Jury Speaks

This work won both the Governor's award and the Best of Show at the Vermont Quilt Festival. Not my pick, though I will admit it has the impact. I am always struck with the fact that the pattern is not the artist's pattern. And I would love it more if the artist claimed the concept and the delivery.

Practice a Skinny Line

While in my class in Vermont for the Skinny Line Leaf, Karen did this little practice for setting in a skinny line. We thought it was a great start for a sketch or small composition just as it was. Oh, the possibilities are endless.

Love What is Old

The Vermont Quilt Festival always features an exhibit of old and beautiful quilts. This one caught my attention for its spare selection of color and clear graphics. Must say this was my favorite set of quilts this weekend.

New Big (and Better) Leaf

Yesterday was a full house for making the New Big Leaf. We got very far along, and this one certainly has a good amount of chroma. Great time here in Vermont.

Up in Flames

Just my Bananas Foster at the end a wonderful dinner. After a long day spent with 20 great quilters in my New Big Leaf class, is was time to relax and get a great meal.

Vermont Quilt Festival Sighting

Just about every type of quilt is here in the Vermont Quilt Festival. This detail of one of Joe Cunningham's caught my attention. I need to go back and see the group of 19th century works (curated by Debra Grana and Sharon Waddell) next.

Look Me Up at the Vermont Quilt Festival

I sent this Pink Leaf 2 to the Vermont Quilt Festival for all to see. Wave if you find it. I'm teaching four days starting tomorrow. Should be fun!

Garden Party

The first class up on Thursday at the Vermont Quilt Festival is this quilt pattern that I will teach. I've  paper  pieced it, and used a bit of every kind of fabric. But the red with white polka dot is what gives it its sparkle. There is still room in the class, which is great. More relaxing for me!

Catalog for Quilts 20/20

Paula Kovarik designed the catalog for Quilts 20/20. It is a beautiful way to showcase the exhibit, and all of us involved with this project are so grateful to her for her work.

Bring on the Crowd

What a difference a crowd makes. Here is that beautiful set of historic quilts paired with Sue Benner's piece (left) and Terry Jarrard-Dimond's work (far right). The SAM gallery is brand new. What a spot to see these works.

Opening Night for Quilts 20/20

Kathy Loomis' work Crazed 8 is see at right, and shows the large scale of the piece. Quilts 20/20 opened last night in Harrisburg at the Susquehanna Art Museum. I curated and designed the show, and was so pleased how it all turned out. It will be up until August 31.

Ready for Quilts 20/20

This work is a Four Patch Quilt from the Heritage Center Collection of the LancasterHistory.org. Here it is  laid it  from last fall when the works were chosen for "Quilts 20/20: Traditional Works, Contemporary Art." The exhibit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at SAM opened today and this work can be see with 39 more luscious fiber works through August 31.

Ready for Opening Quilts 20/20

Tomorrow night will see the culmination of two years of work. I've curated and designed "Quilts 20/20: Traditional Works, Contemporary Art" that will run at the Susquehanna Art Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania June 19 - August 31. Paula Kovarik designed each of the 20 contemporary artists their own announcement -- and here is mine.

Not a Bundle of Joy

I work with museums, and for museums, and lecture on proper textile handling. So, it is always with unease that I accept a return from a show that featured my work. This, dear readers, is not how to handle packing and returning. I'd have to write a small chapter on this, so just say, the work is happy to be home with me.

In the Garden with a New Colorway

Thought I would practice my skill at paper piecing and choose a new color set for my In the Garden quilt. I'll be teaching this on my first day at the Vermont Quilt Festival. There's still room, I believe. You can visit the VQF site and check out the show.

Packing the New Big Leaf

I've finished the New Big Leaf in a four patch set and it is already nestled in the suitcase ready for the Vermont Quilt Festival in about 10 days. Now to wrestle the other quilts to get folded and packed up.

Hot off the Press

The latest issue of  Lake Affect is out, and I have a spread with Mummy Bags/Canopic Jars, and Big Red 2. You can find it around Rochester. A literary magazine, its focus is prose and poetry. And nice art is included for punctuation. Thanks to editor Michelle Cardulla for including me.

Sewn Lines

Today's walk around downtown Rochester and its historic routes brought this spot under the railroad bridge near High Falls. The light through the boards/rails/deck left this pattern. I love this dash of light.

On Again, Off Again

I've got this on and off the longarm today. Tomorrwo for bind and finish. I want to bring this to my workshops at the Vermont Quilt Festival at the end of the month. Lots to do!

Working Slowly

I've returned to the New Big Leaf in my four patch set. Here is a detail of all four sections as they join. Went together just as planned. Love those templates.

Enter Your Pin

Most of my sewing happens without pins. But, when I assemble a piece using templates, I insert the pin through both 'tic' marks and hold it perpendicular until I can stabilize with another pin. Works.

Screening Aprons

I've used the soy wax on the silk screen as the resist for the ink. And using Profab textile paint (which means you have to be quick) I've used this method to screen my aprons. I like the road I'm on.

Rewards of the Day

Many know that Pink Leaf 2 from Quilt National 2009. After traveling, it was too "old" for other venues, but for my Genesee Valley QuiltFest it was fine. Happy to show it off, and more wonderful (and surprising) to take first place for Art Quilt, and a Surface Design award. (Now I can purchase a new front door!)

Graphic Textiles

My printed fabrics are hanging out at the quilt show this weekend. Funny that Pro Chemical & Dye's sign is just in the background. I get all my dyes and supplies from Pro Chem, and it was great to "hang out" with Nancy and Ann this weekend.

Falling Blossoms

Sakura Falling by Julie Wasson took my interest at today's GVQC quilt show. I love the improvisationally made background for the blocks. The bits of color mimic the falling cherry blossoms in Japan.

At the Show at RIT

I'm smack dab in the middle of this shot, and enjoying the delights that come with every quilt show. New techniques, new color combinations, new processes. And my neighbor, Pro Chemical and Dye, just dropped off my supplies for this summer's printing. Can't wait.

Sunday's Class Skinny Line

Here is one version of the Skinny Line Leaf. I've got a full house on Sunday, and a few would like a sneak peak. There might be one spot left in the class. Check the registration table at the show.

Skinny Line Leaf Practice

It has been a few months since I made a "Skinny Line Leaf" so for this Sunday's class (and my Vermont Quilt Festival class) I made up another one. No more room, I hear, in this upcoming class, so come on down to Vermont!

Layer It On

These aprons (I will be selling at the end of this week) have been part of the experimental stream. Soy wax, direct dye, and now stamping with textile paint. More to add tomorrow.