All in One Word

The end of 2008 has arrived and I am thinking of my New Year's Resolutions, reflecting back on this past year and looking forward to 2009. Last year, some of my Beyond the Borders friends made One Word Resolutions rather than the traditional Lists of Resolutions. This year, I will again choose one word -- just one -- to be my focus, my guide, my mentor and reminder of the goals and dreams I have for the new year. I cannot explain this better than the original explanation by Christine Kane, so I have included it here. Thank you Janice for sharing the link with BTB today! Christine blogged about it again on New Year's Day of 2009. Read that post here. Be sure to read it through to the end as that is where you will find suggested "resolution" words listed at the end of the post.

So ponder deep and choose one, just one, to be your word for 2009. Feel free to use one of these words, or come up with one that is better, more appropriate for you and your own goals, desires, and dreams.

Which word did I select? I am still pondering -- I have a few more hours still to choose!

Three versions of Primo Star

My family gathered for our first family reunion in over 15 years last year on December 26, 2007. Here we all are: next to me are my brother, my sisters, my dad & stepmom.

Knowing that I wanted to make something special to commemorate this reunion, my Thangles buddy, Mary Beth Hayes, suggested I use her new Primo Star pattern and make quilts for everyone. While I am the world's greatest procrastinator and slow to finish projects, I decided to give it a try anyway .... and I did finish six quilts in less than 2 months time! ... well, six quilt tops, that is! These tops became the gift that I gave but also got to keep (to finish and then re-gift).

Here are three of the quilts, starting with the first one that I cut out. This one will soon be in Gretchen's home. She and Mary love it as it reminds them also of a dear friend who passed away last year. Her name was Sunni and she loved Sunflowers! I need only to finish the label before delivering it to them.


The second one that I made and finished has a longer tale. I pulled these colors out before learning that Doreen, my brother's wife, loves blue so decided this would be for her. But as I put on the final borders, I realized that the quilt was really more purple and blue rather than being shades of just blue, so I decided to make a second "all blue" quilt and ask Doreen to choose her favorite (my original plan was that the one not chosen would then be my quilt to keep!). She loves the all-blue quilt which is still waiting to be completed. Not to worry Doreen, I promise to finish it soon!


This blue and purple quilt is finished, however I am not keeping it after all. I learned on New Year's Day 2008, that my husband's brother loves blue and his wife's favorite color is purple. They also celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary this past summer, an event truly worthy of a special gift (especially since I didn't give them a quilt when they were married!).

I am excited to have this quilt finished and ready to give to Robert and Colleen, hopefully on New Year's Day, 2009.

The third quilt that I started and finished is this one in country reds. Many years ago, my niece Brandi had suggested red, white and blue as possible colors for a quilt for her mom, my sister. Since Brandi's husband Josh had served in the Iraq conflict, I decided to make Carole two quilt tops to choose between -- this one and another one of more vibrant and patriotic red, white and blue prints. Like Doreen, Carole was able to select the one she preferred the most -- a hard decision for her. Tommy helped out by insisting that he liked this one the best, so this is the one they will soon own.


Carole, now that I've got the photos taken and posted here on my blog, I will get back to packing your family's gift box. As my usual, I am running a tad behind and have yet to get your box into the mail, but I will do so before the new year officially is here. That's my plan today!

Dad and Mary, your quilt is still needing it's last border -- I keep changing my mind on which fabric to use for it. I also need to select and prep the backing fabric as well, but I've not forgotten that I need to finish your quilt.

My plans include making two more Primo Star quilts -- one for me to keep, as my memento of our Myers family reunion as well as a second one for a dear friend who is like a sister to both Ronnie and me. Should I mention who that person is here, or wait to see if others contact me, hoping I am referring to them? Stay tuned, I will keep you posted.

Mary Beth -- thanks for such a fabulous pattern! The Primo Star is available as a Thangles Project Pack (pattern packed with plenty of Thangles to make a King Size quilt). You can order it through the Thangles website or check with your local quilt shop. Here is a link to the shops worldwide that carry Thangles. This quilt does piece together fast and easy, especially using Thangles (click here for a video link). Let me know if you make a Primo Star quilt by sending me a photo or posting a comment below!

For a direct link to the project pack, click here.

the Last Two

I have been participating in a yearlong swap of arches with members of the Textile Challenges group that is led by my friend, Carol T. Taylor. While I ran behind almost every single month, I am so excited to announce that I have completed all twelve of my arches before the year is complete! Hurrah for me! an even louder Hurrah for everyone who participated in this swap!

My November arch is for Hannah Katarski of Australia. I decided to go with Hannah's suggested theme of Renaissance, using the rich and sumptious wardrobes worn by the royalty in those days for my inspiration. I call this arch "A Renaissance Abstract." I hope you like it when you see it in person, Hannah. If not, send it back & I will make another one for you (teasing!).


My last arch of this yearlong swap is for the person who sent me my very first arch -- Gillian Beadman in the U.K. Gillian requested trees, seahorses or all things relating to Egypt .... my original plan had been to do something along the Egyptian lines, but as you'll see below ... those plans have changed.


This is "Sea Critters" in progress -- I meant to photograph more of the layering steps, but I always forget to do the in-between steps ... maybe on another project. Above is the arch after creating the background: a multi-layered affair using foil candy wrappers, batik cottons, fibers, and assorted colors of tulle (from pale green to deep navy blue). After layering, futzing, and relayering some more, I added the seahorse which I cut freehand from a metallic green fabric then stitched down into place. Below is the finished arch, which looks pretty much the same except for the beaded&embroidered tiny goldfish, beaded airbubbles and embroidery outlining the sea horse.


Gillian, I hope you like your 12th arch! I did enjoy making it for you and it is now in the mail and on its way to your home.

Now I'll wait patiently for Carol T to finish my last arch -- no hurries and no worries Carol as I know I will love whatever you create!

an old trade and a new one

Here is my September arch for Kate N. which I call Out for a Stroll.

Kate's arch features a portion of an old Valentine card, assorted candy wrappers, sheers and sparkly voile fabrics, glass beads and fun stitching. I hope she is pleased with it!

Here is a view of the back. This is one of twelve arches I have swapped with my Textile Challenges group. Well, it's one of 10 as I have two that I am still finishing.

Below you may recognize one of my BJPs from last year, Cooler Days Ahead. This is going to Susan Lenz for her Cyber Fyber exhibit. This exhibit has three main components, one of which will feature all the fiber art postcards that she has received from her internet trade. If you are interested, there is still a little time to join her show, click here to learn more. I am trading for her postcard #223 in her second round of postcard trades.


Susan is also trading Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) for her gallery show. I have made Spirals especially for Susan and her growing ATC collection. I am trading for her ATC #139. Click here or here to see other ATCs that are still available.


On Saturday, January 17, Gallery 80808, site of the Cyber Fyber exhibit, is hosting an ATC Trading Day. I am sending in a few to trade (maximum is 3), including this one, Space.



Here is a peek at the back of my Space ATC.
I am keeping this ATC for myself, perhaps because it still needs a name.


If you are interested in the gallery's ATC Trading Day, mail your ATCs (no more than 3) to arrive by Jan 17, 2009 (include stamped & self-addressed envelope to cover the return postage). Perhaps you will receive one of mine!

BTB show extended

Our Beyond the Borders "Unifying Threads" exhibit at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft has been extended one more week. It will be in place through December 28. If you are in the area, be sure to come see it!

The HCCC gift shop has many unique hand-crafted items that may finish up the last of your holiday shopping too.

Cyber Fyber fun!

I've found a new internet inspired Fiber Art show, Cyber Fyber exhibit curated by Susan Lenz in Columbia, South Carolina.


CYBER FYBER is an exhibition of international fiber art scheduled for January 8th through 20th, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, USA. The brainchild of Susan Lenz, this exhibit will focus on the supportive, global community of fiber artists with whom Susan regularly shares new techniques, contemporary approaches to textiles, and finished work by Internet websites and blogs. The exhibition will include three primary areas: Fiber ATCs (Artist Trading Cards); fiber postcards; and the work of several invited artists. The exhibition will also include FIBER DAY and ATC trading day. From the beginning, Susan Lenz is documenting CYBER FYBER on a blog/journal.

In Susan's own words:
When I first introduced CYBER FYBER on February 2, 2008 I had 163 Postcards and 130 ATCs. Before this time I'd never made an ATC and had only made seven or eight postcards for a few Internet friends as surprise Christmas presents two months earlier. I honestly thought it would take all year to trade this number but within six weeks all but about six ATCs were gone! I had to make another round of cards! As a result there are 267 postcards and 163 ATCs in CYBER FYBER. Most of the ATCs are gone. There are still postcards left....but WOW....the numbers are staggering!

Intrigued, I had to take a look and found both a postcard and an ATC to trade for. If you are interested in joining this show, take a peek at both the available postcards and the available ATCs. Remember Postcards measure to be 4" x 6" while ATCs are 2.5" x 3.5" Hurry as time is dwindling .....

"Cooler Days Ahead" is my piece that I have decided send to Susan, in trade for one of her fiber art postcards.


If you want to join this show, start by looking through the postcards/ATCs still available for trade, choose one that interests you -- then follow Susan's directions:
post a message at that postcard or ATC site stating "this is the one you want!" then email Susan directly with your snail mail. She will reply, letting you know you have made contact. Then simply mail your postcard &/or ATC so that she will receive your package in time for the fast approaching show.

Only one of each (postcard or ATC) can be traded, as this allows for a greater diversity of artists in the upcoming show!

wandering ...

Recently I wandered away from Houston ....

heading northward into bonafide winter weather!


I landed in the lovely town of Banff in the Alberta Province of Canada, specifically at the Juniper Hotel


Isn't this a lovely location for a wedding, an outdoor wedding?


Yes, it was a bit nippy -- but oh, it was so gorgeous!
I learned later that Elk were wandering by on the nearby frozen lake.

Have you ever ... ?

I saw this Meme on Beadnik's blog upon returning from my sister's wedding and I had to play along. I did resist the temptation to add #111: Been in an Outdoor Winter Wedding in Canada (it was a tad chilly, but oh so worth it!)!

How many of these have you done?

Feel free to play along..this is one of those lists....mark the things you've done in bold:

1. Started your own blog2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo / or Played a solo in a band
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karioke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury (almost did)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
101. Seen more than 5 movies in one day
102. Spent a night in jail
103. Ridden a unicycle
104. Slept on the floor
105. Passed out drunk
106. Cheated a railroad company
107. Lied about my age
108. Been South of the Equator
109. Seen an erupting volcano
110. Been to Japan

P.S. Fellow bloggers, feel free to play along -- simply copy & paste, re-doing the bolds to reflect the ones you have done. Leave me a note if you do play, so that I can come and read your list!

Ocean View arch

Today is the end of the Amnesty for our Textile Challenges group and I've had some success at completing several ongoing late projects. Here is my October arch for Judy B who requested "trees, leaves, oceans ..." which I chose to combine into one piece named "Ocean View."

The ocean is made with many colors of blue tulles, catching colorful foil candy wrappers underneath; the sky is a commercial cotton (rather sunset-looking, I thought); the beach and the palm tree are three upholstery scraps; and the palm leaves are blend of a shiny metallic green fabric with two shades of green tulle.


For the back, I selected this multi-colored Hawaiian print because I thought Judy would enjoy the colorful blossoms and leaves on it.


One more overdue project is my Spider Web ATC -- soon to be winging its way to a new home with Annette in the UK.


All this frenzy of work and I am not totally caught up. How can that be? My remaining list of "Must Do's" includes:
1) to mail the five completed amnesty projects tomorrow (as I type this, only two are packaged and ready to go).
2) to finish my September arch for Kate (while it is coming along, it is demanding a few more bead embellishments now) .... and it needs name ... and last of all, I must decide what to use for its back and finish it!
3) to design, create, complete and mail my last two arches for our yearlong swap: November for Hannah and December for Gillian.

I feel that I have made some great strides in the right direction .... Thank-you for your patience, everyone! And thank you Carol T for the Amnesty protection, as it was the perfect "kick in the tush" that I needed!

Antiquities arch

According to our yearlong swap, I am to make an arch for Pam in West Glam who requested a theme of "all things aged, architecture, ancient relics, but no birds, please." My earliest idea was to create a ancient portal with fabrics .... but clearing the towering magazine pile, I came across a few National Geographics ... and my idea evolved to include magazine images of Persian ruins and other artifacts. Here is an early stage of my arch.

The magazine pages are collaged together on a base of brown felt. Tulle and fibers are overlaid and couched down, securing everything in its place. Then I hit a creativity-block. The arch remained stalled for days that lapsed into weeks as I struggled to come up with a method or technique to finish it.

I eventually found some great beads to use as accents. As you may know, beads can be difficult to capture well in a photograph. The next photo is one of the worse photos I managed to snap. I decided to share its disaster so that others may benefit from my lack of expertise.

As you can see, the flash has reflected against the sheen of the magazine pages, making the images difficult to see.

I decided to include a snap of the back of this arch, which is made from a portion of a table-runner. The stability and strength of the woven table runner has helped to stiffen the arch.


The day has sped past too quickly. The sun has set too soon, before I could get the ideal perfect photograph. This photo of "Antiquities" is a tad paled by the bright sunlight (taken the next afternoon), but the beads stand out nicely.

This arch is officially complete. All I need to do is to wrap it up, preparing it for a journey across the ocean. Anticipated departure: Monday, December 1, 2008 (at long last).

Pam, thank you for your patience. I hope "Antiquities" arrives safely to your mailbox and more importantly, that you like it!

Sunset arch

I am working hard to meet my amnesty deadline of November 30 .... here is partial proof: my arch for Arlee in Canada which I have named "Sunset."


Arlee had asked for hot colors and copper, wishing for a funky/non-cutesy theme for her arches. I had fun playing with fabric and sheer scraps that I cut and trimmed and layered under a pale tulle fabric. Stitching through peltex (my inner stabilizer), I added glass tubular beads as well as two hot-glue-gun painted squiggles. My final touches included small dabblings with a copper Shiva paint stik. My good news for Arlee is that this arch is now finished, packed and ready to mail to you in the morning! Of course, I could almost hand-deliver it as I'll be passing through Calgary next week-end.

Learning and sharing at IQF

Every year at Quilt Festival there is a tremendous amount of learning and sharing that goes on. This year was no different. I was fortunate enough to be in a two-day class with Katie Pasquini-Masopust which was tremendous!


During the two days, she had us exploring a fun variety of design ideas. We left the class with the beginnings of several future quilts-to-be and many innovative ways to dream up new game plans for additional abstract quilts. In this photo, near the end of our two days together, Katie is showing her quilts to the class, pointing out details, and answering all of our questions.


Another quilt friend I see annually is Marlene Glickman. She is a silk artist and readily shares her ideas and silk dyeing techniques at the "potpourri" multi-teacher-demonstration events held in the Ballroom during Festival. Not only does Marlene share her ideas, she always has fun give-aways for the participants who pause at her table.


In this photo, Marlene is sharing what she knows about foiling onto fabric, paper and cardstock. Everyone was given several pieces of foil to take home and try one of Marlene's techniques. As an additional bonus, she demonstrated how easy it is to dye silk scarves (which she gave away to whoever volunteered to iron them at the end of the session!) Marlene is a non-stop bundle of knowledge, willing to share what she knows and hoping to inspire others to adventure into the world of Silk fiber art.


Last of all, it is not a memorable Quilt Festival or Quilt Market unless I bump into my dear friend Hallye Bone, with or without a pre-arranged rendezvous. Years ago, when Houston became my home, Hallye was my first quilt teacher at Quilt Quarters quilt shop. Later, her home was the first that I managed to visit with my infant twin boys! Since Hallye no longer lives in Houston, I truly treasure our brief visits during Quilt Market.

Here we are -- tickled to have run into each other again. Oh, I almost forgot to mention -- Congratulations Hallye on the publication of your first book, Caring for Your Quilts! (Available from Kansas City Star website and/or your local quilt shop).

IQF Three weeks later...

Congratulations to Sharon Schamber for Spirit Of Mother Earth. Her exceptional quilt is the Winner of the Handi Quilter® Best Of Show Award at the 2009 International Quilt Festival. Sharon is seen above standing with her quilt and answering questions asked by admirerers. If you wish to learn more about Sharon and her artwork, click here.

Another winning quilter is Rita Steffenson who won The Fairfield Master Award for Contemporary Artistry for her quilt, Twilight. Here she is greeting admirers and answering questions.

To see more of Rita's lovely artwork, click here.


There were many Japanese quilters exhibiting their quilts in Houston this year. One of my favorites is this one, also a big prize winner. (stay tuned, as I need to re-futz with my photo for better clarity).

The Three Sisters are totally enjoying the spotlight as they laugh with everyone stopping to gaze on their lovely quilt.


Gail Thomas, Annette M. Hendricks, and Helen Godden's winning quilt Seasonal Sisters won the IQF World Of Beauty Award, sponsored by TheQuiltShow.com
To learn more about these three light-spirited friends and their award-winning quilt, click here.

I do occasionally take the standard "stand in front and smile" quilt-&-quilter photos, as seen below. But I think I prefer the candid laughter captured above better. Don't you?

From left to right, these three quilting sisters are Helen Godden from Canberra, ACT, Australia, Annette M. Hendricks from Chicago, Illinois, USA, and Gail Thomas from Vernon, British Columbia, Canada.

Grecian Profile arch

Every thing starts with an idea -- and sometimes a sketch, too.
The idea was to create something Grecian for Mags' arch and after looking into books and pondering, I came back to the Grecian profile (a modern sculpture) on display in the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. I had sketched it a year or more ago and when I happened on my old sketch, I knew I would use some portion of it to create my arch. Here is how I adapted my sketch to fit the size of our arches.


Choosing to work in the deep blue, I looked for a few brights to use. I selected a scrap of gold voile with bead-like highlights but quickly learned that appliqueing sheers is a challenge! Where did I put that Misty Fuse when I needed it? This problem was solved by couching bright yarns and fibers along the profile's edge, then adding a poof for the Grecian headdress.


Final touches included adding a piece of painted, heat-distressed, wrinkled tyvek. What more can I do to this arch? or is it time to stop? I think I am ready to mail it! For those not in the know, I am in a yearlong arch swap-trade with my Textile Challenges group. It's been great fun playing with new techniques all the while dreaming up new ideas for each arch -- trying to come up with the perfect arch to match the receiver's wish-list of themes.



But I puzzled over the back. I wanted to add a pocket, just like the other arches I have received. The pocket is the perfect spot to tuck in a note telling all about the making of the arch ... except that I need to create some neat fabric/paper/cardstock to write the note on ... I seem to find more delays or do I just wish to keep this Grecian profile in my hands a tad longer?

I have decided to send the arch at long last. I will send the note (to slip into the pocket) at some future date. I hope Mags is happy with her very late June arch, even with its empty pocket. After all, wouldn't you prefer an arch with an empty pocket rather than no arch at all?

Quilt Festival winners

I have a new collection -- photographs of prize winning quilters standing by their amazing quilts.

Stay tuned (or flip back to this page) to see a few of these photos as Blogger is having a snafu-glitch of some sort at the moment & is not allowing me to post any photos ....

My Quilt family

With the International Quilt Festival and Quilt Market coming to Houston each fall, I look forward to my reunions with friends who travel from across the United States (and other nations) to attend. I especially enjoy my annual catch-up visits with my quilting sisters and good friends: Mary Beth Hayes and Wanda Hayes Eichler. I keep trying to adopt myself into their family, but with 7 siblings already, I haven't gotten farther than being their "Texas cousin, sort of." We met many years ago, when Mary and I were in an online quilt round robin. She lived in Maryland and Thangles were not yet available for sale anywhere. Wanda, her sister, lived in Michigan where she owned a quilt shop, The Pigeon River Mercantile. I had just moved to Houston and worked for Quilts, Inc. setting up the show and hanging quilts. Mary & Wanda, do you remember that first lunch with my friend Margaret G.?

These days I work in both their booths: Thangles and Graywood Designs and I love it!

Here we are this year, at the end of a long Market day, in the Thangles booth.

Here's a great photo of Wanda and Ed Eichler together in her Graywood Designs booth.

While I practically live at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the weeks of Quilt Market and Festival, my family come at least one time to see what has pulled me away from them for so many days. I've caught Mary and Pat in this photo with my family taken as we depart Saturday evening.

This year my boys enjoyed the Political quilts, a special exhibit in honor of the Presidential Election that had not happened yet. Two voting booths were set up in this exhibit, enabling everyone interested (regardless of age or nationality) to cast their vote for their presidential choice.


While the race was tight among the quilt voters .... the result was the same as the national election held two days after Festival closed. Barack Obama was the victor among the voters at the Quilt Festival and Market as well as among voters across our nation.

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

The International Quilt Festival is going on strong in Houston, Texas and you know what that means ....
Ami Simms must be in town with the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative !

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiiative (AAQI), founded by Ami, has the dual purpose to raise awareness of the Alzheimer's disease and to raise funds for medical research through the sale of art quilts. Here is a view of the AAQI exhibit (on aisle Q) at Festival.
See the many art quilts pinned to the walls? These are all made by numerous quilt artists and available for purchase with all proceeds going to Alzheimer's medical research. It is a fun booth to visit -- and not just to watch Ami entice passer-byers to stop and take a look. Her daughter and members of the AAQI board are all on hand to assist you in making your selection. They will hand you a quilt to hold and examine closely as you decide which one must go home with you. The purchases are tax-deductible too (they come with individual receipts).



While I was there, this lady stopped by to say hello to Ami and to point out the Elvis quilt she had made and sent in to AAQI. Ami readily handed her the quilt for a quick photo op! She is an amazing woman, Ami Simms.
I was tickled when she paused for this quick snap of the two of us together.

If you're in town for Quilt Festival, be sure to stop by the AAQI booth on aisle Q (in the quilt exhibit area) to say hello to Ami and her fellow hard-working volunteers. Better still, select one or two or more quilts to purchase while you're there (I did!).

If you are not in the Houston area, or miss visiting the AAQI booth, then you are still in luck. Ami hosts a monthly art quilt auction on the internet -- all proceeds still go towards Alzheimer's. This month's AAQI Art Quilt auction will begin on November 5, 2008. Click here to learn more about it.

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI)
Raising Awareness & Funding Research Through Art
www.AlzQuilts.org