jdahlgren

Christmas Wish

admin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:08:17 +0000

How sweet and clear above the sounds of war

The clamourous bells are pealing their delight!

The angels sing of glory

As they soar amoung the man-made stars,

This Christmas night.

And, once again, with spices and with gold,

Three Kings are riding through the sparkling snow

To this poor lodging in the bitter cold

Where Mary kneels within the lantern glow

To watch her Baby lying in the hay,

And think about the wonder of His birth,

And as He sleeps, to fold her hands

And pray for peace to come upon this troubled earth.

Malcom Willaimson

Going to market

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:55:24 +0000

Wearables ready to go to a show/sale. Having lived with the fabric through its many processes, they become part of you. To take them out in public, to risk rejection, is a daunting task. Will anyone else like them. Would they actually buy one? How will I feel if there are no sales? We will see in the next two weeks. There is a private home sale on one Saturday. The Wesley Gallery Wearable sale on the following Saturday.

The Suprise

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:50:03 +0000

When creating art cloth, fabric is manipulated many times. Each time it is dyed, printed, discharged it is done on a print table. The table is covered with several layers of fabric, in this case, old sheets. After several techniques, the top drop cloth is full of mediums and needs to be washed out or risk back staining. Over time, each drop cloth begins to take on a voice of it’s own. I can’t tell how many times this piece has been washed but I like the sound.

Colorific

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:37:31 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me each time you dye fabric, the colors overwhelm me. Today’s results.

New Fall Fabric

admin — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:39:20 +0000

It seems like it has been summer forever. Each hot day blends into the next one. With school starting in another week, surely we will see some relief from this blistering heat. Perhaps with some newly dyed fabric in fall colors, I can believe it will get cool again.

Doll

admin — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:29:06 +0000

This weekend, Jen McGahan resident doll creator, presented a wonderful opportunity to learn the basics of making a doll. We started with a head and torso. Art Dolls are fascinating. Each one is unique. As you sew and stuff, a personality emerges. Meet Peter. I am sure he has a story to tell. He is just not ready.

Not cast covers any more

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:44:23 +0000

Those tie dyed strips of cheese cloth made for cast covers weren’t being used. Picked them up from the doc. They make cute flirty summer scarves.

Scarves

admin — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:44:08 +0000

Who would have thought. When I fractured my elbow, the Orthopedic Dr. saw my dyed shirt and asked if I could do tie dye cast covers. My mantra is “if it is white, it can be dyed”. Several fabrics were candidates for the covers. The loose weave of cheese cloth, medium weave - skrim and the tightest weave, Harem Cloth. A sample of each fabric was created and presented to the DR. Cheese Cloth worked the best with the casting medium. The piece of Harem Cloth became a scarf. The scarf was worn to a Gallery last week. The owner of the Gallery asked about the scarf with regards to selling it and others. But….but….but… it is a sample. Better get busy.

a walk on the “traditional side”

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:54:52 +0000

Well not quite. About once a year, I get an urge to make a quilt. Last year it was new Grandbaby Luke and quilted Bears. This year it was the Master bed. At one time, there was a small quilt shop in Highland Park, Dallas. I invested in a King size Texas Lone Star quilt, all hand sewn. Every summer for 25 years it has been on my bed. Time has taken it toll. It’s retirement is inevitable. Threads are breaking and holes are appearing. Fiberholic..yes you know the ones. Us! We have fabric for days. Batiks. The fabric selection complete, it was time for a pattern. A traditional pattern would drive me nutty brain. Stack and slash was the answer.
Gerline in Giddings quilted the top for me. Now all that is left is the binding.

An Artist

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:36:22 +0000

He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.
~San Francesco