A lovely 3 day retreat in the Hudson River Valley and a fun and fast trip to Houston, Texas!


I was so excited to teach at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts workshop an hour from Albany, NY, a week ago. Many of my friends have taught at there, and I’ve always heard the best things.

The Greenville Arms was built in 1889 and consists of a large 3-story house with a dining room, chocolate shop, onsite art and quilting supply shop and guest rooms,

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a carriage house (pictured), where the studio is, as well as several other guest rooms above and around it,3studio

and there are also a couple guest cottages.

Owners, Kim and Mark LaPolla, really know how to make everyone feel welcome and cared for while at the inn.

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IMG_0482All the fabulous meals, and delicious, organic, dark chocolates are made by Kim’s husband Mark.

With our tummies delightfully filled, we happily cranked out lots of work each day3b diane working

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I made a bunch of stamps before I left from sticky-back craft foam that I adhere to clear acetate sheets. These are so easy to make and very addictive!
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Draw an image on paper in pencil, place drawing pencil-side down on foam, firmly rub the back of the paper to transfer the pencil drawing onto the foam. You do not have to transpose your design backwards if you do this, it will print in the right direction.  Then cut out shape, peel backing off and stick to acetate. Cut a half inch border of acetate around stamp, so you have something to hold onto that is clear for easy placement of the stamp on fabric, then draw detail lines or dots with a stylus, pen or pencil. Apply acrylic ink with a foam brush and stamp fabric on a hard surface.

I was so excited to try my new stamps out. I love how they stamp so beautifully on fabric with acrylic inks.1b stamps

 

IMG_0480Before we knew it, our 3 days were over, and all of us were wishing we could stay for a few more days. What a great time we had!

Hudson river selfies

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I flew back home on Monday, did laundry and shopped for groceries on Tuesday, on wednesday went to the Northern California Quilt Council Meet the Teachers meeting with Jenny Lyon, to see how teachers present to the regional guilds, so I‘ll know what to bring and set up, when I do it in July.

uncovered davis picnic

On Saturday Phil’s band played at a BBQ on UC Davis picnic day, it was so lovely to be in shorts after that chilly New York weather.

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Then, Tuesday, I flew to Houston to give a lecture in the evening and my Tea and Ephemera workshop on Wednesday for the Greater Houston Quilt guild.

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What a nice surprise it was to see my talented friend Susan King in class.10tea

8teaIt was so nice to get to Texas during bluebonnet season, however briefly, but I’ll be flying back again before you know it, to teach at International Quilt Festival!

Such a busy couple weeks, or should I say months! It’s been a whirlwind. Now, things are finally settling down for a bit, and I don’t have to get on a plane for a full month!

I have a ton of projects I’m trying to get finished up while I’m at home, including a big one that I’ll reveal in a couple weeks. Stay tuned… 🙂


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