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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "Angel Heart" by Lyric Kinard

The cloth for Angel Heart is very subtly dyed, then screen-printed with an image of the handwritten notation of a fiddle tune collected by a folklorist in the Appalachian Mountains. This cloth was also used as the background for "Bach Suite I," my favorite quilt creation so far. It features a hand painted cello with the same wings as my bear… beautifully patterned but tattered and worn.

There is something soaring and soulful about the imagery of tattered wings. Perhaps they still fly, perhaps not. If you are a musician you know that the appearance or age of the instrument does not determine the beauty of the music it produces. It is the soul and the struggle of the hand that touches it, joined with the skill of the craftsman who created the instrument, that creates soaring beauty. It is the support of the teachers who taught the musician and the craftsman. It is all of these people coming together with their talent, their inordinate amounts of time and sacrifice, to share the music that uplifts us and soars. Even a battered old instrument can produce soaring melodies with the touch of a master.

The children who suffer from rare diseases have bodies who might feel broken and tattered like the wings of this bear, but their souls are touched by dedicated masters. Their parents, their doctors, the researchers and those who contribute funds so that research can take place - they are all masters that struggle and labor and sacrifice so that these souls, the precious souls, can have a chance to live and perhaps have the chance to share the song of their futures with a world that needs their beauty.

Star Members can watch Lyric in Show 1710: Conquering Abstract Fears.

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

Lyric Montgomery Kinard is an award-winning artist with a passion for sparking the creativity that she knows each of her students posses. With playful support and gentle encouragement, she will take you through your first steps on a new path, seeing the world through the eyes of an artist. As an artist, author, and educator, she transforms cloth into art in her studio and timid spirits into confident creatives in the classroom.

Lyric was recognized for her talents as the 2011 International Association of Professional Quilters Teacher of the Year and is the author of the book Art + Quilt: Design Principles and Creativity Exercises. She has written extensively for Quilting Arts Magazine, appeared on Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show, and has two DVD Workshops, Surface Design Sampler Platter, and Bead It Like You Mean It.

She has studied with many well known textile artists around the country and continues to expand her skills in the area of surface design. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Utah and has also formally studied music and architecture. She currently lives in Cary, North Carolina with her husband and some of their five children.

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Wood, concrete, carpet, laminate, they all have a place when it comes to adding value and aesthetics to your studio, but it's not a one-size fits all type of decision. Depending on your personal preferences, budget and work habits, there is a wide variety of options available when it comes to determining what type of flooring will work best in your studio space.  Before making a decision on flooring, consider your personal needs:

• Does your work involve more standing than sitting?
• Do work stations need to roll about or will they be positioned in one area at all times?
• Do stress on knees, hips and feet need to be taken into consideration?
• Does your work involve paint, chemicals, and other items that could stain?
• Do small children or fur friends like to hang out in your space?
• Do you want a floor that can be cleaned with a broom or vacuum?
• Are you renting and not able to make major changes to your studio flooring?

Now that you know what you desire/need, check out the pros and cons of each type of flooring product and how it works in a studio setting.

Linoleum
Linoleum has come a long way from the days of yore.  It is considered the 'green' flooring, because unlike other petroleum-based products, linoleum is typically made from 100% natural materials like linseed oil, cork, limestone, tree rosin and natural minerals.  With a wide range of patterns, colors and choice of wide sheets or press in place tiles, this easy-to-clean flooring might just be the answer for you. Laminate flooring is designed to float over almost any type of existing subfloor including wood, vinyl or ceramic tile and concrete. If you love DIY projects, installing a laminate floor yourself can be done with just a few tools.

Vinyl
Vinyl tile consists of 4 primary layers: A urethane wear layer to resist scratches and scuffs, a protective clear film layer to protect against rips, tears, and gouging, a printed design layer that carries the realistic colors and patterns, and a structural vinyl backing layer that adds strength and durability. There are a wide range of colors and patterns, that even include the look of wood, stone and ceramic. There is something for everyone.

Vinyl floor tiles. Long wearing, easy to clean, and come in a range of colors. TrafficMaster

Want something a little more retro? How about adding a little touch of France to your studio. NotontheHighStreet

Rubber
If the flooring in your workspace is not ideal, or you live in a rental, think about using rubber garage floor mats. 
Whether cut to size or in building tiles, they come in a range of colors, surface patterns and can add a big punch of color to a space.
Greatmats

Homedit

Carpet

The carpet you select for your home might not be the same as what you desire/need for your studio. While Berber, shag and other plush carpet feels lovely underfoot in a bedroom or living space, it's not so fabulous in a studio work space. If your space already comes with carpeting and you are happy with it, consider adding a plastic mat to make the surface area more roller friendly for a chair. Mats are readily available through most office supply, big box and even some hardware stores. We even know of a quilter who cut pieces of inexpensive wood paneling to place under her work station. The wood doesn't crack or develop depressions.

When looking at carpet for your studio, look for something that is going to be low pile and take wear and tear pretty well.  Two words come to mind...industrial carpeting. Just because it’s manufactured as industrial carpeting, doesn't mean you should rule it out for your studio. This long lasting, long wearing, hard to stain carpet offers lots of options for a studio. If it works in large corporate offices and schools, why not your studio? We aren't talking about that dull gray and multi patterned stuff you've probably seen in most big offices.  A number of carpet companies are now offering a huge range of colors, textures and patterns, which means that you can add a bit of pop…or not, to your creative space.

Interface

Let everyone know you are a quilter by choosing the color combination and pattern. How cool is that??? Flor

Tile

Tile comes in a huge range of colors, pattern and prices.  It's durable and relatively low maintenance, but can be hard on your joints if you stand for long periods of time. If you live in a hot climate, the floor will stay cool throughout the day.  But, the reverse is true if you live in a cold climate.

Create an all-over calm and subtle pattern with cement tile. Add a border to create a rug. SabineHill

Wood

Hardwood can be expensive, but the advantages can outweigh the initial up front cost:

• Low maintenance over many years of use.  Scratches and dents can be repaired at a lower cost than carpet replacement
• Fade resistant and adds value to your home
• Natural patterns due to the tree's growth
• Environment friendly as many types of wood such as bamboo can be harvested in a very short time
• Allergen free for those with allergies to dust or pet hair
• Strong and durable which means that they can last decades

Wood flooring brings a warm feel to this sunny sewing space. Ialwaypickthethimble

Whitewashed wood floors add to the open and airy feel of this attic sewing room. Heartandhandmade

Concrete

Concrete might be the perfect fit for your studio if your work involves water, paint, dye or other liquids that could pose problems with other flooring options.  Concrete wears like iron, is easy to clean and is resistant to damp. While it is hard on your feet, you can always place throw rugs in areas where the 'messy stuff' isn't taking place.

Jamie Fingal finds that concrete is the way to go when you work with a variety of mediums.
And every studio needs a red polka dot couch! TwistedSister

Jane Dunnewold's wet studio includes large commercial grade sinks.

Just because it's concrete doesn't mean you can't add a bit of color to the mix. ApartmentTherapy

Stenciled Floors

Stenciled floors can add a bit of fun and flair to your work space.  They can be used on concrete, decks, hardwood and even painted plywood.  Each flooring type requires it's own special techniques, but if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work, the results can be spectacular.

How about stenciling your existing floor? RoyalDesignStudio

Whitelace

Stenciled concrete floors can result in some spectacular results.Concretenetwork

Just joined our year of organizing? Click here for other TQS Organization blogs.

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "Indian Princess" by Karen Bernstein

Indian Princess wears the sun-drenched colors of India. She is beautiful, smart, but also kind and generous with her time for those less fortunate, especially children with RARE diseases. She wears a simple bejeweled chain of pearls ending in a silver and citrine pendant on her forehead, a silver filigree nose, brilliant filigree eyes and a necklace to match the rest of her ensemble. At the end of a long day, Indian Princess enjoys a bit of dancing or practicing her yoga moves.

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

Karen Bernstein made her first quilt in 1974 because she needed a new bedspread. When she was done, she swore she'd never make another one. In 1981, for reasons unknown, she got a yen to make another one -- a very large one with very small pieces. And she decided to enter it into a quilt show. When she informed a friend who actually knew how to quilt, the friend asked, "have you popped your knots?" Karen's response was, "have I whatted my whats?" Her friend immediately came over and they ripped out all the quilting.

After that, Karen showed and sold her work regularly for the next decade and was an active member of the San Francisco Quilters Guild. Her quilts were included in "New Wave Quilt" by Setsuko Segawa and were featured in a window display at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco.

In 1992, she took a break from her artwork when she and her husband David Flores founded BioCentury Inc., a biopharmaceutical information service. For the next 20 years, she devoted her time as chairman and editor-in-chief to building BioCentury into a global company serving the biopharma industry.

She has received numerous awards for her work in the industry. In 2015, Scientific American named Karen as one of The WorldVIEW 100 most influential people in biotech today. In 2013, she was named as one of the 100 Women of Influence in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. In 2007, Karen received a Special Recognition award at the American Liver Foundation's Salute to Excellence, honoring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to biotechnology and medical innovation. In 2005, the annual gathering of biotechnology chief executive officers at The Biotech Meeting in Laguna Niguel, California, inducted Karen into their Hall of Fame, citing her lifetime contribution to the biotech community.

Last year, Karen stepped down from the editor position at BioCentury, while remaining chairman, in order to sit on several corporate boards and devote more time to her artwork. She has returned to her quilting -- and notes that the quilting world has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Her machine is smarter than she is and nobody quilts by hand anymore. She also designs jewelry and her work can be seen on her website, sancarloshilldesigns.com, and on Facebook.

She is proud to be one of the artists chosen to make a RARE Bear.

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction! This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

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Star Members can watch Lois at work in Show 1907: Machine Quilting Friends.

DesertsGlorybyLoisPodolny - 32 Pieces Non-Rotating

DesertsGlorybyLoisPodolny - 98 Pieces Non-Rotating

DesertsGlorybyLoisPodolny - 299 Pieces Non-Rotating

DesertsGlorybyLoisPodolny - 32 Pieces Rotating

DesertsGlorybyLoisPodolny - 98 Pieces Rotating

DesertsGlorybyLoisPodolny - 299 Pieces Rotating

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "MB" AKA "Man Bear" by Rob Appell

Rob writes,

"Man Bear" has been hanging out in my studio for a month helping me be creative as a textile artist.  It was such a pleasure to create him.  My kids even got super involved and helped me decide what special items he needed.  For example, you probably noticed his awesome hat with the Man Sewing Logo, but did you see he's also sporting a matching pair of high top logo sneakers?  Pretty cool, don’t you think? His swim trunks are made from a Batik featuring Morro Rock, which is where we live in Morro Bay, CA.  But that's not all. Like any cool surfer dude, he has a one of a kind “Bengal Tiger Quilt” necklace featuring one of my Endangered Species Quilts, and a Fabric skate board. When MB isn’t hitting the waves, he hangs out in his cool Man Sewing t-shirt (which by the way you can wear).

It was an honor to use my sewing skills to help raise money for this great organization, now it’s time for MB to become your RARE Bear.

Much Love, Rob Appell"

Star Members can watch Rob in Show 812: Protect our Planet...with Quilts.

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

Rob Appell blends his love for the ocean with his work as a textile artist and designer. When he was younger, Rob landed a job in his mother's quilt shop, "The Cotton Ball," in Morro Bay, California. It was at The Cotton Ball where Rob found a fondness for Hawaiian shirt making. Shirt scraps make beautiful quilts, and so does Rob. He learned to quilt by trial and error, and definitely brings a masculine touch to this age old tradition. Rob's quilts are 100% machine made and focus on appliqué work.

Now, after almost twenty years in the industry, Rob designs quilts for Michael Miller Fabrics, has authored a few books, countless quilt patterns, including The Endangered Species Quilt Project, produced a few DVDs on his techniques, is inventing sewing and quilting tools, and services sewing machines in his studio in Morro Bay, California.

He is blessed to travel the world sharing his experiences and joy in quilt making and sewing machine technology.

Please contact Rob if you would like him to do a Trunk Show for your Quilt Guild or you need a pattern for one of his quilts.