Home for the Holidays

They're home!  Back in my arms... and looking lovely on those purple walls I might add!

Where Sunlight Falls, 2014 (2nd place award... it's my favourite)

All three pieces from the Prairies show were returned safely by mail to me today.  My kids came downstairs with boxes - For you mom!  For you mom!  For you mom!  ; )  Awesome.  Everything was frozen cold, but in perfect condition.  That was surprising for how much this show traveled.  I am very appreciative to the organizers for taking such good care.  I always seem to get things back from other events with some wear & tear or matting that needs to be replaced from people's hands.  That's never fun.  But this time?  Awesome. 

Also, in one box was this

To whomever made the front of this one, thank you also for all those beautiful hand stitching!  I love that the awards were fibre art as well.  That is really wonderful.

the new one on the right - Viewer's Choice

For now, these ribbons are up on my design wall.  I need to definitely do something special with them.  They are home for the holidays.  Just in time - our celebration is Sunday.  We will having out turkey dinner and then opening gifts right after to celebrate the Solstice.  The next morning, we have plans to head out to enjoy the first sunrise of the season, and celebrate that the daylight hours grow longer.  Did you know I've been photographing the winter solstice sunrise for almost 20 years now?  I love the tradition.  Thank goodness this winter has been so mild.

The last but not least thing I got in the mail was this.

I didn't join her latest swap.  I felt I didn't have time to complete cards for it in time.  She still sent me one!  Brandy, that is SO sweet.

I should mention that when I had the draw for the digital subscriptions to Quilter's Connection Magazine a couple weeks ago, one of the winners chosen was not linked to an email.  Try as I might, I cannot find contact information and they haven't replied from when I announced their name on the winning post.  SO.  Here's your chance...  without announcing another giveaway, go ahead and leave a comment if you are interested in a digital subscription.  To enter, tell me what your favourite holiday food is.  Mine is cranberry sauce.  mmmmmmmm  I'll pick a winner by Sunday morning.

Have a great day,

Bundle Of Butterflies

I was going to call this post 'bundle of nerves', but really it's a happy energy so we'll go with butterflies.  Today I'm sending in my three accepted entries to the Prairies show in Edmonton.  (Agh!  Just typing that made the butterflies flutter again!)  There are 9 categories and 84 entries.  My three will all be in the Original Design Surface Embroidery category.  I have two entirely hand stitched pieces and one of my 'trademark' (?) threadpaintings in the the show.

Here's one.

Where Sunlight Falls, 2014  (framed 12" x 22")   Click Image to View Larger

Here is two.

June Grasses, 2013  8x10"  (click image to view larger)

This is exciting!  The last time I was in a major juried competition was Quilt Canada 2012 with my Prairie Dress.  This is exciting.  I am also thrilled to be going there for opening night.  I will be attending as an entrant, but also as a curator.  I am on the hunt for a few more key pieces for the 2015 show I'm putting together.  This will be a busy weekend - it's my birthday (again!?  AGAIN!?) and I'll be teaching a super fun class in Edmonton.  On the way home, we'll celebrate a triple birthday for my daughter, my self, and my mother.  Last year I was in Winnipeg on my birthday.  Can you believe that was an entire year ago?  Manitoba was so awesome.

Here's three.  I'm not sure if you've seen this all dolled up.

Prairie City, 2014  framed to 12x22"  (click image to view larger)

Curious about the schedule for the Prairies Show?   I found this exhibition information on the Focus on Fibre Art Association website.

May 4 - 30 - Faculty of Extension Gallery - Enterprise Square, Edmonton.  Reception & Awards May 4th, 2014

May 4 to Aug 30 - Hallways Gallery 2nd floor - Enterprise Square.  (This is what they had written and I'm not sure the overlap in dates makes sense?  I will find out...)

Sept 2 to 30 - Gallery @ Pagemaster Publications, 11340 - 120 St Edmonton AB

October 2 - Nov 28 - DOW Centennial Centre, Fort Saskatchewan, AB,  The reception is Oct 2, 2014
As I do with the Dimensions schedule, I will have the info as part of a running header on this blog with current and upcoming events / classes / exhibits / sales that I am involved it.  You can also check the "Calendar of Event" tab to see the whole year.

In the mean time, Michael and I are rolling right along with the renovations.  I'm sorting my old space and he's framing in more of the new.  I bought lights for my studio.  !  (Insert one happy little butterfly.)  I have the good ceiling lights, but I bought party lights too.  I found little white lights on a white strand in a wedding decoration section of a shop.  They are PERFECT.  The ones in my current studio space burned out.  How fitting is that!?

With the upcoming change come so many ideas.  * * * more butterflies! * * *    I have ideas for decorating.  I have ideas for creative classes.  I have ideas for open studio celebrations.  I have ideas...   and everything is falling into place quite easily so I know it's meant to be.  Furnishings, counters, repurposed doors & pegboards that my husband has extras from his shop, lights, and I even came across the perfect paint colours in the mistints section of a paint store for cheap.  (Always go for the mistints first.)  It's so SWEET!  Just when we were starting to feeling like this house wasn't a good fit anymore, we suddenly fell in love with the space all over again seeing it from a new point of view.  The family space that will be freed up on the main floor will be incredible.

Since this new studio won't be done until the fall, here's some news.  Back by popular demand, I WILL be teaching Threadpainting 101 in a few weeks at Creative House.  Yes!  Creative House Sewing Centre!  They are still there while they are up for sale selling fabric and Wonderfil threads, but no machines anymore.  Send me an email to Monika @ My Sweet Prairie .ca  if you are interested in signing up.  It will be a 4 hr class during the day and there is room for a couple more people.  I am keeping the class size small so there can be more one-to-one instruction.  If you can't make it, just hold on until the fall.

There are a few more surprises up my sleeve but you'll just have to keep watching, reading, & listening.  Oooooh!  - > BIG HINT there.  See you soon, and WELCOME to all the new people dropping in & saying hello!  It is great to have you here.

WHEW!  Now I think I'm all caught up.  : )