Three days with Sharon B... woohooo!

Okay, we're heading back to Connecticut. It's time I finished telling you about my trip and class with Sharon Boggon. I cannot even remember when or how I first learned about Sharon - I guess it must have been by blog-surfing. But I have followed her blog Pin Tangle for several years now and have often visited her website and made use of her Stitch Dictionary. If you are into Crazy Quilting, you really must take a peek at these- and you will no doubt be hooked too. Hooked on Sharon. A very good thing to be hooked on... To say I am a fan of her incredible work is certainly an understatement. I have taken two online classes from her and now- a whole three days with Sharon- in person! How lucky am I!! In fact, I had to keep pinching myself during this whole trip- we were all so blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity...
Sharon is such a giving person. Her online Stitch Dictionary is a real gift to the stitching world - it is always there, ready to be accessed when one needs it- what a wonderful resource. On her website In A Minute Ago, one can view much of her wonderful work: her "I Dropped the Button Box Quilt" is my favorite, hard as it is to pick just one favorite. If you follow her Blog she is in the
process of documenting each feature on the 100 individual blocks of this quilt. One can learn so much about color and design just by studying her work, not to mention the stitching and embellishing.
Her three day class was wonderful - she taught us many floral motifs, new stitches, use of new (to me) materials such as sequin waste and gimp cord... but equally as exciting was getting to see her works "in person". Sharon's Band Sampler which measures 6" wide by over 70 feet long (yes you read that correctly- almost 75 feet!!) is an amazing chronicle of her life and "stitching history" not to mention an incredible teaching tool. I could have spent hours just pouring over it... She is documenting it as well, section by section, on her Blog here. In addition to the Band Sampler and the Button Box quilt, she also brought her recent Diamond Block CQ which features paisley fabrics in each block, and several smaller pieces.
We were all very happy when on our final day, Sharon said she would happily "critique" some of our blocks, if we wished. Of course everyone liked that idea and it was very interesting to see how she quickly zeroed in on what each block needed. Her art training was evident as she spoke about balance and design, moving the viewer's eye around the block, etc. and I think everyone in the class learned from looking carefully at each other's work.
I cannot begin to convey to you how much I enjoyed this three day class. We were all in love with Sharon, her Aussie accent and sayings, her story about Bullion races, the impish look she got in her eye as she told us about her friend Margaret and her disapproval of the use of a certain marking pen which Sharon likes to use.... Sharon, you're the best!! Thank you so much for a wonderful three days which I will treasure for a long while.
Thanks are also due to Maureen Greeson and Susan Elliott who organized this entire event. Maureen, who I met only briefly several times during my stay, was so very generous in providing us with wonderful packages of freebies - threads, silks, etc. Who doesn't like treats and hers were the best! Thanks Maureen for the goodies and for all the work you did to set up this grand adventure for us all ! Susan and I have known each other through blogging for a while, but this was our first time meeting face to face.... and what a very special person Susan is. If you are familiar with Susan's blog Plays With Needles, you have likely figured that out already. (You really must read Susan's post about Sharon here. Susan's photos are far superior to mine.) She is one in a million. I felt so privileged to be in her company, for the class and our extra little "excursions". She and her sidekick Helen let me tag along with them and made me feel so welcome. You guys rock!! I do hope we will get together again... soon...
I would have to say that the people I met at this CQ Adventure were one of the very best parts of it all. Like minded women who came together from across North America to share their love of fabrics and threads, stitching and creating works of love. Without a doubt- you girls rock! Sharon B., Susan, Helen, Allie, Maureen F., Bobbie, RuthEllen, Renee, Sherry and Sharon and all the rest - thanks for making it all so much FUN!!

Peace
Linda

Some people make the world more special just by being in it.

New York, New York...

Okay so we're back to my April trip to the USA. I've told you all about my shop-hopping through Maine and my wonderful afternoon at
Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge Mass. Now we'll move on to my first day with Susan Elliott and gang- our adventure into the fashion district of New York City. Five of us got up early in the morning, (yes those of you who know me well know I do not DO early very often- but when it involves travel or an adventure, I'll be ready!!) had a quick breakfast and then hopped into Susan' s SUV for the hour drive to New Haven. It's a two hour train ride to NYC's Grand Central Station. We "hit the ground running" and our first Manhattan stop was M&S Schmalberg's. Allie was so excited to finally meet the owner Warren Brand. (And we were more than a little excited to be accompanying her!!) Allie had "done a little business" with Schmalberg's and had made them a small quilt- she was thrilled to see it hanging prominently in their showroom. (You can read about that on Allie's blog here and here.) Warren was so welcoming to all of us, telling us to make ourselves at home and look at anything we wanted. Here he is (on the right) with his son Adam and Allie. We wandered around while he explained their entire operation and we were welcome to photograph anything we wished. I almost had to keep pinching myself to make sure it was real: here we were, in the heart of the fashion district, seeing the actual production of handmade custom fabric flowers for the fashion, bridal, accessory and millinery industries. They also now deal with home decorators, theatrical set and costume designers, party planners and display artists. Their flowers have been worn by stars at the Academy Awards, appeared on the covers and pages of bridal magazines, and we were having a personal tour with the owner! How good is that?! What a great start to our day!


We were fascinated to see their entire process from start to finish- how the fabric petals are cut by machine, pressed /shaped in molds that have been used for three generations of this business,and then assembled by hand, one by one. Some are custom shaded, hand painted, and/or embellished with beads, etc. Below you see the sheets of "fabric waste" after the cutting process, Warren demonstrating the pressing process which shapes the petals, and the workers assembling.








We chatted with the workers and had such fun looking through the hundreds of "sample" flowers to decide on our purchases. Just look at some of what we had to choose from - no wonder we were there several hours. Every size, shape and color... You can click on these photos for a closer look.









Susan in particular had fun making her choices... Thanks Allie for making that visit possible!! It was an experience of a lifetime.




















After that we proceeded on to Mood Fabrics (of Project Runway fame), and Tinsel Trading. What fun... like candy shops for adults. Of course we had to take a few pics on 7th Avenue ("Fashion Avenue") with the tailor who pays homage to the garment district workers, near the giant needle and button, symbol of the worlds' fashion center. Above are Allie, Helen and Cathy standing near the needle and button, and at left are the tailor and I. (Notice I'm wearing my new posie from Schmalberg's...)


After some yummy lunch at a Deli, it was on to NY Beads, followed by Sposabella Lace and Elegant Fabrics. The imported Italian and French laces at Sposabella's were so beautiful, we just had to have a few little pieces. Many of the choices were vintage, making them all the more special...















Elegant Fabrics made us all drool, just look at their selection of Dupioni silks - every bolt is a different shade - who could not find just the right color there... It was fun seeing the many fashion students buzzing around getting fabric samples. Helen and I split a piece of beautiful burgundy silk velvet - one choice was all we could handle- we were on "overload" by this point...
What a day, what a day... we had such fun, lots of laughs, and tired feet... By late afternoon we were making our way back to Grand Central Station. Let me tell you, being there at 5pm is quite an experience- people hurrying in all directions - reminded me of ants on an anthill. It felt so good to sit on the train for a few hours. Dinner at Miso, a Japanese restaurant in New Haven was the perfect ending to a fabulous day with new friends...
Thanks so much Susan, Helen, Allie and Cathy for a day to remember!
You can click here for Cathy's post about our day - she posted more pics than I did! And here for Allie's post...

Piece
Linda

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be." ~Douglas Pagels

Quilts, Quilts, Quilts.....

I was most impressed with the quilt display at Old Sturbridge Village. As you walk through the Visitor Center to access the village, the Quilt display begins with a simple and effective explanation of what a quilt is. Sample blocks, quilted and bound, illustrated the 5 types of quilts popular during this time period- whole cloth, hexagonal or mosaic, pieced, whitework and strip quilts.
Following this was a magnetic board upon which you could arrange printed pieces to design your own quilt block. What a great idea- this would work well for teaching children or even beginning quilters.... You can click on each of these photos for a larger view....


The next display, called Tools of the Trade, featured specialized quilting templates used to mark the more complex designs such as cables, leaves and swirls. These were made of tin, wood or even cardboard with cording sewn on to create the design. The templates could be pressed into powdered "lead" (graphite) or chalk to transfer the design to the quilt top. I was fascinated with this, never having seen this type of thing before- I had never stopped to think of what was used before the plastic stencils we have today...
Ten quilted garments, including silk bonnets, petticoats, a morning robe and a wadded silk pelisse formed a lovely showcase; alas no photos because of the reflections from the glass. We often forget that quilting was not only used for bed quilts in those days, but also to add warmth to garments for the long harsh winters.
Fifteen quilts and coverlets completed the exhibit, with a good representation of styles - wholecloth, pieced, whitework, stencilled and strip quilts. The T shape was, of course, necessary to fit around the posts of the bed. These pieces were all dated circa the early 1800's, mostly 1820's to 1840's, but one, a wholecloth wool quilt, was dated 1789. "While quilted items are functional and practical, they can also express the creativity and aesthetic sense of their makers. The quilts on display show an array of elaborate and well-executed stitching patterns, boldly arranged quilt blocks and a variety of unusual embellishments such as stencilling and embroidery." ~ Quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection, 1790-1850. OSV pamphlet



As I toured through the village, I was also keeping an eye out for quilts in the houses. Shown below are several I found in the Salem Towne House, a handsome federal-style dwelling from Charlton, Mass., 1796. "Salem Towne Jr. inherited the house at the death of his father in 1825; he and his wife Sally headed a well-to-do establishment, but still sometimes worked alongside their hired help to manage the farm, dairy, and the house. Their household was a large and complicated one that included children (seven of their nine were living with them in 1830), farm laborers, hired women, and sometimes relatives who were visiting or needed a place to stay. Like his father, Salem Towne Jr. was a man of business, a land surveyor, a Justice of the Peace, and an active figure in politics, as well as an innovative, “progressive” farmer. Of the four bedchambers upstairs, two have been created by dividing a large space that was originally built as a ballroom and used until 1806 for Masonic meetings. Probably reflecting its original use for Masonic rituals, the room has striking painted murals, partially preserved from that early time, depicting an exotic landscape." (the last 2 photos here are from that room)
I hope you have enjoyed this brief "arm chair visit" to Old Sturbridge Village. On my next post we'll leave the 1800's in New England for New York City's Garment District - hold on to your hats for a whirlwind tour....

Piece,
Linda






"When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness."
~ Alexis de Tocqueville

Where Do I Begin?

It seems I've been "missing in action" for almost two weeks!! Guess it's time I reappeared. I returned home from my wonderful trip on Saturday evening, and since then have been more than "knee deep" in preparations for our upcoming Quilt Show. I spent most of Sunday through Tuesday finishing up my Challenge piece, which was due at Tuesday nights' meeting. More on that later.... and now we are "full speed ahead" with Show preparations, the show being a week away. More on that later too...
What can I say? My trip was beyond awesome!! I managed to hit 10 Maine quilt shops on the Maine Shop Hop while travelling through Maine, and visited Quiltport USA in Freeport as well. Three days sitting beside Allie Aller in Sharon Boggon's class was a once in a lifetime experience. A day in the Garment District of NYC and a special visit to Beads East in Manchester CT and Delectable Mountains in Brattleboro VT were just the icing on the cake. But the very best part of all was the wonderful people I met. Meeting Susan Elliot of Plays with Needles, Sharon, Allie, Maureen Greeson, Kathy Kizerian, Shirley Fassell ...well - get the idea? I'm almost delirious! I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful opportunity....
So...where to begin? I guess I'll tell you all about it chronologically. First - the Maine Shop Hop. This is the eighth year that Maine quilt shops have done a hop and there are over 30 shops participating this year. If you are going to be in Maine in April, it's definitely worth checking out. Think of it as a Road Rally for Quilters! You will find a list of the participating shops here. At the first shop you visit, ask for a "Shop Hop Passport" which you will then get stamped at each shop. If you visit 10 or more shops you are entered for prize draws. Many shops have their own prize draws as well, in addition to a little goodie bag of quilters' treats for each "hopper". As well at each shop you receive a charm square of American Valor fabric, donated by Windham Fabrics, as this years' Hop is working closely with the Quilts of Valor Foundation. I decided to try and visit some "new to me" shops as well as a few old favourites, and without straying far from my route of travel, got into four shops I had not visited before: A Straight Stitch in Brewer, Cozy Cottage Fabrics in Augusta, Whippersnappers in Hallowell (which closed 10 minutes before I arrived, but the owner kindly let me in - Thanks Lynn!!) and Knight's Quilt Shop in Cape Neddick. Old favouritess included Cotton Cupboard in Bangor, Yardgoods Center in Waterville and Cotton Weeds in Freeport. Each shop has it's own "flavour" and it's such fun to visit new ones- you never know what treasure you might find. By stopping at some on my way down, and others on the return trip, I was lucky to squeeze in 10! Of course a visit to Quiltport USA in Freeport helped as some Hop shops were at the Quiltport Vendors Mall. My fav stop there was at Thread Express (Hi Colleen!!) which carries an amazing stock of goodies for Crazy Quilters - threads, silk ribbons, beads, etc. So - after day one of my trip, I was already a happy little camper, I mean traveller. So if you will be in Maine this month, you might want to consider the Maine Shop Hop - great fun and great prizes to win!
On Sunday I crossed another "must do" from the list: I wanted to visit Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge Mass. as I have not been there since I was a child. I was anxious to compare OSV with our Kings Landing, as both villages are roughly the same time period -

1790 -1840. Old Sturbridge Village is one of America's largest living history museums, with costumed staff, 59 buildings, heritage breed farm animals, heirloom gardens and hands on activities. Besides comparing their antiques and artifacts, their costumes and displays with what we have at KL, I was anxious to see their current display of quilts from their collection for the years 1790-1850. I'll share some of the quilt photos with you on my next post. Today I'll just let you get the feel of the place with some general shots taken around the village.




Peace,
Linda

"That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way". ~Doris Lessing

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

Remember that line from "Leavin' on a Jet Plane"? Well, I'm not taking a plane...wish I was.. but anyway, my bags are packed. Here are the blocks I've made to work on... love those jewel tones. I'm also taking a WIP (Work in Progress) so may work on it too...
Be back in a week...talk at ya then....

Peace,
Linda

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

Countdown Continues...

Here's my nametag...not as great as I'd like it to be, but it will have to do. I cannot fuss with it any longer, I have too much still to do. I may add a few more beads later... I am suffering a sore throat, hoarse voice and a bit of a sniffle today - just what I need. Not! So I'm trying to get done what must be done and I hope to get to bed early tonight. I know I've been burning the midnight oil too many nights now, and I guess I'm run down. Not a great way to start a trip.. I'm hoping the Echinacea will "come through " for me like it usually does...
It's very likely that I won't be on here again until after the 16th, so keep well my friends and I'm sure I'll have lots of photos to share upon my return. I hope to visit Old Sturbridge Village on Sunday on my way to Manchester - they have a special display of quilts on exhibit, dating 1790-1850. If I'm really lucky I may get to the American Folk Art Museum when we're in NYC on Monday for their special quilt exhibit. I sure timed this right, didn't I? Then of course there's my three day class, and oh, did I mention the Maine Shop Hop, on for the month of April, and Quiltport USA this weekend in Freeport?? You know me - I'm going to try and hit them all....
Peace,
Linda

Hello. My name is Linda. I'm a quilter, and my house is in pieces....

Countdown to Connecticut...

As you have probably guessed from my absence here, I am very busy preparing for my week away. Things are pretty much under control now for our upcoming Quilt Show, although I still have a writeup to do for our Guild newsletter... add that to your list, Linda. My studio looks like a bomb went off... (no, make that several bombs) as I gather and organize supplies for the course. That's my main focus for tomorrow. I still have my nametag to embellish- we were each sent a nametag for optional embellishing before the class. I have gathered threads, beads, etc. and tonight at some point I will get it started....
I am still trying to work on my Guild Challenge as it is "due" just a few days after my return. Methinks it might be going along to CT with me, for evening work. Of course there is always the usual "other stuff" that has to be done before a Mother leaves her nest.... laundry, food prepared, etc. Laura moves home on Friday and I'm afraid she's going to have to "take over" and do the groceries and cooking as I am just not going to have much time before Saturday morning. She is home for 2 weeks before going back to write her final two exams, and move into her new place. She has a full lineup of things to keep her busy along with studying- a job interview, several medical appointments for her trip, ID photo to have taken and a number of other appointments.
Laura had a very special experience today - she met and interviewed Philip Riteman of Halifax, a Holocaust survivor. She will be "walking for him" when she does the walk between Birkenau and Auschwitz camps. She will soon be writing about their meeting, you can read it on her Blog here. Now that her school year is pretty well over, she will be concentrating on preparations for her May trip.
I'll leave you with a photo of what my backyard looked like on Saturday morning after our April Fools Day storm. Thank goodness most of that snow is gone now and we are again seeing some bare ground.
I will share photos with you when my nametag is done... stay tuned...

Piece
Linda

"Experience is never limited, and it is never complete." ~ Henry James