I made this tree ornament several years ago from an Eleanor Piece Bailey pattern. It is a favorite. The naked angel is just quirky enough - complete with curves - to appeal to those with a quirky sense of humor. Happy Holidays to all.

Another finish!

National Coffee Day is September 29. Who knew? Discovered when invited to a "celebrate the day" quilt challenge by friend Shannon Shirley. Since coffee and fabric are two things I love, this seemed like a natural for me. Off it goes in tomorrow's mail -- only a bit late for her deadline.

I had a great time at the Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild meeting yesterday in West Newbury, MA. CEO and co-founder of The Modern Quilt Guild, Alissa Haight Carlton was the guest speaker. Not only was she a lively presenter, the she also treated the 25 to 30 attendees with an up close look at several samples of her work.  Her enthusiasm is contagious! I'm itching to sew now. Here are a few of her quilts:

Last Sunday the 'Fearless Designers revealed our challenge pieces. Our group of 10 spun off from the statewide 'Art Quilts Maine' chapter three years ago. We share and critique our work at a monthly meeting.  This month's quilts were to be inspired by the word Reflection. Mine is entitled Aurora Borealis and was inspired by a photo by Antony Spencer I first saw in United Airlines' October issue of their travel magazine, Hemisphere. Image rights were purchased from Getty Images.

This Aurora Borealis photo, purchased from Getty Images will likely inspire my next art quilt. Wondering if I can do it justice! Photographer is Antony Spencer.

I had a great time last week presenting a poster session at the American Quilt Study Group Seminar in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The topic was "modern" quilting and my booth received a lot of attention. The table cover is a quilt I made interpreting the 'modern' quilting aesthetic. Think: clean lines, simple, improvisational, and solid contemporary colors. There is a whole new wave of quilt makers getting excited about the art and craft of this tradition. What's not to like?

Prepping for a trip to Nebraska. American Quilt Study Group Seminar in Lincoln - nirvana for quilt history enthusiasts. I will be presenting a brief program about the currently evolving trend, "The Modern Quilt" movement.

Here is one I made in the 'improvisational' category. Making this was liberating! Machine quilted by Ann Woodhead of Auburn, Maine

It's time I answered the little voice telling me to start a blog, so here goes... Since it's Presidential Campaign season, I'll start with two political quilts from my collection. 

I bought them from a Kentucky woman who sews all winter to sell on her front porch during Paducah "quilt week," which, for the uninitiated, is a week in late April when the town rolls out the red carpet for the thousands who attend this annual quilt show. 

"Giddap" the Democratic Donkey" 

Both patterns were published in the 1930's in the Kansas City Star. 

"Ararat" the Republican Elephant