Quilt Design

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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

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