I CAN'T SEEM TO STOP

 Well, here I go again....ideas keep rattling around in my brain and before I know it...they've burst out.

                                   FRIENSHIPS GLOW - 12.5" X 12.5"

Commercial and gelli printed cottons, raw edge fused appliqué, hand embroidered, and machine quilted.

COUNTDOWN

The countdown is on.....Heritage Placer Vineyards Fall Artisan Faire is two weeks from today.

I'll be under the overhang outside the West side of the Forum. My award winning original designed, one-of-a-kind, ready to hang, no two alike ever Wall Art Quilts will be on display for purchase. 

View both holiday and nature inspired work and browse a selection of smaller fiber art items as well.  You can preview available pieces here:  https://marystorishop.blogspot.com/.    See one you like?  Contact me to arrange a pre-Artisan Faire sale.

WORKING WITH PANELS

 I almost never work with preprinted panels but I happen to have one in my stash among the beautiful fabric I inherited from a friend and you know the saying, "it called to me'.

I'm going to revisit a technique developed by Caryl Fallert back in the day.....this will be a VERY scaled back tuck design.  Stay tuned....

KINDNESS

 How the thoughtfulness and kindness of a new friend made my day!!  (I was surprised to learn she had been student of mine on one of my quilting cruises a number of years ago).  Small world!!

Thank you Teddy for thinking of me and my polka dot passion during your recent trip to Houston's Quilt Festival. 🥰

 

WRAPPING XMAS GIFTS IN OCTOBER!

 There are Christmas ads and merchandise on display already and it's not even Halloween!  Oh PLEASE.....let's just enjoy the upcoming events first.

However, throughout the year I've gathered numerous Xmas gifts which are now rattling around in my sewing room.  So, with a pause in my art quilt projects, I pulled out some Christmas fabrics and set about making fabric gift bags.  I've been gift giving enclosed in fabric bags for years and find it a fun and practical way to present a gift.

Paper tags I've made are another personal touch. Fabric bags are especially helpful for those who mail gifts.  They are lighter and generally easy to pack.  Okay now back to creating wall art!!

MARY'S GOLDEN RULE - USE ONLY FABRIC FROM MY STASH!

 When one's chosen print style fabric has run out, but you need to enlarge an in-process piece.........what do you do? I audition options after shopping in my stash.

I haven't purchased fabric in years...yes, really. This had led me to developing my designs far more creatively. However, if work begins looking like I shopped in a dumpster and threw it against my design wall.....I will break my golden rule and fess up! LOL

ONCE A PACKER FAN, ALWAYS A PACKER FAN

 Our niece is at Lambeau today for the Packer's home game.....wearing her Gilbert Brown jersey......what are the chances?  She's doing what most attendees are doing.... wandering the bars which are on every corner and in-between in Green Bay!  AND who is there????....YUP -  'THE GRAVEDIGGER'

Proud of her for approaching him and rewarded with a nice chat and autograph on her precious vintage jersey (which by the way, we gave to her many moons ago).

She's the darling Packer fan seen on the left taken at a game in 2008.

Sooty is sporting her jersey too.....GO PACK GO!!!!

ONE FINAL HOLIDAY MINI

My preparation for the Aristan Faire on Nov. 8th is nearly complete.   Though the urge for one more whimsy mini had to be satisfied.  Happily it has a forever home already.

                                     GO PACK GO - 14” x 14”

Commercial cottons raw edge fused 

appliqué, hand embroidery, & machine quilted.

PAPER FABRIC

 After nearly 18 years meeting with 6 like-minded bubbly drinking quilt pals we've experimented with just about every surface design technique you can imagine.  Some were one and done and others we revisited many times.

I shared the technique of creating paper fabric with 4 friends.  Basically one collages novelty paper napkins and tissue paper onto a base of fabric, adhered with diluted white glue.

Here are our results...the last one is my collage that I cut into pieces for notecards.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

 I used the last of my inventory of canvas covered frames on this final small holiday piece.  There are 5 remaining of the 7 I made, available now and at Heritage Placer Vineyard's Artisan Faire Nov. 8, 2025.

As always my work is one-of-a-kind, original design you will not see a duplicate.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT - 12” x 12”

$50

Commercial cottons & felted wool, raw edge fused 

appliqué, hand embroidery, & machine quilted.

 Secured to canvas covered frame. Ready to hang or display on a small easel.