Can't wait to get this bad boy organizer hung up in the studio. Those who are close to me know that I don't "do" power tools so I'ma need to sucker someone into feeling sorry for me to get those holes drilled into my cement wall.

The navy velvet corners are now getting sewn onto the ends of all the blue arches. If there was any way I could've made this already-challenging step harder, it would be to sew it in velvet. Thanks a lot, ambition. I mean at least it's not stretch velvet...yeah, not stretch velvet. Keep telling yourself that, Ann.

I can't believe that I was able to participate in NY Fashion Week and NOT live in NYC! I peacefully fretted over my work last weekend and let the crazies go north to fret during the week. While I'm just doing the technical aspects of putting on a fashion show, I could't be more excited for myself. I made the dress on the left and the pants on the right. Everything designed by Victor and Sarah Lytvinenko of Raleigh Denim.

It makes me feel good to look at my wall at the end of the day and really notice the progression.  It's also helping me see that my light-to-dark gradient is coming through.  I've had problems with finding just the right lighter shades to fill out the top, so it'll be nice to eventually see how the top will look once those issues get resolved...

New design wall!!!! Yayyyerrr!!!

Now if only that new quilt top will start appearing!

Really happy with this one.  Learned how to edge with I-cord and finally got to use an antler button.

I've managed to lay out the framework for the entire surface of the quilt top; 7 across by 8 down.  I can't even begin to explain how amazing and useful it is to have a design board like this to work on.  I nailed up large pieces of foam-core board to the wall, then covered it up with batting. Lightweight pieces of fabric will stick to the batting and everything else can stay with the help of straight pins. No more standing on furniture while laying out pieces on the ground!  I have another quilt I need to start at the beginning of next year and, instead of putting this quilt away for the time being, I believe I will build myself another design board on the adjoining wall.  Ah...sweet, sweet, spacious luxury!

So happy I found cold ears to prompt me to pick up my needles. Of course, I'll become obsessed, and fly right through it, and be forced to begin my quest again for more cold appendages.

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I keep on trucking'...

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Yep, apparently I am capable of making furniture and, even more exciting, collaborating!

The insanely-talented Adam Joyce was so kind as to share his wood-working skills, and general furniture-making know-how, with me, and help me make an awesome birthday present for my girl Megan.  Last year's gift seen here.

Adam built the box and I was in charge of upholstering.  The knitted piece was a lucky find in the bottom of a trunk that I happened to open at the right moment.  It was originally going to be made into a pillow but I wasn't happy with it for some reason and can be traced back to 2009.

Adam had the idea for the storage container inside and had the forethought to make it big enough to fit a standard book size.  Everything came together fluidly all in one beautiful day, probably 9 hours in total.  It's amazing how much faster you can move with another pair of hands!  I really loved working with such a fully-capable craftsman and can't wait for our next project together.

And then finally, my favorite part: the bun feet.  Home Depot had only 3 of the 4 feet we desired, so desperation and overall stinginess flung us into the back shed where we procured a lonely roller skate whose wheels were the perfect size and quantity for finishing this project.  GENIUS!

  This piece is being called a foot stool-settee-storage container-tuffett thingy.  Any suggestions on a more streamlined name for this guy?  

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Beautiful Memories are Forgotten (Flotation Device)

20" x 24"

acrylic, spray paint on canvas

October 2011

Started this piece after the flight home from Pittsburgh at the end of September. 

Found the perfect sized canvas out of the back storage room and eventually got over the guilt of covering up my brother's art from waaaay back. I know it was a masterpiece, Laurence!

I love starting on a not-blank canvas. It gets you past that complex of making the first mark.

I would've never thought to place the moon behind her head if it wasn't already on the canvas! I love the halo feel to it. Circles have to be my favorite shape (that's right I have a favorite shape) and I love to incorporate them as much as possible. So many meanings behind circles, rings, moons...

I have to credit Megan Burchett for getting me past this stage and helping me resolve the treatment of the sky. I ultimately spray painted the moon to keep his face from taking the focus away from the woman, but I had to leave it transparent enough to remember that he is there.

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COMING SOON

My first foray into furniture fabrication...

Watch out now!

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