New Work

I set out last week to make some new functional art quilts. My plan was to continue with the Mid-Century inspired work that I recently embarked on, (see here, here and here). However when I shut my eyes to see what this new quilt would look like, (now you know my highly sophisticated process of design) I didn't see stripes, and lines, but instead saw circles and flowers.


I opened my eyes and politely explained to my brain that it had made a mistake, and to please try again. Closing my eyes I saw the same image as before. After several more attempts to redirect my brain, I finally gave in, (which is always the smart thing for me to do, for whenever I try to make something that I am not seeing, even if it something that I made before, it never turns out right. When an idea wants to be born, it wants to be born. My job is to get out of my own way and let it happen!)


As in the previous quilts, this to is meant to be both functional and beautiful. Use it as a table runner, hang it on the wall, or drape it over a hanger or chair. I have another one of these contemporary circular designs lined up to be quilted this week, and I hope that they will be as well received as the Mid-Century designs, (I am delighted to say that two of the three have already sold!)


For more information, you can check out this quilt in my shop, here.


One more bit of lovely news, I was again awarded the Brillante Blog award. This time from the very sweet and talented Gunnel. Thank you so much Gunnel, I truly appreciate it! And I once again am going to pass on the official passing on of this award to 7 worthy bloggers, (due to well documented phobias in this general area) and instead pass it on to all of you because you are all so delightful, and because it is my blog and I can do what ever I want!

The Redwork of Bascom Hogue

The first time I ever saw the redwork embroidery of Bascom Hogue on Flicker, I was truly blown away. I still am with each new piece that Bascom posts, and I am betting that you will be blown away, too.


His work has both a strength and a delicacy to it.



It is as if he is deftly sketching the images as opposed to stitching them by hand.


The subject matter is untypical and intriguing. Whole stories could be imagined and written based on any one of his pieces!


To see more of Bascoms works, please visit his flicker site here. Bascom has also recently started a blog that you can visit, the Cottonwood Diner. Please stop by, say "Hi" and welcome him to blogland!

New Color, New Work

I hope everyone had a lovely long holiday weekend. I know that for a lot of folks in the New Orleans area, the only thing lovely about it was that they weren't hit as hard as originally feared. Thank goodness for that, however they still got slammed pretty good, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that all future storms spare them. They have been through enough. And by the way, thanks to everyone who left such thoughtful comments on my hurricane quilt from the previous post.


We spent part of the weekend giving our kitchen a much needed paint job. I choose this pale sunny yellow color, and am delighted by how cheery the kitchen now looks. Seeing as it was on my to do list for the last 5 YEARS, (!) I am thrilled that it is finally done! Hoping to tackle the dining room next week!


And this is my latest mid-century inspired
table runner/wall hanging/art quilt, which I posted a few days ago here in my shop.


I am really enjoying designing and constructing these pieces, and am looking forward to doing more!
(But now I need to go blog hopping and catch up on everyone else's weekend!)

Abstract no.6

I started making "Abstract no.6" on Tuesday, Earth Day, and looking at it now, I believe I must have been influenced by the day, even though at the time I wasn't consciously connecting the two. That is one of the things I love most about the process of art, the way in which our moods, thoughts and feelings all have a way of finding there place in what we work on, whether we consciously intend for it or not. And that is also why I am so drawn to stitching. It is a whole language in and of itself. Every line, cross-stitch, and french knot is gently communicating something old and ancient, unspoken, yet understood.

Abstract #5

This is my fifth mini embroidered abstract art quilt. (That's why it's called "Abstract #5"... such a clever little title!) I am having so much fun with these! All of the applique pieces on this particular quilt are of japanese chirimen fabric. This type of fabric was developed in the 16th century and has a lovely subtle "wrinkled" texture to it, which comes from the way it is woven.

Abstract #4

This is my newest little abstract mini embroidered art quilt. For this piece, along with the bright colored solids, I added some japanese chirimen to the mix. I really like the added pattern and texture of the chirimen fabric.


The hand stitches are what give these little pieces their personality. I never really know how these abstracts will turn out until I finish the embroidery, which I just make up as I go along. That's often the best way to work!