Cheer and Vintage

Tracey's "diggin' it"

One of my dearest friends recently renovated the greyhound bus depot in historic McKinney Texas, just a hop, skip and jump north of Dallas. She has an amazing green thumb, a horticulturist by profession, and a fantastic eye for the out-of-the ordinary handmade, vintage and one-of -a kind treasures! Her new store "Diggin' It" is filled with whimsy, color, nostalgia and, like a breath of fresh air, gorgeous garden life to fill your home
(and recycle that CO2!)

Next to tree-sized spectacular poinsettias are handmade gifts from local artists, antiques and retro finds. Even lemon trees winter amidst the
HOLIDAY SPARKLE!

If you are in the Dallas area, drop by to see Tracey or visit diggin' it !

Happy Hip House Hopping
And Happy Holiday!
-EE

International Quilt Festival 2010

The International Quilt Festival in Houston was as spectacular as ever! Darling daughter and I took in the glorious color, impeccable workmanship and exciting innovations introduced at this year's Market and Festival. Kaffe Fassett's magnificent fabrics are always a highlight. Here, in a booth by Material Girls were some finished quilts, along with his fabrics, patterns
(with Liza Prior Lucy!) and kits.


We picked up this one for my mom, who didn't make it to Festival with us this year. It is featured in Quilt Sampler as a Top 10



Pro Dye and Chemical: great resource for fabric dyes, inks, and how-to books!

Nifty Thrifty had a terrific booth with distinctive, colorful collections of fabulous vintage finds!

Great colored wool felt from Ewe-nique creations!




The shopping here is the best in the biz!

Ahh, now for a few quilts! Unfortunately, many exhibits and breathtaking quilts were off-limits for photography but we walked and admired, in awe, hoping to remember those amazing works of art. Though we appreciated and photographed many award winners, we tended to spend much of our time in the art quilt areas. This gorgeous flower was named
"Peacockiness" by Marilyn H. Wall, quilted by Diana Pickens.

This beauty was entitled "April Showers Bring May Flowers" by Therese Kirchner. It was part of the "Celebrate Spring 2010" exhibit.

I loved this piece: "Angling" by Inge Mardal and Steen Hougs of Chantilly, France

DD and I both loved the saturated color of this Native American themed:
"Moonlit Mirage" by Denise Havlan

"Tortilla Soup"
by Kim Klocke was whimsical and very textural with beading, couching and applique.

DD liked this one..
"Wild Stripes" by Melanie Marr

Founder's Award $7500 Winner: "Mary Simon Rediscovered" by Nancy Kerns

We LOVED "Hanging By a Thread"
by Nadine Sanders and the Hanging By a Thread Quilt Group of Chehalis, WA

"Caddy and the Cakes" by Janet Fogg was deliciously detailed!

"Innocence" by Hollis Chatelaine
This spectacular quilt was the winner of the People's Choice Award.

Festival..Inspirational!
sewing IS art!
-EE

Garden Deva, The Pearl & Leon Russell Road

This past week was the 11th Annual Garden Deva Open Studio Party!

Beautiful Elaine Sutton jewelry from Taos, NM. Elaine has been beading since she was 12!

Colorful hand-painted scarves from Terri Higgs

Amazing artwork from Cynthia Brown (paintings)

Plus awesome pottery from Joe Staskal (whose incredible giant multi-hued sun-yellow bowl sold before I could grab it!!). Vicki Deane from New Mexico, brought her gorgeous botanical gold and silver jewelry. Maggie Connolly and Heidi Big-Knife had terrific new jewelry items: including recycled pieces and hand cast work. I had my fiber art and pillows-of course!!



The party took place inside and out, in the historic Pearl District of Tulsa, where Artist and Metal-Sculptor Extraordinaire Lisa Regan's Garden Deva Studio is well established. Behind the outdoor stage/lawn is the (also) historic Church Studio where Tulsa icon Leon Russell and many of his famous musician friends brought the Tulsa Sound to life! On the evening of the Deva show, the street dedication took place: naming this section of 3rd street:
"Leon Russell Road".

Several musicians and Leon's daughter were on hand for the fireworks and celebration.

Early morning street shot with Church Studio in background

Nothing like art, music, history and a community to bring a Native Son, a neighborhood, and a Friend of the City together!

Thank You Leon!!
Thank You Lisa!!
-EE

Flaming Festival

Aimee' H's "Sisters' Birthday Tea in Paris"

Along with the cool, crisp air of Autumn, this week brought back-to-back art shows beginning with the Kappa Alpha Theta "Flaming Festival" at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

B.C. Clark Jewelers

"My Granny's Treasures" by Bonnie Waters Schwarz and Marge Waters


some ilovefiberart pillows at Flaming Festival



LOVE when someone finds their match in a pillow!!

Balls, Roses, Cupcakes

The Thetas do a fantastic job of preparing for the upcoming holiday season with spectacular tabletop displays to inspire and motivate for creative entertaining!


Included in this years themes were "Sisters' Birthday Tea in Paris", vintage collections, elegant traditional arrangements, whimsical and colorful tables, candy and confection theme decor and many others.



The Thetas are known for their hospitality and the hard working event chairs and committee did not disappoint: taking care of every tiny detail to make the afternoon luncheon perfect! White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib (1995-2005) was the special guest with stories and lively antidotes of his years in the famous kitchen. He was available for signings of his new book entitled "White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen".

All in all, a terrific success and a delightful show!

Happy Entertaining!
-EE

Embroider!

..off 2 teach v6 class ths wk-oops! been doing a little too much texting lately...

Heading to Quilt Sampler-Tulsa to teach Bernina software V6 "Software Basics" and "Advanced Digitizing". Love my software & can't wait to return home to begin embroidering the new tea towels I ordered and received! Think I'll do a Halloween theme for this week and some holiday theme towels for next week's Art/Craft shows!


More L8er!
Happy Scary Week!
x0

-EE

Fall Inspiration

Color & Shapes of the Season in front of Whole Foods!


Though I have been hard at work in the sewing and craft factory these past weeks, a few signs of Fall and some interesting holidays and local happenings did get my attention!

This past Friday, in addition to being National Punctuation Day (as my writer friends pointed out) and Hug A Vegetarian Day (as my daughter's school friends affectionately noted), was the opening of our new Anthropologie store in lovely Utica Square.


Ahhh, nothing like their fantastic window displays to get the creative wheels turning! And though I adore the vintage-inspired clothing and love collecting it, the Target run I made later to pick up a simple brown sweater to combine with ruffled organza, ribbons & buttons will have to do this week for a new wardrobe piece!!

It was a fun & brilliant escape to see what was new for fall! Maybe after my upcoming shows, I'll treat myself or darling girl to some new treasure!

They even had a delightful ceramic tart plate with a beautiful whimsical verse about love & apple tarts...hmmm-must go back for that! What a great gift for a newlywed if filled with a fresh tart or some favorite recipes!!

Yet another reason to return to my favorite store!!

Back to Work!!
xo -EE

Ladies of the Guild

ASG-Tulsa Chapter

This week I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with the local chapter of the American Sewing Guild. Though I am a member, this was the first Tulsa meeting I have attended. The education coordinator contacted me late last spring to speak but our schedules were crazy...so finally, this week, we got it together and I made a little presentation.

The topic was: Designer details for your handmade pillows, handbags and gifts. The theme: Add hand-dyed, embroidered and soft sculptured couture elements to your favorite projects and make them FABULOUS!!
(Not that they aren't already!)

We talked about adding roses, ruffles and lots of detail & embellishment to everything they sew! Though I brought a few samples, I was amazed at the show & tell the ladies brought! Beautiful felted jewelry (can't wait to try this!-see latest edition of Notions newsletter), creative mini quilts, a variety of fun totes which several ladies made,

Pretty custom fitted jackets,
Even darling children's clothing from a colorful, re-purposed sweater!
I wanted the skirt & leggings in my size!!

Here I am juggling cupcakes...well, not really-but the group was great-very hospitable and forgiving of the way I tend to pop from one thing to another!

Thank you, ladies for a lovely meeting & greeting!
Happy sewing community projects & keep up the good work!
-EE

Delicious Distractions

About 40 minutes from my home there is a most delicious diversion this time of year: Porter, Oklahoma, the peach capital of the state and Livesay Orchards. We hopped over to the Porter Peach festival recently and brought home nearly a bushel!
At the orchard, you can pick your own or let them do the real work...it is a very busy place!!

Since then, I have made several fresh peach pies
(with homemade crusts!).

Farmer's markets nearer to my home are still boasting Porter Peaches so it is hard to resist picking up a few more!

Ok, back to the distracting part..I should be working on new purses and new purse patterns today-that was my plan-or organizing my business books for my darling better half
(he is the left brain half).

But instead, I made peach pies! When he emailed me about my accounting records, I emailed back a picture of his pie-fresh out of the oven! Even he understands priorities!

Happy distractions

-EE
ps. peachy pillow pattern available in ilovefiberart store!