Deck the Halls!

The Sawtooth Center for Visual Art in Downtown Winston-Salem has an annual fundraiser called Deck the Halls where local artists, well, deck the halls with their wares. I participated a few years ago but let the deadline to apply slip by me for the last two. Karen basically kicked me in the behind to get my application in this year. So I did and I got in.

Last night Karen and I went to the opening gala - yummy food, wine and lots of eye candy. I had planned on putting in mostly little things - wallets, yoga bags, table runners and a couple small quilts but they called me and asked for some larger quilts.

And here comes the Sally Field in me....

They like me...

They really like me!

It was too fun to walk around and see all the really cool things folks make. (No, I didn't just stand there are narcissisticly look at my own quilts...really, I didn't.)

Karen is on the faculty at Sawtooth so I enjoyed meeting cool people all night and egging each other on to buy stuff. At the exit of the gallery, there was a Ben & Jerry's stand offering free ice cream in festive holiday flavors.

Our choice?

Schweddy Balls

I mean...really...how could we not?

Friday Night Sew In, Etc.

I got a late start on FNSI but it was for a good cause. We stopped by a wonderful art gallery in our neighborhood that was hosting an event benefiting Aids Care Services. My friend Wendy had a few of her wonderful dolls there. I especially love this one. Isn't she the cutest?! (The doll..not Wendy...though Wendy is very cute herself.)

Once I got home, I fixed some tea and started the sew fest. I'm making my own string pieced tie wall quilt for a shop sample. I'm planning on teaching it at Sew Original. I was able to get all the blocks pieced and then this evening got the top together except for the border. I'll post a picture of that when it's really done.

In the meantime, though, I have been busy playing at the shop with one of these.

This is what I did today - my first ever machine embroidery. (Ignore the stabilizer behind it that I haven't completely torn away.)

All I can say is...oh no...I drank the Kool Aid.

Hang on for the Bragging

I'm not usually one to brag on myself. Don't get me wrong. I like to show off but then when it's time for the recognition, I'd rather stand in the back of the room with a big blush on my face.

However, I've got to share this. It is too cool.

The little street where I work is the heart of the Downtown Arts District in our city. It is a really wonderful place to work. There are lots of art galleries, shops and restaurants. Across the street from our building is a little coffee shops, Chelsee's. They are part coffee shop and part gallery. Every month they feature a different local artist, hanging their work in the shop for a month. I am the artist of the month this month. We hung the quilts today and other than the one that insists on waving at everybody, I must say they look great in there!

This is also in conjunction with Community Arts Cafe, a local arts magazine. I'm their artist of the week! Check out this article. Now, you know I hate to have my picture taken but oh well, there I am...beside myself.

How did this happen? I owe it to my friend Karen. Her art quilt bee, the Beecassos, displayed at Chelsee's in May and she knew they were looking for bed sized quilts for a fall month. No, I don't think I can thank her enough.

A Different Eye

The husband of one of our dear quilting buddies and fellow troll sister (we'll call him Mr. H) is a photographer. He and a few other artists have an exhibit that opened tonight in one of the local gallery spaces. Now, I understand photography...I'm not particularly good at it but I know I like it. Mr. H has a wonderful eye for things I do not even see. There was one particular photograph...I believe it was entitled "Delayed". We've all been there in the airport or rail or bus terminal...waiting. What I found so fascinating was: here is a picture of a lot of open space somewhere not very extraordinary...but if you look through Mr. H's eye into this photograph there is so much to see and think about..the reflections from the window in front of him, the reflection of the light through the terminal windows, the two men sitting on the bench (reflecting on the world, maybe?) and the thing that got me...the sign perfectly centered that says "Need Help?"... "Why, yes, I do as a matter of fact! Are you relecting back to me?"

I love it when someone else's work talks to me.

Deck the Halls

The Sawtooth Center for Visual Arts is a wonderful resource for artists and craftsfolk in our area. Each year they have a fundraiser called "Deck the Halls" where area artists display their wares for sale with part of the proceeds going to the Sawtooth Center. I am fortunate to be showing a few quilts there for the next couple of weeks. The opening gala was last night and I attended. It is very satisfying to see your work on display. It is even more satisfying to see a "sold" ticket on your work!

The best part is seeing the diversity of work in the room. There is incredible pottery, jewelry, woodwork and other items. Every where you look, there is something you missed the first time. One artist took antique rocking chairs and stools that surely had worn out caning and instead of recaning them, she "caned" them with old silk ties. They are wonderful. I am constantly amazed at what folks think of when they see ordinary things.

How did she think of that?

I wonder if folks look at my work and think the same thing.