Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Didn't have to cook.  Quilted from pre-dawn to dusk.
For the past few weeks, I've been making Christmas gifts and items for craft fairs.  This Saturday, I'll participate in the 17th annual holiday fair at Joe's Movement Emporium in Mt. Ranier, MD.

 Above are some of the wall hangings, purses and bowls I plan to have for sale.

Another Colorwash Practice Piece

The forecast calls for a severe winter storm with snow accumulation and high winds.  A perfect day to hunker down and work in the cozy (as in small) studio all day. Got my fingers crossed that the electricity stays on.

I'm working on another colorwash using mostly florals.  I like the texture created using these bold muti-colored prints. Batik fabric provides the jewel tone color I love so much. Florals provide the texture I love so much.  Hmmm.  For now, I'm sticking with florals.

This morning, I cut out hundreds of squares to make more practice pieces.  I'll keep at it until I get the look I'm after.

For those in the region, enjoy your day!  The weather in DC has offered most of us the gift of a day to stay put.  

Decided to try my hand at making a batik colorwash quilt.  Don't know what the finished quilt will look like.  I keep moving squares around and cutting more.  I made my first colorwash about ten years ago using a fusible grid.  The sewing was a breeze.  Couldn't find any Pellon fusible grid at local stores.  Sewing  all 324 of the 2.5 inch squares will take some time.

Exuberant  Color's gorgeous colorwashes inspired me.

In Celebration of Black History Month

Inaugural Weekend

A whirlwind weekend and a full house. My daughter Kenja arrived in DC from Phoenix, AZ at midnight on the 18th. Earlier that day she received the Martin Luther King, Jr.  award from the city of Phoenix for her work in fostering diversity.  The next day, my niece Ryan arrived from Harlem, NYC.  Both came to celebrate the second inauguration of President Obama. Early Monday morning, they headed for the mall with my 9-year-old granddaughter Truly in tow.  It was cold but not nearly as frigid as it was in 2008.  Nevertheless, my husband and I decided to watch the ceremony on TV this time.  The trio returned beaming and exhausted but the day of  celebration was not quite over. With a house full of family and friends, we toasted Kenja's 40th birthday that evening.

Kenja is not a quilter, yet, she designed and sewed the panel below 22 years ago while in high school.  It started off as a geometry project to demonstrate the illusion of three dimension.  Her math teacher was impressed and entered it in a juried art show at the public library. The librarian was equally impressed and entered the panel in a national contest at the Smithsonian Institution.  Kenja's creation won first prize in the high school art category.

A Geometry Assignment Turned Prize Winning Artwork 

Re-Formation

It's okay to be  proud.

Thank Goodness for Helping Hands

Linda is patiently teaching me the ins and outs of blogging.  She's knows I'm eager yet a tad forgetful.  After several OPPS! flying solo, I think it best to stick with posting pics. 

Next lesson? How to place a photo below the text.  Oh, dear.... a remedial. Thank goodness for Linda's helping hands. 

When It Rains..... Just Sew

It's a dreary January Tuesday and my friend Linda is here to help brighten the day. First, she's giving me a tutorial about blogging - still haven't got the hang of it . Next, we're heading to the studio to SEW!

I completed a crescent moon quilt for friends in town from Sedona, Arizona who love the color purple, well, lavender really.  Tell me what you think.

Nights of the Purple Moon

As always, Quilt in Color, 

Sandy.