Opening at The Art in Fiber 2013

Gerald and Debbie Tobola, owners of the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in Round Top, Texas, hosted another lovely opening for their annual Art in Fiber show last Saturday.  It was a beautiful day, and the little town of Round Top was bursting at the seams with visitors to this growing art community.  Here are a few of the pictures.

Debbie & Gerald are our Art Heroes.

Andrea Brokenshire, Heather Pregger, Ivy Jensen, Mary Ann Littlejohn, Janice McKeehan

Mary Ann Littlejohn (seated), Connie Fahrion, Denna Hardin, Hope Wilmarth

Connie Fahrion, enjoying an after-party snack.

A small group of us stayed overnight at The Bootstrap guesthouse, a nearby converted 2-story farmhouse that sleeps 6. This is our favorite place to stay in the area, as it is secluded, yet very near Round Top and Fayetteville.  We enjoyed snacking and "sipping," out on the large comfortable front porch.

Heather Pregger, on the front porch of The Bootstrap.

The snacks!

Andrea Brokenshire chillin' after the party.

The Art in Fiber, 2013

Some of my very favorite people in the whole world ... Gerald and Debbie Tobola ... are the owners of the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in the wonderful little art-town of Round Top, Texas.  They have nurtured Texas artists since they started the gallery, and gave me my own start in showing and selling.

Gerald & Debbie Tobola

This year, their month-long exhibit, The Art in Fiber 2013, is themed, "A View From My Window" and features 24 Texas fiber artists, including me.  I'm thrilled to have been juried into this show by the renowned Karey Bresenhan, no less!  The opening is tomorrow afternoon, from 2-5 p.m.  If you are anywhere near this little artful oasis situated between Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, it will be worth the trip to see the exhibit and the town.  It is also very near La Grange, where the Texas Quilt Museum resides ... voted Best Museum in Fayette County.

Here are the front and back of the postcard, inviting you to The Art in Fiber 2013 show.  I hope to see you there, sometime between February 2 and March 3.

 

The artists who will have work in the exhibit are:
Marilynn Barber
Pauline Barrett
Anne Berversdorf
Noreen Borys
Andrea Brokenshire
Susan Byrne
Janice Drees
Suzan Engler
Connie M. Fahrion
Barb Forrister
Debbie Geistweidt
Margery Hedges
Susan Fletcher King
Linda Teddlie Minton
Janet Moran
Sona Nast
Heather Pregger
Diane Sandlin
Oscar Silva
Annie Smith
Jo Sweet
Hope Wilmarth
Gay Young

Faux Layered T-Shirt - Mini Tutorial

See, I have this problem.  The older I get, the more "old-lady-ish" my upper arms get.  And I no longer wear sleeveless or even short-sleeved shirts.  It seems that most of the cute t-shirts that are made these days are made with very short sleeves, and even "capped" sleeves.  They don't work for me, so I finally decided to do something about it.  Once I figured it out, I thought I'd share what I learned with you.

Before

After

If you have t-shirts with too- short sleeves, you can make them longer by adding faux layered sleeves.  Most of us have old t-shirts that we don't wear anymore ... let's cannibalize them for parts!

  First, measure the diameter of the too-short t-shirt sleeve hem (“target sleeve”).  Lay the sleeve flat and measure straight along the sleeve hem. 

From an existing sleeve of a discarded shirt:  cut it off at a point that closely matches the diameter measurement you’ve taken of your target sleeve.  For instance, if your target sleeve diameter measures 8”, your newly-cut sleeve diameter (at the cut edge) can measure from 8” to about 8-1/2” diameter at the cut.

(If the new sleeve is much larger, you can simply narrow it by taking a larger “bite” out of the existing inner seam to make it the diameter you desire.)

Turn the newly-cut sleeve length inside out, and insert it, cuff-side first, down into the shorter ("target") sleeve … making sure wrong sides are together … aligning the new raw edge with the hem stitching line of the old sleeve.  You will be working (pinning) inside the existing sleeve for this next step, although you can turn it slightly back in your hand to facilitate pinning. 

Matching first at the underarm seams, secure with a single pin at the underarm seam.  Then, starting at the center-shoulder, pin all the way around each side, working towards the underarm seam, making sure not to stretch either fabric.  If your new sleeve is slightly larger around than the existing sleeve, this will allow for some slight easing at the underarm.  Clip into the new fabric at the underarm, if necessary, so you can slightly overlap any excess fabric, as shown below.

Below is a picture of the new sleeve (on the right) pinned onto the inside of the (flipped back) existing sleeve of the t-shirt (on the left). For the photo, I've also pulled the new sleeve out from the inside of the t-shirt, where it had been tucked for the pinning process.

Before taking it to the sewing machine, I find it easier to now turn the shirt entirely inside-out, and flip the new sleeve back to expose the newly-pinned-on sleeve addition (see below).  This will allow easy stitching on the free-arm of your sewing machine.  (If you don’t use a free-arm, you may find it easier to leave the shirt right-side-out, and sew it that way.)

I find that when using horizontally-placed straight pins, and sewing slowly with a zig-zag stitch, I can safely sew over the pins without removing them.  However, do remove them if you feel more comfortable doing so.

Beginning just past the underarm seam, stitch slowly with a zig-zag stitch , being careful not to stretch either fabric;  and as you come back around towards the underarm seam, ease any overlap at the underarm seam, and complete the zig-zag seam. The completed faux-layered t-shirt sleeve is shown below.

You can now turn the shirt right-side out and admire your new “layered” t-shirt! (The one shown below is a different t-shirt, with longer added sleeves ... but the same technique.)

I hope you enjoy this process as much as I did.  Since I'm not a garment seamstress, any technique that allows me to alter existing garments is a bonus for me!

BONUS Hint:  If you don't have a lot of discardable t-shirts laying around, you can pick them up really cheap at a thrift shop or Goodwill store.  Lots of great colors to go with your fun t-shirts, and all you have to look at are the sleeves!  I never pay over 99 cents for them.

Christmas -- a little late.

At last ... pictures from the family Christmas get-together of 2012.  Mom & Dad came down from Austin to the home that my sister, brother and I share in San Antonio.  We did minimal decorating but lots of cooking.  Likewise, we mostly gave silly "joke" gifts but celebrated mightily.  Here are some of my favorite pics of some of my favorite people in the whole world.

My Mom,the queen of us all ... at 89 still beautiful.

My Daddy, sweetest man in the world.

Brother Craig and his newest bestest friend.  He
got his good looks from Mom and his generosity from Dad.

My beautiful sister Suzanne didn't like this picture of her,
so I Photoshopped a paper bag over her head!

Here's me as Santa (the shirt says "Does this suit
make me look fat?") in the Christmas Corner.  The
tree skirt was hand-stitched by my grandmother
about 50 years ago.

Christmas breakfast.  I can't believe we didn't take pictures of
the Christmas feast, later!  I guess we were too busy eating it!

As with most families these days, we were missing a few members for the holiday ... my  brother Don and his family who live out of state, my nephew Colter who couldn't join us, and those who have "gone before us."  Nevertheless, we all enjoyed each others' company and the celebration of the season.   Here's hoping you did too.

My Good Citizen Day

I've been so wrapped up in the Inauguration Day today (haven't you?) that I was inspired to go out and be a Good Citizen.  It sort of ties in with my Random Acts of Kindness anyway, and I was in such a good mood that it didn't take any effort at all.  Here are some of the opportunities that presented themselves to me today.

I had at least four casual conversations with four different elderly people in the grocery store.  One was looking for something, and the others just looked "ripe" for a little conversation.  I really should take time to do this more often.  I always come away feeling that I have done a good deed, and I always enjoy it, too.

I had a long conversation with a mentally handicapped young woman who was eager to tell me something.  I couldn't understand much of what she was saying, and her mother (or guardian?) tried to pull her away, but I let her know that I was happy to listen.  Again, this was something I did as much for myself as for her.  She gave me a huge hug when I finally said I had to go, and I wore a happy glow for the rest of the afternoon.

Later, I "bravely" approached three young servicemen in uniform and shook their hands, thanking them for their service.  They seemed very surprised and embarrassed, but thanked me most sincerely.  I often think about doing this, but usually don't ... either because I'm in too much of a hurry, or am too shy.  I decided not to be shy anymore.

I gave a young mother with a small child my place in line at the checkout stand.  (OK, this was mostly so I wouldn't have to listen to the kid whining the whole time I was checking out ... but still!)

Oh, and I returned my shopping cart to the cart corral.  That counts too, right? 

Happy Inauguration/Good Citizen Day.

Finding the Goodness

I've been thinking a lot about happiness lately, and you probably have been, too. Various world events, national and personal tragedies, political nastiness ... I'm just feeling the need for some plain old "goodness", as my Mamaw would have called it.

The Antechamber, Linda Teddlie Minton

When I first began work on "The Antechamber" I was simply imagining a fantasy doorway into a serene world where there were no day-to-day worries, only sunshine and joy.  As I continued to develop the piece, it gradually became a more vivid symbol of unattainable peace and tranquility; I had a strong desire to actually walk through that space and escape the too-real world of anger, hatred, and downright evil.  (I probably watch too much news.)  How could I combat the unease and dissatisfaction that I was sensing all around me?







 

The Key, Linda Teddlie Minton

Although "The Key" (right) was actually created before "The Antechamber" (above), I have begun seeing a connectivity in my seemingly random choice of subject matter over the past few years.  In the beginning, "The Key" was mysterious, even to myself.  As I worked on it, I thought of all the different meanings of the body, the key, the floating elements.  I now see it as a sign of hopefulness ... that we all hold the key to our own happiness within ourselves.  It is completely within our own power to choose how we face our life challenges. We can so easily become angry or bitter, blaming others for our disappointments ... or we can choose to be happy with what we have and what we can do for others.  The key lies within ourselves.

The Power of Song

Music lifts me.  Or, I should say, the memory of music lifts me.  Having lost much of my hearing a few years ago, I can no longer appreciate music that is new to me ... but ohhh, the older, familiar stuff ... my mind seems to fill in what my ears can't hear, and I am transported.  One of my favorite "escapes" is singing along with well-remembered songs while driving ... no one to hear me screaching out my favorite tunes, and only a few passers-by who probably laugh at my antics behind the (hopefully) soundproof car windows.  It lifts my mood, makes me happy ... and makes me want to pass along my happiness.

FiberVoices, December 2012
(cartoon, ltm)

The most important key to my personal happiness (not counting family and friends, of course) is Art, with a capital A.  Well, actually, art with a small "a", too.  I find as much joy in making a traditional baby quilt as I do in planning and executing an art quilt for exhibition or sale.  You can also find artfulness in what others call "craft," if you are putting your own creativity into it.  Sharing discoveries, learning new and old techniques, and enjoying the comradeship of like-minded artists are the ultimate treasures of this artist's life ... and I am extraordinarily lucky to have this relationship with 4 beautiful women in a small group called FiberVoices.



Wishing you JOY in the New Year.

A Sue Bleiweiss journal!

OK, OK, I did buy myself ANOTHER Christmas present ... I just couldn't help myself.  Fiber artist  Sue Bleiweiss makes the most wonderful sketchbooks and watercolor journals, and I've been wanting another one for several years.  Here's the one I bought from her etsy shop and received yesterday.

Here's the package as I received it.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is
to receive such a beautifully wrapped package ... it just adds so much to the occasion.

Even the back of the package has interest -- fun stickers.  I almost hated to open it!

And finally, here is the gorgeous journal, Sue Bleiweiss style!

There are handy pockets in both the front and back covers, with more loose pages of
watercolor paper.  The teeny tiny "keychain" booklet was just the icing on the cake!
Thank you, Sue!

I'd been wanting a journal with watercolor pages in it for some time, but never got around to making my own, and not wanting to spend any money.  I finally realized that I would treasure Sue's journal for many years, and was well worth the price.  Her sketchbooks and journals are ALWAYS on my "wish list".

Corvid #8 by Virginia Spiegel

I was excited to receive my Christmas present to myself today ... Virginia Spiegel's "Corvid #8", which she sold to help Four-Legged Friends, a no-kill animal shelter.  She and Karen Stiehl Osborn (another one of my favorite artists) are having a Holiday Pop-Up Sale.

One thing I love about receiving artwork from Virginia is the care and love she uses in packaging and shipping. 

Here's a picture of the package after I took it out of the mailing container:

Package as received.  (Bouncer is checking it out.)

"Corvid #8", plus Virginia's hand-made thank-you note.

 Thank you, Virginia ... I absolutely love it!

Rituals exhibit to travel to The Netherlands

The catalog from the Rituals show is available here.

The invitational exhibit "Rituals" (created by Dinner@Eight's Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison) was so well received at the Houston International Quilt Festival this October/November 2012 that it will fly across the pond to the 'Open European Quilt Championships' in the Netherlands. Show dates are May 3-5, 2013.  My "Kissing the Cat Goodnight" is part of the exhibit, and I'm thrilled that it will get to see the Netherlands, even if I don't!

Kissing the Cat Goodnight, 24" x 60"

Need a sports-themed gift?

My friend Sharon Dixon is well-known for her beautiful t-shirt quilts.  One thing I love about them is that they are soft and comfy, not stiff like some people make them.  She also does some unusual block settings that make them even more unique.

Now she has a new version of the t-shirt quilt that only requires ONE t-shirt.  If you have a favorite team or are in need of a great gift for a loved one, she now offers this one (with your own t-shirt in the center):

(Sorry, Sharon says that the popcorn, beer, and husband are not included.)

Of course, the colors and fabrics would be coordinated with your t-shirt.  See her website or her  Etsy shop for more details.

Maggie's latest painted shoes

My friend Maggie Winfield has been up to her tricks again ... this time with adorable funky-face shoes.  I love these with a passion!  (I have it on good authority that she will be showing up at Quilt Festival with purple hair, too.)

Maggie's latest painted shoes

More painted shoes

More painted shoes ... this time, some for me!  I love my Merrell slides for summer (in fact, I tend to wear them almost year-round in Hot Old San Antonio), and actually indulged in painting a new (instead of old) pair this time.

I almost forgot to photograph the shoes before they were painted!

There's nothing like being comfortable and artful at the same time!

Painted Shoes for Customer

I just shipped off another pair of hand-painted Z-Coil shoes for a Texas customer.  She liked some of the ones she saw on my blog, and wanted something similar.

The Z-Coils that she sent me were black, and she wanted a light grey, so they first had to be over-painted.  This took a base coat, 3 coats of light grey, and after the artwork was done in black ink, 3 sheer coats of sealer.  Each step is not difficult (except the artwork), just time-consuming ... because each coat has to be completely dry before another coat can be added.  I think they turned out nicely.

Side view ... oops, I forgot to put the sole liners back in before taking the pictures!

I like the Z-Coil logo, so I recreated it on the heels.

Front view,  masked for sealant application.  (The camera flash blew out some of the detail on the front, but the base color is truer than in the other pictures.)

The finished shoes.  She should have them in a few days, I hope she likes them!

(In case you're wondering, the shoes say:  "Tragically Cool & Incredibly Hip"; and "Awaiting Additional Inspiration.")