Lisa Call Exhibit

Spent last week in NYC for work. We started each day at 7:30 and went until 9 most nights. It was an intense and productive week of work. But highlighted by quilts!
I did get to the City Quilter. And I saw an exhibit by one of my quilting heroes, Lisa Call.

a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Rich, velvety colors. And stitch detail to die for.

Stuctures #115, my favorite

Detail of Structures #115. Look at the stitches!

I have been a fan and follower of Lisa's for several years now. She posts a lot about treating art as business, which is so crucial to success.

She and talks about taking care of yourself in order to make art. (I need to learn this lesson!)

Lisa is so strong at working in a series. Each of the quilts was unique, yet they hung together as a beautiful, cohesive group. No, these are not ALL the quilts! Go, see the show! 

I found these quilts to have a very strong, quiet presence. Beautiful, just beautiful.


My pictures do not do the quilts justice. (Lisa granted me permission to post my photos of her quilts. Thanks Lisa!)


The show runs through October 20.

whats goin' on

Posts have been light, but I have been busy.

Quilting on a gray/orange quilt:

Getting Halloween projects done EARLY for a change:

 Detail of "Boo" a Halloween crazy quilt

Detail of Retro Hallow'een

(Check out my "Completions 2012" page for details)

Preparing for my first SOLO SHOW-details to follow!

Trying to get my mojo working to complete a UFO:

 Too many little pieces, I call it "Total Tedium". Need to add a border for stability.

Late summer eye candy

My son, his sweet GF and I visited the beautiful Reynolda Gardens on Labor Day. The late summer garden is spectacular and inspiring!

These fronds are ENORMOUS!

Passion Flowers grow wild here in NC. This one was along the driveway at my MIL's house.

And yes, since I was at Reynolda Gardens, I ducked in to visit Gina at "The Little General" and took home some Tula Pink and Denyse Schmidt!

"Stellar" evolution

Here is how "Stellar evolved:

I had a bunch of scraps, so I cut them into strips. I put this version together (ALL scraps except the back):

(phone photo)

Then, I had more scraps (all batik strips) and used them with 2 gray solids:

A patriotic version needed to be assembled (stashed fabrics):

Finally a pattern tester/shop sample:

And I have fabrics for a Christmas version yet to come.

Now if I can figure out how to get this pattern published! Any suggestions?

"Stellar" class

I was asked to teach a class for my "Stellar" quilt. That meant writing a pattern. A pattern that made sense! So I set forth doing so.

I am fortunate to have a "master quilter" as my Mother, and a dear friend (& second mother, also a "master quilter") who graciously proofed my pattern and offered excellent suggestions.

Then 2 days of class. With 4 awesome students. I am always amazed at how much I learn through teaching. I had 4 students with 4 different sets of skills, and all 4 created amazingly wonderful quilts.

With my pattern (giggle)!

Casey created a gorgeous purple and blue on white:

Betty used bright greens and solid yellow with a gray/white pin dot background:

(She got it put together, but my picture file was corrupted)

Donna loved my patriotic version and set out to create a similar one (her first quilt!):

(She had hers 80%completed)

Colleen's is a gorgeous riot of color on muslin:

(Colleen probably has hers completed now!)

Aren't they all AWESOME? I am so proud of these quilts and so excited by their enthusiasm!

I am so grateful for these ladies, and their perseverance and patience. I teach this again in October and I am looking forward to seeing the quilts those students create!

And they have asked me to develop a pattern, and teach Monolith!