Never Know

Anna Brown states "The lake near my home still reflects the aftermath of the catastrophic fires of the summer..." But when I look at the work, I can't know the subject matter through visual queues alone. I find the work compelling, just add my own interpretation. This is at the Schweinfurth's Q=A=Q exhibit.

 

Time for Celebrating

Judy Kirpich (red glasses) presents her work in the second floor gallery above the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit. Its a vast, open room where her works are given the breathing room and reverence they deserve. I'm sure that she felt loved, celebrated, special, accomplished and happy. We all confirmed that.
 

Quilts = Art = Quilts

The Schweinfurth Art Center's annual fiber art show Quilts=Art=Quilts opened tonight. The works are fabulous, the company even more so. These people take their work seriously, strive year after year to rediscover the pull of textiles, and support their colleagues. It shows here. 
 

Keep Your Toys

I'm sure that this magnet wand was a gift or toy for my daughters. It's come in handy for years. I've a pin catcher at each sewing machine, one next to the iron, and one for the cutting table. None as sentimental as this toy one.
 

I Love to Iron

There are few rules for improv piecing. One is that the seams need to be regular, and for me, 1/4" wide. And pressed open. My new studio has great light, plenty of room, and I'm able to do a nice long pass with the hot iron. 
 

The Gloves are ON

My next trip is Art Quilt Tahoe for a printing workshop. One of the nights, I get to bring and sell my printed fabric and scarves. So, here's the start of what I'll bring. And, well, they also are good examples for the print class. 
 

Sew It Begins

Even I have to soda soak fabric for the week at Art Quilt Tahoe. And before anything else, I'll be sewing tyvek tags to the corner of the yard to identify it from all the hundreds of pieces that will be printed that week. It's an amazing spectacle -- all those great prints. Well, still gotta start with the fabric.

 

End of the Day

I finally got to the studio and put back in place the works on the design wall. The rearranging is the fun part, and I'll make some progress. Sunlight spill is from the late south facing windows, a good way to gauge when it's time to get home. 
 

The Beauty Around

Though I've returned home, I want to remember the Carolinas. The small hikes to see the landscape was a wonderful treat. I managed to find birds -- the snakebird, the oyster catcher, the least bittern -- just some that's almost made me a birder! Thank you for having me to part of this world.
 

There is a Beach Here

 Before heading home to upstate New York I was treated to a stroll on the beach, a nature walk, and some birding. Perfect way to meet South Carolina's coast.

All in a Day

Although Peg is a fuser,  she's game to try her hand at The New Big Leaf. We worked hard, had fun, and later I saw alligators. Who dould ask for more? Thank you Palmetto Quilt Guild! 
 

Pit Stop for Art Quilts

Driving straight from Savanah to Hilton Head, we stopped at, what else, an exhibitor of five fiber artists. Color, scenery, line, scenery, realism, and scenery were an element common to all. Glad to have seen this show, and all the best for many more. 

Tell Me All About It

Margaret made a wild themed piece in class, a different take on what we started. We all loved the zaniness of it, and encouraged her to keep going. The three day retreat for the SAQA group in Georgia and North Carolina finished with a flurry of finishing. Thanks to all!
 

Setting the Table

As a demonstration of how orphan blocks set on different backgrounds, and the interactions between the shapes, I used a yard of colored fabric. The SAQA group liked it, and I might just use this idea. Consensus is a good thing.
 

SAQA Gathering

The Georgia/North Carolina SAQA group asked me over for a three day workshop in abstract design. The center where we meet is perfect, with grand fall weather and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. We did a great amount of work, more to come. Happy to be among such fun folks. 
 

Signed and Sealed

Before I boxed up the quilt for Quilt National '23 I signed the front lower corner. I've done this on all my large works since 1981. That one went to Quilt National, too. I hope I can find the way to visit the show come May 2023. 
 

Day Off

After the morning of zooming to San Francisco and Joe Cunningham's lecture series, it was time to enjoy what's left of the beautiful fall. A gathering of all for some music, food, and just being together. Off I go tomorrow for more adventures!
 

Yes, He's That Tall

Joe Cunningham has asked me to be part of his lecture series Saturday (tomorrow!) to talk about color. Which I'm happy to do. I'd talk about grains of sand if he asked me. Its virtual! And there's more colorful guests via this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quilt-freedom-workshop-28-colorize-it-tickets-393659073887

 

Add More, Delete Some

Adding and taking away is always tough. To let go of the pretty elements to let the stronger drivers stay is the task at hand. 
 

ReConfigure Till You Like It

I'm building this piece in columns, which is a great way to move sections to form a composition. Now, though that seems easy, the finite number of versions is large. Which means...decisions! I'm reaching for another cookie to think on this.
 

On the Wall

These came from demos at the Hudson River Valley Art Workshop this summer. They have a good vibe, and are a nice change from the darker pieces I've had on the wall recently. I'll keep you all posted.
 

Off We Go!

Oh, I forgot to measure this before I sent it off to the Schweinfurth's raffle quilt section. I suspect it's 28" x 26" or so. Facing, sleeve, hanging rod, all stuffed in a box and mailed out today. Made from the leftover pieces from the one they accepted in their Quilts=Art=Quilts show.
 

Many Moons

As usual, my dinky camera won't pick up our full moon. So, this detail from a baby quilt I finished will have to suffice. Many moons, in fact. Which I wish this new little being many many months, years, decades. 
 

Just a Look Back

The pin-board outside the studio door is a great display opportunity. This is a baby gift made from a yard of my printed fabric. It was quick to quilt, and I used a binding for it's function to protect the edges. Instead of hand sewing the binding, it is stitched and zig-zagged. Needs to be durable!
 

It Was Fun Tonight

The normally empty studio was filled with wonderful friends, strangers, well-wishers and the just-curious. My First Friday was a great way to start my new studio's opening, and I look forward to have more. They wore stickers that said "All the Fun is at Studio 301" which was a hit. 
 

Line-Up

I've started to place work in the studio in anticipation of the First Friday this month. The two on the left are whole cloth quilts, the third is pieced. It's always interesting to see sizes in context, so that you get a feel for how dynamic the work is. 
 

Random Start

With the iron transforming the pieces to order, I made some random blocks. Then added them to the design wall with no part of the wall showing. Now to put and take. Need to get this in the mail, so will press on. This will be for the raffle at the Quilts  = Art = Quilts exhibit.
 

Another Scramble

A large piece of mine was accepted in the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center this fall. These scraps are from that work. I've gathered them to make a smaller work that will be part of their raffle gallery. It's due, and I'm behind!
 

Foolin Around

While I was trying to get across the point that it really helps to have chunks of fabrics that are already joined, making it easier to find compositions, this assembled on my design wall. I like it, and might just have to make it up as finished! 

Pull Up a Chair

Aafke Swart Steenhuis is all about orange. So, no surprise when I found her "Pull Up a Chair" quilt. It's really fabulous. Made by paper piecing, she interspersed Marimekko fabric in places, as well as the frame. The two day quilt show was a hit from the Tompkins County Quilt Guild in NY state.
 

Where There are Grapes, There's Wine

Today was harvesting grapes and making wine day. So, we turned out to pick, and process the grapes to make wine. Food everywhere, beautiful day, and a good day off.