Quilts this Summer

Hali June is the eighth high school graduate in our next generation.  I'm a year late and happy to get Hali's Oranges completed. Pictured are Steinmann cousins Callan, Mariel, Hali, Connie, Lindsay and Jennilee.  Outside my studio on August 4.

I also love working with smaller things.  This is a photo of Coleman's Creek near my friend Kelley Jo Ellis' Clayton, GA home.  I printed it on organza and overlaid log cabin blocks, then embellished to try and create water with fibers. Rosie is in the creek at lower right.

 The Ease of Green,  8"X8"

Can't beat the original creek.

I've loved this studio but have decided to move it.  I work in the mornings and this room faces West.  I'm moving to a larger space in my home that faces East.  For morning quilting.  This room will become a library since the flannel design wall can be changed to book cases.  And it will be nice for reading...   All in good time, my pretty!

It will also be nice that this front room won't stay a MESS!

This quilt was made for Amelia Carter's soon to be born daughter Reagan Delores.  Amelia's mother Delores was one of my best friends.  We worked together as Fulton County AFDC Caseworkers in the early 80's and traveled via VW Bug to D.C. to visit our friend Cate Fosl.  We found a shop called Chocolate Strawberries and this quilt reminds me of our trip.

Keisha says the baby's room is colored chocolate and rose...
Chocolate Roses (38"X50") for Delores' granddaughter.

Art Updates

Mona visits the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and makes us all smile...

This IMAGINE Postcard I gave to Intown Quilters

"IMAGINE all the people, sharing all the world..."

Many of my fabric creations are inspired by music.  This next block represents Germany.  The Beatles first played as a group in Hamburg so they came along for a ride on the Stein.  I donated this, along with a balloon representing Europe, to a Trip Around the World Block Book.

Beatles in Germany... Beer mug from Sculpey

This Balloon, on the book cover, represents all the countries of Europe

I've made several Tree of Life quilts.  This one I kept.  

Fair Trade made bamboo quilt hanger from Ten Thousand Villages

This Tree of Life detail is from my friend Delores Clark's memorial quilt.  I love the 3-D leaves.  Her daughters Keisha and Amelia have the quilt.  I miss my friend.

Delores Shabazz Clark, a Tree of Life

L'Arche International Quilts

My friend Michelle Hiskey was commissioned by L'Arche International to create two quilts for the outgoing international coordinators.  

She's taken a job at GAState so I'm helping her by creating one of the quilt tops. 

I have come to LOVE the diversity of these blocks.  

Israel is an amazing landscape created with felted wool.

In no particular order, here are the first twelve blocks I've enlarged to 12.5"X12.5" by adding strips.  This is my adaptation of the traditional Log Cabin block.  The Log Cabins represent home and seem appropriate for this project.  Each block is representing someone's home.

These blocks are from:

Row 1: France, Australia and Brazil

Row 2:  Slovenia, Israel and Honduras

Row 3:  Spain, Ireland and Japan

Row 4:  Syria, Ukraine and USA

I'm impressed with the Syrian block.  It's so light hearted and positive, especially from a country experiencing such turmoil.

I'm using Australian fabric for the sashing.  Audrey Napanangka created the red circle called Emu Egg.  Some of the other symbols represent home, hearth and ancient pathways.

I'm so HAPPY that it's done! March 29.  Notice Syria and Israel are both being watched by Gandhi.  It was a three week stripping marathon and my right wrist is yelling at me.  I now have an ergonomic rotary cutter AND a work order in to get my office computer moved to a better surface.  OUCH!

Country list:

Haiti, Canada, Australia, Spain, USA

Brazil, India, Slovenia, France, Argentina

Austria, Syria, Israel, Japan, Holland

Croatia, Honduras, Ireland, Bangladesh, Latvia

Ivory Coast, Germany, Philippines, Ireland, Mexico

My bird, Belgium, Ukraine, Croatia, Dominican Republic

Taa Daa!

May 11 update:

Shannon Baker has now finished the quilting and has it boxed for return.  YAY!

Meanwhile TWO more countries have sent a block... Three sweet embroidered flowers from UK and

 this fabulous batik block from Zimbabwe:

JUNE UPDATE:

I made it into a separate Wall hanging at 24"X30".  LOVE the Uplifting Elephant.

Syria and Israel, finished

Here's Michelle holding my quilt, now including UK and Poland at the bottom left. DONE!!

Here's Michelle, unaware she's in the pic, holding her completed quilt.  YAY!

YIKES, Photo toes.

Here's Michelle's photo album of the Three Quilts with presentation at St Phillip's:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111611697469122570982/LArche2012QuiltsStartToFinish

Paris and a Sewing Kit

Callan and Matt on the elevator to her room on the 5th floor

I'm working on several ideas in my studio and find myself revisiting last year and our trip to Paris. Callan taught English there and found a fabulous place to live in exchange for helping the Schmitt family with their young daughters.  After several months, Matt and I went to visit her.

As a Thank You, I made these two sewing kits for Lisa and Elsa Schmitt.  Callan lived in their maid's  quarters and escorted them to school on the Metro.  They became such fun for her and I enjoyed the stories from their home two blocks from the Arc de Triomphe.  I'm working on a pattern for the sewing kits.

Like everyone, I found Paris amazing.  It was like walking into a magical jewelry box.  The streets are filled with surprises and inspiration at every turn.  I expect I'll forever be dreaming and processing the things I saw there.

I'm curious about the age of Rue Georges Ville.
Here is Cal and Matt in her apartment on the 5th (top) floor.  

Arles, France Dress shop window

We then took a high speed train to Arles and more inspiration.  This dress shop creates clothing like was worn when Van Gogh walked the streets.  I'm currently using Perle cotton thread I bought there, actually manufactured in South Africa.  Go figure.

A dress fitting was going on in the back.  I bought fabric remnants I use sparingly.

Then back to Paris... I like this one, a Self-portrait with Freesia.

These Sewing Kits came from a similar pattern I made when Cal & Mariel were little. c 1993.  I let someone borrow the pattern so have adapted this new version.  My pattern will be available this spring at Intown Quilters .  It's also become a quick Color Study and easy to make MANY...  Graduation Presents, Oh YEAH!  If you've seen the pattern before, let me know so I can credit the original...  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Birthday Posting!

Here are a couple of things I've finished in the last month:

  

Slow and steady wins the race...

Small Turtle Congratulations for Aiming and Tom's wedding

Hayden Baker's Sunlake High School graduation Celebration, Dec 2011... T-Shirts become film strips