august 11

For August Break 2011

On the Connecticut River. It's so low right now that the grasses are on the surface. What an amazing time to be on the kayaks on the river. You can see everything, including thousands of fish amongst these reeds. We also saw a huge mass of water bugs that sounded like popcorn when they were trying to get away from us and bouncing off of each other. So cool

August 10

For August Break, 2011

These are not my images, but are from my friend Leah, who I met on Etsy. She bought the purple project/tote bag you see above and these are her amazing photographs of her new bag containing a new knitting project! I haven't heard from her as to how this project is progressing, but the yarn is beautiful.

I've quit my day job

That's right! While it was bittersweet and one of the hardest things I've had to do, I left my position at Easthampton City Arts (ECA) as Coordinator. I've been with the group since its early days and started at 3 hours a week managing the website and encouraging other artists in the community to sign up on the brand new site. It slowly developed into a full time position and the group took on some pretty amazing projects, including Bear Fest 2009! It was one of the most amazing projects I've ever been involved with!

All along the way I've been trying to continue to work in my own studio and also manage a growing quilting/sewing business on Etsy. It became clear over the last year that I could not devote enough attention to any of my work, including ECA, and everything was suffering. Not really suffering, but I was just maintaining each thing at a kind of flat-line level...not really how I like to operate.

And so, I've taken the plunge and am facing the risks head on. BTaylor Quilts is doing great, and it can be better, and that's what I'm trying to devote my attention to. I've also got an exhibit this October at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts and am busily working on new paintings to include in that show (well, if it wasn't so hot in my studio!!) I feel so fortunate to be able to have this time to focus on my own work. It's more than a full time job, it's every waking moment for the most part, but I LOVE it! I've got a new long arm quilting machine in the shop, which is another story (I promise to tell you about shortly!!), and have been busy designing new products, quilts, and brewing other ideas for marketing and getting the word out.

August 8 - Happy Birthday, Mom

Today would have been my Mom's 73 birthday. I miss her so much.

For August Break, 2011

August 7

Late. New photos of this quilt.

For August Break, 2011

August 6

We've been watching this enormous thistle plant since early spring (well, it's a tree really at over 6 feet tall!). I was walking around it taking some shots, and look who dropped in :). That's his tongue flipped out in the front!

For August Break, 2011

August 5

For August Break, 2011