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.

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.

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.