Winter Wonderland: Dancing & Prancing Table Runner

"Dancing and Prancing" Table Runner, 13" x 30", handmade by Pam Geisel, Nov. 2016

This month the Island Batik Ambassador's are making pieces that fit the theme "Winter Wonderland." I made this blue table runner this month using Island Batik fabrics from the Frost collection, although the dark blue inner border is from the Jewels and Gems Collection: Lapis Lazuli from last year. You can click on the photo below for a closer look.

Art & Soul art show this Sat, Nov. 19 in Yellow Springs

My last show of the year this year is Art & Soul, which features over 30 exceptional artists who “put their souls into making art.” The show is this Sat., Nov. 19 from 10 am-5 pm. It will be in the Mills Lawn School Gym, 200 S. Walnut St. in Yellow Springs, just one block from the Xenia Ave. There's plenty of free parking in town and also in the lot behind the school.

There is a $4 admission fee, a portion of which will go to the Yellow Springs Schools and the Yellow Springs Police Coat Fund.

You can find photos and bios of all the artists participating on the Art & Soul Facebook page.

"Behind the Scenes" exhibit of Bill Franz's photos and his subject's artwork

Me and my Juki with "Lavender Diamonds," photographed by Bill Franz

Two years ago I was contacted by photographer Bill Franz. He'd recently retired from his job and wanted to take photos of artists in their studios. I'd just finished my large art quilt "Lavender Diamonds" and he thought that would be a good back drop.

This month he is having an exhibit titled "Behind the Scenes" of his photos of artists in their studios at the K12 and TEJAS Gallery and he invited myself and several other artists to participate by including a few pieces of our own artwork.

They are having a reception this Fri., Nov. 11 from 6:30-10:30 during their annual "Art Off" Fundraiser. Tickets for the event are $50 per person or $75 per couple and include food, drinks, music, performers, art demonstrations, silent and live auctions, and a live painting competition.

Teaching Quilting Workshops in Preble County

 

The Visual Arts Center of Preble County (Ohio) recently got a grant that allowed them to get eight sewing machines so now they can offer sewing workshops and classes. The machines arrived on Friday, Oct. 28 and the next day I taught a workshop on making quilted postcards.

Then yesterday, Nov. 5, I taught a 6-hour workshop on making a small art quilt. We covered piecing, using fusibles, machine raw-edge applique, couching yarn, and making a facing (knife edge) binding.

Here we are (I'm on the right) with our "Summer Barn" art quilts. They seemed to have a lot of fun and we were all grateful to Island Batik who donated the fabric that we used.

The Arts Center is also currently hosting an fiber exhibit featuring myself, Irene Friedman, and Sharon Shute. The exhibit runs through Nov. 25.