Thanks for the compliments and a little question for the Art quilters.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
It probably helps that all of you can't see the bag close up! (ha, ha!)that I keep getting all of the compliments! Thanks all of you - especially Brit (you're totally making me blush! I'm really sure you wouldn't rave if you could see the sewing job!)!
Here are "finished" pictures. I say that, because I think I may add and add....seems like the kind of thing that I'll keep finding new patches for and such.
Here's the inside. Just a HUGE (front and back) piece of velcro sewn inside, but it kind of keeps the layers together too:
The denim "patch" is a pocket and I measured it for CD Roms etc. This way hopefully I don't have to lug a purse to carry keys, money, etc too.
Then the front. When I get time, I think I'll do a stem and some leaves on the flower, but I mostly wanted the whole thing functional for now.
Ok, on a more serious note, Allison (Sharon and Arlee have posted her regular site) just joined the "bloggers who embellish" webring (which I run)! Welcome!
Obviously this isn't the serious part. Now, I KNOW a heap of my readers are from the artful quilters list and I've been on that ring for a while now - and I've been starting to feel like I'm part of the group.
However, it appears that Allison has been turned down because she's a crazy quilter. Um, well, I'm the president of a crazy quilt group and 90% of my stuff is based around that - should I be allowed in the ring? YIKES! I'm feeling a bit of an issue coming on here. I do realize that these lists do get HUGE and I've sort of had to wade through a few knitters (sorry, guys you have HEAPS of your own rings there) but I have let them on the "Bloggers Who Embellish" ring because they do show other embellishment and textile techniques and interests on their blog. I'm actually more biased against folks who never update than people who have different interests than mine (that's my little pet peeve!). I think a lot of the work really overlaps. For instance, the great Melody Johnson does a heap of embroidery on her pieces and I've gotten a BUNCH of great tips from her, although my work doesn't look anything like hers.
Feedback please? I'd hate to think us crazy quilters weren't considered art quilters - I feel it's very artistic. I also know that there are a heap of CQ'ers on that ring. So, maybe this is just a philosophical discussion, but I also know I'm excited to continue reading Allison's blog - I guess you all can just easily access her on my ring! LOL!
Update: Keeping in mind that I'm new to this stuff. I truly think all of this stuff out there is fantastic and I appreciate all kinds of creative enterprise. I'm just always totally shocked when anyone is considered an outsider. I guess it's kind of an underdog complex.
Here are "finished" pictures. I say that, because I think I may add and add....seems like the kind of thing that I'll keep finding new patches for and such.
Here's the inside. Just a HUGE (front and back) piece of velcro sewn inside, but it kind of keeps the layers together too:
The denim "patch" is a pocket and I measured it for CD Roms etc. This way hopefully I don't have to lug a purse to carry keys, money, etc too.
Then the front. When I get time, I think I'll do a stem and some leaves on the flower, but I mostly wanted the whole thing functional for now.
Ok, on a more serious note, Allison (Sharon and Arlee have posted her regular site) just joined the "bloggers who embellish" webring (which I run)! Welcome!
Obviously this isn't the serious part. Now, I KNOW a heap of my readers are from the artful quilters list and I've been on that ring for a while now - and I've been starting to feel like I'm part of the group.
However, it appears that Allison has been turned down because she's a crazy quilter. Um, well, I'm the president of a crazy quilt group and 90% of my stuff is based around that - should I be allowed in the ring? YIKES! I'm feeling a bit of an issue coming on here. I do realize that these lists do get HUGE and I've sort of had to wade through a few knitters (sorry, guys you have HEAPS of your own rings there) but I have let them on the "Bloggers Who Embellish" ring because they do show other embellishment and textile techniques and interests on their blog. I'm actually more biased against folks who never update than people who have different interests than mine (that's my little pet peeve!). I think a lot of the work really overlaps. For instance, the great Melody Johnson does a heap of embroidery on her pieces and I've gotten a BUNCH of great tips from her, although my work doesn't look anything like hers.
Feedback please? I'd hate to think us crazy quilters weren't considered art quilters - I feel it's very artistic. I also know that there are a heap of CQ'ers on that ring. So, maybe this is just a philosophical discussion, but I also know I'm excited to continue reading Allison's blog - I guess you all can just easily access her on my ring! LOL!
Update: Keeping in mind that I'm new to this stuff. I truly think all of this stuff out there is fantastic and I appreciate all kinds of creative enterprise. I'm just always totally shocked when anyone is considered an outsider. I guess it's kind of an underdog complex.
9 Comments:
commented by 
Brit, June 15, 2005 11:28 AM
Brit, June 15, 2005 11:28 AM
Maybe, just maybe, they think we have RULES!!!!! that we follow, like sane quilters.
All I can say is, pity the poor, misguided creatures, who understand us not!
All I can say is, pity the poor, misguided creatures, who understand us not!
Is there a distinction between traditional crazy quilting and art crazy quilting? I dunno...
Your bag is lovely.
I think we should value all people who enjoy the fibre arts, there are relatively few of us now.
I enjoy a wide variety of needle crafts, my only problem is getting enough time to finish projects. I am working on a quilt (my second) have several cushions to make with pillow tops from my machine embroidery classes, I like to dressmake, am taking some more smocking classes, I knit most days and I crochet and tat sometimes.
Often you can combine various techniques in a piece of work.
I don't consider myself an "artist", but I enjoy doing creative work
I think we should value all people who enjoy the fibre arts, there are relatively few of us now.
I enjoy a wide variety of needle crafts, my only problem is getting enough time to finish projects. I am working on a quilt (my second) have several cushions to make with pillow tops from my machine embroidery classes, I like to dressmake, am taking some more smocking classes, I knit most days and I crochet and tat sometimes.
Often you can combine various techniques in a piece of work.
I don't consider myself an "artist", but I enjoy doing creative work
I belong to the Quilt Assoc. in my State and it has an offshoot of crazy patchers who are all guild members and show their work in the annual Patchwork Show.
Crazy patchworkers have always traditionally been included in patchwork groups, just that we are crazier and do not make quilts that abide by the definition of 3 layers of fabric joined together by stitching.
Crazy patchworkers have always traditionally been included in patchwork groups, just that we are crazier and do not make quilts that abide by the definition of 3 layers of fabric joined together by stitching.
Well, harrumph! I'm with you - I'd much rather have diversity and updatedness and the selection criteria - but then, it's so easy to start your OWN web ring...
I enjoy reading the blogs of the crazy quilters on this list. I do believe it is very artistic, but perhaps it is viewed as being part of "traditional" quilting due to its history? In general, I pick up ideas and tips from being exposed to the non-art quilting specific things that are done on this ring. It's nice to have folks to ask questions to.
Perhaps it has to do with ring size limits? Perhaps Diane can answer this question better.
Perhaps it has to do with ring size limits? Perhaps Diane can answer this question better.
I understand some people's dismay and confusion at which blogs are and are not admitted to the Artful Quilters Web Ring. It's clear that what is an art quilt is a pretty subjective question, and trust me, it's a very hard line to draw. When I started the ring, I started it because I saw web rings devoted to stitching and embellishing, traditional types of quilting, beading, and of course oodles of knitting rings...But I didn't find anything that collected blogs by artists doing what I'd call contemporary, innovative, non-traditional, exploratory quilting arts. Again, I know those are totally subjective concepts, and I actually feel that I've interpreted them pretty loosely in admitting blogs to the ring. However, I had no idea that I'd got so many ring members emailng me to complain or make negative comments (i.e., "why is that blog in the ring? That's not art" or "I hate that stuff, that doesn't belong here" or the like.) So, some weeks ago I polled every member to get a sense of how they saw the ring. Given the complaints and comments I've gotten via email, I was surprised at the universal response: Keep the ring limited to non-traditional, contemporary art quilters.
When I decline to admit an applicant, I'm not making any judgment that their work is or is not "art." Personally, I think traditional quilts are high art, and I get irked when folks try to separate them out. But just as there is a difference between oil painting and sculpture, I think there are differences in the approaches to art. Crazy quilting seems very artful, but more in the traditional realm. I may be wrong, and ignorant, but that's my reaction. And if that seems narrow to crazy quilters, I'm sorry. But I know that I'm not alone in my view.
Please bear in mind that I don't base my decision on "who" applicants are. I'm not great with names, so I don't usually remember if someone is a famous artist or a frequent poster on the Quilt Art discussion group, or what...I look at the blog, and I try to assess whether it fits the direction that I and the ring members have indicated they want to see. And, again, I know it's highly subjective. Believe me, I hate having to say no to people. But I don't want this to be a ring for all purposes...that would only dilute the effectiveness of the ring in terms of the purpose I was trying to achieve when I started it. That's why I always tell people I've declined that it's very easy to start another ring on Ringsurf. Anyone who has a different vision of the ring they want can start one and work toward accomplishing THAT vision. It just may be different than mine, that's all. And that's okay.
So I apologize if anyone has felt excluded, or judged in any way. That has not been my intent. It would probably be a great serfice if someone started a web ring for "innovative crazy quilters."
When I decline to admit an applicant, I'm not making any judgment that their work is or is not "art." Personally, I think traditional quilts are high art, and I get irked when folks try to separate them out. But just as there is a difference between oil painting and sculpture, I think there are differences in the approaches to art. Crazy quilting seems very artful, but more in the traditional realm. I may be wrong, and ignorant, but that's my reaction. And if that seems narrow to crazy quilters, I'm sorry. But I know that I'm not alone in my view.
Please bear in mind that I don't base my decision on "who" applicants are. I'm not great with names, so I don't usually remember if someone is a famous artist or a frequent poster on the Quilt Art discussion group, or what...I look at the blog, and I try to assess whether it fits the direction that I and the ring members have indicated they want to see. And, again, I know it's highly subjective. Believe me, I hate having to say no to people. But I don't want this to be a ring for all purposes...that would only dilute the effectiveness of the ring in terms of the purpose I was trying to achieve when I started it. That's why I always tell people I've declined that it's very easy to start another ring on Ringsurf. Anyone who has a different vision of the ring they want can start one and work toward accomplishing THAT vision. It just may be different than mine, that's all. And that's okay.
So I apologize if anyone has felt excluded, or judged in any way. That has not been my intent. It would probably be a great serfice if someone started a web ring for "innovative crazy quilters."
Oops, I mean "service."
I'm still envious of the quilt bag....