Three Simple Rules for Creating Needle Arts

All of us are insecure in our abilities to do things. I have learned over the years that no matter how good you are at something, there is always somebody better, or quicker, or cleverer. And you really become intimidated when dealing with creative ideas. We all know talent when we see it, and more often than not, we always see more in somebody else than ourselves.

So what are we to do when we sit down to do our quilting, or sewing, or make a craft item? I have come to the conclusion that while it is always a good thing to look at people who are more talented than ourselves, we should learn how to measure our own work by the degree of satisfaction it gives to us individually.

I remember when I was in high school, my English teacher taught us to write about what we know. The same thing can go for needle arts. Do what you know, both creatively and technically. Here are two things you have to do whenever you strive to be creative:

1) Work on Technique. I took piano lessons when I was younger. Any of you who took piano lessons did your Schirmer excercises. They made your fingers go up and down the keyboard. You curved your fingers, and if your piano teacher was worth her salt, she had a little ruler she would tap your knuckles with if you didn’t hold your wrists up the proper way. That is learning technique. The same goes for needle arts. Take classes. Read about different techniques. Practice on samples. All of this will come out when you sit down to be creative.

2) Look for Small Successes. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are needle arts skills. If you learn to do something that proves a little difficult, celebrate it. Share it with your friends. All of us have been there as we move towards perfection. No success or skill is to small to tell your friends, look what I learned how to do.

3) Make What You know. Whenever you sit down to create something, you have to put something of yourself into what you are creating. If you garden, do flowers. If you love animals, make a squirrel. If your life centers around your family, bring that into your creation. That extra something that is part of you will show up in your work. If it isn’t perfect, who cares? That is you, too. None of us is perfect, and nothing we create will be perfect either.

These three rules for creative needle arts apply not only to those of us who enjoy quilting or sewing, but to all other areas of life that represent self expression. Whether it is music, or art, or sports, or writing or quilting; technique, celebrating small successes, and creating what you know might not make you a Michaelangelo, but will give you personal satisfaction that will be visible to anyone who looks at your creation.

Quilt Appraisals: Why Do It?

As many of you know who have read my blog regularly, I made a crazy quilt that took me nine years to complete. My heart and soul are stitched into that quilt. I could not begin to replace so many of the fabrics, trims and historical memorabilia that I have collected over the years to complete my quilt. Before I entered the quilt in the NQA show in Columbus, Ohio I decided it was very important to have the quilt appraised. A written appraisal will determine the value for replacement with similar like and kind when shipping your quilt, displaying it in a quilt show or any loss or damage. Rarely, will standard homeowners insurance cover your quilt while it is being exhibited in a quilt show. In order to keep the cost of insurance reasonable for event organizers, quilts are valued at a set limit, (often $500 for large quilts and $250 for small quilts) unless a written appraisal by a recognized expert accompanies the quilt. This is the reason that the American Quilter’s Society in Paducah, KY started the Quilt Appraisal Certification Program This establishes guidelines and criteria for setting realistic replacement values on quilted textiles.

In addition to establishing replacement value on your quilt, quilt appraisals can also be used to determine Fair Market Value. In other words, if you wanted to sell your quilt in the open market, what would it be worth? My appraisal was strictly based on replacement value. I used two AQS certified appraisers out of Columbus, Ohio. They took many pictures while I was there, made many notes and ask questions about specific old fabrics and trims, etc. They consulted a fabric historian, especially for the piece that my grandmother had made. Stitches and beads were counted to determine how long it would take to make another similar quilt and of course the backing, binding, trims, labels, etc. were included in the final replacement value of the quilt. On my quilt, no appraisal was declared for artistic quality or the fair market value – at the time I had my quilt appraised, I wasn’t aware that I could have this done. I couldn’t begin to replace the quilt and its’ memories, but I am secure in knowing that if something happened to my quilt, there would be some compensation .

Why should you have your quilts appraised?

l. To establish a replacement value for insurance purposes.
2. To purchase a “Fine Arts Floater”
3. To determine a value for donation, gift, or estate purposes for the IRS
4. To provide a value to a venue that requires insurance and/or appraisals
5. To provide adequate coverage during shipping or while in transit.
6. To aid in determining a Fair Market Value.
7. A meaningful addition to a quilt given as a gift.

Three types of quilt appraisals:

a. Insurance Replacement Appraisal
b. Fair Market Appraisal
c. Tax Donation Appraisal

A written quilt appraisal should specify a circa date of when your quilt was made, the maker’s name if known, adequately describe your quilt through pattern, set, materials, construction technique, color and any other pertinent information, accurately assess the quality of workmanship and the overall condition of your textile, note the current economic conditions, describe the type of value being established, the actual value being established, the actual value, and the method and resources used to substantiate value. Any other factual information known that would affect value should also be noted. This might include special exhibits, awards, quilt maker’s established sales record, publications, and any other information relative to the quilt, quilt maker or quilt owner. The qualifications of the Quilt Appraiser should also be provided.

I plan to update my appraisal information now that my quilt has won ribbons in two different shows. A basic appraisal costs approximately $35.00 so it is affordable to have your quilts appraised, especially the ones that are near and dear to you. Check online for additional information on appraisals--- there is a lot of information out there.

http://www.bobbieaug.com/html/appraisal.html
http://www.lequilts.com/html/quilt_appraisal.html
http://deedadik.home.att.net/

NQA Show; Columbus

I remember my first trip to the National Quilting Association show in Columbus and being totally overwhelmed, and to be honest, a little awe struck. “National” is the operative word, with quilts on display from all over the United States, and many foreign countries as well. The talent is beyond belief, both in those who are exhibiting quilts, as well as the folks who put on the event. Just read the resumes of the teachers and judges, and you know that quilting is serious business.

And it is not only the show itself, but the sheer numbers of people sharing similar interests is something to see. Coupled with the exhibit are vendors selling everything your quilting heart could desire, from fabric to patterns to glitz to quilting machines…if they don’t got it, you don’t need it. There are certified appraisers available if you want to see what your quilt is worth. This is a serious issue, especially when trying to insure it.

Finally, the NQA becomes a quilting university, with classes offered all day long all week long, both at the Convention Center and other venues in Columbus. Teachers are brought in from all over the country, and you can hone your skills from technical stitches to artistry. The teachers are true quilt experts, who will wow you with not only their skill, but many interesting stories. Classes are also a good place to meet quilters from all over the country, and see what is going on in other areas of the United States, plus get to know some really nice and interesting people.

This is the second year I have exhibited at the NQA show. It is technically not a juried show, but it is limited to 400 entries with stringent rules that will thin out the crowd. It is a well oiled machine, with some of the ladies having worked there for years. From check in to check out, you follow the protocol. Last year, I brought my display quilt down and had them ship it back… it was back at my house by the Tuesday after the event.

This year, because of the nature of the quilt that I entered, I drove it down and went back to Columbus the following weekend to pick it up, $4.00 gas notwithstanding!! There is too much of me in my quilt to leave the return trip to Fed Ex!!

There are a number of different categories in which to enter you quilt for individuals as well as quilts made by groups. Some of the categories are Bed Quilts, pieced; Bed quilts, appliquéd; Wall Quilts, pieced; Pictorial Quilts, pieced; and so forth.

My quilt, Remembering Home, was entered in a catch-all category called “Other”, which accepted quilts that didn’t fit neatly into any of the categories. Many of you have seen the quilt which is a history of my family going back to the 1790's. One of the judges called it a “history” quilt, teaching me another “term of art” for a certain type of quilting. I was thrilled to find out I finished 3rd in my category, and in addition received one of 6 special ribbons offered by the NQA. Mine was for embellishment. Pictures of all of the winning quilts will be posted shortly on the NQA website, and will remain there for the year.

This was very special to me, especially since the quilt represented my family and nine years of work putting the quilt together. Although one can always hope, my chances of repeating such an honor again in my lifetime are probably slim to none, making this NQA Quilt show one I will remember the rest of my life. If you haven’t made the effort to attend the NQA show in Columbus, make the effort next year. And if you can, take some of the classes. It is an exceptional experience, and really fun time.

By the way, Martini’s is an Italian restaurant across from the Convention Center on High Street. It is a tad pricey, but the food is great. Also visit the Farmers Market in back of the Hampton Inn, also across the street. Good Eatin’!

National Quilting Association

PO Box 12190

Columbus, Ohio 43212-0190

Tel: 614-488-8521

Searching for Peyote; or When Did My Arms Get So Short?

Yes, there is more to peyote than "day tripping!" The peyote stitch, aka the gourd stitch, is one of the most controversial beading stitches. The stitch was originally developed by Native Americans, as well as appearing in Africa, at some unknown time in the past. Given the distance between the two groups, it isn’t clear how this happened. Established trade routes in ancient times made it possible for beading and stitchery techniques to pass from one group of people to another. As a result, new stitches evolved. Native Americans, as well as Africans, may have discovered this stitch on their own at the same time. If you take beads and thread and needle in hand, it is possible to come up with something someone else discovered on their own. Such is history…. It repeats itself.

As a person who has had long arms all of my life, I’ve had to succumb to the fact that my arms are now “too short”, and getting shorter by the day. After quilt club the other night, several of my friends and I discussed a 40 year old “girl” who makes everything in miniature. We all admire the wonderful work she does, but “tearfully’ reminisced about the good old days when we could do that, too. Mostly we laughed about our collections of glasses that enable us to sew.

At a needle arts guild meeting in April, I definitely decided I don’t like to bead – in particular, the peyote brand of beading. The project was a pin. We were given little bags of tiny beads, fine wire and a pattern with lots of intricate little lines going in various directions. Of course I came prepared with lamps, magnification and various accoutrements that I thought I would need for making this little 1” by 2” pin. As I sat at a table with new acquaintances who were just crazy about peyote beading, I thought this is going to be great; a new little art form to add to my crazy quilt.

Then class started!!!! My wires were never going in the right direction let along my beads. I struggled along with help from everyone at my table and eventually left at the end of the day with a sore neck, a headache and a battered ego. The lady at the end of the table, who had already made her pin, showed us her current project. It was the most darling little peyote beaded purse – it even opened and closed. The most interesting thing about it was it was only 1”square. "It’s so easy—anyone can make this.,” she said. Like that it is going to happen. There isn’t enough aspirin or magnification on God’s good earth that would allow me to do that. So much for my ability to do peyote.

So I guess it is back to the “cheater” glasses – my friend says I can get a four pack at Walmarts. I will continue to bead in my own crazy artistic way that works for me---happy in my own little world. The moral of the story, and there has to be a moral for this one: get used to shorter arms, get some glasses( anything that allows you to see your favorite stitching), admire the younger members who don ‘t need to wear their glasses…and quietly laugh to yourself. Their day is coming, just like us. And above all watch out for peyote…both the stuff that you smoke and those beautiful beads you will never be able to stitch, whether you are smoking it or not.

http://www.beadwrangler.com/samplers/peyote1/peyote_history.htm

Sewing Your Story

I recently had a good friend tell me she doesn’t like to show off her needlework because she feels it doesn’t compare to others in her sewing group. I think most of us who sew do it for a multitude of reasons. In my 50 plus age group, we learned to sew in junior high and home ec. classes and 4-H clubs. We sewed and put our projects into our hope chests. Remember those? I always felt like mine was so hopeless and besides I didn’t have a chest—both the bosom kind and the wooden blanket chest kind.

Girls from my era were destined to be teachers, nurses, secretaries and wives, not lawyers and doctors like today. Being able to run a household and take care of our families ranked very highly during that time. Our mothers told us to learn to sew so we could make curtains for our first home, clothes for ourselves and our children as well as tablecloths, napkins, and of course Barbie Doll clothes. Sewing was cheaper back then, not today.

Many of us have left utilitarian sewing and have embarked on a new hobby of quilting and “fun” sewing. We indulge ourselves and spend a lot of time and money on our “fun.” But like everything else in our society, perfection is a must. There is always a new and improved everything. We have sewing machines that will do everything for us but make our dinner and sweep our floors. Just when you think you’ve got one thing learned, here comes another technique to learn and along with it perfection.

I love perfection and do strive for it like so many of us. The problem is, we sometimes forget the journey. Remember the first sewing project you made with your mother, or perhaps your grandmother? Your first stitches weren’t perfect, but you remember the good time you had---- it is the bonding that we do with family and friends that really counts. The next time you are stitching with friends, take the time to ask them about their background in sewing.

Everyone has a story to tell. It is surprising who among us did alterations, made custom drapery, knitted neonatal hats for children’s hospitals, crocheted blankets for nursing homes, or who made charity quilts for aids and hospice organizations. Then there are the ladies who just sewed for their families, mending and making prom and wedding gowns. How much more important does it get than doing things for the events in your family’s history. No matter what kind of needlework we do, it is all done with some kind of a needle with the thought of doing something for others.

So…. be proud of what you make or design, and share with others. The story behind the project is what is really important, and if along the way you achieve a blue ribbon for those perfect stitches, enjoy the ride!!!!!

Ohio Quilters: Sue Spargo

Folk Art Quilts are a unique form of art quilts, and no one does it better than Sue Spargo. I was introduced to her style of quilting at NEORQC two years ago while cruising the classes to see what was being offered and what other folks were making. Sue was there, and I fell in love with her designs, wools, trims and all the special “findings” she uses to finish one of her projects.

Sue’s website, http://www.suespargo.com/ is filled with all sorts of interesting and beautiful designs. Born in Zambia and trained as a nurse, she worked her way to the United States and Uniontown, Ohio, through South Africa and England, bringing with her a rich background evident in all of her designs and work. Many of her projects incorporate hand dyed wools done by her sister who lives in the Pacific Northwest. Talent runs in the family.

I took one of Sue’s courses entitled Ginger Grove last year. The course had my name in it, so it had to be good. I wasn’t disappointed. It was filled with embellishments, which is my favorite thing to do. It also afforded me the opportunity to do another one of my favorite pastimes, shopping for quilting stuff. You know, stuff that I “need”. But mostly I enjoyed being in class with Sue, who not only teaches, but inspires.

It was a big project, and I will be working on it for several years to come. But it allows me to study her technique in designing what appears on the surface to be simple primitives, but are actually well planned, well thought out, complicated works of art, confirming her reputation. Making something look simple is often times the most complicated thing to do. My rule with any project that is difficult, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Sue’s website describes her three areas of interest: Designs, Workshops, and Books and Patterns. Her talent takes her all over the country giving lectures and classes, often times scheduled years in advanced. Her patterns and kits sell all over the country. Her retail operation is unique to her and her materials, patterns and style, including notions, fabric and jewelry…and she is located right here in Ohio.

So if sometime in your quilting pursuits you have the opportunity to take a class from Sue Spargo, or sit in one of her lectures, or even come across her patterns and unique materials, SIGN UP. You won’t regret it.

Ohio Quilters: Cindy Zlotnik Oravecz

Sometimes what we desire the most is sitting in our own backyards. As a stitcher, I am always on the “hunt” for new shops associated with wonderful destinations. One of my favorite shops is Quilters’s Fancy, owned and operated by Cindy Zlotnik Oravecz. Right next door are two more stitchery shops, The Lacemaker and Designers II quilt shops. This is one stop shopping for those who love handwork. And if you like antiquing (I am always looking for pie birds and half doll pin cushions), those in the know in Cortland go to Lovejoy’s.

A friend tipped me off a few years ago to Quilter’s Fancy. I have been hooked ever since. Like so many of us, Cindy Zlotnik Oravecz has been sewing all of her life . She worked as a journalist for a police department before marrying and having a family. At that point she started freelance writing. She wrote her first article on sewing and the rest is history. Cindy is an expert on crazy quilting and anything to do with Victorian sewing. She has written several books on flower making including Into the Garden and The Enchanted Garden. She has designed two tools specifically for her flower making: the Ruching Edge and the Mini Ruching Edge.

Quilter’s Fancy is a tiny shop that is large on inspiration. For me, a day at her shop is like being on a mini vacation . I peruse the newest books, French silk ribbons, embellished trims, new laces to hand dye, plus so many other wonderful things. Time always flies much to quickly.

Sign up for one of Cindy‘s classes and she will make you feel extra special, maybe even offering you a cup of tea in a vintage tea cup. Class offerings for small groups and/or individuals are listed on her web site. .

When I was finishing my crazy quilt ( a nine year endeavor and well worth it) Cindy was my quilt guru for such things as how to tie the quilt. Crazy quilts are usually not quilted, they are tied in such a way that stitches are not visible on the front of the quilt. She gave me an article that she had written for a magazine on just that particular problem.

Cindy can also provide information on where to find quilt appraisers, quilt restoration specialists. If she doesn’t have the answer at her fingertips, she will help you locate whatever you need.

In this day and age when everything is computerized and so impersonal, I find it is refreshing to make the human connection. So, the next time you need a mini vacation, take a ride to Cortland, visit Quilter’s Fancy, walk through Lovejoy’s Antiques and have a little lunch in town. It’s a fun day.

I will be featuring another Ohio quilt artist/author next week.

Remember “Take a stitch on the wild side.” You never know where it will lead you.

www.quiltersfancy.com
www.pimafitz.com
www.preservesmart.com
www.colorwithquilts.com

PINCUSHIONS, PYNPYLLOWES, PINKEEPERS, and MAKEDOS

I am crazy about pincushions…a lowly serviceable item that we all have in our sewing rooms. Have you ever counted how many you own? The oldest one that I own from my life experiences was given as a favor at the mother-daughter banquet in my home town of Shiloh, Ohio when I was about 9 years old. It is a little felt hat that is actually a needlebook made by the ladies of the church. It is amazing that I still have it given how many times I have moved over the years.

I am a collector by nature and of course have collected a few pincushions here and there. If you count the half dolls, I have probably collected 25.

The first record of pincushions appeared 15th century in England. Since metal pins were very costly and considered precious items, ladies kept their pins in small boxes made of silver, bone or ivory. During the Tudor era, simple stuffed shapes started to be used to house pins. These little stuffed treasures were made of silks and linens and were decorated with tassels and laces.

By the 18th century, new materials were used to house these little “pynpyllowes.” They were embellished with fancy threads, beads, knitted silk and other fine things. During the Victorian era, which is my favorite era, pincushions remained very popular and decorated parlour mantels in Victorian homes. Ladies made their pincushions into shapes such as fans, shoes, dolls, teacups, fruits and vegetables.

Today, the tomato with a strawberry attached is the icon of American pincushions. The attached “strawberry” is filled with very fine grit that is used to sharpen needles. Check out Martha Stewart’s web site. She has tomato pin cushion patterns along with cherry tomatoes.

At NEORQC I learned how to make two new pincushions. First, I took the Peony class from Sue Spargo and made a wonderful pincushion complete with a bird atop it. Then, as a surprise, my friend Rene ( who is a pincushion Nut) made a strawberry “makedo” pincushion for everyone eating at our table for the weekend. Last year she gave us an acorn “makedo.” I happened to have a tiny hedgehog pincushion which I gave her. These are made by the owner of Lacemaker in Cortland, Ohio.

“Pincushion Mania” has hit!!!!

If you are a “pincushion nut” like my friend Rene and me, go and count your pincushions. What a wonderful link to the past with ladies of the 15th century. And do check out our modern day links with Sue Spargo, Martha Stewart, Helen Gibb, Clotilde, The Lacemaker and Vintage Vogue. Happy stitching ladies.

Not Yo' Mama's Yo-Yo's!!

Once more, everything old is new again…and the quilt world is rediscovering yo-yo’s. These aren’t the “walk the dog kind”, but lowly little circles of fabric. Several weeks ago, the Carnation Quilt of Alliance hosted national quilt award winner Karen Phillips Swallen. She spoke about her collection of quilts, including a beautiful yo-yo quilt. This “coverlet” contained several hundred, if not a thousand, yo-yo’s stitched together in fabrics ala the 1920’s. We all ooh’s and ah’d, and thought to ourselves we should could go home and start a yo-yo quilt…or not, as we look at the unfinished projects sitting around our work areas. But here’s the thing. Karen Swallen makes her yo-yo-quilts in her free time, oftentimes while waiting for something else to happen. It takes very little time to make a yo-yo. It just takes hundreds of them to make anything made out of them look like something.

Yo-yo quilts were very popular during the 1920’s-30’s. Women didn’t have a lot of money so they frugally used their fabric scraps in as many ways as possible. Nothing went to waste. A basic 3 to 4 inch circle was stitched around with a needle and thread, and then drawn up to form the yo-yo. Sooner or later, there would be enough of them to make a quilt or coverlet.

At the Aurora NEORQC event last week, the women were sopping up yo-yo makers like water in a sponge, with many of the vendors selling out of them. These makers allow you to make various shaped yo-yo’s, including flower and heart shaped. They are made by an outfit called Clover Company, and sell for around $5.95. I bought a set of yo-yo makers for $24.00 at the Columbus Quilt Show last spring made by another company. So they are around if you want them. We have come a long way when women would use can lids for patterns.

And the old fashioned way still works. If you are computer savvy, take some time and surf the web. You will find site after site dedicated to the art of yo-yoing, demonstrating the techniques that my grandmother used. Talk about marrying the old with the new. As my grandmother said: Waste not! Want not! No new fangled sewing accessories for her. So I am teaching my students this wonderful “new” idea, using a computer, to show them how they did it in the old days.

Here are some links to some web sites relating to yo-yo’s. Next time you go to throw out that 4” square scrap of fabric, think about making a yo-yo. Then when you are through, go walk your dog.

ALL ABOUT YO-YO'S OR SUFFOLK PUFFS

GLENDALE QUILTING GUILD

JAMMIES, CORKS AND SECRET GARDENS; Fun at N.E.O.R.Q.C.!!!!!!

For one weekend each year in February, we quilters get to “getaway” to The Bertram Inn and Conference Center in beautiful, downtown Aurora, Ohio. We plan for this all year as we dream of being away from our husbands, kids, and all of the attendant responsibilities associated therewith. We spend our weekend enjoying our friends, learning new sewing techniques, eating our meals together, and even getting a massage….if we are so inclined.

The quilt getaway event is sponsored by the North Eastern Ohio Regional Quilt Council (NEORQC), an organization that meets four times a year and is made up of quilt guilds from 22 counties from our part of Ohio. Any quilter who belongs to a member guild can attend the weekend event. Pay up front!! No refunds if it snows!! And we all gladly pay.

At the core of the getaway is a “Quilt Challenge.” Quilters are given advanced notice of a theme, and have their efforts judged that weekend. Cash prizes are awarded on Saturday night. This year’s theme was “My Quilted Garden.” This year’s first place ribbon went to Donna Gaier, a member of our local affiliate, the TQ Quilt Guild of Canfield. Donna’s entry was an art quilt which was hand painted and embellished with miscellaneous flowers and fibers. A former member of our Canfield group, Rene Norman, won best of show. Rene now lives in Michigan, and presented a garden quilt entry made completely from wool with an extraordinary amount of handwork.

In addition to the challenge, various classes are offered to allow us to hone our skills. Packing light is not an option as attendees are required to bring all of the accoutrement with them, including sewing machines, thread, fabric, scissors, and anything else you might need for your stitching amusement.

This year’s highlights? There was the unnamed lady who made herself right at home, jammies and all, in the room, in the hallway, in the ballroom. And let’s not forget Sue Bell’s garden hat, filled with dangling corks. We will be polite and not ask her what she had to drink, and how much of it, to get so many corks….but it certainly is a novel way to keep the flies away!!!!

By the end of the weekend, we have all made new friends, learned something worthwhile, exchanged email address so we can share information with each other, and leave looking forward to next year.

STUDIO ENVY

Everything today is over the top. My job is filled with forms and computers and numbers and budgets. Television requires two college degrees to change the channels. The clock next to my bed takes an electrician to reset every time the electricity goes out. So as of late I renewed an old passion of mine, the needle arts: a solitary, basic activity rooted in old fashioned skill and patience. Something where I could find personal peace, and the joy of developing my own skills.

Well, sort of. I decided I wanted to learn more about art quilts, where my creativity could run amok. These are wonderful things, filled with color and expression. They are free form and not bound by the rules of “regular” quilting. The sky’s the limit. Finally, I could let my creative juices flow.

So I decided to take a class in art quilting in Columbus. It was a two day workshop, and what I discovered was what I didn’t know about a quilting is a lot. I was surrounded by people from all over the country, indeed the world. And I discovered that quilting was now filled with forms and computers and numbers and budgets. I was up the proverbial creek.

As I sat eating humble crow midst these very talented people, I discovered that what they had that I didn’t was a “studio”. To be a cool quilter, you need a studio. Some of these folks had pictures of their “studios”, and they would make they the House of Chanel look like a lower east side sweat shop. With lights and boards and tables everywhere, these folks personified the saying, if some is good, more is better.

I returned to Youngstown, down but not out, determined that I would have a studio, too. Unfortunately, the only thing that would resemble a studio in my experience was my mother’s old dining room table where I did my 4-H projects (yes, I belonged to 4-H) and sewed my Barbie Doll dresses…and it don’t get much better from there.

My visions of studio grandeur are now confined to the basement of my 3 bedroom ranch home… the dry part. I’m OK as long as the sump pump in the far corner keeps working. The lighting isn’t good, but it doesn’t make any difference because I can’t see anyway. My artistic inspiration is continually interrupted by my 22 year old son bounding down the steps to do his laundry, or my husband calling down asking me for some sort of food of one kind or another. Of course, he will never find any because my display wall is the pantry door. He has taken off 20 pounds since I stuck one of my quilts in front of it.

This year’s trip to Columbus is now looming in front of me. I found a really neat picture of a sewing studio in Southern Living Magazine. So when they talk about their “studios” in Columbus next year…hey…what they don’t know won’t hurt them.

In the meantime, I think I will move the quilt on my pantry to get some potato chips.