Snow, Snow, Snow

We have been dumped on!!  What a pile of wet heavy snow!  Caused three days in a row of school cancelations!!  That is a lot of snow. Check out these photos. 

Two Fibre Art Exhibits

Downtown Chandler was the site of two fibre arts exhibit openings. The town was fully decorated and hopping with activity on this third Friday of the week when they have their monthly outdoor Art Walk. Lots of artisans and writers with art and books for sale. Very interesting. 

The first exhibit we attended was, "Not Your Grandmothers Quilts" by Marla Hattenbraigh in the Vision Gallery. Marla is part of the fibre art group I belong to in Phoenix. I have been to her game and studio a few dufferent times to take workshops. She hand dyes and hand quilts all her pieces. Her work is very lively and fun!

The second show, "In Stitches", is curated by Marla and had humour as the theme. This was in the Chandler Centre for the Arts Gallery. It was very eclectic, if not somewhat disjointed. Interesting none the less. With works from a large number of fibre artist. Two from the Mavericks group. 

Yard Work

Don pressure washing the wooden back yard gate.

Amazing how it blasted the dirt out of the wood!

Then I stained it with Sequoia coloured stain.  It looked really pink at first.

All done and it looks just fine.

Super Moon

Don and I scouted out a spot to view the super moon rising over the Siperstition Mountains. Not knowing exactly where the moon would rise in relation to the mountain peak, we were pleasantly amazed as it rose in a crevice of the mountains that showed up better than we could have hoped!!

Don took one photo ever 4 seconds as the moon rose. Wow!!  It seemed to be flying up into the sky!!  I scratched a few mountain scenes. Great evening!!

Mavericks Meeting

The Novenber Mavericks meeting reveals various works that members have created for the numerous project challenges. The biggest number of participants seemed to be the National Parks challenge. Gorgeous works. 

Shirley and I Tour

Shirley and I drove to Saguaro Lake and Fountain Hills. Made the regular stops. These photos may look familiar to those of you who have toured these areas. 

My own natural red dye

When we arrived in Mesa we noticed that the prickly pear cactus in the front yard was covered with white fuzz. I googled to see what fungus was growing there. Low and behold it was not a fungus at all. Instead it is an insect and the white 'fungus' was actually a protective coating the insect spins to keep from getting eaten by birds. 

These insects also have a toxin in their body that repels other insects or birds. That toxin makes a red dye that has been used for centuries. You guessed it. The cochineal insect!!

Artist presentations 3

The final session of Artist Presentation are shown here.  

Leslie also showed some samples of her work.  Gorgeous hand dyed fabrics including cotton velvets. The dyed velvet has a super soft and luxurious look and feel!!  Leslie gets her cotton velvet from Fabricana in Vancouver.  They will mail order too!!

Winter Houses

Notice the house reflections in the water!

More water reflections.  

And even more reflections!  Stunning works.
We are all inspired for the Botanical Reflection show now!!

Leslie and Vivian show 'flags' they made

Janet's Botanical Reflections piece.

Elaine showing details of her work.

Elaine's cyanotype prints that she created and made into a quilt!

Christina talking to Willy and Rosalind about her work.

One of Christina's 'colour' pieces.

Artist Presentations 2

Willy's fibre creation, "I'm Still Me", created after her husband's stroke.

FAN members admiring Coreen's "Geese and Ducks" fibre art.

FAN members taking a close up of Artist Presenters works.

Val with a historic piece.

"Geese and Ducks" by Coreen, photo by Don

Coreen holding "Boo"

Jaynie holding "Lilac Leaf" with tongue and cheek names.

Michelle with a prairie piece.

Vicki with a reflective piece based on her mother.

Into the Light by Cathy Ugrin used in a Suicide Awareness Program.

Jenny holding her Botanical Reflection piece.

Jenny with her llama.