FEELING SPECIAL

Look what came in the mail yesterday!!!  A gorgeous Valentine postcard from the very talented Robbie at Robbies Paw Prints.  I'm sooooo flattered to receive one of her very special postcards. No matter what construction style....this gal can do it all.  It's always fun to see what she's up to...use the link above and wander over to her blog.

Blogger friends are truly the biggest bonus of hosting a blog!  Thank you Robbie.

Now....a note about today.....

Darn it....I was hoping to have a reason to wear my lucky Packer socks that pal Gen knitted for me......but as they say....maybe next year.  For me....football season was over two weeks ago.....(not pouting...just a reality).....but I will say....best wishes for both teams...hope it's an exciting injury free game.

ECO PRINTING MATERIAL

My internet pal, Robbie Payne shared a BIG box of wood chips that she's been using in her eco-dyeing experiments.  Learn about her results on her blog...but continue reading to enjoy the talent she displays, no matter what the construction style she chooses! 

 When Robbie generously offered to share some of her stash with me, little did I dream the gift would be so vast.

The containers hold wood chips from many sources, such as Bolivian Rosewood, Sumac, Sassafras, Sourwood.  I can not WAIT to get some fabric (rolled with leaves and flowers) steeping.  I'll report back when I get this going.  A huge thank you Robbie!! 

LUCKY ME!

Hurrah!  Probably just like you, I follow numerous inspirational blogs.  Occasionally the host offers a give-away drawing for readers who leave a comment on that post.  Whether or not I provide a comment is never based on the goodie, but rather it's something I wanted to say anyway.

Well.....I got lucky......Sheila at Idaho Beauty Quilts offered one of her gorgeous pad folios and my name got drawn from her bowl....see it here.

 I was excited when I learned, especially knowing how skillfully and carefully her work is crafted.  Look at this beauty!!!

 She used hand dyed fabric and coordinated the lining perfectly.  The balance of the stitched oak leaves is perfection.

In addition to its beauty....the 8"x5" notepad is just the right size to easily carry.  The little pocket on the left is an example of a well thought out project.

The back wasn't ignored either......

And her satin stitched edges rocked my boat.  This quality is not often seen.

So.....I'll bet you want to know how to get one for yourself?  Here's her padfolio  link.....these puppies are time consuming to construct.....so grab them while they are in stock.

THE LIEBSTER AWARD

Though I've been blogging since 2008, it remains so very flattering to receive acknowledgement from other bloggers.  Kristen Mendes nominated me for the Liebster Award.  Many long time bloggers will be familiar with this clever method of introducing bloggers to new sites of merit. 

The concept is explained well on Kristen's blog, where you will find 4 other worthy bloggers you will probably want to follow.  Click here for the details.

I've participated several times before, as have most of my blogger pals.....none of whom wished to do another round.  So, I have no list to share.....but I do want to express how exciting it is that new bloggers continue to join the blog world.

To get better acquainted, nominees are asked to answer several questions.....heck, I've been around the quilt world so long.....most have already been asked and answered....but in the spirit of this award, here's my brief submission: 

1. How, why & when did you start blogging? Christmas Eve 2007....tutored by my DIL's Argentinan SIL.  The purpose was to provide students more access to how I create my work.

2. What inspires you most in life? The materials in my studio.

3. Are you a cat person or a dog person? Or neither?  Actually given a choice, neither, though our rescue black lab has wormed her way into my heart.

4. Where do you hope to be in 10 years’ time?  Alive in my studio!

5. What is your go-to Karaoke song? Oh my, I've never experienced Karoke.

6. Favorite city? Hummm....though I couldn't wait to leave my Wisconsin hometown when I was young....it may be my choice now....if it didn't have winter!

7. What is one thing you wish you were better at?  Drawing

8. Describe your ideal summer’s Day?  Gathering with the other 5 members of Fiber Junkies (my small fiber group)

9. What song always makes you want to get up and dance?  'Walk Don't Run' (1960) The Ventures -(am I dating myself!?!?)  NOTHING IN THIS WORLD MAKES ME THINK OF MY TWIN SISTER MORE THAN THIS SONG....HEAR IT HERE.

10. Your biggest crafting/sewing disaster to date.  Really, I can't honestly think of one....my motto has always been, "Mistakes are merely design opportunities!"

11. What is at the top of your bucket list?  Seriously.....my needle became a magic carpet for over 25 years.  It gave me the opportunity to travel all over the world.....I couldn't have dreamed of a better way to complete a bucket list.

Thank you for thinking of me Kristen!

MEET NANETTE ZELLER

Over the last several month, active bloggers have engaged in a world wide blog hop.......the idea is to introduce all of us to new artists.  When invited to participate, we are to pen a post answering several questions about what we are working on, why we create, and our creative process.  Then we are to link to two more bloggers...which widens the exposure for all.

However, so many have already participated, that finding a blogger to agree to jump on board has been challenging.  Instead, I'm going to link back to my friend Nanette Zeller's website so you can get to know her work.

I met Nanette through my fellow quilt instructor pal, Ami Simms.  Nanette became my webmaster and friend.  This is one multi-talented gal.  She studied botany in college, has a vast understanding of computers, works as a technical editor for a major quilt book publisher, she draws, she's a fabulous art quilter, runs a Feather-weight sales & repair business, acting president of PAQA-South.....and she's a great friend!

Do check out her skillfully designed and executed work at the link provided above.

GUEST BLOGGER

Beata Keller-Kerchner is hosting at And Then We Set It On Fire. for the month of March.

Her subject will hand stitching, something that is near and dear to my heart!  I will be a guest blogger on March 17, 19, 20, to be exact.  Do visit this inspiring and education blog.....everyone there works so hard to provide great content!!

Here's a sneak peek at a small resist dyed-felted wool piece I'm currently working on......

SANTA'S COMING.....

My friend Kay over at Quilts + Color has a charming theme going for her posts this month, "Santa On The Move".  She gave me permission to use this image as of course, even Santa is will be cheering for the Green Bay Packers today.  It's been a miserable couple of weeks for America's favorite team since their QB got injured, and then their 2nd string, then their 3rd string......went out.  But if we are all good boys and girls....maybe our Christmas wishes for a healthy Packer team will be granted!

Kay isn't taking any chances......be sure to check out her blog today....there are some serious Packer backers in her family!

Beyond the creativity Kay shows in these holiday posts, you'll want to follow  her blog to see her talent shine in all she does.  And she can do it all!!!  I owe Kay a big debt of gratitude for encouraging me to attend my first quilt guild meeting in the Chicago suburbs about 30 years ago. (She regularly drove all the way from WI just to attend this guild).  I have no idea why I was so reluctant to go?  The guild was huge at the time so Kay met me out front, brought me in and introduced me to all her friends while I breathlessly waited for the lecture to begin. As I recall, it was nearly standing room only as the one of the biggest stars in our industry was the guest speaker.   I was ga ga over Jinny Beyer at the time and coveted her brand new collection of indigo dyed fabrics.....and yes, I was blown away and totally hooked from that moment on. 

  

CYBER FRIENDS

My needle turned into a magic carpet, taking me to place I would never have dreamed, which provided the opportunity to meet folks from all over the world. Luckily, many acquaintances have turned into friends who have enriched my life immensely.

The blogging world is beginning to replace the 'in person' contact for me and  new friendships continue to develop.

I've been following 'the quilt rat's' blog for some time.....not sure how our paths crossed but Jill Buckley is an artist I've come to admire and respect.  Recently she was blogging about dyeing embroidery threads.....which led to thread envy on my part.   

Well.....I'm one happy gal.....Jill shared some with me.  What a generous jesture.....all the way from Canda!  My head is whirling with ideas about how to incorporate them asap into my work.  I will share photos when I do!  

Jill's business card is an example to her attention to detail.......

The face side features paper toweling, painted, stamped and stitched.  In my humble opinion, she's going to need to make a lot of them.  She is on her way in this industry.....several of her doodle designs are now available in the newest Janome sewing machines.  Yup....that's big time and well deserved recognition for her art.

Thank you Jill!!!!

MEET DOMINIQUE EHRMANN

My career in the quilt world would never have been possible without some very special people who took the time and trouble to mentor me.....especially Doreen Speckmann and Pat Campbell.  I'll forever be thankful.

A couple of years ago I was teaching and judging at the Vermont Quilt Festival and met Dominique Ehrmann. Her work was awarded by the judging team and I presented her with my judges award.  I've been encouraging her ever since because I knew it was only a matter of time before the whole quilt world would know the work of this talented artist.

Recently, Dominique was featured at the 2013 Sacred Threads Exhibit.  Listen to her own words as she describes her workshops.  She was also featured in this interview.....   Take a moment or two to check out her almost indescribable work.....it will blow your mind.

PINE NEEDLE BASKETS

Well......once again, I'm indebted to another talented friend who gave up an entire day to teach me how to make a pine needle basket.  I gotta admit, my hands are a tad achy tonight....a surprise since I'm accustomed to long hours working with my hands!

 Here's one of Lynn's fabulous baskets....  YUP.....if you have a sharp eye you have already noticed the beautiful blue agate slice in the base.  Does it get any better than this??

 This basket was a feast for the eye featuring black walnut slices embedded into the open woven work design.

Look at the perfection of the stitching....oh my......

Lynn provided excellent and patient guidance but being modest, she gives credit to her first instructor, Judy Mofield Mallow.  This book is very inspiring and instructive.  It's available here, along with all the supplies one needs to create their own masterpiece.  Be sure to visit the gallery to truly get inspired!

Here's a short summary of the process.  First, I was able to select one of the many prepared 'centers' from Lynn's inventory.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I'm crazy about using agate slices in my work....so I was in heaven!

Another possibility to incorporate was a black walnut slice.

 .......or the Betel nut slice which was sandwiched between resin. Twine or other stitching material is threaded through the holes as the pine needles and nut become one. 

The Southern Pine needles were soaked in hot water (to kill any bugs) and to make them more pliable.  Next, the thick ends needed to be stripped from the pine needles.  This little wooden gadget made the job easier....but it was still somewhat time consuming.

 Once the needles were prepared, they were rolled in a towel to keep them moist and straight.

 Now, the fun begins.....   We started with 3 'strands' of pine needle units...often containing 3 individual 'needles'.  Artificial sinew is used to wrap the needles into a coil as it travels through the holes of the resin covered agate slice.  Additional pine needles are slid into the coil after every 2 wraps of the sinew.

 Round and round it goes.....keeping the tension tight is important as is keeping the wrapping stitches uniform around the pine needle coil....all in all it took about 2 1/2 hrs. to get to this point.  But....who's in a hurry?  Well, I like immediate gratification but you can't rush it, especially during the learning process.

Soon I was ready to manipulate the coil vertically and it began to look like a basket!

......Ta Da.....here's my very own Southern Pine Needle Basket which measures a mere 4.5" x 3".  I love it.....        Thank you Lynn for your generosity!

INTRODUCING KAY KOPER SORENSEN

Today you are in for a real treat......I want to introduce a long time friend and super talented quilter.....Kay Koper Sorensen.  Kay is responsible for getting me to my very first quilt guild meeting way back in the early 1980's.  Looking back, I'm not sure why I was so reluctant to attend....especially since I really didn't have a clue what it was all about....  A huge thank you continues to go out to Kay for pushing me!

She now spends half her year in Wisconsin and the other half in Florida where she cranks out the most wonderful quilts!  Many, if not most are created with her own dyed fabrics....including some fabulous shibori designs.

Never content to remain satisfied with her vast knowledge and skills, she's ventured into designing fabric which can be purchased through her website.  (right side bar)  Visit Kay here.  You won't be sorry that you took the time to roam into past posts to see her many other special touches.

This is one of her designs.....check out the incredible quilt she made below using sections of the print.

 I'm always in awe of her talent......isn't this stunning?!?

Here's another example of how Kay uses her own hand-dyed fabrics as the starting point for her very special quilts.

My career as a quilt professional has taken me around the world and given me so many new friends......but my admiration still continues to grow for one of my oldest pals!

PAT CAMPBELL

Sadly, the quilt world has lost one of their brightest stars.  My buddy, the well known Jacobean Applique artist, Pat Campbell of Richardson, TX passed away recently. Bonnie Browning of the American Quilters Society has posted sonme details and a wonderful tribute....read it here.

She will be missed!!!

EARLY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

I've shared stories here about the two person quilt guild my friend Francie Ginocchio and I began way back in the early 1990's.  We named ourselves "The Spritzer Sisters", an homage to our favorite adult beverage at the time....wine spritzers!

Though we've never lived close to each other.....we can pick up a conversation instantly.....as if we had only taken a breath....rather than having months pass.

 I was super surprised to find a package from SSF (Spritzer Sister Francie) in the mail the other day.  It was an early birthday gift....and a PERFECT one at that.  

Though I look like an old lady all hunched over in this picture.....Sooty wanted to be in the picture and the only way to keep her still was to bend over slightly and pet her head!!!  However, you can still appreciate the appropriateness of the apron.  Yes....it features a cow....black and white fabric, it has pockets, and really high on the positive list is the dark color....better to hide spills!

Now, isn't this just so adorable.....thank you SSF!!!

CREATIVE QUILT HANGER

The owner of my quilt "Fallen Leaf" has graciously allowed me to share how she hung the piece.  I was thrilled to see it as this bead embellished felted wool piece is one of my favorites. 

 She wanted to highlight the piece with a special hanger and found the solution right in our own area.  N. Chris Amsler is a metal artist.  He works with copper, silver, brass....creating jewelry and this very special twig & leaf hanger.

Isn't this just perfect?!!?  Chris designed it and will gladly do commissions based on your needs.  His work can be seen in downtown Waynesville, NC on Main Street at the Artist's Co-op.

BANKSY LIVES ON....

In 2011, the 14 member fiber group (PTA - Professional Textile Artists) I belong to launched their most successful and inspiring 'challenge' to date.  I blogged about it back then but now I want to provide some updates.  

We were each to select a 2-dimensional artist, living or dead that inspired us.  Then we were to create our own version of their work.  This grouping of wall quilts is now known as the "Inspired By" exhibit.  It is currently on display at Quilt Fest of New Jersey lX - World Quilt Festivals.  Next, it will move onto the Denver National Quilt Festival Vlll in May.

A recent article in the Smithsonian Magazine about my chosen artist, Banksy, was brought to my attention by PTA member Lynne Harrill.  This guy is sooooo fascinating.  You may want to take the time to learn more about him here and more here.

He's a street artist from the UK who has gained international fame in the form of graffiti....and beyond.  The next two photos are of his work.  Click any of the following to enlarge.

 -Bethlehem - taken 2005 by Markus Ortner - permission to upload under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license.....

- Shop Until You Drop, Mayfair, London - 2012 photo by QuentinUK -  permission to upload under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license.....

Our "Inspired By" exhibit is hung with the signage above and below to aid the viewer with an understanding about the various artists who have inspired each of us.

This is my piece......             WASH DAY 30" X 24"  

FAVORITES FROM MID-ATLANTIC QUILT FESTIVAL

A perk I enjoyed at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival this year was arriving in plenty of time to get a sneak preview of the show.  The quilts were fantastic and inspiring.  Embellishments seemed to be featured on more and more quilts!

Whether they are embellished or not.....I had some favorites....hopefully you'll enjoy them as well.

"Spirit" by Georgia Spalding Pierce - Seattle WA

 The quilting was very well executed and totally perfect for the design.

 Each motif was designed with great care.

 "Coleus Up Close" by Sue Colozzi - Reading, MA

This piece was so visually appealing, you'd have sworn it was real.

"Jet Trails #9" by Marcia DeCamp - Palmyra, NY

This perfectly balanced design, both in color and scale of pattern stood out in the crowd!

 "Bellagio Afternoon" by Diana L. Campbell - Allentown, PA
I loved this piece.....you felt as if you were in Italy just looking at it.

The intricate details such as this silk ribbon embroidery were outstanding!

 "Held Together By a Thread" by Susan Lenz - Columbia, SC
This wall quilt was part of the SAQA "I'm Not Crazy" exhibit.  I'm a big Susan Lenz fan. Her recycling/repurposing is always done with skill and excellent taste.

Detail -  How many of us would have totally discarded such a tattered quilt?  Susan turned it into a new form of art to be appreciated by a new generation.