Taking the Stage

The last evening of the Vermont Quilt Festival is a show and tell. Seven of my 59 students line up to show work from the classes. What a bunch of fun (and talented) gals. If you ever have a chance to be part of this, take it.

Slash and Burn Vermont Style

The scene at my "Slash and Burn" class at the Vermont Quilt Festival. Nineteen energetic and fun women were in class making quick decisions on composition. We were all worn out by 3:00. Send sweets!

Winning Friends (and Influencing People)

Chris Wickert, a fellow quilter from Rochester, New York, won Best of Show at tonight's event at the Vermont Quilt Festival. I got to hold the bag of roses, and she was thrilled to be chosen. I would say an honor well deserved. When you see her, congratulate her.

Crossing the Border

The scene from the Essex Ferry as I cross from the Adirondacks in New York to Vermont over Lake Champlain. Now, geography lesson is over.

Bear in the Woods

Okay, don't get excited. These are just cut-out critters. But, they sure do make you jump when you first spot them. I did startle on my walk around Beaver Lake near Binghampton last week.

A Little Help from a Friend

Aafke, our hostess for a day of discharge this week, is getting a bit of aid from her daughter.  Polka dots were added to her fabric with a cardboard tube end dipped in SoftScrub. Great idea, and after she soaks the fabric in anti-clor,  she will have some fun fabric to use.

Summer Solstice

Today's post to Quilt 2012 is this little piece. It is just a big fat sun moving across the sky. I have used a whole cloth for this, and varied the quilting thread to change the interior color of the circle.

Garden, Earth and Delight

Bill's vegetable garden at Beaver Lake in Windsor, New York, is hit with morning light. I heard the soil needed vast improvement -- and the results are evident. I am passing it just before a walk around the lake and then my journey home.

Hanging (Out) on the Line

The rubber gloves on the line are the clue that there was a lot of dye-discharge going on. Aafke hosted a group on her farm, with me offering all I know about bleaching 101. Seems they hardly needed me. Fun group.

Bill Pesce and his great wife Johanne hosted a seminar on Art Quilts tonight at their Windsor Whip Works Art Center in Windsor, New York. What a hot evening with some cool fiber artists. Don't be fooled with the empty chairs, the evening's talk was standing room only.

Solstice Garden Tour

The longest day of the year, and I took a tour of a fantastic Ithaca garden. Just what we needed to feed our souls. Thanks to Lee and Renata for their time tonight.

Julianna took this image of the parking lot. I love the line quality of the light. Reminds me of when I was small and waved around embers at the end of the stick from a bonfire. Must be that summer is here.

Single Vision

This week's 2012 challenge is here, with that definite solo circle. I love the drip like tears, and had fun quilting this. And great theme -- Solo Vision. Just need to finish and bind.

Full Frontal

My dear reader, I hope such an angle to admire this sculpture, seen at the Montreal Art Gallery, is fine with you. The title "The Eye" would not give a clue to what is going on. Must be in the mind of the maker, David Altmejd.

Eggcellent Idea

The shape (an enormous egg) was covered with lovely mosaic. I saw this in a shop in Montreal last week.  It would make a wonderful addition for my garden. And deer proof, as well.

Nice to Be Noticed

Textiles in a Tube, now on view in Greenville, South Carolina, picked Kathy Loomis to jury the show and she picked ME to win the first prize with "Flying Solo 2." I am honored to have Kathy deem it worthy. See what she wrote, and love her work as I do. http://artwithaneedle.blogspot.com/2012/06/textiles-in-tube-6-winners.html

Man of Clay

Rosemary shows Val Cushing a photo of his pot she bought in the '70s. Tonight's lecture at the Memorial Art Gallery was one of the best and most inspirational talks I have ever heard. He is amazing, warm, funny, serious, and thought-provoking. Words so ordinary, but he is not. What a guy.

All That Jazz

In honor of the upcoming Jazz Festival in downtown Rochester, here is this week's challenge for Quilt 2012. I liked the march of those clef-like figures and the sweep of the baton. Well, that is for classical music, but I will be those jazz musicians put in a few hours practicing the classics.

Art for the (Long) Wall

Stopped in the Bausch and Lomb Global Eye Health Center here in Rochester, New York, to see how my work was exhibited. Well, I would say. And I hear the works have some favor with the folks who traverse that long hall.

Polka Dots in Full Length

I saw this in Montreal a couple of days ago and remembered that as a young girl my mom would make this kind of skirt cake. It seems to be hip even now. But its the polkas that I love. (Oh, now its a happy new year cake, too.)

Happy Birthday, Blogabration for One Year Old

Waiting for Venezuelan food in Montreal and trying to think how to start YEAR NUMBER TWO on this little blog. My faithful 17 followers, I thank you for giving me the chance to piece out, and resist here and there. And here's to the next 365 posts.

Montreal Moment

Celebrating today the graduation of daughter #2, and her Canadian diploma. Universally accepted, I am sure.

If You Were a Plant

Well, actually, if you were a hosta and your name was June, here is what you would look like. And you were expensive, too. But worth it, yes.

Three's a Crowd

Waiting to be "dotted" at the opening night at ROCO this last Saturday night, this photograph was highly admired. Compelling to say the least. And a steal at $20.

Put It on the Dot

Clever little seat cushion seen in Toronto a few weeks ago. Of course, keeps the color close to an urban palette. This was made with felt.

The E-ri-e is a Risin'

They drain the Erie Canal in the fall, and fill it back up in the spring. So, now we are happy to watch the canal boats. That and a dramatic sky are the scene for today. This is just a walk from my house. Ha!

Out on a Limb

This week's contribution to Quilt2012 is this piece. It was inspired by my robin's nest outside the door. Hope you can see the eggs in the nest and the warning sign to stay back.

Congratulate Yourself

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra seen here last night after the season's finale of the new conductor's inaugural year. Such pomp and regulation, it was almost refreshing to see decorum (and decor, I may add, it was the Eastman Theater) in high form.

6 x 6 by a Zillion

7,300 works are crowding the walls, and I could not find mine! These folks (most of them) have a red sticker and are waiting for the signal to tag the work they want to purchase for $20. It is an amazing fund raiser, and fun as well. I stopped in but way too many people (even for me). http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2012_intro.php

The Aftermath in Auburn

Gathering after the opening of the Schweinfurth's triple hitter tonight are some of the principle stars. Genie Barnes, Elin Noble, Kenise Barnes and (representing the audience of all the rest of us) Priscilla Kibbee. Wow, what a name dropper you are!