Melanie Testa's Blog, page 8
August 22, 2011
What a weekend.
This weekend David and I had our nephew Kyle come and we gave him a grand tour. We went to The Top of the Rock and saw a 360 degree view of New York City. Now that I understand Manhattan and its environment this was an amazing experience for me. NYC is really just so small, it is jam packed and that makes it seem huge, but it isn't.
We went to see the Talk to Me show at the Moma, and to a Mets game. This dog was really talented. He had a pipe in his mouth, wore clothing and yawned.
The 7th inning of the Mets game was so exciting but they ended up loosing anyway. It was worth it though.
While waiting to get pizza at John's in the village, New York City showed its local color and we watched a girl get arrested. More action than I have seen since we moved here. We learned that you Don't Steal Watermelon, especially in front of cops and then mouth off about it. I would have thought all of that was obvious, but, you know.
Then yesterday I taught Soy Wax Batik with Paint at The City Quilter. This was a sample I made in class and I think it was particularly successful. I did bring my camera but forgot to take a single picture of my fabulous students. I will be teaching an add-on Soy Wax with Paint class on Wednesday the 31st, so if you are local or visiting, sign up. There may be a spot or two left.
August 21, 2011
The Winner is...
Sharon Chapman! Congratulations Sharon, Please leave a comment on this post and I will reply to you and we will get your prizes to you!
Thanks to everyone for checking out my blog and leaving comments! This was a great round robin adventiure. Please continue to stop by and check out my blog.
-Melly
August 19, 2011
Hotter than Hot Summer Giveaway!
It started last week, with this post.
Today is my day. Leave comments on this post to receive two great Melanie Testa related giveaways, my book, Inspired to Quilt and a download of my DVD workshop.
The Art Sparks have been working to make this summer cool! Don't forget to leave comments on Jill Berry's blog, Kelli Nina Perkins and the lovely Lyric Kinard
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Things at Casa Testa have been progressing, beside offering up a great giveaway, I met a deadline for Book #2 yesterday and so have some free time on my hands. The Man gave me an retired linen shirt and I took this as an opportunity of reconstruction.
I cut the button placket off, sewed a flat felled seam up the front, cut the collar off and applied a bias binding with a spaghetti strap tie insert, then hemmed the sleeves short and created a faux button cinch. As you know I love reconstructing garments. So I was right in my element yesterday! Aren't I always?
So, comment, you want to win stuff, right?
August 14, 2011
This really is Red Hot!
There are more Red Hot Giveaways to toot! Go check out Tracie Lyn Huskamp and Jane LaFazio. Do not pass go, do not collect 200$.
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And a special thanks to Jeannie, you are wonder full.
August 13, 2011
It is still Red Hot!
Carla Sonheim, Diana Trout and Gloria Hanson have started off the HOT! Summer Giveaway. Go comment on those posts!
I am starting a day full of project making and stampology. So here is my workbench set up. Let the craze begin!
August 8, 2011
Hotter than Hot! Summer Giveaway.
Hot! Summer Giveaway my fabulously fiery friends are simply too hot to handle this summer! Be inspired and feed the fire of your creativity with some of the most creative publications and DVD workshops out there.
Visit each blog on the scheduled day for that person (!!!) and leave comments for chances to win in this hottest of summer giveaways!
Wed August 10 Carla Sonhiem
Thurs August 11 Diana Trout
Fri August 12 Gloria Hansen
Sat August 13 Tracie Lyn Huskamp
Sun August 14 Jane LaFazio
Mon August 15 Jill Berry
Tues August 16 Judy Coates Perez
Wed August 17 Kelli Nina Perkins
Thurs August 18 Lyric Kinard
Fri August 19 Melanie Testa
August 6, 2011
Modern Quilting Today
Last night, the Alliance for American Quilts held an event called the Modern Stories: Documenting the Modern Quilt Movement. First Meg Cox interviewed and recorded the story of Victoria Findlay Wolfe for the Quilter's Save Our Stories project.
Then I sat in on a discussion about Modern Quilting Today, along side Kim Hryniewicz, Jennifer Paganelli, John Adams and Nancy Soriano.
We talked about what it means to be a Modern Quilter. It is funny, I think modern quilting is interesting. I see sites like Burda Style, and it is clear sewing is quite popular. The next generation of sewers are coming to quilting in a new and indirect way. I have always been a admirer of knitting blogs and I watch knitters become spinners of their own yarns and then branch off and become weavers too. I think the modern quilt movement is sort of like that. Young people are coming in through the back door and reinvigorating our world in new and interesting ways.
For my part, I held ground for art quilters among the panelists, having learned the rules of quilting, of precise piecing, corners made at a ninety degree angle, though I have never hand quilted a piece. I definitely know the rules and now, how to break them. Jennifer was an interesting counterpoint, talking of designing fabrics for the quilt world and having written a book about sewing for young girls, John spoke of being a married man who loves to quilt and is grateful to be offering his son the opportunity to see a man and father engaged in a nontraditional hobby. Kim is a professor at F.I.T, my alma mater, and a quilter, Nancy is the publisher and creator of digital platforms at F+W Media. It was a great gathering of perspectives.
There were upward of a hundred people there!
If you look closely at these photos you might notice Paula Nadelstern, Robin Schwalb, Teri Harris Lucas, and Leslie Tucker Jenison. I could keep name dropping too, Luke Haynes, Mark Lipinski, Amy Milne and more.
I think my quote for the night was, "I love nothing more than to purchase 50 yards of white cloth."
July 30, 2011
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy.
My Man got the most thoughtful gift for me, he chartered a sailboat for a sail on the Hudson River this morning. It was spectacular. We met up with some great friends and sailed a 42' Beneteau, Tony and Kevin (what an awesome job) did all the work.
It is impossible not to take a gazillion photos of New York City. What a fabulous way to experience the city! The sun was hot but the weather dry and breezy. There were surprisingly few boats on the water, mostly motor boats. Then we got close to the Statue of Liberty and were able to see Governors Island the water got choppy and the wind kicked up. It was fun to see a fire boat practicing spraying water, it was like a showy bird looking for a mate.
We hiked out a few times and I was sprayed with water. I wore a new and exciting skirt, a great way to break it in.
I couldn't resist this shot. David, Gordon, Tim and I scurried on deck and reveled in the shade offered by the jib sail. I smiled so much I thought back to the day we got married, our reception was on a schooner and we sailed the New Haven Harbor for a few gorgeous hours. At the end of the day my face hurt from smiling so much. Both, bright glorious days.
I loved seeing 14th Street open a swath of air across the island, sun bright and shining on the builings both north and south of it.
We ate lunch at a great new Indian restaurant on Amsterdam in the 80's, I will figure out the name of it and post it soon. It was so fresh and good and we chose to share. Our tastes meshed. Yum.
Then we went to Tim's place, which is a well curated, artistic presentation of americana. He really knows how to draw interesting objects to himself.
Rob had a great collection of pocket comics.
Tim found this bank on ebay. He had a pile of pennies at the ready. It took a while to figure out how and where to balance the penny so that it knocked the apple off the young boys head. A surreal toy. When the young kid at the left shoots, his head cocks to the side to see if he shot the mark. When you hit the mark, the toy makes a very pleasing bell ting and you just know, you did it, it sounds like nothing else.
Don't worry, when you don't hit the mark, no cherub is hurt.
July 25, 2011
Piles and Froth
I sit here looking at a pile of froth. A linen handkerchief supports a silver paper box with a pin made by Amy Orr, and a scarf to flutter in the apple butter wind. And if you can see in the way back, some random crap. I just thought to myself, 'I feel rich. What a great array!'
July 15, 2011
Catsup
Last week My Man and I took a much needed break from the world of doctors, appointments and treatments and went to Omega to particate in a Music for Everyone retreat by David Darling.
The grounds were a big, beautifully tended, summer camp for adults. There were wonderful gardens, ground hogs ruled the clover, birds swooped, chattered and fed their kin. Our meals were served on schedule. Our classmates were a wonderful mix of whip smart and engaged people.
At night and during breaks the Man and I would walk to the lake. I love his soft, relaxed eyes. I had this photo printed and it is on my desk in a frame already.
Anyone know what this flower is?
I took a fall and visited my inner eight year old. Both my knee and my elbow took a hit.
The week was awesome and the musical ideas I learned translate to visual artistic play quite well. I wish we were still there!
