Going With the Flow

After a crazy weather week it was best to just go with the flow. School was closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to an ice storm and the Thanksgiving break was Thursday through today, throwing any normal schedule out the window. With the roads nearly impassible last week in Anchorage, I scaled back all of my errands and cut my production schedule. When school canceled due to the wicked weather, the best part was having Daddy-O and Gus home and Kristen (that’s a picture of

her and I picking up our favorite beverages!) and her beau arrived Wednesday morning. I love the feeling when you get to have a "snow day!" What fun to play hooky without any real consequences. We spent much of the break in Girdwood where we saw over a foot of snow in 24 hours –just in time for last Wednesday’s opening day of skiing –the photo of the lift line is skiers waiting for the Mountain to open on Friday and Derek couldn’t resist carving it up.

Today, we were supposed to install “Bicycle Bloom,” my public art sculpture, but had to reschedule for next week due to a failed turbine on the lift. Thankfully, I was notified last night there may be a problem with this morning’s install and called everyone who wanted to be in attendance that we needed to cancel. With this piece of equipment still giving my contractor trouble we collectively decided to just wait until it’s able to be repaired and hopefully the sculpture can be installed next weekend. The sandblasting left the sculpture a silver/gray, raw steel finish and with our ice-rain storm while the sculpture

is waiting on the flatbed outdoors the work will have even more time to weather and develop the patina I want. Also on the bright side, the cancelled install meant I could spend the last day of the holiday week with the kids and happened to watch a beautiful sunset and clearing skies. Sometimes it’s just best to go with the flow!

To Turkey Not Spurkey!

We're thankful for many things in our lives right now, including it's S-N-O-W-I-N-G big fatty flakes down here in GIRDWOOD!! The kids are home, the dogs have been ran and the counter is full of various dishes of food prep including a huge 21 pound Butterball. It’s all beautiful and I’m beyond thankful for the life I live. As many of you know exactly 10 years ago today I was laying in a hospital bed at the University of Washington Medical Center after 30+ days for my first (of 5) round of chemo, being treated for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). This is a girl who has never-ever spent more than 48 hours indoors! The caring nurse brought me my “Thanksgiving Dinner” tray of semi-traditional fare –though the “turkey” didn’t really resemble the turkey I always enjoyed, it was more of a sliced, compressed Spam-Turkey combo and not very tasty to say the least. I’m Thankful I’m in full remission and hit the magic 10-year good statistic mark. To this day I cook a HUGE real turkey whether there are two or twenty of us, and toast “To Turkey Not Spurkey!"

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

xOx

This Just In...

Just got off the phone with Katie and we've decided to spice up downtown shopping by offering 15% OFF EVERY PIECE of my metal work (including this new "History Fish!") ONE DAY ONLY at her Gallery this Friday, November 26, 2010! Shop Katie Sevigny Studio on Black Friday and SAVE on my work as well as other works Friday 9 am to 9 pm! Let the Season begin in artfully at 608 West 4th Avenue, downtown next to Cake Studio Bakery which is right next door to the 4th Avenue Theater. 907-258-2787

Me Time

I’m in the market for a new sewing machine. My recent fabric design projects, making more art quilts and working on my new line of pattern designs has had me using my vintage

sewing machine on a regular basis. The machine I use now is a Singer Athena 2000 that I got free off Cr@igslist. It’s been a reliable workhorse but a bit temperamental –but again, FREE. A couple of months ago I had about $600 cash in my pocket and went to buy a new

machine. After research, comparison shopping, making concessions and kicking up my budget a bit, I still don’t have a new machine because it seems like I’m about $2,000 -$4,000 short

for the type of machine I’ve been wanting for the type of fiber art I’m currently doing. While machine shopping I was invited to attend for free (normally $49) a Bernina Tips and Techniques all-day workshop at Seams Like Home on Friday. The event included all supplies, breakfast and even lunch! I accepted the invitation because I figured I have a lot to learn, I’d get to demo some sweet Bernina machines without being rushed and my schedule allowed me to make time for a Cindy Day. I’m normally not a workshop or all-day event kind of person but when we were greeted with champagne Mimosa’s first thing in the

morning and later a hot, freshly prepared lunch I can quickly get used to these type of workshops! The machines that were featured in the workshop are the new Bernina 830’s that are way out of my league but magical to use their fully computerized touch screens -they even thread the needle themselves –no reading

glasses needed! While the workshop was a treat, the food delicious, give-away’s appreciated and the company of other women even fun, the $10,000 -$20,000 plus price tag puts these machines about $9,400 - $19,400 out of my price range!

I finished beading my entry for The Quilted Raven Quilt Challenge. The theme is “Winter Ravens” and the size needs to be 10 inches wide by 12 inches tall. Can’t wait to see what Kristen is doing for the Challenge

–she’s bringing her entry down when she comes home for Turkey Day! Entries are due by November 27 –there’s still time for my art quilt friends to enter by calling 278-3521 or visit the Quilted Raven, downtown on G Street for an entry form. Winners will receive gift certificates to one of Anchorage’s finest fabric stores!

Finishing up my totally fun "Cindy Day" of Mimosa’s (and sewing) with my “pack” in Girdwood watching Season One of Mad Men –Daddy-O and I are hooked on that series!

From Steel Flowers to Fiber

Switching mediums just a bit (a lot!) while my public art sculpture “Bicycle Bloom” has been in various phases of production I’ve been working on some art quilts and art quilt pattern design. I admit working in the warm studio with the sewing machine and computer has been a cush job –I can even wear my slippers while I work! The Art Quilt Patterns I’ve designed have all been with “test quilters” and I received the last of those edits and comments yesterday! Without the generosity and professionally skilled input I would have been putting my collection of patterns out to the public blindly and that would have created too much anxiety for me. Each of the test quilters were provided the pattern and all supplies to complete one of my designs which they could keep. I’ll also send them each a set of the first “Raven & Friends Collection” Art Quilt Patterns.

Thankfully, my friend and pro-teacher/quilter Ann C. provided such complete and detailed edits to my original set of instructions and materials list the testers had only minor edits. I so appreciated their attention to details and positive comments. THANK YOU all. Kelly C. and I met yesterday to finalize the “Polar Bear Swim!” details and Anne G. is shown with her completed “Raven & Friends!” Art Quilt. One thing is clear, I need to improve my sewing skills –the quilting and sewing skills by these ladies was beautiful! Hopefully all 5 of my first Art Quilt Patterns will be available for wholesale in a couple of weeks which include “Raven Says Hello!,” “Raven & Friends!,” “Berry Button Ravens,” “Polar Bear Swim!,” and “Sunflower Trio!”

The “Powerline” art quilt is a project I am experimenting with using transfers and free motion sewing using metallic threads. It’s been fun but my lack of experience made for a

BLUMPY top… I’m also working on another small art quilt for the Quilted Raven’s Quilter’s Challenge. “Capture the essence of the hardy “Winter Raven” in an original quilt, no larger that 10 inches wide by 12 inches tall (my size of art quilt!). Entry deadline is Saturday, November 27 –call 907-278-3521 for an entry form. You just may win a gift certificate to one of Anchorages coolest quilt stores that has the most beautiful selection of 100% cotton batiks! I’ve even convinced the oldest offspring up in Fairbanks to enter. Kristen will be home for Turkey day and needs a brain break and I know she’ll come up with something really creative. Last winter after seeing some wonderful felted animals I’ve been wanting to also try felting. AND LOOK WHAT came in the mail for me this week… a whole bag of Navajo Churo fleece from my Blog buddy Marjorie of Cowgirl Goods! It is soooo unique and my hands felt nourished as

I ran them through the wool from all of the lanolin in the fibers! Now if I can just keep Nimbus and Tauzer from wanting to “mark it” as their own…

Snow Bloom

My goal of getting “Bicycle Bloom” installed before the snow fell didn’t quite happen. But we’re close! Anchorage finally had it’s first measurable snow last week and Girdwood got dumped on –with over 20” at the base and over 30” at the top of the Mountain from one storm front. I needed to drive down to Gird last Tuesday to check on the house and shovel the deck which had snow halfway up to the deck rails and with warming temps it got heavier by the minute. Thankfully the roof had slid and the front end loader had cleared the driveway and I got a good workout in! So much for some downtime after Bad Girls, my arms were killing me.

With the snow storm I was feeling more than anxious about my public art sculpture’s final fabrication push and install. SteelFab has the sculpture base plate welded and it is now scheduled for sandblasting any day. I’ll be at SteelFab to weld on the bicycle gears and other final embellish details hopefully next week and then we’ll schedule the crane

company for a pick up and delivery to the site in Mt. View. Our plan is to install the sculpture on an early morning weekend when the traffic is less and the boom crane can maneuver the 20’ tall sculpture to it’s base in front of the Credit Union One building. A slight hiccup in our installation plans was the discovery of overhead telephone and power lines did not get buried with the road reconstruction…and are not scheduled to be buried for some time. I had the crane guys meet me at the site and they felt confident we had plenty of clearance and

should have no problems with our install. These guys know their stuff. After learning that they were the same crew who installed the Anchorage Museum’s “Habitat,” by Antony Gormley, a 20 foot tall flower shouldn’t be too tricky as long as the weather cooperates

for planting a flower –right? I’ll admit even having been surrounded by so many professionals who have assisted me with this sculpture I’ve been pretty stressed about it. I was thinking this week that I’m not sure I have the stomach and fire for the larger works anymore because of all the variables and things that are out of my control. We’ll see.

Bad Girls Part Deux

As promised, here are some more images of some of my favorite booths from the Bad Girls of the North Show. Thought I'd show you a picture of our male Giant Schnauzer, Nimbus and his FIRST snowfall this week. Anchorage received anywhere from 3-8 inches and Girdwood over a foot! I think in a past life Nimbus must have been a Yetti. He is crazy for the snow. Enjoy!

It's fun to know that Stacie Smiley -Stray Cat Designs, and I both are now full time artists...not only did we go to school together as kids but in our past lives we both worked for JC Penney at the same time -she was a Women's Dept. Manager and I was the Display Manager! Thank goodness we're now just Bad Girls of the North!

Elise Strauss of Koi Creek Beadworks and I have been friends for years. Her hand made glass, lampworked beads are incorporated into one of a kind jewelry and art. Her display was lovely and her work has received National attention at major bead shows. She also has an amazing agility dog named Dewey! Go Elise!

Linda Smith was my booth neighbor. I watched every customer be drawn into her beautifully merchandised display of seed bead woven jewelry and art. All of her pieces are one of a kind. She even had lovely, small scale paintings in her display. The sheer beauty of her layout was probably one of the best designed booths at the Show -and the customers agreed!

Carol Green -Sound Soap and Vicki Potter -Orion Designs, the creators of Bad Girls of the North.

Thank you ladies for putting on such a FABU Show!

Bad Girls Has Been Very, Very Good To Me

The 13^th Annual Bad Girls of the North is hard for me not to love. I admit a bit of grinchyness was going on with me last week. Maybe it was how busy I made myself, maybe I just dreading setting up, selling my stuff then taking down a 2 day show or maybe after 10 years of Bad Girls shows I’m getting a bit burned out. NAW! How could I even say that?! I talked and laughed so much my voice was hoarse, the Margaritas from the cash bar went down really smooth and I had sales even before the show opened! After I ran home to change and returned before opening time I found several notes attached to pieces that early shoppers and other artists wanted. How can a girl complain with a pocket

full of cash that can treat her family to eating out, Sunday at Bear Tooth Theater Pub and most importantly, being able to pay some bills? Not me –ha! Once again I’m humbled by the outpouring of fantastic customers who are willing to buy my art, share with me their past purchase stories, offer support and encouragement to keep making art and be surrounded by incredibly talented artists for two days. It was a smart move to make smaller pieces, more price conscience

items and sales seemed to trend toward gift giving of unique items. Customers were more thoughtful with their buying, taking a bit longer before turning to the sales table. I doubled the number of “Wind Salmon” I made which I think was over 25(!) hoping to sell about half Friday night and half on Saturday but ALL were sold by 7 p.m. Friday night. They were $65 each but everyone liked them because they were different and customers hadn’t seem anything like them around town. I could have sold anything MOOSE all day and all night long. I ran out of anything Moose by 7 as well. The irony is last year I took almost all of my Moose home with me. What other artists and I talked about was how unpredictable each year can be –we all agreed that the best plan is to “expect the unexpected.” I have lots of pictures to share so I’ll post some today and some in a couple of days. Most were taken before the Show opened (with permission) otherwise there were so many people packed into the event I wouldn’t have been able to share some of my favorite booths. Thank you again to my loyal customers who are also my Blog readers. Enjoy!

Especially for my pottery Bloggers...I LOVE Marie Herdegen's work of Morning Wind Pottery. Yes, I purchased some holiday gifts from her too...

One of my favorite Girdwood artist potters is Kathy Peters. Hand built and wheel thrown functional porcelain pottery.

The best part of having really good sales is being able to take a large share of my proceeds and "share the wealth" and buy Christmas presents for my family and friends AND a new pair of Nancy Nolfi repurposed mittens for me (and somebody else -but I can't say here)! Below is Pizzazz Fiber Art by Nancy.

mmmm, toasty warm AND artful!

xOx