Hi Bev,
While you’re off on a fabulous globe-trotting adventure, I’m here in West Michigan going about my normal life and trying to figure out how I will make my 10×10″ self-portrait quilt.
Who am I anyway? It’s amazing how seriously I considered this question as I studied the fabric you sent, trying to figure out to capture my essence in a piece of fiber art that includes a swatch of fabric with baked goods all over it.
For days I’ve turned over ideas in my head, taking stock of my daily routines and personality traits. I work. I interview. I talk (a lot). I write. I swim. I run. I bike. I team up with my wonderful husband to take care of our two daughters. I try not to eat junk food or drink too much pop. (Do you call it soda where you live?) I try to have at least one good laugh a day, and I don’t get too caught up with appearances. (Translation: I don’t usually fuss around with hair and make-up.) I absolutely have to make stuff. Art and craft are two of the ways I breathe. I must create. I must.
When I opened the package you sent for the June “self-portrait” theme I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull off creating a recognizable likeness of myself. Opening the package meant that I officially accepted my own challenge and was really in this thing. Game on, sister.
While the most amazing doodles flow out of your pen, my artistic strengths rest in other areas. I knew I would not be happy if I attempted to sketch myself, so I had to make use of every resource. Enter technology.
Ever since I got my MacBook which came equipped with a built-in camera, I have been snapping semi-regular photos of yours truly at the keyboard using the Photo Booth program. I usually do this when I’m suffering from writer’s block or looking to entertain my children. (We LOVE making funny faces in front of the camera.) I scrolled back through my photos and didn’t find anything “quilt-worthy,” so I decided to take a few “artsy” shots sitting at my kitchen table.
For some reason the thought entered my head to put my hand up to block part of my face. I still don’t know exactly why I did that. Perhaps, I reasoned that if I couldn’t see my whole face in the photo, I would not have to stitch it. (See I’m already trying to take a short cut.)
I quickly settled on one of the photos, printed it and traced the image onto a piece of cotton muslin. Stay tuned for the 10×10″ fiber version. Things are about to get interesting.
Cheers,
Jennifer