Day 3 of 42

Some call it an addiction. Some call it not letting go. Some call it a hobby or collection. Today I watched a show on TV that called it Hoarding, Buried Alive! I sat there watching and wondering how it could ever get that out of hand. I sat there stitching the binding on my son's Froggy Quilt (which I finally finished) thinking what on earth are these people thinking? That's disgusting! After the show I wandered downstairs to my studio to sew the finishing touches on this great fabric bowl I had started and it hit me. I honestly froze for a moment as I realized I just might be in the beginning stages of hoarding! I mean really! I have fabric there that I bought to make wine bags for Valentine's Day. I have fabric piled up to make a throw blanket for my dog. I have piles of cut out sleep masks that I want to finish for the boutique at the quilt show. I have loads of frames and paint sticks and art supplies untouched. I keep meaning to try out all of these great new ideas. I have so much fabric you can't even see in drawers and piles on the floor even! My precious fabric is on the floor! At work I am sometimes cursed by my coworkers because of my perfect organization. My desk is spotless and my files are in order. How did this gradually happen to me at home in my beloved studio? My escape from reality? My creative breathing space? I am horrified to post that picture for all to see because I am the type to rush around after the last few dishes if my mom is popping in. But I'm imposing a self-intervention. I guess the simple fact that I'm deciding that proves that I am not that fargone. I am getting ready for a quilt show in 2 weeks and I am getting loads of unfinished projects closer to completion but my word! I had to show you a picture of the tornado that hit my studio. This weekend, it will be gone. Guaranteed. I'll post pictures to prove it!

Day 2 of 42

Today is day 2 of my "write something every day for 42 days" challenge. I think I blew my writing goals out of the water today. I was looking back at an old entry in my blog and got inspired by a little girl who made a quilt and I wrote an entire children's picture book from start to finish. I know that its not like I wrote a novel, but it is an adorable little "moment in time" book and I am going to send it away to try to get it published. I'm on a high for some reason. AND I got an email from a hot local gallery who wants to keep in touch if I am still interested in gallery representation for my fibre art. I had better go to bed before I faint on the spot. This day has just been too good.

new adventure

I am so inspired. I love love love to write and I want to combine that with my passion for fabric, quilting and mixed media fibre art. I just got accepted last week into a one week writing course at a local university! I sent in my portfolio of poetry thinking it would be so nice to get back into something I've loved so much for years, not really expecting much. I prepared myself very well for the rejection form letter because they only accept 10 students per class. But they said YES! So I'm thrilled. I want to combine this with some new mixed media art quilting techniques. So I'm challenging myself to create one new art quilt per week and a new bit of writing EVERY DAY. That's right. I said it. I'm going to blog every day starting today until the course starts on May 10th. It can be one word or 200 words, but it has to be something and it has to be what inspires me every day. So here goes...

Day 1 of 42 days
Today my son is inspiring me because he is out at Babcia's house to stay for spring break but he has been so sick with the flu for 2 days. He is such a trooper and never complains. He just handles it. And every time he sees me he launches into a hug. He is 7 years old, so I have milked that motherly pleasure way past its due date. My challenge for this week... to make an art quilt with a scanned piece of my son's crayon art.

MAWA Art Auction

WOW, what a fantastic event. The volunteers and staff at MAWA really pulled it off. There were over 100 artist's works on display for auction ranging from emerging to established and the bidding was a frenzy. There was never a dull moment. The cupcakes were delicious and the draw prizes were worth hundreds of dollars each. This was my first experience at an art auction as an emerging artist and I learned so much. Thank you to all of my family and friends who came out. I was thrilled to sees the bids add up and the excitement as the bell rang. I was told that my art piece was won by a local Winnipeg art collector of great esteem. (they might say that to all the newbies!) I even had a brief chat with an art historian. Very cool! I hope to see you all out at the next event...Quilt Reflections 2010, April 9-11th at the Canad Inns Polo Park.

Hi everyone!

As my friends, family and acquaintances, you are cordially invited to 2 exciting events in Winnipeg. I will have an art piece featured in each show.

Over The Top Art Auction and Cupcake Party!
Sunday March 21, 2010, 2:00–5:00 pm
MAWA (Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art)

611 Main Street - $10 Admission (free preview Sat. 10:00-4:00pm)

“It's back! The art event of the year! Come celebrate MAWA with cupcakes and artworks. Munch as many cupcakes as you can handle, quaff a beverage, buy tickets on MAWA's fabulous raffle baskets, and bid on work by approximately 100 of the country's hottest artists. Crazy, sugary fun!”

http://www.mawa.ca/

Quilt Reflections 2010
Friday, April 9th 1:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday, April 10th 9:00am-8:00pm
Sunday, April 11th 9:00am-5:00pm

Canad Inns, Polo Park - $5 Daily Admission or $12-3 Day Pass (children under 12 free)

Manitoba’s premier quilt show held every 2 years hosts the best of this year’s fresh new talent ranging from traditional quilters to contemporary quilt artists. This year’s show hosts the white glove show of quilts, the boutique, vendors, workshops, demos, and a fabulous choice auction. Be sure to come out and place your bid on a “Challenge Quilt for Charity,” with proceeds going to the Movement Centre of Manitoba.

The art that I have donated for auction at these 2 events are as follows:

Worries Aside – fibre art landscape (framed) – MAWA event

That Bloomin’ Curve – fibre art wall piece (bound) – Quilt Reflections

I will be at both events so please come and find me! I will also have 3 quilt art or quilt pieces in the Quilt Show. My art for auction will be clearly labeled, so if you like it just let loose and throw in a bid! It all goes to a worthy cause. Thank you to my wonderful friends and family for their loving support!

“Your only limits are the ones you choose!”

Brandy