NEW LANDSCAPE ART QUILT IN PROGRESS

 Using a combination of mono-printing, microwave-ice dyeing, indigo dyed cottons.....a new Blue Ridge mountain landscape art quilt is underway.

I'm currently adding some base stitching to provide texture.  Next I'll be creating the focus applique that for now are motifs dancing in my head.  Stay tuned.....

FELT FELTED VESSELS

A special friend (thank you Janice) recently gifted me a huge bag of wool.....that was roughly formed into batting.

The fiber can often be suitable for wet felting, so I thought I'd try. With considerable man handling, I managed to make a couple of vessels. The texture is bumper than usual, yet because of plain appearance of the wool, I love the character it provides. 

TREASURED FRIENDSHIP

  The list of reasons my 25+ long career in the quilt industry has brought such joy to my life is long.  But at the very top is the enduring, deep friendships that have developed.  

I met my pal Jackie for the first time in 1996.  She was the instructor coordinator for Quilt Colorado.  We bonded immediately!  I was fortunate to be invited to teach at this outstanding quilt show/conference many times and Jackie and I picked up our conversations as if we had only taken a breath.

Surprises out of the blue are simply the best.....today this adorable wool pincushion arrived.  Superbly made by Jackie "to honor our friendship".  How heartwarming is that?!?  Quilt friends are the best!!!!

WHISPERING BAMBOO

"WHISPERING BAMBOO" - 41” x 50"  © Mary Stori

SOLD

Authentic Japanese cottons, pieced, appliquéd, densely 

quilted with metallic thread.  Fabric hanging sleeve attached.

FIBER FUN WITH FRIENDS

 Happily our PTA (Professional Textile Artists small group) is back meeting monthly after the rude interruption caused by Covid!   Each member is responsible for organizing one meeting a year.  Numbers are drawn at our Dec. meeting, then the months are selected starting with the lowest number.  Oh this saves so many unnecessary last minute emails.  Some of our favorite gatherings are simply in each others homes.....we met at Dort's this month.

As always we laugh, munch, sip, and are exposed to many new tips, tricks and information.

Lynn recently bought a cutting machine and did a little demo......these units are getting more and more popular esp. for those quilters who create a lot of patchwork quilts.  (Judy left, Lynne right)

Connie shared a quilt that she'd been demonstrating hand quilting on at our well know Folk Art Center, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  She's a wonderful ambassador for the group.

Barbara got us all buzzing with her scrappy patchwork piece made from precut patches from a give-away table at our local guild.  Several of us took good notes (necessary at our age) as a possible project for our 15th (I think) annual March 2023 retreat.  What a colorful, cheerful small quilt.......best of all, the seams don't need to match....my kind of patchwork!!

We have very generous members in our group and I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end from 3 thoughtful gals. - Barbara knit me a pair of socks....LOVE, LOVE.  Connie brought me some horsetail.....a plant we enjoyed growing along our river home in Wisconsin....and I still have a dried display of this unusual plant in our great room, though it's getting ragged.  And Janice shared a huge bag of wool that is perfect for wet felting, unbleached, and not combed enough for many other projects.....I can hardly wait to get my hands wet and soapy......

Thank goodness for great fiber friends!!!!

PROGRESS

Designing is complete, the sun has been eliminated, and basting has begun...... I'm not a fast quilter since I don't free motion......speed is never my goal.....quality is!

To answer two readers' questions.............size is about 43" W X 54" L.  It will be faced with a hanging sleeve..  And yes it will be available for sale.  Let me know if you want this one before it goes on the 'open market'.  Contact me for further info.

SLOW GOING

It seemed as though my vast collection of Asian fabrics would last forever, ahhh but nothing really does, does it?  Finding creative ways to fully utilize every last remaining piece has begun to take extra time.  This project is no exception.  It was probably pieced faster than the time spent pulling fabrics, auditioning, & finally cutting pieces as the background developed.

Here are two in-progress views......stay tuned as the work goes on.....

FEATURED ARTIST OPENING

 Our long awaited for Woolworth Walk Gallery Featured Artist month began last night with an opening reception.  

Judy Simmons and I welcomed many fiber friends and car club buddies with refreshments and smiles.

Look closely and you'll notice a red dot on the description label next to my art quilt featuring fall trees....yeah....a red dot indicates the piece has been sold!!

I've had problems getting the video uploaded....I think it now works, however it plays too quickly so watch fast.  In the meantime I'm gathering some photos to post soon.