Happenings in my studio

A lot has been happening in my studio, evidenced by the fact that every available surface, design wall, and chair is covered in stuff in different stages of evolution and production: pieces of fabric, printed panels, papers, boards, and pieces that need facings and sleeves, labels …

I took a break from teaching this month to give myself a chance to work on some new materials and start/continue/finish some new pieces. I’m excited. A few nights ago, at around 3:00 a.m., when I came to terms with the fact that sleep was not coming, I got up and went into the guest bedroom where I have a Victorian porte-manteau that holds a lot of works in progress (i.e.: stuff I never finished), and took them all down looking for nuggets. It was amazing what was under the pile I did not remember having! I found lots of quilted backgrounds waiting for stuff to happen, and I am excited about those. I also found a piece that I started roughly 10 years ago that sat pinned on my design board waiting for inspiration to happen. I may be ready to tackle that one next – maybe.

I’ve been taking the “next tiny step” to heart. Granted, I’ve been flitting from piece to piece back to one to just move to the other and working on lots at once, but that next tiny step has kept me in check. I add something to one piece and leave it until it speaks to me. In the meantime, when I’m not sure what to do next, my tiny step has been to layer pieces and have them ready for stitching. I’ve dusted my Q20 – finally – and have been stitching like a fiend! I keep forgetting how much I enjoy free-motion quilting. It’s mostly straight stitching, but it’s still enjoyable – especially when it goes way faster than with a walking foot! No turning!

Talking about dusting … I decided to learn how to use my embroidery machine – finally. I can do basic stuff, but need to get better at it. So I’ve been playing with different text on some fabrics. Of course, every time I want to do something, I have a lot of questions about how to do it, so YouTube has been instrumental :) Lots of good videos on different stages of embroidery. Next: learn to digitize my own designs. I’ll keep you posted …

I have also been working on my newest sketchbook. I love everything about it – the paper is beautiful to work with as it takes both dry and wet materials nicely without buckling. The small size means that the blank page is not as threatening, and its long and skinny format makes the possibilities endless. My go-to when I want to do something that does not require a lot of brain power: mark making requires few materials, basically a pen or pencil and a piece of paper and then … just let your imagination flow. I shared a few more images in last week’s post.

Last but not least … I’ve been stitching up a storm! After a day in the studio, it’s time to take a break. My favourite corner of the couch – or sitting outside if the mosquitoes allow it – and hand-stitching plus a cup of tea. I’ve accomplished a lot in the past week or so. Hand stitching is meditative, and creative and once again it only requires a needle and thread and a piece of fabric.

So that’s what’s happening in my studio. Aside from stitching and sewing, creating content for the membership group Create2Flourish is always a constant. I am enjoying doing that and the members are enjoying the videos and tutorials. I’m preparing for a new launch in October, date TBD.

What have you been up to? I always enjoy your comments.

Thanks for reading. I hope you’ve enjoyed these few glimpses into my messy studio. Until I write again, keep creating.

Ana