Thursday, March 29, 2012

Little dog - Big Helper


Who knew that my little rescue dog would be such a big helper in the studio? Although I gave Hugo his own little quilt to curl up on while I work in the studio, he figures it's best to be in the thick of things as I go through my scraps left over from frantic holiday sewing. Spring is here and it's time for a new beginning and a little spring cleaning so move over Hugo and let's get back to work!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Ties collected by Aunt Dorothy

Gail's aunt Dorothy is well known to the group, as she has taught us several origami projects. Her daughter was cleaning out closets and shipped silk ties that Dorothy had purchased in her travels. The sisters have taken ties to use, so that the tie to Aunt Dorothy will continue.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Extravaganza Part II

As Diane Wright wrote in her post on the 18th, Extravaganza was as much fun as ever. Here are more photos:

Karen Loprete was all smiles as she showed a quilt that was featured in an article she wrote for the current (April/May 2012) Quilting Arts Magazine. The smile on Mary Lyn Page's face is typical of the expressions on everyone all day.


Our speaker, Jane Davila, showing some of the quilts she had spoken about during her slide presentation on using found objects in our quilts. We were enthralled. Among other things, Jane talked about various methods she uses for binding her quilts--and not the standard folded and wrapped fabric, although sometimes quilts might need that traditional method.


Gail Kotowski and Debbie Bento checking out the items that Jane brought to sell so that we might try some of her techniques.

Lunch was yummy, with the veggie sandwich from La Cuisine the favorite again this year. Here, Robin Wolek is about to make her selection.

Sisters in Cloth member Vivika DeNegre, who is now the editor of Quilting Arts Magazine, is showing one of her bird pieces. It is part of a postage stamp challenge she presented to the rest of the "Sisters."
Guest Cate Prato, of Cloth Paper Scissors, shows us the shirt she stamped and painted with a variety of objects. Unfortunately, the shirt she wore, embellished beautifully with buttons, is hidden behind her art.

Rosalind Spann with her  piece that needs no binding. It includes some needle felting and lots of wispy fabrics over a variety of leftover stage costume fabrics.

Mary Lachman is holding three pieces of different sizes that she made as a series.
And hostess extraordinaire, Yvette Howard, explains a dying method she tried  using shaving cream.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Extraordinary Extravaganza

Carol Ludington's "store" of hand dyed 

Carol showing one of her beauties

Let's just say that yesterday was "the bomb"!  We all had such a wonderful time.  Jane Davila gave THE most interesting presentation about "Found Objects".  There was so much information that I think we could hear it over again and still learn more.  Very inspiring and thought provoking.
Debbie Bento having WAY too much fun
Most of the photos that I took were at Show and Tell, with a couple at lunch.  (no one really wants their photo take whilst chewing!)
Gail Kotowski with her latest


Ruth Anne with two of her originals

Lunch, always a fav!

Karen Loprete...the most serious that she was all day

Our host Yvette Howard with Barb Adams


Thank you, Yvette, for opening your home to us for our annual celebration.  We so enjoyed Jane Davila, a delicious lunch, the always exciting Show and Tell, meeting old and new friends, and, of course, satisfing our shopping "needs".

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Extravaganza 2012: This Saturday!

Guest Judy Ross' show and tell 2010

Every year we host an event that we call an Extravaganza.  It started several years ago when we were really tired of the winter, meetings having to be postponed because of bad driving conditions, and just plain dreary weather.  Those conditions were not present this year with our very mild winter...but...traditions should not be abandoned willy-nilly, you know :^)

Saturday is the day.  Okay, it's St. Pat's day.  But it's also International Quilting Day.  We will celebrate both.  No green beer (that I know about)...instead we are all making nine patch blocks with green centers for a Disappearing Nine Patch quilt that we will make for one of our favorite local charities.

I'm including photos that I took last year and the year before....all of those pictured will be in attendance again this year.  I am so looking forward to our Show and Tell!

This year's speaker is Jane Davila, who is going to talk about working with found objects!  We will have such a wonderful day.

More pics next week!!


Guest Toni Torres show and tell 2010

Sister Vivika DeNegre and Guest Betty Warner 2010

Guest Betty Warner 2011

Guest Judy Ross 2011

Guest Toni Torres 2011