Valerie Hearder on the art and soul of quilting

Gathering

To gather with friends is a simple, rich experience and, when women gather to stitch, it is particularly special. Last week began with two days with my dear friends, Judy and Margi at Penny’s house in Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia… always a treasured and affirming time.

We stitched and sipped wine in the studio surrounded by quilts and cloth and books… always books. We read each other quotes and talked of hopes and plans.We talked about the meditative aspect of quilting. Margi commented that the hand stitch is like a "physical mantra". I like that.

The stitched pieces here were made by Judy. You can read more about her work on her popular blog, Judy's Journal. Also check our Penny's blog, Tanglewood Threads.

I had to leave  our gathering two days early to attend the birth of my first grandchild named Scarlett. A rich week indeed - my soul if full.

How does a sewing machine work?

via cdn.theatlantic.com

Ever wondered exactly how a sewing machine works to create a smooth line of loped stitches? The perfect video that somehow I can watch for ages.

Visiting the Cradle of Humankind

The exciting discovery of Homo Naledi in South Africa is hot news. Homo Naledi is the most ancient human species ever discovered in Africa. The scientific buzz from the discovery is shaking up our knowledge of the origins of humankind.

What good fortune that we decided to visit this very area on our tour next year! On-site archaeologists will guide our field trip to a dig in this area known to be  the richest site for early human fossils, we’ll learn why this beautiful area is called the cradle of humankind.

There is a fabulous video here http://ewn.co.za/Features/Naledi illustrating the Homo Naledi discovery.

If you’d like to join us to visit this area, we still have some space on next year’s South African tour www.africanthreads.ca It is packed with fascinating cultural experiences, arts and wildlife, good food and great accommodations. We’ll drive through a wildlife reserve on the way to this archaeological dig and see lions up close en route! Contact me soon as the deadline is mid-November.

 

 

 

More fabric shopping in South Africa! Part 2

Here is the continuation of my story of shopping in Limpopo Province in South Africa. Scroll down to the previous blog for more photos from this African Trading store that we visited.After we said goodbye to the Shangaan women, a group of Venda women arrived in the trading store in their characteristic brightly striped wraps. Their blouses were made of printed shwe-shwe indigo cotton. The women tie a bright, stripy cotton wrap over one shoulder. The wraps are embellished with ribbon and braids to make the striped design more complex. The last photo below is of a stack of shwe-shwe fabrics.

 

Wendy bought some yellow striped Venda fabric and others in our tour group are buying sarongs from Swaziland.

This last photo shows a stack of shwe-shwe fabrics which is the iconic fabric of South Africa. I'm planning to write more about shwe-shwe in a future blog. Oh and I want to also tell you about the elephants that surrounded our safari truck, and the leopard we saw, and the women's groups we visited.... many adventure to share with you. More information at www.africanthreads.ca

Fabric Shopping in South Africa.

When we visited Limpopo Province this past April, our tour group was thrilled to stop at an African trading store. Three generations of an Indian family had owned the store supplying fabric to the various groups in the area: the Shangaan, Tsonga and Venda.

Going into this rural fabric shop brought back memories of my youthful fabric buying forays and the start of my love affair with African fabric. Here below, Martha is chatting with a Shangaan woman dressed in Minceka, which consist of two rectangular cloths wrapped around the women's bodies as clothing. Each cloth is draped and tied to the opposite shoulder.

A group of Venda women arrived in their characteristic brightly striped wraps. Their blouses were made of printed shwe-shwe indigo cotton. I’m planning to write a blog about shwe-shwe in the coming months. The Venda women tie a bright stripy cotton wrap over one shoulder. The wraps are embellished with ribbon and braids to make the striped design more complex. Watch for upcoming blogs on more of my adventure in South Africa.

Visiting a Zulu village

In April I led an arts & culture tour to South Africa. I am sitting second from the right with our tour group while visiting a Zulu village near Eshowe, KwaZulu Natal. Behind us are traditional bee-hive huts - such cozy and beautiful structure. We stayed overnight here in a comfy beehive hut, which you can see below, and enjoyed energetic Zulu dancing and great food. Thanks Cindy Bendat for this photo.

I've got a series of blogs planned about various adventure we had, so please stay tuned for more!

 

Tulips

There is something about tulips in all their stages of bloom, that I love. Buds, gently opening, fresh and offering hope for spring. Then, gradually, their stems lilt over the vase edges, and the whole bunch splay and droop. Still, I hold on to them as they start to wither and dry. I snipped spent blooms and laid them on a willow woven basket made by Mike Wolter here in Lunenburg County. I put them in the huge snow bank by my door to photograph them. They look like flames in the snow.

Pine Tree Tones

I often visit this pine tree grove on my daily walks. There is an open meadow in themiddle and the still strength of tree verticals are so restful. The strong verticals are obvious, but my eye is drawn to the soft horizontal lines in the pine needles and moss. Short stacatto horizonal lines break up each tree trunk, the marks of where branches once grew.  This place brings me peace and also upliftment. Soon this will be under a quilt of snow.

 

 

Embroidery Bearing Witness

On September 7th, a fascinating exhibition of South African embroideries will open at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles.  It's called, Bearing Witness: Embroidery as History in Post-Apartheid South Africa It will feature the work of two groups that I've been closely connected to over the past 10 years through my fair trade imports, African Threads and my cultural tours to South Africa.

The Mapula (means Mother of Rain) Embroidery group is from the Winterveld and Kaross , the other group, is from Limpopo Province South Africa. Both groups are featured in the Fowler show. William Worger, who collected most of the pieces for this exhbition, is giving a talk on October 16 at the Fowler, if you're lucky enough to be close by to take it in. Bill is a professor of African history at UCLA.

We'll be visiting both these textile groups (among others) on my tour to South Africa next April. Learn more about this special arts, culture and textile tour here. Here, Bertha and Pinky Resenga hold a Mapula embroidery about community health and water safety, taken when I visited this group about 6 years ago.

This last piece is from the Kaross Group in Limpopo. It is a large embroidered tapesty of the Rain Queen and is part of my collection. Drop me a line if your interested in acquiring any hangings.

Related articles

Grannies in Solidarity

Kaross Embroidery

Indigo-berries

Foraging and berry picking are savoured summer time activites. I don't have far to go. My garden and surrounding woods provide delectable treats. We planted high bush blueberries about 25 years ago, and they're still yielding plentiful berries. This year there'll be enough to freeze  as well.

The dark blue berries makes me wish they could be a dye. I love the tonal variations of the berries as they ripen from  pale green, through soft mauve, plum and into sweet indigo.

We have 7 acres in Mahone Bay and this is one of our woodland paths. We live in what is considered temperate Acadian rain forest. Now, doesn't that sound enticing!

Below is the kitchen table harvest from today's foraging. Chanterelles and purple lacaria mushrooms. The purple lacaria aren't particularly flavourful, but they add a lovely contrast of soft purple to the saffron chanterelles as they simmer in butter and garlic. Ever mindful of colour!

Zulu power shoes!!

Step aside Jimmy Choo, these are Zulu power shoes!

If it stands still, Zulu women will bead it! I've seen everything from beaded teapots to cars. On my recent visit to South Africa, we stopped by Woza Moya – a fabulous bead craft shop run by the Hillcrest AIDS Centre near Durban. It’s filled with stunning beaded necklaces and objects. I spotted these ultimate glass slippers, the envy of any princess. These stilettoes are hand beaded in fine glass beads by a skilled Zulu beader Lindiwe Ngcobo.

This group also beaded a Chair of Life,  a travelling art project that anyone can sit in  to visualize dreams for the future. The beaded chair is a symbolic container of hope.

Hillcrest AIDS Centre is a place of positive energy and creativity. I love visiting them when I’m South Africa. The ladies are constantly coming up with new designs and create a good income from their fine beadwork. Most of the beaders are supporting 10 or more people on their needlework. Some beaders are even employing others and spreading the wealth.

You can visit this group with me on my tour to South Africa next year!

 

Related articles

Grannies in Solidarity

Woza Moya Little Traveller Movies

Woza Moya exhibition that took place at KZNSA Gallery

Not just your everyday chair. Ours is made of Dreams

The Rare African Leprechaun

"With Great Creativity Comes Great Responsibility" using design for change

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150 pairs of Granny Glasses

Thanks to the Lunenburg Rotary Club and the Tantallon Bay Grans for donating 150 pairs of reading glasses. This wonderful pile of glasses is headed to South Africa with me next week.

I'll spend 2 weeks leading a group of 20 people around some of my favourite places. We'll visit various crafts groups to meet the makers. Some of the groups we'll meet are suppliers for African Threads and are self-help, economic empowerment groups. We love visiting these groups of dynamic women how are using their traditional crafts to make gorgeous textiles, beadwork and copper wire work. Many of them are grandmothers.

Tour members bring embroidery threads, reading glasses, sewing equipment and supplies. We learned that getting reading glasses is one of the most useful of gifts. It enables women to continue beading and embroidery and that in turn means the difference between feeding their families or not. Here are photos of some of the women we gave glasses to last year in South Africa.

For information about my tours to South Africa see http://www.africanthreads.ca/south-african-tour/

November Retreat

November now, and it's growing cold. It's also the busiest time of year for me as I prepare for my annual African Threads Christmas Sale.  In the midst of the rush I took four days to go on retreat with some dear friends.  We did drawing exercises, discussed our work, stitched and talked art for four days.

We walked each day in the natural beauty of of the Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Basin. Looking at nature's mark-making in twiggy bushes and bleached branches. Each of us noting how lovely they would look stitched. Breathing salty air, enjoying each mindful moment.

 

We stayed up way too late each night, not wanting to miss a word or waste a drop of our precious moments together.

My cup runneth over. Thank you Penny,  Margi and Judy. wise, dear freinds.

 

The Quilts of Polly Greene

Mary Black Gallery, Halifax, NS July 19 - September 1

I joined Barb Robson and Laurie Swim to co-curate this show of Polly’s personal collection of bed quilts, quilted wall hangings, woven coverlets.  The quilts and woven coverlets are not all pristine; they have been put on beds, washed and used. When faded and worn, quilts still hold the process of making and gain layers of memories and stories.

Polly was on the leading edge of the quilting renaissance in the early 1970's when she was the first teacher to put together a workshop on a Sampler quilt. This led to one of the earliest Canadian quilting publications to be produced for the Nova Scotia Museum.

Polly is an esteemed member of the quilting and fibre arts community in Nova Scotia and was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council. Her work was featured in Traditional Nova Scotian Double-Knitting Patterns by Janetta Dexter (1985 NSM Publication) and Head, Heart and Hands by Jim Lotz (1986 Braemar Pub), and Canadian Living Magazine, among other publications.  Polly’s quilts and woven coverlets are a significant body of work and an important cultural contribution to Nova Scotia. 

Every stitch in Polly’s quilts and every shuttle thrown in a woven cloth is a recorded moment in her life and a creative expression for her love of textiles. A life filled with the making of her hands, is a most abundant life indeed. We honour and celebrate the lifetime contribution and work of Polly Greene.

Photo credit: Kate Inglis

 

 

 

Fusing black outlines

via andsewitgoes.blogspot.ca

Terry Grant recently blogged about an interesting technique she's figured out. Using Liquid Thread, Terry creates dark outlines behind the applique shapes. It give a dramatic look and great effect. You can see her step by step instructions on her blog. Thanks for sharing this Terry!

Grannies in Solidarity

This hand embroidered square was made by the Intuthuko Sewing Group from Etwatwa Township near Johannesburg. There is wonderful solidarity between Grandmothers in Africa and Canada.  To learn more about the remarkable Grandmothers Campaign to support African Grannies, check out the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers site. If you're interested in more of these charming embroidered squares, please get in touch with me and I'll send you photos. They range in price from $20 to $40.

via threadlink.typepad.com

Thrummed socks for cozy toes

There’s a blizzard today. I love blizzards when I’m safe indoors with cozy woodstove going. It feels like a gift of a day off from normal routine. A day off to curl up and read and sip my herbal tea.

I want to tell you how much I love my Newfoundland thrummed socks. I feel the cold terribly, and am always looking for the best way to keep my feet warm.  Our old farmhouse, while snug, has old wooden floors that can be a bit cold. Thrummed socks are just about the warmest thing I own.

Thrum knitting is a Newfoundland tradition, their answer for sheepskin slippers. Thrums are whisps of unspun fleece that are knit into the inside, creating a cocoon of fluffy wool. Oh, so toasty!  My photo shows one sock turned inside out to reveal the thrums.   You can have thrummed hats and mitts too.  Yarn Harlot has photos showing how to knit thrums into socks.

Here is a free knitting pattern for Newfoundland thrummed socks. You can find a pattern for mittens as well.

 If you don’t knit, like me, you can buy thrummed socks at the Craft Council Shop in St. John’s. I highly recommend them.

Here is my husband shovelling out from today's blizzard.

Ndebele village Scene

It’s January, and freezing cold here in Nova Scotia. So when this tapestry arrived from South Africa the other day, it felt like a gift of sunshiny heat.

via threadlink.typepad.com

Venice Floats Softly

I just spent 3 weeks in Wales and Italy. Contrasting countries with a curious connection - canals. The trip was my 60^th birthday present from Veryan. Sweet, huh? I’ve longed to get to Venice since I was in Italy  40 years ago. Then, at 20, Florence was cold and I spent long hours in the Uffizi keeping warm and learning about the Old Masters.

We started our holiday in N.E. Wales spending 6 days on a narrow boat barge on the canals in impossibly vivid green fields. The guys maneuvered the absurdly long 55 ft barge at 4 mph and my sister said "Stand back, I'm doing the cooking!", and produced fabulous meals: Welsh roast lamb, Welsh cheeses, meats and cakes and the best bacon I've ever eaten! A happy time messing about in boats…I’m sure I saw Ratty and Mole in the reeds. See my photos of Wales .

Then to Italy, a rich feast of visual delights, like a huge box of truffles. You nibble on each one, wanting more and knowing you just can’t take it all in. Italy album. 

Art, art and more art. I loved revisiting Botticelli at the Uffizi in Florence, still sublime and sensual 500 years later, despite thousands of other sharing the moment. In Venice, we hapened upon inspiring contemporary art shows connected with the Architecture Biennale.  One was Bertil Vallien’s  solo show of art glasswork. Vallien worked with traditional glass artists of Murano Island, who shared their ancient techniques.  The work was set in a palace on the Grand Canal and Venice reflected in the work. The pieces were so deeply moving: we left understanding how art changes one’s life.

We walked 10 hours a day savouring every second. In Florence, the massive Duomo, like a big wedding cake iced in pink, white and green marble, made me gasp. Next to the Duomo was this charming shop-owner who I thought looked snappy in his stripes!

 Venice floats like a dream, quietly. The city is soft, watery light and utterly entrancing. The canals are busy, but without cars, the little streets are quiet.

Then there's Siena. A walled city with few cars. Oh, the colors! So faded and gentle: muted amber, rose, tawny mushroom colours of earth. I want to make a quilt with Siena colors. I think I'll have to do a whole blog devoted to the soft old colors of Italy.

This is the palace that housed the exhibition by Bertial Vallien. The show was called Nine Rooms.

 

Dessert with an Extraordinary Quilter

Every year the Mahone Bay Quilters prepare a feast of desserts that covers 2 banquet tables. We invite an Extraordinary Quilter to be our speaker thus creating the perfect combination of desserts and quilts. This event, Dessert with an Extraordinary Quilter, was the brainchild of Barb Robson and has been going for 12 years.

This year Lynne Edwards from England was our E.Q. What a treat! Lynne is loved for her fine quilts, her wit and wisdom. We all so enjoyed Lynne’s compassionate humour as she spoke to our hearts and had us laughing all evening.

“Relax everyone, its sewing,” reminded Lynne. “Don’t take it all so seriously. Do what you love, learn from others. Share. Be kind”. In essence, this is what quilting is about. See our guild blog for Barb's photos of Lynne’s workshops and the dessert party.

Lynne was my house-guest and it was precious to spend time catching up with each other’s lives as we reminisced on shared adventures from the past 20 years.

We visited PennyBerens  in Granville Ferry, NS. Penny showed us her stitched journal. Penny has started hand embroidering a 6” line of stitches for each day. Even though it’s only 4 months into the scroll, it has the look of something ancient, sacred. We were both moved to see it. 

 

Lynne holding one of Penny’s quilts in Lynne’s favourite colours: "dreary”.

 

 

Heart

Here is my Valentine's Day heart. I'm very taken with wool these days. It's a dream to stitch and the hand dyed colours are lovely. I'm lucky to have two rug hooking stores in my town. The wool they supply is called Dorr wool. It's a thick, luscious weave that doesn't fray when cut.  I'm stitching a series of hearts. Happy Valentine's Day.

New take on the sampler quilt.

I drove down to the States recently and one of my stops was in Concord, near Boston where I spent 2 nights with my good friend Marianne Hatton. Marianne and I have a lot in common. Besides both being quilters, we are both originally South African. We always have a great deal to talk about over our rooibos tea.

It was great to visit Marianne’s studio and see current work on her studio wall. Marianne has just written a new book that is an exciting, fresh new take on the sampler quilt. Very impressive. It offers a creative new twist on the sampler.

Here is Marianne holding the quilt from the cover of her book, Simply Dynamic Sampler Quilts which is published by American Quilter Society. Here Marianne and I stand in front of her design wall with a new sampler quilt unfolding on it. I admired her wonderful little Elna Lotus which is sitting in front of us. Do you remember those litle gems? The perfect little workshop sewing machine. Snap one up if you see one! 

The first Elna Lotus I used belong to my freind Annie. We were about 18 and Annie lent me her little treasure to sew a dress on. Aah, back in the day when we made out own dresses...remember?

Fantasy landscape challenge

I had fun putting together this sampler of landscape fabrics  from my stash. It was the prize offered on my Landscape Quilt Group. We held a challenge last month to make a "Fantasy Landscape". Then members of the group voted on the 3 favorites. Winners were Heather Lair, Vickie Swann and Juanita Sauve. It was a great line up of very inventive and inspiring small landscapes made by the talented members of this group. The 2 runners-up each one a yard of teflon pressing sheet.

We had so much fun with this challenge we wanted to do another. So the current challenge is "Rain,Drizzle,Fog"... a landscape to interpret what many of us were experiencing this cold and rainy spring in North America. Heather Lair is offering 2 pieces of her hand painted sky fabric as the prize! Now that's an incentive! We can't wait to see the entries. The deadline is end of June. 

We welcome you to join our group and join in our challenge or take part in our post card exchanges. We're an international group with members from Ireland, South Africa, Finland, Australia and all over Canada and the USA. One of the greatest things is our photo albums which are a rich and inspiring source of small landscapes from our members.

Northcott steps up!

This just in from patti Carey of Nortcott Fabrics in Canada:

Northcott has been contacted by several interested and concerned quilters asking if we would be able to assist in getting quilts to the earthquake/tsunami victims in Japan.  The answer is YES.  At this point, we have agreed to collect quilts until end April.  We will then ship them to Japan, to the editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin Magazine.
The quilts should be NEW, and anything from crib to twin/double is acceptable, though twin is preferred.  Due to the difficulty in shipping quilts across the US border, we are asking that only quilts from Canadian addresses be shipped to Northcott.  Kindly ship the quilts to:
                Northcott – Quilts for Japan
                101 Courtland Ave.
                Vaughan, ON
                L4K 3T5
Any quilters in the USA can contact equilter.com, as they are collecting quilts from US addresses.

Comfort Quilts for Japan: Update

Since march 17th, I've been in close contact with Naomi Ichikawa, Editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin, Japan's premier quilting magazine based in Tokyo.  Naomi asked me to help spread the word about quilts for the disaster relief, here in Canada and other countries.

We have seen an outpouring of concern and support.  Here's some basic information. I'll update this blog as I get new information from Japan.

They request new quilts only.

Send  quilts to Japan after the end of May. Addressed to:

Naomi Ichikawa, Editor,  Tohoku Kanto Earthquake Relief,
Patchwork Tsushin Co., Ltd.,
2-21-2, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo, JAPAN 113-0034

Customs Declaration: Please mark on the package Relief goods for the affected people of Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.   

Description of contents: Don't use the word quilt, rather write bed linens, bedding or blankets instead of "quilts".

Value of Goods: Please list a low value of between $50 - $100. This will avoid duty in Japan.

Collection Points: 

South Africa:  Rene Hollenbach reports they have managed to get a company to ship quilts to Japan.
 MCC Plant Hire in conjunction with DHL will arrange for the delivery of the quilts. Send quilts to:
A. Coulson
Acacia  Street  2(b)
Riverdal, 6670, South Africa.

USA:

Please contact eQuilter direclty about shipping quilts from the USA.

 http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/quiltsforjapan.html

.First shipment to Japan in about 30 days by the U.S. Air Force.   Mission of Love  is sending quilts through their own distribution channels.

Thanks to Bente Vold Klausen for help in Norway, my cousin, Leigh Toselli for spreading the word in South Africa, Christine Porter in the UK, Patricia Cummings in the USA...and so many others, it's simply not possible to name you all, but hearfelt thanks to you all.

 

Quilt by Gayle Thomas - NFB

via www.nfb.ca

Soul soothing stitches

There are few things more nurturing and soul soothing than stitching with dear freinds. This past week I met with five dear fabric freinds to stitch and talk and eat and stitch some more. Bliss. Janet, Judy and Margi and I met at Penny's lovely studio in Granville Ferry Nova Scotia, ducking in between snow storms to spend time together.
I worked on  a couple of small free form collages just simply laying down fabric and stitching. Ah, hand stitching is so soothing. I'm going to do much more of it.

We tried out a bit of snow dyeing, which was fun, but the results were rather uninspiring.

I"ve come home with a list of inspring books that must be acquired, poems, quotes and feeling so supported.

Art of the Grandmothers

Bonnie Samuel asked me to write a guest blog about one of the stitchery groups that I buy textiles from in South Africa. I chose to talk about Isipethu  - Zulu for "going to the fountain" - as this group makes the most fascinating collages in appliqué and embroidery. 
What I find fascinating is that these women are telling actual stories form their daily lives and observations on how women are treated, cultural events and interesting incidents.  I hope you get a chance to read about this piece called Wife Number Two by Sheila Mobaso from KawZulu Natal. This cheery looking textile really has a darker story behind it and I explain it all in Bonnie's blog:

 

Present from Sulky

A fabulous box of Sulky goodies arrived at my door recenlty. Joyce Drexler of Sulky America asked me to submit a project for her latest techniques book. I sent in this landscape called Autumn Oak which is from my second book, Points of View: Small Quilts to Stitch and Embellish.  I used FabriSolvy to make the leaves for the tree. It's a water soluble stabilizer, but firm enough to stitch with out a hoop - I don't like machine stitching with a hoop…or hand stitching with a hoop either, for that matter.

As a thanks for my contribution, Joyce sent me a fabulous box of Sulky goodies. I can't wait to try out some of these great products. Many different stabilizers and also very fine weight thread that flows through the machine like silk.

A Textile Diaspora

A Textile Diaspora. I am drawn to stories expressed in cloth and was delighted by this slide show and article about African textile artist, Yves Appolinaire Kpede and his fascinating appliqué collage quilts and hangings. The quilts and hangings talk about the history of the African people and the essential stories of our species, the ones that tell truths inspire and terrify.
 
Yves lively West African tradition of pictographic appliqué textiles are similar to Ghana’s asafo flags.  The Fon-Yoruba roots of his work relate to the traditional textiles  of Haiti, Cuba and Brazil where art practices come from West African origins.
 
I learned about this artist from the wonderful Hand/Eye magazine, which I highly recommend. You can subscribe for their online email magazine, but I heartily recommend subscribing to their paper magazine - they're keepers. Click on the link for this article and you'll learn all about Hand/Eye.

You're invited to visit South Africa with me!

Tour dates 5^th to 20^th April 2011 

 Prepare to be deeply touched by the power of Africa on this magical journey for lovers of arts, culture, and nature. With the help of South African quilt artist and tour-operator, Odette Tolksdorf, I’ve designed a fabulous 15 day tour to reflect my passion for South Africa.

I’ll show you “my South Africa”, the land where I was born and grew up. I’ll share an authentic taste of the culture and the power of its nature. Renowned for its stunning beauty, diverse tribal cultures, wildlife and rich decorative arts, South Africa is endlessly photogenic and intriguing.   

 

   We’ll travel with sensitivity to local customs, and with curiosity about this evolving society. And, of course, fabulous food will sustain us each day that’s packed with fascinating activities. Accommodations range from mountain lodges, a traditional Zulu village and an unforgettable night in a wildlife preserve. There are limited places on the tour, so please book early so please contact me for the full details.

Here’s just a small sampling of the highlights:

 * In Johannesburg we’ll visit Origins Museum to learn about the ancient roots of African civilization, then visit Soweto to see Nelson Mandela’s house.

 • Overnight in the oldest wildlife reserve in Africa in KwaZulu Natal to view rhino, hippo, zebra and amazing bird spotting while soaking in the incomparable stillness oun-touched African bushveld.

 * Fascinating architectural areas like the Malay Quarter in Cape Town, Zulu villages and painted houses of the Ndebele tribe.

 *  Overnight in historic Stellenbosch in the heart of the world famous Cape wine lands. .

* Meet traditional artisans in women’s craft collectives and learn about their lives and buy their gorgeous work at source.

* Art and craft museums with rich collections of Zulu baskets, pottery, and traditional costumes – a culture lover’s dream!
 

* From Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, take a short boat ride to famous Robben Island, the prison that held Nelson Mandela for 23 years.   

*  Relax in the majestic beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains and view ancient Bushman rock painting up close.

* Unique cultural shopping experiences include upscale craft galleries, Durban’s vibrant Indian Market, an AIDS Centre and rural roadside markets. Of course, we’ll make sure there’s opportunity to shop for fabric and spectacular crafts!!

The cost is $6,350 and you can save $100 per person when booking with a roommate.

Want more information? Email me to request the full, detailed itinerary that shows all the amazing things we’ll do, and registration details [email protected] 

Soccer and those vuvuzelas!

Oh, you just have to give in and watch a bit of world cup soccer, even if you're not a sports fan. I admit I'm not, but who can resist? I admit I've also given in to the vuvuzelas. You know, those loud horns that the fans blast out, smothering all other sounds. They sound like a massive bee hive.  I've been receiving a lot of new wall hangings and embroideries from South Africa with the soccer theme. They are utterly charming!  

This is a tiny piece from Isipethu. 8" x 9" It shows the fans with vuvuzelas, one with an umbrella for the sun - they are walikng to the stadium to watch their team: Bafana Bafana.  I've listed this little piece, along with some others on my Etsy site. If you're intersted plese check it out at www.africanthreads.etsy.com

Oh Mexico!

Recently I had my first visit to Mexico. Now I get it!    Now I understand why it’s so inspiring! It’s about colour; deep, strong and unabashed color. Oh, we’re such a restrained culture. Really, you have to get out to the East coast before you start to see some decent brightly coloured houses in Canada!

 

 Imagine living in a butter-yellow town? This is Izamel on the Yucatan. It also had a huge egg-yolk-yellow Franciscan monastery with red doors.  

 

 These pink glowing arches were in the courtyard of the monastery. 

And, of course there are the graveyards! I’d love to be buried in such a cheerful graveyard! My regular walk with the dog is through our local cemetery. Uniform granite markers in sombre black, white, grey, and occasionally, rose. It’s restful, serious and sad. Imagine being overseen by this bright peach chapel? How up lifting I found this Mexican cemetery. Hmmm....I wonder what it would be like to have one of these little colourful houses plunked in the middle of one of our graveyards.    
 

      

The tiny stones laid the pink wall of this hotel reminded me of quilting patterns. Now I get why quilters are crazy for Mexico! the the color, the texture and the amazing compositions!

Have you been inspired by Mexico’s colour? Do you have brightly coloured buildings where you live?

 

Tonight I'm off to London to see the V&A quilt show! I'll write about that in a couple of weeks. Happy spring!
 

Quilter’s Dessert Party. Yum!

Sharon Pederson was our guest for Mahone Bay Quilter’s Guild 10^{th Extraordinary Quilter Dessert Party on April 8th. Quilters and great food}

are a match made in heaven! We filled 2 banquet tables with sweet bounty. Invited guest Johanna Alford, Pres. of the Canadian Quilters Association, joined Laurie Swim and Barb Robson at the dessert party.

 

 

Sharon Pederson and Laurie Swim in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.  

 

What a treat to spend time with Sharon. Her workshops were a great success and we loved learning about her Rose of Sharon  project involving hundreds of quilt block designers and collaboration with various companies to benefit the The Alzheimer's Art Quilt 

 

The Weight of Their Stitches

My friend Bonnie Samuel asked me to write a guest blog for http://bonniesamueldesigns.com/blog/

/on my 6 weeks with women's sewing groups in South Africa. I've talked about it here but I thought you'd like to read about some of the powerful experiences that I had. Heart-warming and heart wrenching expereinces as I saw the effects of the Tsunami of HIV/AIDS. Read how women are using sewing skills to stitch body and soul together. The needle is literally saving their lives.

Bamboo bandwagon

. Many quilters are concerned that cotton cultivation uses the greatest amounts of chemicals of almost any crop. So I was relieved when I saw new environmentally sensitive batt products appearing:Pale green colored batting from Quilter's Dream,which is made from shredded 7-Up pop bottles, and also bamboo batting. I decided to investigate bamboo a little more. 

Bamboo is the new sweetheart of fashion, gorgeous drape and feel and we can feel good about it’s “green” credentials. Bamboo is good for the environment, were told. But is it all good news? Scratch the surface and it turns out there are dark problems. I recently came across this excellent information resource for organic clothing and cloth:

http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/09/bamboo-facts-be.html

I recommend that you check out this site and become more informed about organic cotton vs. bamboo. The skinny is:

Bamboo is a very good thing for the environment to cultivate, but the process for turn it into fibre is exactly the same harsh chemical process used to turn woodchips into viscose for rayon. It’s this secondary process that is very harmful to the people who work in the factories and the environment where the chemicals get dumped. I’m sticking with organic cotton batting which has been my favourite for about 15 years. But guess what? Hobbs is phasing it out due to low demand. So better snap it up while you can. When organic cotton batt is no longer available, I’ll be switching to my other favourite batt that’s always been in fashion: pure, renewable, environmentally friendly wool!

 

 

Embroidery Threads

I squished this enormous pile of embroidery threads into a large suitcase and carried them to South Africa; gifting them to the women I met. About 2 years ago packages of threads started arriving in the mail when word got out that I was taking threads to women’s groups in South Africa. When I gave talks, women brought bags of threads they no longer wanted and often donated brand new bags of floss. Margaret de Carvalho of the Mother’s Union heard my talk about African Threads and determined that the Mother’s Union was going to “fill a hockey bag” of threads for the African stitchers. Gulp! That’s a lot of thread! Margaret put out the word and a deluge of threads arrived from as far away as Ontario.

 

What a pleasure to give the threads directly to the stitchers in 5 different embroidery groups in S.A. Mapula, which means Mother of Rain, is one of the embroidery groups I visited. They were founded about 14 years ago and it’s a vital economic source for about 145 women in the rural Winterveld area north of Pretoria. Their embroidered hangings have become collector items.

Here I am with some of the Mapula Embroiderers.

 

Group of the Mapula Embroiderers in front of one of their wonderful painted Winterveld houses. 

Here’s a sampling of beaded ceremonial and initiation dolls from the ‘Ndebele people that I now have available through African Threads. You can find more works on my Etsy Site.

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Wonderful Wooly Retreats on spinning, dyeing, felting workshop s in the heart of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia on the beautiful Watershed Organic Farm. Workshops start on 31 July. Treat yourself to exquisite organic food, textiles and friends. Run by Pollination Project.  There’ll be more interesting workshops from this group so I’ve put a permanent link in the sidebar for this group.

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Be sure to visit  the delightful new web site of Margi Hennen – doll maker, wise-woman and humorist.  I just love these dolls! this one is titled John Lennon Lives on in Maria's Heart.

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Our on-line landscape group has grown to almost 300. There is a very active landscape postcard exchange. Small groups sign up to exchange cards and goodness… the beautiful cards they make are truly inspiring! We also have a stash-building fabric noodle exchange, landscape challenges and a lovely exchange of support and ideas. Come on over! We’d love to have you join us and check out our abundant photo albums for landscape inspiration. See the link in the side bar.

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 Beyond the Horizon – Small Landscape Appliqué, my long out of print book is now available as an e-book download from C&T publishing. There have been many calls for it to be reprinted and now you can have your own copy for the reasonable price o $14.99.  It can be ordered through the “buy now” affiliate button in the left side bar or on my home page. 

Mapula Cloth by Elizabeth Mogano

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Mapula Cloth by Elizabeth Mogan
Originally uploaded by African Threads

I've just returned from 6 weeks in South Africa. It was a truly rich and fascinating time. Veryan and I visited 9 women's groups in various parts of S.Africa including the group called Mapula which means "Mother of Rain". I'll be posting more stories from my travels and what I learned by talking with women in South Africa: how they deal with their poverty, their courage and optimism and how the work of their needle keeps them and their families going.

I'll let you know when I've updated my Flickr site so you can see more wonderful folk art available through African Threads.

Granny's Overwhelmed

I received a shipment of wall hangings from KwaZulu Natal just before Christmas. This one is made by Sheila Msimbi and depicts a Grandmother with many grandchildren to look after: they're jumping, climbing and hiding from her. This small tapestry illustrates exactly why the Grandmother-to-Grandmothers Campaign was founded: to support these un-sung heros who care for the millions of HIV/AIDS orphans. While the bright colors and folk art deisgn of this tapesty is joyful, the truth is that Grandmothers are truly overwhelmed by poverty, ill health and so many mouths to feed.

Granny's Overwhelmed  12" x 14.5" Hand embroidery, appliqué, cotton.
Sheila supports 12 people with her stitchery.

My trusty, rusty sewing machine

Well ... it's not really trusty! I found this treasure washed up on the beach in La Have, Nova Scotia and simply had to bring it home. I photographed it with  luscious organic silk squares from Thailand that I bought from Tammachat a small fair trade  business that buys 100% pure silk
textiles from women's groups.  Ellen and Alleson, who live here in Nova Scotia, spend 4 months a year working closely with the spinner and weavers in Thailand and Laos.

What is truly unique about these silks is that they are all dyed with natural dyes from local plants that the women gather in a traditional and sustainable way.  Buying their work keeps traditional practices of organic silkworm farming  and natural dyes alive and sustains the women in their communities so they don't have to go to the cities to work, thus loosing traditional weaving skills.

Here is an example of the natural dyed silks used in a small  art quilt by Laurie Swim. what I adore about these silks is the range of color and texture - the most subtle to vivid.
Tammachat  has an Etsy shop  where you can buy sampler quilt squares. Or vist the Tammachat
on-line store you'll  love the range of exqusite scarves and shawls!

So that covers Nova Scotia, Thailand and Laos, let's see what's up in dear old England.





 Helen Cowans lives in the UK and has started writing this fabulous blog about the history of embroidery - holy moly, talk about not being daunted by a big task! Helen will post each weekend and you can sign up and follow along and learn a lot of fascinating history. Helen starts at 900AD and provides books and links to find out more.This will be a fabulous blog to follow and learn a lot about history.
And, if you're intersted in contemporary British embroidery I recommend visiting the Embroiderers Guild for inspiration. I particularly like to check out the links on this site.

Being part of the Commonwealth, we Canadians love to see what the Royals are  doing particularly when it's quilt related! Visit this wonderful video** Royals stay in new Welsh home **Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are stayed for the first time in their Welsh home during the royal couple's summer tour. Their wonderful Welsh farmhouse has been beautifully appointed with antique Welsh quilts.

As you can see from the links in the sidebars, I'm now part of Facebook and I hope you'll join me there. I've also started a brand new blog about the art, stories and issues facing women in South Africa. Importing these fascinating textiles is a major passion for me. I'm planning a trip to South Africa in April to both teach and visit the women I buy embroideries from.

 My most heartfelt wishes for a peaceful, healthful 2009 to you all!

Quilter's Dessert Party

What cakes would "Piece O'Cake" quilt designers make? What does Darlene Christopherson bake to win her son-in-law's heart? Do you want to make Rum Balls like Lorraine Torrence or Pavlova like CBC radio's Shelagh Rogers? Find out in this exceptional dessert book.

My guild, the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild, produced this recipe book based on our annual "Dessert with an Extraordinary Quilter" event where we invite a fabulous speaker and have tables laden with scrumptious desserts. We decided to invite extraordinary quilters from all over to submit their favourite desserts for this book.

Ami Simms sent her Grandma’s Kichel cookies, Debbie Caffrey sent Christmas Rush Cookies and Paula Nadlestern sent her favourite Chocolate Meringues recipe. I’m picking baskets of apples from my trees these days and Judy Mathieson’s Apple Brownies are a treat, as is my very own recipe for Apple ’n Cheese tort. Staying with fall fruit, Jean Ray Laury shared two easy and delectable recipes made with pears and peaches. Naomi Ichikawa, editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin in Japan sent a fig recipe from her Turkish friend – just to round out the diverse international flavours of this exceptional book.

Whip up Bethany Reynolds Decadent Fudge recipe and Linda Carlson’s Millionaires Pie – so quick and easy, just they way we quilters like it. Included are keepers from Jo Diggs, Ann Bird, Sharyn Craig, Judy Morningstar, Georgia Bonesteel, Judy Dales and Quilters Hall of Fame Inductee, Virginia Avery. And this is just the half of it! Many more yummy deserts from extraordinary quilters are included.

Hold your own quilter’s dessert party using these recipes. Order a copy for the bargain price of $10 + $4 (Canadian $) or  $8 + $3.50 (US$) for shipping and handling. Send a check to Val Hearder at Box 690 Mahone Bay, N.S. B0J 2E0 Canada, and I’ll ship your book off, ready for your next quilting bee and Christmas. Come to think of it, it’s the perfect quilter’s gift! All proceeds for our guild’s education fund.

Landscapes to bid on

Ami Simms wrote the other day to say there is a special bid on a group of 4 mini landscape quilts all made by quilters Rosemary Garza and Noel Ann McCord of Beaumont, Texas. This is their Seasons Of Life series made after taking a "cut and collage" landscape workshop with me.

Check out this remarkable fundraising event visit Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative which was started by Ami who has raised over $156,000 since 2006 for Alzheimers Disease. Perhaps you'd like to donate a small quilt to this wonderful on-going event?

Almost

I had a call this afternoon from my textile friends who collected the found quilts from the police. The police wanted to photograph all the quilts before they released them.

It's not a complete retrieval. None of my teaching materials, teaching demos and slides have been included in the haul. Further, I'd tucked some of my small framed collages and landscapes into my plastic teaching portfoilos. They are still lost. Still, I'm counting my blessings and VERY happy to have the most important pieces back! The out-pouring of support from everyone has been the biggest blessing of all.

I just can't wait to get them safely home!
best,
Val

Billy found the quilts.

Billy Jordan found the quilts while walking in the woods. Apparently nature called....... read about it in the Chronicle Herald:

(hmmmm, I can't get this link to work, but if you're interested, cut and paste this link
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Search/1063500.htmlinto your browser or, for the story and a photo or.... read it on my Facebook page!)

Tomorrow I have to make arrangements with textile friends from the Anna Templeton Centre for Fibre Arts in St. John's to collect the works. I'll update this blog as new links and developments happen.
Val

Found!

Friday 20 June:  This afternoon a journalist from a t.v. station in St. John's phoned to say that a young man had called the station to say he'd found my quilts. The journalist interviewed the fellow, and saw my quilts and they aired the story this evening.  I'm told  they are undamaged. They were found in 2 plastic garbage bags on a well used path - obviously dumped there today. I spoke with the finder who handed the quilts to the police and I am waiting to hear from the police

I'm thrilled and overwhelmed. The out-pouring of support and care from everyone has been so heartening.
So many were positive they would be found - and I knew that if magic could happen in any city, it would be St. John's where there is a big heart and everyone cares. I heard from a quilter in St. John's this evening who said even her postman asked everyday if the quilts had shown up yet. When the quilts were stolen a local t.v. station contacted me to say the whole town was pulling for me! I love St. John's!

I've seen my work published in many forms over the years, but taping up "Reward" posters of my quilts was one of the most disheartening things I've done. I could only think of them as "Lost" - because that meant they
could be found. So it is!

Thank you everyone for your kind emails and calls. I may not be able to respond to them all but, please know that I'm very grateful for your positive thoughts and care.
Love Val

Lost Quilts

Yes, sadly, it's true.
2 suitcases were taken from the locked trunk of my car just after the Quilt Canada conference here in St. John's Newfoundland. I've lost a significant body of work.
Flamboyant
Tropic of Capricorn
Fertility
Several small wall hangings and collages
Almost all of the landscapes from my new book "Points of View"
Also gone are all my teaching samples, slides etc.

Flamboyant in on the homepage of my web site and I'd just borrowed it back from a collector here in St. John's for an exhibition in August.

I still need to make a complete inventory when I get back home to Nova Scotia, so will keep you posted later on next week. In the mean time, keeping an eye on eBay, Kijiji St. Johns', Freecycle web sites and flea markets in the St. John's area are one way to perhaps spot them. Phone the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary if you do. A reward has been posted around this town for their return. There are optimistic people here in St. John's who feel they just may turn up. So, positive thoughts are gratefully received!

I've had an outpouring of support from quilters around the globe. You are all so wonderful and positive. I'll try and respon to you all later on next week.

Right now, I'm staying with my original plan to have a short vacation on the coast of Newfoundland.
I'll post again when I have news and when I can get back to my computer and access to photos.

best,
Val
p.s. I still love Newfoundland!!

Warmest congratulations to Lynne Edwards, English quilter who has been awarded the highest citizen award in the Commonwealth: M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) for her contribution to the Arts through her quilting. The award will be present by H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July. Watch for Lynne's new book “Cathedral Window Quilt” due out this summer. That’s me and Lynne on the right with the Bay of Fundy as a backdrop.

Magazines
Joe Lewis is a textile artist living Toronto and is passionate about promoting Canadian textile art. He’s developed a slick e-zine fibreQUARTERLY which includes an anthology in a downloadable PDF format. fQ explores and celebrates contemporary Canadian Textile and Fibre Art. Go into this web site and click on the “Popular artcraft” Link and see the work of Bettina Matzkuhn, British Columbia, also the “Art cloth Text” blog link.
fQ Volume 4 Issue 2 Spring 2008 is now on line. They’re always looking for preview/promotional material about up and coming exhibitions as well as reviews. If you have story ideas please feel free to get in touch with Joe. Subscribe and support Canadian textile arts.

Another Canadian magazine, this one on real paper, is called  A Needle Pulling Thread. It features Canadian textile arts and has lot of projects.

Crazy Quilts Magazine on-line. When I was at Quilt Festival, I had a lovely visit with Barbara Blankenship who writes for Crazy Quilt. It's published quarterly and has lots of articles on stitching, embellishments and beading. Barbara kindly wrote a rather lovely article about me and my book, which  I’m pleased to say has gone into second printing and going strong.

African Threads
Isn't this fabulous car? It's and appliqué made by Dudu who lives in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. This is one of the pieces I’ve recently brought in for my African Threads project. The people in the car are leaning out of the windows as a tortoise crosses the road. I love the exploding perspective. Please visit African Threads for charming embroideries and to support the Grandmother’s of Africa.

Art Design and Visual Thinking
Who’d have thought that you could take a Cornell University level course on Design? Well, here is a site so rich with information that you could take a year or two to work through it. What a fabulous resource! Cornell University lecturer Charlotte Jirousek covers: Language of Design: Form, Pattern, Line, Balance, rhythm, etc. There is also discussion of Creativity and the Design process. It’s an entry-level, introductory course, and no special skills or background is needed.

Paper Dolls
Lark Books has a new paper doll book on the shelf called Artful Paper Dolls. It's an energetic hardcover with a brief history of Paper Dolls, featured artists and a gallery. Among the many inspiring artists included are Margi Hennen and Kathryn Beltzer – two talented and funny women whom I’m glad to call friends! You'll enjoy the exceptional dolls these women make.

On-line Landscape Group
In November I started a new on-line group for anyone interested in landscape quilts, big and small. We have a really lovely group on-line with a fabulous Gallery of photos by members – and there’s a lot of talent and great sharing going on. You are most welcome to join in the discussion!

"Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality."
- The Dalai Lama

Till next time - happy Spring!

Yikes! The “quilt police”!

Yup, that’s me, at Quilt Festival in Houston, handcuffed by Lieutenant J.R. Johnson of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. I met the Lt. in Janet Rice-Bredin’s  booth where we were chatting with Sharon Pederson during Quilt Market. We offered him chocolates when he wasstrolling the aisles. He told us he was responsible for arresting the fellow who threw bleach on a quilt several years ago, an act that shocked the quilt world. ” Wow!" I said, " That makes you a quilt hero! Can I get my photo taken with you?” “Sure.” said Lt. Johnson, in that gracious Southern way, “Will that be cuffed or un-cuffed?”

Besides the inspiring quilts and the great shopping what I relish about Quilt Festival is wonderful people I meet. I’ve been lucky enough to teach at Quilt Festival for 19 years and I’ve loved every visit. This year 5,000 students took classes from 138 teachers, and it seems to run like clockwork. You can see the stunning quilts winners here at www.quilts.com

Quilt of Belonging Canada’s monumental quilt installation dazzled and touched viewers at Quilt Festival this year. It was a star attraction. It was great to meet Esther Bryant who was presented with a proclamation from the Mayor of Houston, making October 31st "Quilt of Belonging Day" in Houston. It was a proud moment for Canadians in Houston. If you don’t know about this remarkable quilt, please check out the web site and order the book. Highly recommended!

New! On-line landscape quilt group
I love keeping in touch and connecting and sharing information so I’ve started a new chat group for landscape quilters.  Anyone interested in sharing information about the landscapes they have made is very welcome. Go to www.groups.yahoo.com/ and search for ValerieHearderLandscapeQuiltGroup. Please check it out and  add your voice and images. I'd love to hear from you. We’re growing fast and we’re really looking forward to seeing your work

African Threads
I’m excited about my new small business that is near and dear to my heart. I’m importing hand-embroidered textiles from South Africa. My goal is to create economic activity for the women’s’ groups on a Fair Trade basis. In addition, I donate 15% of the profits to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to ease the suffering of HIV/AIDS Sufferers in Africa. In particular, I’m supporting the Grandmother-to-Grandmother Campaign. The Grandmothers in Africa are struggling in dire circumstances to cope with the millions of orphans left by the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping Africa. It is not unusual for a granny to be caring for upwards of 20 children. See the Grandmother link in the side column.
Visit www.africanthreads.ca for more details. To buy a gorgeous “Grandmothers of Africa” t-shirts and more, visit my new Etsy craft shop site for a variety of charming folk art textiles from South Africa. They make heartfelt Christmas gifts and are light to mail and support women in Africa.

December 1 is World AIDS Day. Oh, and should you happen to be in Mahone Bay on Sunday 2nd December for the Father Christmas Festival, drop by the Mahone Bay Centre and see my African Threads.

Creativity Coaching Course
My friend Mary Holdgrafer has a new online course Creativity Coaching for Textile Artists. I’ve known Mary for many years and know her to be a deeply compassionate and wise teacher. No need to travel; learn the skills to be a productive artist, all in the comforts of your own home. Mary has combined her own experience with extensive training to create a coaching course especially for textile artists. To learn more about the class and Mary’s expertise and to register (click here). While you’re at Mary’s web site, sign up for her newsletter Exploring Creativity for inspiring essays and great quilt artist’s profiles.

Carol Weibe is a mixed media artist Kitchener Ontario and we recently shared some correspondence. I really enjoyed Carol’s work and her interesting blog where I found this thoughtful quote from Annie Dillard in The Writing Life. It applies to all creative endeavors, including relationships, which really are the ultimate creative endeavour!

"One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is a signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly is lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes."

–Annie Dillard

Blessed Holiday Season to you all.
Take time to just breath and enjoy good health and cheer.
Valerie

Points of View:
My second book on small landscapes is hot off the press and in quilt stores as of  mid-September. I’m delighted to have worked with Martingale Publishing to produce this book.

Points of View: Landscape quilts to Stitch and Embellish

My book centers around 10 projects using an easy pattern method I’ve developed using tracing paper to create lovely landscapes ready to frame or stitch into wall hangings. Each project incorporates an embellishment technique like fusible appliqué, paint sticks, transfer paints, coloured pencils and vanishing muslin,stitchery and more.

You can find the book in your local quilt store or order a copy from me – and I’ll sign it for you! I’ll be adding some new products to my online store that are used in the book: iridescent paint sticks, fabric crayons, and heat transfer paints.
Click here to read more details about the book. My advance author copy arrives by courier tomorrow!

WORKSHOPS coming up soon:

Collage: Fabric Constructions: I’m teaching in my hometown Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. September 17–19, Registration deadline August 27th run by Mahonne Arts.
Using fusible appliqué techniques, this workshop explores a fresh way to look at the design process and encourages participants to trust their own artistic vision and intuition. Work in a spontaneous way with the fabric to make small compositions based on an architectural/shrine theme. Log on to Mahonne Arts  This is a photo of student work done in a collage class in Fibreworks, Kingston, Ontario earlier this year.

Landscapes:
I’m also teaching a landscape workshop at Art Quilt Tahoe in California November 12 – 17 2007

I’m planning to be at the Pictou Lodge Retreat in Nova Scotia on September 21 and 22. I’m not teaching but going to hang out with quilting pals and enjoy the good times. It’s a super friendly retreat and there is still space if you want to join the fun http://www.mayflower.typepad.com/ We’d love to see you there!

Myrna Giesbrecht: Women, Art, Life.
Myrna lives in Kamloops, British Columbia, and teaches extensively on-line and is a Teacher of the Year nominee for the Professional Quilter Magazine. Check out her unique 12-week on-line coaching workshop called “Women, Art, Life” – a positive life, affirming workshop, which starts 1st September. http://www.myrnagiesbrecht.com

Rosalie Dace is coming from South Africa to teach at Quilt Canada in Newfoundland, June2008. I met Rosalie many years ago and know her to be a generous and fine teacher  - I’d take her workshop myself, except I’m teaching too! Check out the Canadian Quilters Association web site, I know you’ll learn a lot from Rosalie.

Lani Garrity is a delightful free spirit who lives here in Nova Scotia and I adore visiting her blog  - pure inspiration. Lani offers free e-zines and an “Artist happiness” on line course. You'll find her web site intriguing: http://www.lanipuppetmaker.com/

Making Time: A Daybook
In my previous newsletter I talked about journals. Deanne Fitzpatrick has produced a great perennial diary/daybook that is designed to inspire you to record your daily life, thoughts and ideas. It’s being used as a daybook, travel journal, cottage guestbook, and a swap book between friends.
This full colour daybook/journal is illustrated with Deanne's hooked rugs,
6 by 8", with over 60 full colour images $24.95 visit www.hookingrugs.com/supplies.php
Tell her I sent you!

South Africa:
A quilting friend, Sally Scott, wrote to me recently from South Africa. Sally is a high-energy textile artist who captures the essence of South Africa in her work. Her passion clearly resonates in her work. I think you'll find her site worth a visit. One piece in particular caught my attention and I think you’ll find it worth studying. It’s titled Surrender, a powerful and moving ritual garment, is about the key life process of forgiveness. The piece was inspired by a love poem written by Anacreon in 6BC. Sally copied the poem onto the inside of the garment - so be sure to see the inside as well.

There is a lot of rich material on Sally's site. Be sure to see her links to other artists like Rosalie Dace and Odette Tolksdorf.

We don't hear enough about contemporary textile art in South Africa, but Innovative Threads, which was established by Art Quilter Margie Garratt, is working to change that, with exciting pieces from its annual juried exhibition displayed on the Web. Celebration, pain, humour, reflection, colours vivid and muted - these pages make you long to see the real thing. I check into this site a couple of times a year to keep abreast the state of the art quilt in South Africa.

Well - that's it from me for now. Enjoy the last days of the summer. Oh, summer, we hardly knew you!
bye for now,
Val