Horizon Applique & Quilting Workshops

Warmest congratulations to Lynne Edwards, English quilter who has been awarded the highest citizen award in the Commonwealth: M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) for her contribution to the Arts through her quilting. The award will be present by H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July. Watch for Lynne's new book “Cathedral Window Quilt” due out this summer. That’s me and Lynne on the right with the Bay of Fundy as a backdrop.

Magazines
Joe Lewis is a textile artist living Toronto and is passionate about promoting Canadian textile art. He’s developed a slick e-zine fibreQUARTERLY which includes an anthology in a downloadable PDF format. fQ explores and celebrates contemporary Canadian Textile and Fibre Art. Go into this web site and click on the “Popular artcraft” Link and see the work of Bettina Matzkuhn, British Columbia, also the “Art cloth Text” blog link.
fQ Volume 4 Issue 2 Spring 2008 is now on line. They’re always looking for preview/promotional material about up and coming exhibitions as well as reviews. If you have story ideas please feel free to get in touch with Joe. Subscribe and support Canadian textile arts.

Another Canadian magazine, this one on real paper, is called  A Needle Pulling Thread. It features Canadian textile arts and has lot of projects.

Crazy Quilts Magazine on-line. When I was at Quilt Festival, I had a lovely visit with Barbara Blankenship who writes for Crazy Quilt. It's published quarterly and has lots of articles on stitching, embellishments and beading. Barbara kindly wrote a rather lovely article about me and my book, which  I’m pleased to say has gone into second printing and going strong.

African Threads
Isn't this fabulous car? It's and appliqué made by Dudu who lives in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. This is one of the pieces I’ve recently brought in for my African Threads project. The people in the car are leaning out of the windows as a tortoise crosses the road. I love the exploding perspective. Please visit African Threads for charming embroideries and to support the Grandmother’s of Africa.

Art Design and Visual Thinking
Who’d have thought that you could take a Cornell University level course on Design? Well, here is a site so rich with information that you could take a year or two to work through it. What a fabulous resource! Cornell University lecturer Charlotte Jirousek covers: Language of Design: Form, Pattern, Line, Balance, rhythm, etc. There is also discussion of Creativity and the Design process. It’s an entry-level, introductory course, and no special skills or background is needed.

Paper Dolls
Lark Books has a new paper doll book on the shelf called Artful Paper Dolls. It's an energetic hardcover with a brief history of Paper Dolls, featured artists and a gallery. Among the many inspiring artists included are Margi Hennen and Kathryn Beltzer – two talented and funny women whom I’m glad to call friends! You'll enjoy the exceptional dolls these women make.

On-line Landscape Group
In November I started a new on-line group for anyone interested in landscape quilts, big and small. We have a really lovely group on-line with a fabulous Gallery of photos by members – and there’s a lot of talent and great sharing going on. You are most welcome to join in the discussion!

"Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality."
- The Dalai Lama

Till next time - happy Spring!

Yikes! The “quilt police”!

Yup, that’s me, at Quilt Festival in Houston, handcuffed by Lieutenant J.R. Johnson of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. I met the Lt. in Janet Rice-Bredin’s  booth where we were chatting with Sharon Pederson during Quilt Market. We offered him chocolates when he wasstrolling the aisles. He told us he was responsible for arresting the fellow who threw bleach on a quilt several years ago, an act that shocked the quilt world. ” Wow!" I said, " That makes you a quilt hero! Can I get my photo taken with you?” “Sure.” said Lt. Johnson, in that gracious Southern way, “Will that be cuffed or un-cuffed?”

Besides the inspiring quilts and the great shopping what I relish about Quilt Festival is wonderful people I meet. I’ve been lucky enough to teach at Quilt Festival for 19 years and I’ve loved every visit. This year 5,000 students took classes from 138 teachers, and it seems to run like clockwork. You can see the stunning quilts winners here at www.quilts.com

Quilt of Belonging Canada’s monumental quilt installation dazzled and touched viewers at Quilt Festival this year. It was a star attraction. It was great to meet Esther Bryant who was presented with a proclamation from the Mayor of Houston, making October 31st "Quilt of Belonging Day" in Houston. It was a proud moment for Canadians in Houston. If you don’t know about this remarkable quilt, please check out the web site and order the book. Highly recommended!

New! On-line landscape quilt group
I love keeping in touch and connecting and sharing information so I’ve started a new chat group for landscape quilters.  Anyone interested in sharing information about the landscapes they have made is very welcome. Go to www.groups.yahoo.com/ and search for ValerieHearderLandscapeQuiltGroup. Please check it out and  add your voice and images. I'd love to hear from you. We’re growing fast and we’re really looking forward to seeing your work

African Threads
I’m excited about my new small business that is near and dear to my heart. I’m importing hand-embroidered textiles from South Africa. My goal is to create economic activity for the women’s’ groups on a Fair Trade basis. In addition, I donate 15% of the profits to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to ease the suffering of HIV/AIDS Sufferers in Africa. In particular, I’m supporting the Grandmother-to-Grandmother Campaign. The Grandmothers in Africa are struggling in dire circumstances to cope with the millions of orphans left by the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping Africa. It is not unusual for a granny to be caring for upwards of 20 children. See the Grandmother link in the side column.
Visit www.africanthreads.ca for more details. To buy a gorgeous “Grandmothers of Africa” t-shirts and more, visit my new Etsy craft shop site for a variety of charming folk art textiles from South Africa. They make heartfelt Christmas gifts and are light to mail and support women in Africa.

December 1 is World AIDS Day. Oh, and should you happen to be in Mahone Bay on Sunday 2nd December for the Father Christmas Festival, drop by the Mahone Bay Centre and see my African Threads.

Creativity Coaching Course
My friend Mary Holdgrafer has a new online course Creativity Coaching for Textile Artists. I’ve known Mary for many years and know her to be a deeply compassionate and wise teacher. No need to travel; learn the skills to be a productive artist, all in the comforts of your own home. Mary has combined her own experience with extensive training to create a coaching course especially for textile artists. To learn more about the class and Mary’s expertise and to register (click here). While you’re at Mary’s web site, sign up for her newsletter Exploring Creativity for inspiring essays and great quilt artist’s profiles.

Carol Weibe is a mixed media artist Kitchener Ontario and we recently shared some correspondence. I really enjoyed Carol’s work and her interesting blog where I found this thoughtful quote from Annie Dillard in The Writing Life. It applies to all creative endeavors, including relationships, which really are the ultimate creative endeavour!

"One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is a signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly is lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes."

–Annie Dillard

Blessed Holiday Season to you all.
Take time to just breath and enjoy good health and cheer.
Valerie

Points of View:
My second book on small landscapes is hot off the press and in quilt stores as of  mid-September. I’m delighted to have worked with Martingale Publishing to produce this book.

Points of View: Landscape quilts to Stitch and Embellish

My book centers around 10 projects using an easy pattern method I’ve developed using tracing paper to create lovely landscapes ready to frame or stitch into wall hangings. Each project incorporates an embellishment technique like fusible appliqué, paint sticks, transfer paints, coloured pencils and vanishing muslin,stitchery and more.

You can find the book in your local quilt store or order a copy from me – and I’ll sign it for you! I’ll be adding some new products to my online store that are used in the book: iridescent paint sticks, fabric crayons, and heat transfer paints.
Click here to read more details about the book. My advance author copy arrives by courier tomorrow!

WORKSHOPS coming up soon:

Collage: Fabric Constructions: I’m teaching in my hometown Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. September 17–19, Registration deadline August 27th run by Mahonne Arts.
Using fusible appliqué techniques, this workshop explores a fresh way to look at the design process and encourages participants to trust their own artistic vision and intuition. Work in a spontaneous way with the fabric to make small compositions based on an architectural/shrine theme. Log on to Mahonne Arts  This is a photo of student work done in a collage class in Fibreworks, Kingston, Ontario earlier this year.

Landscapes:
I’m also teaching a landscape workshop at Art Quilt Tahoe in California November 12 – 17 2007

I’m planning to be at the Pictou Lodge Retreat in Nova Scotia on September 21 and 22. I’m not teaching but going to hang out with quilting pals and enjoy the good times. It’s a super friendly retreat and there is still space if you want to join the fun http://www.mayflower.typepad.com/ We’d love to see you there!

Myrna Giesbrecht: Women, Art, Life.
Myrna lives in Kamloops, British Columbia, and teaches extensively on-line and is a Teacher of the Year nominee for the Professional Quilter Magazine. Check out her unique 12-week on-line coaching workshop called “Women, Art, Life” – a positive life, affirming workshop, which starts 1st September. http://www.myrnagiesbrecht.com

Rosalie Dace is coming from South Africa to teach at Quilt Canada in Newfoundland, June2008. I met Rosalie many years ago and know her to be a generous and fine teacher  - I’d take her workshop myself, except I’m teaching too! Check out the Canadian Quilters Association web site, I know you’ll learn a lot from Rosalie.

Lani Garrity is a delightful free spirit who lives here in Nova Scotia and I adore visiting her blog  - pure inspiration. Lani offers free e-zines and an “Artist happiness” on line course. You'll find her web site intriguing: http://www.lanipuppetmaker.com/

Making Time: A Daybook
In my previous newsletter I talked about journals. Deanne Fitzpatrick has produced a great perennial diary/daybook that is designed to inspire you to record your daily life, thoughts and ideas. It’s being used as a daybook, travel journal, cottage guestbook, and a swap book between friends.
This full colour daybook/journal is illustrated with Deanne's hooked rugs,
6 by 8", with over 60 full colour images $24.95 visit www.hookingrugs.com/supplies.php
Tell her I sent you!

South Africa:
A quilting friend, Sally Scott, wrote to me recently from South Africa. Sally is a high-energy textile artist who captures the essence of South Africa in her work. Her passion clearly resonates in her work. I think you'll find her site worth a visit. One piece in particular caught my attention and I think you’ll find it worth studying. It’s titled Surrender, a powerful and moving ritual garment, is about the key life process of forgiveness. The piece was inspired by a love poem written by Anacreon in 6BC. Sally copied the poem onto the inside of the garment - so be sure to see the inside as well.

There is a lot of rich material on Sally's site. Be sure to see her links to other artists like Rosalie Dace and Odette Tolksdorf.

We don't hear enough about contemporary textile art in South Africa, but Innovative Threads, which was established by Art Quilter Margie Garratt, is working to change that, with exciting pieces from its annual juried exhibition displayed on the Web. Celebration, pain, humour, reflection, colours vivid and muted - these pages make you long to see the real thing. I check into this site a couple of times a year to keep abreast the state of the art quilt in South Africa.

Well - that's it from me for now. Enjoy the last days of the summer. Oh, summer, we hardly knew you!
bye for now,
Val

Sketchbooks & Journals

Sketchbooks and journals are a dynamic part of the creative process. And judging by the new crop of books and web sites on journaling and creative sketchbooks, it’s obviously something that appeals to almost all of us in the creative arts.

Without a doubt the most valuable thing in my studio is not my fabric, or even my sewing machine - it’s my 30 years of notebooks. Here is my “studio journal”. I use it when working on a project to jot down technical notes and thoughts about the work in progress. I find when I’m working on a piece, more ideas are generated than at any other time – and those precious, fleeting images need to be captured. The small lined pages, 3 hole punch format works well for me. This is my most valuable source of inspiration.

I don’t have one sacred book that holds everything. I’ve use a series of sketchbooks that fill different needs. I use a big sketchbook to doodle ideas and draw out how a piece may look.

Perhaps, like me, you can’t resist buying yet another pristine, blank book for sketches and notes - you know, for all those profound thoughts and inspired design ideas. I‘ve at least 6 untouched books knocking around.

But starting a blank journal can be akin to the “blank canvass” terror - where to begin? It can seem so weighty, like one must say something deeply meaningful in order to start marking in a new journal. “I can’t draw” is the biggest inhibitor to making art journals. It’s as if we’re eight again, standing in front of the class about to be judged for eternity on our ability to draw. Oh, who cares? Just do it! Who’s going to check? I don’t want to die leaving all those journals blank. I’ve been gathering tips from various sources on how to get in the flow of using journals and I hope some of these inspire you.

1. Find edgy journal exercises at Wreck This Journal and check out what people are making on this site.

2. Open the new journal in random places and mark up the pages with coloured spirals, cutouts from magazines, quotes, photos, provocative questions, whatever takes your fancy, just mark the pages. Once these are scattered through out the blank pages the journal journey has begun and it’s easy to start doodling in it.

3. Who says you have to draw? What about descriptive lists? Cut and paste inspiring clippings, make notes, just jot down ideas for your next project. I often like to write out my ideas rather than draw them.

4. Use the book as a place to test out new art supplies. Since it's not your "real" journal, it won't matter if it's full of nothing but scribbles. You might want to make a few notes about brand name, color, nib size, etc. beside each scribble. See: Daydreaming on Paper

Journal Resources:
A Trail Through Leaves: the Journal as a Path to Place by Hannah Hinchman is an exquisite journal guide

Here’s a List of 20 really interesting books on journaling. I want them all.

“Most of us go to our graves with our music still in us” – Thomas Jefferson

Visit Lani Garrity: Puppet maker’s site and take her happiness challenge or read her “things to try in case of artistic emergency” Lani also has lots of free downloads on her site, a blog and an e-newsletter, that are worth singing up for. Lani lives in Nova Scotia. 

Landscape book
My book now has a title: Points of View: Landscape Quilts to Stitch and Embellish, Martingale & Company. We’re working on 2nd page proofs and it’ll be out in September. I’m thrilled with how lush and elegant the book looks. By next newsletter I should have a cover to show you.

Workshops
I’m teaching a couple of landscape classes in Nova Scotia in May and June – check for details at the top left column. You can take my "Skyscpae" workshop at the new Quilt Fest happening in Halifax on June 16/17 with lectures and workshops and displays. www.quiltfest.ca

Quilt The Atlantic
Nova Scotian quilter Karen Henry has started a web resource for everything quilterly going on in Atlantic Canada www.quilttheatlantic.ca Workshops, quit shops, teachers, sewing related items to sell, etc. A great resource if you’re planning a trip to Atlantic Canada!

Well, that’s it for now. I hope spring is in full swing where you are - it’s been pretty cold here in Nova Scotia, but the tulips are up… now, how to save them from becoming a salad bar for the deer!!
Valerie

Creative Stretching: Creative Routine

So, we’re in the groove of 2007 and like many, I’ve started some new routines… well, not really “new”. I’ve re-awoken old routines that slipped by the way. I started yoga again and found a lovely teacher close by. It feels good; my body is waking up and muscle-memory is kicking in.

When lived in St. John's I took a weekly life drawing class and my confidence in drawing developed rapidly. I haven’t drawn for more than 5 years, but last week I joined a new life drawing class and boy, am I rusty! I was struck with how drawing is like yoga…. no mater how stiff and out of practice one is, the muscle-memory never fails to return and support one. The drawings from the first session were filed in the recycling bin, but there was one sketch, made right at the end, that had some merit. It feels good to stretch my eye-hand connections and wake up the memory of drawing. I’m not looking for perfect drawings; I am drawing for practice and the routine of drawing.

I have been reading The Creative Habit by Twila Tharp who emphasizes the need for a daily routine… once it’s established you go on autopilot and the habit supports you through the thin times. I like the concept, now how to put it in practice?

One of my creative routines is to visit Judy Martin’s online Journal/blog - I’m always inspired by how others work. Judy's involved in distance textile studies, preparing for exhibitions, teaching quilting and piano. How does she do it?  A recent entry reminded me of an old habit I’d lost and plan to re-instate. With permission, here is Judy’s 27th January post:

One word question: How? Two word answer: Kitchen timer.
Set kitchen timer for one hour. Chain sew 2" squares of hand dyed silk velvet into grids.
Buzzer! Reset timer for another hour. Type research on Picasso into the computer.
Buzzer! Make lunch. Begin new recipe for oatmeal bread.
Set kitchen timer for one hour: Continue chain sewing of blue velvet.
Buzzer! Reset timer for another hour. Put shelves and piles of overflowing books into new bookcase. Also do laundry.
Buzzer! Reset timer for another hour. Cut more fabric. Continue sewing blue velvet.
Buzzer! Take dog for walk in the fresh snow. Start dinner, bake bread.

So, what’s your trick for creative routine? Please add a comment below and share your ideas- I’d love to hear about it.

How do you plan to stretch your creativity and design skills this year? All workshops you take are about colour and design - it can’t be otherwise - for it’s integral to everything we make and do. Here’s some suggestions:

*    Take lots of workshops on colour and design – each teacher presents differently, and your understanding evolves as well.
*    Take drawing classes, and vow not to be intimidated or discouraged.
*    Stretch: take classes from non-quilters: pottery, poetry.
*    Join mailing lists for gallery openings, and don’t miss an opportunity to hear artists talk about their work.
*    Form an art and design study group.
*    Buy sketchbooks and journals and start making notes.
*    Subscribe to creative blogs and e-newsletters. See links in the sidebar.
*     Print out my list of Creative Block Busters

If you wanted just one great book on design I recommend: David Lauer's Design Basics. I love this book. Terrie Hancock Mangat recommended it in a workshop 20 years ago and it's been an invaluable resource. A new addition to my library is Steve Aimone's
DESIGN! A Lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists & Craftspeople.
For more book suggestions, here is my book list for Design books.

I hear the kitchen timer beeping, so I’m off to re-set it for a stint of piecing a quilt started in a Heather Stewart workshop last fall.

My best to you in creative quilting!