Updates!

Foto/Fiber 2012 was a success! More than $7,500 was raised! Congratulations to all who participated. I cannot wait to receive my photograph.  A non-fiber patron purchased photographs at the last minute and Virginia Spiegel asked me if I had a small piece of art I could send him as a BONUS. As I dug through my small quilts, I couldn't find anything that I thought appropriate for a guy so I made a small "pod" piece (approx. 7" by 7") because I loved my large "Pod" quilt so much (promise to share as soon as I get a good photo). I sure hope he likes it!

I continue to be blown away by the people who joined in on my vintage fabric challenge.  Be sure to check out both Sherrie Spangler's chocolate bunny quilt (great use of vintage fabric and makes me smile every time I think about it) and Vivian Helena's wonderful quilt. I love how she used black in her quilt. Wish I had thought of that!

Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Lots of thoughts of Louisiana and missing it today.) Let the good times roll!

Bold Over! Quilt and 1950 Challenge Fabric Quilts

 Here is the finished Bold Over! batik quilt (29" (w) by 16" (h)). Not my favorite quilt and one that I don't think I ever felt.  I think I was distracted by thinking about indigo. I am happy that it is finished and I am sure I will be able to find it a good home.
 
I am thrilled that the 1950 challenge fabric quilts continue to inspire. You can give your help/opinion on Janice Paine Dawes' quilt by visiting her blog. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone is making progress which you can see on her blog. You don't want to miss Kathryn Schmidt's blog and how she is adding green organza to her quilt. I hope that those of you who worried that all the quilts would look alike will now agree that each is unique and is truly an expression of the makers. I can't wait to see the final quilts! And I am counting the days (13) until the next challenge begins!

This is also the final day for Foto/Fiber and the price has dropped to $50.00. Stop by for all the details here:  http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiber2012Directions.html

Your help in reaching the goal of $7000 to add to the $215,000 that has already been donated to the American Cancer Society is greatly appreciated. I'm trying not to be bummed that no one has taken me up on my BONUSES.  Please consider supporting this effort! I did!

Valentine's Day and Foto/Fiber

Happy Valentine's Day! I had really hoped to have this sweet quilt done by this Valentine's Day, however, it didn't happen. Maybe by next year. February 14 was originally a Roman feast day celebrating the beginning of the mating season of birds (hence the association with love).

I must admit that I am in a little bit of a panic. My sewing machine is acting up. It has developed a clunking noise and occasionally turns itself off. I cannot image myself at this point in time without a machine. I tried oiling it. No luck. Think I will try denial just a little longer. Isn't that a river in Egypt?

Don't forget that Foto/Fiber begins tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Central.  The goal is to add $7,000 to the $215,000 already donated to the American Cancer Society. There are 4 ways to win with this fundraiser - one of which is that 100% of the funds are donated directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. The other three are detailed on Virginia Spiegel's blog. If you want a jump on how things will work tomorrow, please check out http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiber2012Directions.html. I still can't decide which photo I want! How about you?

Here is another on of my donated BONUSES. These are two pieces of Georgian silk (country not state) that are 9" by 36". Georgia was on the Silk Road and once produced wonderful silk. You will be amazed at the hand. Unfortunately, they no longer produce any silk. I purchased this silk in the open air market in Tbilisi (capital of Georgia). The employees were paid in silk at the closing of the production sites and sold to make money for their families. I never purchased any all white silk because I knew how rare and important it was to the batik artists in Georgia. I'm also including an embroider bracelet made by nuns to support their efforts to help unwed mothers (young girls) and run a hospice for the poor. Of course, it will all be in a box like the one I shared yesterday.

Feeling Blue and Foto/Fiber

Here is my first indigo quilt which I have titled "Feeling Blue." This one was created completely out of scraps. I colored the appliqued circles with a fabric marker because they were much too white and bright. It is 22" (w) by 19.5" (h). This certainly boosted my confidence and I think it shows in my second indigo quilt which I will share tomorrow.

Exciting news on the challenge fabric front! Bonnie J. Smith has posted her finished challenge on her blog. It makes me chuckle every time I think about it. You don't want to miss seeing it. And Denise Frank has started her quilt! You can check out how she is manipulating the fabric. I'm so excited!

Count down to Foto/Fiber has begun! On Wednesday, you have the opportunity to own a great photograph by Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, and/or Cynthia Wenslow AND raise money for the American Cancer Society. You can preview the photographs by going to http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiber2012PHOTOS1.html. In addition, you will receive a BONUS donated by 35 artists including me! Please join me in supporting this worthwhile event!

Here is one of my BONUSES. The silk was made during the time of the Soviet Union and I purchased it in the open air market in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. I am including a photograph of the women I purchased it from, one of my ATCs called "Memories of Kyrgyzstan" and three Kyrgyz postage stamps printed on fabric. And of course, I couldn't resist making a box to put it all in even though it's only suppose to fit in an envelope.

Now it's back to the studio for me!

"Seeing Red" ATC

I cannot remember the last time that I have been so intensely focused and creative. It has been nearly seven weeks! I have completed five quilts, made two Christmas gifts and 16 Valentines. It's been an incredible high so I was so surprised that when I signed up for "Red," the theme for this month's Arts in the Cards exchange, that I had so much trouble. I attempted two different ideas and was not satisfied with either. Last night the idea of using my experience to create my ATC popped into my head and so "Seeing Red" was born. I used Prisma colored pencils so each one is a little different. Hope the group is pleased. They are all so incredibly talented.

Now it is back to quilting for me. My studio calls! Tomorrow I promise to share my completed challenge quilt and my Bonuses for the Foto/Fiber, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society which begins on the 15th.

Speaking of the challenge, here is the list of participates again:


1. Rayna Gillman
2. Kristin McNamara Freeman
3. Janice Paine Dawes
4. Sherrie Spangler
5. Marti Porterfield
6. Denise Frank
7. Carol Esch
8. Mary Ann Mauney
9. Martha Ginn
10. Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

11. Kathryn Schmidt

12. Irene Armock

13.  Del Thomas 

14. Gail Pierce

15. Louise Baldel

16. Bonnie J Smith

17. Anna Mowicki

18. Barbara J. Beardsley

I also want to publicly thank Sherrie Spangler and Carol Esch for their kindness. It was unexpected and touched me deeply. Thank you!

Featured Artist for Foto/Fiber

I am honored to be the Featured Bonus Artist on Virginia Spiegel's blog. If you are interested in what my studio looks like and learn a little more about me, please check it out. Enjoy!

I have been so busy making indigo quilts! Promise to share soon!

Foto/Fiber Bonus

I spent yesterday playing with my friend Barbara. It was so much fun and so needed! We planned out the gifts we are going to make for birthday gifts and Christmas. I am so excited! This could be the year we actually get out gifts done early!

One of the things I did was made boxes and I finally got Barbara hooked on them too! This box and the contents are another one of my Bonuses for Foto/Fiber, Virginia Spiegel's fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which begins February 15. The paper on the box is rice paper from Korea and the silk inside is also from Korea. There are four pieces that are a 1/4 yard and the light pink is just a piece (11" x 13") with a cool floral emblem.

Foto/Fiber 2012 and Me

The count down has began for Foto/Fiber, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society lead by Virginia Spiegel. The 2012 fundraiser will sell 90 photographs by Virginia, Karen Stiehl Osborn and Cynthia Winslow beginning on February 15. There are also artists providing 90 bonuses and I am one of them. I am donating three bonuses. Here is one of them--three 1/4 yard pieces of silk made in the Soviet Union (the back is a toned down version of the front) purchased in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and an ATC I made called "Memories of Kyrgyzstan." I hope you will support this worthy cause.

New Year New Challenge

I love this time of year because people seem so full of hope. It's like we've been given a clean slate. I have been spending all of my time lately writing--mostly answering questions (marketing for my book Quilts in the Attic, Teacher of the Year  (17 questions and) and the Foto/Fiber 2012. I am also working on a website. I haven't had one in years and it's time. Anyway, while I do feel writing is being creative, I have missed being in my studio and playing with fabric. I decided to give myself a challenge so I dug out an old UFO. It was one given to me more than 15 years ago. I challenged a friend at one time to create something interesting with it but she passed so I'm doing it in her honor. The top is approx. 29 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches. I am taking my inspiration from Rayna Gillman's book Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts  which has been getting a lot of well deserved buzz. I am considering this play and have no expectation of creating a piece of art. I just want to see where I can take this top and hopefully honor the unknown maker. What challenges have you given yourself for 2012?