Cay Denise

The opening reception was yesterday afternoon. It was so nice to see friends and acquaintences I hadn't seen in a long time as well as everyone else who turned out for it! A few photos will be posted tonight or tomorrow. The show runs through December 31, 2007!

The show has been hung! It looks very nice and warm in the space that is now home to all the pieces in it. Everything went together pretty well. The only problem was the clear acrylic rods used to hang pieces wider than 2'. For the wider pieces, the acrylic rods bent/sagged in the middle. This was totally unexpected. So, the interim fix was the use of an adhesive strip (that won't damage walls) to hold the fabric sleeve to the wall. Time will tell if it works. The reception planning is all complete, and that happens tomorrow. Then my first exhibit begins its run!

I leave within the hour to hang the show! All work was finished with about two days to spare. I'm so thankful to have had a bit of breathing room. Tomorrow is the opening with a reception. I'm not expecting alot of people...primarily close friends and family. If I had it to do over again, though, one thing I'd do differently is to ask for an RSVP for the opening reception to get an idea of how many people might actually attend. Guessing the number of people is difficult.

A crossline laser level is terrific for squaring quilts! I got one that has three lines, and it worked superbly today (on Incadoodle). It is so much better than trying to use an acrylic ruler to do the job on a piece that is larger than the size of a self-healing mat! For the first time, I also used a Chaco Liner Pen (blue). It worked very well too. The only caution is to use it on scrap fabric first to make sure the chalk will wash out.

Work has become more challenging and demanding than ever...just as the count down nears 1 week until exhibit opening! I've been working intensely and quickly to finish 'Incadoodle' which I consider the show centerpiece. This piece has been done using the Sassaman technique which has added such weight and bulk to the piece that it has been difficult to machine quilt...and I'm only doing stitching in the ditch for the most part. I've got stippling to do in one area of the design plus around the edges of the background fabric. What I've noticed, however, is that some of the raw-edge appliqued fabric pieces are beginning to fray due to being scrunched, twisted and turned under the machine arm. Some of these fabrics just can't take much more especially those pieces appliqued on with metallic thread. So, there will be some tacking down of frayed edges with glue. I'm not sure whether to sew over them or let them be as is. It would have been nice to have a long...

Preparing for the upcoming show involves so many details that I hadn't thought about until planning for it. For example: *Every piece with a 4-inch sleeve and a label *Exhibit insurance *Signage (for entrance and throughout exhibit space) *Clear acrylic rods for hanging each piece (and fishing line to tie to display hooks) *Postcards to announce the event *Business cards to have available for people *A website *Planning the reception and an activity for it *Thinking about prices for each piece (and whether to ask people to call me if interested in a piece or have it posted at the exhibit) *Program What is done includes artist statement/promotional material, sleeves, insurance, postcards, business cards and the exhibit layout. The program has been drafted, and a website is currently under production. What is left to do is: get all the Plexiglas rods, plan the reception/reception activity, and consider how I'm going to deal with pricing the work and informing potential customers ...

I've been working to finish a number of projects for my first solo show that will open in late September. The planning involved in doing a show is amazing (from creating a theme, measuring wall space, writing marketing materials, choosing what pieces to hang and where, buying insurance and planning a reception among other things)! The final piece I'm working on for this show is a fabric interpretation of a doodle using the Sassaman technique. This piece is going to be loud and wonderful! The 'piecing' will probably be complete within the week. Then its on to quilting it. I don't have a plan for the latter yet, but stitching in the ditch may be enough.

New blog....launching soon!