Dinner at Eight - My Artist's Profile

Thanks to Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison, and their Dinner at Eight Artists, my Artist's Profile was featured yesterday on their blog. Go see it if you have a minute.

They are profiling all the artists who were invited and juried into their "Beneath the Surface" exhibit which will be premiering at Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA. My 36" x 48" entry is titled "The Key", and here is a detail shot as a teaser.

Artist's Grasshopper Shoes

These are a more economical, but just as beautiful, version of the Z-Coil shoes offered earlier. Since the shoes themselves are less expensive, I can offer them at a lower price. These little Grasshoppers are what we used to naively call "tennis shoes", back before there were all these different styles of athletic shoes. They are a "Stretch Plus" sneaker, Size 8M, retailing (white) at $50. They have a nice thick inner sole, accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association. I'm offering them (new-in-box) with my signed artwork, at $110.

If you'd like me to custom-paint shoes for you, please contact me at linda.t.minton@gmail.com.

Artist's Mudd Shoes

Here are some really cool shoes for summer ... comfy clogs by Mudd, new-in-box, with the addition of my signed painted artwork. They are size 7M, which retailed (white) at $40. I'm offering them at $90. They have been painted with special leather paints that won't crack, and protected with a coat of satin acrylic sealer. These clogs run a little large, so if you normally wear a size 7-1/2, these would probably fit you.

I've had several inquiries about painting your choice of shoes for you. Yes, I'll be happy to do that. Just contact me privately at linda.t.minton@gmail.com and we can discuss having you send your shoes to me, or else purchasing a new pair on-line and having them shipped directly to me for painting. I will also be happy to shop and purchase the shoes for you if you like. They need to be white or off-white smooth leather (not suede, sorry!) for the paints to be effective.

Artist's Z-Coil Shoes

Have been painting shoes lately ... first my own Z-Coils, which I have worn and worn and worn ... ALWAYS get fabulous comments on them wherever I were them, to art openings, quilt shows, just out and about. I thought others might like to own some Fabulous Art Shoes as well, so here are some I'm offering.

(The website construction has bogged down, so I'm slipping them in here in the meantime.)

This first pair are Z-Coils, the famous "shoes with a spring" ... they are wonderful for nurses, doctors, salespeople, and others who are on their feet all day ... including Artists! I've painted these to reflect two of my favorite sayings ... the right shoe says "Tragically Cool, Incredibly Hip", and the left shoe says "Awaiting Additional Inspiration". The style is a Taos Clog Strap, size 7M, retailing on the Z-Coil website for $230 (plain white). I'm selling them (new in box) with my signed artwork on them, protected with a coat of Satin Acrylic Finish, for $295.

Notice the Eyes of Wisdom (or are they the Eyes of Curiosity?) that will keep you company wherever you go. Mine always get lots of attention, so whenever I wear them, I always come home in a good mood, from having been stopped and talked to by strangers who want to know about them.

More shoes coming up in another post or two ...

Accepted!

Fiber artists Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison, along with their Dinner At Eight group, have created a special exhibit entitled "Beneath the Surface" that will debut at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA, July 22-25, 2010. The exhibit will be sponsored by Moore's Sewing Centers and Brother International.

I'm so excited that my piece, "The Key", created especially for this exhibit, has been juried in, and so I'm giving you a tiny sneak preview of it. This just shows a few inches of the 36x48" piece.

I can't wait to see what all the other artists have chosen to do with the theme, "Beneath the Surface".

Cats & Chipmunks in Love

Dipping a toe back into blogland ... having finally gotten moved from Houston to San Antonio, but still not quite settled. Couldn't resist stealing this directly from Cute Overload, for your amusement. The best part is Chip's giddy profession of love.

Piglet is going to a new home

Thanks to a happy intervention by Gwen Estes of the MQR list, my Piglet the A-1 Elite Quilting Machine (along with all her accoutrements) is heading for her new home with Sue S. in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Thank you Gwen, and thank you Sue! I know Piglet will be happy in her new home.

Piglet the A-1 Elite Quilting Machine needs a new home.

A-1 ELITE Quilting Machine – Great Sale Bargain!

(This picture is some of my Dad's Photoshopping Magic ... it took 3 of me to teach my Mom to use the machine! But don't worry, she didn't quilt a stitch ... she was kind of scared of it, LOL!)

I’m moving house and consolidating furniture, etc., to move in with my sister and brother … we’re finally going to have our “Teddlie Kids Compound”!

Unfortunately, there is no room for my beloved “Piglet”, which is what I named my A-1 Elite longarm quilting machine. So here’s your chance for a great deal … I’m including a LOT of extras that don’t come with a new machine from the dealer.

First, the machine itself … it’s a WHITE 2004 Model 923 with a 12’ table. This was the first year that they came out with the white model, and it looks so much nicer in your home than one of the machine-metal-grey ones. Both the machine head and the table are a nice creamy off-white color, and in pristine condition.

9” x 23” throat size
Stitch-Rite adjustment panel and needle positioner
Ergo-Lift hydraulic table lift, for easy positioning
Large capacity “M” bobbin
Laser Light
Batting Access Lever
Vibration free table
ErgoGrip™ Ergonomically Designed Handle Bars
Dual Light with Black Light Option
All the little things that you need … needle-type oiling bottles, tiny tools, fabric clamps, etc.
Micro Handles (knobs) for micro-stippling. I never used these, because the Ergo-Grip handles worked great for me.
Instruction Book

In addition, here’s what I’m throwing in with the A-1:

Saddle stool for sit-down quilting (my favorite!) I paid $165 for it.

48” x 130” chair mat for using under the saddle stool. I paid $225 for it.

Custom-made batting stand – holds 4 rolls of batting horizontally, for ease of pulling off just the amount you need. No way to put a price on this … my handy-man Dad constructed this for me from white PVC pipes!

This shows only 3 batting rolls loaded, but the curved PVC-pipe holders are moveable, with a simple screwdriver. I currently have 4 rolls loaded.

Dad had the foresight to add locking casters!

6 rolls (full and some partial) premium batting of various thicknesses. Including Warm & Natural, Quilters Dream, Hobbs Heirloom Wool, etc.

A custom-made 130”-long cutting mat to fit the table, grid-marked by the inch. This is the heavy-duty self-healing cutting mat with a translucent, non-glare surface. I paid $140 for it, and it has been a godsend for squaring up and trimming quilts while still on the machine.

Quilt EZ Stylus with A-1 Adaptor, and Double Spiral template (still in the box), a $130 value.

Circle Lord Basic, a $600 value.

Stand-Alone Bobbin Winder, a $90 value.

2 Wood (oak) Tool Trays from Snuggler’s Cove, a $192 value (www.snugglerscovequilting.net/page7)

Groz-Beckert Titanium Machine Needles in the 3 most usable sizes: 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0.

About 25 extra bobbins, Size M, and 2 extra Bobbin Cases

Various small tools for servicing your machine.

About 40 hard-plastic templates, rulers, and shapes for use with the longarm ruler base.

About 30 paper pantograph rolls, including many of the favorites such as Stars & Loops, Little Hands, Nouveau Gingko, Ribbon Candy, and many more.

FREE software!
Linda’s Electric Quilters: Rick’s Maintenance Library, a $50 value (http://www.lequilters.com/)
(although this refers to the Gammill machines, it is also quite useful for other brands)
Kaleidoscope Kreator (http://www.kaleidoscopecollections.com/)
Quilted Photo Xpress 2.0, by Tammie Bowser, a $55 value (http://www.mosaicquilt.com/) (mosaic designing)
Fabric Studio 1.0, an $80 value. (http://www.thefabstudio.com/) (create & print your own fabric)

FREE DVD’s!
Maintaining/Repairing Your Long Arm Quilting Machine by Donita Reeve (VHS format)
Stewart Plank’s Timing & Tensions for the A-1 Quilting Machine
Linda’s Longarm Quilting, Season 100 (Complete set of 13 Episodes) with Linda Taylor
Linda’s Longarm Quilting, Season 200 (Complete set of 13 Episodes) with Linda Taylor
Advanced Artistic Freeform 2, with Linda Taylor
Fancy Feather Frenzy 2, with Linda Taylor
Ricky Tims Presents: Quilting Caveman Style
Ricky Tims Presents: Grand Finale
Mastering the Art of McTavishing, with Karen McTavish
Fantasy Freehand: Basic Techniques, with Nichole Webb
Fantasy Freehand: Advanced Techniques, with Nichole Webb

PLUS anything else I happen to come across that is associated with the longarm, maybe even a couple of bolts of fabric.

My favorite features of the A-1 are: the non-vibration of the table (thanks to Stewart Plank’s innovative construction) … the hydraulic table lift, you won’t believe how much you will use it! … the lightweight feel and maneuverability of the machine head in use – no more back and shoulder aches! … and the ability to sit down or stand up to quilt (I almost always sit). Not to mention the fact that the pretty white color is so much more “home-friendly” if your studio is located in your home. (Made in the U.S.A.!)

I paid $15,500 for the machine, and am throwing in all the extras described above, all for $12,000! Cash or Cashier’s Check, sorry I’m not set up to take credit cards. The machine is in beautiful condition, as I have taken care of “Piglet” religiously. Although I did do some customer quilting on it, I mostly used it for my own art-quilting, so it has only had light use.

Available for pick-up only, in West Houston (near Katy), Texas.

If you are interested in this great deal, please either leave me a Comment, or email me at ltmquilt@swbell.net.

Silkies Framed

My friend Diane and her husband Al commissioned me to create a special art quilt for Al's office, featuring their beloved Silky Terriers. Muuuuuch later, the quilt was completed, and they took it to be framed by a wonderful frame artist in Cinco Ranch, who created a custom-made hardwood frame for it.

The quilt actually hangs free inside the double-glassed frame, so that the fabric does not touch the glass on either the front or the back.

Diane and Al invited me to see it before it is installed, since the back of the frame is glass, as well as the front, so that the back of the quilt can be seen too. Here's a pic of Diane and Al, with their beautifully framed art quilt.

If you'd like to see the detail shots, click here.

Book of Secrets

This little Book of Secrets is made from a gallery-wrapped canvas as the front cover/secret box, with paste-papers as the pages. I still haven't inserted any images in the cut-outs ... when will I ever get around to that? But I still love the little book, and it's "secret" charm.

TV Madame

TV Madame is an assemblage created inside an antique sewing table drawer, with iron finials for the legs and top. She has a copper shirt, deerskin skirt, painted and bubbled Tyvek halo and rug, and recycled coffee filter wallpaper.

Rust Yard

I thought you might like to see my "Rust Yard" ... actually just the top of a table in my back yard which serves as the repository for all things rusty and interesting. I use the rusty stuff for rust-dyeing fabrics for my art quilts.

There Were Never More Devoted Sisters

When my sister and I used to fight when we were little, our mother used to sing this song to us, and we hated it! Now we are living together (who'd have thought it!) and love the song, each other, and this little memento of our childhood.

The Book of Fish

Well, it's not really a book, but a little art-quilt made as part of a challenge. Silk whole-cloth, printed and painted, machine quilted, hand-embellished, and faced instead of bound.

... and the back, to show the facing technique ...

Dr. Feelgood

From a workshop with the fabulous Michael DeMeng, here is my favorite little finished piece:

and a detail shot:

Deerhide Book

Here's a little deerhide book that I made from the tanned hide of a deer my grandmother shot, probably 50 or 60 years ago. I still have some scraps of it left, and dole it out for special little projects.

Catch-Up Time - Herbs

I'm going to be playing a little catch-up with posting some of my artwork that I don't think has ever found its way onto the blog before. In the process of getting ready to move house, I'm uncovering lots of things I'd almost forgotten about.

So, here's the first one ... actually a little altered book that I did waaaay back before I'd ever heard the term "altered book"! I kind of like it, in its simplicity.

Courthouse at Round Top, ca. 1966

At last ... something artful!

This little thread-sketching started out as a pen-and-ink sketch from a photograph that my brother Don took back in 1966 when he was at Texas A&M as an Architectural Engineering student. I then printed it on muslin, backed it with interfacing, and proceeded to "sketch" with my sewing machine. I really like the way the black threads stand out against the vintage-looking muslin. This is a scan rather than a photo of the piece, so the colors aren't exactly true where the fabric wanted to ruffle a little in the scanner. Once it is stretched and mounted, I'll post another picture.

A Rare (but inspiring) Rant

After listening to President Obama's address on Healthcare Reform last night, I felt inspired to write my Congress Critters once more. Usually, I try to restrict myself to a two- or three-line, succinct statement of my stance on an issue, in hopes that it will actually be read and counted.

However, I saw my sister Suzanne's excellent letter to Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), and with her permission, was inspired to post it here in its entirety. She is a much more passionate writer than I tend to be, and she expresses EXACTLY my feelings on the matter. I'm hoping she will inspire you to write your own representatives and try to get this Healthcare Reform passed ... it's ABOUT TIME.

(Her letter is in response to Sen. Cornyn's canned reply to her original letter ...)

Sen. Cornyn: "I believe reform can be achieved by lowering the cost of health care without spending more money and without giving Washington more control over the decisions of doctors and patients."

I know this is hard for senators (who already enjoy Washington-controlled, gold-plated, lifetime health care) to understand, so let me attempt to enlighten you: Decision-making as it pertains to health has already been taken out of the control of doctors and their patients, i.e., We the People. Remember us? Our healthcare is already being rationed (by the insurance industry), and we are being fleeced (by the insurance industry). It is a scam. It is a racket.

You mention "bureaucrats." You are aware, are you not, that officious, petty bureaucrats exist in the private sector as well as in government? The private sector of which I speak is the health insurance industry. A bureaucratic, bean-counting insurance clerk already stands between me and my doctor.

Am I supposed to worry that the private health insurance industry may suffer if there is a public option? Let me tell you something you may not fully understand: The health insurance industry is my enemy. They wish to profit off of my suffering. I care not one whit what fate befalls that industry.

One more point I'd like to make: If a public option out-performs the private sector, it may goose the insurance industry into reforming itself (though I doubt that seriously), and then we will truly have a free market from which to choose. However, if the private sector fails to meet or out-perform the public option, then the free market (rightly) says to the insurance industry: "Adios."

I will do everything in my power as a private, voting citizen of these United States to stymie the future political prospects of any senator or congressional representative who attempts to prevent real, actual, meaningful healthcare reform from being enacted.

I am an Independent. I have no love for either political party. I have no trust in either party. None. I am loyal to neither party. Having promised myself, my entire life, that I would never be a one-issue voter, I have become, sadly, a one-issue voter. My health and my very life depend on it.

My future voting patterns will be decided on this one issue. I'm not alone. We are paying attention. We are personally living this healthcare nightmare, and untruths and sloganeering and ideology won't be effective this time. We, out here, the Great Unwashed, already know the truth ... intimately.

Suzanne and I hereby give permission for you to use any or all of the above for your own letter to Congress, or rant on your own website or blog.

Next time, I promise to get back to a little bit of art ...

Ian is a Star!

My friend Sharon Dixon's daughter Melody and grandson Ian are appearing in the Crighton Theater's production of "Cheaper by the Dozen" ...

Melody is an experienced actress, and Ian is a born actor if ever there was one, and I just had to show this page from the article in the current issue of Dock Line Magazine. I've repeated the copy below, in case the text is too small to read in the reproduction.

(Ian's little brother Robben is every bit as cute and smart, but just not quite old enough yet to participate!)


At the end of this month STAGE RIGHT will present the heartwarming family comedy CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN at the historic Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe. It seems appropriate that many families have come together to bring this lovely fact based tale to the stage of the Crighton. For years, the words family and Crighton Theatre have been synonymous. Now, a new generation of families will be playing together on the stage and behind the scenes.

One such family to grace the stage is the Montez family. Playing Jackie, one of the youngest members of the Gilbreth clan, is 6 year old Ian Montez. His mother, Melody, plays the role of Mrs. Fitzgerald, the Gilbreth’s long suffering yet good humored housekeeper. Melody is no stranger to the Crighton stage. She is an accomplished actress, having last appeared in STAGE RIGHT’S premiere production, CHRISTMAS BELLES. No one that saw the show can forget her character’s perky personality and gold lame pants! Melody has also directed shows at the Crighton, most notably MACBETH. Young Ian is no stranger to the limelight, yet this is his first turn on the Crighton stage. Melody explained that she was expecting Ian when she appeared in BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, and when he was only 5 months old, Ian appeared with Melody as Baby Pippin in a production held at Conroe High School. At 6 months he was already typecast: Ian played a Baby in the musical by the same name.

What does Ian want to be when he grows up? An actor, of course! Since before he could talk, Ian has been performing. He loves attending theatre (favorite shows include The Lion King and The Wizard of Oz) and then recite his favorite scenes. His favorite actors include Steve Martin, Bill Murray and his all time favorite: Christopher Walken. He and younger brother Robben dress up in costumes to re-create scenes in movies and plays for their parents. This habit of dressing for the part came in handy. After the first night of auditions Ian thought the director didn’t notice him (with over 50 kids at the audition that was entirely possible). So Ian came the following night dressed in a costume complete with a dapper hat and tie. With a voice loud enough to hit the back wall of the Crighton he turned on the charm. Ian got the director’s attention as well as that of everyone in attendance. He won the part and is thrilled to be able to perform with his mom on the Crighton stage.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN runs July 31 – Aug. 16, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm with two Sunday matinees on Aug. 9 and 16 at 2 pm. Call the Crighton Theatre box office for tickets: 936-441-SHOW (7469). Check out our websites for further information about us and the Crighton Theatre including our exciting upcoming 2009-2010 season: http://www.stage-right.org/, www.crighton-theatre.com and http://resources.stage-right.org.