tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-333137292024-03-08T01:57:16.901-08:00The Mystical Allure of All Things FiberA Valley Girl Creates ArtGuila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-28797895925325251472012-09-15T00:21:00.001-07:002012-09-15T00:21:20.216-07:00Introducing Art Quilting to Teens<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I can say two things for sure: Teaching teenagers art quilting
fundamentals is FUN !!! and… Teaching teenagers art quilting techniques
is EXHAUSTING !!!</div>
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I just finished up 3 days of workshops at Baron’s Sewing Center in
Woodland Hills with a group of bright and talented young women. They
were eager to learn and to put their new skills into action.</div>
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Day One:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We started off with a lesson in Sun printing using Dyn-a-flow Paint
from Jacquard. The plan was that the pieces would dry in the sun while
we went on to the next topic. Well, Betsy and I knew they’d enjoy the
process but hadn’t realized that this technique would be the hit of the
day! All they wanted to do was to Sun Print!!! And I must say some
amazing work was produced by these budding artists.</span> <br />
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1758" style="width: 1034px;">
<a href="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/perfect-day-to-sun-print.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1758" height="680" src="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/perfect-day-to-sun-print.jpg?w=1024&h=680" title="perfect day to sun print" width="1024" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b>Prepared Panels Drying In the Sun</b></div>
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The girls used all kinds of things to create their patterns –
plumbing washers, nuts, bolts, coins of all sized, keys, decorative
flashings from keyholes – sequin waste and decorative cutouts of their
own design.</div>
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The session on painting techniques continued with stencilling paint
on fabric and using rubber stamps to apply acrylic paint as well as
pigment or dye ink from stamp pads.</div>
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Day Two started with a unanimous request for MORE SUN PRINTING !!</div>
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We were glad to oblige but made sure we got to the new stuff as
well. Our students learned the use of Fusible web to apply designs to
their quilt tops and how to assemble the layers that would give them a
foundation for quilting their pieces.</div>
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It was exciting and gratifying to see how quickly these girls caught
on to the concept of free motion quilting. And although mastery of this
technique takes many hours we saw some commendable first timer results
here.</div>
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Day Three commenced with yet more requests for painting. I promised
they could do that after we talked about a couple of other things. I
reminded them how excited they had been with the idea of applying
glitter to their quilts and took a few minutes to demonstrate how easy
it is to do that.</div>
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We also went over the many uses of angelina fibers (one teen asked, “What about Brad?” and my response was “huh?”)</div>
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They had all decided that they wanted to turn their quilted panels
into pillows. So I proceeded to show them how to assemble a removable
pillow cover using the pieces they had just created. Here they are
digging into the scrap bag looking for suitable pillow back fabric.</div>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1759" style="width: 774px;">
<a href="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/id_digging-in.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1759" height="1024" src="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/id_digging-in.jpg?w=764&h=1024" title="ID_digging in" width="764" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b>looking for that perfect piece to back their pillow with</b></div>
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<b>Here is some of the work produced by this talented bunch.</b></div>
<a href="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/1_8_21_sunprint_web.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1761" height="1024" src="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/1_8_21_sunprint_web.jpg?w=765&h=1024" title="1_8_21_sunprint_web" width="765" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1762" style="width: 1002px;">
<a href="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/finished-pillow-from-s.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1762" height="1024" src="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/finished-pillow-from-s.jpg?w=992&h=1024" title="finished pillow from S" width="992" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b>Original drawing from one of our talented teens</b></div>
</div>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1763" style="width: 775px;">
<a href="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/photo_10.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-1763" height="1024" src="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/photo_10.jpg?w=765&h=1024" title="photo_10" width="765" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b>And More Creativity on Display</b></div>
</div>
Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-44897249464742743052012-04-28T11:05:00.001-07:002012-04-28T11:05:53.446-07:00Rag Quilt Tutorial - reblogged -<a href="http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/01/easy-thrifty-pretty-rag-quilt-tutorial.html?spref=bl">The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking: Easy, Thrifty, Pretty Rag Quilt {Tutorial}</a>: For Christmas I made my 3 year old daughter a rag quilt for her bed. And in my very imperfect fashion, I left it a little late. Like, um...Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-53526193086376354282012-04-01T20:48:00.000-07:002012-04-01T20:48:58.781-07:00Demystifying Ink Pads<strong><span style="color: #333399;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I’ve been using Ink Stamp Pads forever. Remember as kids when you’d get hold of an old stamp and stamp pad and brand everything in sight including the back of your hands? </span></span></span></strong><br />
<div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Many years later I tackled scrap-booking then journalling – again making use of those tempting rubber stamps and lovely inky pads. In those days it was pretty straightforward. If the color called my name I used the pad and didn’t care if it was Dye Ink, Pigment Ink, Solvent, Archival, or whatever.</strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong> Now with art quilting there’s more to the selection and more risk in selecting the wrong type of pad. It’s got to transfer cleanly to a very porous surface. And of course you don’t want fading. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>You may also be concerned about the image staying put AND crisp and clear after washing or if you’re planning to use wet media over the image. I have NOT included the effects of washing on these samples and will do something on that another time. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Oh I got so confused!!! Everywhere you look – known and trusted online sites/blogs, manufacturers’ sites or craft shop advice sites you get someone else’s opinion. And often these opinions are at odds with one another. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>So I decided to take matters into my own hands and go back into my mad scientist mode. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I lined up ALL the different types of ink stamp pads that I had on hand, chose a rubber stamp that would print well (not too much detail and deeply carved stamp ridges) on fabric and went to work. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>1. I washed, dried and pressed the fabric first: some bleached muslin. (you’ll get a slightly different color cast using the unbleached.) </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>2. One by one I inked up the stamps, stamped the fabric, and recorded what was used. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>3. In a couple of instances I also documented the Surface that I stamped on to see if that made a significant difference. For instance whether it was a hard surface or a cushiony one – including batting. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>4. After making sure all impressions were completely dry I pressed with a hot iron. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>NOTE: Because I’m going to be using these in Art Quilts I did not wash the fabric again after stamping it. So this is NOT a test for washability, simply a comparison of how well the inks did visually on the fabric. I was looking for vibrancy, clarity and crisp edges. </strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Here are the photos of my first go-round.</strong></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qsq8u0JdngY/T3kfYKG50cI/AAAAAAAAAcg/zpZgClozz7o/s1600/various1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qsq8u0JdngY/T3kfYKG50cI/AAAAAAAAAcg/zpZgClozz7o/s640/various1.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0AId8vkDl0/T3kfCpTRuNI/AAAAAAAAAcY/y37zA1OGMYw/s1600/various2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0AId8vkDl0/T3kfCpTRuNI/AAAAAAAAAcY/y37zA1OGMYw/s640/various2.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #333399;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #333399;"><strong><strong><strong> <strong>In my opinion the </strong></strong>best</strong> performers were the dye inks from the Recollections and Memento (Tsukineko) lines. I stamped with Recollections with and without batting under the muslin and definitely got a crisper edge without the batting. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333399;"><strong> </strong></span> <br />
<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>I also was pleased with the Dye Ink in the Distress Ink Line from Ranger. (That’s the one in the group on top in the upper left hand corner.)</strong></span><br />
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</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>The solvent ink from Staz-on and Archival Dye Ink from Ranger were both excellent. The downside with both is that they are limited in color choice and are quite pricey. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>The pigment ink from Colorbox left a smudgy outline. I tried it on a lightly padded surface, over batting and on a hard surface. The hard surface was best but still not as distinct as the Dye Inks. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>The pigment ink from Versacraft was acceptable but not as crisp as Memento.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>*A note about Versacraft: it is widely accepted as a good choice for fabric stamping as it has proven to stay put after washing. So if that’s your need it’s definitely a consideration. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>Further test:</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333399;"><strong> I further tested the Dye Ink from Recollections with a larger stamp to see if I could repeat the good outcome. I am partial to this particular pad because of availability and lower cost. However I haven’t seen it in a wide array of colors.</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ibsfpGB5dg/T3kf9eJl4DI/AAAAAAAAAco/qIPtPoQZAHs/s1600/Dye+Ink++Recollections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ibsfpGB5dg/T3kf9eJl4DI/AAAAAAAAAco/qIPtPoQZAHs/s400/Dye+Ink++Recollections.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>I retested the Memento as well. Both were excellent. Memento has a broad choice of colors available. It’s a little pricey in the larger stamp pad but is available in a smaller more economical Dew Drop size.</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QYXtb56f0s/T3kgIkHATjI/AAAAAAAAAc4/EdhaLKrRLG8/s1600/Dye+Ink++Memento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QYXtb56f0s/T3kgIkHATjI/AAAAAAAAAc4/EdhaLKrRLG8/s400/Dye+Ink++Memento.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #333399;"><strong>And here is the Dye Ink from Ranger (Distress Ink) This comes in a wonderful array of colors.</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1414" height="298" src="http://honeyquilts.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/dye-ink-ranger-distress-ink.jpg?w=300&h=224" title="Dye Ink Ranger (Distress Ink)" width="400" /></div><br />
<span style="color: #333399;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color: #333399;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #333399;"> Next I will be testing my collection of brush markers with stamps to see how they perform on fabric so stay tuned.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #333399;"><em> Please pretty please</em> leave me a comment – especially if you have had experience with any of these and would like to add your observations. That would be grand and thank you!!</span></strong>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-31315753577103075442011-10-18T13:44:00.000-07:002011-10-18T13:44:36.230-07:00My New Blog Site<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A note to all the 'followers' of this blog. In order to expand my blog and merge it <span></span>with my website I have switched to another blog host: You can now find me at: </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://guilagreerart.com/">Guila's New Blog and Web Site</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://guilagreerart.com/"> (http://guilagreerart.com</a> )</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for all of your support!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-26888770745471972182011-08-24T13:03:00.000-07:002011-08-24T13:03:41.492-07:00A Very Special Shopping Trip<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got to do something last night that was pretty ordinary for most but deliciously special for me.<span> </span>My oldest granddaughter (14) was complaining that she had no one around to help her with cosmetics – choosing makeup and the like.<span> </span>The immediate issue was that today is picture taking day at her school (entering high school) and she had a big ole blemish developing on the side of her nose.<span> </span>She complained that her mom had no knowledge and no interest in makeup (true – my DIL has rarely used any).<span> </span>I haven’t been using much either for the last few years but there was a time that I was and like riding a bicycle you don’t forget how to apply eyeliner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, at 14 she doesn’t need any makeup but she’s so keen on it and such a girly girl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I took her shopping and we bought everything from Clearasil to liquid eyeliner.<span> </span>And did a lot of talking.<span> </span>I shared little bits of grandmotherly wisdom and we had some laughs too.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I will take her to her new school and we will go on the tour.<span> </span>When it’s her turn for the picture taking she will be confident and ready.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can’t create special times like this – they just happen when they happen.</span></div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-22289192422854738292011-08-14T00:18:00.000-07:002011-08-14T00:23:26.589-07:00Haiku Art for August 2011 - Prompt Word is Journey<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had been thinking about the change that I made a couple of months ago to working full time on developing my art and wondering if this </span>was something I should have done years ago. Since making this decision I have been so energized. Not only is creating art something that I WANT to do but I feel that it's something that I HAVE to do. I feel that I'm really in my element now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Should I have done this i.e. made the switch - years ago? I could write pages about why not but the short answer is - No. Do I regret all the years spent doing other things? Was the time wasted? Absolutely not. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And here's where the August prompt word makes its appearance in such a timely fashion. The word is "Journey". I thought of Life's Journey. About how EVERYTHING that we do has an impact on us. How everyone we meet leaves their mark. How we may look at some events as distractions or detours from our chosen path but that ultimately all these experiences (positive or negative) contribute to who we are. And often they equip us with the emotional skills that we need to forge ahead. I have confidence now that I didn't have 20 years ago; I have certain practical skills to handle the business side of art; I have a sack full of life experiences to draw upon and I have gained perspective and understanding about what is important to me - especially at this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the Haiku </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">- Journey</span></b><br />
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<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">detours? distractions?<br />
unplanned stops, uneven road<br />
part of the journey</span></span></i></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></i></h6><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PviS5cY__NA/TkdzSqbeI6I/AAAAAAAAATo/qvoreBc4qEk/s1600/Journey+_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PviS5cY__NA/TkdzSqbeI6I/AAAAAAAAATo/qvoreBc4qEk/s320/Journey+_web.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> Techniques for "Journey"</span></span></i></h6><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>color wash</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>random stamping using household utensils and distress ink</i><i> </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>road map collaged on</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>manila tag painted and overpainted with distress inks</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>attached to page with ribbon and brad</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>messages in ink on art paper applied randomly to tag and page.</i></span><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></i></h6><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxGWS_Cc1Ms/TkdzV2c_oaI/AAAAAAAAATs/yXcsGyo9Wkw/s1600/Journey_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxGWS_Cc1Ms/TkdzV2c_oaI/AAAAAAAAATs/yXcsGyo9Wkw/s320/Journey_detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></i></h6></li>
</ul>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-33171531131380273472011-07-20T23:17:00.000-07:002011-07-22T09:04:00.516-07:00July Haiku Art<div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Balance - what comes into your mind when hearing this prompt word? I thought of my 10 year old granddaughter Abigail balancing on her unicycle and of the determined look on her face as she struggles to maintain her balance on the low wire. I thought of commonly used expressions such as "balance your checkbook" or "eat a balanced diet".</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately - what balance means to me these days is the attempt to put the mind and body into a balanced or integrated state as we do through Yoga practice.</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the 2nd of a series about Yoga practice. It incorporates the words: "Shanti" which means peace and "so hum" . This is a mantra that we use for focus while doing deep breathing.</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Haiku</i></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>close your eyes breathe in</i></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>jasmine scented air swirling</i></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>find your center - stay</i></span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqQs3d5QT-U/TifCZo1B6nI/AAAAAAAAARc/K47tLRk07N0/s1600/Shanti2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqQs3d5QT-U/TifCZo1B6nI/AAAAAAAAARc/K47tLRk07N0/s400/Shanti2.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shanti 2</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-90558637504529938762011-07-07T19:55:00.000-07:002011-07-07T20:00:05.292-07:00Drowning<div style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">dreaming of drowning</span></i></div><div style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">battling the undertow</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">sink to the bottom</span></span></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eeEQpR5dnbQ/ThZxcTiVZfI/AAAAAAAAARE/A2dUBwxK5tw/s1600/dusk+from+our+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eeEQpR5dnbQ/ThZxcTiVZfI/AAAAAAAAARE/A2dUBwxK5tw/s320/dusk+from+our+deck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-49235662815194725732011-06-25T09:14:00.000-07:002011-07-07T20:00:21.354-07:00June Haiku Art: Waterfalls<div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My theme for this month seems to be "change" - new directions, new resolve, fresh ideas.</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I first thought that I would have to take a pass on the June Haiku project - so much else going on this month. But when presented with the prompt word: Waterways - I knew that I'd have to do something. The Haiku came pretty easily. Having grown up on the Great Lakes and steeped in the history and lore of the St. Lawrence Seaway I immediately thought of Niagara Falls. And a more recent Falls discovery - Minnehaha Falls.</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am currently working on a couple of water related quilt art projects and did not want to start another one right now. So I turned to another art form and designed and made Waterfall earrings. Our Haiku Art project can be in whatever form we wish. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Waterfalls <span style="font-size: large;">the Haiku</span></i></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> cascading splendor</i></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>mists rising torrents swirling</i></span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>mighty falls thunder</i></span></div><br />
<div style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and the Art</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swJB90tQmc0/TgYHktS387I/AAAAAAAAAQo/OAz4kdmdcFo/s1600/Waterfalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swJB90tQmc0/TgYHktS387I/AAAAAAAAAQo/OAz4kdmdcFo/s320/Waterfalls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waterfalls</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver</span>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-32709241542314492612011-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:002011-07-07T20:01:33.364-07:00Haiku Art for May 2011<div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The prompt word this month is "soft". Now this will be interesting to see - how many directions will the artists go with this word. The possibilities are endless.</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This one didn't require too much deliberation on my part. During a trip to Ireland a few years back I latched on to the phrase "soft Irish day". It really captured my imagination.</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It rains a lot in Ireland. Sometimes it rains hard; sometimes the rain settles over the earth like a misty blanket. They call this a "soft day".</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">steady gentle rain</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Irish hills shrouded in mist</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">another soft day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9IcUr0Wypo/TdcoIeg8gYI/AAAAAAAAAQY/AlrdPfmCr94/s1600/Soft_Day_in_Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9IcUr0Wypo/TdcoIeg8gYI/AAAAAAAAAQY/AlrdPfmCr94/s320/Soft_Day_in_Ireland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sL5n0cnAXok/TdcpaIIO3vI/AAAAAAAAAQg/tRWajxYGm-0/s1600/Det_1_sott_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sL5n0cnAXok/TdcpaIIO3vI/AAAAAAAAAQg/tRWajxYGm-0/s320/Det_1_sott_day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I used fairly vivid commercial quilt cottons for the stylized hills then couched the edges with decorative fibers. Then I quilted the whole thing with 40 wt. variegated cotton in shades of green.</div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I arranged a piece of tulle over the quilt and tacked it down with vintage buttons. Finally I topped it with a piece of lace (Irish lace?) .</span><br />
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<div style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">another fun Haiku Art challenge</div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-29627390524702160972011-04-09T22:51:00.000-07:002011-04-10T15:32:51.044-07:00Haiku Art for April 2011<b>The word prompt for April is "procrastination". Good one. </b><br />
<b>Process: first thought of "why" we procrastinate - in general. Could be some underlying fear of failure or for some - fear of success. Maybe we don't think that we have the specific skill required or talent needed to complete the task and that we will face ridicule. Maybe we're in conflict about the task at hand and aren't even sure it's something that we want to do. Maybe we're overwhelmed by other demands in our lives and can't give adequate attention to this newer demand. Maybe we don't have a clear enough image of exactly what it is we want to accomplish. Maybe the task is boring compared to some other activity that could substitute.</b><br />
<b>I considered these ideas and wrote the following Haiku:</b><br />
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<i> <b> Demands, wants, needs, musts</b></i><br />
<i><b> I want to..........I don't want to</b></i><br />
<i><b> Relentless tick - tock</b></i><br />
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<b>I decided that I would set specific goals for the art work:</b><br />
<b>1. to complete the work in a set amount of time - time that I alternatively would have spent that evening playing a game online . I thought that it was not unreasonable to have the main designing and rough assembly done in 45 minutes. I would do the quilting and finishing the following day.</b><br />
<b>2. I have a plastic storage box full of previously fused cotton scraps - some of which are remnants from previous projects. My challenge was to use ONLY fabrics from that particular box. Believe me there were plenty to choose from.</b><br />
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<b>Done! The completed piece is approximately 12 inches by 12 inches. It is entitled Fragments of Time. It demonstrates how focus, definition and time limits overcame procrastination in one dedicated to that art.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVOG4yg7InE/TaFE7SGq8II/AAAAAAAAAPE/_5R0gaMzDzg/s1600/Fragments+of+Time_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVOG4yg7InE/TaFE7SGq8II/AAAAAAAAAPE/_5R0gaMzDzg/s320/Fragments+of+Time_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fragments of Time</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><b> Demands, wants, needs, musts</b><br />
<b>I want to I don't want to</b><br />
<b>Relentless tick - tock</b>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-50738670174234783292011-03-15T12:36:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:36:44.502-07:00<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The March word is.....................Sunshine!</span></b><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am fascinated by the patterns made by sunshine as it is filtered through dense foliage.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong> Forest Canopy</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong><strong> Clefts in rain soaked branches</strong><strong> </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong><strong> Sunbeams bursting through</strong><strong> </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8-qwXctR0Jo/TX--lqDrsVI/AAAAAAAAAO8/GxlXoOt9S10/s1600/Armstrong_Redwoods2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8-qwXctR0Jo/TX--lqDrsVI/AAAAAAAAAO8/GxlXoOt9S10/s400/Armstrong_Redwoods2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Armstrong Redwoods State Park</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-89272056244442393292011-02-21T15:33:00.000-08:002011-02-21T15:34:15.471-08:00On My Design Wall<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just took a fresh look at my "design wall" and decided what to finish up this weekend. I'll have the house to myself - no excuses not to finish at least one of these projects.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ug_FwZd6s4/TWL0mxTWOLI/AAAAAAAAAOw/U_4TBxUfACM/s1600/Beach_Buddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ug_FwZd6s4/TWL0mxTWOLI/AAAAAAAAAOw/U_4TBxUfACM/s320/Beach_Buddies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is Beach Buddies.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Almost finished the quilting - just the sky and details of the clothing. Then I will bind it and attach a hanging sleeve.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is an original design based on some photography that I did a few years ago.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwwvGZmgCxw/TWL1gH4DjgI/AAAAAAAAAO0/RSZz2sh19OE/s1600/Deep_Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwwvGZmgCxw/TWL1gH4DjgI/AAAAAAAAAO0/RSZz2sh19OE/s320/Deep_Sea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've got mostly handwork left on this watery, fishy piece so it'll be a good one to work on too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And if I need a break from the stitching I'll pull out my paints and get back to work on KR. He really needs to be finished.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mnhTluiTac0/TWL2IySyiKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/dSNogrC3PqE/s1600/K_R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mnhTluiTac0/TWL2IySyiKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/dSNogrC3PqE/s320/K_R.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-37036475203846147382011-02-18T12:08:00.000-08:002011-02-18T12:42:51.148-08:00Faultlines of the Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOD1gEclz6o/TV7RPmmNBHI/AAAAAAAAAOg/UyMhaA-V-eY/s1600/faultlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOD1gEclz6o/TV7RPmmNBHI/AAAAAAAAAOg/UyMhaA-V-eY/s400/faultlines.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When presented with the February word: "love" I thought of many ways to go with it - parental, romantic, physical, familial - even love of music, nature and so on. But what I really wanted to deal with was loss of love - specifically loss of loved ones. When my Mom passed away last year I had to deal with the sadness of her loss plus the fact that she was the last one. Her passing followed my Dad's (by many years) and my brother and sister's deaths more recently. I reflected on how we all suffer loss of love - or loved ones - then have to face our publics as though everything was completely right in our world.<br />
Here you have a heart that has been fractured into many pieces along the faultlines that were there all along. And floating over the pieces of the heart are a tangle of ribbons attempting to hide the tears underneath.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51weHIYJLPk/TV7RaylhqjI/AAAAAAAAAOk/VTKn8tc9K68/s1600/detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51weHIYJLPk/TV7RaylhqjI/AAAAAAAAAOk/VTKn8tc9K68/s640/detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Letting go of love</i></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Hot salty tears flow freely</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bruised battered heart cracks.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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All the red "shards" combine to form one complete heart. The pieces have been attached to the background with a lot of heavy quilting. I used heavy cotton plus metallic. The ribbons are hand tacked. Under the ribbons are tear-shaped beads peeking out. I purposefully left the thread tails and frayed edges alone as they are part of the over all feeling that I wanted to generate.</div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-24641726716994976242011-02-16T00:12:00.000-08:002011-02-16T00:12:13.067-08:00Boulevard of Broken Dreams_0002.wmv<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5sdZqstpD20?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-46452978935892679652011-02-05T07:44:00.000-08:002011-02-05T07:44:08.606-08:00Received New Word in Haiku-Art<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As promised we received our inspiration word for February late yesterday. The word is "love". What else for the month of February? I have some ideas spinning around in my head already. They aren't of the lacy heart variety. Stay tuned.</span>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-5777001508736695922011-02-04T12:24:00.000-08:002011-05-28T21:39:05.135-07:00January Haiku-Art Fiber PieceMy goal was to illustrate nature's propensity to new beginnings in the face of adversity.<br />
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A secondary goal was to try some new creative techniques or materials.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TUxf5qZd-4I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Mfl-Z7ha2Xo/s1600/Hardy+Rosebuds+Thrive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TUxf5qZd-4I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Mfl-Z7ha2Xo/s320/Hardy+Rosebuds+Thrive.jpg" width="228" /></a><br />
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Lutradur - burned edges, stamped and painted with pearl-ex<br />
Angelina fibers - stamped<br />
Rosebud photos printed on cotton, appliqued and thread painted.<br />
Purchased leafy vine appliqued<br />
Haiku printed on Extravorganza - edges fringed and painted<br />
Scattered beads<br />
Sheer tulle layered over the piece<br />
Layered and quilted<br />
Edges finished with zigzag stitch<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TUxf9OJU8jI/AAAAAAAAAOU/SCWB30pFJp8/s1600/rosebud+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TUxf9OJU8jI/AAAAAAAAAOU/SCWB30pFJp8/s320/rosebud+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-49296273520527208252011-01-13T10:07:00.000-08:002011-02-04T12:16:08.838-08:00January Word<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is my Haiku for our January word: Beginnings....</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Treacherous frost lurks</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tender shoots defy the chill</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hardy rosebuds thrive.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TUxeNS0siMI/AAAAAAAAAOM/7GCuPeg0rxk/s1600/Hardy_Rosebuds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TUxeNS0siMI/AAAAAAAAAOM/7GCuPeg0rxk/s320/Hardy_Rosebuds.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">PhotoArt by Guila Greer</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Come take a look at all the beautiful art work on our blog: http://haikuart.blogspot.com</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm working on the fiber art that will accompany this Haiku and will post it within the week.</span></span></span></div>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-85351509187448505362011-01-02T23:45:00.000-08:002011-01-02T23:45:36.514-08:00Goals and Gotta-DosOne of the shows that I wanted to submit to has a deadline only 4 days from now. There's no way I'll finish the quilting on the piece that I wanted to submit. Darn. Time just slipped by. And I've been caught up in doing some very mundane quilting. As in items that I promised to people and must get done. <br />
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However, all that said, I'm looking forward to receiving the first "challenge word" this week from our Haiku-Art group. It'll be "ready, set, go" with only a week to create and finish the Haiku and the art piece.<br />
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So far as my "mundane" work - actually they are 2 quilts that I'll enjoy doing. One is the softy sea for my younger granddaughter and I've got all the elements ready now to put together. It's been a fun designing process. The other is a lap quilt (a wedding gift) and I just finished cutting out the first round of strips. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TSF-O-2AIBI/AAAAAAAAAN0/9Vt3OspQSj4/s1600/strips_first_round.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TSF-O-2AIBI/AAAAAAAAAN0/9Vt3OspQSj4/s320/strips_first_round.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TSF-CbylKOI/AAAAAAAAANw/5H5fmwzKAVI/s1600/ready_to_sew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TSF-CbylKOI/AAAAAAAAANw/5H5fmwzKAVI/s320/ready_to_sew.jpg" width="236" /></a>Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-752437019546411202010-12-25T18:14:00.000-08:002010-12-25T18:14:17.143-08:00Some "Green" Holiday ProjectsOur kids in Minneapolis use only cloth napkins and I sewed a set of 6 colorful patchwork napkins for them. I lined them and used a pillowcase finish. I didn't think the fabric had enough body to just give them a rolled hem.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TRaiC2EbqkI/AAAAAAAAANc/YgDLC9Jh_OQ/s1600/P1010721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TRaiC2EbqkI/AAAAAAAAANc/YgDLC9Jh_OQ/s320/P1010721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Aren't they pretty?<br />
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I love the look of beautifully wrapped gifts but it always gives me a twinge when I see those gorgeous wrappings ripped off and thrown in the garbage. So I decided to make some reusable gift bags. I made a few little triangular shaped pouches and several larger drawstring bags. I expect that the bags will be put to good use - even if it's just to pass along with a gift to someone else. I did some with holiday themed fabric and some that weren't. Then they can be used year round.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TRajnbr3aTI/AAAAAAAAANg/Cr7SNxoQImQ/s1600/Gift+Pouch%2528smaller%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TRajnbr3aTI/AAAAAAAAANg/Cr7SNxoQImQ/s320/Gift+Pouch%2528smaller%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw the pattern for this online a few months back and haven't been able to find it again. If I do I'll be sure to give proper attribution.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope that my little great niece will like this bag as much as the gift inside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have no particular pattern for these - pretty much custom made them to size considering the gift that was to go inside.Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-83880939206186298192010-12-25T17:57:00.000-08:002010-12-25T17:57:18.116-08:00What's Been Keeping Me BusyHappy Holidays everybody! I hope you all are having a good relaxing day - We've been on the go most of the month and it's great to be able to kick back today. <br />
We spent some time visiting our son and his family in Minneapolis. As usual it was wonderful - especially getting to spend some time with our granddaughters. We even had a couple of bonus days because of the BIG SNOW! It was such a heavy snow that they even closed the Mall of America - on a Saturday afternoon 2 weeks before Christmas! And they closed the Minneapolis public schools for a couple of days - unheard of!<br />
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Well I got SOME of my special projects finished in time for the holidays-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TRagOgf7NgI/AAAAAAAAANY/cjyXBiuaVI8/s1600/gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TRagOgf7NgI/AAAAAAAAANY/cjyXBiuaVI8/s320/gloves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A while back I may have mentioned that I was knitting fingerless gloves for my daughter-in-law. Well, I've been knitting for many years and have done some complicated patterns but have never done gloves before . All those fingers! She wanted them to come up to her elbows - (remember - they live in Minnesota)<br />
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Well, they're not works of art but they're snugly and they're DONE! Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-79523569529074040692010-11-19T23:21:00.000-08:002010-11-19T23:21:28.283-08:00Busy Week -I didn't make much progress with my Art Quilting projects this week but nevertheless it was a good week. <br />
<ul><li>I did make progress on a quilt that I'm making for my youngest granddaughter. Kind of a cute story - we were talking on the phone a few weeks ago and I was trying to explain the project that I was working on for a class. It is a seascape and has all kinds of embellishments including cellophane. (It was an online class with Linda Schmidt - "creating the elements". Great class!) Granddaughter first asked me who the quilt is for - then commented that it wouldn't be a very "softy" quilt. She proceeded to give me a detailed explanation as to how I could get all the special ocean effects that I wanted just by using fabric and thread. Thus ending up with a quilt that would still be "softy." So I'm making her a special "softy sea" quilt as a special surprise.</li>
<li>My "day job" is real estate and it's getting more important than ever to get a special designation to list and sell so-called "distressed" properties - such as foreclosures and short sales. So I've been busy taking a class that will culminate with the CDPE designation: Certified Distressed Property Expert. It's actually quite interesting and I will be finishing up this weekend.</li>
<li>I am participating in an online group that was formed to bring Haiku and Fiber Art together. The group was established this past week by A. Carole Grant, a Canadian Mixed Media/Fiber Artist that I "met" on the Quilt Art list. I am very excited to be a part of this and am looking forward to some "stretching" and growth as an artist.</li>
<li>We had our Book Club meeting this week and a good discussion on "The House at Riverton". This was a very good read! Kind of Upstairs Downstairs meets The Thirteenth Tale - with a little Remains of the Day thrown in for good measure!</li>
</ul>It's supposed to rain here all day tomorrow and I plan to sew, sew, sew!!!Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-82483716597999325832010-11-12T22:34:00.000-08:002010-11-13T11:26:49.734-08:00Spring Has Sprung<div class="MsoNormal">Spring Has Sprung?</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know – Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks – so why I am titling this entry Spring Has Sprung? </div><div class="MsoNormal">A little while back I made a little quilt with that title. Do you remember the little ditty….</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Spring has sprung,</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">The grass has riz.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">I wonder where the birdies is…?</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">So, naturally I had to make a “The Grass Has Riz” piece. I just finished the beading last week and got it done!<br />
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The center background is randomly pieced and the design elements are fused. The technique is very improvisational and FUN! I was first introduced to it a couple of years ago at a class taught by Deana Hartman. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%28http://chameleonquilts.com%29%20">(http://chameleonquilts.com) </a> One of the best classes I've taken.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TN4u9XoE-uI/AAAAAAAAAMg/J1UlQPLd_BU/s1600/Nov12_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TN4u9XoE-uI/AAAAAAAAAMg/J1UlQPLd_BU/s320/Nov12_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I hurried through all the basic construction so that I<br />
could get to the BEADING!<br />
The writing on the quilt is done with a free motion<br />
zigzag stitch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grass Has Riz!</td></tr>
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And here is.............<br />
The Grass Has Riz!<br />
The pieced green background part looks<br />
vaguely like an egg, don't you think? <br />
I guess the idea of Spring was working<br />
on me subliminally<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TN40GhazWqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/OrFUxQZKIKw/s1600/grass+riz+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TN40GhazWqI/AAAAAAAAAMo/OrFUxQZKIKw/s320/grass+riz+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm thinking that I should have done the writing in a more contrasting color. On the other hand, center stage belongs to the grass - and all the BEADS!!!! <br />
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I'm thinking that there are some birdies in my near quilting future......Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-12373442168177125472010-11-07T23:34:00.000-08:002010-11-07T23:34:29.584-08:00All Things Fiber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TNeLsMUdI2I/AAAAAAAAALs/kXkt9em1SX0/s1600/fibers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TNeLsMUdI2I/AAAAAAAAALs/kXkt9em1SX0/s320/fibers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In homage to the title of this blog I'm posting a picture of one of my favorite things -<br />
Aren't these luscious??? A couple of years ago I bought this hank of fibers at a quilt show. I've used a few of them along the way but mostly I use them as decoration and inspiration..... YUM!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TNen5yT6U_I/AAAAAAAAALw/p9xyK4XqMI4/s1600/yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H8ZHn3j0M4k/TNen5yT6U_I/AAAAAAAAALw/p9xyK4XqMI4/s320/yarn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Along the way all knitters collect oddballs. Now that I'm involved in making Art Quilts I have another way to use them. THAT was very exciting to realize.Guila Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09587370259758309605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33313729.post-46648804335889618372010-11-03T16:13:00.000-07:002010-11-03T16:13:49.477-07:00Do you love coffee? I do - especially that first sip in the morning. So what did I do? I made a little art quilt in honour of that AHHHHsome moment: the first sip.<br />
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I pieced the background to loosely approximate my kitchen - yellow tile counters - got the grid effect with a paintstick rubbed over a plastic utensil that I found in the kitchen drawer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I paid homage to my very favorite coffee mug by using its image in this piece - printed then machine appliqued onto the background. Thread painting, acrylic paint touch up here and there added texture and interest. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added a little glitter just for fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glitzed up a few coffee beans for the full effect and free motion stitched my sentiments.</td></tr>
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