I got back for the International Quilt Festival in Houston about a week ago, and what a wonderful and fun trip it was. We had a luxurious place to stay that was a comfortable walk from the convention center, and not far from an incredibly diverse grocery store. As always, there were hundreds of classes to choose from, a vendor mall that was so big it was overwhelming, and a fabulous display of quilts.

There was so much to see, such beautiful artistry. The quilts were colorful and original. They were pieced, painted, dyed, whole cloth, embellished. There was every size and shape imaginable. They even had a display of saddles that had been quilted. It was a lot to take in, especially when you’re trying to find the quilt that you know your friend entered, but you have no idea where in the center it was! There was inspiration to be found everywhere you looked.

I chose classes to learn new techniques, and that gave me the opportunity to play around with some different materials, including paints and dyes, silk roving, different stabilizers and cheesecloth. The opportunity to learn from other quilters, other fiber artists is one that I always look forward to. The experience did not disappoint. Although neither item is quite finished yet, my pictures here show the work in progress from the classes.

It doesn’t really matter how good you are, there is always more that you can learn. There are always explorations that you haven’t done before, techniques to learn, art to make. Never stop learning, never stop creating.

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/reggi_coles

Reggi Coles

Threadvertizing

Over the weekend I took a 2 day art course called Mixed Media Adventures, taught by Carol Ann Waugh and Judith Cassel-Mamet. 

They tout that they “embrace a playful attitude and offer no-fail techniques.” Yes, they delivered. There were loads of supplies to play with: ink, paint, gesso, glue, fabric, yarn, paper, cardboard, doilies, buttons, ribbon, puffy foam, gel plates, cheesecloth, envelopes and so much more.

It was such a pleasure to step out of my comfort zone in such a safe environment. I’m used to working with fabrics and threads, yarn and fiber, but paints and inks and paper? Not so much. We each made either two or three art journals. We all used the same techniques and had access to the same materials, but the results were all beautifully different. Perfectly imperfect. That’s part of what’s so special about art. Each piece is as individual as the person making it.

Although I am quite tired today (too much peopling!), I am also quite relaxed, and quite refreshed. As with any new and creative experience, it helps me to reflect on art. Making art. Enjoying art. I reflect and plan new projects, and think about what I would do different on the pieces I just finished. There truly was no right way or wrong way in our projects, it was about the journey.

Spend some time and art. Make something. Don’t be afraid to try something. Be perfectly imperfect. It’s about the journey, not the destination. Go create, my friends!

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/reggi_coles