Happy 2009

Well it has been awhile since I have had a moment to write. The holidays flew by and here we are 3 weeks into a new year already. My daughter has been accepted to a college for next fall, 2009 has begun, and we have a new president.

All of these feelings of 'new beginnings' make us take stock of what we have and what we would like to have as well as who we would like to be. I guess that is why we set new goals and make resolutions every year. We may not achieve them right away but this process keeps us moving forward.

I am still working on what my goals for this new year will be, but I already see some of them in the direction of my art.

This is a detail shot of a new piece I am working on with tremendous inspiration from Larkin Van Horn. I have been working on my free motion quilting skills for some time now and beading has always been a passion. One day everything came together to point me in a direction I really wanted to go. I was at my local wood artists gallery and they were working on some new pieces that I loved. Generously, I was given one to play with. When I came home, the vidcast by Bonnie McCaffery with Larkin was in my email (a definate must see). That was the push I needed.

I am absolutely in love with this piece!

A Mermaid's Playground

This past weekend, the Arts Council that I am involved with hosted a mini show to celebrate the one year mark for our Adopt an Artist program. I wanted to have a new piece to show vs. the 7 in the catalog that the businesses can choose from....she exceeded my vision.

We invited the already existing business representatives along with new businesses that we would like to sign up for the program. The program has been a wonderful experience for me by allowing my art to be shown to audiences that wouldn't normally see it. This cycle I was adopted by the Leon Mann Senior Center in Morehead City. They chose all 7 pieces that will hang through December.

Lorelai, the mermaid, was a lot of fun for me and I am very pleased with how my threadwork turned out for the coral.

Of course, when I start a project around here it somehow becomes a family event with recommendations and ideas flying from every angle. Some I accept and some I don't. Usually the creativity of this family adds hours more work but is worth it in the end.

I knew I wanted beading on her tail but the idea just wasn't coming together quickly enough until my daughter suggested her idea....

I machine quilted a clamshell design and then placed a bead at each point of the stitching, by hand. The beading was a lot of work but the results were just more than I imagined.
So now the mini show is over and she is mine to submit to shows. I am very excited about where she may end up.

Houston Market

I just came back from an extremely exhilarating experience...how's that for alliteration?
Last Wednesday I flew from North Carolina to St. Louis, MO. On Thursday at 2am, I got up and headed to Houston with my friend Susan Marth of Suzn Quilts.
I had volunteered to work her booth with her. She thinks I did her a favor but she really did the favor for me. This trip was to help me decide whether to go to Pittsburgh in the spring. The bonus was I stood in a booth for a few days surrounded by beautiful quilts of her design.

New Seasonal Banners that can be assembled separately or
combined into one wall hang.

A pinwheel and churndash quilt made using charm packs plus yardage.

A tribute quilt to Abe Lincoln to celebrate his 200th birthday next February.

In addition to helping Susan, I had the pleasure of meeting Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods and her helper, Jenni.

From the Quilt Art list I met Terry White when I went to purchase her book, Thread Painting made easy, and Annie Smith. Annie, can't wait to hear your new podcasts:)

There was so much to see and do. One absolute pleasure was walking the quilt exhibit before the crowds of people. Being in there when it was so quiet felt like I was playing hooky or getting away with something.

The whole experience was nothing short of amazing and I look forward to more amazing experiences along with meeting many more new faces in PITTSBURGH Spring 2009.

Tidewater Quilters' Guild Quilt Show

What a weekend! Patti and I had a great time meeting people while showing off our newest patterns. The guild was amazing and took wonderful care of us--big SHOUT OUT to Jackie, the Quilt Ninja:) Lunch was provided by the guild and it was extremely tasty. The committee members were never far off to ask if we needed anything or to offer a bottle of water. They were excited to hit a record number of attendees at 1,309 in 3 days; and it isn't surprising with all the talent the guild holds claim to.
All of you know how fun a show can be whatever side you are on. The opportunity to talk to others in your industry, see all the wonderful talent, and the joy in connecting with the customers directly is what keeps us all going another day, week, month, year. The whole experience feeds your soul. If you have never vended a show, I highly recommend it. Start with a local guild show. It is a lot of work but extremely rewarding.

Next week I am off to Houston to attend fall market for the first time. I will be working the Suzn Quilts booth and can't wait to meet new people and see all the sights!!

"Coastal Christmas" unveiled

This weekend, October 10, 11,12, at the Tidewater Quilter's Guild Quilt Show, (Church of the Ascension Community Center, 4853 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA.) I will unveil my new pattern, "Coastal Christmas".

I will be working the Quilted Butterfly booth and hope that if you are at the show, you will stop by and say "HI".

I love poinsettias and Patti from the Quilted Butterfly threw out some ideas that became this wonderfully versatile design. The directions are for fusible applique but anyone skilled in hand applique will be able to enjoy this bold floral layout.

For added fun, try it in summer colors as well.

October AAQI Auction

October 1st will start the monthly AAQI auction to raise research money for Alzheimers. There are 26 lovely small pieces of art to bid on.

Here is my Playful Posie (#2868) in honor of my Great Aunt Barbara. Aunt Barbara recently passed from Alzheimer's and was the 3rd of my Grandmother's sisters to have her life ravaged by this disease. I hadn't seen her in probably 4 years but always remember she had a twinkle in her eye and a playful spirit. We will miss you.

When I was small we would visit her home for big family events and I have great memories of playing with my cousins there. The boys were just enough older that it was fun for them to tell my brother and I those awful scary stories to freak us out. That playful spirit lives on in them and in all the memories we will carry with us.

New Gallery Showing

This past week I was approached by a local wood studio

to hang a few of my pieces in their gallery. Nice Figures', world renown, artwork is breathtaking, to say the least; and so I was extremely honored that they approached me. The organic nature of both mediums is a wonderful pairing.

They have the most unique and high quality wood I have ever seen. All the artwork is created on site and so the smell of the gallery evokes so many memories for me of my grandpa's workshop. I loved going in amongst the machines and sawdust....miss you grandpa.

The gallery chose Autumn Shores and Frozen Days from my website

A third piece, Marriage, will hang exclusively in their gallery through the holidays.