Month: May 2006

Running time: 43:36 Size: 20.0MB

My dear friend, Gwen Harl, invites me to come to her 3rd Grade classroom and share my quilts at the end of the year, when they are finished discussing quilts along with reading “The Keeping Quilt” by Patricia Pollocco. It is so much fun — the kids are like little sponges and love to see the quilts and hear the stories.

I hope you’ll enjoy listening to the presentation. You’ll be able to hear the interaction with the kids, which is precious.

Here are the pictures which correspond with the presentation:

Kirsten’s baby quilt, made 26 years ago.

Robin’s Dog quilt, a substitute for the real thing.

Ryan’s “All Hearts Come Home for Christmas” quilt.

Picking the right block on the Sampler Quilt, also known as “American Stars and Bars”.

The back of Stars and Bars, using Columbus celebratory fabric (1992) and 9-11 (2002 release) tribute fabric. Wow, until now I didn’t realize the ironic symbolism between the two fabrics. I thought it was a neat way to date how long it took the quilt to be completed.

The Dresden Plate quilt, completely constructed by hand at Robin’s baseball games. I began this quilt two years ago, and picked it back up again this season. I will add the final two borders at Robin’s game today, and then it will be ready for hand basting and hand quilting. I have to admit that I have been really excited about this process. It started out with a Fat Quarter pack of eight fabrics that were just beautiful together. I knew that I wanted to do something very special with it and chose the Dresden Plate, because the antique nature of the block blended so well with the reproduction fabrics.

I can’t wait to get it finished!

Running time: 46:20 Size: 21.3MB

Interviews from the Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar. Each of these ladies are fabulous quilters in their own right and I stand in amazement of each of them. The time spent with each quilter is precious to me and I loved getting to know them better — I hope you will too.

The first interview is with Emma Allebes, of Fair Oaks, California. Emma was the Artist in Residence at the Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA that I attended.

Emma is a quilter and Wearable Arts designer extraordinaire, with multiple years of incredible talent and honors under her embellished “belt”. I have a great amount of respect and awe for Emma and her creative gifts.
We were lucky enough to have her as our Guest Speaker at the “A Bountiful Harvest” Quilt show in 2004 where Emma wowed a standing-room-only audience.

A picture of Emma with classmate Susie Hardy.

Emma’s Taxi Ensemble at the quilt show.

Emma’s amazing talent includes copious beading on her garments and quilts. Emma has had beads and buttons made for her for her projects. Emma’s Taxi pants are pieced in 1″ squares — yep, for real — that is not printed material!

My very favorite quilt of Emma’s, “Deseret”, which means “honey bee” in Hebrew. The back of this quilt is covered with black netting that has an octagon shape, and with bee appliques. Emmas quilts with a double thread so the quilting really shows. Like I said, her talent is amazing!

Emma will be a part of the River City Quilters Open Studio the first weekend in June. If you’re in the area, check it out — you will not be disappointed in Emma’s studio! For more information, go to River City Quilt Guild.

Here is the full interview with Emma:

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jan Krentz at the eye-popping hour of 7:00 a.m. on a beautiful sunny morning. Since Jan was teaching, we had to get the interview in early. We met in the Lodge, which was designed by the fabulous architect, Julia Morgan (Hearst Castle). Unfortunately, you’ll be able to hear a door slamming over and over again, as people came in to get their morning coffees — a little frustrating in post-editing.

Jan in her element, teaching, with her students looking on.

Here is the full, unedited interview with Jan:

Visit Jan’s website at Jan Krentz.com. Jan may be in your area soon!

Next is my interview with Barbara Olson, an incredibly talented art quilter. Barbara talks about her quilt “In the Beginning” which was chosen as one of “The 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts” and subsequently purchased by Quilts, Inc. Now can you see why I was so awestruck when I interviewed Barbara?

Here is the full, unedited interview with Barbara:

Visit Barbara’s website at Barbara Olson Quilt Art.

Barbara and me in the main room of Lodge house.

Peggy Martin is the next interview where she talks about her book, “Quick-Strip Paper Piecing” and teaching at Asilomar in August. By the way, there is still space in her class! Don’t hesitate.

Peggy with her San Diego Firestorm quilt.

Here is the full, unedited interview with Peggy:

Don’t forget to visit Peggy’s website for more information about her and her process. Go to Peggy Martin.

Last but not least, is my interview with Betty Alofs – exceptional Pictorial Art quilter. When you visit Betty’s website Betty Alofs.com, you’ll realize that you have seen her quilts before. It could be because she has been a guest on “Simply Quilts” and “America Quilts Creatively”, or that you’ve seen her patterns in your favorite quilt shop. Betty is going to be an Artist in Residence at Asilomar next year.

Here is Betty with her quilt “You’ve Got Mail” — Betty gets her inspiration from many sources. The inspiration for this quilt was found on a country road near Betty’s home.

Empty Spools Seminar’s 2007 schedule will be available online in June. To view it, go to Empty Spools Seminars brochure.

Finally, I want to post some pictures that I took at Asilomar that make my experience there very memorable. I hope the pictures, along with the interviews with Emma, Jan, Barbara, Peggy and Betty will inspire and tempt you to attend an Empty Spools Seminar in the future. Everyone agrees, once you attend, you’re hooked!

Asilomar Sunset…after a particularly rainy day. What a gift this sunset was! It included a double rainbow.

My sewing area in the classroom with Sue Nickels and Pat Holly — five days of bliss.

Priscilla and me. I met Priscilla the first time we both attended Asilomar. What a pleasure to be in class with her again.

Sue and Pat’s class at Asilomar. We all agreed that it was the best class ever.

Thank you for being patient with me — and for the email and prayers for my sister, Susan. Quilters truly are the best people on earth!

Quilting Stash fans,

Best laid plans sometimes don’t get hatched when you plan. Such is the case this week, as I raced to get the interviews from Asilomar up for your listening pleasure, without success. On the heels of my Uncle Joe’s funeral, my sister Susan had an emergency Angiogram today, which turned into an Angioplasty. As you read this, I will be on my way to southern California to see her.

I’ll be back on the 15th, if all goes well, and will hop back in the saddle. Sorry for the delay — as with all good things, it’s worth the wait. And thanks for being wonderful patient friends!

Annie

Running time: 38:04 Size: 15.4MB

This is the show to catch-you-up on what I’ve been doing for the last couple of weeks.

Apologies for the noisy background (once again). I am reorganizing my quilt space and I can’t currently get to my computer – or anything else for that matter!

Featured in this Podcast:
Quilt Chipper – A National Quilt Identity System and Registry
New OLFA