New Work – “Nord Licht” – Northern Lights
I love a challenge, and I also love new technology. So when this very cool fiber optic fabric came on the market, I was just excited to try it out. But when I got it home…. It’s difficulties presented itself. I plan to go over it in a more in depth post later on, but basically, the light effect is VERY difficult to see in even dim light. It’s best in pitch darkness. So when I wanted to show this work at a gallery show recently, I had a challenge. How do I get my viewers to see the work, but in a bright gallery space?
Enter this contraption, designed by my husband out of pink insulation board and then painted black. We put a drape over the top, and you view the work laying flat on the bottom in the box. Pretty neat huh?
I had this piece running on an LED that slowly changed colors, to add to the “northern lights” effect.
You can get a sample piece of fiber optic fabric at Sparkfun.com. (The white fabric is sold out, the link is to the black. It’s spendy for a very small piece of this, FYI)
Recap of my visit with the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild
The fine ladies of the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild invited me to speak and teach at their guild in early February. They wanted to learn about eTextiles, and I was so happy to oblige!
The lecture, “Intro to eTextiles” was a big hit! Check out the packed room of members!
I also was able to set up my flashy, blinky, and lit up artwork, as well as sell some kits.
The two day class started with 6 inches of snow in the Chicago area overnight, and I woke up thinking that maybe they would cancel the class. When I got to the parking lot, it was plowed and waiting for students! Nineteen of the 21 students showed up! That’s AMAZING! These were dedicated needleworkers, and they wanted to learn, which is what I hoped I gave them!
We made eTextile books on the first day, and light up voodoo/squeeze dolls the second. We had such a good time. Look at the amazing work they made!
That was some really fantastic work by my students and I am proud to share it with you. As always, if you want me to teach or lecture to your guild, I’d be excited to book a date.
Quilting ISN’T Funny… It’s Hilarious
Megan Dougherty (a.k.a. the Bitchy Stitcher) interviewed me WAAAY way back in July of 2011 on Light Up Quilting for a new little website called Generation Q. But before that she was the humor columnist for Quilter’s Home, you know, the magazine that had an issue come polybagged and that a major store refused to carry? Megan’s sense of humor, and this style of guerrilla quilt reporting appealed to my sensibilities. THESE WERE MY KIND OF PEOPLE.
If you have ever tried to explain to a non-quilter that your hobby/profession/passion is “quilting” (“No, really, I’m a ‘quilter'”) then you know the kind of comedy that can ensue.
Megan has written a great book full of her humor pieces from magazines and a few new ones too. It’s really great. I laughed out loud, and got that look from my husband of “what the hell are you reading, I hope it’s not smut again”. It’s like she wrote this just for me, with quilt guild minutes that seem like she was in the room during my quilt guild presidency, and how quilting will be essential during the upcoming zombie apocalypse. She takes the stuffiness I have all too often run into in quilting and turned it on it’s head. I loved it.
In honor of Megan’s fabulous book, WHICH YOU SHOULD GO BUY RIGHT THIS INSTANT, I am giving away a Red DELUXE LED Sewing Kit. And then you can flip to page 132 and make your very own Black Sabbath quilt that lights up. Or you know, just make the zombie version in the kit. Your choice.
To win, here’s the rules:
1. Think hard about going and buying Megan’s book. Really it’s great and you won’t regret it. Go HERE.
2.Please only enter one time. Multiple entries will be disqualified. (Comments are moderated, so you won’t see your entry online right away)
3. You must leave me a way to contact you, so please leave your valid email address when leaving a comment.
4. The drawing will be open until Dec 26th at 5:00 PM CST.
5. The winner will be chosen randomly the evening of Dec 26th. Check back to see if you are the winner!
Now go check out the rest of the blog tour too!
The winner has been selected, CLICK HERE to see who won!
Recent student work!
On Tuesday May 21, I taught the wonderful Prairie Star Quilter’s Guild Art Bee the fine art of conductive thread and LEDs! They took my “Light Up An Artist Trading Card” class as part of their monthly bee meeting. They seem like a fun bunch, and they swapped their lovely art cloth round robins, so I was glad I got to stay and watch. Isn’t this work outstanding?
A really nice review of the Technocraft show
Wow! Thank you so much to Suzi Ballenger who let me know about the article (and the exhibition in the first place!), and also to Jess Braley for such a glowing review of the exhibit and my work. I really wish I could travel to see the show, it looks fabulous.
The article is on page 9 of the 5/09/12 edition, in case it gets archived and you would like to read the whole thing.
