A CHALLENGING PROJECT IN THE WORKS

 I gasped after seeing a sunset photo posted on our community Facebook page by Bobbi Jayne DeLozier. So much so that I asked her for permission to recreate it in fabric. Oh boy it's been a challenge...in part because I don't have the exact right shades of the colors needed.

Here's my start and I hate to admit how long this has taken me......notice the 1st photo....the last two strips do not have the same color range. With ingenuity/trial and error.....it now matches.

Problem #2 is being tackled now with the use of my gel plate....fingers crossed. Stay tuned...

MY IMAGINATION

 NEW WORK, now available, shipping info upon request.

REAR WINDOW: My Imagination - 17” x 16”

A friend’s long recovery from a bad fall generated time spent enjoying the scenic long view from his home’s rear window. He began photo documenting it daily, both daytime and evenings. His eye for photography is excellent and with his permission I created several art quilts based on his previous photos. However, this piece was created solely by my own imaginative rear window view.

Hand-dyed and batik cottons, appliquéd raw edge motifs, machine quilted, faced edges, & hanging sleeve attached.

DETAIL

SPRING SALE

 While searching my inventory of pieced quilts for a red/white quilt to show at a local exhibit, I found this oldie but goodie.  Now is the time to part with it so someone can actually enjoy it.  

LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE - 55" X 71"

SALE $125 - plus shipping US Destinations - Venmo if possible

This piece was featured in The Classic American Quilt Collection - SCHOOLHOUSE, by Rodale Quit Books. Use as a lap quilt or for display.  All hand quilted featuring math problems on the outer border.  Plaid double fold binding.  Some very very slight aging discoloration of muslin.  Made in 1990 but never used except for publication of the Rodale Book.

Hand quilted

Backing

GO PACK GO!!

 It's never too soon to shout those words......GO PACK GO!!  I know there's basketball & baseball stuff going on......not interested!!! Because .........the 2025 NFK draft will be held in Green Bay, hosted by the Packers at the end of April.

Now this is a real Packer fan.....  (btw - I suspect the photo has been AI generated.....but gotta love the passion!)

PAPER FABRIC

I've put my tree obsession hold for the moment and got immersed playing with an old technique our 6 person Fiber Junkies group did on our playdates several times.  It's called Paper Fabric.

All one needs is a fabric base (I'm using fabric that I've had for at least 25 years!) plus diluted white glue, tissue paper, paper napkins, and for extra fun....dyed paper towels.  

The community I live in will be hosting another Artisan Faire in May 31st.  So, besides offering my wall art for sale, I'll have some handmade notecards as well.

Collage of torn paper on the fabric base as it dries

AWAITING SPRING

Yes, I continue to be smitten with trees......work continues on this latest piece.....keep watching as spring arrives.... 

MOON OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA

 WOW!! 🎆🎉🥳

I received an incredible surprise that brought on good old fashioned happy tears.  A year ago I left my Asheville, NC familiar life with all my fiber buddies.  18 years of inspiration, encouragement, fun, great food, & laughter came from a group named PTA: Professional Textile Artists.  One couldn't ask for better friends!

These wonderful pals created a quilt for me titled "Moon Over The Mountains Of North Carolina".  14 blocks, one from each of my buddies, surround the incredible signature masterpiece of Judy Simmons.  

Without even looking at the signatures I could guess who made which block....for instance our groups' comedian Leigh Anne took the 'moon' theme to a whole new level with a 'butt' mooning over the mountain.  (Lower left corner).  Several acknowledged our adult beverage choice of 'bubbly', and one block made by Gen (upper right corner) really had me blubbering....the notation read:  "Part of my heart has gone with you".  Each block has such personal meaning and I can now say I own a Georgia Bonesteel original (third block down on the right side)!!

I'm touched beyond words and will treasure this quilt forever. 

TREES, TREES, TREES

Lately I seem to be fixated on the subject of trees.  Another art quilt is in the works.  Remember this quilted section of green batiks I chopped off the bottom of a previous quilt in progress?  Well, the final piece of that leftover is now incorporated into a new art quilt.

The batik upper portion had hints foliage in its pattern.  After outlining them by machine, I tried adding embroidering more texture using various stitching patterns.  Ultimately, none satisfied me so they have been removed.

Okay....now what?  Stay tuned.....I have an idea.....

AFTER THE RAIN.....

 Apparently this is the rainy season here in Northern California.  Wind too, which I'm not a fan of.  We had such high winds at our NC home that we had to bungee cord all our porch furniture down onto the decking!  That included our super heavy smoker too!!  Yesterday our fire pit and several chairs took a ride across the patio.  Given that we are fenced in that was a surprise.

The sun is out now and we are rewarded with lovely blooming flowers in our small backyard.  I don't know the names of any of these plants, just happily admiring them. 

YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES!!!!!

Yes, there is a sewing machine heaven.....words can hardly describe this treasure trove of sewing machines.....but the following two videos can.....check them out.

https://youtu.be/TKK5LiLEQtU?si=Rrjg4cDx0THhrqRy

https://youtu.be/joP7FwwABtg?si=b6Mn2E4fDhAEGQnl