Blue Towers

Blue Towers
36" x 48"
(picture coming soon!)

Dinner at Eight Artists is happy to announce that my quilt, Blue Towers, has been accepted into the special exhibit "The Space Between."  The exhibit will debut at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach July 28-31, 2011 and is sponsored by Moore's Sewing Centers.

I am so excited to be a part of this exhibit!  And in such esteemed company!  You can see the list here. This is my third year to participate in Dinner at Eight Artists exhibits and I am always awed and amazed by the works in the exhibits!  I can't wait to see it! Jamie Fingal and Leslie Jenison are the curators and they are posting interviews of the artists participating daily! Check it out at Dinner at Eight Artists blog.

Cute Purse!

Cute Purse!

My friend Susan Tennison just made this fabulous purse and posted on Facebook.  I asked her if she minded if I put it on my blog to share with you.  She was delighted!  It is made from a purse pattern in M'liss Rae Hawley's book 101 Fabulous Fat-Quarter Bags.  I just love the way Susan used my Urban Landscapes fabrics to make this.  I am told there are interesting Urban Landscapes fabrics on the inside too, so I might sneak down to the Quilt Store to see it.  It is on display there.  You can see more of Urban Landscapes here.

Now for the rest of you....if anyone else has an image to share featuring my fabrics....I would love to post it!

Stitched!

Stitched!

See me in Stitched, the movie!  It is a documentary by Jena Moreno about competitive quilt making.  I can't wait!

The main characters:  Caryl Bryer Fallert (below), Randall Cook, and Hollis Chatelain,

International Quilt Festival
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH
World Premiere
4/8 Friday 5:30 pm


American Quilter's Society Show
Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center
415 Park Street
Eisenhower Room
Kentucky Premiere 4/26 Tuesday 4 pm
4/27 Wednesday 6 pm
4/29 Friday 6 pm
4/30 Saturday 4 pm

Maiden Alley Cinema
112 Maiden Alley in Downton Paducah
(Off Broadway, Between 2nd & Water Streets)
Theatrical Premiere 4/28 Thursday 7 pm
4/29 Friday 5:30 pm & 9 pm
4/30 Saturday 4 pm, 7 pm & 9 pm
5/1 Sunday 4 pm & 7 pm

Full House

Full House
7" x 7 1/2"

I made this tiny quilt last fall as a bit of a diversion. Just didn't realize that I hadn't posted it yet, or is it possible I have already posted it and just forgot about it?
Anyway, the green layer was quilted separately, then I cut out the holes and handstitched them to keep from fraying, and also to add some more lovely color. Then I quilted a background (the orange layer). Next, I zig-zagged the edges of the green layer on top of the orange layer. It makes a pocket to stuff the little worry dolls inside. They look happy and I had fun, so decided to share with you!

First Place!! What a nice surprise!

First Place!!  What a nice surprise!

Doors Across Austin has won a first place at Dallas Quilt Celebration!!  This news is especially meaningful because this quilt holds such a special place in my heart.  Read more about it here.  Thank you Dallas!

the Waiting is the hardest part....

the Waiting is the hardest part....
still waiting to have a new quilt to post.  I have a new series that I am working on, but it is not ready to show yet. And, I am also waiting to get my cast off....just counting the days...and staying hopeful about returning to the studio soon.  Meanwhile....

I am thrilled that my quilt Central Park is on display in Daytona Beach, Florida.  It is part of a number of concurrent art quilt exhibits known as Volusia:  Wrapped in Fiber.  My quilt is at the Rose Room Gallery, Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Avenue.  It will be there from March 10 - April 27, 2011.  What can I say?  I wish I were there!  I would love to see all the other fiber arts in this exhibit!  And, Pamela Allen, one of my all time favorites will be there and giving a lecture next weekend.

New cast

New cast

Well, well, I got a new cast for my right thumb.  The fluorescent orange was so pristine and clean, that I enjoyed it for almost two full days before it needed some 'decorating'.  I just can't help myself.  I sketched some shapes and my son cut them for me.  Then I glued them into place.  LOVE IT!  I am just concerned that my left hand might start getting jealous....my hand batiks just look so lovely and cheerful!  And my splint is so blah...

Major accomplishment today, with the help of 3 assistants (much thanks!!), I managed to get some work shipped to two different venues.  It feels nice that even though I am unable to do much in terms of creating art, I can still advocate for my completed pieces.

With a little help from my kids,

With a little help from my kids,
they squirted the paint for me and washed my brushes after.

I feel like i have turned a corner with my recovery, all from painting some silly dots.  never knew i could do so much with one thumb! 
Thank you ALL for your support and positive comments. i have been sliding into some really mopey places, and you have lifted me up. it is easy to feel pretty useless without my hands, and you have reminded me, repeatedly, that i will heal.  sorry that i have not responded to each and everyone of you.  every part of this healing adventure is just so exhausting.  but, i wanted you to know that i appreciate your comments, and they are helping.

GRATITUDES

GRATITUDES
i am grateful my brain is intact, thanks in some small measure to my bike helmet.
i am grateful i can walk.
i am extremely grateful for modern medine and my hand surgeon.
i am extremely grateful for the two women driving by who saw me take this nasty tumble and whisked me to the er.
i am extremely grateful to my mother who arrived minutes later and has taken such good care of me and my children.  i am so blessed to have her so close and able to help.
i am grateful for my two children who are buffering my hardships with their sweet hearts and willingness to help out.
and all my good friends who have stepped up to help and send me kind words, warm wishes for a speedy recovery, and love. thank you!

this is a photo of after the surgery. i tore a ligament on my right thumb. this one will take the longest to heal and makes me grieve the most. before surgery i put a note to my doctor on the other thumb, just to make sure.  thankfully he smiled when he saw it. it is my only working finger at the moment as i type this with one thumb. my left hand had two dislocated fingers, lots of road rash, three fractures and bone chips. my left elbow took some road rash abuse and i have a lot of bruising.  this is what happened when i went too fast and didn't make the turn. the bike has not one scratch.  doesn't seem fair.

meanwhile, i would like to apologize to the quilt guild of west houston for having to cancel/postpone my lecture/workshop next week.  you can trust me that i will do my best not to let THIS happen again!

A Quilting Tip for You

A Quilting Tip for You
This is one of my very favorite tips that I have ever learned.  I have consistently earned poor scores by quilting judges about being able to see my starts and stops of my quilting.  My usual technique is to sew in place for about 4 stitches, then zoom along and finish the same way.  Then I trim the thread ends close to the quilt.  It is fast, and easy.  But apparently it is also visible to the discerning eye of the quilt judge, and they DON'T like it!
And, though it is a little extra effort, it is not hard to do.  I wouldn't recommend it for everything you make, but if you have something that you are entering into a quilt venue, you might want to consider it.