Fingers to the Bone

I'm working my fingers to the bone to get all I need to get done around here. Why does everything I do painting, quilting, gardening involve my hands? I've taken to icing them down at night.
A sneak peek at another finished top. I need to do a back for this one.
Square Motion #2 in sage, brown and cream. One thing about improvised work...it can't be duplicated. This has the same feeling of movement of the original. I may even like it better.
This is the back in progress.
I'm playing with a new design for these fabrics. Isn't that a great combo?

I still need to make a back for Orange Crush from the last post. Then it's quilt, quilt, quilt. Oh my aching hands.

ps...faq post coming on wednesday...any more questions?

Please Don't Tell My Husband

I think I'm in love. Well, it's really just a crush, but I've fallen head over heals for this quilt. Should be quilted by the end of the day if I get my sewing machine back...it's in emergency repair...what a time for that to happen!

I love the polka dot fabric in this one...it's Michael Miller's mirror ball dots. They're shiny...they almost glitter and twinkle. Simply FABULOUS! I only have a little bit and this was perfect for it. It just might have to be named 'orange crush'. Oh, dear. I crack myself up!

Did you know it's Christmas in July? This little lady may be part of the fun! I've finished my goodies for my partner in Stephanie and Linda's Christmas in July swap. They're all packed up and ready to go. Can't show any more yet....package goes in Santa's sleigh July 11!

I had so much fun with the virtual gallery show. Thanks to everyone for coming. I think just about everyone I've met in blogland came by and signed the guestbook too. It was great to have you. I'm still trying to get all the comments that aren't 'no reply' responded to. A special thanks to Laurie who attended virtually and bought one of the quilts. Thanks for supporting the clinic with your purchase.

I learned something about the Southwest Blvd Family Health Care Clinic when I was at the show. There are two pay scales at the clinic, volunteer and $12.00 an hour. Everyone, including doctors, dentists, custodians, office help, either makes $12.00 an hour or nothing at all. These folks serve those who need it most in our community. I'm so proud to be a part of their network of support.

Welcome to the Show

The opening on Friday was a wonderful night for me and I'm happy to be able to share it with all of you.
Have a glass of wine, or maybe some sparkling water. Please sign the virtual guest book (leave a comment). I'd sure like to know you came by.
Enjoy!











This is a sampling of the work in the show. While I was busy greeting and chatting about the quilts my hubby was taking pictures. Bless his heart, he did his best with tricky lighting and folks moving around. Of the almost 200 pictures he took, these are the best ones.
People came and they enjoyed my work. They had lots of questions. One of the best parts of the night was answering their questions and talking quilts, talking art.


This is not a white glove exhibit. Becky, my local blog friend's daughter Grace had the right idea. Get close, touch them, and always check out what's on the back.
Another great part of the night, I sold 8 pieces, two of the larger pieces and 6 small pieces. I was thrilled, both for me, but for the clinic as well since 25% of the sales go directly to support the clinic.

Thanks to Becky and Sarah, both local blog friends who came to the show and brought their children. The kids made the night for me. They're so candid with their comments and their enthusiasm is contagious. I so appreciate the support.

I learned so much from the experience, and I have ideas for how to make the August and September nights even better. I'm hoping for a much bigger crowd for August since it won't be a holiday weekend. Next big night, August 7th from 5:30 to 7:30.

I think I might have made a contact from another gallery. Maybe this won't be a one time thing. I have so much sewing to do to replace those items that sold. Busy is good. I think Tallgrass Prairie Studio is now official.

Thanks for coming and sharing this night with me.

Sage Advice From Those Who Have Been There

I'm ready...the mini city cabins are finished...my artist statement has been edited for the last time.
To keep my mind and hands occupied I played with a new design. This one is inspired by a door I saw on our trip to Oregon last summer. It was this fabulous orange with 3 windows filled with kind of 70's feeling glass tiles. It's stayed with me ever since. This is pretty close...I love the fabrics, but the quilting isn't right. That's why I make small versions like this...to give things a try. I think the windows may need a bit more separation too.

My eldest son asked the other day how I was feeling about the show. I told him I was nervous about the holiday weekend and whether anyone would show up. He told me in a stern, but quiet voice, "Mom, every artist plays to an empty room some time in his career. It builds character." Jon, my youngest nodded his head and said, "We've been there, Mom. Now, it may be your turn."

So, I'm counting my blessings and realizing how fortunate I am to have this show at all. I'm going to be a happy girl no matter who comes. I have so many people to thank for this opportunity. Each and every one of you who has left a comment on this blog has had a part in making this happen. So, thank you. I can't wait to share the experience with you.

If you'd like to come, just drop me an email at jgeringirre at yahoo dot com and i'll send you details, directions etc. (Kate, get in touch...I'd love to see you there and get to meet you.)

Inspired

This is the guest room in our new home. I'm slowly getting rooms arranged and things in their place. I love the comforter on this bed....there's this empty wall between the two windows....so...
i started this. The red/orange flea market fancy barbells were the perfect fabric. I'm excited to get this done and hang it. Reminds me of burning embers, those last, glowing remnants of a bonfire.
I love this room for another reason, the floor. It's a recycled wood floor. We removed the floor boards from the old farmhouse that was originally on the property and installed them here. I stenciled this design. It's a little sad that the bed covers up most of the stenciling, but I know it's there and that's pretty cool.
I'm going to be doing a Frequently Asked Questions post to respond to your questions. So many of you who leave comments are 'no reply' bloggers. I'd love to answer your questions, so I'm going to try this. If you have a burning question, now's your chance. Ask away.

Show Prep and a Little Indulgence

I made a little something for myself to celebrate the hanging of my show. It's another '3 sheets to the wind' mini quilt. I sent the first one to a quilty friend...this one is going to hang in my laundry room.
I'm still sewing for the show....a few little things to finish.
The hanging of the show was an amazing experience in itself...making decisions about what quilts to include, what goes next to what etc. etc. When it was all said and done the quilts look spectacular....as I've told many of you, high ceilings and great lighting make a huge difference. I was surprised by a lot of things...one..those quilts are big and take up a LOT of space.

I have a final check-in on Tuesday and then the show goes on on Friday. These 3 didn't make it into the show, at least not yet. Separately they didn't have enough visual impact. I have to admit, I don't think about visual impact in a gallery when I make a quilt. There were a few quilts that didn't make it into the show because their features just didn't translate hanging on a wall. I reconfigured these 3 to hang as one piece...I still don't know if they'll make it in, but I do hope so.
The big news of the weekend. We have a winner for the 'wonderland garden' quilt. I got to draw the name and the winner is Shari, from Australia. Shari donated the most and bought the most tickets. It was like it was meant to be. I was so excited to see her name on the ticket. I want to thank all of you who participated and helped out my mom's church. I don't know the total money raised by the quilt, but I was told it should be at least a thousand dollars. That money will help the church do a lot of good work.
Nice thing was...I got to take the quilt home for a couple of days. It was nice to see it again. Now to find a big box and send it on its way. Congratulations Shari!!

As I was walking off the stage, the president of the United Methodist Women whispered in my ear a request for next year's quilt. We shall see.

Two for the Show

Two more quilts done for the show. Cabins in the City...I love how this one turned out.
I really like the back. Kept the quilting minimal on this one. It does have a nice texture, though.
The Modern Grace Hourglass quilt is done too. The organic line quilting took a long time and lots of thread, but it was worth it.
I love the texture the quilting gives to this quilt. The thread is hot pink!
The back is cute too!
I'm hanging the large quilts for the show tomorrow afternoon. These are ready to be loaded in the car. I'm excited to see them hanging. Smaller pieces will be added next week. I think I'm finally starting to realize this show is really going to happen.

Getting in the Swing

I'm getting in the swing in the studio. I'm 2/3 of the way done with the organic line quilting on the Modern Grace hourglass quilt. This one is set for finishing today.
Made 3 blocks for the back of another quilt. Hopefully that one will get basted and the quilting started today.
Phase 2 of the studio table is complete. We have legs! For those of you who asked. The original bed was a platform bed with wheels. I removed the headboard (simply took out a bunch of screws). Then my dad went to work making the legs. He reused the original wheels and he put them on yesterday. My dad is the best....I know we all say that, but my dad can do anything. I think he wears a superman t-shirt under his shirt. He told me he was feeling guilty making me wait for my table....he was busy making a dining table, two beds and bathroom cabinets for my brother. The man is truly amazing!

I'm not sure if I'm going to bother making it "pretty"...filling the screw/nail holes and painting the legs...maybe later. Now I have to order the formica for the top. I couldn't wait to use it. I can baste a baby quilt on here for sure....lots of room to cut, sew, spread out. I love to spread out.
We celebrated Father's Day twice...Saturday night I cooked dinner for my dad, and Sunday the boys came out to celebrate with their dad. They sure have two fabulous models for what it is to be a great dad. Have a great week everyone and thank so much for the welcome back.

Ooooh, almost forgot. I have to thank Amy, Doris, Heather and Angela for adding to my selvage bucket. Thanks all...the quilt is getting bigger with your help. It may not be in the July show, but it's going to be ready for August. My show is running for three months...so I figured I could change out quilts. I want that selvage quilt in there for sure.

Oh Happy Day!

Tallgrass Prairie Studio is back, at least in part. I've missed everyone. It's going to take a bit to find my stride and establish a routine, but I'm on the way.

I'm still trying to find a place for everything in the house and we still have boxes and a bit of chaos, but the sewing machine is set up and I can sew again. I can't tell you how happy I am.

I've taken over what used to be Jon's bedroom. It's a room in the basement, but as you can see I have lots of light. I like that. I tore down the shelves that used to be on the wall. They just didn't work for the studio. I have a lot of sprucing up to do. I'm going to paint the walls, but for now I'm undecided on color. I have to live here a bit to get a feel for what would work.
I had fun unpacking my supplies. My new thread cabinet found a nice place on the wall.
And I built a fabric tower. Chet found a home there and is happy lounging with the fabric. I organized all my scraps in the baskets at the bottom. Sorted by color and so much easier to get to and use.

I'm repurposing Jon's bed into a work table. I took off the headboard and I'm adding legs and a formica top. I'm so looking forward to having a large table to cut and lay out blocks. Part of the design wall is up, but it's not done either. I have loads of work to do in the studio, but at least it's functional. The room is at least twice the size of what I had before. I'm loving all the space.
I sewed for the first time last night and tackled some obligations first, a couple of blocks for Ashley in my Block Party group, and a wonky house for Sarah in my Sew Connected group.
My show is in less than two weeks. I have so much to do. This is the start of my Modern Reproduction quilt. I'm not sure if I can get it done for the show or not. I have so many other things to finish first.

Tallgrass Prairie Studio is coming to life again. I'm a happy camper.

All Present and Accounted For

All of the Project Improv blocks are now present, accounted for and in quilt tops. These are the last six that are on their way to Jackie and Pam for quilting. No, they didn't come out even by magic, I asked a for a little help getting some "come out even blocks" and several of the project improv quilters stepped up and made extra blocks so that I could make the tops and blocks come out even. How sweet is that!! More on those ladies, later...they deserve a post of their own and something special coming their way.

I'll upload 3 pictures of each of these quilts to flickr hopefully later today so you can find your blocks. (It's done...go here if you want to see more pictures.)
I think my original goal of completing the quilts by the end of the summer is pretty reasonable. Just lots of binding to go. Aren't they all so cute!





We have a Spring to Finish May winner too. I'm so proud of everyone who participated. In April we had 247 finishes and in May we had 273 finishes. (that's rounded up because we had some half and third finishes that counted!!) That's FABULOUS! Congrats to everyone. The winner of my goodies is Diane. Check out her blog and her work...you won't be disappointed. I'll get your goodies to you as soon as I can, Diane!

I'm off to Seattle tonight...traveling more next week. Doesn't do much for making progress on the move or getting me back up and sewing again. I miss my sewing machine, my rotary cutter and even my iron.