Coming Soon to a Store Near You

500 Art Quilts has arrived, I hold my contributor's copy in my hot little hands almost as I type (well, it would be difficult to type with a book in my hands). I can't tell you how honored I am that my work was chosen to be part of this book. Ten years ago I remember looking through similar books and imagining my work was included. Now, after lots of hard work and persistence, it is! I can count many friends among the contributors as well, thanks to the internet and being able to attend workshops such as Quilt Surface Design Symposium and one-on-one instruction at Susan Shie's Turtle Art Camp, my SAQA membership, and visiting my local guild.

This book is truly a feast for the eyes and spirit, and will provide endless hours of inspiration and delight. Look for it at your local booksellers toward the end of the month.

Published!

Late last month I received my contributor's copy of the new book Stitched Jewels: Jewelry That's Sewn, Stuffed, Gathered & Frayed, by Marthe LeVan. I designed a lotus choker and a set of earrings, based on the flower piece I made for an earlier book, and was eager to see what the other artists had come up with.

The book covers everything from the very basics on how to do hand-stitching and machine stitching, to the properties of different fabrics and what to expect when using them. Since the focus is on jewelry, there is also a section on findings and jewelry construction, all presented in a simple, easy to read format. Gallery images of fabric jewelry are scattered throughout the book for inspiration. The projects range from simple to sophisticated and I am very proud to have been included in this book with the other talented designers. It's a great book to have on your shelf, and if you have even a small fabric stash and the desire to make something fun with it, this is a good book to start with.

Stuffed is Here!

Carl, plush alligator, patchwork, crochet, machine embroidery. He's about 30" long and is one of the plush featured in the following:




















Stampington & Co's new publication, Stuffed, just hit my mailbox yesterday, so it should be on a newsstand near you soon. I have an article on three of my plush, Carl, Ally and Olivia, they are on pages 76-79. This publication is full of lots of cool plush, well worth finding.

May 2009

This book won't be out until May of next year, but it looks really cool and is edited by Marthe LeVan who has done wonderful books in the past. I have a 3D lotus choker and a set of earrings in it. It's already available for pre-order at Amazon.com Check it out! Thanks!

Wow

Has it really been six months since I posted? I guess I've been so busy in house that time just slipped past. Also, between Aisha and Ben needing the computer, my time online has been limited, to say the least.

So what is new? Three more books with Lark, due out early next year (and maybe late this year, I am not positive), two current shows (Parkersburg Art Center Red White and Regional '08, opening is next Sunday, and French Art Colony, Gallipolis OH July 1-31), an upcoming museum show (hats! next May-July at the Canton Museum of Art) and a contract with Asher Gallery in Houston. And hopefully the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Competiton late July-early August (notifications are due to be sent out on the 25th).

I will also be teaching this fall at Byzantium in Columbus, and St Theresa Textile Trove in Cincinnati (beadwork and my turtle purse and possibly my tiger quilt, though I think Angelina Jolie needs to see that one, given her current role in Kung Fu Panda :)

I will post more with photos later, just thought I'd check in and say hi. And that it won't be six months til my next post, I promise!

Anticraft is Here!

Well, I can show you what I've done for it, my copy is still in the mail.

While I wait for my contributor's copy, here is a sneak peek at one of my projects for the new Anticraft book (Midnight Star, made with a vintage Czech glass button, peyote stitch and basic bead stringing; buy the book for more details :)

When I can find where I hid the photos, I will post my other piece for the book, a solidly beaded shrine/Tree of Life piece. Enjoy!