Ruth Powers Blog

First Friday Art Walk

Ruth — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:00:53 +0000

It’s been a busy week! last night was the First Friday Art Walk and the reception for my Artist of the Month Exhibit at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery. As usual, I forgot my camera and will have to rely on the pictures of others at a later date. There was a very nice turnout, though, and even some sales! Great to see old friends I haven’t seen in a while. The small Iris sold (thanks, Jill!) and quite a few of the note cards.

On Thursday we discovered a small tumor on the Komondor which was thought to be malignant and was removed Thursday night. He is quite uncomfortable, but recovering now at home.

We have had over two inches of much needed rain in the past few days, along with cooler weather so I have been able to get outside and do some work in the gardens. it has been a brutal summer for the plants, especially the new ones and I have lost that gorgeous Hot Papaya Coneflower and probably the Black Lace Elderberry.

In amongst all of that I have been quilting on the Mt Goat quilt whenever I can fit it in. It will have a LOT of quilting on it and is coming along nicely. It is slated for an exhibit in Nov and Dec, so needs to be a priority.

TAG 12 x 12s

Ruth — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:06:57 +0000

The 12 x 12′s are all finished and mounted on 16 x 16 stretched artists canvases painted black. I know – they look gray but that is just reflected light. The black edge is shadow. I think they came out good and since the gallery deals mostly in framed artwork, I’m hoping that this presentation will elevate these little pieces to “art”. The remainder of the exhibit will be larger pieces hung in the traditional manner.

For Wrent

Captain

Iris

Marie’s House

Don’t forget– this exhibit runs from Sept 1-17 with the Artist of the Month reception the evening of the 3rd.

Cat Quilts

Ruth — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:17:31 +0000

After having previewed over 150 cat quits The folks at Quilt Inspiration chose their 15 favorites and my KITTY CORNER CATS pattern was among them! You can see the quilts and the article here. Be sure to click on ‘older post’ to see the cats in the first two installments, or use the link below for the whole site.

I knew cats were popular with quilters, but who knew there were so many patterns available?! Quilt Inspirations is a cool place where I could spend way too much time!

One More..

Ruth — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:57:51 +0000

One more little 12 x 12 finished, I met this cute little guy when I was in England.

Yesterday I finished the quilting on Wrented and hope to get it bound and photographed today. It’s my day to go to town and work at the gallery though so, we’ll see!

Invitation

Ruth — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:23:58 +0000

If you are in the area I hope you will drop by the Topeka Art Guild Gallery to see my work which will be on display from Sept 1-17. I will be there on the 1st and the 15th from 11-2 and of course during the Friday Art walk Reception from 5-8 pm on the 3rd.

Time Flies

Ruth — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:04:37 +0000

I have been super busy the last few weeks producing four 12 x 12 pieces for my Artist of the Month show in September at The Topeka Art Guild Gallery. I wanted to do six, but I waited just too long! They are all finished except for the hand sewing on the back. Well, this one is all finished.

Inspired by the wren baby photo that I took earlier this summer, combined with one of the feeding parent.

During this time period I got word that the photo deadline for new pattern Market ads was Aug 27, so over the weekend I whipped out a larger version that will become a new picture piecing patten for fall. This will finish at about 24″square like the others in the series.

Yesterday I layered and basted it and got started on the quilting, there’s no time to waste!

Reno Update

Ruth — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:00:28 +0000

Let’s see- it’s been so long, can I still remember how to do this? I thought you might like to see how the new living room is looking. Griffin, on the sofa, is happy to have his place back!

I love the tile set in the “hopscotch”pattern and the crown molding is a nice finishing touch. I never would have chosen that wall color but the decorator suggested it and she was right, it brightened the room and goes great with the fireplace stones. She also suggested removing the curtains and using only Roman shades, which I like. The new rug looks great. The wall behind the chairs used to have four smaller framed counted cross stitch pictures – Jill suggested one large quilt art landscape, which could happen some time. Right now it is bare. The space IS small, but with no change of floor surface between the rooms it seems larger and the porcelain tile is a dream to clean! The best part? I have my studio back!

Heat Wave

Ruth — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:28:56 +0000

We are having a heat wave – it’ll get to 101 today with a heat index of 110! The garden is suffering, especially the newer things. The lilies in the background were beautiful last week but they didn’t last long.

If you want to get any work done out there it has to be early, when we found this spider web covered with dew or mist catching the early morning sun over the waterfall.

Progress!

Ruth — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:28:55 +0000

The tile is done (?) and I love the color and the pattern!

I’m not happy with the clean-up – there is dried grout on the tile! You can see a bit of the new wall color. The new gas range was delivered Friday and the refrigerator is back in place. It’s great to have the kitchen back! We did move the dining room table and two chairs back but have to wait on the rest til after Tues when hopefully the trim guy will be done with the crown molding and baseboards.

I’ve been doing some sewing – quilting on the “Colorado Kids” and making some small pieces for my Artist of the Month exhibit at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery in September. I NEED to be thinking about a pattern or two for fall market. There is never enough time!!

More Painting

Ruth — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:51:06 +0000

Oh Rose- don’t envy me, it’s a real mess here! I’d much rather be going to Quilt Odyssey with you!

Yesterday I painted the bathroom; it took me as long to do that as it took the professionals to do three rooms and the hallway!