Who would guess that what was popular in needlework 90 years ago would be interesting today. Perhaps the slow stitch movement will revive the hand needlework of our ancestors as we slow our movements to contemplate the work of our (and their) hands. I wanted …
Pieces of the Past Piece of the past dyed, Radiating swirls and stars, Doilies of old, new. A cyanotype challenge. I used doilies to sun print on the chemically treated fabric and then used some of my damaged hand dyed doilies for accent. A …
I love visiting the Hickory Stick Quilt Shop in Hannibal where we live. The employees and owner are so friendly, know their merchandise and encourage creative thinking in quiltmaking as well as applaud the traditional. Today I spent a couple of hours there with the help of everyone working today as well as input from customers to gather fabrics for my next project. No, I haven’t finished things on the design board nor even close to finishing all that I have started but that doesn’t stop me when an idea strikes. I also had enjoyable conversation with customers from Michigan on a road trip to quilt shops. It was exhilarating for me because my husband’s recent bilateral knee surgery had kept me obligated to stay close to home or not gone for long. Thank you to all the independent quilt shops who truly value their customers, old and new, and generously support their work.
A couple of years ago one of the vendors at Hannibal’s Folk LIfe Festival had a marvelous display of mums in every color combination one could imagine. I took several photos thinking I would one day replicate them in some way, shape or form. Today …
NOthing like doing yoga in the morning on a deck at Kinderhook Retreat overlooking the lush farmland of Illinois. Relaxing and energizing, ready for a day of sewing with friends. People said shen I came down stairs I appeared to be a woman on a mission. I am, yoga relieved my back pain and I am ready for 12-14 hours of sewing whatever I choose. Have a great day.
Three years have passed since retirement. I have been enjoying doing what I want pretty much when I want but I am missing one aspect of my professional career. Having been an educator for over 35 years I am itching to get back into the …
Saturday I had the pleasure of taking daughter and friend to the starting point of RAGBRAI 2015, Sioux City, Iowa. The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa draws thousands of bike riders from across the nation. I saw license plates from California to …
A group of quilters in the Hannibal, Missouri area are exploring artistic techniques using the leaf as subject matter for learning to create different textures in their creative quilting. The first session was thread painting. The second session was using Tyvek and paint to create texture. The third will be using cyano-type processes as well as other painting and dyeing techniques on small pieces. The fourth session will be testing some improvisational techniques so I am working hard to finish an idea that was inspired by quilting designs and zentangle doodles as seen on the internet. Right now it’s title is “Anatomy of a Leaf”. One large pieced leaf will be the focal point with other leaves done in the techniques from the sessions I have been teaching. Photos below are a preview of the progressbeing made—I still have eight more sections to complete and my deadline is August 21. A contest seems to be my best motivation for completing ideas and inspirations and Reiman Gardens/Iowa Quilt Guild Show provides my deadline this time. If you are close to Ames, Iowa on the 18-20 of September it is a show filled with garden themed quilts. You will find art quilts, modern quilts and traditional quilts as well as the gardens themselves to provide even more inspiration.
Denali Dreamin’ was made from a photo to keep us focused on our upcoming trip to Alaska. Next year at about this time we will be crossing over into Canada on our way to Dawson Creek, the starting point for the Airstream caravan through Alaska. …
