Lucky 13!  These don't have borders, yet, but the colors were really great to work with.  I am now onto a costuming project for a production of 'Grease' so switching gears into the 50's!  I dream this pattern and look forward to experimenting with a few more fabric combinations after a brief respite.  Spring refuses to be 'sprung' around here but we ARE enjoying more daylight.

Two more -  I really like these. One is so cheerful and the other one contains some eclectic fabrics that I've had around for awhile.
The red/pink started out looking suspiciously like a Valentine so I injected the orange and purple and it turned out quite pleasing!  My daughter chose fabrics for the other one based on the floral border. A strange color combination but it worked in the end (at least she likes it!).  Three to go and I'll be able to take a breather. My final count will be Lucky 13!

The calendar says it's the vernal equinox and the beginning of spring.  This does NOT pertain to Fairbanks!  It is only 10 degrees, who would consider that spring??  At least the sun is shining longer everyday and the roads are clearing up.  The light has been pouring through my studio windows and it's pleasantly warm in there. I've got two more graduation quilts to piece and then I'll be able to turn my focus to some art pieces.  

My quilt list grew and I'll probably have 12 of these by the time I'm done!

The whole project took on a life of it's own, but I'm having fun with them.

It's been a good way of testing out color schemes, too.

9 down, two to go. Making progress on the graduation quilts, and loving each one more than its predecessor.  This quilt, called Snapshots, is from the book 'Happy Hour'.  (It goes together quickly and smoothly if you need a quilt in a jiffy.  And, of course, you get to play with all your fabric!).  It is so appropriately named for my project. Many happy hours spent watching my daughter and her friends together and taking lots of snapshots. These kids will be scattering like leaves to various colleges across the country next fall.  I'm hoping that when they crawl under their quilt it will help give them a sense of connection to one another.  We've watched them go from kindergartners to wonderful young adults, full of potential and with so many adventures awaiting them.  I'm not sure what an empty nest will bring for me, but more than likely I'll find more time in the studio :)

Just to reiterate - I love cloth! There are so many beautiful fabrics  on the market today. And, if you don't like what's available for purchase --  you can dye, paint, or stamp your own!  Just too much fun..  I have been making a batch of graduation quilts for my daughter and her friends.  It has been delightful digging through my 'stash' and incorporating fabrics from 20 years ago with current pieces.  It's all about color and their personalities. 7 down, 3 to go, and I'm not even sick of the pattern yet :)   I should be working on purses, but this project has been an amazing amount of fun.  I just might get caught up on the backlog of iou's yet....

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote on this... It's been a crazy year, full of family stuff, a couple of different jobs and not enough time in the studio. I think I've finally figured out how to cram everything in - stay up really late and do the dishes when I run out of silverware! 

Last weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Bethel, Alaska (from my home in Fairbanks) to teach  classes for the Kozy Kusko Quilters Guild. A wonderful group of like-minded fiber lovers, which is always a treat. We experimented with silk flowers under tulle; created Japanese kimono jackets; added to our bag collections; and put together quilt tops that showcased some of our favorite fabrics. A very productive weekend, in their aptly named Kozy log cabin! They were gracious, fun, and willing to put up with my schizo personality :)  Teaching four projects almost simultaneously was a challenge, but I think it all worked out in the end!

The sun was shining brightly as we took 'Twitchell's Ten Minute Tour of Town' and snapped a pic on the Kuskokwim river.  No quilting retreat weekend would be complete without a foray to the local fabric store.  On the way to the airport we ducked into Swanson's where I netted a beautiful batik to remind me of my trip.  Next time I'll have to make it my first stop because I'm sure that there were many more with my name on them!!  I look forward to a return trip.