IB♥L3D begins ....

The third round of IB♥L, nicknamed  IB♥L3D, is now underway. 

For those of you wondering "What is IB♥L3D?"... It is the acronym for  Iraqi Bundles of Love, a grassroots project now entering it's third phase in which bundles of fabrics, threads, needles, etc are shared with the women of Iraq.  Here is the best summary - from the IBOL Guy himself (click either image to increase)

Click this direct link-   http://ibol.wordpress.com 

I hope you are interested in participating in IB♥L (whether you have an abundance of sewing or knitting/crocheting items or are willing to purchase new items to share).  This is the initial push of round three, with a follow-up portion coming later this summer, to coincide with Ramadan... stay tuned to the IB♥L website (or link up via facebook) for the most recent news.

Are you pondering what in the world to send?  Click here for answers to that thoughtful question.

Curious about how to properly package your materials?  Click here for those directions.

Wondering where to send your bundles?  Leave a comment on the IBOL blog and he will send you the address.

I have participated in the two previous IB♥L opportunities, sending two boxes each time.  I will be participating again and I hope you will join me ......

Art in Fiber

Be sure to go to Round Top, Texas this month to see the fabulous annual 

Fiber Art Show now on display at the Copper Shade Tree gallery

 

Art in Fiber 2011 is on display from February 4th through March 13th, 2011.

Photo: Fiber Art created by Suzan Engler

          This year's show features 22 outstanding artists, some are returning favorites while others are first-timers to this event. Ginny Eckley, a renowned fiber artist herself, served as the juror, selecting each of these 22 from the many artists who applied this year.  Ginny's website is http://www.fabricpainting.com/

If you cannot get to Round Top while the show is up, never fear, the Internet is here!... The online show will be available soon on the Copper Shade Tree website  http://www.coppershadetree.com/index.php

          Each year, gallery owners Debbie and Gerald Tobola tweek the application process, making it a fun event.   With a theme of "Interpretation", artists were asked to create a new piece featuring their interpretation into fiber of a 3-d art piece, a poem or a piece of music.  I can hardly wait to see these special pieces!  Perhaps I'll see you there, when I dash to Round Top to feast on some serious fiber art candy for my eyes.

A call for bowls....

The 7th Annual Empty Bowls Houston 

will be held March 19th, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This event is in need of lovely handcrafted bowls to offer the many who turn out to support the Houston Food Bank.

With a $25.00 donation, one receives the handcrafted bowl of their choice, a yummy bowl of soup for lunch (with bread and water), and the goodwill feeling from doing something to help stave off the hunger in our hometown.

While the majority of the bowls are ceramic, all varieties of handcrafted bowls are accepted.  I know as I have made fiber art bowls the past three years and am working on new bowls for this year's event.

Click here to find out more details, or contact me as I'll gladly share what I know and encourage you to make another!

For the curious out there, click here to see the first bowl I made for Empty Bowls.

brrr.....

 Freezing temperatures here lately have us all expecting the snow that the weathermen predicted ....

I was hoping to see this ...

or this through the window ...

but alas, we received only a bit of ice, no snow, lots of cold .... maybe next time?  Our next cold front is due in a few more days, again bringing freezing temperatures.  But will there be any snow?

A Virtual Quilt Show

SewGalCal is hosting her 2010 Christmas Quilt Show, all done virtually online -- with many lovely quilts, including at least one lovely menorah quilt by Cheryl Lynch.
Here it is:

 Home for Hannukah

Naturally, this one is my favorite! Although to be fair, I should look at All the entries, and you should too.  But before leaving, let me plug Cheryl's Oy Vey  Judaic quilting patterns.  Take a look -- they're great.

a raffle...

Spending a lazy day reading through the many QuiltArt email-postings, I came across this post from Cheryl Lynch in which she is giving away two quilt calendars from That Patchwork Place.  Check out her blog (click here for direct link to giveaway) and leave a comment if you want to win one too ... then wander over to her website to admire Cheryl's work.

(here's hoping I win one of the calendars!)

Quilt family....

Every year, when the Quilt Festival rolls into town, quilters unite with their friends and families to enjoy the fabulous show.  Myself, I eagerly look forward to my good friends M.B. Hayes, the creator of Thangles, and her sister Wanda Hayes Eichler, of Graywood Designs, publisher of quilting and knitting patterns.

Here is the 2010 Graywood Designs team, starting with Wanda herself on the left, next to Lori, myself and Danielle.  We kept busy selling both our quilt patterns, knitting patterns and yarn and multiple bolts of Daiwabo and batik fabrics.

Here is Patrick busily demonstrating the easy, efficient technique using Thangles to make half-square diagonal pieces.

Somehow I never snapped a photo of Mary Beth this year, but here she is examining various quilts as she and I wandered in the exhibits before the show's closing on Sunday.

A view of one of the Japanese quilts - sadly, I cannot remember the maker's name ...

Viewing Bohemian Fireworks, by.... hmm, another missing quilter's name.

Examining Fantasy in Lace by Mary Buvia of Greenwood, Indiana.  The battenburg lace is most intriguing!




I always look forward to seeing my friends every year here in Houston during the International Quilt Market and Quilt Festival!  Of course admiring new displays of quilts is fabulous too and I won't even mention the shopping!