Category: Uncategorized

  • Stringing beads

    I have accumulated quite a few beads from various quilt and bead shows over the years. Often they sit in bins for a long time before I get around to using them. I think it is challenging to string beads well, the individual beads are so beautiful, but it can be tricky to combine them…

  • Prepping for MIU

    Next month I am going to International Quilt Festival Long Beach. I am so excited to check out the show, I haven’t been to this one yet, and visit friends on the west coast. I will be teaching two workshops in Make It University, Fanciful Felted Fruits and Metal Magic. If you really like stitching…

  • Busy with not much to show for it.

    Isn’t summer supposed to be that time when we pull out those lazy days “summer reading” books and lounge around sipping iced tea? Here in Chicago it is overcast and rainy, a little cool, and I have had too much to do. My son is taking a really great cultural anthropology class that has had…

  • I did not drop off the face of the earth

    just cyberspace and I am happy to say my laptop is finally fixed, yay! I kept thinking the problem was resolved, then a day later my computer would run really slow and then freeze up after going to sleep. When I would start it up again I would get a flashing folder with a question…

  • Mother’s Day and Computer Woes

    I had a lovely Mother’s Day with my kids; Nina made me this awesome apron and this adorable squid ipod holder both of her own design. Ty made me this beautiful vase of origami roses with a promise to clean his room, truly a valuable gift, lol.In the mean time I have had a series…

  • Mmmm, smell that BBQ?

    7 am8:30 amDaisy May’s BBQ, put a lot of meat in to smoke last night. I chatted with these guys at 9 pm when I returned from picking up my laptop from Apple, it needed its graphic card replaced. They opened the doors to the smoker and showed me rack after rack of ribs, shoulders…

  • It’s my 4th Blogiversary!

    I think we should have some cake to celebrate.Zucchini Chocolate Cake 2 cups flour2 cups sugar1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa1 tsp baking powder1 tsp baking soda1 tsp ground cinnamon1/2 tsp salt3 cups shredded zucchini3/4 cup semisweet chocolate baking chips1 cup salad oil4 large eggs In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda,…

  • New Postcards

    Last week I got an email from Overnight Prints advertising small quantities of business cards and post cards. The 4″ x 6″ postcards started at $4.95 for 25, so I figured that was cheap enough to try out several designs. The last time I tried to print postcards they came out too dark and I…

  • The beautiful math that links coral, crochet and hyperbolic geometry

    Another fabulous Ted talk. I have a fascination with many scientific and mathematical ideas, although many times I have a hard time grasping the full concepts, none the less when there is an overlap of scientific and artistic ideas it so interesting. I am probably especially drawn to these kind of things because my dad…

  • Surviving the Runway Chicago

    If you have been on the fence about coming to Quilt Festival in Chicago, you need to think long and hard about missing Surviving the Runway this year on Saturday night. Quilting Arts editor Pokey Bolton always has something up her sleeve planning this extremely fun event, this year is going to be really wild…

  • The heck with the economy

    Fiber Art for A Cause earned $6,250 for the American Cancer Society! This is better than anyone could have imagined and a great addition to the $165,000 that Virginia has raised so far. Thank you, thank you to all those special people out there who made it possible!

  • The Donations are coming in!

    Here’s an uplifting note in a time when we have felt so down about the economy. Fiber Art For A Cause is off to a fabulous start with two pieces sold on opening day and another two this morning. Linda Teddlie Minton’s artwork raised $1800, Rayna Gilman’s – $1600, Marjorie DeQuincy’s – $800 and mine…

  • More Robot love

    Referencing yesterdays post about Susan’s robot piece, Cindy from Art Making in the North left a comment with a link to Fobot Found Object Robots by artist and creator Amy Flynn. I love these! Amy makes these fantastic sculptures from vintage tins, toys and hardware, each one is unique with so much personality. Amy also…

  • A bit of fiber inspiration

    Cool Mixed Media Felt art by Susan Hinckley. I have mentioned Susan’s work before, but if you haven’t gone over to check out Susan’s entertaining blog filled with great vintage advertising images that reflect her humor and outlook on life yet, you really should. Visit her website too, it features lots of her beautiful work.

  • Kindle 2!

    I have drooled over the Kindle ever since I first learned about it. I read every review and description of this piece of technology and was convinced I needed one. At the time it was impossible to get one because they sold out so fast. With time to think about it, I decided like all…

  • Must Have Cardigan

    The Must Have Cardigan #2 progresses, I have now completed the body, knitting the fronts and back in one piece.I love cables! I am so glad I am finally at the level of knitting that I do not have to consult the chart for every line and can blissfully knit away knowing what I should…

  • Michelle meets the new President

    Friend and fellow member of PAQA, Michelle Hardman went to Barack Obama’s inauguration. Michelle worked tirelessly for the Obama campaign traveling to several states to get out the vote message. Michelle also organized getting art quilts hung in the Chicago Obama campaign office. Michelle is wearing a scarf created especially for the events by Susan…

  • Busy but not much to show

    So it seems like I have not been doing much, but I really have. It’s just not a whole lot I can show you.In the non creative realm I have been trying to tackle the excessive files we have accumulated in the file cabinets. I don’t think we need every phone bill from the last…