Wednesday, December 25, 2013

CTFAC Welcomes New Member Christina Blais



We would like to welcome Christina Blais, owner of One Bobbin, Bridgeport, CT to CTFAC.

Christina comes to art quilting from a background in engineering and data analysis and although having learned to sew starting at age nine, and having more than a few traditional quilts under her belt, has only been art quilting for a few years.   She already has several honors to her credit, including two artworks in the SAQA regional traveling show, Local Color, and an Honorable Mention in the All People Quilt Grand Central Quilt Challenge

One Bobbin is Christina's business in the American Fabric Arts Building in Bridgeport. She provides space and instruction for individuals and small groups to work on sewing projects. Christina is an accomplished teacher and provides support and direction for individuals who are just starting out. 
We encourage you to visit One Bobbin on Facebook

Thursday, December 19, 2013

CTFAC Announces Exhibit Schedule for 2014


At our December meeting our exhibition plans for 2014 were finalized. These are the shows we are planning:  


Duncaster Retirement Center, Bloomfield, CT
Spring Theme - Title TBA
March 2014

Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT
"Impromptu Fibers 2" in conjunction with Sisters in Cloth and Women Against the Grain
April 16-30, 2013

Norfolk LibraryNorfolk, CT
Title TBA
May 2014

100 Pearl Street Gallery, Hartford, CT
"Jazz Tones" with special guest artist Edjonetta Miller
June 15 - August 23, 2014; Reception Thursday, June 26

Connecticut Department of Transportation
Title TBA
September 9 - October 23, 2014

TheaterWorks "Woody Sez", Hartford, CT
August 8 - September 14, 2013




Thursday, December 12, 2013

CTFAC at the Pearl Street Gallery in Summer 2014

Excitement is mounting for CTFAC as we just learned that we have been accepted into the 100 Pearl Street Gallery in Hartford, Connecticut for an exhibit in the summer of 2014.

Diane Cadrain was the major impetus behind the application and it paid off. Check back for additional details on that exhibit and others that are being planned for next year.

Monday, October 14, 2013

CT Fiber Arts Collective Creates High Energy!

The CT Fiber Arts Collective not only creates fabulous art but they also keep the energy level high wherever they go! The collective recently met at the Wheeler House Restaurant and from the moment the meeting started there was a fun vibe in the air...  sometimes you just need to dance!

Mary Lachman, Rosalind Spann, Diane Cadrain and Carol Vinick!


Monday, September 16, 2013

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective announces the 2014 Exhibit Calendar

Autumn breezes are quickly replacing August heat and the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective is finalizing its exhibit calendar for 2014.

Look for us and our new works at the following venues:


  • Duncaster Center, Bloomfield, CT in March
  • Norfolk Library, Norfolk, CT in May
  • CT Department of Transportation, Newington, CT in September

Monday, August 26, 2013

CTFAC Exhibit and Sale in Norfolk

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective continues an exhibit and sale of handmade gift items at the Norfolk Artisan Guild in September. If you are looking for a nice, leisurely drive to a quiet corner of Connecticut, a trip to Norfolk just might be the right thing over Labor Day weekend or anytime in September!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Hands-On Demonstrations by Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective Members!

 This past Sunday the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective presented hands-on demonstrations at the Norfolk Artisans Guild, Station Place, Norfolk. The weather was perfect and the visitors friendly.

Please stop by the guild and pick up an early holiday gift. Be sure to say "hi" to the guild mascot!

Our members will have artwork for sale through September!






Diane Cadrain showed us how she creates felted jewelry



Diane says making felted balls is soothing and relaxing!



Diane strings the finished felted balls into beautiful necklaces



Carol Vinick demonstrated how to use recycled silk ties
to create new designs on silk scarves



Carol laid recycled silk scarves on top of a plain silk scarf.
Next she folded the scarf in half and rolled all layers up with plain cotton.



Carol took the rolled up fabric and boiled with 2 TB. white vinegar and water for 45 minutes



Once the fabric was cooled Carol unrolled to discover to discover the design from the ties
has transferred to the plain silk scarf... magic!



Rosalind Spann shared her techniques for wrapping fibers around
cording to create unique and beautiful jewelry



Rosalind talks about the best qualities when it comes to
choosing the many fiber options available.



Rosalind discussed how she combines varies colors and fibers
to achieve specific results



Rosalind shows off her beautiful jewelry!



The day was a lot of fun and we hope to see you at the guild soon!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Norfolk Artisans Guild Hosts the Collective

During August we have handmade fabric and fiber items for sale at the Norfolk Artisans Guild in Norfolk, CT.  Visit and you will find hand-dyed silk scarves, felted flower brooches, embellished eyewear cases, clutches, felted wool hats, and stuffed animals...and of course a few art quilts!

An opening reception and art demonstrations is scheduled for Sunday, August 4th from 1-4 PM.  Now is the perfect time to enjoy the charm of northwest Connecticut and stop in to meet members of The Collective.  It is also a wonderful time to purchase a few unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for that special someone?

The Norfolk Artisans Guild is located in the town of Norfolk. It would be a great side trip for anyone attending the Litchfield Jazz Festival or Infinity Hall! And remember there are several good eateries right around the corner and plenty of easy access parking!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Diane Cadrain's Quilt in Lowell Life magazine



"Buddhist Temple", a quilt created by Diane Cadrain, is featured in an article about the Lowell Quilt Festival in August.  We hope you have a chance to visit the show. 
The Lowell Quilt Festival is August 8 - September 7, 2013. http://thebrush.org




Thursday, June 20, 2013

Carol Vinick at the Brush Gallery, Lowell MA - "Tangled Up in Blue"

A quilt by Carol Vinick was juried into the "Tangled Up in Blue" exhibit at the Brush Gallery in Lowell, MA as part of the Lowell Quilt Festival! This is an image of her amazing work.

"Tangled Up in Blue" by Carol Vinick
Photography by Tim Becker

For more information:
Art Quilts Lowell 2013: A Juried Exhibition
The Brush Art Gallery and Studios
256 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852
http://www.thebrush.org/

The exhibition is open August 8 - September 7, 2103

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Bartlett Arboretum Reception and Exhibit


Meet the CTFAC artists today at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford for the opening reception of Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber. The reception is 12 noon to 4 p.m.

The exhibit continues through the month of June.

Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens
151 Brookdale Road
Stamford, CT

Monday, June 3, 2013

Political Quilts of Carol Vinick

Carol Vinick is presenting a trilogy of quilts with a political message at the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT www.charteroakcenter.org

Community Quilt: Linking Communities Together One Thread at a Time
June 6 - July 20, 2013
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 6, 6:00-8:00 PM

Monday, May 13, 2013

Calendar Girls

In anticipation of the upcoming Bartlett Arboretum exhibit the Collective members took a break from all the stitching and dyeing and general creativitity to have a photo shoot in the backyard.



Left to Right: Carol Eaton, Antonia Torres, Carol Vinick, Karen Loprete, Diane Cadrain, Mary Lachman, Rosalind Spann


Saturday, April 27, 2013

Botanical Inspirations

Our next exhibit is Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber.
The opening reception is Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Flower Power - Karen Loprete
The following are examples of the work that will be in the show. Please come and join us at the reception.
Charter Oak - Diane Cadrain
Connecticut Season Change - Karen Loprete
Black-Eyed Susan Vine - Carol Vinick
Orange Daisy - Carol Vinick
Rosalind Spann


Harvest Moon
Mary Lachman 2012

Monday, March 18, 2013

SAQA - "Local Color"

Congratulations to the members of the Collective whose quilts were selected to appear in the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Connecticut exhibit opening in May 2013 at the Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.  This is a sampling of the pieces in the show.

Reflections 
Rosalind Spann

Autumn Birch
Antonia Torres


Weekend Walks with Sharon
Carol Eaton




Aerial View
Mary Lachman







Sunday, February 17, 2013

Felting Workshop at the Unitarian Society

Yesterday CFAC participated in a workshop, "Pictorial Felting on Silk",  led by wool artisan and puppetter, Robin McCahill.  Here are some of the photos from the day.
Robin discussing the technique of wool felting on silk, otherwise known as nuno felting.

A table full of color - wool roving!

Rosalind busy at work (she has allergies, hence the protective gear, just in case).

Toni and an emerging flower garden

Flowers and leaves - to be!

A lovely finished fabric

Another completed fabric

Toni and Roz at work

Diane and friends layering wool

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Stairwell Gallery Reception - Gunn Memorial

Thank you to everyone who came out to meet us at the Gunn Memorial Library yesterday.

We want to thank Carolyn Hartman and the library staff for their warm welcome and generous support during our first exhibit in the Stairwell Gallery.

Here are some photos from the reception. If you didn't have a chance to attend the Saturday, remember the exhibition continues through March 16, 2013 and can be seen during regular library hours.

Please contact us with any questions you may have about our work or availability.



Rosalind Spann (left) explaining her work to Carolyn Hartman. 



View of the Stairwell Gallery looking down from above. Our work seems to fit so nicely here. 



Visitors viewing our work. 
Left to right: Mary, Carol V., Diane E., Rosalind, Carol E.