Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Recentering

As expected, the Iowa Retreat was a pleasure and a treat. Sherry and Jean are very special teachers, and it was so delightful to reconnect with old friends and also make new ones! (Hi Sue!) I got home happily exhausted, but I am refreshed and ready to rock and roll now.

I took my camera with me, but I spent most of the weekend with my hands covered with sticky stuff, so I don't have much in the way of photos to share.


I have developed a bit of a reputation as a messy worker. I don't think it's THAT bad, but I am used to what my table looks like and I can function just fine. I really should invest in a box of gloves though. The ingredients in some of those paints are toxic and my fingers were definitely cut up after working with that wire.

I don't have a photo of my project yet -- it is nowhere near finished, and I have lost count of the number of challenges this piece has thrown in my path. So far I have met and overcome each one, the most serious of which was a base that simply wouldn't stand still. As of this morning though it is as solid as a rock and I am ready to move on with more interesting parts. It should (knock wood!) go much faster now. I just spray painted all the pieces black -- I'll put up an in-progress pic when the paint is dry.

Oh, oh!! I almost forgot - My Challenge doll won the "Most Creative" ribbon. I'll post a pic soon. A picture of a ribbon? Well, yes. This is a special hand made ribbon which is now most proudly displayed in my studio. It is COOL!

5 comments:

Shashi Nayagam said...

Ha when I saw that you had posted I thought at last we are going to see some pictures of the retreat but I can only see something intrigueing hidden behind your paint covered hand lol!!! You ladies are teasing us too long. Haven't seen one decent picture well yes I have but not of the projects. Oh I love seeing your pictures Judi but I want to see the projects too...

Congratulations on your win! Your challenge piece was awesome and I am not one bit surprised that it won a prize.

Sue said...

Spray painted ALL of the pieces? Wow, that is a bold step! I'm still toying with changing the fabric - again.

Jennifer Rose said...

congrats on the ribbon! :D

gloves for the toxic stuff would be a good idea but for the rest? making a mess is half the fun :D

BumbleVee said...

good for you Judi....big congratulations are in order ......

looking forward to seeing progress pics and wondering what you are making now then.....

Serena Lewis said...

Congratulations, Judi!

It sounds like you had an awesome time. I'm also looking forward to seeing the progress pics ~ :)