May News-Third Grandchild due June 9th and Textile Art with Pizzazz! progressing nicely

I am very excited to about the next few weeks. My third grandchild, Liam, will be born near June 9th. I am busy preparing for my next trip to Seattle for his birth on June 5th. My husband and I will stay there for two weeks. It will be delightful!


Madeleine, almost 5 and Aaron 3 1/5.
This image was taken on Easter Sunday at Snoqualmie Falls, WA. This is very close to their new home. It was FREEZING!


This is my daughter Michelle and Madeleine.
We had a fabulous Easter breakfast including a hot chocolate pot. This is a special treat as it dates back to the victorian days. They serve the chocolate from a white porceline pot that first has melted special chocolate, and then add the mild slowly at your table while using a long wooden mallet. While this is being done the chocolate starts to ooze out of an extra opening.

You are watching this and thinking: She is making a mess! But, no, she explains that the people of that era wanted to appear excessive so having the chocolate spilling out was a sign of their wealth. Go figure!


The class I am conducting now, Textile Art with Pizzazz! is progressing nicely! I am so pleased. The students are kind and supportive of each other. What a pleasant experience this has been.

I am very busy writing an article for Cloth, Paper, Scissors. The article is due June 1st. It will be in the Sept/Oct issue. I cannot reveal the topic, CPS rules.

I am also preparing for two classes for Joggles: www.joggles.com
The first class starts July 3rd: Thinking Out Side the Take out Box (4 Lessons)
The second class starts July 15th: Textile Art with Pizzazz! (6 Lessons)

Both are on the current schedule and you can sign up now.

I am also enjoying my yahoo group: Studio Quilts-Goldilocks and Friends
www.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StudioQuilts-GoldilocksAndFriends/

There are now 39 members!
Recently I suggested we start a workbook study group. This seemed to be a popular idea. We have enough interest to co ordinate it now. I am currently reviewing books to suggest.
The group is open, if you are interested in this group, please join us. We are open for suggestions regarding books.

So far the one most people have and are interested in is: Art Quilt Workbook by Jane Davila and Elin Waterston.

Debbie

Textile Art with Pizzazz! is open

Lesson One opened on Monday and we are making good progress already.

A student from my previous class on Quilt University finished her art quilt and sent some great images. Her name is: Pia and she lives in Denmark
She has titled it: Inspiration

Isnt' this a fantastic art quilt?








Notice the dense quilting.


She says she really likes it and plans to make another.

I stress the importance of making a series.
A series will teach you more than you ever thought was possible.
Try it with a design sometime.





Debbie Babin

Student Testimonial

"I really enjoyed taking the class "Floral pizzazz" with Debbie Babin through Quilt University.com. She was very thorough in her explanations and open to any questions, had straight forward comments, which I liked ! Thanks again !"

Catherine

This comment is one of many positive ones I received following the QU class I conducted. Thank you Catherine!

Class: Textile Art with Pizazz starts April 28

Textile Art with Pizazz (formerly Floral Pizazz)
Dates: April 28-June 9
Five Lessons (with one week in between Lesson 3 and 4)
$45 Level-Intermediate to Advanced

If you would like information on this class, contact me:
debbiebabin@studioquilts.com

The class will cover elements of art and how to utilize them to add pizazz to your art work.

Techniques included: foundation appliqué and fabric collage
Pattern is provided.

Attended the Focus on Fiber Retreat2008-Fabulous!

I had a wonderful time in New Symrna Beach Florida at the Focus on Fiber Retreat
I met some wonderful talented, encouraging and most of all FUN people there.



Bella stole the show! Thanks Tommy for bringing Bella to visit us!


I ended up giving an impromptu demo of how to make paper/fabric. Afterward, Marion Shirk, the origami expert, presented me with a little paper purse she made with a piece of it.

I happened to have some beads; she had some wire to contribute and I was able to customize and finish it there on the spot. Now, we had the original crowd who watched the demo wanting to learn how to make the purse! Okay, time for the second demo! I think the origami was much more challenging to do than making the paper/fabric. Somewhere between the mountains and the monkeys ears, I fumbled around a managed to make a "beginner" purse; no where near as polished as Marion's!

Several impromptu things happened at the retreat. We danced to tribal music outdoors in the amphitheater. The breezes were blowing right along with the drums. It was a new experience for me....not one I was completely sure about, but one that definitely opened my mind to using my body in a creative way. We all were amazed at how much better we felt mentally and physically afterward.....and, hungry! Now the food was actually the best part! WEll, almost the best. It was a close second to the art.

We also had a wonderful yoga instructor visit everyday and did simple yoga outside as well. She also provided massage which I definately took advantage of.

We worked independently in open studios with huge tall windows that made you feel like you were working outdoors. There was only natural (jungle) foliage visible through the windows.






Handyed fabric

Hand dyed wool by: Janet Bernhardt

Yahoo Group Created-You are invited to join

I have decided to create my own Yahoo Group.
Title: Studio Quilts-Goldilocks And Friends
the link for this group is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StudioQuilts-GoldilocksAndFriends/
This group is directed to those who share the interests associated with Fiber Art.
I will be posting news there about my work, exhibitions, travels and teaching schedule.
I will also share news about Fiber Art topics and events.
I started the group last weekend and there are already 8 members. It will be fun to watch the evolution of the group. I hope to have you as a member.
Fondly,
Debbie Babin

Mini designs from within

I have discovered mini designs within a large design.

This quilt titled: Flower Market, size: 26"h x 28"w, is a good example of this. The end result of the design could be better. I like it howerver; it did not receive good reviews.

I discovered what I like most is the mini designs within the complete design.

Each measure about 3" x 4".

The thought of breaking it into sections is tempting. I am not ready to cut into it just yet.

I would love to hear comments; what do you think?