Saturday, March 14, 2009

CLIFFS COTTAGE

Our PTA Fiber Group traveled to Furman University in Greenville, SC to visit another of the Southern Living Magazine's 'green' homes.

This one is called Cliffs Cottage.....click here to learn more details and for a link to see photos of the before, during, and after construction.

I snapped photos of what interested me......though of course there is soooo much more to see. We understand the University President will reside in the home after it closes to the public in June.

The setting is far more beautiful than this photo shows....wonderful gardens and a huge pond.


As you enter off a side porch, the living room is to the right.  The flooring in the house is either bamboo or tile. 

I love a galley kitchen.....and visually there was much to like about this one.  However, though it had lots of light....all of us felt if it was our kitchen, we'd like to be able to look out the windows when standing at the sink.  There was a serious lack of cabinets and no pantry.......except perhaps if they called a tiny broom closet a pantry. 


I love the look and idea of these cement counter tops.  Our builder didn't make that option available for our house so instead I selected a Corian style that gave this appearance.


Of course, we were all gawking at the furnishing.....not paying much attention to the self-guided tour headsets that we were given which blabbered about the solar energy, insulation materials, etc.

The coffee table caught my eye.....it obviously was repurposed.....neat!


Even the bedding was 'green'.......fiber content often contained bamboo.  The decorating style had a definite Asian flavor.  Lots of muted greens/gray/tans......very soothing.



This detail of a pillow is interesting.  The veins of the leaf were created with what appeared to be very wide satin stitching which were cut and became fringy.  Perhaps like machine faggoting....(I think that's the term)


This simple design on another pillow provided color and texture......I think the thread was similar to pearl cotton, only shiny.

More photos to come tomorrow.

Friday, March 13, 2009

JULY WORKSHOPS REGISTRATION

I've been promising to let everyone know when I'll be teaching workshops in this area......as I've been meaning to find a location and get some organized ever since I moved to NC.

Well......I realized, that's already been done for me.  Registration is now available for Tennessee Quilts - Quilt Fest 2009 -  July 16-18, 2009.  This large conference is held at Centre at Millennium Park in Johnson City, TN.  Click on this link to download the brochure.  You may also go to Tennesse Quilts website and request one be mailed to you.

Here's the line up of my workshops - a complete description of my classes and photos can be found on my website.

July 16 - Thurs. -  Beading Basics & Beyond
July 17 - Fri. - Beading Pizzazz
July 18 - Sat. - Improve Your Hand Quilting

I'm flattered to be one of the 4 instructors invited to present a lecture.  Mine, "Let It Shine", is at Noon on Thursday.

They are already receiving sign ups and of course class sizes are limited, so don't delay.  I hope those of you in the area....or anyone wanting a wonderful road trip......will join me in class!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

DUPONT STATE FOREST

What a couple of perfect days I've had.  'The perfect' child was able to make a detour from a business trip to spend some time with us.  

Yesterday, with picture perfect weather for our wedding anniversary.....we hiked Dupont State Forest.

Within 10,000 acres of forest and trails, this is one of the three waterfalls that will take your breath away.

My two boys....'the perfect child' & 'the husband'.

Nope these aren't snakes.......but almost as dangerous.  One of the steep trails was covered with these tangled tree roots, I was almost on my hands and knees climbing upward, in fear of falling.  Boy, is my body sore today.


As they say.....a picture is worth a thousands words.......so I'll let these be my last........

Monday, March 9, 2009

BRAGGING ABOUT MY STUDENTS

I wasn't fast enough snapping photos of the wonderful successes students had in my Bead Embellished Wool Collage workshop on Sat. at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show. I will try harder in the future to share projects started in this fun class because I'm so proud of their efforts and they should be inspiring to you.

Thank you everyone for your smiles and enthusiasm!!!





Sunday, March 8, 2009

WHY I HATE AIR TRAVEL

Retirement is looming........despite leaving the Indianapolis airport hotel at 7:00 AM for a 9:00 AM flight ..........I have JUST now at 6:00 PM......arrived in Charlotte.   My flight to Asheville.....with fingers crossed won't arrive till nearly 9:00 PM!!!

Truly, if it weren't for the great students I had at Indiana Heritage.........I'd be unpacking & zipping up my suitcases for the final time when I get home.  Thanks to all of you for making teaching such a pleasure.  Anyone have a private jet??? 

Friday, March 6, 2009

BEADING WORKSHOPS

I've spent the last two days helping energic students learn the fun of beading at the Indiana Hertiage Quilt Show.  It's held every March in Bloomington, IN.  This is really such a special conference in part due to the organizer's commitment to keep it small and friendly.




After 6 hours of non-stop beading.....students are still smiling.....despite being pooped I'm sure.
They've graciousfully shared their beaded samplers for you to see.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

AIRPORT ART

I love repurposing items........these photos were taken in the Indianpolis airport.   I almost tripped over myself I was so anxious to document them.

Isn't this just too cool???



Tuesday, March 3, 2009

FEEL GOOD!!!

Even though I posted this morning........this is too good to wait to share it with all you faithful readers.

All the bad economic news 24-7 is depressing.......click on this link for a feel good time.  I've watched it three times already.....and grinned like crazy each time.

This was a commerical, shot at the Liverpool Street Subway Station in London.  Only the dancers knew what was happening;  the general public had no clue what was to unfold.  This YouTube site has registered over 2 million hits in less than a month.

Enjoy......... 

INDIANA HERITAGE QUILT SHOW

I'm off to teach 3 days of classes at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show tomorrow.  This will be my 4th visit to the annual event which is held in Bloomington, IN.

In two classes, students will create samplers as they learn a huge variety of beading techniques, everything from the basic bead stitch to some fancy dimensional methods.

The final day I'm teaching Bead Embellished Wool Collage.   I love, love, love woolfelt and really enjoy sharing the techniques I've developed to work with this very forgiving material. It's fun, fast, and is such a good backdrop for my beadwork.

What's great is these methods work well with a variety of design styles.  My original inspirations were Penny Rugs......but of course I tweaked tradition and came up with my own designs which include beads and buttons.

Notice how the slightly smaller top layer is attached to the larger darker green backing??  The layers are beaded together.....raw edges left untouched....which is just fine since most felted wool won't unravel!


Now we can view a more contemporary approach.  Running Squared could be a wall hanging or a table runner.


Square and rectangle motifs are fused to the green background and machine blanket stitched with thread to match the color of each.  Appliqueing isn't really necessary, but I like the added texture the machine stitching provides.  Beads are scattered here and there to help the eye continue to travel.  Again, the backing is cut slightly larger than the top piece....the two pieces are attached with beading.


Circles Within  - The motifs are  fused, appliqued by machine, and then beaded.  A narrow green border was also applied to help frame the design.  This white wool didn't felt as well as I'd have liked.  So, because the edges raveled too much, the backing piece was cut the exact same size as the top, then.......right sides together.....I machine stitched around the piece....leaving an opening for turning.  This method wouldn't be appropriate for thick wool as the corners would become too bulky....but it's a good way to hide and secure the edges when necessary.

I hope to be bringing you reports during my travels.....assuming the hotel internet and my Mac play together well!

Monday, March 2, 2009

AAQ NEWEST COLLECTION

The Alliance for American Quilts has announced a major milestone by posting a private collection on their Quilt Index for the first time.  About 80 quilts made by Hungarian immigrant Mary Gasperik.  This collection provides a rare chance to observe one quiltmaker's near-total output as she advanced from a novice quilter to a prizewinning quilt designer.

The entire collection can be viewed here.  


Laurel Wreath  circa 1935
Hand appliqued, embroidered and hand quilted


detail


On a personal note......we've just experience our 10th snow.......really a blizzard.  Okay, UNCLE.....we are heading back to WI, where at least folks know how to handle winter!! Literally, towns close up here when it snows.....restaurants and all!  Amazing.....