2014 REFLECTIONS - MOVING AHEAD IN 2015

As I move forward into 2015 with plans for more growth, and an on-line business I had to stop and reflect on 2014.   Overall it was a good year full of new opportunities, new friends and many firsts.

-My first full year as a fiber artist, working on my own time.

-My first Art Walk in partnership with my cousin(www.indajewelrydesigns.com  where I sold my first quilt

-My first Juried Craft Festival at New York's Lincoln Center which i wrote about in an earlier blog.  With the help and support of family and friends it turned out to be a great experience, and one I plan to repeat in 2015.

-Took a trip to Portland, Oregon to study with one of my favorite artist,www.Andrea-graham.com.
Learned the art of making a felted "bag with character" as well as sculptured felt jewelry. I then came back home and made a couple of bags on my own.

-Took an on-line felting course where i learned a lot of new techniques including 3D felting.    Another great instructor www.fionaduthie.com

-Taught my first quilting class at Bernina (www.bernina-nj.com), which I wrote about in an earlier blog.  Lots of fun, and something I would like to do more of in 2015.

-December - opened my on-line Etsy shop (www.josiescolourfulart.etsy.com)

Now 2015 is here, and I already have a plan of things I need to accomplish so stay tuned for what I hope to be another good year.   I will also pledge to write more in my blog.

The one thing I will share is a commitment to complete my unfinished quilts this year.  I managed to complete a few last year, but still have another 4-5 to finish.   Of course, as with most quilters we're always creating new projects in addition to finishing up the old so I don't see that changing.  I would also like to do smaller art quilts this year.

Special thanks goes out to 2 local quilt groups where I'm a member including "The Teacups" and the North Jersey Modern Quilt Guild (www.njmqg.com).  The meetings we have are invaluable and always filled with so much inspiration.

Thanks to you all for your continued support in reading my blog.

Josie

FROM HEART TO HAND: AFRICAN-AMERICAN QUILTS from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

If you were lucky enough to see this exhibit then you will understand when I say it was truly inspirational.  https://montclairartmuseum.org/content/heart-hand-african-american-quilts-montgomery-museum-fine-arts

The quilts were made by African-Americans from Alabama.  While I enjoyed all quilts, I did have some  favorites including Yvonne Wells, a self taught artist,  who's pictorial quilts told stories about the civil-rights movement, religion, etc.  As I strolled through the one room which contained about 10 of Yvonne's quilts, I was  fascinated by the stories attached to each quilt and found myself lingering much longer than I anticipated for the small exhibit.   The level of detail on each quilt was amazing, including the hand quilting.  The quilt using old ties took 160 hours to make + 37 hours just for the embroidery.

If you did not see the exhibit, then come with me on a journey as I share some of the photos I took during my visit. The last day of the exhibit is tomorrow.,

The Higginbothams II dressed in their Sunday best

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The Whole Armour of God

Housetop/Strip Quilt by Plummer T.Pettway (Gee's Band)

Strings by Mary Lee Bendolph (Gee's Band)

Rosa Parks I- Yvonne Wells

Yesterday: Civil Rights in the South III

Nora's Neckties in 3D

WHAT'S UP WITH JOSIE'S COLOURFUL JOURNEY

I have not written in my blog for a month, but I have good reason for that.  In the last few weeks I have participated in 3 art /Holiday  events.  I have been busy learning new things, as well as making new product.  Come on this journey with me.

1. Open Studio Hartford (CT)- over 200 participating artist for a 2 day event.

Open Studio Hartford

Open Studio Hartford

Here I am talking about my product and the process

My niece Dee modeling a purple ruffle scarf from Josie's collection

Dee in my bright orange-yellow ruffle

Ivan, one of the artist sharing the space

Cousin Linda and her jewelry line

Between events we stopped to have a Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends.  What a blessing

one of my favorite new scarves

Ginger taking a rest after a long day with family/friends

2. Jersey City event

My friend enjoying her new scarf  and scented soaps

2. Maplewood Bizaare Bazaar

My favorite hat finds a new home

purple navy ruffle works well with this coat 

hot item -lightly scented felt soaps

My friend recently showed me how to felt soaps, and now there is no stopping me.  Love the process/love the scents/love bathing with these soaps.  Washcloth and soap all in one, and when you're finished you can add your favorite scent and use as an air freshener, in lingerie drawer, in your closet or luggage.  

Teaching Adventure

I labeled this post "my teaching adventure" as I truly looked at it as something wonderful.   My friends would always ask if I would ever consider teaching a quilingt class, and my response was always no.  I guess I never thought of myself as a teacher, or was it an inner fear that I would not be good at it.   Never-the-less, the opportunity surfaced and I said sure why not.  I know the subject matter,  I love people so why not share what i know.

The class was a basic quilting class to construct a classic piecework quilt called "Trip around the world"(www.pinterest.com/lindakay916/trip-around-the-world)

The quilt top we made is simple and has uniform blocks.  The  method I taught was strip piecing which makes it easier/faster to put the quilt top together.   I had 5 students in my class including a mother/daughter team.  Some of the students had done some sewing before, yet others had not done so in years.  This meant I had to first go through some basics about the sewing machine, including threading, bobbin, and sewing a precise 1/4" seam with a special foot.  I then did a demo on how to cut fabric using a rotary cutter, and how to put the parts together.   3 weeks later all the students had a quilt top they were pleased with.  Of course, the biggest challenge for some was getting a consistent 1/4" seam.   Everyone promised their 2nd "trip around the world" would be more consistent.  Overall, I was pleased with the class and my students enjoyed working on their project.  We are meeting for one more class to sandwich the quilt top with batting/backing and do simple quilting to complete the project.    Please note some photos below.