terri kirchner's fabriKations

Great day for MARQ

2012-01-29T22:09:00.003-06:00

Today was the MARQ reception at the WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. Wonderful reception and the exhibit was very well received. Thanks Dad for the photo!

Was a busy day in the studio as well..finished Amy's Kaffe quilt and put on her binding after the reception. Also finished the PPAC donation crib quilt. A lovely lemon yellow and lime green children's print..so refreshing to work on bright quilts when most days are so dark lately.

This week I will concentrate on getting the fabrics pulled for the Bead Inspired challenge for MARQ and continue to work on the upcoming list of quilts for BBD.

Made several new pieces of jewelry for the Museum gift shop..valentine's day is coming..time for a new set of earrings or a necklace check out the Museum Gift Shop!

Artist Reception for MArQ Exhibit

2012-01-25T21:16:00.003-06:00

The artist reception for the Milwaukee Art Quilters' Exhibit at the WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg is Sunday, January 29th from noon to 4pm. Our exhibit Connecting Threads a Line of Design is hanging in the Museum gallery through April 11, 2012. This is the exhibit that won the Ultimate Guild Challenge in the AQS show in Knoxville in 2010. We have the winning 8 plus at least 9 other quilts made by the members. It is a wonderful exhibit..truly a lot of different creative voices in the art quilt world are represented here.

My quilt: Epicenter is one of the winners and is on display

Back in the studio!

2012-01-25T20:59:00.002-06:00

I have spent most of my new found "spare" time in the studio the past few weeks..that is....when I haven't been working! Actually, I have spent more time in the studio in the last few weeks than I have the last few months..it has been delightful!

I finished the new top for the "big" BBD Creations quilt this afternoon. It is a traditional patchwork using colors from a dusty dark blue to periwinkle and then a rich blood red to lemon yellow. It has touches of Bonnie's copper and black as well. I will have it quilted and ready to go by late February. Was good to spend time using my brain and playing with math puzzles. The serenity that a complicated piecing design can give you is highly underrated.

I started the MArQ bead inspired challenge today as well. It has to be ready by the meeting date in March so I will have to hightail it over to Office Max to blow up the line drawing for the applique tomorrow. The quilt isn't large..about 32" x 45", but it will have a great deal of hand work in silk, wool and batik..I know a lot of fiber going on..trying to stick to stash! With 25 years of collecting I am sure I will be successful in that endeavor! It will be a very textural piece with lots of handwork and embellishment.

I have also started pulling the fabrics for the next BBD quilt..I had mentioned before that we are trying to make up for lost time in the past two years as I was committed to the WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts Construction project. We plan to have at least 5, if not 7, new quilts this Fall. Time to change it up in the booth. We retired several quilts this year....Sunflower, English Ivy, Angel, Puss in the Corner and Birthday Bunny...There will need to be more room..the new "big" quilt will take up a whole wall by itself! The other quilts will be much smaller. but still will require re-configuring the booth!

Back to the grind..using EQ5 to write the pattern tonight for the new quilt. I haven't pulled out that software in a few years so this ought to be an adventure in memory! It will be nice to have a program to make the blocks and the paper pieced foundations! Our patterns have gotten better: full sized applique and better written directions..pattern writing is a learning experience.

Thanks for popping in!

A New week

2012-01-09T09:50:00.002-06:00

It has been a long time since I regularly contributed to this blog..the Museum being the main reason.....

This past weekend was fantastic! I spent the majority of it creating..working on color matching for a new piece I am working on with Bonnie, BBD artist. I pulled every dusty blue I have..a total of 42 so far! and 22 yellows to oranges. When I couldn't find the right hue I treked over to the local quilt shop...I haven't been there in about a year..to see what I could discover. It almost appeared as if their owner knew I was coming..there was a whole new shipment of blue solid cotton that hadn't been cut into yet!

When I returned home I began to cut and piece...with a new rotary blade in place the old habits of measuring twice and cutting once ensued! The piecing...something I haven't been able to sit down and do in a very, very, very long time.... was so fun! I loved watching the seams match, the surprise of sharp points and intersections meeting on the first try! and,...sometimes, honestly, on the third or fourth try! After a year without sewing for myself, it was actually fun and relaxing to piece again.

I watched as the color strategy worked out...and in a few cases, not work as well as it looked in the "picture".. I listened to a favorite book uninterrupted for hours instead of in the car on mad dash to and from the building site. All of these little things I had taken for granted are now such a treat again.

I look forward to 2012 when I can spend more time in studio creating and "playing" with all the wonderful designs that have been jotted down in journals, on napkins, backs of envelopes and scratch pads. The designs are finally being put to good use.

I look forward to taking pictures of the projects soon. Until then, no snow and 50 degrees in WI in January..what a rare treat!

New barn gallery!

2012-01-06T20:11:00.003-06:00

Here a sneak at the interior of the new Museum.you can imagine all the wonderful places for exhibiting large quilts.

This summer the Museum hosted David Taylor (www.davidtaylorquilts.com) for a three day workshop in the new Educational Facility. What a great time. A great place to hold classes and show off the finished works..please go to the website to see the upcoming exhibits!

Here's exciting news you can rent the barn and classrooms for events as well! If you want more information you can go to the website or contact the Facility Rental Coordinator, Ellie De Lia at development@wiquiltmuseum.com

www.wiquiltmuseum.com

The Reason I have been gone: the WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts

2012-01-06T19:51:00.004-06:00

On the left is what existed last winter about this time..a drafty, timber frame building over a crumbling smelly foundation. The barn had limited electricity, no running water and the Museum could only use the barn during the warmer months. The critters had taken over and left "deposits" on most of the surfaces..there was over a hundred years of dirt and grime in there!

At the top right is what the Museum is now, this picture was taken shortly before the Grand Opening in August of this year. The Museum is now a fully preserved timber frame barn, a new foundation that houses the James Taylor Gathering Room and a large classroom with enough electricity for a quilting class with 20 students all with irons, lamps and sewing machines! The upstairs houses the barn gallery all cleaned up with a new pine floor; a large gift shop, restrooms, and a prep kitchen for caterers! There is a large cement patio and a beautiful cedar deck surrounding the Museum. Lots of places to come and sit and enjoy the quiet of the farm.

If you are ever near the Cedarburg area..please stop in..the Museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday but is open usually from 10am-4pm except on Sundays when the Museum opens a bit later at noon. Please go to the Museum website: www.wiquiltmuseum.com for information on the latest exhibits and offerings!

So after a year of construction..I am walking away from this beautiful project and back to my quilt world ...I am so looking forward to playing again!

Wow I have been gone a long time!

2012-01-06T18:50:00.002-06:00

Well, it has been over a year since I posted..I was a bit busy with the WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg WI. I have spent the last 18 months or so building the Museum and getting it open. My "term" came to an end with the New Year and I am back to creating and sewing! It has been a long drought of creativity for me and I am looking forward to getting my hands on all the fabrics and designs I have collected in the past two years.

That doesn't mean I didn't sit on my hands! The picture you see here is the latest pattern available through BBD Creations...we debuted this large wall quilt at the Houston Show this past October.

"Ram-ifications" is 36 x 36" made of wool and copper cottons. Bonnie's original design is spectacular and the quilt is too! It is a wool applique...all by machine...a large project but can be done in a long weekend or over a few weeks for busy quilters. He looks like he has a lot of 'tude, doesn't he?

This February I head off to Bonnie's studio for a design think tank..we have several quilts in the works for BBD and a few just for competition this year. I will post as I finish them.

As I have said so many times before...stay tuned a lot of new "stuff" is coming this year!

Been gone a long time

2010-12-31T14:36:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted to this account in a long time..trying to keep up with three email accounts for various activities and a new web page for the WI Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts, facebook and LinkedIn, too..

That doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything..just means I have been really busy. I still design for BBD Creations..we are in our winter break time and I will have a few new quilts ready in another few weeks. I am also working at getting the new museum built. I will post pictures shortly to this account as well.

Until then..hoping everyone is still being creative!

Building has begun!

2010-09-21T10:01:00.002-05:00

The WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts is now under construction!

In the last week the construction crew has lifted the barn off of its 1850's foundation, torn out the old foundation (saved the rocks for re-use on the veneer of the new foundation and for dry stacked farm yard walls!), begun the base work for the parking lot area, dug the new bioswal, cut down a lot of old junk trees (we have a beautiful sunrise scene through the farm yard now!) and poured new footings! So much has happened in the last few days! Really looks like we are spending the 1.3 million dollars we raised for the project.

I am beginning my search for teachers to come and teach fiber art classes at the museum! I hope to run several different classes in all realms of fiber arts..I want traditional and contemporary quilters, weavers, rug hookers, felters, papermakers..you name it, if it involves fiber, I want them to be at the museum for classes.

On that note..if any of you reading this want to teach at the museum...please contact me. I am always open to looking for new teachers and new fiber to exhibit at the museum!

I will post pictures soon..have you ever gotten a new piece of technology and can't figure out how to do the simple things like upload video! The new Droid is giving me some fits today!

SO Much News!

2010-08-25T08:51:00.002-05:00

OH MY I HAVE BEEN BUSY!

I have been absent for the last few months trying to get the WI Quilt Museum up and running! And I have met my goal

Last week the Museum had its Groundbreaking! We enjoyed a lovely summer evening at the barn. Almost 100 people turned out for an evening of refreshments, music and discussion of how far we have come in 10 years.

We finally reached our goal to break ground on the new gallery and educational center. By the end of the month we will have heavy equipment out at the farm to plow a new path for the fiber arts!

Please use the link to the museum to check out our new and exciting event schedule

New exhibit at the museum

2010-07-24T22:01:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow, Sunday July 25, 1-4pm the WI Quilt Museum opens the new exhibit featuring work by Mimi Shimp. . This exhibit displays 30 of the 300 quilts of Mimi Shimp from Tennessee. Her work is all about precision and a creative flair while incorporating a contemporary view of traditional quilt patterns. She uses bright colors bouncing of black and does magnificent machine quilting. Truly a show not to be missed.

Come on out to the country for an afternoon of great stories of creativity and inspiration.

www.wiquiltmuseum.com

more Epicenter news!

2010-07-23T11:51:00.002-05:00

The Milwaukee Area Art Quilters winning quilts plus additional Line of Design: Connecting Threads quilts from the group will be shown at this year's Quilt Expo Sept. 9-11 in Madison WI. This would be a great opportunity to see the wonderful talent this group has to offer!

BIG NEWS

2010-07-17T20:40:00.002-05:00

Last week the Museum voted to begin the build! We will break ground this August! It has taken a long time to raise the money needed to build this museum but now that we are within inches we are going ahead with the build.

Stay tuned for more exciting news shortly!

WE WON!

2010-07-17T20:29:00.003-05:00

The Milwaukee Art Quilters pulled it out again! We took first place in the Ultimate Guild Challenge in Knoxville this weekend! The quilt pictured is my entry "Epicenter". It is 36" x 36", has 78 different hand dyed or batik cottons..the red rat tail is the line going across the center of the quilt. The rat tail is hand couched down to the surface..There are 5 1/2 yards of rat tail on this quilt!

This quilt was made shortly after the Haitian Earthquake. The background quilting is all seismic graphics radiating out from the center like aftershocks.

A fun quilt to do..the pattern is a blending pattern I developed during my color theory days called petal pixels..what a fun way to watch color flow across a surface!

Just in!

2010-06-22T05:59:00.002-05:00

I am a member of the Milwaukee Art Quilters Guild in Milwaukee WI. We entered the Ultimate Guild Challenge hosted by the American Quilters Society for their upcoming show in Knoxville, TN..Our group of 8 quilters was chosen to participate! Per show rules, I can't show you pictures yet but soon will hopefully post news of our success!

The elite 8 (we pick our representatives during the NCAA playoffs!) were chosen from a total of 27 quilts from the group..all the quilts are magnificent. The challenge was called "Line of Design, Connecting Threads". There is a piece of red rayon rattail cording that crosses the surface of each quilt. The rat tail enters at a specific height and exits at a specific height..then there is extra rat tail to connect each quilt to the next so the line continues! Thanks to Chris Lynn Kirsch for the wonderful challenge theme! It was a pleasure to participate and a joy to be selected with the other seven members to represent our Guild.

Off again Vermont Quilt Show

2010-06-22T05:38:00.002-05:00

Just a pop in to say I am off to the Vermont Quilt Show in Essex Junction, VT this week. It has been a while since I last wrote. Here's why:

I assumed the Presidency of the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in April of this year. (www.wiquiltmuseum.com) This last 14-16 months has been a really busy time! The museum is currently in its "Final Push" to raise the funds for the build. We are converting an 1850's barn into a gallery and educational facility. In the last four months, we have achieved a designation from the Landmarks Committee for historic preservation; acquired a new parcel of land...thank you to a generous neighbor who has donated the strip we need to meet state code!, raised almost 1.15 million dollars! We have about $85,000 left to raise to meet a 10% contingency and cover every single one of our hard bids right now. Building Debt FREE! D-Day Is June 30, 2010..The Board makes the decision to plow ahead to break ground! We have received tremendous support from our local guilds in the fiber arts and from civic leaders in our community. We even had two donors willing to match all funds raised by our guilds. Stay tuned and I will let you know more details.

If you care to give to our cause you can reach me through email and I can take your information...or mail a check to : WQHP, Final Push Campaign to Raise our Roof!, PO Box 562, Cedarburg, WI 53012

I have been building a new website for the museum..Hope to launch the new site within the next few weeks. Again stay tuned for a new link! Streaming video, online payments for class registration, new photos of the building project and much more!

I have also been very busy quilting for others in this part of the world. I have had a resurgence in customer numbers for my longarm services. I have enjoyed working with several talented local quilters to help them finish their tops!

I continue to work for BBD Creations, Inc. in pattern development. I have finished a new custom quilt pattern featuring a "Christmas Dove". This pattern will be for sale to the public after Fall Market..see the website at www.bbdcreations.com for further details in late October. I have also been working on other patterns for BBD Creations but all are still in the works..hopefully, these will be done for Houston this Fall.

The museum received a huge donation of antique quilts from Mary and Joe Koval in May. The quilts feature a Baltimore album quilt from 1848.. a true national treasure and several other beautiful quilts. The museum is looking forward to building a permanent home for these wonderful examples of traditional textile artwork!

Lastly, I continue to work full time as an Audiologist..work has been very hectic this summer..good news in this economy!

I am jetting off to Vermont today for the Vermont Quilt Show. A new venue for BBD Creations..if you reside in the Essex Junction area just outside Burlington, stop on in at the booth!

Speaking of Chicago

2010-04-13T10:00:00.002-05:00

I will be traveling tomorrow to the Chicago IQA show..my last trip to Chicago in the Spring, I guess. I so enjoy being able to drive to a show instead of flying..the cost is lower..I see quilters from my "neighborhood" and the accommodations are better for me personally.

Oh well..we will follow the show and see where it takes us. With IQA going to Cincinnati I will be able to visit St. Theresa's Treasure Trove...I haven't been there since I left Indy! I hear there are wonderful small art galleries there as well.

BBD Creations is ready for this show..we have several new things to offer customers..our booth number has changed..we are up the first row a bit and toward the back..come look for us.

I will be spending a bit of time in the Museum's booth just inside the front door as well. Come talk to me about the exciting news of groundbreaking and our last push to make 1.3 million dollars. We are sooo Cllooossse! Only $200,000 and we are digging earth!

Chicago IQA is moving in 2011

2010-04-13T09:56:00.002-05:00

Just received word this morning that the Chicago IQA will be moving to Cincinnati next year. After 8 years in Chicago, Rosemont to be more exact, the show will pull up roots and move to Cincinnati, OH. It will also be a bit earlier..I believe the first week in April as opposed to this time (second-third week).

Don't know exactly why they are moving..maybe the fact they can be a bit earlier than Paducah? maybe cost of Chicago show, they appeal to surveys that state the consumer wanted a different venue, more restaurants, better accommodations.

This will be an interesting move..will they lose or win..that has yet to be determined. Stay tuned

Chicago Quilt Show

2010-03-29T06:35:00.002-05:00

For our followers! BBD Creations will not be in the same location this year as the past several! IQA moved our booth down the row a bit..so come look for us!

Three more weeks until the International Quilt Association Quilt show in Chicago (Rosemont).
BBD has been working hard this past year to bring new quilts to the show. WE have three new offerings for the Midwest show..Flamingo, Sea Turtle, Tree Frog and Tea for Two. These quilts range from simple fusible applique to machine piecing.

As we look forward to the Fall plans are in the development stage for new products and patterns. Keep in touch!

The barn in Winter

2010-03-29T06:28:00.002-05:00

Here is our barn destined to be the new home of the WI Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. This shot was taken on a beautiful day in mid January....New construction will come off of the left side of the building that will house a prep kitchen, a gift shop, director's offices, a huge foyer, elevator and restrooms. The new construction will connect to the barn also through the basement area. On this level, you will find a small kitchenette, storage for our ever growing collection of antique quilts, mechanical room, restrooms and three large classrooms for our teachers.

We will also have a wonderful outside patio for taking breaks from all the exciting classes and events our Museum will be hosting.

For more information, please contact me through my email addie.

Museum News

2010-03-29T06:21:00.002-05:00

I have been working with the Board of the WI Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts for about a year now and we are finally starting to see some acceleration of the museum project. Last week we received our building plan approval from the Cedarburg Landmarks Committee. We had to do some major changes in the foundation construction due to the weak stone walls and the way we would have had to connect to the new construction.

I had a delightful talk with a new mason last week in regard to our basement plans. Seems the people of 1850's were very talented at getting structures to stand for a long time! Will even mentioned that we may find a time capsule buried in the walls when we go to remove them! He has been restoring old barn foundations for 30 years and has found pieces of our past including bottles, newspapers, iron work and personal touches left in the lime slag they mortared with back then.

We are out to hard bid now on our project. Hoping ever so badly to see a groundbreaking this summer. WE are still shy about $200, 000..if you care to give to the project or want more information, please contact me through my email!

New Spring Quilt: Tree Frog

2010-03-04T12:49:00.003-06:00

I am leaving for FL tomorrow for the Naples Quilt Show. I will be bringing the Flamingo quilt and a new quilt called: Tree Frog. BBD Creations will have a booth at the show. Patterns are available.

Tree Frog was developed from Bonnie's tree frog bookmark. I chose a purple background instead of the black but the frog is all Bonnie. He is fused applique and machine quilted. You can find him on the web at http://www.bbdcreations.com/ look in the quilt related section.

BBD Creations will also be at the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont, IL the weekend of April 17th.

Mo's Hearts Round Three!

2010-03-04T12:37:00.005-06:00

Our third order of Mo's Hearts is in and ready for sale. All pins have a built in bail and can be worn on a cord or chain as well. Mo's Hearts is a fundraiser for LDSF: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation. Mo is my niece; my sister, Kate's, daughter. These hearts raise awareness for LDS, a rare form of genetic birth defect that affects the heart, connective tissues and scoliosis. There are at least five different levels of LDS; my niece is one of the more severe. If you are interested in ordering a pin you can contact me thru email or contact LDSF at www.loeysdietzsyndrome.org. LDSF is a 501(3)C charitable organization and a portion of the pin sales are tax deductible.

New Pattern coming next month!

2010-01-17T12:04:00.003-06:00

Back in the saddle again after the holidays which were full of family and traveling.

I travel with BBD Creations, Inc. to the Naples Quilt Show in March. We will be offering a new quilt especially for the sun lover in all of us Northerners! You do know my home is nicknamed the Hacienda de Flamenca! (House of Flamingos, a passion of my husband's). The quilt is inspired from the BBD Creation bookmark with the same name. Bonnie made the bookmark on a dare when I said it would sell if they did more Northern quilt shows..true to form, the bookmark has been doing well and the pattern was the next best step in our game plan.

The quilt features a beautiful flamingo bending over to feed on the mud flats. I used a lot of hand dyed cotton from Starr Designs, a nice mocha MODA marble background and it is bordered by a rich brown batik! I used fusible web for the applique but it could be easily be hand or machine appliqued as well. There is a lot of thread on this little quilt! I used Aurifil variegated on the flamingo and a Superior So Fine to compress the wool batting to get the "worm" trails in the background.

This is a quilt destined for the little narrow walls in the foyer or the skinny space above the powder room loo! It is only 12 inches wide by 45 inches long...just as the flamingo is taller rather than wider, this little gem goes together very quickly in a weekend!

Just a note

2009-11-15T14:12:00.002-06:00

Back from Houston a month now and finally catching up on things. Here's to the real world getting in the way of creativity! But it pays the college costs for one kid and the rent..who can complain in these days of hard economic times. I bless my stars to still have a great day job and the energy to create on my off time.

Houston was wonderful! BBD Creations had another great run. On our off day the gals and I found new galleries, old friends and new garden shops. I brought home a bunch of seeds to sprout and even begged good friends Mary and Scott to haul a plant home for me to WI! Kudos to the Archway Gallery, new home of an artist friend! We enjoyed spending our afternoon there, as well as dropping a few on Tom Irvens' wonderful wood sculptures. The gallery is in its infancy and we hope to make regular trips each Houston. If you are ever in Houston look up the Garden Gate in the Villages..a wonderful gardening shop with a helpful (and patient) staff.

The sea turtle was a big hit in Houston. We are almost sold out of the first run on patterns. I quickly printed more for Lynne the first week back..a new first for me. Houston Market was filled with new shop owners, old friends and steady orders. We did very well despite the numbers being down for attendance. Festival was just as exciting with regular customers checking in and new friendships gained. I found a few new shops to make regular visits to for silk, beads and fabrics. I had to ship my thread home again this year due to airline restrictions..I am set for another 6mos behind the long arm!

I am working on several new quilts for BBD Creations. I will post as I finish..there are two coming out in April at IQA Spring Festival: Flamingo and Tree frog..stay tuned.

Off to Houston with 2 New Quilts

2009-10-07T06:52:00.004-05:00

These are the two new quilts for BBD Creations this Fall. The first is a small 24 x 32" wall hanging called Tea for Two. It uses Bonnie's images from the Tea Postcards and the index cards..fun little weekend quilt. The second is the first of a triptych called Sea Turtle: 16 x 26"..two other small quilts will be added in the Spring featuring a sea fan and a sea sponge....

I leave in a few hours for the IQA Houston Market. An exciting time of the year! Stay tuned there are two more quilts for BBD coming soon!

Count down is on

2009-09-10T05:30:00.002-05:00

Four weeks and counting until I leave for Houston. BBD Creations has had a bumper year this year so I am in full pattern mode. Reprinting several of the popular patterns and finishing up on the new patterns. I have four to offer this year.

Sea Turtle: The first of a triptych. It features the popular seat turtle graphic off the fine art print and card pack.

Flamingo: A wonderful "quick quilt". Tall and skinny it is perfect for a loo or narrow entryway wall! Literally went together in a short weekend.

Tree Frog: This cute little quilt is also a quick quilt, short weekend from start to finish.

Tea for Two: This is a bit more complicated of a pattern with piecing and fusing. It features several of our tea related items from our postcard and index card items.

Hopefully will have pictures in about a week.

September Already

2009-09-03T05:58:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it is September! Quilt Odyssey seems like last year and that was only last month! Many exciting things have happened since then:

1. My new show with the Milwaukee Art Quilters opens this evening in Shorewood, WI at the Garden Room/Anaba Tea Room...all quilted items are "tea" related. I made 5 pieces for the show. I am anxious to see which piece(s) they decided to hang. I will meet my Mother and hopefully more friends at the opening reception at 5pm tonight.

2. I have finished the tops for 4! new BBD quilts..small wall hangings including the tree frog, flamingo, sea turtle and one called: "Tea for Two" based on a combination of our tea related items in the postcard and index card line. (Can you tell I have had tea on my mind?) I will finish the quilting this next few weeks in time to bring the quilts to Houston which opens 2 weeks earlier this year! (Oct 10-18th).

3. Finished my quilt for the Ukulele Festival Challenge sponsored by the North Shore Quilters Guild. We are creating a backdrop for the players' stage. Hopefully all 9 of us are done. I will take pix when I get the facing done today and post all pictures soon. Our theme was "the blues".

4. The Quilt Museum building project is back on the front burner. We are still trying to cut costs, find contractors and put out to bid. We are still on track for a build in the near future. Keep tuned in for more details.

5. My show, "Pieces in Time" continues to run at the Museum through Oct 4, 2008. We have had great attendance and I am pleased to have heard so many compliments from people from around the state.

Have to run, September brings a new school year as well in these parts..our son is off to Madison for his first year in college and our daughter returns to high school!

Just back

2009-08-05T11:47:00.002-05:00

Just back from Quilt Odyssey in Hershey PA! What a wonderful show..the quality of the quilts was beyond my imagination..there were some very talented quilters represented here in traditional and art categories. I was especially pleased to read in artist statements that the quilters found it necessary to spend 2-5 years on quilts in order to achieve the level of quality in design, piecing and quilting. So many times I see shows and the comments lean toward how fast quilters can make something!

BBD Creations had a good show but you can tell the economy is catching up with the quilt industry. Many of our customers were weighing purchases and taking mementos of the show as opposed to buying for future projects, stash building or splurging. Again, going back to utility and focused quiltmaking. There was everything from Gammills to wool to hand-dyes to bling represented at this show. I would highly recommend the show to anyone who can make it.

The five day vending spree also allowed Bonnie and I to catch up on some new designs. We have some exciting things coming out for Houston this Fall and the Spring Shows in Florida and Chicago..stay tuned!

Speaking of the Museum

2009-07-22T07:11:00.002-05:00

We are out to bid on the Museum..The bids are out and now the work begins to get the brick and mortar started on the museum. It is a huge project with complex building requirements due to the barn restoration. We are renovating a 1850's barn into exhibit space...when the new Museum opens we will have a gift shop, prep-kitchen for large events, classrooms, collection humidity controlled storage and a "lab" for restoration. We are SOOOOO close to getting this up and running..keep posted..or better yet drop into our website at www.wiquiltmuseum.org and take a peak!

Exhibit opens this week!

2009-07-22T07:05:00.002-05:00

I stopped by the WI Quilters Museum of Fiber Arts yesterday to help the curator, Luella Doss, hang the signage for my show. I was stunned by the awesome job she and her assistants had done in hanging the show. My goodness! All 60 quilts fit in the two room space, artfully hung and well spaced. I remarked it looked like a family reunion! Here were quilts I had not seen in several years, some showed their age and others looked like they had never seen the light of day. There were happy quilts and quilts that brought back memories best forgotten..all with stories of their own.

Please join me on Sunday, July 26 from 1- 4pm at the Museum for the opening reception. We will have refreshments. There is a scavenger hunt through the collection for children and other items for sale.

One Woman Show

2009-07-09T20:03:00.003-05:00

Please join me at the Wisconsin Museum of Fiber Arts in historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin! My show reflects 25 years of quilt and fiber art history. It is a chronological exhibition of my work from the 80's to present day and how my style of technique and design has changed over time. Opening night reception is Sunday, July 26, 2009. The show at the Museum runs through October 4, 2009

2009 SHARP quilt

2009-07-09T19:52:00.003-05:00

The 2009 SHARP quilt is done. After many hours of work, Ellie and I have finished the quilt..Thanks to our helpers from the North Shore Quilter's Guild who helped Ellie and I sew this wonderful quilt. The book by SHARP students this year focuses on bullying. We selected the "T" block as it was developed way back to be a symbol for tolerance and temperance. These bullied kids' lives are turned upside down in so many emotional ways that we entitled this quilt: "Topsy, Turvy"..it is done in scrap fashion out of all colors of blue, green, gold and red with an ecru background. The border is a wild batik that picks up all the block colors; there is a small inner border of true black. It is made of 100% cotton fabric, banboo and cotton batting (low loft), machine pieced and long arm quilted with edgy zigzags in the "T's" and an overall McTavishing in the plain background. A beautiful quilt, sized to fit a double bed or queen topper. It will go on auction at the SHARP Luncheon in early October, if you want more information on purchasing raffle tickets, please email me privately.

By the way, the quilt has been photographed at the WI Museum for the Fiber Arts in Cedarburg, WI. Come see my new show at the Museum starting July23, 2009.

Lady brooch

2009-06-02T06:08:00.003-05:00

This is a little brooch I made while teaching at the Quilt Museum for Fiber Arts. I was teaching my beaded brooch techniques..easily adaptable to edging small art quilts and other fiber pieces. I taught in the "lambing shed" a wonderful little building with views of the historic timber frame barn that will soon be converted to our new exhibition space.

This little gal is about an inch and a half long by an inch wide..not including her wild hair. I picked up the face button at the NQA show in Columbus last Spring...so fun!

LDSF pins on sale

2009-05-26T14:57:00.003-05:00

You can buy Mo's Hearts on the web now! This Spring the LDS Foundation took over the pins sales. They are offering pins and card packs with photos of the pins on the website. Please google LDS Foundation or try: www.loeysdietz.org for more information.

By the way..Mo is doing great! She graduates from 8th grade this June, turns fourteen on June 14th..flag day! and was interviewed on a local radio station for her involvement in raising funds for Children's Hospital in Milwaukee.

Busy!

2009-05-26T14:06:00.003-05:00

As much as I would like to get to post everyday..that would mean I am actually finding time to create as well...I am taking the chance you will stick with me here through a busy time in my art world.

Since my last post several things have happened. All good. I have reduced my hours at my "real" job..not because I wanted to but the physician I work with has requested a lower payroll...even I know that working for free is not a good thing. So the twenty or so hours this frees up will now be put toward a new adventure for me.

I have started new beading projects as well..bezeling odd shapes and crystals. I have found I can peyote stitch just about anything and hang it on a wire necklace! Wait for the pictures they are coming!

I had the pleasure of spending time at the Chicago Quilt Festival in April with Bonnie and Lynne. We had an excellent show! The new Lizard pattern was a hit in Chicago!..patterns flew off the rack. BBD will have some new patterns coming out in the fall..some in cotton and some in wool. The new BBD pin sales are doing well. Check in late in July for the new patterns.

I will be having a one woman show at theWI Museum of Quilting and Fiber Arts in July-August-September. I will link the Museum's webpage for times and driving instructions. My show is entitled Pieces in Time..a display of my quilts from my early attempts in the 80's to my latest works. Each quilt has a history of it's own..colorful stories about each quilt will walk you through the journey from novice quilter to pattern designer and a better quilt artist. Some pieces will be for sale.

I am also participating in a MaRQ show at the Annaba Tea Room in Shorewood in August. I have designed (and am struggling to finish) a wallhanging size quilt which features BBD tea related images: tea strainer, tea cup, and two women sharing tea...a new pattern developed for the Fall! Again...check in July for the images. This little tea room is one of my favorites on the east side of Milwaukee. Great gardening store and wonderful views from the second floor atrium.

BBD Brooches

2009-04-07T19:01:00.002-05:00

Made a couple of new brooches for the IQA Chicago show next week. These feature Bonnie's pen and ink drawings...the "egg" on the left is supposed to remind you of the old spun sugar Easter eggs of the seventies. You look through the hole and see an Easter scene. The tan beads are the nest and the blue peyote stitch is the sky. The second brooch is a simple peyote stitched brooch that features creatures of Spring..the snail and strawberry blossoms. Both will be at the booth with the other 6 or so I am working on this week. If you wish to purchase you can do so through the blog, email or at the show. Hope to see you there.

As promised

2009-04-02T08:58:00.006-05:00

Here I sit awaiting a plumber but that gives me time to get my blog up to date!

First off, Nate got a job! Though he is taking today off to solve the water issues at hacienda des flamencas! (house of flamingos) We had our main sewer pipe break last night..how come these things never happen during the day? He is gainfully employed by a small machining company and is enjoying the non-automotive aspect of his new workplace!

As promised, I am posting a pictures of new pieces today.

My latest quilt pattern for BBD Creations, Inc. is entitled "The Lizard". It depicts a green anole lizard climbing through fuchsia bougainvillea branches. Bonnie created the bookmark and I translated to fabric. The whole quilt is 24" by 55" long..a great front hallway, or as I put it, a Loo, quilt; for those spaces that conventional square fiber pieces just don't fit! The quilting doesn't show up here well..I promise to post a detail pix later...the quilt is in Chicago at the IQA show..... the body of the lizard has scales and the background is all about texture....twisting, vining leaves..all 1/8" to 1/4" wide by an inch long! more to come later!

The second picture is another BBD Creations pattern line addition. This little table runner is made from the luxurious wools from Mary Flanagan's Woolens. It is designed off the new index/recipe card line from Bonnie..it uses "scrap" pieces from other projects (Sunflower wool pillow pattern). It features Bonnie's signature bees.....cut and paste fusible web secures the wool patches for machine buttonhole stitching using the Madiera Lana Wool thread..wonderful quick piece. No batting, just two layers of wool and decorative stitching to hold it together.

I have been spending a lot of my "creative" time for two very dear projects: Long arm time is spent quilting tops from the local chapter of QOV: Quilts of Valor..my good friend, Tink, has sent several tops to me to quilt for the families of fallen soldiers. I find each quilt brings me a bit of peace knowing a family might find comfort in knowing strangers are thinking of them and their family sacrifice. Recently, I saw one of the QOV's I had a hand in featured on HBO..a program entitled "Area 60"...it shows a father of a vet curled up in a memorial quilt at his son's grave at Arlington..truly touching to see how these quilts help the families in their grief.

I also have spent the last few weeks getting up to speed in my new capacity as the VP of the WI Quilt Museum Project. A new and exciting project of building a new museum for the Fiber Arts here in my own North Shore Community. We hope to break ground soon. We are converting a 100 year old+ barn into a state of the art fiber arts museum with classroom and conservation space. Hopefully, by this time next year we will have a new destination for all our fiber art enthusiasts. Please visit the Museum's website and keep up with the building project at www.wiquiltmuseum.org

OK So I 'm Busy

2009-03-03T14:27:00.002-06:00

I apologize to all that follow this blog for inspiration or to touch base! I have been so busy this Winter Spring..time to blog has become a precious commosdity. AS I sit here and write between patients at the Clinic! Let me take a moment to update you on what has happened to casue my tardiness!

In January my husband lost his job and I went to fulltime..when one finds themselves in a medical office 12 hours a day times 5 days a week it leaves very little time for creative play! My office is wonderful and though busy I have my art hanging on almost every office wall. I see patients waiting and having wonderful colorful fiber projects to discuss while they wait. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are quilters, felters or beaders!

My husband being home has let to a new honey do list...of mine..he has found a lot of things for me to get done..did I do this to him while I stayed home and he worked full time?

The kids are getting busier..Nick is off to the UW-Madison next Fall and erin never sits still between basketball, voleeyball and softball. I have been blessed!

I will try to make it a habit to write more (I know I say that every time I pop in)
I have pictures..not available for download through this computer today! Shucks!)
Hang in there many new things to post!

Terri

Back!

2008-12-16T19:07:00.002-06:00

It has beeen way too long since I last posted. I guess I have been extremely busy since August!

Mo's Hearts We have twelve new colors of Mo's Heart pins. If you are interested in purchasing a Mo's Heart pin to help support the Loeys Dietz Syndrome Foundation, please go to www.loeysdietz.org to order one. The new colors are featured on the site. I have several of the pins here at my house so if you want to order direct from me send me an email!

School is back in session so the kids are back in sports! Bleacher time has afforded me the opportunity to make new brooches for the Morning Glory Gallery. I am using felted wool "buttons" as centers for my brooches..way cool..I'll post pictures soon.

Houston was amazing this year. Numbers were down a bit due to the economy and weather in that part of the world but our new quilts for BBD Creations were a hit. We teamed up with Starr Fabric Design (makers of beautiful hand dyed cottons!) for the new "Lizard" wallhanging A three and a half foot long green anole lizard. We also feature the image in a bookmark. see www.bbdcreations.com to order our pattern. If you enjoy our sample you can contact www.StarrDesign.com to order the fabric from our sample. We also teamed up with Mary Flanagan Woolens again for our new wool table runner: "Honeycomb". This pattern comes from the new index/recipe card line.

After Houston I settled back into reality and the full time job as an Audiologist. We have a new balance testing program in the works. Hoping by January we will be up and running. With much of the day spent working and the nights in the bleachers at the high school there is not much time for quilting.

I still find time to hide and play in the studio. Recent projects include Quilts of Valor quilting, a new heritage quilt for little Hazel Sankovitz, my niece, for her first birthday, a collaborative piece with artist Bonnie Bower-Dennis is in the works and proving to challenge my creative side and I continue to pack a "travel Kit" of beading to grab a few minutes of creativity between quarters at the high school JV Basketball games!

As Christmas approaches I look forward to slowing down as the weather becomes more limiting to travel. I hope to post pictures soon...stay tuned.

Updates!

2008-08-02T08:17:00.003-05:00

It has been a long time since I last posted. I have been very busy setting up a new Audiologic/ENT medical office. Now that we are in and a bit settled and I have a relatively simple understanding of the new Electronic Medical Records program..I thought I would share what I have been up to these days!

I won the North Shore Quilter's Guild Viewers Choice award for my entry: "KOI" a wholecloth in orange batik depicting goldfish (koi)..Anyone who knows me will attest to orange as the new neutral and a fish make my day..but alas, no beads on this one.

Koi and its companion Koi pond (a pick up sticks pattern)will be shown at the WI Quilt Expo in MAdison in September.

I am working on two quilts for BBD Creations: Sea Turtle and a surprise! Thanks to Lynne and Bonnie for a wonderful show in Ohio at NQA this summer. We had a lot of new customers and some regulars from that part of the country. I will be traveling with BBD to Houston again this Fall!

My beading has taken off in different directions as well. I taught at the WI Quilt Museum in June. Thanks to Luella for a wonderful day in the "barn". I am developing a new tie-tac version of Mo's heart pins..these are #15 seed bead pins for showing off your support for the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation. I still have about 125 Mo Heart pins at home; if you are interested in purchasing one please contact me by email.

In May, my local quilt shop, Fabric Fusion, closed it doors. Economic times have hit our area hard. I am no longer teaching in town but am looking for places interested in my skills.

Have to run...I will post pictures of my latest works in the near future!

North Shore show coming up

2008-05-07T15:19:00.003-05:00

Our North Shore Quilters Guild show is coming up May 17 and 18th at Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI. We are hanging a large show, bakes sale, demonstration area, silent auction and vendors. This year I am vending BBD Creations instead of actually working the show. We have two raffle quilts: a kid's quilt (twin) in the friendship star pattern and a blue and white traditional (queen) I have done the quilting on both of these quilts..they are very well done. The children's quilt was used in the First Stage Children's Theater production of the Quiltmaker's Gift.

Come and see the new BBD Creation Quilts> Taking Shelter (wool/silk) and the Dragonfly (cotton). Hope to see you there.

2008-04-07T23:28:00.001-05:00

Mo's hearts!

2008-04-07T23:22:00.002-05:00

Mo's Heart Pins available!

2008-04-07T23:08:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, my niece, Mo, has a serious health issue. Over the years, this bright young lady has made fleece blankets for the "sick" kids when she goes into the hospital for her surgeries. In the past few years, we have branched out a bit into one-of-a-kind fine art jewelry to raise money for the new Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation. Please go to their site to learn more..(see my link).

This past Fall, I met a group selling custom pins to raise awareness for breast cancer and the homeless. I commissioned a new pin to help raise awareness for LDSF. This is a rare but serious syndrome which affects the heart, connective tissues and lives of these beautiful children. Not much is known about the reason for this particular syndrome. We are hoping to sell enough of the pins to help Dr. Dietz at John Hopkins Hospital discover new ways to identify and treat LDS. If you are at the IQA Quilt Show in Chicago this weekend..stop by and purchase a pin..I have a few hundred with me (we also have bales on the back of the pins so you can wear them as necklaces!) They cost $15.00 each and $6.50 of that is a direct donation to LDSF. I have attached a picture of a few of the color choices to wet your appetite!

Off to Chicago

2008-04-07T23:03:00.003-05:00

I leave bright and early tomorrow for the Spring International Quilt Festival in Chicago! Very excited to see what will be shown at the Quilt show. BBD Creations will have our new quilt "Dragonfly" and new to the Midwestern market, "Taking Shelter"..or Rabbit as it is fondly called by those in the know.

I packaged special limited edition fabric packs for the Dragonfly, Taking Shelter and Tree of Life quilt patterns. New full size patterns for Scrappy Sunflower are available as well.

My son's quilt: Fallow Fields is featured in a Sprecial Exhibit called Traditional Treasures. Look for the black, red and tan scrappy quilt.

Hope all of you who follow this blog will drop in and say hi to us at the booth this weekend. We are the first booth in on the front row!

New pattern for BBD Creations

2008-04-02T20:53:00.002-05:00

This is the latest pattern for BBD Creations. It will be debuting next week at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago, IL. BBD Creations is vending at the Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Come see our latest patterns, stationery, and fabric kits! If you are interested in purchasing one of my patterns please contact me via the web!

It has been a long winter!

2008-03-06T07:19:00.010-06:00

This has been a long winter for those of us in the Northwoods. We have had record cold, record snow and it all started early and looks to be sticking with us! Spring can not come soon enough for us here! Between a full time job, kids in winter sports and the pains that come with winter, I have finished a few more brooches for the Morning Glory Gallery in Milwaukee. I also keep out of trouble with my quilting. I have finished several quilts for the Quilts of Valor program, my loyal quilt finishing customers and have a few new ones almost ready for BBD Creations Spring Festival at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago in April. Hope you enjoy the brooches!

WI Quilt Museum Quilt Update

2007-12-27T18:33:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of Luella Doss and I in front of the huge donation quilt for the WI Quilt Museum Project. The quilt hung in the Special exhibit area at the IQA show this Fall. I have had the pleasure of having my name placed on the quilt for donating my time for the quilting of this treasure.

Thanks Luella!

Mo's Hearts

2007-12-27T18:23:00.000-06:00

Here are the main "hearts" for the new book marks for the LDS organization my sister, Kate, is running. Each heart comes as a bookmark on red ribbon with a hammered celtic swirl at the opposite end. We are trying to develop a piece of artwork to raise funds for the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation. My niece, Maureen, has Loeys-Dietz. Hopefully we will have more information soon where you can purchase one of these unique creations.

More brooches!

2007-12-27T18:18:00.000-06:00

This was a gift to my work-mate, Cindi. A small token for Christmas..she really deserves more! A sterling silver heart and dichroic bead adorn this geometric brooch.

Latest brooch

2007-12-27T18:13:00.000-06:00

This is my latest in the series of Madonna brooches I have been doing..This one is entitled "Madonna of the Land and Sea". It focuses around two pieces of dichroic glass i picked up this year while in Houston at the International Quilt festival. The larger piece has blues and greens; it reminds me of the earth from space and the smaller piece is a metallic blue.

It has crystals, silver discs and metallic seed beads. It will be available at the Morning Glory Gallery come the en d of this month. I am teaching a beading course at the end of January and will be using it as a sample.

2007-12-27T18:05:00.000-06:00

Here is a selection of my new brooches for the gallery some have sold since I dropped them off..and I have made a few more at this time, also..but it shows you I haven't been sitting on my hands either!

Been way too Long!

2007-12-27T18:03:00.001-06:00

I have been remiss at adding a new entry to my blog. I have begun a new job that encompasses most of my studio time of late. This is not to say i haven't been busy! I have made a series of new brooches for the Morning Glory Gallery, new heart bookmarks for the brand new non-profit organization for Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and have found some time to continue quilting for the Quilts of Valor project as well as a few of my favorite quilting customers. I hope to post more of the new stuff soon. Hang in there!

Beaded Brooch update

2007-10-21T23:18:00.000-05:00

My beaded brooches have been a success at the Morning Glory Art Gallery at the Marcus Center in Downtown Milwaukee. I just received my second check and a request for more inventory..Guess I know what I will be doing in Houston after a long day of vending!

Congrats to First Stage!

2007-10-21T23:12:00.000-05:00

Had the pleasure of taking in the Quiltmakers Gift at the local First Stage Theater this past weekend. Ellis, Erin and I enjoyed a ladies night out with dinner and a show. The show featured the three quilts I quilted for the North Shore Quilter's Guild here in the Metro Milwaukee area.

The play was delightful, the quilts just took your breath away as under the lights they just glowed. The Super King Crazy Quilt was a big hit with all the kids in the audience. The actor who had to use it as a prop successfully showed it off to its best advantage.

The Guild will get two quilts back and the Crazy Quilt was a gift to raffle off at their fundraising dinner in the Spring. A win-win for both of our groups. Stay tuned to see how we do wit the raffle!

Kudos to all who helped make those quilts come to life.

New pattern for Houston!

2007-10-21T22:57:00.000-05:00

Off to Houston with a new pattern/sample and just in time..Plane leaves early on Wednesday and we set up right quick after I arrive!.

The new pattern is called "Taking Shelter". It features Bonnie's White Hare in appliqued wool on a wool background sheltered under a silk 3D Solomon Seal with crystal raindrops. Was very easy to make but took a lot of time finishing as I have started a new adventure..went back to work full time as an Audiologist.

It has been a whirlwind month since I left the quilt show at Jacksonville! Finished this quilt and the Museum quilt, taught four classes, made two shop samples and went back to work full time. Looking forward to getting a rest at Houston..yeah, right! Who says venders go for the vacation?

If you are in Houston come see what we have planned for the next patterns. Until then, thank you for your support of my art and the patience to see it come to fruition!

Finally have crawled out of the basement for air!

2007-10-05T06:35:00.000-05:00

I have been in the basement studio for what seems a millineum! This summer has been one of the busiest in a few years with the 3 First Stage Children's Theater quilts, Creative SHARP, and my latest adventure the WI Quilt Museum Donor Quilt. This quilt was very challenging from the start. First, it is 12 feet square! I have a 16 foot long arm table but this gal took up almost the entire length of my zip leaders. The quilt had been hung without support at many fund raising events so there were some issues with stretching. All in all, she quilted out well; after some quilting related coaxing and blocking she looks pretty square and flat!

I quilted large freehand feathers radiating from the center flying geese area..there are radiant areas of griding mixed into the feathered areas, also. The purpose of this quilt is to raise money for the rehab of an old barn in Cedarburg WI. This project sold space to the donors for $100 to $5,000.00+. Eventually, all the donors names will be placed on the quilt in the feathers, geese, circle medallions, etc.

This quilt had to be finished by the time the IQA Market/Festival is held in Houston..Finished with three weeks to go! Thanks to Luella Doss for her graciousness at getting supplies here to the studio and for picking up and dropping off the quilt. Enjoy! If you are in Houston stop in at the booth to see the quilt and make a donation!

SHARP Wood Violet is Done!

2007-09-12T07:09:00.000-05:00

Here is the finished quilt! Already for the auction block. My good friend, Ellie, will be hand finishing the binding for me this week. The quilt will be auctioned at the SHARP annual luncheon October 2, 2007.

I quilted it with flowing lines in the purples to simulate the veining of the petals in a wood violet..in the green there are dozens of small leaves. The quilting is carried out into the dark green borders..I will try to get a pix of the detail next week when Ellie is done.

SHARP Sneak Peak, Petal Pixels

2007-08-31T07:56:00.001-05:00

Here's a sneak peak at what I have finished already!

Pull Your Palette

2007-08-31T07:33:00.000-05:00

I am working on finishing yet another Petal Pixel quilt for Creative SHARP..a literacy program using art to promote better reading skills in challenges grade schoolers....Our theme this year was "Wisconsin" so my friend, Ellie, and I picked the state flower of WI: the wood violet. I pulled a palette of color from the photo and we have set to make another quilt. We are only borders and quilting away from another great quilt..stay tuned!

Tom's quilt

2007-08-31T07:27:00.000-05:00

This is a tradition in my family..each of my nieces and nephews gets a quilt for their first birthday. My youngest nephew Tom received his quilt this past August when he visited for Naunny and Grampa's 50th wedding anniversary!

It is a "stack and Whack" variation using one fabric, layered in 6 identical repeats, then cut into triangles to be pieced into hexagons. The hexagons were sorted by color and pattern then sewn back together into the top.

The quilt measures approximately 54 x 68 and very nice size to carry him through the first decade!

I finished off the quilt with a pillow case to match using the original fabric that was sliced and diced..primary colored frogs on an active leaf background!

New work

2007-08-31T07:20:00.000-05:00

Here are two of the projects that have kept me in the studio this summer. Both are part of a set of three quilts destined for the First Stage Children's Theater in Milwaukee. The theater is putting on the production of a Quiltmaker's Gift. Our Guild was asked to produce three quilts for them..two large twins and one king (to be shown later). The first is a friendship star "I Spy" quilt in blues and brights. It has a overall swirl pattern. The second is a flying geese in batiks. There are fern feathers in the geese portions of the quilt with a free hand feather in the border.

Thanks to all guild members who helped out on the tops!

If you are interested in purchasing raffles tickets for these two quilts, please contact me. They will be raffled off during our Quilt Show next May in Milwaukee!

What have I been up to?

2007-08-14T05:14:00.000-05:00

Back again to let you know I am still holed up in the basement studio! I have two new quilts done and heading out the door this week. I finished the quilting on two First Stage quilts for the upcoming production "The Quiltmaker's Gift" These quilts were pieced by members of my day guild, North Shore Quilters Guild. I will post pictures soon. I have one more King quilt to do for the production..should have that on the frame by next week.

I worked the Morning Glory Art Fair this past weekend. Was so nice to have so many people stop in the gallery to say hello and wish me well on the beaded brooches. Was also wonderful being surrounded by so many fine art and craft people. There were 135 booths with everything under the sun as far as fine arts and crafts. My favorite booth was the copper plated art..I purchased a copper plated tree frog slide for my collection. They plated everything including an extra large hosta leaf..what a coffee table piece! Second favorite was the branch of large acorns..truly amazing work.

Off to the basement again to finish bindings. Will post pictures real soon!

Updating..it has been a while!

2007-08-06T06:17:00.000-05:00

This has been a hectic summer for family events and keeping up with projects! The kids are involved in sports with my husband as the coach..many nights and weekends are spent on folding chairs at the ballpark. My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary in style...a large party for friends and family including my 4 siblings, their spouses and children (16)...Lots of party planning, cleaning and catching up on everyone this past weekend.

Though I have not posted, does not mean I haven't been busy. I am finishing up two of the three quilts for the First Stage production of the Quiltmaker's Gift this Fall. First Stage is a very talented Children's Theater Production here in Milwaukee.

I finished Tom's (my nephew) first birthday quilt. I will post pix soon. I made a One Block Wonder Kaleidoscope quilt for him using frog fabric..turned out wonderfully!

I am in the finishing touches of the Creative SHARP quilt for their auction in October. Friends are coming this week to finish the piecing. I created one of my pixel quilts using the state flower of WI as a model (wood violet) stay tuned for those pix, too.

I am working on the quilting designs for the WI Quilt Museum Quilt. It is a true beauty of a quilt top at this point. A huge Mariner's Compass with lots of room for donor names on the back. I will begin quilting that at the end of August. It is to be hung at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this Fall.

My beaded brooches are now on sale at the Morning Glory Gallery. The Annual Art Fair on the Marcus Center grounds is this weekend..stop into the Gallery on Saturday Aug 11 from 10 -2..I will be behind the display cases working the gallery!

Lastly, I conitinue to work part time as an Audiologist, teach four to five nights at month at Fabric Fusion and will be traveling with BBD Creations in September to Jacksonville and then on to Houston in October. I am trying to get the next few patterns and samples done for them.

As you can see when it gets busy here, it gets really busy. This Fall promises to slow down a bit! Keep posted for new pix and details!

New Gallery work

2007-07-22T15:30:00.000-05:00

I have been busy with several projects this past month.some These are the latest brooches for the Morning Glory Art Gallery in Milwaukee WI. Each brooch is either a slide or has a pin back. If you are interested in any of these items you can contact the Gallery at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Gallery News

2007-06-29T08:07:00.000-05:00

I was accepted as a jurist artist into the Morning Glory Gallery at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts in Milwaukee, WI! This is my first gallery exhibit for my beaded brooches. Although there were some small changes in the inventory, overall the jurists enjoyed my artwork and are willing to take a chance on my goods, at least they are willing for six months. If you get a chance to visit our fair city drop into the gallery. They are open during performances and on TH, F and S. Please call ahead to check their hours or go online to check out their site. Thanks again to Barb and the other jurors for giving me a chance to exhibit.

A few more gallery pieces

2007-06-14T07:32:00.001-05:00

Three more pieces for the gallery..there are a few more but have to take pictures yet. Most of my brooches start with focal buttons or found objects I find on my travels to quilt shows and sewing centers (buttons) I usually do my beading as I wait for children to finish sports activities or while I "watch" TV at night. It takes me out of the studio and lets my mind wander away from the hectic pace of an artist-Audiologist-Mom-wife!

Gallery Items

2007-06-13T00:14:00.000-05:00

These are a few of my new pieces for the art gallery gift shop. They are beaded brooches and come on a frame so they can be a "piece of art" when they are not being worn. The frames are museum quality with padded hand dyed wool or crushed velvet cushions..really cool way to set off a piece of jelery, don't you think?

What's new!

2007-06-11T22:30:00.000-05:00

No pictures tonight but thought I would share a tell or two!

First, I taught this past week-end at the WI Quilt Museum..A large historical farmstead in Cedarburg WI. Thanks to all the volunteers who made my teaching gig there run so smoothly. Also, thank you to the women who came and shared the day with the teachers. We had a blast! I taught Strips and Curves techniques and beaded brooches..stay tuned for photos of my new brooches.

Second. I am just starting to design this year's Creative SHARP's auction quilt. It will be a pixel quilt of a wood violet, the WI State Flower. I am figuring this Queen size topper will have aproximately 400 fabrics in square sizes ranging from 2 to 8 inches. Stay tuned.

Tomorrow I drop off my beaded brooches at the Morning Glory Art Gallery. Keep your fingers crossed I get in..It is a wonderful gallery attached to our Marcus Center in downtown Milwaukee. If you ever get to town it is a true destination spot.

Will post pictures as soon as I get them taken!

New Pixel quilt..It's a Winner!

2007-05-21T07:57:00.001-05:00

I am very fond of "pixelating" images. This is my newest quilt called "Raspberries" It was a challenge entry at the local quilt shop: Fabric Fusions, Brown Deer, WI. It won Viewers Choice! The two challenge fabrics were the light purple pearl fabric and the purple and greenish brown border fabric. There are 30 different fabrics used in this color blending quilt. The larger squares are 2 inches and the small checker board areas are made up of half inch squares! I pulled a palette of greens and purples by scanning the fabrics into my Paint program. As I was pulling the palette I thought..boy, this looks like a black raspberry.. thus, the title of the work! The quilt is quilted as stitch in the ditch in the light corner (to give the illusion of a seeded raspberry) and there are vines and raspberry leaves in the green areas, for the border, I followed the stipple-ish areas! The quilt measures approximately 27 x 32 inches.

New BBD Wool!

2007-05-16T22:27:00.000-05:00

Here is the first of several new wool creations for BBD. We are teaming up with Mary Flanagan Woolens (www.mfwoolens.com). This is a small pillow in more traditional wool colors using BBD images. This is our version of the Scrappy Sunflower and bee (from our IRIS pattern). Mary's wools are very soft and extremely quilter friendly! The deep purple on the sunflower is actually french knots using Mary's hand dyed variegated wool yarns..she has several colors! Wonderful for embellishment. I am still working on a few more images for introduction at Market this Fall..stay tuned.

Stay tuned!

2007-05-07T06:35:00.000-05:00

My son is a Sophomore in High School and has been working on a new web page for me! Stay tuned..hopefully in a month or so you will see additional pictures and information about terri kirchner's fabriKations!

2007-05-07T06:24:00.000-05:00

BREAST CANCER SHOWHOUSE QUILT

I had the great pleasure of working with two friends on this quilt for our local Breast Cancer Showhouse Committee. This quilt (a queen) will be raffled off during the Showhouse run this Fall. For those of you not in our area: The Showhouse is a project that highlights a specific home, usually new construction or an older mansion on the Lake) brings in several interior designers to "do" rooms and then opens the house to visitors to raise money for cancer research at the Medical College of Milwaukee...all monies go directly to research!

Last year a good friend made a simple quilt which I had the pleasure of quilting for her. It was offered as a "boutique" item. Though the quilt made a good piece of change, Ellie decided if we made a larger quilt, funded by our North Shore Quilter's Guild and raffled it we could make more! So here we are today: The quilt was accepted by the Showhouse as a raffle item, tickets will be printed shortly and the quilt will be a raffle item displayed in the House. Good news for everyone involved in the project!

The quilt is a queen, 100% cotton with cotton batting. It is machine pieced and long armed quilted. It has 3-D yoyo flowers with button centers. Truly a whimsical quilt! If you are interested in purchasing tickets please just drop me an email!

Details of Psalm 23

2007-04-23T08:11:00.000-05:00

These are two detail shots of the Psalm 23 quilt. Enjoy!

Another new work

2007-04-23T07:25:00.000-05:00

This 4 x 6 foot wall quilt was commissioned by St. John's Church and School, Glendale, WI for their new art gallery walkway. It is an interpretation of the 23rd Psalm. The piece will hang in the school area devoted to teaching preschoolers and younger elementary students. The images included from top to bottom are:

Valley of death with the flames and dark mountains from which the path of righteousness winds down to the still waters and green pastures. Their are two mighty oak trees that have secrets quilted into their trunks..the rod and staff. The oil cups are overflowing and the hand of God is reaching out to hold the innocent hand of a child.

This was a difficult piece for me to do as I had to have images 3 and 4 year olds could remember when learning the verse (this will be a teaching tool), plus, my latest focus on artwork has moved from a more literal translations to abstracts. I enjoyed the quilting on the piece. All in all, a piece that was inspiring to create.

New work!

2007-04-23T06:25:00.000-05:00

This is a piece that I promised to share way back when. This was my entry for the annual calendar challenge hosted by Quilting Arts Magazine. It wasn't a finalist so I am able to show you the pictures now! This quilt was built off the challenge of a "Novel Idea". We were asked to represent our favorite novel in the form of a small embellished quilt. I have enjoyed reading the fantasy series The Golden Compass, a story of a young girl who possessing the ability to read a magic compass on her journey to help others in the far north.

This piece is built off my Petal pixels theme of color blending showing the progression of warm land areas to the frozen polar cap. It is machine pieced and quilted (not on the long arm!) There is an Angelina overlay in the night sky to give a hint of the northern light. I embellished with a beaded compass (an old Girl Scout item) with rayon ribbons and dichroic glass beads. I used hot fix crystals in the night sky for the stars.

Back from Chicago!

2007-04-17T07:07:00.000-05:00

Just back and somewhat rested from the Spring Festival for IQA in Chicago! BBD Creations had a wonderful run this year at the show. We met new quilters and "quilt appreciators" and saw many of our "repeaters". Thank you to all who stopped to look at our products and many thanks to those who made purchases. This show's most popular pattern was the Scrappy Sunflower hanging on the right side of the picture above. Second most favorite was the Tree of Life, as usual! We have kits available for purchase for Tree of Life, IRIS and Quilter's Covenant. Please contact me if you wish to purchase as those are not on the website at BBD.

While at the convention, Bonnie and I brainstormed on this year's addition to our line of quality quilt projects. We are branching out! We will be adding wool to our line! Wait and see the new patterns. I think you will be surprised how updated wool quilting can be!

Speaking of wool! We had the great pleasure of working with a new contact in the wool business! Mary Flanagan's Wool! Mary and Scott have hand dyed wools available at retail and wholesale in a spectacular array of colors from brights (yes, bright wool!) and softer traditional colors. Stay tuned..we have a wonderful surprise in store for wool lovers!

It was so energizing to be around quilters, talking in quilt-ese and enjoying the company of Lynne and Bonnie for the week. My quilt spirit has been revitalized..stay tuned for new artwork in the next few months.

Off to Chicago!

2007-04-09T06:38:00.000-05:00

The International Quilt Festival hits the George Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL this next weekend. I will be vending with Bonnie and Lynne from BBD Creations, Inc. again this year. We have three new quilt patterns available: Bunnie Birthday, IRIS and Scrappy Sunflower. We will also have kits for the Tree of Life and Quilter's Covenant quilts available on a limited basis. Please stop in and see us! Bonnie and Lynne have new postcards this time!

WHAT A WEEK!

2007-03-28T06:26:00.000-05:00

No pictures unless I can figure out how to get them off the Internet! BUT, This week I have been blessed to receive kudos from both coasts! Louisa Smith's new Strips and Curves book is now available in most quilt stores. My quilt, Cosmos and Marigolds made the photo gallery. This morning I looked at an email ad for Patricia Bolton's new book on Artist Trading Cards and was amazed to see my original ATC entry to Quilting Arts made the cover! Exciting times for this artist who spent most of her winter and this Spring in the basement cavern of a studio!

New work!

2007-03-21T06:32:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time! I have been working on several projects..unfortunately due to contract rules I can not publish the photos of the work for a bit!

Here is a sample of some "play day" work. I had the pleasure of attending a Laura Wasilowski workshop yesterday...this was my practice piece. I have to do a bit more on the real project..will post later keep tuned!

Thank you for your patience. In the next few months I will be posting more regularly again.

Elements

2007-01-20T09:23:00.000-06:00

I love surface design and have recently begun working with silk fusion. The wool batting in this piece gives it a high amount relief when it is quilted so heavily.

This little quilt is a silk fusion (felted silk roving) background with machine quilting and bead work surface embellishments. It has a dark navy taffeta binding. It is framed in a gilded (bronze and black) frame. It is a small piece measuring approx. 10 x 14 inches unframed.

This piece is available for sale: Framed: $175.00

Please contact me through the blog if you are interested in purchasing this piece.

Cooper brooch

2007-01-20T09:15:00.000-06:00

This is a new "hobby" for me..often completed as I watch TV or, even more often, while waiting for children or their sports activities to finish up!

This brooch is made from Lumiere painted Tyvex that was over-stitched with Superior Rainbows Trilobal Poly variegated thread; then heated. The center looks like antique 18k rose gold. The beaded embroidery was worked around the edges, there is a peyote stitched border wrapping around the edge. There are freshwater pearls, metal and glass beads. It has a pin back covered with moleskin. It measures aprox 1.5 inches across.

The brooch is available for sale for $65.00.

Darwin's Dawn Gallery Debut

2007-01-10T20:45:00.000-06:00

This is a Blooming Nine Patch I have named Darwin's Dawn. I finished this quilt a while ago (2003) and it is coming out of storage to make a gallery showing at the Lakes Fine Art Gallery in North Lake, WI this weekend. It will hang in the Gallery for a few months hopefully some one will purchase it during its run. I have come to realize some of my quilts need to find new homes. I am running out of storage room and want to down size. This quilt is 77 by 88 inches, 100 % cotton fabric including Japanese, Australian, and Bali batiks, it was machine pieced and long arm quilted over cotton batting (low loft). It has never been "used" other than for exhibition in shows and during class instruction. The quilting motifs change as Mother Earth changed at its infancy..flames are in the red zone merging to water in the blue grey then to rocks in the gold and small plant life to a canopy of large leaves in the outer borders. It has a hanging sleeve and is labeled. Please contact the gallery if you are interested in purchasing this wonderful quilt. Ask Teri, the owner, for the interesting story behind the naming of this quilt! www.lakesfineart.com

Autumn Lady

2006-12-27T09:55:00.000-06:00

After meeting Larkin Van Horn in person and teaching from her new book, I was inspired to create this little beaded picture. The face was purchased from Raven's journey while I was at Houston, IQA Market this past Fall. There are freshwater pearls, garnets, citrine, and other gemstones in her roots. The piece is beaded on a piece of dupioni silk.

Celtic Maze!

2006-12-27T09:41:00.000-06:00

Now that Christmas has past and the recipient of this quilt has been gifted, I can share this fun quilt on my blog! This is the reason I haven't posted in so long. I finished the quilt long before the holidays but couldn't risk her seeing it before she actually received it! This is a Celtic maze quilt made from three values of green and blue. Molly, the quilt's new owner, was the first niece to receive a quilt upon their first birthday in 1992. Back then I was using commercial fabrics and was new to machine quilting..poor Molly suffered the learning curve..her Irish Chain lap quilt was poorly executed and lacked almost everything I put into my quilts today. This quilt is a full size topper with over 115 different fabrics from hand dyes to batiks and was quilted on Eileen, my temperamental long arm! If you flip the quilt to the back you can trace the maze. Molly is a sophomore in high school and can use her new quilt to keep her warm on late nights while studying! An enjoyable pattern with lots of movement!

Abstract Challenge

2006-11-29T06:38:00.000-06:00

This is my Abstract Challenge quilt from the Quilting Arts Magazine challenge. Though it was not a winner one of our group did win! Congrats to Marla for her abstract quilt featured in this edition of QA. My abstract was multi layers of fused cottons with a layer of angelina fibers for the water feature. I enjoyed meeting with the group to work on our challenges at Fabric Fusions in Brown Deer. We had a great time expanding our quilting styles. You may see the entire group's quilts on the Quilting Arts website www.Quiltingarts.com

Booth 3

2006-11-28T06:21:00.000-06:00

This is our back wall. Again, a nice view for the quilts and product at eye level. We also had another wall that showed off the limited edition fine art prints of Bonnie's..we, I, called it "the gallery". It was on the main walkway and caught many an eye. We sold off the last of the Sunflower framed prints this Houston. Bonnie is working on some new prints for next year now that space has opened up!

Booth 2

2006-11-28T06:17:00.000-06:00

This is the second half of the booth. It created a gathering site off the main floor for attendees and vendors alike. We store our product under the tall, black draped tables. All product is then at viewing height..a welcome relief from product on short tables

Photos from Houston 2006

2006-11-28T06:15:00.000-06:00

This is the first of the pix from Houston. The new patterns: Bunnie Birthday and Scrappy Sunflower are pictured

I'm Back!

2006-11-24T09:40:00.000-06:00

Can't believe it has been a month since I last posted! Houston was a long stretch, then had to catch up with the family and my "real" job upon returning! Just wanted to pop in and tell you a bit about my Houstonian experience. We had a great time as usual this year. Met bunches of new quilters and vendors a like. We saw tremendous quilts and garments throughout the ten day run. Was nice to see Larkin Jean Van Horn, Jane Sassaman, Mary Sorenson, Nancy Hill, Lorraine Torrance, and our other favorite people. Thanks to Raven's Journey, Free Spirit, Fairfield and Mary Sorenson's Wool for generous offers for products in our new patterns for BBD. Thanks to Bonnie and Lynne for the opportunity to vend along side them in the BBD booth. Just a reminder, BBD has some new patterns and stationery..really worth taking a look at them. Check in at their link on my site it will take you right to the web page. Order early for the holidays! I am starting to finish family presents for the holidays..will post pix of the booth from Houston and what I have been up to lately as soon as I get the camera unpacked and downloaded!

Off to Houston

2006-10-24T06:35:00.000-05:00

I leave in two days for Houston Market and Festival. BBD has new postcards and patterns this time around. I am furiously stuffing plastic bags with patterns! I also wonder how I am going to fit the 2000 patterns and ten days of clothes in a suitcase without suffering overweight charges!We are hoping for a great show. If you are in the area, please stop in at the booth (619) and say hello. I will post pictures when I get back..until then

Third of the new patterns

2006-10-24T06:22:00.000-05:00

This is the last of the new patterns debuting at Houston next week. A cute and very quick fusible project.

Latest pattern #2 Scrappy Sunflower

2006-10-18T07:45:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my good friend Tom Belli for his help photographing my new covers for BBD Creations. The first of what I hope to be several photo shoots went well yesterday. This particular quilt is one of three new patterns this Fall. Tenatively, I have titled it Scrappy Sunflower, that may change...stay tuned. Thank you also to MJ Squared for the wonderful hand dyed fabric used in the patchwork..if you are looking for hand dyes in 7 step graduations..Mary is your artist to dye for! Look for her specialty fabrics in more of the BBD Line.

2006-10-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

Haven't posted in a bit because I have been rushing to finish a few projects for Houston next week. This is the new IRIS pattern for BBD Creations..a small, but regal, wall hanging featuring Fabrics to Dye For sateens and Bonnie's paper cut image of an iris. Very quick but elegant quilt.

Return of an old favorite

2006-09-30T08:18:00.000-05:00

This quilt is just back from the Quilt Expo in Madison, WI. It was made for my Son's antique 3/4 bed a few years ago. I had a bunch of red, tan and black on black scraps that called out to be used somewhere or be donated..I managed to use all of them and only had to buy a backing and the border fabric..I wish I could say that about many of my newer quilts..I have more fabric than a quilter should be allowed! The quilt is quilted in the ditch around all the block components and is crosshatched in the black borders.

JAX pictures

2006-09-28T06:08:00.000-05:00

This is our booth at the JAX Quiltfest. BBD Creations is known for their tall tables, black booth look. The colors pop against the black fabric backdrops. We are adding three quilt patterns to the line this fall and four new postcards. You can sorta see the new quilts..Bunnie Birthday and Iris. Look for the new patterns after Houston.

Back from Jacksonville

2006-09-27T08:34:00.000-05:00

Just back from JAX where I was vending with BBD Creations. I have pix of the booth at the show..the joke was tall tables black booth if you needed to find us again. We had several compliments on our booth as well as the two new quilts coming out this fall. You can see them in the pix. IRIS and Bunnie Birthday. The show was good for BBD. If you are in the area next Fall you should check out the quilt show. Several high quality quilts and plenty of good vending. I know I put a dent in the budget while shopping!

Just a quick note

2006-09-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

Will be gone for a bit..going to Quiltfest in Jacksonville FL this weekend. Will be vending with BBD Creations (see their link below) finished two new quilts from Bonnie's wonderful artwork. Will be bringing out the patterns at Houston. Hopefully will finish the sunflower lap quilt as well for Houston...in the meantime will enjoy the summer renaissance in FL..cool tonight here in WI..only 50 degrees and still cooling off!

Postcard 3

2006-09-18T22:25:00.000-05:00

This is more of a pictorial postcard..lots of scraps..miniature scraps in this one..some thread painting to hold it all together. Again..this one will go to the Houston effort of FFAC to raise money for cancer research.