Yesterday evening was my presentation for the Topeka Art Guild, “Painting With Fabric” and there was a nice turnout. It had been postponed from a week ago when the roads were so icy and the weather cooperated this time! I even pulled some non-members in and away from the local quilt guild which was also meeting last night! Everyone seemed to enjoy it and I think it went well.

I am also enjoying my time auditing the watercolor class at Washburn U and even did my homework! As an auditor my work is not graded, but I hope to find the time to keep up and do the homework as it is such a nice opportunity to learn from a master.

I am also trying to find the time to get started on my next art quilt. I know what I want to do, but am finding it hard to get inspired to draw the scene that is in my head. At least I have gotten started with the drawing and pulling some fabrics off the shelf to try and help me decide which season of the Flint Hills to feature, the greens of summer, the colors of fall, or even another prairie fire.

At this time I am leaning toward fall. I find the fall color in the Flint Hills to be quite lovely; a quieter beauty than what I grew up with in New England, but still….beautiful!

On the business side of things, I got the sales tax filed last week, EARLY, yeah! but still have book work to do for regular taxes, got entries submitted for a few more shows and have had to spend time packaging patterns and shipping – that’s a good thing to have to do! But still, it all takes time.

I’ve been working on a few small items to enter in the Topeka Art Guild’s annual Holiday sale. This year they asked that nothing be over $100, so I didn’t do the usual piecing, but rather machine quilted commercially printed fabrics.

“Parrot”, 12 x 12″ has already sold! It is framed without glass because I think it is important to let the tactile qualities of the work be a focal point, and this one has lots of quilting and texture.

There are also two musical jewelry boxes with quilted inserts under glass for practicality. The first one is from the same fabric as the parrot.  They both play “These are a Few Of My Favorite Things”.

Two related abandoned farm scenes in matching frames round out my offerings this year; “Farm For Sale” and “Old Blue Car”. Only $30 each!

I will be working the reception this evening for First Friday and I hope to get a good crowd and lots of sales because there are some really wonderful pieces there this year. Do come, if you are in the area!