Foto/Fiber Fundraiser

                      

Foto/Fiber 2012
90 Photos AND 90 Fiber BONUSES

Gold Donor Day - February 15, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $100, choose a photo by
Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, or Cynthia Wenslow
and choose a Fiber BONUS by a specific artist
from the following list of fiber artists.

Regular Foto/Fiber - February 16, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $50 and choose a photo by
Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, or Cynthia Wenslow.
Your Fiber BONUS will be chosen at random for you
from the following list of generous fiber artists.

Artists donating Fiber BONUS include: Natalya Aikens,
Frances Holliday Alford, Pamela Allen, Liz Berg, Sue Bleiweiss, Nancy G. Cook, Jane Davila, Vivika DeNegre, Diane Rusin Doran, Jane Dunnewold, Jamie Fingal,
Leonie Hartley Hoover, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Lyric Kinard, Susan Brubaker Knapp, Lynn Krawzcyk, Jane LaFazio, Susan Lenz, Jeanelle McCall
Linda Teddlie Minton, Karen Musgrave, Gail Myrhorodsky
Karen Stiehl Osborn, BJ Parady, Cate Coulacos Prato, Yvonne Porcella
Wen Redmond, Sue Reno, Lesley Riley, Cynthia St. Charles,
Susan Schrott, Suzanne Silk, Lura Schwarz Smith (with Kerby C. Smith),
Sarah Ann Smith, and Terri Stegmiller

Drawings for Fiber Art throughout the event.
All patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012 will also have multiple chances throughout Foto/Fiber to win fiber art donated by:

Leonie Hartley Hoover
Lyric Kinard
Lynn Krawczyk
Yvonne Porcella
Susan Schrott
Mary Ann Van Soest

More information on how Foto/Fiber 2012 works:
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiberHowItWorks.html

Our goal – Raise $7,000 for the American Cancer Society

Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $215,000 to the American Cancer Society through the generosity of fiber artists and their patrons.
Contact
Virginia@VirginiaSpiegel.com
for more information.

Finally finished.

I started this piece in early December. It was quilted before I left for Antartica but not complete. I knew I wanted to add the red bird-like images, but I also wanted something else. I finally decided upon a cloud-like addition as though one were looking down through a layer of clouds at birds and ocean.

Looking through my stash and embellishments, I seized upon some alpaca roving that I had bought last summer. Felting it to the quilt created just the effect I was looking for.

Fun Quick Project

Last Thursday was Bernina Club Day at the Bobbincase. I look forward to it as a fun way to spend a part of my day visiting with friends and learning from them. I am amazed at the 'show and tell' projects that people have - they always lead to some good discussion and I leave with some invaluable tips and new ideas.

The proposed project for the afternoon Embroidery Club was an 'all-in-the-hoop' tiny purse that you might use for something like loose change. I have a real love of fabric bags for packing when I travel and use bags of all sizes for all the miscellaneous things from toothbrushes to knitting projects that I seem to always tote along. The idea of making a something from start to finish in an embroidery hoop sounded interested so I came prepared to try one. I created one tiny purse during the class and went home to quickly created a second the following day.

I decided to then play with changing the size of the purse. Using my mega hoop,  I enlarged the purse to a much bigger size to see what would happen. The result was fairly satisfactory, though not perfect. I found after I finished that the zipper tape was not completely anchored. I don't know if that was my fault or there is an upper limit on how much you can enlarge the purse reliably. In any event, my new scarf knitting project for an upcoming trip fits easily in the finished bag, so I consider it a success.

All-in-all though, I really enjoyed the project.  It gives me some ideas for a rectangular all-in-hoop design that I would like to try and create on my own. I think that I am finally getting to a comfort level with the embroidering part of my Bernina and beginning to appreciate the versatility it provides! 

Antarctic Penguins

Whales, seals, penguins, and birds, birds, birds comprise the Antarctic wildlife. (You have to go to the Arctic for polar bears.)

Here are a few of the penguin photos that I was privileged to take of three kinds of penguins - Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo. They all usually produce two eggs at a time. The Adelie penguins, along with the Emperor Penguins, only live and breed in the Antarctic. The Chinstrap and Gentoo are also found in the sub-Antarctic and sometimes a little further north.

Adelie penguin with baby

Chinstrap penguin taking a walk

Gentoo penguin with twins

Some Quick Knits

On my recent trip, I had a couple of very lengthy plane rides. (I never realized how long South America is!) In planning ahead, I brought along two quick scarf patterns to pass the time. Both are extremely easy, using only basic garter stitches and slip stitches. They are also both great for traveling since they require only one skein of yarn and there are only 15 stitches or less on a needle so 9 inch needles suffice.

Katia Triana Lux

This first scarf has been really popular in Rochester guilds and clubs this winter. The 'yarn' is a condensed web acrylic where you garter stitch back and forth across one edge. The result is a dramatic ruffle if you use the Katia Triana Lux. There are other brands of 'webbing' available that also create really great looking scarves. I simply like the depth of the Katia Triana Lux webbing.

Close up of webbing

Here is a link to a You Tube video on how to knit a Katia Triana scarf.


Misti Chunky Ribs & Ruffles Scarf

This scarf was made with Misti Alpaca and is so incredibly soft. It is the easiest pattern - only 15 stitches. I made one on my trip and had someone ask if I would make another. With size 9 needles, the scarf grows in length amazingly fast.

Cose-up of simplicity of pattern

Here is a link to a free pattern for the scarf.

Nature's Masterpiece

Ever changing form

the ice draws our attention

and speaks to our souls

Deepening What We See

I am more 'here' today than a few days ago, but still sort of drifting back to what I saw in Antarctica. I notice my dreams are filled with penguins and ice. Interesting.....

Today I get a new computer. It has been sitting in my home for about three weeks but my consultant switches me over today. Once that happens, I can begin uploading the many photos from our trip and no longer have to struggle with the amount of memory on my computer. These past few days I have been 'patiently' waiting for the transition. So, no new photos yet from our trip, but I thought I would share a few observations from my journey.

I took my sketchbook with me on the voyage. One morning I was up early and the scenery was, as usual, breathtaking. I began to sketch some of the smaller icebergs that were drifting by our boat. I believe we were in the Wedell Sea at the time. As I began to sketch some of the shapes, I really began to study them - the layers of white into blue, the indentations and more subtle lines along the sky and water. I realized that my drawings, however rough, were forcing me to SEE more of what was in front of me.

The first day of our  voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula, we were at sea in the Drake Passage. To pass the time, we were offered several seminars - one was how to use our camera better. I learned a tremendous amount in the seminar and the quality of my photos over the coming days improved. (I learned some tips that I will use in photographing my quilts too.) Later in the voyage, there were several additional programs on how to take better photographs. The naturalists and guest National Geographic photographer shared samples of photos that they had taken and why they worked. I knew that these seminars were helping me to capture some of the beauty before my eyes so I could revisit my trip when I returned home. What I didn't appreciate at the time was that the coaching would open my eyes to the beauty of my own homeland. I am fascinated that as I drive or run back here in my hometown, I now find myself noting the lighting and assessing what would be beautiful photograph. Again, as with the sketching, I having been SEEing so much more of what is around me.

I am totally enjoying this new way of viewing my environment. I guess now the challenge (and pleasure) will be to continue to develop my eye so this new perspective doesn't fade with the passing days.

I am Back!

I am back from a trip to Antarctica! At least, I am physically back. Mentally, I am not quite adjusted to the good old USA. It was an amazing trip and I have far too many photos to sort through. I feel a bit like this penguin - a bit off kilter and just ambling along.

Did want to take the time, though, to wish everyone:

A Very Happy New Year!