A bright light went out in the quilting world this week. Gwendolyn Joy Marston passed away on Wednesday at her home on Beaver Island, Michigan. All around Instagram and Facebook there are messages of grief and photos of her, but I felt a need to do one more blog post about Gwenny. She radiated jo
Attentive readers may have noticed I am on a roll. This is the third Saturday I have positioned myself in front the computer and typed out a blog post. It’s taken many years, but I just might have …
Hello! I wanted to share with you my quilt top that I had recently completed and entered into QuiltCon West 2016. I had sketched out the bones of this design back in the fall of 2014. It was incomplete but mostly it was just a starting point. Just something for me to reference back to in case I ever felt inspired to finish it. Since inspiration never came, I decided it would be best to make this as a sampler, so I could see what it would like look as a quilt top. The majority of this quilt was improvised. I wasn't sure which shapes would be which colors, and since the design was not complete, I wasn't even sure what the final product was going to look like. It helped that I chose a cohesive palette. I originally was going to frame it in black and then place a white border around that before binding it. This was not planned and was not decided upon until I reached that point in the decision process. When I had completed the binding, the white border did not include the black pluses in the corners. I reached out to Instagram, and a lovely bunch of people suggested it. Thank you if you were one of those who suggested black pluses because it came out fabulous. I had also thought about incorporating 1981 somewhere in the quilt, but that never happened. To balance out the large negative spaces of color, I added a strip of small piecing in the upper left corner, and to balance that out, I added the four triangles in the bottom right corner. I would love to make this a bigger version as this only measures 39" x 42". The biggest crime and mistake I made with this quilt was not entering it to be judged at QuiltCon West. I only entered it. I still beat myself up about it, but the reason I didn't get it judged was because I felt that I would be critiqued harshly on my hand stitching. It's definitely not perfect, but I think that is what lends beautifully to the handmade look. It is handmade. I don't know why I ever listened to that little devil inside of me. Why 1981? This quilt is a dedication to my creative life and journey. I love making things, and I hope it shows. I had a few people say it reminds them of certain artists. Some I have never heard of like Charley Parker and Mondrian. Others, like Picasso, I do know. But none of these artists were in mind during the making of this. It literally was a sit down and draw, let's pull out some fabric, and let's-hope-for-the-best kind of quilt making. So it all worked out in my favor in the end, and I couldn't be more thankful. It makes me so happy when I look at it. :) xx nancy One year ago: Birchen Quilt top Two years ago: Crafty Travelers Series Three years ago: Creating with the Stars Four years ago: Fabric Birds I have a book!
Wow, three days of 15+ quilters / artists in the house and the ideas just started flowing. Gwen was under the weather the first day. She did her intro, pinned up her Small Studies samples and then went back to her room. And we got busy. These first 4 pieces are some of my favorites of Gwen's work. I just love the shot of turquoise that jumped into this piece. Here is the collective work of our class. WOW. I watched people share their ideas, their formulas, their methods. It was a room that was busting with ideas and creativity. You can see my pieces on the bottom left. First piece as too much print in it, the second one got a shot of pink and the small piece on the bottom left is the beginning of ?????? These two are made by the same quilter, in fact, she had 3 pieces finished by the end of day 3. It wasn't' a race or a competition, and I have to tell you, I learned SO MUCH watching KM work. I have already starting thinking in a different manner about piecing and quilting design in general after these three days. Close up of KM's third piece. This picture is twisted, but see next picture. Great work by this quilter. Here is the second piece right side up. I love the curve in the top right corner and how it plays with the straight outside edge of the borders. I had the pleasure of having Tom at my table. It was fabulous to watch him work. He's spent his career surrounded by line and design and has recently started playing with textiles. Unfortunately, I did not capture his first piece that was superb. In this picture, he re created the piece on the left side, which is a chenille creation of his. The upper left was his 3rd piece of the workshop. My goal was to test every technique Gwen had to offer. I came home with a stitched sample of each method she uses and I can now refer back to these pieces for reference. That was my goal, I achieved it and am very pleased with my pieces and my ability to move forward onto a second and third piece. And if you've stayed with me, here is the info on Gwen's new book. I can't wait, and I'm positive it will be one that becomes dog eared and coffee stained in my studio. Thank you Gwen, for a life time of creating and sharing and teaching. I've learned so much from you! Sharon
Right before the Baltimore Craft Show last weekend, I had a brainstorm for a new quilt. This frequently happens when I’m in deadline mode before a show for some reason–maybe that’…
Hoy poniendo orden en mi ordenador, he encontrado esta foto, y la verdad me ha hecho mucha ilusión, os cuento porque. Un año en el festival de Sitges, se fueron expuestos unos bloques con el tema "Don Quijote", uno de ellos era este, que es el mio, junto a 4 o 5 mas. la verdad es que no tuve la oportunidad de verlos, ya que se perdieron o fueron robados o nunca mas se supo y hoy al ver la foto pensé... pues bueno ya que no lo vi colgado pues que se vea aquí. Tiene su gracia no? A mi me gustaba mucho. Espero que quien los tenga, los disfrute y sepa valorarlos.
I got to take another workshop from my favorite teacher, Gwen Marston ! I've taken several workshops with Gwen, and I've learned somethin...
Big Stitch quilting has gotten to be a big deal in the past few years, so I was thrilled when Jo Glover, who published the original directions for BigStitch Quilting, spoke to our guild last year. …
The Best by Yvonne Porcella, 2014 I may have missed a few, but here are most of the quilts I showed during my Masterpiece Quilts lecture at the Airing of the Quilts on Saturday. In random order, kind of how I presented them. c. 1950s top / spread c. 1970s crazy quilt c. 1940s Cups and Saucers c. 1930s Double Wedding Ring c. 1880s Tree quilt c. 1840s Prince's Feather c. 1825 crib quilt c. 1890s Snake Trail Fans Cross Currents Study #2, Andrea Balosky, 1994 American Legion Auxiliary Quilt, 1931, Salem, Oregon 1830s pieced top c. 1900 Amish crib quilt Amish Tumbling Blocks, c. 1940, Lidian Hostetler, Ohio 2014 Portland Modern Quilt Guild Medallion / PMQG Officers Klee, 1973 by Marsha McCloskey Layered Fans, c. 1920, New York Pictorial, c. 1930, Ohio Bible Story, 1979, by Lucy Mingo appliqué top, c. 1930s Friendship Quilt, West Fir, Oregon, c. 1950s "Hoot Hoot!" c. 1970s Owls c. 1870s Four-Block Flower Garden quilt, a Ruby McKim design, c. 1930s Tango Garden, 2012 by Jean Wells Keenan
I’m so excited to announce that my work has been chosen as the feature art for the poster and T-shirt for the Downtown Art Festival in Gainesville, FL this December! (Note: updated with a bet…
Exemples of colourful patchwork baby quilts by Maryandpatch
What happens when you decide to put something other than a solid square in the center of a Log Cabin? Glad you asked! Remember this little...
Each year the Quilter's Guild of NSW holds a challenge for it's members to make a mini quilt with a set theme. Some examples of p...
I can’t tell you how much fun it is to watch your Facets progress. So many people are sharing their progress on Instagram and in my Facebook group. It makes me giddy!! If you are just joining…
The last couple of weeks I’ve been in learning mode, searching how to do things differently. My in person teaching and lecturing events have been postponed at least through June, but one guil…
BERRY PATCH WORK 46" X 48" American Quilter's Society Semifinalist 2018 Honorable Mention Small Wall Quilt-Hand Quilted, Spring Padu...
Thank you so much for the lovely messages after my last post, I really did appreciate all your kind words and messages of sympathy. My trip ...
As I'm spiraling away, I always get to thinking....... now that can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the day. Lesson one, wha...
SKETCHES FIRST THERE WERE 37, NOW THERE ARE 58 My book, 37 SKETCHES, came out in 2010 and went on to win a 2012 New Yor...
Last week I shared the bundle I curated for the launch of Handmade by Emily’s new Kona Club. Many of you noticed that simple little block at the end of the post and demanded I tell you moah! …
Right before the Baltimore Craft Show last weekend, I had a brainstorm for a new quilt. This frequently happens when I’m in deadline mode before a show for some reason–maybe that’…
I have several series that I would like to continue working on this year. Vertical Nature is one of them. I was able to finish the fifth in the series before the end of the year, so I could start the year working on a new piece. But what I realized is that I haven't actually shared any of the pieces in the series with you yet. You might have caught a glimpse of them on the walls when I showed my nice clean studio for the open studio event. My original inspiration for the series started with pictures I have of canyon walls. But as the series goes along, it may change. The inspiration is just the starting point. I decided to call it Vertical Nature, because I can expand the series to use other inspiring vertical nature things like grasses or trees. Here is Vertical Nature I and II. Vertical Nature I hand dyed fabrics, machine pieced, machine stitched 50-3/4" x 32" ©2013 Lisa Flowers Ross $1900 Vertical Nature II hand dyed fabrics, machine pieced, machine stitched 43-3/4" x 25-1/2" ©2013 Lisa Flowers Ross $1300 I'll show you the third and fourth piece of the series in the next post.
Il Colore Vi siete mai chiesti perché nell’arte come nella moda i colori sembrino sempre risultare meravigliosamente espressivi, piacevoli e fonte di ispir...
Right before the Baltimore Craft Show last weekend, I had a brainstorm for a new quilt. This frequently happens when I’m in deadline mode before a show for some reason–maybe that’…
Right before the Baltimore Craft Show last weekend, I had a brainstorm for a new quilt. This frequently happens when I’m in deadline mode before a show for some reason–maybe that’…
Discover education, inspiration, and creativity at Stitchin’ Post, the premier makery in the Pacific Northwest for quilts, kits, yarns, and workshops.
The focus fabric for the stacked stars was a print of Hot Air Balloons. It was nice to work with the clear colors of the solids.
It's the 25th year for the American Craft Council Show which is at the Cobb Galleria Center this weekend [Friday through Saturday]. The ACC show in Atlanta draws thousands of fine craft collectors around the Southeast [which include 240 of the country's top craft makers under one roof] showing jewelry, clothing, furniture and home decor. One of the shows components is featuring some of Atlanta's top designers in an exhibition called Make Room, Modern Design Meets Craft-Let's Entertain. Think White Box Challenge but instead of a roll of toilet paper and a bag of lettuce they each got a piece of craft for inspiration. So much better. I have 2 friends who participated and they sent me some images of their room. Erika Ward [Erika Ward Interiors] Part of her inspiration was the Red Totem Quilt by Cindy Grisdela who has been quilting for 25 years. I love how Erika used it on the chair. The art by Aaron Henderson [Zucot Gallery] adds some more razzmatazz to her space. Erika painted the walls Arctic Night by Glidden and Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams provided the chairs and the yellow lamp. I'm ready for my martini [extra dirty with 3 olives] please:) Lori May [Lori May Interiors] Lori and I did the Inspiration Show House last year together. She had a few inspiration pieces in her room. The wooden chair in the right corner is by Derek Hannigar from Columbus, Ga. The art over the sofa is by Lynn Pollard who is local to Atlanta. The vase is by Jim Whalen which pairs nicely with all of Steve Mckenzie's beautiful furniture and accessories! Love the flowers..... These are only 2 room and I believe there are 10 of them so there will be plenty of eye candy.... The hours are: Friday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 11am-5pm Cobb Galleria Center Hope y'all have a 5 star weekend! Some changes are happening at Sherika's house... That is all I can say right now. Shaboom!
Hoy poniendo orden en mi ordenador, he encontrado esta foto, y la verdad me ha hecho mucha ilusión, os cuento porque. Un año en el festival de Sitges, se fueron expuestos unos bloques con el tema "Don Quijote", uno de ellos era este, que es el mio, junto a 4 o 5 mas. la verdad es que no tuve la oportunidad de verlos, ya que se perdieron o fueron robados o nunca mas se supo y hoy al ver la foto pensé... pues bueno ya que no lo vi colgado pues que se vea aquí. Tiene su gracia no? A mi me gustaba mucho. Espero que quien los tenga, los disfrute y sepa valorarlos.
finished quilt top!
