Winterthur Quilts Conference Quilts in a Material World Preserving Quilters’ Oral Histories: The Quilters’ S.O.S. – Save Our Stories Project Model Workshop featuring Susan McKelvey, renown quiltmaker and author One of the best ways to learn about quilts is from quiltmakers themselves. This workshop highlights the importance of saving quiltmakers’ stories, and introduces an enjoyable [...]
The Kalona Quilt and Textile Museum in Kalona, Iowa is presenting an exhibit of wedding quilts and wedding gowns dating from 1880-2002. This exhibit is entitled “Remember the Brides” and it was formally opened on June 5th with a tea in the museum’s rose garden for about sixty women. It was combined with a superb [...]
In all my travels these last few years, I have always taken a small pair of fold up scissors. Appliquing keeps me sane. I take small projects whenever I fly. I always seem to under estimate what I can get done but that is okay since I’m always pleased. I stayed up late cutting things [...]
Unfortunately, our spam problem was not lessened by updating the software so we are forced to approve comments. Please don’t let this discourage you from leaving a comment. Just know that it will require one additional step which is me physically approving your comment. And while I do seem to live on my computer this [...]
I am sorry that slog (the slang for spam on blogs) caused us to stop taking comments. This should be fixed soon. I do love hearing from people. Thanks for visiting! Karen
This morning I was interviewed for Cooking Light magazine on quiltmaking. It is never easy for me to be interviewed. I’m use to being the one doing the interview! I must say that Kristyn Kusek was wonderful and the interview was fun. The article is being written for those who have no or little knowledge [...]
I have just finished reading a very interesting book on Persian carpets called “The Root of Wild Madder: Chasing the History, Mystery, and Lore of the Persian Carpet” by Brian Murphy. I was drawn to the book for several reasons. Georgia is known for its carpets. I’ve been studying color. And wild madder is a [...]
Yesterday I drove downtown Chicago (I live about 30 miles from Chicago in the far west surburbs) to the Field Museum to see the women of Gee’s Bend. They were finishing up the project with Do Your P’Art, a nonprofit organization that brings schools and artists together in the Chicagoland area. The quilts that the [...]
You may have been aware that there was a revolution in Kyrgyzstan. It began while I was in Georgia and continued while I was in Kazakhstan. Some friends feared for my safety. There was no reason. While the change of government in Georgia, known as the Rose Revolution, was accomplished with no violence, this was [...]
I met “my” Keti, who likes to be called Kate, on my first trip to Georgia in the fall of 2003. She is my youngest son’s age (21 this year). We bonded instantly. I cannot tell you why. It just happened. Anyway, she is graduating from college in May and wants to get an MBA. [...]
Georgia 1. My quilt group 2. Evenings with Nino 3. Turkish coffee in the morning at House of Keria 4. Keti Armenia 1. Anahit 2. Tea in glasses 3. The fresh juices Kazakhstan 1. Cappucinos with Maryjo 2. Helping the quiltmakers get organized 3. The view of the mountains from my hotel window In General [...]
1. Wearing the same clothes over and over again for six weeks. 2. Not knowing when I turn on the tap if there will be water. 3. Always having to know where my flashlight was incase the power went out. 4. Not having electricity. 5. Not having easy access to a washing machine. (Only did [...]
I spent less than $200 in my six weeks of travel on souvenirs. Part of it was due to not being healthy but also I think that I am becoming more selective on what I want to have hanging around my house. One of my purchases that thrills me is my tuskiiz from Kazakhstan. A [...]
I spent 22 hours traveling home. I’ve decided I really wish I could be like Dorothy and just click my heels. I travel “economy” class and it’s not easy. My flight from Frankfort to Chicago, I was in the middle seat. I had good traveling companions but it was still torture. Chuck, a young man [...]
My last day in Kazakhstan and I finally get to visit the Kasteev Museum. This is the museum that lent the Kazakh quilts for the exhibition. Kasteev was the first Kazakh painter. Remember the people here were nomanic. Marjo wnet with me and we had an excellent time. Photography is not usually allowed but we [...]
This morning for over two hours I meet with almost 20 people from three museums. We discussed all aspects of quilts, exhibitions, preservation, oral history, etc. It was a most amazing experience. Again I feel that in a small way I was able to elevated quiltmaking. It was also gratifying to know that this was [...]
I returned to the Children’s Palace today and “my” girls. Today we made trading cards. Again collaging with fabric, objects, ribbon and magazines. The Children’s Palace is a former Soviet building with a gold dome. Today it offers programs for children but with a fee. I learned that many of the girls in my group [...]
Today was so much fun. I taught a group of twenty-one 11 and 12 year old girls. We made postcards using fabric and magazines. It’s always fun to see the reaction to our “fads.” I am sure that they think, at least in the beginning, that were are crazy. Somehow my message to bring other [...]
My lecture today was a success but was scheduled to last 2 hours. No one asked me and of course, we ended early. I was to have a master class this afternoon and even with 2 hours of waiting no one left. About 25 women gathered for the master class. Unfortunately word had not gotten [...]
Please forgive as I am behind on my blogging. I promise to catch you up but want to write about what is happening now. I arrived in Almaty with a bad case of bronchitis. When I entered my hotel, I cried. Here was luxury I had not experienced in what felt like a life time. [...]