The regularly scheduled felting project will not be shown this evening so we can bring you this special feature...

Taking a break from the "big" project to make myself something to wear to N.Y. this weekend on a wee trip with my momma! Forgive the crappy image. I will do a proper one later. It is still wet, so not so nice on the neck.
Today I will pick up some prints of the "big" project in progress to send off with a proposal for a show. I am fairly certain they will accept it, but I can always find another home for it if not. I will keep you posted because this show is exciting. This necklace was fun and I have a bracelet in the works on my table too. They are not "matching" per say, but can be worn together without being too matchy-matchy. I hate that. Black dress, black boots, and I am good to go. I will take pictures in N.Y. and fill you in.

visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What I am up to...

Laying out a large piece for "prefelt" for a project. Went to open a new roll of the "same" wool to finish this layer to discover it was, in fact, not the same. Was short just a corner...substituted a suitable wool. No biggie, in this case

Layer 4 of layout for a sheet of prefelt (early a.m.!) Added the 4th layer because I decided I wanted less colour migration from the red/brown/orange layers. Still thin enough.

Did not intend to add this boring image, but now can't delete. So, here is me taking a shingle for layout (yawn)

after layer 3

2 layers!

Well, this is stage one of many stages. I have laid out the wool for a piece of prefelt that will become part of a larger piece. Today the plan is to felt it into a loose fabric. I will then, over days, truss it up to incorporate into a base of more wool.

I have other deadlines before this one, I am sure, but have yet to look because I am feeling motivated by this piece right now. Also, once I get the prefelt done, the next stage can be done in the evening upstairs with the family. When in the studio, I am totally detached from reality and family happenings which can be good and bad!

So now, the wool waits all laid out. It won't felt itself. Waiting for wet-out which, once occurs, I will not want to stop. So, tea break, a bit of purloined easter chocolate and I am off. I'll keep you posted.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Beauty. Inspiration.

OMG! Beauty and Inspiration are everywhere! There never is a shortage when we look beyond, escape and break out of our self-absorbed-facebook addicted selves! (no judgement, as I include myself here!)

I just read an amazing article in National Geographic about "free climbers". Mountain climbers that climb without the use of any ropes up sheer faces of rock...because they love it and because they can. Amazing and completely unrelated to my post...or maybe not. Random, I know.

I am about to head into some studio time and promise to take some pictures. I am kind of protective over new work prior to exhibition, so forgive if they seem a bit mysterious until they are officially hung at wherever they are going off to. One for New Mexico, one for Philidelphia and possibly another to Toronto. I have not decided about that one yet. I musy pay shipping and exhibition fees for all these, so need to carefully pick and choose. Off to brunch...Happy Easter!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Committment to do better...

Oh, I like to think I do a pretty good job considering the environment, that I set a good example for the boys. We recycle, no bottled water, I buy local meat, we conserve electricity. However, today in my "in box" was a message from David Suzuki with a list of 10 things that we can do to slow climate change and I am not doing many of the things on the list out of laziness and habit. I promptly retrieved my compost bucket from the deck and have vowed to get back to composting, unplugging things when not in use and, the biggie, hanging my laundry to dry. Baby steps. With garden time around the corner, eating more local is next.

Happy Earth Day. Be kind, be aware, and let's all try to do better for all our children.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Sifting Through

Sift/sift:

Noun: An act of sifting something, esp. so as to isolate that which is most important or useful

After weeks of preparing to teach, teaching and teaching again, I needed to attack the pile of papers on the corner of my desk reserved for important stuff. I was pleased (and displeased) to discover that some things that were important last week were no longer so important due to deadlines passed. There is also the realization that most papers on my desk are, in fact, impulsive acts of printing out exciting things in some fleeting and frenzied moment of inspiration.

I sorted the pile last night and vowed this a.m. to start at the top and get each task taken care of without distraction and did very well (pats back). My bags students will be happy to know that the notes for the class are on their way. My travel insurance is all up to date. Kids programs all cancelled or confirmed. I made some important business decisions, followed up and have some other things put in motion that I needed to do. Happy face.

With the Holiday weekend ahead, I can, with all good conscience, spend some serious time in the studio, hang with the fam and maybe even bake some cookies- the ones that require no sifting, of course.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Salve

I returned from teaching for 4 days to have one day to unpack and re-pack for another 2 days of teaching. Next day on a field trip (wonderful salve for working mother guilt) and today in the pouring, cold rain watching soccer practice (more salve). Tomorrow involves a little more chauffeur-ing and preparing for teaching a one day workshop at my friend Maureen's place next week. We will be learning a couple of resist techniques I teach in my bags class..."channels and spores". I know our day will go by quickly so making some good samples tomorrow will help them maximize their creative time! I am looking forward to the small group at Maureen's home base.

I then will head into busy end of school year time, more field trips, away games, dance classes/recital, projects with visual aids forgotten until the last moment, final exams. I will fit in, at every moment possible, time to make art...salve for the busy mom!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Whew! Great Student work!!!

Anita's sea creature...

Ana's deep blue pod in progress (above)...The "Deb" collection below!

Deb and Ana

Michelle, who came all the way from Arizona, workin' it!!

Anne...thinking it through at every step!

Oh, yes!...Michelle's pieces above and below (aren't they awesome?)

Above...pretty meets peculiar (in the most special way) Work by Linda Van Alstyne (green "heart"), Veronica Fritz (Flower), Laura Burke (lotus pod)

...the Janice collection (Above)....Laura Burkes red monstrosity below (wow)

above...Connie carefully considers her pod as her other looks out!

Below...Nan attends a pod opening...and she's happy about it!

Above...go big or go home!!

Lee's quirky curiosity!

BAGS! 9 of them...no images of the "in progress" (sad face)! I was way too busy!!! We had so much fun. Alice, Michelle, Sally, Annette, Alice, Jenn, Anita, Cathy and Ellen!

Well...first things first. My students R-O-C-K! It is such a pleasure to teach those with a little (and a lot) of know-how. These fabulous ladies came ready to create. I was so excited to stretch in all kinds of directions to help them acheive an amazing array of variety in their felt work.

There were alot of open ears and open minds as I spoke of "Fiber Dynamics", as taught to me by Chris White. There were a few good little nuggets and I hope they will continue to think, experiment and learn whenever and where ever they can. The possibilites are endless. A special thanks to all those who traveled to come see me. I could not have asked for a better group. Hugs all around....

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

New Work....

FILL/VOID

GLITCH

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com