Is this Me?

Finally signing in after weeks of being 'underground'.  Have a look at this blog http://suebleiweiss.com/freeprojects/minijournal.pdf for a recycled mini book and try it yourself.  Let me know what you used.  I have used telephone books, tracing paper and 'maps' inspired by Jill Berry.  Made in a workshop by Nadia Munarolo-Kurjata
What have you done? Let me see your work and I will get a photo of my wee mini-journal on line ASAP.
Merry Christmas!

Blueprint Quilt

Well now have a look at the latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors in letters to the editor.  This quilt is published on that page along with my love note to CPS.  When I received a call from Barbara Delaney asking for permission to publish this photo, I did nearly fall off of my shoes.  Who knew that my work would be displayed in this fabulous publication.

And other than this, I am still felting madly for the Edmonton Weavers Guild fall sale for November 5th at the Strathcona community league.  This weekend is Open House at the guild home so pop around and have a look at the interesting works of our guild members.

My Monarch work is on exhibit at the Muttart Conservatory in a group showing of the Edmonton Calligraphic Society.

I have also just returned home from a brief holiday and have some of my felted scarfs at Bonnie's Fashions in Blairmore, Alberta...really close to Frank Slide.  Drop in there for a look.  And I couldn't resist purchasing yarn at a wee shop in Coleman.  Otherwise I behaved myself on the shopping front.  My darling and I did spend lots of time geocaching and found 10 caches on this vacation.  All of you geocachers can enjoy this bit of information.

Well on with the hunt for some bookkeeping work and felting and geocaching and preserving the summer harvest from my garden.

Madly Felting

Yes that is what I am doing.  I am madly felting my nuno scarves getting ready for the annual Edmonton Weavers Guild sale on November 5th.  That seems like a long ways away.  However, the weather has occasionally cooperated this summer so I can 'felt' outside, rolling the bubble pack with my feet while reading my book.  Nothing at all like multi-tasking.
I also finished weaving several rugs for the sale and here they are.  Two are wool and two more are cotton.  Now I must put another warp onto my loom and get madly at it again. 

If you just can't wait until the Weavers Guild Sale to purchase these items, send me an email and I can arrange your purchase.

This dragonfly is part of the invasion of the dragonflies this summer.  I think they are eating a few of the mossies that have infested Edmonton this summer.

Kakishibui

Photo from http://www.kakishibui.com/gallery.html
I have recently read an article on the Quilting Arts news about this interesting 'dye'.  It isn't really a dye but rather a natural colourant made of fermented persimmons.  This paint can be used on fabric or paper or yarn.  It can be applied by brush, with stencils such as katagomi or other fabric or paper stencils, by shibori techniques of tying stitching or clamping.  Have a look at the link on the side bar to see all of the ideas for using this interesting product. This technique is much easier than using dyes.  However procion cold water dyes will work as over dyes with this product. 
 I will have more on the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference soon.

Dad's Birthday

This card is a follow-up to Nadia's calligraphy class a few weeks ago.  I had fun trying out different pens and inks and remembering my dad.  I used Higgins calligraphy ink with pen nibs C-4, C-2, P-8, micron pens and acrylic paint.  The process of working through a project keeps me on track with my artistic endeavours.  I have several projects on the go - the Corset and Knitted Shawl and Weaving a rug and the Shared book.   All quite different and keeping my mind working on new ideas. Now on to finishing...isn't that the most difficult part of working on several projects at once?  Spring is here!

Spring Fever with Cyanotype

Cyanotype or Blueprinting or Sunprinting.  This is called by many names - Cyanotype is correct.  I am teaching this at the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference for the Haus of Stitches in early June.  I also have an article published on Alternativephotography.com about making a quilt with cyanotype fabric.  Cloth Paper Scissors tells all about cyanotype in the March/April 2010 Issue No. 29 by well known mixed media artists Linda Blinn and Jane Lafazio.  Even Martha Stewart has gotten into the picture in her magazine "Martha".  Does this mean I will soon be famous with this upcoming trend.  I have been teaching a class using this technique since 2004.  I can't wait until warm weather so that I can get outside and 'blueprint' madly.

Undercover Alphabet

Calligraphy with Attitude.  Nadia inspired our class of ten to calligraph, paint, draw, stick and glue with ATTITUDE.  This mixed media project was my first.  The Journal pages added immensley to my ideas for the Sketchbook project.  We played with many toys like 'S*' coffee cups, bubbles, many went floating around our classroom, elastics, string, pencil holders and paintbrush handles.  What a fun playday with the Edmonton Calligraphic Society http://www.edmontoncalligraphicsociety.ca/ and their multi-talented members.

Journal Project

I am working away on my journal.  Trying almost every day to add something.  Journal Spilling was the March focus.  I have worked on Layers for this month.  Adding dryer sheets and tearing the edges.  Layering paint, stamps and lettering.  I am still trying to keep my lettering to some calligraphic style.  Neuland has been my font of choice.  I have many projects on the go to keep myself entertained.  My mind will not focus on any one thing these days so I am dabbling at everything.

Monarch

This is my first blog post to show off my new work 'Monarch.  This work is painted background and machine embroidered.  It is in an exhibit at the Strathcona Seniors Centre with the Edmonton Needlecraft Guild.  I am really pleased with this work.  The writing is my own calligraphy as well.  The Edmonton Calligraphy Guild will be happy to see this online.