Play Day at RiverHouse

Originally posted on the Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists blog, March 19, 2009.

Our recent play day at RiverHouse was loads of fun! We spent some time photographing and sketching our beautiful environment. Then, we all made small fabric collages which were inspired by what we’d seen. A very creative exercise.

This is my favorite photo from that day: fire plant hanging down from the porch.

fire-plantweb

I Did it Again

Originally posted April 3, 2009 on the Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists blog.

I changed horses midstream. 

I was happily working along on a new piece, deciding on the placement of lots of small orange circles. Then, I had, what was for me, a very radical thought: What if I made this a very calm almost monochromatic piece? What? ME monochromatic? I let that idea percolate for a while and decided to audition some sheer fabrics in similar colors. So, this is where I am now. The photo shows my collection of “cut” (actually soldered) sheer circles. My circles went from opaque orange to sheer blue-greens and such. I’m liking it!

Cut sheers

This is the thing about changing horses: I generally find the new one much fresher. I’m almost always happy with my midstream radical changes.
And this is the other thing: these ideas come over time. They’re not my first inclination. I think that’s one of the good things about the slow process of quilt making. If I were a painter, I could more quickly display my first thought. But then, these slow ideas wouldn’t have a chance to develop. Something for me to remember when I get in a hurry.

Ellen Lindner
P.S.  See the “before” version in my May newsletter, and the “after” version here.

First Post!

Well, I’ve finally started my own blog.  I’ve sorta resisted doing so because I can be very, well, chatty.  I feared that it would be just too much fun, and take up too much of my time.  Hope I can keep my enthusiasm under control!

For starters, I’m posting and/or referencing some articles that I’ve previously had on other blogs.  In May of 2009, I posted “Ah, Now I Feel Better” on Linda Matthews’ blog .   It’s about a quick photo trip around my yard, as a diversion from too much time spent at the computer.  

Linda’s blog is called Inspire! and it lives up to its name.  I hope you’ll check it out. 

Ellen Lindner