Incorporating ubuntu...or How I Spent My Weekend

Desmond Tutu is one of my favorite people in the world.  Tiny in stature, but oversized in courage and heart, he still travels worldwide on his personal mission of social justice.  One of the recurring concepts in Rev. Tutu's talks is that of ubuntu, which means, I am because we all are.   Quite simply, it's a reminder that we are all connected in so many ways....six (or less) degrees of separation.  I think that is why the social networking sites are so popular; spending time with your computer used to be very isolating.  Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace bring us back to an essential necessity--to connect with other people, rediscovering ubuntu.

This was an exceptionally busy weekend for me.  I am in the midst of preparing for three upcoming sales, a beading class I am teaching at Nubian Heritage Quilters, plus the demands of the new studio, Inspired ACTS.  These days times is more valuable than money.

On Saturday, I headed to an annual gathering of friends at the home of the sister of one of my closest friends.  This is the 20th such gathering, and we have come together over the years to talk about a wide variety of  things...sometimes it was a book, sometimes it was a topic---breast cancer, men, financial management.  It was, and continues to be, a bonding experience.  The hostess calls it Girl Talk, and I named one of my quilts after it.  A few years ago, my friend asked me to bring my quilts so others could see them.  The first time I did it, I sold a couple, and have brought them and sold a few ever since.   While it is not the purpose of the gathering, in essence it is, because it is about supporting and listening to each other.  I am thankful for both opportunities...the opportunity to join the circle of these loving, cherished women again, and the chance to share my art with them.  I am because we all are.

On Sunday, I headed to church, and reconnected with a former intern who will most certainly make an phenomenal priest very soon. Her sermons were magic, and I made some suggestions about how she could use post-its to accentuate the annotated bible she is allowed to bring for her priest license (my words, not hers!) exam.   She and I shared a moment last year where we saw exactly the same thing on someone's jewelry.  We didn't understand that the pin should read Obama 08.  I won't say what we saw....LOL!

I headed into NYC to attend the Empire Quilters Guild meeting.  Normally we meet on the second Saturday, but sometimes our meeting room at FIT is not available.  Our speaker was a friend of mine, the talented Sherry Shine, who displayed her amazing portrait quilts, shared her artistic journey, and explains her artistic process. EQG is not a traditional quilt guild by any means; they have a very broad definition of a quilt.  I would venture to say, however, that many of them had not seen work like Sherry's, which almost always features beautiful black women.  During her talk, Sherry also explained how a workshop with Rayna Gillman expanded her creative horizons, freeing her to use everyday items to create the backgrounds for her artwork.  I am because we all are.

I had to leave the guild meeting a little early to head uptown and support a fellow member of Quilters of Color Network of NY,  Edward Bostick. Ed has two very different quilting styles.  One style features traditional piecing methods, but with a stunning array of colors; the other style incorporates portraits of famous African Americans. In the pictorials,  Ed incorporates the artwork of Vincent Melbourne then adds colorful piecing elements.  Most of his quilts feature lovely quilting by Janice Jamison...more ubuntu!

My final stop was a lovely visit with my mother, who is in a long convalescent stay in Riverdale (NYC).  We talked and about my art and life, and she admired a piece I was embroidering.  It was one of the best visits in recent memory.  Throughout these connections all weekend, I was repeatedly thankful for each and every one of them; they enrich me personally, professionally, all parts of my whole.  I am because we all are, indeed, Rev.Tutu.

Weekly Tip: Taming Thread

I don't do lots of hand sewing, but when I do, I do a little bit of prep work to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible.  To make quilting thread tangle less and go through your fabric like butter, cut thread (many different colors, or a single color) to 18" lengths.  Place it on a piece of waxed paper, fold the waxed paper over the thread, then place the folded waxed paper between two pieces of parchment, or in a brown paper bag.  Iron with a warm iron.  To store up to ten threaded needles, untangled, and ready to sew, get yourself a Clover Dome Threaded Needle Case.  

Open House Event

The Inspired ACTS studio open house  in Harlem was a wonderful event yesterday.  We got a chance to share our space with fellow artists, friends and family.  The studio is a teaching studio, and based on the response, our hope of nuturing and sharing creativity will soon be realized.

I got a jump on my creativity efforts by building the table, design wall, and ironing surfaces in the studio.  Teresa, Chandra and I worked on the studio banner.  With our artwork and samples hung, the studio oozed with positive creative energy.  Our guests completed the picture.  I have a few pictures in my Picasa album.  I was busy with my hosting duties...explaining classes, tours of Workspace Harlem, etc.

Our schedule for November and December are done, as is our class descriptions.  If you'd like a copy, or would like to be on our e-mailing list, click here.  Put Class Info or Mailing List in the subject matter, and we'll take it from there.

The studio is open! The studio is open!

Folks who know me know that they can come to me and ask me how to do something, and if I know it, I'll be happy to tell, show, or teach them; if I don't know, I'll direct them to someone who likely does.  I've gained a lot of knowledge by asking, or traveling to shows and attending classes.  Everyone I've met has been generous with the knowledge, and it has helped me grow artistically.

Now it's my turn.  I am a part of a studio, Inspired ACTS, and I plan to use the studio to share the fiber arts and crafts I've learned over the years.  There'll be dyeing, surface design, traditional and art quilt techniques, wearables, accessories....who knows what else?  I'm learning new things every day!

The studio is located in Workspace Harlem, at 2340 Fifth Avenue between 141 and 142 Streets.  It's easily accessible by train or bus, and free parking is plentiful (by NYC standards).  The studio has ginormous windows providing natural light, plus great overhead lighting.  Our studio was once a science lab, and we have sinks in the room.  We have a large table, design wall, and ironing tables (you can't see the ironing tables from this angle).  On the design wall is a banner created by the three studio mates which will greet you as you enter the studio.  We're finalizing the class schedule, so please visit the site, and sign up for our email updates.

Weekly Tip: Tilting your Machine

I promise to post a photo over the weekend, but I think you'll get the gist of this tip without it.  Last week, at a workshop, one of the attendees chose to stand and sew because she could not see the top of her machine too well while sitting down.  You could purchase one of those tilt tables, which are great, but pricey, or you can use this trick that will cost you less than five dollars:  buy a couple of doorstops, and slide them under the back of the machine.   This will tilt your machine, and give you a better view of what you are sewing.

Studio Open House...You're Invited

On Saturday, October 31, Inspired ACTS will host an open house.  This artists' studio, housed in Workspace Harlem,  2340 Fifth Avenue between 141 and 142 Streets, is home to me, Teresa Vega, and Chandra Travis.  We are excited about our opening, and are looking forward to sharing our talents with other creative souls.  Our mission, as our name suggests, is to inspire our students to act creatively.  ACT also comprises our first initials--clever, aren't we?  We believe everyone, including us, can be more creative when in creative place, with other creative people.

At our open house, you'll get to see our studio, pictured above, and see some of the classes we'll be teaching.  In addition to classes, we'll be opening our studio space for people who need a place to get messy, such as Art Quilt and Dyeing playdates.  (Yes, adults need playdates too!)

What will we be teaching?  Surface Design, Hand Dyeing, Needlefelting, Fabric Collage, Altered Lace, Collographs, Adinkra & Taino Applique Quilt, Photo Transfer, Batik, Indigo, Discharging, Silkscreening, T-Shirt Quilts, Memory Quilts.  There will be some traditional quilting classes as well.  Classes have various skill levels.

Come join us on Halloween.  We'll have treats, no tricks!  Because of building security, you must RSVP, which you can do by clicking here, sending your name and email address.  We look forward to seeing all of our friends and fellow artists!

Weekly Tip: Channelling Einstein

A few years ago, I had the chance to attend the Einstein exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.  I already knew Einstein was smart...a genius...but I also have come to believe he would make a helluva quilter.  He had a sense of playfulness and simplicity that would work marvelously in the fiber arts.

One of the things I learned is that Einstein did not use his substantial brainpower on just anything.  For instance, if you see photos of Einstein, you will notice that he is wearing virtually the same outfit.  Apparently, he bought several of the same item...the same jacket, shirt, shoes, socks...and simply rotated them.  He didn't want to have to think about something as ordinary as clothes.  I have to say this works a lot better if you are a man (even if you're not a genius)  in the early 20th century.

I have taken several of my tasks and "Einsteined" them.  In this I rarely have to think about these tasks, and it makes it easier for me to get them done.  Here is one that I use for sleeves. I will post other "Einstein tips" in coming weeks.

I sleeve all of my art quilts, and many of my bed quilts, specifically the ones still in my possession.  This is simply because I don't know which ones will be submitted for an upcoming show.  Yet, this is not the Einstein portion of this task.  Einstein helped with the process of making the sleeves.  What I do is take long lengths (perhaps 5 yards) of muslin, cut them to a 9" width, fold them in half, and sew a seam on the long end.  I then roll them around tubes, pin and rubber band them.  I cut the lengths I need, and I have ready to go sleeves that need only be attached to the top of the quilt, and turn the short edges in 1/4" and hem their short edges.  I then do not have to worry about what fabric I use for the sleeve.  I use the muslin no matter what fabrics are used on the rest of the quilt.  If I'm feeling extra creative, I can stamp or put Paintstik rubbings on the sleeve, but since it's not a part of the quilt that is likely to win or lose points for me during judging, I save my meek brainpower for other aspects of my quilting process.

On Being Flexible

Have you ever been in this situation?  You're with a group of people doing an activity, and something unplanned, and inconvenient happens.  How you do respond?

As the Program co-chair for Garden State Quilters, one of the responsibilities I share with Becky Dieckmann (my co-chair) is attending the workshops as the host.  The workshop was in my church's beautiful parish hall when all of a sudden, the irons blew the circuit. I'll tell you what I did as host in a minute, but my question to you is would you:

a) complain about not being able to work in a suitable space, but stay;
b) ask for your money back and go home;
c) stay and do what you can do until the lights come back on;
d) find a comfy chair and nap.

As the host, I tried to (unsuccessfully) find a circuit box with a tripped switch, then called someone to help.  I am happy, proud, impressed as hell to say the other ten people and the instructor chose (c).  While they could have done any of the other things, and justifiably so, they did what I would have done had I been on the other side.  There is a proverb, which is believe is Jewish in origin:  It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.  I have always loved this saying, but did not know I would understand it literally.

Many thanks are also due to the instructor, Didi Salvatierra, who was able to direct us to non-electrical tasks while we waited for the lights.  Everyone present possessed two important life skills which are necessary, but cannot be taught: flexibility, and a sense of humor.

Weekly tip: The Most Important Tool

Of all the tools in your studio, be it a kitchen corner, dining room table or studio, the most important one is YOU. Without it, that full-featured machine, the most wonderful gadget, the most perfect fabric is nothing.

Today's tip is one that will keep your most important tool from becoming overworked.  Use a minute timer wherever you sew and set it to 1 hour.   At the end of the hour, stand up, walk to the other side of the room, and do a minimum of these five "stretches".  (I'll post some more exercises later, but these are the basics).

1. Neck roll.  While standing, keeping your shoulders down, try to touch your right ear to your right shoulder, then look up, try to touch your left ear to your left shoulder, then drop your chin to your chest.  Repeat three times, then reverse directions.
   
2. Shoulder shrug.  Now is the time to bring those shoulders up toward your ears, then let them drop.  Do this ten times.
   
3. Wrist flex.  Put your right hand directly in front of you as if you are singing the Supremes' Stop! In the Name of Love.  I know you know the song, and the movement, too!  Use your left hand to gently flex the fingers back, until you feel the stretch in your wrist, and hold it for a few (that's three, people!) seconds.  Switch hands, and repeat the stretch with your left hand out and your right hand flexing your fingers.  Repeat three times for each hand.
   
4. Back flex.  This reminds me of the chant of young girls  (We must, we must, we must increase the bust!)  LOL!    With both arms extended in front of you, hands closed (as if you are rowing) keep hands at chest level and slowly pull your hands back (as if you are pulling the oars back).    When your hands are back, hold the stretch for a few seconds, then return to the extended position.  Repeat five times.
   
5. Eye Stretch.  While sewing, your eye muscles have been locked in a very near-sighted position.  To relax them, you need to focus on something in the distance.  This one requires a little preparation.  Either print an eye chart, or an inspiring quote and tape it in a place where you can look at it from across the room.  You may need to close your eyes (several times for me) to refocus, but keep trying until you can see the text.  If you have a window, focus on something outside in the distance.

Take care of your most important tool.  Maintenance is always cheaper, and less painful than repair.