Let’s get basted tonight!

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

I finished this Twin-sized quilt top this week, and I finished thread basting it moments ago.

I know that most Quilters prefer basting with safety pins, but I am not entirely convinced that pin basting is easier or faster than thread basting. Maybe it’s a dexterity thing, but I find wrestling with safety pins frustrating, both while basting and while quilting.

My hand basting is done in lines roughly six inches apart, with stitches between 1/2″ and 1″ long. I can’t tell you how long it took me to baste the entire quilt, but I did not devote the entire weekend to the project. The bonus is that I can leave the basting in the quilt until I am finished quilting.

The main down side to hand basting is having to constantly rescue my cone of cheap thread from Pauline, who still has all his very sharp claws and teeth.

Brat.

So, what do you think? Have you ever hand-basted? If you have, how would you compare the speed, ease, and performance of hand basting to machine basting?

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Steampunk Fish

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

It’s been a while since I posted, so I thought I would drop a line.

DH and I have been discussing free time options. I have maintained for years that he needs a hobby to connect him with like-minded geeks, and we agree that we need to find activities that we can share with equal interest.

What in the world appeals equally to artists and to sci-fi fans?

Steampunk!

DH seems to need convincing on this front, but I’m betting that his sociable sci-fi side will win out in the end.

In the meantime, here’s a little sketch inspired by my investigations.

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Crazy 4 U

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

Yes, the date is accurate, from what I can tell. You are looking at one of the thirty-six 12×12″ squares that make up the crazy quilt that I just bought today. It isn’t even the best square.

It’s made mostly of wool, with a cotton back. No batting, as is the standard for crazy quilts. The embroidery is done in wool. It has some awkward repair patches in some places, some of which I will probably remove to expose the stitching beneath, even if the fabric has disintegrated.

This isn’t the greatest photo because I didn’t want to use a flash.

I was going to hang it using a sleeve and rod, but I’m beginning to reconsider that. I’m willing to hear recommendations.

Better photos coming soon!

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Show this weekend!

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

I will be in a show this Saturday from 5-9pm at North Main Studios in Rockford, IL, showing work inspired by music. There will be art by yours truly, among several talented artists, and there will be live music (not by yours truly…).

For more information, visit this link!

http://www.megsartspot.com/

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Improvisational Catification

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Rebecca Fox

Wild-eyed run.  Seeds strewn.

An Improvisational

Catification.

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Single

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

This piece is called “Single”. For some reason, though, my personal name for it is “Wish in One Hand,” as in “Wish in one hand, poop in the other and see which one fills up first.”

I do love this piece, though. Between the ink staining and the dry brushing, everything just seemed to come together.

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Praise for Peace

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

Often people ask me how much time I spend on each piece. Even if I kept track of these things, I wouldn’t be able to say. For one thing, I work on as many as twelve pieces at a time.

Also, pieces such as this one are often made incorporating unfinished work that has finally told me what it needs to be. The bird on the bingo card in this piece was cut out and painted a couple of years ago.

And then there’s the question of drying time. When you cook, do you count the time that the casserole is in the oven as cooking time? I do. The same goes for drying time. I don’t know how many layers of gel medium are on this piece, but I know there are many. Each one requires drying time.

So, next time you ask an artist how long it took to make a piece, remember: you’re lucky we don’t work by the hour.

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Work in progress: Genuine American Gun

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

Mixed media on hardboard. 5×7″

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The Hayloft Always Feels Like Church

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Rebecca Fox

Spring in The Cathedral

New leaves yellow-green

turned over against warm, steel-grey sky

Opening the rose window of the loft door,

I find sanctuary from a baptism of rain.

Dewlap-clad gospel singers

gobble their praise of the weather as

the congregation skitters on paws;

flutters on bat-wings;

spins on eight legs;

stomps their hooves

Munching a liturgy of fragrant, green Host

they snort a benediction to May’s altar wine

I inhale alfalfa’s incense sharing their sweet sacrament

Here there is no Hell below

Only, ascension on horse feathers.

–Photo & Poem by Rebecca L. Fox

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Ennui

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Lisa Yarost

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