Carmen Rose Prose

Experiment

2011-06-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

This was an experiment I tried in the kiln yesterday. They were finally cool enough to take from the kiln this morning and this one was already broken before it came from the mold, but I think it's an interesting idea anyway.

Photos from the exhibit

2011-05-23T22:19:00.000-04:00

This little clip gives the background for the art installation.

Photos from hanging the "Whole" exhibit and the display in the front window of the gallery. The show runs through the end of June, drop by if you can.

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

WOW!

2011-05-17T15:28:00.000-04:00

This is the coolest thing! My kickstarter.com project has just passed 50% funding and there are 25 hours to go! A HUGE thank you going out to:

Kim Scales

Vonda Burke

Clayton

Bekki Fahrer

Tony LaFienza

Dawn Wampler

Joel Wasinger

Jackie Kunkel

Angela Newcomb

& Sara

These dream makers have touched my heart by supporting this project and I have been SO touched by their generous hearts!

And look at this beautiful pair of rainbows from the storm on the 15th.

I sure had fun taking a break from my work to enjoy these! I took LOTS of photos that evening!

Have you seen my project yet? Please surf on over and watch the video.

When I first saw it the rainbow was complete from side to side, then the second rainbow started to shine and the other end of it vanished. Here's the last photo before it vanished altogether:

And thanks so much!!

Light and Beauty to each of you,

-Carmen Rose

Kickstarter.com Project entitled: "Whole, a broken heart, a vibrant hope."

A "WHOLE" big Thank You!

2011-05-15T19:07:00.001-04:00

I'm so pleased to thank Steve Betz and Nikki Ross for being backers #11 and #12 for my kickstarter.com project. Only 70 hours to go before the project ends. Yeah, I'm feeling the suspense of whether or not the project will be funded! LOL!

This display window for the show went up Saturday afternoon. Here are four of my 12x12 art quilts with some art glass. The top one is "Buttoned" the second is "Set Aside." The third is "In Pieces" and the forth is one of my personal favorites. I titled it "Neglect."

It's really fun to have my work in the window, but since these works are so personally expressive it does make me feel a tad vulnerable.

Cloths pins in the branches hold notes that read: "A broken heart" and "A vibrant hope."

Lower in the window the sign on the ped reads:

* * *

C A R M E N R O S E

Whole

"An exhibit of art quilts, washed, framed and embelished.

Hand glazed art glass, found, glazed and fired.

An exhibit with a broken heart and a vibrant hope."

* * *

I hope this brings people in the gallery to have a closer look!
My Kickstarter.com project where this exhibit was born.

Still dreaming big dreams,

-Carmen Rose

Thank you!

2011-05-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

I'm up to ten backers on my kickstarter.com project! Only six more days to go to make this dream a reality! Today I'd like to thank those who have backed the project so far:

you_will_succeed

Dawn Wampler

William Martin

Anthony Vilgiate

Xaver Wilhelmy

Sara Homeyer

Kim Scales

Melissa Chonka

Dawn

Wendi Dunlap

You all are my ANGELS!

I'm working on quilting this one today. I don't know what it will look like when I'm finished.

These two before I quilted them...

Became: "Set Aside" and...

Buttoned. It really makes a difference when I've finished the quilting...

...put them through the laundry and them framed and embellished them.

As you might imagine, sometimes it's tough just to choose which side is up!

I can't tell you how much I love what I do, and to have others partner with me

in the process is a genuine privilege and honor!

Thanks to those who have pledged to the project!

Would you like to get in on the fun?

My Kickstarter.com Project is here, go check out the video

that explains the whole thing and then choose what you'd like from the cool pledge options!

Thank you so much!

-Carmen Rose

Sock Monkey Give Away ~ Tell your friends!

2011-05-11T16:08:00.000-04:00

Have you seen my Kickstarter.com project yet? Only seven days left to pledge.

**You don't pay if the project isn't funded**

Please visit and check out my project! Help me finish the exhibit the way I planned. Thank You!!!

* * * * * * * * *

My little sock monkey needs a new home, so it's time to find the lil bugga a family.

I made him ages ago from socks and haven't found the right place for him.

I'm thinkin you can help me with this though...

There are three ways to enter to win this adorable rainbow sock monkey.

1 - "like" my facebook page and comment on my sock monkey announcement.

2 - make a pledge on my kickstarter.com project.

(You pay nothing if the project isn't fully funded.)

3 - leave a comment on this post with an email address so I can contact you if you win.

Of course if you do all three your name goes in the hat three times! YAY!

I will draw the winning name from a hat on Wednesday, May 18th at 6:00 pm.

I'll drop you a note and you can provide me with an address so I can mail out the sock monkey to you.

Please tell your friends!

Thanks,

Carmen Rose

The Opening

2011-05-08T00:46:00.002-04:00

We had the opening reception Friday evening for the start of the "Whole" exhibit. It will be up May and June and will continue to evolve.

As you can see, it's not complete (see my sketch) but I do like the way it looks.

My artist friends and I put together a colorful table of goodies. I was so pleased with how it turned out! I made cupcakes and a lime mint punch.

Trio Jazz joined us, love their sound!

It was a delightful evening. The live music, candles and flowers were a nice touch. It was lovely to see my friends and family come out. We also had a lot of guests through that I didn't know. It was fun to meet people and enjoy their reaction to my work.

The exhibit is up two months, I still have a chance to complete the vision I set out with. If you'd like to help me reach that goal, please pledge today at Kickstarter.com. Just go to the kickstarter.com website and enter "whole" and my sketch should pop right up. I've heard from one person that their pledge didn't go through. So if you pledged but didn't enter your information on Amazon to pay, and if your name is not on the "backers" tab, then your pledge didn't go through. There are only these last 10 days left. Please join with others around the country to make this dream a reality and take home a piece of the whole. And thank you.

Here's to music, candles, flowers and.... COLOR! (of course!)

Whole, a broken heart, a vibrant hope.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Hurry Up!

2011-05-03T23:42:00.001-04:00

The previous display in the gallery came down ahead of schedule and I was scrambling to get SOMETHING up. So... the "Whole" exhibit will begin with just these pieces.

And plus, my lovely camera doesn't always open it's eye all the way and so my friend snapped this cool shot. I love it!

The display isn't at all what I planned, but this part of the exhibit is in place for now until I can get the rest finished. And it's a good thing because it looks so different in a sketch than it does in person. I think I will need to spread it all out a bit more, it is a lot of color in a space that feels smaller than I remember... even though I had the measurements. So I suppose I'll tweak the plan to fit the space a bit better.

In the mean time... there is lots of work to do and I feel like I'm coming down with the plague. So... a bit of rest and hopefully I can get back at it tomorrow.

Only 14 days to go, are you the sort of person who helps make miracles happen? If so, check out my kickstarter.com project. Your pledge would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Creating
-Carmen Rose

Pieces of the "Whole" Exhibit

2011-05-02T02:03:00.003-04:00

Once more I have been too busy to blog, so tonight (this morning) I'm playing catch up. I heard the news online and looked around until I found streaming video online so that I could hear President Obama's address. The top news story tonight is that Osama Bin Laden has been killed. And while the story played out I sewed the final details on this collection. Then I photographed this series of 17 canvases. I take no pleasure in this man's death, life is sacred. Death and life, revenge, forgiveness... all are fitting themes tonight as I look forward to putting this art exhibit together.

Each canvas represents a piece of my journey of the last year. Each one is created with hand dyed fabrics, commercial batiks and in some cases hand marbled fabric and hand dyed white on whites. I used a variety of methods in getting the color into the fiber. All pieces are machine pieced and machine quilted. I then put them through the laundry for the crinkly texture. Then I frame them on canvas stretchers and embellish them with found objects.

"Discarded 3"

A gasket I found in the parking lot, a washer from the junk yard and a new washer from Lowe's.

* * *

"Potential"

An antique skeleton key.

* * *

"Faith in Fire"

An old key, I added enamels to it and fired it in the kiln. I love how it turned out.

* * *

"Neglect"

Scrabble Tiles.

* * *

"Set Aside"

These are little circles of felt with a layer of leather on top. They are about 1/2 inch thick, give or take. Pieces like this are used inside pipe organs, these just happened not to fit and were set aside.

* * *

"Storm Tossed 1"

This old weathered shell has really been through it,

I love the swirls of color that result from a strange wear pattern.

* * *

"Hope"

Another antique key, a personal symbol of possibility, hope and opportunity.

* * *

"Buttoned"

A button. Nope, it's not old or anything, it's just a button that came with the rest of a package of buttons that I have around here. Leftovers from some project.

* * *

"Broken"

A bit of broken china I found on a walk in the woods.

I was intrigued with it and brought it home.
SOLD

* * *

"Pieces"

Puzzle pieces.

* * *

"Solitary"

I love this old sea shell, it's shaped a bit like an artist's palette.

"Thoughtful"

These lovely little shells were a thoughtful gift from a friend who came home from an exotic

place and brought me these tiny treasures.

* * *

"Lost"

An unknown bit that was at one point useful. I found it in the junk yard.

* * *

"Possibility"

Another kiln fired key, this one is green. Love it!

* * *

"Forgotten"

(Lower left) This is an earring that I just discovered in my jewelry box.

I had forgotten I had them.

* * *

"Storm Tossed 5"

More sea shells from a trip to the beach.

* * *

"Discarded 2"

A rusty old ring and a washer from the junk yard or somewhere.

* * *
These are some of the 12x12's in the exhibit coming up.

More photos coming up as I continue to prepare for this exhibit.

I'm really looking forward to seeing my broken and discarded pieces come together in this exhibit.

I believe the "Whole" will be beautiful.

* * *

Help me put this exhibit together?

They are $100 each, shipping included.

* * *
Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

More pieces of the Whole

2011-04-29T10:45:00.000-04:00

Here's a fun one, I haven't finished the quilting on this one yet but I like it so far.

And what about this one? Another cheerful little confection!

Here are some of them on the design wall together:

I've finished up a pair of purple 12x12's. This pair has hand dyed white on whites, hand marbled fabric, and some commercial batiks. Machine pieced, machine quilted.

And after they go through the laundry they are nicely crinkled up, then framed on 12x12 canvas stretchers.

And the second one in the pair:

I added some storm tossed pieces to these, the purple in the shells seems to go nicely with the purples in the pair.

A particularly interesting shell for this one:

And a row of five shells for this one:

It's all about the details in this series. I am having so much fun making these, does it show?

Like these? Then pledge here.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Dragonfly

2011-04-28T15:52:00.000-04:00

I wanted to post another of the series before I go and bury myself in the studio again this afternoon. This one is a 9x9 piece in pink, purple and a sagey green. The main square is hand marbled fabric and the rest are hand dyed white on white, hand dyeds or commercial batik. The color is a little off on this first image.

I quilted it and set it through the laundry, framed it up to 9x9 and added a lovely little forgotten dragonfly from my jewelry box. I'm really enjoying adding an expressive little detail to each quilt. The dragonfly has a little sparkle and the tail moves.

My heart goes out to those in storm flattened areas. I was there after Katrina, I remember what that was like. Then to see such amazing damage again, it simply blows my mind. My love to all of you in the South East today, I hope you and yours are safe and sound.

I'm working on this series of quilts for an exhibit called "Whole." Each quilt has a found object piece included representing different aspects of my life in the last year. Some pieces have included items from the junk yard, puzzle pieces, scrabble tiles, broken china and now a forgotten dragonfly from my jewelry box. These bits and pieces are a little unexpected in my work but express my broken and discarded condition as my divorce nears completion.

I was shaken by images of the storm torn parts of my homeland, as we all are. Here the power went off and on a few times during the night and a tree nearby was down this morning. We had no tornadoes in this area, just high winds. The images of great loss that I saw this morning on the news reverberated with my own losses of the last year. My home on the golf course, my dogs, my sense of security, my losses were by my own choice, theirs were not. So as I continue to incorporate broken and discarded images into my work, I'll do so with a prayer for those who lost everything in the storm last night.

I just updated the Kickstarter.com project with this note

"Dear friends, in light of the brokenness caused by the storms last night, I will be donating 10% of the project total to a disaster relief charity at the successful close of this project. Please pray with me for peace, protection and provision for our friends in the South-East United States today. Thank you, -Carmen Rose"

Another piece of the "Whole" exhibit.

2011-04-27T17:21:00.000-04:00

I was going to try to spread these out some over the next few days, but I couldn't resist showing more photos today!

Here is one of the 9x9's of the exhibit. It started with a very drippy piece of hand dyed fabric from ages ago. I'm really dipping into the stash these days, never know what you'll find in there!

I quilted it up, threw it in the laundry. When it came out I framed it up and added the little key, and this is how it looks now.

These silly little elements of this exhibit are SO FUN TO MAKE! For some reason it looks downright edible to me, I think I'm hungry for Popsicles and cupcakes now!

Want it?

A $75 pledge and it's yours.

Kickstart me!

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Update on the pieces

2011-04-27T16:42:00.000-04:00

I've been in the studio creating all kinds of fun stuff, having the time of my life! I have REALLY been neglecting my blog, I struggle to find the time between my three jobs and trying to get ready for my featured artist exhibit. However, I do love sharing the joy in the journey with you folks, so here goes. I can't wait to show you some of the pieces coming out! Here is one of the first sets I created:

This shows the pieces just after they were pieced: First this one,

And then the matching one. This one has some of my favorite hand marbled fabric in it that I created ages ago. It was so fun, I need to do that again! These pieces include some hand dyed commercial white on white, hand dyed fabrics and batiks. And the hand marbled fabrics as well.

I quilted them on the machine and then tossed them in the laundry.

I love that washed crinkle texture!! Then I framed them up on 12x12 canvas stretchers.

I added some details, this one has a pair of rings. One says "316" on it, so I've titled it "316."

This one has a gasket that I found in the parking lot, a washer from a trip to the junk yard and a lovely new washer from a trip to the hardware store. These little details please me very much!

And finally, here they are, the pair of them! I can't tell you how much I love my job!

I'm doing exactly what I love the most!

My kickstarter project was stuck at 21% funding for a few days. Today it bumped up to 22% and that made me very happy! Learn the story behind the series and give me a good SWIFT KICK.

Very Happy Creating to you and yours,

-Carmen Rose

Puzzling

2011-04-25T17:55:00.000-04:00

This is the second piece in the "Whole" series. It consists of hand marbled fabric I made ages ago, some hand dyed white on white, hand dyed fabrics and commercial batik. I think it's fun to see how different they look flat like this when the piecing is done:

Then after I've quilted them and run them through the laundry to get that cool laundered texture, then framed them up on canvas stretchers. This one is on a 6x6 canvas stretcher.

And of course it doesn't stop there, this one has three puzzle pieces added to complete it. Isn't this fun?

I sure think so.

I've been really struggling with my sewing machines. The Necchi acts like it's clutch is slipping, I just took it BACK to the repair shop to try and see if they can get it fixed this time.

The Singer drops stitches like a drunk co-ed even though I got it back from the repair shop on Friday. However, the problem is very erratic. I never know when it is going to happen but I can't use it for quilting when I can't get a happy seam out of it.

I just got my third machine back from the repair guy today and this one works. I hesitate to even mention that it works because it may decide to quit on me also. We shall see.

So far I've spent more $$$ on repairing sewing machines than I had budgeted for fabric for this project. I do hope that at least one of the four will stay working long enough for me to finish up this project in time for the art opening.

Have you seen my project at Kickstarter.com? I really love the whole concept of kickstarter and have my eye on a few projects that are happening there. A friend of mine is an inventor and I hope to bring one of his projects to Kickstarter.com. I also know of an artist killed in Iraq who documented the people and war in Iraq through his photography while serving in a medical mission there. His voice, his vision... is one that should be seen even though he is no longer with us. I hope to host a kickstarter project to see an exhibit of his work come together as well. So many ideas, so little time. I hope you'll check out my project and consider buying one or more of my quilted textile and found object pieces like the one in this blog post. Or perhaps one of my cool enameled keys, those are just SO COOL!

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Shine

2011-04-24T16:57:00.000-04:00

This is the first one of the "Whole" series, a small one (though the small ones take as much fabric as the big ones because of how deep they are.)

This was before it was quilted, washed and framed.

And now it is finished. A little 6x6 canvas wrapped in hand dyed fabrics and batiks with scrabble tiles.
Want it? Pledge here to support the "Whole" project and become part of my creative process.
Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

First One

2011-04-22T10:55:00.000-04:00

This is the first in the "Whole" series, plus the press release went out today for my exhibit and opening.

I'll keep working at it and see if I can get a head start.

Have you seen the video I made yet?

Check this out

Happy Creating!

-Carmen Rose

Kickstarting a new project

2011-04-20T18:16:00.000-04:00

I'm very pleased to announce my brand new "Kickstarter.com" project. If you haven't heard of Kickstarter.com yet, check it out, it's an excellent way to fund and follow creativity. I am pleased with how the video turned out, even with an audio malfunction on my little flip cam. Surf on over to see my project and watch the video with me in it. If you like the project, please share the information with your friends. Thanks!

Happy Creating!
-Carmen Rose

Tease!

2011-04-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

Oh, alright....

Here is another teaser:

This should be fun.

2011-04-20T16:34:00.000-04:00

My project has been approved by Kickstarter.com and I'll be going live as soon as possible.

Here are some teasers:

I love old skeleton keys. These are the ones I keep by my front door in case I ever lose my keyring.

I put these marvelous old keys in the kiln with enamel powder just to see what would happen.

I love how they turned out!

Just a photo of three canvas sizes. 6x6, 9x9 and 12x12.

Check back for more information in the coming days!

(and wish me luck!)

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Once around the block in Spring

2011-04-18T21:01:00.000-04:00

"Once around the block in Spring"

Hand dyed cottons, machine pieced and quilted, washed for texture.

Stretched on a 12x12 frame. $75

email me

For lo, the winter is past

2011-04-18T20:55:00.000-04:00

"For lo, the winter is past"

hand dyed cottons & batiks, prairie points, machine quilting

12 x 12 canvas frame, ready to hang.

SOLD

Gone Daffy

2011-04-18T20:45:00.001-04:00

Machine pieced and quilted, embellished by hand.

12x12 on canvas frame.

$75

email me

Art in the Park

2011-04-01T13:05:00.000-04:00

Here are a few photos I'm sending in with an application for an art show this summer. I'd love to send more but they only want four per media... and since I'm a multi-media type woman... or perhaps a little ADD... it looks like a lot of photos. Quite a few of my friends are at this show, so I believe it will be a lot of fun!

Sorry, they are completely in random order, I'm on my way out the door here shortly to see what I can do about this monster "to do list."

Happy Creating!

(And for heaven's sake put a little color in it!!!)

-Carmen Rose

YAY! Studio time!!

2011-03-29T22:09:00.000-04:00

Finally a little studio time today! YAY!

The first layer of sage green glaze is on these for a commissioned set of wine glasses plus some vases.

Plus all my usual favorite colors are in the works! The first round of glaze is on these, more tomorrow if I get the chance.

Dinner was zucchini, yellow squash, yellow and purple fingerling potatoes, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and chicken with herbs and pepper. Then I added Parmesan and sea salt just at the end when it came out of the oven. Delicious! And perfect for these last days of March that have started with ice on my windshield each morning. Spring is coming, really it is!

Now, how many days will it take a single woman to eat all that? LOL!

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Playing Catch Up

2011-03-24T19:08:00.000-04:00

My computer became seriously ill a while back and I finally took it to the hospital to see if it could be restored. My genius computer friend worked miracles but warned that next time it does that... will likely be the last time.

Did you know you shouldn't really watch DVD movies on a laptop? It tends to overheat and fry bits on the inside. Well, especially if you have a Yorkie worth of dog hair trapped inside. I no longer live with my two border collies, so I shouldn't have that problem anymore.

I've been in the studio making things, sometimes not really even taking the time for photos. So I hope to catch up here when I get the chance and show you some of the things coming out of Studio Nine these days.

It doesn't seem right to create a post with no photographs, so here's one. Chocolate chip cookie covered OREO! Yeah, I had ONE of those for dinner one evening this week. Mercy, that was delicious! I had the other one for lunch the following day, thank goodness I only made 2! Yummm!

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Doors of Opportunity

2011-03-14T23:49:00.000-04:00

I'm really behind on posting photos and updates, but one of these days I'll catch up. For now here are photos of a series of nine fairly small square quilt tops I made recently that I call "Doors of Opportunity."

Hand dyed cottons, not yet quilted.

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Staunton Virginia

2011-03-09T23:15:00.000-05:00

I was really pleased with this article about the town I call home. It's called "A Foodie Find" and it's an excellent article about the highlights of the area. If you love food, music and theater, this is a great town! I love it here!

Freedom Quilt progress plus

2011-03-09T07:57:00.002-05:00

Well hello there!

Glad you dropped by!

I was looking at the photo of the quilt I lost in the divorce and found myself comparing it to the one I'm working on to replace it.

Back in the days when I made the double wedding ring, I was stuck using commercial fabrics greatly limited by the color selection available at the time. I went to lots of different stores to find those fabrics and had piece after piece after piece cut at the counter. These days I buy it by the bolt and cut it myself and dye whatever color I want. I must say, this is a VAST improvement. All those prissy little calicos, I did think they were pretty at the time. Tastes change, but my favorite colors have remained the same. Look how consistent those colors are, the only addition is that delicious mojito mint/lime green! Yum Yum!

Of course the Freedom Quilt has a little wild thang in it.

A friend of mine tells me that donkeys and zebras are closely related, that in some places they are called (translated) "Stripey Donkeys."

I guess it's not too hard to see why.

The only difference is that donkeys can be domesticated, zebras can not.

They have been

And will always be

Wild.

He he!

Plus, they don't take themselves too seriously!

I think the wild and not-too-serious zebra is a perfect addition to my Freedom Quilt!

Color remains the one true love of my life, color has never despised or neglected me.

It's true, color has been gladly faithful all these years and I remain a student of its many wonders.

The very undomesticated,

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt, one big square

2011-03-08T07:41:00.000-05:00

I'm making progress on the Freedom Quilt!

The blocks for this part are made, now to sew them together!

Careful not to get them out of order!

and...

Voila!

It's not too serious,

It has good contrast,

All my favorite colors are in it.

I'm lovin it!

HAPPY creating,

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt, the center squares

2011-03-07T19:47:00.003-05:00

Goodness, it DOES take a while to make that many blocks!

I put them on the design wall as I went, making whatever color seemed to be needed.

I got a little bored with that after a while and started sewing strips together.

Just for a change of pace.

Lots and lots and lots of strips!

(To go with lots and lots and lots of blocks!)

I've finished all the center blocks now, as well as all the blocks for the triangles that come next.

I'm enjoying this process!

Here's to freedom and the freedom quilt,

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 8

2011-03-06T19:46:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I showed you the progress of the Freedom Quilt, so here is an update.

I started a small study for the quilt, a combination of batik and hand dyed fabrics. I'd been wanting to try the ultra simple log cabin squares and this was an opportunity to try that. I got it partly finished and realized once more that contrast is a quilt designer's best friend. Sometimes I forget that and this little project was a very helpful reminder. Even all those lush colors together start to turn to mud when there are to many of them to close together. I laid it aside, having learned a lot from the process.

Next I decided that I wasn't going to use *just* hand dyed fabrics, I wanted to use my very favorite batik. This happens to be my very favorite batik of all time, it's a Bali batik from Hoffman. Ages ago I blogged about a pre-cut combination of Hoffman fabrics that I had purchased at Rachel's Quilt Patch (my favorite fabric store.) That led to an email from the lovely folks at Hoffman and an offer to pick my favorites from their fabric line. I was THRILLED of course, and before long this delightful confection (along with a few others) showed up on my door step from them. I was (and am) delighted!! All my favorite colors are in there, and so it has become the icon of my color scheme for the Freedom Quilt.

Plus... zebra print! Ages ago I bought a king sized duvet cover in zebra print, so I'll have all the zebra print I want for years to come! And a duvet of zebra would be crazy, but a little touch here and there is perfect. I love zebras, their stripes remind me of finger prints... they are alike in that - each one unique. God's genius at work in the perfect high contrast organic design. I love it.

2.5 inch squares of Hoffman batik, and a small strip of zebra...

Then it's time to add the hand dyed fabrics, all cut in 2.5 inch strips. This is going to be fun!

Then I decided that I wanted a contrasting block. It would have zebra in the middle, a small stripe of hand dyed color, then white. The small project reminded me that I wanted contrast, and white was exactly what I needed.

The pieces are coming together, I have about 40 of each of these blocks.

We'll see what happens next!

Here's to freedom, to beautiful batik and wild zebras!

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Perking UP!

2011-03-02T17:44:00.002-05:00

I started to think about websites recently after I saw someone's redesign of one I'd created a few years back. (It's HORRIBLE! LOL!) That reminded me that it had been a while since I updated mine.

So I took a look around, made a few updates...

Changed some colors, added some new photographs...

Perked things up a bit.

THEN I took a look at this blog...
And of course it needed some tweaking as well...

Pop on over and have a look around at my web portfolio.
CarmenRose.com
Then pop back by clicking on "Blog" anywhere on the site.

Let me know what you think!

Happy Creating!
-Carmen Rose

Quilt Design

2011-02-28T07:54:00.002-05:00

I am enjoying a bit of time in the quilt studio from time to time. It doesn't seem like I get nearly as much time there as I'd like, but when I get the chance... I sure do enjoy it!

When I saw this image of a stained glass window, I knew I had to try it in fabric.

So I played a bit with the drawing to explore some other color options.

You'd think it would be a simple exercise to put this one together in no time flat?

Not so much!

But I am pleased with how the pieced top turned out!

Hand dyed cottons and un-dyed white.

Happy creating,

Carmen Rose

Facebook

2011-02-28T07:44:00.000-05:00

Are you on facebook? Then drop by my facebook fan page to see some of the latest photos. I haven't gotten the blog posts written yet, so go over there for the sneak peak at the things coming out of Studio Nine these days.

Commercial

2011-02-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

I've created a page just for the house I have on the market. Have a look around and see what you think.

Mapquest 423 B Street, Staunton Virginia

The new page.

Buy me buy me buy me... LOL!

-Carmen Rose

Whirling Dervish Dog

2011-02-27T06:07:00.001-05:00

I went to have my car inspected and the oil changed and while I waited I watched this neurotic dog whirl about in the frantic effort to catch his tail, which aside from the the poor critters neurosis, was actually quite entertaining.

Nope, not even close

Is that really a dog?

Almost!

don't give up!

whirl, twirl, whirl!

Loved this:

I like this place, they have sense of humor!

(I know some people who'd have to pay $115!!! Then I'D be laughing!)

YAY! Caught it!

And then let go...

Apparently it's a catch and release tail.

Glad to have my car back, now to save up for the other stuff it needs.

Here's to whirling and twirling and not taking yourself too seriously,

-Carmen Rose

Birthday Week

2011-02-26T08:29:00.001-05:00

I was going through some photos and realized that I never finished posting about my birthday week.

So I'm playing catch up today. These are from the day I turned forty mumble! ;-)

The guys at work couldn't find the birthday candles so they lit the match and stuck it in the cupcakes,

silly boys! Then they sang to me... well... two of the three sang while I kicked my boss in the shins...

he apparently thought they were doing just fine without him. LOL!

They are so fun! And those cupcakes were actually pretty good!

Then I spent the afternoon with the guys from the wood turning club and they started

showing me how to turn wood.

A big big lathe... and really long handled tools.

They feel so good in your hand, perfectly balanced!

The big saw thingi, good for cutting the basic shape out of a big chunk of tree.

What did I do with the chainsaw photos? Oh well.

These three sang "Happy Birthday" to me and sent me home with that bottle of Shiraz Dennis is holding.

Served it later with a wonderful dinner, it was delicious!

The master checking the student's progress.

Keep at it. Yes, it's time consuming but so cool!

And then they sang Happy Birthday to me again!

This time with the Swiss guy on the left, who gave it a great twist!

It was one of my all time favorite birthdays!

My guys just made it so fun, thanks boys!!!

Now who is going to loan me their lathe so I can learn this new art media?

Trees around here are NOT SAFE!

LOL!

Using ANY excuse to celebrate,

(and make a mess with wood shavings!)

-Carmen Rose

Great Email from Artbeads.com

2011-02-25T13:41:00.000-05:00

"Hi Carmen,

Thank you for your email. I finally was able to stop by your blog and check out your winter inspired design…

I just love your gorgeous winter necklace! This stylized and freeform design is just dazzling! I like your fun mix of eclectic and interesting elements. From the pretty wire worked and pearl ‘birds nest’ to the wire ‘tree branch’ spirals. With all the delightful dangling feathers and snowflake charms there is so much to see and enjoy in your enchanting designs. Your use of the gunmetal elements with the black and silver crystals creates a lovely winter color scheme. I love the large gunmetal links and cable you used on the one side of the necklace. Although I don’t believe we carry these items, they add an exciting touch to the unique styling of this asymmetrical piece. The sweet earrings with the gunmetal links, silver charms and crystals are a perfect compliment to the sister necklace. Your designs reflect such a beautiful artistry and grace and are always so exciting to see. It is truly a pleasure to see your excellent work again.

I appreciate all of your work on your design, wonderful photos and blog post. I will be sharing your work with others here at Artbeads. We will also be adding your necklace to our upcoming ‘Winter Enchantment’ Gallery on Facebook and will be promoting this gallery on the Artbeads Blog for Beaders. I will send you links to the gallery and posts once they are published.

Thank you for being an Artbeads Design Partner. You have a creative and inspirational week!"

What a treat to get this sort of email from the lovely people at Artbeads.com! I'm so tickled they liked my necklace and earring set and of course I'll keep you posted with what happens with this one. I'll be wearing it to an art opening coming up, that will be great fun!

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Spinach Pasta

2011-02-25T08:01:00.000-05:00

This was such an adventure, and we all know I LOVE a good advenure!

A friend of mine and I tried out making spinach pasta.

And I had left my pasta machine at the other house, so we rolled it out by hand.

Roll out thin then slice into noodles.

We separated the noodles from each other.

Threw them in the water where they sank right to the bottom,

but then it wasn't long before they were all up floating on the top and

ready for the soup I made in the other pot.

I loved the green noodles with the carrots, it was a pretty soup!

I'd made chicken stock earlier that day and the good broth, veggies and noodles were wonderful.

And with Parmesan cheese and bacon?

Delicious!

Happy cooking adventures to you,

-Carmen Rose

A Forest Bird Never Wants a Cage

2011-02-24T07:39:00.015-05:00

A little time out to recharge those batteries! How about a walk in the woods on a slightly warmer winter day?

I finally found an antique car I can afford! And nobody cares if I scratch it!
One of my day jobs involves working around beautifully restored old cars, the pampered darlings.

It was such a beautiful day here, the views just about took my breath away!

It's like a car lot...

Or maybe a "Car Little..." since there isn't much left of these old girls.

A lovely hike, good for heart and soul!

Happy Trails!

-Carmen Rose

Finally!

2011-02-23T08:37:00.001-05:00

As the glass comes out I get to take a look at the textures and colors all over again. Here comes the first batch now.

I love making stripes! I have work like this in collections all over the world, and it's what I'm known for around here. I love mixing matte glazes with glossy textures, each element playing with the light a bit differently. And of course it's all about COLOR!!

I love the stripes! I really do... But would ya take a teeny little peek at the runs?

I LOVE MY WORK!

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

TEXTURE!

2011-02-22T07:08:00.003-05:00

It's my VERY FAVORITE part! Adding the texture once the glaze is dry.

I also love how it interacts with the light!

Working with glass is SO FUN!

Now I have to leave it alone for 24 hours so it can dry enough to be ready to fire.

I'm trying to be patient, really I am!

I'd kinda like my kitchen back, I'm hungry and I need to do laundry before toooo long! But I'm really thrilled that I've figured out a way to do this in such confined quarters.

Not much longer and I'll get to see how it comes out!

(The Freedom Quilt is being SO patient while I work on other projects)

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Delightful Mess!

2011-02-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

The first phase of glazing is finished, and THERE ARE SOME LOVELY DRIPS!

Can't wait to do the next layer! I think that's my favorite part!

Squee!

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Happy Accident!

2011-02-20T07:54:00.000-05:00

Well I didn't expect that...

Every now and then the glaze will run under the perfect set of circumstances only it's hard to duplicate the desired effect.

I just figured it out!
Something tells me LOTS of vases are going to have drips on them!

I LOVE MY WORK!!!!!

*tickled PINK!*

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Winter Enchantment

2011-02-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

The good folks at Artbeads.com suggested that I make a piece that represents what I find beautiful or inspirational about the winter season. I thought of this quote imediately:

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”

-Stanley Horowitz

Doesn't this leaf look like an etching?

Then I ordered a few things from Artbeads.com. I was really taken with products with the "gunmetal" finish, they are really a beautiful addition to more traditional finishes. I also fell in love with the feather charm and snowflake charms, and there are so many charms to choose from!
I made the earrings first, they were so fun to make and I'll be wearing these every day for a month at least!

I love the "fancy link" in this gunmetal finish!

Then I started in on the necklace, beginning with the small bird's nest in the center

and working out with stylized tree branches.

The strong solid links and cables on the right side are balanced by the more delicate work on the other side. The crystals add lots of sparkle and the dangles provide lots of movement.

Plus, it will be REALLY FUN to wear!
Necklace: $149, Earrings: $49

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

FTC disclaimer: I received some of the products shown in this blog from Artbeads.com free of charge, I have not been paid for my endorsement of these products and I am reviewing the products honestly.

Progress on Glass

2011-02-19T09:49:00.000-05:00

It takes some time (and my kitchen table) but I'm making progress.

The first layer of glaze goes on...

And on and on...

I love seeing them and wondering how they will turn out!

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Back in the Kitchen Again

2011-02-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

It's that time again, kids! I've sent lots and lots of glass through the dish washer. I got out all my colors...

Seems like every surface in the kitchen has disappeared under glass...

or glaze.

My paint brushes are all ready, so are the little spongy things.

It's taken a long time, and quite honestly I didn't know if it could be done in a tiny little apartment kitchen...

But I'm giving it my best shot!

Happy Creating!

-Carmen Rose

Studio B

2011-02-16T07:11:00.003-05:00

Studio B is looking for a family!

(Someone who likes to garden might enjoy adding landscaping, what a difference that would make!)

If you or someone you know might be "it" then please contact your realtor and have a look round.

More information.

Happy Trails,

(and end of commercial!)

-Carmen Rose

PS, someone please buy my house? LOL!

Studio B Transformations Kitchen

2011-02-15T07:24:00.002-05:00

When I met this house, the first thing I fell in love with was the kitchen. And yes, that's what it looked like when I walked in.

Look at all that space! Imagine what you could cook in a kitchen this size...

And those two HUGE pantries!

And vintage 1975 everything!

but it was wide open to the family room, there was space for dogs, cats, kids on bikes... lol!

I started with a coat of paint for the walls and trim. All the lighting was replaced.

The chandelier was a lovely addition over the breakfast table.

But still... no matter what changes occurred... THAT FLOOR ruined everything.

So... lots of sore knees later I had installed a brand new floor.

A couple coats of finish and the floor looked amazing in the morning sunlight streaming in the windows.

My mom helped me paint the uppers white, all the lowers a charcoal gray. (The right side was unfinished in that photo above, finished now.) It's an updated look from the all white kitchen, and much more practical.

I added polymer clay hardware (which I'll take with me)

Installed a new stainless steel hood and great range with bells and whistles.

These delivery guys were great! They got it in without a single scratch to the floor, and perfectly level.

A new faucet and tract lighting over the counter facing the family room (where I dyed a bunch of fabric that day)

I painted the inside of the pantries white and added more shelves to better use the space.

The second smaller pantry became a home office.

I liked this little cubby, a great spot for my favorite cookbook and some artwork.

Lots of room for any hobby or collection you can imagine.

And beautiful morning sunshine.

This may have been my favorite room in Studio B. I had a glass glazing studio there as well as my soap making studio. But it's time for new people and new endeavers for this house.

The listing. Please feel free to pass this link to someone who might need a great home in the area.
The price is low, the time is right to snatch up a great house at a great deal!

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Studio B Transformations Family Room & Deck

2011-02-14T06:47:00.002-05:00

I never really did that much with the Family Room, the next big project would have been to replace the carpet. But here are a few photos of the room just to give you a feel for the size of the room and the possibilities.

This is how the room looked when I saw it the first time. Even the dark paneling could not cover the fact that it was a huge room with lots of light and an amazing view out over the golf course.

I took down those grandma curtains first and updated that light fixture.

We sanded, primed and painted those paneled walls.

The room has an intercom terminal and dedicated thermostat. I loved the zone heating options on this house! And of course it's wide open into the kitchen and we added tract lighting above the bar in between.

So after the paint dried I added some shelves and painted the walls behind them the blue from the kitchen to unify the rooms some. But the dark fireplace was still too dark and overwhelming in the room.

So I carefully stained the brick and was very pleased with how it turned out. It brightened up the room a great deal, a good coat of masonry paint in white would work wonders in my opinion. And a simple mantle. Oh it was wonderful to have a fire in there in the midst of snow storms!

I changed the window treatments to ones that showed off my ever changing collection of art glass. The sun came through there in the evenings and just made my glass glow, I loved that! And in the evening with guests we'd light the candles in the sconces and they looked so pretty.

And just outside the sliding glass doors is the roomy back deck.

I kept a bowl of bird seed for the guests who liked to drop by. They were fun to watch!

I think this deck was one of my favorite features of this house. I grew veggies and an herb garden here and made pizza and pretty much anything else on the grill. There simply is no better place to be in the cool of a summer evening.

The listing. Please feel free to pass this link to someone who might need a great home in the area.
The price is low, the time is right to snatch up a great house at a great deal!

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Birthday Week Adventures

2011-02-13T13:30:00.000-05:00

I had one of the most delightful birthday weeks EVER! I'll tell ya, I highly recommend turning forty mumble with some excellent friends! I spent some time with my friend and her family who live near DC.

The food was amazing! We feasted (this doesn't include eating out where I must have forgot my brain because I don't have photos of the restaurant food! O Bother!!)

I enjoyed her creativity a great deal, aren't these little jello bugs the cutest thing ever?! She made the jello in an egg carton! =)

We had a lovely time at an art museum in DC, I took a few photos of my favorite things.

Sometimes it was the words more than the artwork:

Or a quote included as part of an exhibit:

This one just fascinated me! I just LOVED it SO MUCH!

And a huge installation of the map of the US. This is just before I set off the "You are too close to the artwork" detector thingi. Oopsy! It was cool, there were so many screens and each state had video on a loop that had to do with that state specifically. It was a fascinating piece.

And we had to get a photo of me with all the Steelers stuff (this trip was the week before the super bowl) because my friends are raving Packers fans!

Which is a good thing, because the Packers won! And what a great game it was!

I loved my adventure, I have the best friends a forty mumble woman could ever hope for!

And while I was there she taught me the art of Kumihimo ~ ancient Japanese braiding.

Now THAT is fun!

And who doesn't need another new art media?

LOL!

Happy Trails to you,

-Carmen Rose

Studio B Tranformations Bathroom

2011-02-11T06:05:00.003-05:00

The bathroom was transformed, it took some work but check out the process: Everything was vintage 1975! There were various colors of green in this bathroom, from the avocado tub, to the multicolored floor, to the moss green counter top… and then the gold walls. I gave it a big face lift!

After:

I love the great shower curtain from Marimekko.
And all the gold paint had to go! I chose a shade of green that would tie the other greens together and give an updated look.
I picked out a new faucet and hardware for the vanity. (Can you tell I have a thing for fleur de lis?!) I painted the vanity and all the trim in a lovely clean ultra white. I removed the hinges and rattle canned them white. My STBX installed GFI outlets and changed the switches and recepts to white with white plates.
He also removed the old lighting and put in track lighting, with two pendants lights and some spots. I love how the glass shades echo the black lines in the shower curtain and I love the flexibility of track lighting spots.
I loved the new TP holder, just another nice detail. This room has it's own thermostat and intercom terminal. I could listen to my ipod in any room of the house. The "towel rack" for towels, the lighting for artwork...I'm wishing I had photos of the large bathroom closet but I don't. It is huge!

It looks nice when dressed up with some artwork and pretty white towels. The track lighting really works to great advantage in this room.

The new bracket-less shelves lend themselves to a great collections of pretty things.

This was one of my favorite transformations in Studio B. Now it's time for someone else to make their mark on this great house. If you or someone you know might be interested in more info on purchasing this house, please let me know.

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Studio B Transformations Bedroom 2

2011-02-10T06:02:00.000-05:00

When I met this little bedroom I wasn't a big fan of the peach walls.

I painted everything white with one accent wall in that rich earthy color and added some lovely layered curtains.

This room is 11x10'7" and has it's own thermostat and intercom terminal.

Stay tuned for more before and after photos from Studio B.
And let me know if you or someone you know would like more information on purchasing this house.

Happy Creating!

-Carmen Rose

Studio B Transformations Master Bath

2011-02-09T06:40:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite updates to Studio B was the work we did on the Master Bath. It had a bad case of the uglies!

Vintage 1975 blue shower, blue vinyl floor with glitter in it. Can't believe anyone ever manufactured that stuff.
The light and mirror get the award for the worst things in the room. And the sink... well... it is what it is.
So I went shopping and when I got home it was time for the real work. First, that med cabinet was out of there, it had been installed way too high on the wall and I wanted it lower. Which wasn't as simple as it seemed like it should be. Never is.
Some fancy drywall patching, a coat of paint and the new light fixture installed and it's already looking like a different room. I put down a new floor, vinyl tiles go down fast and are pretty easy to cut if you have the right cutters. The baseboard went back down and that finished up the floor.
On the window I used a piece of vintage textile from my collection and it fits beautifully on the window. I hung it from a tension rod on clips and the hand work on it is a nice detail and a touch of color in the room. A new white shower curtain, and a nice new extra long towel holder. (curtain rod)
I painted the vanity "Italian Leather" and was surprised with how much I liked how it turned out. Removing the old hardware and patching the holes and some new hardware from the Restore and it's a big difference. A new GFI outlet and white switches and plates were more nice details.
A few matching bracketless shelves made a nice update and it didn't take me long to fill those shelves after the paint dried. Each detail easily added personality and charm to the room.

I am pleased with how this cute little bathroom turned out!

From this:

To this:

Studio B is for sale, if you know of someone who might like a great home like this, please check out the MLS listing.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Studio B Transformations Bedroom 3

2011-02-08T06:52:00.002-05:00

Bedroom #3 is a 10x12 room on the corner of the house, two large windows make sure this room is always drenched in light. When I met this room it looked like this, blue walls, blue carpet, natural woodwork.

I painted the walls a light neutral green and finished the trim in white and it made the room lighter. Some little curtains made from Ikea fabric were kinda cute.

A little bit of eclectic furniture and we had a cute guest room. The blue carpet is in excellent condition but it would be lovely with hardwood or something.

The room has it's own thermostat control for the baseboard heat and intercom terminal with volume control.

I will post the MLS listing information as soon as the listing has been corrected.

Know someone who needs a Studio B?

More photos of the transformation process coming.

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Studio B a house with a view

2011-02-07T07:48:00.002-05:00

I'm giving some thought today to Studio B and some of the features I loved so much. One of my favorite things was living on the golf course and enjoying the view from the home. I have taken so many photos from the back deck of the house that it hasn't been hard to compile some of them to see the changing of the seasons.

That one shows the transition of winter into spring. The following one shows lots of seasons.

I've loved the view from there! It was great to have the feeling of being in the country while having the comforts of an in-town location. I've also loved taking off on a run down the hill across the golf course down to the park, making the loop and back up the hill from the street side. It's a beautiful 2+/- mile walk/run and it always felt so invigorating.

If you or someone you know are in the market for a house, please check out the MLS listing.

“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Studio B

2011-02-04T13:41:00.002-05:00

We've just put Studio B on the market and I've been looking through photographs for the Realtor. It is interesting to look back and remember the first time I saw that house and then remember it when it was full of color and life. It needs a family that can appreciate all the space and features, someone who will love living on the golf course and at the end of a quiet street, or enjoying the sunrise as the light streams in the 12 x 27 ft kitchen with two huge pantries. Or perhaps use the 1861 sq ft unfinished basement for art studios and maybe some roller blading... as I did.

Here's to the changing of the seasons of life,
-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 7 ~ Finishing up the Ironing

2011-01-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

The ironing is finally finished! I'm glad to, cause after 40 yards I was getting tired of that!

I have 80 fat quarters, a zillion 3.5 inch strips and then all these lovely chunks!

I can't wait to see what comes of all this!

Thing is... I just realized I have ten more yards of cotton... and there are still come colors that didn't quite come through in this...

I'm considering a whole new round of dying! LOL!

(I may need more than 40 days!)

Happy Creating!

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 6 ~ More Ironing

2011-01-29T20:27:00.001-05:00

It takes a while to iron 40 yards of freshly dyed cotton! Today I ironed some of the purples.

I'm ironing, cutting and folding as I go along. Here are today's colors along with yesterday's colors:

And here is one of the purples, I just LOVE the textures in these colors!

Tomorrow I finish this! It takes a while, but it will be worth it.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 5 ~ Ironing

2011-01-28T19:38:00.000-05:00

I've started ironing, cutting and folding the fabric for the Freedom Quilt.

I love the textures and tonality of these! There are some bold ones and some milder ones, all of them have a beauty of their own. Ironing feels like a process of discovery. I love it!

And somehow I manage to turn colors again... that is why we call it hand dying!

Today I ironed about 16 of the 40 yards. I have been cutting fat quarters and 2.5 inch strips and these are the leftover chunks of the yellows. Such a range of colors, I love them all!

Happy Creating!

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 4 ~ Laundry Day

2011-01-27T19:08:00.000-05:00

YAY! It's time to wash the fabric! Now to see how it all turned out.

First the yellows:

Then the blues:

Then the fuchsias:

Wow, this is starting to feel like laundry day! Now it's time to iron. Oooo.... boy!

Why did I do 40 yards again? This could take a while... BUT THE COLORS!

MERCY ME I DO LOVE THESE COLORS!!

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Beautiful drive

2011-01-26T21:43:00.005-05:00

A beautiful evening at dusk and I was driving with one hand and trying to aim my phone with the other. Was so nice to soak in the Beauty.

Happy Trails,
-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 3 ~ Hand Dying Fabric

2011-01-26T18:27:00.007-05:00

It's day three of the Freedom Quilt project, it's time to dye some cotton, ya'll! And I'm pretty excited, I always love this part! Playing with color is my thang! I started by mixing dyes, dying small samples to see if I could manage to get the colors I was looking for. I was working with primary colors though I did use some orange, and I also mixed up some black for adding some tonality to colors. It's not easy to tell if the colors are off at this stage, but once they come out of the dryer there is no doubt. There is a learning curve!!

I started out with the first ten containers.

Then closed them, made some changes to each bottle of dye and then added dye to the second set of ten.

This is why I call it hand dying... because even with gloves, I will certainly turn colors!

Forty containers, forty yards.

All that glorious color hidden in there...

No idea which ones are going to work out beautifully and which ones I'm not going to like...

Forty containers of infinite possibility.

Before long I'll send these through the wash and begin to see how they turned out. Anticipation is part of the fun! Day three of the freedom quilt is complete.

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt 2 ~ Cut & Soak

2011-01-25T00:09:00.003-05:00

Freedom quilt, day two!
Today I turned 40 yards of fabric

Into forty yards of fabric...

in one yard sections.

I soaked it all in soda ash solution, then wrung them out and put them in containers, ready to dye.

Tomorrow... I dye!

Unless life gets in the way... in which case it will need to wait a while. But that's fine.

No worries,

-Carmen Rose

Delicious Bacon-Chicken Tortilla Soup

2011-01-24T23:38:00.000-05:00

The perfect meal for January, I've had a pot of this soup in my fridge for a few days and I'm still loving it!

Once the soup is made, get out a bowl...

break some tortilla chips in the bottom of the bowl

sprinkle on some cheese

ladle over the the soup, it melts the cheese...

finish with a healthy dollop of sour cream

Delicious cold weather food.

Best Dishes, as Paula Deen would say,

-Carmen Rose

Scramble

2011-01-23T22:58:00.000-05:00

Scrambled eggs with fresh veggies.

Some assembly required.

Happy yum,

-Carmen Rose

Lemon Blueberry Crumble Cake

2011-01-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

I was trying for a beautiful slice to photograph but it was warm and it crumbled into bits when I tried to take it out of the pan, and plus... by that time I was starving and salivating and that piece was MINE! No worries, it looked crumbly but it was DELICIOUS! And I have eaten the whole thing!

Wishing you a happy yum,

-Carmen Rose

Freedom Quilt, day one ~ Gather Supplies

2011-01-21T20:33:00.003-05:00

I'm starting a new quilt project. This one will be different than anything I've done in a long time. First of all, I have been out of the studio for a LONG time. It's time I remember who I am and get back into the swing of things. This will be a quilt close to my heart, it will be bed sized to replace the first quilt I ever made that I'm losing in the divorce.

Secondly, it will certainly NOT be a double wedding ring, I'll make up the pattern as I go along. And finally... I'll be hand dying these fabrics so ANYTHING can happen. I may use some commercial fabrics also, it is a "freedom" quilt after all. But at this point I'm thinking it will be pretty free form with a mix of colors and textures. I plan to create the quilt top in forty days, though those forty will have to be a day here and there as I'm working three jobs and I'm still on the board of directors at a gallery north of here. There is not much free time around here!

Day One, Taking Inventory

I have taken inventory of the things I have. Lots of dyes and fabric paints:

How on earth did I have this much yardage just sitting around waiting for a project? More than 40 yards of good ready to dye cotton fabric.

And of course this is only a portion of the commercial fabric collection in boxes in my new studio.

Anything is possible, I have no idea what this will look like when I'm finished.

But it will be good.

Here's to Freedom,

-Carmen Rose

Keeping warm in the bleak mid-winter

2011-01-20T00:03:00.000-05:00

I love fire.

A warm and cozy day to all my favorite blog readers,
-Carmen Rose

No Knead Bread

2011-01-19T23:44:00.001-05:00

No need to knead...

Since I live alone I take half the recipe and bake it.

And put the rest in the fridge to bake another day. This one had some saffron in it, delicious exotic flavor.
Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Spicy Shrimp Alfredo

2011-01-18T23:29:00.001-05:00

Don't you love it when you come across a great sale? Shrimp, big ones... great price! I know what my dinner will be!

Spicy Shrimp Ramen Alfredo (Some assembly required... it's like Ikea food or something.) Shrimp cook quickly, ramen cooks quickly... this really is a meal in minutes!

Turned out looking really good.

Went down EASY! Yum Yum Yum!

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Giggles

2011-01-17T22:27:00.000-05:00

Giggles are like Snickers... only MUCH better.

Nutella Fudge, Dulce de leche caramel

With sea salt and toasted hazelnuts

Add nougat made with marshmallow fluff.

Cover with another layer of fudge.

Carefully cut into squares once it has cooled.
I had trouble with this because the stuff tasted SO GOOD!
I kept getting sidetracked by eating.

Dip each square in chocolate.

Package to give. Most of them I put in small cupcake papers and into gift boxes. Some went on mixed plates of Christmas treats to take to parties.

They really were amazing and became the hit of every party I took them to over the holidays.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Oreos

2011-01-16T22:17:00.001-05:00

Oreo cookies dipped in chocolate. My favorites were the ones with the green filling, mint oreos dipped in dark chocolate. I think that may have been one of my favorites from the holidays.

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Love This

2011-01-15T22:07:00.001-05:00

Some of my friends are huge fans of Mumford & Sons.

I totally see why!

Check this out:

White Blank Page, Mumford and Sons

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

A Mischief of Mice

2011-01-14T21:50:00.004-05:00

The holidays aren't complete without a visit of the mice.

(Some assembly required of course)

Please don't forget the ears!

the huddle

'the soap opera'

'the choir'

Lovely young mice, slightly crunchy, watch out for the red juice, delicious and fun!

Happy creating to you and yours,

-Carmen Rose

Delicious Creating

2011-01-13T20:51:00.001-05:00

Sorry to say I have badly neglected my blog...so it is time to play catch up!

Breakfast Burritos - some assembly required.

Scrambled goodies

Ready to be wrapped and frozen.

10 minutes in the toaster oven yields the perfect easy breakfast!

Delicious Creating,
And healthy new beginnings,

-Carmen Rose

My Girls

2010-12-16T17:50:00.000-05:00

I'm looking for homes for my girls who have been my constant companions for years. Neither my Ex-husband nor I can offer them the right kind of life for a border collie so I am looking for a good home for them.

Please contact me at carmenrose at comcast dot net if you or someone you know might be able to give them a good home.

Contest

2010-11-24T23:11:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I've entered this contest at Artbeads.com:

This is my entry, a jewelry design inspired by a grapes and leaves, tendrils... the whole grape cluster and autumn harvest kind of idea.

I'd absolutely love it if you voted for my piece. You can vote every day between now and December 8th. While you are there, check out some of the other entries. I may post my other favorites if I get the chance.

Grape Cluster Entry

Simply click the sage green "VOTE" button in the top right of the listing to place your vote.

Check out the whole list of entries, there are lots of those and there is no easy way to click through them all.

You could vote every day, five votes per day, up until December 8th.

It feels good to see this kind of response to the first piece I made after I moved, got my new studio set up and got my jewelry making mojo back. I'm very grateful indeed, it's been a loooooonnnng time coming!

Thank You,

-Carmen Rose

Potato Soup

2010-11-20T13:40:00.000-05:00

Oh it's been AGES since I made potato soup!

And these potatoes from my CSA turned out to be purple inside plus the white, yellow and sweet ones.

They're so PRETTY!

With some smoked bacon... and chicken stock, cream, smoked paprika and fresh rosemary.

Rich and hearty with toasted rosemary bread.

YUM!

Delicious Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Rock On #2

2010-11-20T13:02:00.001-05:00

The work on the rocking chair for Charity continues. When I came back to the project, I wasn't thrilled with it, so I painted over some parts and tried a different approach. Then I put the next layer of finish on the light areas.

It's an interesting process of putting paint on, the taking it back off again.

It really made the details stand out.

Time to work on the cushion.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Grape Cluster Necklace Press #2

2010-11-10T22:18:00.000-05:00

This necklace can now be found on the Artbeads.com Facebook fan page as well as their blog. They've done a beautiful job presenting it. I'm really amazed at the response this necklace is getting. Thank you all so much!

Here is the text that goes with the photo that I wrote for their blog:
"In recent travels I came across a beautiful leaf that really captured my attention, it was from a merlot grapevine. I immediately wanted to make a jewelry design with a flowing grape cluster with a grape leaf or leaves. When I saw the copper maple leaf on the Artbeads.com website, I hoped I could make it look more merlot than maple. When I added copper curls and chain, and round amethyst and jade beads plus hand made lampwork beads from Artbeads.com for grapes. I made some other round beads from polymer clay to bring out the copper along with the greens and hues of purple. It took a while to structure the piece and I worked into the night, but I am very pleased with how it turned out."

I have entered this necklace in the "What Inspires You" contest and later on in November they will open up the entries to everyone. Then you can vote for the design you like the best.

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Rock On

2010-11-07T00:08:00.000-04:00

The good folks at Bargain Shop at 1910 West Beverley Street in Staunton sold me two antique rockers, gave me a great deal. I'm working on this for the Roberta Web Child Care Center fund raiser Rock-a-thon scheduled for mid December.

This is the "before" photo:

I got it to the gallery and spent some time with the steel wool roughing up the surface so that the paint would stick.

I started the first coat, and let me tell ya... the guests in the gallery were not rooting for me at this stage. There were some comments about ruining that old rocker and a little hostility from the purist crowd. I understand, and on some level agree. But the finish on this rocker was so bad and the bones so good... I really hoped that my work was not going to be entirely destructive. But at that stage you just have to trust the process. (And really, that is the part to do without an audience!)

I had chosen some commercial batiks for the fabric for the cushion and the inspiration for my color scheme came from the fabric. Plus, I wanted to end up with something that would be the kind of thing I'd enjoy having in my home. So I started into getting a variety of colors on the rocker.

There is so much detail work on this rocker that it takes a really really long time to get one coat on it, much less two.

Finally the second coat was finished:

Ready for a little detail work to bring out the features of the piece. I blended lots of colors looking to achieve that batik fabric look.

The gallery closed and I was ready to call it a night, so I had to stop there. I'll be back soon to finish up the details on this one. I made a template for the seat, so I don't know when I'll make the cushion but I believe it will bring together the whole project. Or at least I trust that it will, we shall see.

Rock On,

Carmen Rose

Rock-a-thon

2010-11-06T01:40:00.001-04:00

I have agreed to design a complete makeover for this rocking chair as part of a fund raising effort for local NFP Child Care center.

Each artist will augment a rocker. There will be a rock-a-thon and the rockers will then be sold at auction with all proceeds going to the Roberta Webb Child Care Center. I already have visions of paint and of course a new textile cushion for the seat. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out!

Rock on,
Carmen Rose

Grape Cluster Necklace Press

2010-11-04T15:46:00.000-04:00

Artbeads.com has posted photos of my Grape Cluster Necklace on their Facebook Fan page and I've just been amazed by the kinds of comments people are posting.

What a blessing, I'm really grateful.

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

Oh, this is FUN!

2010-11-02T21:39:00.000-04:00

I've been in the jewelry studio again, this time playing with buttons from my grandmother.

There are a variety of earthy colored buttons in this piece, some chinese jasper and some apple green turquoise accents.

I made polymer clay beads in apple green, pale pink and rich purple.

Hanging from the vintage buttons are these cool old keys, a washer and a nut with some vintage buttons and the polymer clay beads I made.

I finished up this set with earrings with key and washer, accented with Chinese Jasper and Apple Green Turquoise and a swirled polymer clay bead.

I wore this one to work. I walked in and one of the guys noticed it right off. "That's pretty cool" was his response. This one will get attention anywhere it is worn.

Happy Creating!
-Carmen Rose

Colors of Fall

2010-10-31T20:08:00.001-04:00

Check out Pantone's Fashion color report for Fall 2010! It's a beautiful combination of colors. I'm always drawn to the purple colors, this time was no exception. "Purple Orchid" and "Chocolate Truffle" are both striking colors, as well as "Woodbine" which is a lovely rich green along with "Endive" which I interpret as a pale jade green. These colors were inspiration for new jewelry! Grape colors if you ask me!

When Artbeads.com contacted me again about making something for their Fall Design Partner's Gallery, I came upon this beautiful maple leaf and these beautiful silver lined round twist beads which I thought would be perfect for a grape cluster design. Grape leaves and maple leaves aren't the same, but close enough.

So I started with a sketch. This is a bit unusual for me, but I had some time to think about this idea until the beads came.

I also made some polymer clay beads, they are the swirly round ones that are a combination of the "Woodbine" "Purple Orchid" and "Endive" color scheme along with some copper.

I added in some copper wire to the design.

Then I worked late into the night in Studio Nine. And by morning I had this:

I wanted to try to show the back part also, because I like the copper chain, the different textures and the copper wire twisted into a clasp.
$295 email me at CarmenRose at comcast dot net.

A detail of those glass beads from Artbeads.com plus Amethyst, Jade, Faceted light Amethyst Crystals, Vintage Jade beads, Swarovski Pearls and other great beads from my stash. I really think the "grape" leaf is the star of the show in this piece.

It's structured on chain so it has lots of wonderful movement. These are my colors. I'm going to enjoy wearing this one!

It's been years since I've done much by way of jewelry design even though I worked in this media professionally for quite a few years. And much of this year I was emotionally unable to get in the studio and do the work that is closest to my heart. I've moved my studios recently and it took considerable time to begin to set up another studio in my new home. I finally have a jewelry design area. More than that, I have once again felt the stirring of inspiration and I can't tell you how good that feels. It's been a long dark season but this is a very good sign. The creative juices are moving once more and I am grateful.

And that night after I created this piece, I just couldn't stop making jewelry. It feels so good to be back in the flow again. And I think I'll enter this piece in the Artbeads.com Inspiration Competition when I get a chance!

May your creative juices surprise you with a blessing this week!

-Carmen Rose

Flying and Feasting

2010-10-31T16:39:00.000-04:00

After enjoying the Zip Line Canopy Tour, I went back with Mary and her family to their timeshare at the Resort. I've seen these places and wondered what they were like inside. They've got an amazing view and lots of wildlife.

I had fun taking photos from the balconies and enjoying the wild life.

The sun was starting to go down.

The sky turned more beautiful than usual.

They are all lined up like soldiers, very orderly.

It was dusk, the sun was setting.

Such a pretty sky. So we jumped in the car to go up to the top of the ridge.

I grew up in a house with a view of Massanutten Peak, it was the landmark of my youth. Whenever I got lost, all I had to do was look to the Peak and then I would know exactly where I was. Now I'm looking out at my "home land" from the very mountain that I looked to.

The sun had set, we were hungry, it was time to make some dinner.

We played with the groundhog, who didn't mind eating right from our hands.

Fat ol fella. That peanut butter cracker seemed to slow him up a bit.

Later on the night shift came out to gather up whatever the groundhog had left behind.

Jody did steaks on the grill.

I fried up some green tomatoes until they were nice and crispy.

Now THAT'S a feast! I don't think I've ever eaten such a big steak! And there were hot fresh biscuits also. And yes, I ate it all. And it was good!

A lovely time around the table with friends from a distant time in my life. It was so fun to enjoy their time together, it was a place of warmth and lots of laughter and stories of practical jokes. I nearly laughed myself off my chair with the tale of the imaginary bear. Mercy, it was good!

Some moments in life are so sweet, often made more so when in contrast to the darker things. This was one of those and I'm so grateful. I have the best friends in the whole wide world!

Flying and Feasting to you,
-Carmen Rose

Time of my LIFE!

2010-10-31T15:57:00.000-04:00

I have never been on a zip line though I've seen photos of a number of my friends who did the zip line canopy tour in Costa Rica. And I really want to do that some day. So when a friend of mine mentioned she'd be in the area and they were going on a zip line canopy tour, and invited me... I GOT EXCITED!

I couldn't decide which gadget to take. The phone that takes fuzzy photos if I'm jittery (and I was sure I WOULD BE jittery) or the old unreliable camera that I wouldn't mind loosing.

My hostess, one of my very best friends in college. I haven't seen her in approximately 17 or 18 years.

We started the course with a little training session and some fun little obstacle course type things.

Jody was getting ready to fly, that's me behind the guide in yellow.

Two of the best guides ever, these two were amazing. We were laughing the whole time!

Me on top of the world. I was terrified but they didn't give us time to stop and think about anything, just move, move, move. And it was SO exhilarating!

This just goes to show that there was never a serious moment, the whole time. He was a RIOT!

That's me showing good form. I'm not spinning, which means I'm doing a good job steering. That hand in the air is ready to brake if I started coming into one of the bases too quickly. And I won't tell you how many times I was yelled at for doing it wrong but it didn't matter. Your body has instincts that aren't consistant with good flying form. So... I did learn how to do it and I was pretty pleased with myself!

That's me flying. I can't begin to describe what a rush that is!

They called this one "The Step of Faith." I figured that each time I'd stepped into thin air up there in the sky I was making a step of faith. I was up there on that platform in the sky, and I stepped off that platform like it was the most natural thing in the world. Did the falling and the landing quite nicely. Actually, they thought it would be fun to dangle me while the guy at the bottom spun me. I was laughing so hard I could barely yell "Hey, don't mess with the white girl!"

View from the top. When I look at this photo I can almost feel that platform swaying under my feet and the wind in my hair and that exhilaration feeling I had up there. I still can't believe I did it, I was certainly scared. But it was SO MUCH FUN!

One of these days I'm going to do that canopy tour in Costa Rica!

If you ever get the chance to take a zip line tour, do it!

Living full tilt and loving very moment,

-Carmen Rose

Adventure of Mine, Part 2

2010-10-26T01:08:00.004-04:00

We visited a mine in Amelia County, Virginia. The coridors had an otherworldly quality to them.

Combination of Amazonite and some other rocks.

I was amazed at the variety of things to see in the walls.

A variety of colors and textures.

Even a tiny little bat.

This is looking out from inside.

This was one of the smaller places we crawled through. There is a change of ladders from the metal to wooden right there and it's tight, especially with all that stuff on your hips.

Don't go until the last guy is off the ladder, otherwise you'll be sifting down sand and rock on the guy under you.

Shatner was patient with us. My turn is coming!

Looking down into the mine from one of the upper levels.

Squeeze! Going down was easier than coming out, on the trip back up my pockets were full of rocks!

And then the final ladder out into the sunshine again. Oh, that was fun!

William Shatner, our guide (otherwise known as Mark) was the last one out.

Then we went back to collecting rocks outside for a while.

I found some fun things... maybe I'll share photos of the rocks when I get them all cleaned off.

What an amazing adventure, I loved it SO MUCH! If you get the chance to visit a mine near you, DO IT!
Create an Adventure today!

Grace,

-Carmen Rose
PS, thanks to Wolfie (Stuart Mercer) for many of these great photos - you ROCK man!

Adventure of Mine, Part 1

2010-10-26T01:07:00.000-04:00

I had the most amazing adventure this weekend. A group of us visited a mine in Amelia county, Virginia. I left the house in the dark with an amazing full moon shining in the West. As we left Elkton to cross the next mountains the sun rose in our faces and it was a glorious sunrise. We got to the mine early and began exploring the rocks that are brought up out of the mine. This is John and Lisa of the Wolf Pack.

Waiting for the next load of rocks to be brought out from the mine on the big backhoe.

Wolfie and his little sister Lisa showing good rock hunting technique. Such delightful people!

We were very fortunate to be offered the chance to go down in the mine. I was so tickled! I've got all my gear and am ready to go!

I've got two flashlights and a camera, and a self rescuer all on belts. Hands must be free for ladders, three points of contact at all times. And of course the hard hat, I was really glad I had it on to, I bashed into low ceilings a number of times!

Our tour was led by William Shatner whose name was actually Mark.

Shatner points out some especially cool rocks. There were many different kinds in this mine but it is mostly known for Amazonite - the turquoise colored stone by his hand.

Wolfie checking out the Amazonite, wouldn't mind having a bit of that rock he's pointing to!

We took LOTS of photos! Earl and Dan.

An especially interesting six sided crystal formation, mica books and a wall of Amazonite.

More walls of turquoise colored stone.

I'm doing my part to hold up my end of things! It was a great group of guys, we had fun.

My camera decided to act a little strange (thus those weird diagonal lines) but the schrooms were pretty cool looking. There is lots of moisture down there. If someone pecks you on the shoulder it's most likely mine rain. And there is water on the floor but my boots kept my feet dry.

It was an amazing adventure, I'm still shaking my head in wonder. More photos coming.

Happy Creating

(create an adventure, make some memories!)

-Carmen Rose

Raven's Roost

2010-10-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

A lovely evening at Raven's Roost on Blue Ridge Parkway.

It's not a long drive to Blue Ridge Parkway from here.

It was an amazing evening, clear and beautiful.

A little bit chilly and very windy.

And the sun lingered at the edges of the earth...

Just toying with the fringes...

Until it vanished altogether.

And the moon... oh how I love the moon!

Just soaking up the beauty of autumn in the Shenandoah Valley!

Happy Soaking,
Carmen Rose