Breakfast with a Legend...

Those of you who are fans of mine on Facebook saw an entry early on Friday morning saying that I was off to have breakfast with a Legend.  I can tell you know the details of that breakfast, the Legend...and the other wonderful Legends-in-waiting that I met.

 I was priveleged to  attend a very interesting panel discussion, entitled "Quilting with a Crystal Ball: The Future of Our Craft", which was hosted by the Lowell Quit Festival in Lowell, Mass.  The panel cut across the creative spectrum and was (IMO) very well balanced.  Kudos to the Museum and Festival Staff for putting something so cutting edge. The panel was comprised of Pam Weeks, Curator of the NEQM who served as moderator; Marianne Fons, host of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting on PBS stations nationwide; Mary Fons,  co-host of this season's LOQ and the host of online website "Hey Quilty"; Martha Sielman, the Executive Director of Studio Art Quilt Association;  Laurie Matthews,  the President of the Boston Modern Quilting Guild, and Rachel May, Vice-President of the Boston Modern Quilt Guild. 

The panel, which took the form of an informal conversation with the audience, started with the findings of the most recent Quilting in America survey from 2010, which indicated that the average quilter is aging slightly.  It's a sure bet that with such a cross section of quilting styles represented, there was plenty of room for debate.  The average age for the Boston Modern Quilting Guild is in their early thirties - a dramatic shift away from the official results.

The conversation covered a broad range of topics, and there were points of agreement (the role of community that quilters usually fnd with one another) as well as points of disagreement amongs the panelists and the audience.

Marianne Fons (above, with me) made the point that having come from a place where there wasn't a lot of fabric available for use, it's important that we buy it now and use it...there is the possibility that if we don't use it, we won't have it to use because the manufacturers will move onto something else.   But her best line of the morning was the point she made about the stereotypes (and haven't we all heard it - I remember my grandmother quilting!)...even Librarians are sexier than quilters.   It's up to the next generation of quilters to change that.

Speaking of Legends in waiting - pictured (L-R) here are Mary Fons, Rachel May and Laurie Matthews - responding to a point made as part of the panel discussion.

This morning's lecture was my first introduction to the Modern Quilting movement per se, and I learned a lot about where they fit into the story of the current generation of quilters.

Thank you, New England Quilt Museum for bringing this panel discussion to life.

 

25 Years of Gathering Magic Challenge

This past week, I was pleased to be part of the launch of a new quilt challenge, with some old friends as well as some new ones. A Quilters Gathering, which has been a mainstay of the quilting world in New England for many years, will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2013, and several of us have been brainstorming ways in which to celebrate this milestone with them.

One of the ideas that has been adopted is the first Challenge that has been held, the 25 years of Gathering Magic Challenge.  The link to the challenge page on their website is here. You can also follow the challenge on Facebook by searching for 25 Years of Gathering Magic, we've set up a community update page here.

We have several wonderful - and unique components to this challenge - which are laid out in the challenge statement: "...This challenge is designed for you to make a quilt that shows and tells us about one of your magical moments at A Quilters Gathering..."

In order to play with the challenge, we are very happy that one of our oldest and dearest vendors, Marianne Elizabeth of RJR fabrics, has been chosen as the challenge fabric - her brand new line, Arabella Rose is perfect for this theme. We've put together 3 unique colorways to play with -

Kate's Roses

Marie's Medley

Sarah's Thyme

We designed the challenge so that you can have plenty of lead time to create something magical - the quilts are due at the 2013 event next year.  We'll have the packets available for sale in November, or you can pre-order the challenge packets (6 FQ's for $25.00) through A Quilter's Gathering.

Let us know what you think by emailing me at Linda@thepatchworkpearl.com or joining the community at 25 Years of Gathering Magic on Facebook.

There's a lot more coming...stay tuned!

 



         I took a ride up the Maine Turnpike over the weekend to take in the sights, the sounds - and yes, the quilts, at Maine Quilts 2012. I took that same ride almost every summer as a little girl to visit relatives and enjoy the many lakes of Maine, so when I go to this show there's almost always a strong sense of nostalgia for me - even just getting there. When you've got a good traveling companion, a great day and a snazzy car, Life is very good.

        When I got home Saturday night, I will confess - I was pretty tuckered out. I'm not used to driving that many (fun!) miles all in one day, so when Mike suggested Chinese take out (with a margarita on the screen porch!), I jumped at it.  Does it get better than this?

       Sometimes I get fortune cookies at the end of a meal and feel gyped - some just don't apply even when you add cryptic words to the end. On Saturday night, however - this was what I got.  I framed it. 

      One good dose of life affirmation, and I'm hungry again for more - in an hour.

Stay tuned!

The VQF trip ...

I've long been a fan of the Vermont Quilt Festival, but living as I do in southern New Hampshire means a long drive to get there. I've been able to go to VQF several times in the past, and I've come to the conclusion that this is the kind of trip made for a bus ride. And when you take a whole bunch of other quilters, many of whom have never been to the show before - you have a great trip to Vermont.

VQF does a first class job of encouraging young quiltmakers to enter the show, and I've long been impressed with both the quantity of quilts and the diversity of what these young people can accomplish.  This picture above is one of my very favorite pictures from the show...it was taken in the vendor mall area, and this little girl (who has a shopping bag over her shoulder as big as she is) was really concentrating on working with the machine...she was not just playing around.  She attracted quite a group of admirers watching her stitch her flower pattern.  I love that Vermont is the kind of a show where this kind of creativity is encouraged!

Janome USA and Bittersweet Fabric Shop of Boscawen NH are two of the platinum sponsors of the festival, and this year they (again) worked together to acknowledge this very special group of young people. At the Opening preview, each Young Quilter (defined as aged 17 or younger) was awarded a brand new Janome sewing machine.  I think this is extraordinary, and I love the fact that I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

I think this photo was posted on Facebook by Pat Sloan originally, and it captures the excitement of the evening.

More coming later this week...I'm still unpacking!

The calendar in the quilting world has it's own steady rhythm, and today's mail brought with it confirmation that summer is in fact, here.  One of my favorite summer morning activities is to pour over  the A Quilter's Gathering brochure, trying to decide which (or how many classes) I want to take.  And with the brochure in hand, the online registration is sure to open shortly. 

This year, we're excited to be moving to the new venue, Radisson Hotel Manchester Downtown to explore all that city has to offer.

This year's teachers lineup looks fantastic...time to head to the porch for a cold beverage to read the brochure and make my notes...

Oh, wait a minute - there's that other shoe dropping now:

Wait...wait...wait...I don't think so...

Sad, but true...this is most likely a Gathering shoe for me now...Dropping.

Contest deadline to submit an entry is Sept 15th...I best get off the porch and finish something!

Those of you working as solopreneurs know that there is seldom a regular 9-5 schedule.  Flex time is a prime perk in this game. I'll be flexing next week, but I'm taking the time to clear things up before going off to play in the stash.  Earlier this week, I told Mark Lipinski that I'd be back to him on a blog prompt - so what have you learned from that experience.  I've been letting that marinate all week, and this is what I've come up with...

Anything new - except for skydiving - is an adventure. Generally, I'll try anything once, and if it doesn't work out, at least I know.  I don't usually shrink away from challenges - in life or in quilting. That philosophy has stood me in good stead.

Sometimes, like 1 in a million chances, a new recipe will come out as good as you think. I'm done for 2012 - and happy about that.

Although I believe in the concept that what doesn't kill you will make you stronger, there are some times I'd like a little less drama in my life.  I have also born witness to women who have carried unthinkable burdens - much more so than I have had - and been in awe of their pink feathered awesomeness.  I have also learned from them what true grace and courage is like.

Getting ready for a Summertime Classic

One of the surest signs of summer here in New England is the  Vermont Quilt Festival  in Essex Junction Vermont. I remember many years ago seeing the familiar logo in the back of quilting magazines several times, and wondering what all the excitement was about.  VQF was one of the first big shows I ever went to - as well as be a participant in - and it's held a special place in my heart since then.  This year's show will be held June 29th through July 1st, and the quilts are always worth the trip.

This year's teachers  will include Judy Woodworth, whose classes in free motion quilting and exploding textures will be sure to impress you. Click here for more information about the classes.

As happens most of the time with big shows, getting there is half the fun. I have a bus trip running from Southern New Hampshire up to the Festival on Saturday, June 30, with pick up locations in Nashua, Concord and West Lebanon (all in NH), before crossing into Vermont. I do bus trips a little bit differently than most - enroute you can read, relax, look out the scenery - or you can participate in the on-board raffles and contests before we get there.  The weather in Vermont can be unseasonably hot this particular weekend, but you'll be riding in Air Conditioned comfort.

We've recently received a donation from  Joanne Lendaro's Splittling Stitches  for 2 $75 machine quilting services gift certificates, which will be won on the bus.  So pack up those tote bags and make your reservations now!

Tickets are just $95 for the day, and include your seat, the driver's tip, the admission, and dinner on the way home as well...the only thing I don't cover is lunch and your shopping trip.

Email me at Linda@thepatchworkpearl.com to make your reservations - you'll be glad you did.