Chicago School of Fusing Out Reach Program
September is looking like a busy month for me. As ambassador from the Chicago School of Fusing I'm visiting quilt makers in Wichita KS, Dayton OH, and Livermore CA.
Its a hard life traveling to exotic places like this but my mission is to spread the word that you too can be a fuser. So if you're in the area and want to hear an inspiring lecture or take a fun class, please contact the above links. It would be great to see you.

Garden of Eden

Quilting in Bath
My delightful friend, Christine Porter has arranged for me to teach at Midsomer Quilting in Bath, England this week. Brave students are free-cutting flowers and leaves and constructing variations of a Garden of Eden quilt like this one above.
Chris has written several books including one your are probably familiar with called Quilt Designs from Decorative Floor Tiles. The quilts are beautiful! If you ever have a chance to take a class from her, sign up. She is an excellent teacher and lots of fun!

Postcards from Home

Collectors
As you enter my friend Debbie's lovely home you immediately see a small art quilt called Postcards from Home. Debbie is a collector and she has excellent taste. Along with my art work, she collects hats from the 1940's, dishware from the 1950's, and pebbles from her favorite beach in California.
She has 3 traditional quilts displayed in her dining room, artfully drapped over a bunk ladder. Her newest acquisition is a long wooden dining table for all the tasty meals she prepares. It's wonderful to visit someone who knows how to decorate their home in an inviting way. Especially if they are collecting your art work.

Making Art

I'm So Proud!
You must visit my friend Diane's blog. She is a student from my recent QBL (Quilting by the Lake) teaching excursion. Her work is beautiful! She has certainly surpassed her teacher.
She has more in the works and I hope to see them soon.

Chicago School of Fusing / UK

See You in the UK
If you are attending the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England, please stop in and visit Frieda and me in stall #B4, also known as the Chicago School of Fusing. We have newly dyed fabrics and threads as well as a new batch of patterns, DVD's and books. While teaching 2 half day classes at the Festival, I'll be brushing up on my English accent.
The Festival has a wonderful showing of quilts including gallery spaces for select artists and groups. But my favorite part is listening to the many languages spoken by the attendees as they tour the show. They are truly a community of quilters from around the world.

Colorado Sunset

Best Writer in the West
One of the best writers covering the art of quilt making is Sherida Warner. Sherida writes for the Daily Sentinel and produces a weekly column called The Art of Quilting for this Grand Junction, Colorado newspaper.
Not only is she a delightful writer, but she is also a talented quilt maker. I know because she took my classes while I was teaching in Grand Junction. You can read her article about my visit on this page of the Daily Sentinel.
Please excuse the goofy picture of me demonstrating my Inside Stories class. I must have been saying something quit profound.

Illinois Trees #9

Interview
Recently I was interviewed by Kay Mackensie at All About Applique. At the end of the set of questions and answers I give the words to my song, There Once Was a Quilter from North Illinois. I just want to assure people that this song is fictitious. No one has died and I'm not as mean as I sound. But you may need a hankie when you read it.