UGH!

Since I have been missing a week already, I decided I should post so you all know I am alive. 

Last Saturday I started the day just fine - or so I thought. Then as I was doing my morning routine things, I turned around and had a pain in my lower left back.  It was sharp.  What?!?!

I progressed and moved around to the front and "OWWWWwwww, @#$#@#!!!!"  I had to go put myself horizontal on  my bed. I thought I was dying.  So many things wandered through my mind.  Had my colon blocked?  Was it getting ready to burst?  

Luckily I have family nurses and even a doctor/intern.  I called one of the nurses (sister in law) and asked for advice.  As soon as I finished describing how it began, she said "You have just described a kidney stone."    UGH! This was my first ever and I had no idea the agony folks go through with these. 

My brother came and took me to the ER (not the local one, but one where there was a urologist on call) there I got seen quickly.  An IV was put in, and after a bit I was given something to prevent nausea,  something else, and morphine for the pain.  Once it kicked in, life was tolerable and I got a CT scan.  The ER Doc said that the stone was 3 mm - and said it was small.  So I was eventually sent home for it to pass. (with scrips for more meds.) 

I have survived, but I fear a second one is coming. I have a dull pain in the same place on my back. UGH!  For once, I am hoping I just slightly overdid it the one day I felt good (Thursday) and strained a muscle. 

Meanwhile, today I am supposed to go in an refresh my library exhibit.  I am thinking that will end up being minimal.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A Quickie Post

This has been a busy week- family stuff, yard work, etc.  My exhibit at the local Public Library has been extended through May.  Now I need to get there and do some rearranging and refreshing of the display.  I also have three more quilts that I will take and possibly change out some.  A few pieces have gone to new homes, also.  

Here is a quilt that is still available and is one of my favorites: Starry Night in Alabama. 

We took the quilt to a local park for photos and met this adorable puppy and his owner.  So we got him to pose with the quilt.   This is the photo from my website. 

Since there is a lovely "doggy face" I am linking this to the Friday Face Off at Nicole's blog. 
Have a wonderful day! 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Hand-carved Stamps: Faces

Over ten years ago, I started carving rubber stamps to use in my art work.  Carving a stamp allows you to have something that is very individual to use.  Once you have carved a rubber stamp it can be used as a type of signature in your work.   I have used my hand carved stamps with stamp pads, paint and even with fabric paint to make my own fabric designs. 

Of course, I had to try faces - even way back then.  After all, every artist should try a self portrait of some kind. 

So here is my first carved "self portrait stamp"

Here is one of a lady, this was done from a photo that I digitally edited. 

This is Sarah, she was a blogger at the time 

I carved the stamp. 

Finally, another self portrait - once my skills had improved a bit. 

I have a plastic pencil box full of my hand carved stamps. 

Another use I have found for them is to stamp a design onto polymer clay. 

I once made pendants with a stamped design and sold a few. 

I even did a simple tutorial video on how to carve a stamp.  

As I write this it is only showing a gray box. I hope it embeds the video. 

The video is on YouTube HERE

 I am linking this to the Friday Face Off hosted by Nicole at  DVArtist.   Clicking the link will take you to her blog.  It is great fun to see how various people interpret the challenge. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

 Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Friday Face Off - Mme LaFleur

Mme LaFleur is finished.  She will be mounted on an 8" by 10" canvas for hanging.  If you missed the previous post, she is the aunt of "Flower Girl" and always wears a flower headdress as a way to support her unusual niece. 

 I am linking this to the Friday Face Off hosted by Nicole at  DVArtist.   Clicking the link will take you to her blog.  It is great fun to see how various people interpret the challenge. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Mademoiselle LaFleur - a start

On Monday, I decided to start another face while I was (not-so) patiently waiting for the mail to arrive.  Here is the point I got to while I was waiting.  There is still a bit of work to go. 

For this face, I decided to try some Inktense pencils for some of the features -and to adjust the color of some of the fabrics.  At this point, all of the facial features are made with the pencils.  I will of course be adding stitches for more definition.  Some white paint will be added to put a small highlight in the eyes. 

The red flower headdress is made of another piece that I started and was not happy with the composition. Luckily I had just fuse-tacked the pieces in place, so most of them were able to be salvaged.  I think they made a nice headdress.  Perhaps you remember this lady's niece, "Flower Girl"

She was my first in the series of faces.  I had made one face prior, but I don't count that one in the series.  Flower Girl actually has flowers in place of her hair. Mme. LaFleur wears a flower headdress to support her unusual niece.  

I can certainly see that my style and my skill has increased as I have continued to make these faces. 

However, I am thinking that perhaps I need to start a new series.  I just need an idea that sparks my creativity. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A nice article

A reporter from the local news approached me about doing an interview.  The occasion of course is my exhibit in the local public library. 

As the article is behind a paywall,  I have copied part of the article to share with you.  The quilts shown are all made by me. 

‘Stepping Up’ is an illusionary quilt by Gene Black.Submitted photo

Quilt display at library

“Where to Retire” was the Military Officers of America Association’s lead article last month. However, decisions on climate, cost of living and nearness to the beach were never factors for Gene Black on where to retire 15 years ago. He simply walked to his loom, a place he has cherished for years.

A native Annistonian, Black has been busy quilting and weaving for the past 15 years. His artistry, fabric and thread have spun out numerous pieces, one stitch at a time. These works are on view in the Ayers Room in the Anniston Public Library. The walls are filled with quilts, on a variety of subjects — even the circus.

“This art has always interested me,” Black said. It is not only a hands-on art, he adds, but a craft. The smallest pieces in his exhibit line-up have faces as centerpieces, and are framed. He now has several looms for his ongoing hobby.

“I’m able to create and combine colors so that they look happy together,” he said.

Black’s career was working in the State Department of Health. When his co-worker Judy Smith taught a class on basic quilting, he was quick to sign up. A Gee’s Bend quilting class, with these quilters as teachers, also served as an encouraging milestone several years ago. The classes were taught at an Episcopal Church folk art retreat near Jasper, Ala. While attending an international conference in Atlanta, Black was able to learn techniques from Japanese quilters.

‘Hummingbird’s Delight’ is a quilt featured in the display at the Anniston Public Library.Submitted photo

Viewers have seen Black’s work from time to time. “Hummingbird’s Delight” has been the most popular piece. “It is as near perfect as I have accomplished,” the artist said, explaining that it required appliqué besides piecing. The most unusual piece is “Absurd Bird,” located on the back wall. Also, one of his illusory works, “Stepping Up,” causes us to pause: if turned upside down, it appears to be the same.

His exhibit showcases handwork, hard work and heritage. Both of his grandmothers were quilters. But most importantly, the display is a re-telling of a most enjoyable retirement. It will be up through April 24. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.