Judy's new book.

My friend Judy Coats Perez (Painted Threads) has self-published on Blurb a book of her awesome work and this has inspired me to self-publish. Plus Blurb has a free shipping offer going on until March 22nd.

Here is anothe book that was self published the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters, Stories That Cover Us:

Cultural Connections African Market Place & Bazaar

Greetings All,
Well it's that time of the year for me. Vending season and next weekend March 12th & 13th I will be at the Cultural Connections African Market Place & Bazaar at the Dixon Elementary School, 8306 South St. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60619 along with a host of other wonderful artists, artisans, and craftsmen/women. This event will be on Friday at 11am - 8pm and Saturday 9am - 7pm, so if you are in the area stop by and say hello.

Pieces of the Week

Greetings All,

This is my first piece of the week and it's not an art quilt but a jacket (below right). The client also made her own buttons (above left) and supplied her own fabrics. This was a week for collaborations.

My friend Michele started these blocks a while back and wanted to make a quilt for her father, so I put it together for her and here's "Yard Birds" (below center).

My friend Patty Koenigsaecker of the "Suburban Sew What Art Quilters"/PAQA is a part of an exhibit that is hosted by the Nature Artists' Guild of the Morton Arboretum and I thought I'd past this information on. The exhibit is at the Kavanaugh Gallery of the Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, IL. The Meet the artists reception is on March, 6th at 2pm until 5pm so if you are in the neighborhood do stop by.

Piece of the week.

Greetings All,
This is my piece of the week that I started months ago by painting the background fabric while hanging out with what I call the "Suburban Sew What Art Quilters" in Bolingbrook, IL. We meet for a play-date and feast. I love the look of the satin and thought that it look like night-time sky and need a moon and branches to complete the look. It's again simple in it's construction, but I like the affect. The moon is silk, the branches are cotton, the sky is polyester and it's quilted with variegated thread. This is the first in a series and I'm not sure how many there will be, but I do know that this is not the end.

Cover story-Uncle Tom's Cabin

This passed Saturday me and some friends got together for feast and again it was just wonderful. Our host prepared Cuban pork and black beans that was slow cooked all day and it was just great!!! The new kid Sara brought Red Velvet cupcakes and her version of chocolate sandwich cookies. Pat brought a salad of mix greens and oranges and just love the contrast between the furit and vegtables. Erica had a layered caramel cake which is a Chicago favorite. I added Argentina Empanadas which was a first for me and I will prepare again. We had a great time, great food and great company. We did do some are and I forgot to take pictures.

An finally by piece Run On was chosen for the book cover of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" that was edited by Elizabeth Ammons. This is my first cover and I hope not my last.

Piece of the week.

Greetings All,
Below is my piece of the week titled "Lake View". This is a small work that I created last year and just finished. I've started out this year trying to finish those pieces that I had not last year. I have been having some play dates and exploring different areas. This piece was created by painting with Setacolor (transparent), Tsukineko Inks and Shiva oil paint sticks.

New Works

Greetings All,
My friend Pam in Smyrna, TN has done it again. She has created another one of her great jackets in those warm/wonderful browns. This time she use a pinwale corduroy/animal print. Enjoy her photo collage and thanks Pam.

I have been busy finishing things and creating new works. I was asked if I had created any other pieces using the vinyl window screen so finished my 2nd in the series of "Advancing Thru Adversity".

My next piece is called "Trio" and is a labor of love in it's simplicity. I created this piece by thermofax printing some trees onto a cream colored polyester satin and then painting with Setacolor and watercolor pencils. I love the sheen of the satin in contrast with the cotton hand dye printed fabric that I used on the wrong side. I hope you enjoy.