RESOURCE

Recently I received a copy of "The Quilter's Catalog: A Comprehensive Resource Guide", by Mex Cox, Workman Publishing.  It's a brick of a book, (598 pages) covering every aspect of the quilt world.

I was especially happy to learn I've been referenced on 4 pages!  Today, I have lots of 'grunt' work scheduled around the house......so I'll be humming these words from Chapter 5, Great Teachers: So Many Ways To Learn:

 MARY STORI - Beading for Quilters -  A Former Cooking Instructor, Mary Stori is arguably the best-known teacher of beading and embellishment techniques for quilts and garments.......  

the description continues...concluding with a reference to my website.

I'm grateful!

RAIN, SWEET RAIN!

Western NC has been experiencing a fairly severe drought for over a year.....but lately the rains have come!

Though this photo may not give you the full impression......this morning the rain completely obscured our long range mountain view.  The temperature was a balmy 55 degrees....and it's only the beginning of March.....we are loving it!!!

The roadway turned into a mini stream.

And our creek along our property was alive with noise as the water again was gurgling rapidly down the mountain.

BUT....yikes....'the husband' just reported we are under a winter storm watch as the temperature will drop as a new storm system comes through tonight.  If we are lucky it will be snow, not ice.  Our power lines are underground, but many leading up here are not.  The loss of electricity due to ice may mean days without power.  We'd seriously considered getting a whole house generator, but they are SUPER pricey, so naturally, we didn't.  Of course, a few days w/o power will surely cause us to reconsider.  We've been lucky so far, I'm trusting that will continue.  Stay tuned.......

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

Karen Combs tagged me!  Tagging is merely a friendly game of cyber-tag, that has become a source of entertainment in the blogosphere.  Be sure to visit my buddy Karen's blog by clicking on her name to see her exciting patchwork illusions quilts.

So, today I've been asked to share seven things about myself that you may not know....heck you may not care either!  I'm asked to tag seven other bloggers to do the same.  

Read on......

1.  I LOVE pizza.  Hey, I'm a quilter....what'd you think the first reveal would be about?  Of course it'd be about food.

2.  'The husband' and I were married 41 years ago (March 10th) -  at the Chapel of the Bells....in Las Vegas.  We'll celebrate extra this year, since last year we forgot it was a big anniversary!

3.  I am very directionally challenged and hate to drive.

4.  I'm not a night owl.

5.  I enjoy watching what some might refer to as junk TV, such as  Orange County Housewives & the Last Restaurant Standing, Top Chef, Project Runway, and any of the endless real estate shows on HGTV.

6.  Bluegrass is my favorite type of music.

7.  I'm getting addicted to listening to audio books on my ipod.  It makes our twice daily walks seem to go faster.

Many of my pals are quilt professionals who also blog.  I'm sure you'll enjoy visiting their worlds.

Georgia Bonesteel  - An icon in the quilt world!  

Mary Lou Weidman -  Her quilts make you smile.

Jane Sassaman -  I got acquainted with Jane years ago.  We were both members of Facets, a Chicago area invitational art critique group.  Now the rest of the world knows and loves Jane's work.

Gabreille Swain  - An applique artist who can make her needle stand up and take a bow.

John Flynn -  Engineer turned quilter who continues to improve the tools we use, not to mention creating wonderful quilts himself.

Pokey Bolton - The mastermind behind Quilting Arts Magazine.

Melody Johnson - An artist who owns color!  Melody has helped to set the standards for blogging;  consistent posting, great photos, and interesting subjects.

Say It Ain't So!

The GREAT Brett Favre announced his retirement today.  The day had to come......but still it's sad for Packer fans everywhere.  This photo tells it all.....what a guy!   

Beading 101

I'll be presenting an introduction to beading at the Fiber Arts Alliance March 4th meeting.  The group, an offshoot of the Asheville Quilt Guild, meets the 1st. Tues. of the month at the Girl Scout building, 64 WT Weaver Blvd., Asheville, NC.,   Noon-1:00 PM is social time/brown bag lunch if desired, followed by a meeting from 1:00-3:00 PM.  There is no charge to join FAA and all interested parties are welcome.   Meeting content varies from show and tell, to demonstrations (usually given by our own members), and other educational activities.

To allow everyone in my workshops to have a front row seat, I use a digital projection system which speeds up the learning process. 

Typically, my beading workshops focus on 'technique' - rather than 'project'.  This is the sampler students create in my 3 hour 'Decorative Beading' class.  Pretty neat stuff that's much easier to do than it looks!

So, why bead???  Here's a BEFORE view of one of my felted wool projects which could be used as a table runner or narrow wall hanging.

Here's the AFTER view.......need I say more?  I much prefer the texture, color, sparkle, and additional pattern the beadwork provided.

SNOW!

The promise of mild winters was one of the lures that moved us from Wisconsin to NC.  I'll admit, our blood has thinned after only our 2nd winter here.  It's been cold this week....in the 20's, going up to the 30's in the daytime.  Now, in WI, we'd think that was balmy!

Tuesday night and into part of Wednesday we had a storm storm......puny by midwest standards but because the terrain is steep with endless curvy roads, it tends to paralyze folks.  We are amused.  Looking from our back deck, we were greeted by this beautiful site. 

So, we get a taste of winter's beauty, and happily it's gone within a day or so.....no shoveling required.  Our 5" of snow was nearly all melted before the sun went down.  Today our temperature will get to 50....life is good.

ADDING CHARACTER

Although areas of our home had character built in, others were overlooked.

The 27' floor to ceiling fireplace certainly got our attention when we first walked into this unfinished home. 

Houses here are most often multi-levels, ranch homes aren't practical because houses are built into the sides of the mountains. This staircase leads from our main living area to the 'man cave' in the lower level, with its walkout french doors.  Unfortunately, the room to the right is not open to the stairwell, except by a doorway, which makes this area feel like a tunnel.  BLA....boring.....okay ugly!

We had the lower wallboard removed in preparation for tongue and grove bead board.

Better, yes???  We ran around in Asheville yesterday trying to find suitable picture frames to display some of the many wonderful photographs David has taken.  We struck out, but the search will go on, perhaps in a bigger city to locate a better variety. Once completed, it will feel more like home not a tunnel!

QUILTERS' S.O.S.

The Alliance for American Quilts has spearheaded Quilter's S.O.S. - Save our Stories.  I mentioned recently that I was interviewed about my participation in The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative - AAQI

My interview, along with many others is now online at QSOS

My quilt, 'Brain Cramps' is part of the traveling exhibit - Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece.

Be sure to follow the links above, we'd love to have your support!

HAPPY MUSIC!

Western North Carolina is famous for it's down home bluegrass music.....happy music as I call it.  'The husband' has been a fan forever and converted me.  Friday and Saturday we attended the 13th annual Bluegrass - First Class festival, in nearby Asheville.  10 hours each day of almost non-stop shows. Due to very limited seating, (800 tickets) the venue is wonderfully intimate.  We didn't roll into bed last night until after 1:00 AM, ears buzzing.....unheard of for us!

The entire hotel is filled with talented attendees......pickin' and a grinin'  in small impromptu 'jam' sessions in every available space.  Playing goes on in hotel rooms most of the night.....doors are left open and anyone with an instrument can join in.  

Of course I was on the look out for fashion guidelines.  How about these snake skin boots? Cowboy boots are most often associated with country and western performers, though not unheard of for Bluegrass musicians.

The highlight of Saturday's venue was Doc Watson....VERY famous.  He's nearly 85, and has been blind since early childhood.  He was given a standing ovation upon entering for his first set. I'm sure my goose pimples weren't alone, as the room then hushed to a stillness, where you could hear a pin drop.  We all sat quietly watching them do their sound checks before playing, that's how much reverence the audience had for him.

I don't think I'll do too much complaining about how much I have to haul around on my trips.  This group flew in on a red-eye..... imagine gate checking this carry on!?!

ALZHEIMER'S ART QUILT INITIATIVE

Yesterday I was interviewed by Karen Musgrave, on behalf of Quilter's S.O.S. - Save Our Stories.  This oral history project has conducted nearly 700 interviews with quiltmakers of every type.  Through Karen's hard work and dedication, Alzheimer's:  Forgetting Piece by Piece is the first exhibit to be included.  The Library of Congress is the project's archive.  Some of the interviews are now available at:  www.centerforthequilt.org/qsos 

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative  (AAQI) is the brain child of Ami Simms, founder and executive director.  It began in Jan. 2006 and has already raised over $157,000 for Alzheimer's research.  Forgetting Piece by Piece is a nationwide quilt exhibit of 52 quilts, each interpreting the artist's view of Alzheimer's disease in some way.  It's the most moving exhibit I've ever seen!  My quilt, Brain Cramps is included.  All the pieces are featured in a CD, narrated by each artist, and in a recently released book.  

Be sure to click on the link provided to learn more about how quilters are making a difference, one quilt at at time.