Baker’s Dozen
The other two boxes delivered . . .
. . correct, more fun fabric!
Tidings 2012 Christmas fabric, “Baker’s Dozen” from Quilting Treasures.
DELICIOUS!
And available in quilt shops for your holiday projects.
Fun Fabric
Just before quilt market, four large boxes were delivered.
Typically, I can’t wait to see what’s inside but there was no time to really enjoy the contents. Until yesterday!
Take a look at what was peering back at me as I opened two of the boxes.
Fun (& funny) fall fabric!
The beautiful goods, “Creepers Peepers” from Quilting Treasures, will be available in quilt shops this summer.
As always, around this time of year, I start looking forward to fall. The new fabric helps. 😉
Quilts, Quilts . . .
. . . . . And more QUILTS! Just returned from the (Spring 2012) International Quilt Market in Kansas City. Here are a few photos of our quilt show experience.
A couple of late nights were spent tie-ing up loose ends.
Loading the rented Stow-N-Go.
The Stow-N-Go crunched before ever getting out of town! Designer Duck Tape put us back on our way.
Arrived at the historic Hilton President Hotel – Additional TREAT!
My Sewing Seeds portion in the Quilting Treasures booth, set up on Thursday.
Short & Stout is my latest release.
And a classic favorite, Hungry Animal Alphabet re-released by Quilting Treasures!
And last but not least, an unexpected friend and Tidings of Great Joy’s namesake inspiration, LINUS!
Compliments of the Project Linus friends.
A fabulous show & time!
May Flowers
com·pelledcom·pel·ling
transitive verb
1: to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly <hunger compelled him to eat>
2: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure <public opinion compelled her to sign the bill>
3 archaic : to drive together
— com·pel·la·ble adjective
Origin
Middle English compellen, from Anglo-French compeller, from Latin compellere, from com- + pellere to drive
God continues to cause healing as He compels me to create. A collection I call “Sewing Seeds,” is the result of such a significant gift. The group makes it’s official debut (to the trade) at the International Quilt Market in Kansas City, May 18-20. Sewing Seeds features a beautiful blend of original art, vintage images with a sprinkling of sowing related scripture. This market I have the added pleasure of assisting in the display set up so, in preparation I am collecting cans and overseeing other display details.
The Garden/Sewing inspired concept has been on my (ideas) books since 2008. Sowing seeds, both biological and spiritual with a play on the sewing vs sowing words, was a challenge to convey. However, as the line developed, the ideas blossomed through (pain &) perseverance. Knowing that snippets of the healing Holy text as part of a quilt, may offer similar comfort as it covers a child (or someone), perhaps a hundred years from now, for me is an overflowing cup. I am already enjoying the yield and hope you will too. To see more Sewing Seed images, go to FaceBook.
Fabric availability updates to come • here and QuiltingTreasures.com
Quilt Shops are invited to come by the Quilting Treasures booth #1924 – 1931 and pick up a Sewing Seeds gift pack (with purchase)
He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Ps.126:6
Supporting The Arts
This past week I was asked to help construct a display as part of a local, home school group’s Spring Art Show. We were shown an (tiny photo) example using a large cardboard box as the exhibitor’s show space. So, pretty much, I was winging it.
Spray painting a cardboard box was a first for me and harder than it sounds. I recommend brushing the paint on, for anyone interested.
Not knowing the exact space size, I thought adjustable walls might be the way to go. So, I rigged a simple system using brass brads, cardboard buttons and string.
Then it was time to select the art, mount on to poster board and assemble.
The rewarding results above, considering however, that the art teacher rearranged my precise placement of the original pieces! Always an art director that decides, they know better, eh?
And . . . our proud artist exhibitor, John.
Space Claim
A re-claiming of seldom used space has been underway recently in the Joy (home) Studio. I took a week to transform a spare bedroom into yet another creating station. All paper crafting, photos and some sewing supplies, will now occupy the former retreat. A major purge (of collected stuff) has begun!
The room, cupboard, bins and totes were emptied, some what, to make room for the supplies, priceless photos and my mom’s 50’s/60’s Necchi esperia machine, just around an unseen corner. Still too messy to show, but soon perhaps. I think I’m making progress, although ever so s-l-o-w-l-y. Eeks, I am still hopeful that eventually, there will be an end to the organizing & re-organizing.
My daughters are the recipients of the bed, (flower & tea) pots, baskets, etc. It feels good to pass it on so, guessing . . . I should feel great by the time the job is completed, eh?
A Father’s Tribute
Tribute – A tribute (from Latin tributum, contribution) is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. ~Wikipedia
trib·ute
noun \ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt, -byət\
a : something given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved; especially : a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or affection <a floral tribute> b : something (as material evidence or a formal attestation) that indicates the worth, virtue, or effectiveness of the one in question <the design is a tribute to his ingenuity> ~Webster
For the ‘Holy Week’ 2012, I am posting images of my father’s art, depicting the Crucifixion of Christ, John F. Wecker, created in the mid 1960’s. As I remember, he did a series of sketches and color studies on the subject. He completed one final painting in oil but began two others much larger, from which these fragments of the preliminary sketches were taken.
A most dear, Treasured Tuesday feature.
Coming Up for Air
Yikes, a friend recently pointed out that I hadn’t updated the Joy Studio since Valentines Day! I’ve had my nose down, diligently painting and designing, mostly. Having plenty of work is good so, no complaints here. Juggling two new fabric collections back to back, with new and established group follow ups, has been a bit tricky though. And busy . . . also good.
We did manage however, to take a week for some fun & fantasy with the fam in Florida. Disney and Universal Studios provided lots of artful inspiration (& some sun) in the process. It was a great get-away, although a fading (cherished) memory I’m afraid, along with my tan. 😉
Love
As I thought about Valentine designs, naturally I thought of love. Over the weekend I had a little fun with digital collage using coordinates from my last few fabric groups and a favorite vintage Valentine. The result:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Looking Ahead
Still too many irons in the fire it seems. That fact becomes especially apparent when finishing up a collection. There are always a number of loose ends to tie up and always a big mess (mine) to straighten up.
A new hutch made the job more fun.
A short deadline (on a new collection) offers the incentive.
So, for the last few days it was time to clear the decks . . . and get sketching.
Regain control, focus and look ahead to what is next.
And put to bed another line, one closer to my heart than most. You can look for “Sewing Seeds” fabric collection, in the Spring, mid May release.
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