LIVING LIFE FORWARD

As I study some of our pictures, it's now understandable that it wasn't until we were 56 that we learned we were actually identical twins, confirmed by DNA testing.  Most of the time people could tell us apart but sometimes no so much.

Happy Birthday....I miss you........

               Nancy Theobald Willmas       -    Mary Theobald Stori

                   1946 - 2002                              1946 - 

STACKED TILES

NEW WORK NOW COMPLETED..... 

STACKED TILES

47.5” x 47.5” © Mary Stori

AVAILABLE HERE

113 cotton Japanese print patches, no two alike.

Featuring flat piping, machine pieced and quilted. Prepared for hanging.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG

The stitching is now complete....and it was quickly slapped onto the design wall, not for it's formal portrait, esp. since it's very crooked, but I wanted it out of the way while I arranged the backing and batting on my cutting table in preparation for basting. 

Over the last couple of years I've created many Japanese inspired art quilts but this color scheme is new for me.....what a pleasure to work with unfamiliar colors.  Yes, it's my version of the traditional Chinese Coins, of which I've made two previous pieces.  Both sold so I it seemed sensible to go with success!

AUDITIONING FABRICS

Now that my commission piece is finished, my attention snapped right to a large box of small pieces of beautiful Japanese fabrics, way too lovely not to figure out how to utilize them. 

My current thinking is it will be arranged in a 'Japanese' Coin setting....taking the idea from the historic Chinese Coin pattern.  It's been a bit challenging to coordinate color and pattern, many of these prints are VERY busy.  Yet, I'm am moving right along and enjoying the process.

STUDIO

I've had my nose to the grindstone......or should I say my beading frame as I work hard on a commission.  Because a knee replacement is hanging over my head, my focus now is to finish this new piece. (Though I'm hoping that won't be necessary, as I'd be a terrible patient....due to my impatience!)

So with no public projects I can share, I decided to share some of my studio storage ideas.

Beads and more beads.....stored in dozens of plastic compartment containers.

Plastic covered containers hold my felting supplies.  

This vintage library card file with its individual drawers serves as my  thread storage.

I've collected old wooden boxes forever. Here's just one of many with divided spaces that works well for a vareity of items.

I'm also fond of antique ladders...and have several in my studio....baskets contain the items and hide the mess.

This large oak dental cabinet is where I store fusibles, interfacing, stencils etc.

An old knife block has been recycled to hold scissors.

How do you store your sewing supplies?

NEEDLE FELTING BOOKCOVERS

Wet felting has always been my preferred method over needle felting....which actually is suprising since I'm such a neat-nick and don't usually like messy techniques.  

After noticing how many curls, strands, etc. of wool roving that have accumulated in my stash, I set out to come up with ideas how to utilize them. 

Since one of my staples of small items for sale at the gallery are composition book covers, it's a good place to start.  The base of the grey one is a National Nonwoven product, the red is 100% wool.  They measure  9.75" x 7.5".  Happy with outcome and I'll be creating more!

PTA RETURNS.....Show and Tell after 1 year!

 After moving to the Asheville area and being invited to join PTA - Professional Textile Artists, I became the official planner of our annual retreats.

Exactly one year ago we completed our 12th retreat, the next day the Covid pandemic became official and we began lockdown.  We couldn't imagine then that we wouldn't see each other without social distancing & masks for one solid year.  (During that time we only had two small outdoor, fully masked, and social distanced short gatherings.)  We are all mostly huggers and buddy, buddy and found that type of meeting terribly difficult.

Most of us are older and are now fully vaccinated.  Hurray!!  So, those that could attend, met at Georgia Bonesteel's on a beautiful summer like warm sunny day.  Honestly, the FREEDOM of being with our pals again was so darn welcome. 

Here's our first show and tell of 2021:

Our Asheville Quilt Guild has a project to supply 40" sq. quilts to a "transition" facility for Moms & kids.......specific colors such as purple were requested.  This is Barbara's contribution. 

She also made this wonderful split nine-patch.  I love how her color choices created the effect of the bow-tie pattern. 

Dort makes the most fun story quilts.  She's back designing small 'bad dog' pieces.  We just love them!

Georgia is donating this small Trip Around The World piece for the Asheville Guild's project.  It's based on her clever method of creating this design from her new book. "Scrap Happy Quilts".  Yes, she has a NEW book and you can purchase a signed copy at her website.

CELEBRATING REAGAN

Now that Reagan's baby quilt has been delivered, I can share this photo. Made for my newest relative, a great niece!  What fun it was to work with such bright colors and who doesn't love polka dots??

40" x 40"

CATCHING THE MOON

The only time I created pieces that were nearly clones of themselves were samples for my many quilting cruises/tours in order to provide visual options for the participants.  

However, over the last couple of years I've been drawn to working with simplistic silhouette designs. This piece is similar to a recent one.......and an example of why for years, beads were included in most of my work. Oh those wonderful bright shiny objects!!!

CATCHING THE MOON 

 Art - 13" x 9"  - Framed - 18" x 14"

SOLD

Hand-dyed cottons, machine applique, hand embroidery, hand beaded.

BABY QUILT

 Gosh, it's been awhile since I've posted.....now a full year of Covid has past & still time seems to both drag and fly by.  Is that happening in your life too?

Yet, of course I've been busy.  This appx. 40" polka dot patchwork was pieced late last fall in anticipation of a new arrival in our family.  I was waiting for the birthdate and name of my grand niece before personalizing it for her baby quilt.

I'm hard at work now and should have it finished very soon.....till then.....I'm also celebrating receiving my 2nd Covid vaccine and feel a lighter skip in my steps!