update

Fail.

NOW WITH GLITTER.

waxy solution

I have a triptych painting that I completed earlier in 2011 that was never quite... finished. I love the simplicity of it, and the colors are bright but not overwhelming. It reminds me of a sunset that I've never seen. I know that doesn't make sense. But, when I close my eyes and see an idyllic sunset, that's what I picture.

Sorry sunset, this is not what I'm picturing... This is awkward.

Like I said, it's never quite looked finished. One reason might be the fact that it contains 3 canvases (one is 9x12 and two are 4x6) and has never been framed. That screams UNFINISHED. I came across my little creation when I was reorganizing, and I immediately set it in the "to finish" pile. I thought experimenting with wax would be fun with this painting, because it would slightly smooth the lines while keeping the colors bright and vibrant. Plus... why not? If there's room to play, then I'M ALL IN.

On Saturday, I set out to the Salvation Army to find a used pan so I could melt my wax on the stove. Twenty minutes later with a $1.99 pan in hand, the wax was melted and I began to brush it onto the paintings. At first, I thought it sucked: It was lumpy and uneven, not smooth and polished like I wanted. But I began to see some potential. Once I was finished layering the wax on the canvas, I took it upstairs and brought out the big guns: My blow-dryer and my persistence.

Using some old sculpture knives my morning nemesis, I started smoothing and manipulating the wax: Taking it from some areas and reapplying it to others. Now... I think it's looking pretty awesome. My next step is to create a frame for the paintings out of heavy duty quality plywood. (As you might recall, I'm not so swift when it comes to word work. Looks like I'll be asking Lou for some help!)

I'm not sure how I'll arrange them yet, but here's a preview!

don't like.

Yesterday I decided that I would finally do it. I gathered my supplies: the quilt, thread, needles, and a big ol' hoop, sat down on the couch and started to quilt the quilt.

Truth be told... here comes the complaining in 3...2...1...
I don't like hand quilting.
I don't like it one bit.
I poked myself with the needle, and the needle went in FAR. I almost bled out. not really...
And I only hand quilted about six inches.
I have 7,225 total inches to quilt.
I quickly became discouraged and turned on Intervention to make myself feel better.

So. What to do now?
Turns out that my sewing machine gets through all three layers quite nicely. And fast. Without all the pokes. My machine quilted 170 inches of quilt in the time it took me to do six by hand.

IN THE BATTLE OF HAND VERSUS MACHINE....

MACHINE WINS.

1,900 page views, say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

THAT'S RIGHT. 1,900 page views! Now, I realize that it's slightly less traffic than Google or Regretsy, but damnit I'm proud. AND I didn't click on my blog 1,900 times either. That makes me more prouder. To celebrate, I went to Subway and got my most favorite treat of all times: A foot-long tuna on wheat with red onions and hot sauce. Gross, I know... BUT DELICIOUS.  The Subwayers missed me, too. Bread and meat guy said "I haven't seen you in awhile" while the topping lady said "It's been too long, yes?". Sigh. It's nice to be wanted. Apparently, with my 1,900 page hits I'm in high demand. Don't worry. There's enough Jill to go around.

Last night I made all eight straps for the cushions I'm reupholstering. I didn't think it would take too long, but it totally did. After cutting eight  2-1/2x11" strips, I sewed the long sides together, turned them inside out, finished off the edges and ironed on the fabric fusion Velcro. If the strips were a little thicker, I think it would have been easier. The more narrow it is, the harder it is to turn inside out. It's all good though. I'll be ready to sew the cushions together this weekend!

Thanks for reading and keeping up with my artsyness friends! I appreciate your time so very much!

a three hour nap.

Yesterday I mentioned that my goal was to "try to accomplish as much as I can". If by that I meant, go home and take a 3 hour nap THEN I DOMINATED MY GOAL. But it wasn't my goal, alas. I still dominated the s*** outta that nap, though. It was so worth it. I woke up with a craft vengeance, and a hunger for sausage and stuffed peppers.

I didn't manage to accomplish much after sausagefest, but I made the most of my time after my significant nappage. I dissected a seat cushion from one of the barstools outside so I could made a template for the new bright yellow upholstery fabric I purchased from Jo-Ann. (Wouldn't you know, I just checked the website and the friggin' fabric is now 40% off? DAMNIT.) It actually ended up being MUCH easier than I imagined! The seams came apart quickly, probably because it was so old and weathered, and after a fast ironing, viola! Template complete! I cut out eight pieces of fabric (two for each of the four cushions) and took the other three cushions apart.

Today I made a template for the two straps that will secure the cushion to the chair, and I also purchased fabric fusible Velcro: I figured that'd be easier than making the straps into ties. I think I might actually be able to sew at least one of them tonight, if not more.

We'll see if I nap when I get home. That'll determine my progress, I guess!

ASL story

Last year, I recorded my final "exam" for ASL 1.4. I love signing: It's such a beautiful language. One day I'd like to take more classes, and hopefully be able to teach art to kids and adults alike through signing. I thought I'd share this because art isn't always something you view in gallery or on a wall. It's something you can experience everyday, from anyone.

jumbled

Sometimes I get a little jumbled when I think of things that I'd like to do, and things that I have to do. It's a common dilemma that shows up from time to time in m'blog. I have a laundry list full of things I'd like to do, but then again... I also have laundry that I NEED to do. But, just because I need to do something, doesn't mean that I don't want to. And the same goes for things I'd like to do. Doesn't necessarily mean that I have to do them.

OH God. I've gone and gotten myself all confussed. Here's some things that I'd like to do, and some things that I need to do. I numbered them. How clever. 

Would like to do.

L1 Reupholster cushions for bar stools outside
L2 Clean up cut glass for panel #1: file and tape w/copper foil
L3 Start cutting out panel #2. Rinse and repeat.
L4 Manipulate triptych paintings with wax to submit to MRAC
L5 Frame said paintings in a cool pattern. Which means… woodwork. F.
L6 Take pictures of 4 new bags, create listings and post to Etsy.
L7 Shop for new fabric
L8 Eat ice cream and watch HGTV

Need to do.

N1 Go to the gym

N2 Laundry... you need underpants

N3 Cook something healthy

N4 Play with bunny boy

N5 OMG clean the bathroom

N6 Learn electrical wiring for lighting in the garden

N7 Plan camping trips locally.
N8 Plan camping trips in PacNW
N9 Practice more ASL

The only way I can come up with solutions to these problems, is by making them into math problems. Observe.

L8 > SUM(N5:N8) if! N1+N2= complete.

L4 > L7 because! L4 is due first.

L6 > L5 because! I HATE WORDWORK.

N7+N8 > N6 because! I don’t want to electrocute myself. Again.

N4 BEATS EVERYTHING. Fluffy bunny wants to play!

i eats all O's. you has more?

I think I'm more confused now.

How about I just go home today and try to accomplish as much as I can?

weekend update, with Norm MacDonald

No, no Norm here. Just me. But this post should promise to be just as random and confused as his updates used to be. Remember how I was saying "Ohhh, it's going to drizzle fo'rizzle outside today, which means I'm going to craft!" this past Friday?  Well, unbeknownst to me, the weather perked up. Which meant that I didn't do a lick'a quilting that night. Instead, I downed wine and Marchiano's with awesome friends around a fire on our patio, relaxing the night away. Socializing: 1. Crafting: 0

I had better luck crafting over the rest of the weekend, which makes me think that I might (MIGHT) be able to craft in the nice weather... I repainted a birdhouse in bright tropical colors outside and hung it up in the yard. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll get little birdy inhabitants. I also sewed three more wine bags, and cut out all the glass for window #1! Pictures of that will be coming soon! Not too bad for someone who was previously unproductive in 60+ degree weather. Weather: 1. Me: ... 1? Everything: 1. That's better.

Which leads me to one thing that's been bothering me: About two weeks ago, I bought clay so I could start working on my tree bark sculpture. And I CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE. This is a common Jill-Problem, since I can't seem to put anything back where it really belongs. I'm hoping I didn't accidentally throw it out when I was cleaning my crafty space... Clay: 1. Jill: 0.

the balancer

Spring is a finicky season: You get luxurious bright and sunny days, mixed in with sporadic rainy dreary days. I think it's kinda funny when people complain about the rain. Is it really all that terrible? Sure, you can't do everything you wanted to outside... but what about all the things that you can be doing inside, besides complaining? And if it didn't rain, well... s***, we'd all be a little parched, wouldn't we?

When I look the big picture, the weather seems like a natural balancer for me. When it's sunny and beautiful outside, I spend all my time out in the garden. Or thinking about being outside. Or, ironically, watching HGTV shows about being in a garden. Which doesn't make any sense, because I'm inside the house watching a show about being outside the house. Any hopes of working on bags, sculptures or the quilt flies right out the window. My mind is filled with transforming the outdoors.

But on days like today where it's overcast, drizzly, dark and stormy, the reset button in my mind is clicked and I think about all the things that I can do inside. I want to race home from work, jump into comfy pants, and start on projects that will keep the wheels in my mind spinning like... well, wheels. There are three more wine bags I have cut out that need to be sewn together. There's a basted quilt that's begging to be sewn together. And there's tree bark that's sitting, waiting to be transformed into a sculpture.

Is there a point to all this? Eh, not entirely. I'm just excited to get home and get to work. If I have to depart with a point, it'd be to make the best out of every situation. I can't wait to take pictures of my weekend projects! Here's to the rain!

seasonal creative syndrome

Since I basically know everything there is to know about stuff in general (LOL!) I diagnosed myself with SCS. I call it Seasonal Creative Syndrome. Every year when the temperature spikes above 60 degrees, I emerge from my work space, pale and groggy, rubbing my eyes and looking up into that giant ball of energy we call the sun. My attention swiftly drifts from doing anything indoors to doing everything outdoors. Thoughts of sewing bags turn into thoughts of sewing new cushions for the bar stools outside. Painting with acrylics and oils becomes spray painting outdoor patio furniture. And organizing my office space? No... that becomes trimming vines, planting flowers and sweeping the patio.

Who doesn't love working outside?! I basically grew up wanting to mow the lawn every chance I got, and if weeding had to be done, believe me: IT GOT DONE WITH GUSTO. Years and years of city apartment living deprived me of the opportunity to garden, and now... well, now I'm all up on it like stink on s***.

There were bags that I wanted to sew this weekend... but I didn't. There was a sculpture I wanted to start... but I didn't. And you know what? For once I don't feel too bad about not completing something I set out to do. I spent my time outside in the sun. Trimming vines, transplanting iris's, installing a new patio light, turning soil, and admiring the small world of our backyard. And I'll do it again, every chance I get.

our garden, last year in the springtime.

how bazaar!

No, I didn't spell bazaar wrong. I meant bazaar, not bizarre. How bizarre! See? OK enough.

A little over a week ago, I was completing my random Google searches for the day when I decided to type in phildelphia craft show. To be honest, I wanted to see if Philadelphia had a similar event that was comparable to the show in Baltimore that I attended back in February. One result caught my eye: The Art Star Craft Bazaar that will be held at Penn's Landing here in Philadelphia on May 12th-13th. I checked out the site and was intrigued... local handmade crafts? Live music? Tasty treats?! The opportunity to sell my bags and get m'name out there? Check, check, checkity-check-CHECK. I had to make a decision quickly about whether or not I would try to participate, because the application deadline was looming.
But let's face it. If I sit and contemplate a decision too long, I end up not making a decision. But, by not making a decision, I'm making the decision against whatever I'm contemplating. OH SWEET JEBUS, I'VE GONE AND CONFUSED THE S*** OUTTA MYSELF. I decided to throw caution to the wind and have my impulses make the choice: I completed and submitted my application, and now... I wait for word to see if I'm accepted.

Do I want to participate? Absolutely. And not quite. I'm thrilled to think that I could be one of 140 artists to be chosen. I'm also terrified to think that I could be one of 140 artists to be chosen. I would need to sew bags, literally every other waking moment of my day until May 12th. I would need to get my act together FAST and figure out business logistics. It would be a ton of work. But, it will all be TOTALLY WORTH IT. More importantly, I'm comfortable with whatever decision they come to. Either way, I tried! I can't be disappointed in that!

SO. It all boils down to this.  Did the Art Star Craft Bazaar accept me as a vendor in their 2012 show?
The answer is: Nope.

But that's OK. I'm a little sad.... a little relived. Maybe next year will be different!

thou shalt reorganize

I started reading a new book yesterday called The Craft Business Handbook and I'm super pumped about being more professional and organized when it comes to building my little business! I'm only through page 18, and I can already imagine myself sitting in my office with a cup of coffee, sewing the day away while the sun and the breeze stream through my window.  OK, maybe I'm a little far off from that moment, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere. It got me thinking about my workspace and how inefficient it really is. I immediately got confused... how am I going to get from point A to point B in there?

Luckily, whenever I get confused... I reorganize. Or cook. But Lou was cooking last night. So inevitably, I swooped everything out of my office, dumped it in the bathroom (maybe that wasn't the best choice of words...) and started to rearrange my space.

No lie, I hope that rack holds. Those ties are heavy as s***.

Step 1: Get rid of crap. I had a GIANT box of ties that was taking up a lot of floor space that I needed to find a solution for. So my decision was to make a custom tie rack! Some spare wood from the garage, wood glue, screws and hanger-things was all it took to make my tie-organizational dream come true. Step 2: Move furniture. The layout I had before was cluttered and cramped, and I was always searching for more room to work. Now that my old table is fully extended, I have plenty of room to stretch! Step 3: Put s*** away in it's proper place. Seems like a small task, but this little gem of a step has been my new years resolution for years. I can't tell you how many times I take something out, and don't put it back. Organizational FAIL. Step 4: Put it all back together!

Here's my worktable, relocated to the opposite wall with my tie-rack gracing the wall above it! I'd love to be able to paint this room sometime soon. Nothing drastically different, just a brighter color so everything doesn't always look so dark. Or I could just get a better lamp... that's probably easier. I'd also like to take the sliding doors off of the closet, since they're always falling off and getting in the way. That would open up the space so so so much! I'm looking forward to working in my new space today. Maybe I'll pour a cup of coffee, open the window and pretend that I was living my daydream from this morning.

the master baster

I've been moving along, slowly but surely, on all of my projects despite my little setback over the weekend. One thing I was determined to do this past weekend was to baste my quilt. What is basting you my ask?

No, not this. Although that looks DELICIOUS.

Basting is basically securing all the layers of your quilting creation together, so that they don't slip, pucker or distort while you're quilting. My quilt is made up of three layers: The top is the colorful crazy creation I've been making and detailing on my blog. The middle is a low loft natural cotton batting that will add warmth and girth to the quilt. And finally, the backing fabric: This colorful cotton dot-print that I found at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

First I had to find a big enough floor space to work on. Basting a full size quilt required a good amount of space, so I settled in front of the television. SCORE. Next, I spread out the backing fabric (wrong side up!) being careful to smooth lumps and bumps along the way. I unwrapped the batting I bought back in October and realized it needed to be ironed. No problem! I poured some ice tea, tuned into some HGTV show about knocking down walls and set to work. Once the batting was smoothed, I layered it on top of the backing. Finally, I smoothed out the top layer over the batting.

Now for the fun part. 

There are many ways you can baste the layers together, including hand stitching and safety-pinning. But, I found a badass basting GUN.  Can you believe it?! A BASTING GUN! You insert a needle through all three layers, pull the trigger and BAM! A little plastic thing binds the layers together. I worked from the center of one side ALLLLLLLLLLLLL the way down to the other side and got it done in about an hour. Not bad!

damage control.

In light of my most recent blog post adventure, I decided to get smart and do a little bit of damage control. One of my goals moving forward is to not let this happen to me again. (Seriously, the anxiety is getting me all verklempt.) And one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by making fabric labels to stitch into all of my creations. Hopefully, this will deter any buyer from saying "HEY! LOOK WHAT I MADE!"  Now they can say "HEY! LOOK WHAT THIS NODYL'S NOODLES WHATEVER PERSON MADE!"  Score one for team me.

I did a little bit of Google research into how I could accomplish this. And believe me, the results were interesting!  Did you know that you can print directly on fabric from your computer printer?  I sures' hell didn't. Craft Passion gave a wonderful and really informative tutorial on this method and many others, along with the pros and cons associated with each. As a crafter, I really appreciate all of the time and effort they put into their research! While this looked like it could have been my winning choice for my fabric labels, I decided against it for one main reason: The only printer I have access to is at work. FAIL.

I quickly ruled out using iron on transfer paper. I've used it in the past for quick n' quirky t-shirts, but the quality isn't as reliable or professional as I'd like it to be. Silk screening would be AWESOME and would be my number one choice... but I haven't done it since college. And I don't have any of the required hardware. Or ink. So... no.

My final choice? This!
That's right folks.  A good ol' custom rubber stamp with the Nodyl's Noodles logo (1x2-1/2") and a VersaCraft ink pad, especially made for fabric printing. VersaCraft can be heat-set so the stamps become permanent on the fabric used, which looks like that'll give me the reliable and professional results that I so desire! Once I get my stamp and ink in the mail, I'll practice and take pictures of the results!

fraud.

(just a quick note: I'm leaving names of people and galleries out of this.)

Almost exactly one year ago, I received a request to make 25 wine bags for a woman who saw one in a gallery space off of South Street. To say that I was excited was an understatement. I was elated to think that someone would like my creations so much, that they'd buy 25 of them to give out to family and friends as a gift! I promptly set myself to the task, working tirelessly to complete the job.

Flash forward one year later.

Lou and I set out to a gallery we both admired for their First Friday show: A photography exhibit by a wonderful local artist. I also brought along a new wine bag, tie purse, and my business cards, just in case there might have been an opportunity to talk and make an appointment to come back with more of my work. I recognized one of the store's employees almost immediately, as Lou and I have chatted with her on a previous occasion. After catching up, and thanking her for inspiring me to create more my new little business, she then introduced me to the store owner: I had such a lovely time talking with her. I was so flattered that she admired my tie purse, that after a flash of confidence, I brought out my wine bag, telling her that I was interested in displaying them in the store as well. She mentioned that there was another wine bag in the store, and went to retrieve it for me to see.

At first when I saw the wine bag, I felt like my eyes just didn't focus on it right. Then my stomach sank. Was that the fabric that my mom had given to me? Was that the tie that I picked out to go with the fabric? Was that the same exact design that I came up with? It was. It was one of the 25 wine bags that I had made for that woman a year ago.

"Oh my gosh. I made that. That's my wine bag." was all I could muster out. I turned over the price tag and saw the name of the woman I sold the bags to. I was shocked. And sad. I felt so stupid. So very stupid. How could someone take my work and put their name on it?

I ended up telling the surprised gallery owner my entire story: My excitement for the commission, my not-so-great transaction with the purchaser, and how everyone, literally everyone, kept telling me that I wasn't charging enough for the bags. Turns out that I wasn't. She didn't want to buy them to give out to family and friends: She saw a girl undercharging her handmade items, and saw an opportunity to make a buck off of them. And she did. The gallery owner and the store's employees believed me 100%, thank goodness, and I feel like they might have been just as shocked as I was. They had someone defraud them as well.

At the end of the night, Lou and I walked out to my car, where I promptly exploded into messy tears. My feelings of shock and sadness turned into disgust and anger: Not only for the purchaser, but for myself as well. Unfortunately, it put yet another dent in my faith for humanity. But I know there will be positives to come out of the whole experience. I think the gallery would really love to have my bags and purses in the shop. And I know I've made new friends there, too.

I do feel like I need to make  or find another charm for my necklace. LESSON LEARNED, it should say.