Summertime Threads

June 13th, 2012

One of the annual beauties! I’ve often thought it would be interesting to plant a black garden…
these dark purple iris would almost qualify.

We have a wonderful farmer’s market in our town square twice a week. One of the most popular stands is always Jaci’s Cookies… she is the “cookie queen” of McHenry County! This week her booth was sporting new table covers made with Early Birds fabric. Jaci, too, is modeling a matching market bag.
Perfect summertime threads!

Summertime Threads

June 13th, 2012

One of the annual beauties! I’ve often thought it would be interesting to plant a black garden…
these dark purple iris would almost qualify.

We have a wonderful farmer’s market in our town square twice a week. One of the most popular stands is always Jaci’s Cookies… she is the “cookie queen” of McHenry County! This week her booth was sporting new table covers made with Early Birds fabric. Jaci, too, is modeling a matching market bag.
Perfect summertime threads!

New Arrivals

June 4th, 2012

I have been hibernating in the studio this week! Still feels like I am catching up with my “business” and creative life after the Australian adventure. But progress is being made. The silk scarves have been delivered and boxes of the new book will arrive this week. They were both added to my webstore this week.

The other exciting news is that Kaffe Fassett will be hosting a “meet the designers” event at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England (August 16-19) and Tula Pink, wild and wonderful fellow FreeSpirit designer, and I will be part of the activities! I will also be giving a talk about designing fabric on the afternoon of the 18th with lots of quilts to show. PLUS the Early Birds fabric will be available during the show. Pass the word to all your European buddies!!! I will post more details soon.

There has also been progress in the quilting department, as I’m working hard to finish quilting the Illinois Album quilt. Lots of threads to bury! But, oh, it’s great to get back to the sewing machine!

New Arrivals

June 4th, 2012

I have been hibernating in the studio this week! Still feels like I am catching up with my “business” and creative life after the Australian adventure. But progress is being made. The silk scarves have been delivered and boxes of the new book will arrive this week. They were both added to my webstore this week.

The other exciting news is that Kaffe Fassett will be hosting a “meet the designers” event at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England (August 16-19) and Tula Pink, wild and wonderful fellow FreeSpirit designer, and I will be part of the activities! I will also be giving a talk about designing fabric on the afternoon of the 18th with lots of quilts to show. PLUS the Early Birds fabric will be available during the show. Pass the word to all your European buddies!!! I will post more details soon.

There has also been progress in the quilting department, as I’m working hard to finish quilting the Illinois Album quilt. Lots of threads to bury! But, oh, it’s great to get back to the sewing machine!

Early Summer Bounty

May 28th, 2012

Summer is rushing forward! Greg has been cleaning, clearing, trimming and planting. This is the first time he has planted radishes. Aren’t they gorgeous? The tomatoes are in the ground and the basil is waiting its turn.

These lovely pansies were a party favour for the May birthday celebration for the Chicago School of Fusing. I love these gatherings! So much talent and friendship in one place!

Look at all these happy “women of the cloth”! Judy Coates Perez, Emily Parson, Ann Fahl, Anne Lullie, Laura Wasilowski, Barb Vlack and Frieda Anderson all sit around Laura’s table to swap stories and ideas.

Back at home, the early summer bouquets holds pride of place against a vibrant green background. This week anticipates some new fabric designs inspired by this colorful bounty.

Early Summer Bounty

May 28th, 2012

Summer is rushing forward! Greg has been cleaning, clearing, trimming and planting. This is the first time he has planted radishes. Aren’t they gorgeous? The tomatoes are in the ground and the basil is waiting its turn.

These lovely pansies were a party favour for the May birthday celebration for the Chicago School of Fusing. I love these gatherings! So much talent and friendship in one place!

Look at all these happy “women of the cloth”! Judy Coates Perez, Emily Parson, Ann Fahl, Anne Lullie, Laura Wasilowski, Barb Vlack and Frieda Anderson all sit around Laura’s table to swap stories and ideas.

Back at home, the early summer bouquets holds pride of place against a vibrant green background. This week anticipates some new fabric designs inspired by this colorful bounty.

Guess Where I’ve Been

May 14th, 2012

Banksia in bloom.

Beautiful Gumnuts.

Canberra Pears at the National Gallery.

Ballarat boarding school for FibreArts@Ballarat.

Extraordinary tree in Ballarat’s waterside park.

Helen Godden’s award winning quilt at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne.

Painted windows in the artists old house at Heide Museum of Modern Art.

The fabulous trunk of a Floss Silk Tree in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Timeless Textiles in Newcastle is a new jewel for fiber loves around the planet.

The grounds surrounding the Museum of Old and New Art, one of the most surprising and quirkiest museums I’ve ever EXPERIENCED.

This plant says, “Which way did she go?” The correct answer is AUSTRALIA! The entire month of April was spent teaching and touring in Australia… Canberra, Ballarat, Melbourne, Newcastle and Hobart, Tasmania. Quilters are gracious and generous all over the world, but especially in OZ. As always, these big journeys create space to view your life from a new perspective. Perfectly timed after the intensity of writing the new book and on the verge of some fresh work, I came home inspired and excited to begin the next phase.

This week I will be attending Spring Quilt Market for the first time. I will have some books to sign and a nice new scarf to wear. Hope to see some of you there!

Guess Where I’ve Been

May 14th, 2012

Banksia in bloom.

Beautiful Gumnuts.

Canberra Pears at the National Gallery.

Ballarat boarding school for FibreArts@Ballarat.

Extraordinary tree in Ballarat’s waterside park.

Helen Godden’s award winning quilt at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne.

Painted windows in the artists old house at Heide Museum of Modern Art.

The fabulous trunk of a Floss Silk Tree in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Timeless Textiles in Newcastle is a new jewel for fiber loves around the planet.

The grounds surrounding the Museum of Old and New Art, one of the most surprising and quirkiest museums I’ve ever EXPERIENCED.

This plant says, “Which way did she go?” The correct answer is AUSTRALIA! The entire month of April was spent teaching and touring in Australia… Canberra, Ballarat, Melbourne, Newcastle and Hobart, Tasmania. Quilters are gracious and generous all over the world, but especially in OZ. As always, these big journeys create space to view your life from a new perspective. Perfectly timed after the intensity of writing the new book and on the verge of some fresh work, I came home inspired and excited to begin the next phase.

This week I will be attending Spring Quilt Market for the first time. I will have some books to sign and a nice new scarf to wear. Hope to see some of you there!

Time to Order

April 29th, 2012

Dragon Threads is taking pre-orders for Patchwork Sassaman Style and for the beautiful Spiderweb Kaleidoscope silk scarf! Got to Dragon Threads for all the details!

Time to Order

April 29th, 2012

Dragon Threads is taking pre-orders for Patchwork Sassaman Style and for the beautiful Spiderweb Kaleidoscope silk scarf! Got to Dragon Threads for all the details!