Blanket Story

Marie Watt's piece in the Denver Art Museum stacks blankets, covers, and cravings. It is a moving tribute to the nature of love and what is used for showing love. My visit here today too short.

Today's Goal -- The Front Range

The morning greets with this never ending width of mountain range from my hotel window in the suburbs of Denver. The goal was to set foot in the foothills. Just to say I was there.

Makin Lines While the Sun Shines

Golden Colorado was a balmy 72 today while we perfected the skinny line and Bow Ties. The class proved to be quick, adept, and a great group to work with. Can't think about tomorrow and 32 degrees.

Rocky Mountain Quilt Modern

A lecture for the Colorado Quilting Council in the morning, was followed by a visit to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Boulder for the afternoon. A hearty group from the Denver Modern Quilt Guild was on view with bold patterns and even bolder quilting. See for yourself.

Denver Airport Might Just be a City

I've landed, and now am getting a sense of what awaits. I think color, cold, and a few high (though distant) peaks. There is room in my Sunday class on Bow Ties -- making that lovely skinny line. Sponsored by the Colorado Quilting Council at the Golden Quilt company in Golden.

It Happens Every Year

...but I still have to capture this vine (Virginia Creeper?) growing on my fence. Through the summer, it is my green wall. Just about now it shouts for attention, then suddenly goes away. Must be why I'm compelled to love that red.

One More for the Road

Here's the top of the bow ties -- you know, the one I couldn't stop making. I've got it folded into a tiny package and ready to stuff in the suitcase for my workshop Bow Ties this Sunday in Denver. It'll pack next to my down vest and gloves.

I'm a FAN

Fiber Art Now (that's FAN to you) came today with the article that I wrote "An Artist's Sense of Place." It's a wonderful magazine -- and it's sold everywhere --  that you need to discover.  And not just because yours truly wrote and article.

I Can't Help It

Now I know why those traditional quilters go on a binge. It is that "just one more" ailment that takes over. Okay, I'll finish this, then that's IT.

Outllines

Wendell Castle's sculpture from his current exhibition reminds me of the adage: if you'd want to highlight (no pun intended here) a shape, put a line around it. I've spent a few days adding thin lines around shapes, and it works.

Tip Top Tie Top

Well, finished the top, now to quilt. It is a variation of my Bow Tie quilt, and I think I have a few more to make. but for now, this needs quilting, then packed to go to Denver for a class where we all make Bow Ties.

Glorious Prints! at Pro Chemical and Dye

I made this half yard fabric last May during the week I taught  at Pro Chem. It's now a little raffle quilt for the Quilts=Art=Quilts show. So, big reminder here -- registration is now OPEN for the next class at Pro Chem in Fall River, Massachusetts on May 7-12. Join me for Glorious Prints!

Wendell Castle Retro

Tonight's visit to the Memorial Art Gallery was to see the Wendell Castle retrospective exhibit. I loved the early work from the late 50's, and was so surprised to see work done in 2017. There is a freshness to his work and monumentality. I mean, check out the shadow from this table. Even that is luscious.

Inspired to Dye

Last Friday I detoured to Niagara Falls (at night!) and the American side which is tremendously close to the water. I'm back dyeing fabric for a day; this melange is a tip to what is on my print table.

Bow Ties Anyone?

At the end of October I'll be visiting Denver and teaching my Bow Ties workshop. Thought I'd kick it up a bit and add in some proper ties as well. This is just a draft -- stay tuned for what the elves make overnight.

Real Life Gets in the Way

A sudden storm left  me without electricity yesterday afternoon. So, I started the day with a lovely caravan on the street fixing the transformer behind my house. (Sorry, the other 44 homes that were without power.) Power's back. My machine is sewing.

It's in the Mail

I've sent this off to be part of the Quilts=Art=Quilts raffle lineup. Look for it, and add your raffle ticket when the show opens at the end of this month.

Take Notes

Ann Clarke's Math Notes is a quiet, unobtrusive wall piece. Made of fulled knit wool, it has such a soft look up close, that I hadn't noticed the graffiti she laid in until I saw it in a photo. Deceptive, indeed. Today at the opening of Art in Craft Media at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

More Cutting

The top -- made from a one yard piece -- is assembled. This is an homage to a student Jo (you can call her Shirley) who took my New Big Leaf class and did a wonderful adaptation of it. I cut and reassembled this Skinny Line Leaf to make it just a bit more, like she did.

Proof is in the Cutting

A few weeks ago I spent a day teaching and wrestling with this pattern. I've gone back to recut and sew this "Skinny Line Leaf" so that it behaves -- this time with freezer paper templates.  I've used a one yard piece of my hand 'painted' fabric. Much better. Also, use steam.

All for Two Bucks

It was $2 a bundle, with Judy Kirpich's work on the cover of this SAQA Journal at this last weekend's quilt show. I remember when I forced myself to eject all my magazines before 1980. I can purge in another decade.

On The Wall

Just north of these fabrics is a little note that reminds me that the small donated quilt for the Schweinfurth (for Quilts=Art=Quilts) raffle is due October 15. This may be the start of something small.

Try Outs

While hanging around and selling fabrics this weekend, I thought I would try out a few compositions. The top and bottom are the same fabric, with the middle piece folded, then laid in the center. Simple cuts, and you can let the fabric's design do the heavy work.

Popular Votes

At the quilt show for the Tompkins County Quilt Guild, visitors vote for what their favorite. For my category -- large contemporary -- I got one of the three thirds (no, that doesn't make a whole). Yes, we are the popular gals.

My World View

I'm at the Tompkins County Quilt Guild's show in Dryden, New York this weekend, and this is my view. Over two tables full of my printed fabrics,  I get to talk to loads of people, explain myself, and take in some fabulous quilts of all types.

Lung Cancer

Friend Aafke made this quilt complete with see through (airy?) lungs, made in response to her brother-in-law's disease. It is part of this weekend's quilt show for the Tompkins County Quilt Guild. I'm there selling fabric. Come say hi, then check out this set of lungs.

Moon Light

I could not find a harvest moon for you this post, so I offer a painting from Sagamore in the heart of the Adirondacks. It is what I would think that glow would be, if it were on a canvas.

Double Good

I met Erin this spring at my Glorious Prints class at Pro Chem. To see her again yesterday for the class was bonus. She used the dramatic fabrics she made in the printing class to make her skinny line leaf. It's gonna be good -- send me a photo of the finish!

Love Those Skinny LInes

A smattering of skinny line leaves from the quilters at Quilt North in Saratoga County. Hot off the press (preferably with lots of steam to set!) they are today's experiment with improvisational piecing and sewing that skinny line. It was a perfect day.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Last year when I was at Quilt North Quilters Guild I taught the "In the Garden" pattern. Tonight, after my lecture, was show and tell. And this finished top showed up. One of the best I've seen, and a delight. When it is quilted, it will be spectacular. 

SAQA Auction Item

"Little Heart 2" will go on the auction tomorrow to benefit SAQA. The bidding goes  through October 8.  This small quilt is 12" x 12". The auction on line can be found here:  http://www.saqa.com/auction-viewdetail.php?ID=3332