This is River of Shrewsbury, about 16x40", mounted on a painter's canvas to give it a bit more presence on the wall. I counted about 175 pieces of fabric. I counted after, not before, I finished it so that I would actually finish it. Imagine floating down the river, a cool glass of something at hand, watching the trees go by. Ahhh.
This weekend, I'll be watching the waves at the Fresh Paint Festival at the Port of Everett Marina. http://www.schack.org/events/fresh-paint-festival-of-artists-at-work/ This will be my third year and it is one of my favorite festivals. Float on by and visit.

Studio Tour 2012

 My studio only looks like this during the studio tour. Visit any other time of year and it looks as if a fabric and yarn store exploded. The dogs trail bits of fabric to the rest of the house, mostly on their feet, occasionally on their backs if they walk by my cutting table at just the right time. And, never walk through barefoot, as I drop pins all the time. A swipe over the floor with a magnetic pincushions picks them up easily. Just not often.

This is my fourth year on the Skagit Artists Together annual studio tour. Beautiful weather brought a lot of people out to explore the art of 23 artists spread out through the county. And, having a deadline for garden improvements means they actually happen, like adding a new patio. (right) The floor is made from the garage floor that a neighbor was replacing. I worked on inventory, my husband worked on lugging 8" thick pieces of concrete into place. (thank you, Brian)

Last weekend was Art by the Bay art festival in Stanwood-Camano Island. After lightning hit a tree at the edge of the field and knocked out power, I figured we were in for a dramatic weekend. Fortunately, it was a good weekend, without more drama. There is a canopy over everything, but it was such gloriously bright day - once the thunderstorms rolled on by - that it looks as if it's open. My friend Mary Quintrall  - www.maryquintrall.com - was my neighbor again. (We lived three houses apart for about ten years.) This weekend is the studio tour. I'll post images of that soon.

Threadwork from MargotBianca fabrics

 These scarves are made with bits from margotbianca.etsy.com Beautiful handdyed fabric items.

How can it be April already?

So, my plan to blog more often hasn't helped me actually do that. Thanks for waiting!

Since February, I've been busy in the studio, as always, really. In March, was the MoNA Style show. This is always a bright spot before spring arrives in the Skagit Valley. (www.museumofnwart.org) Coming up is the Pleasant Ridge art show at the Rexville Grange. (http://pleasantridgegalleryatrexville.com/) This is a long running show of local artists, but my first time joining them. April 6-22, 11-6 every day. Take a drive through the tulips and stop for some art as well.

Plenty of Plaid

this is a newish series.

This is from a new crop of evening bags, using a type of feather stitch. The satin is such fun to work with in jewel tones. These are Night on the Town - Martinique, Dubrovnik and Antiqua.

The last couple of months have had a couple of events and the next is in March. In the meantime, I've offered a couple of classes in my studio and I'm planning more, again for March probably.