carolanne graham

jaime rugh

2012-02-27T10:00:00.004-08:00

Source: foundwhilewalking.blogspot.com via Carolanne on Pinterest

I am shamelessly sponging up little decorative items for my house now that I have made a renewed effort to finish it. I loved my flower collage by Jaime Rugh and couldn't resist a little weaving. I have a miniature one that got as a treat from Jaime when I bought my collage. It's crying out for a friend.

searching for pattern

2012-02-17T12:15:00.007-08:00

searching for pattern, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

I feel like Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind. I figure if I stare at this long enough the natural pattern will appear to me. I will start this as a small Wholecloth piece for my upcoming class at the Workroom. I need a few new cushions and my indigo obsession is just about to boil over. I was inspired by this sweet little cushion that Lena Corwin posted. I am going to take it to a different level and I can scarcely wait to finish up my day so I can start.

intro to handwork

2012-02-16T10:12:00.001-08:00

Source: flickr.com - karyn valino via Carolanne on Pinterest

My favourite times of the year are teaching this class at the Workroom. I've never actually made one for myself to keep but, that is a well known pathology of mine. This sawtooth star cushion however is destined to be in my soon to be freshly painted bedroom. With my flower collage by Jamie Rugh. Now... curtains...

miniature colour wheel

2012-02-16T05:38:00.001-08:00

miniature colour wheel, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

I added a little more quilting to this miniature last night so, I may upload a new version of this. I started it to see how hard it would be to make a colour wheel by hand. I was inspired by the Purl Bee's monthly miniature series. I wanted to focus on scale; this piece is 1/10 of a full sized quilt. The fabric was part of my scrap collection. A friend turned me on to inspiration by Canadian photographer Arnaud Maggs as inspiration for the full sized piece to come! This original will be a gift for her. Watch the mail N!

indigo & madder

2012-02-10T09:47:00.001-08:00

Source: etsy.com via Carolanne on Pinterest

I've been dreaming of combining these dyes in a project for a few months now. How extraordinary to find them on someone's clothesline.

special delivery

2012-02-06T09:18:00.001-08:00

special delivery, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

I am sticking to my goal of not creating a new mess until I've dispatched the one I have already. And yet, I dream of hand dyed fabric and want to start working more with them. I found Nicole's post on very special stack of goods she ordered from Shabd in Brooklyn. Shabd was very kind to sell me her remaining woven remnants which arrived on Friday. The pieces are small so they are destined to be used in miniature creations. My goal is to apply the correct ratios required for a true miniature quilt. This involves measurements of 1/10 the size of a larger sized quilt so I plan to start with something simple.

anni albers drawing

2012-01-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

Source: kathryntyler.tumblr.com via Carolanne on Pinterest

Most of my quilt design sketches are on scrap paper and end up thrown out as soon as the binding goes on. This picture inspires me to treasure the process.

indigo ombre

2012-01-23T09:28:00.001-08:00

(Photo by Liane of enhabiten)

I promised myself not to make a big mess dyeing until I've properly put away my house. I have a tentative schedule that should mean fermenting can begin in March. I remain content to ogle all things indigo until then.

indigrowing blue

2012-01-19T06:34:00.000-08:00

(Photo by Rowland Rickets)

I learned of a fantastic operation going on in Indiana. Rowland Ricketts is an assistant professor of textiles at Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Art in Bloomfield Indiana. After learning indigo farming in Japan, he returned to the US where he grows and harvests his indigo annually. You can join the facebook group here.

presto nine patch coming together

2012-01-16T11:00:00.001-08:00

Carolanne's Presto Nine Patch coming together, originally uploaded by the workroom.

I am addicted to finishing projects. And, in pursuit of my 2012 nesting goal, I will start to build my own little collection of quilts. I have a crib sized one that Sunshine naps on and my Shibori Star that... wait for it... Sunshine naps on! With my modest collection of florals and gingham, I made my first 9 blocks. This is only the second time in 15 years of quilting that I have used purple. True story. Thanks Karyn!

study of blue

2012-01-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Interesting how evocative a colour is blue. I found a wonderful blog called growing indigo and this is a colour study that scratches me right where I itch. I am determined to master this passion and compost what I grow in the summer of 2012. Indigo is capturing a few imaginations that I admire. Margie is also soliciting feedback on our personal associations with blue for an upcoming body of work and Jennifer posted a 3 part series on her recent workshop with Britt Browne. A mere 16 weeks before sprouting begins.

(Photo: Horace-Benedict de Saussure's cyanometer, via growing indigo.)

a.p.c simplicity

2012-01-10T05:55:00.001-08:00

I've spent the last few months completing my first large commission and contemplating a new context for my work. I find most of my inspiration in publications like this picture from Lylle Spring 2010 or Brooklyn Diary where you see people living with quilts and textiles. I love knowing that my quilts end up being used meaningfully yet casually. I gave my mother one of my earliest projects and she designed her whole bed around it. She keeps another blanket over the place where her Shih Tzu Teddy sleeps and otherwise treats it like the Shroud of Turin. It's a mom thing I suppose. However, I used to love seeing the quilts I made for my god daughters get trailed down to the basement to watch Hanna Montana or used as an "elven cloak". Now that they have grown up a little, the quilts sit well worn at the ends of their beds; just part of their life. As I've progressed as a quiltmaker the work that I do has become simpler. I've challenged myself with complex patterns that build skill and now I am happy to settle into bolder design like this one or this one and use my own naturally dyed fabric. In re-envisioning where I think my quilts belong, the design has logically changed as well. More on that to come...

a little celebration

2012-01-06T07:29:00.001-08:00

a little celebration, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

Is it any wonder that a quilter celebrates finishing a huge commission by hand stitching a teeny tiny doll quilt for special Christmas gift? Mr. Darcy's niece has a favourite doll - Kit Kitteridge from the American Girl line. Naturally she comes with every conceivable accessory, including a little bed with a quilt and pillow. I was determined to do a nicer job than the mass produced version for sale on-line. Luckily, I have a small stash of 1930's reproduction fabric. And with my final commission delivered, I queue up a Christmas movie, and promptly cut the wrong sort of star - eight pointed over six pointed and had to redesign it on the fly. The finished piece is 18.5 x 14.5; six 3.25 inch stars with sashing, borders and a brushed cotton back. It's new owner got bunk beds for her dolls and the quilt fit perfectly in them. Every year I swear I won't try to make anything in time for Christmas and every year it's just impossible to resist!

ermie

2011-11-18T06:27:00.000-08:00

This dress by Ermie amazes me and ordering it makes me tingle. I am moving into a more indulgent phase of my life. It's going to mean exploring new ways to create the things I love and collecting inspiration from other makers. It also involves repairing my home and creating a truly comfortable space. Sewing curtains, knitting a pair of socks for myself or keeping a quilt once it's finished. In many ways feeling like I have a real home has eluded me. I was happy to pour my energy outside of myself because "home" was with my chosen family; and in dozens of different places. All of the changes in my life this year have radically changed my expectations of people (myself included) and the quality of my life. Wearing handmade clothing by a true artist is such privilege and I think it is the sort of reinforcement my mind can use.

dyeing

2011-11-16T08:09:00.001-08:00

IMG_0840, originally uploaded by John C. Campbell Folk School.

My home is nearly put back together and I feel like I completely missed out on the potential for dyeing on my terrace. I had a modest crop of japanese indigo and so much distraction that I had to content myself with clearing out old projects; leaving my plants flower. That said, it was good for the soul and allowed me time to contemplate my personal style of work. If I can collect myself adequately I will get the chance very soon to execute on it. Places like John C. Campbell Folk School will keep me inspired until I can plant the seeds from this year's crop - 22 short weeks!

quilts by anthropologie and apc

2011-11-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

I will go and take a look at these in person before making any judgments. They are a collaboration between anthropologie and apc. I love that they are made of shirting remnants. I took a similar commission for a client and I'm on #3 right now.

Visually I love them; they are spot on for colour and trend. They challenge traditional notions of precision and design which always excites me. However, I don't know that there is any way to create an heirloom quality piece for this price point. Handquilting a queen sized quilt could take a month if it was all you worked on. The savings will almost inevitably be hidden in hasty workmanship or underpaid labour. I am reluctant to be outspokenly political about quilting but, respect for craftsmanship is close to my heart.

jaime rugh

2011-11-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

For the very few people who care what I think about design, I love collage and was so sad when October 4 was gone before I could press add to cart. My hands were shaking when this came back up on Jaime Rugh's shop this morning. Turns out it was a Big Cartel glitch and this will soon be brightening my bedroom wall. I've lived with home repairs for a while now and I really should have taken before photos but, I just couldn't bear to document it. I had to make it all about the after.

sampler class colour palette

2011-10-26T08:48:00.001-07:00

sampler class colour palette, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

Interest rates have nowhere to go but up and I have two problems. I have more debt than I’m comfortable with and I spent hours looking at other people’s crafts and not enough time on my own. I end up doing a little bit of everyone and a whole lot of nothing. So I gave my computer back to my former employer and cancelled my internet access. This leaves work and Mr. Darcy’s for posting projects.

I took some time in my web hiatus to consider the goal that I wanted to achieve with this blog. There are a million sewing blogs and I’m never completely sure where I sit in the landscape of makers. Trying to find the perfect balance of trend, challenge and marketability completely undermines the thing I love to do most. The day hesitated to thread up a needle for fear my idea wasn’t hip enough, I knew there was something wrong. I started quilting before designers were demi-gods; I had very few people to impress and even fewer to emulate. I never thought to panic because I hadn’t posted my version of a ‘must do’ craft along with a picture of my breakfast and my beloved’s feet. I favour methods that keep me 20 projects behind most blog sphere sensations and the gap widens every weekend. I shared my analysis paralysis with my friend Natalie and she had this to say "When it comes to dealing with life, there's no limit to how many perspectives we need to collect to get on. Don't short change yours and not give it..." So here's what I think should be in my new sampler quilt.

japanese indigo

2011-08-12T06:17:00.001-07:00

japanese indigo, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

So this is possibly my biggest accomplishment this summer. I love natural dyeing and indigo is proper magic in my estimation. When Eva of Tinctory offered seeds from her 2010 plants I immediately responded. Now, I'm not much of a gardener. I usually lose interest in flowers around mid-August but, I honestly love each of these leaves from the bottom of my heart.

I had never started anything from seeds before, so this tutorial from Wild Colour was my first source of advice. I started them in compost as suggested and they sprouted very soon after. I remember gasp of excitement like it was yesterday. I protected them inside until around June because they were small and not really progressing. Mushrooms are the only plant that really takes to compost so I transplanted them to soil and they started strengthening immediately. This crazy hot summer is just what they love apparently. I have six very healthy plants that I just moved to larger pots. Who's up for a dyeing party?

constellation - southern cross

2011-06-24T07:47:00.001-07:00

constellation - southern cross, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

This shibori is old news but, my camera is broken! I originally bought it to take to South Africa. I was a starving student and didn't want anything that I couldn't afford to have swiped. So Tasha will be here soon and help me decide what to buy. There are lots of handwork projects on the agenda, plus my very first beginning to end Quilt Sampler class. Johanna has coached me through fabric selection - no solids - and slightly off seams. I shall have a completed Sampler in 7 weeks. Sunshine needs another spot for napping. I'll post the fabric as soon as Mr. Darcy is back from Chicago with his camera ;-)

invite

2011-06-08T09:16:00.001-07:00

INVITE, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

My humble offering to the Living with Washi event by The Japanese Paper Place, was delivered - on time - just yesterday. I can come up for air now and start to catch up on other projects, like my summer tan perhaps. Washi is easily the most interesting material I've ever worked with. I've said many times that I would love to grow my own cotton and weave it like Ghandi to make quilts. That will have to wait, as I am no where near retirement. Until then, brushing paper with starch and working it with your hands is incredibly satisfying. I plan to use dye some more with orange osage to make drapes for my living room. Very ambitions and it's just the kind of mood I'm in.

living with washi

2011-05-20T18:44:00.001-07:00

living with washi - detail, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

A little break to spiff up my blog and be ready for this exhibit for the Japanese Paper Place. I undertook making a wholecloth quilt out of Washi and this is a detail shot. The timing of the exhibit dovetailed perfectly with an Advanced Natural Dyeing class at The Workroom and a shibori treatment with indigo was the logical choice.

honeycomb smocking

2011-03-08T11:43:00.001-08:00

New project! A quick one at that. I already modified my Wiksten tank pattern to include a small smocking detail. Thanks to Tasha I have a class pattern that's easier to obtain in Toronto. Seriously simple construction of the finished tank will give students more time to focus on learning the smocking technique and choosing from the 443 shades of Cosmo Embroidery Floss at the Workroom! Alas, I think this one will be living in the shop to entice would-be smockers, but given how easy a project it is... I'll just make 2!

march miniature - colour wheel

2011-03-07T12:03:00.001-08:00

colour wheel miniature , originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

I skipped January, so I'll have to redeem myself this month with two miniatures. This is how I feel about March... believe me it's forced. I find March such a struggle - bad memories. I wrote a birthday card for a friend on Saturday and told him he was the only reason I'm grateful for this month! Perhaps this picture will be re-frame my disposition.

shibori star... you again...

2011-02-22T07:27:00.001-08:00

shibori star... you again..., originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

My whole cloth project plan was thwarted by two things.

1. A weak cold that gave me a sore throat and fatigue but no real commitment from any symptoms.
2. Leaving my scissors at the Workroom

I love working on a piece with the class, if only to demonstrate that you really can complete something by hand in four weeks. So when organizing my modest stash to make my next mini quilt, I set aside Plan B. My Shibori Star made in the first Natural Dying class. This is crying out to be quilted for my dear friend Lawrence's birthday next week. My timing is great because I got to do my own little promotion for the Shibori and Ombre Dying class that Karyn has scheduled this month. Join!!!

wiksten tank with honeycomb smocking

2011-02-10T10:17:00.001-08:00

wiksten tank with honeycomb smocking, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

One of my 2011 goals is to become a better sewer. I love the idea of making my own skirts and tops (forget about pants). I ordered two Wiksten patterns and this tank is the perfect pattern for practicing. When I was in university, all of my friends got mittens and now they are all getting adorable tank tops. This is a little variation that I came up with that incorporates honeycomb smocking.

This is not so much a pattern as it is a public service. Thanks Jenny.

stephanie's mug rug

2011-02-03T06:43:00.001-08:00

stephanie's mug rug, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

This little project started as an attempt to make a birthday card alternative.

Cards are the my biggest challenge when it comes to giving gifts. Shoppers Drug Mart has the worst cards and I desperately need to find a better shop close to home. There was a time when I proactively purchased cards which was symptomatic of living without a budget and just too much time on my hands.

In the end I decided to make something actually useful. The Purl Bee had a post about their Mini Quilt of the Month so this is my February offering. It's paper pieced, reverse appliqued and hand quilted. As for the official birthday greeting, I wrote a lovely letter on craft paper and used it to wrap the quilt. Voila. Sincere, practical and clever.

cloverleaf

2011-01-20T14:10:00.001-08:00

G3, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

This is G3 for Dear Jane. I originally made this with the applique in a much softer colour. I needed to be redone, because it barely registered when it was in place among the other blocks. I like this much better, though I'm not thrilled with the way that the design piles together in the centre. I may change the petals and then Tasha will laugh.

rising sun

2011-01-20T13:46:00.001-08:00

E5, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

This is block E5 for my Dear Jane quilt. My goal is to complete all of the centre blocks by the quilting retreat in April. Though one of my favourite activities is sewing on the TTC, this project is not exactly portable. There's a lot of pressing and measuring required in order to end with the right size. Melodie, you can expect to see lots of these in the next few weeks. All we need some delightfully inclement weather to encourage cozy sewing nights.

sunshine

2011-01-19T08:14:00.001-08:00

Sunshine on the couch, originally uploaded by carolanne.graham.

After many years of no responsibilities, this kitty has come into my life. My dearest Kris, found this little guy while doing her laundry. She and her roommate Christy loved him back to health and were determined to find him a forever home. I was listening to Stevie Wonder's You Are the Sunshine of My Life when I decided I couldn't live without him. There's nothing like a sweet little pet to make your house a home.