Miles: Unfiltered, Uncensored & Commercial Free

New Literary Acquisitions!!

2010-01-07T15:14:00.001-08:00

Both of these fine volumes contain the works of some of my favorite quilters.

Here I Go Again

2010-01-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

Sending in my first entry to the 2010/2011 Quilt Visions Art Quilt Show, No Boundaries. Keep yer fingers crossed 'cuz I could use the help. It'll be my first major (albeit small) show ever. I'm submitting Conversations #1; Circles & Lines which I will complete by the end of this month. I think I'll forego the expected square border and follow the existing implied border with a hand-sewn knife edge. The trick will be getting the top to keep it's shape for hanging but I have an idea for that already.

A Renewed Interest and My Latest Review

2010-01-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

"I wish there was a place where I could write a review on his hideous artwork." -Posted on Bakersfield.com by DRVALUATION, December 14th, 2009.

Yet another spectacular review of my person and my work.

SIGH

No wonder I'm withdrawling further and further from the world.

Work on "Holy Shit" has progressed to nearly-complete status. About another 10 hours of quilting to be followed by the heart-wrenching decision: To bind or not to bind... We'll see.

It's Never Too Early...

2009-09-24T21:32:00.001-07:00

... to get a jump on seasonal entertaining. I purchased these colapsable tables from Mervyn's when they went out of business about 7 months ago- I paid $5 each. The best part is that we no longer have to rent tables for the Halloween bash or Christmas Open House. Whoopee!

I'd purchased a bolt of shimmering silver/gray fabric from Wallies about the same time; the checked top-cloth has been a perennial of my table-scape repetoire for the past 5 years or more (all the fabric was purchased for $1/yard). All in all 6 tables would have cost me $60 to rent for one time but long-term purchasing has resulted in a total cost of $48 for a one-time puchase. Best part is that they are mine to keep. Ka-ching!!!

Piecing a Top & Then Some

2009-08-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

It's late and I wasn't sure what the title of this post shoulda been... sorry.

I finally finished piecing the top of the current project (working title: Cheers! Let's Hear It for the Apple-tini!) or some such nonsense like that.

I'm not overly happy with the finished product: Not enough contrast between background and foreground but the line quality is really some of my better technical work (you'd haveta see it up close to know). I'm hoping the quilting will offer some redeemingly quality to the work that I wasn't able to impart during the piecing process.

Guess you'll haveta wait-n-see!

Getting to the Center of the Shubbery Maze

2009-08-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

And so it begins; Concept #2 "made the cut" (so to speak) and I've begun Nameless ARTini project #1. Here I am cutting away the "negative" spaces (or windows) of the pattern. I cut-peel-n-fuse as I go to save time and keep the pattern alligned.

More to come later...

Cheers!

2009-08-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Concept drawing #2 for martini-inspired artquilt.

At some point I'll stop being so damned lazy and break out the real camera so that the pictures aren't so shitty.

Halloween '09- Project #1: Evil Angel

2009-08-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce Isabeau Spanheim. She was born April 7th, 1895 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the great, great, great, great, grand daughter of the Count of Spanheim. The following week, much of Ljubljana was leveled by an earthquake that, sadly also claimed the lives of both Isabeau's parents leaving her orphaned.

At the age of 6 Isabeau went missing while she and her nanny shopped the markets at Vodnikov Square. The nanny was questioned, then tortured when she failed to provide the childs' whereabouts. The search for Isabeau lasted for 2 weeks before the local constabulary reluctantly pronounced her dead even though her body had never been recovered. Isabeaus' death marked the end of the Spanheim lineage.

To date, it is reported that glimpses of Isabeau can be seen running through the shops and alleys of Vodnikov Square, giggling as though playing a mischievous game of hide-and-seek. Since 1891 several children have been reported missing and several more have claimed to play hide-and-seek with the long, lost Spanheim child-heiress.

Spooky, huh?

Reflections and Moving Forward

2009-08-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

I'm back.

Much has happened over the past month and three weeks since my last post; I could go on and on but frankly it would be a boring (and slightly depressing) read. Suffice to say mom passed away on June 26th at 8 PM. Dad and I were both there, quite literally by her side when she stopped breathing. The cancer had ravaged through her entire body until she simply stopped "being" (for lack of a better, more technically medical term). Upon reflection- and all things considered everything went as smoothly and as drama-free as possible: Mom was home, surrounded by her family (dad and I) and her pets. Whether it was the morphine or the cancer she was (I hope and pray) pain free and as comfortable as we could possibly make her. It was (for lack of a better, more eloquent term) a Hallmark movie of the week death.

I carry her memories and teachings with me always and miss her greatly.

I spent an additional month with my dad after-the-fact getting as many things in order as possible. There were closets to go through, medicines to destroy and things to distribute based on mom's wishes. I also got a little bit closer to dad which was an added bonus.

Returning home after 2 months of absence was as much a shock as anything else. I felt rather displaced in my own home. But it wasn't long before I got back into the swing of things and began picking up the pieces where I had left them 10+ weeks ago.

First order of business was to tie up loose ends, finish unfinished projects and polish things up a bit. I had the immense pleasure of meeting an amazing water-color artist, Deborah Vandenblomer and her husband Kenny while in Wisconsin. Her work is some of the finest, most thoughtful and touching watercolor I've seen. You owe it to yourself to take a look at her 'site and oogle the fine artistry. While having a fabulous dinner at their home I saw and purchased a beautiful landscape (pictures to follow). Deb shipped it to me along with a few extra treats, all of which are near and dear to my heart. If you visit her site, let her know I sent you (it's what us artists do for one-another... right?). It's at the frame-shop and I hope to have it in it's new home by the 15th. YAY!

While in Wisconsin I had the opportunity to bring back a veritable truck-load of stuff from my parent's farm. Sadly, my little carry-on wasn't able to accommodate but I did manage to bring back a few treasures which required special attention:

Before mom passed away she gave to me a compass that belonged to her father (my Grampa Swoverland). I never really knew him as an adult since he passed away almost 20 years ago. But the token really takes me back when, as a kid, we went fishing or I played around with the tools in his machine shop on my grandparent's farm in Tony, Wisconsin. The day I finally left WI to come back home dad gave me a pocket watch that belonged to his great-grandfather (my great, great grandfather). It was really comforting to know that he trusted me with such a precious (and expensive!) family heirloom.

Upon returning to CA I knew I wanted to display them both. Stephen and I spent an entire day traipsing about B-field for a pocket-watch dome display but only found one place that sold them ($34.99). Sadly, it wasn't big enough (!). I learned that there are different sizes of pocket watches and the one I was given is an "18 point" something-or-other; the largest made at the time (1886). I was able to find one on-line but it was $45 + s/h. What's a kid to do?

On a lark we went to a local collectible/antique store. Right by the front door I found a "anniversary clock"- you know, the kind under a dome of glass with the spinning thingie underneath the clock parts? The glass dome was certainly large enough but the clock & base were of brass-plated plastic parts so Stephen and I got creative. A little black paint, black sticky-back felt and a small doll stand later... Voila! Almost-instant pocket watch & compass display case.

Anniversary clock: $10

Paint, felt and doll stand: $4

Able to display precious family memories: Priceless!

Of course, being in Wisconsin had put a slight delay in my perpetual Halloween planning. Upon my return to Bako I resumed my e-hunt for ideas. I came across this really cool idea from an old blog post and decided to give it my own spin: The author used dollar-store ceramic cherubs and gave them a devilish new look with gray paint, red eyes and even horns. I loved the irreverent take on traditional Christmas decorations. So I thought I'd give it a go.

After much searching of the local thrift stores I came up with ZERO cherubs. Instead, I found this angelic lawn ornament at BigLots for $12.50. I sanded down the rough parts and gave it a quick brushing with silver leaf paint (Michael's). I wanted to add horns so I purchased a small tub of air-dry ceramic clay and used a narrow-end pastry-tip to form the evil antlers. I hand molded them to curve slightly giving them a bit more menacing look. After they dried over night I hot glued them in place then added a bit more clay to fill in the gaps to (hopefully) give them a more natural look.

Because I'm super-impatient I wanted to at least glaze over some of the painted areas to see how the project would look. I mixed equal parts craft black acrylic and glazing compound, brushed over the wing (pictured) and rubbed off the excess. The effect is almost exactly what I had hoped for: A darker, aged look that contrasts with the angelic face. I cannot wait to glaze over the whole thing. I'm contemplating adding the dripping effect seen in the inspiration pictures but won't know 'til I get to that part yet.

But it hasn't been all fun, games and crafts. I resumed my daily job-hunting; we got a lot of work done on the back yard (thanks to 3 cubic-yards of river rock and a wheelbarrow) and I've developed a lovely staph infection in my left foot. Now I'm on an IV of antibiotics for 14 days (GRRRRRR!) and have limited left-arm mobility.

It's never dull here in the Johnson/Cowan house!

Later!!!!

What would you do if...

2009-06-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I had the brilliant idea of puting this premise to print, but I was more-or-less shot down so I put it to my nickels of readers: What would you do if...
... you had the barest of quilting tools at your disposal? I mean, I have a room full of crap I rarely ever use but, as a quilter, I am comforted by their presence (if not the actual use). I have at least three cutting mats, a handful of rotary cutters; measuring tools I can't even recount and loads upon loads of fabric. I have marking pencils for every imaginable shade of fabric & enough upholstered tables to rend an entire queen-sized quilt from scratch. I have three sewing machines of varying age (and quality) and a Singer serger that has seen less than 1 year of actual use. I have, it can be argued, more than enough to produce an art quilt worthy of (at the very least) a red ribbon. Maybe more.
So what is a kid to do when they are relocated, sans quilting paraphenalia to another city- or state or even country? How do you pick up where you left off when the tools you're accustomed to using are a thousand miles away? What is the bare minimum it takes to make a quilt?
During these difficult times (what, with my mom dying and all) I plan to not only explore but possibly exploit the potential of each quilter- or at least THIS quilter- and the pre-concieved, retail-driven notion that good quilting is the result of artifact, not artistry.

Idle Hands... and all that jazz

2009-06-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

Of course, I couldn't possibly be content letting my mother sleep in a cold, sterile hospital bed. What kind of fabulously gay son would I be?

So I slip-covered the head and foot boards, made a tailored bed skirt (to help hide the mechanics underneath) and threw together a cute, li'l sham. Not too shabby (if I do say so myself).

All the fabric came from the local Wallie-world. I spent something like $40 for the whole kit-n-kaboodle.

Another Day In the Lost-N-Found Life of Miles

2009-06-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday, which means I have been here just over 7 days.

Today is my fathers' birthday (he turned 66) and is likely the last my mom will have been a part of. My aunt Mary Jo and uncle Paul came over for a simple Johnson-esque soiree of Mexican beef dip, salsa, Mexican-inspired pizza, margaritas and store-bought cake. I was deeply touched to see that my aunt went to the trouble of having my dads' name written into the icing.

It was, by all accounts a bitter-sweet birthday. But not one tear was shed, not a single thought was spoken that dwelled on the morbid inevitable.

We ate, drank, laughed and caught up.

It was a good birthday.

Settling in and Establishing a Pattern...

2009-06-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

Day 3.

The hospice coordinator (Lou- female) came this morning to get the ball rolling.

I ended up signing off on most of the paperwork including enrollment in care, DNR, etc.

At roughly the same time my Aunt (Moms' older sister), Kay came for a visit with her son (my cousin), Michael. It has been about 22 years since I've seen either of them. I figure this stay in Wisconsin will be rife with visits/reunions like this. What was a little awkward was when I both greeted and said my farewells to my cousin: I typically do the hand shake thing with people I don't know (which applies to relatives, or so I thought). He went in for the full-on cousinly hug. Weird.

My aunt has not (physically) changed one bit. It was pretty surreal. On the other hand, I remember my cousin as being incredibly athletic with dark hair. I wouldn't have recognized him if we had passed each other on the sidewalk; average but not as seemingly muscular and barely any pepper left in the hair.

Some friends (Chris and "Ozzy") also stopped by for a visit. I met them the last time I was here and I really like them; super good people. Chris especially shares my penchant for over-speaking the truth as we see it. Just don't get her started on politics!

Later in the evening (at our desire to expedite the services) the hospice company delivered a hospital bed, commode and wheelchair. Now, the dining room looks like a room from the hospital we just brought her home from... weird, huh?

Another Part of the Circle of Life

2009-06-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

I got up Sunday morning around 9 AM (yeah- I'm lazy like that).

I boarded my first flight (Bakersfield to San Francisco) at 8 PM that night.

I finally arrived in Appleton, Wisconsin around 9 AM the following morning.

After doing some much-needed housework (and really only scratching the dusty surface) I finally made it to bed (sofa?) around 10 PM.

I was awoken (sp?) by a slobbery tongue to the face at 6 AM on Tuesday.

Dad and I drove 2.5 hours to Madison and brought mom home.

We begin hospice care tomorrow.

I think I've finally caught up on the laundry.

Now if only I could tackle the rest of the house without feeling so overwhelmed.

A frivilous display in the main concourse of San Francisco. You wouldn't see this in Bakersfield, would ya?

A Crack in the Dam

2009-05-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

I blame it on the man-a-pause.

I couldn't have been siting here for more than three minutes before the tears started sneaking their way past my well-maintained defenses. I sat down at Dagny's (local coffee hang-out), primed up the laptop to send a revised copy of a new article to my editor and watched the video I've embedded into my blog. The words "What if...." stung as though I'd been slapped in the face.

So I'm sitting here, crying into my coffee and hoping no ones' paying any attention to this drama queen over in the corner.

I'm working my ass off trying not to think on it all so I'll type it once, get it out, send it out and repair the dam.

My mom pro'ly won't make it to Christmas- the cancer has spread so far that we're simply biding time. My own lymphoma is in check but the treatment kicks my ass and I'm not the same person- much as I think mom isn't quite the same person either...

Prop 8 get's upheld so our relationship stays where it's at- struggling for the recognition it deserves.

Yet.

I want to be (AM) grateful for what I do have: A great man, some understanding friends, some skills and talents... I am not a person living without.

Tears can seem selfish and reverent all at once.

OK- I'm done.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.......

Another Crushing, Confusing Defeat

2009-05-26T11:27:00.001-07:00

Today marks yet another blow to the Marriage Equality movement here in California and for the United States of America (which apparently is anything but "united").

This morning, the California Supreme Court uphelp Proposition 8 thereby writing into the California Constitution that a) marriage equality will not be extended to persons of the same sex except for b) those 18000 +/- couples who were fast (and lucky) enough to beat voters to the altar (voting booth).

The result is, in my humble opinion, even worse than nullifying the existing marriages. The message our illustrious Supreme Court sent is abundantly clear: Some of you (Gays and Lesbians) will have & enjoy equal rights while the rest will not.

The resulting dichotomy is both embarrassing and shameful!

California is a broken, mis-managed and dying state. The last two elections are difinitive proof of this. In last Novembers' election when Proposition 8 was on the ballot California experienced some of the highest voter turn-out ever! Earlier this month, during the budget revision special election California experienced the lowest voter turn-out in over 30 years! The message is obvious; California voters have screamed it from the mountain tops:

Tax reform and Budget legislation? I can't be bothered.

Marriage Equality? Hell No!

Obviously the residents of California are far more concerned with who I want to marry than balancing a budget or creating a tax system that actually works.

Like a Loud Clap of Thunder From on High!

2009-05-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

Something finally clicked into place.

I won't go into the long, drawn-out (and potentially boring) story of it. Just getting straight to the point: I know what I wanna be when I grow up: I want to own/run a countryside BnB slash artist retreat slash gallery. I want it to function as much off the grid as possible (wind and solar power). I want to use recycled shipping containers as the primary living units. I want to renovate an old barn for the gallery. I want to grow vegetables. And I want to quilt in all of my free time (HA!). I think I want to relocate us to Wisconsin I where almost half my extended family lives.

So, I've begun the process of educating myself: An Art major with a business minor. I may need to finish that in WI.

How crazy am I?

I'd appreciate any thoughts, feedback, resources, links, etc.

The adventure begins!

How Much...?

2009-05-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

OK- so I'm enrolled in school. During the summer semester I'm taking college algebra and psychology (because the fun classes were already filled and on a wait-list). But it's a solid 8 credits to get me going. During the fall semester I'm loaded with 18 credits. If I'm able to keep up the pace I should be able to complete an AA in two years, then transfer to Univeristy of California for a bachelors. What's my goal? Dunno yet. I still don't know what I wanna be when (if) I grow up.

To make a little extra dough I'm thinking of making fabric postcards to sell at a few local shops & galleries. So my question is this: What would you pay for one of these:

And here is how the backs of them are finished:

I'm thinking of selling them in little grift-sets of 4. Wrapped in paper and ribbon- you know, something gay.

So. What would you pay for a set of these 4 beauties? Be honest: I can take it.

I'm A Student... Again!

2009-05-04T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I've managed to piss away almost 5 months of unemployment (has it really been that long?). I've had to take a long, hard inventory of my skills and viability as a contributing member of of the working class:

Highschool diploma: Check.

College education: Nope.

Office, clerical or computer skills: Nope.

Solid employment history: Not of you include having had 40+ jobs in 20+ years. Sigh- very sad.

Team player: Uh- no.

Works well with others? Definately not.

So what's a kid to do?

Get a degree.

Might as well use the last of my unemployment to better myself. I see a "career counselor" tomorrow to decide which term and classes I need to take. My unofficial major: Art (duh!). My minor: Business Administration. I've already taken my admissions tests (math, reading and english), been through "orientation" and registered as a new student. Come June I might be a real student... Again.

May I Present...

2009-05-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

Holy Shit, Patron Saint of Our Perpetual Regularity.

Clearly, I have way too much time on my hands.

Background Check

2009-04-30T00:08:00.001-07:00

Finally got all the "border" and background done. Now it's a simple matter of filling the gaps to finish the image. Any guesses as to what it is? Here's a hint: It could also apply to being a cow, a bull or smoke, but you wouldn't want it on your roof unless it's on your plate. (insert theme to Jeopardy here).

I took this picture late at night under the kitchen fluorescents. Isn't sad how garrish the lights make the colors look?

Any Guesses Yet?

2009-04-29T17:30:00.001-07:00

So far I've completed the "border" and a single interior piece.

Any idea what it is?

Putting it Together... Bit by Bit

2009-04-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

My favorite musical of all time: Sunday in the Park with George. If you haven't I insist that you stop whatever you're doing right now (even reading this) and go find it. Net Flicks even has it. It is a Sondheim musical that touches on everything near and dear to many of us: Love, art and children. You will see some notable actors: Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters among others. The end brings me to tears as though it's the first time, each time.

So, yesterday I made some 40 cupcakes for a bingo fundraiser benefitting the American Heart Association and the new Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. Yummy! Chocolate or yellow butter cake, chocolate ganache infused with orange extract and topped with Rollos (chocolate-covered carmel chews).

Bet you wish you're boyfriend were hot like me.

I've also been "putting it together" with my newest WIP. Here you can see some of the color has been added (while an almost equal portion of the base fabric has been subtracted. I am loving the results so far. Hopefully I'll get most of the piecing done today. I never get over how differently the work looks when viewed in a picture. When my nose is in it all I see are little flaws and stuff, but from a distance (like this) it seems very tight.

Hang in there, mom.

RE VISED: Step Three

2009-04-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

I should make a minor correction to the previous post title. Planning, drawing and collecting inspiration; that would be Step One. Step Two is putting all those elements together to create a single drawing- like the one you see in the previous post. I have perhaps 4 or 5 pieces all in the Step One phase. For me, the collecting and drawing phase is much like foreplay: Lots of petting, and stroking MY MIND (you're all sick!) to get just the right ideas to come together.

Here is Step Three: Painstakingly cutting out the drawn pattern from below into heavy, fusible interfacing. Now, it would be unfair of me to explain the exact process- after all, Julie Hirota is very deserving of all the credit for my knowledge of this process. She has authored the one and only how-to quilting book I've ever purchased: Art Glass Quilts.

In this picture the work has been turned the length of my table. The pattern has been fused to my "base fabric". Now the fun begins! This phase is a lot like conception: I'm getting down to business and I know what I want the end result to be. I'm gentle yet firm (and sometimes I talk dirty).

You've been a naughty quilt, haven't you?

Step One- It All Starts Here

2009-04-26T21:56:00.001-07:00

A pattern drawing of a current WIP. Can you guess what it is (or will be)?

I played this game a while back on the HGTV Message Boards before I was kicked off (again) for being myself: You know- mouthy, opinionated, verbose and confrontational. What can I say- it's me and I'm growing to accept and love it. As I build this piece I'll post pictures here and there so y'all can see the progress of my work.

So, is it art?

Rest in Peace Beatrice Arthur

2009-04-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009

A common-looking woman who achieved uncommon success.

She remains an icon and a huge hero of mine.

RE KINDLED!

2009-04-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

Just found out- I had one piece chosen for the juried show opening next friday at Surface Gallery. They also kept one as a space-filling back-up (which, to me is equally gratifying).

I've also chosen three pieces to submit to the 2009 San Diego Quilt Show.

I've begun work on a few more pieces: Another Quilt Porn similar to Male Torso I but without the obvious genetalia; and a new series I currently refer to as Holy Shit! Yup, that's me- breaking down barriers in acceptable quilt subject material.

Recycled Shirts- Fun House Mirror Plaid & Friends

2009-04-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

I completed these pieces with some simple top-stitching, recycled buttons sewn on with really, really old wool yarn and a bias edge made from another black dress shirt & reclaimed ribbon.

Look, Ma! I Growed a Flower!

2009-04-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

First time I've ever planted bulbs- and me likey the results!

Just sharing...

Recycled Shirts- Part III

2009-04-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

OK- I wanted to get at least three done so I can submit them for the juried show. I had two done and this third one was lingering in I'll-Get-To-Its-Ville for the past week. Now I've got some top-stitching, embellishment and edges to finish.

Woo-Hoo!

Recycled Shirts- Part II

2009-04-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my second square using recycled shirts. Hopefully, the gallery hosting the juried show will like them enough to allow me late entry (they were due April 18th- ooops).

I really like this one because of it's "eveness". The previous one is a touch more random than I'm accustomed to working in but it was a nice departure. So far I've learned that I can do straight lines and controlled curves while still maintaining the integrity of the fabric. I think I'll be finishing the edges in plain black bias. The trick is that I need to make that out of recycled material to still qualify for the show at Surface Gallery.

I spent the morning relocating the survivors gallery to Health South and it looks really good in their atrium-slash-reception area. I keep on promising I'll take pictures of each location but never seem to get around to it. Grrr.

I am pleased that the EarthFair coordinators responded to my heated e-mail regarding the anti-abortion extremists at their event. It saddens me that there is nothing that can be done but I am so pleased to have gotten a response that mirrors my own concerns:

Miles,
Those people were not EarthFair exhibitors, nor would [w]e let them be. I am no less upset by their presence than you, as I have to tolerate it every year.
Because EarthFair is in a public park, and due to certain recent SupremeCourt rulings about first-amendment rights, we are unable to do ANYTHING about their presence or displays. The only thing we can do is set up warning signs around their exhibits when the[y] become stationary - which we did.
The only way we could shut these crazies out is to rent and fence the whole park, which is beyond our means.
I get email and calls every year from parents whose children were traumatized by these images. It's clear these individuals really care nothing about children; they are just there to shock.
It's completely disgusting.
Chris Klein EarthFair Production Manager

Listen, I am all for free speech- I really, really am. But our one and only grand-daughter (6 years old) had tears in her eyes when she asked me why people are killing babies. My heart broke and I think a small piece of innocence was destroyed in that moment. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. I would only ask them (and everyone) not to let your passion become terrorism.

Another Woven Experiment

2009-04-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

Back from San Diego- it was relaxing and fun. Earth Day at Balboa Park was a monster waste of time. I might've enjoyed it more except the Anti-Abortionist Extremists were there in huge numbers. They walked around carrying obscenely offensive and graphic pictures of fetuses, screamed at passers-by about killing children and all-out confronted anyone who tried to walk by without looking. Their presence ruined the entire event for me. What I objected to most is that they were not confined to any one area but spread throughout the whole event- even walking the entire venue with their disgusting propaganda*. We did our best to shield our grandchildren (6 & 3 years of age) but it was almost impossible. More on that later.

While doing laundry from our trip I put together another woven piece using recycled shirts. I also played with wavy lines rather than straight- a little detail that doubled the working time for this one square. Might haveta rethink that one, eh?

Not sure what I'm gonna do with this line of work but I still see promise in it.

I've also started a new book I picked up in SD: Lavender Road to Success- The Career Guide for the Gay Community by Kirk Snyder. I'm only into it by 23 pages but I am beginning to see how I've held myself back from any kind of success because our entire culture continues to tell me (us) how wrong I am for being gay and that I (we) don't deserve any kind of success because of it. Of course, the book focuses on "career" success but it certainly applies to "life" success as well. All of the testimonials I've read so far are real-estate, finance or law career-based. I'm hoping to find further inspiration from the artistically successful. If anyone out there has any suggestions for more reading material I might dive into, please chime in. I've got 10 years to put my life in order and relocate as a successful artist to a small loft condo overlooking Balboa Park. Times-a-wastin'!

*This is NOT a statement of my position on abortion. As a man I don't think I'm qualified to have an opinion on this subject. I know, it's kinda a cop-out but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Going Forward

2009-04-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

Good late morning.

I want you all (all 7 of you) to know I'm not a complete numb-skull. I'll be talking with my specialist about the possible interaction between the new meds I'm on and the "anxiety" meds I've been on for a while.

This post'll be short and here is why:

1) We are leaving for San Diego early this afternoon for a long over-due visit to see Christopher (Stephen's son) and his family.

2)I've got some laundry, house cleaning and shopping to do for said trip.

However, last night I started experimenting with woven fabrics and here are three results. I blame Kaite for my current obsession with this technique. These squares are 8.5" unfinished. I have no idea what or how I'll use them- but it was fun making them and I can see lots of potential in the technique.

I'm Done.

2009-04-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not finding work.

I'm not doing anything worthwhile.

I'm simply NOT doing anything worth a damn.

I'm done.

I'm tired.

I'm through.

There is simply no reason to continue this ridiculous charade any longer.

Yowza- I can certainly see how that can be taken as a final exit.

Friends and acquaintances- I thought I had put this entry into "Save As Draft" and not actually posted it. I wasn't finished with the entry and have more to add.

That is a terrible mistake on my part. I am very sorry for having worried anyone (readers, friends, co-workers).

I guess I kinda have to 'splain myself: The "charade" I'm refering to is my thinking of myself as a stylishly in-tune artist and writer. Honestly, it seems none of these things are true to the extent that I need them to be. Finding a job (being un-employed) for so long has certainly been a challenging, frustrating and definately depressing issues for me. I guess I have just gotten to the point where putzing around the house & doing psuedo-creative crap isn't going to pay the bills (though it can be distracting from the root cause of the problem).

Yes, I'm creative to an extent- but it's not getting me in the door for an interview. I've completed over 200 applications since December '08 and had 2 (!) interviews since.

Yes, I appear to be able to do lots of different things (smoke and mirrors) but it doesn't seem to equate to attributes an employer values (like drive, longevity and a degree).

So the beginning of my post is about me kinda kicking myself in the butt; to stop effing around with the artsy crap and get a job- ANY job. Hell, I'd settle for washing dishes right about now if it meant I had something else to get out of the house for.

Please accept my apologies. I'm not offing myself. Just griping and complaining and venting.

Unforgivable!

2009-04-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

*Did I spell that right?

Any-who, the absence from my own blog is simply intolerable (that one I can spell). I'm slowly making my way to bed so Imma haveta make this one brief:

My work on the Exquisite Corpse round-robin has been far more challenging than I had anticipated. Consequently, I'm not enjoying it nearly as much as I thought I might. I guess I'm just such a control-freak-loner that working nearly blind with four other strangers is about as far out of my comfort zone as I can possibly get and not freak out. I am kinda happy with the work I did on the second square but I can't post pictures of it- damnitalltohell!

I am also coming close to a couple deadlines for a few small local shows but I got some fabric today to begin those. This time around I am using used shirts I bought at Good Will. I'll post more on that later.

A couple days ago I did finish a project that had been languishing in I'll Get To Its-Ville. There is a small niche in our hallway that I finally installed a light in and so far (knocking on laminated wood) the house has not burned down.

Here is the niche just after we moved in but prior to painting:

I removed the existing wall switch for the hallway lights, tore out the single-gang box and fished romex up the wall, across the attic and down into the new hole I cut for the recessed fixture. Yeah- it sounds a lot simpler than it was.

Tapping off the existing wall switch power I added another switch for the new light and replaced the existing switch with Decora rockers. I like the screwless plates, too.

The end result is a nicely lit (and dimmable) niche. My next little project for that area is to install a white shelf at the base of the niche that protrudes slightly from the opening and curves like the top of the niche. I think it'll finish it off.

In addition to minor lighting changes I have been hard at work getting the garage in a more hospitable condition. I took some cans of left-over paint, combined them and managed to cover two walls. It's surprising how much of an improvement a little paint can make, eh?

Over the course of the past couple months I'd been collecting (buying) the cheap melamine cabinets from Lowe's. Well, I finally got them all put together and stuffed to the top with "stuff" that would otherwise be laying about or shoved in open shelving. Stephen is pretty happy with the results and has even started pitching in to get the garage cleaned out even more.

I'll post more as I get the gumption. Does anyone else smell smoke?

Later!!!!

Overdue!

2009-03-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

I had a visit to my specialist this afternoon and received some long, overdue news: The current treatment is working! Between a regimine of medication, heat and massage the lumps on either side of my neck ar roughly half the size they were when I began treatment. My doctor was surprised: Happily surprised. Even though I'm only three weeks into treatment there remains a good possibility I won't need the bi-lateral (and grossly invasive) biopsy.

I finished building some window treatments for my friend, Elaine. As soon as I can I will post some pictures- they are aweme- if I do say so myself.

Other than that I can't think of too much too add at this moment. But hey, it's late and I'm a bit tired. Later!!

Word Up

2009-03-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Diane for blogging about this fun website: Savethewords.org. Here is my certificate...

Back In the Game... (?)

2009-03-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

OK- so the PC is still in the "shop". That's 4 days without a 'puter. Who'd ever thunk that I (we'd ?) be stressing over the lack of internet-activity. Wasn't it just yesterday (20 years ago- ugh!) that we had barely heard of the "internet" much less depended on it like blood?!
Anywho... I purchased a small Acer Laptop so that we (I) can sit together, watch TV, talk, whatever and still keep tabs on the can't-live-without-it inter-net while still being together. Now isn't that sweet? I think so.

In the meantime we are still a-waitin' the return of our hopefully-newly-fixed CPU. They say it's been infected with a plethora of viruses- the equivalent of Internet AIDS- and that it would take 3 days to restore. Now I'm totally regretting not being more efficient on these computer things... aren't you? I think now that some of this unemployed-downtime would be best spent getting some much-needed edju-muh-kashun. Is there ever gonna be a break for us little guys?

I'll post more later: This new laptop doesn't have a disc drive, it needs to have an external one. so it's over-all applications are limited... for now. Soon as I can work this new toy out.

Thanks for hangin' in there, peeps! I've been dropping in your bogs when I can and I love the read!

Later.

Take That, Humanity!

2009-02-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

After careful consideration of the nomination I received for community service I forwarded this letter to the organizational committee, the local TV station sponsoring the event and our illustrious-if-narrow-minded mayor:

February 24th, 2009

Beautiful Bakersfield Committee
Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1947
Bakersfield, CA 93303

Cc: Mayor Harvey Hall; News Director- KGET-TV 17

To Whom It May Concern:

Recently, I was informed of a nomination for the Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Event by phone. Additional information was subsequently sent to me via mail. I have reviewed the information sent: I appreciate the time (money) and effort that was made in sending this information to me however I would like to formally withdraw my nomination from the category of “Arts- Individual; Artistic Quilt Panels for Heart Walk, 2008”.

The category I was nominated for is but one small (the smallest) aspect of the heart-felt work I’ve done in the past 6 years to help promote Bakersfield. Due to budgetary cut-backs I was laid-off from my county job on December 19th, 2008- less than a week before Christmas. As a result I can no longer support a County or City that chooses not to support the members of its community.

In my opinion, careful thought should have been given when choosing to continue with self-congratulatory events such as Beautiful Bakersfield:

Mounting City, County and State fiscal crises.
Topping the nation in foreclosures- again.
Ranking 14th in the nation for housing and business vacancies.
Unemployment rate over 10%.
Not to mention Bakersfield's Epic Failure (75%) to support the Gay & Lesbian community by allowing Proposition 8 to pass in last November's election.

One has to wonder how many jobs could have been saved; how much money could have been redirected toward social services; how the effort involved in coordinating and televising such an event could have benefited local charitable organizations by donating that time rather than celebrating Bakersfield’s’ failure to thrive, prosper and look after it’s own.

It is for this and so many other reasons that I wish not to be recognized by the Beautiful Bakersfield Committee now or in the future.

Sincerely,

Miles J Johnson

Catching Up... AGAIN!!

2009-02-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been over a week since my last entry/share session. So much to tell you! Go grab a cup of coffee so we can dish...

First: I've not been feeling a 100%- but then who normally does this time of year, right? I've been fighting off strep, a sinus/chest infection and a rather nasty round of the stomach flu; one right after the other. It don't rain, but it certainly do pour. All that added to the endless tests for the growing lumps on my neck. Oh! Don't forget the crown I had done a couple weeks ago which never really "fit" right.

Yeah- my health has been a challenge over the last couple of weeks. Fortunately I 've kept in mind that most of these things are temporary. The strep/sinus/flu has run it's course; the crown has been adjusted and feels "normal". As for the neck lumps (what I too-casually call my "tumors"), I've still no answers on that. Our healthcare system really likes to make people hurry up and wait: Wait for an approval for this test, wait for approval for another specialist... lots of waiting for approval. It's nerve-wracking.

However, I've not been content to simply wallow in my misery. Instead I've tried to keep busy or at least distract myself. I completed and submitted two more articles; one on theme party entertaining and one for cheap interior make-overs.

The first article on theme parties was super-fun! I pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat by creating an entire Island theme soiree for under $50. That included all the decor, service ware and food.

I know: I'm that good.

The second article was a shorty on how to do quick make-overs for little or no money. My neighbor let me use her home for this project and she was very pleased with the results. Here is a quick before and after...

Soon as the article publishes I'll provide a link so you can get the skinny on how everything got done.

Last weekend, when I was feeling just well enough, we took a couple days and spent them with my dear friend James and his partner, Ryan. They rent a unique, mid-century gem in a suburb of Sacremento. The house has been published and could very well end up a landmark some day. I thought I'd share a couple pictures of their home.

Tomorrow I will be installing the Survivor's Gallery at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. It is the first official stop since it'e unveiling at the Go Red for Women Luncheon earlier this month.

Taxes are done! And not without a small bit of frustration. Turns out that as a free-lance writer I am considered "self-employed" and thusly not eligible to file under my usual 1040EZ. I'm sure I screwed myself royally this year as I saved no receipts for the articles I wrote. Still, I am getting some coin back from the gub'ment, though I'm sure the good ol' State of Cal-ee-for-ny-ay will take their sweet time getting me my $131. Man I hate this state!

Some sad news: My mother has been battling cancer for almost a year now. Initially diagnosed with breast cancer it has metastised throughout her body most recently in her liver. Since communication with my parent's is strained I only get bits-n-pieces through the odd e-mail, usually forwarded to me by a cousin. I am sending Tulip II to her next week.

There. I think that about brings everyone up to speed. Lemme know if ya have any questions.

Later!!!!!!!

Playing Catch-Up While Lying Down.

2009-02-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Beck for her fine guesswork on BIIA part II! I got your address and I'll be sending something out in short order.

~~~Instead of posting a new entry I have updated this one in RED~~~

Apologies for being neglectful of my blog. I had dental work done and am fighting off a resultant infection. It's bad enough being sick, but doubly bad when eating is painful. I'm back to the doctor today with a possible change in medications (since I am allergic to most anti-biotics).

Another "Z-pack" and a mouth rinse. Ew!

This is not to say I haven't been keeping myself busy. I've finished piecing a small wall hanging for my best friend who recently moved to Sacramento. I'll be starting the quilting sometime today.

Here's the quilt top. Check out that awesome ironing I did for the orange section.

I also installed a light over the kitchen sink (no small task, that one!).

Pictures will follow soon as I can find the battery charger for the camera (grrrrr!).

The camera battery charger was located. YAY!

This will conclude my brief entry for the day- all I wanna do is go lay down on the couch and moan.

Oh! But I will rally (temporarily) as I have a job interview this afternoon... And the Oscar for Best Performance by a Male goes to..........?

BTW: Is there a technical, "artsy" term for when a person intentionally blurs their sight when viewing a piece of art? I ask because I took this crappy picture with my crappy camera and the blurred perspective intrigues me. WT: Implied Spiral I (or The Demented Carrot), 20 x 25 unfinished.

Jackie or Marilyn

2009-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

Which are you? Here's a fun little quiz to help identify your inner diva.

Here's mine:

You are a Jackie. "I do everything the right way."
Jackies are realistic, conscientious, and principled. They strive to live up to their high ideals.

How to Get Along with Me
* Take your share of the responsibility so I don't end up with all the work.
* Acknowledge my achievements.
* I'm hard on myself. Reassure me that I'm fine the way I am.
* Tell me that you value my advice.
* Be fair and considerate, as I am.
* Apologize if you have been unthoughtful. It will help me to forgive.
* Gently encourage me to lighten up and to laugh at myself when I get uptight, but hear my worries first.

What I Like About Being a Jackie
* Being self-disciplined and able to accomplish a great deal
* Working hard to make the world a better place
* Having high standards and ethics; not compromising myself
* Being reasonable, responsible, and dedicated in everything I do
* Being able to put facts together, coming to good understandings, and figuring out wise solutions
* Being the best I can be and bringing out the best in other people

What's Hard About Being a Jackie
* Being disappointed with myself or others when my expectations are not met
* Feeling burdened by too much responsibility
* Thinking that what I do is never good enough
* Not being appreciated for what I do for people
* Being upset because others aren't trying as hard as I am
* Obsessing about what I did or what I should do
* Being tense, anxious, and taking things too seriously

Jackies as Children Often
* Criticize themselves in anticipation of criticism from others
* Refrain from doing things that they think might not come out perfect
* Focus on living up to the expectations of their parents and teachers
* Are very responsible; may assume the role of parent
* Hold back negative emotions ("good children aren't angry")

Jackies as Parents
* Teach their children responsibility and strong moral values
* Are consistent and fair
* Discipline firmly

What is kinda spooky is how accurate a lot of these statements are.....

Go Red for Women!!!

2009-02-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

February marks an important month for the American Heart Association. February 6th is National Wear Red Day in support of the fight against heart disease and stroke. Every year cities across the country rally in support of this event by hosting luncheons, fashion shows or conferences to educate their community. Here in Bakersfield it is one of the premier events to attend. I volunteer every year but this year was really special.

My good friends Cheryl Mestmaker and Judy Alfter are two of Bakersfields' best photographers. For the past two years they have provided their expertise in photographing a Survivors Gallery; portraits of women (and girls) who have survived heart disease and stroke in our own community. This year I got the immense pleasure of coordinating the gallery at the luncheon held yesterday at the Bakersfield Marriot and Convention Center. The result is something I am deeply proud of. It shows what can happen when creative people meet, when the stars align and when everything goes just right.

As a special bonus, the local media used our gallery as a backdrop to most of their live "plugs" for the event. Behind the reporter is the gallery prior to its official unveiling:

Flashback: Many months ago at one of the AHA coordination meetings I signed up for the task of creating the gallery; a backdrop to the as-yet unseen photographic work of Cheryl and Judy. As many of you know, Mervyn's has closed it's doors. What you may not know is that in the process they sold everything- right down to the merchandising and display paraphernalia. What you see behind the reporter is the result of some restrained-impulsive purchasing. Each of those poles extends to meet and gently wedge between the ceiling and floor. They were used for displaying advertising in the Mervyn's stores.

Another shot of the gallery before unveiling:

It was my vision to re-purpose the advertising apparatus and turn it into a portable art gallery. I cut new "inserts" for each frame from thin particle board that simple clamps onto the poles and painted the inserts with black chalkboard paint. I used gratuitous amounts of black fabric (which I have tons of for just such occasions) to hang, swag and puddle. This was done to soften the industrial-looking poles and hardware. Then it was a simple matter of hanging the portraits on the inserts, pinning up a bio next to each picture and having the "model" sign the board. I think the over-all effect speaks for itself.

As I mentioned, the stars seemed to align as this project came together. I was able to purchase all the hardware you see in these pictures plus a bunch more for $35. Yes! $5 per pole/frame/base/clamp. All the fabric came from Big Lots (they are actually sheer drapes of various sizes) at $5 per panel or scarf.

I printed the bios on rose-printed vellum, layered it with coordinating papers and zig-zag stitched them together as you see them. I think it added a crafty touch making the whole thing a little more "friendly" looking.

The gallery will be touring Kern county for the rest of the year. I think one of the most poignant things about this years' gallery is the amazing cross-section of people, girls and ladies, who have been affected by heart disease. I wrote a small blurb about the gallery which was also mounted in one of the empty frames along with information about the photographers. It reads:

The Survivor Gallery is part of an ongoing effort to put a name and a face to heart disease. This year, more than ever, the gallery shows the true reach of heart disease; from children to grandmothers; through all ethnic backgrounds and all lifestyles. Heart disease truly does not discriminate.
It is through the tireless efforts of the American Heart Association, its staff and countless volunteers that we work toward a day when no gallery is needed. Perhaps only a small reminder of what heart disease and stroke used to be.

WrongPlanet is Just Plain Wrong

2009-02-03T23:05:00.000-08:00

This is a website that claims to be the online support site for people on the autistic spectrum. When I first became diagnosed with Asperger's (a type of high-functioning autism) I sought out this- and sites like it- in an effort to educate myself and find some sort of support since the resources in Bakersfield are pretty limited.

Initially, I believed so strongly in the site that I made an on-line donation to support their efforts. The only "perk" supporting participants receive is a small logo under their avatar. I wrote and inquired about the donation and I was ignored. They claim to have never received this donation. Scam? I'm thinking so.

As it turns out, the WrongPlanet site is like any other chat-like forum I've been to: Filled with and essentially run by people with one agenda: To limit diversity and segregate people within their own community. The site actively promotes separation of autistics and people they snidely refer to as "NTs", or "neuro-typicals". The administrators of that forum promote themselves and their participants as being better than "NTs". And they look down upon anyone who doesn't agree with their agenda.

Lastly, the site is run, quite literally, by children. Participants claiming to be as young as 7 years old bait any free-thinking new-comer into salacious arguments then cry to mommy and daddy about the "mean, GAY man" on-line who is harassing them.
It has always been my personal rule to never engage known (or assumed) minors in ANY kind of conversation on line. After a momentary lapse in that judgement I have been banned from the site and am now brandished as a "troll", a stalker and a threat to children.

I am quite literally sick to my stomach at the thought of being perceived in such a derogatory and heinous fashion. I have all but begged to be deleted from their site and they still refuse to answer my pleas.

Parents (or adults): Please be super-aware of who you are conversing with on-line. If in doubt, don't chat.

But Is It Art?

2009-01-31T12:16:00.000-08:00

In my ongoing efforts to unravel the twisted yarn that is my friends' minds I offer up this second installation of But Is It Art? from Friday Night Pictionary. My dear, misguided friend Jose drew this with such passion and conviction we were all certain it must've been something, well.... important.

To make this interesting I'll award a fabric PC to the person whos' guess comes closest to the intended item- or amuses me the most. The category for this drawing was "object". You all have until next Friday night to submit your guesses. Let the games begin!

Suck It, Jesus! This Is My God Now!

2009-01-30T16:14:00.000-08:00

That's right, bitches! I AM the Quilting Man!

Ahem... sorry 'bout that.

Any-hoo, that's me next to Tulips II which I have temporarily hung in the hallway. And I'll be damned if it don't look real purty right there! Might haveta make a Tulips III. All I have left to do is put on a simple frame so that Ma can hang it right away without having to wait for Dad to frame it for her. Whenever he has time and motivation he can make a more formal frame that works with their interior.

A Girls' Mind is Never Made Up

2009-01-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

And a design idea is never set in stone until the needle hits the fabric. And even then it's totally negotiable.

I finished quilting Tulips II today. It is currently pinned down to the table and drying from a good steaming out. Which means if all goes well I can have it stretched and mounted over a wood frame this weekend sometime. Mom'll be so happy.

Now, I have to make a correction: I did not hand-quilt the leaves as I originally thought I would (sorry, TIB). After the machine quilting was finished (the first time) I sat there playing around with the fabric for an hour or so trying to picture just the stitch, where they should go and in what color. The effect I wanted was to add a textured vein (for lack of a better term) to the center of each leaf. Ultimately, I played around and settled on stitch #49 on my Brother- basically it's a zig-zag that creates little hills (see the shitty close-up). By placing them side-by-side (back-to-back?) I got just the effect I wanted. It's also a nice contrasting stitch to the tight echo stitch throughout the rest (which kind makes the whole thing looks likes it's vibrating, don't it?).

Now it's on to yet another WIP that has been pinned to our dining room wall for the past couple of months. I'll be happy to get that one done. Dunno where it'll live when it is finally complete- possibly roleld up and stashed in the closet along with the others. I'm such a directionless quilter, ain't I?

ETA: The pictures posted now replaced ones I hastily took last night after completing the quilting. These were taken outside with natural light and show the quilting and colors much more, uh... naturally. This work is now official: Tulips II, 14x30; commercial fabrics, Sulky thread (17 colors) & mono-filiment; machine pieced and quilted.

Breaking the Quilting Barrier

2009-01-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

...or

De-"flower"ing a Virgin Quilt

...whatever.

I avoid putting the needle to a quilt top like I avoid going to the dentist. But once I break through I get so excited about the process. I could sit and quilt all day, losing complete track of time (and chores) in the process. As mentioned earlier I finally stuck it to Tulips II (say that 5 times fast). I am quite pleased with the quilting so far.

I spray-basted this project because it's smaller than my usual work: Something like 12x30, I haven't really measured it yet. The spray basting makes it easier for me to do the linear quilting without having to fuss over pins or (gawd forbid) basting threads.

Have a peek:

The background will be fully machine quilted but I plan on hand-quilting (ugh!) the leaves. I may also free-hand machine quilt the "ground" portion but I'm (it's) undecided. Since this was s'posed to be a Christmas present for Ma I think it's about time to get my ass in gear and finish this puppy!

Am I Crazy? Asking Too Much? What?!

2009-01-24T23:10:00.001-08:00

Dear friends and neighbors (particularly the sewing ones),

Can someone please explain to me what they believe should happen to a sewing machine when one has asked for a "tune and clean"? Because either my standards/expectations are way outta line or the shop I took it to effed up and simply forgot to CLEAN my damned machine.

I draw your attention to Exhibit A where in my own words and writing I asked for several things to be addressed when I took my Brother in to the local sewing maching/vacuum shop. Among these things was that the machine be tuned and cleaned.

Exhibit A:

Now please direct your attention to Exhibit B. See that pile of lint and dust to the right of the bobbin chamber? I just cleaned all that crap outta my machine. And there's still lots more I can see but can't reach with my modest cleaning tools.

Exhibit B:

How did I come to this amazing discovery? Well lemme tell you:

I finally got around to putting the needle to Tulips II that I pieced together many months ago. I favor my Brother for linear quilting and because it's super-fast to change the thread. Ergo I began practicing on a sample sandwich to get the tension and stitch length adjusted (like the good, little quilter I am). Well, I became increasingly dissatisfied with the upper tension which, when turned all the way to ZERO was still pulling the bobbin thread up to the top layer. Not a lot, but just enough to annoy me. So I re-threaded the whole thing and gave it another go with the same results. So I thought I would simply adjust the bobbin tension. After taking off the two covers I was startled (pissed, really) to see so much lint in the lower case.

As you can see, I paid $59.98 to have this machine cleaned and tuned. I paid an additional $10.51 for 20 bobbins and a spool holder that doesn't work (I lost the original that held skinnier Gutterman-style spools). Actually, I paid a lot more than that because I also took in my ol' Singer which seems to be working just fine.

So, am I crazy? Or did I get less than I paid for? What say you dear readers?

2009-01-24T12:44:00.000-08:00

After you get your mind outta the gutter I have a serious question to ask y'all: WTF is this?
On most Friday nights a group of 5 or 6 of us get together for "game night". It used to be Uno Attack! but after about 3 years of that we moved on to something else: Pictionary. Last night was no exception- loud and obnoxious, somewhat perverse-minded people yelling and screaming at each other while the 2-minute timer counts down. The above represents an attempt by my dear friend Elaine to convey (in her own, warped way) the thing she had to, uh, convey. I can tell you that none of us around the table got even close to guessing what it was. Can you?
Imma give this a week and see where the guesses take us. Then I'll tell you all what it was s'posed to be.

The Ordeal of the CT Scan

2009-01-16T16:58:00.000-08:00

I told him something didn't feel right when he made the first stick.

He told me everything was fine; that everything went in normally.

I told him it hurt a lot.

He said a "little discomfort" is normal.

Halfway through the CT Scan I had to pull the plug and stop. The pain in my arm was FAR more than mere discomfort. I was sweating and breathing heavy (and not in a good way). The pressure in my arm was beyond anything I felt was "normal". Like a blood-pressure cuff gone insane. Turns out he had by-passed my vein when inserting the line for the contrast dye. In essence, he was inflating my bicep with saline and dye.

A 2 minute CT Scan turned into an hour-long ordeal and a left arm 3" bigger than my right.

The ER nurse (who did my second intraveinous line) assured me that this was not a dangerous situation and that the swelling/discoloration would fade within 24 hours.

How do you spell "plaintiff"?

The Obsessive-Compulsive World of Me

2009-01-15T15:42:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Steven!!!

No, not my Stephen; his grandson, Steven (my step-grandson?). He turns 14 today! I guess we are meeting the various polite-yet-estranged family members from this convoluted little Patton Place for pizza. Since I am the designated shopper I have the dubious task of procuring gifts for these special occassions. As part of my passion for giving I also love gift wrapping. How frickin' gay is that? Not content with the ever(lazy)-popular gift bag I like to give things in boxes where the top lifts off. So I take your standard shirt gift box and cut 1" off the entire edge to make it shorter than the bottom. There is always (at least for me there is) a strip of paper that I trim to better fit what I'm wrapping. I save these trimmings now and use them for adding "ribbon" and wrapping small things like books.

Just what ever teen-ager wants for their birthday- clothes and a book. Maybe not...

I go to all this trouble for a number of reasons:

1) I simply enjoy the process.

2)I love the reaction to the reciever (usually adults) when they see the effort in something they normally tear into.

3) The gift box can be used more than once. When I was a kid we would exchange gifts with the family at Christmas. The "moms" of our family were keen on saving the gift boxes, folding them up and using them the following year. Somewhere along the way we took to putting dates in them and were surprised to see boxes lasting 5 or more years.

In keeping with the obsessive need for "making things my own" I re-dressed the chandalier with a new set of dangles. With a 40% off coupon from Michael's I was able to dress up the chandy for around $30. This time around there is a definate Indian (dot, not feather) influence. The coordination with the quilt in the background is more-or-less unintentional. I'm sure I was subconsciously thinking of it but it wasn't my driving factor. I just think I'm really into circles, greens and blues right now.

My Haunting Creative Space

2009-01-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

No, not like with spirits of dead people, but as in it haunts my mind when I've so much I want to do to it. Well, I finally got off my lazy ass and did some cleaning, re-organizing, more cleaning and throwing out all the "stuff" I couldn't seem to let go before. The result? A space that works much better even though every square inch seems packed to the rafters. Have a peek...

My previously-posted fabric wall with re-purposed shoe racks to store rolls of fabric. I've also moved the table so that it is right under the rolls of fabric making it super-easy to unroll, cut what I need and roll it back up.

Finally, Bully and Me got hung so that it is the first quilt you see when you walk into the room. Notice the "Christmas remnants" still clinging to the shelves...

Another look at the binder clips holding potential project fabric in plain view but out of the way. I added a shelf over them to store infrequently used items, bruches and other "stuff".

I'm not afraid to admit that I shamelessly pin projects right to the wall. The clear storage unit is a panty-hose display case from Mervyn's. They went out of business and sold off everything. I snagged this perfect piece for $5.

Something New, Something Bold!

2009-01-08T23:42:00.000-08:00

Hubby has recently shared his "displeasure" of the gallery wall in our living room. Admittedly, the pictures were put up in extreme haste- an effort to get things up off the floor shortly after we moved in. I kinda like it, but dear partner has had his fill. What's a kid to do?

Make a quilt! That's what. (I've got it allllllllll under control)

Pulling from the pallete that pervades this/our house: Neutral, red, white, black, blue and gold (shocking, eh?) I've decided to try and create a single piece per hubby's input; large enough to "fill" the wall but not so big as to feel "upholstered". Make sense? Hope so.

Here'a cheap and sleazey (sp?) PAINT mock-up of a single square multiplied 16-fold. It's only piecing so there is much room to grow.

Again, this is only one square repeated and flipped ad nauseum. Other squares have more white or more yellow or more blue (yes, it's s'posed to be blue, not purple). I do intend on adding black somewhere, either as sashing or as detail work. Who know's?

BTW: The colors represented on my screen are putrid. They are, in person, far more pleasing to the eye- they have a similar richness and hue that helps to make them compatible. On my screen they look like Legos. Badly colored Legos. Ewwwww!

On another quilting front (yes, I am keeping myself busy despite my unemployment woes) I have almost completed a second panel for the American Heart Association. I'll post a picture of it later- when I've completed the machine stitching portion. For a peek at the first I'll re-post:

These are small panels that have been created by participants of the Bakersfield Heart Walk, 2008. They were able to sign, draw or dedicate anything they wanted in regards to their experience with heart disease and stroke on fabric. After that I take and quilt them into something... more(?). There is lots of hand-quilting in the one pictured- something I am usually loathe to do.

Soon as I get more done I'll let y'all know.

Thanks for reading!!!!!! (I don't think I say that often enough, do I?)

Hind-Sight

2009-01-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

I promised quite some time ago to spot-light previous projects. Obviously, I haven't been good about keeping my word. Well, a new year and a revitalized effort to share my work (such as it is) with the world.

The working title (such a writer's word, huh?) for this piece was Kern River 1. I can't remember exactly what prompted such a specific title unless it was for a specific show at the time. I guess hind sight isn't 20/20 after all...

KR1 became one of the largest pieces using the organic spiral forms I am fond of. After completion I thought it looked rather like a tricycle so the finished title became Abstract Cirlces- The Tricycle. Someday when I get really good at photographing my work I'll post detail shots. The linear quilting of this piece became quite dense. I also used about 14 colors of thread to top-stitch the work.

Sadly, this piece sits in a closet all rolled up. I hope to either hang or sell it someday.

A New Year With Some Old Habits

2009-01-02T00:07:00.000-08:00

Stephen thinks I have utterly lost it.

Stephen: "What are you doing?"

Me: "Wrapping the Christmas Ornaments. Why?"

Stephen walks away, shaking his head.

Truly, my actions have a benevolent purpose. I thought how convenient it would be to be able to pull out all the ornaments and throw them under the tree, decorating a little at a time while still keeping the place looking tidy and festive.

Speaking of ornaments (one of my latest obsessions) I would like to put out an APB on the following items. I am interest in procuring more but have had no luck finding them. Perhaps y'all can help a bruthah out.

First, the following sets were purchased in 2006 and 2007 from Costco. I would sell a kidney for a box or two of the globes.

Second up are these delightfully colorful pointy ornaments. I think I got them at Target 2 or 3 years ago.

Lastly are these gorgeous finial-style ornaments I got from Pier 1 just this year. They were the last 4 either localtions had. I would love to have an even dozen.

What say you, dear readers? Am I crazy; has unemployment begun to take it's toll on my sanity?

On another fron I was contacted by Cate Prado of Quilting Arts Magazine. She has asked if I'd be willing to share pictures of my modest work space to the readers of Studio Magazine. It seems this blog is really paying off! I'll provide more inforation as I get it. Fingers crossed and throwing pennies into a fountain.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

2008-12-23T16:53:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I said it. Not "Happy Holidays" but "Merry Christmas".

I'm about as far from religion as they come, but I grew up with some very rich Christmas traditions which I refuse to let the PC mediocritists water down into a vague sense of holiday patronization.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! To all my on-line friends and readers. I hope you all have a fabulous, festive and joyful Christmas with friends, family and pets. I wish everyone blessings, stability in these tough economic times and health. I hope the new year brings hope and prosperity and a renewed integrity in everything that touches the heart.

I promised to share some pictures of the various Christmas projects I was working on... So here goes:

I finally finished the ornament topiaries I started last year. There was (is?) a third I started but I under-estimated the number of ornaments the project would take. Ah well. This is the view through the topiaries to out fireplace.

I also have been re-painting the Christmas Village pieces I've been collecting from Walmart over the past 4-ish years. As I mentioned earlier, they are cheap (like me) but crudely painted (not like me). So I thought I'd give them a pewter-leaf paint job and wash them with a black glaze. They look really good in person and have the appearance of really old pewter-cast pieces. I set them up under the tree. I am very happy with the results so far. I have about 4 more pieces to paint.

*A Christmas OCD Tip: Most of the packages under our tree are actually the boxes for the ornaments.

The tree was decked out over the course of a week or so. In a wierd turn-of-events I had a friend "borrow" our living room for their family Christmas photoshoot. I just got a card from her today and the shots look great! It's a bit odd seeing my tree behind them... but it's all good!

Maddy is growing up so quick, I can hardly believe my eyes! She has been so good with all the people (excluding squeeling children) coming over for visits. Since we haven't seen an accident in over a week I think we can officially call her "house-trained". She's even left the tree completely alone. Should I be worried? We have found that she must be touching one of us almost all the time...

So once again I would like to wish everyone the best Christmas Ever!

Food Article For February

2008-12-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

As publishing goes, I am always two or more months ahead of where I'm at. This week's column and pictures will be published in the February issue of Bakersfield Magazine. I submitted my article last week but didn't get my pictures done 'til this evening. And I think this time I finally figured out my camera! By playing with the "ISO" setting (whatever the hell that is) I was able to get much clearer shots in dim light. The results, I think speak for themselves.

On the menu for this article:

Salmon Oscar with Rosemary Oven-roasted Potatoes

Fig and Arugula salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Bananas Foster

But you'll have to wait for the issue to come out to get my recipes. Ha Ha!

Things I've Done- A Beginning

2008-12-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of "Things I've Done- Or Not" I pilfered from Lisa Call (http://blog.lisacall.com/2008/12/things-ive-done.html). I usually like these kinds of things but this one has a ring of pretentiousness to it that I didn't care for too much. After all, when you're as poor as I am much of this list simply won't happen (like all the worldly travelling). But I digress.

Blue are things I've done

Green are things I haven't but it could happen

Black are things I would like to do but most likely never will

Red are things you couldn't pay me enough money to do:

1.Started your own blog (ummmm. duh!)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (not “held”, but I have some killer pictures of one in our backyard)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (no way in hell)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a homerun
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

There are others I would like to suggest as alternatives:

Taken a roadtrip on the spur of the moment

Travelled cross-country by car or bus

Visited the grave of someone (in)famous

Watched an animal/pet give birth

Watched your mom &/or Grandma cook

Gone to the church or chapel of a faith not your own

Driven a tractor

Made Christmas presents

held an elected office (not including school)

Stopped to help a stranger on the side of the road with a flat or engine trouble

Performed CPR or the Heimlich in a real-life situation

Taught a class

Hung your own art in your home

Gone to the movies alone

Explored an abandoned house or building

I also have a small powder room book that outlines 101 things everyone should know how to do. Like tie a bow-tie or change a tire... that kinda thing. I'll post some of the more ambiguous ones later on. Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa!

Merry Obsessive-Compulsive Christmas!

2008-12-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Here are a few things I've been working on. First, I'm finishing ornament topiaries that I started last year. I bought the ornaments at Beverly's after Christmas for 90% off- I bought something like 18 boxes! I also bought a single run of fake pine garland for $1 at (duh!) The Dollar Store. From Michaels I bought the styro-foam cone-shaped thingies. Then it was a simple matter of removing the hanger, and hot-gluing the ornaments to the cone. I snipped a small section of the pine and tucked it inbetween each ornament as filler.

Super simple and fast.

I have a number of "spinners" for the tree: They make the ornaments spin slowly in circles. I love the motion they create and the twinkling the ornaments make when they turn. But being the OCD kinda decorator I am I hated seeing the spinner thingie, even though they are dark green. So, I snipped more "twigs" off the fake garland and hot-glued them around the spinners to further camouflage them from sight.

Another little project I started was amending our ceramic Christmas village. I've been collecting the cheap village pieces from Walmart for a couple years now- mostly because Department 56 is so outrageously expensive. I like the look but they are a lot more crudely painted than the meticulous Dept. 56 pieces. I also don't really care for the "traditional" look of them although I like the scale, the intamacy and glow they create at night. My original solution was to silver leaf them but I thought twice about the sticky mess that can sometimes create. Instead I found a paint that covers well and gives a nice pewter-like finish. I plan to rub a black antiquing glaze over each to catch the details.

Farm House Before:

Farm House After (Barn During in the back):

I promise to post pictures of all the completed projects as soon as I'm done.

What Do You Think About....

2008-12-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

I've noticed that many of the blogs I follow are really only one of sometimes several authored by the same person; each blog with a seperate purpose. I like this idea a lot, but I am prone to laziness. My one blog tends to cover a lot of ground: Quilting, crafting, home dec, personal stuff, political rants and so forth. I'm considering breaking up my blog into a couple different ones. Certianly a quilting-specific one. Then I was considering a seperate one for crafting/home dec and then yet another for my person bid-ness.

Would it be easier for people to find what it is I'm doing that interests them most without out having to wade through the other stuff?

Let me know what y'all think.

OK- Back to the tree..........

Memories...

2008-12-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

I pilfered this (with permission) from http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/, Terry Grant who got it from someone else.... and so it goes. It was fun to think through these questions. Hope you enjoy it, too.

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate... with Kahlua. Yummmmmmy!

Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree? Wrapped. I have something of a present-wrapping fetish so they must be wrapped. I've even taken to wrapping the ornament boxes so that they can sit under the tree pretending to be presents. That way I don't have to hide the empty boxes during the holidays.

Colored lights on tree or white? I prefer white on mine, but I've seen gorgeous trees with everything.

When do you put your decorations up? I begin around December 1st and usually finish around January 1st.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I can't just pick one- how crazy is that?! But if pressed I would say my Gandmother's "24-Hour Salad".

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I cannot honestly recall. I do remember one time as a child in Wisconsin my parents got "Santa" to talk to me on the CB (now I am really dating myself). It was the most exiting Christmas ever.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Half of my family opens everything on Chrstmas Eve, the other half on Christmas Day. It just depends on where we were at the time.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Meticulously and with great planning. Most people think I am way too OCD about our (my) tree. Yes, I have a spreadsheet outlining the types of ornaments I have and their quantity (with pictures, of course). Yes, there is a methodology of putting them on the tree- in layers. I use florist wire to hook each ornament onto the branches- I hate seeing the hooks. Over-all I will use up a whole weekend just for the tree and put on roughly 300 ornaments. Yeah- I need 12 steps.

Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! But then I live in California so it's easy to love it from a distane. A very great distance.

Can you ice skate? Yes, but it's been a very long time.

Do you remember your favorite gift? No, but the first gift I remember is a toy bowling alley. I caught my mom and dad trying to put it together when I snuck down the stairs.

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Re-establishing neglected relationships.

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I love apple pie. Hot, caramely apple pie.

What is your favorite tradition? I don't think we really have any. Maybe I should start some...

Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving? Absolutely giving. I get way too embarrassed when receiving gifts.

What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night. I absolutely love the melody, the range and movement. I also love Do You Hear What I Hear. I sang it in a choir once and it raised goose-bumps on my arms.

Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yuck.

Ever recycled a Christmas present? Heck yes! First, I'm not doing the gift or giver any justice by keeping something I simply don't like or would never use. Second, I'm poor so it's a great way to save money.

A Christmas Spark

2008-12-08T18:29:00.001-08:00

I had every intention of getting all the Christmas decor "banged out" over the weekend. To date I have one string of lights out in the yard and a few things unpacked in the house. While unpacking the decorations I became inspired to "trick out" our new chandalier. I had a bag filled with the remains of a glass bead garland (Target) that had fallen apart. I re-purposed the glass baubles and beads by creating new dangles for the chandalier. I think it looks killer!

I also made my own tree topper using the rest of the beads and some other glass ornaments. I'll post a picture of that later on.

Genious At Work

2008-11-30T20:46:00.001-08:00

As part of my on-going struggle to somehow master my quilting environment I came up with what I think/hope is a viable slash brilliant solution to storing oft-used fabric.

I had always wanted to duplicate the stack of rolled bolts I see at most of the fabric stores. But I was concerned about the space they would take up as well as the cost and over-all intrusion into my creative space. So I went a-shoppin'!

I came across this set of items at Lowe's from their ClosetMaid selection. It includes a horizontal bar, two vertical bars that hang from the H-bar and a couple sets of shoe storage aparatus-thingies. I immediately knew that this was the way I wanted to hang modest rolls of fabric...

So I did.

Now I have access to (from bottom to top) :

Warm-n-Natural white batting, Peltex 72

Media Room pillow recovering fabrics,

Stiff fusible interfacing, plain white fabric/lining

Hi-Loft batting

I am thinking about repositioning my table underneath the hanging fabric rolls so that I have access on both sides of the table. More on that later!

BTW- Did anyone else notice I spelled "genius" wrong? I made myself laugh when I saw that!

The Little Princess- An Update.

2008-11-28T14:32:00.000-08:00

This project was actually completed a little while ago- I'm only now getting around to publishing the results.

As part of the very elaborately structured agreement we negotiated prior to getting a pet (Maddy) we decided she would be an outside dog while we were not home. This necessitated the creation of a place for Maddy that would allow her to have her own space without giving up the whole backyard to her. There is a space on the south side of the house that is all but useless. It's about 18' long and only 56" wide. After much discussion we chose to put her there.

Of course, looking at this face how could I not build something totally cool for her?

Naturally, she had to be part of the project every step of the way.

I built an 8' long deck raised off the ground. I also spaced the planks a little wider than I normally would for plenty of ventilation during the hot summer months. The lean-to is nothing but left-over treated lumber and some corrugated aluminum roofing. I wrapped the supports in sisel rope so she could chew on them (as puppies do) without destroying the structure itself. There is also a heavy-duty rope between the supports for extra chewing options. Despite these efforts she did manage to destroy one screen from the bedroom window. Live and learn, I guess.

The lower area is nothing but 1' square cement pavers with pebbles in between them. Easy to spray or sweep down. I also put a layer of weed block onder the pavers so that nothing will grow up between the blocks. I am hoping (and so far it has worked) that the lack of dirt prevents her from digging. The last thing I wanted is holes in the back yard and having to bathe her every night.

The fence is temporary as I plan to bring it out to the end of the house. For now it is supported by a-frame and cement blocks. So far it is enough to keep her secure although she has been able to chew into some of the planks already (grrrrrr....).

I would love to put something soft under the lean-to but she alread chewed up a cheap rug. I'm thinking she'll just have to learn to live with the hard surfaces while we're gone. At least until she's old enough not to chew on everything in sight. Today she decided the TV remote would be a fun toy. I chased her around the house and around the yard for 10 minutes before liberating the poor appliance from her needle-sharp teeth.

2008-11-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

Well, Maddy is adjusting to her new surroundings. We'd been pretty lucky in that she tends to go potty when we're out in the back yard. She's only had 2 accidents in the house so far. When I left this morning for work she was very unhappy about being locked up in her new kennel space outside- and she let everyone know it! I hope that once the routine is established she won't have such anxiety when we leave for work or something.

For now she is content sniffing about the house, laying on her new bed and playin with her new toys.

On another note we are hosting Uno tonight. I made this "little" arrangement for the coffee table: The platter is from my friend, Gina K for my birthday (last Monday), the flowers are from my honey also for my birthday. I just threw them all together along with the mini-pumpkins I got for Halloween and some candles. Voila! New life for a fall floral arrangement without spending a dime.

On another front I went to the doctor today for a myriad of reasons: Prescription refills, an annoying sinus infection and the lymph nodes on either side of my neck are conspicuously swollen and have raised concerns with the doctors. So I went and had x-rays taken and blood drawn. I return to the Doc in 2 weeks for the results. Oh joy.

An Important Announcement!

2008-11-19T16:35:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce Madeleine Elaine Johnson-Cowan. We will simply be calling her Maddy. She is a Labrador mix of some sort and is roughly 3 months old. We went to the animal shelter and picked her out last Saturday. In the mean time she was spayed and micro-chipped. She finally came home today!!!

2008-11-14T16:20:00.000-08:00

This year, as part of my volunteer work with the American Heart Association I set up a table where anyone could sign, draw or doodle about their experience with heart disease and stroke. My part would be to take the individual drawings, embellish them and quilt them into various wall hangings to tour through Bakersfield the following year. Here is the first one I've completed so far:

I had the people use Sharpies- which worked great until it started sprinkling and the fabric got kind of moist... which made the markers bleed a little. Still, I'm pretty happy with the result. Only about 15 more to go!

Tis The Season- Fa La Fucking La.....

2008-11-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

Actually, I like Christmas a whole bunch. I grew up having very Norman Rockwell Christmases at my grandparents' house (mothers side). Drifting snow, a freshly cut tree from the farm, the whole shebang. This year we've decided to do some major cut-backs. We will be speaking to both of Stephen's sons and arranging not to buy presents for anyone but the grandkids. With money being tight for everyone I'd rather the grandkids (ages 3 to 13) have good Christmases. Besides, it is so weird buying presents for DILs that we hardly know. Instead, I've started making jewelry for the DILs. I hope they like them.

2008-11-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

I would like to personally thank the 52.2% of Californians who voted to legalize discrimination.

Photo credit: Mourning by Jay Johansen www.jjstudio.com

Back in the Swing of Things!

2008-10-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

So I finally completed my article. Submitted on Tuesday, rewritten today along with pictures. I'm not overly happy with the pictures. They are grainy and not very captivating. I keep on trying to emulate the pictures I see in magazines like BH&G but I just can't quite get there. Perhaps I need a class on photography.

And better food styling.

I don't know.

I just hope my publisher can use them and not give me any grief over the project. I can't afford to redo the shoot, that's for sure!

It looks like a drag queen did the shoot.

It's all wrong. There's no "glow", no warmth... and my cheese ball almost looks green.

*sigh*

Halloween 2008!

2008-10-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post. Where has all the fucking time gone?!

We had our 4th annual Halloween party last Saturday (only 'cuz this coming Saturday is on the 1st, and who wants to go to a Halloween party after Halloween?). We had about 25 friends and co-workers over. There was (of course) lots of food and merriment was enjoyed by all. I have to thank my 4 closest friends who spent so much of their time in my kitchen washing dishes (despite my repeated pleas for them to leave and enjoy the party). What can I say? They were dedicated!

Of course there was food.... Lots-n-lots of food. Most of it I made, some was brought by friends to help out (which was gratefuly received). The "snacks" menu included: Caprese Salad with a Jack Daniels & Balsamic reduction dressing, Fresh-baked Focacia for sandwiches, "White" Turkey Chili, Chilled Shrimp Scampi over a blended cream cheese with chevre, shallots and garlic, Oven-baked Chicken Wings, Green Bean Caserole (the yummy one with fried onions on top), Elaine's Famous Deviled Eggs and Herbed Flatbread with oven-roasted pears, chevre, arregiano and balsamic reduction drizzle.

There were deserts a-plenty: Home-made Apple Pie (perhaps the best one I ever made- seriously, I killed this pie), 3 Pumpkin Pies, Chocolate Torte and a Spiced Chocolate cake with brandied apricots and a cream cheese icing flavored with orange zest. Yeah- I kick ass when it comes to deserts.

My noble kitchen crew. In case you were wondering, that's Elaine (of Elaine's Famous Deviled Eggs) grabbing her boob for the camera. Good thing she keeps her hands clean, eh?

Much fun was had by all- especially the host. It was a great start to this holiday season. Even though money is tighter than ever I plan on having one heckuva holiday season. I hope you all do, too.

My latest article is out and it made front page (http://www.bakersfieldmagazine.net/)! It's my first front page article and I'm very happy with it and how wonderfuly it's been received. I submitted a draft of my next article and hope to have it completed, including photographs by tomorrow sometime.

Lately I've been taking a much more pro-active role in the No On 8 campaign. I've begun leaving business cards on cars parked outside businesses that support Proposition 8. This is the card I leave tucked in the driver-side window:

I'm certain that I'll be beat up or worse in the process... but I can't not do anything. This Saturday I'll be with the rest of the activists on the corner of Rosedale and Coffee waving banners and rallying the support of voters. Start saving bail money now- Bakersfield has been getting a little volatile lately and I'm sure there will be news-worthy exchanges between now and November 4th. See you on the news!!!

Mad Shopping Skillz- Part II

2008-10-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Also purchased on my last Good Will run was a track-lighting kit (originally from The Home Depot) for $6.75! It was still, new-in-the-box with three track heads and a hard wire connector. I went to THD and purchased a white end connector ($8.74) so that I could plug it into the wall rather than hard wiring it. That thing on the left of the track? That's actually a small track-mounted fan ($16.99 from THD) aimed directly at my sewing machine. I find that the overhead fan will blow stuff around but this little fan is perfect and out of the way. Total for this little project: $32. The track kit itself new is $44. Score again!

Now I can work comfortably well into the night without the shadow-casting of the single ceiling fixture behind me while I work.

"New" Candle Wall Sconces for Halloween

2008-10-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

First, I've been wanting something to hang on both sides of the mirror hanging over our brick fireplace mantle. Nothing exceptional- just in a good scale to the rest of the room and the "things" in it. Last Halloween I swagged sheer fabric and layered the mantel with baubles and candles and such. This year I was/am really committed to having candle sconces on either side of the mirror which I'd hoped to leave year-round and simply accessorize to suit the season.

On my last banner shopping trip to Good will I found this set of brass wall sconces (electric) for $3.75 each. The lady behind the register gave me a Two-Fer. So I got both for $3.75. Score!

I immediately decided I wanted them in black- not only for the Halloween spirit but because so much of our interior leans toward black anyway. I also saw shiny baubles hanging from the arms and candles instead of running electric cords willy-nilly. So I made a trip to the Hardware store and Micheal's for the needed supplies to complete this project.

The glass hurricane shade were $2.20 each (on clearance) from The Home Depot, the re-cycled glass, plastic and wire bauble accouterments were about $25 from Michael's and the flat black spray paint was something I already had hanging around. First thing I did was clean the lamps thoroughly and remove the wiring hardware.

Then I gave each sconce several light coats of paint. While the paint dried in between each coat I assembled the bauble "necklaces". There was no real plan. I just wanted to make sure they would hang and dangle naturally without looking stretched out or too long and skimpy.

After the paint was dry all that was left to do was assemble the lamps with their new "bling" and hang them on both sides of the mirror.

You may have noticed the holes in each sconce. These were where the mounting "nipples" and on/off switch protruded. I plan on covering these holes with small, black embellishments. Otherwise I think the project- at least for tonight- is complete. Total cost for this project: $40.

Hope you enjoyed, I sure did!!!

Later!

For Every Action......you know the rest

2008-10-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

We've had our No On Prop 8 sign out in the yard for about 2 weeks now. Just yesterday I noticed the neighbor across the street decided to let their allegiance show by putting a "yes on prop 8" (in the red circle) sign in their yard conspicuously facing our house. Hmmmmmm.

Sadly, this is family that has known my partner Stephen for the better part of 20 years. I guess when the chips are down you figure out who your friends really are.

My Mom ROCKS!!!!

2008-10-08T16:17:00.001-07:00

I just picked this up from the PO. My mom made this for me for my birthday. Since my b-day isn't for another 6 weeks is it reasonable to expect another gift?

Just kidding!

I am soooooo happy I could just piddle myself right now.

I totaly don't deserve this.

Could I Be...?

2008-10-08T10:32:00.001-07:00

This is one result from a number of on-line tests I've taken recently to better identify WTF is wrong with me. I scored 169/200 on this particular test. It considers my results to be very characteristic of a person with Asperger's Syndrome.

More as I learn it.

Castro Street Fair 2008

2008-10-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

The weather was sublime: Bright and cheery. The food was amazing. The hotel was chic. The fair was terrific.

We stayed at the Hotel Triton- a "boutique hotel". A first for me since I am used to staying in Motel 8! This picture was taken from our window. At first I cringed at having the neon sign right outside, but it proved to be very intriguing.

Of course no trip to SF would be complete without the obligatory landmark pictures...

Cheer San Francisco Performed for the crowd several times through the day:

I will post more pictures this evening.

Politics & Art - Oil & Water?

2008-10-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to come up with some fun and whacky word that combines "art" and "politics". Poli-art sounds like a product for sculpting dentures, Artolitics sounds like a precription. Honestly, nothing has worked out so I'm leaving well enough alone. jeannewilliamson.blogspot.com has some really good links for timely election information as it pertains to "The Arts". I'm thinking of creating my own Top 10 list of issues that are important to me and see who favorably addresses as many of them as possible. I'll get back to y'all on that and let you know where things stand.

We are taking a weekend trip to SF beginning tomorrow morning. With the weather cooling down I am very excited to break up the routine and relax, relax, relax. It's been quite a while since Stephen and I have taken a break for just ourselves that didn't include kids and grandkids. I can't wait to go to the SFMOMA.

Back to work for me.
More later!!!

PCs & Other Mole Hills

2008-10-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

Sadly, scanning it produces the most consistent picture but it also flattens the 3-dimensional quality. Poop. Anyway, this is one of a series of PCs for a Fall PC swap over at the HGTV Quilting & Needlework Message Boards. I am woefully late getting these done but I promised to have them in the mail ASAP. So ASAP it shall be.
Please tell me it looks like a leaf....
Circles & Lines is still hanging on the dining room wall. Quilting inspiration hasn't hit me just yet. Tulips II is also on the W2BQ (waiting to be quilted) list. Slowly things are stacking up.
Hey- if anyone is interested in forming a monthly challenge group let me know. I love the twelveby12.blogspot.com group and the amazingly varied art they produce. CHeck them out if you haven't already.

More later- the cold medicine with codeine is kicking in.

UPDATE: I added two more PCs. The middle one I hate but will still send as time is definately not on my side. I think I like the top one the most so far.

Where Do You Stand?

2008-09-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.politicalcompass.org/test

This link has in interesting series of questions that can provide you with a generalized idea of where you really stand in our political world without offering up any personal information or signing up. For instance, here is my graph (the little, red dot is s'posed to be me):

Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that the candidates I lean toward include Cynthia McKinney (Green), Bob Barr (libertarian) and Brian Moore (Socialist).

Friends, please inform yourselves and understand not only who you're voting for but why you're voting for them. Do not rely on commercials, flyers and slanted news articles. Sadly, most people I spoke with today (educated, informed friends and co-workers) were completely unaware that there were more than two or three candidates in this years' Presidential Campaign.

Barack Obama (Democrat)
John McCain (Republican)
Ralph Robinson (Independent)
Chris Borcik (Independent)
Don Cordell (Independent)
Megally Megally (Independent)
Jeff Petkevicius (Independent)
Bob Barr (Libertarian)
Cynthia McKinney (Green)
Brian Moore (Socialist)

If I missed any please let me know- I'm all about finding out as much as I can before the election.

Bakersfield Drivers- BEWARE!

2008-09-27T12:01:00.001-07:00

For my first installation of BDB, I want everyone in Bakersfield to be cautious of this vehicle:

The driver: Female, white, frizzy blonde hair, mid to late 30's, dresses like she works in a tittie bar. Presumably works at The Tilted Kilt on Calloway Drive.

Offenses: Speeding through a 45 two lane street, abrupt change-of-lanes without use of turn indicators, extreme tailgating, cutting off other vehicles. This woman drove like a bat out of hell and had the nerve to flip me the bird when I honked at her for swerving dangerously into my lane.

Congratulations to Oildale Barbie! You win this weeks' Knob-Gobbler Award for Worst Driver in Bakersfield.

Live With It!

2008-09-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, when inspiration wanes I will pin a WIP up on the wall and live with it for a while. Almost immediately the perspective changes and I see things I didn't see during the building process.

I've all but decided NOT to put a border on this piece as I think it would be fine without added distractions on the perimeter. Quilting it- that's another story and I'm still completely unsure how I'll tackle that portion of the job.

Circles & Lines- A Reprise

2008-09-25T01:45:00.000-07:00

The time on my computer says it's 1:51 AM. OMG how am I gonna get to work on time?

Anywho... Here is Circles and Lines finally pieced...

I won't belabor anyone with the details as of yet... I'm way too drunk for delicate typing and I think I've got the hic-ups (a very bad sign).

More later, friends!

Update: I'm still undecided on the border and method/direction of quilting. Sometimes the images I create seem strong enough on their own and quilting them a disservice rather than an enhancement. More on that later on.

An Update to Circles & Lines

2008-09-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Slow progress is being made on this latest project. No sooner do I sit down in front of the TV for "just a second" then 2 hours have flown by and I'm pissed at myself for wasting the time. It wasn't even the news! Just 4 episodes of Family Guy reruns. Sad, huh?

Only about a dozen more pieces to go and this project is pieced. The I have to work out a border and quilting- but that's another blog on down the road.

Laterz!

Update: OK- it's about 12:15 AM and this is what we've gotten done so far. Lot's of breaks to watch The Biggest Loser, Law & Order, etc. I anticipate being done with the piecing tomorrow, then on to planning/executing the border for which I haven't the vaguest idea what I'mma do yet. Hopefully inspiration will strike in a dream.

The Score: Refigerator 2, Miles 1

2008-09-22T11:55:00.001-07:00

I'll make this petty drama short: After a second, third and fourth visit from various repair-people we decided to throw in the towel. Even though I staunchly believe the problem was/is with the sealed cooling system (and so did one of the repair guys), GE refused to even check the coolant level bypassing the 5-year warranty. Then they had the ballz to estimate the repair costs at over $500 with no guarantee that the problem would be fixed.

So "they" win.

We went out last Saturday and bought a new fridge. And yes, we even paid for the 4-year ESP (my tongue is still bleeding).

So here is the brief, over-all rundown of our appliance experience:

We bought a new fridge to go with our new house.

1 year, 4 months and 8 days later is crapped out.

It took GE over 3 weeks to finally "authorize" one of their repair people to look at the fridge. The guy came from Santa Clarita (?!), about 75 minutes away, and ended up doing nothing.

To add insult to injury: The smarmy customer service rep who handled my call today to close the case had the nerve to end our conversation with "Thank you for doing business with GE." No apology. Perhaps just a sigh of relief that we weren't gonna be calling anymore.

The silver lining: We have a new fridge (with a warranty) even bigger and better looking than the previous one. The kicker is this: Had GE responded in a timely fashion we would have probably gone ahead with the repairs. But waiting over 3 weeks was simply too long.

My recommendations to you:

Get the ESP if for no other appliance than the fridge. It's the only appliance in your home that runs 24/7 (something I never thought of until we bought the new fridge).
Get the service information up front before or during your appliance purchase. Don't wait until you have a problem to try and track down who to call. That alone ate up one week of 800/888 calls to all the wrong people.
Pay more and buy locally and avoid the big box stores. The person who sold us our new fridge gave us their personal cell number "just in case", and the direct number for their repair people who are also local to us.
We live in the plastic age. Things don't last like they did when I was growing up. Get used to throwing more out than you would like.

WIP Progress Shot

2008-09-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

A quick shot of my latest piece: (working title) Circles and Lines. The pallete of fabrics is shown in http://miles-unfiltered.blogspot.com/2008/09/moving-right-along.html. So far the piece is measuring about 40x40.

More later, Taterz!

Hey- I'm not all political angst. I still got art in my soul and no effed-up presidential campaign can take that, right? If I haven't already lost what few readers I had, thanks for hangin' in there!

The Enemy has a Website

2008-09-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

www.protectmarriage.com

www.eqca.org

I urge everyone to take time, educate themselves and make a stand.

I don't care if you're Pro or Anti gay marriage, just get off the fence and decide.

One or the other.

There can no longer be any gray areas.

This is a black-or-white issue.

For or Against.

Decide.

The United State of Miles

2008-09-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have made an important decision: So long as I am denied the same basic rights as every other heterosexual in this country I will no longer consider myself an American or a citizen of any country that actively continues to discriminate. I will no longer burden myself with the moral, ethical or socio-political hang-ups that define the American Heterosexual culture. For as long as I cannot legally marry or be recognized as an equal with the same benefits, protections and responsibilities I will not participate in the fucked-up mess that is the United States of America.

I will stop filing taxes much less pay any more than I have to. Since I am not entitled to the same fiscal benefits as Heterosexual couples I no longer feel the need to pay equally to them. I will actively pursue and consider any employment "off-the-books" to avoid paying taxes on my earnings.

I will no longer vote. Never has a presidential candidate declared anything remotely supportive of equal rights for ALL people of this country. There for, I will not give any of them my support. Voting for the "better of two evils" is no longer an option.

I will cease all volunteer activities in any neighborhood, community or national organization. I no longer feel obligated to donate to, work for or otherwise volunteer in an organization where my best interest is not paramount. I have given hundreds of hours and countless dollars to the "American" Heart Association, the "American" Cancer Society and various local community NFP organizations. No more. I am reclaiming my time, my money and my energy and devoting them solely to the interests of me and my partner.

I will educate myself on all manner of legal cessation from this country and Separatism* within this country. I will no longer adhere to the Heterosexual conventions of national citizenship. I will actively seek to divorce myself from anything/everything "American". As a person living in a country that is selective about the rights it extends to it's inhabitants I now choose to be selective about my national allegiance. Since I am legally perceived as a second-class citizen with fewer rights than that of my Heterosexual counterparts I do not feel I should carry the same responsibilities. I no longer pledge allegiance to the flag that bestows rights and privileges to only Heterosexuals based on the same puritanical thought processes of our fore-fathers.

As long as I cannot marry. As long as my partner and I are not recognized as anything more than "Domestic Partners". As long as this country continues to Discriminate and call it "Democracy".

I am done.

Done playing along.

Done hiding, angry and frustrated.

Done with fear and resentment.

Done being a political tool.

Done being a media soundbite.

I am done being an American.

Now, can someone please show me the door?

*Yes, I am beginning to see some logical wisdom in Separatism.

Moving Right Along

2008-09-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

A short post this evening:

Since Tulip II is pieced and waiting for quilting (something that can take me quite a while to move on to) I've begun another project. Here is the palette I've tentatively chosen. While I was working on the drawing I contemplated doing it in a series of three or four, each with a different color palette. Dunno yet, but we'll see.

Later, Taters!

The Score: Miles 1, Refrigerator 0 HAHA!

2008-09-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

In a pleasantly unexpected turn of events it looks as though the refrigerator issue will, at long last, be resolved at GE's expense. Another repairman came out to check on the work of the previous repairman. Long story short: We're outta freon! Which means our fridge has a leak somewhere making it a structural issue covered under the 5 year warranty. Yay! Now all I haveta do is get all the paper work to THD so that they can work on getting us a repair or a new fridge.

No progress yet on the sewing machine modification. But I'm working on designs and touch-ups. Pictures will follow.

More later, Taters!

2008-09-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

I'll Let the pictures do most of the talking. Got questions? Lemme know and I'll answer 'em.

I bought this Singer around 1990

WTF have I gotten myself into?!

Would ya look at that! All put back together and not one extra piece left over. Not quite finished. I still need to paint the remaining knob and buttons red. Then I want to paint tribal tattoos on it somewhere in gold.

One other thing I plan to do is add an LED puck light under the arm for added light.

Me Against the Fridge

2008-09-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

As the title implies, there is still an issue with the refrigerator. First, let me amend my previous post by saying that the initial "repair" cost a little over $300 and ultimately failed to do anything more than drain the checking account. Upon completion of the repairs last Friday the repair guy (Josh) said it could take up to 24 (?!) hours for the appliance to reach a working temperature. By Sunday afternoon the freezer was at a balmy 46 degrees and the fridge portion wasn't even reading the temperature. We put in another call to the repair people and (of course) got no response. I just got off the phone with them and they are supposed to come out tomorrow morning "sometime between 9 and noon" which means another day of work lost.

I cooked off what food I could, gave away some and ended up throwing out the rest. I estimate that we lost somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 worth of food for lack of a refrigerator.

After spending a conservative 3 hours on the phone to various people of "authority" at Home Depot I finally got someone at least willing to try and hold GE responsible for the appliance. Here's the deal: The appliance is 17 months old. The repair guy said that if his current attempt failed (as it did) then the potential repair costs could be $800 or more. We did not spend $1,700 on a fridge only to have it crap out less than 18 months later and spend another $1,000 to keep it running.

And no, we did not buy the ESP (Extended Service Plan). Why? Because they are a fraud perpetuated by retailers to increase revenue while limiting the responsibility for their own products. The subtext of any ESP is this:

We will not stand behind the products we sell past (in this instance) 12 months.
We are knowingly selling products that may fail to perform after 12 months.
If you want us to stand behind our products for longer than 12 months you must pay us more money.

But I am undeterred. I refuse to accept that a $1,700 appliance is only good for 1 year. I refuse to accept any further repair costs. I refuse to let GE or Home Depot off the hook for selling a shitty appliance. There- rant is over for now.

On another note, I spoke about mod-ing my old Singer sewing machine. Well, I'm not quite sure what I've gotten myself into but I've dismantled the whole thing and almost completed painting the case and all exposed parts flat black. After that is completed I will paint the knobs and button in gold (kinda like a retro antique Singer when they were shiny black with gold scroll-work). Then I plan on adding in some painted tribal designs- flames, maybe barbed wire, we'll see. Then after putting it back together I'll take it in to get tuned-n-lubed. I'll post pictures later on.

More later!!!!

Tulip II- Yet Another Reminder

2008-09-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Everything I was hoping for . Clean lines, more balanced than before and heightened contrast. Life is good! Today's entry will be short: The Fridge is being "serviced" and my attention is divided between blogging, sewing and keeping an eye on "Junior" (that's what I've nick-named him) in the kitchen. Turns out a fan needs to be replaced. A $200 fan to be precise. Ouch! That hurt.

More Later, my friends!

Tulip II- A Progress Report

2008-09-02T19:56:00.001-07:00

Just giving y'all a quickie visual update on the progress of Tulip #2. I'm happy with everything so far. The colors have worked themselves out to be more refined and the balance I think is improved. We'll see when she's all done!

The Future (?) of Sewing

2008-09-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

I came across these concept machines quite a few months ago at a couple of my favorite blogs, http://www.cribcandy.com/, and http://www.yankodesign.com/. Until seeing them I hadn't really given much thought to the "design" of a sewing machine. I am aware that they have changed over the years; my mother had (and used) one of the old Singer pedal machines when I was but a wee child. But in all honesty, the sewing machine hasn't gone through any remarkable design changes... ever! Has it? Sure, more bells and whistles have been added while all the metal parts seems to have disappeared. And where are the colors? Why is it I can get a blender, mixer, and toaster in all sorts of fabulous colors but my sewing machine (which I use like every freakin' day) has to be white or beige?

I have a Singer that is about 15 years old now. The case has actually yellowed from age and years of garage storage. I think I might just haveta see about tricking out my machine. Give it a radical auto-inspired paint job with some flames or racing stripes.

And my final gripe about sewing machines (with a tie-in to appliances in general): I looked at having my Singer "tuned" and was just disgusted at the cost. $60 was the lowest and someone actually had the balls to tell me it would cost "at least" $89. Hello? I can get a brand new machine at Walmart for $78. When did sewing machines become disposable? It used to be that a sewing machine was bought once and lasted forever, even passed from one generation to the next. So, dear reader, what would you do? Tune up the existing machine or buy a new one and toss the old one away?

Before I Go....

2008-09-01T23:04:00.000-07:00

...to bed (had ya there for a second, didn't I?) I wanted to share the intermediate progress of Tulip II. I'd forgotten how hard on the eyes working on black fabric with smoke-colored mono filament can be. I think I need a few more lights in the creative space if I'm gonna continue to work this late. And quite honestly, who among us quilting fiber artists don't work a late night now and again?

Getting Back 2 Basix

2008-09-01T16:39:00.001-07:00

After having completed the first "Tulip" I decided to play with the design a little, add some weight to the bottom of the image and get back to a basic of mine: Using black as my backing fabric. I think the over-all effect will be very different from the original.

This is what the piece looks like with the design cut out of fusible interfacing and applied to the background fabric. A little less Nouveau, a little more 70s chic? What do I know, I'm just an artist!

Eventually, 95% of all that black fabric will be cut away revealing a dainty, little tulip underneath. Let's find out together, shall we?

When A Seed Becomes A Flower

2008-08-31T21:28:00.001-07:00

First, y'all need to scroll down to the concept drawing (you'll know it when you see it). This is what that drawing is morphing into. A slow, deliberate process of removing, then adding fabric. It's like riding a bike. Once you learn.... well, OK it's not like riding a bike. I'm refining skills that haven't really been tested in over a year (since moving).

At least the machine still works...

Internet = Leverage

2008-08-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

Today, great progress has been made in my pursuit of a cleaner, happier sewing environment. You see, I "accidentally" left the previous post of my retirement from quilting up on the screen. I'm guessing that Stephen read it because this morning he asked if I wanted to go get some shelves. Coincidence? I think not, my friends.

These shelves came from Walmart at $18 each. I really wanted white but they were suspiciously out of those. Obviously I've got just a few more tubs and boxes to unpack and arrange. But for now the floor is mostly free of debris and I can resume project stuff while I continue to organize. For all this I have to publicly thank Stephen for buying the shelves. I guess this means I'll haveta put out or something tonight. *Sigh*

A tip to anyone who buys the flat-pack furniture: Take the extra couple of seconds and use wood glue at all the joints, exposed particle board areas that meet and dowel joints. I did that to all the Ikea furniture we bought and it really has gone a long way to making the furniture seem sturdier when being moved.

Binder clips are my friends. I have boxes full of them. I use them for party decorating, quilting and now visual organization. I always wanted to do something like this but my last work space was a garage. Literally a two car, unfinished interior and cat poo in the corner garage. I took care of the cat poo but the rest is pretty self-explanatory: Things stayed in tubs to keep the dirt-n-dust off 'em. Now I can glance at my palette and decide along the way what is working, what isn't and edit as I go. I for-see an entire wall of binder clips and hanging fabric in my future. I'm thinking of bringing in a purple into the mix. What ya think?

ETA: I hung the binder clips using "wire guides". Like the ones cable and phone installers use. Easy to install, easy to fill in the hole if they're moved. Just plain easy.