I understand.......

When I first started quilting:  early days of internet...I couldn't pass up a quilt shop.  I was buying patterns w/ stars and "fancy square blocks".  What I don't understand....All these blocks are now on the internet and if someone puts together a 12 star block quilt.....Is it really theirs?  I don't have an answer for that.  So, if I want to start creating patterns:  Can I just make them on the computer....color them and sell them w/ my name on them?

Art of Technology

At the better quilt shows and yes it should be at all the shows....even the smaller venues that if your quilt includes a human:  not a fur person but a real person:  the quilter needs written permission to show the quilt.  When I was trying to find the "cajun"  it took a couple of months and then I found his name.From there I searched social media and found him on face book.  After several times I thought I was going to have to contact all the "friends" with the same last name.  And, then...he responded granting me permission.  So, if you shoot a photo of a human: the photo belongs to the photographer:  but if you want to make money for the photo or use it as a public performance you need to (legally) get that person's permission.  Not only ethically but legally....ummm what about the photos I take at quilt shows and copy their quilts???  Where do the ethics stop.

Age of Technology : buy a pattern: steal a pattern

Buy a pattern?  Steal a pattern.  In this world of technology I spent 6 months...Days  anxiously waiting for responses on "Sardine" .   I became so interested,  I requested a librarian to go through 7 boxes and diaries, receipts and journals in storage holdings in New York.  Making a quilt for personal use is allowed but hanging it at a quilt show or shop becomes public performance.  In other words if you have not been given special permission don't hang it.  I have legal permission for Sardine.  Yes legal.  Buy a pattern make the quilt.....leave it at home or give it away.  One should not be making money on someone else's art work.  In this age of technology it's easy to find the artist, through publication, social media, email etc. etc.  Give credit to the pattern maker w/ permission granted.  But again...that's based on moral principle and integrity.  It only takes time.

Age of Technology

Me?  The Queen of Technology:  15 years as a Media Specialist (school librarian):  Or with My Husband  George the guy with the tech degree...would be more accurate.
Copyright.  Copyright.  30 years : teacher/librarian and I just came from a quilt show where over 200 quilts were hung and I recognized some quilt patterns and the creator of the pattern was not named.  Oh how I hate that.  I also have issues with these beautiful quilts being pieced and maker pays a quilter to do the quilting and not presenting it as a two person quilt.  Copyright Copyright.  Who makes these rules?    Lord!  I have issues.  These are not grey issues but simply integrity.   But then  who am I to decide about another person's integrity?

more ranting about copyright this week.  No wonder the courts are filled with these issues.

just a simple quilter

Obsessive? Who me?

Can't think of anything but finishing Santa Paws and the cajun.  No yard work.  No dishes No bathing the dogs.  No bills..darn bills just keep on comin?

For all you quilters and pet owners:  the endless audio books.  the endless cokes...the endless nites w/ snacks and no supper.

Here it is:  Santa Paws quilted by me:  Photo by Michael Pettigrew.

In loving memory of Qtip who passed last year.

Finnally figured out the face......

Just a little high-lighting and off to the hat and t-shirt.   Thank the Lord for the internet.  Struggling w/ the Cajun's face:  over and over again.  While trying to find painting portraits:  I typed in Zydeco Music and after a zillion pictures found my guy>  His name is Paul Lafleur.  Now to find a way to get in touch w/ him for copyright permission to hang him in public performance.  Tried an attorney...but state and city guys don't mess w/ copyright.  Now to find a fed if Paul won't respond to my attempts at reaching him.  Damn!  he's got over a 1,000 facebook friends.  Maybe I should contact his mom..?

Looking good.

Oh! how I have struggled

A human is nothing like doing a fur person.  And, I do believe a design board is critical.  I've had the Cajun up for 2 weeks just listening to the flow of line and color.  Learned lots of things these past few weeks.  Shadows are done last.  Had to rip right half  his face out.  (always use smallest needle and change it constantly so if you must rip...these photo fabrics don't hold up well to ripping). It looked like a blob.  Put face in then did shadows.  Got the bottom 1/3 face done:  Neck four shades tooooo light.  Finally on impulse added lavendar.  My greys too dark.  Did the trick in one pass.  Lucky me.

More disasters to follow.  Check back to follow as I learn to thread paint a human...And, it started one afternoon strolling down the French Quarter and hearing a Zydeco Band.  Never would have made these mistakes w/ Lily, Maggie, Cali, Lyle, Smokey.lizzie or the other animals I just feed and feed and feed.  My Cali brought home kittens that were starving.  (i fear too old to socialize)  I can't bare a hungry animal. However I will be making pet beds for local shelter.....since I'm so frickin broke feeding the neighborhood again can't go anywhere.  Thank the Lord for $5 movie day.