Freiburg - Getting Settled

We had a great flight out of Miami to Zurich - everything on time.  Getting our luggage and buying train tickets was easy enough too.  We had to make 3 transfers on the train which was a little stressful carrying large suitcases and running from track to track, but we managed to find our way to Freiburg without mishap!

The first thing we noticed at the Freiburg main train station was bicycles.  Evidently this is the bicycle capitol of Germany - everyone rides one.

We hung my quilts (15) at Carl Schurz Haus yesterday with the help of CSH interns and ladies of the Freiburg Quilt Club.

From left to right, interns Sabina, Patrick, me, Uta Schroeder, Freiburg Quilt Club members Olma and Patricia.  (A few other quilt club ladies helped but had already left before this picture was taken.)  The help of many hands made the hanging almost effortless for me.

After the quilts were hung, my husband Richard, Sabina, Patrick and I went to lunch - our first German meal - oh so good.  I had a delicious cream of pumpkin soup and winter salad.

I had problems with my computer - Safari wasn't working for me.  Mr. Haupt from the computer department here at the University of Education did his magic and now has me up and running.  

We are staying in a very comfortable 2 bedroom apartment on the University of Education's campus - more about that later.

Tonight is the opening reception for the exhibit.  This is going to be fun!

It's in the Bag!

I know I'll do some shopping in Germany - who am I kidding - I'll do lots of shopping!  I need an extra carry-on bag.  I have a large purse for my laptop, I-pad, camera, etc.  I looked at a few stores for a tote and then I thought to myself, why am I buying one - make it instead.  18x8x3 seemed like a good size - not too large - just right.

 The process:

canvas with layer of gesso and acrylic paints

additional acrylic paint added with hand carved stamp

painted canvas strip to be used for handle straps

 In the same manner as the thank you card made last week, a shape for the face was roughly painted in.

finished face

2" on the sides folded; top stitched to add definition to the tote

handles (lined with my hand dyed fabric), turned right side out

handles basted in position; side and bottom seams sewn together.  A lining (my hand dyed fabric) for the bag was made, stitched to the top seam of bag (right sides together) leaving an opening in the bottom seam of lining to turn the bag right side out.  The top seam was then top stitched.

Finished bag (side A)

Finished bag (side B) 

The bag has two sides, of course!  

Valcro was sewn inside the bag as a finishing touch.  This was fun to make.  It was necessary to use a leather needle to sew through this heavy weight canvas and pima cotton lining.   I know I'll use this bag a lot on my trip to Germany.

Please visit Pink Saturday for more inspiration.  

Giving Thanks

Hand made gifts are the best way (IMO) to say thank you.  I recently made this thank you card for a friend.

The process:

canvas with layer of gesso and dry brushed green acrylic paint

more dry brushed acrylic paints in blue, gray, lavender

painted in area for face and hair; lightly penciled features

adding detail with acrylic paint

creating depth with Prismacolor pencils

canvas squared up, adhered to Dritz InnerFuse, free motion machine quilted.  Lastly a piece of my hand dyed cotton was adhered to the back; zigzag finished edges; personal message written on back.

Visit Pink Saturday to see more interesting things!

Boxing Day

It's time to ship the quilts to Germany for exhibit at Carl-Schurz Haus.  I ordered the sturdiest corrugated box I could find from U-line. ( I had to order 5 boxes even though I only needed one.  The box would normally hold a flat screen television - can't get much sturdier than that!)

I learned so much getting ready for this exhibit.  The best phone call I made was to Fedex Trade Networks.  Without the helpful assistance of Odalys Plasencia, a Fedex Trade Networks Customs Broker, I would have torn my hair out figuring out how to go about shipping this large box.  In order to avoid paying duty on the shipment, it was necessary to obtain ATA Carnet documents.  I found out that the price of these documents can vary.  I used Carnets On-Line - these people were also very helpful and provided speedy service at a reasonable fee.

Some of the quilts to be shipped

The quilts were rolled one-at-a-time around 2" pvc pipe.

Four bundles of quilts - each bundle encased in a plastic sleeve.  The wooden hanging slats also needed to be shipped.

The box

Packing material (styrofoam insulation wrapped with plastic) to keep the quilts from rolling around inside the box.

The box packed, sealed and ready for pick-up by Fedex.

Pickup by Fedex - next stop Freiburg!

It's elementary, my dear Watson

Playing around with Photoshop Elements is addicting.  There is so much to learn - one could spend hours and hours with the software and only hit the tip of the iceberg.

I took one photograph and altered it in layers.  I took this photo at an Arcadian village in Louisiana a couple of years ago.   I just love the quick painterly effect that can be accomplished with just a few keystrokes!

Original Photo

The background layer was duplicated, then a filter added (filter-stylize-find edges).  By changing the blend mode of the duplicate layer, amazing results happen.  Each of the following has a different blend mode.

Blend Mode - Multiply

Blend Mode - Overlay

Effects - Sepia

 Just the other day, I added the "stitched line" to my blog background - but that's story for another day!

Taking My Show on the Road

I have been invited to exhibit my quilts at Carl Schurz Haus in Freiburg, Germany.  The exhibit will be on display October 15 through December 13, 2010.  I'm really excited about this fabulous opportunity.

I have been planning for this trip for almost a year now.  It has been a real eyeopener - so many details and things to think about!

In anticipation of this trip, I made myself a travel journal.

Photographed a map of Germany showing Freiburg

Altered the map in Photoshop Elements and created a page for each day 

White 6x9 envelopes painted with watercolor

Circles cut out of card stock painted with watercolor; holes punched in center

Clasp created using these circles and attached to envelopes.  These envelopes will hold postcards and other memorabilia I find along the way! 

Pages stacked together and attached to covers

Covers made of "fabric paper" and glued to cardboard

Finished journal

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