Summer solo show

 Yesterday I took the time to plan the art quilts for

my solo show in August. It is called CHAIRS.

Think relaxing in a lawn chair overlooking the

bluff onto Lake Michigan. Sitting under the shade

of a tree reading a book.

 The show is all about relaxation.

Kicking back.

 I printed several photos on fabric to incorporate

into small art quilts for the cash and carry crowd.

I am doing Open Studios at the International

Quilt Festival in Chicago in March and all of

what I did will play into that. 

Photos onto Fabric quilted.

Quilting and Painting your quilt.

So I am ready for Chicago and as I make my 

smalls for the solo show I will have my examples done.

I like it when a plan comes together.

Some of my favorite things.

My favorite spot in my home.

Sitting at my machine.

In the studio creating new art.

Almost have it cleaned and ready to go for another year.

 The river that flows through our county.

It has been a cornerstone in our history.

Water inspires me love the reflections.

Dreamy fall photo.

Last but not least TREES,

I have always had an affinity for trees.

As a child I spent hours in tree forts up in the

oak trees playing and dreaming.

It seems like most of my art has trees in it.

They inspire me, shade me and are beautiful.

Close ups

 Thought I would show you some close ups of the

quilts I have worked on this winter. Sometimes

closer up is just as interesting as the whole.

 Vines and berries. Pine trees and sky.

 Hills and catalpa trees.

 The bright red of sumac.

A duck reflected in the water.

Life is just a bunch of close ups.

Finished Two

 I finished  up the details of these two started in

November. Both are nicer than what I have done in

the past. Brighter colors. Now to see which one Dana

wants than I will know which one is mine.

I frankly like the yellow one.

I realized yesterday that there are only 21 days

until Christmas. I had better kick it in gear.

Life gets a little crazy around Christmas.

Yesterday afternoon I cooked and sliced 30

pounds of pork. We are going to have pork

sandwiches for Christmas along with

Turkey wings barbecued for dinner.

Deviled eggs and  baked beans.

 Picnic anyone.

The beauty of having it at my house I get

to choose the menu.

Foilage added

Closing in on the finish line on this quilt.

Trees are now dressed with foliage.

Now just some final stitching  on the trees and done.

Yesterday was the day cool hand  Luke washed

my windows. So I took all the curtains down and

pulled up all the shades. Wow I remembered why

we moved here. The views are super, the light

superb. I sat in a chair by the 11 foot great room

window and just took in the morning view.

About 20 robins were taking their bath in the

koi pond just out the window. The sun was raising

higher and spotlighting the fall trees in the distance.

Every window in this house was placed to

take advantage of the views.

What a perfect day to have the windows washed.

Made me appreciate my home again.

I know I always threaten to downsize but

than I see my home in a better light with

all those windows to the trees and birds

and I am in love again.

Planted some more pine trees.

I added in some smaller pine trees. Looks better,

now I just need to put the back, sleeves and borders

on 4 quilts and I will stop sewing for awhile.

I have been quilting for 3 months solid and need

a break. I will drag out the clay and the rolling

pin and make some fish and pots.

Yesterday we had a nice lunch with Minnesota

fried fish and the fixings. I love a carry in we

get to sample lots of good stuff.

My daughter volunteered to do Mothers Day

I think she notice I was having issues with

my knees. I am willing to take a break.

This is the week we bring the art for Art Mix.

I have about 20 small pieces for this show.

Whatever is left will go to Ohio Craft Museum

to be sold. I find I am finally having trouble

keeping up with the demand. 

Almost there.

I made some progress yesterday on the quilts/

Taking a photo helps me spot changes I need to make.

This is something I did learn at Nancy Crow's

workshop. I only have the morning to work

in the studio than I have to clean my house

with my grand daughters help. My friend

Bev had to go out to Oklahoma to help her

sister so I am on my own for 2 weeks.

With everyone coming for Easter I thought

I have better get up all the fabric scraps

that litter the floor.  I never fully appreciate

Bev until she is gone. She has helped me

for over 30 years. A special person.

While I better get to the studio so I can

finish putting leaves on the trees.

Number 2 is finished.

 This morning I finished the stitching on number 2.

I am showing a close up too. Thursday I will work on

number 3. Than I will put the backings and sleeves

on the 4 pieces. My mind is already on the next quilt

I will make a irregular shape quilt of a single tree.

Than I will switch to some clay next week. I like

a variety in a show. I will do fish and birds.

I have my menu all planned for Easter. Minnesota

fish fried, deviled eggs, loaded potato casserole,

salad, corn pudding and cheesecake for dessert.

Sounds like a great feast. My grand daughter

is going to come over and help clean on Friday.

Saturday she will come back to pick up

tree branches that have blown down this winter.

The gardening season is starting.

On their way to Ohio.

 Yesterday I sent my latest art quilts to the

Ohio Craft Museum. They are having a show in

February and March with some of the quilts

from the 17th Quilt Nationals. Tracey sent me

a request for 3 small art quilts for the gift shop.

I sent Pond Life and Frosty January Morning.

And September on Wolf River.

All are photos printed on silk and than

over stitched with variegated thread.

Than I worked on finishing a quilt I

started for Quilt Nationals but did not finish.

Health, my mothers last days and knee surgery

were more important. There will be another

chance for Quilt Nationals in 2014.

The colorful hand dyed fabrics in this quilt

will be perfect for In Harmony with Nature IV.

A joint show with 3 other artist in May/June.

Always something to do.

Cold and Sunny

It is cold and sunny here in NW Indiana.

We could use lots of snow.

Our ground water table is way down.

I am actually worried that the fish in the big pond

will freeze solid this winter.

Should have ate them last summer.

I have 3 whole days in a row to spend in the

studio. I need to get a group of 3 small art quilts

done and mailed to the Ohio Craft Museum.

They need to be there by next Wednesday.

So I had better get busy.

The Rest of 2012

The rest of 2012

50th Wedding anniversary.

Fabric for 2012 QSDS.

Group Quilt for the International Quilt show in Houston.

A very productive QSDS 2012 in Ohio.

A very great place to go. I learned lots

had a great time and met great people.



Summer beauty from my gardens.

My entry into the AQS show in Grand Rapids in August.

My big painting 10 ft by 6 ft never finished.

More beauty.

Tommy my great grandson.

Jasper County Art League's  Under Indiana Skies

show this summer.

My Mother passed to a better place in August.

Frog Time went to the Houston with the Haku.

Rosy and Owen the other 2 great grands.

They are all precious.

Summers bounty.

Summer faded and fall arrives.

New  art quilt accepted into the spring show

in Ohio International Quilt Show.

A new direction in the fall.

Found a mangle to iron all the fabric

needed for the Nancy Crow's workshop.

My quilt National entry that did not be done.

Knee surgery go in the way.

My first piece for In Harmony With Nature IV

coming in May 2013.

My exercises from the Nancy Crow workshop.

I WORKED along side some very talented

artist. Their art was awesome. The show and

tell was the best part of the week.

Finally made a Panakoken. Apple pancake.

Christmas bounty. My family loves me

and knows what I like.

Looking back 2012 was awesome. Some very

important milestones reached in just 4 years.

Quilt Nationals will have to wait but a great year.

Despite hardships the year was productive.

I find I do most of my work in the first 5 months

 of the year and than run to keep up with

everything thereafter.

If 2013 is half as good as 2012 I will be pleased.