The technique I chose for this month’s journal quilt can be found in the book Layered Textures: New Surfaces with heat tools, machine and hand stitch by Kim Thittichai.  I think I will be dipping back into this book again for techniques to try.  Faux Chenille is one of the Recycled Layers ideas that I was drawn to while browsing the pages.  I’m also working on a series featuring recycled… materials but more on that to...

My Inspiration For my June journal quilt I selected the letter M.  M stands for ‘move’ or ‘manage’.  Our lives have taken a dramatic change and suddenly we are faced with the fact that we will be  spending a winter in the north once again.  While we loved the spirit of the Osoyoos park we visited in November and December 2011, we found the weather too cold for long-stay comfort in our RV, the cost of propane off-set any...

‘H for Heart’ is part of a SAQA traveling exhibition in 2012-2014 – ‘Best of the West’ Inspiration For a long time now I have been thinking about committing to a monthly 12 x 12 piece of fibre art to journal my art and life – weekly or daily would be too much at this point! It’s a great way to try out new techniques without committing to a major piece. I have had a little prodding – the western Canada SAQA...

This afternoon we stopped in Quartzsite at one of my favorite bead shops for an introductory lesson in soldering settings for jewelry. Because it involved using ‘tools’ I was able to convince Don that he should join me. We had a great afternoon with John Zwickl. When I think back to my first impressions of this small desert community and now realize that it has become a regular stop as we travel through the area, I just shake my...

  In December 2010 we spent almost a month at the North Ranch Escapee Park between Congress and Wickenburg AZ. What a great bunch of people at that park!  Not long after our arrival I was invited to join a very active beading group that meets twice a week.  I was immediately put to work learning my first stitches and in a couple of days had completed my first bracelet.  By Christmas I had completed about a dozen, and after setting aside...

In January 2009 we headed out for a epic journey in our motor home and, knowing my inability to sit for long periods of time without something to do with my hands, I made a stop at the local yarn shop before our departure.  At that point in time I hadn’t had knitting needles in my hands for at least 20 years and I had never tackled ‘socks’ – lots of sweater, hats, afghans – but no socks!  That winter I completed my...

I want to wish everyone a happy and productive 2012. I’ve been quickly scanning the blogs of a number of on-line friends and I am amazed at how ambitious everyone seems to be. I continue to struggle to find blocks of time to focus intensely on my art and have to keep reminding myself of what a wonderful gift my travel experiences are. That said, I have decided that this year I’m going to choose a word to remind myself to find the...

Life in Osoyoos is proving to be busy but I’m burning the midnight oil to complete my self challenge – to produce a sample of each of the 75 knots in the book ’75 Chinese, Celtic, & Ornamental Knots’  by Laura Williams and Elise Mann.  I’m hoping that when I get to the projects I can pick up some of the finishing techniques as well.  Nancy, a friend in Arizona, offered to teach me some of the basics when I get...

A friend from our Arizona travels tweaked my interest in the craft of tying knots.  I managed at the time to stay focused on other activities but something caught that day.  A little later I spotted a book in a clearance bin in Michaels and picked it up – 75 Chinese, Celtic, & Ornamental Knots by Laura Williams and Elise Mann.  The book got tucked away but resurfaced this fall when we were repacking for our winter travels.  Just about...

  I’ve been struggling to get some art routine re-established and hope that by taking advantage of the inspiration provided by Dawn DeVries Sokol’s web challenge Na(tional)No(nstop) Jou(rnaling) Mo(nth), I might just succeed in November.  I’m new to art journaling but have been following some journaling sites and videos for a while so decided it might fit with my November schedule.  I didn’t get a lot done this...