I've been planning a partner object to the slim jug I recently finished, and thought another funnel would fit the bill. I don't want to go over the top with my attempts at realism, it isn't necessary. I am really interested in capturing the spirit of the vessels I am inspired by, not slavishly copying every detail. Having said that, I wanted this piece to look like a metal object. Grey-ish fabric then, right? I have had limited success at getting nice greys with natural dyes, and so was especially excited to try the logwood grey from Earth Hues. Logwood has the reputation of giving intriguing colors with a purple-ish cast. The results were just what I was hoping for. As much as I love the satin, I chose to put the shiny side in, the matte side really suits the project better. Here I'm laying out the funnel pattern on logwood dyed silk satin:

After cutting and stitching, with one more seam to sew, which will pull this into a tube like form:

The tube, with the inner wool felt piece:

Next the tricky lining up of seams to pull half the tube over the felt lining:

Finally, its starting to look like a funnel. Well, use your imagination, I swear, its well on its way:

Some people have a dedicated "wet" studio. What a luxury to have this space, with its own stove, big 'ol sink, work tables, washer and dryer...These lucky souls can dye yards of fabric any time of year, or make a great big mess and walk away to their "dry" studio space when inspiration strikes. I admit I covet my fellow artists' wet studios.

I love to dye, and am committed to keeping the mess and potential contamination out of our kitchen. Most of the year I happily use my double hotplate on our back porch as a dyeing space. The  garden hose is handy, and the heat and mess stays outside. However, the porch isn't really an option when it is 30 degrees. Pots of water take a really long time to get hot at this temperature.

After getting all my fabric and new dyes, I was determined to figure something else out. Our bathroom also houses our laundry area, and so here is my solution:

This works pretty well, until you need to put something in the washer.  

When you work with sharp needles as often as I do, you are bound to draw blood occasionally. I hope I am not overly clumsy, surely other hand stitchers out there jab themselves now and then.

I really poked myself recently, and as I waited for my finger to stop bleeding, I remembered an inopportune time this happened....
Several years ago when I had a studio and gallery space, I was asked to help create footage for a TV program on the craft artists of Kentucky. The intro of the show was to feature closeups of all different hands, busily working away. The producers had weavers, woodworkers, potters (Who's hands can compete with a potter's anyway? Its absolutely hypnotic to watch a potter at work at the wheel. When we visit my mother in law, Teresa, and she is at the wheel, I can't tear my eyes away...It isn't like I've never seen someone make pots before...), anyway, mine were to be another set of hands. I was making art quilts at the time and was to do some hand quilting for the program. I DO use a thimble when I stitch, but I wear it on my left hand, which is the hand I work the needle through the fabric with. My right hand is under the piece, naked and vulnerable, but necessarily so, so I can feel when the needle has made it through all three layers and I can tilt the point of the needle back up to the top layer. Well, of course I jabbed myself really hard while the camera was inches from my working hands. Somehow I dripped blood on the quilt, which only added to my distress. The camera man was in a hurry to get to the  glassblower's or somebody's, so I waited a bit, and tried to continue stitching, only for my poor finger to start bleeding again. I remember being particularly stressed because I had just read an uptight book full of "rules" about hand quilting which labeled poking yourself as a novice mistake. Between the cameraman's tight schedule and my injured digit, we never were successful in getting the footage. So much for (my hand's) 5 seconds of fame!

Kate mentioned awhile ago we got to mess around and do some painting together, which was fun, and I'd love to get to do it again-minus the toddlers. (Sorry Avery and Isaac!) Please don't get me wrong its rewarding to do art with kids, but not at the same time you are really wanting to get something done. Anyway, I started a little house blessing for our house that day, despite painting many of these little things, we haven't had one-I always give them away! I personalized it so I couldn't do that this time.

I recently discovered the kids' book, The Easter Egg Artists, and love the illustrations of an industrious rabbit family painting all kinds of things. The star in the middle of this painting is inspired by the side of the rabbit car. Strider pointed out this looks like an explosion, a bit counter to the message of "Peace". Hmmm, thanks for the input, honey. Hopefully 2008 will be a year that explodes with peace, I don't think that would be a bad thing!

I have been enjoying Simmy's photos of her cats on her nature table. They really tend to gravitate to places that receive your attention, don't they? So, here is my cat, Stewart (named after Martha). Why on the hard, lumpy desk? Usually there are plenty of piles of fabric to curl up/ shed on...She spends a lot of time in the studio, perhaps because the boys aren't allowed in there unattended?