Yes No Quilts

I Started working on the handbags yesterday. It was hard to get going, I didn’t know where to begin. I have some orders for general colors or designs, but I needed a warm up, some practice. So I decided to make a bag that I would use, that was my only criteria. This is what I came up with, and I think it’s pretty cute. I’m no so sure about the tie strap, and I have to work on some aspects of putting the whole thing together, but it’s also inspiring. I realized after making it that it reminds me of my first “grown-up” handbag that I got for my birthday when I was in kindergarten. It was red and blue vinyl and had 2 long shoulder straps which really made it special for me because it was the type of bag my kindergarten teacher had.

Jon helped me hang the my show at the Crandall Gallery in the Crandall Library in Glens Falls, NY today. He handed me hooks and told me when the quilts were straight and helped me decide where they should go. It’s so much easier with help.

I had intended to hang “Cut it Up” vertically with a long section of it resting on the floor, but I couldn’t in the space, so I thought I’d hang it horizontally going around a corner as I originally planned, but it wouldn’t fit that way either. So I decided to have some fun with it. It works pretty well, and I like that is isn’t flat on the wall, it has more dimension.

I hung 7 quilts. I wanted to hang some in the stairwell but the Library didn’t have a ladder big enough. The show is up till February 27th and the reception is Thursday, February 18th 5-7 pm. (I mistakenly had Saturday instead of Thursday printed on the invitation so I had to change it by hand. Next time I’ll have someone else proof read).

I’m finishing up my last quilt for the show at the Crandall Gallery. Freida, of course was there for support. I’ll hang the show on Monday and the opening will be Thursday, February 18th between 5 and 7. It’s Third Thursday in Glens Falls the evening when all the Galleries have openings so the town is buzzing.

I met with Chris at Mannix Marketing to discuss my new website design. My new business name is Full Moon Fiber Art. The website will direct people to my ETSY site for purchasing and will have a Gallery page and page for upcoming events and my blog which will be called Wulf Moon Howling. As soon as I’m legally divorced I’m changing my last name to Wulf which is my grandmothers maiden name. It just happens to work with the full moon theme.

The name Full Moon Fiber Art comes from the idea that I am in the full moon stage of my life (also known as midlife). What I am going to be is who I am now. After this the moon starts to wain. I am feeling a sense of urgency in my life and it pushes me along. This is the person I want to be, so I better be her now.

This is the image for my invitation to my show at the Crandall Gallery. It’s the back of “Starve the Emptiness” and I think it makes a postcard. The show will be hanging at the Crandall Library from Feb 2 - 28th. There will be and opening reception on Thursday the 18th form 5 -7 pm

I just found out that I’m going to be showing my quilts in the gallery at the Crandall Library in Glen Falls for the month of February. I want to finish 2 new quilts for the show. Both are in progress, one just needs to be backed and tied. I’m thinking of finishing “Cut it up” (shown above). I have some new ideas for it using some old handkerchiefs and small mirrors. I can’t wait to get started.

These are my 2 favorites from my latest batch of potholders. They are going to France, which is kind of exciting.

I’m just about done with my After Xmas orders and am excited about working out some handbag designs and perfecting the tie-belts. I’m also thinking about changing my website and even the name of my company. Something that reflects where I am now in life, which is different than when I started the company a couple of years ago. It’s scary and exciting. I’ve notice that fear and excitement have the same effect on my body, so I think it is possible to change fear to excitement by changing the way I think about something.

Today Jon and I had a meeting at the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council in Glens Falls. We’re thinking about having an artist in residence this summer and are working with LARAC. I was nervous going into the meeting not even completely sure it was something I wanted to do. But once I was there and we started talking, my mind started going. I always imagine that there are sparks firing off in my brain (like sparklers on the 4th of July) as my thoughts start to make connections and ideas start to form. I went from being nervous to having fun and by the time the meeting was over I had no more doubts and was excited about the idea.

I picked up my quilts and potholders from the bakery/cafe where I hung them in the windows as part of the Downtown Glens Falls Holiday Arts Festival. When I got there the quilts were all folded in quarters and hanging in the windows barely visible. My insides started to churn and although it was cold out, I was suddenly hot. I took some deep breaths and told myself I would calm down before I said anything to anyone. I slowly and carefully removed and folded all my work placing it in plastic bags. A part of me was so angry I just wanted to leave. I was afraid I would make a scene, but I knew if I said nothing, I would feel even worse.

So I walked up to the counter (where I originally planned to buy a nice loaf of fresh bread, but now decided not to) and asked the woman if they folded my quilts because they blocked too much light. She said the owner thought that the store looked closed with the quilts in the window. I asked why they didn’t call me and she mumbled something about “someone talking to some quilter” (not me). I had no idea what she was talking about and left confused and angry.

Of course it’s not the worst thing that could have happened and after a few minutes alone in my car my anger turned to annoyance and eventually to just a memory.

So I’m soaking my potholders in soapy cold water in the bath tub to get the “bakery” smell out of them. That could be worse too, the smell of fresh baked bread on a potholder isn’t so bad.

Sometimes, after I make a potholder I notice a stain on one of the fabrics, sometimes there a funny smell. I always wash my fabric before using it, but I guess some slip through and some have been in boxes in my studio so long they need another washing. So some of my potholders get hand washed in cold water. If the stain comes out and the smell goes away it goes to a customer, if not it goes to a friend or I keep it myself.

I haven’t had to wash many, but when I do they remind me of the rocks and shells you find on the beach. They glisten and shine when wet, but when you get them home and they dry off, the color fades.

Both are still beautiful and the potholders more functional than when wet, but it’s always a bit disappointing.

I shipped out my last Christmas orders today and am thrilled and surprised by the past few months. I’m also tired and am looking forward to a few days off. There has been some interest in handbags, and I’ll be making some to sell next year along with belts and of course potholders and quilts (I can’t wait to try out some of my quilt ideas, they are backed up in my mind and soul). I’m also selling my quilt note cards. Packs of 8 for $15.00 including shipping.

I want to thank everyone who supported me and my new business by buying my work and sending meaningful comments and great ideas. (I got one from a woman who made a potholder into a case for her glasses)

If you have ideas, comments, questions or want to place an order you can leave a comment on my blog or email me at maria@yesnoquilts.com

Happy Holidays! Starting today, the days are getting longer.