REFRESHING GALLERY

Winter is generally a slow sales time at Woolworth Gallery.  Happily one of my bigger pieces on display sold and this new quilt ("Japanese Tiles" - 51/5" x 45") was added in the space on the left.

Here's a partial view of my lower level display.

And...some fun new mini book covers.  The design was inspired by a small zip clutch featuring a Moose, gifted to me by a friend...thank you Lynn.  The hand-dyed houndstooth wool fabrics were the perfect combo for this little bear cub.

FREE TUTORIALS OF MY BEADING TECHNIQUES

C & T, the publisher of many of my books and DVD is now offering free tutorials for several of my beading techniques.  It's a great way to learn interesting methods that go beyond the basics.

The book is now out of print however it is offered as an ebook by C & T for $6.99

This is called Branched Fringe.....it's from my book "All-In-One Beading Buddy by Mary Stori.

ASHEVILLE PRINTMAKERS ART AT NC ARBORETUM

The NC Arboretum in Asheville was also featuring an exhibit by the Asheville Printmakers.  Unfortunately, due to the number of large windows in the Education Center, my photos show lots of light reflection.  Don't let that diminish the impact of these pieces.

I was struck when writing this post, that most of my favorite pieces were created using techniques many of us fiber mixed media artists also use.  Perhaps what can be printed on paper can also be printed on fabric with equal success.

 Love the cut out for the lead weight.....very clever!!

ART AT THE ARBORETUM

Asheville, NC and the surrounding areas are known for its art.....truly you can't go very far in any direction without experiencing work by inspiring artists.  From now till May 10th, Environmental Impact ll is on display at the NC Arboretum.  It features more than 50 artworks, including paintings, photography, sculptures, and fiber.

Here are just a few at the Baker Exhibit Center that caught my eye.

This last one really intrigued me.  There was a binder viewers could look through that provided explanations and locations of the forest fires.  The transferred colors and textures on the sheer fabrics were astonishingly good.

NOTEBOOK COVERS

I've been finding snippets of time to make more notebook covers......

I've uncovered some previously indigo-dyed vintage lace to feature on this pale white batik cover.

SWIMMING NOODLES ARE FOR MORE THAN ROLLING QUILTS

Here's our rather drugged looking Sooty after surgery.  She's barely able to stand up!  Her back legs kept splitting apart and down she'd go.  She had a small growth removed from her leg, a common issue with black labs.

The vet recommended purchasing one of the stiff plastic cones that you often see dogs wearing after surgery to prevent them from licking the wound.  Ages ago I saw a list of all kinds of uses for swimming noodles and amazingly I remembered this idea.  It took me only minutes to cut and string noodle sections for this homemade 'necklace'.

It worked great and I can only assume it was far more comfortable than the alternative.  She's such an agreeable sweet dog that she wasn't even bothered when we put it on her.  Within less than 24 hrs. she was up and acting normal.

HAPPY PELICAN

Good grief this one took a great deal of time to complete.  In part, because my goal is to avoid purchasing new fabrics until my large current stash is tamed, the fabric selection process was unnecessarily tedious. 

Pelicans are certainly not a nature subject one would expect to be inspired to create living here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  However, many tourists seem to hail from Florida or the Carolina coasts and sales of similar themes sell well at Woolworth Walk Gallery (#235 - lower level).

 HAPPY PELICAN - 23.5" X 31.5"

AVAILABLE HERE

Pieced & appliqued cottons by machine, hand embroidered, machine quilted.

DETAIL

25TH ANNIVERSARY - BLUEGRASS FIRST CLASS

Each February since we've moved to Western North Carolina, we've enjoyed attending the annual Bluegrass First Class indoor festival. There's non-stop music from mid-morning on Friday-Sunday noon in the showroom, a stage in the hotel, and incredible pickers gathered in hallways, hotel rooms, meeting rooms, & the parking lot.....it's a bluegrass lovers paradise.

 Doyle Lawson has been a staple in this industry for years.....he often dresses more like a spangled country-western performer than one playing bluegrass.  This year a fan brought him a present.....shiny purple shoes.  The promoter of this event brought the gift on the stage and gave it to Doyle who was clearly stunned, but being a good sport....he did put them on.  

AND being a the supreme performer......he had his group immediately launch into this song....

 My all time forever favorite group, "The Seldom Scene"  never disappoints.  They've been around as a group since 1971.....click on the link to learn more about the meaning of their name and their history.

For years, Daily and Vincent has closed the show.....always a huge crowd pleaser.  This year Rickey Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder was the closing act.  He was a terrifically talented bluegrass musician from a very early age, from there he moved onto gospel and some country.  Recently he came back to bluegrass...we haven't seen him in years.  Being less than kind here......clearly his stint promoting one of the weight loss programs didn't work and though the color of his silver hair is beautiful.....he needs a stylist...honestly it was hard to watch someone who looked like a 60 year old pregnant woman.  Sorry....  The music was toe tapping and some of the harmony was really good....the fiddle & and guitar players were very talented.  

We are already looking forward to next year!!

REMEMBERING DOREEN - No - a last name is not required!!!

The Iowa Quilt Museum presents:  

Doreen Speckmann Remembered

On display through April 5, 2020

This colorful exhibit features works by noted teacher Doreen Speckmann, the quilts on display for the first time since her untimely death in 1999. Known for her wit & wisdom, as well as her teaching and publishing, Doreen led quilting cruises and used the world she explored as inspiration for her original designs.  

To learn more visit: http://iowaquiltmuseum.org/current-exhibit/

 Doreen and I had an immediate close friendship.  Bovines held a special place in our hearts, we were colleagues, confidants, passionate about quilts and the drive to share that love through workshops, lectures, and world wide travel, all while having FUN!  We were fellow Cheeseheads who could speak 'Wisconsinite' to each other so much so, no one could understand what we were saying.  Ya hey! 

Doreen impacted my life like no other person ever has and I'll always be grateful for her faith in me.  One day she asked if I'd create a one-of-a-kind garment for her. Surely one of the most satisfying projects I've ever made.  She in turn created this small wall quilt "Mary's Card Trick", for me.  I got the better of the trade!

It's gratifying to know new quilters will have the opportunity to enjoy her work and satisfying for those of us who knew Doreen, to know her art is still being cherished.  A warm thank you to all who have made this exhibit possible.

PLAYING WITH A PELICAN

Creating again.....

 A repeat look at the white/black patchwork quilt top recently stitched.

It's the backdrop for a colorful Pelican....sure, I know Pelicans don't look like this!

It's called artistic license!  There's many decisions and much stitching ahead....come back to see what happens next.