What Day Is It??

by Sandra Bruce

I know those of you who are planning to come to Zephyr to our retreat in September are anxious to know the scoop. May I assure you, we are as well, and are in close communication with Zephyr on plans going forward. They plan to open in June. They are having a board meeting in the last week of May at which time they will be making decisions, and have promised to get back to us regarding any impacts that these decisions will have on us. We really want the retreat to happen, in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. So, please stay tuned and we will let you know as soon as we hear anything. Fingers crossed all goes well and the virus has hit its peak.

When it is my turn to post here the first thing I always do is to go to my photos, which is a good indicator of what I’ve been doing. This morning I did so…and what you will see here is a pretty good representation of my last few weeks. Every morning I wake up and say…”What day is it”? If I had to sum up my time since my last post it would be: making masks, cooking/baking, sewing anything I can think of to make that I have supplies for, spouse having open heart surgery (yes you read that right), making grocery lists, being a nurse, and visiting with son at a safe distance.

This shot from our May calendar says it all. Cancelled quilt show, Gary having surgery. It was quite discombobulating to drive him an hour to a hospital in Sacramento to drop him off, and not see him again until a week later when I went to pick him up. That week I was home alone I was a force to be reckoned with…cleaning out drawers, sewing several garments, making masks, baking bread….anything to keep busy until I fell into bed at night. I got so much support from friends, using Zoom and of course talking on the phone. Thankfully he is home now and doing great, although he has a long recuperation ahead. But what better time to do that? I have gotten so much pleasure from preparing meals and checking on him to make him comfortable.

My town, Grass Valley, is just starting to open up. I’ve been doing a bit of long arming , since I work alone, but my longarm is getting a new motor next week after stumbling along for some time. Dixie will be all tuned up and ready to go, and I’ll be able to get back to that work next week. It’s definitely been strange being downtown (where my long arm studio is) with such an absence of cars and people.

I’ve been trying to get outdoors with spring here. I took a safe walk with a friend and her horse Wendell, and saw so many flowers and green leaves appearing on trees. Wendell was most interested in the snack I packed to eat on the way.

In my mask making I have tried different patterns and materials…I’ve made lots. My son has been my guinea pig in trying different patterns. He works in a grocery store so needs a mask that is comfortable for hours. I dug out some fun fabrics for him ( took this with my close up lens).

He’s only allowed at the door of the garage and at a safe distance. I wish I could hug him but it’ll have to wait. He’s buying our groceries for us and dropping them off. I noticed in my photo library I had so many grocery lists! I message the lists to him. We’ve had some good talks in front of our house, making the best of the situation.

I also noticed a lot of recipes in my photo library. I’ve sent a few to friends. Here’s one of my favorites for you 😉

I think in my last post  I said I would show you the small quilt of giant lily pads I made from a photo I took in Philadelphia last Fall. I did use my Matrix technique and painted on top of the fabric after piecing. Now that it’s done, I’m not enthralled with it, it definitely has problems, but I learned a lot and it was enjoyable.

I  also made a quilt from a pattern one of my longarm customers had brought me that I was so attracted to. It was a good project as it didn’t require lots of thinking and it was fun picking out fabrics for each bird, and making those cute goofy legs.

Speaking of birds……….I’ll sign off this post with a photo of one of my recent pastimes, watching the birds at my feeder on the deck. We have to appreciate the little things these days, and this is one I enjoy so much. Binoculars help.

Thanks everyone, for reading our posts and keeping up with Artistic Alchemy. We will be in touch!!!! Take care, be safe, and happy sewing.

Friday FEATURE: Off The Grid Vest from Anchorage, Alaska!

by Heidi Emmett

Before we get started on this Friday’s “FEATURE”, a few words from the Artistic Alchemy team. We are in touch with Zephyr Point Conference Center quite often to find out the status of our Artistic Alchemy Retreat this September 7-11th. I last spoke with them just yesterday 4/30 and they are excited to see us all in September. So yes!! we are still a GO for the Artistic Alchemy Retreat. And there is still room for you in all the classes so, knowing you will be ohhh sooo ready for a retreat this September to the Mountains and Lake Tahoe, and all the SEWING/CREATIVE time you could want, SIGN UP NOW!

Hello spring! It has really sprung here in Northern CA. Record highs for the end of April. But wait, it’s May 1st. The dates and days are all running together in my opinion. Have you noticed that too?

    

I know it’s HUGE! Surprisingly, “hugely” sweet too.
The color! Luscious.
I like how my super amazing tasting, first of the season strawberries look on my vintage tea towel. And these beauties tasted even BETTER than they look here.

Candy Tuft NEVER disappoints. Grows well in many zones. It blooms without fail every single year. I have some that is at least 25 years old. And the deer don’t like it!

And now I want to introduce to you Sandy W. from Anchorage, Alaska who made this wallhanging. Isn’t this quilt STUNNING! It is titled  “Girl With a Pearl by The Sea.” The composition, the colors, the design, the 3-dimensional quality, all come together to make for a lovely creation. It is her own design and quilting is just one of the things she does. She also creates AMAZING watercolor paintings. I can’t show you her latest as it is going into a show and can’t be seen by anyone until the show starts.  And sewing is something else she does.

Sandy, using my Art to Wear, “OFF THE GRID VEST” pattern made NOT just One, not even Two  OFF THE GRID’S, but FIVE of them, one right after the other!!  Yes, she had some time up in Anchorage, Alaska.

    

Please read what Sandy had to say about her versions of OFF THE GRID VEST.

Regarding the vests, I worked steadily on each one for two and a half days. Was just on a roll, as I haven’t had so much fun sewing in years. The green one, where I put the fronts to the sides before cutting and made the collar longer, actually gave me the most trouble. Reversed front of binding multiple times.

Watercolor painting has pretty much what I have been doing daily for 20 months, being retired. I have fabrics picked out for a blue version, and might send the purple one to my 94 year old Mother.

Don’t you love how she used to basic pattern pieces and did her own thing!
I like the cool pocket Sandy added to this OFF THE GRID VEST.

    
Sandy kept with the ombre’ fabric that I used in my cover shot, but the splitting of the fabric  and inserting long curving shapes gives some real depth and drama and of course the long and lean look I’m always talking about in all of my Art To Wear sewing patterns.
“Purple passion with patch pockets.” That’s what I call this OFF THE GRID VEST. I like the over and under strips that showcase the front panels.
This OFF THE GRID VEST features an Ombre’ fabric that is used so effectively in this version. It is one piece of fabric deftly cut to its’ best advantage. I think the black trim is the perfect color choice for this “Simply Elegant” look. Check out the pocket that moves over to the far side of the front, and is held in place by the finishing trim.

What’s different about this OFF THE GRID VEST? Sandy eliminated the collar piece. That’s what you do when you are on vest # 5, yes, FIVE.
The color choices for this OFF THE GRID VEST make it a stand out! Well done Sandy.
When this OFF THE GRID VEST is opened and laid out you can see all the detailing minus the collar. Sandy, SANDY! Thank you SO MUCH for this eye opening fashion show of 5 OFF THE GRID VESTS! What an amazing job! Your creativity and color sense and beautiful stitching show off my vest pattern so nicely.  You are the BEST!

Hey everyone I know this fashion show will give you ideas for your own OFF THE GRID VEST. Contact me (Heidi Emmett) at my email: hmemmett@gmail.com for ways to buy this Art to Wear pattern (or any of my others) and save $ on shipping.

Please visit my own personal blog at: DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com for more sewing and creative adventures. Go here!

    

I leave you all with a song to put you in a Zen mood to get you ready for your next creative adventure. Hugs, Heidi

    

Staying Creative during a Pandemic!

This is Jane. Heidi, Sandra and I have been communicating about the retreat this September and we still feel hopeful. We will keep you in informed of any news we hear from Zephyr Conference Center. Lets keep fingers crossed and positive thoughts during these crazy times. We are still taking reservations, if you feel like holding your spot.

What strange times we are in! When I am told to stay home, with few other commitments to fill my day, what better excuse is there than to SEW. I have spent the last few years trying to catch up with projects and custom orders so having few distractions its good for me. Saying that, I am finding it hard mentally, to stay focused but I tell myself I have time, plenty of time.

Living through this pandemic is hard. But living here in Northern California I appreciate how lucky I am and we are not suffering as hard as many people around the globe. Lets appreciate what we have and quit complaining about hair and nail issues.

Now the weather has improved I have enjoyed the time I spend walking my neighborhood with my son James. He needs to log daily his PE requirements. We like to take photos, look for wildflowers and local wildlife.

 

Lupines along the NID

I am lucky enough to live close to one of the NID (Nevada Irrigation District) canals and it makes the perfect three mile hike.

As I said I am using this time to catch up! I have some custom quilt orders from 2019 that needed completing!  I am down to finishing my last two. The two photos above were made using T shirts on both sides of the quilt.  I have avoided doing this in the past as I was concerned about the stretch when quilting and what kind of quilting pattern to use.

Completed queen sized T shirt quilt, Notre Dame University

Actually they both turned out amazing, very drapable and soft. I made the back a little larger, taped it to the floor before layering with the batting and quilt top. I then used many safety pins to hold the layers together. My stitching pattern was a large meander for the quilting and had no problems with stretch. I will definitely do this again.

Fabric Pet Portrait, Buddy the Labradoodle

The collage above was a commission I received from one of my Craft Napa students. She wanted me to make the collage and then I sent it to her to stitch and complete the quilt. My plan is to finish many of the pet portrait samples started as demos during class when I teach.

A lot going on in my quilt making studio

This is a photo of my sewing space right now! I am working on a T shirt quilt, have a couple of projects ready to quilt and also supplies for mask making everywhere!

This was another commission I recently received for a Beagle called Teddy. I am thinking a fun way to focus on my work (as I do have trouble with this) is to set aside a week just to work on a theme. This week has been to complete all the T shirt quilts! Next week is for pet collage and another week will just be free-motion quilting. And then of course there are old UFO’s!  I’ll let you know how it goes!!

Fitted face masks April 2020

I have plenty of work I could work on but about 3 weeks ago into the mix came mask making! To begin with I wondered is there a real need for this. But after a few days it became clear that local healthcare workers needed our help. I had fabric I could use from my stash, my trusty Juki 2010Q and I was ready to help.

The first appeal came from a Pediatric doctor friend who needed face masks for colleagues and outpatients. So I made a couple of batches for her with the help of my sewing friends. Then my friend Annie, who hasn’t sewn since school, received a request for 300 masks for a local senior care service.  With little time it came down to us to make them. So with social distancing in mind we set up a small production line and banged out 200 masks in two days! The last 100 she did at home with contributions from other sewing friends.

First day of Face mask making 100 masks

I must admit I was a little burned out after that but now it is hard to go a day without making a few masks while the need is still there. I emailed my neighborhood association and my husbands colleagues saying I would make masks for a small donation. I have enjoyed getting to know my neighbors and these monetary donations will allow me to fabric shop and replenish my stash when the time is right.

Inspired by the honey pot for a stitching design

I will just share a few of the projects I am working on.  This is a sketch for a hand stitching project I am just starting. I do enjoy hand stitching in the evening when I can hang out with the family, be creative and not fall asleep!

These are two projects I recently finished. The Kookaburra Bag is hand stitched onto felt and the Boho Bag is hand stitched on top of various fabrics that cover a flannel foundation. Both were patterns I bought at IQF Houston. Patterns by Wendy Williams for Flying Fish Kits

This quilt (waiting to be stitched) are beetle designs that I started a year ago. I placed the bugs onto old linens and other unusual neutrals and when piecing them together I reversed the seams so I have the raw edges on the front. If you’ve ever tried this its harder than you think! This is a new series of collage designs that I will have available perhaps for a new class.

Artistic Alchemy Retreat 2019

Here is a photo from last years Artistic Alchemy retreat and lets keep our finger crossed that we can all meet up again in September. We are still taking bookings for all the workshops and open studio. If you wish to send in a reservation form and deposit this will ‘hold your spot” I am imagining in September we will all be in need for some creative time and company.

My workshop this year 2020 is Mark-Making and Fabric Collage. Students will have the opportunity to spend at least a day playing with mono-printing, painting on fabric, carving and stamping and creating some one-of-a-kind fabrics to use in collage.

Lino Cutting and printmaking

Keep sewing, keep healthy and lets use this time to be creative.

In These Times We Create

by Sandra Bruce

Our Zephyr Retreat in September feels so far away right now. We are all wondering how to fill our time at home, and what is in the future with the Corovirus upon us. It feels so surreal. Jane, Heidi and I had a group meeting, each of us in our homes, instead of physically together as we usually are. It was heartening to talk and compare our lives at the moment. We want you to know we are still frequently in touch with Zephyr, and we are thinking how good it’s going to be to be together with other like-minded sewers in September. If you are unfamiliar with Zephyr Cove, they have a super website with pictures of the breathtaking views that you might want to check out. 

zephyr presbyterian conference center

And…what better time to have something to look forward to than to sign up for our retreat!! Consider it a “placeholder”.

So…I’m going to start my post with a beautiful photograph taken by my son, Matteo Pierazzi. It captures my feelings lately. Dark clouds, yes, but the sun peeking through.As is typical around here spring has been full of this……and this.

Like so many people I know, since being homebound I’ve been doing a lot of sewing. I’m making masks for my local hospital, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. They put out a call on their website for masks and provided a video and explanation of what they wanted. I dug up enough elastic to make about 10. Then I switched to ones with ties.I’m using my  bias tape makers for the ties, they really help. In case you are unfamiliar, and are making masks (or not) here’s what they look like.They come in several sizes and I love them. You put a strip of fabric in on the ironing board, pull the strip through the tape maker pressing as it appears, and it comes out folded perfectly on 2 sides. To make the ties I fold the strip again and press, and have ties.

I completed my “Yayoi 2” quilt and it has gone to its new owner in Houston. It was satisfying to make another one of these images, and have the freedom to change little things that I wasn’t too thrilled with in the first quilt. I’m happier with the 2nd one.

Before my plans for March and April went haywire I made a big bunch of polymer clay earrings and buttons to take to a retreat I was going to, that was cancelled. But now I’l have a nice batch to be ready with when my teaching and lecturing gets back into motion. I really enjoy matching colors and making color “families”.

My son tells me I really need to get these onto my website for sale. Maybe now is a good time to investigate how to make that happen.

I was gifted a few large bags of batiks. The minute I got them home I grouped them by color. This made me want to make something with them, so I quickly made a version of my quilt “Color Dance”. But without the border. I’m looking forward to quilting it, and it will make a super sample when I’m teaching and selling the pattern.This is a section.

Having time in my studio has been really wonderful and cathartic. I’ve been wanting to experiment more with painting on fabric. In the workshop with Susan Brubaker Knapp we painted on white cotton. I wondered, what would it be like to paint onto printed fabric, or even a Matrix quilt? This piece is made of just blue squares put together, no piecing inside squares. The reference photo:

How is it to paint on top of color, and seams? It’s tricky, for sure.The fabric pokes through a bit.  

Do you know about Bo-Nash powder? I used it to adhere the top of my piece to the batting and back. For a small project it works great, and does not clog up the needle at all. Much easier than a spray. I’m just now starting to quilt this on my Bernina. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I started another one, this time from a photo I took in the Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia. I am fascinated by these giant lily pads. Some of them were 6-7 feet across.

The pads look prehistoric to me. I wanted to mix the piecing and paint more than in the pelican piece. Here it is before paint.

With paint but before quilting. Quilting will be critical to its success.

I am learning a lot about the paint, ProFab.

When I teach I always tell my students about my Strip Sticks. Here’s a shot of my lilies on the ironing board having seams open up…the Strip Stick makes it easier.

When I have a busy teaching/lecturing schedule I rarely have time for those home chores that happen on occasion, like pantry cleaning. My pantry got a thorough cleaning last week and it felt great to have my spices back in alphabetical order again (this is the result of living with a Virgo for 37 years). While cleaning it I came across a bottle of champagne, at least 30 years old, that had a label that I designed in my life as a commercial illustrator. The champagne had gone bad long ago, but I could never bring myself to throw it out. What I have decided to do with these old sentimental things is to take a picture of it, and then get rid of it. So that’s what I did. When I uncorked it I laughed as it gave out a little “pfffft” and that was it. More room in the pantry and in my life.

I hope everyone reading this post stays healthy and is able to channel some creativity from this crazy time we’re living in. Keep sewing/gardening/dancing/singing or whatever makes you happy.  Till next time.

 

A “Kaffe Fassett Extravaganza” Trunk Show in Santa Cruz, CA

by Heidi Emmett  

Before I tell you about this fun trip, a word about The Artistic Alchemy Retreat at Zephyr Point from Sept. 7th-11th. I have been in contact with The conference center and while no one knows the future, we are VERY HOPEFUL to be able to have our retreat in September as planned. There is still room in all the workshops. By Sept. we will all need a BIG break and I can’t think of a better place to be than Lake Tahoe, with all our “stitching” friends. Going forward, whoever is posting for that week will keep you updated on the Artistic Alchemy Retreat-September 7th -11th, 2020.

I have a trunk show. It’s part of the repertoire of Designs by Heidi. It is called “A Kaffe Fassett Extravaganza!” I created it to do with my friend Christine Barnes. This past March 7th-10th we traveled to The Santa Cruz area of California to give this trunk show. The drive down was very rainy (which was good actually as we have had no measurable rain the entire month of February). We arrived in Capitola around 3p.m. Our hostess felt we needed a walk right away.She was right. The rain had stopped. Let’s go to the beach! The following pictures aren’t in any order. But can be enjoyed regardless.

A great view of the town of Capitola. The Capitola pier in the upper left. I forget what they call the row of colorful cottages.  But they a cheerful addition to the town.
Our hostess and her dog, Kahuna. Christine is to her right. You can barely see some hills straight ahead across the water. That is Monterrey.

A small walking alley going toward the beach. Sew festive and fun.

One of the colorful “row of cottages.” This one is on the end with an unobstructed beach view. I was told that it was for sale and snapped up by Oprah Winfrey for $4+ million.
We are crossing a bridge that goes over a river that empties into the ocean.
On the beach walk, there is a short sitting wall that faces the beach. It is lined with hundreds and hundreds of tiles that were all created by the villagers. I love, the umbrellas, some open, some closed.
We were a great walking group. Starting on the left: Linda (Christine’s sister-in-law)holding her dog Buddy, Christine, me, Lori (co-hostess of our grand time in Capitola), and our hostess Pat with Kahuna.
I made Lori put her hand near one of the Hen’s & Chicks succulents. I have never EVER seen these so extraordinarily LARGE!!
I did not have to get very close for my close up shot. Ha, ha. I think the shades of green are so yummy.
One of many murals that line the streets we walked. All graffiti free! This one is especially sweet and so well done.
There is some major erosion happening to the cliffs in the area (top left). Hence all the boulders below. Pat said it has been happening for the last 50 years or so. What was once a highway that followed the cliff edge has since narrowed to a foot path where 2 can barely walk side by side. Front yards (tiny ones)  come right up to the path.
A few more tiles to enjoy.
I just noticed the glass tile borders above and below the tiles. The seaweed tile (lower left) would make GREAT fabric. So would the umbrellas. I’m always looking at things as possible design ideas.

Christine taught a quilting workshop the day before our Trunk Show. It was based on her “Swizzle Stick” pattern. Her teaching quilt is above all the fabrics that this industrious student was auditioning for blocks. Check out Christine’s pattern here.
A few of Christine’s student work. Really lovely.  Swizzle Sticks, a pattern by Christine Barnes. I enjoyed being her “assistant” in the workshop.
A beautiful colorway with this block. The more I look at these blocks the more I see myself doing some on a vest, ohh how about Off The Grid? Heidi is thinking, thinking.
This block decided to angle itself differently. I like it. I like the colors/prints that were used as well.
Oh MY!! This student wore her “Persian Poppies” vest (vest pattern designed by Kaffe Fassett). Her mother knit it for her and if I’m not mistaken, made 6 more for other family members. Gorgeous colors. The night we gave our Trunk show, I had her stand up so the audience could see another Kaffe sweater.

This was one of Kaffe’s first books. It was printed in 1985. Find copies of this book on Ebay or maybe an Etsy shop.  Knitted pieces that Kaffe created are what I talk about in our trunk show. I also bring some of my own pieces to show that I have collected over the years.
The back cover shows the Persian Poppy vest that the student had. Kaffe is known to use 40-60 different colors in a sweater or vest or coat.
On the morning of our Trunk Show we are both seen wearing our own Kaffe Fassett sweaters. These were purchased from a company called Peruvian Connection. Kaffe and P.C. began a wonderful collaboration on knitted garments starting in 2002. Kaffe designed the sweaters and Peruvian connection hired Peruvian ladies to HAND KNIT each sweater. Any Kaffe sweater from Peruvian Connection is either made out of Alpaca or Pima cotton.
Kaffe also loves mosaics of any kind. At Gayle’s Bakery (41 years it has been in the same location) Gayle created all the mosaic tables. Don’t they remind you of a fabric or garment that Kaffe might have designed?These tables are treasures indeed.

And how about this wall mosaic behind the counter at Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola, CA Scroll back up to the picture of the two of us wearing our Kaffe sweaters and you will see this mosaic behind us and more mosaics at the ordering counter.
And this fabulous market painting! The colors and design elements. C’est Magnifique!
The French women are doing their daily shopping. Don’t anyone dare splash 1/2 and 1/2 on this piece!
This is just one of case after case of tres bon! pastries. All a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
I snapped a shot right after one of the cakes with the rose on top was sold. At least I got a picture of this one.
A close up of the funnest, bestest, valance treatment I’ve ever seen. Gayle made these using vintage table cloths. There is a lot of math(to get the proportions just right) in each of these treatments that are around the store. The plates above  the valance treatments are the finishing touch.

Even the cafe’ chairs are European and really comfortable so you can relax and enjoy your food. Oh, and the fireplace is in the next dining area. There is dining all around.
More succulents abound right outside the door. Such a cheerful yellow.
I bought this the morning we left for home. I made it last for 4 days. My husband wants me to get in touch with the bakery and see if they mail. He’s ready (and so am I) for more.
I like this picture. Pat’s dog is such a cutie pie. All of 12 pounds I think. Very nicely mannered and knows his commands. Of course he is 10 years old. THAT REALLY HELPS. And now you can see the back of my “Kilim” sweater designed by Kaffe Fassett.

Home again and I am trying to recreate the same lovely gentle walking with my dog, Riley. I am wearing a vest (called a jumper in England) that uses the pattern on the front cover of the book (Pictured above) called Glorious Knits. The pattern is called, “Outlined Stars.”
Acccccckkkk!…… Riley wants to go HIS way, NOT mine! Please note, this is NOT really happening. I am exaggerating for a fun picture. Riley is wearing what is called a “gentle lead” around his muzzle to help with training. There ARE times when Riley catches a scent and ALL bets are off! He is so much better though. The new commands are “Leave It!”and “Watch Me!”  They really work!

Take care everyone! Prayers going up for this great country we live in, and all the people  and beyond our shores.  We will all get through this surreal time. I’m sheltering in place in my happy place, my attic studio. Hugs, Heidi

Teaching in Dubai

By Jane Haworth

I’m fortunate to have just returned from teaching quilting in Dubai, UAE and what perfect timing that I can share my travels with you here. With Sandra just back from Israel I am feeling a little intimidated to follow her great post and photos. We are both very lucky to be able to share our journeys with you.

The photo above is the view from my hotel window.  I arrived in Dubai late at night and waking early that first morning this was the scene I was greeted to. I spent many an early morning looking out at the city as jet lag made a full nights sleep pretty scarce!

Last summer I was contacted by Shanker Ramakrishnan inviting me to teach at the International Quilt Show Dubai. This came out of the blue and I had to do a google search to learn more about the show. It is a biannual show and is put on by Shanker, Mala and their daughter Aish who own Classic Quilts, the only quilt store in Dubai. It seems they are responsible for bringing quilting to this region of the world.

Me, Aish and Shanker Ramakrishnan

In my research about the show I saw the great caliber of teachers that had previously taught there. Since it started in 2008 the teachers include Laura Heine, Kaffe Fassett, Ricky Tims, Helen Gooden, Cynthia Needham, and Norika Endo, to name a few. In 2020 I was truly honored to teach alongside Nancy Prince, Jan Krentz and Amanda Murphy.

A selection of some of the colorful quilts in the IQSD 2020

The quilt show ran from Thursday to Saturday and opened with a ribbon-cutting, inauguration ceremony. Two workshops were held each day for four days with up to 25 students per class with Bernina or Brother sewing machines in the classrooms. Approximately 140 quilts were entered into the show into eight different categories. New this year the categories included young quilters, beginners and art pictorial. It was amazing to see the quilts submitted from many different countries around the world. The prizes included four sewing machines, silver and gold minted coins. Friday night was the awards ceremony, which was broadcast Live on Facebook, followed by a delicious  banquet dinner.

View down to the hotel patio where tables were set up for the quilt show banquet dinner. Hotel Roda al Murooj

Having never visited this part of the world before and teaching to such an international selection of students I wondered whether I would have any communication issues. Lucky for me everyone spoke such good English it was never a problem. It seems the world over our quilting community unites us all. We relate to one another in our shared passion of textiles and quilts.

Having some free time I was able to take a short workshop with the Tentmakers of Cairo with Jan Krantz, a fellow teacher from California.

I was invited to teach my Faces Fabric Collage  2 day workshop. Some students chose to use a kit that I supplied of ‘Afghan Girl’, the famous picture by photographer Steve McCurry or they brought in their own photo enlargement for a custom design. The students worked successfully learning my technique that they embraced. Their finished quilts turned out to be amazing. Permission to use this photo was given to me by the photographer.

Here is a selection of the wonderful Faces made in the class. Many people completed the collage  and were ready to take them home to begin the quilting.

How lucky was I to teach these ladies. They had traveled from all over the region to attend my workshop; India, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Muscat, Germany and UAE.

When Shanker arranged our travel we were encouraged to have a free day before the workshop and a couple of days after to see and experience what Dubai has to offer. He wanted us to see the history of Old Dubai and not just new, modern Dubai.

I had one day on my own so took a “hop on, hop off” bus tour around the city. I got off in Deira where I took an “abra” ride on a authentic motorized boat to cross the creek to reach the spice souk on the other side. It cost one dirham about 30 cents.

I love the way they spelt ‘Chilly’! Walking around the “souks” or markets was a sensory overload. From the colors of the textiles, aromas in the spice market and the sounds of cars honking and vendors wanting you to buy their wares!

You can tell I was drawn to the textiles, patchwork, pillows and designs that I saw in the market.

The hotel Roda al Murooj is where we stayed and also the location of the quilt show close to downtown Dubai.  It was nice as it was just an easy, safe walk to the famous Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.

Roda al Murooj with the impressive skyline of the financial district behind.

My first day in Dubai, while adjusting to the 90+’ temps, it was my time to visit the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa tower. My mind was blown by the scale of everything!

These are views close to the Mall and a couple from my bus tour. I do really like buildings and the scale of them here in Dubai is mind blowing! The amount of construction going on is incredible. I heard Dubai has more cranes on buildings than anywhere else in the world and I can believe it.

I loved exploring the mall. In Fashion Avenue I enjoyed window shopping and taking photos as I really couldn’t afford anything in there. It was all so pretty, flowers and floral designs were everywhere.

Jan Krentz and I took the VIP tour of the Burj Khalifa! We accidentally ended up in a small group with private guide traveling up to the 148th floor where we were greeted at a private lounge with arabic coffee and treats. We hadn’t intended on this experience and the tickets we purchased obviously weren’t your standard ticket but was definitely worthwhile.

Can you see our hotel down there with the red roofs. The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world has 200 floors. For regular tourists the viewing floors are 124 and 123 with inside and an outside viewing areas. The building was designed by a Chicago architect Adrian Smith, 12,000 construction workers worked over five years and it opened in 2010.

Following Sandra’s post here are my photos of beautiful food!  The attention to detail and visual beauty of the food was incredible, they look like a still life. As teachers we were spoilt and pampered and are so grateful to Shanker and family for giving us this Middle East experience.

If you want to do a similar fabric collage workshop I still have spaces at the Artistic Alchemy retreat in September at Lake Tahoe. Look up the workshop page here and look for the description. As well as learning fabric collage we will spend a day mark-making or making your own custom fabrics to use.

If you are interested in working on fabric collage at the shop on my website www.janehaworth.com I have kits and patterns available for purchase.

Finally exciting news; I will be teaching with Sandra Mollon on a cruise in Northern Europe in June 2021. Look up the website here for cruise details and contact me if you want more details of the workshop as I am looking for students to sign -up.

 

Adventures in Israel

by Sandra Bruce

Israel is a fascinating country, as I discovered in January when I went there for 2 weeks to teach and explore. This post is about my trip and contains lots of pictures. Go ahead, get a cup of coffee or tea and get comfy…I hope you enjoy my visuals and story! All the photos were shot with my iPhone.

One thing, quickly, before I get into my post…I have 6 spaces left in my Artistic Alchemy Zephyr workshop for this Fall. If you are thinking of attending, now is a great time to sign up.

First, everyone wants to know how I landed a gig in Israel. It’s a long story, but basically: Joel and I consider ourselves cousins, and Joel is cousins with Gail on the other side of his family who is a quilter in Jeruselem.  I met Gail and her husband Avi a few years ago when she and her husband were visiting the US. She is on the board of IQA, Israel Quilters Association, the guild of Israel. They are very active and bring in international teachers.

Gail fondly referred to me while I was there as her “cousin”. To my happy surprise Joel decided to meet me there to hang out with us. Gail is a truly giving and sweet person who worked very hard to make my trip memorable. She accompanied me to my 4 teaching cities and graciously had me as a guest in her home for the week following my teaching.

I began the Argonne Jet Lag Diet 3 days before my trip, which I have always had success with in international trips. It worked like a charm. It IS weird, but I recommend it highly.

Packing for a long trip like this, with winter weather and 2 different classes to teach was a challenge. I got it all in my 2 big suitcases.

This was my view for the 12+hours over (and 15 hours back)…the back of the seat in front of me. It’s always good to know where you are! I did watch a lot of movies too.

Arrived! The airport in Tel Aviv…beautiful mosaics on the wall.

Here is the wonderful Sunday morning view from Gail’s balcony, of Jerusalem.

Gail and I left Jerusalem for my first teaching spot in Tiberius, which is on the Sea of Galilee. On the way we stopped to visit her friend Hava, who is an art quilter and teaches in a studio in her home, complete with an array of Berninas. I met some of her students and we had fun chatting.

One of Hava’s quilts (looks a bit familiar in her technique, eh?)

Here is the location of Tiberius, on the Sea of Galilee.

I love this shot I got of the water. Dreary days can make for good photos.

We walked around Tiberius for the afternoon. Two diners were brave to be sitting outside.

My first class was a small but very enthusiastic group, who worked studiously on my “Color Dance” quilt pattern. Here is Hagar working.

We were looking out the classroom window onto the Dead Sea. When lunchtime rolled around I got my first look at how Israelis do a spread of food. Wowie !!

After class ended we left to head to our next stop, Zikhron Yaakov.

Signs in Israel are in 3 languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English.

The hotel in Zikhron Yaakov had  beautiful floors throughout.

I can’t say enough about the spreads of food. Varied, fresh, and always delicious. This is part of breakfast in the hotel. Part!

My class here was Matrix…these ladies were eager and happy.

On to my next destination, Ashdod, on the Mediterranean. “Color Dance” was the choice of workshops here.

Happy quilters, and hard working!

Somehow I neglected to take any photos in my last workshop, in Jerusalem. It was also a great group of ladies and a good time was had by all. Some of the ladies traveled so that they could take both Matrix and Color Dance workshops. To all of the IQA ladies, I say thank you for having me visit and teach to your guild, you were the best!

Back in Jerusalem with my teaching concluded, it was time for exploring and adventures. Our first night back we headed to the Jerusalem neighborhood of Abu Goush for a fantastic dinner at the Arabic restaurant “The Caravan”. In Israeli restaurants small plates are brought out before the entrees appear. The best hummus I ever ate, hands down, was in Israel.

Traffic in Jerusalem…just like other big cities, snarly and a bit crazy!

The annual IQA quilt show was hung at The Jerusalem Theatre while I was there and I was so glad to be able to view it.

Here is Gail with her entry.

Gail, Joel and I ventured out Saturday morning to the famous market, Machane Yehuda. Here are a few shots of this ancient, whirling, bustling place:

Check out that juicer, it works even with pomegranates.

The “cones” below are paprika. No, I don’t know how they did that!

Baklava, below, in its many forms. Yuuuuuumy…

Below, olive heaven.

On our walk I even spotted Jerusalem’s Bernina store!

From here, on to the Old City of Jerusalem. We brought our umbrellas.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the Christian quarter, contains 2 of the holiest sites of Christianity, the sites where Jesus was said to have been crucified and his tomb. This is a major understatement, but history abounds here in this beautiful church. A few shots:

And of course, the Western Wall. The space allowed for men is way bigger than the space allowed for women.

I loved all the beautiful stone that I walked on, all over this country.Think over the centuries how many have walked here. If these stones could talk….

Moving on….we visited The Israeli Museum on a very cold and windy day. The Dead Sea Scrolls (replicated) are housed in this unusual building.

There were many soldiers at the museum this day. Israeli kids out of high school are required to serve for a certain length of time, and in many capacities, I was surprised to learn.

Some of my favorites from this museum, first,a sculpture by Rodin.

 

A delightful travel poster from the 1920’s.

What’s not to love about a mosaic with birds?

A painting by one of my favorite painters, Egon Schiele, from 1915.

Gail and Joel, the cousins, posed for me in the museum 😉

We were fortunate to land on the last day of an exhibit at the Italian-Jewish Museum, of textiles made by Italian Jewish women in the early part of the 1900’s.

Below, a  little wallet made by a bride for her new husband, pictured here.

Such intricate embroidery!

On to The Islamic Museum.

The founder, Sir David Salomons, had a clock and watch collection which was housed in the bottom floor of this museum. It was fascinating and beautifully displayed.

The most famous watch here, called The Marie Antoinette, has an amazing story, which I will tell you in brief. Made by the Swiss watchmaker Breguet (and finished by his son), purportedly commissioned by Marie’s lover Count von Fersen in 1783, it took 40 years to complete….of course Marie Antoinette never received it. It was stolen from this museum by a master thief in 1983 but recovered in 2013, and is valued at 30 million dollars. It contains every device known at the time it was made, and contains gold, platinum, rubies and sapphires. The best part…you can see through it.

Also at the Islamic Museum are some examples of beautiful calligraphy, which I was most interested in, having spent a career as a calligrapher and illustrator. I can picture the artist and his pen in motion.

Moving along….to Tel Aviv, and the Tel Aviv Museum, and a welcoming from Roy Lichtenstein.

A couple of my favorites from this huge museum. A painting by Klimt, “Friederike Maria Beer”, from 1916, which I was not familiar with. Large, and wonderful to see in person. It was a commission by Austrian socialite Friederike Beer. Klimt asked her to turn her jacket inside out because he liked the pattern of the lining better than the outside! The background motifs were taken from a Korean vase she owned.

Also, here, an exhibit of the wonderful painter Hilma af Klint. Her story is so unique. She was a Swedish painter who was involved with various spiritual movements,  and way, way ahead of her time.This is a large piece also, from 1907.Museum-hopping always requires coffee breaks, doesn’t it?

One more…a very large  photo (several feet wide) by an upcoming Israeli artist, Daniel Tsal. Of course the subject matter attracted me, a young man sewing.

A shot of Tel Aviv’s skyline.

What got into us? We stopped in a fun food court to have a hamburger 😉

I must show you this…Israel has some of the most organized parking garages I’ve ever seen. You could almost eat off the floor of this one. Lights tell you which spaces are available up ahead. Tires squealed on the polished floor.

My time is almost up…we walked Jerusalem one last time. Blue skies peeking!

My last breakfast in Israel, in a warm and cozy cafe.

This smart bird snagged a bag of chips from a market on the street and retreated to a wire where he pecked it open and enjoyed its contents, spread on the ground!

My last shot, checked into my flight home. Left at 1:00am, arrived in san Francisco at 6:00am. I was very glad to be home after that long flight, but happy after this memorable trip! If you made it this far I say, “thank you”, and I hope you enjoyed my story. Shalom.

Announcing our 7th Annual Artistic Alchemy Retreat – September 7th-11th, 2020

Welcome everyone to our 2020 line up of workshops and Open Studio!

We accidentally hit the “PUBLISH” button the other night before everything was perfectly in place. So, here’s a chance to view the IMPROVED version. And we’re here to answer questions.

Please note that the date seems later, but it’s just the way the calendar worked out this year. Arrive on Monday (Labor Day), the 7th and return home late morning of Friday, the 11th.

Mary Boalt will not be with us for 2020 because of personal family obligations. We have REALLY enjoyed working with Mary and she will be greatly missed.

Another change this year for 2020 is that we are planning on having Open Studio in its own room. We want you to enjoy working at your own pace, staying up all night (if you want); bring all your UFO’s, and enjoy being with other Open Studio attendees. Be inspired by the nightly programs, the scenery,and the new friends you will make. To enable this “private space” to happen we will need a good showing of attendees. So sign up early! Open studio prices are listed on the registration form and the prices include your sleeping room and your working space, etc.

As you check out the workshops, please read all the way through each one. All the workshops have sewing skill parameters and we want you to be aware of each teacher’s needs for the BEST possible experience for YOU! If you have any questions, email that teacher before you sign up. We’ll get back to you asap.

Thank you for stopping by. Start by perusing the updated 2020 drop down Menu Bar. We hope to see YOU at our Artistic Alchemy Retreat this year.

All the best from Sandra, Heidi and Jane.

Artistic Alchemy Retreat – September 7th-11th, 2020.

by HEIDI EMMETT

It’s coming! All the details concerning our Artistic Alchemy Retreat for 2020! This will be our 7th year.

The dates for this years adventure into the world of all things fiber is, Monday, September 7th (Labor Day) to Friday, September 11th.

Our “GO LIVE” for this years retreat will happen on Friday, February 7th. This is when all the information becomes available.

We hope to see YOU at our Artistic Alchemy Retreat, Sept. 7-11th, 2020! Until next Friday, Feb. 7th, get some creativity with fiber going! Hugs, Heidi

Kicking off the New Year with Creativity

This is Jane and what better way to kick off the New Year than a few days away at the creative arts retreat ‘Craft Napa’  I am in Napa! This retreat was founded 5 years ago by Pokey Bolton. Pokey is founder of Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines, and founding host of Quilting Arts TV on PBS. More recently she started Crafting a Life and the Craft Napa retreat.

January 2019 Cruising by CIA at Copia in Napa with Lyric Kinard and Lynn Tubbe after a delicious lunch at the Oxbow Market.

Craft Napa celebrates the crafts of quilting, sewing, surface design, art journaling, and mixed media. It happens early January when we are all looking for a creative kickstart to the beginning of our year. The events location is at the Embassy Suites in Napa, CA and all the workshops, socializing and networking happens in the fountain courtyard around which the classrooms are arranged. Tentative dates for 2021 13-17th January

Jennifer Sampou, fabric designer and quilter, and husband displaying her quilts during her lunchtime lecture.

Including the workshops Pokey organizes various events; a welcome dinner, wine blending, and a speakers luncheon. Last year we watched ‘Tim’s Vermeer’ with the inventor Tim Jenison who was present for Q & A afterwards. Then Friday night is always the Makers Market. This event, open to the public, includes tables from many of the teachers selling unique products and works of art, as well as the work and products of other local makers.

Selling my handmade products at the Friday night Makers Market

I have attended Craft Napa for all five years since its inception in 2016 and highly recommend it. It can be pricy but I give myself an early Christmas present when I sign up in May or June. Sharing a room at the Embassy Suites with their breakfast included and their popular happy hour really helps to keep costs down.

This year I am taking two workshops by Joanne Sharpe and Pat Pauly as well as teaching two classes Pet Portraits and Beautiful Bovines. This year 2020 Craft Napa runs from January 15-19th and I will be there when this post goes out.

As part of my prep for my two classes I have been making samples to inspire my students to let them see the steps involved in fabric collage, hands-on . These samples are made using 8” x 10” photographs. The projects in this workshop are smaller and so hopefully students get finished or close to in the 6 hr class.

Ruby, a sample of one of my cow patterns for the Beautiful Bovine workshop.

Once I’m home from Craft Napa I have two focuses; my upcoming workshop ‘Faces’ that I am teaching in Dubai at the end of February at the Dubai International quilt Show and then prep for the Artistic Alchemy 2020 Retreat announcement when registration opens  in early February

Over the Christmas break I got to play with surface design with my daughter Lucy. We painted, stamped, carved lino-blocks and generally had fun with fabric paints and fabrics.  Here are a few photos of what we made.

 

Lino Cutting and printmaking

Applying paint in a loose manner results in beautiful fabrics

From this collection of fabrics I am going to use them in fabric collage. I really like the  layered look of collage on improv piecing. It a great way to use pieces and scraps of fabric you have already or have handmade yourself.

Succulent Love Fabric Collage

I have started another project with my small sewing group, Sierra Sisters. We have decided to make a shared wearable piece of art. We all submitted a piece of clothing that will be cycled around the group giving us each a month to work on the piece by adding some appliqué, hand stitching or whatever takes your fancy. It will be fascinating to see how these pieces turn out near the end of the year. I hand-painted this apron dress that is pretty wacky to start off!

Best wishes to all for a creative and inspiring 2020. I like to encourage people to drop fear and just create.  I will leave you with a photo from Serene Lakes taken around 9pm on News Years Eve. Its our tradition to head up the hill and as part of our New Year celebrations watch the fireworks on the Serene Lake.

View from Serene Lakes, CA on New Years Eve 2019

Keep enjoying the blog and in just a few weeks Artistic Alchemy will be announcing our workshops for the 2020 retreat. How exciting!