What a crazy, busy month this has been. David and I took a short vacation over the Prescott, Arizona and got all kinds of crazy inspiration from Jerome, Verde Canyon Railroad train trip and the amazing galleries in Prescott. Lots of photo opportunities and enjoyed some amazing food in the area and gelato at Cuppers Bistro. Check out the Rustic Pie Company if you are in the area.

Friday was a day to get together with a group of artists to discuss titling art, pros and cons of types and necessity of titles. It was a lively discussion. Some of the artists stated that they only read titles if they like the piece. I personally will read a title on a piece I am not fond of just to see if maybe I missed the point of what the piece is about. All the members of the group agreed that titling is important but not to give away too much or box the piece in. The viewer must be able to add their own narrative to the work.

My personal opinion on titling is that it should be the spice or icing of the piece. Maybe not totally necessary, but a nice thing to experience and a view into the artist's intention.

Quilts on the Wall had their meeting on Saturday and it was the turn in for the Roots/Routes exhibit and the election of the new officers. The exhibit is going to be great. All the pieces turned in were amazing and fun to see all the interpretations of the topic.

​Next years board members look great and I am looking forward to the new exhibit topic "Crossings" for the juried show. I actually already have an idea for this one. I have had an idea kicking around for a few years based on a photograph that my brother-in-law took. This might be the perfect exhibit for it.

On the final leg of the home stretch. I have the facing on and the final phase is the sleeve and label. That means I also have to make a decision on the title of my piece. My working title is 'Ancestral Cairns' and I think that may be the final title.  These are the definitions:

Adjective 1. Pertaining to ancestors; descending or claimed from ancestors: an ancestral home.
Noun 1. A mound of stones erected as a memorial or marker

Of course, while driving around the other day, I came up with a different title and I love it. I will keep you all in suspense until I get the final label on the quilt and it is set in ink.

My process was to find historical maps of areas where my ancestors a few centuries ago started their migration and where they ended up. I put these into Photoshop on different layers so that I could erase and blend edges between the different maps. After I blended the edges, I uploaded the file to Spoonflower as a black and white file. Because the final design is to be 18 inches by 48 inches, I was able to get two pieces printed on one width of fabric. That allowed me to have a test piece for different coloring techniques before I started on the main design.

I sampled different paints, inks and other coloring agents, both transparent and opaque. After applying my base colors, I quilted out the piece. After quilting (and first testing on my sample piece) I layered more color on the surface with paints, Inktense pencils and oil pastel sticks. I trimmed the piece to size and faced it with some of the Sticks and Stones fabric by Moda I used on the front. I liked it so much that I went back to Primitive Gatherings where I originally purchased it and bought more yardage to use in other projects. 

The suspense is over. Thinking about the time that my peeps started their trek over (1603) I have changed the title. The hardship of the ocean voyage, the unknown of what the land would be like and reading some of the genealogy records I decided this is a more fitting moniker. It is inked and labeled and ready to turn in for the exhibit in November. the title is: 
Brave Hearts and Restless Feet

After getting the final work done on this piece, I will work on pieces for the SAQA twin exhibit call for entry of Tranquility and Turmoil.

I have discovered that I need to have a backing on my Roots/Routes quilt or I cannot do any "pre-stitching". The fabric is just too temperamental to cooperate with me. I need a little more "tooth" to needle through.

Good news and bad news:

• Good: Fortunately, I happened to have two yards of this batik that will blend beautifully with the front of my quilt. I will be able to use the thread colors I want and still have them blend with the backing. 
  
• Bad: This appears to be the only piece of fabric in my enormous fabric stash that I did not pre-wash. It is now lounging in the washer with our towels.
• Good: I don't need to take a trip to the fabric store tomorrow to look for backing fabric.
• Bad: I have to wait on the washer and dryer before I can use it.
• Good: I get my towels done at the same time, so I save some water.
• Bad: I will not be able to sew on this today as I will need to start getting ready for the upcoming work week.
• Good: I have Friday off and can spend most of the day getting this underway.

On the upside, we got Starbucks treat receipts today and I had my Java Chip. Life is good.

So, how's your weekend going?

This year I actually submitted a piece for one of the major exhibits that Visions hosts every other year. This year the theme is "Intepretations". I had a piece that I think fits well into that theme. We will have to wait and see if the jurors of the show agree. I am just happy that I had one to submit.

I have spent the day doing computer work and cleaning up some things that I have put off. Ready to head out to reward myself with a Starbucks and get back to work on Roots/Routes. David works on his piece every night after work and I am lagging behind.
I am stuck in a design phase and planning my next steps.

Can you guess which one is mine and which is David's?

Working on my latest project and trying out a LOT of different ideas. I have about 6 more to try before I decide on the final techniques.