Twenty-five Days Behind Everyone Else

In 2013, I finished 22 small quilts and weaving projects, but in 2014, I only finished 17, and 3 of those were just tiny practice pieces.  In a way that was okay, because… Continue reading

First Finish for ’15!

My daughter needed a baby boy quilt for one of her friends, who is on bed rest for seven weeks.  I always wish I could consult with the recipient and see what their… Continue reading

Shadows of the Past

Three years ago when I was photographing this dress from the 1800s, I got to wondering how it would look by candlelight, the way it was seen when it was new, 170 years… Continue reading

Digital Collage with Fabric

For weeks I have been trying to figure out how to take my own fabric swatches and digitally blend them with specific shapes, to use in art quilts.  Even though I have a… Continue reading

A Cloud of Witnesses

This is an old photograph I got in an antique store.  It captures the essence of what I try to preserve in this blog – ordinary people, finding a sense of competence in… Continue reading

Drawing the Threads Together

I have been wanting to do a series of still lifes based on favorite vintage items, from the kitchens of my grandmother, mom, and mother-in-law — things like teapots, recipe boxes, and figurines. … Continue reading

Adjusting the Contrast

This is another experiment with art quilt techniques. For me, quilts have been a great way to engage people at nature festivals.  They give shy spectators something to start conversations about, and they… Continue reading

Vintage Village

This is my favorite Christmas tradition — setting up my mom’s vintage village of skaters, skiers, and farm animals. When I was a kid, my brother and sister and I would set it… Continue reading

Finding the Thread of the Narrative

I write because I don’t know what I think until I see what I say. – Flannery O’Connor* I have mentioned before that I have a hard time figuring out what it is… Continue reading

East Texas Textures

Some textures that catch my eye here on the farm — Some day these will find their way into a quilt or tapestry!