Buttons Buttons Everywhere!

Last week we spent the week on Grand Cayman Island for spring break. I was wondering if I would see anything textile related for a blog post and I was surprised at the inspirational work I saw and there was a theme--buttons!

If you've ever flown through Atlanta airport, you know that some of the gates are art galleries. My favorite is the art quilt gallery in terminal E that features major art quilters such as Jane Burch Cochran. It is worth visiting if you have a long layover.

Our gate this time featured these wonderful paper collages with heavy button details. Sorry for the quality of the photos with all the glare from the overhead lighting but there was no avoiding it. Unfortunately there wasn't a sign that I could see with the name of the artist or a statement.

On Grand Cayman there is a new shopping center called Camana Bay and it was the most beautifully designed center I've seen (more on that later). I went into their bookstore to get a tropical fish identification card and more button art on the walls.

These are by Mary Teeter (www.buttonwork.com) from Pennsylvania and I found them truly inspirational. I may even do some HAND embroidery soon! The framing added a charming touch.

My husband said, "I know you have enough buttons to do this." But I suspect it wasn't said in a "Congrats-you have a well-stocked studio!" manner but rather in a 'use up all that stuff you've collected" sense.

Either way he's right. I'd like to make a picture with a snappy saying and buttons incorporated in a simple design. I could use machine embroidery for the wording if I wanted.

Grand Cayman is a great vacation island. We explored all of it and every beach (almost) and found wonderful snorkeling sites where we saw loads of colorful fish in great quantity. One of the secrets is to use frozen peas to feed the fish and in some areas they respond like dogs and swarm you! I petted many fish.

Of course the best thing to do on the island is to take a catamaran to Stingray City where you can hold, pet or kiss docile stingrays. They are used to being hand fed and you're in no danger. They feel like wet velvet sponge with rough parts on their back. I loved how gracefully they swam and it was a thrill to swim with them! It's a must-do once in a lifetime activity.

Cross Roads by Leonie Castelino

From Leonie Castelina, the superb Bojagi artist, this press release and photos.

‘CROSS ROADS’, A Work of Art in Contemporary Bojagi by Leonie Castelino was exhibited at the Henan Art Museum in  Zhengzhou City, China, at the 6^th  Fiber Art Biennale From Lausanne to Beijing in October – November 2010.  It was one of 291 works of fiber art from artists all over the world.

In ‘CROSS ROADS’, Leonie explores ‘Mandala and the Cosmic Stream of Consciousness’, in the distinctive elements of Pojagi or Bojagi: material, architecture, seams, transparency, color,  composition and design.  Color in the background material is layered and juxtaposed, so that at different vantage points, the hue changes.  The medallion is textured with the intricate ‘gekki’ or triple seams and layered. The black organza has been rusted and exudes a subtle patterning. Hints of shimmer of metallic organza are interspersed. The work is described as feminine with a sensuous mystique.  This work of art is created with silk organza, machine and hand pieced.  It measures 28” x 61”.

Noriko Endo Exhibition

Noriko Endo, author of the book Confetti Naturescapes, had a solo exhibition at a gallery In Tokyo the last week of January. It was the same time as the giant quilt show in the Tokyo Dome near by so she had lots of traffic!  She estimated that 400 people came in to see her work.

Lee Nakamoto from Accuquilt in Nebraska was there and took these photos to share. Keep in mind while you look at the pictures that the detail is hard to capture in photos, particularly in the large quilts.

Check Noriko's website o see where she'll be teaching in your area.  She is teaching at both Quilt Festivals this year in Cincinnati and Houston and I got her to teach for our new Columbus Modern Quilt guild also!  Looking forward to taking her class myself.

Koos Makes the Cover of Vogue

I just got these photos of the Vogue Spring/Summer catalog. It's the new Koos harem skirt and cowl blouse pattern. Koos and I are thrilled!

Vogue always goes to the studio of Koos and to select an outfit to put in their Designer collection. This usually is for the Fall/Winter catalogs. I thought that they should see what Koos did for a summer outfit last year--I loved this patchwork silk harem skirt and cowl. It is so diaphanous and looks perfect for any summer occasion.

Well, Vogue loved it too. It will be for sale online March 25, and will be in the stores around April 1. The number will be Vogue 1244.

I joined Club BMV (Butterick, Mc Call's, Vogue) to get notice of the sales on their patterns. It really saves a lot when $30 patterns are on sale for $4.25! Shipping is very inexpensive. Check it out at:

Club BVM

Now I must collect my silks and wait until the pattern arrives. This would even look beautiful in solids or one color where you'd just see the nice seam lines. Perhaps we'll do a giveaway then? Let me know if you'd like a Koos pattern giveaway!

Jane Sassaman Giveaway

I met Jane Sassaman in 1996 her when she won Best of Show at IQA in Houston. She was standing by her huge, amazing, gorgeous "Willow" quilt with white gloves on, answering questions. My question was the stupidest: "How long did it take you to make this?" Gracious Jane answered the question. Over the years we’ve become friends.

From the second I laid eyes on her work I’ve been a fan. It’s almost impossible not to be! Her trademark design sense, distinctive applique technique and use of machine decorative stitches are inspirational. If you get a chance, take a class. They’re informative and invaluable in terms of developing and opening up your own technique. Soak up some of Jane’s spirit and creativity in person. I've taken classes from her twice and I promise you will love working with her.

Lovely Jane is helping Dragon Threads get readers off to a creative start this year. She generously donated this nifty set to one lucky reader. Here’s what’s included:

Pretty Perfect Pocket Purse Pattern

and a piece of the main purse fabric from the front cover

and a piece of the blue fabric from the back:

Now, this bag is perfect. I love it. It’s been road tested: Jane uses it every day! Look at the fun details. Note the shisha mirrors in the daffodil centers. Who can resist the fun felt ball fringe? This is a happy bag, perfect for chasing away the winter doldrums.

Jane featured fabrics from her new Garden Divas collection for Free Spirit fabrics. This line is so luscious. I want every pattern in every colorway! I'm planning to make a shirt mixing 6 different prints. Looking for your own ideas? (After you’ve made the bag, that is…) There are some beautiful FREE quilt patterns for this new fabric on Jane's blog.

I am always inspired to see what is new with Jane on her blog, which she obviously lavishes with attention. She seamlessly weaves fabrics, travel, stories about life on the prairie, and her own terrific photos in the most compelling, almost painterly way. Her posts are as exotic, colorful, creative, and interesting as she is.

But back to the giveaway!

Post a comment below by Sunday evening, January 16th about Jane's work for one chance to win. For a second chance, sign up for our newsletter and say "Jane sent me" in the “How can we help you" box. Lucky winners get the Pretty Pocket Purse pattern plus two fabric swatches directly from Jane. Two runners up are going to get something special. I’m digging into my stash for two coveted special Jane Sassaman fabric pieces. You’ll each get two samples, half of each piece. Enter now, then start planning your next project a la Jane.

PS: Jane is having a Noriko giveaway this courtesy of Dragon Threads over at her blog. Don’t miss it! If you can’t wait to get your hands on Noriko’s book yourself (here comes a plug) head on over to my shop and buy one!

Susan Lenz Makes My New Year Happy

I'm new to the blogging world. So far, I really enjoy both reading blogs and writing for my own. One of the blogs I enjoy is Subversive Stitchers by Dawn Goldsmith. Recently she had an intriguing review of the work of Susan Lenz. One blog leads to another on the world wide web, so off I went to Susan's blog:

I mean blogs. She has several. I jumped around from one to another, but I was immediately taken by her In Box and Stained Glass series of small quilts. I lingered over the tutorial on her In Box technique. I was so impressed by the number of steps involved, the stitching, and especially by the melting of fabrics with her soldering iron. Check out this picture of her at work (all pictures courtesy of Susan Lenz).

 

Look at the detail on this In Box:

I really wanted to buy one. I mean, look at the amazing completed pieces below:

Detail from Stained Glass XVII

 

Stained Glass XXII:

In Box LXXI:

And a detail from In Box LXXVI

A great thing about the internet is that you’re only one email away from making a new friend or buying something awesome. I contacted Susan (who is quite friendly), who hooked me up with photos of her new pieces.  Her work is for sale at the the Grovewood Gallery, next to the historic Grovewood Inn in Asheville, NC.

Susan, as it turns out, is a fellow “Buckeye”. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Medieval and Renaissance Studies with a concentration in History of Art. Her fascination with Gothic and Romanesque architecture is obvious in her work.

I sat down with my husband and studied the Stained Glass gallery, then decided which of her fabulous pieces I needed for my Christmas present. (He got a Zeus mask made of iron parts.) I finally decided on an asymmetric piece. Today it arrived. Oh, how wonderful it is! So many little details and interesting textures of the melted fabric etc.  I’m going to look for a nice warm, rich wood frame. This piece is going in my studio, where it will inspire me daily. Thanks, Sue. Happy New Year from Dragon Threads! m

Window XIV

For more information about Susan and her amazingly diverse work, be sure to check out her site: susanlenz.com

Dragon Threads Gift Workshop

For the second year in a row, my friend Vicki and I made Christmas presents for our dear friends. It feels GREAT! Of course, I couldn't post what I was doing before or our friends would know what they were getting.

Our projects didn’t take much time. We started organizing what we needed this fall, completing out our lovely gifts little by little. We didn’t feel pressured at all. In fact, these projects are a great way to use up some of that fabric you have in your stash. Believe me, that feels good, too.

We used a terrific (and free!) pattern from Beth Wheeler, changing just a little.  I made about 20 of these "padfolios". They honestly they don't take more than an hour or so to make. I had so much fun coordinating fabrics from my huge stash. It was surprising how many things went together perfectly. Here is the link to the project:

Padfolio by Beth Wheeler from the C&T Publishing Blog (a great source of neat project ideas). Here’s hers:

 

Here’s mine:

I made the following changes:

1. I cut a 4" sq of fabric,pressed it on the diagonal and tucked it in the corner for a business card holder.  That is also where I attached my label.
2. To cover the top of the pad of paper, I pressed a piece of steam-a-seam 2 about the size of 2.5" x 5.5" to the back of fabric, then cut it down to 2" x 5" and peeled off the paper backing and pressed it over the paper top of the notepad and folded it over to the back. I didn't like seeing the store brand name when I opened up the book.
3. Also the zigzag were length of  0.4 and width of 3.0 for the first pass and then 3.7 for the second pass.

Here is the inside of mine (Sorry! The label is blurry):

Vicki and I had such a good time these past two years that we’ve already started planning next year’s gifts, made and delivered of course with love. I

Last year’s project was a bag from an Indygo Junction pattern.

If you can’t recall from yesterday, here’s how they turned out:

Later this month I’m going to post a couple of good ideas to use as inspiration for next year.

Thanksgiving in New York

Last week for Thanksgiving we drove to upstate New York to visit our best friends, Candace and Derek James.  Candace, Derek, and I were all together at the Pratt Institute a few years ago. Okay, a few decades ago but who’s counting? (Hint: I am NOT.)

Derek is a fine artist/painter. His work is many private collections including those of Tom Hanks and Bruce Springsteen...and that’s right, my house.

Dinner this year was a formal sit-down affair for 37 in his barn studio. China, stemware, sterling silver, twinkling lights, great friends, and great art! It was fabulous from soup to salad, to buffet turkey and trimmings.

Here’s the barn:

 

Inside, before dinner:

 

 

And after the transformation:

 

 

The day after Thanksgiving I went snooping in the barn. I can’t help myself! I opened a flat file drawer; my jaw dropped. Another drawer; another jaw-drop. Derek has hundreds of beautiful drawings and amazing small paintings.

 

 

 

While in the neighborhood, I couldn’t pass up a chance to visit my dear friend and author, the amazing Joan Lintault. Details about the visit, pictures of a work in progress and (drum roll please) a giveaway coming up this week.

Quilt Market Part III

Last June I tried long-arm quilting and discovered I’m more of a mid-arm woman. Ever since I took a class on the mid-arm Handi-Quilter machine, I’ve been looking at quilting patterns very carefully. In Houston this year I had plenty of gorgeous quilts to study. So much inspiration! Although I'm a long, long way from duplicating any of this master stitching, I’m determined to hone my skills. Look at these amazing quilts:

Whimsical, by Claudia Clark Meyers

Our Divine Miss Beetle, by Sonia Grasvik

Multiple Personalities, by Cynthia Goodwin

 

These quilts bowled me over with their use of color. Simply beautiful:

Harvest Tie-me, Frances Krupka

 

Joyful Garden, by Stephanie Nordlin

Ring Around the Aloe, by Lois Podolny

 

 

I am looking forward to next year’s trip to Houston already! I promise to take more photos next time.