Archive for the ‘stitchy’ Category

I am trying very hard to back down on excessive Christmas giving. It seems there is so much giving as a means to consume: buy, buy, buy. Here at Rubistudios, it’s more like make, make, make. In my large family, we pick names from a hat, instead of buying gifts for 5 siblings and their partners and children, we have only a few. This enables me to consider each gift carefully. My niece sent me some drawings of hers. I turned one into an embroidered pillow (above).

My mother never reads my blog, so I feel safe posting pics of her gift. So safe in fact I can say that I am leaving first thing in the morning to fly to CT for Thanksgiving to surprise her. This is silk ribbon on linen for her bag.

I extracted the motif from some of the bag fabric, a vintage marimekko panttern. Mom is into Vera Bradley bags, I am not; so I tried to meet in the middle. I call this bag “Suck it,Vera!”

This is a “W” in silk ribbon on silk. I cut the fabric from a curtain panel,  pearl and charcoal gray dupioni silk  West Elm, over two yards, brand new in the package for $2.99 at Goodwill.

Not ready for any finished photos, but here are some teasers from some Works-In-progress.

working on the icons of social networking

This one is kicking my ass right now, I am trying desperately to bring it to a place where I can photograph it for a show, the entry deadline is Monday and they don’t accept electronic submissions.

I really love this one, but it has taken a back burner to the other two. I can’t wait to bring it to a greater state of completion.

mall of america

wool on linen hand embroidery, 2009

Mall of America, meet Mall of America.

Click on thumbnails for larger images.

I included this last pic so you could get a good look of the expression of the woman’s face in the flash photo.

I wasn’t content with just a barcode–I mean, they are almost ready for Social Security they are such an old form of technology. QR codes have been around about 22 years, barely long enough to be able to buy a bottle of wine.

QR codes are considered 2D, and thus can store so much more information than a standard1D barcode. The inventors can explain it much better here and here. QR codes are open source software, which means anyone can use them; they are free to generate and you can download readers for free as well. Readers work best through your mobile phone

QR codes are more widely used in Asia and large cities. They are a great way for companies to embed heaps of information into a small space. For example, recently Polo/Ralph Lauren has launched  campaign where a QR code embedded in the ad takes you directly to the page in their website to purchase the clothes featured in the ad. QR codes can also give you text, emails, phone numbers, or sms messages.

This quilt is an actual working QR code.It measures 52 inches x 52 inches, made entirely of used clothes from Goodwill.

57 years ago, the barcode was patented. In honor of that, Google’s header has been replaced with a Code 128 barcode.

I decided to take this opportunity to show you my barcode art, which is currently on view in Duluth, Ga at the biennial “Fiberarts: Journey of the Imagination.”

detail

I generated this code with the help of Scott Blake, a SCAD alum.

Cut squares-black

I started this project about two/three weeks ago. If it works, it will work really well.

Above is squares cut from Goodwill clothes, all well worn. Below, fabric, pre-squares  from more goodwill clothes.

shirts and pants, pre-squares

This is quilt back:

Stay tuned for more.