real life sketchbooks. But its fun to experiment. I'm interested to see if I can meld my normal sketchbook/journaling style with this app. Maybe even use it for writing.

It seems that there is always an opportunity to make art no matter what. How thrilling! :)

Fiber Art Now subscription winner!

Drummmmrroolllll please! :)

The winner of the Fiber Art Now subscription is Carol E.!

Congrats Carol and thanks so much to everyone who left a comment! If you're just learning about Fiber Art Now, I'm happy to have introduced you - a subscription would make a great holiday gift too so drop a hint to the Santa in your life and be inspired for a year! :)

"Fiber Art Now" subscription giveaway!!!!

Do you know about Fiber Art Now?  If you don't, you really want to, trust me. :)

The photo above is the cover of their Winter 2012 issue. I'm a subscriber and I love it. The magazine is chock full of all types of fiber art.

Here is the mission statement from their website:

At Fiber Art Now, our mission is to connect and inspire the fiber arts & textiles community with the most compelling work in basketry, felting, knitting, needle arts, paper/book arts, dyeing, mixed media, surface design, quilting, sculpture, wearable art, weaving, collage, encaustic, mixed media and more.  We are a worldwide community in support of what we love.

 

Its a thrill to see people doing things with fiber that I would have never considered. Makes my mind stretch and want to grow my own art. Its not a how-to magazine. Instead it focuses on exhibits and artists and takes a close look at the fiber art world as a whole. Its like holding a fiber art encyclopedia in your hands, getting to know artists over a conversation (you all know how I love a good interview) and even traveling to other parts of the world. Its very special.

 

You can get a really good glimpse into what the magazine covers if you head on over to their website. They even have a complimentary article that you can read too. (Its in the right hand sidebar just beneath the header of the webpage. Click the photo that says "Lindsay Ketterer Gates" beneath it and the article will download for you.)  I admit, I'm also a sucker for the incredible writing that they do.

 

They even have a free newsletter so all the fibery goodness can land straight in your inbox. They are really passionate and love what they do and it shows in every way possible.

 

And the wonderful people that publish the magazine want to share it with you. They are offering a one year subscription giveaway to anyone who leaves a comment on this blog post!

 

They are a quarterly publication. Here are the covers from the past year:

 

  Wouldn't you want that in your mailbox every couple of months?? :)

Just leave a comment here about why you love being a fiber artist and you'll be in the running to win. You MUST leave a contact email with your comment if you don't have a blog link I can reach you through. If I can't get in touch with you, you won't go in the drawing. I'll announce the winner on December 17 in the evening and your subscription will begin with the next issue.

 

Good luck! :)

 

"the written sketchbook" online class - join me!

Its not a giant secret that I love to write.

When I wrote about how I keep my sketchbook for Quilting Arts' Off the Page feature, I got a lot of emails. Most were surprised that my sketchbook looks so...basic:

As an abstract artist, I don't spend a lot of time drawing. Most of it is ideas and writing.

Lots of writing.

I realized some time ago that writing helps me be a better artist. And when the inside of my sketchbook got exposed, there was a lot of curiosity about what I write about.  And how to write.

I'm not an editor nor am I claiming to know everything that there is to know about writing. But I love it. I love it in a way that can't really be explained because it gives me comfort, it empowers me, it helps me see the world in a clearer way.

And I want to share that with you.

So I'm extremely pleased to offer my first online class, The Written Sketchbook. Here's what the class includes:

Once a month over the course of six months you'll receive a link to download a PDF with a writing prompt. (Class begins on January 19, 2013. On January 5, 2013 you will receive an invitation to join a Yahoo group to discuss your writing with Lynn and other students, this is optional.)

Here's what you'll receive in each prompt:

* A different form of writing will be featured, such as haiku and photo essays.

* An exercise that explores that form of writing. Lynn will do the exercise as an example and then ask you to do the same.

* Three additional prompts to serve as jumping off points for additional writing over the course of the month.

* A Featured Artist that has made writing an integrated part of her art process. She will share her own personal writings as well as show artwork that relates to it. Featured Artists include Virginia Spiegel, Karen Anne Glick, Lynn Krawczyk, Lesley Riley and Sue Bleiweiss.

I'm really excited to introduce you to the writing of these other artists. I have a lot to share with you but so do they and their perspective is very special. 

This is a creative writing class. I won't be critiquing your work, I won't be telling you you did something wrong. Because I truly believe that writing is intensely personal and its what you want it to be. It can't be wrong.

I've set up a Facebook page for the class that is open for viewing. I'll be indulging my geeky love of writing there with inspirational quotes and the like. But the class conversations will be held privately through the Yahoo group so don't worry, the entire world won't see what you write. :)

You can enroll through the class by purchasing a spot through my Etsy shop. I set up listings there to make it easy, especially since Etsy takes credit cards now.

The class is only $28. 

And if you'd like to purchase it as a gift for someone, just let me know in the notes section when you check out through Etsy.

Enrollment is open up until the day before the class begins so you have until January 18, 2013. I promise you that the class is not scary. It will be a simple easy way to try out a writing practice and I think we'll have a lovely time together.

Hope to see you in class. :)

inspiration in the details

We Artists notice the details. Those are the tiny places where life happens.

Classic cars are one of my favorites for lines and color. The bend and swoop and shine in a way that nothing else can. They are held in the past, making them precious, something to stop and slow down to admire.

Don't pass up the details. Pause, study and notice all the little places that offer you inspiration all the time.

dancing the creative habit

I can't dance a single step. Its not a pretty sight to behold. So why would I pick up a book about creativity written by a modern dancer? Because being creative is being creative no matter what you do.

I love this book:

I love it because the layout is beautiful. The words vary in size and font and color and it feels like a dance somehow.

I love it because she is matter-of-fact. No foo foo. No pretending like being an artist is anything but what it is - hard work. Worth every moment of hard, but still work.

My copy is getting pretty ugly to be honest. I push it around the studio and flip through it until a passage catches my attention. I've read it from cover to cover but I like to pick through it when I'm feeling restless.

I came across this part the other day and it feels fitting for pretty much every new project I've started.  I'm willing to bet it sounds familiar to you too. :)

Quoted from the book:

"The last two - distraction and fears - are the dangerous ones. They're the habitual demons that invade the launch of every project. No one starts a creative endeavor without a certain amount of fear; the key is to learn how to keep free-floating fears from paralyzing you before you've begun. When I feel that sense of dread, I try to make it as specific as possible. Let me tell you my five big fears:

1.  People will laugh at me.
2.  Someone has done it before.
3.  I have nothing to say.
4.  I will upset someone I love.
5.  Once executed, the idea will never be as good as it is in my mind."

Apparently it doesn't matter how successful you are. We're all wired the same way.

I've been finding myself picking the book up more often over the past couple of weeks. Its comforting somehow and it lets my mind wander, let's it rest on the idea that no matter what the doubts might be, I should still forge ahead.

I should still do the dance. We should all still dance, no matter what.

etsy link love - the mount royal mint shop

I adore being part of Etsy. Its like a craft/art rave 24/7. There are so many talented artists on there that one of my favorite hobbies in the evenings when I'm unwinding from a long day is to surf the site, its like my own personal gallery walk. The thing that always strikes me most is that these are artists that just a few short years ago I would never have heard of or seen or gotten to talk to. And that's one of the biggest things that endears Etsy to me.

So I thought I'd share with you some of the artists that I've fallen for. I think you'll find them just as charming as I do. Please do visit them and admire their work, its all wonderful. :)

**All photos & listing descriptions are copyright of the seller & have been used with their express permission**

This week I'd like to introduce you to the Mount Royal Mint shop.

 

Sabina is a full time artist living in Montreal Quebec and she has linked spirituality to her intricately detailed, hand sewn felt bear sculptures. (She was recently interviewed by Etsy as a Featured Seller, you can read the full interview here.) 

There are zodiac bears:

 zodiac spirit bear - Cancer - month of July

this guy here reps the month of july and the cancer crab. crab symbolism includes protection, rebirth, and deep emotions. crab people are usually sensitive people who are very guarded. It takes a long time for the crab person to trust others. crab teaches us to shield ourselves when necessary, but not to let our emotions get the better of us. 

And bears handsomely decorated in costume:

spearhead spirit bear - animal soft sculpture

a dusty brown spirit bear from the spearhead mountain ranges. he lives high on the peaks of the glacier where he watches over the lone goat pass. he has a sandy coat and a rich red belly. spearhead bear is detailed with grey felt fragments and colorful embroidered lines and designs. 

And spirit bears to guide you:

natural spirit bear - felt bear soft sculpture

The spirit bear is very special. he is not blonde, nor albino. he is black. a black bear with a unique gene. (science calls it "degenerative" but spirit bears prefer softer terms)

Due to his earmarked appearance, spirit bear holds a prominent place in the mythology of the Canadian First Nations.

They are serene and beautiful, bearing the hand of the maker in a wonderful way. Its a clear connection of spirituality and the art of handmade. Please visit Mount Royal Mint to see more of her work.

i {heart} bad art

I love making mistakes.

No really, I do.

This quote from Albert Einstein puts it into perfect perspective:

I've been experimenting a lot lately. Most of it has not worked out and I'm totally good with that. And yes, that is said minus the eye rolling and heavy sarcasm.

Here's the thing, when I mess things up its because I'm just playing. There's no pressure, I don't care if there is a mistake, I don't care if anyone sees it. Most of the time I'll toss it in a pile to get cut up for a collage and over-printed later on. But some of the stuff I've been making lately have been real dogs and they are now firmly acquainted with the trash can.

I'll never learn anything new or feel excited about my work if I don't goof up and experiment. So that's what I'm doing. Making really really really bad art.

And I love it. :)

wordless wednesday

photo copyright Lynn Krawczyk, 2012

video inspiration

I've been finding myself trolling around looking for new ways to keep my creative curiosity ramped up. Looking outside of the fiber medium seems to be doing the trick, its helping me see things in a new way.

The medium is not the key, the way it touches our hearts and minds is. So I thought I'd share some of the things I've been finding interesting and inspiring with you here on the blog.

This video is very meditative and I've gone back to it many times to play it. I think you'll dig it - enjoy!

please allow me to introduce you to...

I'm still catching up on introducing you to the groups I write about for my Quilting Arts column but I want to make sure I cover them all. The newest issue of QA is about to hit the stands but these groups are from the October/November issue and they are pretty nifty.

And really, the nicest things about magazines is that they never expire, its indefinite inspiration. :)

The October/November issue covered several different groups and each one helps you learn how to start your own group. If its something you've been thinking about but weren't quite sure how to go about it, two groups have plenty of advice to get you on your way. The other two groups in the article offer insight as to how they've managed to keep the members showing up and connected.

Sisters in Cloth from Connecticut was formed when Diane Wright was a newbie in town and wanted to connect with like minded artists.

The Creative Crones of studioQ in Texas came together when they broke away from a larger guild. They talk about creating a specific topic group, something more focused.

The Batty Binders in Ohio have been meeting for 17 years and they site one big reason: unconditional support. Learn about their "batt signal" and how they came together to help a member in need.

And lastly, but most definitely not least, the group Five in Maine uses the internet to keep their group going strong. They've created a unique blog called And Then We Set it On Fire (don't you just love that name??)  to document their surface design adventures.

As always, its always a pleasure to get to know these artists. Each group seems like a lot of fun (if I could spend my whole life touring the country interviewing artists I would be in heaven) and I think you will love them to! :)

what's in a name?

I've been thinking about names a lot lately. (And the photo above is kind of out of place with this post but I hate posting without pictures and its kind of a nifty saying, isn't it?)

When I got home from IQF Houston, I felt an overwhelming sense of clarity. Mostly that a lot of things I've been thinking about changing for the past year need. to. happen.

One of the things that has been kicking around in my head is the name of my business - Fibra Artysta. I thought we'd talk about it because I think as artists we don't talk about business things often enough. If the idea bores you, I'll post art stuff in a day or two. :)

Its constantly misspelled (can't say I'm surprised), frequently mispronounced and really, is it descriptive at all? I've had this nagging worry that people are associating it with the Fashonista trend. And recently I noticed that someone else is using a name that is nearly identical and when I saw that, I knew it was the Universe knocking me over the head and saying "Do it already!!"

So I am.

And for the record? "Fibra Artysta" means Fiber Artist in Polish. When I was first starting out I was an addicted mixed media girl. I still kind of am but my focus has finally settled on printing fabric and hand stitching so the name just doesn't excite me anymore.

After many really bad ideas for a new company name were scrawled in my notebook, I finally settled on one: Smudged Textiles Studio.

Its a little goofy, a little serious, quite friendly and it reflects my focus. I'm a little bit in love with it. :)

I read a lot about from the experts about what to name your business. The overwhelming verdict was to use your name - meaning I should use Lynn Krawczyk. And I thought about it, I really did. But there is a faint idea creeping around the edge of my mind about creating a collective of surface design artists at some point. I don't know what that will mean, how it will be executed or when it will happen but if the idea is there, I'll listen. That meant choosing a more general name that could include several people so that's why I picked Smudged Textiles Studio.

So now the hard work begins. I've resisted the idea of re-branding my business for a long time because wow, its going to be a big pain in my behind. To take the sting out of it, I've decided to hire Holly Knott to design a big girl website for me. I think I hold my own well enough fumbling through websites but I'd like one that is well designed and has things that require code and graphic design and well. That's more then I can do. Add to it the fact that it takes an extraordinary amount of time (do you have any idea how much fabric I can print in the time it takes to build a website??) and it was kind of a no brainer.

The process will take a while. I'm hoping to be completed by late spring next year. It will mean asking you to follow me to wherever I move (not sure yet if the blog will be relocated, decisions decisions) and that makes me a little nervous because I love you all. But I think you'll like the new digs when they're done.

So a new name. Such a small thing to open up the doorway to new beginnings. :)

red & white quilt auction stamping out hunger

See this beautiful quilt?

Its going to feed hungry families in Southeast Michigan.

How? Its up for auction on ebay and all of the money raised in the auction is going to the Gleaner's chapter of Southeast Michigan.

With the holiday season coming up, a lot of us are turning our attention to gift giving and celebrating with family and sitting around the living room watching tons of bad T.V. (which is personally on my list). But you know, its not so easy for a lot of people out there. And Gleaners is working darn hard to make things better.

The quilt was made by the extremely talented members of the fiber art group I belong to, Running with Scissors. Deb hatched the idea, the red and white fabric flew, the sewing machines whirred and viola!

Here's all the details on it:

Running with Scissors,  our fiber arts group from metro Detroit worked together on this beautiful red and white quilt.  We volunteered our time and materials so proceeds could go directly to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.  

Our members pieced quilt blocks in rows of alternating red and white, which we then assembled in a rail fence pattern.  We added a few diagonally oriented blocks for a little zip and interest.  We achieved a nice variety of prints thanks to everyone digging into their fabric stash for red and white quilting cottons.  The quilt top was sent out to a local artisan and professionally quilted.  One of our pro members bound the quilt with a durable dark red cotton binding.  The backing is the same dark red cotton (see photo).  This quilt has been laundered to show off its lovely quilted texture.  We hope the owner of this quilt will use and enjoy it to its fullest, just a little TLC is required--gentle washing in cold water. With the first few washings include a few color catcher sheets, just to be sure the red fabrics will bleed.  We will include these sheets with your purchase. 

Quilt size:  Full/Queen    78" x 93"
Made with quality quilting fabrics
Batting is 80/20 cotton/poly blend
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Here's a close up, its really nice:

I love the scrappy look, don't you? Its very cozy. And with winter knocking on the door, it wold be a great addition to the couch in front of your fireplace. Or even gift giving - that would be great!

There is a list as long as me of all the good reasons to go visit the auction and bid on this quilt. The auction runs until November 22 so there's plenty of time to consider and get to know it.

I hope you'll fall in love with it and help RWS help Michigan families have a good holiday season! :)

the battle begins

Here is my foe:

That is the studio's response to a year of chasing deadlines and an extraordinary number of projects. It has slight battle fatigue.


Here is my weapon:

And there are reinforcements waiting in the wings.

Let's see who wins the battle....

it was a whirlwind

You know how when you plan something for a real long time and then it finally arrives and it flies by like its hair is on fire and its heading toward the nearest water source?

Yeah, that was International Quilt Festival in Houston.

Quick. Over in a blink of an eye. And alllllllll kinds of fantastic.

I'm finally coming up for air today. Managed to find the top of my print table in my studio and my writing desk (I'm tempted to just walk in every day and admire it, its a lovely thing). I came back from Festival with some clarity. Some things about my art business have been picking at me and I'm ready to change them. And I want to try some new things. Much pondering to be done but in the meantime, I thought maybe I'd show you some pics I snapped along the trip.

(If you follow me on Instagram (you can find me under "girllovespaint", you can see all the photos I took, some of the quilts in exhibits.)


I was oddly fascinated with the light tunnel at Detroit Metro Airport.

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We stayed at the Hilton and felt stealthy since we got the James Bond room (the little voodoo guy is Hank, gifted to me by Leann. I took him along on the trip for some quirky photo ops).

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 We ate outstanding Mexican food.

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I stayed committed to NaNoWriMo and started writing my short story collection out by hand since I left my laptop at home.

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Kate and I traveled together to Festival and we found coffee refuge in the hotel restaurant (she is even more obsessed with coffee then me if you can believe it). Apparently Starbucks has taken over the world and it was difficult to find anything that was not it. But we persevered and drank many pots of non-Starbucks goodness.

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I did some serious shopping on the vendor floor. This is my favorite new studio friend.

It might be a little bit before I can set it up, need to give the studio some serious layout consideration but I think we will be enjoying many fine hours together.

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I visited my favorite fabric vendor, Akonye Kena (don't see the fabric on their website but trust me, its gorgeous and drool worthy and I'm making really good friends with it).

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The Hilton's food wasn't cheap (we won't discuss the cost) but they distracted you with cute presentations.

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 I did my Open Studios demo sponsored by Craftsy (more photos to come later, Kate snapped away for me).

My demo neighbor was Pokey Bolton, here she is showing her thermofax screen love.

I managed to paint a fly's wings (look really closely). The little bugger sat there and squeegeed them off with his legs. He managed to fly away after a couple of minutes.

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There was a cupcake food truck right in the food court area. We thought it was a stroke of genius.

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I discovered these fabric organizers. They've given me incredible hope that I can finally create order in my studio. A box of them is whisking its way to me as we speak. I'm sure I'll blog about them again.

There was more but those are the highlights. And they are pretty good ones. :)

My primary focus right now is to tidy the studio so that I can work in there without feeling like I want to set it on fire. Back to the office tomorrow for a couple of days and then this weekend is for cleaning. I'm looking forward to it and to having enough mental space to get back to blogging! :)