3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

I have a GOOD relationship with my parents.

My mom is one of the reasons why I do what I do. Growing up we moved often. My dad kept getting promotions and that meant going to a new town.

One way my mom helped to intergrade us (me and my sister) into the community was to enroll us in classes of things that we wanted to do. For me it was art, for my sister it was athletics.

My mom likes to tell people she had  to “push” me to do art. And maybe that is true. I was a very shy child, probably because I had to make new friends EVERY year for at least 10 years.


But I am glad that she pushed me and I love to make art.
My dad passed away when I was 21 years old of a heart attack. He was 51 years old.

I miss him everyday and wish that he had been around to meet and know my sons.

As a kid I made all kinds of stuff, I taught myself to sew, paint, do crafts and I feel so lucky that for my profession I get to do the same thing.

I also had a lot of great teachers along the way that just shared what they know and liked to do.
I like to work with fabric and color. And I like to try new things.

One of the new things that I have been doing with my small art is to find a way to frame it.
I have been using Timtex or Peltex to mount small pieces of art to.


This little landscape was completed quilted and then finished with a satin stitch around the edge.

I cut a piece of Timtex 2” larger all the way around then the finished quilt. I wrapped fabric around the Timtex like a package and fused it in place.

I added a hanging loop on the back and then I sewed the small quilt to the frame.
I have also used pre stretched canvas in different ways.


These three quilts where completely finished and quilted. I did a pillow case (AQS magazine article March 2013 issue) finish for each quilt.

I then attached flaps to each side of the quilt and wrapped the fabric flaps to the back of a pre stretched canvas frame and stapled them to the frame. 

A hanging hook was added and they were ready to frame.
These are in one of my sons homes.

What have you done new lately?

Happy Quilting today.

Quilts in public places

I love to see quilts displayed in public places.

I have a few of my works displayed in health centers. I like to think that is makes  people happy to view them.

Art made with fabric is often warm and inviting, as so many woman are.

When I was in NC recently, my two hostess took me to The First Citizens Bank in Hendersonville, NC. Hanging on the walls of this impressive building where quilts made by local quilt artists that had been commissioned by the Architect for this building . There were also several beautiful and striking antique quilts.

Each of the pieces of art was displayed behind Plexiglas and mounted on linen boards. The displays were stunning.

Here are just a few of the pieces.

“Golden Threads and Silver Needles made by Georgia Bonesteel, 1988


I saw Georgia at the quilt guild and we had a nice chat. I didn’t realize that she once lived in the Chicago land area, and worked at Marshall Fields, as did I.


“Stormy Sea” made by Barbara Swinea 1988. This is beautifully crafted and HAND quilted.



“Love Apple Variation” made by Linda Cantrell, 1988. This is a very different piece for Linda who makes fun and whimsical pieces that often tell a story. Notice Linda is talking, as she often is, as she is always telling a fun story.



Antique 1 1/2” squares





I believe this was made of wool. All of the quilts did not have their “name” tags with them as they had recently been rehung and moved.



This piece was behind the tellers at the bank. “Mirage” by Ellen Kochansky, 1988




Also by Ellen,”Form-Content”

What a great way to view quilts and what a wonderful setting for them. I hope the people of Hendersonville enjoy this great art.

Birds and Flowers Part 2

Little Fused Art Quilts with Frieda and Laura – Birds and Flowers Part 2 starts today on the Quilt Show. Laura continues her lesson on making her little quilt, Birds and Flowers, follow along as she shows you how to build a nest for your birds. Even a bird brain can do this easy weaving technique.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to watch Laura and I make art quilts. It is just like taking a class with us, or being in our booth. We don’t hold back.

If you are not already a member I think you would really enjoy being one. The Quilt Show is a great resource for all kinds of quilting information. I watch all kinds of videos on this site and learn a lot from some great and very experienced quilters.

Press ON!

Splintering Light

I often ask people to send me images of their quilts if they use my hand dyed fabrics in the process of making them.

Recently I received this image from Carol.

Here is what she said about the quilt and the fabrics.

The quilt is made with small "chips" of the silks, fused onto a background, and the tree is cotton with cotton thread embellishment.  Throughout the piece, long slender "splinters" of holographic thread accent the background.
Your and Laura's silks are amazing.  I nicknamed them my stash of liquid color.
Your artistry is much admired.  I hope to meet you someday.
Best wishes,
Carol


It is truly a magnificent quilt.

Thanks for sharing Carol!

Jenny Bowker

I meet Jenny Bowker many years ago while teaching in New Zealand. She is a fabulous quilter and lecturer and she was responsible for bringing the Stitch Like An Egyptian Exhibit to the US.

I only saw her briefly at the quilt show but here are a few of her quilts that she brought along for the show.




I just love the colors in this piece.






I love writing in quilts, and I think this is a beautiful example of script on a quilt.

The Egyptian Tent Makers

There was a wonderful exhibit at the AQS Grand Rapids quilt show. 

Stitch like an Egyptian.

I only got to see it the very last day of the show. I am very bummed out that I waited so long.

All of the pieces were for sale in the show and I know I would have bought at least one of the smaller pieces.

Enjoy







I DEFINITELY would have bought this piece. Sigh, maybe next time.






Or maybe this one. So beautiful. I love the Papyrus? and fish in this piece.

Art Institute

I love going into Chicago and visiting my favorite place – The Art Institute. 

This past week Laura and I went into the city and visited with our friend Judy Coates Perez who will be leaving Chicago soon for CA. 

We will miss seeing her here in the Windy City, but we will always see her in Houston at the IQA quilt show.

One of the exhibits we really enjoyed was -
Fabric of a New Nation: American Needlework and Textiles, 1776–1840

July 12, 2012–November 11, 2012


Galleries 57–59

Through over 45 bedcovers, coverlets, needlework, printed handkerchiefs, and other household textiles, this exhibition explores the evolution of an American textile tradition.

I just love folk art and there were some exquisite pieces in this exhibit.
Here are some of the things we saw.



I love the little lamb on the bottom right. This wool sampler was only about 8” x 12”. Of course the oak tree, with leaves and acorns is just wonderful.



A hooked rug.


A detail from an embroidered bed cover.


This really was a Bed RUG. It was an all wool hooked bed cover. This must have been SO heavy to lay under, but incredibly WARM I’m sure. I’ll bet all the wool in it is also the natural color of the wool.




Age 14. Could you have done this at age 14? I could have, but I doubt it would have been this good or as neat.


I love these funeral pieces. They were both done in silk.
I am sorry the pictures are so blurry, but they made us turn the flash off and it just is the best I could get.


Gorgeous red and green quilt.

We had a lovely day in the city and visited for a long time with Judy and her daughter. Sigh summer is almost over, just 12 more days.