Patriotic Mini-Art Quilt

I know, we're in the midst of the big Holiday season and not in the mood for a patriotic holiday themed project, but,  if stores can have Christmas in July sales, then I can have 4th of July at Christmas blog posts! The truth is I made this Fourth of July project for a Holiday gift exchange with one of my friendship groups. I have been giving July 4th pieces for the last few years to members of this group and will be making a series of these type of mini's until everyone, including me, has one.

This piece is about 10" x 12" I think... I forgot to measure it before I gave it away! Oops! Anyway, it was a good project for trying out some different surface effects, including ruching. I have wanted to used ruched flowers for some time in my art quilts. This last summer I took ruching instructions (printed from the internet) and sewing supplies on a camping trip. While sitting around the campground during the day I worked on ruching while my girlfriend knitted a scarf. It made for a convenient carry along stitching project. I also found it pretty forgiving, which is good when you are sipping some wine and not paying close attention to what your hands are doing! I will show you the steps I used to make this mini in the next few posts. Meanwhile Happy fourth of July-mas!

Merry Christmas!

This beautiful candle mat was made by Miriam Siegel and given to me as a Christmas present. Miriam hand embroidered the "Snow Happens" and juggling snowman. Her stitching is beautiful. It looks great on my coffee table. I'm leaving it out all winter in fact! Thanks Miriam and Merry Christmas to all of you. 

Art Bombing

My house has been bombed!  Art bombed that is. 

Art bombing is normally referring to spontaneously leaving or making art in a public place. Mia Bloom does it on a regular basis. Well I had a fiberart get together and she was at my house and "bombed" it with her green GIFT board. It's painted cloth adhered to a board. It looks great in my kitchen! Thanks Mia!

SAQA Fiber Reactions Show

I am fortunate to have two pieces in the Studio Art Quilt Associates "Fiber Reactions" show in Poway. It will be at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, from December 3 through 27. There is an artist's reception on Saturday, December 14th in the afternoon. I will be there and I hope to see you there too. The postcard for the show is inserted below and it lists the artists whose work will be shown. The postcard art was done by Laura Bisagna, one of the artists with work on display. I love her stuff.