WIP: transforming beings

Ryan's instinctive, visceral creativity has been fun to play with. It took me some time to understand how to best represent his unique style, but I'm happy with the first prints I've created. (Given that the human has the hand of another creature, I'll bet you can guess what types of toys he plays with.)

In no particular order, here they are!

Posting to TN&TN's WIP Wednesday.

WIP: elephant festival

So far, creating images for fabric has been quite straight-forward. Time consuming, yes... but relatively simple, thanks to emerging artist, Chelsea.

I realize that these images are technically small and I understand that they will not be as clear on fabric as they are on my computer. To improve, I must start with a file that has a higher resolution. For now, I will continue with what I have (I made these with Microsoft Windows Paint. This has been so much fun, I may consider getting a more advanced program.).

"Chelsea's elephant festival" - print 1

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 2

I think I will reformat the print below and shift every even numbered row over so that the elephants are not all in one column.

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 3

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 4

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 5

And now I must focus on some prints from Ryan's art.

WIP: reused-fabric bags

A couple of days ago, I posted about using fabric pieces to create something usable. So far, I've created a tote and a messenger bag from old jeans, an old tie, and some cotton pieces left over from making quilts.

One tie, one worn pair of jeans ... 

This is an enjoyable project. It is also a feel-good project. I am able to use things that likely end up - unnecessarily - in the landfill.

There are lots of places to donate used clothes, but there are so many pieces of used clothes, I have heard that there are warehouses full of them. The denim that I used in these bags is very soft and flexible from years of wear and laundering.

Tie bag side one

With a little time and some new thread, worn-out jeans and an old tie make for a handy bag. I left the "Made in Canada" tag on the tie (circa 1985) because it is now so rare that ties are still made in Canada.

Tie bag side two.

As much as I like the tie bag, I like the back pocket bag even more. The close-up below is of the work-in-progress; it is not yet lined.

Now fully lined, the bag is ready to go.

WIP: creating prints

Images below are included with permission from Chelsea and Ryan.

Even before I heard about Spoonflower, I've wanted to make my own very short run, affordable, professional-looking prints. Decades ago, I worked with a fabric designer who created some absolutely beautiful silk prints that were included in lines that I had the pleasure of naming.

Now that technology has made printing on fabric much easier and affordable, the only thing stopping me is.... what to print. I've been thinking about this for months, only to forget about it for a bit and then have this "what" serendipitous appear on the table in front of me. Literally. 

I was visiting with two wonderfully talented young ones, Chelsea and Ryan. They were each drawing gorgeous pictures. Some of those gorgeous pieces of art came home with me.

Unnamed - Chelsea 2015

I wonder if Elephant Festival" is an appropriate name for this first line of fabrics. I love elephants and find such creativity and beauty in the beautifully painted creatures of the Indian festivals.

This line will include the elephant image above as well as the below landscape.

Unnamed - Chelsea 2015

The second line will be more of a challenge. While Chelsea's drawings are specific, intricate, and detailed, Ryan's art (below) is more free-spirited and reactionary.

I think I have a couple of ideas about how to structure Ryan's work in a fabric design. I'll see how it goes. I love a challenge.

Untitled - Ryan 2015

Untitled - Ryan 2015

Untitled - Ryan 2015

Posting today to TN&TN's WIP Wednesday!

WIP: progress on my 373 cubic foot studio

I'm making progress on my "studio". I've rearranged. Again. It seems that this happens every time I introduce another batch of a-half-a-lifetime worth of "stuff" into my little space.

Rather than think of it as a cramped 46.6 square foot space, I prefer to consider it my 373 cubic foot place of serenity.

As I move and sort things, I come across bits and pieces that I've saved. (I know I am not alone in this habit; many fibre artists save beautiful bits.) In a world of throw-aways and planned-obsolescence, I do try to reuse (or rescue) what I can. Sometimes, though, I wonder if there is value in it. There is a calm to a cleanse of "stuff".

Distracted with the feeling that I must process some of these bits and with pieces salvaged from worn-out jeans, I started cutting. I can always use shopping bags. If I have too many, I can donate them to a low-cost grocery store downtown that caters to low-income folks. They can always use bags.

As I cut away, the foil lettering of my copy of Janet Hethorn and Connie Ulasewicz's "Sustainable Fashion" book sparkled in the sunshine, seemingly winking at me. It's a sign I'm doing the right thing.

This is a very philosophically organic project. There is no plan. The bag will grow with the nurturing of bits and pieces, this growth will determine the design. I'll simply fit together what I have on hand, reusing fabrics, buttons, and other findings to create something usable.

So far, I'm working on two bags. I won't get back to this project for a couple of days...

beginnings of an old-back-pocket bag

beginnings of an old tie bag

WIP: "Beach House" versus "Sea Buddies"

"Sea Buddies"

A couple of months ago, I bought a "Sea Buddies" charm pack. As I dug through some fabrics in my tickle trunk (aka the "grand valise") to find a complementary fabric, I realized that the bright green that I used to accent my Sparkling Gemstones quilt would work with the fish and turtles in my new bundle. As well, the solid blue that I bought for the gemstones might also work. Somehow.

I think the green matches better, but the blue could be the ocean. Perhaps both fabrics will complement the colourful sea creatures. As usual, I'm not confident with my colour choices.

And then, a few weeks ago, I couldn't resist a dotted fabric that I initially thought would work with the "Sea Buddies".

Then I refound the "Beach House" jelly roll that I bought with intentions of making a silly lobster-shaped quilt for my lovely Acadian mother-in-law. Now, I see that the dotted fabric works much better with my Beach House. Or maybe not. It works well with the strips that don't have a green background. Perhaps I'll pull them out and use them for something else. Ah.... the indecision.

"Beach House"

The longer I wait to cut... the more likely I am to change my mind. Again. (The blue looks good with my Beach House buddies.)

"Beach House" jelly roll

Fully immersed in my indecision, I am linking to TN&TN's WIP Wednesday today! If you have some time, please check out the other posts. We have a lot of creative Canadians who post; several of them are very dedicated and post weekly.

WIP: volunteering for "Hats Off for Human Ecology"

For several weeks, I have been volunteering with a small group of students and graduates to plan an open house to celebrate the achievements of the now closed Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba.

This small group of volunteers is led by another volunteer, the notable Dr Lena Horne. Our group has, with no budget, worked with a unit of the University to create educational and interesting displays for anyone wishing to visit.

This post is mostly photos. I'm writing this post during a lull in visitor traffic in the CAD lab. Here are some photos from the display.

signage outside of the CAD lab

recognition of trailblazers

Lectra (TM) station

skirt sloper to be digitized

the plotter and a marker

student work

some graduate success stories

more success stories

A line of Judys thanking visitors

WIP: hangin' out with a bunch of like minded women...

... renamed: culturing a meaningful relationship with creative women

I need more fabric like I need...

Last week, I visited one of my favourite women, Jocelyn, of "Jocelyn & Co." in Gimli, Manitoba. Unfortunately (for me) she is retiring. Fortunately (for me and other fabric fiends (I mean this in a craving-sense and not in the devilish way; if you haven't noticed, I like alliteration)), Jocelyn has found what I hear is an excellent group of women to fill her store when she moves on. Although I'm happy to know that Jocelyn is moving on to something else, her not being in that store will leave some emptiness in my life.

For me, it takes a lot of energy and time to find a good match with other creative people. I blame myself and my selfishness. Saying that, life is short and I'm pretty sure that half of mine is over. Am I wrong to be selfish? I certainly don't mean to offend others, but if I have only a handful of decades (or less!) left, I'm going to make the most of them.

Part of what attracts me to a creative person is... my Mom. (Hello Dr Freud!) Seriously though, my Mom encouraged and cultured me in my relationship with fabric and creating textile things. Sure, Dad was there too, but, to my recollection, Dad saw the finished product and wasn't part of the planning and problems... THAT was Mom. Dad knows the fashion show. But Mom knows the tears and frustration. (And yes, I know I'm very lucky to have both of them.)

So, meaning no offence to all of the wonderfully creative people I meet in stores, guilds, and classes; when I meet you, I'm looking for a unique combination of my Mom, other women I love (like my good friend Lillian), and women who help me push my boundaries (like my good friend Louise). I also seek out women who can help me answer the questions I haven't yet figured out how to answer myself (thank you, Judy), and women who are so bold in what they do as their follow their seam line in life, that they inspire me to rethink a lot of my opinions and things I take for granted (thank you, Andrea).

Other than at Jocelyn & Company in Gimli, MB, I have felt that sense of kinship in The Yarn Bank in Taylors Falls, MN, and the Periwinkle in Saskatoon, SK. I know there are many, many other small businesses that provide a welcoming cocoon for creative types like me... I simply haven't spent enough time in them yet. I mention the businesses above, because to me, they are more than simply a business. These organizations create a fun, witty, and creatively challenging and educational environment. And, Dr Freud, I have found a bit of my Mom in some of the people who spend their days there.

I don't mean to exclude men in this short story. I know there are creative men with whom I can culture an excellent creative relationship. I have found that they don't come my way very often and they leave way too soon.

Oh, by the way, that fabric pictured at the top of my post is what I found while chatting with Jocelyn (more WIP!).

I have more embarrassments of richness. Ain't life grand!  

WIP: are we there yet? (the journey with Lily the art bra)

To me, creating something original is more about the journey than the arrival. If I'm simply following someone else's pattern or rules, it is far less challenging, interesting, and rewarding than making my own journey. I believe that it is the journey that makes the finished product worthwhile. Perhaps you agree.

However, sometimes, in my journey to finish a project, I'm not sure that I have arrived at the end of the journey. Sometimes, I take side trips. I think that perhaps I should add something more. I add it, step back, and realize the project was better before I added that "something more". And I take off what I added.

I've been in this state with "Lily" my art bra for a couple of days now. Some things I've left, some things I've taken away. I really think that Lily is finished. I'll post photos of Lily once she finds a new home... after the 2nd Annual Waterloo County Art Bra Fundraiser Show & Silent Auction: "Her Cup Runneth Over" for HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre in Waterloo, Ontario. I hope Lily goes to a lovely home. She deserves it.

Lily has become very much a tribute to my good artist friend Lillian Parobec-Dzwonyk. Because I live some distance from my biological Mom, I adopted a handful of local "Moms" to fill the void. Lillian was one of them.

I miss her dearly.

WIP: "knittin'"

On Twitter, I follow several journalists. While some journalists Tweet only notable items, others post information of a more personal nature. I like that I get to know a bit of the personalities of the people I choose to trust or question with my news.

I often wonder what it is like to have that kind of celebrity and what benefits and drawbacks the profession might have. We all see the extremes of that life; those stories make the news.

Lisa Laco, host of CBC's Superior Morning, is one of the journalists I follow. From the information on her Twitter profile, I learned that she is an avid knitter. Yet, I would never know that from the few radio broadcasts I hear from her. Now, on those odd occasions that I listen to her radio broadcast, I think of her as a knitter, mom, and spouse first... and as a journalist second.

Knitting is not the first textile art I seek out when I feel the need for creativity... but I enjoy it. Usually, I see something that I really like, buy the pattern and yarn, and follow the directions. Or, I'll find some great yarn and knit a simple scarf. I wear scarves daily for the winter months (we have a lot of those in Winnipeg) and like the variety. As well, our homeless shelters are seemingly always asking for donations of warm winter wear, so I often knit for charity. 

This spring, while doing a bit of travelling, I saw a stunning shawl at The Yarn Bank in Taylors Falls, Minnesota.  It was the "yarn" that caught my eye and the ladies in the store that caught my ear with the entertaining banter of their "stitch and bitch" session. The pattern is simple. Cast on 100 stitches, knit each row, and cast off with the end metre or so of the yarn. Stitch it together. The finished shawl (click to see the photo) is simple; the yarn makes a statement.

work in progress

I'm almost finished Lily, my art bra. When I need a mental break, or when I need to think about a next step, I pick up the knitting and stitch a row. This shawl is one of my new WIPs. 

I'm posting to TN&TN's WIP Wednesday link-up today. It is open to all Canadian textile art bloggers: please post a link if you are one. If not, please check out the projects of other Canadian artists. 

WIP: quick back-to-school project

I love that technology has allowed for significant advances in textile printing. Images are now three-dimensional and the colours are incredibly vivid.

Last week, while shopping for something else, Monsters University™ fabric called to me. I quickly made some piping using coordinating fabric and made a pillow.

finished the piping

completed pillow

It was a quick little one-hour fun project for back-to-school.

WIP: memories in the Textile Lab

This week, I had a wonderful opportunity to go back to my old textile sciences lab to take a walk down memory lane. Since a fire in the building (but not in the lab), the lab has physically moved to a different floor and a lot of the equipment is new, but I was surprised with seeing a lot of displays that I remembered from my first textiles lab thirty some years ago.

I took lots of photos; some are below. I think most of the display boxes must be from the 1950s or 1960s. I adore them.

I must think of a way to incorporate some of these memories into a project.

silk cocoons and thread

life cycle of the silk worm (with human intervention!)

Bunsen burners for fibre identification (and other things)

lots of fabric

more fabric (perhaps I can learn something from their organization!)

flax plant fibre and all!

a new! (to me) abrasion tester for fabrics

gotta love the four-legged fibre producers!

hemp, sisal, and jute for rope...

can't forget cotton!

small weaving loom that I would love in my studio!

The University of Manitoba has closed its Human Ecology faculty. The Textiles Science specialization is now moved to the University of Manitoba's Biosystems Engineering department.