"Improv Rehearsal" 2012 Cindy Grisdela

This quilt is quite different from my usual work, but there’s a reason for that.

I’m participating in a challenge with a group of other quilters. For each round, the organizer gives each person a vintage block and the challenge is to create something new out of the old piece. The challenge is called “The June Bride” and the theme of each round is related to weddings.

I’ve been surprised at how difficult this is for me to do! I accepted the invitation to do this with some misgivings, but decided that it would stretch my creative muscles. And it’s proven to be true. Because of my recent move, I was way behind on getting this piece finished, but it gave me a goal and a deadline to help me push through the block I’ve been experiencing lately.

The theme of this round was Rehearsal Dinner. I thought I had taken a picture of the original block, and I probably did, but it’s gotten mislaid in the chaos. The pink and white triangles in the quilt were originally all sewn together into a block of pinwheels. I had to take them all apart because the seams didn’t match, the triangles were different sizes, and they were sewn together with what seemed like dental floss–not a pretty picture.

Not being a traditional quilter, my quilt is only loosely based on the theme, obviously. I’ve always wanted to make a bubble gum pink and brown quilt, for some reason.  After I took the original block apart, I brewed some green tea and dropped the light triangles into it so they wouldn’t be so bright white–a new technique for me. Next I sewed the pink and light triangles back together to make squares and created a background of improv pink, brown and blue strips.

One requirement of the challenge is each quilt has to include some blue–for the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” wedding rhyme. I wouldn’t have chosen to include the blue into my color scheme, but I have to admit it adds interest to the finished piece. Another lesson learned about color interaction.

I had a whole narrative arranged about the placement of the squares from the original block involving the middle square representing the couple about to be married and the others standing in for their friends and family, but it didn’t quite gel in the end. It was a useful peg for me to hang the design on anyway, and that was helpful to me as I was going along. So I learned something new about design.

For the quilting, I tried something else new–large overlapping spirals–again to represent lives coming together. If you right-click on the image, you’ll be able to see the stitching better. I wouldn’t make the spirals so large next time, but it’s an interesting motif to have in my back pocket.

I was reasonably pleased with the end result, although I don’t think I’ll be going back to these traditional fabrics any time soon! I do have some new ideas to try a design that’s more my style though, which makes it a worthwhile exercise in my book.

Mark your calendars for my upcoming solo show at the Great Falls library during the month of June–more to come soon!

Pillow display 2012 Cindy Grisdela

I’m happy to report I’ve been accepted at the 2012 State Street Area Art Fair in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event will be held July 18-21–more information is available on the website at http://www.a2statestreetartfair.com/

The State Street Area Fair is one of four art fairs that take place that same July weekend in Ann Arbor, so there’s lots of artists and lots of art to see–I’m thrilled to be part of it! Mark your calendars if you’re going to be in the area.

The photo at left  is from my booth at the Craftboston Spring Show I did in March. I expect to have some new pillows from this line at the Ann Arbor show in July, plus I’m working on some new wall pieces. Stay tuned!

I’ve been away from the blog for much longer than I would like–a recent move and an ongoing

"Before" Studio Picture 2012 Cindy Grisdela

kitchen renovation project are keeping me busy with non-art-related issues, plus this is what my studio has looked like until just recently! I can’t even see my sewing machine. I’m working on it and things are much better now–I’m getting some work done this weekend and hope to have something to share next week. I think my new studio space is going to be a good place to create–I hope so, anyway. It’s bigger than my old space and has a beautiful view. More details next week.

Wonky Stripe Pillow 2012 Cindy Grisdela

I just received my copy of Modern Patchwork magazine, a special publication from Interweave Press, which includes my “Wonky Stripe Pillow” as one of the projects!

If you click here, you can see the magazine–be sure to click on “Table of Contents” to see the wonderful picture of my pillow being hugged by a little boy! Or better yet, see if your local bookstore or quilt shop has it.

It was wonderful working with the editors at Quilting Arts–the magazine is beautifully photographed, with 37 projects to make–from quilts to tote bags.

I also had an article published in the Studio Art Quilt Associates Journal Winter 2011 issue, which is available only to SAQA members. It’s been fun getting back to my roots as a writer–in my previous career I was a financial journalist–only now writing about art and artists instead. The SAQA Journal article was about using studio time effectively and I learned a lot from other artists who generously shared their studio practices with me.

This has been a busy few weeks, which is why I’ve been absent from the blog–we had decided earlier this year to downsize and move to a smaller space in an area where we can walk places, instead of always getting in the car. The move happened right after I got back from the Craftboston show. I’m still trying to unpack boxes and put everything away, including my studio. It’s exciting to be thinking about redesigning my studio in a larger, light-filled space, but a little overwhelming at the same time. My computer has been down as well as a result of the move–everything is harder to do and takes more time. Hopefully, I’m getting to the point where life is a little more organized and I can get back to regular blogging–and designing and creating! I’ll post images of my studio in progress soon.

Craftboston Spring 2012 Cindy Grisdela

What a great show in Boston! At right is a shot of my booth, #255, at the Craftboston Spring Show, taken on my camera phone. I’m amazed at the quality of work at this show and excited to be a part of it.

I arrived in Boston on Wednesday afternoon and set up Thursday–it was inspiring to see the show take shape from nothing but concrete floors and black draped booth spaces to an amazing collection of artist spaces showcasing all kinds of wonderful work.

I met Mary Johannessen of Studio 200 Glass on Thursday. She does fused glass designs using lots of bright colors and designs that could inspire some new quilts! Lois Russell creates unique baskets and sculptural pieces out of fiber that have to been seen to be appreciated.

There was a preview party on Thursday night and then the show opened Friday. I wasn’t sure what to expect, since I’ve never done this show before, but I got very positive responses to my work from enthusiastic visitors.

Craftboston Spring is open today, Saturday March 24, from 10 AM – 6 PM and tomorrow, Sunday March 25, from 11 AM – 5 PM. If you’re in the Boston area, don’t miss it! I’m in booth 255 and I’d love to have you stop by.

"Green Totem" 2012 Cindy Grisdela

It’s the first day of spring and only three days until the Craftsboston Spring show! I’m really looking forward to it.

At left is Green Totem, which I created especially for this show. It’s a companion piece to Red Totem and I intend them to hang together as a pair. The green on the new piece is actually the same as the green accent stripes on the red piece, so I think they’ll show together nicely. There’s

"Red Totem" 2012 Cindy Grisdela

lots of interesting texture in the stitching on both pieces.

I’ll also have a new line of pillows at the show, with lots of wonderful colors and designs.

This is my first time doing a large indoor show like this one, so I’m making lots of lists so I don’t forget something. It’s going to be quite an experience!

If you’re in the Boston area this weekend, the show is taking place at the Seaport World Trade Center at 200 Seaport Blvd. Hours are 10 AM – 6 PM Friday and Saturday and 11 AM – 5 PM on Sunday. I’ll be in booth 255 and I’d love to see you!

It’s a dreary rainy day here today and I’ve been in the studio sewing. The bright green makes me feel cheerful, no matter what the weather! You could get your own at the Container Store office sale here.

The cushion on the chair is my very first quilt–made when I was about 10 or 11 out of scraps from dresses my mom made for me. I have very vivid memories of going through her scrap basket and picking out exactly the pieces I wanted to use. The seams don’t match and the cutting is a little wonky–not much has changed!

Enjoy this extra day. I’m busy making pillows–gotta run!

"Lavender Garden" 2010 Cindy Grisdela 28x46

  Lavender Garden has gone to a new home! It was purchased by a collector of contemporary art who said it reminded her of the lavender fields in Provence.

Many of my readers will remember that about 18 months ago I embarked on a new direction with my work–using solid colors rather than patterned fabrics and emphasizing the texture created by the stitching lines. You can see the stylized garden in the detail show below.

Lavender Garden detail 2010 Cindy Grisdela

This purchase was all the more exciting because it was completely unexpected–the new owner saw the work on my website and contacted me about it.

It’s always a risk to do something different, but I’ve been pleased with the response I’ve gotten, both from previous collectors and from people who’ve never seen my work before. And I’m excited every day to get into the studio and create something new.

I’m in the studio this week working on creating new work for the Craftboston Spring show March 23-25, so check back next week. And if you’re in the Boston area, that weekend, I’d love to have you stop by my booth!

I just participated and it’s fun! You get to choose one of 90 beautiful photos and a fiber art bonus from some very talented artists in exchange for at least a $100 donation to the American Cancer Society. Click on the link above for all the details.

But you have to hurry–the event is only for two days–today and tomorrow, and tomorrow you’ll only be able to choose the photos, the fiber art piece will be a surprise. [UPDATED]

So click on the link and see what great art you could add to your collection and at the same time help fight cancer, which has touched the lives of so many.

Valentine Hearts - Cindy Grisdela

I’m busily sewing away at things I can’t show yet, but I rummaged through my baskets and found these heart blocks that I made ages ago. They seemed perfect for the day.

These are just blocks–they aren’t sewn together into anything. I made them from a pattern years ago when my boys were small and I was taking them to various sports practices so I’d have something to do while I waited. They are hand appliqued and I’m sure I had a plan to do something with them at some point. I really liked the elongated shapes and the different reds and blues together. Maybe I should add some wonky stripes and make them into a small wall hanging or pillows to put in my Etsy shop. What do you think?

I’ve got a little over a month before the Craftboston Show and I’m working on a couple of new wall hangings and lots of pillows for my booth. Hopefully I’ll be able to show some of those things very soon. There’s so much to do to get ready–make sure I have enough inventory, decide how to set up my booth, which kind of lights to use, carpeting–so many decisions! It’s going to be fun though.

If you’re in the Boston area, mark your calendars for March 23-25 for the Craftboston show at the Seaport World Trade Center!

Meanwhile, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cindy Grisdela 2012

Here’s a sneak peak at the new piece I’ve been working on as a commission for one of my collectors–it doesn’t even have a name yet.

This will be another one in the series using a central improvisationally pieced block with a solid background and stripes, similar to Red Totem. I started with the lime green rectangle in the center, then added new shapes around the block to build up to the finished design. I don’t know what it’s going to look like when I start and I make the design decisions as I go along based on what looks right with what I already have. It’s a very

Cindy Grisdela 2012

intuitive, organic process that’s endlessly interesting to me.

As an example of what I mean, the image on the right was a previous version of the same block. It didn’t seem right, somehow, so I left it overnight and went back to it the next day. The long brown strip on the bottom seemed boring–too much of a strong line, so I took it out and added a blue and a green rectangle that you can see on the lower left of the top block. The green shape visually extends the green rectangle above it and adds just the right amount of movement.

The two pictures were taken in different light situations, so one is darker than the other even though they’re the same piece. Maybe I need to figure out the settings on my camera better!

If you’d like to know more about my intuitive design process, I wrote an article describing it on my January Newsletter. Click on the “January News from Cindy Grisdela Art Quilts” in the Newsletter Archives on the right side toolbar to access it.