Ideas and Multiple Discovery

Ideas are like rainbows. If the conditions are right and paying attention, you are rewarded.

I got an email from someone I don't know who I have decided is concerned for me (attitude is everything) even though she feels I have "stolen" an idea from someone. I have been teaching "my" quilt-as-you-go technique internationally for more than 20 years. I readily admit that I did not invent quilt-as-you-go and my version is also based on my love of strip and scrap quilts. I simply put it all together in my own way. About five years into teaching "Bending Quilt-As-You-Go," someone asked if I knew of Ann Bauer's work, which I had not. She said that while our work was similar in construction (quilt-as-you-go), she also noticed differences. From that point on, I avoided Ann's work (sorry Ann, just did not want to be influenced). I also suspect that this might be what the email is referring. Although I cannot be sure because the email does not share the "who."

Multiple discovery- a term used in the scientific community whenever two or more scientists in different parts of the work come up with the same idea at the same time- is something I think also occurs all the time in all fields. One example from the quilt world involves Kathy Schmidt and Rayna Gillman who were both working on books about "no rules" or "free-form" quilting at the same time. I believe that ideas are out there floating around looking for people who are open to them (see my quote). Ideas are limitless. We just have to be open and do the work.

My technique was born because I wanted people to keep making quilts. I kept hearing about too many UFOs, not being able to master machine quilts, but not having the funds to pay for quilting, etc. I can remember the day the idea came to me and how I could not sleep until I figured it out. I love those magical moments that don't happen often enough, but just enough to keep me working. My technique is now being used to create unique shoes in Georgia (country not state).  An artist in Almaty continues to make a living selling potholders using my technique. It makes me happy because creating is a good thing.  So what ideas have sprung up into your head?

The Winner and Another Journal Give-Away

I am overwhelmed by all the kind words and the number of people who signed up to win my journal. I wish I could give each of you a journal. Since that is just not possible, I decided to give another one away next Tuesday, December 2. It is the journal pictured here. I will admit that this one has a mistake in it. I didn't allow enough of a seam with one of the fabrics so I had to fuse some on top.

So if you signed up for the Create journal, you don't have to do anything except check back next Tuesday. If I don't hear from the winner in 48 hours then I will have my son draw another name out of the hat. If you haven't signed up, you can do so.

Now for the winner of the Create journal----Elaine! It makes my heart sing to know that a long time follower and wonderfully kind person won. Enjoy!

A Journal Blog Give-Away

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Michele Foster is once again organizing a blog hop give-away. The theme this time is "giving thanks." I am most thankful for Michele for all that she does to make this happen.

I decided to give away one of my recent journals made with my quilt-as-you-go (all three layers are sewn at once) technique. I started teaching this technique more than 15 years ago. It began because I kept hearing my students complain about having UFOs and/or not being happy with their machine quilting and/or not being able to afford to have someone quilt for them.  I called my first quilt "Dropping out of the Conga Line to Do the Merengue." It even uses a 1970s green and yellow polka dot polyester fabric that a friend claimed I could never use in a quilt and have it work. She actually bowed down to me when she saw the quilt. It hangs in my dining room as a reminder of taking a risk and having it work out.

The journal has a pencil holder in the back, a bookmark and can be reused because it is made for composition books which can be easily found. I sell these journals for $45-$65.


Now for the rules.

Read Carefully:

1. I will ship internationally.
2. I won't be responsible if the package gets lost in the mail. Hasn't happened yet.
3. Winner will be announced on November 26. I will not track you down so make sure you either check back or leave an easy way for me to contact you so I can get your address. If you don't leave contact info and I don't hear from you within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.
4.  I love the people who follow my blog and want them to know it so my followers will get their names put into the hat twice.

Enjoy the hop!

Journals

 I needed some gifts so I decided to go back to making journals. It's been a couple of years since I have made these. The technique is my quilt-as-you-go. I use Meade journals so it is easy to replace and continue to use the cover. They have a pen holder in the back and a bookmark. I did quilt the butterflies. I love that the fabric had words! Wish I could remember where I bought it. It felt good to be back sewing and being able to send a little love in the mail.

What is your favorite gift to make?

The Power of Quilts

My nine-month-old grandson, Tyler, was visiting and suddenly became very excited about something in my dining room. It turned out to be my quilt, "Dropping Out of the Conga Line to Do the Meringue," my first quilt-as-you-go quilt using my own technique and made nearly 15 years ago. . He squealed with delight then reached to touch it. I allow people to touch my quilts.  Tyler delighted in touching the quilt. It made me think of Radke Donnell in her book Quilts As Women's Art: A Quilt Poetics, when she said that "Rewarding on so many levels, quilts appeal most of all to touch, and to the eyes as they come to rest, to have and to hold instead of seeking a hold and rest in vain. As I have written else where, quilts also stand symbolically for the epitome of warmth and its comforts and the pleasure of closeness and union with a desired object.  Unlike "untouchable art" quilts provide tactile rewards which may serve to challenge rigid prohibitions of touch. Because the sense of touch refers to women's experience and work, it can articulate women's concern's more completely than any other sense." Food for thought. I am just thrilled that Tyler connects so passionately with what I create.

I also want to make you aware that Ragged Cloth Cafe is up and running again. Ragged Cloth is art blog written primarily by fiber artists about any issues concerning artists.  All art forms, subjects, and time periods may be discussed. This is not a blog for self promotion or a place where we sell our work. but rather a place where we explore topics of concern to artists in any medium, but often with a fiber slant. It was begun by June Underwood and Clairan Ferrono is continuing it.  I am excited to be a contributor. This is an amazing resource and I strongly encourage you to check it out.

A Quilt Comes Back: Bittersweeet

When my father-in-law died in 1997, I decided to make my mother-in-law a throw quilt. I imagined her curling up on the couch with it while she watched television. "Wrapped in love" was my thought. I made her a scrappy quilt-as-you-go quilt (53" x 70"). I was already concerned about her memory and suspected she was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. This was confirmed when I saw the photograph of her wrapped in the quilt. She has such a confused look on her face.

I should have realized that my mother-in-law would never consider using the quilt on the couch. She was very much a "quilts go on the bed" person and was always perplexed by my wall hangings. Anyway, a phone conversation a week after I gave her the quilt, she shared that the quilt fit perfectly on her childhood handmade bed where she had moved after my father-in-law died. She truly believed I had made it to go there. 

I am amazed at how well it has stood up to the many, many times it has been thrown into the washer and drier over the years. It is incredibly soft. This quilt was my touchstone with my mother-in-law. When she could not remember who I was, all I had to do was mention the quilt and we would connect. Having it returned was something I did not think would happen and it is bittersweet. Thanks to everyone for their messages of sympathy. They were appreciated.

Italy Here I Come!

I am thrilled to now be able to share with you that I will be teaching at the Abruzzo School of Creative Art in Italy fro August 22- 29, 2012! I am so honored and happy.  I also applied because it's been a while since I have done something that scares me. I think it is important to keep pushing at my comfort zone.

Locanda dell'Asino d'oro, the school's location, is situated approx. 6 minutes from the ancient city of Sulmona and a couple of minutes from Averil Stuart-Head’s, the CEO, home in Introdacqua, a medieval village. Sulmona is approx. 2 hours east of Rome and is very easy to get to from Fumicino airport. 

I will be teaching "No Time to Quilt: An Artful Approach to Quilt-As-You-Go." It is my own technique. On the first day, we will make journals to learn the technique and provide each student with a unique place to capture not only what happens in class but the entire experience. I'll share some of my journals tomorrow. Then we will begin creating a quilt that represents the Sulmona area.  Check out the school's website for more details.

What have you done lately that has pushed on your comfort zone?