BATIK

I have been introduced to the wonderful world of batik fabrics for quilting. This block is my contribution to the block of the month at Ben Franklin Crafts in Sparks, Nevada. The focus fabric is the multi-colored batik in the corners. The center star is also a batik.

Years ago, back in the 1970's, I purchased a piece of art that was batik. It showed a young lady in red with long blonde hair playing a mandolin. The waxy feel was still apparent on the wall hanging. I loved the effect.

I used to frequent craft shows. I've purchased several T-shirts from Grebe Batiks. A moose, front and back. A rose. An evil cat. A cosmic star. A fire-breathing dragon. All fun T-shirts that wash well and last a long time.

Recently, the quilting guild I belong to began making blocks for its 2010 opportunity quilt. Because the opportunity quilt coordinator thinks I'm good at paper-piecing, I was asked the make several blocks. My first experience sewing batiks! All the blocks have black batik background and batik flowers.

What is batik? A history of the process can be found at Bali Fabrics.

What is batik to me? A beautiful new medium for touching and viewing and quilting.

Starry Night

Vincent Van Gogh was an artist who created the painting Starry Night. Don Mclean recorded Vincent (also known as Starry, Starry Night) to describe Van Gogh's tragic life.

This past week, an actual artist came to my 5th Grade class to teach art. They used pastels to recreate Van Gogh's Starry Night on black construction paper.

The artist's visit reminded me of a quilter named Jessamy Thompson. Jessamy lived in The Netherlands in Van Gogh's town. Every year the town celebrated Van Gogh's life. Every year Jessamy sponsored a centralized swap of quilt blocks commemorating Van Gogh's Starry Night. In 2007, I took the opportunity to participate, probably the last time Jessamy sponsored the swap. I received star blocks with labels from Finland, England, United Kingdom, Germany, and the USA. This photo shows only part of the collection I received. I guess it's time to think about assembling those blocks into a quilt.

See you at Elm Creek. . . .

Have you read the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini? I've read all the books in the series and purchased all three accompanying quilt pattern books.

In one of the books, Elm Creek Quilts needed a new instructor. The book was about the people who applied for the job. I wanted to be one of those applicants! I've never been to a quilt retreat. Is there a place like Elm Creek? A beautiful setting and permanent building with resident quilt instructors? I don't think I would be interested in attending a quilt retreat at a motel or rented camp. I want Elm Creek!

I think there is now a fourth pattern book: Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. It has been out for about a month. Must order my copy soon.

Meanwhile, maybe I'll meet up with you at Elm Creek
for a week of quilt camp. . . .