Bee Creative

studio set up - the end is in sight!!

Paul and I stopped by the studio on Saturday morning planning to measure and make a list of materials for finishing the top of the eight foot walls and around the pocket door. Boy were we in for a surprise -- in addition to getting the baseboard moldings installed they had also installed the baseboard molding around the door and along the top of the wall. SURPRISE!! It took me a few minutes to process because 1. I was ready to do it and 2. not what I had planned on and 3. I didn't know they had done anything. SURPRISE!!!

Well, it wasn't what we had thought of doing but I can live with it and we figured out how to fix the door. (a few strips of wood were suppose to be nailed in to hide the door track before the molding was put around the door) A strip of quarter-round molding can be nailed in at the top of the door frame to hide the track. Paul measured for the top board to cap the wall (also will be a great display shelf) and off the lumber store we went.

Back in the studio I worked on filling and sanding the nail holes and caulked along the molding while Paul installed the top board to cap the wall. Our goal for the weekend was to get everything ready for painting -- just in case they started painting on monday. I also tried to finish up with all the holes in the existing walls and make sure they were all sanded.

I kid you not, I must have filled and sanded hundreds if not thousands of holes. I didn't take a picture of the worst spot, I just walked up to the wall and snapped this picture.

Sunday night, I had a sudden thought "You know, just because we can't get into the studio yet, doesn't mean I can't work on the outside of the studio." This thought was the little pick-me-up I needed, the little ray of sunlight on this long waiting game to get to my creative place.

Tadaa!!! I painted the outside of my studio door! And, it made me so happy!!

Today was made even better with news they will be finished with all the painting this week and the floor will be dry enough that we can start installing a few cabinets on Saturday. "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel" as my Dad would often say.

Hope you get to do something this week that makes you happy and if you've been playing the waiting game, I hope you get to see the light at the end soon too!

studio set up - the waiting game

Thank you for all the support and interest in the progress of the studio space. Not much to report this week (or last) as I'm playing the waiting game again. It would be better to describe it as the "patience test". All though there was a nice surprise of progress when I went to check on the studio last night -- the drywallers had been in and started patching the walls and a stack of baseboard molding was in the middle of the floor. 

With the excitement of finding some progress on the studio, I found myself lying awake in the middle of the night thinking about paint colors, how I might decorate the hall outside the door to my studio, floor arrangements, quotes I might put up on the wall, and the list goes on. I've narrowed down the paint colors and I think I know which accent walls I will paint and found a hanging system for the "gallery" walls. As I think about it, things are moving forward -- I'm feeling better, I may just pass the "patience test" after all.

Have a good and patient day!

studio set up - day four

or day five? I've lost count.

Well, there they are...the new walls for the office area in the studio. I know there is lots of work left to finish the walls but there's nothing like having them in place to imagine how the space is going to be to work in. 

And here he is...my HERO. (And that's just what I think! I'm so lucky!!) I think he is almost as excited about the new studio as I am. Thanks so much Hunny!!

Next step = mudding all the drywall seams and holes. :-( yuk!

Ginger Rose - part one

What better way to start the new year than with a quilt project or better yet a block-of-the-month program. I've designed just such a program called Ginger Rose that quilt shops all over the country will be starting any time now. In addition to each month's block instructions, a bonus pattern is included to make a project using that month's block design.

Part one's bonus pattern features a beautiful table runner (19" x 53") made with four classic basket blocks and pieced setting triangles. I just love the border fabric and the table runner looks so pretty on my dinning room table, it makes me smile every time I walk by.

I know many quilter's are afraid to use striped fabrics but I love incorporating them into a quilt. I love to have them going in all directions. I love the texture they create. I so love, love, love stripey fabrics. Embrace the stripe love!

I wasn't sure what design to use for the quilting so I pulled out the quilting stencils and played, arranging them on the table runner. None seemed to fit quite right and after much contemplation I settled on a diagonal crosshatch pattern. I was amazed at how quickly the quilting was finished, just stitching straight lines using the walking foot on my sewing machine. What could be easier? I'm really becoming a big fan of the walking foot.

Here you can see the entire design of the table runner. 

This is a picture of one of the Basket blocks in the original Ginger Rose quilt that is part of the program. Basket blocks are among my favorite, they are so clean looking and because of the directional nature of the block design, fun to arrange. I just might have to start another quilt made with basket blocks!

Thanks to Barbara Brackman's hard work on the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns book, I was able to learn that one version of the basket block dates back to the early 1850s and this particular version of the Basket Block is documented to The American Farmer publication in April 1895. You can read more about the history of Basket blocks in american quilting on womenfolk.com.

Want to get in on the fun? Check with your local quilt shop to see if they are participating in the Ginger Rose program or visit Andover Fabrics website (click here) for a list of participating shops in your area. Most shops offer mail order. It's a great way to start the new year. 

studio set up - day two

Today was a very productive day, the office walls were framed and the pocket door is in place. I got to open and close the door and walk through in to the office and picture where the desk and sewing machine will go. Oh, and think about what color I am going to paint the walls (getting a little ahead of myself I think).

I spent most of the day patching and sanding holes in the other walls of the studio - YUK!! I will definitely be using a gallery hanging system = no more holes in the wall. Tomorrow's goal = hang the drywall.

What a great day, it is starting to feel like a home away from home already.

a new home (change can be good)

Hi, remember me? I know, I've been away forever. Lots of big changes since the last post. What changes you ask? We sold our house which meant finding a new home and a new place to work. Packed, packed and packed some more. Moved to a new place in Rochester, NY and found an art studio space in the Hungerford Building which is 1.5 miles from our new home. Throw in a few holidays, my father's estate auction, a visit from my sister, Mom's quilt show and that just about brings us up to date.

Every once and a while change can be a very positive thing. I'm am very happy that we have made these recent changes in our life and looking forward to what the new year will bring.

Today was an exciting day, I got the keys to the studio space! The evening was spent at Lowe's picking up 2x4s, a new door and other various supplies to get started building an office area. 

I thought I'd share the "before" pictures. The space features 4 north facing windows (yea). 

This is the corner where the office will go. Tomorrow's goal -- start framing in the office. Stay tuned as the work progresses. There is lots to do and I am so anxious to get my hands dirty and start making the space mine.

under the rainbow...

I was busy typing away at the computer, looked up to glance out the window, and saw the most amazing double rainbow. I just had to stop what I was working on to run out in the rain and snap a picture. Good thing to because now blue sky is starting to peek through the clouds. What a beautiful, bright rainbow -- even the violet color is visible. Just thought I'd share it.

trying something new - weeks 5 & 6

Here it is, the final painting from the oil painting class. Only thing missing is the signature and then it's ready to be varnished. What a wonderful class, in fact I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for another session.

In this next session I am experimenting with the direct painting method and working on smaller 4x5 canvases. These two are from last night's class. The pear needs a few details like the highlight but the paint needs to dry a bit before it can be added. When I tried to add the highlight last night it was just blending into the other colors, so I wait, patiently, and start another little painting -- the pepper. I love using the walnut oil in place of the solvents and chemicals but the trade off is that the paints do not dry as fast. Oh, and I forgot to mention the pear came from one of our trees, it's a Red Bartlet.

Things have been pretty crazy here and not in the fun way with lots of quilting, designing or painting. One of the reasons I signed up for the painting classes again was just to have a couple of hours to paint and enjoy time with friends. What's been going on? Well...we've been going through my father's things getting ready for an auction and the rest will have to wait until another post.

Have a great day and take a few hours for yourself today.

announcing Ginger Rose

Keeping things "under your hat" as my dad would say (loved his little sayings), is one of the things about being a designer that I find so difficult. I'm almost always working so far down the road that when it finally does hit the market it seems like yesterday's news ("that's so last year" as my niece would say - with a little "attitude" of course). Posting creates a dilemma too -- what I'm working on now won't be available for 9 to 12 months so do I post now even though it won't be available for a year, or do I hold off posting until it is available but then it's not what's currently happening in the studio.

Regardless, now I get to publicly share the Ginger Rose multi-part program, the quilt finishes to 73" x 90". I just love the warm colors in this quilt, my favorite fabric is the large floral with the black background. To see all the fabrics in the collection, click on the Ginger Rose image in the right sidebar under "fabric lines".

I received the advance fabric earlier this year and had just over five weeks to get the eight quilts made for Spring Quilt Market. (Now you know another behind the scenes secret as to why I may not post much of anything for a bit). Sis came out for a little visit and what better thing for three quilters to do but spend time visiting and sewing. It's truly amazing how much sewing three people can do. A friend of Sis's offered her long arm services and did a great job on the quilting. I finished up the binding the day before market, there's nothing like family and friends.

The multi-part or block-of-the-month program is made up of eight parts. For the first six parts, two 8" blocks are constructed, part seven completes the center with the final part eight including the pieced borders and binding. 

Pattern parts one through seven also include directions for a bonus project. These beautiful bonus quilts vary in size from a small wall quilt, 29" x 29" to a lap quilt 52" x 60". To view a photo album of all the projects, "like" Bee Creative Studio's page on Facebook or click on the photo album to the right. 

Quilts shops around the country will be offering the Ginger Rose program so ask at your local quilt shop or visit Andover Fabrics' website (click here) for a list of participating shops. Most shops offer mail order service if there isn't a shop offering it in your area. 

So now you know what I've been busy with, it's out from under my hat. Have a great day! 

a little r&r

We headed up the Adirondacks this past weekend for some rest and relatives. To our surprise the Goldenrod was out everywhere. My Grandfather had a saying about Goldenrod, actually two sayings, #1: "The first frost follows six weeks after the Goldenrod flowers" and #2: "How tall the Goldenrod is predicts how much snow will fall in the coming winter". Let's hope that one doesn't prove true because our Goldenrod is way over my head.

Also found some leaves starting to turn color in the mountains, a sure sign autumn is around the corner.

The Loons provided a beautiful serenade the first night as I was falling asleep. This was the best shot I could get of the Loons. The sun was behind them so I captured more of a silhouette. No matter how much direction I gave the loons they still did their own thing. Not very cooperative at all. I may have to look for replacements loons next time (wink, wink).

We headed out one morning on a scavenger hunt of sorts. I remembered visiting an old bridge off the side of a road between St. Regis Falls and Santa Clara with my Father and Grandfather. It was a beautiful morning for a drive and success!! We found it!! My Mother's family has stories about driving trucks over this little bridge in all kinds of weather. 

This is the marker by the road for the old bridge that crosses over Clear Brook. On the marker is the year 1966 but I'm not sure when the new stretch of road was built. Wish I had paid more attention to the old stories and asked more questions. Ahh, regrets. Have lots of them now. 

We walked in and over the old bridge. This is a view "down the road", lots of moss has grown over the old pavement but you can still see it in places. My Grandfather, Uncles and Father passed over this old bridge many times hauling pulp to the mill or gravel and blacktop as part of the road crew.

It's not a very wide bridge, barley wide enough for two vehicles, but it was nice standing on it and feeling connected to the past and family. A nice little trip down memory lane or road in this case.