The TWIST Fair is coming!

I'm almost ready. Are you? Come check out my new pillows, table runners, wall hangings and more!

June 2011

The Art on the Common http://www.chd.org/index.php/bbbs-events-view/events/amherst-crafts-on-the-common-fair-6.html is happening July 9th and I've just kicked into production mode. Shrinking my ideas down to 12 x 14 is a challenge after spending my spring thinking big. The photo to the left shows my latest whole clothes portrait of my inlaws on the Cordoba Pass in CO. Yes, PopPop really does like plaid.

But now, like I said, it's time to move on to smaller things like my cupcake people and making dozens of cards which you can see here: http://bedscapedesigns.com/gallery/quilted_paper_cards/

Back to work!

My piece "Let Them Eat Cake" got in to this exhibit in Eastern MA - check it out if you can!

Two Series Yet to Come

When I am finished making cards and runners for my December sale I am going to do more of these...

And these....

And I won't worry about how much they are going to cost or where I am going to hang them. There's no sense in that, now is there? First make, then place, then sell or not.

PEace.

Fall Frenzy

It must be fall because the leaves are turning and I'm turning out quilts for juried show applications, art fairs and holiday gifts! What work to submit to what juried show is the question of the week, which becomes problematic when the work I really want to submit is still just an idea in my head. At least I have the fabric and a week and a half left till November!

I recently read an article in the SAQA Fall 2010 Journal about how jurors pick pieces for shows and exhibits and it made me realize how many factors determine whether or not your work is chosen. Not only does the work have to be well done, but it needs to fit in with the theme and the other pieces the jurors selected. And let's not forget the juror's personal likes and dislikes as well as his or her mood during the selection process. So, I think the my best bet is to present a variety. Now, back to quilting.

My homeless piece called "Wallflowers" is on the road! Her first stop was in Manchester NH where I got to see her hanging. The show was curated by Kathleen McCabe. Unlike many of the other quilts on display, this show was thought provoking and I am so glad I was chosen to participate.

This summer has been full of work and family fun and very little quilting, but in four days the kids go to school and I will have plenty of time to get the creative juices flowing again. I will be doing the Apple Harvest Festival in Amherst in September and TWIST in November, but I also have quite a few projects I would like to get done for some upcoming juried shows. This means I have to focus and get to work!

Homelessness

"Always read directions first." I must say this once a day to my children, but I rarely listen to my own advice. So when I saw the call for entries for a quilt exhibition "No Place To Call Home" I immediately thought of an art quilt composition and started working on it. After binding it I looked at the specifics. It turns out there is a size limit. Of course I should have known to look at the details first, but no harm done. I'm making another. In fact, I have a whole series in my head of all different sized wall hangings and surely one of them will be the right size for the show. The one shown above utilizes old clothes and cloth given to me by people who know I like fabric, some of which had been sitting in attics for decades. The back is an old army blanket. I hope I can use only recycled cloth in the making of these quilts because it seems unethical to go out and buy new fabric for a project like this.