Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year

Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year.

Hope. Joy. Peace. These are words of the season. At Pine River, their motto is: "Hope is a Place." It is an important message in our lives today, with so many depressing outlooks - countries in war, climate change, birth defects, impersonalizing each other. Hope is what keeps us going. Knowing there is something more powerful and brighter ahead.

Then We have peace. for the world. for each other. in our own hearts. May you be at peace.

And lastly JOY. Joy to you. Joy that brings delight to your heart and makes the light shine in you. Joy.

Blessings. Deb

Winter is coming...

I would like to believe that Winter is coming. It is pretty warm out there. Very few snowflakes.
Here are activities from the past month. Enjoy the photos.

 Zentangles from the Pomegranate Textile Guild, November 2011

Scarborough's East Point Park on an early December day

A last flower for 2011

First Zentangle! Class of November 2011

2nd Zentangle. Class of November 2011

a beautiful recreation from baby's clothes.

Merry Christmas.

Holiday Season is Around the Corner

The Holiday season is around the corner. It feels like it has snuck up on us this year. The weather has been so warm, it has not felt like winter is coming at all.

My daughter keeps reminding me it is Christmas time though. She wants me to go shopping with her, and plan holiday cookies, and gatherings. She seems to have more of the "spirit" than I this year. She even created Zentangle Christmas cards for all her friends. I must say, it makes me proud to see her using and enjoying her creative talents.

I have a few ideas for you at the Christmas time. One, take a Zentangle class and create some of a kind gifts and cards for your family and friends. You will feel blessed creating, more peaceful in the time spent tangling, and those who receive these will feel the peace and power from your creativity.
Second, you could also plan a Zentangle party with your family, hosting a Zentangle class at your house, or taking a class and sharing it with family and friends over the holidays. It will be so beneficial to all of you to receive a gift of togetherness and creativity.
Third, purchase a Zentangle kit to give as a gift to a loved one or your family, like a game.

I also created a wonderful little Doggie jacket that I can customize to your little friend. See it here:

I'm busy quilting for customers, but I still saved some time for myself. So keep a look out for a table runner I quickly sewed... coming soon.
Stay warm. Deb

November 11 2011

To remember is to begin with ourselves to create peace.

The Zentangle Teachers Group encouraged each other to tangle at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2011 for Remembrance day. We tangled from around the world.
Here are my two tangles. One is for those who have suffered from conflict in the world; those on both sides of conflict.

The second Zentangle is in memory of Rick's mom, who passed away November 7, 2011. We tanglers are thankful for the inspiration and encouragement that his moment gave, so that we can all experience Zentangles.
My sympathy and gratitude go out to Rick's family.

Begin creating peace in your world.
deb

Inward Peace

Inward Peace. What's that? Fred and I are reading a book called "The Anatomy of Peace" (by the Arbinger Institute) which provides a description of learning how to have inward peace through seeking resolutions of conflict. It is a great book. Easy to read; theories easy to understand and a good story at the same time.

Peace to me, is learning to step back from life; pause (which I like to do with Zentangles or Quilting), and begin seeing the world in a new way; and especially other People.

If you would like to learn a wonderful way of meditation and creating, come to a Zentangle seminar.

You would be welcome to join a Trunk Show and Tangle Seminar at the Pomegranate Textile Guild on November 16. Check out http://www.pomegranateguild.ca/ and go to the calendar of events. On the 19th of November I will hold a Zentangle 201 class. And Another Zentangle 101 on Wednesday November 23, from 7-8:30 p.m.

I look forward to meeting you.
deb

Oshawa Fibre Art Show October 23-30

The Oshawa Fibre Art Show has some amazing works by about 10 artists, including yours truly. In fact the quilt on my header here, is live there! A main feature. This quilt was one of about 15 quilts from Canada, which toured the United States in the "World Quilt Show" produced by Mancuso Quilt Festivals.

So check out the Show in its last days. There will be a "Mad Hatter" reception on Saturday night, 7-9 p.m. where you will be able to meet the artists in the show. It should be a fun night; live music and free food and drinks.

Location: Centennial Retirement Residence, 259 Hillcroft Street (at Ritson Road), Oshawa Ontario
Time: On until Oct 30th: 10-5p.m.; everyday; FREE!

The artists also have artwork for sale, as well as fibre art supplies. Very Fun!
deb

Representational or Not?

QuiltArt forum is having a question about design, focus and abstract and representational art. Here is a quilt I've been working on. Tell me what you think? does it have a style? is there a focus? Are there distracting parts of the quilt?

Lake

Leave a comment!

Thank you Zentangle Students!

Thank you all my Zentangle Students! It is a joy for me to teach you. Your enthusiasm and creativity inspires me.

Recently I had held a booth at my Quilting Guild's show. I gathered a lot of interest in the Zentangles and a lot of questions about what it is. It was a helpful exercise for me.

 Bloomin' Quilts and (Zen)tangle booth at Yorkshire Rose Quilting Show Sept. 17 & 18, 2011

The same day I had a birthday party Zentangle class. It was intimate and great! The group were a Mom and her grown kids. Many zen moments were shared. A they all anticipated using the Zentangle activity in numerous ways: Beautiful Wall Art, journaling, centering, inspiration for quilting pattern.

Zentangle 1

Zentangle 2

I have a Zentangle 101 class this Saturday, Sept. 24 at 1:00, at my house. I will be doing several guild presentations as well, the next being for the Pomegranate Textile Guild. November 16 http://www.pomegranateguild.ca and go to the calendar of events.
Take Care. Deb

To the Black

I held a small class on Sunday August 28. We spent time practicing the basic tangles of 'crescent moon', static, purlz, and florz. Then we did a second set on the new black tiles. They are cool - but do require a bit more understanding of the effects of a thicker pen on the tile.

Take a look

1st Set Tangles

2nd Set: White on Black; actually top left is a metalic pink on black!

I will be hosting a Zentangle booth at the Yorkshire Rose Quilt Show, to be held September 17 & 18, from 10- 4 each day at the Ellesmere Community Centre, Warden and Ellesmere, 20 Canadian Road. Come visit me  - and take advantage of some amazing quilts - traditional and contemporary.

deb

Pretty Planet

This pretty planet
spinning through space
you're a garden, you're a harbor, you're a holy place
Golden Sun going down,
gentle blue giant spin us around
All through the night
safe 'til the morning light.

by john forster + tom chapin.

Summer 2011

Summer has been a roller coaster. We have enjoyed visits to Vermont in June, where I saw my mom's home when she was single, gone to Maine and New Hampshire and breathed the fresh ocean air, Algonquin Park where we saw a teenage black bear, and our trailer on Pigeon Lake. My son joined the Pine River Institute in the outdoor leadership program to start a 9 month program to help with concurrent mental health disorders. Life has changed. Blessings will come in varied ways - i am sure.

I am getting ready for the upcoming Yorkshire Rose Quilters Guild Fall Quilt Show, September 17-18. Besides having 4 quilts in the show I will be hosting a Zentangle booth as a vendor at the show. I will be doing demonstrations at the show, so if you are interested in seeing up close what Zentangles are, come and visit me. The show will be held at the Ellesmere Community Centre, 20 Canadian Road, Toronto, Ontario.

But even sooner than that, I will be having a Zentangle 101 on Sunday, August 28, from 1:00-2:30 PM. A second level class will follow at 3:00 p.m. Join me and learn joys of tangles.

Mixed Minded Review

It has been a busy month. How often do I say that?

I spent a great afternoon sharing Zentangles with a group of ladies at the Mixed Minded Conference in Kitchener. It's the first - keep you eye out for next year's 2nd annual conference.

As Karen Ellis, the organizer stated, I flew in to teach and out again later. But what happened in between was relaxing and inspiring. The class was Zentangles 101 with a twist - create a journal cover to continue at home. I shared my personal Zentangle story, and then taught the first Zentangle. We gathered the Zentangles and posted them for all to see. It was great. So different and so unique and all the same string and patterns!

Then I shared the plan to create the journal cover. I used Lyric Kinard's journal cover tutorial to make a simple cover. I had all the pieces of fabric cut out, and had brought my sewing machine to stitch them together. I planned it that way so people could learn how to make the journal cover on their own and do it at home.


Everyone created their own string on the cover, and began tangling. Such creativity!

I've had more inquiries about learning how to tangle, so check out my classes in the top right corner of the blog page. I look forward to seeing you soon.
deb

An Old Dog New Tricks

You can teach an old dog new tricks. I've been having some massage done on my shoulders and front shoulder. One of the techniques the massage therapist has used is to warm the areas of the tension to break the muscles to operate in a new way. The next part is mine - I need to stretch those muscles and operate them in a new fashion so that the tension goes away. That's one example.
Another Is the ability to break ourselves out of old routines that are not helpful anymore. For instance, giving our son the interrogation about his homework - provide him with an comfortable setting to talk about his activities - if he is willing to share. The more we ask questions, the more closed the communication is. So Trying a new method of interacting. Really, we have to change some of our behaviours to survive. To develop into fuller beings... it is just hard to break those old habits.
Try to teach yourself new tricks - new ways of responding to life.
Like tangling. And so I am sharing some inspirational photos of our trip to the Dominican. Some of these are so reminiscent of some new favorite tangles! like Betweed.

I enjoyed the artwork in the hotel. The ironwork and the table legs were neat too.

Can you find the Zentangle? So cool!

Go try a new trick.
deb

A moment to stand still

 Whew. It's been a flurry since my last post. And I don't mean snow. I think i've gotta slow down. At least that seems to be what my body is telling me.
After such a wonderful Sunday tangling and zentangle quilting, I kicked it into high gear to get ready for a trip away with my husband and his company in the Dominican Republic. I decided to treat myself to a mani-pedicure, and had my haircut.  These things I do --- too little. But the thing is, they are 1 more thing that makes me busy doing things that society says are good for you, but I'm not always convinced. I'd really rather hole up in my studio and sew pieces of fabric together, or stitch quilt designs on fabric. What serves the brain better for rest? I'm really torn.
Anyways, after shocking the hell out of my family with my new haircut (hours before we got on the plane) I dropped down in the warm weather of the Dominican. I won't say much about the resort, Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro, because I was not impressed. I will say I met some really wonderful fun-loving people that my husband works with (at NLTechnologies). It's not often you can get along with people you have never met before, who are connected to your husband through work.  We also met a 2nd cousin of Fred, who lives in the Dominican, Garet and Mayra Kopeschny.

Garet, Mayra, Deb, Fred
Kopeschny

And so, while enjoying myself and letting go, I succumbed to the flu that my son had before we left. So, being sick in the Caribbean is not so bad, after all what do you have to do? but lie in the sun, and drink and eat...I just wish I had felt better longer so that I could have gone dancing until 2 a.m. again. That was a lot of fun, and I'm sure I paid for it the rest of the week.

But really, that's only part of the story. I got home, and my husband quickly pushed me to the doctors office to have my cold checked. out. Sure enough, a chest infection. Then my daughter comes home from work, not feeling well, so off she goes to the doctors. We don't know what is bothering her at first, I just know I couldn't sleep through the night for the next week, between her vomiting and me coughing... Thanks to some of my great co-workers, Joanne Opsteen, NP Extraordinaire, she helped us get Laura better. In the meantime, my son seems to think he needs to get in on the action, and sprains his ankle. UGH. so back to Joanne for a checkup, x-rays... crutches.
I think we're all getting better..... but i do need another vacation... or maybe it's just routine of everyday life, with everything  running smoothly... Hmm.
So here I sit, on a Good Friday, waiting for my Paska to rise. . thinking of the pain and suffering of our Christ. Soon we will hear the sounds of "Lo in the grave he lay, Jesus My Saviour..." And I will remember that out of pain and suffering comes triumph. Glory. Passion. Praise be to God.

Classes Classes Classes!

I've been busy.. with classes. I had a small class in my home in March. Enjoyable and intimate. Here are the photos of the class.

Then some dyeing.  We had a surprise snow storm, and I couldn't resist doing some more snow dyeing.

Then the date finally came for a double class  on Zentangles for Quilting, at the lovely studio of Elaine Theriault. I had 25 people, in two different classes. Thank you Elaine for hosting this meditational and inspiring day. We all went away with new ideas with Zentangles... including myself... sharing and creativity together inspire each of us to grow and develop new ideas.

I began the class with some basic tangles, that are easily transferable to quilting. The next set of tiles we did, began with a discussion on how Zentangles are so transferable to quilting. Then we did patterns that were all continuous line. We did the Zentangle version of a feather - and still there were panics about doing feathers. Practice Practice Practice... it makes it come easier the next time.

Enjoy...
Smiles...
Keep Tangling...

Curved Piecing

Here's a twist on some of what I do. I will be teaching my first class at the Quilter's Block on Curved Piecing. I have done various presentations on photos on fabric, drawing on fabric, stabilisers, and now I will lead my first specific sewing class. Many customers have asked me to teach them how to machine quilt - and I have declined, stating that it is difficult for me to teach machine quilting when I use a long-arm, and others use a domestic. It is not the same motion, and task. In my training from other professional long-armers, and teachers, is to practice drawing. So I became a Certified Zentangle Teacher so that I can teach this easy process of  drawing which can be translated into machine quilting.

But the curved piecing class (to be held after Easter) will be my first specific sewing class. I'm excited. Below is the class sample. Come learn how to easily and freely cut a curve and piece it back together. You will learn to piece without pins, and have a new method of piecing and add unique movement to your quilts.

curved piecing fun!

deb

Zentangle Anywhere!

If you enjoy zentangles, you probably can think of different ways to incorporate your tangling into other crafts and art spheres. Afterall, we can find tangles almost anywhere - from hotel carpets, to the bushes in your backyard. Here is an idea I will be incorporating into my workshop at the Mixed Minded conference in Kitchener, Ontario, May 29. A notebook cover.

the raw notebook 

Enjoy! deb