Back to Stick Figures!! A WIP

Not sure what direction these little stick people are going to take but I'll continue until something happens.

Tribute to a Short Journey

I had to express on fabric my feelings about a special young person whose journey was cut very short and who never found the place where he belonged. I will set it aside until I decide on how I am going to quilt it.

Bath Mat

This is a hand dyed, machine pieced bath mat with an old terry towel for the backing then binding.

Today is "BAD" World "BLOG ACTION DAY"

When we realized that today was "BAD" Blog Action Day, our thoughts immediately reflected to Environmental damage being done in El Salvador by "Pacific Rim" a Canadian mining company. Shame on us as Canadians!

NO TO CANADIAN MINING COMPANIES IN EL SALVADOR!

Very recently, in El Salvador(located South of Guatemala) high grade gold has been discovered within the region of Cabañas. Since the discovery of this gold site, Canadian mining companies (such as Pacific Rim) have set their sights on this precious land.What Pacific Rim is not veiwing, however, is the enviromental and socio-economincal effects which metal mining produces on such terrain. Metal mining is one of the biggest industrial pollutants, and WILL cause major effects on the enviroment. UNES (Ecological Society of El Salvador) have done research on the methods of extraction which Pacific Rim will be using, and the effects it will have on the enviroment and the society. Such effects include,-Acid Drainage. (runoffs from mines contaminating water)-Acid Rain.-Drop of pH levels in water.-Water shortages due to pumping from mines.-Damages to the health of the whole population.-Damages to soil.-The effects which the chemicals used in mining will have on the human body. (Such as the skin, eyes and lungs)-etc.The enviromental effects will have many negative contributions to the socio state and well being of the communities in Cabañas. The health and environmental effects are serious, and the jobs that will be opened for the public will not cover the cost which the population will face with these environmental effects. Canadian metal companies will not be helping the people, instead they produce more harsh realities which the people will be facing daily, such as toxic drinking waters and polluted air.Along with the enviromental effects which mining will have on the region, the social effects will catastrophic. El Salvador is already suffering a great deal from poverty and violence (85 percent of the population is living under what the UN calls a "decent wage"), and when you include the pollution of drinking waters, of agricultural land, and the many health disorders that mining will cause to the people, it is odvious that metal mining will not benefit the communites, and will only cause more critical obsticals on the population.Furthermore, the metal mining will not only have effect on the region of Cabañas and Chalatenango. El Salvador, being a small country, can and will be easily contaminated. It will be easy for acidic water to make its way through water ways (such as the Rio Lempa River) and acid rain. The Lempa Rio is the main source water supply for most of the country. And Acid Rains EASILY spread, especially considering the fact that El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. Acid rains, may also make their way north into the neighboring country of Honduras and Guatemala. At extreme, it may even be seen in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.Canadian Goverment and the Canadian mining corporations are WELL AWARE of the effects of mining, and the harm it will have on the communites. Instead of listening to the oppostion against mining (recently, 15 000 people from Cabañas have gone to the capital to protest against Pacific Rim), these Canadian mining companies have created an illusion of "Green Mining", which when looked into, does not exist, and is only a successful way of prommoting their company.Due to the CAFTA Free Trade Agreement, a variety of Canadian and American companies are allowed to spread their buisnesses into Central America, contributing to negative impacts of Central America. The CAFTA agreement is allowing for the company (Pacific Rim) to seek arbitrations and forcefully try to gain their mining permits, and making moves which solemnly benefit the company.Instead of allowing this to happen and allowing the voice of the Salvadorian people to be ignored, join this group and invite whoever you can to join. Canada has been causing many devasting problems to communities world wide. Invite as many people as you can, and spread awareness of this crime which is being committed.

Cal-Pipil Kimono II (Mini-Quilt)

It is fitting that I post this during our festival of fall colours. The beautiful Canadian maple leaves, brilliant in colour, fall to the ground. Unfortunately this photo does not do justice to the colours. This is a mini quilt for our annual art exhibition at "The Green Door" in Ottawa. The proceeds will go to Cal-Pipil in El Salvador. See our website for more details about our efforts in supporting Cal-Pipil.

Thanksgiving Sunday and the Colours are Beautiful

Our days are getting very short. The fall colours are soon going to peak. These pictures were just after daybreak today.

The Final Part of the UGLY Quilt Story

Remember the story of my fabric thorn? I heard from Australia, and the final episode of this long and drawn out yarn is that "UGLY Quilt" made it's final destination. With the help of Alison who is going to finish it and add her charm, I really can't ask for a better ending to the 20 year saga of the UGLY Quilt. Thank you Alison!!

Photography by Daniela

Daniela is studying photography and is producing amazing work. She and Victor went to Parliament Hill in Ottawa and got some wonderful shots. Along with being a very artistic lady, you have to have a good camera which is apparent in the following pictures.

Cal-Pipil I

Cal-Pipil I has been hand quilted and a few beads added.

Cal Pipil Abstract I

I finished this machine pieced mini and it is ready to hand quilt and do some beading. This is for the Harmony Hopes Exhibition we are doing to raise funds for our passion,
"Cal Pipil" in San Salvador.

"Summer Fiesta" is on the way to New Zealand

The summer mini-quilt swap is nearly over and time to go to the post and ship this off to New Zealand. A long way away. I love this bright little mini-quilt and I hope my swap friend will be able to brighten up a corner in her creative work area. This piece started very unintentionally back in the late winter when I was playing around with my Pebo Translucent Fabric Paints, and it ended up being "Summer Fiesta". Now the summer is over here in the northern hemisphere, and Summer Fiesta is on it's way to find summer "Part II" in New Zealand.

Little Tid-Bits to Pass Along

Since the studio is out of service I thought I should share this little tid-bit with you.

TRY THIS, BUY SOME SHARES IN COBAN, THEN POST THE IDEA ON YOUR BLOG to spread the word on to your quilting friends!

Awhile ago, I read on the internet," Throw away your thimbles", or words to that effect. I for one has at least a half dozen different sizes. My fingers are very small, very unproportionate to the rest of my body!! Coban, self adhesive tape. I was first introduced to this when my dogs would have their heart worm blood tests, and a piece of this self sticking tape was used by the Vet. Time passed and I bought some at the drugstore to have in my first aid kit. Not colourful like the Vet had, but who cares. Take a piece, approximately 2 1/2", wrap it around your thimble finger, molding it over the tip of your finger and having it self stick on the top side of your finger where it will have least contact with your project. You don't believe me? Try it, it works, the needle does not come through and "ouch-you" and every time your body temperature changes this thimble does not fall off or get too tight and frustrate you.

Still Under Renovation, Part II

I think all people are alergic to construction dust. Even my contractor is!

Okay, I am just about at my whits end. The heat and humidity has slowed down the mudding of the drywall and we need to do the sanding before grouting the tile. So we have been set back another few days. I am frustrated with the disruption and I really miss my studio and my creative release when I get home from a stressful day at work watching the rise and fall of the markets. Bitching aside, the job is really taking shape and excitement is now starting to eleviate the frustration levels. Mark, from Vision Quest, the contractor, is a perfectionist at building ceramic walls. He is amazing. I am getting anxious to start cleaning. Fortunately, our abode is on the small side. I have visions for another Kimono for the series I am working on, and really want into the studio to my "Scrap Box". I love a project that can use up scraps. I will work on this when I am doing the gall bladder recovery in a couple of weeks. Woo, woo.

Still Under Renovation

Week two and still in a mess. My wee studio is a warehouse for the contractor so my creative progression has come to a grinding halt. I hope things start moving along faster this week. I am having my bathroom rennovated, tub taken out and a walk in limestone shower installed and of course there are special plumbing requirements in a multi-dwelling condominium. I am fortunate to be able to go to my friends for my showers. But as my dear friend says, focus on the end result. Forget the dust, and mess and remember the tax incentive on this year's income tax return for stimulating the economy. Yes, thank you Mr. Prime Minister. No, I did not vote for you but I will take the tax break!!

Bring on the Gelatin

Wow, can't wait to buy the gelatin to give mono-printing a try. I think I will recruit my good friend Daniel on this one. I can see him going a little crazy. We will see how this goes.

Mariposa Kimono

Lost River Alpacas

This is a direct quote from the Lost River Alpacas blog.
"Velvet had her cria yesterday. Isn't she a beauty? A big girl, and the best part, she's strong and healthy!" Julia is her name and she was born on July 29, 2009.

When I see Linda's babies I want to have them all. Linda is an alpaca farmer and you can only admire all her hard work. Visit her site.

Animal lovers have to love this

Wouldn't be nice if the world could get along like this?

Work in Process

Not much to show for this weekend but got some dyeing done!On comes the lap frame for this mini quilt

The Karma Award

The Karma Award: I received this Karma award from Gabriela of Threadheads Anonymous. I was very surprised to receive it and what more can I say but thank you Gabriela. My intention is to send it to a few people who inspire me with what they share; a person you see as dealing with more than their fair share in life and people who are naturally warm and caring. I pass this Karma award along to a few people who I see as beautiful people and giving of themselves unselfishly. Please share this with some of your blog friends. People you admire, you are learning from and those who inspire you enough at succeeding with your next project. We meet our fellow quilters through a virtual medium, but in real life we are caring, friendly quilters reaching out to meet and learn from each other.

Michele Foster (Mishka) http://quiltinggallery.com/

Faith from Nut Bud Quilter http://nutbudquilter.blogspot.com/

Alison from Al's Treasurers http://alstreasurers.blogspot.com/

Linda from Fiber Fabrications http://fiberfabrications.blogspot.com/