Isn't this amazing? After Quilt Festival in Long Beach, I (finally) met my online buddy Rhoda. We planned a day away, just talking, taking photos, sight seeing, and getting to know one another.

Imagine my surprise when I walked into the hotel room and Rhoda had hung this banner! Each letter is a separate mini quilt, joined by a cording through loops on the top.

Rhoda made this as a response to some door prize goodies I sent for a conference she coordinated in March. She had everyone at the conference sign the panels and then quilted, bound, and mounted them!

I was really touched. She really put those Photoshop skills from my online workshop to good use! This is the link, if you'd like to check it out http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com

Rhoda, thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. You are an amazing person and I'm so glad the Internet gave us the opportunity to be friends!

This photo shows 31 of the 35 pieces of rust-dyed fabric drying in the sun. Some have already received the tannin bath, some are waiting their turn, and some will have rust only.

I couldn't help but think of workers in the field picking tomatoes, cotton, strawberries, or anything else that needs to be picked by hand. What back-breaking work it is to bend over for hours. Thank goodness for Ibuprophen!

OK, a little dramatic, but I was trying to empathize!

Today they will go to the laundromat for two trips through the jumbo washing machine (one with Rust Wash and one with an industrial fiber conditioner) and then a tumble in the dryer.

There is a long list of things to do before leaving for Quilt Festival next Wednesday. I'm really excited about demonstrating in the Earth Safe Finishes booth! The demo will be layers of surface design with Colorants and Fabric Magic, or with the Shimmer Gels. Very cool!

If you visit Quilt Festival, please stop by the Earth Safe Finishes booth ( Booth # 1251) to say hello!

I mentioned a sweater set found in one of Mom's drawers. Here is a photo of the sweater and cap she knit for me so many years ago. She had experienced three miscarriages and was under complete bed rest for months. So, it's no surprise she knitted, painted, and wrote! Those were the days before TV, Internet, and mp3 players.

This little sweater was lovingly packed in a bag, along with a note saying how much she loved me. What a treasure. I am so blessed—and hope my own children know how much they are loved.

It's a field of rusted fabric!


Getting ready for Quilt Festival in Long Beach next week involves rusting lots of fabric for demos in the Earth Safe Finishes booth. I'll be demonstrating surface design with various ESF products on rust-dyed fabric for depth and complexity.

It's all about layers. I've studied examples of artists whose work I admire and have come to the conclusion that it's all about layers—layers that harmonize, layers that contrast, layers that compliment, layers that together make a statement.

So, between Quilt Festival and an order for Trusty Rusty Things product line, Lori and I have rusted about 40 yards of fabric in the past two days. The photo above shows less than half of the pieces. The other pieces are still "marinating" in their respective rust sources.

In a slightly different train of thought, we have puppies at the Poodle Ranch! Aren't they adorable? These little guys are about two days old in the photo. Coco, the Mom, wasn't thrilled I was so close to the pups, but she didn't bark until all the photos were finished.

It's amazing how small they are. Lori could hold all three of them in one hand for a photo op!

This is my buddy Chance. He was born early one morning on the farm of a friend. During these weeks of working on my mom's house I'd slip away and drive to the farm, affectionately known as The Poodle Ranch. It's only 20 minutes or so away, but driving into the country with the windows open and the breezes blowing through the car made it feel like the other side of the world.

Feeding the horses, playing with the dogs, and getting away refreshed me and helped me feel connected again.

The appraiser came to Mom's yesterday to evaluate the estate contents. It is a relief to reach that milestone. The next step is to get the house ready for DS Jake to move in. A little paint, a new window, cleaning the carpets and we'll be ready.

How many head of poodle are there? These are a few of the house dogs out for a run in the sun. They love to annoy the horses in the corral next to their play area. Way in the back of this photo is Emma (the red head). She is not a poodle, but a miniature pincer. She was hit by a car and is recovering from multiple injuries, including a broken front right leg and an amputated back left leg. She will return home after recuperating at the Poodle Ranch.