SOUTHWEST QUILT I AM WORKING ON....SLOW BUT FUN!

So these are just some of the images for a HUGE quilt I am working on about New Mexico. Boy, there are so many many things that one can put on a New Mexico quilt. I have decided I need many quilts in a series instead of one. But I do love the color, the idea of the people and all of the mixes of tastes, ideas and things that make up this wonderful State. This quilt has encouraged me to do many more States and hopefully, I will do them as I travel for fresh ideas and fun!

What until you see this quilt done with all of the embellishments! It is going to be terrific!

WHIMSICAL FURNITURE -MY OUT OF THE BOX LIVINGROOM DREAM

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/stacked-cabinet-no.4-the-acrobats-vincent-leman-wood-cabinet--artful-home?cp=true

I ran into these great cabinets which would not fit in my little house (darnit) but on the other hand, I could not afford the $3000. plus price tag either. But wouldn't a room full of this furniture and sofas designed this way be wonderful? Maybe Oprah will give this to me before she quits her show....

The difference between boys and girls

So being the wonderful Grandmother I am, I bought eyeballs that stick on your face, candy that is called "boogers" and cocoa puffs for breakfast for my Grandsons. I mentioned the girls last week and how they liked to be princess's. These boys play hockey and the father of one of them was a professional hockey player and he is the coach of his son and his nephew. Three other Dads who were hockey players are coaches and these boys have learned to be all boy and have fun while playing an all boy sport. But as we all know, little boys are dear and sweet and oh so much fun to have around. It is hard finding time for the big boys in our family to find time to let the little boys come here to spend the night.
We are missing the 1 1/2 year old boy...he will be spending the night with these boys soon.

I bought this candy in New Mexico...hadn't seen it anywhere else...what a shame, haha. The boys giggled loudly as they read what the box said. I bought the girls chocolate. Now you know that even the young ones in our family are out of the box too. :0) Think of the story quilt this would make.

MARY LOU RETREATS FILLING UP -here is the latest

Tonight Kathy and I are going over to make the final deposit on the hotel for both May and August retreats next year. I am finalizing the schedule and kathy is getting ready to send out the supply list for May and later in the year will send out August's supply list. We have fun things planned both to do, to sew and to eat. We will be visiting at least two quilt shops and if it works out three. All of them are top notch with lots of things to show you and great displays.
We will be eating dinner and shopping at one shop close to the Art Studio as part of our time in Idaho.
If you are interested, send in a deposit (se the top of this blog) and soon I will have a schedule posted on my website for you to see. I would like to say that I am delighted that some of the most fun students I have ever had will be coming from other states. They will add alot to the creativity, the happy atmosphere and the color in the class.
Questions? Write to me- Marylouquilts@aol.com
I am preparing the retreat logo which is quite fun- all kinds of girls together-aren't we lucky to be friends?

Art School and how I still goof things up....

The painting above, hangs in my livingroom and has for years. It is by Grant Wood and is called "Daughter's of revolution." It is my favorite painting by Grant Woods and not many people know about it. I always felt that I knew these ladies personally. Grant Woods died in 1942.

Now, I mention this because over 40 years ago when I was in school, I had to memorize styles, paintings and titles etc. Both Grant Woods and Andrew Wyeth were two of my favorites as I got older. For some weird reason, I get the two of them mixed up. I have No idea why but Andrew Wyeth died in January and had done a series of nudes (of someone named Helga that spread gossip and scandel throughout the art world) and upon hearing that I mentioned to my husband that he did "our" painting in the livingroom. My husband who knows nothing about art (I thought) said "are you sure?" And then I remembered how I always got the paintings or the era or the titles wrong because I mix them up. Why? I haven't a clue but just the same these paintings are beauties and maybe you will be sparked by the images, the color and the subject matter. I hope so-I love so much about each one. By the way, the title of this painting is called "Christina's world" and it is fun to imagine what Christina's world is....have you thought about what your world is? It could be a great subject for a story quilt. Hope to meet some of you at my retreat, in Northern California in May or at Asilomar. The perfect place and time to do a perfect quilt!

Aviva sent a photo of a quilt made for a friend who passed away

This quilt was made by a lady from Israel who wrote to me saying

"I'm writing to thank you for the inspiration I got from your work. I'm an amateur quilter from Israel, I lately accidently came across your book about Story Quilts in a second hand bookshop, and found it spectacular & inspirational – especially in the playful way of choosing the colors & building the composition.
My last quilt, finished this week, was made this way -first the "frame", then the inside - and I had lots of fun working on it. It's all hand made – pieced, appliquéd & quilted by hand. I dedicate it to a Dutch friend of mine, Sonja, who passed away few months ago at a young age. I'm pleased with the result & I'm sending it now to her partner as a memory item ."

Nice message and nice that a friend can remember another friend in the form of a quilt instead of a diary or journal. Quilts today can say so much and what they say can last decades-isn't that wonderful? What would you like to say about your world and your friends?

Curt sent me something he called a "must have" for 2010-what do you think?

I think my bathroom can do without this...........

Gingerbread Houses are not what they used to be

Here is Kathy with her first place Grand champion award for the best Gingerbread house. The theme she did was Snow White and look at the details!

Can you see all of the details and the fun here?

Here is the Prince with Snow White after she ate the apple-look at the inside of the house on the right and the hundreds of little candy flowers

Here are the seven dwarfs beds and bedroom

Here is a closeup of the gingerbread kitchen

Isn't this charming?

Kathy spent alot of time with the individual leaves on every tree

Isn't this charming?

One of the houses had the theme of Lady and the Tramp-the photo below is the neighborhood

Isn't this cute- it makes me hungry for Italian food

One of the Gingerbread houses had the Bible themes from Vegietales- very cute! This one of coarse if Jonah and the whale

I am not sure what the theme of this one was, but I loved the pretzel tree house idea.

This is the entry into the Davenport Hotel- If you ever get to Spokane Washington you MUST see this old hotel that is fabulous with the gold detail and the woodwork, iron work, furniture, old photos and luxury. It is a fine place to eat and also to just get a latte and sit and watch people.

How LOVELY to have friends who make you feel good!

My friend Susan Typpi just sent me this photo of a quilt at their local hospital. She bought toys to take to the children and as she was walking down the hallway, she noticed this quilt which had many of my fabrics from years past in it. So, she took a photo to show me that the fabrics are being used to keep people happy. Now, isn't that a lovely friend??? And a great quilt!

For those of you who know Mimi Dietrich, she has been on chemo for breast cancer. She wrote me the most lovely letter about reading my new book. She said after she got tired of magazines, she bought my book and read about creativity. She is well known for her Baltimore album quilts and in fact that is where she lives. Anyway, she said I may have changed her way of thinking and that she sees a story quilt of a woman with ruched breasts! How is that for creativity? I told her that people are looking for unique quilts and that her quilt may go down in history as a one of a kind! She would probably love a message for the holidays from you. Here is her site.www.mimidietrich.com AND for a good laugh, go to my next post. Then write Mimi.

Christmas making you cranky? Wanna laugh? Look at this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGyIucmTcFw&feature=featured

A PUFF Christmas Tree, the Three Princess's and Kathy helping make ornaments

Well, now I have seen it all. I often tell the story about making a puff quilt as one of my first projects in the 1970's and how I took months and months to do it and how everytime my husband got paid, I bought a new bag of stuffing and I keep stuffing the puffs. And then once I got the quilt made, it weighed like a thousand pounds and I put it on my bed so proudly. Then about three nights later, my husband woke me up and said very breathly "Mary Lou"? And I said "yes?" And he said "I can't feel my legs!" And so we kept that puff quilt out of red ginghams for a few months and then gave it to the homeless. I am sure it is still around, somewhere.
So imagine my surprise when a cousin sent me this photo of a PUFF wreath! It is cute but I think my puff quilt days are over.

Life IS good with these nice little girls. Here are my three Granddaughters who spent the night and were all magically princess's while they were there. We had a cookie party, made ornaments and just generally had a nice time. Now that they are all in their own homes, it is nice and quiet here and I am quilting again.

This is my Granddaughter who found these glasses of mine and announced "I am a teenager now!"

Many of you know Kathy who sends out the orders and does what she can to help me. It is hard for her sometimes because she has a more than full time job overseeing many bakeries for a food chain. She will be making the desserts for my retreats coming up this year. Hope you are one of the lucky girls who is coming!

And now something to make you smile plus a winner cookie recipe too!

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
Ingredients:
12 Tablespoons Hersheys Cocoa (unsweetened baking) powder

1 1/2 Cups butter (3 sticks)
2 cups granulated sugar

2 beaten eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 Cup honey
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon real Vanilla extract
4 cups flour

Topping:
1/4 Cup granulated sugar
1/4 Cup finely crushed mini candy canes (about 24)

Directions:
Melt butter & cocoa together in a large bowl, in microwave for 1 minute on High. Remove and stir until completely blended. Set aside to cool. In a separate bowl, combine the 2 cups sugar with beaten eggs. Beat until uniform an pale yellow in color. Add the baking soda and salt and mix well. Add the honey, water & vanilla. Check the bowl with the chocolate mixture. If it is comfortable to the touch, add the sugar/ egg mixture to the chocolate mixture and blend well. Add half the flour (2 cups) and mix it in. Add the remaining flour and mix completely.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

While oven is heating, place cookie dough in refrigerator to cool. Put candy canes in plastic ziplock bag and crush with a hammer, or rolling pin. Or use a food processor or clean coffee grinder. Mix 1/4 cup sugar with candy cane powder in a shallow, wide bowl & set aside. Roll the chocolate dough into 1" size balls then roll in the sugar & candy mixture. Place them 2" apart on cookie sheet covered with parchment. Bake 12-14 minutes. Cookies should double in size and crack on the surface. Some of the candy canes will melt & spread (this is OK.) Let cool on cookie pan for 1 minute, then remove to rack to cool. Clean any melted candy from pan or it will stick.

Yield: 8 dozen cookies Pour a glass of mile and enjoy!

The "Magic" of Santa

So, there is nothing better than a story that actually happened to someone.

Yesterday my daughter took my Granddaughter (age 8 just)and Grandson (age 5) to see Santa. Right before they left they got into a brother sister arguement and my daughter and her husband sat them down and lectured them on getting along.

Once they got to Santa, they told him what they wanted etc., and then he looked at them and he said (out of the clear blue) "now, I want you two children to quit fighting and get along, can you do that for me." And they with surprised looks on their faces said "yes Santa."

Then my daughter took her daughter to go to a store to buy a gift for her friend. As they were walking down the Mall my Grandaughter said "was that the "real" Santa?" My daughter answered "no, that was a representative for Santa while he is getting ready to come down next week." My Granddaughter then said "how do you think that he knew that my brother and I had been arguing?" As my daughter tried to think about what to say next, my Granddaughter said "I guess that is why they say that it is " Christmas is magic."

This story made me smile and I thought I would share it with you.

My Friend Linda's Sugar cookies are the BEST in the world-try this recipe!

I am visual and while I want you to see this wonderful recipe from my friend Linda Pederson who has a quilt in my new book, I wanted to show some photos I took in Germany when I was there at Christmas time. Such a wonderful country and people and Germany is THE Christmas place for sure!

Linda's Fabulous Vanilla Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter
2 Tbsp Lyle's Golden Syrup

Cream the above ingredients together. Add 2 c. flour, 2 tbsp vanilla sugar and 1 tsp baking soda. Roll into 4 logs the size of a nickel, shorter than the cookie sheet, two logs per cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 20 min or until golden brown. Slice on the bias. Let cool before separating.

Our yourself a cup of tea and enjoy-better yet, have a friend come over and enjoy them together.

Beginning of the Bird Quilt for the second graders auction quilt!

Five down and fifteen more to go. The kids did all of their own drawing and then all of their own painting. I am working with a group of kids each day this week and I have a large turquoise print background quilt done with border and we are sewing a large birch tree onto it (awesome print fabric) and adding these birds, leaves and flowers as well as a large peacock and flamingo. I expect this to do well as the colors and design will be outstanding and what fun for 7/8 year olds! Imagine how great this birch tree will be with 15 more of these lovely birds!

We have until March to sew this together, add rickrack, buttons and crystals. It should be quite te show stopper and I am saving my money....

Marie's quilt for her daughter's 15th birthday-happy hoochy blocks!

So, I got this lovely photo today from Marie who is a member of Evergreen quilters in Washington State (Kent). I taught there and she bought my Hoochy Mama quilt book to teach her daughter how to make the blocks. Her daughter made a good number of them and then to surprise her, Marie made more and put his quilt together for her birthday. Pretty fun with all of the oranges and even better is a quilt that her daughter will always cherish because TWO people worked on it. Nice story for the holidays!

Check out these illusions (thanks Janie)- FUN! How does this work?

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Family-Lifestyle/8-Mind-Boggling-Optical-Illusions.html

Fruitcake Anyone???

This is a photo taken by Kathy who does my orders and is in charge of a store chain of many bakeries. She helped make all of these fruitcakes. What I wouldn't give for a piece of home made fruit cake like my Grandma made for many years. Oh, those things we take forgranted when we have them. Appreciate all of those gifts you have today!

OHHHHH, the sheer JOY of Children's ART!!!

So, it is now my pleasure to be helping with my Granddaughter's class project of a quilt. They are studying birds and so today I went to the school to show the teacher the kinds of paints I am painting my angel quilts with (I hope to teach this later this year). When I walked into the class there on the wall was a HUGE boat and each child had drawn themselves. They go to an academy and the learning style is quite wonderful. The idea is when you are on a cruise, you can have people wait on you and you can rest and relax etc. but what do you learn? If you are part of the crew, you work, you struggle sometimes, you offer help, you strive and at the end of the journey you are completely fulfilled and more of a person than when you left. So, anyway, this is their boat with that concept and it fits in so well with story quilts! I want to do this boat!

The faces on these darling people are all different and this is what I discover in my drawing section of my story quilt class. I can show everyone the same ideas on how to draw and the elements of design and composition and they are all different and all so much fun!!!

So, I took my two oldest Grandchildren to their very first quilt show with Kathy and they were so good! I asked them to look at all of the quilts and tell me their favorite.

I liked the one above for the brodery perse flowers over log cabin blocks. Fun idea.

I adore the quilt above and when I judged an earlier show, I gave it one of the top prizes.

OK< this was my Granddaughter's favorite quilt and my Grandson still hadn't found his until.....
the went around the corner and saw this and they jumped up and down. They are both on a hockey team with their other cousins, coached by the little girls Dad who used to play professional hockey and is a goaltender. No more flower quilts after seeing this one for them!

This was a full sized doll that made them laugh.....

It is lovely to expose children to new experiences in art and likewise it is lovely to see what they can teach us. I adore that boat and think it would make a fabulous quilt on a wall! Read my book and you can do it! And then I want to see what you came up with!