Good morning, Everyone! It is so good to be back home and blogging again. This month has been a whirlwind but in a good way! I had the unique opportunity to visit Israel for two weeks and explore the many wonders this country has to offer. What a treat! My husband and I travelled all the way North through Haifa, Akko, Nazareth, Sea of Gallilee, the Golan and the ancient Banias waterfalls at Mount Hermon. Never knew it snowed up there! So much inspiration and beauty. While in Haifa, I visited the beautiful Bahai shrine and garden, the zoo and Castra Cultural Art Center. The zoo was perhaps one of the highlights of my stay there. They had the most unusual animals including a Siberian bear, an Egyptian vulture, black swan and even a griffon. Dozens of peacocks roamed the area. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit!
On one occasion, I took the train south to Tel Aviv to meet up with some amazing artists. They were most kind, engaging and invited me to their home to visit, have lunch and show me their studio and artwork. These women explained how they worked their strife and turmoil during war and difficult times into their art. It was humbling to hear their stories, learn of their perils and how they managed to work as a group to ensure their children’s safety during times of trouble. Such amazingly strong and graceful women! They were such a pleasure and I am blessed to have connected with them on so many levels. I hope to see them again, soon.
The following weekend, we made our way south toward Jerusalem where I came upon this fabulous textile market in the old city. The owner was a third generation textile artist from Damascus. He had the most beautiful fabric from all over the world. The photo above shows a small part of his shop. I purchased a few pieces, an ikat, some silk organza, striped pattern and a beautiful brocade. Ikat fabric is quite interesting as the fibers are dyed prior to constructing the textile piece and the patterns are endless. Continuing on throught the markerplace, I could smell the aromas of spices in the air. Here, you could find anything from spices, textiles, musical instruments, clothes, toys, carvings, food and so much more. Such a delight for the senses! We visited many historical and sacred places such as the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall and the Garden of Gethsemane. Such stunning beauty and architecture everywhere. It was like stepping into another world and you could truly sense the spirituality and ancientness of these places. Two days and still I did not see everything there was to see in Jerusalem but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and look forward to returning soon and reconnecting with newfound friends. So blessed to have been able to see that part of the world.

Fabrics from Israel, Ikat on the left

Marketplace in Akko, Israel

Earlier this month, Kathy York contacted me to let me know that Quilting Arts would be featuring our Artist Village in the February/March 2012 issue. I was so thrilled! The news came when I was feeling blue and needed a little pick me up. Nothing like that to chase the blues away! Meanwhile, I have been planning a trip to Israel and anxiously awaiting my copy in the mail. Checking the mail everyday is a little like watching a pot boil. And still, I hoped to get my copy before I left. Finally, after the mail came today and still no magazine, I went and bought the issue at Barnes and Noble. At last, I could see it! Wow, I am so jazzed. Kathy did a fantastic job at bringing this project to fruition. The article is wonderful and describes how to make a 3 dimensional house. This month’s Quilting Arts issue features 3 Dimensional Art Quilting and is a special Art Quilt Collaboration issue. The Space Between by Dinner at Eight Artists is also represented and I am so excited to see my friends, Susan King and Linda Teddlie Minton mentioned. They are marvelous artists and I am happy Dinner At Eight Artists were represented well! I also really enjoyed Jane Davila’s article, “Artistic License: Licensing Your Art to Maximize Your Time.” So much wonderful information! To order your copy of Quilting Arts, please visit http://www.quiltingdaily.com/content/SubscriberServices.aspx .

Happy New Year! I am so happy to be blogging again! I am back making art again. This piece shows a photo that I took while staying at a friend’s home in San Antonio, Texas. I love this picture and somehow I knew I had to incorporate this Mexican Scrub Jay in my art. He’s a beauty for sure. The photo was printed on textured paper that was coated with Golden Digital Grounds Media to allow the full color to shine through. The background is handmade paper that I made years ago and at the time had no idea how I would use it. Bits of paper were torn and mixed with glue. I thought it might be fun to include some threads, Angelina fibers and even heat distressed painted plastics before setting the paper in the mold. Once the paper was formed, I painted it with acrylic paint. And there it sat in the studio for a few years before I finally paired the two together. They were treated with a semi gloss surface protectant and adhered together with acrylic medium. I really like the way they came together. It is as if they were made for each other and the background is simply an extension of the photo. Great way to bring in the New Year!

Scarlet

Well, it’s Christmas time and what better way to celebrate than with finishing up a few UFOs that have been hanging around for about 7 years now! The last time, my grandmother came to visit, I showed her some pieces that I had hand appliqued, beaded and sewn ribbon embroidery on. Her home is very vintage and she asked if she could have the only two pieces that were completely finished. But of course! They look fabulous in her home. Since then, she has been asking if I would finish some more pieces to add to her collection. These patterns are not my own design and try as I might, I can not find the designer to credit her properly. If anyone knows, please let me know. I would live to add that information here. Her patterns are wonderful. Meanwhile, as I had mentioned, all of these pieces are done entirely by hand. The difference between these two pieces and the ones that my grandmother already has in her collection is that I decided to finally let go of my purist attitude and need to complete the rest of the ladies by hand quilting them. This is a huge breakthrough for me and a wonderful exercise in letting go. You see, I don’t really like hand quilting. Rather I love and appreciate seeing hand quilting work by others. However, it is just not for me and I do not enjoy it! That said, I greatly admire those with the patience to do it! Still, if truth be told, these pieces would never get done if I held onto that need to be a purist! Ha! And so, I figure that I would give myself permission to finish these pieces by machine quilting which I vastly enjoy! And best of all, they will get to be seen and enjoyed rather than languishing in my closet. I decided to finish the two ladies dressed in red to celebrate the season. I love the way they have come out. My grandmother keeps asking me if I have had a chance to finish any more of the victorian lady pieces and I have pretended to not remember what she is talking about. I think she will be pleasantly surprised when I see her for the holidays or at least I hope so! Happy Holidays, everyone!

Ruby