but enough about me

In the interest of consistent bloggness, it would be nice if I had something quirky and fun to post every day, but I haven't. Alas, I am missing the gene that might enable me to invent entertaining stories, just so I can blog. So, here is the list of recent mundane activity in Studio 78.

Watching avocado pits germinate. There isn't a lot to say about this, except that avocado trees have never been my greatest success. I keep trying, however. When I was in Fla. in July, my mother informed me that the huge avocado tree outside her building came from a pit she planted. What makes me think the same thing will happen in New Jersey?

Teaching contracts and supply lists. Finally, a morning of paperwork, snail mail and e-mail, taking care of business. Shall I tell you about my dream where I showed up to teach and had forgotten to bring my fabrics, printing supplies, handouts, and lesson plans?

Sorting thread. This is a dreadful job, but somebody has to do it. Here is the real motivator -- a gorgeous thread cabinet my friend Audrey gave to me when she moved recently out to the Hamptons. I've filled the top drawer with old spools of Star Thread I found in the drawers of my beautiful 1924 Singer treadle machine. Thank you, Audrey. I think of you every time I am in my studio.

Gelatin printing. Yesterday morning, with Josh (7) and Ben (almost 6). They loved it and made great leaf prints, not only on their t-shirts, but on the kitchen table and elsewhere. I kept my camera out of harm's way, so no pictures. But you can imagine. Fortunately, it was not MY job to give them a bath last night. Soy wax & paint. All by myself, all afternoon today. Samples; none of which pleased me. But I suppose that will change with time. It shouldn't take you brilliant readers too long to figure out what I used for stamping those round wax shapes onto the cloth.

Sewing down facing. We rented an oddball, warmhearted Argentine film that gave me an excuse to sit still for a while and sew. Here is the back of the piece: a failed experiment with wax and discharge paste that ended up exactly where it belongs. I will return to it as soon as I finish my blog break, which should be soon.Reading the Art Quilt Reviews Blog which, you may have noticed, I have added as a link on my sidebar. So far, I am delighted to have such a resource. The reviewers are treating the exhibits are ART and reviewing them on that basis, which is as it should be. They also seem to be objective rather than 'la di da, aren't we wonderful?' -- a phenomenon we see all too often in some quilt magazine reviews. So, GO THERE. Contribute. Write a review of an exhibit you have seen. Festival of Quilts, anyone?

Back to work on the facing and then I'm done for the day.