A couple photos . . .

Here are a couple photos from the workshop. This first one shows Loes and Theo on the left. They are the creators of the digitizing software "Art and Stitch". They are from Amsterdam and come over to do major shows and often have retreats during their stay here. They will be heading home in a few days and plan to return to the U.S. in June.

To the right of Theo is Sharon Schamber and her husband, Gene. That gorgeous quilt in the foreground is one of Sharon's recent prize winning quilts. It was quite an experience to actually have time to study her work and hear her comments and answer questions. Gene is a great supporter of her work and creativity as well as a darn good cook. He fixed us a fantastic chicken stew lunch one of the days we were there.

Sharon also shared her thoughts of the FriXion pens - she uses them. She is clear that one must use a strong shot of steam from a hot iron to force the jel into the batting so it will not reappear as a brown ghost even in cold temperatures. I will try them again. She also talked a bit about thread. She has so much knowledge in e very area of design, construction and quilting that it is overwhelming. I hope to take another class from her.

The second photo is of one of the projects we completed as we learned to better use the software with the most recent new features. This is "Crazy Bird" and we were to take a very simple outline and add to it whatever we wanted from our own designs or from the large library. This is the image of the actual digitized file and I plan to see how it will stitch out tomorrow.

Now, I am working on several new motifs of my own and hope to have several done in the next 2 or 3 weeks. It is so much fun - and it was an amazing time with very creative people.

No pictures . . . but "whatta week"

I just came home this evening after spending the last few days in Payson, AZ. The Art and Stitch crew had a retreat there and it was held at Sharon Schamber's studio. Sharon taught one day on background fills and what to keep in mind when we design, digitize and quilt our own designs. We also got to see her latest quilt and a wonderful trunk show of many of her winning quilts from the past few years.

That first day was then followed by two fantastic days with Theo and Loes from Art and Stitch. They showed us the latest additions to the software as well as worked with us to create our own designs.

It was an amazing experience shared with 14 other wonderful quilters from various parts of the U.S. and Canada. I will try to share more once I get to feeling better (came home with a cold) and get some sleep. We left Payson this morning at 5 am to drive to the airport in Phoenix and it has been a long day.

Never, never, never give up . . .

That is my motto - and I will keep working toward getting something posted that is quilt/fiber related each day. I am not giving up - thank you, Winston Churchill for those ringing words related to a much more important need.

Have you picked up and read the recent issue of Quilters Newsletter? I like this magazine, but this current issues is one of the best. The cover quilt was a partnership by Gail Stepanek and Ronda Beyer. It has won lots of ribbons and cash and they have a nice article inside. There are other great winning quilt pictures and more articles about how quilters have worked on their own dreams to find success.

And here is a good reason to not get much sewing and blogging done this week. This is Walker, 2 and a half, watching his favorite "Little Einsteins". He was here to visit one day this week. He has come to visit a couple days a week since September when his mom went back to work. He is now going to start at a pre-school after next week. We are having feelings of loss mixed with knowing it is time. On Tuesdays, his brother, Weston, has also come out after school and we would all have dinner together before taking them both home. We have sure enjoyed them and will miss these times, but we are getting ready to head south so the timing is right.

Today I did some cleaning in my studio to tidy my nest and make it more cozy so I will want to spend more time there. Once that was done, I determined it was time to get this zipper in Weston's coat. He has other winter coats, but this one is his favorite for skiing and he is off to ski tomorrow. I have been putting it aside for a month now. See that bright shiney brass colored metal zipper? It was not easy, but it is in there, sturdy and replaces the plastic ones so often in little boys coats that last for 2 wearings.

So, I will keep trying to add a picture and a few words about my fiber/sewing/quilting journey each day.

Thanks for stopping - come again.

Something quilty . . .

I have sure enjoyed the first two weeks of 2012, but I haven't done any blogging about it, huh? I am going to make a real effort to post a picture of something fiber-quilty-sewing related each day. Now, I won't make a promise, because you know how I am. Sometimes when I am having fun, I get involved and forget all about blogging. But I am going to try.

Here is a quilt I just finished for my good friend in Denver. It is a wall hanging and she was in no hurry so it has been on and off the table several times in the past few months. Finally I had to get it finished so she could hang it in her dining room. She completed a remodel a little over a year ago and this is a piece she did for that. We worked on it together when she was up here for a week of sewing. We have laughed off and on for the past few months - she might remodel again before the piece gets quilted. Her life is as busy and fun as mine so it hasn't been a problem, but I am sure glad it is done and she likes it a lot.

Happy New Year . . .

We had a quiet day at home after a fun night at the neighbors to see in the new year.

So what do I want to focus on this new year? I don't make "resolutions" - but I do like words that guide me. This year I am going to work more on "focus" - focus on those things that really matter to me - family, friends, fiber art, health, blessings, and joy.

Focus! All things are possible!