FROM HEART TO HAND: AFRICAN-AMERICAN QUILTS from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

If you were lucky enough to see this exhibit then you will understand when I say it was truly inspirational.  https://montclairartmuseum.org/content/heart-hand-african-american-quilts-montgomery-museum-fine-arts

The quilts were made by African-Americans from Alabama.  While I enjoyed all quilts, I did have some  favorites including Yvonne Wells, a self taught artist,  who's pictorial quilts told stories about the civil-rights movement, religion, etc.  As I strolled through the one room which contained about 10 of Yvonne's quilts, I was  fascinated by the stories attached to each quilt and found myself lingering much longer than I anticipated for the small exhibit.   The level of detail on each quilt was amazing, including the hand quilting.  The quilt using old ties took 160 hours to make + 37 hours just for the embroidery.

If you did not see the exhibit, then come with me on a journey as I share some of the photos I took during my visit. The last day of the exhibit is tomorrow.,

The Higginbothams II dressed in their Sunday best

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The Whole Armour of God

Housetop/Strip Quilt by Plummer T.Pettway (Gee's Band)

Strings by Mary Lee Bendolph (Gee's Band)

Rosa Parks I- Yvonne Wells

Yesterday: Civil Rights in the South III

Nora's Neckties in 3D

WHAT'S UP WITH JOSIE'S COLOURFUL JOURNEY

I have not written in my blog for a month, but I have good reason for that.  In the last few weeks I have participated in 3 art /Holiday  events.  I have been busy learning new things, as well as making new product.  Come on this journey with me.

1. Open Studio Hartford (CT)- over 200 participating artist for a 2 day event.

Open Studio Hartford

Open Studio Hartford

Here I am talking about my product and the process

My niece Dee modeling a purple ruffle scarf from Josie's collection

Dee in my bright orange-yellow ruffle

Ivan, one of the artist sharing the space

Cousin Linda and her jewelry line

Between events we stopped to have a Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends.  What a blessing

one of my favorite new scarves

Ginger taking a rest after a long day with family/friends

2. Jersey City event

My friend enjoying her new scarf  and scented soaps

2. Maplewood Bizaare Bazaar

My favorite hat finds a new home

purple navy ruffle works well with this coat 

hot item -lightly scented felt soaps

My friend recently showed me how to felt soaps, and now there is no stopping me.  Love the process/love the scents/love bathing with these soaps.  Washcloth and soap all in one, and when you're finished you can add your favorite scent and use as an air freshener, in lingerie drawer, in your closet or luggage.  

Teaching Adventure

I labeled this post "my teaching adventure" as I truly looked at it as something wonderful.   My friends would always ask if I would ever consider teaching a quilingt class, and my response was always no.  I guess I never thought of myself as a teacher, or was it an inner fear that I would not be good at it.   Never-the-less, the opportunity surfaced and I said sure why not.  I know the subject matter,  I love people so why not share what i know.

The class was a basic quilting class to construct a classic piecework quilt called "Trip around the world"(www.pinterest.com/lindakay916/trip-around-the-world)

The quilt top we made is simple and has uniform blocks.  The  method I taught was strip piecing which makes it easier/faster to put the quilt top together.   I had 5 students in my class including a mother/daughter team.  Some of the students had done some sewing before, yet others had not done so in years.  This meant I had to first go through some basics about the sewing machine, including threading, bobbin, and sewing a precise 1/4" seam with a special foot.  I then did a demo on how to cut fabric using a rotary cutter, and how to put the parts together.   3 weeks later all the students had a quilt top they were pleased with.  Of course, the biggest challenge for some was getting a consistent 1/4" seam.   Everyone promised their 2nd "trip around the world" would be more consistent.  Overall, I was pleased with the class and my students enjoyed working on their project.  We are meeting for one more class to sandwich the quilt top with batting/backing and do simple quilting to complete the project.    Please note some photos below.

INSPIRATION OF THE DAY - LEATHER & FANS

You never know where you might find inspiration in your daily travels.  Yesterday my brother-in-law and I went to my favorite leather shop, Impact Leather (www.impactleather.com).  On the way out we spotted these great looking prints - yes print on leather.  They have a local artist who creates these amazing designs on leather, that are truly one-of-a-kind.  If you don't see a color combo you like, Santiago can create one especially for you.  I have an idea already of what I'd like to do with one of the pieces.  Please check out the photos below.

Of course, if you're looking for skins of all types/colors you will find it here.  This place is such a treasure.

what a pretty red-orange suede/leather

lots of skins in various shades and colors

Next stop dentist, then back downtown to catch my train.  As I passed the windows of Saks I could not help but glimpse the windows spotlighting the designers "Dolce & Gabbana"(www.Dolceandgabbana.com.  I was fascinated by the different fans on display, as well as the one short dress with fans as part of the design.  Interesting.

check out the little purses

love this dress

Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival -knitter/spinner/fiber artist paradise

On Saturday, a friend and I drove up to Rhinebeck.  At first, I dreaded the long drive (2 hours), but after thinking of the pain I would feel if I really missed the annual Sheep and Wool Festival (www.sheepandwool.com) I decided it was well worth the trip.    Two of my key suppliers for merino fiber would be at this event, so it was important for me to see them in person.

With my backpack, and one extra bag for my goodies we headed out about mid morning and arrived a little before 1 pm.  I had previously visited this fair on a Sunday, and this was my first time attending on a Saturday.   What a big difference in the size of the crowd.

Some of my goodies from this trip

Check out the foliage in the background-such a scenic trip

For those of you who don't know the Sheep and Wool Festival is on the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York and it takes place on the weekend.  I heard the expected attendance could be as high as 40,000  people.  I'm sure Saturday was the bulk of the crowd as we found it harder to move around , as there were lots of people everywhere.  If you were hungry you had to wait on a long line, regardless of which food vendor you wanted to try.  I wanted to taste that apple cider donut, but decided the wait was not worth it.

If you love knitting, spinning, felting or any other fiber art you would love this fair.   There are plenty of vendors selling their fiber and yarn in so many different colors/combinations that you would be hard pressed not to find what you're looking for.   Of course, if you're looking for finished product such as sweaters, hats, gloves, mitts you can also find that here.  They also have knitting and spinning workshops, competitions,  demos, fleece and sheep for sale, and other fun stuff for the kids.

I remember the first year I came to Rhinebeck.   I was in awe at the size of the crowd, and the various vendors and what they had to offer.   I took lots of pictures of  sheeps, llamas and alpacas.  By year three I was more focused on who/what I needed to see, but could not ignore the lovely yarn and fiber shown by most vendors.  I keep going back to those that did well for me the previous years.

If you have never been to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival please make it a point to go next year, or even one in your area of the country.

I took a picture of this little bunny rabbit who had the fluffiest fur

Modern Museum of Art (MOMA)

Earlier this week I decided to go to the MOMA as I had not been to the museum in a few months.  With the big event over, I felt as though I could finally take some time off to smell the flowers and do some of the other things I enjoy.

The exhibit I enjoyed the most was the Henri Matisse ( The Cut-Outs)  http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1469

It was interesting to see so many large cut-outs in various shapes and sizes.  They call it "Gouache on paper", cut and pasted on different mediums. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouache

As I walked through the exhibit i suddenly realized that I was standing right next to Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise).  Ok it was my 2nd celebrity citing in less than 2 weeks.    If you have time please check out the exhibit.  Definitely worthwhile.