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?

Signs of the Times - Part Three

My Uncle Sam piece is finished! Signs of the Times will be making its debut at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival later this month.

Uncle Sam - Signs of the Times Progress - Part 2

My Signs of the Times piece is coming along. Check out the drawing my husband did from my recent post. Next step is to add the text for all the difficulties.

I am making great progress due to the crazy snow storm that hit our area. Otherwise I would be at the church today for an all day meeting.

While 3 feet snow is a lot and a bit of a hassle, I am happy to be in my studio today.

I am proud to be a sponsor of an AAQ Fundraising event.

Here is the press release from AAQ:

The nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts will host two fundraising events in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 4.

The "Connected by Threads" events will celebrate quilts, quiltmakers and quilt history through the lens of two speakers, Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi and Le Rowell, both board members of The Alliance for American Quilts (AAQ). Mazloomi will speak at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm including a tea reception, and Rowell will speak at a dinner and silent auction from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the DACOR Bacon House. The events will benefit the nonprofit AAQ, a national organization that documents, preserves and shares the rich history of quilts and quiltmakers (www.AllianceforAmericanQuilts.org). Both Mazloomi and Rowell will be sharing quilts from their own collections and studies. "Connected by Threads" is sponsored by Lisa Ellis of the Sacred Threads Exhibit and maker of Art Call, the on-line artist registration, jurying and exhibit administration system, http://www.ellisquilts.com/, and the Rowell Family Charities. An individual ticket including both events is $85 for AAQ members and $100 for nonmembers. Individual event tickets are also available.

Read the full press release: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs011/1101594196900/archive/1102956828989.html
Find complete information and online ticket sales: http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/support/events.php.

Signs of the Times. Work in Progress - Part 1

I am really blessed that my husband can draw. I am working on a piece for an exhibit called "Signs of the Times". I asked Mike to draw me an Uncle Sam skate boarding on a graph representing the Dow or unemployment while using a smart phone. He came back to me with this:

This is my second piece featuring Uncle Sam. My first was made in 2007 for Vintage Revisted and is called Trying to Keep the Balls in the Air:

I'll post more pictures of my new piece as it comes along.