Cleveland or Bust - Part 1: My Adventures on Quilting Arts TV

The mystery is over...
My little trip was to Cleveland, Ohio, home of Quilting Arts TV!


It all began about 6 weeks back when Pokey Bolton, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Quilting Arts Magazine contacted me, wondering if I would like to appear on Quilting Arts TV to demonstrate how I make my Boro Bobbles and to talk a bit about my Work Quilt series... Yes, I think I would, thank you very much! Now, seeing as hubby and I have never gone on a vacation, (without kids) in 21 years, (pathetic, but true) this seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a bit of a get away, so hubby came along. Not only was he great company, and did all of the driving, but he took lots of photos for me. (Unfortunately, many are blurry, which is my fault as I accidently put the camera on the wrong setting, handed it to him and said, "just point and shoot". Oops.)

Okay, so what's involved in taping a segment? Well, on the day of your taping you arrive to the studio and hang out with the other artists in the aptly named "Green Room"...


Here I am with Candy Glendening and Susan Brubaker Knapp. Both of these talented ladies were as sweet as could be.


These are some of Candy's darling little bird houses, using fabric that she hand dyes herself.

And this is Deidre Adams...


Her work was truly extraordinary and she was just an all around gracious person. It was an honor to meet her.


Here's Dedrie working on one of the Bernina sewing machines with Jeannie Cook-Delpit, who is the director of national events for Bernina and such a warm and friendly person... she makes you feel instantly at home.

A bit before your segment comes up, they send you back for make-up...


Here I am all dolled up... a true rarity! I think it's been about 25 years since I even wore mascara, and I never wear lipstick. The foundation felt so odd on my skin... I had to be on my best behavior afterwards, as it took all of my will power not to scratch my face and ruin the whole thing. However, the artist who did my make-up, Karen, was such a cool person... she made it so much fun!

When it's your turn to tape, you head into the studio, and help set up your work...


Here I am trying to get a grasp on what I'm going to be doing.


Pokey joins me and she and the cameramen patiently go over a few of the basics that I will need to remember once the cameras start rolling.... unfortunately, I promptly forgot most of everything I was told... once again, oops.

Next, we get miked and the cameras start rolling...


We begin by talking about the steps involved in making a Boro Bobble. (Funny, I see these hands everyday, yet I barely recognize them. How can that be?)

Here's a nice close up of me demonstrating the stitching...



And now, just around this time, I start to feel a little tickle in the back of my throat...


And then...

I. Lose. My. Voice.

Now, when I am nervous, (and let's not kid ourselves, I was nervous) I tend to stumble over my words, stutter a bit, and/or babble... but never, ever, have I lost my voice. As I tried to eekk out my words, all I could think about was what the F. was happening, and why, oh why was it happening now!??!

And then I heard that dreaded, yet saving word...

"CUT!"

A bottle of water was promptly brought to me, (complete with straw so as not to mess up my lipstick) and as I chugged it down, I expressed my deepest apologies. After what seemed an eternity, my voice returned and we resumed taping...

Here we are talking about my work quilts...


I think Pokey asked me why they were called that, and what was involved in making them, but honestly I don't really remember. By this time my head was spinning and my thoughts were solely focused on my silent prayers that my voice wouldn't fail me again.

In what felt like seconds the whole thing was over... my shot at the big time, fading before my eyes... but my voice was back, strong as ever. Thanks.

Here I am afterwards, cleaning up and breathing a sigh of both relief and resignation...


I realize I am much better at writing about my work, then talking about my work, and I don't think Hollywood will be knocking on my door anytime soon!

And here I am again, back in the Green Room and wearing a beautiful hand dyed silk scarf that Candy made...


She gave this to me, simply because she thought I should have it and that it matched my outfit. Wasn't that sweet?! (Now, you want to talk about a natural on TV... Candy was it.... funny, engaging, informative... totally fantastic!)

So, there you have it... whew! And if you'd like to hear about the rest of my Cleveland trip adventures, stop back soon, as I will be posting about them next time around! Till then, may your, (and my) voice stay strong! xo

P.S. Quilting Arts TV airs nationally on selected PBS stations. Unfortunately my PBS station does not carry it, but you can check to see if and when yours does, here. I'm not exactly sure what episode number my segment will be on or when it will air, but once I get that information I will let you all know.

Work Quilt #4 in Progress

Yay! I have finally gotten around to starting the 4th
Work Quilt in my ongoing series...


While all of the fabric is new, this quilt is definitely inspired by the look of old, patched quilts made from worn-out work clothes.


The first layer consists of blocks that were pieced from randomly sized squares, rectangles and strips of shot cottons, in various shades of blues and grey-greens.

Pink, brown and plum threads are cross woven with the blues and the greens in these fabrics, giving them all a richness and earthiness that makes my heart go pitter--patter! (Look around... nothing in nature is made up of just one solid color... grass is never all green, dirt is never all brown... a faded white barn is really a slew of various shades... That's why I love shot cottons so much.)


Some of the pieces have some reverse applique patches... the one on the left is a quarter circle, inspired by the shape of a front denim pocket. The one on the right is a circle, inspired by a patched hole in the knee of a pair of work pants. Also, check out the faded strip of blue running down the center patch... it was a "flaw" in the cloth, and I think it's perfection!

The 2nd layer consists of machine quilting, using a straight stitch as well as zig-zag stitching. (The machine stitching is meant to symbolize both the stitching one might find in old work clothing as well as paying tribute to machine work that assists us with our labor.)


The next layer, (which I have just started and isn't shown here) consists of hand quilting, (that's to pay tribute to slow, thoughtful labor) and after that most likely there will be a 4th layer consisting of some appliqued patches, (to honor the various stages of life, love, and aging.)

More to follow soon!

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In other news, I am happy to report that my youngest daughter is doing much better. The doctor saw her this morning and finally pronounced her lungs clear! Now, eldest daughter has picked up something similar. As for me I am trying to stay maternal and nurturing, but truthfully I am dodging those hacking coughs as if they were bullets. My "mystery trip" is right around the corner and I am trying my best to stay healthy for the venture! (P.S. The "Work Quilts" are going with me.)

What's up Doc?

Remnant #10

Hi everyone! Just popping in to touch base...

Things are still busy here. For starters, the scheduled wisdom teeth surgery that youngest daughter was scheduled for tomorrow has been put on hold due to a case of bronchitis and walking pneumonia. (Where the hell, in the middle of summer, that all came from... I have no idea.)

Remnant #11

The combination of the two have kicked her asthma back into high gear, (something we had mistakenly thought she had outgrown) ... as well as my worry, (I'm driving her nuts with my hovering). Now it's lots of ongoing meds and doctor visits to keep a check on how things are progressing. She's been a real trooper, and things are looking like they are starting to get better as yesterday she didn't need her rescue inhaler at all.

I have been keeping more then busy with other family/life details that I won't bore you with, (you are welcome!) Happily in the midst of everything I did manage to get three new Remnant pieces made, (shown through out this post, because eye candy is always good!) Stitching keeps me sane.


Remnant #12

I am also planning for an up coming trip that I think you all will find very exciting... but I don't want to give away any more information then that... at least for now. (However, I will say that it is making me both very excited and very, very nervous. Hmmm... what could it be?)

Again, I will be back when time opens up. Till then, I hope all your summer days are happy and healthy. xoxo

Summertime and the Living is Easy...

Well, I'm not sure how easy it is... certainly not hard, but busy and full. Definitely good, though... and what more can one ask for.

(Ragged barn found along back road travels.)

Sewing is being done in the cracks and crevices of family and life... treasured together time, a nephew's wedding, being there as daughters experience first time jobs and new responsibilities, (such as learning to drive, and getting use to wearing contact lenses) also, several minor medical procedures, including an upcoming wisdom teeth extraction for youngest. (Ouch x 4!)

...And hubby and I have decided to join the 21st century and learn how to text, (something we have both resisted, but feel it's now time). The land line phone is also going the way of the dinosaur in this house, and that feels very weird to me.

New adventures and opportunities that I wish to share, lay ahead for me in the near future, but for now I must remain mum.

Will be back when time opens up. Till then, enjoy your summer days. xo

Pojagi Panel #3

Here's #3, (okay... technically it's my 4th panel, but for some reason I forgot to count my first effort. Probably because it felt so experimental to me, having never done it before, and wondering if my machine stitched efforts would even work.... I hope that first one doesn't feel left out... poor little pojagi panel.... I love you, I really do.)

Ah, but I digress...


This panel definitely has an improvised, modern quilt vibe going on.


These are the seams from the "back side", and below from the "front side".



Now, if you give pojagi a try, (and I hope you do), and you want to hang yours in the window, your best bet would be to use light weight fabrics, as they will let the light shine through more.


If you like cotton fabric, as I do, a light weight muslin works well, and I think one made from vintage hankies might be pretty cool, too, but I haven't tried that yet. This one, and my previos two were made from Kaffe Fassett shot cottons, which are lighter in weight then the Robert Kaufman ones, (which are great for quilts!) Also, Fassett made them in conjunction with Oxfam, an international charity that champions fair trade, thus helping to support the poverty-stricken weaving villages in India and Guatemala where the cloth is produced... that makes me very happy.

Remember... see here for a tutorial on machine stitching the seams!