Here are just a few things I've been up to since I last wrote. Pictured is the wedding quilt that we have been working on as a family project for the last couple of weeks. Actually, several more family members than are pictured had a big hand in the construction of this quilt top, but these are the gals who were present as we finished the last border. The quilt has been handed off to my friend Barbara, and it awaits her magic touch with the longarm.
I received a nice surprise from
Deb in the form of a PIF challenge gift. She sent me a beautiful tassel, complete with lots of textured and multicolored fibers and charms. (You can see pictures of what she made if you visit her
blog). It hangs in a place of honor in my studio, reminding me that it's time now for me to get busy on my own PIF (pay it forward)gifts.
My third exciting bit of news is that my piece "Roots and Wings" has been accepted into the Fiberarts of Southern California show "The Voice That is Great Within Us". This is their first juried exhibit, I believe, and it is mine too. I am thrilled to be included, and will share the website for the work when it is posted. I know it is my best work so far, and it it is beyond exciting for me to know that I will be showing it. So, a little "happy dance" for me.
Another reason I am feeling wonderful today is that my son is home for a visit. It has not been that long since I saw him, but I am "soaking it up" because it might be a while before the next trip. He is emptying out the final things he wants from his room, and then it will be free for us to do with as we will. Of course he will always have a place with us anytime he needs it, but I DO have my eye on his larger room with better natural light for my new workspace. I have been looking at studios online, at sewing furniture, at design walls etc etc.
I am feeling mainly indecisive about the whole thing from the paint color on (bright and cheerful or neutral?), but I do know that focusing on a future fun project makes me less sad about the finality of all this moving out and moving on.
Any suggestions about "must haves' or "be sure to avoids" regarding setting up a studio are much appreciated!
As you can see, I've finally gotten to use my new space and am working on a happy mess. I'm having great fun using the inks and markers along with my fabric collage. Guess I'm on a "blue" kick lately. Blue room, blue themed project. Maybe I''m trying to make myself feel cooler. The last couple of days have been way too HOT for April.
Outside in the yard, (you can get just a peek at the dirt and rocks through the window) things are a mess as we proceed with creating the water conservation landscape. Just in time, too, since we got a notice that water charges are going up again. We must use water to keep the fruit trees going, and even on drip irrigation it gets expensive. After we are finished, almost everything will be on drip. Traditional sprinklers that spray out into the air waste water through too much evaporation. Things will be a little dull outside until we get the plantings in, but at least I have my indoor flowers. I love flowers and the little potted ones last longer.
I don't know what little Nikki thinks of all this, but she has claimed her spot in the new space.
