I arise today through the Strength of Heaven, Light of Sun, Radiance of Moon, Splendor of Fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of Wind, Depth of Sea, Stability of earth, Firmness of Rock. Excerpt from "St. Patrick's Breastplate"
art quilts, joy of color, expression in textiles
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March 2010
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Some days you just need to sit and look out the window while you have a cup of your favorite tea.
Some days life starts out like a race, a good thing, lots of energy and purpose.
Other days are for reflecting and remembering.
I will take my tea and watch the birds, and enjoy the calm.
 
Doodles,
thinking about my little  “Penny” as she crossed the Rainbow bridge last night
 

March… Came in as a Lion!

It’s March…. A time of blustery weather with sweet smelling daffodills.

Inspiration, Creativity, and History…

I read a book last week which has stayed on my mind, my thoughts keep returning to the different parts of the story. That must be the success of a really good book. The book is by Geraldine Brooks, The People Of The Book. The lengths certain people of power and means will go to in order to possess a valuable book from a distant past. Now I want to hide away in my studio and make an illuminated book of my own. More than a daily journal, but a book of thoughts, insights, memories, and advice to leave for my children. ONE book…they must share…..so this book needs to be …beyond anything I have ever designed and made.

Wish me luck!

doodles

We had a Snow Day!

We do not usually have snow this far south.  On Thursday we woke up to SNOW!

Very inspirational for some new art projects,

doodles

More…challenge: “Inner Animal”

Quilting Arts Magazine has uploaded pictures of the entries which were not chosen for publication in the magazine for the challenge: “Inner Animal”. Take a visit and see all the talent and whimsy of these art quilts. Also, I am pleased to know my entry was posted to SewCalGal blog! Enjoy the small online exhibit:  Quilting Arts”  

doodles

Quilting Arts “Let Out Your Inner Animal” contest – A Fun Challenge!

Quilting Arts “Let Out Your Inner Animal” contest – A Fun Challenge!

It was fun to participate in the creation of my inner animal.  Who Knew I had an “inner Animal”?
I thought about this a lot…maybe too much :)   But knew what my inner animal was without a doubt!
I had a picture of some bobcats and then I merged the bobcat face with a picture of my face. 
My imaging software helped me to morph the images, than a bit of tweaking, and WOW!
No, my Inner Animal was not chosen as a finalist, but that is ok. 
I knew I had gotten the challenge right when my sister saw the quilt and said, “That reminds me of you”!  Success!
Doodles' Inner Animal

Doodles' Inner Animal

Enjoy!
“Let your inner animal out of its cage by participating in our latest reader challenge!
We will show some of our favorite entries in future issues of Quilting Arts Magazine”

$$ Is It All About The Money ??? $$

$$  Is It All About The Money ???  $$
 Oh No! Not for me.  (I would be in trouble if it were, *grin*) 

But I do have a little rant today…..Why do many people want to put a price tag on works which are made from the inner soul of an artist?  Why is the appreciation of the art piece only of value, if it has broad appeal for a commercial market?

 

I have had the awesome thrill of selling pieces of quilted art.  When one of my original designs is appreciated and sold to someone I do not even know, I am really excited!  I like $$$$….but for me, it is not the “WHY” of making quilted art.
 
I understand the need of an appraisal to establish the value of an item of work.  That is a smart decision! But it really rankles me when a family member or friend looks at a piece I am especially proud of and asks, ” How much are you going to sell it for”? “What is it worth”?
There are days when I can hardly wait to escape to my small studio and turn on the different machines, plug in the iron, clip the MP3 player to my shirt, fondle the cones of thread, and then let my imagination go free.  These times are not as often now as in the past, so the time I have now is even more of a treasure. 
 
I can not imagine making the art pieces exclusively for financial gain.  That would change the emotional feel of the piece for me.  I have made commissioned pieces, but even then, I put lots of thought, energy, and even sing prayerful phrases as I work on the piece for a particular theme or person.  If someone sees the piece, feels a connection or likes it enough to pay the price I ask, then so much the better!
 
SO, for me….. it is not all about the money……but it is all about the heart and soul being stitched into a very special piece of art.  Not every piece I make is extraordinary. I have made many inspirational pieces which were for the expression of a time or experience.  Once the therapeutic effect has been achieved, I can put the piece aside and move on to a different project.
 
OK, little rant is over.  
 
Enjoy what you make, grow in the process, and feel at peace.
doodles
A Different View

A Different View

 

Summer’s Last Garden Gift

Summer's last Gift for me
Summer's last Gift for me

 The last Dahlia bloom from my garden was carefully clipped last week.  She is BEAUTIFUL !

Of course her face will appear in an art quilt soon.
Enjoy,

doodles

A Morning Walk….

WalkingPeace

A wonderful morning for walking through the woods, to the pond, and watching the falling leaves.  God’s Art in motion!

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Sunshine

I WON! Quick & Easy Block Tool App Giveaway from C&T Products

Quick & Easy Block Tool App Giveaway from C&T Products

 
YAY!!! I was one of the winners of the iPhone App Giveaway from C&T Products!
The Quick & Easy Block Tool App  is one of the latest and greatest C&T Products. Now, I will go and ‘play’ with the app and then report back with a review.  
Go check it out…..   http://www.ctpubblog.com/  and order.
 
Thank you, Tristan and C&T !!!! 

Quick & Easy Block Tool App

Quick & Easy Block Tool App

Quick & Easy Block Tool App

Quick & Easy Block Tool App

doodles

Recent Work…

Sorry for the absence recently. I have been unpacking my sewing and quilting items to try and fit into a smaller studio. Although the large room is neat, there is so much woven into this limited space, it looks a bit chaotic. With four machines, 2 separate fabric shelf units,  a small sitting area, and my smaller office…..I am thankful it works for me :)

doodles

Aaahhhh…now to create!DSCF6141  DSCF6145  DSCF6159DSCF6148

Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative ~A Flutter Away~

My week-end project for the Stay At Home Challenge for 2009, the Stay At Home …means quilters who did not get to attend the IQF in Houston this week-end.
I had started a small quilt last year and it includes some of the rust fabric donated from Lois Jarvis, (Thank you Lois!)
A Pieced background, Appliqued’ Butterfly, and thread-painting highlighted with silver threads.
A Flutter Away

A Flutter Away

I support the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative at www.AlzQuilts.org.
doodles

Houston International Quilt Fest…

I am disappointed to miss the huge International Quilting Festival in Houston, TX this week. The main perk would be to visit with my son and family. I miss the G’Kiddos!

I am participating in a Stay At home Challenge to make small art quilts for the Alzheimer’s Initiative. The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative ( www.AlzQuilts.org ) I will post the progress as it unfolds!

I choose to Live today with JOY as I help guide my mom through this confusing maze.

My Beautiful mom

  My Beautiful mom

doodles

Beautiful Sunday

Through The Looking Glass….

A Rainy Day as seen through the Door

A Rainy Day as seen through the Door

~Visions of the Moon~

dcl_Harvest_Moon_09Waitin fortheBLUEmoon2dcl                  atest

The Harvest Moon

This weekend’s full Moon has a special name–the Harvest Moon. It’s the full moon closest to the northern autumnal equinox (Sept. 22). 

Enjoy the moonlight.
moonbeams_dcl

How much embellishment is too much?

I will usually take a picture with the digital camera of the different possibilities for finishing an art quilt. It is amazing at the perspective you will gain as you look at the digital images. It makes keeping objects in scale and proportion so much easier. Audition your fabrics together, buttons, charms, and beads before you put the extra work directly on the quilts. It works for me!

Have fun,

doodlesDCL_artquilt 017

Inspiration with Creativity is A Good Thing!

Fluid Energies in art quilting

Ok….. so I have been designing and planning a new art quilt. There seems to be a hum of undercurrents within my studio. I smile as I listen and watch closely.

  • The fabrics on the shelves have been singing a chorus of “Pick Me, Pick Me”!
  • The thread spools are vibrating in their racks and drawers saying, “I wanna Play, too!”
  • The scissors and rotary cutters are in a duel over which tool will be the most efficient.
  • The beads, trims, and Angelina are dancing the shimmy to be noticed.
  • But the machines…Oh the Janome, Babylock, & Bernina are sitting smugly on their tables with a content smile.

They know my procedures. Each machine has it use and time in each quilt. I am smiling to myself as I continue to sketch and plan and listen to the energy all around the studio. OK…..so who will be chosen for the latest rendering of my quilt dreams?

Stay tuned,dcl_Fluid_Energies            doodles

Mancuso Show Management–Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XVI

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XVI

Yaay!! I have two quilts on exhibit here this year!

“Fragments – Urban Decay” & “Metamorphosis”
presented by Fiberarts Connection of SoCal
9/17/2009 – 9/20/2009
Greater Philadelphia Area, Pennsylvania

 

 

Fragments Of Fire

Fragments Of Fire

Grandma's Flower Garden Gone Wild! 

Grandma’s Flower Garden Gone Wild!

Wish I could go to the Festival!
doodles

Last Days Of SUMMER…

Summer_Joy_dcl.JPG

Go Out And Jump For Joy….Be excited again…run through the sprinkler…use a bubble wand and watch the bubbles float away…lay in the grass and look for cloud figures….LET yourself Feel HAPPINESS…Enjoy this day!

A New Version….

Waiting for the moon 3 DCL

Mom’s Midnight plant is Waiting For The moon … #3  

Beautiful moon this week!

 

DANCING TO THE SUMMER TIME BLUES…..

Diane is Dancing to the SummerTime Blues...

ABOUT BLOGS, Blogging, & Comments…

About Blogs….

I have been reading some interesting views about comments on blogs.  I think it is grand for artists to keep a blog and share edits of their work. I read many blogs and have them added to my Google Reader. This makes it so convenient to read my favorites. The blog is a tool, such as a phone, use it as much or as little as suits you.

 

My blog is what I share with those who are interested, usually members on lists I subscribe, friends & family. It is a small hopscotch of my thoughts on the pieces I am making.  I do not mind that it will never be widely read or viewed. I do not think of my blog as part of a popularity contest.

It is…what it is… *very simple*. The purpose of the blog for *me* is to update with pictures without having to make continual changes to my website.

My opinion is …. an artists’ blog reflects what the artist or creator wants to share with friends and readers, and how often, whether daily, weekly, or monthly.
I have read comments by other bloggers that if they can not leave a comment, they won’t visit the “no Comment” blogger again, I wonder why?   

I do not want readers to feel they are obligated to leave a comment. If you like what you see and read, come back and visit, if not that is ok, too.  

Oh, the aggravation of having to register to leave a comment if the blog is with a different platform other than where you are already registered.  I will not leave a comment if I have to register, I would rather send a short e-mail to the blogger. I am already registered here, there & yonder < grin >

You can send an e-mail and then the blog owner may reply on the blog as an edit or directly to you privately. That is controlled communication in an environment which is abused by spammers and harvesters.  Sometimes I deactivate the comment feature because even on moderation status, there can be problems in replying when you have time limitations.  (currently caregiver to mom)

I have deleted comments in which I felt the person/artist was trying to network by leaving a lot of links to their various websites and blogs.  Those comments make the blog about *them*, not so much about what I posted.
I receive e-mails almost each time I post, and e-mails I can answer with my iPhone when I am on the go or away from the laptop. For *me* it is easier than deleting malicious posts or having the possibility of my visitors e-mail addys harvested by having open comments.

I do not have a site counter or a lot of gadgets.    Due to my erratic schedule I may not check my blog each day. I do check the activity and numbers of hits with the status graphs provided by my website host each month.

Some talented artists with helpful hints, techniques, and instructions have not created a blog because they feel pressured to add X, Y Z widget or gadget…or post X number of times to satisfy readers.

My blog does not rule me, I rule my blog.    I would rather be designing or sewing, but I do enjoy to share on my blog as I am inspired or have the time.

This post was written to encourage new bloggers to do it their way, as is comfortable for their needs and schedules. Bells & whistles can always be added later.
Have Fun & Happy Wishes,

doodles

The Moon and Moods of Artists …

The Moon and Moods of Artists …
I noticed recently, for some reason the past few pieces I have made includes a moon of different styles and colors.  Some members of an online group I am associated with also have pieces with different moons. 
Are we in tune with the harmony of this group, such as a common bond of personalities?  or is it a common trait of artists at differing stages of their progression? Or just coincidence?    This is very interesting for me to ponder, what about you?
doodles