Darn! It fits!!!!

This keeps happening to me.  I go to the thrift store in search of interesting fabrics to cut up for my art quilts.  Invariably, I find plenty of great prints on shirts, skirts, dresses, and sometimes pants.  I get home, wash and dry the clothing, and as I fold, I am finding that the clothes sometimes fit me

perfectly.  Then I'm not sure whether to be glad or disappointed.  Here's the newest one.  It may be my Easter dress.  Very nicely made and fits beautifully.  But I wanted it for my art quilts. . .

Great News!!

While I was at the retreat in New Smyrna Beach, I received three bits of great news!!  Two of my pieces were juried into the SAQA exhibit, Redirecting the Ordinary.  Here they are:

These will travel to the International Quilt Festivals in Houston, Chicago and Portland, Or. and possibly some other venues as well.

I also learned that my quilt, Pamela's Chix was selected to be in a show in Cary NC in May and June. This show is entitled ArtQuiltswhimsy, and is put on by PAQA South.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   And my third bit of great news is that Quilters Newsletter magazine has asked to publish a quilt that I made about my mom shortly after she passed away.  She loved this magazine, and it would have made her so happy to know that this quilt will be in it!!!

                                                                                                                                                                  My cup is overflowing.

Stuff

I have just returned from a ten day retreat at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.  Fiber artists came from all over the country.  We brought lots of stuff. We locals have to share with those who arrive by plane. Those of us who drive tend to load our cars to the brim.

 Sometimes in the morning, I like to go to the studios early and see what everyone is up to.  This year, I gathered some photos of the stuff we brought.  Here is some of our stuff:

Still retreating!!!

Not bragging, BUT . . . .  I have spent this past week (plus) in the presence of some very big names in the fiber world.  Among them are Pamela Allen, Susan (Lucky) Shie, Susan Lenz, Kris Sazaki, Deb Cashatt, Marianne Williamson, Wendy Smith Wood, and Mary McBride. And those are just the teachers and organizers.  I have also gotten to meet some wonderful artists - the students and fellow retreaters at Focus on Fiber in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  I am feeling so fortunate to be soaking up wisdom from them as well as getting to know them better. 

Focus On Fiber retreat New Smyrna Beach, FL

I am spending this week at a wonderful fiber artists retreat.  It is like summer camp for quilters and dyers.  This is the third of (I hope) many years to come, that I have attended this event.  I just finished up a three day class with the incredible Susan Shie, and will have a shibori dyeing class tomorrow with Wendy Wood.  It is amazing to spend quality time with talented artists and be inspired by their work and their lives.  Here are some photos from our time together so far. 

Another class in the books!

I should also post shots of my traditional class quilters, and their projects.  We had two choices, both woven patterns.  Impressive results!!!  (Proud teacher)

Art quilt classes

Photos from my recently wrapped up Art quilt class.  We did portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and figure pieces during the eight week class.  The students (and I) came a long way.  We all agreed that our work improved tremendously - mainly due to the time we spent critiquing and discussing ways to  improve the compositions.  I am looking for a venue to have an exhibit in the fall, when all of our stitching is finished!!!!