Two Quilt exhibits to be aware of

Women Who Run With Scissors, another group that I belong to, will be participating in a show at the Green Bay Botanical Gardens coming up on March 2 & 3. The Japanese Art of Ikebana Flower arranging will be featured along with a member challenge from WWRWS and a display by the Green Bay Area Embroiderers Guild of America.  See http://www.gbbg.org/events/list/id/102/ for more information.  It should be an interesting display of flowers and a variety of needlework.  WWRWS artists' reception will be on Friday evening.

Evergreen Quilters Guild will host their biannual quilt show on March 24 and 25 at Ashwaubenon High School.  Enter your quilt or plan a road trip to attend.  More information can be found at  http://www.evergreenquiltersguild.com/pages/quiltshow.html.  There will be vendors, Traditional Quilts and an Art Quilt category. The WWRWS challenge will also be displayed in a non-judges category.

Ideas from the February/March 2012 Quilting Arts

The newest issue of QA is full of great articles, but the two that really caught my eye are "Quilt Group Q & A" on how to start and work with an on-line quilt group.  Lots of good ideas and information.  Anyone up for a challenge?  See http://www.twelveby12.org/

Also, when we were land-based group instead of a cyber-group we talked about doing a challenge in which we split up a picture into segments and each interpreted it in our own way.  Well the "In the Spotlight: Coastal Quilt Artists" has some wonderful examples of implementation.  Anyone up for a challenge?  See more at http://bobbiesullivan.com/cqa.htm

I can hardly wait to hear back from you.
Karen

Online Dyeing Class is Work-at-Your-Own Pace

Candied Fabrics is offering a "work-at-your-own-pace" online dyeing class beginning in February :

Although I've been dyeing fabric for several years, now, I am interested in making the 2-66 swatch color boards, aka The Candiotic Table of Elemental Color.    Having an actual class might just be the impetus I need to make it happen!  Recipes for reproducable results is also a bonus!

Candy Glendening has also appeared on Quilting Arts, so she might just look familiar to you.

Not sure what pricing will be yet, but these online classes are usually pretty reasonable.   It seems to average about $10 per online lesson.  There will be some kind of early bird pricing.

Anyone want to join me?

So Many Options for a Creative and Inspired 2012

There are so many options for cultivating a Creative Life in 2012.  Here are just a handful that I am considering.  Did I mention they are all FREE?

Sketchbook Challenge 2012 Welcome Message
I did this challenge in 2011, and surprised myself in a number of ways!
I started out thinking the sketchbook would be a separate medium, but there were a number of things that started out as sketches on paper, where I thought they would remain on paper.   Several of then eventually moved into another dimension and became journal quilts.  I also stretched my wings and started doing some water color pieces, too.  I'd like to do more watercolor in the coming year.   I like having a theme to flavor a whole month of creativity.   

Book of Days 2012 : Journal Art & Memory Keeping with Effie Wild
This looks like it will be much more than just making stuff, involving Spirit as well.  Cool!

Free-Motion Quilting Challenge 2012
This will feature some of the greats of FMQ like Diane Gaudinski, Ann Fahl, and Leah Day.  The organizer is careful to note that it's not an online class, but another outlet to learn and share more about FMQ from some of the greats.  They will also feature regular exercises, monthly challenges and prizes.  Good thing I just re-vamped my sewing area to accommodate easier FMQ!

Creative Jump Start 2012 Summit
The first tutorial was on warmups to get your creativity going.  Simple stuff!  Great stuff!  I can't wait to get started ...  I'm realizing I need to make a space for paper arts in my "studio." 

Fabulous Surfaces - Lessons to accompany Lynda Monk's new book
Not yet posted, but I'm waiting for it!

Photo Shop Essentials - Lessons
Anyone have suggestions for online lessons? 

Journal Quilts Challenge
I'd like to continue with a monthly journal quilt as I did in 2011, but since Three Creative Studios is no more, I wonder if I'll have the push to to actually make it happen on my own?

Quilting Arts
This magazine is chock-full of articles, ideas and inspiration.  And don't forget the accompanying tv show!  I have to start taking notes on the things I want to try ...

Of course, then there's the usual dyeing, quilting and mess-making that I like to play with.   I don't know that I'll be able to keep up and participate in all of these opportunities in 2012, but it goes to show that the horizon looks very bright for a Creative Life!

What will you do?

Review of Michele's 2011 Journal Quilts

One of my goals in 2011 was to participate in 3 Creative Studios' Journal Quilt Challenge.  Vicki Welsh of 3CS made it so easy to participate.  No rules other than the ones we set for ourselves.  My goal was to do 1 journal quilt per month, and to use some of my own hand dyed fabric.

Mission accomplished!