Backache

Quilter Paula Chung, a member of our SAQA group of Northern California-Nevada Region, has a quilting collaborator friend Karen Rips. They take images from body scans---X-Rays, MRIs, etc---and each quilter interprets each image and renders it in her own style. My very own crooked spine, stemming from life-long scoliosis, is the subject of a pair of quilts by Karen and Paula. They took my breath away. They brought me to tears. Here are their quilts (my name changed for privacy thoughtfulness):

And here is my "inspirational" X-Ray:

My wheels started churning when I saw in the SAQA weekly newsletter the above image of Karen's quilt and discovered it would be in a show at Princeeton University in New Jersey. I emailed my dear college friend Elizabeth Walters who lives in Princeton and implored her to attend the opening where Karen discussed the quilting collaboration. Unfortunately, Paula wasn't able to attend the opening, Here is a photo of my friend Elizabeth in the green sweater at the show, admiring Karen Rips' quilt "Backache."

I borrowed these images from Paula's website, with her permission. And yes, friends, I am doing my Pilates exercises religiously, so that curvature doesn't worsen.

More Coasters

 

And they're really fun to make---selecting the fabrics, making the bias edging, stitching a spiral round and round, "mugging" for the camera, and then sending them away to surprise a friend. Her favorite colors are blues, purples, and turquoises, and she loves batiks. It was a Win-win.

New Fabrics, New Tools, New Skills

There's ALWAYS something to investigate if you like to quilt. Or even if you're just a cat.

The Rotary Cutter. I don't know why it was such a challenge, but I think I finally figured out the equipment and the right moves. And making bias tape. Again, it's a learning curve, but practicing a craft improves the skill.

I think I like "having learned" better than I like the "learning process." I always want to get from here to there without the baby steps in between. How did I ever get through school? I recently asked an artist what is the best way to learn to paint, meaning what local classes or teachers would she recommend. She said, "Learn to draw first." Now where is that sketchbook I bought years ago....

Quilting Assistant says "Thank You!"

When there are kind people in this world who help out, it's always nice to say "Thank you." Tom is grateful to friends who helped with his medical bills, so he made these coasters to express his gratitude. They have a heat-resistant lining which is also used in potholders. It may dull sewing needles but it protects wood surfaces from hot teacups.

Yes, I was accepted!

It was a great opening party, easy to talk with attendees and artists. The gallery is transitioning to new owners and with that, will launch its first exhibition in late January called Transformation. I have a piece accepted for the show!

Process & Quality Control

As usual, there is a lot of STUFF required to make things and sell them: fabrics and trims and buttons and beads and all the equipment to put them together. AND, this requires supervision from the Quilting Assistant, who always knows just where to stretch out and just what strings to chew.

But wait! There's MORE!!

And a few more....