Architectural Visit!

When I was in Chicago for Quilt Festival I was able to take a day and go into the city. My daughter and I took a two hour tour entitled "Architecture and Commerce" that was fascinating! Our guide took us through stores, hotels and into what was once the City Library to see interesting details in structures and facaeds. I'd highly recommend a guided tour to see spots that we wouldn't normally find on our own.

Here's some pictures of the ceiling of Macy's Department store, a fence around a city garden (perfect for my Stained Glass designs) and an arch in the Chicago Cultural Centre. I was so excited by seeing all these wonderful design concepts! I'll be busy for ages!

Spring Flowers

One of my favourite flowers for the spring are the Primroses. I know they're rather ordinary and common and have been bred into a wide range of colours but I just can't help smiling when I see them! They're such cheery little bits of colour and we need it here in Victoria! Can you believe we actually had snow last weekend? I was bragging to friends in Ottawa about having to cut the lawns already and we had snow....I hang my head.....

Chicago Quilt Festival

Last week I spent four days teaching at the International Quilt Festival. One of the classes was "Dye, Print, Paint Day" with presentations by five teachers. Students went around to each teacher for demos and questions on a variety of topics all about surface design. My topic was Clamp Dyeing for Special Effects and you can see the the variety of fabrics behind me in this shot.

I also taught my Shattered Garden class and here are some pictures of works in progress from the different students.....lots of fun and exciting results.

At the Seaside

A few days ago I taught a class for the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria where we painted sea and beach-scapes in the morning and then stitched and embellished with threads, beads and interesting bits in the afternoon.

Some students brought pictures for inspiration and others brought twigs (for logs on the beach) and shells and such. We all had fun and learned about some of the possible interpretations of "At The Seaside".

The Quilt Show

We went to LaVeta this week to tape an episode of The Quilt show with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson! It was so exciting and fun, fun, fun! All the staff were so nice and made it all very easy for us! We chatted, demo-ed, chatted some more and met so many very nice quilters!

Thanks to everyone! The episode will proably air sometime between late August and December.

I'll keep you posted!