Blog
Yes, I definitely learn from my students! I recently visited the Ridge Quilters’ Guild in Paradise, California. We had a great time working in my “Daisy Table Topper” workshop. Of course, I did not get as many photos as I would have liked. I loved the way everyone’s project was coming along: I love this-Gail decided to go her own way and was experimenting with feathers! Like me, she loves feathers and wants to feather her world. I like the way this is coming along and I think I will have to play with this concept also. Sally was a first-time bubbler…
The Roseville Quilters Guild show is about as close to me as it gets-less than a 5 minute drive! I had not been to their show in a few years and it has dramatically changed for the better. They now meet in a larger location, which draws a lot more members. Also, their new location is a bright and spacious church facility that has a great layout and lighting and room for some fabulous vendors. I have lectured at the guild and taught several times also, so it was a treat to see all the beautiful quilts and quilting of…
I get asked this question all the time in class: “What machine should I buy?”. Well, if you sewed and quilted the same as I, had the same space restrictions, the same budget and the same husband as I, then you would have the same machines as I do! But of course you don’t, so you’re probably going to have a different machine. This question is asked a lot in class so I thought I’d pass my opinions on about buying a new/different sewing machine. I am wildly happy with my BERNINA’s and I am a BERNINA Ambassador, but I won’t tell…
We have a new “baby” in our lives now, a gorgeous beautiful baby boy Basset, Zeke. We brought Zeke up from southern California 8 days ago and I can’t believe how life has changed since we brought this adorable bundle of excess skin, slobber and cuteness into our lives. It’s really like having a baby! He needs constant monitoring or he’ll get into trouble and anything can distract him. We recently took him on a car ride to a friend’s home and it was a 30 minute process. First, poop and pee him. Now that ain’t easy! Then we load him…
I feel wounded-somehow I accidentally erased most of my photos from the SAQA Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska! I have 4 useless surviving photos to try to capture/remember the experience. It hurts. I consider going to SAQA Conferences an investment in my career as a fiber artist. I come away each time with a richer, deeper knowledge of my work in its historical and even international context. There are artists there from all over the world, artists with widely varying uses of the medium of quilts. I literally know quilt artists all across the US and the world through SAQA. Every conference…
I received a note from a reader this week asking me about my experience using Patsy Thompson’s Quilt Suspension system-thank you for the note Betsy! I forgot that I had not written about my experience with Patsy’s system so I’m reporting in. The system is super simple and comes in 2 styles: System #1 ($94.99) clamps to the back of a table with one arm that has two cords to hold the quilt. System #2 ($109.99) has two separate arms that clamp on to each side of your table. This is the system I have. Her website makes it easy…
I got to play for bit this week and I met my friend Dolores at Bay Quilts in Richmond-what a treat! The shop just opened last fall and I have only heard good things. I was anxious to see for myself. I had the most delightful day! The shop is welcoming, bright and spacious. Each month a gallery of work will be displayed and this month it is Cara Gulati. I love Cara’s bold, graphic style and the scale of her quilts was so impressive. This is the view as you walk in! “Queen of the Flower Angels” is 8′ x…
I have wanted to do this for awhile and last month I finally did it-I kept tally of the activities and time I spent preparing for a recent 4-day gig in Tucson. You might be surprised to know what goes on behind the scenes for traveling quilt teachers! My prep for this engagement had some unique factors: I was teaching a class I hadn’t taught in a while (Trapunto), I needed to make kits (I don’t usually have to make kits), there were 2 lectures and 2 workshops, and I was determined to finish a sample for one of the classes before I…
I am not a huge user of ruler work on my domestic machine, but occasionally my quilt will call out for it. Let me be clear, I am not calling myself an expert on ruler work. And I actually like the look of an imperfect line. But I’m working on a project that does “need” ruler work and I’ve discovered a fabulous ruler for straight line work: I love this Four Paws Quilting ruler! I haven’t found another like it-it has a 1/2″ slot in the middle so you can’t mess up your line! There are rulers with various types…
WARNING: Non-quilting post! I had a Fashion Moment while visiting Tucson a few weeks ago and I had to share. I know, I’m not exactly a fashion guru. But really, every woman needs a pair of flattering, well-fitted jeans, no? I have such a difficult time getting bottoms that fit. I’m oddly shaped with short parts, long parts, skinny parts and plump parts. I love the way the elegant salesperson at Nordstrom’s put it (after I tried on fifteen pairs of jeans that did not fit), “You have athletic thighs and gluts”. Yes, I do. When I got the request to teach and…