Friday we drove out to Park Forest, Ill. to see Chawne Kimber at the opening to the show Motives and Materials at the Tall Grass Arts Association. Chawne has nine quilts in the show that runs through July 25.I love that Chawne's quilts are quilty but not predictable like many I see at shows. She pushes the limits of working small and is not afraid to try new things. I have enjoyed watching her growth as a quilter over the years. I followed her progress on flicker long before she started blogging. She has progressed from making more common traditional quilt designs to working in an improvisational style. She has developed her own recognizable quilt voice that also shines in her other needlework. She is an excellent improv knitter and has also made some incredible embroidery pieces.
These quilts are filled with rich detail that can only be seen and appreciated in up close study.
As always, Chawne has inspired me to push my quilting limits and I am eager to explore some new quilting techniques.
If you are anywhere in the area before July 25 get yourself over there to see Chawne's quilts. You will not be disappointed. These quilts need to be experienced in person.
Even if you are not in the area, Chawne's quilts are worth the drive!! Go!
Face #1 by Melissa Averinos
I am just back from a great trip to Austin to attend QuiltCon 2015. The quilts in the show were fabulous. I took some great classes and attended lectures that I'll share more about later.Today I want to show you my favorite thing at QuiltCon. There was one quilt that I knew I wanted to see before I ever left home, Face #1 by Melissa Averinos. I watched the construction of this quilt on instagram as she posted photos. Her process is so interesting. After looking at all the quilts this one is a stand out favorite of mine.Face #1 by Melissa Averinos.
This is what Melissa says about the quilt:"After creating a large raw-edge applique self portrait, I challenged myself to make a pieced face quilt, This image was not based on a photograph or drawing and no computers or charts were involved. I drew on my experience as a painter to improvise with fabric squares and rectangles to create the image as I would with painting. I've been making my whole life and when I finished this quilt, I cried with happiness. It's my favorite thing I've ever made."Here's a close up of one of the eyes.
I love the variation of the fabrics that she used. There are some very old calicos and novelty prints. Look at cat face, and the skeleton print. The overall design really draws you in from across the room, right up close to see the tiny fabric parts. I like that she used older fabrics and those that are not easily recognizable as current "on trend" designer fabrics.
I had to go back and visit the quilt several times a day. It is just so unbelievably beautiful.Melissa, I can't wait to see where your journey takes you next.
Three Kitchen Fairies
We have had some lovely weather this week in Michigan. I've been taking advantage of the cooler drier air by spending time outside reading and even doing a little hand stitching. It's been like a vacation without the hassle of packing and driving.Paloma, of Three Kitchen Fairies, sent me some of her hexie papers to try and I finally got around to making a project with them. These are one inch on each side. The paper is thinner than the papers I had been using and I love that you can get a thin crisp turned edge with these papers. They are also easier to pop out after stitching. The papers in the photo have been used and are in great condition for using again. If you want to try them yourself you can get the papers here in Paloma's etsy shop. She also has some sweet instant download embroidery patterns. I especially like this one.A few scraps, aurifil 50 wt thread, and hexie papers are the perfect ingredients for relaxing afternoon and a pretty transformation for a tea towel.
Now, I think I need to get some more of these bright tea towels to decorate.
Taking it to the Next Level
My little sewing business seems to be taking off with a few patterns for sale, quilts getting published in magazines and books, custom quilts, and now, the new longarm quilting adventure. I thought it was time for a more "official" look.A logo will help take my business to the next level.
My logo was designed by Sophia Pappas, a freelance designer and illustrator, and a graduate from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. She was a joy to work with and knew just what I wanted when I didn't! If you are in need of any freelance artwork, I highly recommend her.
Modern Quilt Guild Showcase in Houston
I was honored to be a part of the Modern Quilt Guild Showcase which was open during Fall Quilt Market and Festival. It was a wonderful exhibit featuring modern quilts from across the country. I had seen many of the quilts online but it was quite moving to see them all hanging together.The Kelp Quilt by Rossie Hutchinson of the Ann Arbor MQG and the Mid Mod Bee (Cheryl Arkison, Amanda Carestio, Debbie Grifka, Rebekah Craft, Robin Ferrier. Lauren Hunt, Blair Stocker, Jacquie Gering, Bernie Olszewski)Zinnias by Lynn Harris of the Ann Arbor MQG. (So fun to see my quilt hanging next to Rossie's.)J Rock Star by Victoria Finley Wolfe of the NYC Metro MQG
Handmade Holiday - received
I like receiving handmade gifts as much as I like giving them.This year, B's mom gave us some beautiful embroidered pillowcases. Just look at those pretty satin stitched leaves!My grandmother used to keep me supplied with embroidered pillowcases but most of the ones she made for me are quite worn and tattered. It is nice to have some fresh cases made by B's mom.She also knows that purple, green, and gold is my one of my favorite color combinations.
Aren't these pretty?P got this cute beaded snowflake ornament from her cousin, F. She had mentioned when we decorated the tree that handmade ornaments were one of her favorite gifts to receive!
My sister made this soft striped scarf for D. I am sure it will help him stay warm this winter. He doesn't much like hats because they don't fit well over a pony tail so a scarf is good for him.
Handmade Holiday
Here are a few of the handmade gifts given this year. This little sweater is for a doll.
I made one of these ascots a few years ago and really like it. The pattern is from a workbasket magazine from the 1940s. This one is made from alpaca. I should have looked in the mirror before taking the photo because I didn't have it on quite right.
There is just one toe left to knit on D's Christmas socks. I think I can finish that today.
B helped out a bit with our handmade gifts too. I couldn't find a frame that I liked for this print so he made one from some walnut he had in the basement.
He used old glass from a barn window and an old violin string for the hanging wire.
I think it turned out great.I also consider my calendar handmade since I took the pictures. We gave a few of those too.I think we did well to have a mostly handmade holiday.edit: The print came from Jenny's Bake Shop on etsy. She has them in different sizes and colors.
Pink Means Nightie
The birthday girl and graduate got some lovely handmade gifts and cards so I thought I'd share a taste.P got this adorable little mushroom house from my sister Millie. She used the pattern from The Little House by the Sea. The house is the perfect neighbor to this house all of the little woodland creatures and fairies will be quite at home!
My other sister sent her the most perfectly pink card! and a little quilt that P has squirreled away in her room somewhere for one of her little friends. And that little beaded bracelet was made by Tracy, B's sister. Pink and perfect!
D got some creative handmade cards for his graduation. My sister, Glenell, made the card on the left along with some hand stitched thank you notes that he has in his room. The paper cut card on the right was made by my friend besomom. She also made P this cute bookmark which is currently being used as a blanket for a little princess doll.
We love all the hand made goodies that remind us of their makers.
Ugly Duckling's New Friend
P got some fun mail this weekend - a package from Kim, a woman whose generosity and talent know no bounds.
Kim had given her this Ugly Duckling and book when we visited in February and told her that she would make a book cover with a bed on the front.
While we were there Kim let P choose a vintage embroidered linen for the bedspread.The book cover arrived this weekend with two new friends for Ugly Duckling. The cute, pink, little mouse can snuggle in the bed with Ugly Duckling.
I am amazed at the detail Kim put into this project. There is a little fairy quilt on the bed with the polka dot sheets turned down.
The pillows are made of pink ticking and have pretty pillowcases with rick rack and lace trim.
Needless to say, It was a big hit. Thanks Kim!
Since the little mouse had not seen the book yet she had to show it to her. She says she is not good at reading the words but she could show her the pictures.
P rearranged the things she had stored in her nesting suitcases so thatthe friends could have another place to live. As she says, "They can'tstay in bed ALL the time."
I think Ugly Duckling's other new friend was sleeping in P's room during the photo shoot.
Random Act of Kindness
A few of you know that I used to work as an activity therapist in the pediatric hematology clinic and also on the bone marrow transplant floor at the Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. I got to know some of the families there very well. I remember one mother who told me that people often asked her what they could do to help as her four year old daughter went through treatment that included two bone marrow transplants. Her response when people asked what they could do was to tell them to spend time with their own children. I took her advice to heart when M was born. That was when I quit working at the hospital. It was a very stressful job for me after I had two children of my own. Over the last sixteen years the events and people at the hospital have become a distant memory.Recently, my flickr friend Gina, shared a little about a commissioned project she was working on. I thought about the people involved and I knew she was the right one for this piece of art. Gina is an artist who pours her heart into her work. I knew she would do it right. Seeing the finished work brought back a flood of memories and emotions that I had hidden from myself for many years.Art is healing.Art is emotional.Art Saves Lives.I grew up surrounded by art and artists but never quite recognized how strong art can be until I saw Gina's painting. It was healing. That painting tore down a wall I didn't know was there. Crying is healing.It is clear that Gina has a passion for life. She believes that "One Random Act of Kindness can truly change our world!!" I think that she is right.I got this beautiful painted carving from her in the mail today. I am honored to own one of Gina's carved paintings.It is such a happy colorful piece of art. And, it suits me, don't you think?
Thank you, Gina. I am trying to find just the right place for it in my sewing studio. I feel like that chicken is speaking to me - Encouraging me to do good things - live from my heart, spread happiness, practice my own random acts of kindness.
I love the textured feathers on the chicken.
Doll Cradle
B made a doll cradle for P for Christmas. It was actually made after Christmas so P was able to watch the process. B uses mostly hand tools.
I think the only power tool step was cutting the board in half (the skinny way) on a band saw. She liked that the cherry wood was pink when it was first cut. The cradle was designed to fit this doll.
View from the foot.
P likes it a lot. Her baby spends a lot of time in it.
Here, Baby and the Esthers are napping. Don't you just love their hair? I made those dolls and could not get the hair right. That is why we bought the other baby.
Sometimes she adds other dolls and snuggles them all in.
This is where I found the matryoshka dolls when I needed to wrap them to mail them for my swap.They are now on their way to Israel! What did we do for entertainment before the internet?
Featured Artist
This week I am the featured artist at The Art Of Craft. You can go read the interview and find out more about me. Check out some of the other artists featured at the site while you are there.
(Santa origami by my son M.)
Handmade Christmas Cards
Today's featured artist is my sister. For the last fifteen years we have been graced with one of her lovely handmade Christmas cards.
They are truly unique works of art. I have to say I love that little gingerbread man. If P. could reach it, I am sure she would kiss it like she does the little felt bears on the tree.
We grew up in Virginia but G. now lives with her family in New Mexico. I am guessing that is what inspired the cactus card. It was the first one of this style card that she made. Each year we eagerly await the new design. Sometimes we also get handmade cards for other holidays. The pressure is on now, dear sister.She also made the dove ornament featured here and many other ornaments on our tree.
