Plugging away, not as efficiently as in the past since my sewing time is still being done in short shifts as my shoulder heals.....but I'm enjoying every minute. Here's a detail view of my current project.
Nearly all the fabrics are mono prints I've created. Their hand can often be a bit stiff but I appreciate that the acrylic paint helps to prevent frayed edges.
Beware, this is a long heartfelt look back.......with special thanks to my pal Kathy A. from Bethel, PA. Skip this post if you aren't interested in memory lane thoughts.
I'm always amazed that my needle and thread turned into a magic carpet that has taken me all over the world. Quilting has added so much to my life, can't imagine my world without it.
My career got a huge boost early on from my pal Doreen Speckmann (sadly probably only you old timers will know who she was.....a tragedy as she was the most talented, kindest, funniest, happiest, person I ever knew.) In 1997, Doreen invited me to be a guest instructor on one of her famous quilting cruises. I was fortunate to be invited many times afterwards on both cruises and tours. In 1999, due to the demand for these trips, we both started hosting separate events.
Sadly, she passed away that year in Ireland while I was on a Greek Isle tour with a group. No one could ever fill her Berkinstocks, but to my surprise travel company hired me to carry on with future trips.
My magic carpet has provided an opportunity for me to teach in every state of the US, EXCEPT Mississippi and North Dakota. The highlights of my travels tended to be the cruises/tours to destinations such as Iceland, Paris, London, Panama Canal, Venice, all over the Caribbean plus Hawaii and Alaska, just to name a few. I would never have imagined visiting these places!!
This long winded look back is to emphasize that the very best part of my quilting travels were the dear friends I've made along the way!! 💕 I love how we keep in touch and the thoughtfulness of these treasured friends.
Kathy A. just sent me a box of Asian fabrics she had collected and found she no longer had a use for them. I'm still shocked I'm working in this style....which began because an elderly quilting friend gifted me her entire stash. (Seriously it came in a 10" POD all the way from Illinois!!) A big majority was Asian fabrics. The pieces I've challenged myself to create using these fabrics are a far cry from my whimsical embellished pieces that were my trademark for many years. Now I'm so energized when I see these theme fabrics as they truly spark my creativity.
So........ be sure to take the time to reach out to some of your quilting buddies to tell them how much you appreciate their friendship!!
GO PACK GO 💚💛💚 GO PACK GO 💛💚💛
Let's send the Lions back home after a Packer win tonight!!!
Discomfort and sometimes outright pain still persists....but I'm slowly getting back to my normal activities with some limitations. Daily home PT exercises and visits with my wonderful PT therapist are still ongoing to stretch and strengthen the rotary cuff repairs.
Starting with smaller projects. Now available....contact if interested. SOLD!!
"IN FLIGHT"
13” x 13”
Artist’s hand-dyed & Japanese cotton fabrics.
Machine appliquéd & quilted with metallic thread. Secured
in a black wood frame without glass.
New Japanese art quilt, so happy to be back to sewing.....still having to work on short stints but that just enhances the creative enjoyment!
“CROSSROADS TO JAPAN” - 45” x 36” - pieced & quilted Japanese & hand-dyed cottons. Hanging sleeve attached. Sized to fit over a sofa, dining buffet, entrance hall or stairwell. Free shipping for a limited time. DM if interested with questions or requests for more photos.
Great sports watching day...... F1 race from Singapore this morning, followed after lunch by the Packers vs Falcons......
GO PACK GO
FINGERS CROSSED JONES WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW OFF HIS INCREDIBLE SKILLS!!
There's nothing like some quilt sales to elevate an artist's mood! And trust me, there have been many days these last couple of months that was what the doctor ordered!! (If doctors could order such happiness that is!!)
Ever since my PT therapist gave the okay to use my rotary cutter (but to pace myself!) I've been plugging away on a Japanese art quilt. I've had a lot of sales success with this style, so creating another during the recovery phase of rotary cuff surgery is making me very happy!
Not sure whether I'll be able to machine quilt it yet.....as I certainly don't want to undo the rehab progress I've made.....stay tuned....
8+ weeks and happily my bulky 24-7 sling is in the past. Foolishly (though I'd been told otherwise many times) I had it in my head I'd be able to pretty much resume activities. NOT
......PT 2x a week and 3x daily are keeping my occupied instead. For sanity sake, I pulled out some blocks/selected fabric that I had earmarked for a post surgery project.
Darn it, rotary cutting is too hard on the shoulder for now....back to scissors.....oh we've been spoiled by our rotary cutters. Here's a look at my very slow progress on a small Japanese art quilt. PT is schedule through Oct. so my goals are more realistic now. Slow but smiling.....
