bookworms and such....

I have not completely given up on this blog, but it does seem as the time in between posting is further and further apart... I have been working along in the studio quilts have been finished another almost there... and in between the sewing there has been a great deal of gardening and enjoying the summer. Something about summer naturally makes for a slower pace, the long days must have something to do with that. I am off to the beach next week and am really looking forward to some time away by the water. Eventually the quilts will be photographed and posted as for now... some book talk! 

I was anticipating both of these books being released. They ended up coming a week apart and I really read both of them. With quilting books sometimes it is easy to flip through them and just look, but both of these ladies did an amazing job writing about the art of sewing quilts, and their passion came through the books. The first is Carolyn Friedlander's Savor Each Stitch, she was able to write about sewing from a fine art perspective. I think that is something that needs to be done more! I was so pleased with the writing, the quilts!!!! her work is brilliant! her fabric is brilliant! and hopefully one day I will meet her! the photography in the book was also lovely, all done locally to where she is from. I love that she is so passionate about her home, it makes me think of how I feel for Richmond. 

The second book is Make and Love Quilts, by Mary Fons, I began following her through her magazine Quilty, and have since started reading her blog. As a writer she is wonderful, it is really more what she began doing, and as a quilter I love her use of tradition in a modern way. 

These two books different as far as the quilts and projects go, but both ladies are a giant inspiration to me, and they help define the modern quilt world in the art world in my opinion. I will keep these two handy and refer to them often, they are must reads for modern quilting, sewists!

living.

It has been a long couple of months. The winter crept along slowly, and even though it is officially spring, we have only had a handful of those amazing Richmond spring days so far. Finally it looks like there is not a drop of snow on the forecast, insert me doing cart-wheels and back flips here (I can't do either, but use your imagination). Along with the weather I feel as if I have finally begun to accept that what is going on with my body is not going away. I have been vague on this blog, because I need to let things sink in before I expose everything to the world of the Internet, or really the whole world. Last year was rough I went to the Doctor more times that I ever have in my whole life. It was blood work after blood work and being sick every month, almost. At the end of the year I had not one but two bone marrow biopsy and even those proved to be strange and not completely full of answers. It is hard for me to have doctors tell me that they can not yet give what is happening a name, but that it is not going away, it makes my OCD tendencies go insane! To the point, what I am having issues with is my blood platelet levels... If you had asked me a year ago what a platelet did, I would simply say, help the blood clot. I had no idea that you could have too many or too little. In my case, I have way over the normal levels. I can live a normal life, but have to be more aware of my body. The most irritating symptoms I have shown are being tired and migraines so bad, that they wake me up out of a cold sleep. All of this has really taken some getting used to. Perhaps one of the hardest things to accept about all of this, is that there is little I can do, and there is no reason for it. 

It made a huge impact on my views towards living and how I really want to live my life. It gave me a kick in the ass to drop crappy habits, and start appreciating every day. I have heard of people going through cancer or other heath scares and how it changes who they are and how they live. I think that while I am the same person, I will never live the same way as I did before. Life, and living a healthy life are things that are too precious to take for granted, and that has in many ways altered my perspective on everything. 

I have been spoiled with time for making, which is one of the best gifts anyone has given me. The day Sandra suggested that I should work part-time and stay home in the studio the rest of the time, means everything to me. I have been pretty good about keeping up with studio time, and I am beginning to have a body of work to show for it. I guess that was the beginning of my living every day in the best way I can. Making is vital to who I am.  

More recently I have started to do yoga and Pilate's, I figure if I can keep the rest of me healthy and just deal with the blood thing, then I will be better off. Or at least do all that I can. What I do have to say about all this, is that all the times I said I did not have time for a workout or made excuses, I wish I had just started sooner. I feel better, I have more energy now than I did 3 months ago, and I sleep better. I have been doing this since the beginning of February, and I feel that now it is part of my habit. I rarely miss a class and if I do I try to go to a makeup one. Perhaps the best part is that in the hour that I am in a class, my mind stays there. I do not think of everything else in the world, or that needs to be done. I just move my body, follow directions and forget everything else. Looking forward to spring, and playing in the dirt, planting some things, and making every moment count. Not all of them will be good, I am still a realist, but as long as they are full of living that is what matters. 

February

This Gnome is the best image that I can find to describe how I feel about this month. In general February is just not a great time of year for me... I did meet Sandra in February, four years ago so that did help make it better, and it does make me smile to think of those days. Other than that, I really could just skip the cold, miserable month, that occasionally has a missing day. We have had a much colder winter than normal here in RVA, and while I know that we are usually spoiled we have been cold and even had some snow, sleet, rain, mess this year. I know that some sewists, and artists love days like this to sit in inside and make... I have to agree a rainy day is great, but I could live without the white stuff, not really a fan, (and that is putting it nicely)! So while I long for warmer, longer days I have been cutting up and sewing some things, and trying to gather inspiration from anywhere that I can. 

A few weeks ago I found this gorgeous vintage quilt at an antique store, I was half tempted to buy it, however I keep reminding myself, "I can not rescue all of the old textiles in all the antique stores and estate sales, because that is how hoarders are created." I did take a picture to remember the simple lines of it, the pale colors, paired with bold accents and the aged fabric, so soft. I am putting this around 1930-1940 based on the colors, the pattern and the fabric. It looked as if some of it was made from cotton shirts or even old pajamas. I love finding a textile that is as relevant the day it was made, as it is today. This quilt could be in a modern quilting magazine as easily as on a 1932 bed. It looked to be all cotton and wool batting, sewn and quilted by hand.

It is on my list to get outside and photograph some finished quilts, but in the meantime I started this... All of the hexagon "fabric" that I have been making over the past year, from my scrap bin has now been cut into squares. I am framing each square in a pale fabric and can't wait to get deeper into this project, so far pretty addicting! 

Of course there has been some reading while trying to keep warm. The Country Living, U.K. edition never seems to disappoint, with the most gorgeous covers and great articles. I could almost climb into that room! 

And finally on the book front I have been working my way through this... Wally Lamb's new book. He is such a brilliant writer that does not leave out one detail. I have read all of his books, and while they are not really "fun" reads they do spark a different feeling of depth into the characters lives. It is a bit of a slow read for me, a few pages here and there, but sometimes that is exactly what I want... a book that takes a bit of time, sort of like this winter...

thoughts

I have been working on piecing the cross map/terrain/color blocked quilt... It is taking longer than most projects and seems to take more energy, but I love the final outcome so I am going to stick to it. I think once this project is over I will gravitate towards smaller projects again, or use paper piecing to make something. I do this to myself... work on a project with a thousand tiny pieces to create an intricate finished piece.... It is part of my process and part of my OCD, and sometimes it drives even me insane, but in the end it looks great, and that is what I have to keep telling myself. The obsessive, time consuming process, makes for an interesting finished piece.
So I decided I would make a little list of a few things that I am into at the moment, just a little off-the-top-of my head thinking, not in any order of importance;

Washi Tape. Tegan and Sara. Mumford and Sons. Of Monsters and Men. There is always a soundtrack in the back of my mind, this is the current one. Small felted objects, animals, things. Fabric. Patterns that have grey in them. Grey. Orange. Yellow. tiny bits of green. Thinking of all the places I have been lately. Inspired travels. Florence. Rome, Ruins. Portland. Olympia. Seattle, Pike Place/ Capital Hill. Chihuly. Arizona, the desert landscape. Seeing the ground from above. Thinking of the moments spent with S. in all the places we have gone together. Time. Gardens. Plants. Succulents. Ferns. Green things. Fruit and vegetables. Heirloom vegetables. Embroidery. Embroidery floss, lots of colors. Color. small bits of fabric. Japanese fabric. Organic cotton. Linen, cotton blends. Making.....

This list is small compared to the things that float around my brain. But these are the things that have been floating around lately. That inspire and drive me at the moment. Sometimes it is good to remember those things, to keep going and be thankful.

like myself.

This month seems like it has taken forever to pass. It must have something to do with the fact that I have been at home sick most of it. Normally I feel as if I can't slow time enough and at this point I am just ready for a new month! I have been home a lot, almost to the point that I don't want to be, which is unusual for me. I finally feel better and am ready for everything that is to come. I have finished and started some projects, inbetween the moments where I could not pick up my head. I have read a lot, caught up to season 3 on Downton Abbey, which I am in love with. And now, finally have gone back to work and spending time in the studio.... It feels really good!! Being someone that does not stay still for too long, it was killing me to have to.

One of my Christmas presents was concert tickets to one of my favorite bands, Tegan and Sara, it was here in Richmond, and despite the snow on the ground it was packed. They put on a great show and played all the way through. While I love their new music and will probably buy their new albums, the old songs bring such nostalgic memories to me, of a time when I was UN-certain of everything and enjoying every moment of it. It was a great night, and helped me finally feel like myself, again. 

change in leaves

It has been cold and wet here, a sure sign that fall is here! I am trying to be patient with the leaves, that is my favorite part, when they turn all the shades imaginable. It has been a good couple of days for studio time, and while I have been working on things for etsy, I am going to make something simply for the fun, of making. I need a little break, a day or two, to just make without a goal. Let my mind and my hands free. Sometimes that jump starts something new. Maybe a little lap quilt, or perhaps pillows for my own sofa...

september thoughts

September seemed to have lasted longer than a month, or maybe it was just how much I did in that month... 

It included: 

A trip to the Outer Banks, to celebrate my mom's birthday and Labor day... A new four legged, studio-mate, named Achilles... Seattle...Portland...and anything in between... Cultivating honey from my mom's beehives... friends' birthday's... and finally, a very amazing, Madonna Concert!

See I told you it was a busy month. All good, fun, things but by the end of it, I was ready for a nice cold cocktail, outside on my deck. I managed to make some things during that time, but mostly I gathered inspiration and ideas. I also managed to gather some fabric in Portland. By some I mean... over 70 new patterns... I know its insane! It even required its own suitcase. I finally washed and put it all away. 

My system for organizing fabric is simple. I bring it home, and it goes straight into the washing machine. Everything gets a bath, before it even enters into the studio. The reason I do this is so that no matter what, the fabric gets pre-shrunk. I know most everything says it is these days, but I like to be sure. By washing the fabric, it also ensures that any kind of coating that is on the fabric is removed and leaves a nice, clean fabric. 

Then I fold in my OCD ways so that everything is a nice clean little square. Then everything goes into my fabric cabinet. I used to have a plastic one, but the stash got too heavy so this little cabinet from, Homegoods, does the job now. I can even fit whole yards into the drawers if I fold the fabric a certain way. I like to keep things separated by color or by fabric line, depending on how I will use it. Of course I have fully grown into this cabinet since the shopping spree, so the shelf, pictured above, gets the bigger yardage and the solids. 

The fabric stores that I went to in Portland were really nicely organized, and had a great selection. If you are in that area, and your a fabric junkie check out; 

Bolt

cool cottons

2012 and everything before!

Hello 2012!! As time does, it passes quickly the older we get, the more rapidly things come and go. I have been very distant from posting (I have made a resolution to get back on that!). Since last time I posted so much has taken place. I have kept up with the house, finishing some projects that have been on my list since the purchase. Worked in the garden well into the fall, which I can't wait to get back on this spring! I have stitched away at a quilt that I am so close to finishing I can see the end, always an exciting part of a long project. Helped plan and set up a backyard wedding for my mom and new step dad, which was lovely and beautiful. Decorated the house for Halloween, had a chili party, complete with backyard bonfire and gravestone cupcakes. Then the Christmas season was upon us, so I decorated the house to the point where every room had an ornament in it! And now here I am 16 days into the new year, decorations are down like it never happened (always a little sad by that), and on a mission to finish this quilt these next couple of days. The photos of the quilt will come in a post later this week, however below are a few to share of the things that have happened since, that have made me busy and kept me smiling.


The beautiful centerpieces that my mother made for her wedding.


The backyard ready for over a 100 guests.


A little peek at Halloween, it was much more interesting than just cupcakes, however I seem to have been avoiding my camera.


The mantel with the Christmas village on it, I love this at night when it is lit up its sweet and looks warm, and feels like home.

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The front steps to the house, I made a "Winter wonderland" with branches found in the backyard, spray painted them in places with silver and white, wove in branches of pine wrapped in ornaments and lights. It was pretty walking through the steps with it, however it is a little lost in photos...

2011 Was a very busy and full year for me, however it was well worth it! I can't wait to see what this year brings, thankful that the buying, packing, moving process is over! I know that with a house there is always a project, but it feels amazing to just live in it and not have to worry about the big changes that come with the first few months! I am looking forward to working on creative endeavors in the studio, traveling and spending moments with those that I love.

JUNE...

Time seems to be ticking away at a speed that I can't seem to grasp. It seems like only yesterday I was walking around with a coat and scarf on through the woods behind this house, which I have now made into a home... During this time I have been working in my studio, very productively I must say! I am happy to report that some of the stress of my job/life has calmed down and I have started thinking in the terms of an "artist" again. Not just making, but making with a purpose. I have started a project for the house, a quilt for my bed, which I have never done before. (Everyone else has a quilt at this point except me). I have been learning to garden and deal with some animals that like to live around the garden. And enjoying every day, really trying to take them in.
I recently discovered a site that I fell in love with, almost like a visual dictionary or encyclopedia.... But better because it is social online, called pintrest. I created my own board and have fallen in love with it! It is http://pinterest.com/anaslayers/ if you want to see what I am into at the moment. I promise to post some photos this week of everything going on. -Happy summer everyone.

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.”-Albert Einstein

The summer has come and gone, and I have been dormant on this blog. However my studio has been alive. I have been working on a new quilt, that is made from fragments I have collected for about 5 years. I have also been embroidering a very detailed small piece that goes with a series I began years ago. I promise to post some photos soon. Life seems to be busy and getting busier. However moments shared with good company will always help feed the soul of an artist.

the fine line between balance

In the past two years the one lesson that I have learned, above all the rest... Is that there is a fine line between balance and overwhelmed. This line is so easily blurred, when there is homework to be done, goals to be met at work, plans that are unbreakable, and maintaining some sort of a life. Going back to school was a surprise to me as much as to anyone else, especially to become a teacher. The past two years have been great, and I love the teaching part of all this. However I am feeling studio-homesick, and the ends of my fingers are getting antsy from not making enough. I have decided that the right balance at the moment is to take next semester off. All that I have left to finish is student teaching, which I can do in the spring. Opening up this time in my life, means that I might have to confront some of the walls that were put up when I stopped making the way I did. I guess the time has come, to stop running from all the mixed up feelings that go hand in hand with my artwork. Walk straight into it and deal.

"Time takes time, you know"

time changes us

The responsibilities that come with age are strange. One day its as if you wake up and everything has changed. All the experiences that you have had make you who you are. And the person you are now is new and forever changed by the past. My fascination with the past and how it pertains to the future and affects the future is at an all time high... and I think I have finally cracked how to tackle it visually. The people the experience the times and how they make you the person that you are right now. This time of year is a bit tainted for me, but the reflection is important... it leads to creative ways.

where does the time go.

This month seems to have flown by so quickly, I can't believe there is only one other post for May. Between the end of school, my trip to the OH and work the time has come and gone quickly. Today I had a day off from work, and it was a nice day spent alone. I finished reading the last Harry Potter book, for the second time, and again was thrown into reading page after page. Before I knew it half the day had passed and I was finished. They are a bunch of charcters that I need to go back to every once in a while, for my sanity.
This afternoon I went to the quilt man store, in Ashland, and purchased some of the fabric above. He has a wide selection of the reproduction feedsacks, which is what I was after today. The sweet, soft, colors and the delicate florals of the feedsacks are so beautiful I do not know how to contain my excitement.
Then it was off to the antique store, where I purchased tin goods, something differnt for me. Overall I was really happy with my finds and enjoyed an afternoon with my thoughts.


Last week I made this little address box. It was time for a new address book, and I was having trouble finding something new that suited my needs. So I made my own. I used differnt scraps of paper that I had around and used stickers for the letters. Overall I think it is pretty and useful. I do not have to cross out names and addresses anymore, just throw away the old card and make a new one.





Last week I got to see the movie, P.S I love you, which I expected to be alright but ended up being really sweet and great. It is the second movie that I have seen this month with images of Ireland in it, the first being, Made of honor, (also great!) I think that it might be time to go to Ireland, I think I could be captivated, maybe even enough to buy some sheep, plant some flax and have a textile farm.... Any thoughts?
SEX AND THE CITY movie, this friday don't forget! Hope that everyone gets a chance to go and see it.

Time

I apologize to anyone that actually reads this blog, I have been distant and not writing anything of much interest in a while. This is the last weekend that I can really forget all the things I should be doing, which in turn means I will have my ass in gear again and be producing more soon which resaults in more interesting posts.... hopefully. On a sidenote I watched the movie waitress last night and really loved the tone and humor of it, I recomend it. Also, project runway is not as intersting this time around but I did love last weeks episode so if you can try to watch a re-run if you missed it. more to come soon---hopefully!

time

This week time seems to be slipping through my fingers. I had the loveliest of weekends, I had to work for a few hours but other than that I had some un-structured fun with P. My mind was needing a weekend off, to forget all the things I need to get done. It was good for me. So this weekend to come, I have to take the PRAXIS exam, eeek! It is a test that is a little like the SAT and it is so that I can move on with the teaching classes at school. This is a one shot deal for me, most people take it more than once, but since I am taking level one and two of the teaching classes together I do not have time to mess around with taking it again. I am a little nervous, standarized exams are not my thing, but I am determined to get a passing score! I may not be posting til after all this is over, but I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall trees and colors. I can not believe thanksgiving is next week-wow time has flown this fall. I will be back online writing after I get to the bottom of the barrel of my homewrk.