Three Kitchen Fairies

We're back!! Volvimos!!

Here the schools are having a two week winter break, and we took the opportunity to take a nice vacation. We went to the city of Rosario, and to the capital city of Argentina: Buenos Aires. I've never been to Rosario before so this was my first time, and I love it. Buenos Aires has never stopped being one of my favorite [big] cities. For me, going to Buenos Aires is never a disappointment.

Por acá estamos de vacaciones de invierno, así que tomamos esta oportunidad para irnos de vacaciones. Esta vez fuimos a Rosario y a Buenos Aires: la hermosa capital argentina. Nunca había estado en Rosario y me encantó estar ahí. Bueno Aires es una de las grandes ciudades que más me gustan, creo que jamás me desilusionará.

We visited the Buenos Aires Zoo. The animal exhibitions have a nice antique flare; I think they look a lot like a Curious George picture book...

Visitamos el Zoológico de Buenos Aires. Es un zoológico hermoso con un tono antiguo, como de cuentito de Curious George...

 

... the alpaca was one of my favorite animals this time. This one looks particularly aristocratic.

... la alpaca fue uno de mis animales favoritos en esta visita, luce como todo un aristócrata.

We also visited a big book store that 'lives' inside an old theather.

Visitamos una librería hermosa que vive dentro de viejo teatro.

We had a guided visit to the Teatro Colón. This old, beautiful, historic building was full of stories. Like the one about the little covered black windows underneath the balconies. I'd have never imagined that those were the spots reserved for widows. Who, in the old times (the theater was inagurated in 1908,) were not supposed to be seing in public during their mourning but still wanted to attend the opera, funny, hu!! The widowers of course did not have to hide at any point of their mourning. We visited the presidential balcony located right next to the stage; therefore, serving its social purpose.

Tuvimos también una visita guida por el Teatro Colón. Este hermosos y antiguo edificio histórico está lleno de historias. Jamás me imaginé que las rejitas negras de abajo de los balcones fueron reservadas para las viudas para no ser vistas en sociedad durante su luto... estamos hablando de 1908 cuando el teatro fue inagurado. Por supuesto los viudos andaban libremente por el teatro. Visitamos el palco presidencial que se encuentra justo junto al escenario cumpliendo así con la función social del teatro. En la parte más alta del teatro es donde va la gente parada y la llaman "el gallinero" y aun así, se dice que es donde mejor se escuchan las obras que se presentaban en el teatro.

 

We had great food too!!

Comimos delicias!!

In Rosario we visited the important historic monuments...

En Rosario visitamos los monumentos históricos...

 

The Castagnino Museum which was exhibiting a huge collection of graphic art. My favorite part was the art of Mele Bruniard, a huge collection of woodcuts.

El Museo Castignino que está teniendo una exibición de muy intersante de arte como medio de comunicación social que incluye una gran colección de xilografía. Mi parte favorita fue la colección de xilografías de Mele Bruniard.

 

And during the road trip I sure had a handy/stitchy project. This one of Carina's embroidery patterns. I'm stitching in on a T-shirt for one of the girls. I love this pattern, it reminds me of my years in Mexico.

We're back now, and we still have one more week of vacation of enjoy each other :)

Y durante el viaje llevé un proyectito a mano. Este es un patrón de bordado de Carina. Lo estoy bordando en una camiseta para una de las chicas. Me encanta este patrón, me recuerda tanto de mis años en México.

Así que ya estamos de vuelta y todavía nos queda una semana más para disfrutarnos :)

Recycled materials

Couple of weeks ago I found this UFO in one of my fabric bins. I started it last year and it's made of recycled t-shirts I got from the thrift store. I wish I took a picture of the t-shirts racks at the Salvation Army. The person who organized all those t-shirts did a really good job arranging them by color and then by hues. Looking at all those racks was similar to looking at a new set of coloring pencils, and I wanted to play with all those colors right away.

The arrange of lines and arrows here is based on an monoprint I made many years ago when studying printmaking at RIT. My goal was to hand stitch the whole piece which measures somewhere around 25" by 40". Obviously, I got tired of it, and I also got really busy with all the packing and so.

Now it looks like a new project again, I actually like it a lot. And although I'm very tempted to go over it with my sewing machine, I'll try be strong and consistent with the hand stitching.  

Hace un par de semanas me encontré con este proyecto que quedó a medias. Lo empecé durante el año pasados y está hecho de retazos de camisetas que conseguí en una tienda de segunda mano. Quisiera haber tomado una foto de todas las camisetas de colores colgadas en el galpón del Salvation Army, la persona que organizó todas esas camisetas por color y de ahí por tonos hizo un trabajo fenomenal. Todas esas camisetas acomodadas se veían como una caja de lápices de colores nuevos y yo moría por empezar a cortar toda esa tela y crear algo.

La manera en que acomodé los retazos está basado en una monografía que hice hace muchos años cuando estudiaba en el RIT. Mi meta es terminar de coser toda la pieza, que mide más o menos 25” por 40”, a mano. Obviamente, me cansé de trabajar en este proyecto en aquel momento, además de que derrepente me ví muy ocupada empacando para la mudanza.

Ahora lo veo como algo nuevo otra vez y me gusta mucho; aunque he de confesar que estoy tentada a pasarle la máquina de coser por encima, pero seré fuerte y consistente con los planes y la seguiré cosiendo a mano.

 

&Stitches and a giveaway!!/ &Stitches y un sorteo!

One of the most exciting new e-zines of this year is &Stitches e-zine; well, at least it's for me ;)

It's written by Nicole Vos van Avezathe and Carina Envoldsen-Harris. It's is all about modern and stitching without forgetting about traditional stitching as well.

This issue is all about books, stories and lettering. Cate Anevski is featured in this issue, and she's sharing a set of embroidery patterns called “Big Bad and Little Red” made specially for this issue of &Stitches. There are also some wonderful patterns by Nicole and Carina and a couple of 'how to's”.

I'm dying to try the Turkey stitch, I love the texture that it creates.

I already got my copy! I could go on and on with all the projects and interviews in this e-zine, but it will make a very long post, and I just can't give it all out. Still, what I can do is give you a copy of this month issue. Yes! Nicole and Carina (or Carina and Nicole) are giving away one copy of this issue right here at Three Kitchen Fairies. You just have to comment in this post letting me know you want to enter this giveaway. I'll leave this giveaway open for one week.

Thanks to the lovely girls at &Stitches e-zine for sharing this load of stitchery goodness with us!

 

Una de las revistas virtuales que más me gusta de las que han salido este año es &Stitches e-zine. La escriben Nicole Vos van Avezathe y Carina Envoldsen-Harris en Holanda e Inglaterra respectivamente. Esta revista virtual es acerca de bordado moderno sin dejar de lado el bordado tradicional.

El último ejemplar (el cual ya está disponible) es todo acerca de libros, historias, y bordados de letras. Incluye también un reportaje acerca de la talentosa Cate Anevski y sus bordados, quien compartió un set de hermosos patrones hecho especialmente para este ejemplar. También están incluidos dos hermosos patrones por Nicole y Carina, un par de tutoriales y muchas cosas más ;)

Muero de ganas de intentar el “Turkey Stitch”. La verdad no se como se traduzca pero lo que si se es que me encanta la textura lograda en este bordado.

Yo ya tengo mi ejemplar! Podría seguir contándoles acerca de todo lo que trae, pero este post saldría larguísimo y tampoco les puedo decir todo lo que incluye la revista. Lo que si puedo hacer, es sortear una copia del ejemplar de este mes, cortesía de Nicole y Carina (o Carina y Nicole) quienes ofrecen este regalo a las lectoras de Three Kitchen Fairies. Si quiere ganarse una copia solo déjemne un comentario.  Este sorteo quedará abierto por una semana.

Gracias a las chicas encantadoras de &Stitches e-zine por compartir la alegría de bordar con nosotros.

 

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Day 17: International Quilt Market

Despite all the craziness going on in my life, I took a chance and joined in in the amazing world of Quilt Market in Houston, TX. It was the first time I traveled without my family and the nervousness took a toll on my health but I'll recover…

After my husband dropped me at the airport and I passed the check point I started feeling much better. All of the sudden I remembered that I was quite used to travel all by myself before having a big family…

How was it?? It was AMAZING!! definitely Quilt Market is not to be attended just once in a lifetime. It's quilt heaven!

Who did I meet? Lots of amazing people: Jan DiCintio, Sarah Fielke, Denise Schmidt, Jenean Morrison,  and Pat Bravo, also Annela Hoey and Cathy Gaubert among others.  I got to spend some time with Amy Ellis: she's such a nice sweet person. BTW, Quilt Festival is going on at the time so don't forget to visit Amy for tons of inspiration.

I met some Twitter friends such as Jackie Maxman @jmmaxman,  Sharon Pernes @Shapernes, Tiffany Lee @anthrpiensky, Cara Wilson from Talkin' Tuesdays, and Keli Faw from @drygoodsdesign.  

Looking at the marvelous booths I crossed paths with Cecilia Koppmann and I recognized her instantly. She's a well know Argentine quilter very much love by the Spanish speaking community of quilters in South America. I had previously exchanged a few words with her through her blog, and there we were!! Wow!! Can you tell I had a great time??

I still missed a few people that I'd love to meet with but as I tell you before, I don't think this will be my last and only time going to Quilt Market. In a [rather big] nutshell that was my weekend. The details will come little by little in the days to come, stay tuned!!

I came back home on Sunday happy to see my family, and feeling so inspired... 

Now in Spanish, but please scroll down for more pictures.

A pesar de la locura que es mi vida en este momento, me dí un chance y me uní con a todos aquellos que el fin de semana pasado estuvieron en Houston, Texas para visitar The International Quilt Market. Fué la primera vez que viajé sin mi familia y los nervios afectaron un poco mi salud pero seguro que me recuperaré…

Después de que mi esposo me dejó en el aeropuerto y pasé el chequeo me sentí mucho mas tranquila y recordé los tiempos en los que viajaba sola antes de tener familia.

Cómo estuvo? FANTASTICO!! Definitivamente Quilt Market no es para ir una sola vez en la vida, es un paraiso de telas!!

A quién conocí?? Cantidad de gente maravillosa como Jan DiCintio, Sara Fielke, Denise Schmidt, Jenean Morrison, Pat Bravo, Annela Hoey and Cathy Gaubert.

Tuve la suerte de pasar un rato muy agradable con la encantadora Amy Ellis. Por cierto, su Festival de Quilts (Quilt Festival) es esta semana. Visítenla por favor para que vean que cantidad de inspiración. También conocí a muchas amigas de Twitter como  Jackie Maxman @jmmaxman,  Sharon Pernes @Shapernes, Tiffany Lee @anthrpienthesky, Cara Wilson de "Talking Tuesday," Keli Faw @drygoodsdesign.

Entre los puestos de los expositores me encontré a Cecilia Koppmann y la reconocí al toque. Ella es una artista del quilt muy reconocida y muy querida por las amantes del quilt en Argentina y el mundo del quilt en español. Ya antes nos habíamos  contactado por la internet y miren en donde nos fuimos a encontrar!! Increíble!!

Con todo esto, siento que aun me faltó conocer a mucha gente, pero como les dije antes, no creo que Quilt Market sea algo para hacerse solo una vez en la vida, y no creo que esta haya sido mi primera y única vez. Así que este fué un resumen {bastante largo} de mi fín de semana, los detalles irán saliendo poco a poco, así que estén pendientes!!

Volví a casa sintiendo feliz de ver a mi familia y llena de inspiración.

 

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Disconnection

 

I put together a bunch of tiny scraps, some are leftovers from other projects, and the others pieces are from recycled t-shirts that I keep for backing patchwork projects. I cut, and sew a little, then I go check the dinner cooking on the stove. I’m back to the sewing table. I get up again and check the computer, don’t you do the same??

 

I’m almost done with my second jacket.  The last hand stitches of theses jackets come to me with a bunch of memories of our friendship and they start cascading like pictures through my mind. The way she looked when we were in third grade. The way she talked, her funny overrated jokes, the scary ways in which she told us about the horror movies that we weren’t allow to watch in elementary school. I remember that in our early teens, I secretly envied her because she got to wear a bra while I was still flat as an ironing table.  Ten years of memories came to my mind and hit me as if a bucket of cold water was dumped on me by surprise; ten years in which we went from sharing as classmates to being best friends at times, to growing up as teenagers, and to even having a crush on the same guy.

 

And then to come to the conclusion that life is such a beautiful and fragile gift. I wonder when was the last time I saw you?? I wish I had one more chance to talk to you and laugh out loud about all those years. I raise my hand and wave to you, so long my friend. Now rest in peace.

I just learned that she passed way. 

 

Fresh fish

 

This week I found the time to work on the “Fresh Fish” pattern by Mimi Kirchner. I loved the making of this my first fish. The instructions were so easy to understand and follow. It even includes a listing of the different fabrics and kinds of wools that can be use for this project , this makes it easy for anyone to work with pretty much whatever is at hand. I’ve been thinking about the making of my fish since the beginning of the year. I decided that for the body of the fish I wanted a funky sweater, something "Bill Cosby": an out dated kind of sweater. I got an extra large sweater at our local thrift store, its so big that I think I can get the whole fish school out of it!! The head is made out of felt, and the fins and tail are made with fleece scraps from past projects.

 

I followed the technical parts of the pattern by heart but I played a bit with the size of the body. I wanted my fish to be longer than what the pattern size so I placed the pieces farther apart and re-drew the body. I think this project has endless possibilities for fish with different looks and personalities: rounder bodies, bigger and fancier fins and tails…I love how this project turned out: such a serious, well behave fish, really nothing fishy about it … Thanks to Mimi Kirchner for sharing her talent with of us; for getting into the trouble of writing this pattern and making it available to the rest of this crafty world.

 

Now it is seating at my living room, where I can admire it with out being “caught” not paying attention to the rest of the gang.

Inspired by Rothko

I took a couple of weeks off from the embroidery/ blocks swapping action. It helped me to clear my mind. I now feel refreshed, and willing to find inspiration in my partners' requests.

These blocks are for Megan (boutiquenutmegdesigns.) She asked for:

-lines only no curves please
-I would like 1 of the prints per block
-No raw edges please
-I would like each of the blocks to have some of the charcoal and some of the lime green in them
Everything else is up to you!

This is block number one. I had such a good time with it, I hope she likes it. Block number two was a total revelation. While working on block number one Mark Rothko's paintings came to my mind. I guess it was the warm colors, and the request itself which gave me room to be creative.

These would be more like a corner of bigger "Rothko interpretation" of his orange framed paintings. I find it quite amusing how these kind of blocks, the so called 'improv blocks' can be reminiscent of Abstract Expressionist movement, moreover when the blocks are mainly made with solids like these ones.

A new direction

I'm craving something new created with my own hands, a new direction for my quilting and my love for fabrics. New fabrics, old fabrics, recycle fabrics, it doesn't matter. I'm looking for a way to express emotion and ideas, and at the same time I'm wishing to use all I've learned during these couple of years about sewing and quilting.

 

 I want to witness a friendly conversation between the threat, her inseparable partner the needle, and the fabrics. A dialogue I haven't yet heard about.

 They will lead, and I will follow. I want to be inspired by unique pieces, and at the same time make my own version of it.

Finding the time to meet with the protagonists of this plan is key. I don't want lack time, and mother-work fade this excitement with boredom, lack of energy, and frustration.

In pleasurable stitches I want to retrospect, to introspect, and to meditate... about who I'm, and how to get back in track with my "art" because after all I'm not only a mother. The possibilities are infinite...

Study

As I said yesterday, I've having this itch for something new. Last night and today, I managed to find some little time to start "experimenting." I borrowed some of the KF's drawings they have been making for Christmas cards. Let me tell you that any of the following works are finished projects. I just have been playing around to see if I can find a new way to create stuff...

I love the little angel (made by Ms. Clara.) But I don't think that making it into an ornament worked out well. I don't like the raw edge and the fact that the ribbon is not centered.

For my second experiment, I insisted I wanted an ornament. Love the bunny in the middle again, 

I love the back, I love the shape. Still I think it lacks originality, texture, something...

My third try:

A cup of hot coca by the little tiny fairy in the house. I really like this, but what could it be?? So far is just: a quilting block??

And last but not least:

A teeny tiny quilt. The reindeer was drawn by Ofelia, the same fairy that created "Ed."I find so much happiness in her drawings that it's hard not to make something out of them. This tiny work is the one that I like the best. It has texture, it's Christmas-ish without been red; therefore it has some originality. Still, it's nothing but a small piece of work. How can I display it?? I don't want it to be a coaster. Maybe hanging from a clothesline, or????

I'm tired now but I'm happy I got to play a little bit with these ideas. I have some new ideas and I crossed out some others. I did enjoy working "freely" creating my own recipe and also including my girls' work into the mix.

 
 
 
  

All in good time

I have a stash of fabric that is not as big as other quilters'/crafters'. My stash has pretty little cuts that I found and bought just in case, and some leftovers. There is this other part of my stash that is made out of treasures. Yards and yard of fabrics I've been keeping for a special occasion, or that I haven't cut through just because some of those fabrics are too precious to be used. In that special pile of wonderful fabrics I have this:

"The Quilt-maker's Gift" fabric by Gail De Marcken for Benartex.  Have you ever heard about this book?? It's one of the fairies' favorite books. The illustrations are incredible beautiful and the story is such a lesson of generosity, compassion, and quilty-happiness. The fat quarters on top of it are the fabrics I'm choosing to mix with the Benartex fabric to make a throw size quilt for us. 

I've been holding up to this fabric for a couple of years. Then this summer while working at this block for the ATQB, and after our visit to the Sleeping Bear Dunes I felt inspired. I decided it was time to make something pretty out of it. The block I'm using this time is the bear paw. I'm kind of having a obsession with bears and bear stories. In both stories the bears are such loyal, loving, and grateful characters. The mother bear in the sleeping bear legend is full of hope waiting for her bears to finally get to the lake shore...All these elements makes a perfect quilt for covering my girls in those cold Michigan winter afternoons ahead of us. For the backing of the quilt I have a nice flannel printed with the I spy illustration that comes inside the jacket of the book.

So that's me and my special fabrics, I just have to wait to for the perfect project even if it takes years. 

On that note...guess what, I got these fabrics

 

Yummy Mendocino fabric...Did you know mermaids are fairies too? We read that they were the angels that fell in the water when some other bad, bad angels where expelled out of heaven.

I guess I'll cut through these in a couple more of years. In the meantime I'll spread them around me and look at them with fascination and them I'll fold them again to put them away...