A Late Start...

Yes, Coffee makes my hair blow sideways while I fall asleep

It is a lazy, hazy summer Sunday, for sure. I began my day with some coffee and putting some finishing touches on a new pod. I napped (with a tiny bit of guilt). I am now drinking a bit more coffee and will be heading to the studio to tidy up and, if the mood strikes, begin some scarves or maybe something else! I have finished 3 pods since the tribe, but they are "individuals". They will likely all get mates and end up in new little collections.

...a bit of news: I have been named/designated/voted by followers of Fiber Art Now Magazine as an influential person in contemporary fibre art! I may have shared this with you already, but here is the link to the interview. If you follow my blog, my responses may be predictable, but I hope you will give it a read and ask me any questions you have. There are also some other interviews that I really enjoyed. Enjoy, friends

 You can subscribe to the magazine here

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I'm in...

I am so pleased that "Ghost Trees" have found another venue after being stored for several months. The curator, Rhiannon Vogl is the Curatorial Assistant for contemporary art at the National Gallery of Canada. A wonderful thing to add to my CV and makes the drive up to Toronto and back yesterday to pick them up worth it. I hope I get the chance to meet her at the opening. This is my first time showing at the Modern Fuel Gallery as a brand new member, so look forward to being involved and exploring more opportunities. *yeah*

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

This week...

GHOST TREES (and some funny students :o))

 I had, in a bit of a fury, completed some calls for entry, grant/awards, gallery submission in the last couple of weeks. I did not pay too much attention to when work is/will be needed or when I might hear about acceptance/rejection. I just needed to get images converted and get them out the door before the submission deadlines. I am a "on a need to know basis" kind of person. I don't like to clutter my mind with things ahead of time or else I "worry" (Yes, I am a "worrier" too... who comes from a long line of worriers) So, when I received an email yesterday that I was shortlisted by a juror and I needed to deliver "Ghost Trees" this week (like *gulp* today) I was like "Oh, Sh**. Where are they? Can I get them in time?"

When they came back to Canada from Detroit 6 months ago (already? six months?), the Curator stored them in the Toronto area until we made a plan to cross paths. Thankfully Toronto is a manageable drive and I can collect them tomorrow and deliver them in time, thanks to an understanding gallery director. Whew. Now...fingers crossed the juror approves!

In the meantime, I have been making some sculptures and playing with some new shapes after a productive hour with my sketch book. It is nice when inspiration hits and then I have a "list" of things to make. All the vintage saris I have bought from ebay, etsy and elsewhere are trickling in by mail. Some are fabulous, others are a bit "Meh", but in combination with others, have potential. It is amazing how a so-so fabric can become fabulous once nuno-ed. I will be all set for scarf making when the mood strikes. Now, back to the studio to work on my visual list. I will keep you posted :o)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What's up...

New set of sculptures: TRIBE

Patty having a drink in the studio

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What's up...

New bags ready for grommets

detail...Peachy/orange one: sold :o)

Ready for grommets!

Patty likes grommets

Ready!! Oh, they are nice to wear.

Scarf...ready.

...and another

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

My busy 2 days...

 I am looking ahead to fall gallery needs and when the mood strikes I am doing scarves. There is nothing worse than doing scarves when you don't feel like doing scarves. I am also never happy with one I do because I "have to". Incidentally,  I ended up loving all of these...The above scarves are felted and ready to full

 Mid way through fulling (dropping gently, checking edges frequently)

Still more fulling to do, but ready for cuts.

Cuts done and fully fulled!

shrinkage difference between partially fulled and fully fulled

Right: Fully fulled/ Left: needs more...keep going!!

Done!

Okay...scarves done. Time for the Cat Cave!

"MmmHmmm, green inside will match my eyes"

BIG resist!

Making flowers for the 3D element!

Fully fulled! 40% shrinkage.

Doing some shaping.

Flowers just for my Patty.

I cut the hole a little larger because Patty's fat a** would not fit. It has treats inside so just waiting for her to discover! I really like how the lighter brown goes to dark brown and with the green inside.

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What's new...

 A simple bag I made yesterday. It's made with C-1 in Caribbean and Turquoise Blue (from New England Felting Supply, as usual). I actually made it on a large teardrop shaped resist, cut out the area between bag and handle, stitched (at prefelt stage) handle around a cotton cord and continued to felt. Worked great. It has a pocket inside and will have a zipper.

 I am looking ahead to the fall and will be starting my scarf production soon. I am having buyers remorse, but it was necessary, as I have just purchased lots of printed silks. Spending hundreds of dollars on materials that can take a while to have a return can be painful! This shows stacks of prefelt that I have cut into scarf lengths ready for layout with silk and more wool.

 Patty: "1. Stop here. 2. Pet me"

 Selecting some silks for this beautiful green. It is so worth it having a good selection.

Patty agrees.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com