December 2008 Archives

Sometimes... I find that the gifts I decide to make are gifts I want to give because they're important to me... or sentimental... or symbolic... and not necessarily because I think they are the gifts someone "wants" to receive. It's a strange thing, I guess. In this case, I hope it will be loved and treasured... even as it comes along with regular store-bought gifts. The pillow is for a family member, and it was a special project to work on. I know the recipient loves animal print... and always has. And so I went through my stash of pieces, large and small, and pulled out the this's and that's... only a few of them "technically" animal print, and wove something together in terms of color and tone that I love.

I did have to go out and buy the home dec fabric, and I had hopes for a perfect print... but I couldn't find one. (That trip was one that was carried out to the tune of a four year old in the cart singing, "Pee... pee... pee... I have to pee... " as I tried to quickly find what I needed.) This plaid, however, did seem perfect. Really. The other fabric I considered is one I already had in my stash, a vibrant orange print with varying shades and a random leaf pattern... very "safari" in feel somehow. It would have worked, but I'm so happy with how this plaid turned out. The whole piece is still vibrant and rich and fun... but very sophisticated at the same time. I hope he loves it.

Look what arrived in the mail today!

This is a completed tote for a holiday commission... "black and silver," we were told...but, really... the touch of red is just right. Opal did a beautiful job finishing it, putting it together, and quilting it. And, I have to admit, I had fun with the panels. These are colors I love to work with... and yet this is a really different flavor of the colors than I've worked on recently. So, it was a nice change of pace!

After this one... I moved on to pink and green... with black. Opal's finishing that one now.

Well, Opal tells me she can't really show her studio because there are surprises in view... and we don't want to ruin any surprises! But, above is my studio (ummm... "table") shot from Saturday. Several things in progress, chiefly a pillow for my brother on the left (now finished) and then a sweet patchwork project for one of my sons coming into being on the right.

Well, there is much in progress on my tables... a few custom orders for totes have kept me busy with paying work, and I've got a list of projects for family for the holidays. I mailed off three custom photo pillows yesterday. They were a beautiful trio to work on. Ironically, the three colorways (for three separate recipients) ended up mostly reds, greens, and golds... so when viewed together, it has a beautiful and rich holiday feel to it. Just happy to see... and rewarding to know they're on their way to new homes... as special gifts.

Last week I worked on panels for a black and silver tote... and I know Opal is finishing it up. This week, I've been working on a pink and green tote... with a healthy balance of black. I'm finishing up my panels today (I hope), and it will be on its way to Opal for her to assemble and quilt.

But my photo today is of pottery... these are samples of the work Opal's husband does at the Camano Island Pottery. I've got orders in for "Doodle Mugs" shown here... I'm very excited about them and about giving them.

It has been a bit more than a week since I worked with Amy in her home. In my own space now, I'm unpacked but not put away. The projects that we worked on together are here on my work table and on my design wall. You will see two lovees that are ready to be sandwiched and quilted. There is a stack of pieced birdhouses ready to be made into something wonderful. On the design wall are the panels for another tote, and below that are the beginning blocks of a bird art quilt. Just barely visible are some coffee cups we are working on. If you look closely, you will see the coffee sleeve on my coffee cup. These are in process as I type.

I really have to adjust to the quiet of working alone again. It was so enjoyable sharing a creative space with Amy. The time slipped by quietly and quickly. The work we do is amazing, but what happens when we are in the same space is incredible. So, until our next visit, either here or there, we will stretch the collaborative spirit as far as it will go. My table will reflect our collaborative work, as will Amy's. It really was a perfect visit.