Material Obsession

Wedging it all in...

This is my my favourite snap shots of the trip... I was sharing a few moments with the divine Freddy. Her quilts are the epitome of happy freedom and self appreciation. We are drawn to her like moths to the flame in hopes that we are also released from restraint. Spending time chatting with her was a breath of fresh air and surprisingly real. With so many fans it was nice to realise she is connected to them all...very real.

The next best personal moment was visiting the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles to see Found/Made, the show curated by Roderick Kiracoff. I love the workshops and lectures and seeing what we are making but it all makes sense when I look back at what foundations have been set for us by those that came before along this path. This was a personal growth experience for me. The positioning of the quilts and the sheer honesty of each piece was a reminder that what we do is lasting and endearing. That perfection does not rule over spirit is an energising inspiration.

 

It was also mind bending to do workshops with Jacquie Gerring and Jean Wells. There are a couple projects started in my bags begging attention.

As for the last month the key to the workshops was really all about following your heart in your choices and creating a piece that is reflective of who you are. Heaps of interesting projects were produced over the month.

 

At The most recent workshop at The Cotton Patch we had a wide variety of results. These quilts inspired by Heart Center in Adding Layers are both unique and in so being very different. Above the colors are varied and seemingly random in selection but they work together beautifully. Then we have the same way style of block that started with some Alison Glass as an inspiration fabric. This is a tight and responsible palette that has energy and peace working together.

The layered look was popular in this class too. These blocks set on Anna Maria's sensual wovens worked a treat!

In this workshops I had the pleasure of working with my good friend Cheryl. In the 1980's we shared an apartment and a different kind of life living in the East Village of New York. It is a rare opportunity for me to be able to share stories of the past so I enjoyed the time spent with Cheryl in and out of class. She has a strong decision making process that defines her style in quilts and life. She organised me up one side and down the other which was good as at this end of the trip I was running out of steam!

 

Vintage

Vintage Spin, also from Adding Layers is always popular as a repetitive block pattern that showcases any mixture of fabrics. It sometimes starts out slow but the pace quickly picks up and there were lots of fabulous projects by the end of the workshops.

We managed to visit a lot of shops on the way. It was exciting to meet so many shop owners with so many good ideas. They are as a rule dedicated to their shop and their customers. There were so many ideas in packaging, promotion and merchandising to consider but what I liked the most was finding a bit of kindred spirit and sharing the facts of shop owner life.

 

I got a bit excited at how many people told me they were using Studio KM after seeing it on then blog. This is a fabric that adds a lot of energy to projects and works with a lot of other fabrics very nicely adding impact and energy.

 

I also got a bit of shop space envy, particularly at Broadway Quilts. High ceilings and space made this shop a nice place to consider options for quilts.

 

Familiar fabrics and ones I have never seen before all appeared, got cut up and pieced back together. It is worth making the connection that the wedges have been spinning into projects as have the days of the last month! People keep asking me if I am tired but in truth, I can't say I am as it is energising to meet so many enthusiastic quilters interesting in extending themselves in their quilts. It is truth that I look forward to my own morning coffee, my closet in exchange for the suitcase and not worrying about the weight of my bags! My gym...my dog..and of course the men in my life who have mentioned more than once that someone needs to get home and fill the fridge...not sure I can remember how to cook!

So a few days in LA with my big boy and then home...Thanks for the memories to everyone along the way...k

 

 

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Broadway Show Stoppers

Just finished a two day show stopper Modern Wedge class in Sonoma, CA with The Broadway Quilts. Thanks to Gery for a great couple of days with lots of fun people, fab results and delicious food!!!

We really explored fabric combinations with exciting results.

Studio KM hit the wall in style with a layout in process for something interesting in the garden of earthy delights.

 

 

Gardenvale made a sweet background for this cot quilt Mary was making.

Lisa made her Vintage Spin in rectangles which was cool!

 

These fishy flowers will soon be swimming through seaweed strips.

 

Stash fabrics got put to good use.

 

Left overs can be used!

 

Charlie Harper design was being added into the mix.

 

Mini culture blend style...

And all kinds of layout. What's the lesson? A stash, a tool and your imagination rule!!! That's what Adding Layers is all about!

More today at The Cotton Patch...stay tuned...

 

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Finished with school holidays or back from your winter holiday and looking for some fresh inspiration?

One of our upcoming workshops might just be the boost you need:

RENOVATION RESCUE with MARG GEORGE - FRIDAY 24 JULY 2015

Do you have some unfinished blocks or quilts in your cupboard? Then this is the workshop for you!

Click here for more details
 

OPAL ESSENCE with LORENA URIARTE - SATURDAY 25 JULY 2015




This workshop is all about Lorena's striking Opal Essence quilt. Lorena describes the quilt as:

    Inspired by the silk tumbling block quilts of the mid to late 1800s.The quilt has an added layer of playful circles that look to be bouncing or floating on the quilt.

Lorena will guide you through all aspects of the quilt construction, which involve applique and machine piecing, including y-seams (although applique can be machined). Click here for more details.


FREE FORM MEDALLION with DEBORAH LOUIE

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST AND SUNDAY 9 AUGUST
(two day workshop)

An exciting 2 day class, where free form cutting, piecing and machine quilting create a one of a kind medallion quilt. This intuitive creative style, forms stunning individual contemporary quilts.

The machine quilting both with walking foot straight large stitches with heavy detail threads or free motion style quilting adds beautiful texture and movement to the piece.

Each student’s work will be individual and unique to them.

Unconventional and Unexpected

Travelling is always full of surprises. Life handed us a gem today when we were treated to a tour of Roderick Kirakoff's exhibIt at the San Jose Quilt and Textile Museum. This is an experience NOT to be missed no matter what kind of quilter you are...traditional, modern...art or crafty...beginner or experienced. This collection of textile treasures has it all. We drove several hours out of our way to meet him and see these quilts and to meet the living legend author of two of my favourite quilt books.

The American Quilt has Been a library staple for many years at my house. In its pages are the foundations for many of my favourite quilts made by strangers hands, my own or my friends. That alone was almost too much excitement but then...he gave us Unconventional & Unexpected which is a book that is Full to bursting with great images and quilt stories... And THEN he showed us the quilts....the quilts!

 

The first quilts of this dynamic exhibition ...which is a combination of new and old ....hang in the hallway from common clothes pegs begging acceptance as simple hallmarks of women's lives.

The thought in my head and therefore on my lips was, " what was she thinking?" What was she thinking as she unassumedly stitched these bits of fabric together? What compelled her to stop and switch gears mid stream changing from one fabrication to another or gliding fabric swatches with no apparent relationship into place. I am in love with the maker...who ever she is and can only imagine what she was thinking with a happy heart.

 

As we entered the room it was impossible not to stop and stare at the juxtapositioning of timeless concepts...now reached back to then and vice versa. From anonymous and old to fresh paint it was all there in a space that bounced the eye between fascinations. I always find it awkward to maintain conversation when my eye is drawn to look but in this case the quilts demanded exclamations. The choices of textiles, paintings and artful imagery sit together with silent intent being beautiful. Perfect.

 

Uncommon and Unexpected is Roderick's latest book and one that we at Material Obsession have been loving along with everyone else that opens the pages. Like old friends, the quilts from the pages sat with complimentary friends.

What was she thinking when she made this quilt? Was she religious or thrifty? Did she think about contrast or use what she had? Was the front for the daughter and the back with its planes and trains for her son? In a make do manner she wrapped her binding from the back to the front painfully unaware of the quilt police.

Why do we go seek out these treasures? If you are like me, it is partially for the bounty of ideas that now fill my thoughts for my fingers. It is also for the connection to the quilting sisters of the past that I love and appreciate so much. Where would we be without these trend setters of their day? What would tradition be without their modern interpretation of their world for us to behold and consider.

Front and back revealed visual secrets of the everyday that record the simple action of stitching.

To add depth, there are quilts by men as well... Local Joe Cunningham has some thought provoking masterpieces on display next to their trend setting ancestors.

Luke Haynes...a current fascination also has a few engaging pieces in the show as well.

I don't want to be too bossy but gather your friends and go see this show. It is on until November. If you are anywhere near or even far, make the time to support the dream we all have about quilts. Go to treat your eyes, your mind and your heart.

Thank you to Rod and Nancy for opening the doors for us so that we could savour the lasting efforts of hands that work. I can not wait to see how these quilts take hold in my own process going forward...might have more to say on this later but we are now at the hotel and the ice is clinking!

Ps if you can't go...GET The BOOK!!!

 

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Sisters

It is the night before the the Sisters Annual Outdoor Quilt show and the night after the week of classes. I am sruck on the word "sisters" and what it implies in the case of this week. I am fixated tonight on the love of friendship. This trip more than any has reminded me of how many loving friends I have through quilting. Firstly there are the three women that have been my "posse" throughout this trip. We travel, eat, shop, sew, laugh, chat, tease, laugh some more and tell stories while sharing weeks on the road. The thing is, travel can test your nerves. Missed connections, reservations, directions and the constant nature of simply being in new places all the time might weary some.

But here we are, resting after a day of learning. Stuck together through good and bad...real friends. I treasure these women. They make me feel strong and right. They make me lunch. They put up with my chattering. They make me happy. They make good stuff too.

This is the bowl Carolyn made in class with Hilde Moran today. It has her favourite motif ... The sunflower. It is incredibly beautiful.

This is Cath's bowl. It has style and simple beauty. I am proud of their efforts and a bit envious as well.

While they were in class I was too. It was a special experience to get to experience classes. As a teacher, I too love to learn. It has been such a pleasure to sit back and listen, consider, process and refresh my thoughts through the lessons of others. There were new things and there were affirmations but mostly there was the thrill of making in a new way. I am grateful to have spent today with Jacquie Gerring making Improvisational blocks. I broke a few of her rules but that doesn't mean I don't respect them!

It was a great class...

I also did two days with Jean Wells, a quilter I have admired for many years for her mastery of everything in the quilting inverse from shop to show.

I learned to work small. To trust my instincts even if they are different to everyone else's. I learned some fun new techniques and dug deeper into my own observation skills.

I have also made some new friends that I am loving. This year, without the pace required when teaching I have been able to sit and chat with people that I like and usually have to run past. Karen, Anera, Jan, Yvonne, Pam and so many more have added a lilt to life.

There are many here and there are those we left behind in Mt Vernon as well...

Watching the projects develope over a few days as we got to know each other was a rewarding experience and was interesting to say the least. We had time to work through technique and into design possibilities.

There has been a lot of collaboration and discussion about extending the use of color to create interest throughout the quilt. It is a thrill for me to have so many open minds in the room. Having Calico Creations next door was also a bonus as we could pop over and examine lots of possibilities.

Having my excellent posse with me was a huge bonus for all. There was someone for everyone and lots of advice for the asking. I loved seeing the conferences around the room.

There were lots of great results in the Modern Wedge each day.

 

 

 

 

It would have been fun if Stephanie had come along on the sisters leg of our journey. Check out these stars she made from the left over bits from Vintage Spin. Amazing! We have been wondering about those left overs for ages so it was a big thrill to see they can make stars!!!

So if for no other reason I am happy to be a quilter for all the lovely people in my life bar and far. We are bonded by our common passion and a mutual respect for our individual accomplishments. What more could we ask for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daytime!

Night time!

 

 

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Waking up to plaid is fun!

It is fascinating to workshop with quilters that I don't know. The ladies of Mt Vernon gave as much as they got yesterday. We started out in the shop, Calico Creations. I asked them to stand in front of the bay that they would most often shop from...then suggested they try something new! It was fun to see how they all took on board the suggestion. Habits are so comfortable and changing them is hard but it always reveals something good inside.

The workshop was a one day Soul Searching practice which revealed great results all around the room. This is an easy block to construct but the challenge is in learning how to observe how you observe! Soul Searching is a go deep quilting practice and the pattern is in Making Quilts which is available in so many of the shops now.

Stephanie Davis sets up a great workshop with lots of space and design walls so we could all make a big mess which was fun! I love seeing all the fabric come out of the bags. After so much planning it is nice to stand next to Stephanie and feel her big heart! What a treasure she is...

So the day revealed a lot of thoughtful work.

Cathy did hers free form which was a first but an exciting idea. Not only were her strips varied but also her degrees of value and neutral fabrics were challenged. Oh, and she had tons of Roberta Horton plaids!

Stephanie showed me a few of the quilts she had made from my books. This one is Fractured Heart from Adding Layers and what a beauty! I love this quilt which is a carry on from Fractured in Making Quilts and also appeared on the day...

We saw Big Fluffy Love, Made by Cathy with....you guessed it, plaids!!

Thanks to everybody that brought in quilts to share. It is so heart warming to see them made up. I have blinked back tears a few times this trip in gratitude.

Judy also made Fractured...

 

And Joan made Red Centre also from Making Quilts.

 

I like this new layout for Soul Searching too. Talk about chance being the creative director, she was short a bit of the middle fabrics but the whole looks fascinating and will make the block float on the background.

 

 

 

 

So on to day to and today it will be Modern Wedfe...always a whirlwind of color. Thanks so much to everyone for working from my books. Good to see it happening.

More to come so stay tuned! K

 

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I woke this morning to the sound of roosters crowing and wondered where I was! This is my view, ironically in a plaid room in Mt Vernon, Washington. My posse and I are having a wonderful time. This was our morning and evening view for the last five days...

 

Hummingbirds and deer surrounded us as our morning coffee and conversation transpired.

Last week hosted by Karen in Bellingham was just the right amount of happy faces and design exploration. As you can see, by the time we left her she had an action plan for her plaids and we had an action plan for her next project! She and Dave made us feel welcome and relaxed...just like home but on the other side of the world.

We had two workshops, Modern Wedge and Gypsy Kisses. Both were full of color and choices....one of my personal discoveries was how these two workshops went together. Photo roll...

 

 

 

 

 

This is just a few of the Gypsy Kisses quilts started on the day...each one wonderful in its own way,

 

Modern Wedge was as expected...a whirlwind of color!

Thank you to everyone that did my workshop. It was an absolute pleasure!

 

I also enjoyed the Trunk show for Fabric-etc. Thank you for such an interactive conversation while showing the quilts.

My other highlight of this trip so far was the silver lining of missing our connecting flight in LA. We got to go visit Oscar in his Hollywood office and then his flat as well for a rest between flights.

My boy is so grown up! Oh what a feeling!,,,

So Liesel, Carolyn and I will be joined by Cath later today to continue our excellent adventure! Stay tuned for more! K

 

 

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