Thanks, Lorchen and I do appreciate your advice in getting ready for the class--it was relaxing and fun and... it was the first class I ever took!

I'm glad that you had such a great time, Renata!

Jan, I posted on the Forum topic at [url]forum/quilt-shows-vacations-and-retreats/5742-mancuso-pennsylvania-quilt-extravaganza[/url] about Gloria Loughman's class and the Philly show in general. Gloria's class was great and the book is an expanded version of what she did in class. I loved it!

Jan-- Although you can't see every page, Gloria Loughman's "Luminous Landscapes" has a "Look Inside" feature on Amazon.com. You might be interested in seeing a few pages of the book there.

Renata, how was your class? I'm dying to know. I went to Joann's and somebody bought the Gloria Loughman book so I couldn't buy it. I like to look first. So hopefully they'll get it in stock again soon. Jan

Hi, Renata, that's good to know. I think I can read the Luminous Landscapes book at Joann's and decide whether to buy it. I work very near Joann's so a weekly visit often happens. I always have coupons but have restrained myself. I don't always like their cloth. I have found some very nice cloth there sometimes, however. Hope you have a lot of fun next weekend. Jan

Jan, I have two Gloria Loughman books. Quilted Symphony has five pages dedicated to fabric painting, not specifically skies, but I can see how her painting applies to skies. In particular, she discusses fabric paint, brushes, fabric, painting boards. She also goes into one page of steps on how to apply the paint; she also discusses color gradations and creating textured fabrics (these last two sections are very sketchy).

I also have Luminous Landscapes. In this book, she dedicates seven pages to fabric painting and MOST of it is dedicated to skies. If I were to buy one book with skies in mind, it would be this book. The book goes into many more aspects of landscape design, including skies than just the painting aspect. You might be able to go online to Amazon and look at a sample of the book.

Hope this helps!

I have lots of questions too. Do you have Gloria's book or books? Does she have a book that tells how to do the skies? What kind of paints does she use? Sorry for the barrage. Anyway the fabrics you used are great. I love landscapes. Always have. Nice job, Lorchen. And good luck, Renata. Show us some pictures if you can later.

Renata, don't 'over-think' this. Sounds like you have everything you need. I wouldn't practice anything. You'll be surprised how everything comes together when you follow Gloria's instructions. For me personally comfortable clothes and shoes, and a bottle of water are essential. The rest will work out on the day.

Oh no, Jan, I didn't paint everything. That would be beyong my capabilities. The sky is painting. The rest are commercial fabrics, but there is quite a bit of thread-painting, and it'll need more.

Thank you, so much, Lorchen. I love your landscape, I hope you get around to finishing it because it is really an eye-catcher! If you have any pearls of wisdom for me before I go, I would love to hear anything you have to say. I've bought the book, skimmed through it and focused on a couple of specific chapters, I have my picture, I have some fabric with whatever was on her list and plan to bring a few extras for back-up in case I end up in a different direction than anticipated. I am really looking forward to this session! Should I be practicing any stitches with my machine before I got (invisible applique or satin stitch so I don't have to fiddle with it when I get there?).

wow, Lorchen, I love it. the whole thing is great. Did you paint it all? So she teaches painting, too.

Renata, Gloria did both. We had a choice on the day to use the diamonds or to try our hand on painting a sky. I opted for the latter. At the time my rotary cutting wasn't very fast and accurate. Today I would give those diamonds a go. I have to admit that my piece from that great workshop still needs quilting. I have learned a lot since then and, for example, would not use such a strong commercial fabric for the water these days. But here it is:

I'll have to look at her book (Gloria L) which I saw in Joann's. I didnt' want to get into using dyes. I thought paints would be easier. Lorchen I love your landscape. Did you buy the cloth or make it?

Sorry, Jan, you won't make it to Philly next week, but I certainly appreciate the contribution you are making toward a young man and his family in need--I wish him a strong recovery.

Lorchen, when you took the class, did she teach the diamond-cut fabric sky set on point that she is known for? The pictures in the advertisement show those skies, and it is what I hope to do, but she is equally well-known for her dyed skies...