North of Toronto

I love walking in the woods when it is cold and fresh and there is no one around.

The "winter" air is energizing.

I stop often to listen to the silence.

People often tell me I have it backwards- that I should go to Italy in the winter and stay in Canada in the summer. But I love the winter!

It is maple syrup time. The days reach +5 C and the nights go down to -5 C.

(I hope my photographs are inspirational to you. Fabric ruffles. They were taken in several conservation areas outside Toronto)

Christmas This Year

This is the only snow flake I will be seeing this Christmas.

This is all the ice I am going to see.

I am in Vietnam with my family.

Merry Christmas to all my friends.

Sunday Walk

I love having Sunday walks with my family.

Snowcone (detail)
installation by Lily Jeon, Diana Koncan

Last weekend we enjoyed the sun and went to the Beach in the west end of Toronto.

The beach in Toronto
(yes that is snow on the left)

It felt odd walking in the sand with my winter boots!

Wingback (detail)
Installation by Tom Olson

There were some interesting installations around the life guard stations. They were meant to attract people to the Beach during winter months.

They were perfect sanctuaries from the cold winds coming off Lake Ontario.

Hotbox
installation by Nicholas Croft and
Zone Six Design Build Landscape
Architects

Nice day together.

Travels

Monday: The view from my window in Toronto.

Wednesday: The view from the bridge near where I am staying in Verona, Italy.

This and That

While I was away, I did lots of this…

and that…

and this...

and that…

Now it's time for this!!

I am planning future classes (scrap quilts, of course). I have two big deadlines for art work this spring.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas!

I am in Val Gardena, Italy, skiing for the holidays.
(photo credit: Sophia Reford)

(My next post will be December 30)

Back Home

I left Peru...

Wall art in Lima.

...and am back in Canada.

My snow-covered front lawn.

Snow Day

What a beautiful white scene to wake up to.

I love walking in the snow. I had a good workout this morning as I got off to an early start and not many sidewalks had been shovelled.

I like hearing the crunch of the snow under by boots. The air is quiet. Once in a while you hear a shovel or a big truck.

It's a snow day for some schools. That means schools are closed and children get to stay home and PLAY all day!

Notice the hockey net on the frozen pond.

It's a snow day for me too. I am all cosy in my studio ready to sew all afternoon. Isn't it great to pursue a career you love. It's like play time all the time.

A White Christmas

It's the week after Christmas.

The presents have been wrapped and given and the cookies have been baked and eaten!

It's time to relax. 

We did have a white Christmas where we were.

I hope you had a wonderful time with family wherever you were.

It Finally Snowed!

This piece (a very early work), Spring Thaw, was exhibited in several galleries and shows in Toronto and in Europe.

Spring Thaw, made in 2006, 73 cm x 77.5 cm
commercial fabric, organza, crinoline, gesso,
hand and machine stitched
(the cut out parts look pink here but are actually see-through)

It is a piece I originally did not like. It just didn't SAY anything. I had it sitting there for about 3 years and finally decided to play with it.

I quilted it heavily. Still not great.

I painted it with gesso. Getting better.

I cut it up randomly (that took courage!) and sewed it back together in a different way.

Now, I love it!

Spring Thaw, detail

Toronto is finally white with snow. I guess we ARE going to have a spring thaw.

My Artist Self

Although I was away from my studio and sewing machine for a few days, my artist spirit was still with me. Everywhere I looked was something inspirational-

a shadow,

a pattern,

a shape,

colour.

oops..I'm in the corner there!

I had some quiet moments while the kids and husband slept-in. I worked out some new art ideas.

I am back at home now without the rest of the family.

The girls are still in Paris.

The boys are at the Reford farm.

A bit more tranquility at the end of a busy, busy year.

It's too damn hot

Toronto has been suffering an extreme heat wave. With the humidity, it felt like over 40 degrees celsius all week! I heard from friend in Italy that we made the BBC news with this heat.

I sat in the park in the shade of a tree to sew my little stars. There was a little breeze.

my new hand project-
mini stars made up of six 60 degree angle diamonds

I made some refreshing lemonade when I got home.

Perfect for snack.

Cool down!

Keep Smiling!

spring

I hear it snowed in Toronto.

view of the snow-capped mountains
from Ponte della Vittoria

In Verona, it was a gorgeous day... sunny and warm and wonderful.

me this morning waiting for a coffee

After a few errands, I met up with my friends at the Ad Maiora studio. I had some time to sew after lunch. I tried out the new quilting technique I saw on one of Jennifer Manefield's quilts. It is just straight sewing but not too straight. In fact, the lines are slightly crooked on purpose. I think it will look great using variegated thread on one of my scrap quilts.

preparing for my class on Friday. 

On Friday morning, I am teaching how to make a zippered pouch. As a sample, I am using the fabric pieces I dyed in Marina Tavella's class (www.windowonweb/marinatavella) while the Canadians were in Verona.

It has been a while since I have been at the sewing machine. It felt really good to sew for an hour while the sun danced on my fabric.