Martha Stewart

I have been home the last week with a terrible cold, and haven't really felt much like doing anything. However, I just couldn't resist doing some things in small spirts. After 6 days of enjoying my own company I was really ready for something positive to happen.


As many of you know I am an animal advocate. I am especially passionate about dogs. Thus, I make a lot of dog quilts for myself, I teach a class called Stained Glass Applique, and I make commission pieces of animals for other people. Well awhile back when Martha Stewart Chow passed away I decided to make a quilt to remember him by. I found a picture on her web site, and proceeded to do the below quilt. At that point I really didn't know what I would do with the quilt. It layed on the bed in my spare bedroom for several months. Then a week or so ago I decided that since she did such good work on the behalf of animals I was going to send it to her as a gift. This I did, and on Tues of this week I got a call from Martha's personal assistant, saying how much she loved it. She said that when Martha opened it she cried. Well, after having such a hard week I must say that really lifted my spirits.

So I am sharing him with you . Gone but not forgotten!

Quilting Table

Sorry but blogger didn't publish this picture along with the others.

This is a close up of the styrofoam I used I think it was 3/4 inch. Using 5 of them brought it up to the same level as my sewing machine. I taped them together so they would be stable.

Quilting Table

Here's a wonderful thing that I want to share. I found this idea on Y Tube under quilting.

My sewing machine is not level with my table. So, when I freemotion quilt, there are times when the quilt drags no matter how much I manulipate it.

The idea is to bring everything up to the same level. I bought styrophone pieces. I couldn't find thick ones, so I just taped 5 pieces together. That's what I needed to be level with my machine. I then measured the distance from the front to the desired depth of my machine and cut a hole. See the red lines on the middle picture? It cuts really easy with a seriated knife. I then slid it into the proper place, and added another piece of styrofoam to the back to cover more than my table. See the final photo ?

Then I took very heavy plastic ( I found it at Walmart in the sewing dept) and covered the whole thing and tucked it underneath. I then cut out the plastic around the face plate.

It works great and the quilt just slides like butter. I think it cost me somewhere around $18.00.

Lovey

I thought you might like to see the picture I worked from as I was making Lovey.

Too Long!!!

I didn't realize that it has been so long since I added anything to my blog. I guess with Thanksgiving and Christmas the time just got away from me.

It's not that I haven't been busy working, as I started a very large piece and then put it aside to do a commission piece. She is a tiny(10 pound )Shitshu. In real life she is all black except for her beard and chest.
37" wide by 44".

I also did another piece which is of a chow which is going to be a gift. I'll post it after I gift it!

Remembering Barbara

I have an interesting story to pass on to all of you!

Someone has tried to make a copy of Remembering Barbaro, and wouldn't you guess it, it has wound up in a shop by the name of Artique, here in Lexington, Ky.

A friend saw it as it was being hung, and thought it was one of my quilts. Then she remembered that Barbaro was hanging downtown at the library. I was told it is some lady by the name of Martha Bearles and she lives in Florida and they are asking $1200.00 for it.

So, I went to the store manager, and she seemed very unconcerned. I then consulted with an attorney, and he said that even through the quilt does not have a copy right, I still have certain rights over the Stained glass applique technique. Therefore, I have written the owners a letter and ask that they take the quilt down, and not represent her if she uses my technique. We will see what happens.

As a result of this instance, our guild is going to have a lawyer speak on this matter in one of our upcoming meetings. I know we all use each others ideas, but where do we draw the line ? Interesting topic and I will pass on whatever information I gather from the meeting.

Lexington guild show

Last but not least is Free at Last. This
quilt was made a couple of years ago
and is made using the usual applique
technique .

Guild Library show

Here is JFK once again and to the far right
is Winston and Winnie. Again in the Stained
Glass technique.

Quilter's of the Bluegrass Library show

So many good things have come my way lately, which I am very thankful for. First of all our local newspaper, actually our only newspaper the Lexington Herald Leader, published a piece on my Remembering Barbaro quilt. I was so surprised that the article was almost a full page. So, when our local guild hung our yearly show at the downtown library, he got hung in a very special place so people have a chance to see him clearly.

Above, you will see Jumbo on the left, Barbaro in the center, and a new piece of John F. Kennedy. These three pieces are all done in the Stained Glass technique.

Quilters of the Bluegrass guild show

I know this might be a little hard to see.
However, it is a beautiful feathered star,
and I'm sorry at the moment I don't know
who made it.

Made by Cindy Vough, of Lexington, KY.

Quilters of the Bluegrass guild show

This quilt was made by Cathy Johnson.

Nashville 08

Here is another quilt that caught my attention. It is painted and then they used thread to enhance the picture.

Nashville 08

I really liked this quilt. I can't remember who made it Sorry! but it is a fused quilt and I thought the background was wonderful and really set off the tree and birds.

Nashville 08

Nashville Quilt Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the 21st of August, I and 40 other quilters boarded a bus in Frankfort at 8:00 am and we headed for Nashville. Four hours later we arrived, but only had three hours to cover the show, and then another four hours home, plus 1\2 hour to Lexington. It was a good idea and the Frankfort guild were the ones who arranged it and have done it in previous years. Of course the best part was the $ savings. However, it was a very long day and I didn't really have time to see the show without feeling rushed. Next year it will be held in Knoxville, so we see how I feel when the time rolls around.

Stained Glass Applique Technique

Since I do not have a web site yet, you may contact me by e-mail for information concerning work shops. I do two day workshops and one day workshops as well as lectures.

Shedrum@windstream.net

Stained Glass Applique.

I decided to try and do a human face. So, this is the first in a series of new quilts I plan on doing.











Use shades of color to create beautiful realistic applique quilts. This technique can be used to make landscapes, animals, or humans. It is simple enough for a beginner, but results lend themselves to the more advanced quilter also.

Art is very subjective, and so when I teach a class my hope is that I will plant a seed, that will grow, and help you express your feelings and expand them into something that will be all your own.

Stained Glass Appllique class

Here is TC I have a pattern for sale for him. Also, if someone wants to use him as a demo for the class it is feasible.