Quilting Arts DVD Workshop

!!! IT'S HERE !!!

(well, almost)

All that work and all that fun I had during February has come to fruition. I took a peek at Quilting Arts website today and there it is - my new workshop on DVD. I haven't seen the tape yet but it's available for pre-order here.

May I just take a moment to say... "WAHOOO!"

What's it all about you say? Well - let me tell you. Surface Design Sampler Platter will give you a little taste of a bunch of different surface design techniques. A little stamp carving, a little stencil cutting, a little screen printing, foiling, and photocopy transfer. Sound fun? Totally!

The Big Goal

I only made one big goal for 2009

!!! MAKE ART !!! 

It seems the past year and a half was spent rushing around meeting one deadline after another. All good things for my career. All things that will support the artmaking but no actual making of the artwork itself.

This week has been bliss. My first week in months and months with no deadline to meet. I actually wake up and get to choose what to do. At least in the two hours a day that I have to myself. Usually I work frantically trying to get something I have to get finished done while everything else falls apart around me. (Especially the house.)

I weeded a favorite garden, unburying a stone path that has been hidden the past year. And then I pulled out a piece that was started several YEARS ago. It's the perfect thing to help me get acquainted with my new HQ16. The poor neglected machine has waited patiently since last fall for me to pay attention. It's going to take a little learning but we're getting there. So here's a sneak peak. The machine quilting is done but I think the work itself is only beginning on this piece.

Here's a sneak peak at the work in progress.

Fun on the Set

It's finally done and over with. A month's work for a few hours of taping but it was a great few hours and a very fun few days with lots of wonderful artists. I taped a 10 minute segment for season four of Quilting Arts TV as well as a DVD Workshop titled, "Surface Design Sampler Platter." The workshop is a little taste of quite a number of surface design techniques, including carving a stamp, printing with found objects, stencil cutting, screen printing, foiling and photo transfer. Whew. Talk about cramming a lot of stuff into a short time - as well as into a small suitcase!

I met Melanie Testa who is a very fine artist and a sweet young lady to boot! It was great fun getting to know her and I look forward to seeing her again in Houston at the International Quilt Festival. It was also wonderful to watch her tape. It calmed my nerves just to watch the process and figure out that hey, I was going to be just fine. I could ask to stop if I needed to and there would be ample time to reset between each segment of the DVD. Here we're getting a little silly - Melanie with relief that she's done and me with nerves.

Everyone with the production is so nice. They work hard to make you look good, feel good, and come off like you know what you are talking about. Bernina's representative, Jeanne always had a great big smile! Helen is quiet, but always there when you need her. Pokey is a hoot to watch run around - change outfits ten times - make funny faces at the camera - and check her e-mail twenty times between each shoot. That girl has some serious energy.

Here's Helen and I - with just some of the loads of SCHTUFF on the table - getting organized. Jeanne and Karen are in back - probably planning some serious shoe shopping.

Just have to mention the amazing artist who made my drop-dead-gorgeous scarf! You can see Jill's work at her Etsy shop.