Postcards To the Station, Postcards At the Station

If you are settling in to some spring / summer sewing projects, I'm going to let you in on a very fun Call for Entry. The Kathy Theissen Gallery in Rosthern, Saskatchewan did this last year andit was such a hit that they are doing it again.  Anyone from anywhere in the world can mail a maximum of 2 postcards each are 4x6 inch pieces of art.  All entries will be displayed as an Exhibition, and auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Station Arts Centre.  So... you don't get them back, but you do get them on display and spreading joy.

Here are the details they posted:

We are receiving POSTCARDS TO THE STATION, a Postal Art Fundraising Exhibit, well before the deadline date. If you have 'liked' some of the postcards you have seen, you might want to send us one or two as well. Here is how---

What are the rules? 

Create a 4”x 6 “ work of art on the surface of your choice. All media is welcome (text, paint, print, fibre, photography, collage, leather, metal etc)

Your Art Work must come through the postal system (stamped by the post office). Limit of 2/person. Sign it on the front, indicate the title, medium & your contact information on the back. Your card must arrive at the Station on or before Friday June 16, 2017.

Station Arts Centre

Box 1078

Rosthern, SK, Canada

S0K 3R0

Who may participate? 

Emerging artists, professional artists and YOU… if you love a challenge!

Work posted to us will be part of a silent auction & exhibit in the Kathy Thiessen Art Gallery from June 27 to August 6th, 2017. 

The work is viewed in person and on Facebook.

YEAH!  DO IT!

And if you are too chicken (tsk tsk) and you'd like to try your hand at making a fibre art postcard, I'm running a class in Rosthern during the postcards exhibition, so you not only get to make your own, you get to enjoy a collection of cards on display from around the world.

Open to all.  Any sewing machine in good working order is required.  You need some assorted threads and a bobbin loaded with white.  I bring all the fun stuff.  We'll have a theme and you get to do your work creative thing... so come with an open mind.

YAY!

And I have another secret...  but you'll have to wait for the next post.

: )

Finished it Friday

It's been raining.   It's been pouring.  We haven't had rain since the beginning of August, and even then there wasn't much to write home about.  This week has been dark and cold and windy and wet... day and night.  Thank GOODNESS for the daylight colored LED bulbs my husband put in my studio.  I think without them I would sleep all day with weather like this.

out my kitchen doors...

With the kids in school all day and my classes ready to go, I have been getting so much done.  I have THREE more threadpaintings started.  The photos that have been hanging on my inspiration wall for a year, waiting, are all being drawn up with thread now.  Oh - it feels good!  It feels very easy too since I've been staring at the photos for so long.  Many of them are already sketched out onto paper which makes it all the more simplified.

Jackfish from Day's hill, 2012

That photo for instance... it has been nagging me ever since I took it.  I don't love the barbed wire.  I didn't even know there were little blue flowers in the field until I tweaked the contrast on my computer!  I was quite thrilled.  I sketched it out with pastels this spring and hung it on the wall.  I decided this was it.  It's time.

This is how I start.  I put some colored fabric onto a heavy-duty interfacing.  On the back (since so many of you asked) I stick extra stabilizer because I don't use a hoop.  Square art in a round hoop is just not logical for me.  ; )  The backing stabilizer is Sulky Sticky +.  It's adhesive.  You peel and stick.  It's acid free (***very important for longevity!!!).   I don't need to apply heat to secure it, and I don't need to submerge in water to make it go away.  It's tear away and tears easily, yet it's tough enough that it doesn't fall apart with repeated needle punctures.  I found it quite by accident.  The store that I first taught at was closing out of the sewing end of the business.  I saw this roll on clearance and thought I'd give it a try.  I've been quite happy with it.  I've used up a roll and a half already on just the little threadpaintings I do.  I have learned to add an extra layer at the horizon.  Puckered sky makes me want to cry.

detail - Jackfish Hills, 2013

I stitched and I stitched and I stitched some more.  I started by free motion machine 'threadpainting' and then finish with handstitching.  I added the little blue flowers, more grasses and grass heads all with 12 wt threads by hand.  If you look close, I added some hand dyed 2mm silk ribbons as well.  They make such great grasses with their flat blades.  I love the way it turned out.  I love that I kept going and kept going.  That foreground really came alive.

Hills at Jackfish, 2013

The photo does not show off the sheen of some of the threads.  It's a weird lighting in here today no matter how I set my camera.  There are brass colored rayon threads in the grasses too.  The texture is terrific!  I have some stray threads to clean up and then it's good to go.  *This one is being held for someone FYI.

I have to say Thank You all so very much for the comments on 'Autumn Blonde'!  That's fantastic.  You all sound so thrilled and that gives me so much energy and gusto to jump into the next challenge.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you dear readers!

One last thing - there's only a week left before the big workshop c/o Shirley's Sewing Room in Moosomin!!  Are you coming?  Here's what the plan is:

Day 1 - Threadpainting 
- morning:  brief lecture w samples, set up, practicing with lots of direction / troubleshooting
- lunch
- afternoon: project and doorprizes! followed by sharing/show & tell
- pm: shopping night for us only at Shirley's store.

Day 2 - Creative Quilted Postcards
- morning: introduction, show & tell, themed cardmaking
- lunch
- afternoon : challenge techniques
- show & tell, swap info & display options, farewell.

What Participants need to bring:

- A working sewing machine with accessories (feet, screwdriver, etc) and manual if you have one.  Remember to pack the cords and pedals! 
- A variety of colored threads.  Any type you like.  Any make.  Solid or variegated... just bring a mix.
You will need some thread stash for both days: to practice threadpainting and to stitch your postcard art.
- Scissors.  Bobbins.  Needles.  Pen or pencil would be great if you want to add to the handouts.

*If anyone has a portable light box to bring that would be great!  I have one and Shirley has one, but this is a big class.

Other than that, you have no shopping to do.  Everything else is in the kit fee or provided in the classroom. Are you nervous!?  I am very excited... making a list and checking it twice.  : )  

Roller Coasters & Bouncy Houses

In preparation for my travel & stay in Winnipeg for the upcoming show, I tried to apply for some kind of arts funding to help cover my costs.  I have good news, bad news, more bad news, and finally good news.  (ie: roller coaster ride!)  The first grant was approved.  It was a doozie.  YAY!  But they ran out of funding.  Aaawe. 

Confused?

Yeah.  So was I!  That's twice now.  The next travel grant I found was all good.  I met all the requirements.  YAY!  Then it was pointed out that my show is not a curated one.  That made my request completely ineligible.  Aaawe.  So here I am, with only a few months to go.  I was quick on my feet and took up some teaching to be able to pay my own way.  That makes perfect sense.  My mom always taught me that if I can't find what I need, then I can always make it myself. 

Here's for the good news.  I'm doing four classes at Creative House locally, and am getting booked to run some in Winnipeg while I'm there!  YAY! 

Did you know you can buy a class online now?!  That's convenient. 

* * * I should clarify - these are not online classes.  They are in-house classes that you can pay for online to ensure a spot in the class.  There a loads of classes from a variety of teachers too!

I suppose now the bad new is that I need to put on the brakes again, find some balance between teaching and my rare moments alone to create & ensure I can get all my art done in time for the deadlines.  I'm not booked for Judy's Studio On 9th - but she also has a whole host of wonderful classes & teachers to check out as well (see HERE). 

My schedule is in the new tab above called "2013 Schedule of Events".  I think everything is there except for details on the classes in Winnipeg.  I will get back to you on that.  I know I'm booked to speak.  They call it 'lectures', but as a mom with three little kids, I get a completely different vision of giving a lecture to a group of 150 women.  lol  THAT would get me into trouble.  : )  Instead, I'll be sharing my story and doing trunk shows.  That sounds much friendlier, doesn't it?

Speaking of friendly, wow Winnipeg!  I have to say a preliminary thank you to the people I've contacted so far: bloggers and art lovers and guilds alike.  You've been all so very accomodating!  It's like you are all blowing up a big bouncy house and inviting me to jump in!  I'm looking forward to it for sure.

Preparations

Summer is nearly half over.   ~shudder~   Before you know it, September will be here.  I'm putting things together for the Showcase of the Arts which is the first week of August here in Saskatoon.  Creative House will be having a booth there and they've asked for their teachers to supply class samples.  I got a little bit done last night.  I think it will be a mug rug.  I really can't stand that name though.  lol  It's as ugly as the word "blog", don't you think?  BLOG.  ick.  Mug-rug on a blog.  ick ick.  So, I'll call it a Coffee Cup Coaster.

Rachel's scraps and some Tutti Wonderfil thread.

Here's a list of classes I'm offering with the corresponding dates.  I picked the Mondays that alternate with our Saskatoon Quilter's Guild meetings so that there's no overlap.  I'll also do some classes at the Studio on 9th in the evenings, and I'm getting booked for some private Sunday afternoon classes as well.  I'll post those once I know.

At Creative House, Fall 2012

Monday September 17 - Creative Quilted Postcards Workshop

Monday October 1 - Free Motion Quilting Skill Builder

Monday October 29 - Teens / Homeschoolers Doodle with you Sewing Machine

Monday Tuesday November 13 - Basic Threadwork / Threadpainting 101 (Rescheduled for stat holiday)

Monday November 19 - Dresdens Workshop

* * * You can read all the details of the classes HERE.  * * *

All of my classes are Monday mornings at 10 am and run for 2.5 to 3 hours, with the exception of November 12th.  Sign up is through Creative House by phoning 652-0455.  They have classes running all the time on so many topics, so check them all out! : )