Friday, May 6, 2011

Flower Power

My last workshop at the Grand Crazy Quilt Adventure was with my dear friend, Allie Aller, making three-dimensional flowers.

I don't know what it was exactly about that day.

Allie's class sample © Allison Aller

I'm not sure if it was the vibrance and beauty of the colors we worked with...

Or the energy and vibrance of our beloved teacher herself...


Or perhaps it was the power and influence of the flowers themselves...to brighten the mood, to lift the spirits....

Maybe it was a combination of all of those things which contributed to the light-hearted, wonderful spirit that permeated the classroom.


It reminded me of the Wizard of Oz movie where the film starts out in black and white and then converts to Technicolor when Dorothy lands in Oz...

Everyone was moving about, spritzing ribbons and painting them with dyes...


Playing!

Using materials such as felt or rick rack, transforming beautiful materials into fabric gardens...


And we couldn't help but smile frequently amidst all those happy blossoms...


In fact the energy of Allie and her flowers was so palpable, that a conversion occurred that day.

Enter my friend Ruth-Ellen.

I absolutely love Ruth-Ellen from North Carolina. And, like Allie, Ruth-Ellen has a real knack for using color...


But...unlike Allie...Ruth-Ellen doesn't really "do" flowers typically in her work.

In fact, when I asked Ruth-Ellen how she was at the beginning of class, she replied quietly, not wanting Allie to hear, "I'm not sure exactly why I'm here. I mean, flowers aren't really my thing..." And she laughed a little sheepishly and said, "Well, I'm here. So...I might as well give it a try..."

I understood that. Not everyone is into flowers...

But Ruth-Ellen settled down to work...


And opened herself to the reality of living in Allie's flower world for a day...


And at the end of the day, we all ended up with big smiles and beautiful flowers...


And some of us, like Gerry aka Older Rose, had made significant progress on our gardens...


But look what happened to Ruth-Ellen...


She was completely converted...


At least for the day.

And I can't really explain it other than to say there is power in flowers, that happiness is contagious and that Allie's enthusiasm reached even those that were less-inclined toward flowers to begin with...

Allie's class sample © Allison Aller

I mean...really reached them...


Move over Princess Kate...Ruth-Ellen has hit the fascinator scene!

Thanks Allie, thanks Ruth-Ellen and thanks to all the ladies who played in Allie's flower world that day.

It was great fun!

[Note: In your interested in Allie and her work, you can visit her blog here. Or read my other post about Allie when she taught our EGA group in Baltimore here; or my review of her first book here.]

23 comments:

Fifi said...

so funy :))))
i love it, love it, love it

Marty52 said...

That class was so much fun! Great write-ups on the classes, Susan.

Sheila said...

Look at all those twinkling eye, Susan! Great photos. I love all those smiles. What fun!

Lin Moon said...

Thanks for letting those of us who didn't go, live vicariously through you and your wonderful flower pix!

Lisa Boni said...

What fun! Your posts about the CQ Adventure make me feel almost as though I had been there with you! So wonderful to read all about it and see your lovely photos of it!

Alisa Noble said...

How fun that must have been!

Gerry Krueger said...

Wasn't it all so infectious..Allie is like a ray of sunshine... My upgoing RR has a Georgia OKeefe theme and you can bet Ill be using Allie's techniques... Thanks for showing my little garden.. Didn't the black just make those flowers POP!!! Gerry K.

ps I thought you were going to use photoshop to put yourself in the photo....

kaiteM said...

flowers and smiles = happiness, what a wonderfilled day, thankyou so much for sharing it, i almost feel as tho i was there, and so perfect for your Spring.

Cathy said...

What a great post to commemorate a great class! It was a blast, and I totally enjoyed the day and learning so many new techniques. Allie is a great teacher and an awesome person. And BTW, I just LOVED Ruth-Ellen, and hope she sees your post. Thanks for taking such great pictures!! Hugs, Cathy

Anonymous said...

Love the posting... and I usually hate pics of myself, but Sue is the master photographer. My Art Bee wants me to teach them how to make the flowers now! I think I can do that. We had a great class group didn't we! I will get my photos up soon. I just got back from Massachusetts on Saturday.

Elizabeth said...

Such fun ! So many idea's and so many wonderful creative women!!! It does not get much better than this!!! Ruth-Ellen is a delight- look at the twinkle in her eye- she has to be so much fun!!!!!
I simply cannot wait to meet Allie- somehow I am going to make it happen someday, someway!!!!
Happy Mother's Day to you dear girl!!!!

Mosaic Magpie said...

And another good time was had by all! Thanks again for sharing with us!
Deb

Judy S. said...

Sounds like a fantabulous time was had by all. Looks like spring came to the workshop!

Diane said...

I loved Allie's workshop. Flowers are definitely my thing and I came away wishing it was another of the 3-day classes. Susan, your lovely photos captured the colours and the fun.

Betty said...

Wonderful!!

Sandies' Patch said...

I would have loved to have been there too!
What fun you all had!

Sandie xx

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I can identify with Ruth Ellen!! Real flowers are mine, but fake, not so much. Until recently they hit me smack between the eyes.

The flower class must have been full of creative energy and a more casual ambiance that promoted everyone to experiment and thrive.

How fun.

Rachel said...

Clearly a wonderful day - I'm glad you had such fun!

CameoRoze said...

<3

Vicki Boster said...

Oh Susan- I am in love with these flower creations! They are amazing! The photos are just beautiful! I'd love to be able to make these!
Vicki

Sharon Worster said...

This looks like so much fun!!! Thanks for sharing your day with us; I hope to join you one day. Beautiful work.

Becky Green said...

SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Bumble said...

Isn't it funny how we can be transformed, and swept up, by art? A friend and I recently went to a class for making art journals. Well, it wasn't good - the instructor's style was definitely (!) not mine...hours of ick...however...it DID make me determined to find "my" style, which I have, after spending HOURS online....and now I have new interests in watercolor, bookbinding, painting...so the "not so much" class lead me to "right on!" THAT'S what its job was. :)
Those pics were fabulous, and the flowers are gorgeous :)

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