Okay, so I talk about all the projects and events that happen around here all the time, but I decided to stir things up with a give-away of a Jennifer Paganelli four-fat quarter pack and a Times Square Pattern.  She had her own drawing which gave me the idea since her mention of my pattern, Times Square , made with her fabrics.  So leave a comment about how much you love her fabric or my pattern (which is one of a growing collection) and you will be entered into the drawing this week.  Comments will be tallied on the 30th of Oct. and names thrown into the hat for drawing.  Five names will win sets of fat quarters from her collections.  I spoke to Jennifer today and we will be offering precut fat quarters and kits with her fabrics and my patterns at her home show which is coming up in Wilton, CT.  Check back for dates. And don’t forget to leave a comment here to enter the drawing.

Thanks Nancy for making the sample that Jennifer saw. Here is an image of the quilt I made with Art Gallery Fabrics.

Next:  We’re headed to Houston for Quilt Market

Friday, the 10th, just after Midnight, a fire broke out in the Alley where our store and two others maintain a business.  The building on one side was destroyed right through the roofing.  Luckily our former space has been empty for about a month, (We moved out last year.) but Hot Shoes took a beating and Milillo Farm is drying out from the water and smoke damage, hoping to reopen in a few days. Our shop got some smoke and a bit of water from the fire hoses, but is relatively unscathed.  It is quite amazing, since another building across from fire has melted siding.

When we arrived for work on Saturday morning, there were police tapes around the whole area, including our store.  We were allowed to cross them and enter our store, but we would return to the parking lot to retrieve our guest teacher, Leni Wiener, and all of the students who were taking class that morning. See [photos of Leni's quilts below.)

Presently,we are faced (literally) with a mess of charred wood, plaster dust, broken glass and the unlikely prospect that they will complete rebuilding in six months.

Inside the Quilter's Alley, we continue to move ahead with beautiful projects abounding.  

Amy

There are people on the steps in the full quilt.

Baby Goose - Thread not Feathers

Redwork without knowing how to draw? Yes!

The Norwalk Community Quilting Project continues to yield interesting results from participants.  
Lizzy Rockwell, who moderates the sewing group, brought in two of their latest quilts. One is obviously inspired by the Gee’s Bend book she showed them.  Their “first” quilt is still being worked on by hand at the Norwalk Senior Housing Community Room.

Somewhat like the first quilt with leftovers

Yellow Border

Coming Next:

The beginning sewers are making table runners today. 

A family heirloom is beginning to be quilted by hand.

My T-Shirt Quilts are almost done.  Just a bit of binding and handwork left.

Molly’s book is almost finished.

I have finally gathered and loaded images for some of the busy week’s activities.  They may blur together in your viewing, but the common “thread” is the joy and healing that is derived from the actions.

These are my Tuesday afternoon students and their bag projects.

These are two of the Saturday Sewing students and their second project.

Susan and friends made a healing quilt. First quilt for two of the gals with great tutoring.

Days 1, 2, 3

 

 

 

 

Brochure Bird

 

Small Flock

This is a short You Tube Video from Tel Aviv sent this morning from our little bird.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leIBMXz7x_Y

In a curious twist of synchronicity,  I received these two punches from Shara as we were driving to Kennedy Airport. She had them before my post. (See photo caption.)

Life inspires art projects for me and I have begun a bird punch for every day Shara is in Israel.

I don’t even know how it will end up, but each day I create a bird on a string (or other) to represent my vigil for her happiness and safety.

I am on Day 8 today. The tags from her parting gifts with mother and father spelled out in Hebrew. A stamp, a transparency of stone, Gee’s Bend Brochure, etc.  The bird is sort of connected to whatever my day is  here.

So yesterday, on our way home from Philadelphia, PA, we stopped at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the latest Gee’s Bend Quilts on exhibit.  It was a very pleasant way to end our business trip to Philly.  We had been at Husqvarna Viking Sewfest to learn about the latest Embroidery Sewing Gem release – the Designer Topaz. (Click on the picture for the video.)  There were also lots of great new embroideries introduced that I will be whipping up samples for at the Quilter’s Alley.