Bit More in Case

Made more Bow Ties, just in case I wanted concentric squares. Which I think I do. Next, I want to try for minimal. You'll see.

Patchwork Wall

My Memphis visit this last week had a view of Graceland. I was taken with the autographed wall out front. A patchwork of subtle color, with signatures from admirers.

Proofing

Working in a friend's studio with a REAL wood burning fireplace today for my new take on the Bow Tie quilt. This is all about that skinny line, color and impact. I've got a few more tricks to iron out, then I'll be ready to share more.

Birthday Cake

I like to stretch out my birthday for as long as possible. So, visiting friends calls for day #2 and a proper cake. Last night (and the night before that) was Rum Raisin ice cream, my go-to for any event. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Birthday at 30,000 Feet

The steward brought me a second cup of coffee and stroopwafel. Then, before we landed, this bundle. It was another stroopwafel (a favorite) and a large Batman pin. Oh, and a United Airways wings pin. Along with the view of the Manhattan skyline, the best presents today.

Susan Says

Two Susans chat during the Slash and Burn class on Monday. We are so often working alone, and during a workshop the opportunity presents to get feedback, to see how others tackle a project, to offer advice. Just what you need, and a huge benefit to taking a class.

Happy Folks

Can't say how much it meant to see the finished leaves, and well done, too! The Uncommon Threads Quilt Group is indeed uncommon. They're welcoming, warm, great fun, and terrific students. Many thanks for my friends in Memphis.

February's Full Moon

Ralph Blakelock's Silvery Moon will have to do for this day's full moon. My Memphis moon is clouded over. And heck, I think this even keener. It's from the Dixon Museum.

Modern Meeting Interupted

My friend and I showed up fashionably late for the Memphis Modern Quilt Guild meeting today. With great enthusiasm they entertained us, showing the show and tell portion all over again. I loved this half square triangle quilt, as well as the meeting today.

Work Day

It was. a work day / make day / quilt day today. Studio Nysha was the spot to try out the New Big Leaf, and the intrepid that made their way to the Memphis area. We'll return Monday to try something new and challenging. Tomorrow is for recharging.

Cast Aside

While rambling the grounds of the Museum of Decorative Metal, I came across this mold. I don't know the purpose of the lines, and don't know how the mold is used. But the composition and color struck my fancy. I am drawn to the square in a rectangle.

View to Arkansas

That's Arkansas across the Mississippi. The view is from the National Ornamental Metal Museum today where a brilliant sky defined wonderful forged, welded, cast, hammered, and who knows what else metal. From gold to aluminum, it's there.

Leaf of Another Stripe

Making yards of hand dyed and printed fabric to sell for my classes and lectures has been a delight this winter. This monoprinted leaf came out crisp and bold. I may go back to overdye and to overpaint. It is the entire yard of cotton -- nice and big.

Trifold 1

From three pieces of fabric I selected a band that would dialogue with another. This is Trifold 1, and yesterday news came that it was accepted in Made in New York, an exhibition this spring at the Schweinfurth Art Center. Happy!

Midmorning Measure

I was scheduled to be on a plane to Memphis. Teaching Saturday and Monday. But the snow continued (beyond this height), the planes stayed put, and I got caught up on office work. I'll head on over tomorrow.

Here's Lookin' at You

With a bit of cleaning, I come across those special pieces I know I want to use. So, they collect on the design wall and stare back. Which means I will only have to straighten that out. One step forward, so they say.

Distracted Driving

Can I watch the road race on Downtown Abbey and bind a quilt at the same time? You betcha.

Binding Times

Gotta get a binding on this little quilt. My favorite green. I've got 2 1/2",  folded, sewn with 1/4" seam, then folded to the back. Just in case you wondered.

Happy Day to Me

Since my newly purchased bag is coming apart, I'm trying the hard case. And I can justify this -- it's my gift to me. Don't need no reason. Ok, it's my birthday month. So, any day in February is my rules.

Home Town Gal

It was my honor today to be the lecturer at the Genesee Valley Quilt Club, my home base for quilting guilds. Never finding time to take even one photo, I leave you with this camellia bloom. It reminds me of the kindness and generosity of the members I have known and loved.

Getting the Once Over

After my lecture today for the Weavers' Guild of Rochester, it was time for a trunk show, and a chance to explain how I dye my fabric. I felt right at home. How I appreciate their talent for working in fiber.

Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear

Three different sizes proof a pattern for the Skinny Line Leaf. I've developed it, so that I have an entire leaf for this block. Just have to figure out how. More chairs to sit in, and pots to stir.

I'll Take Manhattan

Can't remember if the final version got posted. So, here is "I'll Take Manhattan." In reality, the color is uber saturated, and yes, that is green plaid. I started it during the taping of my DVD through Quilting Arts, and thought the pieces deserved to be used in a work.

Unpredictable Fabric

Curing on the line, this is a screened print to fabric. The wash out is in, and believe me, the colors are vivid, but not as dark. It's always unpredictable what will happen, at least in my way of working. But that is fine. If I made fabric to spec, it wouldn't be as much fun.

Surround Fiber

Tonight's concert, quite fun and folksy, was held in a hall surrounded by woven panels by Jack Lenor Larsen. They've  been there decades, hanging beautifully, never aging, it seems. I've always loved their graduated color.

Spare Wall

No need to travel to get use out of my new design wall. I've decided to pin up my little quit and block it straight away. That means a pin every eight inches, and lots of squirts of water. Which won't hurt my wall's foam core. Good thing I have a spare wall.

Whole Cloth, As Is

Some fabrics, especially the large graphic ones that I love to make,  might be fun to use raw. You know, without any assembly or reworking. Thought I'd try one to see how it looks.

Ready to Go

The back of my traveling design wall has a yardstick (mine's metal) slid across the back sleeves. I've sewn two cases for each 2' x 4' panel, then sewn the cases together. I inserted the rigid foam panels. then stiffened the wall with the yardstick. I'll fold my project to the inside, and transport home.

Why I Keep Yardsticks Around

On my traveling design wall, I've made two sleeves for the back (one for each side). With open ends, I can slide through my yardstick, which stiffens the two boards. Slip it out, and the design wall folds to 2' x 4'. Fits in the car!

Make a Design Wall for Class

I'll be heading to Memphis for a workshop later this month. I've asked people to bring a design wall. So, I've had some 1" foam board insulation hanging around, and cut it in half -- so now it's 48" tall, two sections wide. Next I'll make two tight pillowcases to fit each panel. Stay tuned.