every-single-day

Zipper Info+Pheasant Buddy=Post

Alright! I may not be Quick but I sure am Pretty! My newest magazine article in Quilting Arts Magazine is called Quick and Pretty. In it I explain how to make my Pretty Purse pattern.

I love getting email, and if you want to know where I bought the zippers used in those purses, please leave a comment or just email me. But I will also leave the link here because those zippers are pure sewing beauty. The things we make are elevated by the supplies we use, I have been pining to use those zippers for years and this project called for those zippers loud and clear.

One more thing. I love the cover of this latest Quilting Arts magazine, I think it is the type of image that will broaden and expand the readership of the magazine. If you agree, please leave a message on Pokey's blog telling her. The last cover was quite good too, in my opinion.

Anyway, I have a new love and want to start collecting...

Bird planters...

Shucks! I got bit hard on this one.

Nice ones are hard to find. I have been going over to ebay and searching 'bird planter' and 'bird wall pocket'. Surprisingly, no-one has a web site devoted to these things. At least I have a start, it is fun to look for this type thing anyway.

I named him George.

So after finding a planter and putting a plant in it, I had to draw and paint it. No one would even know he was a planter! In my journal he looks like a real bird! OK, I am getting a bit crazed.

It all started with Alice. She is an instigator. When we were in Texas, we went into an antique/junk store. Alice found a Lady Head Vase and we started talking about wall pockets.

Back up! Wait, earlier in the summer she gave me these plants... you see where this is going? So I come home and start searching the web and eBay and then start seeing bird planters and wall pockets.

And. Let's change the subject.

My friend Jahmane, an entrepeur and artist now has a blog! He is setting up shop in a 'new secret location', go post and say hello. I love his work and his style. Go.

I know... I can't help myself.

Um...

You can preorder from Amazon or directly from the source! Go to the source!

It is really happening!

I have worked long and hard to get a book published and move my art career to a new level and it is really happening.

Pokey and the Interweave Press team have been creating opportunities and exciting happenings for me left and right. I taped this segment of Quilting Arts TV a few months ago (click to preview the low-res version, above) and my purses made it to the front cover of the DVD series of Quilting Arts TV too!!!

It is quite odd to see myself in video format. I hope I don't sound or look goofy. I like seeing my hands , I have always liked my hands. My hair looks shiny too.

I also have a couple articles published in Pokey Bolton's new book, The Quilting Arts Book.

Anyway! Enough about me, how about some kudos for my peeps?

Jane Lafazio just had some contributions published in Danny Gregory's newest book, An Illustrated Life. Danny Gregory helped push me firmly into journaling, a few years back and I love his work.
And Jane also contributed to Mixed Media Self Portraits by Cate Coulacos Prato. It is a beautiful book.

Yeah for Jane!

I hope there were enough links in this post for you, and even though times are tough monetarily, keep a few good authors in business by buying some books or maybe a video series, or two! :) How about it?

Houston

I have never been to Houston and I must say, man almighty is it H-U-G-E. The quilts, the fashion show, the vendor area? Amazing. My piece from Quilt National '07 was there and I didn't even know it beforehand.

I met up with Pokey at the Interweave booth. She really is a powerhouse, I love her energy and spirit.

I was able to put names on the folks I have been working with at Interweave, or at least some of them.

They have a new exciting magazine out called Stitch. It is geared toward sewing enthusiasts and I must say the presentation is crisp and inspiring. My sewing roots harken back to being a sample cutter for a womens clothing manufacturer. I cut, prepped and watched as the pattern makers snipped, pinned and draped patterns. I soaked up everything I possibly could and still love sewing myself skirts, and functional pieces.

So please check it out!

I met up with Deborah Boschert, whose work I love and have traded for. I love her simple presentation and ingenious use of cloth, thread and color. I even have an ATC of hers now, though I won't show that just yet.

And of course we posed with Pokey. Both wearing the same orange long sleeved, Halloween T-shirt. We are twins.

I have never met Deborah in person. Until now we have been blog buddies. Deborah looked at me in all sincerity and said, "I can say I knew you when". I get shy with this sort of statement because I do not want writing a book to change me. I want to be a good, fun loving artist before and after publishing.
Deborah is an amaziningly up beat and enthuiastic person. She is very genuine and I am happy to say, I knew her when too!
So there.

A good friend Brenda Smith got a piece into the show too. I love seeing the work of people I know, admire and love.

I brought some loot home too. I am a sucker for hand sewing needles. A French company named Bohin was selling some beauties and I had to have some #12 betweens, short, study, fine, yummy, needles. I also got some #3 crewel needles. A new foot for my Bernina, some yarn from Habu and a book called The Penland Book of Handmade Books. A craft I plan to take up.

Does anyone know where this is? I will think up a prize if you can name this town.