Hello Monday!

I should let you know that that winners of Friday's draws have all been contacted via email.  Thanks everyone for the stories.  They were great, weren't they?  Love to you all.  Congrats to the following.  We picked every 5th name, skipping some repeats, and unfortunately skipping anyone who didn't have an email contact.  Here is the final list and what they will be getting!

- allthingzsewn (Stitch UK)

- Caroline Heinrichs (Noro)

- Virginia Keast (Maching Quilting Unlimited)

- candy (Postcards from Monika)

- Bev (Quilter's Connection)

- - - - - 

Friday was fun!  I worked at Handmade House, then ran errands the rest of the afternoon before heading out to this...

packed house at the Affinity Gallery / SK Craft Council

My husband Michael and I popped over to the Saskatoon reception for Dimensions 2015.  I like going the events like this.  They more I go, the more people I seem to know.  I really enjoy all the people at the Craft Council.  Some friends of mine came, and one visitor from the East Coast bought one of my threadpaintings from the Boutique to take back home with her!  That sure made my evening.  It was great to talk to her.  I like knowing who adopts my 'babies'.

from my husband's cell phone...

Funny story:  Michael and I went to the Craft Council event without the kids because no one felt like leaving the house.  My oldest stayed in charge.  My youngest voiced her regrets about missing out, and asked, 'do you think they do take out?'  Ha!  That's so funny.  She likes art, but she really likes the tables of appetizers.  Sampling cheese is her specialty.  lol

If you want to learn a bit more about the show and what it's all about, CBC was there to get the scoop.  Cathryn Miller's award winning piece is really something.  It has a beautiful story.  It's all white, with hand cut paper squares (no two alike) and hand stitched together!  It's gorgeous, if you are able to stop it, it's work a look to see the whole show.  It just returned from Whitehorse YT, and will be here now until January 23.

The link to the CBC story is HERE

Enjoy!

Sunday Snapshots

Hello!  I'll make this short and sweet but full of photos : )  First, the quiet, still, summer morning light in my garden...

Summer afternoon... a common sight in the city when there's a clear sky and barely a breeze in the air.

One evening, my friend took me to a public art studio for a pottery class.  I am not meant for this, but I did have a lot of fun!  : )

Summer night - enjoying a fire with the kids before bed.  I make the best of our stay-cations! : )

It was a great week.  : )  The Craft Council's gallery reception was a very festive event last Friday too!  When we left, we stepped right out onto the street to enjoy the Fringe Theatre Festival on Broadway.  The night before, Liam and I headed to Prairieland for the public stitching demo.  I got a lot of work done and am nearing completion on this now embroidery now!  : )

Work in Progress - Rocks, grasses, earth and flowers from Sutherland Beach Offleash  : )

Have a beautiful week!

Mid Week Check-in

This week is full up!  We've been enjoying the Fringe, the Ex is on too.  Thursday night, my youngest boy and I will be doing creative sewing demos again at Prairieland Park.  It's my fourth year at this.  We will be doing hand embroidery and free motion machine stitching on site after 7pm.  He's 11 and really good at threadsketching.  People love to watch him.  If you are there, come say hi!  We will be in the hall where all the art is.

doing a free machine stitching demo on site when he was ten years old.  : )

Then Friday I'll be at Handmade House.  I brought in a little hooked prairie scene for sale.  I made about a dozen hand hooked mini-rugs about 3 years ago.  Do you remember those?  I have a few still kickin' around.  This one is set in a white frame without glass of course.  It's 5x7" I think...

On the side, I've been working on more.  I hook with wool, art yarns, and even fabric scraps.  The one I'm working on is really big.  Well - big for me.  It's about 26x13".

Work-in-progress.  In reality, it' is nearly done!  : )

Friday night at 7 pm is the reception for the Members' Show and Sale at the SK Craft Council.  I think the Fringe is still on, which means there are parking restrictions in the neighborhood, and Broadway will be closed to traffic.  You will have to walk a few blocks.  I usually park on Broadway, on the South side of 8th street and I only have to walk two blocks or so  If you try to park in Nutana, you will likely be 6 or 7 blocks away.  So, just a heads up.  Please also consider carpooling.

Okeedokee - back to more hand stitching.  The pieces are slowly piling up and it feels so good!!  : )  Stitching with multicoloured yarns feels like I would imagine painting to be.

Thank you so much for all the shares and likes on My Sweet Prairie Studio / Facebook!!  I"m heading to 2000 followers which is crazy!  (By crazy, I mean amazing.)  I think I sense a giveaway coming on soon to celebrate.  Yes, let's.

linking to TN&TN for WIP Wednesday

Members' Show & Sale is Up!

Today marks the opening of a very different kind of exhibition at the Affinity Gallery of the SK Craft Council.  To celebrate their 40th anniversary, they have filled the gallery (and I quote) 'to the rafters'.  50 members have submitted at least two pieces each in every area of craft.  It will be an ever changing display.  Everything is for sale in the room, and as they sell, they can be taken home and will be replaced with a new piece.  I stopped in with my work at the point that Les & Maia had plenty already up on the walls.  SO much colour.  It's really great, a must-see if you are on Broadway Ave.

I have two pieces in there.  One is my Dimensions 2013 Threadpainting - which is entirely hand stitched with the exception of the sky.

She's Blooming!  2013  (click to view larger)

This is in a contemporary style dark frame with a wide white floating mat.  It just came off a two year tour.  It's one of a kind and full of a couple thousand French Knots.  Needless to say, you expect a higher price on this one because of the amount of hand work.  it's based on the view heading back from Jackfish Lake.  The hills in the distance (Table Mountain Range) always looked blue from where we lived.  If you see works of mine with that blue-grey on the horizon, that's the story behind it.  : )  Please click on the image and you should be able to view it larger.

The second threadpainting in the show is my recent one, also in a dark contemporary frame with wide floating mat.  It's based on the turnaround at the Grasswood gas station heading toward Regina.  The colours were inspired by the way the sky looked just after a tornado warning was lifted.  I've worked this one out before, however, this version is the largest I've done.

Storm has Passed, 2015

A big congratulations to the Saskatchewan Craft Council and THANK YOU for providing your members with this wonderful opportunity over the summer.  : )

You can see images of more of the pieces available from the members HERE.

About to Shift Gears

Hello!  Here are more of my minis.  They are very fun.  : )  I brought these into Handmade House when I worked my Friday shift last week.  I'm still just loving it there.

Prairie Minis

I like all the different colours.  Which do you like?  Grey sure is in lately, especially when it comes to home decorating.  I wasn't so sure about it but as it turns out, I really like it.  It's calming and it looks good with any colour it seems.

What else can I tell you?  I've also been busy finishing up a new threadpainting and ended up framing it too.  Shudder.  I do not love framing, but I think I'm getting quite good at it.  I do get someone else to cut the mats though.

This new piece is for a very special summer exhibition at the Saskatchewan Craft Council to celebrate their 40th anniversary!  There are about 50 members each with 2 pieces of art in this show.  It begins Friday and runs for the remainder of the summer.  The stipulation for the artists is that EVERYTHING has to be for sale.  It will have a huge variety of craft mediums together in one room.  Exciting!

You'll see a little bit of everything.  I'll be dropping my two pieces off in the morning to the Affinity Gallery.  The show will be up and running by Friday.

Then I'm back in the studio to sit at my computer and write an article.  That's a change of pace!  I'm feeling like it has to be a more technical one.  It's for an American publication - I'l tell you more later when it's out at the end of the year.  Pretty exciting!

After that, I have one month to complete the stitching project for the Saskatchewan Arts Board Grant and get everything photographed and the final report submitted.  I still have three more pieces to complete and I am really, REALLY in the mood for some handstitching.  I spoke to an exhibition coordinator about showing my work, and he really encouraged me to work more in that medium.  That was nice to hear!  He's right though.  The yarn embroideries are much more artful and less of reproducing scenes perfectly.  And so - more experimentation with that to come...

stay tuned!  I promise I'll take lots of scrumptious pictures. : )

Finished it Friday

WHEW.  It has been a busy week.  I'm just putting my feet up now.  My show is up in Weyburn as you know (sorry I keep posting this).  The whole event begins July 2.  We have lots of photos on Facebook.

I'm pretty happy at how great they look on the walls.  I was worried when they tried to describe the colour over the phone.  : )  There are four more threadpaintings around the corner as well.  A BIG THANK YOU to Investors Group for having my work up on your walls.  I really appreciate it!

After more yarn bombing into the night and the next morning, I said farewell to Jaynie and hit the road.  *Jaynie - if you are reading this, THANK YOU - I had such a wonderful time with you.*

From there I drove to Regina and stopped in at the Mackenzie!

I got free sparking under the shade of a big tree.  MAN IS IT HOT LATELY!!

My first stop was the gift shop.  They took in all my new Prairie Modern postcards to sell!  That's exciting.  They have three various sizes of Threadpaintings there in a group, with my postcards displayed below.  (One large canola field piece, Two in the Bush with the chickadees, and soft late summer version of Home from the Lake are available there.)  I also handed over 25 art print blank greeting cards of works I have sold.  Those will go along with the display as well.  AWESOME.

@ the MacKenzie Art Gallery Shop in Regina 

A couple have sold, but ten are there in the shop.  It feels good to have all these places stocked for the summer!  : )

Then I ventured upstairs...

It's been 2 years since I was there to see Dimensions 2013.  This time I got to see Dimensions 2015.

Through some rooms and down a hall... there it was!

It's a long, long, long gallery space.  Prairie City is about half way down.  There are some amazing pieces this show!  : )  I am surprised how different it feels from the last one.  Oh and the catalogue is just gorgeous.  I hope you get to see the show.  It's travelling for 2 years, and I believe Whitehorse, Yukon is the next destination in the fall!  : )

I'm so glad I stopped in at the MacKenzie Gallery.  I got back to Saskatoon only to find an email waiting that another threadpainting sold at the Craft Council Boutique.  WOW.  Thank you thank you!   I am taking tomorrow OFF - and then I'll get back on it.  How wonderful!

See you soon,

Grateful to the Brim

I'm still digesting last night.  What a transformational event that was for me.  I did my 'Curator's Talk' for the Our Prairie in Fibre exhibition.  I was nervous, but I just told my story - my truth.  I had never attended a curators talk before, let alone gave one myself.  The house was packed and more chairs had to be set up.  And then shortly after 7pm, I began.

tweeted image from the SCC staff

I spoke about my experience with 'treasure hunting' for pieces on my checklist (because that's what it felt like).  I explained why I needed the range of fibre art, the four prairie seasons, and having all the elements represented.  I spoke about how things came together and how the show took on an unexpected life of it's own.  There were pieces that surprised me, pieces that jogged my memory, pieces that made me laugh and pieces that made me cry.  I learned so much.  I grew so much.  I'm entirely inspired by the honesty in the art.

I shared some of the artists' stories with the people who gathered around to listen last night.  I tried to articulate why I feel those stories are important.  I looked at the faces around the room and saw over a half dozen people with tears in their eyes!  It was that moment when I knew the show did what I had hoped it would.

Our connection to prairie:  it's a BIG DEAL.  And for so many of the artists in the show, the love for their prairie has become their life's work.  The show is on until February 21, 2015.  To all the people at the Saskatchewan Craft Council, the artists and the visitors to the gallery who leave comments - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

I have gallery images, articles, and videos to share with the each artist as a thank you.  I'll also have guest book comments for you to enjoy.  I will be emailing you all next week!  : )

Friday Finish

Well... the show begins today and there is still many things to complete, but I suppose I can chalk this moment up as a finishing point.  The pieces are all in, the gallery is all set up.  The reception is tonight - Friday, January16th at 7pm.

detail of 'Coming to Canada' by Linda McBain Cuyler

This morning I was up bright and early to promote the exhibition on the local Global Television morning show... and back at home long before the sun came up!  You can view the video clip here, as I have no idea how to embed it.

I watched it by accident with no sound.  You'll think I'm trying to fly away or something.  !  I forgot how much I talk with my hands.  I do recall public speaking in Winnipeg 2 years ago, and a photographer pulled me aside to show me all the photos after the event.  She kept saying, 'look at you!  You like you are dancing and swimming and flying!'  lol

Ha ha - oh well...

See you all tonight at 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon!  Many of the items are for sale FYI.  Several of the artists will be there, so please come and say hello to them.  For those who cannot be there, please sign the guest book so that I can share your comments with them.

Have a good weekend,

Handmade House Reception & Handcraft Fest Demos

On the 'Third Thursday' of this month, merchants on the trendy Broadway Ave in Saskatoon will feature some special deals and attractions.  I'll be at Handmade House for the afternoon for a 'meet and greet'.  It's totally informal.  The shop is quite small so we'll have a refreshment table out front.  If you want to talk about the prairies or stitching, please come on over and say hello.  I'm there to answer question about my work.

That's as big as I can get right now of this poster.  It's very difficult to read the fine print, but you can see more at their FB page (Broadway District) or their website (www.onbroadway.ca).  Below is the ad that the fine folks at Handmade House made for the event.

I will have a draw prize, so don't forget to enter!

Then I will be off to the Battlefords for the Handcraft Festival.  I'll be one of the demonstrating craftspersons set up outside in a huge tent.  My little helper and I will be doing free motion stitching (thread sketching, thread painting) and hand embroidery too.  Try your hand at french knots?  Draw your name with my sewing machine?  : )  My time slots are Friday from 12:30 to 3:30, and Saturday from 2 - 5.

*** all beautiful juried handcrafted art for sale by SK Craft Council members

Maybe I'll see you then?

ps- I noticed that my blog has some 'broken' link images when I view on my laptop.  They work just fine when I view on my phone.  Very odd.  I will work on this.  If you get the blog posts sent to you via email, can you let me know if you are able to view the inserted images?  THANK YOU!

WOW! Creative Saskatchewan

Oh my.  Look at this!  I found these posters on Facebook.  The Saskatchewan Craft Council just 'released' their new posters that are in the Creative Saskatchewan offices in Regina, and also at the SK Craft Council Offices in Saskatoon.  Can you name all the featured artists?  I know about half... maybe more.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think all 19 images in the posters are from Dimensions Juried Exhibitions past and present.  (Correct me if I am wrong.)  Yes - that's my canola field at the bottom there (!), 'She's Blooming!' amongst many amazing and seasoned artisans.  I feel very honoured to be included.  THANK YOU SCC!!

SWEEEEEET.  I wonder if I can get one.  hmmm...

Merry Christmas (Card!)

Wonderful things are still happening - just when I thought the year was over.  You know how I have art in the Saskatchewan Craft Council?  Well, the neighborhood's MLA office chooses local art for the cover of their holiday card each year.  They went in to the Boutique this month and picked this lonely little winter prairie postcard of mine!

That is so sweet!  Of all the art in there, a simple little scene was selected.  It's REALLY simple.  They were so gracious about it.  I am thankful that they support local artists in this way.  I did see the card last week before it was mailed out, and unfortunately it ended up really dark.  So - if you come by my page here, this is the postcard in it's true colors.  I hope you enjoy it!  It is very brilliant and sparkly.  : )  Thank you Cathy Sproule & Deborah for choosing it, and to the Craft Council for having it on display to the public.

Merry Christmas - Fröhliche Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël

Happy Holidays

My Life in December

Hello!  I know I've been away from blogging.  I'm happy to say my home is getting organized, the snow is getting shoveled, and we are nearly ready for the holidays.  Kids will be thrilled.  My oldest loves to illustrate.  He is getting some kind of electronic something or other tablet thingy do do his art on... paperless!  Go figure.  Like, get with the times mom!  : )  My middle child will be the proud new owner of a giant workbench for his leathercrafting.  My youngest... sigh.  ALL she wants is a dog.  We are in the process of adopting one who is past the pee and chew on everything stage.  Wish us luck.

And then they have sixteen days off.  They've been on lock down from recess for a couple weeks now because the windchill is so bad.  The cold has been all the way down to minus 47 degrees celcius.  To give you an idea of what that means, your deep freezer is set between -15 and -20 celcius.  I am not kidding.  Can you image 2 weeks with no outdoor recess!?  Today, after a big snow, everything is warm and the rooftops are dripping.  There are footprints all over the yard once again... a nice sight.  How wonderful to get some fresh air and don rosy cheeks!

me and the girl last winter

We've had some gorgeous sundogs - where a circular prism of light forms a ring around the sun.  I read on a science website that they are extremely rare.  That is totally incorrect.  We see them all the time in the winter.  hmmm. 

I haven't been out to take photos.  The roads are treacherous right now.  While shoveling, it was ambulance siren after ambulance siren.  (Please be careful.)

I headed out a few days ago before it got slippery, and postered a few places.  People are finally beginning to shop so I'm getting the word out.  I am happy to ship for free if any readers who are not in the area are interested in art.  Just message me Monika@MySweetPrairie.ca or call 306 979 3519 if you are at The Centre when the admin office is closed.

@ The Jade Gallery until Dec 28th

There are ten landscapes available of the 12 I put in, and they cover all seasons.  (The one featured on that poster is sold.)  And yes - if you go during mall hours, you can have the administration offices open up the Jade Gallery and let you take one home on the spot.  THANK YOU to my friend Kerrie who left hers up for the duration.

The SK Craft Council has my Postcards, and SaskMade Marketplace on 8th Street has the annual snowglobes for sale.  EACH of these venues offer absolutely wonderful crafts and locally made products.  You know the thing - buy handmade!  Support small business!  : )



In the mean time... back to my motherly duties of writing out cards, wrapping presents, cleaning house, and freezing meals.  New work coming soon!  : )  Thanks for stickin' with me.