I will be presenting this weekend at Fiber College in Searsport, Maine. Follow me! This blog has migrated to my website at: www.bonniedwyer.com

Celebrate National Coffee Day!

Who knew September 29 was "National Coffee Day?"
I found out when my friend Shannon Shirley challenged her quilting buddies to create celebratory quilts for her book, Celebrate the Day with Quilts: An Art Quilt Challenge.
Since coffee fuels me each morning, I decided this was a day I could honor in fabric. Here is my effort, now published in Shannon's book. Thanks for the opportunity, my friend!
The book is available at the following link: Celebrate the Day

Perfection... it really IS overrated!

I'm hand quilting again and enjoying the process. But, I first had to get over the fact that I'll never master small, straight, even stitches. Oh, I still prefer machine quilting for its speed, but there's something to be said for having this portable work. And, for accepting my hand work for what it is. 

Quilters' Gathering quilt registration submitted. Check.

I need to get my work out there more, so I'm hoping Brush Strokes might be accepted for the QG show in November. It's a piece made in 2012 for one of our Fearless Designers challenges. It's a fabric interpretation of a watercolor exercise done while dabbling in that medium. I had fun doing the tiny "pebble" quilting in the background. Close up: 

Sharing the (Fabric) Wealth

I admit I'm a packrat. Especially when it comes to fabric. Even through recent downsizing, I couldn't part with some leftovers. Although, I DID sell and donate many bags of fabric - that's another blog post. Later.

THIS, however, is from a bin labeled: pre-cut strips, blocks, etc. The whole pile will be called into service this week when I attend 'Fiber College' in Searsport, Maine. I am taking a 2-day workshop with the Gee's Bend Quilters and the supply list includes: fabrics to share. I can definitely do that! 

More info on Fiber College of Maine: http://www.fibercollege.org/

Patchwork carpet!

I didn't know carpet tiles came in such an array of choices. I'm 'piecing' my own design for an entry and long hallway. Who knew carpet-building could be so much fun? These 20-inch square carpet tiles can be mixed and matched. I think I've found my new color palette. I had never heard of this company: FLOR. You'll have to Google it because my attempts to link it here are not working. Anyway, the available colors, textures, and options will keep me busy for awhile!

Two steps forward, one step back

Mama said there'd be days like this...


When I decided it was time for a website makeover, I knew I didn't want to spend hours and hours rebuilding it myself. So, I decided to hire a web designer this time. Holly is fantastic to work with and has been, right from the start. However, my dream of not spending a lot of time on the project went down the tubes when I realized I needed to provide her with better quality quilt photos.

She has great 'how to do it' instructions on her photography page. The setup looked simple enough, so we built the light stands and I now have a mini-studio in the sewing room. (I'd show you a picture, but my camera battery is recharging. It's always something.) That was the easy part. Getting more familiar with the manual functions of my camera was another story. I've always used the auto function!

I have succeeded somewhat, but images are still not quite to my liking. I'll be spending more time photographing quilts in the next few days. Stay tuned for a revised website coming this fall!

And, here is a link to my web designer, Holly Knott's website. Enjoy: http://hollyknott.com/