Change...

What a momentous day ... one marked with pomp and circumstance, tradition and protocol, dignitaries and common folk all gathered together either collectively on the Mall in D.C. or individually at work or home, near a computer, television or radio ... across the nation ... and around the world ... all are eager to witness change arriving as

Barack Obama is sworn in as
the 44th President of the United States of America.

Wow! Oh to be there today, in Washington D.C. ... (a photo from Geralyn Smitherman who is!)

Yet, I am thankful to be in the comfort of my own warm home watching this piece of history via cable television. I am so excited for the changes that will come under the leadership of our new President. Perhaps it is time to make a new Presidential quilt?


Here are two views of the only political quilt I have made to date ... can you guess how old it is?



I made this about 7 or 8 years ago.

People's Choice ... cast your votes!

The Cyber Fyber show at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios is open at last! If you are near downtown Columbia, South Carolina, USA, pop into the Gallery and check it out!

I have learned that there will be a Best of Show award for the Postcards and ATCs, and also a People's Choice award for both categories. Please take a peak, leave a comment on my postcard, my ATC and on any of the others that tickle your fancy. My postcard is #223, featured here. My ATC is #139, featured here. If you list your postcard and ATC numbers in my comments below, I will return the favor by posting comments on your pieces.

Of course I really want you to enjoy looking at all the postcards and ATCs, leaving as many comments as you please -- that is what makes a true People's Choice Award! Click here for the entire Postcard exhibit and here to see all the ATCs.

Congrats and Thank you to Susan Lenz for organizing this phenomenal show! I love the story of how she entered the fiber art world -- read it here. Check out her daily blog dedicated to this exhibition here. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this international collection of fabulous fiber artists! Be sure to browse through these links ...

My 2009 words

After much pondering & deciding (sometimes I don't really like being "the Decider"), I have selected two words for my focus in the new year of 2009.

My first word is Discipline.
I need more self-discipline in many areas -- and perhaps then my life will run smoother? (one can always hope!). This includes making the time to exercise regularly, cook healthier meals for my family, finding more time to spend in my studio creating art and quilts, and maintaining so very much more ...

My second is Release.
I need to focus on releasing my clutter and my treasures out of my small home. This means that I will be moving many items out of my home, to new locations such as shows & galleries OR Goodwill & the SPCA (they love old towels and linens there!) This will take concentrated discipline and much effort on my part as I am a natural pack-rat, hoarder, and scavenger of all things.

As I work toward accomplishing the many layers and facets of these resolutions, I hope to achieve a less scattered self with a stronger sense of peaceful sanity, while still maintaining my busy life as Mom, Wife, part-time School Employee, Volunteer in many groups and activities, and Quilter/Fiber Artist. whew -- should be a fun time!



The future belongs to
Those who believe in the
beauty of their dreams.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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!