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Full Circle by LibbyLehman

I recently asked Libby Lehman how she was faring since breaking her ankle during a Ricky Tims Super Quilt Serminar back in early May. Here's her reply:

1. I have cleaned out my studio, top to bottom. I have labelled everything, down to needles and pins (pic attached). I now have a huge box to mail to hurricane victims. This is a big weight lifted off of me, both figuratively and literally. How did I get so much stuff in the first place??

2. I finished a new quilt, called Full Circle. This will be an article for Through the Needle (Bernina). I am writing the directions now.

3. My uncluttering stage continued. I have cleaned out my closet, the bathroom and three drawers in the den. Clean Sweep, here I come!

4. I make myself rest for an hour every afternoon. This is hard for a workaholic, but it makes a big difference in how my ankle feels the next day.

5. Best of all, I can now drive. I'm down to an Ace bandage and walking carefully. There is still some swelling, but it gets better every day.

All in all, this enforced captivity has been a blessing. That said, I can't wait to get back on the road with my quilting friends!

Love, Libby

I wanna know, is there such thing as TOO much organization?

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Sue came with some applique blocks and wanted to use them in a way that was not typical - meaning setting them side by side. She came up with the idea of using them as a border. Then, she decided to make a convergence for the center. This convergence started with 22" squares and the finished interior turned out to be about 35". This of course, did not fit with her border. So, we went to view Sue Garman's lesson for June on floaters. Using Sue's simple formula we calculated exactly how to fit it all together. It was a snap! Thanks Sue for helping us this week at the La Veta Quilt Retreat! Sue's finished quilt top is 56" square.

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We started another La Veta Quilt Retreat yesterday. Today - not even half way through - many good things are brewing. Cherry began working from a black and white photograph of a boy silhouetted in the ocean. Here is the finished quilt top! We'll keep plugging away and I'll be able to share more creative genius as the week goes on.

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I'm happy to announce that C&T Publishing is planning to work with me on a book my strip-pieced Kool Kaleidoscope process. Many of you have made the quilt in a class, from TQS episode #403, or from my Kool Kaleidoscope DVD. If you have, or if you are interested in making one, now it is the time to strut your stuff.

TQS members can easily submit an entry for the book by posting your Kool Kaleidoscope in the TQS Show and Tell. Twenty quilts will be chosen to be included in the book's gallery section. I will be looking for creative ways people alter the basic method - larger, smaller, unique borders, unique fabric choices, and combining the method with other designs.

I will have to select quilts (along with with the book editor) by August 15th. All entries must be totally finished - quilting and binding complete - before submitting to the Show and Tell.

If you have made one, share with everyone how easy it is to make. Slightly more than a confident beginner, but certainly far from an advanced project.

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Sunrise today. A view from my east window.

I was up at pre-dawn this morning (like 4:30) and I could tell that once again the morning would not disappoint me. I was NEVER a morning person, but having moved to Colorado 9 years ago, I find myself not wanting to miss what mother nature will bring each day. So, I get up and I've become a morning person. Many mornings I get a lot done before the hustle and bustle of the day.

So - are you a morning person or an night owl? What time of day do you prefer? When are you most inspired? When are you most productive?

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A photo I took from the train of the Urabamba River near Machu Picchu, Peru. It's a beautiful, long, wild, and violent river.

If I HAD to describe myself in only ONE word I would have to use the word 'creative'. There are many other adjectives that would fit the bill (hey, watch out there - grin), but CREATIVE would be the top of my self-proclaimed list.

Many of you have enjoyed the past two Christmas concerts which are presented on The Daily Blog. We'll, I've been promising a new Christmas CD and this week has been my first opportunity to begin the final arrangements to finish the project. The last three days I have been 'in the zone' for sure working on an arrangement that combines Personet Hodie and We Three Kings. You may recall I recently wrote about Kailin Yong, the violinist from Singapore and graduate of the Academy of Music in Vienna. We'll, I decided to do an arrangement with an Eastern flair and include him on the tune. What better song for an "Eastern flair" than We Three Kings - FROM ORIENT ARE...

I love being obsessed with creativity - whether it be quilting or music - or any other creative outlet. If you are like me, sometimes we do what we do just because we like it or because there is a deadline. However, sometimes the muse strikes and obsession reigns. In my retreats I talk about the creative obsession (moments of genuine inspiration) being like a rafter on a rushing river with rapids - there's nothing to do but hold on for the ride (see photo above). So, right now, I'm getting to be creative, and since that is just about my favorite thing, I'm feeling great - and obsessed! What was your last inspired creative obsessive project?

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Drawing by M. C. Escher

I wish I had a penny for every quilter who said, "I can't draw!" The fact of the matter is, we all can draw something. Drawing is like everything else - it takes some time and practice. As a matter of fact, I had students this past week stating the same thing, but they left having created their own original quilts. Imagine their excitement! Your drawing doesn't have to be as fancy or clever as M. C. Escher's, but putting pencil to paper is the first step in getting an idea on paper.

During my retreats when students are trying to tell me what they see in their minds, I usually say, draw what you are seeing. I get a much clearer vision of what they want to attempt when they draw it - no matter how rough it might be. It also helps them solidify their idea and allows them to start thinking about the technique they will need to complete the vision in fabric.

To participate we urge you to create a new drawing for the show and tell. After all, the point is for us to all draw something to promote the day, not to revisit things from the past. Here's some ideas: Do a Rhapsody skeleton; take a nine patch and subdivide it differently than you've seen; overlap geometrical designs and color in the blanks. Get your family involved too!

So, we are urging all TQS members to stop for a moment and draw something. It can be  realistic, abstract, a quilt block, or anything else that sparks your interest. It can be as simple or as complex as you wish - it's not a competition. We just want you to draw! To post your drawing - scan it, or photograph it, and upload it to the Show and Tell link on TQS. The official International Drawing Day is June 6, but you can post your drawing anytime between now and the end of the day on June 6th.

The worldwide "Drawing Day" goal is 1 million pictures.  Our goal at TQS is several hundred pictures.  Can we reach 500?

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We come to the end of another La Veta Quilt Retreat today. Talk about inspiration! Wow! I'm always amazed at the diversity of work that comes from these events. You would think after having done so many that I would become jaded, but no, I'm still inthralled with all the spectacular works that evolve over the week.

My retreats are intended to foster your vision and my personal goal is to get you further down the road on your personal journey. Because of this, there is no set curriculum. Having said that, there is plenty of learning going on. It's not a come-work-on-your-own-thing-without-any-guidance retreat. I'm very involved in each person's project and offer as much help as they need/want.

Sharon had taken photos of old abandoned cars and trucks. We worked using a technique I call scribble applique. We used her original photo of the truck, flipped and superimposed it on an old gas station photo, then enlarged it to the proper size for her project. Pretty cool don't you think?

However, the surprise for most folks is the depth of soul searching that goes on. Each morning starts with talks and journal writing. This group was excellent at sharing their thoughts and insights on creativity as well as life. At each retreat the parting is bittersweet. I hope you will put a retreat on your calendar.

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It's been a long time coming, but I've finished my butterfly and aster quilt. The image began as a photograph I took out at Autumn Rock last September. It was then altered in photoshop and digitally printed full size (44" x 36"). Kudos to Beth Wheeler (episode 211) for getting me jump started with digital quilts. I had wanted to for such a long time and now I'm hooked.

I stitched when I had a window of opportuntiy and experienced many doubts about this project along the way. However, once it was done - and flat - and BOUND - I was finally happy with the result. I'm looking for a really great name. So far my students have suggested At Play in the Fileds of the Lord and A Light Lunch. I kinda liked Alight Lunch, and also Little Miss Muffet. Chime in please!

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Kailin Yong

Beth Quist  photo by Pete Saloutos

Many of you know that in La Veta we get some fantastic house concerts. Our closest neighbors David and Annie are in the music business creating electronics for musicians. Annie is a fantastic wood artist and she is the one who completely restored my toy piano. Throughout the summer they have a variety of house concerts featuring all sorts of very talented musicians. These are always exceptional - some are unforgettable - such as the concert last night.

I cannot begin to describe the evening other than I would have paid $60-$100 a ticket to hear it in a major city. Then, I would want to buy another ticket and see the show all over again. We enjoyed this fantastic concert in a small space with about 50 in attendance.

Here is a description of two of the players just to let you grasp a bit of the caliber of their talent.

Kailin Yong (violin, percussion, vocal) is a classically trained violinist from Singapore who's world travels and diverse studies have influenced a unique / neo-acoustic playing style. Kailin’s music is rooted in his exploration of the different cultures of the world, bringing charming melodies from many lands home to share. A graduate of the Vienna Academy of Music, the Singapore native came to the United States in 1999. In his musical travels, Kailin has played everywhere from the streets of San Francisco to the hallowed symphony halls of Europe, in tiny cafés and at open-air festivals, with youth orchestras and Middle Eastern ensembles. I encourage you to check out Kailin's music on iTunes (search Kailin Yong) or listen to samples of his music here. In particular listen to "Tambourin Chinois." Sample of his CD, "Bowing with the Flow" can be heard on CD Baby.

Beth Quist's (vocal, guitar, piano, percussion, hammer dulcimer) music combines influences from the Balkans, the Middle East, and India with her Western upbringing. She has an amazing four octave vocal range and her resume includes touring extensively with Bobby McFerrin and Cirque du Soleil's KA. Visit Beth's website and listen to her music. She is also on iTunes.

Last night was the foursome's second time playing together in concert so they do not yet have a CD - however, each of them have recorded projects in the past and I bought all they had to offer! Here's to some great new music to quilt by.