San Diego Fires

Like all of us, I have been deeply touched by the horrendous wild fires of last week in Southern California. My thoughts and prayers have been with all of those who have lost their homes, their pets, precious memories and, worst of all loved ones. I made this quilt over the weekend to mark the time lest we forget this tragedy.

Praise Wall

Today was the inauguration of the Praise Wall at my church. This quilt "We Lift Our Praises" forms the centerpiece for the wall.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
Psalm 63:2-4 (The Message)

Over the next several weeks, our church members, staff, friends and visitors will fill out praise cards and they will be pinned to the long banners that hang on either side of the quilt. Below is a picture of the Praise Wall with just 3 praises posted so far.

Studio Experiments

With the kids back in school and some time in the studio, I decided to just play with fabric for a few days. I needed a break from quilt projects with deadlines! The show Simply Quilts is back on the air. While I have seen most of them, I enjoy the peaceful time in the morning to gather my thoughts and be inspired by Alex Anderson's guests. Recently, I caught an episode with Kim Deneault. She has developed a technique called Raggedy Reverse Applique which she uses for working with kids. Check out her website and book. I decided to try it to make some abstract art quilts. Here are three different ones I made, each within just a couple of hours. It is alot of fun! I layered three fat quarters of fabric, right side up and then sewed long curvy lines. I then cut through either one or two of the layers leaving 1/4" next to the sewing line. Then using Kim's technique, I clipped the edges about 1/8" apart. Once all the edges are clipped, I washed and dried it the machine. I added a back and then quilted. I added some fibers to the beige and blue one. Phew, got that out of my system. So now it's back to a quilt project that is due in two days.

The Story of "Praise Him" Continues

Last October I made this quilt called Praise Him for my pastor. The full story about its creation is on my website. It was an amazing experience of obedience and joy.

Well, yesterday I received the most incredible email. Ronald Cason was googling images of Praise and came across the picture of the quilt. He wanted to download it to be used for a background for his Yahoo 360 page. Well the Holy Spirit moved him to contact me first. Please read Ronald's own version of how the Holy Spirit moves among his people and touches our lives. Go to Ronald Cason's 360 site. His blog for September 9 is titled "I Like the Way You Move." I couldn't agree more!

Boy Scout High Adventure Trip to Switzerland

I am back from my Boy Scout trip to Switzerland. My co-leader, Bill Branner, and I took a group of four Venturers to the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg. Here is a picture of my son climbing on a glacier. This picture was taken by Bill's son Matthew who was lower in the crevasse.

My Newest Quilt is Called "Rays."

While I was in California, I made a class sample for the workshop I will teach at the Quilt Patch in Fairfax, VA this fall. The class is about using value to bring light and transparancies into quilt design. I pieced this entirely with fusible. The only sewing was the machine quilting and the facing for finishing. The pieces are finished as separate quilts and then are attached together using small tabs.

“His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden." (Habakkuk 3:4)

I'm back from California

I have just returned from an amazing 5 weeks at our summer home on the central coast of California. Here is a picture of our home taken by my nephew from the air. I could spend hours everyday down on the rocks over looking the water watching for otter, seals, star fish, crabs, dolphins and even whales.

Rajua has a new home

On June 22nd, UNIFEM held its fund raiser and my african themed quilt named Rajua was purchased in a silent auction. Rajua means "to give hope" in Swahili - a fitting name for the UNIFEM cause. Rajua was purchased by Neale Godfrey. Neale is the Chairman of the Children's Financial Network and wrote the well known book Money Doesn't Grow on Trees. This was my first quilt to get into a juried show (Mid-Atlantic and AQS) so it was a little hard to see it go.

Sacred Threads 2007

This was the year for me to enter some juried shows. So far, so good! My quilt called Rajua, made for UNIFEM exhibited at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival and at AQS in Paducah. But the real thrill for me was when two of my quilts hung at Sacred Threads. Since making art quilts about my faith is my true passion, it was the perfect venue. My quilts are back home now.

This quilt is called Follow Me and it is based on the scripture from Mark 1:17 when Jesus says, "Come and I will make you fishers of men." The quilting on the outside border symbolizes the fishing net.