My Art Quilts

"Yuma Eclipse"
oil paintstiks on cotton and batik fabrics, machine quilted

"The Chef's Dilemma"

31" x 41.5"
cotton fabrics, machine appliqué, machine quilted
Best of Show, A Mountain Quiltfest 10th Anniversary

Clean Sweep

12.5" x 22"
cotton and silk fabrics, beading, machine quilted
Best Workmanship Award

Clean Sweep (detail)

"Hot or Cold, put Kona in your Cup"
size: 40" x 40"
cottons, silk dupioni, fiber embellishment, machine quilted
Honorable Mention, Kona Coffee Quilt Contest (juried show)

Kona (detail)


"Colors of the Sun"
cotton fabrics, beading, machine quilted
Judge's Choice, Best Machine Quilting awards, Guild Challenge

Knit One Below, k1b

I learned the Knit One Below (k1b) technique while attending Stitches South expo in April (see previous post) and here is a finished scarf I knitted using this stitch. The scarf is a modified version of the Inside-Outside scarf in Elise Duvekot's Knit One Below book. It's knitted with two colors of Sensational yarn from Universal Yarn's Fibra Natura line.

I really like this technique as it offers myriad creative possibilities--in color, pattern and yarn combinations. I taught the technique at a recent Stitch Pattern Monthly session at a fiber arts shop. With a little practice, all my students began to master the knit-and-slide of a two-yarn technique and the rhythm of the *k1, k1b* sequence. Oooh the possibilities of this technique!

Inspiration from the garden

I couldn't resist capturing and preserving this show of color in a photo. The flower marker with the name of this perennial has been washed away or mulched over, but they are some variety of lily. Regardless of the lack of its proper name, the color is just as vibrant--and will be the inspiration for a future wearable art piece, art quilt or ATC (artist trading card).

Serving up Boodles

I'm excited about a new product that we've created at my quilting and fiber arts store. It's a collection of 40 precision die-cut fabric circles in 4 different sizes and coordinating colors. We're calling them "Boodles"--a name developed with creative (and a bit goofy) input from my DH, Larry. Here is a tray of Boodle collections prior to packaging. Boodles, anyone?

We introduced Boodles to an enthusiastic group of quilters at a quilt-in at the end of April. And since then, Boodles have been making their way into quilt tops, borders, sashings and who-knows-what. Check the website for the Boodle applications we've devised. If you'd like to order Boodles, call the Studio (Update: this store is no longer open). I'd love to know what you do with your Boodles!

Boodles come in various color and print combinations--Purple Plumes, Summer Sorbet, Lime Greenies and Apple Bonker Reds (anyone remember the Beatles in Yellow Submarine?) to name of few. We come up with new assortments all the time. What's your favorite flavor?

And here's the little quilt that inspired the first Boodle collection. Kind of like "black and white and Boodles all over."

Dye workshop with Melody Johnson

I'm very fortunate to have fellow art quilter, Melody Johnson, as a neighbor in our fiber arts community. (Not a next-door-neighbor, but close enough.) During one of our conversations, we discovered we both used the same sewing machine brand--and model--for our free-motion quilting, and we bonded immediately. We are "Janome sisters" and we both love our MC 6500 Pros!

A sampling of Melody's free-motion quilting on her hand-dyed fabrics.

Last weekend, she conducted a dye workshop at my quilting and fiber arts business, and what a colorful time we all had! Her Lazy Dyer fabric dying method is fun and stress-free and Melody's teaching style is just as easy-going. We overcame the rain and gray skies and the group was very productive and left the workshop with a rainbow of beautifully hand-dyed cotton and silk fabrics.

Blending the dyes for the full color spectrum. Can you say R-O-Y-G-B-I-V ?

Special effects and dye submersion. Hope you are inspired!

Stitches Expo--Atlanta

After a 6 to midnight quilting party on Friday (which my business sponsored) and a full workday on Saturday, I was debating whether to attend the final day of the Stitches South Expo in Atlanta. I hadn't pre-registered, but on the other hand I didn't want to miss this opportunity when it was so close--in Atlanta. So, I bucked up and hit the road at 7:30 a.m.--and glad I did!

The Cobb Galleria is a good venue for this event--right off the highway, convenient (and free) parking, a short walk to the entrance, and a facility that is easy to navigate (the expo hall and classrooms were easy to find). There was a nice crowd for a Sunday morning. Yarn and fiber vendors and good representation of local and national yarn and knit shops filled the hall.

I chatted with Hal, the President of Universal Yarn. (A super nice guy.) He remembered our last meeting quite well and asked how things were going at the Studio. He briefed me on Universal's new yarns and upcoming colors. I also got to meet Jean Lux, Universal's marketing director, in person. We've had a few phone and e-mail conversations, so it was nice to put a face with her name.

I made my way through the isles of booths--browsing and drooling over the luscious yarns, inspiring books, knitted garments and accessories. Samples really sell product! Here is what came home with me. Alas, now to find the time to create something with these beauties . . .