We need you. Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts.

We have a small committee of devoted volunteers and great support from the first National Bank of Alamogordo. The community are involved, the police, border control, the Mayor, the Library, the county and the local quilt shop and city merchants. To date $60,000 have been put back into the community through our Quilting event, “The Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts.

Take a walk with me to the Denver Art Museum and share two amazing textile stories.

In Denver people were asked to donate a blanket with a small story attached to it. The Artist Marie Watt’s work is centered around community, particularly through her use of wool blankets. As with many of her projects, she looks for blankets that hold meanings and memories. The blankets donated are folded and stacked to create a blanket sculpture. As part of donating a blanket to this project, there is a tag attached to the blanket documenting the particular story.

The secret to becoming a better quilter or Textile Artist.

My personal view is that every person that creates something is an artist. An Artist is a collector of imaginings and experiences. They are selective and only collect the things they enjoy the most and it really depends where you put yourself to receive those things… you’re not necessarily going to get the experience or be influenced if you are home on the couch.

Digital technology that goes well beyond creativity

I spend hours on the plane, while I’m watching TV and even in bed designing on the ipad. (by the way I think every quilter needs an ipad) My mind is constantly challenged and technology has increased my desire to challenge myself even more as a Textile artist… I don’t think I should say I’m a quilter as such.. I’m an artist in textiles I love it. Its stimulating and challenging thanks to Technology.

Journaling with fabric and sensational stitching.

I know I’m preaching to the converted but I’m artists with attitude and I just love the unpredictability of creating with textiles. The refining of the process comes with a little experience and the imprint of practice. Then again, you can never be certain of the finished project. So I just begin.

The irony of it all. – Quilters and weavers.

I’m about to leave for our local Guild meeting. The Quilters Guild of South Australia. There will probably be 200 people there.

We will meet, share ideas, quilts and other such wonderful things and marvel at our ingenuity and talent.

We sew on magical machines, we have the best plied thread, and we use computers, and work in fancy studios.

Capturing, color, enthusiasm and the delight of Antigua Guatemala, for my quilt inspired friends.

I began my day by writing an article for a student in South Africa, then yes my dear friends I hit Antigua hard today. I started out in ‘fancy schmancy’ clothes and went back for the shorts and t shirt and of course the Mexican hat because I was just too hot. It was quite warm and clear despite the forecast for rain so I was absolutely delighted.