So the next time you need a hit of fiber fabulousness or a little inspiration to shake of your creative block, drop by Valley Fiber Life.
No animals were harmed and no fiber artists (including me) were paid for the production of this post.
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2011
Valley Fiber Life
So the next time you need a hit of fiber fabulousness or a little inspiration to shake of your creative block, drop by Valley Fiber Life.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Life Rolls Along
My husband always says there aren't as many hours in the day as I think there are. I don't know if that's true--I think the hours just aren't as long as they should be! :-)
I've been working on a commission for a wall hanging. I'm combining traditional applique with shisha mirror embroidery and ralli quilting styles and including motifs that represent everyday life for the family it's going to (as they do in Afghani rugs and embroidery from around the world.
Now I'm sewing on the shisha mirrors. Had to check with the client to make sure she wasn't averse to the number 13 since that's how many mirrors my modified design requires.
I've also had a wonderful time teaching Quilting Basics at Heavenly Stitches Quilt Shoppe in Kingsport. By class this Saturday the students will have created all the main corner blocks in this sampler:
This Saturday we tackle the middle block and the fan blades.
I have a great, enthusiastic class and we're having a lot of fun. This is the first time I've used this format (two classes each Sat. with a half-hour lunch in between so the class is 10-2:30 for only four weeks) and it seems to be working out well. I'm glad because the older my kids get the harder it is to find eight consecutive weeks free on any given day of the week!
I believe the next classes on offer will be my Finishing School class and Paper Foundation Piecing, so keep your eyes peeled!
I've been working on a commission for a wall hanging. I'm combining traditional applique with shisha mirror embroidery and ralli quilting styles and including motifs that represent everyday life for the family it's going to (as they do in Afghani rugs and embroidery from around the world.
So far I've drafted the pattern:
dyed all the fabric and sorted and sanded the mirrors:
and finished the applique:
Now I'm sewing on the shisha mirrors. Had to check with the client to make sure she wasn't averse to the number 13 since that's how many mirrors my modified design requires.
I've also had a wonderful time teaching Quilting Basics at Heavenly Stitches Quilt Shoppe in Kingsport. By class this Saturday the students will have created all the main corner blocks in this sampler:
(c) Cindi Huss
I have a great, enthusiastic class and we're having a lot of fun. This is the first time I've used this format (two classes each Sat. with a half-hour lunch in between so the class is 10-2:30 for only four weeks) and it seems to be working out well. I'm glad because the older my kids get the harder it is to find eight consecutive weeks free on any given day of the week!
I believe the next classes on offer will be my Finishing School class and Paper Foundation Piecing, so keep your eyes peeled!
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Art of Education
I volunteered for the Ellis island simulation at my youngest's elementary school yesterday. This simulation was for the 4th and 5th grade classes.
For a week they have been doing in-class simulations of a European immigrant's journey to the United States in the late 1800s - early 1900s. A small group of 5 students per class (15 total) were randomly selected to be 1st class, another 5 second class, and the rest were steerage passengers.
During the simulation the teachers were wonderfully solicitous of the 1st class passengers, helping them move their things, allowing them to talk as much as they wanted while everyone was moving in to place, etc. 2nd class passengers were allowed to whisper quietly among themselves if necessary and had to move their own things and got slightly less comfy chairs. The teachers gruffly told the steerage passengers to hurry up and sit on the floor with no talking at all. My youngest said, "all the steerage passengers hate us because of our privileges." Pretty real, but luckily the "hate" ended with the simulation.
Of course they spoke about this all beforehand so the students knew not to take it personally.
Well, after a week of dealing with fake illness and death, money and food shortages, etc., they "arrived" at "Ellis Island" yesterday to be processed. Their documents all had to be in order, then they had to pass a number of tests. If they didn't walk a straight line or jump rope they got a dot rather than a star. Or perhaps the "medical examiner" detected a rash or a cough--off to quarantine they went. They had to present letters of recommendation, be able to sign their names, have their spelling homework completed to show they would be good workers, etc.
Today they find out who got enough stars to enter America.
The kids have been learning that ships were required to take back rejected immigrants to their original ports, but not anyone else in their family. As a result, a sick child might be sent on the ship while the parent stayed in America because he or she could not afford the return fare, or vice versa. They also heard about the sometimes arbitrary nature of judgments pronounced on hopeful immigrants.
However, they didn't really feel it until yesterday.
This school, Washington Elementary in Kingsport, TN, also has run simulations of colonial settlers that involved students making a list of their 20 favorite people then finding out that those people might be "injured" or "sick" or might even "die" during the course of the simulation as they strove against time limits to "build" houses, "plant" crops, and "survive" the voyage and their first winter. My youngest lost an uncle and an adult friend.
The Underground Railroad simulation earlier this year involved groups with a leader physically trying to sneak by "bounty hunters" from safe house to safe house (some of which had been raided and were no longer safe) and, at the end, trying to run through the remaining hunters to reach "Canada." Only 7 children out of 65 made it, and they really felt the unfairness of it all.
This is education as art. These teachers literally bring history to life and help the children feel empathy for those who struggled in difficult situations.
And this is why standardized testing is not the answer to our education woes.
Standardized testing has led to our teachers being given less and less freedom to creatively engage their students. It has led to minute-by-minute structuring of the school day.
If we retain excellent teachers and retrain or let go indifferent or uninspired teachers, we bring up children who are engaged and curious and actively seek learning opportunities.
The current environment leads to spoon-fed students with little inclination or training for independent study. That loss of initiative and independence is detrimental to their future success, to their ability to innovate and advance when they are adults.
I'm just saying . . .
For a week they have been doing in-class simulations of a European immigrant's journey to the United States in the late 1800s - early 1900s. A small group of 5 students per class (15 total) were randomly selected to be 1st class, another 5 second class, and the rest were steerage passengers.
During the simulation the teachers were wonderfully solicitous of the 1st class passengers, helping them move their things, allowing them to talk as much as they wanted while everyone was moving in to place, etc. 2nd class passengers were allowed to whisper quietly among themselves if necessary and had to move their own things and got slightly less comfy chairs. The teachers gruffly told the steerage passengers to hurry up and sit on the floor with no talking at all. My youngest said, "all the steerage passengers hate us because of our privileges." Pretty real, but luckily the "hate" ended with the simulation.
Of course they spoke about this all beforehand so the students knew not to take it personally.
Well, after a week of dealing with fake illness and death, money and food shortages, etc., they "arrived" at "Ellis Island" yesterday to be processed. Their documents all had to be in order, then they had to pass a number of tests. If they didn't walk a straight line or jump rope they got a dot rather than a star. Or perhaps the "medical examiner" detected a rash or a cough--off to quarantine they went. They had to present letters of recommendation, be able to sign their names, have their spelling homework completed to show they would be good workers, etc.
Today they find out who got enough stars to enter America.
The kids have been learning that ships were required to take back rejected immigrants to their original ports, but not anyone else in their family. As a result, a sick child might be sent on the ship while the parent stayed in America because he or she could not afford the return fare, or vice versa. They also heard about the sometimes arbitrary nature of judgments pronounced on hopeful immigrants.
However, they didn't really feel it until yesterday.
This school, Washington Elementary in Kingsport, TN, also has run simulations of colonial settlers that involved students making a list of their 20 favorite people then finding out that those people might be "injured" or "sick" or might even "die" during the course of the simulation as they strove against time limits to "build" houses, "plant" crops, and "survive" the voyage and their first winter. My youngest lost an uncle and an adult friend.
The Underground Railroad simulation earlier this year involved groups with a leader physically trying to sneak by "bounty hunters" from safe house to safe house (some of which had been raided and were no longer safe) and, at the end, trying to run through the remaining hunters to reach "Canada." Only 7 children out of 65 made it, and they really felt the unfairness of it all.
This is education as art. These teachers literally bring history to life and help the children feel empathy for those who struggled in difficult situations.
And this is why standardized testing is not the answer to our education woes.
Standardized testing has led to our teachers being given less and less freedom to creatively engage their students. It has led to minute-by-minute structuring of the school day.
If we retain excellent teachers and retrain or let go indifferent or uninspired teachers, we bring up children who are engaged and curious and actively seek learning opportunities.
The current environment leads to spoon-fed students with little inclination or training for independent study. That loss of initiative and independence is detrimental to their future success, to their ability to innovate and advance when they are adults.
I'm just saying . . .
Monday, March 1, 2010
Freebie
OK. It's not shiny or precious or fancy, but it is practical, useful, and best of all, FREE!
Advice!
For years I've heard even accomplished quilters fret and stress over the quilting phase of their work. And this anxiety seems to strike traditional and art quilters alike. Intellectually I can understand it--they've just spent something between hours and years on finishing a beautiful top and don't want to ruin it.
But emotionally, I am always eager for the quilting to begin. It's one of my favorite parts of the creation process and I've explored the limits of what works and doesn't over the years, so here are a few tips to make your next quilting project a success. Although the samples are traditional, these are the same principles I use in my art quilts as well.
Neither is terribly complex, but one is much more appealing.
Advice!
For years I've heard even accomplished quilters fret and stress over the quilting phase of their work. And this anxiety seems to strike traditional and art quilters alike. Intellectually I can understand it--they've just spent something between hours and years on finishing a beautiful top and don't want to ruin it.
But emotionally, I am always eager for the quilting to begin. It's one of my favorite parts of the creation process and I've explored the limits of what works and doesn't over the years, so here are a few tips to make your next quilting project a success. Although the samples are traditional, these are the same principles I use in my art quilts as well.
1. Don't leave your motif floating in a sea of unquilted top
2. Make sure your motif is the right size for the space it fills.
3. Don't forget to fill in the blanks. A fill flattens the background and allows your main motif or the focal point of your art quilt to pop. For example, this:
2. Make sure your motif is the right size for the space it fills.
3. Don't forget to fill in the blanks. A fill flattens the background and allows your main motif or the focal point of your art quilt to pop. For example, this:
becomes this:
Neither is terribly complex, but one is much more appealing.4. Create visual layers by varying the direction and density of your quilting, and allow some motifs to cross the boundaries of your blocks.
5. If you want to emphasize something, quilt it less. If you want to de-emphasize it, quilt it more heavily. You can see how this works in the example above.
Just for fun, take a basic coloring book page . . . and color it as if you were five years old again. Now, if this were your quilt, every place that you colored should be quilted lightly and every place you didn't color should be quilted more heavily.
If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me.
I offer classes that addresses these sorts of issues, including "Designing Great Quilting Schemes" and "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch." If your guild or group is interested in a class and/or lecture on either topic, I'd love to hear from you.
Cheers, Cindi
Just for fun, take a basic coloring book page . . . and color it as if you were five years old again. Now, if this were your quilt, every place that you colored should be quilted lightly and every place you didn't color should be quilted more heavily.
If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me.
I offer classes that addresses these sorts of issues, including "Designing Great Quilting Schemes" and "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch." If your guild or group is interested in a class and/or lecture on either topic, I'd love to hear from you.
Cheers, Cindi
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Free Stuff Soon!
Don't get all excited--I'm not giving away anything shiny or colorful . . . or green.
However, I'm madly working on a new talk that will partner with a new class and I thought, "You know, there's some information that every quilter needs to have . . . and I have it written down . . . so I think I'll post it."
I had time to think that but not time to post it since I have two talks this week and an article due for Quilting Arts next week. Hopefully this'll remind me to post it the week after that!
So check back then to find out what the heck I'm talking about and to see a few images from my new talk!
However, I'm madly working on a new talk that will partner with a new class and I thought, "You know, there's some information that every quilter needs to have . . . and I have it written down . . . so I think I'll post it."
I had time to think that but not time to post it since I have two talks this week and an article due for Quilting Arts next week. Hopefully this'll remind me to post it the week after that!
So check back then to find out what the heck I'm talking about and to see a few images from my new talk!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
And Another One's Done
Well, I've been so busy doing that I haven't done a lot of blogging--a happy problem I think, at least for me. Here's what I finished yesterday:
After the Storm III
After the Storm III6" x 4"
(c) 2009 Cindi Huss
(c) 2009 Cindi Huss
Working on another "After" piece in fiber as well as a dimensional painting. Also on my plate:
- Hand quilted/embroidered commission for Sharon Roat.
- After the Storm: At Sea large-format quilted sculpture.
- A couple of articles for Quilting Arts magazine.
- Lecturing in January for First Frontier Quilters Guild: "Can't-fail Quilting Design"
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Class Dates Changed
My Crocheted Fabric Pots class dates have changed to Nov. 17 (7-9 p.m.) and Nov. 24 (7-8 p.m.). Still plenty of time to make a pot or two before the holidays.
These make great gifts on the cheap and are a great way to use up those long, skinny scraps left after trimming quilt backs before binding.
I love using mine next to the sewing machine or iron, where the little raw-edge threads inside the pot pull threads right off my fingers--especially nice when my fingers get a little dry and everything gets a little static-y in the winter
Remember, if you can't make it to class but can read crochet patterns, I can send you a pattern for $5 plus shipping. just contact me.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Life is good in MD . . .
Recently I stayed in Kensington, MD, for two-and-a-half delightful days at Chez Colladay. My hostess, Coralyn, was delightful, insightful, and plain spoken, a wonderful combination.
The first evening I had dinner with Coralyn, two Nancys, a Linda, and a Jane, all from the Friendship Star Quilters, and I learned about quilters' bingo and what a different world D.C. is from anywhere else I've ever lived (Kansas City, Mo; Mulvane, KS; Friendsville, PA; Newark, DE; Pittsburgh, PA; Amherst and Belchertown, MA; Kingsport, TN). For example, did you know the CIA has a quilt guild? The Undercover Quilters! Seriously! How good is that? Man, and now their cover is blown and they'll have to change their name!
Also enjoyed talking policy and reform over the course of the weekend with a number of highly qualified women in the know. What a stimulating environment!
Anyhow, Sunday Oct. 4 I taught a one-day version of my "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch" class for the Friendship Star Quilters. The students were highly engaged and not afraid to experiment, both necessary for a process-oriented class. I had a great time and got some wonderful feedback from the group.
The next evening I lectured at their meeting and despite the potential for disaster that seemed to lurk around every kink we worked out, all turned out well in the end due in great part to my new best (and highly competent) friend Nick, his mom, my Balkan singing voice (to compensate for no mike), and cues from Coralyn when I let my volume dip below a bellow.
I'd like to thank everyone I met in MD for good food and a good time. And a special thanks to Coralyn and Carol for enabling me--glad I could return the favor. I'd also like to recommend the beautiful new BlackRock Center for the Arts, itself a work of art. The glass exhibit there is lovely--wish I lived closer!
A well-timed reminder from Coralyn: Well-behaved women don't make history!
And from me: Muslin is cheap; batting scraps are free! Experiment! Play!
The first evening I had dinner with Coralyn, two Nancys, a Linda, and a Jane, all from the Friendship Star Quilters, and I learned about quilters' bingo and what a different world D.C. is from anywhere else I've ever lived (Kansas City, Mo; Mulvane, KS; Friendsville, PA; Newark, DE; Pittsburgh, PA; Amherst and Belchertown, MA; Kingsport, TN). For example, did you know the CIA has a quilt guild? The Undercover Quilters! Seriously! How good is that? Man, and now their cover is blown and they'll have to change their name!
Also enjoyed talking policy and reform over the course of the weekend with a number of highly qualified women in the know. What a stimulating environment!
Anyhow, Sunday Oct. 4 I taught a one-day version of my "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch" class for the Friendship Star Quilters. The students were highly engaged and not afraid to experiment, both necessary for a process-oriented class. I had a great time and got some wonderful feedback from the group.
The next evening I lectured at their meeting and despite the potential for disaster that seemed to lurk around every kink we worked out, all turned out well in the end due in great part to my new best (and highly competent) friend Nick, his mom, my Balkan singing voice (to compensate for no mike), and cues from Coralyn when I let my volume dip below a bellow.
I'd like to thank everyone I met in MD for good food and a good time. And a special thanks to Coralyn and Carol for enabling me--glad I could return the favor. I'd also like to recommend the beautiful new BlackRock Center for the Arts, itself a work of art. The glass exhibit there is lovely--wish I lived closer!
A well-timed reminder from Coralyn: Well-behaved women don't make history!
And from me: Muslin is cheap; batting scraps are free! Experiment! Play!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Fall/Winter Class Registration Open
Well, I've been pretty sick this week with H1N1 but am finally beginning to feel better. I have gotten some work done in between fevers, mostly because being sick is BORING, so I really relished anything to relieve the boredom--well, anything that didn't require too much brain power or physical exertion. So I updated the "Class Schedule" page on my website with my Fall/Winter classes. Yea!
So check it out and sign up for a class 'cause I'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to teach again very soon. I also finished the print version last week, which you can download here.
(Photo coming soon, but the camera is all the way upstairs and at the other end of the house and that's just too much physical exertion right now.)
So check it out and sign up for a class 'cause I'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to teach again very soon. I also finished the print version last week, which you can download here.
(Photo coming soon, but the camera is all the way upstairs and at the other end of the house and that's just too much physical exertion right now.)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Christmas in September
Just received a yummy batch of wool from New England Felting Supply. Mmmmmmmmmmm ....... eye candy ....... lovely ....... soft .......decadent!
And more is less with their new (and still limited) wholesale program. 26 colors of Norwegian C-1 batts are discounted $12/pound with a minimum total order of $250 and a retail certificate. Not bad!
I've felt (no pun intended) a little distant from my studio for the past month as I rushed to catch up on all the things I neglected in favor of studio work in July--things like getting my Tennessee driver's license after a year of living here--quick before the Massachusetts one expires on my birthday--Friday! Ah, procrastination.
Fun workshops coming this fall--I'll post them all soon. Meanwhile, consider joining us for ongoing second Monday Indpendent Study classes--$10/session, $30/4 sessions. You bring your project, I provide moral support and guidance when necessary. Please let me know a week ahead if you plan to come. Class size 1-6 students.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Finished Product
Here it is, the final product--"After the Storm II." Color slightly off but close--good enough until I can get a professional photo taken.
You can see the nuno felted trees and bushes and a little of the very dimensional quilted field here. The green field in the background is nubby raw silk, and the background trees are composed of a variety of cotton and silk fabrics.If your guild is interested in learning any of these techniques, just contact me. I love to share the joy!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
American Quilter Magazine
Just got my contributor's copy of the September 2009 issue of American Quilter and my article "Auditioning Your Quilt Design" (page 62) looks great! In the article I explain two methods for auditioning the quilting design on paper before you commit to needle and thread.
Another tip for folks who might still feel a little nervous about committing to needle and thread: Do the first bit of your quilting with water-soluble thread (no, I did not get paid to add this link--Superior Threads is just great to work with).
- If you like it, go over it with regular thread then dissolve the water-soluble thread.
- If you don't like it, dissolve the water soluble thread, dry the quilt overnight, and try again in the morning.
This avoids tedious ripping and gives you the freedom to experiment with something new and perhaps unusual for you.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Studio Tour
Well, it hasn't been quite a year since we moved and at last I have photos of my new studio. I'm pretending that this is like wedding presents--you have a year to do it before you're really a social pariah.
So . . .
First is my shelves covered with zip-off white shower curtains. Lightens the place up a little and gives me a place to pin things I'm not actively working on but am actively thinking about You can also see my classroom tables (that double as more workspace, of course):
And my sewing area with one table that can be either countertop or table height--where I do most of my needle felting (since the bins with my wool are behind curtain #2 above:
(In theory the wall behind my sewing machine will be my design wall, but don't like the close quarters there, so might move shelving there, move sewing machine farther into the room, and use the long wall. Researching design wall materials for now, enjoying having my studio put together, and will probably wait until the fall to tear it up again. Besides, the shower curtains work well enough for now!)
Then there's the little alcove where the TV and comfy chairs are. Hand sewing of all sorts, come computer work, etc. happens there, and hubby can join me in the evenings (since it's the only TV in the house):
And last but not least, my current project storage and office area. The bathroom and laundry room are in this corner as well, and an outside door, so the studio can be completely separate from the rest of the house when I have students here.
And that's about it. The wall you haven't seen has two more storage shelves for the kids' craft stuff and will (hopefully not too far in the future) also have LOTS of bookshelves for our library. We still have eight boxes of books we haven't unpacked as well as an entire bookcase double stacked. (DH's hobby is collecting excellent fantasy and sci-fi, which I happily enable and enjoy.)
Well, now that I've given you a tour, it's back to ripping stitches, then quilting up the orange field in my newest piece (on curtain #4). Have a fabulous day!
So . . .
First is my shelves covered with zip-off white shower curtains. Lightens the place up a little and gives me a place to pin things I'm not actively working on but am actively thinking about You can also see my classroom tables (that double as more workspace, of course):
And my sewing area with one table that can be either countertop or table height--where I do most of my needle felting (since the bins with my wool are behind curtain #2 above:
(In theory the wall behind my sewing machine will be my design wall, but don't like the close quarters there, so might move shelving there, move sewing machine farther into the room, and use the long wall. Researching design wall materials for now, enjoying having my studio put together, and will probably wait until the fall to tear it up again. Besides, the shower curtains work well enough for now!)
Then there's the little alcove where the TV and comfy chairs are. Hand sewing of all sorts, come computer work, etc. happens there, and hubby can join me in the evenings (since it's the only TV in the house):
And last but not least, my current project storage and office area. The bathroom and laundry room are in this corner as well, and an outside door, so the studio can be completely separate from the rest of the house when I have students here.
Having the bathroom and laundry room is handy for dyeing and felting, too, of course. Boy, I love having all this convenient space--and not having the stuff all over the rest of my house!
And that's about it. The wall you haven't seen has two more storage shelves for the kids' craft stuff and will (hopefully not too far in the future) also have LOTS of bookshelves for our library. We still have eight boxes of books we haven't unpacked as well as an entire bookcase double stacked. (DH's hobby is collecting excellent fantasy and sci-fi, which I happily enable and enjoy.)
Well, now that I've given you a tour, it's back to ripping stitches, then quilting up the orange field in my newest piece (on curtain #4). Have a fabulous day!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
More Sculpting
Sculpting With the Quilting Stitch
I just love my medium!! Working on a quilting study for my current work, and it's just so full of yummy texture--and this is only the beginning. Quilting really does make the quilt!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Dancing School in the Basement
I love the name Dancing Threads Studio. It captures the dynamic nature of my materials, is a little "in" reminder of my passion for international folk dancing, and it's a link to my friend and fellow dancer Pascale, whose Irish tapestry studio also is called Dancing Threads Studio.
I've been getting all my ducks in a row so I can teach classes in the studio beginning in Feb. 2009. Created a nifty class catalog and everything. Excellent.
I procrastinated a little (not as excellent) but still was doing things in good time. Getting a little excited . . .
In addition to the business license forms for my city and county I had to send in a "Home Use for Occupation" form. I read the regulations in question to make sure my activities wouldn't cause a problem, filled out the form, and sent it in.
A couple of days later I received a call. The concerned and apologetic voice on the other end regretfully informed me that it would be impossible for me to run a gallery and a dancing school out of my home.
Referring to the brief (owing to the amount of space provided) paragraph where I described my business on the form I assured the concerned person on the other end of the line that I would operate neither a gallery nor a dancing school. I explained that mostly I'd hang out by myself making art but that I occasionally wanted to offer a class, which would never start before 10 a.m. or last past 9 p.m.
Mr. Concerned said all business activities had to take place between dawn and dusk. Referring to the regulations, I noted that they specified 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mr. Concerned said, well, that might be all right, but I really couldn't have a school of any sort in the basement because they just couldn't have loads of people just invading the neighborhood all the time.
Perhaps sensing the fact that my head was spinning, he suggested that I speak to someone with a little more authority to straighten things out.
In response to her questions, I explained to Ms. Authority that I planned to have fewer than one class per week, and sometimes (as in summer) whole months might go by without any classes whatsoever. I said class size might be around six students and that several of their cars could be accommodated in our driveway. I reiterated that the threads, not the people, would be dancing and that, for heaven's sake, we were a bunch of quilters and felters--how crazy could it get?
Then I called to follow up. Thankfully they had not rejected my petition--they simply had not received it. Once Ms. Authority received it, however, she quickly approved it and wished me good fortune in my endeavors.
My city and county business licenses, my state sales tax form, and . . . my Spring 2009 Class Catalogue! (plus my "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch" guild flyer and my friend Sharon Ritchie's Tutu Die 4 postcard).
However . . .
I've been getting all my ducks in a row so I can teach classes in the studio beginning in Feb. 2009. Created a nifty class catalog and everything. Excellent.
I procrastinated a little (not as excellent) but still was doing things in good time. Getting a little excited . . .Until . . .
In addition to the business license forms for my city and county I had to send in a "Home Use for Occupation" form. I read the regulations in question to make sure my activities wouldn't cause a problem, filled out the form, and sent it in.
A couple of days later I received a call. The concerned and apologetic voice on the other end regretfully informed me that it would be impossible for me to run a gallery and a dancing school out of my home.
Uh?
Referring to the brief (owing to the amount of space provided) paragraph where I described my business on the form I assured the concerned person on the other end of the line that I would operate neither a gallery nor a dancing school. I explained that mostly I'd hang out by myself making art but that I occasionally wanted to offer a class, which would never start before 10 a.m. or last past 9 p.m.
Oops! TMI
Mr. Concerned said all business activities had to take place between dawn and dusk. Referring to the regulations, I noted that they specified 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mr. Concerned said, well, that might be all right, but I really couldn't have a school of any sort in the basement because they just couldn't have loads of people just invading the neighborhood all the time.
Seriously? How big did he think my studio was?
Perhaps sensing the fact that my head was spinning, he suggested that I speak to someone with a little more authority to straighten things out.
In response to her questions, I explained to Ms. Authority that I planned to have fewer than one class per week, and sometimes (as in summer) whole months might go by without any classes whatsoever. I said class size might be around six students and that several of their cars could be accommodated in our driveway. I reiterated that the threads, not the people, would be dancing and that, for heaven's sake, we were a bunch of quilters and felters--how crazy could it get?
I figure what she doesn't know about us quilters and felters won't hurt. :-)
She asked me to e-mail an expanded description of my business activities with all these points in it. I did, and then I waited.For three days.
Then I called to follow up. Thankfully they had not rejected my petition--they simply had not received it. Once Ms. Authority received it, however, she quickly approved it and wished me good fortune in my endeavors.
Whew!
So, I'm all official now in TN and studio classes are on for the spring.
My city and county business licenses, my state sales tax form, and . . . my Spring 2009 Class Catalogue! (plus my "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch" guild flyer and my friend Sharon Ritchie's Tutu Die 4 postcard).
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
In the Saddle Again, Again . . . Again
Seems like all I'm doing is trying to find a pace and routine in the new studio. You'd think it'd be easy what with this great new studio with space and light and all. Somehow it still feels a little odd, though--perhaps I need a little feng shui. Whatever it is, I gotta get my groove on!
I do have loads of floor space cleared out and am nearly ready to post photos of the sstudio, but in the meantime, in order to get all inspired, I flung my largish (about 3.5 feet per side) works that should be in progress all over the floor yesterday. That banished my sluggishness and inspired me to make that last sprint to get the studio done so I can send out press releases and advertise my Spring 2009 studio classes and maybe even throw a studio grand opening in January.
They don't look like much yet, but I can see where they're going and (mostly) how to get them there. It will be interesting (at least for me) to see how different these look when they're done!
Anyhow, once the studio is all done and I've got my groove on, I promise more interesting and frequent posts. (Or at least better titles!)
I do have loads of floor space cleared out and am nearly ready to post photos of the sstudio, but in the meantime, in order to get all inspired, I flung my largish (about 3.5 feet per side) works that should be in progress all over the floor yesterday. That banished my sluggishness and inspired me to make that last sprint to get the studio done so I can send out press releases and advertise my Spring 2009 studio classes and maybe even throw a studio grand opening in January.
They don't look like much yet, but I can see where they're going and (mostly) how to get them there. It will be interesting (at least for me) to see how different these look when they're done!
Anyhow, once the studio is all done and I've got my groove on, I promise more interesting and frequent posts. (Or at least better titles!)
Monday, July 28, 2008
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Community Garden
by the 2007-08 third-grade class
P.E. Bowe Elementary School, Chicopee, MA
with Cindi Huss
The kids also made design desisions, such as where to "plant" their creations and what to quilt in the background. Some of them just fell in love with quilting and sewing and all of them worked hard. These kids and their teachers rock and it was a privilege to work with them this year! (Click here to see some of the other things we did together.)
Timna Tarr (Q Tailored Quilts) rocks, too. I called her in a panic in June because the end of school was fast approaching, we were getting ready to move, and I couldn't figure out how I'd get the quilting done on this piece in time without crippling myself (it is extremely heavy and quite thick in places).
Found time in her very busy schedule and quilted this in a day! Woo hoo! Thanks, Timna, for putting up with my unreasonable requests for all these years!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Disaster Area
I've been doing so many things around the house and trying so hard to keep it moderately tidy that I have done almost no work for the past three months. However, I must finish the mural I worked on during my 10-week autumn residency with third graders from the P.E. Bowe Elementary School (Chicopee, MA) before the end of the school year (just after the middle of June).
Since we have had to delay putting the house on the market (long boring story) I took the opportunity to create a little temporary chaos in the living room. You can see what it has looked like here. And here was its state last Wednesday:
However, it's all in a good cause. All five panels are done (except the extensions where the tree branches will continue into the neighboring panel). Now I must quilt and mount them.
For the mural part of this program (we explored several quilting techniques and traditions) the children (three classes of about 25) drew vegetation then translated it into fabric and designed the three middle panels ("Spring," "Summer," and "Fall"). They also decided that the 200+ words about community they came up with would be written on "seeds" (carpentry biscuits) suspended from the bottom of the quilt and "rain" (method and materials TBD by me).
When it is done the piece will measure just under 4' x 10'. Hopefully I'll be done with the bulk of the work by the end of next week.
Anyhow, I have completely enjoyed myself (other than stressing slightly about the mess I made and how short my time is) and can't wait to finish this up. The process demonstrates, however, why it was important for us to find a house with a large, dedicated studio space somewhat removed from the rest of the living space in our house. Apparently my creative process requires chaos to thrive!
Since we have had to delay putting the house on the market (long boring story) I took the opportunity to create a little temporary chaos in the living room. You can see what it has looked like here. And here was its state last Wednesday:
However, it's all in a good cause. All five panels are done (except the extensions where the tree branches will continue into the neighboring panel). Now I must quilt and mount them.
For the mural part of this program (we explored several quilting techniques and traditions) the children (three classes of about 25) drew vegetation then translated it into fabric and designed the three middle panels ("Spring," "Summer," and "Fall"). They also decided that the 200+ words about community they came up with would be written on "seeds" (carpentry biscuits) suspended from the bottom of the quilt and "rain" (method and materials TBD by me).When it is done the piece will measure just under 4' x 10'. Hopefully I'll be done with the bulk of the work by the end of next week.
Anyhow, I have completely enjoyed myself (other than stressing slightly about the mess I made and how short my time is) and can't wait to finish this up. The process demonstrates, however, why it was important for us to find a house with a large, dedicated studio space somewhat removed from the rest of the living space in our house. Apparently my creative process requires chaos to thrive!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Teaching for the Guild
Last Friday I taught one of the member workshops for my guild. This was a pilot for a one-day version of my two-day "Sculpting with the Quilting Stitch" workshop. Three very different workshops were going on at once and we all visited one another. Our workshop got rave reviews from our visitors and a lot of interest, so stay tuned for upcoming dates!
These are a couple examples of the effects we work for--creating three or more layers of depth using the quilting stitch alone.
My students were enthusiastic and worked hard all day long. Here are Carol, who had never done free-motion quilting before the workshop (way to jump in with both feet!) and Sally (who took what I taught and ran with it). Unfortunately my other people photos were blurry--the lighting was a little problematic for photos in our room.
These are a couple examples of the effects we work for--creating three or more layers of depth using the quilting stitch alone.
My students were enthusiastic and worked hard all day long. Here are Carol, who had never done free-motion quilting before the workshop (way to jump in with both feet!) and Sally (who took what I taught and ran with it). Unfortunately my other people photos were blurry--the lighting was a little problematic for photos in our room.
And here are a couple of class samples--an early exercise by Debbi and a later exercise by Sally:
You guys were amazing!
You guys were amazing!
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