Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

I have two pieces in the September auction to raise money for Alzheimer's research. There are many really cute pieces. So think about bidding and getting a head start on your holiday shopping!

http://www.alzquilts.org/quiltauction.html

I made the $1000 promise so I am hoping this will get me closer to my promise. Here is the status of all my pieces:

http://www.alzquilts.org/ellislisa.html

Honorable Mention for Shedding New Light on an Old Block

I was very pleased to learn yesterday that my piece Shedding New Light on an Old Block was given an Honorable Mention by the members of Alliance for American Quilts. This is the first time I have ever won anything on a quilt so it means a lot to me.

Here you can see all the winners:
New From Old Gallery

My buddy Sandi Goldman also received an Honorable Mention and the grand prize winner, Jamie Fingal is a friend through SAQA.

The donated quilts will be auctioned off this fall on eBay to raise money for AAQ's programs.

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative - $1000 Promise

I have been actively participating in the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative for some time now. I have donated several 9" x 12" pieces called Priority Quilts for auction. I have also puchased books and DVDs, bid and won several Priority Quilts, and given lectures on Healing Quilts.  I decided it was time to make the $1000 promise and donate more Priority Quilts to be auctioned and sold. You can view my progress and read my dedication on my individual promise web page on the AAQI website. This week I sent 3 new pieces. They should arrive in Ami Simms hands sometime today. I hope she is pleased. On Monday at one of my quilt groups, I offered to do a workshop in the Fall to make Priority Quilts. I am excited about getting more of my buddies involved.

Asian Morning

Tiger Lily

Autumn Ginkgo

Gift for My Pastor - Be Still

I made this piece in 2006. Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorite verses. "Be Still and know that I am God". I left off the word "God" because during this time I was also studying Moses's encounter with God at the burning bush and is given God's name as "I Am". Then Jesus uses the phrase frequently: I am... the way, the truth and the life, the alpha and omega, the bread of life, the living water, etc. So when I made this piece I wanted my focus to be on knowing the great "I Am". The all encompassing God who has come down in human form.

My pastor was visiting my house recently and saw this piece and commented on how much he liked it. It reminded him of a ceiling in a place he had traveled that had inspired him. So I gave it to him.

It's always nice as an artist to have people appreciate your work and to see your work hanging in places you visit. I have enough pieces hanging in my own house. It was time for a new home for "Be Still".

Running Out of Time - Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

Healing Quilts is one of my passions. I have a lecture on how, as quilt artists, we can use our work to improve the lives of those dealing with disease.

One of my heroes is Ami Simms who is raising awareness and funds to battle Alzheimer's. I am sending this new piece to Ami today to support her efforts.

Here is my accompanying artist statement:
With this disease we are always racing against the clock.

“I hope Grandma will still recognize John when he graduates in two years.”

“I hope Amy gets married before Auntie is too confused to travel.”

“If only there would be a new treatment before Grandpa gets any worse”.

For Debbie, my friend, we are out of time. She needs to be moved now to Assisted Living. The cure did not come in time for her.

I chose the purple thread for Alzheimer’s awareness. The thread is fading as the time is running out. The grey fabrics symbolize the shadows of memories that are left.

Please check out Ami's website Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.
 
And on behalf of Ami, I want to thank her volunteers who work behind the scenes. In the last week, I have connected with two: Peggy Mages and Kathy Kennedy Dennis. I know personally from my own healing quilt proejcts that even if you have a greatest vision, it takes a team to make it happen.

Galations 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

I made this piece for a beloved pastor who is leaving our church. It is mounted on black linen stretched on stretcher bars.

New Work - "Shedding New Light on an Old Block"

My newest work is called "Shedding New Light on an Old Block" This is a 16" x 16" piece made for the Alliance of American Quilts challenge fund raiser to be auctioned off in the Fall of 2010. The challenge this year is called "New from Old". I am a sponsor and member of AAQ. You can read more about the organization here.

I hunted for old blocks in the Jinny Beyer book titled The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns. The star block I chose is called the 'Godey Design' and dates back to 1858.
To make the design my own, I used modern techniques to focus rays of light on the blocks, and then I embellished the quilt with silk floss and crystals. The star blocks are machine pieced and then appliquéd to the background. The cotton fabrics are entirely designed by Jinny Beyer.

Sacred Threads 2011 Announcement

I have not had much time for blogging, Facebook, etc. My life has become busier than usual with Sacred Threads and my software company, Giving Back Technology, providing our call for entries /registration system for SAQA, QSDS and Quilts, Inc. But today I want to share my big news. Sacred Threads will be in Northern Virginia June 22 - July 4, 2011. It took some time to find the right venue. It will be held at my own church, Church of the Epiphany in Herndon, VA. It's convenient to Dulles Airport and it is 30 minutes outside DC. The call for entries will be open January 9 - March 9, 2011. So please be thinking about what sacred peices you want to enter. And mark your calendars for a trip to DC. July 4th is a wonderful time to be in the area.

It's a Little Fishy

My piece for SAQA now has a name. "It's a Little Fishy". I asked my artist husband Mike to draw on the label. Using fabric pens, he created this little scene. Isn't it cute!

SAQA has posted my piece to the auction page. Check out all the fabulous pieces that have come in so far:

SAQA Benefit Auction

SAQA Auction piece is done!

This little 12" x 12" quilt is for the SAQA reverse auction which will take place next fall. I have been making fish quilts lately. Must be because I am thinking about my beach house in California. Mike drew the fish for me. It's handy having a husband that can draw! I haven't named it yet. Any ideas?