New Grimlet

Hey, all. I'm bordering on exhaustion here, but I wanted to get a picture of my latest Grimlet up. This one is for sale on Etsy. I bought the latest issue of Haute Handbags the other day, and I realized I better get going on Grimlets, as mine will be featured in the Fall issue. I think I am going to make a haunted house style next, and I really liked the crow bag I did for Rhonda, so I would like to reuse that theme as well. I think with my next one i will try to simplify the design process a bit, maybe paint more, or stencil more. They take a little too long to pit together. But I will work on that. i am in another bad sleep cycle, so I will sign off now. I'll be back soon, as I just want to chat next!

Learning Experience

What you see off to the side there is the first quilt I have done in a long time that just plain didn't work!! I was so excited to do this quilt; it would have been second in a series of quilts about the sides of buildings (following Cayuga Reflections). I loved the photograph I took this from. But as I was sewing it and adding the texture I thought I wanted.....you know you get this nagging feeling in the back of your mind that something isn't right. And, boy, I tried to ignore it and justify what I was doing, but the truth of the matter is, it just doesn't work and it 's too busy and too monotone and too complicated!!! And what a relief it was to finally be able to admit that and get on with it!!! So I am going to let it rest for a bit. I probably won't go back to that piece, but in the future I may start another one, as I still love the image. And I am still very much interested in the sides of buildings as quilt inspiration. I think I will always have a love for the geometric design and grid placement. That's my roots, I guess. So on to crocus quilts, as I ALSO still love flowers!!

Well, here it is! This is the newest addition to my family. This one was my first entry as a juried artist in the Russell Gallery at Art Guild. It didn't sell, but I think people are starting to remember me. In the current show I have put Cayuga Reflections, and it seems to be getting quite a bit of attention!
It certainly has been a very busy time, but I think I am finally getting caught up a little. I changed my business name today to Karen M. Tripp Textiles, mostly for tax purposes. But I like that! I have a new quilt cut and basted. It's #2 in my series of quilts based on the sides of buildings. Cayuga was the first. You can see that picture a little further down. I am finishing up a Grimlet I had been working on, plus I made a cool one for Rhonda. That's it up there. I would like to make a few more to put on Etsy, but I would like to find a faster way to make them. Maybe the next one will be an experiment.

I have also put some things for sale in a gallery called Oh My Gallery in downtown Plymouth. It's run by Kim Haigh; I used to work with him at Joann's. I have two quilts and four framed minis. I took some beautiful photos of crocuses the other day. I think there may be a crocus quilt in my future. Just a small one. I bought this sheer fabric that is inkjet printer ready and I'd like to experiment with that.

Speaking of crocuses, I am certainly waiting for the warm weather!! This winter was a terrible one, so cold and snowy. Hilary gave me my birthday present already; my birthday is July 8 but I am happy to have it now--we have great seats at a concert that includes Cheap Trick, Poison, and Def Leppard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait, should be so much fun!! Summer and concerts just go together, don't they? And birthdays. Summer is just my favorite time of year.

I went to see Ma today, as her birthday is tomorrow. She will be 74, but she might as well be 104! It really upsets me to see how she is growing old. She doesn't EVER go out or do anything. I offered to take her out to see my show, and then out to lunch, but she didn't want to-too far, did,'t like the long ride. It kind of hurt my feelings that she didn't want to see my show. I hate to say it, but she is my example of how NOT to grow old! That is the main reason I keep up with exercising, so I will be mobile. And I have been exercising! I have a new DVD, Biggest Loser Boot Camp. Killer exercises! I love it. And I have been running again. Need to get back my cute runner's butt!

Guess that's it for now. Going to try to get a bag on Etsy. It's Lost night tonight!

Straight Hair

Well hello again. I did, in fact, get juried into the Plymouth art guild. I am now an exhibiting artist at the Russell Gallery in Plymouth. I am so thrilled! I put in the new birch tree quilt, and the one of my backyard called Lookout Point Woods. I will include pictures. There was a fun little reception the opening night of the show, with wine and appetizers. Hil went, and although Mike couldn't go, Emily and her mom went. It was really good. I also hooked up with a guy I used to work with at Joann's, Kim Haigh. He has recently opened a little gallery in Plymouth on Middle St. called Oh My Gallery, and invited me to submit some things to sell. Well, I was accepted there, too, and put in a beach quilt, my Winter Magic quilt, and a quilt with vegetables. I also put in some framed minis. I feel really good about this!! I have work in two venues in downtown Plymouth!! I may not have sold a lot of things, but I am out there, and that makes me feel successful.
Yesterday Hil and I went and got a haircut together. We tried this new salon called Ulta, and we both got really great cuts!! I had a lot cut of because my hair was so damaged; it just brushes my shoulders now. It used to be halfway down my back. When she was done, instead of the scrunching treatment I expected, she straightened my hair!!!!!! What a shock; I have never seen my hair like that. My hair is curly!!! But it was really fun for a day. Everyone loved it but Bud. He said that was not the woman he married!! But he likes it short and curly- Yay!! Til next time!!

Count down to the 25th!!

It's almost here! My house looks like crap because all I do is sew, but I think I will be done with the birch tree quilt by Sunday!! I hope I remember to take a picture of it to post here. My hand is getting much better, too. believe sewing is good physical therapy!! Anyway, I will let you know what happens on the 25th!!

Feelin' Chubby....

Well, nothing like a little surgery to put a damper on things. This past Tuesday I had a Ganglion cyst removed from my wrist; I'm sure you can imagine how little I've gotten done. Let's see, there was the sinus infection before Christmas, the holidays themselves, then surgery. Not only have I been getting no work done but I haven't been able to exercise, either. I have lost my cute runner's butt!!!!!! I am really going to try to at least start walking this week; I have to do something! God, I can't wait to get this stump off my wrist! But, yesterday I made a great discovery. Even with stump I can embroider with a hoop!!! So I have been able to go back to the hand work on my latest quilt. It is a landscape of birch trees in front of the marsh down the street. Here it has just been put together. I don't even think it was basted yet.

I would actually like to have this done by the 25th as I am going to have my work juried in (hopefully) to the Plymouth Art Guild. I will let you know about that. I guess I should rest the stump now. Later!!