March Madness Duke Basketball Quilt

Back in the summer, when our daughter and son-in-law announced they were expecting their first child in late February, we teased them about the timing of the big event. They are both Duke grads and huge college basketball fans. What’s a better time to be home on maternity leave than during March Madness?!

Here’s Ollie, born 2/28/15, just in time for March Madness!

In anticipation of Ollie’s arrival, I designed a March Madness basketball quilt. My inspiration was the layout of Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium and the project became a lot easier to envision when I discovered that Robert Kaufman makes a basketball court fabric panel. Perfect for the center of the quilt.

I studied the stadium layout and used the seating arrangement for the patchwork pattern around center court. (Originally I thought I could follow the entire layout, but quickly realized I would end up with a king size quilt…a bit too large for a baby quilt.)

As for the color palette of the quilt, of course I would be using lots of Duke blue and white, including a Duke Blue Devils logo print. But I needed to add something else. The discovery of a basketball print led me to include several orange fabrics. Orange dimple dot minky (which looks a little like the textured surface of a basketball) was a natural choice for a soft, cuddly backing fabric.

Here is our little Cameron Crazy grandson on his quilt. He’s just one week old in this picture so I’d say he is definitely one of Duke’s youngest fans.

Ollie’s first game day…trying out his Duke basketball quilt.

After that picture was taken, I decided the finishing touch on the quilt needed to be an embroidered “Baby K Court” on two sides. (Their last name is Kelley.) I positioned the stitching strategically to mimic the “Coach K Court” wording on the court at Cameron.

Let the Madness begin, Little Ollie. Go Blue Devils!

Lisa Call’s Abstraction Class

After considering taking an online art class with Lisa Call for over a year, I finally made the commitment and joined her fall 2014 Abstraction class. I had heard many good things about Lisa’s classes and was anxious to study with her. I am not sure exactly what guided me to take a class in abstract art. Frankly, many types of abstract art do not appeal to me. However, I was looking to find a way to discover more about myself and to learn how to express ideas in my own unique way.

Taking Lisa’s Abstraction class was a real eye-opener for me. I learned about Abstraction art and the various art movements and studied the works of the influential artists of those “isms”. I practiced basic design principles in relationship to the studies done for the class assignments and I discovered how to critique my own work by taking the time to really look at it and write down by thoughts. But most importantly I learned more about myself – what kind of work I like to do, how to take inspirations and translate them into finished work, how to quiet the critic within, my preferred methods of working, and the whispers of a “voice” that will guide me forward.

Initially I worried I would not have enough time to devote to the class work. (“Maybe I should take the class at a later time….This is such a busy time in my life….Can I handle the assignments?….etc.) But I was drawn to sign up and I am so glad I did. There are always excuses to not do something but I realize that taking this class was important to me as I work to find meaning and direction by creating with the skills and techniques I have honed over the years.

Lisa is a very positive, sharing teacher who continually encourages her students to explore and grow. I like how the class was structured with weekly e-mails, assignments, recorded lectures, group and individual calls. It was very interesting to see how each individual approached the assignments and found their way. Because Lisa’s class was online and was 10 weeks long, I felt that I learned more than I would have if I had taken an in-person workshop or retreat. There was time to digest the material and the challenges kept me moving forward and engaged. The group and individual calls provided the personal attention and gave several opportunities to ask questions or request specific feedback.

Here are photos of my completed assignments. It is very interesting to me how my work changed and how much more comfortable I became as I worked through each challenge.

Abstraction Class assignments

Now that I have completed the class, I find myself with a new direction that I want to focus on and explore in my work. I am excited to have found a technique that excites me and am anxious to see where “action stitching” may lead.

 

 

My Ribbon Skirt is Featured in Stitch Magazine

Hot off the presses! Check out page 47 of the winter 2014 issue of Stitch Magazine. That’s my ribbon skirt – created with rows and rows of beautiful Renaissance Ribbons, including my favorites from Parson Gray, plus coordinating laces and other trims.

I sewed all the ribbons and trims onto a base of Parson Gray’s fabric from FreeSpirit. The skirt is fairly simple to make…just one pattern piece for the yoke and five rectangles for the slightly gathered tiers.

Winter 2014 issue of Stitch Magazine

You can order a copy of the magazine here. Or, look for it on the newsstand or at your favorite sewing or quilting store.

Now you have an idea of what to do with all those precious ribbons and trims you’ve been collecting. Sew them together and make a skirt. Wouldn’t this be cute in a child’s size with lots of bright and colorful ribbons? Think I need to work on that idea!

2014 – A New Year Begins

View from under the deck at Mt. Snow, VT.
Interesting lines & angles.
Inspiration for a quilt?

Another year begins.  A good time to stop and reflect on the year that has passed and the one that is to start.  My resolutions always seem to remain the same – get organized, pair down the “stuff”, move more, eat healthy….

It’s a popular notion to select a special word to define your goals for the upcoming New Year.   I was going to select “Balance” since I kept reminding myself to keep things in balance as I juggled many “interesting” balls during the last few months of 2013.  Looks like “Balance” is a very popular concept – from the theme of this month’s Real Simple magazine to many personal blogs and TV segments.

Since the idea of “Balance” got me through the end of last year, the work/phrase that comes to me now is “New Perspectives – Looking at Life from a New Vantage Point”.  I like the idea of taking a minute to stop and think and see things in a new way.  As our lives change, we are given the opportunity to have that new perspective.  It just takes the confidence to listen to the little voice in your head that encourages you to think “outside the box”. (I hate that phrase!  I see a bunch of words captured inside a square.)

So here’s to New Perspectives in 2014 and the exciting places they may lead me to in my work and personal life.

Turned on its side…still an interesting inspiration for a design.

Happy New Year!

Fall Quilt Market – More Quilts

Here are more of the quilts that caught my eye in the exhibitions area of Fall Quilt Market in Houston.

There were several unique quilts that had openwork sections.  It was fascinating to study them to try and figure out how they were constructed.

One of the quilts in the World of Mother’s Dream exhibit by Reiko Kato

A detail of the Reiko Kato quilt.

Another Reiko Kato quilt

Circle Quilt

Detail of Circle Quilt

Blue Tone Quilt by Aki Sakai

Detail of Blue Tone Quilt

And there were the quilts that tugged at your heart strings:

Boy & Best Friend by Jennifer Day
Photo of her 10 year old son and his dog printed on fabric and enhanced with 58 different thread colors.

My Best Friend by Nancy Hutchison
Scrappy pineapple blocks, created with fabrics from her late husband’s favorite shirts. Quilting served as therapy following his sudden death. The backing is an expensive Dallas Cowboy fabric she’d been saving.

Mayapples by Judith Busby
Part of the Healing Quilts in Medicine exhibit. These quilts are based on pharmaceutical plants or animals being used in cancer treatments today or being researched in studies and trials.

And there were many quilts that made you smile. The What’s for Dinner? exhibit proved that quilters also had a passion for food, along with their passion for fabric.  Each art quilt was an enlarged place setting, complete with place setting, silverware, plate and food.

Fall Quilt Market Report……… Part 2 – The Quilts

Quilt Market Exhibits – Peaceful Inspiration and Quiet as a Church

One of my favorite things to do at Quilt Market is to spend quality time enjoying the rows & rows of quilts hung for the various quilt competitions and exhibits.  During Festival, those rows are packed with people admiring the quilts and eager to see all the details.  But, during Market, while most attendees and exhibitors are busy conducting the business of quilting, the rows are practically deserted and it is as quiet as a church – so peaceful and inspiring.  Here are some quilts that caught my eye this year.

Exuberance by Wendy Starn – a windmill block cut using the stack & whack method

Fish Scraps by Rahna Summerlin. Inspired by a vintage fish quilt. Almost all the fabrics are from surf wear industry ready-to-wear fabric samples & remnants.

Cakes Are Ready by Keiko Maida of Japan. Just gotta smile when you look at this one.

Dear Jane, Welcome to the 21st Century by Valerie Mullally of Ireland. Jane keeps up-to-date with apps and icons for her block designs.

Recycled Silk Ties – No Necks Needed by Virginia Anderson. Sewn from silk ties.

Pink Candle, Organic Log Cabin #5 by Jennifer Emry. The color palette for this quilt was inspired by the Henri Rousseau painting, “The Pink Candle”.

Mediterranean Colors and Perfumes by Sonia Bardella of Venice, Italy. A beautiful mosaic pieced quilt.

A detail of Mediterranean Colors & Perfumes.

Irish Crochet Lace by Chieko Shiraishi of Japan. A combination of crochet and quilting.

Looks like there are several more quilts I’d like to share, but I will stop here and do Part 2 of Part 2 shortly.  I guess that would technically make it Fall Quilt Market Report – Part 3.

Fall Quilt Market Report – Part 1

As usual, fall Quilt Market in Houston was a colorful visual treat for all the senses and an overload of sewing/quilting and creative inspirations.  Here are just a few of the booths and products that caught my eye when my camera was close in hand.

Fabric, fabric everywhere!  It seems to me that this show, more than ever, featured so many new designer fabric collections.  I sure am glad I am not a fabric buyer because it would be so difficult to narrow down my favorites.  Here’s a peak at what was new:

Laura Foster Nicholson of LFN Textile and designer for Renaissance Ribbons introduces her first fabric line with Troy.  http://lfntextiles.blogspot.com/

Andover Fabric makes a big splash with their Downton Abbey collection – free tote bags at Schoolhouse.  http://bit.ly/1go3SVm

Amy Butler Hapi collection inspired by her travels to Egypt.  http://bit.ly/1bTTbUM

Heather Bailey’s award winning booth.

How nice to meet Denyse Schmidt (no relation!) and see her Ansonia collection and Modern Solids. http://bit.ly/19whitQ

Anna Maria Horner’s beautiful Dowry collection. Anna Maria just had her 6th child…how does she do it all?!

Of course there were lots of other things besides fabric to get excited about.  A couple of my favorite new products:

Nathan Wiedenmann, creator of the Stella EDGE light.  Santa…I need this!  http://stellalighting.com/

Terial magic spray that transforms fabric into paper like sheets. Makes incredible soft flowers that can be molded and formed. Exciting what can be done with it and the Silhouette Cameo. More things to add to Santa’s list.

And of course there are always the quilts!

Love the graphic look of this bicycle quilt. Sorry I didn’t write down the company who featured it in their booth.

How cute is this Dena Designs ruffle chevron quilt?

A happy BOM color therapy quilt program from Westminster Fibers. Inspired by Michele Bernhardt’s book Colorstrology: What Your Birthday Color Says About You. My color is nectarine…what does that say? I like to eat them!  http://amzn.to/18UhKhp

And the booth that I thought was really unique:

Green Bee Design & Patterns. Love how they showed their patterns in muslin with the design lines in black. You can imagine them in just about any fabric.  http://greenbeepatterns.com/

Here I am after my book signing.  Thank you to Fabric Editions for helping me promote Precut Patchwork Party.  I signed 20 books in 20 minutes–whee!  http://amzn.to/HDkxWH

In Part 2, I’ll show you quilts from the exhibitions area.

Ken Lockwood Gorge ….. My Special Place for Peace & Inspiration

Ken Lockwood Gorge

Do you have a special place where you can go to find peace and inspiration?  Perhaps a spot where you can hear yourself think, listen to your heart beat, find answers to the questions/problems you face and calm your soul?

I live close enough to NYC that I can take the train in to see what is new in my favorite fabric haunts in the garment district or check out the trendy products and displays at ABC Carpet & Home.  This weekend I get to go in to take part in the Quilters Take Manhattan conference.  All of these places and events are very exciting and inspiring, but my very special place for inspiration is not far from home – the Ken Lockwood Gorge in Califon, NJ.  A walk through this hidden natural gem never fails to nourish me in so many ways.

Today was the perfect day to stop and walk down the gorge trail, right next to the Raritan River – not a cloud in the sky, a little cool, a picture perfect early fall day.  On my way home from running errands and rushing through my day, my car found its way there. For a little over an hour I slowly walked, enjoyed each turn in the path, noticed how the sunlight changed along the edges of the river, and listened to the sounds of nature.  The music alone of the water rushing through the rocks lowers my blood pressure and calms me more than any yoga class ever has.

Ken Lockwood Gorge – a popular spot for trout fishing.

Although I hadn’t planned on it, I found myself thinking about a design problem I was facing yesterday – one that had me stuck and frustrated and doubting myself.  But on the walk, as I looked at the amazing natural world around me, the next direction for that problem suddenly became clear.  This has happened to me several times before when I have faced what looked like a dead end.  It’s never forced.  It’s never anything I set out to find, but there is something about this place that helps me to answer questions and problems, whether they be personal, worldly or related to my work and design projects.

The heron who lives at the Gorge.

Reflections in the water.

The music of the rushing river waters…

I hope you have a special place too.  Whether it’s a beach, or a lake, a favorite museum or book store or a quiet neighborhood path, never underestimate the power it has to renew you.  Take the time to go there, if not in person, then at least in your mind.

Medieval Floor Tile “Quilts” in the Churches of Dublin

In my mind, I write blog posts all the time – whenever I find something interesting, or see something new, or just want to share what I am working on.  In reality, if you look at the archives for this blog, you will see that I really do not post very regularly.  Recently I had the opportunity to visit Dublin Ireland.  I was determined to blog each day about everything I saw and did.  Blame it on being tired from touring all day, or not having my laptop (I really do not enjoy typing more than a few words on my phone.), or maybe it had something to do with the pubs on every street corner in Dublin….for whatever reason, no posts were written during the trip.  However, now that I am back home and have had a chance to review my photos, there are a few things I really want to share.

My first day in Dublin, I rode the on-off city tour bus to get a feel for the city.  Since it was a Monday and many of the sites were not open, I chose to visit the churches.  My first stop was Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.  It is said that St. Patrick baptized converts to Christianity at a well that once existed next to the present church and a church has stood at this location since the fifth century.  While the church was indeed very beautiful, what caught my eye and really drew me in were the richly colorful medieval floor tiles.  It looked like the floors were covered in quilts!  I couldn’t stop taking pictures and here are a few of my favorite sections.

Not only “quilted” tile floors, but needle pointed kneelers. Textile inspirations everywhere.

Then it was onto Christ Church Cathedral, where I was delighted to see to see more floor tiles and a touching quilt made by to honor an HIV Women’s Health Group.

I picked up a small book about the tiled floors and learned that most of them were made up of 19th century copies of medieval tiles found during the restoration of the churches.  The original tiles from the Middle Ages were made from earthenware clays and formed in molds and either left plain or decorated with patterns impressed with a metal or wooden stamp.  The designs included florals, lion heads and other animals, letters and geometric motifs.  While visiting a museum later in the week, I saw some of the original tiles and was surprised that the colors were equally as vibrant as the restoration tiles.

Although I probably missed a lot of significant historical information because my head was down looking and photographing the floors of these beautiful churches, what a lovely surprise to find so much pattern and color inspiration at my feet.  Indeed a memorable day in Dublin.

Strip-Piecing and Restructuring with Nancy Crow

Nancy Crow has been an influential force in the history of art quilting, and I have long been an admirer of her work.  For many years I dreamt about having the chance to study with her.  Last week that dream became a reality as I attended her Strip-Piecing and Restructuring art retreat at the Crow Timber Frame Barn in Baltimore, Ohio.

Crow Timber Frame Barn

What a week it was!  From the start, this retreat was so much more than sewing and quilting and creating art from fabric.  It was at times exciting, nerve-wracking, fun, frustrating, emotional, physically and mentally exhausting, joyous, soul-searching and so much more.

The class is comprised of a series of design and composition exercises, each one to teach and challenge us as individual and as artists.  Nancy asked us all to be sponges, to be flexible, and to not bring to the table any expectations or agendas.  So it was with that mindset that I jumped in to learn as much as I could about myself and the work I would create.

Each day we were given timed exercises with a specific focus and expected results.  It was up to each of us to energetically interpret these challenges without over thinking.  The pace was fast and furious.  The first challenge required me to think of my rotary cutter as a drawing tool.  All week we would be cutting fabric strips freehand – without benefit of a ruler for measure or guidance.  This meant that I had to learn how to cut towards myself (something I always thought I shouldn’t do for safety reasons!).  It wasn’t long before I got the hang of it, and while at the beginning of the week my lines were uneven and raggedy, by the end of the week I was able to cut the strips in the widths I wanted and I loved the expression that freehand cutting lent to the lines.

We moved onto creating strip-pieced fabrics – lots and lots of them.  By working through the exercises, I learned about the importance of line and shape, color value and relationships, neutrals, the dull or glowing quality of a color and effect of brights on colors/values.

Our first composition was to create a configuration of irregular squares and rectangles cut up from all those strip-pieced fabrics we had just sewn together.  This required a great deal of arranging and rearranging of the parts on our design walls.  Then we had to figure out how to sew it all together and fill in the connecting spaces.  I kept reminding myself to not over think…just make it work until I was happy with the composition.  (Yes, I kept hearing Tim Gunn saying his famous Project Runway advice!)

Strip Piecing & Restructuring – Composition 1

After our first composition, we were challenged to create more strip-pieced fabrics, interpreting “recipes” in our own way.  There were over 3 dozen options Nancy wanted us to try.  I just kept cutting and sewing as fast as I could.  I felt like I was doing factory work!  My hands and wrists ached from all the repetitive motion but being someone used to deadlines, I forged ahead.  At one point, for no obvious reason, my machine needle simply broke, without hitting a pin, etc.  I think it just wore out from all the speed sewing.

With dozens of strip-pieced fabrics, ready or not, it was time to learn more about restructuring and re-combining those fabrics to create exciting units.  And then it was onto composition #2…a large new composition comprised of restructured units.  Nancy pushed each of us to juxtapose intensely busy units against ones that were more quiet or spare or subdued.  This exercise was so much harder than I had expected it to be.  Looking back on my first composition and on the fabrics I had strip-pieced, I realized that I have a habit of working only in middle color values.  I really had to push myself to use contrasts to make the work more daring and not my same old – same old comfortable approach.

I struggled and started and restarted many times, but in the end, it came together and I was OK with the results.  I gave my composition the working title of “Stuck in the Middle” because that is how I felt most of the time I was working on it – stuck in the middle of the exercise and stuck in middle value colors that lacked contrast and excitement.

Strip-Piecing & Restructuring – Composition 2

Nancy is a great teacher, and like many great teachers, she forces you to learn by leading you to a path of self discovery.  She cannot provide you with all the answers to your questions.  That is something each one of us, as artists, needs to address for ourselves.  The path is scary and while I have just begun my journey, I am excited about the road ahead.

As a friend who has studied with Nancy noted on my Facebook page, this workshop would be a game changer.  So true!  Thank you, Nancy, for leading the way.  Thank you to all my class mates who inspired me with their work, encouragement and friendship.  And a big thank you to Margaret Wolf who prepared the most delicious meals and snacks to keep us all nourished, body and soul, during the week.  The Crow Timber Frame Barn is an inspiring environment well suited to personal discovery.  I highly recommend you go to one of their retreats, whether you study with Nancy of any of the incredibly talented artists who come there to teach.  It is a very special place.

Nancy Crow & Me