Still working on adding to my inventory at the Valdese Heritage Arts Center and My Shop, so today I am sharing two new pieces.  Neither seemed to translate well through photographs...so if you're local, head on down to the Arts Center to check them out for a better view.

Added a new piece to the shop today.  This one is highly textural and visually interesting!  Cutting away those layers to reveal underlying colors and fabrics is a bit like therapy and peeling away psychological layers to get to the root of where someone is really hurting--not always easy to do for any of us...

We have a precious little four and a half year old son that we are so thankful for.  Recently we decided he had outgrown his toddler bed and was ready for his "big boy bed," so we put our heads together and multiple projects followed (we like projects):  Daddy decided he wanted to make the new bed, with drawers for storage underneath, and a toy box to match; Mommy decided she wanted to make a quilt for the new bed; and so they started planning, gathering tools and working diligently on the new projects...now the projects are all completed, and Grayson has a new room.  I've shared some pictures here of his new little space, if you'd like to see it.

As I worked on these projects with my husband, and put this entry together this evening, I was struck by how fortunate our little Grayson is, he seems to have a 'charmed' little life.  I am so thankful for him and that he has so many people who love him so deeply, there is nothing more important in all the world than that!!

I received a call from the Arts Center the other day and they informed me that a framed art quilt had been sold, so today I stopped by to drop off some more business cards and post cards to add to the front advertisement of my classes and was able to see which piece had sold.  Turns out, it's "Free," and I'm so happy to be sharing this piece with the person who bought it.  My first thought was, "oh, that little piece had so much meaning, and I'm so happy to know that someone understands the messages I am sending with this piece."  I imagine the piece in its new home on a lovely soft cream or sage green wall whispering affirmations again and again about what it means to be "Free."  My guess is, it holds many meanings for many different people!  Purchaser, I hope you will enjoy your new addition. :)

New small piece completed and added to the shop. 
This piece was sunprinted with leaves first, then Arashi Shibori was used with black ink to give the water effect.  Then the leaf was thread painted on using free motion quilting; three copper colored squares are painted fusible; the "button" in top right corner is ceramic with a small piece of variegated yarn attached.  Finally, background was thread painted to enhance the feeling/look of water under the leaf.

I am offering three FUN, NEW WORKSHOPS at the VALDESE HERITAGE ARTS CENTER, (click for directions) and would love to have you join me!!

Saturday, July 21, 2012  Time: 1-5pm--Shibori Workshop:
Students will BRING THEIR OWN 100% cotton wearable to use in learning the basics and beyond of how to do the Japanese binding and dyeing techniques called Shibori.  You can Shibori dye shirts, bathing suits or bathing suit covers, pants, skirts, scarves, bandanas, ANYTHING that is 100% COTTON (OR OTHER NATURAL FIBER-HEMP, LINEN, SILK, RAYON, VISCOSE) ONLY.  All other materials provided by me.  Each student will leave with a completed, one of a kind piece of wearable art!
**Wear an apron or clothing that you don't mind mind ruining with the dyes, should they accidentally jump on you.*
Fee is only $2o dollars, hurry, class is limited to 10 students.  To sign up call Kim at 828.919.8020, or 828.403.6477, or call the Valdese Heritage Arts Center at 828.874.1849

Saturday, August 18th from 1-5pm:  Learn the Basics of Dyeing Fabrics:
Students will have a BLAST learning how to hand dye fabrics using fiber reactive dyes to use in your own quilts or sewing projects.  You will learn the names and uses of the chemicals needed and the safety recommendations for them.  Students will learn how to use the color wheel and how to mix primary colors to achieve endless numbers of colors.  We will cover two forms of dyeing, tub/vat dyeing and LOW IMMERSION dyeing (which uses little water or salt, and creates interesting patterns on cloth.  One and a half yards of fabric will be provided for students, and each will leave the workshop with two completed and dyed pieces of fabric, ready for sewing, painting or further embellishing, should you choose.  Wear an apron or old clothes that you won't mind possibly ruining.
Fee is only $25 dollars, hurry, class size is limited to 10 students.
To sign up call Kim at 828.919.8020, or 828.403.6477, or call the Valdese Heritage Arts Center at 828.874.1849

Saturday, September 15th from 1-5 pm.:  Learn to Batik
You will have a wonderful time discovering the ancient, Indonesian technique of Batik.  Students will learn to apply melted soy wax to cloth using a Tjanting tool, or other heat resistant tools, followed by dyeing the fabric with fiber reactive dyes to produce beautiful, one of a kind cloth, which may be used in quilting or other sewing projects.  All materials will be provided, and all you need is a willing, curious attitude, and a desire to have a ball with some friends!  No experience is necessary.  All students will receive 1 and 1/2 yards of fabric to batik and dye, and then take home.  Wear an apron or old clothes that you won't mind possibly ruining.
Fee is only $25 dollars, hurry, class size is limited to 10 students.
To sign up call Kim at 828.919.8020, or 828.403.6477, or call the Valdese Heritage Arts Center at 828.874.1849