Bjorklunden Quilt Retreat

I had the pleasure of attending my first quilt retreat. It was in Door County WI at Bjorklunden which is owned by Lawrence University. Lawrence is located in Appleton WI where I used to live. When I lived there I was a member of the Appleton quilt guild and a frequent shopper at the quilt shops and met many local women who quilted. Through Facebook, I reconnected with Jacqi who organized this retreat, and she invited me to join the fun. The photos are of the lounge/dining area; the large sewing area with plenty of room and irons/ironing boards at our disposal and the photo on the right is of the pretty sunrise on Sunday morning. We were on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. We could sew are hearts out with no responsibliities to tend to. The food was prepared for us-we just had to walk to the dining room. I visited with ladies I hadn't seen in years and met some new quilters. Lots of beautiful fabrics, new patterns and ideas to wrap my brain around. It was an adjustment to get home and not be a little selfish with my time because I could sew whenever I felt like it!! But there's no place like home and I missed Ken and the cats and my personal space.

Reginald Baylor:Artist in Residence at The Pfister Hotel Milwaukee WI

I do not have a photo to share but I encourage anyone interested in great art to visit this website www.reginaldbaylor.com. My quilting friend Pat B. was at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee WI and discovered an Artist in Residence Program. She wrote about it on her blog. I was curious and found Reginald's awesome website. His artwork is so happy!!! All bright colors, squiggly lines that reminded me of our kitchen table in the '60's, paper doll fashionistas, black girls with blonde hair and happy suburban houses and gardens. Hopefully this will make you curious to check out his website. I do not get to Milwaukee much since I moved to Yoopertown so if I could I would go to the Pfister and see Reginald's paintings. I find his work inspirational and nice he chooses to work with area school children to create art enrichment for them.

Bras for a Cause/It Needs an Entry Title!!!

I first posted this subject with all the materials laying on a table together ready to put together. So, ta-da, it is finished. The rules stated the bra had to be covered both inside and out and also the straps. I received FREE fabric from Christey S. from Pizazz Salon in Menominee MI and it began with the piece of brown and pink fabric which I used on the back of the bra. Then I felt like using pink, my favorite color, not even thinking about the color for breast cancer research etc. I added ribbon, flower trim, sequin dangly trim on the bottom, felt/rhinestone flowers on the top of the cup area and a ribbon/tulle trim on the straps. I hand sewed the fabric to the bra and hot glued all the frou frou. I do not have to send it off until mid-January so I can enjoy it for a little while. I am donating it for a silent auction. I am having a brain drain with naming it-any possiblitities would be appreciated.

Thanks, lol

Sally Zimmer at Northwoods Quilters

Sally Zimmer on the Cedar River MI area was our guest speaker this morning for my local quilt group The Northwoods Quilters. We are from the Marinette WI/Meniminee MI area and we meet the 2nd Monday of each month. Sally had a ton of show and share. She seems to prefer batiks and has a love of nature quilts. She lives on the water in the woods and has a lot of quilts with bears, fish and birds. She had a large collection of quilted jackets and gave excellent advice on sewing jackets so they fit nice on the body and some construction tips. She was very inspriational. It is nice to have such talent right in our area. Thank you Sally!!

Take 5 Birthday Cake

On Sunday my family met in Green Bay WI to celebrate my birthday which is actually Tuesday. My daughter, Jordana, the chef, baked me this awesome cake based on the candy bar Take 5. It had chocolate, peanuts, peanut butter, caramel and pretzels. I call it Take 5 pounds to each hip!! It was good but rich. We had the run of the restaurant, Republic Chop House, since they're closed on Sunday. It was nice to get together with my family. We all used to live in Appleton WI but my parents are the only ones left there.

Bras for a Cause

I have decided to enter the "Bras for a Cause, Art Stitching Lives Back Together". It sounds like a fun project to do besides quiltmaking. Everyone starts with a bra and decorates it any mixed-art media likefabric, quilting, paint, beads and any type of froufrou. There will be a Best of Show,1st, 2nd and 3rd place and the bras are donated for a silent auction. The proceeds go toward the Florida Patient Assistance Foundation. The dealine to enter is Nov. 30. 2009. For inquiries go to www.lemonststudio.com. I have the bra, a pink floral print, a brown/pink print for the back, a couple of trims, some felt flowers, some pink tulle, a few silk flowers and I'll top it off with some shiny stuff of glitter and rhinestones. I'll post the finished project asap. I had a '80's flashback when I hand sewed gold coins and chains to a bra when I used to bellydance. One had to jingle when we shoulder shimmied!!

I Won Third Place in Marshfield!!!

I entered my quilt "Violetta" at the last minute in the Marshfield WI Treasures of Tomorrow which was held last weekend. Marshfield is too far to travel when I'm working so I mailed my quilt. I received it in the mail today and found out I won third place in the Wall Quilt Art Category!!! I am in the process of having a website created by David Walker Web Design and the $$ won will go towards my upcoming website.