I put this exhibit together for the quilt show that we did last weekend.  It was a walk back in time not only because of what was represented on the table but also of great interest was that everything there was made in the US of A.  Did you know that Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania made thread?  Many of the tools were works of art as well.  One visitor stated that she remembered her mother having a "crank" Singer sewing machine.  She said that the children would turn the handle while Mom did the sewing.  Seems like it was a family affair!  I had so much fun putting together this exhibit and how many items  were made in the USA.  I wonder what we would learn if we put together an exhibit titled "Modern Tools of the Trade"!

Rainbow Fish has a home!

Well, it really has been a busy time around here.  The Vermont Quilt Festival seems like a far away place now and the Patchworkers Quilt Show is finally over.  It was so much fun but lots of hard work.  Saturday, the heat really got to us but that didn't stop the people from coming.  I entered "Rainbow Fish" to the collection and it seemed to be enjoyed.  The men who came to the show seemed to like it which did not surprise me at all.  There were several really beautiful quilts on display which made it hard to pick just one for first prize.  Rainbow Fish did not win a prize but I didn't expect it to.  It did spark conversation and questions about quilting and beading which made it even more of a delight to display.  Congratulations to Peggy who took #1.  Her quilt was spectacular and it was well deserved.

VERMONT QUILT FESTIVAL

Wow.....it has been over a month since I wrote in my blog.  The month flew by with lots of visits from family and friends!  Have several creations developing my studio and can't wait to share them.

The most exciting news besides the fact that we moved into our new bedroom is the trip to Vermont to go to the Quilt festival.  It was amazing and I had the privilege to attend some wonderful classes with great instructors.  I came back full of wonderful ideas and will share them all as soon as I can.  I have to say that my favorite class was Zentangle which was amazing.  More about that later.  Keep creating!

TIME FLIES

Jay and I have been working so hard with the renovations that I haven't had a chance for any blogging or picture taking like I had hoped.  But....we are really happy with the results.  My mother came to visit us for four days and spent mother's day with my sister and I.  It was a nice visit but trying to finish our construction projects before her arrival made it that much harder to get to the computer.  Having a deadline to finish the projects made us hustle even that much faster but even though we were exhausted I say "Thank goodness for deadlines!"  

SPECIAL EFFECTS

 

I am not a photographer and don't pretend to be but lately I have been playing with some simple software in an effort to determine how to transfer some special effects into art quilts.  The black and whites were done to look at dark and light without being distracted by color.  

The more I play the more I like the effects.  This is a new way of looking at fiber art for me and I am enjoying it.  Others have perfected this art but I am learning that the journey of exploration is where the fun is.  I am getting good ideas from all of this and hope to turn the above photo into an art quilt.  

PROMISES, PROMISES

I try so hard not to break promises and I cringe to myself every time I do.  Good intentions abound when a promise is given but sometimes things happen that makes keeping a promise impossible or at the very least, unlikely.  Take this blog for instance.  I promised myself that I would keep my readers updated where the studio redo was concerned.  Instead, I have been busy doing other things like helping my husband with the bedroom renovation.  (I promised him I would help).  It seems like breaking a promise to help someone else is how it always starts.

I also promised to keep up with my blog every day but that hasn't happened either.  Mostly because I do so many things in a day that the computer always takes a back seat. Perhaps trying to blog every day is not a goal I can keep for right now.  Perhaps what I really need to do is blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week and I have a chance to write more often I will.

In the meantime....I promise to work on keeping my promises!

A STUDIO REMAKE

Left side of studio where my long arm is. 

The spring like weather has gotten to Jay and I in  a big way.  If you look at the right side of the studio in this picture you can see the tv sitting on top of a long table.  I plan to remove the table and tv and build shelves from floor to ceiling.  This will help me to organize much more efficiently by getting things off the floor and onto shelves.  

In the meantime, Jay is going to be downstairs ripping out the paneling which is in the office and replacing it with tongue and groove pine.  It is going to be amazing when it is finished.  Then off it is to the great outdoors and the gardens.  How wonderful!!!!!.