Sneak Peeks

Sneak Peeks
Or I could have titled this....How to keep your sanity while working on a project like this.  Last year, as I was working on Central Park, I spent part of my time dyeing new fabrics for quilt tops.  I made more fabric than I knew what to do with.  So, as I got tired of stuffing buildings, or sewing French knots, I would refresh my creative spirit with an afternoon of fusing and cutting new shapes and composing new quilt tops.  Ahhh!!! the joy of composition!!  I had 6 new quilt tops ready to be quilted.  I planned to quilt them last fall, as soon as I finished Central Park, but I got delayed by life.  Then this spring, I got delayed again with my bicycle accident.   They are in various stages of completion, but a few are nearly done!

Til then, I will share with you a few sneak peaks.  The first one is the back of my new quilt, High Rise.  I am at the stage of putting the hanging sleeve (seen on the left corner).  The second is a detail of my quilt, Community Garden.  It doesn't show much of the quilt, but at least you can see some fun colors.  And, you might notice these colorful cottons were fused onto silk!  I can't believe I am starting to expand my repertoire to include something besides my all time favorite cotton.  But, silk is so pretty, and shiny, and interesting!!  Enjoy!

Pretty Patchwork

Pretty Patchwork

This is a pretty little quilt that my daughter started a few years ago.  It turns out that she doesn't really like sewing, or maybe, she just doesn't like it at this point in her life.  It has been sitting on a shelf for quite a while and I thought it might be nice to finish it up for her.  She was in perfect agreement!  And...as an added bonus, it was something easy enough to do while I am trying to get my strength back.  I can't even begin to tell you how great it feels to start working again, and this sense of accomplishment for finishing a small project.  The quilting was hard to do, (by machine), but my darling daughter does not require perfection from me, so it worked great for both of us!
And, here is the back.  The center is made from a piece of fabric my daughter batiked and dyed.  I cut it up and rearranged it (with her permission).  It think it makes a lovely center, and it is framed by at least two of my fabrics from Urban Landscapes. 

Part two....I always wonder what my cats are up to while I am working away in my studio.  Here they are right outside the door....just waiting for me to show up.  They are seriously cute!!

Urban Landscapes Itajame

Urban Landscapes Itajame
Step one:  clamping on the circles and removing color with bleach discharge. 
I really like the way they look.  The pale backgrounds in contrast with the bright circles, and especially with the contrast of the leaves on the trees. 
Step two:  adding color back in.  I will select some of these and clamp the circles back on and overdye. 
I am making a twinkle quilt (be sure to scroll down just a little) ala, Malka Dubrawsky. 
Ever read the back of shampoo bottles?  Rinse, repeat?  I will be doing a lot of that in the next few weeks.  Mostly happy that this is something I can do, perhaps even therapeutic, in more than one way!

Artist Village Project

Artist Village Project
Join us for a tour of our village!!  We will be having a blog tour to show you the fiber art houses made by all the participating artists in our village.  See the schedule below.

This project began last summer.  I was inspired by Judy Perez and the 3D houses she had made.  I thought it would be an interesting project to see how different artists would interpret the challenge to make a 3D house. And as I thought about the inspiration and support I have received from others, it seemed the perfect fit to make a collaborative project and build a village. It reminded me of the old adage..."it takes a village to raise a child".  
Each participant was asked to make a 3D  fiber art house or houses using any techniques, but to include quilting in some aspect of their house. I asked participants to attempt to make a house that would fold flat for shipping, but slightly less than half of the houses fold flat. What can I say?  Art doesn't conform well to rules.  I personally was not able to make mine flat...it just didn't turn out that way! Please join us for a close up tour of the houses.  Be prepared to be amazed and inspired by this wonderful collection of visual treats!
Kathy
p.s. Not all of our artists are bloggers.  For the indicated artists below, the link will take you to their website to see their work!

Susan Else (website)                       May 2

Frances Holiday Alford                   May 3

Pamela Allen (website)                    May 4

Frieda Anderson                             May 5

Lisa Call                                         May 6

Jane Davila                                     May 9

Naomi Adams                                May 10

Jamie Fingal                                   May 11

Barb Forrister                                May 12

Vickie Hallmark                             May 13

Connie Hudson                              May 16

Leslie Jenison                                 May 17

Sherri McCauley                            May 18

Judy Perez                                     May 19

Melanie Testa                                May 20

Laura Wasilowski                          May 23

Kathy York                                   May 24

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.