Clogged Creativity...

Do you ever feel like you have tons of creativity just below the surface.  It's there, you just can't access it, almost like its clogged -- just like a drain.  Everyday life is just sitting there like the water stuck in the sink, not moving, just containing the creativity so that it can't flow.  Customer quilts that need to be quilted, phones calls that won't stop ringing, emails waiting (sometimes for far too long), laundry piled up to the ceiling, insurances that need to be quoted, bills needing to be paid, taxes that need organizing, schedules that need updating, dog goobers on the wall (how the hell did that get there), dust bunnies so big you should be charging them rent, and don't even get me started on the unknowns in the back of the frig -- you know, every day life.  Don't look so shocked, you too have these issues, they may differ slightly, but they are the same issues.

Creativity gets clogged by all that crap!

In the back of my mind (similar to the frig) are old ideas that never got seized, new ideas floating and wondering if they will ever be born.  All over the house are notebooks, in almost every room -- FULL of ideas, sketches, doodles, words, thoughts... creativity in some form or another.  What I need to find is the balance between everyday life and the creativity.  I need a day with Drain-o... just to move the clog at a schedule time and let the creativity flow.  I also need an assistant... not for the creativity, one that I can leave all this cleaning, phone calling, and organization to.  We know that's not happening anytime soon -- besides, I'm a nut (really) and suffer from anxiety so if anyone tries to move my stuff, palpitations... okay, that's another post, another day -- and no, you will not see me on an episode of Hoarders.  They secretly created that show to keep people like me in line so that we never cross over!

But back to the creativity clog... I am making a serious attempt to finish all my UFOs that are laying around the house.  This is partially due to the clog, and also due to the fact that I am becoming a quilting snob.  I no longer want to follow commercial patterns, I only want to do my own stuff -- I know, wow, come back down to earth sweetie, the airs a little thin up there!  But seriously, I want to do more competition pieces and you really need to have your own stuff, or at least elaborate on a pattern of some sort.  See, told you... SNOB!  This doesn't mean I'll never buy another pattern, I have a long (very long) list of patterns I'd still like to make, just not right now -- going through this snobbish phase.  And I honestly think that by clearing out all these UFOs it will make room (mentally and physically) for new creativity to bloom - or at least that's what I'm hoping!

Bobbin work - longarm style

So last week I had a few minutes to spare (no, not really, but I used them for myself anyway) and I decided to attempt bobbin work on the Gammill.  I knew after taking Bonnie McCaffrey's class (see previous post) I would run with this because the amount of ideas already popping out of my brain is insane -- I wish the extra minutes in my day would balance with the ideas in my head -- then I might get ahead of myself... maybe.

So anyway, let's share -- well, I'll share, you read... 

We'll start with one full M bobbin of YLI Candlelight thread (super cool stuff).

Now I'll share what the stitch out of one full M bobbin looks like. Not much, but the effect is absolutely awesome.

Remember, we're working from the back so to help me stitch my name I used a piece of stabilizer.

And here's a close up peek at some of the detail.  Don't worry about those little glittery feathers in the bottom right corner -- I'll get to them later.

So after the first bobbin full I was happy, but not thrilled, I still had some tweeking of tensions to do.  So round two started:

Still not perfect... even more adjustments, and

Viola!  Now I was a happy girl!  Not too much build up, good stitches, perfect in my little world.  So, what do I try next... Superior Glitter thread.

 

So the Glitter thread wasn't as happy as the Candlelight with the current settings.  That is another day's spare moments.  I was happy with the adjustments for the Candlelight so I left that bobbin case as is.  I'll be ordering some more Candlelight thread and I'll be using in on my latest UFO that I worked on over the weekend.

I had a mexican pinwheel feathered star (Marsha McCloskey pattern) that had been sitting around collecting dust.  So I pulled it out -- this is what it looked like (actually is was extremely wrinkly so I gave it a real quick pressing):

Then I worked on it over the weekend, and now it looks like this (still wrinkly):

It is not a masterpiece, there are quite a few things wrong with the star -- hey, Marsha did warn me on the cover of the book with her statement of "really hard blocks that take a long time to make" -- she was not kidding - it really should have said Karen, you've got attention problems,can't follow directions, and don't always read the entire pattern, this is NOT the book for you.  And to be honest, I never finished the block her way -- the center lemoyne is hand-appliqued because after three tries it still didn't work right!  Adjust and move on!  I may add some little circles here and there -- not sure yet, waiting til it tells me.  This will be my bobbin work debut quilt -- you can see it is begging for bobbin work right?  I'm really hoping they have black Candlelight thread... really hoping!  More to come on this one.

Synchronicity

Synchronicity, coincidence, fate -- call it what you may.  Everything happens for a reason.  I say this a lot, mostly because it is true.

Let me start with that fact that I don't usually take classes, for a few reason, namely my ADD - it is very hard for me to stay focused long enough to learn and also to not disturb the rest of the class.  This mainly is why I very rarely sign up for classes, also because I'm finicky -- the class must be a technique that I don't know, it can't just be yet another way to fuse something -- I've got to come out of that class saying wow, I can really use this in my creative process.  So, in my history of quilting to date I have taken two classes.  The first was a week-long retreat with Sharon Schamber -- you can read all about it on my other blog (just search Oliver and/or Sharon Schamber retreat as there are way too many posts to link each one).  Anyway, that class was where Oliver was born and started a special spark in my creative genius.  My second class was just yesterday.  One of the guilds to which I belong had signups for a class with Bonnie McCaffrey.  Well, turns out, so many people signed up that they had to hold a lottery as there were only 20 spots in the class.  I was lucky enough to be chosen in the lottery.   Before we get to the synchronicity part.... let me tell you, I suck at domestic machine quilting.  Yep, totally suck!  There is a good reason why I'm a longarm quilter, no one in their right mind would possibly even bother to look at anything I'd quilted free motion on the domestic.... don't believe me?  Let me share my practice piece that I did at home so as to not totally embarrass myself in class

Okay, stop it!  Pick yourselves up off the floor, stop laughing, wipe the tears from your eyes, and say it with me... I suck!  I think back to all those quilts I quilted on the domestic and say how?  But then I realize because all I did was meander, easy peasy!  Now my brain only wants to do amazing things and my domestic capabilities are nil.  So after my left brain explained this to my right brain I felt much better, and could totally accept my sucky stitches.

So starts Bonnie's class...  did I mention I was supposed to follow a line?  Oh no!  A line, and I was supposed to stay on it, can't be done!  Here is my wiggly, giggly, oh so glittery project:

I must say, the thread Bonnie suggests is YLI Candlelight... LOVE!  I also must admit that I can't wait to try this technique on the longarm.  I came away from this class with so many ideas blooming, the only difference was they were blooming in the longarm garden.

So, a little paint, some beads and in only three hours I had a super cute new technique piece of fabric, oh, and also a cute pic of me and Bonnie... notice she's the cute one, me, I'm the one with frizzy hair, sixteen chins, and googly giggly smile and thanks to magic of photography I can now see how much weight I really need to lose -- another day another post.

So, if you're new to this world and haven't heard of Bonnie, check out her website http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/ so many fun and exciting things!!

So, on to the synchronicity part...
I was honored enough to be included in dinner with Bonnie and two of my quilty buds.  Wow, what a fantastic evening... dinner did go on for almost 4 hours, I'm sure the restaurant was more than happy to see us leave, but the ideas, discussions, and general wonderfulness that happened was great!  One amazing thing that happened was Bonnie decided to do a vidcast of our art group, Journeys Thru Art, and showcase our door challenges.  What!  Holy crapola, you aren't kidding!  So... breathe, yes, we spent this morning filming and laughing, and nervous knot bellying (oh wait, maybe that was only me), and then we even had lunch!  Bonnie is an wonderful person, and really does make you feel at ease in front of the camera.  Haha... I say this now, when I see the vidcast I'm sure I will be totally freaked out by myself, but we'll deal, when it's time!  Oh, and the best part, I'm sick with an awful cold and my voice is equivalent to a strange squeeky toy.  So when you finally watch the vidcast, please remember I was sick, I really don't squeek!

And, for the totally synchro part....
I've been talking and talking about doing videos of my longarm quilting... guess what?  No, really, guess!  Okay... Bonnie just happens to be a fantastic videographer!  So, it's not happening yet, but soon, okay sometime in the kinda' near future, Bonnie will be filming me... yep!  Just as soon as I can figure out a plan you'll be able to view, rewind, fast forward... just don't pause, I am positive I'll look awful or have some seriously stupid look on my face, really, I do that, so please don't pause unless it's to look at stitches! 

Not to worry, I will keep you all informed when all of this is happening.  I will most certainly send out a link when the vidcast is on her website.  And I will most definitely let you know when, where, and how to purchase my video... now, to contain it all and come up with a plan...

and my garden has bloomed...

"Hope Grows" 

that is the title for my 2012 PSL Crazy Quilters Member Challenge.  The challenge was What's in Your Garden.  Well, hope is what's in my garden, and, hope grows.  No matter how dark and dismal something seems, there is always HOPE -- you just need to look very closely sometimes. 

You'll remember my inspiration for this challenge, if not, here it is.  Click here for the original post.  It was this photograph by Salih Agir of Turkey, and it shows that there is always hope... in the worse of conditions and circumstances.  That's how I feel, no matter how bad something is, there is always hope.

and my cropped version:

So, I managed to finish my challenge in plenty of time... it's due next Thursday at show set-up!  That is possibly a record of some sort, but we're not keeping score so I'll just be proud that I finished a full week before it was due!

Here it is...

"Hope Grows" 18" x 24"

Pretty cool if I say so myself.  There are a few things I'm not thrilled with, namely the tension on the back... my machine is having a mid-life crisis (another post) and I just don't have the time to give it the attention it needs right now.  Soon, but not now!  I can also see some areas I would have shaded a wee bit differently, but it's done, it is more than acceptable, and I'm pleased. 

I can not wait to see all the entries.  I've seen a few here and there and wow, it is going to be awesome.  That is why a challenge is one of my favorites... a million different interpretations and ideas -- even similar ideas but executed in such different ways.   This year, there were a record 35 entries... can't wait!  The winners are chosen by Viewer's Choice -- I will be sure to let you all know what happens.

Whew.... a full day to spare (almost)

FINALLY -- yesterday all the crystals have been hot-fixed onto their appropriate places, and "Wonderlust" was truly complete.  I used just under 2000 crystals -- I could have easily used more if I had them!  You can say the bling has been blung!  Well, I'm fibbing... the quilt is truly not done because I haven't yet made and/or attached the label which I would be working on if I weren't typing to you!  Finishing the label is a breeze, I have a million milli-seconds  split up into ungrasp-able moments, squished in between the mad chaos I call everyday life, to get that done sometime today.  Yes, judging drop off is at 8am tomorrow, which is scary because I haven't been waking up until almost 9 everyday... that means the dreaded alarm clock... ehhh. 

Now I realize that I started this blog after I had already began working on "Wonderlust", and I'm not sure how much I shared on the customer blog so....  here is a quick pictorial view of  how "Wonderlust" got to this point... we'll start with the fabrics - batik, cotton, and sateen.

Making the applique pieces -- in case you don't follow on facebook these are the second set of little purple gum drop thingies I made -- the first set got lost -- and no, I still haven't found them!  Then we played around with placement to make sure my eyes liked what my mind had designed.

 

And then lots of invisible machine applique...

did I mention, LOTS of invisible machine applique...

Then to finalize (haha - I use this word loosely) the quilting design... antlers, all I could see was buck antlers -- apparently the fact that my husband was not able to go hunting in October of 2011 had a major affect on my quilting designs!

And then the quilting begins... and yes, for those that know how much I hate SID... when it is truly required/needed it is stitched... I refer to it as stabilizing stitching only because I truly hate SID.

Some more of the quilting...

And then begins the background fills...

And then the crystals...

So that is "Wonderlust" in a nutshell... me being the nut!  Hope you enjoyed the journey!  "Wonderlust" will make her debut at the PSL Crazy Quilter's 2012 Show in just a couple of weeks.

Oh, I almost forgot... the back

I hope to submit and be accepted to as many shows as possible -- I will definitely keep you all informed of where and when you might be able see "Wonderlust" in person!

It's been confirmed....

I am truly freaking nutzo!  No matter how well you plan, block out time, write it all down -- wham the darn calendar sneaks up and slams you in the face... phone book style!

Today my calendar is blocked off for my own work - crystals on "Wonderlust".  Simple enough, I honestly think I will be able to finish today.  BUT, when I turn the page... horror!  It says KM-PSLCQ MBR CH -- what you say?  That translates into Karen, you really need to start on your PSL Crazy Quilters Guild Member Challenge project.  It's due on 2/2/2012 -- which just happens to be show set-up day.  Well, that leaves me two weeks for creation, changes, oh-shits, quilting, and binding of my project.  Now, remember, it is only 18"x24" so completion is totally possible, the questions is am I ready.

So here is the first time I am sharing the inspirational photo with you.  The photo was taken by Salih Agir of Turkey -- who just happens to take some really cool pics -- maybe that's why he is a photographer?!!

Awesome photo right?  That's exactly what I said!  So I emailed Salih and was granted permission to use the photo -- here is the portion I am using.  His only request was that I share photos of my finished project with him.

This is just the rough-crop portion with the upper items blurred out.  Our Member Challenge is entitled "What's in Your Garden"... well, in my garden I see HOPE.  My challenge is entitled "Hope Grows" because no matter what, there is always hope -- sometimes you just need to look!  So you can see how Salih's photo worked perfectly with my idea!

Well, on top of the member challenge, I'm also supposed to be preparing my booth for the show.  Easy enough, I'm a longarm quilter, I just need some samples, a few of my own patterns, specialty notions, and such.  BUT, this year I was supposed to have some prequilted fabrics for sale.  I'm still hoping for that, but not sure when, where, why, how, all those nasty double-u's (and odd h) are attempting to get in my way!  Really, honestly, uhmmmm, if I weren't such a procrastinator and/or so darn busy prior to this I would be ready.  But I think sometimes I thrive off of the stress that I create for myself.  It gets my creative juices flowing at an all-time crazy rate.  So maybe I will surprise myself... maybe!  Oh, and the best part of all this insanity... my Sister and Mother are flying to share it with me!  Yay!!!

Really? Chewy thread...

Let's start with Peaches...

Yes, she seems harmless enough.  She actually hates having her picture taken so this is about as good as it gets.  You can't see that she is 7 years old... much beyond the puppy stage. Also, what you can't see is that she is a collector.  She even has a stealth mode, you don't ever see her walk by with whatever it is that she's collecting. 

Like, for example, thread...

No, it didn't always look like that.  At one point it was normal, wound perfectly with a cone in the center lacking teeth marks.  This was after I heard that strange ripping noise... well, really I heard it three times, and then a loud crack (the cone).

I ran over and managed to pull the cone and several yards of exposed thread from her mouth.  She was not pleased, and was actually quite upset that I was stopping her of completing her work of art, also known as, this could be really expensive at the vet.

Just thought I'd share...

Super cool new toy!

Had to share one of my coolest Christmas gifts with you...

These are i-Kam Xtreme's - they are made by Hunter's Specialties.  What is it you ask... a tiny little video camera built into glasses.  They come with two sets of lenses, dark and clear.  Pure awesomeness if I do say so myself -- filming right from your face without having to use your hands.  It's one of those don't you wish you had thought of it things! 

So here was Test #1 - outside, around 5:45 pm not real sunny, and I couldn't believe the video quality -- these are going to be awesome for filming Joe hunting -- yep, outdoors they work fantastic!

Here is Test #2 - inside, while stitching on the Gammill (warning: very noisy, my dinosaur of a machine is quite the cranky old thing and tends to be loud).  Filming me quilting is going to take a wee bit more practice -- too much light, not enough light... there is a definite need to work on this and find a happy balance.



Okay, right now I'm secretly laughing.  I started this blog to separate my work from customer work and what's the first video I post... yep, a customer quilt.  LOL!!!  But I'm not really showing it to you, I'm showing you the video from my new toy!

There is definitely more to come from these little cuties, stay tuned!

2012... it begins

New Year... yep, Happy... yep. Hopefully you are too! I'm never big on New Years resolutions because I feel if there is something you need to change, do so - don't wait until January 1st -- do it whenever, saturday the 12th is good! Anyway... welcome to my first post on the ME blog.

This is my latest attempt in the ever continual separation of ME, the quilt artist, from ME, the longarm quilter.  TWO blogs... I've always posted everything on http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com but now I will make a serious attempt to only post customer stuff there.  The ME (quilt artist) stuff will be here.  I'm sure there will be an occassional double post as some things do pertain to both, but in keeping with my separation of my own work and the work of my customers I think this is best. 

Besides, sometimes I just need to VENT... not all stitches are perfect -- some are crooked!