Birds of A Feather

My latest art quilt pattern “Empty Nest” was inspired by the metal version I have plasma cut and welded before. My friend Ann gave me the idea to make an art quilt chicken pattern this week. Ann had wanted to buy the metal chicken sculpture this summer at the Spenard Farmers Market and was going to put it in her living room. Thankfully she was talked out of it and suggested I add the hen to my art quilt pattern idea to-do list. Well, this little chicken got bumped right to the top! I was so inspired that Kristen (she has great color sense) and I went fabric shopping and with her color help “Empty Nest” flew the coop! I’m going to work on the vector file and pattern instructions this weekend. I’m finding that designing, cutting and piecing, whether it’s

in fabric or steel are very similar. Trying to give each piece some movement or illustrative style in both mediums is also important and a fun creative objective. The challenge for me working in fiber is the use color –I’m still working on being color brave.

The "Hawk" commission was completed this week too. I told myself that I needed to cut and

weld steel the majority of the week before I could even start on “Empty Nest!” If I don’t work by some “Cindy Rules” in the studio my production schedule would go out the window. Sometimes, I get so inspired that I want to ignore my regular work and can get so caught up in the timelessness of inspiration that a lot of other important work suffers and more importantly, so do my bills. So, before I even went to the fabric store with Kristen, I told myself that I had to have the Hawk which is approximately 50” long, cut and welded -well. No rush-rush, hurry-up work either. We could go fabric shopping ONLY after I put the finish clear coat on the Hawk and it was drying! It felt good to have such a productive week full of all kinds of

various projects and Kristen being able to help me. She packaged pattern orders, made Gallery trips with me, made deliveries and was a huge help in the studio. And speaking of flying the coop and Kristen…my sweet studio assistant and eldest offspring flies back up to UAF tomorrow ~sigh~ we’ve had such a wonderful Holiday together I’ve actually gotten used to bumping into another body in the studio! I’ll miss her and I know she’ll miss the brain break as she returns to wrap up her thesis work in 20 below zero winter weather. Thanks sweetie for all your help and FUN these last couple of weeks!

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!