As promised, here is the day-by-day accounting of week two at The Crow Barn:
Sunday, May 27, 2018
- Presentation Day!
- The presentations were fascinating. I had ideas about each of the women in class after last week, but after seeing their personal work, I have a different or more complete picture.
- Last year, Nancy assigned homework to students and told them not to come back if they didn't do it. The homework was amazing — in volume and dedication.
- I have no idea what the rest of this week will hold.
Monday, May 28, 2018
- Wow! I can actually see that I learned something last week! I created this week's composition focusing on the white space instead of the black lines. (Not pictured, by the way. The photo above is just me getting started with a blank slate.)
- Actually, I learned a few things last week:
- My ambition/imagination and my physical skills don't match.
- Simple is actually more difficult in some ways.
- The rules of art are the same in quilting as in painting: variety of line weights, value changes, tension, etc.
- Think about the white space as much as the black lines.
- Be dedicated in refining and don't get lazy.
- Nancy looked at my composition and accused me of being lazy in one area — she was right. I was being lazy. I was surprised that it showed. I shouldn't have been.
- I got done with everything before dinner, so I got to go home early!
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
- Fascinating day. Today we worked in greyscale and my brain is blowing up. Value is both confusing and elucidating.
- My thought: If you can get the values right, then the switch to color will be easy (famous last words?)
- I'm still struggling with the sewing. I have ripped out so many seams and I can't get anything to line up. Sigh.
- I've been drawing graphs and charts to try to figure out how to stitch it together.
- I know that I said I'd never go in at 7am, but I'm setting my alarm for 6am and planning to be there early tomorrow to sew, sew, sew!
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
- Sew, sew, sew! Today was a massive day of stitching. I definitely got better as I went along — proof that practice works.
- I accidentally cut off the entire lower right corner of the quilt top when I tried to square it up. Sigh. Need more practice.
- Understanding color value is kicking my behind and I love it! I'm struggling to be able to do it by eye instead of relying on the black and white filter in my phone. It's not easy. Must practice.
- I'm starting to see a theme here: practice. It's true in quilting. It's true in art journaling. It's true in everything.
- Starting to feel like my time here is coming to an end way too soon! I didn't understand it when other students talked about crying when they left The Crow Barn. I don't think I'll cry, but I get it!
Thursday, May 31, 2018
- I'm so tired. So tired. Feel light headed, but pushing through it. Must. Finish. Quilt.
- I'm over the moon when I get the okay to start stitching my colored pieces together. The question is: can I finish this one?
- There's one problem area in my quilt where the colors are just so-so and so Nancy says just stitch other parts and come back to it. Good advice. Don't obsess, just work.
- This is my second day-in-a-row of showing up to sew at 7am. Who am I? I hate mornings!
- Everyone is asking, "Do you think you'll come back?" That's a tough question.
- I've definitely learned A LOT.
- And enjoyed myself.
- And Nancy probably won't teach for much longer.
- BUT, this is really expensive.
- And two weeks is a long time away from home.
- And I have to work to pay my rent.
- And I don't think you get the real benefit of the class unless you really practice between classes.
- And quilting is not my main focus.
- Over the past two weeks I have become more and more convinced that you really need a large design wall to do any kind of successful art quilting.
Friday, June 1, 2018
- I did it! I finished stitching my quilt top together! Had a lot of trouble squaring it up…ending up cutting off a lot more than I meant to in an effort to straighten things out. Sigh. I need to practice.
- Everyone who wanted to had an opportunity to present their work from the last two weeks for 5 minutes.
- Nancy asked me two questions:
- She asked me if Brother had sent me (I had mentioned that I wanted to work on bettering my sewing skills now that I'm demo-ing sewing machines for Brother on HSN). The answer is no. I sent myself.
- She asked if I felt like people were watching me and waiting for me to fail. The answer is no. I actually found everyone in class to be really warm and kind and generous.
- I'm sure that I'll have lots more thoughts as I process it all in the next few hours/days/weeks. At the moment I'm just so tired. I'm going to bed!
In the next week or two, I'll be sharing a podcast with some thoughts about the workshop, after I've had some time to process it all. It's still percolating at the moment. See you then!
Thanks for stopping by!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Veni, vidi, vici, Julie!!!
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Julie, I LOVE your final quilt! Awesome! And I’m very impressed with your hard work.
It may interest you to know that art quilts don’t have to be constructed with seams. You can also collage things, leaving edges raw. This is how I work. Let me know if you want more info on that.
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
Loved your insights, warts and all. Your honest telling of your experience is helpful to all of us. I really like the process and what you completed. Well Done!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
I love raw edge. I have made several raw edge quilts. Thanks for the tip!
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Julie, I love following your blog. I found this series fascinating. I have known about Nancy Crow for a long time, but was unaware of the Crow Barn. It just so happens I am destashing a lot of my quilting books at the moment. Last night I pulled a stack off and found “Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences”. It is a larger, hardback, coffee-tablesque book. I’m not sure if you have seen it or have a copy. I am more than willing to ship it off to you. You might find it interesting after your experience. Let me know if you’d like it. It is only headed to the donate pile otherwise.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
Hi…I don’t know about your quilt, but your tenacity is amazing. All that work and expense … if it brings you some kind of pleasure, I’m glad.
Now, how will you apply what you’ve learned? Perhaps you can incorporate it into your ScanNCut designs. I buy your stencils and while they are not on the scope of what you are involved in at the Crow Barn, they are very, very good.
Enjoy some kind of rest when you can…love your travel blogs.
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
I literally just bought a used copy of it!
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
your quilt is like your journal work! i see YOU in this quilt.
Can’t wait to see what else you do with it!
you are awesome.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
beautiful, Taking time and real effort to make a good post. Cool! Thank you for sharing this post.
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
I have been obsessed with your experience at the Crow Barn ever since you first mentioned going there- and I never even heard about it before you mentioned it. I don’t know why, but hearing about it on the podcast and seeing your vlogs and now reading this has been immensely satisfying. I can’t wait to hear more. Thank you!
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.
Oh my gosh, you were just down the road from me. I’ve taking one of Nancy’s classes. Kick your but, learned a lot but did t repeat the experience again. Good work. I had all the same experiences you did.