Tuesday, July 07, 2009

A Sad Day...


THis is the Micheal I first met... he was an incredible musician...His talent just poured out of him. I was sad when he had all the accusations against him. I thought it was wrong.. Michael...In my opinion.. died from a broken heart. He became a shell of what he was. He had so much to give and so many took advantage of that. God has blessed him. He is out of pain now. Rest in Peace Micheal and God Bless...

Sunday, July 05, 2009

WHoooo Hoooo.


I finished up another ufo.. again I just have to sew the binding to the back.. This was a fun quilt to make... It is about 15x15" I call it Tree of Life.. I used one of Carol Fallerts black/grey gradation fabric for the binding..

Friday, July 03, 2009

Breaking Traditions Art Quilt





This is my quilt for the breaking traditions show. All the proceeds go to A Place To Bark animal rescue... My good friend Bernie Berlin...The name of my quilt is "As For Me and My House".... Joshua 24:15
The theme was "home"... In my home I like to try and put God first. And I have always wanted to do a stained glass type quilt. I used wonder under to fuse the colorful pieces which were all from one piece of hand dyed fabric. I did stippling in the cross and larger stippling on the hill. The rest of the quilt was quilted with lines coming out from the cross. After I quilted it I added a piece of purple tulle over the top. I did this to hold down the fused pieces since I didn't sew down each piece. Then I added a bit of quilting to hold the tulle in place. Added the binding and now my piece is almost done. I just have to sew the binding to the back of the quilt and it will be ready to send off to Lynn. And soon my piece from last years show will be home.. I did my cat Abner and dedicated it to my awesome vet.. Betsy Miller..
I'm glad I finally got a piece done to share on my blog.. seems like I haven't posted forever.. For more info on supporting this quilt show or to contribute to it go here..
http://www.fibraartysta.com
THere is also more information on the right side of my blog.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Move over Susan Boyle

Friday, June 12, 2009

Jessi's big day




Jessi had her completion ceremony last night.. out with 8th grade and in with High School.. I thought she looked very beautiful.. of course I am biased...

Monday, May 25, 2009

Cynthia Corbin class


I had a great time at this class last Thurs.. we did 3 different "sketches" she calls them. It was a very interesting technique that I could see taking a liking to very quickly... She is a no frills teacher.. anything goes.. and easy... keep it simple... Her quilts were beautiful... I posted a photo of my favorite one below on my other post but, I will post it again here... I can't wait to start quilting it.. after I get my portals quilt done. I started quilting that and decided to unsew everything I quilted.. I know now what it is that I need to do differently...

Happy Memorial Day !!!






We have a huge and beautiful cemetary near our house and at Memorial Day each year they have hundreds of flags posted throughout. I wanted to share some of the photos that Jessi took this afternoon when we drove through it..

Wow.. I have a lot to post... where do I begin..








I guess I will go backwards and start with my trip up north.. Mike had the canoe leaning up against the lean to on the house for the winter. As we were unpacking the truck I noticed that there was a nest in it.. with 6 eggs.. I saw the bird and I think she was a sparrow.. so that took care of our canoeing that we had planned for the weekend.. No biggy.. I took my sewing machine and worked on projects. I made a few birds. And finished my quilt top from the Cynthia Corbin class I took on Thursday. I also made a few birds with the pattern and instructions from http://nelliedurand.blogspot.com/ I just love these little birds.. The Trilliums were in full bloom and I just love them. We had a great time. On the way home MIke put out a car fire for a women who's ash from her cigarette ended up in her back seat. The back seat was fully engulfed when we got there. Luckily he carries his fire extinguisher with him and had it out in no time.. he also had the back seat out and some of the stuff in the trunk.. The jumper cables were melted.. After all that the fire dept. arrived... Mike is really good at helping out people like that.. We brought gas to a gal who ran out yesterday.. she had 2 small kids in the car and was in kind of a panic. And she had no money... So we did our good deeds for the weekend... I guess..
It is nice to be home.. but, I'm not looking forward to going to work tomorrow.. at least it is only 2 days this week.. Oh....and my best find this weekend was a rusted long underwear shirt of Mikes that was in a barrel with some other rusted stuff that I also brought home... I am hoping to use it in a quilt for Rust Tex.... Anyway.. I hope you all had a great weekend.. and a Happy and Blessed Memorial Day.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009


Facebook Manners And You - More amazing videos are a click away

Friday, May 15, 2009

YEAH!! Rummage is over..


I just closed the rummage.. the rain is coming and I took a load to Goodwill.. My sister and I are saving our crafts stuff to have a rummage out at her house in the fall.. So all my stamps and scrapbooking stuff is put away back in their boxes.. it almost doesn't even look like a any stamps sold.. but, they did. I had many unmounted stamps sell which I was really surprised of. Anyway.. I'm glad it is over and now I can concentrate on doing some quilting the rest of this weekend.. Hopefully I will get one of my projects done.. I just have so many to finish... This is one of my future projects.. wouldn't Kit look good as a quilt????

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Move over Chris Tomlin...here comes Danny

Danny might be off American Idol but, he won't be off the minds of people... This was probably the best thing that could have happened to him.. Congrat's to Danny.. we all know that God has bigger things in mind for him for the future...

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Is Your Hut Burning.. ?

I saw this on a caring bridge that I follow.. I really love it..

Is Your Hut Burning?
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
--- Author Unknown ---

Monday, May 11, 2009

Collage Mania.... My collages I acquired




I was like a kid in a candy store.. How do you pick your favorites out of soooo many...Over 300... These are the 3... The third photo was made by Fiona Liberatore and is called 2 cats sleeping on a leaf. You can see her website here... http://www.fionaliberatore.com/
The second piece is from Melissa Snyder and it is called Speeder Cat goes Pink for the Cure.. Melissa is a cancer survivor.
And the first photo which was the first collage I purchased is by Leslie Tucker Jenison and is called Garden Pathway. I saw some of Leslie's work in Rosemont and became a fan.. You can see more about her here http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
I'm very excited... My piece sold also... It was a great fund raiser with over $18,000 made for American Cancer Society... thanks to all the gals who did all the work for this event..!!! And there were many but, especially Virginia Spiegel and Karen Stiehl Osborn... but so many others also ......

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Gearing up for the rummage sale...



We have been working diligently getting our "stuff" ready to sell... I'm looking forward to it and think it will be a fun couple of days...


Good news too.. Collage Mania is up and running and making money for ACS.... My piece sold the first day...that is so exciting to me... of course I had to purchase a few too...

Thursday, April 30, 2009

COLLAGE MANIA... CHECK IT OUT...!!!



The collages this year just like last year are amazing.. I can't decide which one I want so I may have to buy them all... I wish... they are sooo beautiful...please check this out... This is my collage for this years sale...


Collage Mania, a Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the American Cancer
Society, is May 5 -7.

It's great art for a great cause with 383 collages donated by 161 artists
from around the world. You can preview all the artwork here:

http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CM2009Collages1.html

Of course 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to the ACS with an
immediate electronic receipt. All collages are available on a
first-come/first-serve basis, so be sure to read over the directions before
Tuesday, May 5:

http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CollageMania09Directions.html

Any questions, just ask now as May 5 - 7 will be wild and crazy!

Warm regards,
V.
--
Virginia A. Spiegel
Website: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com
Blog: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vspiegel

Fiberart For A Cause, fundraising for the American Cancer Society.
COLLAGE MANIA May 5 - 7, 2009
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraiser.html

Monday, April 27, 2009

Bird Atcs


I joined an atc swap for something different.. Of course I couldn't do them just with paper. First I put fabric ( bird eggs) over cardstock and used gel medium to adhere it. While that was wet I added some paint and schminke powder. I burned some Lutradur and layered that with handdyed cheesecloth ( Laura Wasilowski special) and a piece of ribbon. I had a bird cigarette card so I copied it and printed it out on fabric paper and added that with a small zig zag stitch. Then I stitched down the feather and added a silver letter. And used Tsukineko inks on the edges. Everything was stitched and not glued. These small pieces were really fun to create..

Bird Atc

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Fun Day!!!


So I had some time today to work on some art... I started to quilt my portals quilt.. but, I ended up unsewing a bit more than I liked.. and I still don't like some of it and may just do some more unsewing... I joined an atc swap... so I am experimenting with fabric and paint and lutrader... more about that later.. So after my unsewing I decided to try a pattern I saw in a kids quilts magazine... it is to make a pillowcase.. I had some turtle fabric that I bought thinking I would make something for Luke out of it..... so I made him this pillowcase...
Also I want to remind you that Collage Mania starts soon.. May 5 and 6th... don't forget to check this out.. http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CollageMania081.html
ITS' GOING TO BE A GREAT SALE.!!!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Gloria's Magic







I wanted to share with you my latest and I must say greatest quilt. I did all the piecing ( the inside piece that looks pieces is not.. it is a whole clothe piece of batik) but, the quilting magic was done by Gloria Anderson. She is just incredible and I give her all the credit for making this quilt sooooo beautiful..Each one of the circle's has different quilting in it.. I took a few close ups.. and one from the back. So I decided to name the quilt " Gloria's Magic"
My sister has also done a quilt like this with different quilting and Gloria did a beatiful job on hers also... Cheryl's is a king size and mine is a twin or a bit bigger... You can see her quilt on her blog. http://cheryls-chatelaine.blogspot.com/ She has more detailed info there too regarding the quilts.
I wanted to post this before I took off to the Rosemont show. I am soooo excited to go I am practically jumping out of my skin...
So the sister show will be leaving for Rosemont early thurs morning.. we are both taking a fabric painting class with Judy Coates Perez.... I'm thrilled.. On Sat. I will be taking a class from Katie Pasquini Masopaust. She is incredible.. I took a class from her last winter in Racine... Loved it..
I am gearing up for Breaking traditions exhibit (fundraiser) and the Art Now for Autism fund raiser. You can read about these on the right side of my blog... Also Collage Mania is coming up... many many collages to choose from and all the proceeds going to American Cancer Society... And the monthly quilt auction for Alzheimers....you gotta give it up for the gals who run all of these... they donate hours and hours of their time for these causes... I truly appreciate each and everyone of them... Thanks.....

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Something to think about... Happy Easter.. The Lord has Risen!!!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Quick Project..


I made this fabric postcard for a swap on my FPC group... if you are interested in joining in we only do one card a month.. We have new partners each month and sometimes a theme. Email me if you are interested... we are looking for new members.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

My collage for Collage Mania


This collage will be for sale at the Collage Mania sale. See the link on the right side of my blog for more information. This was done on fabric paper that I made when I was visiting my dear friend Patti in New Hampshire.. I call it Eyes of the Beholder





My sister and I had a quilting retreat at her house last weekend. We worked on these African fabric quilts.. you can see more on her blog.
http://cheryls-chatelaine.blogspot.com/
I'm trying to decide how big I want to make mine. The original pattern has 5 colorful strips, 3 black strips and one larger black strip with a flower appliqued on it..

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Tree of Life


This is a fast friday piece I did this week.. I am still going to add a binding and possibly some beads.. We had to use an S shape curve in the piece and split complimentary colors. I love doing these fast smaller quilts so that I can try out different techniques. This quilt is 14"x 14"....

Suckow Family Gallery in Hartford, Wi.


Yesterday the show came down. My quilts are back at home now getting ready to put in some local shows.. I had the opportunity to get out there a few weeks ago and took this photo of my quilts on the wall. The quilt on the left is the one that won the state award.

A Call for art entries... Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibition

I was involved in this last year and it was a great project.. A small 12"x 12" quilt was made and sent to Lynn... She put together ( hanging together ) over 100 quilts for this show. It turned out incredible..here are all the details.


Call for entries: Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit to benefit “A Place to Bark”

Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit has become a community effort, helping to support the fundraising projects of fellow fiber/mixed media artists.

The 2009 exhibit will benefit Bernie Berlin’s animal rescue, “A Place to Bark”. In honor of Bernie’s efforts to find orphaned and abused dogs permanent loving homes, the theme for the 2009 exhibit is “Home.”

From “A Place to Bark’s” mission statement: “Our mission is to provide assistance and care to animals in need. Working together with other animal welfare agencies to help end the needless killing of adoptable animals. Proactively working to save lives – through spaying and neutering – eliminates needless deaths. By building bridges and networking together, we hope to see a future of ending the unnecessary killing of animals. We receive no government assistance. We are funded through private donations and the proceeds of Bernie Berlin’s art sales.”

Breaking Traditions is proud to team up with Bernie to help raise funds to support all her incredible work. As part of the entry fee for the exhibit, artists are asked to donate $10 to “A Place to Bark”.

The exhibit features 12”x12” art quilts. Participants for the 2009 show will express those things, memories or emotions that define home to them. (Your art quilt may be about an animal family member or anything else that expresses what Home means to you. It is not limited to pet artwork only.) This is an open call exhibit, everyone is encouraged to participate. There are many opportunities to win prizes that have been donated by many generous artists and businesses.

Breaking Traditions debuts at The American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan at The Rock Financial Showplace the weekend of September 25-27, 2009. After that, the exhibit will travel to various venues during 2010.
You can learn more about Bernie’s rescue here: http://www.aplacetobark.com/

All the information on how to participate in Breaking Traditions can be found here:
http://www.fibraartysta.com/breakingtraditionsmain.htm

I hope you will join us in creating a beautiful exhibit as well as raising funds for this excellent cause! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at breakingtraditions@earthlink.net .

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Speaking of Copyrights..


A little quilt I made when my head was exploding a week ago.

Hi all, March is educate the public on copyrights month... There is so much going on with the internet and people stealing images and what not.. I would love it if you could read this brief article on copyrights.... please go here
http://inspire.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/?p=114 for part I
http://inspire.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/?p=117 for part II

Thanks... Laura

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Portals


This is my portals quilt. I haven't had the time to quilt it yet. It is actually suppose to be done on Monday. Mine will obviously be late. My husband took the photo that I used to create this quilt. He was dismantling this barn and was on his scaffolding when he took the photo out of the second story window. Holy Hill was a bit more to the left but, I wanted to include it on my quilt. I took a drive out to Holy Hill to capture a photo of it to print on fabric to add to my hill. This quilt has been driving me crazy. But, finally it is to the point that I like it.. I hope to get some quilting done this weekend.

Breaking Traditions Exhibit..

The information for this years exhibit is up on the website... This is a fun and exciting exhibit.. this year going to raise money for Bernie Berlin's A Place To Bark.. for more information go here
http://www.fibraartysta.com/breakingtraditionsmain.htm

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A drive in the Country



I was out in taking a drive in the country to take some photos of Holy Hill.. I came across these 2 beautiful horses.. I had to take a few photos of them..

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

My Batik Quilt



My sister and I belong to a Batik club at Patched Works in Elm Grove. We have been anticipating making this quilt. So since I am off of work this week she came over on Monday and we worked on them. You can see hers on her blog.
http://cheryls-chatelaine.blogspot.com/ They are similar but, we both used different fabrics for the piano key border.
All I have to do yet is put the top and the sides on. I think I will have this quilt professionally quilted with a long arm. I love quilting art quilts but, bed quilts to me are a pain. THis is a twin size quilt... I can't wait to snuggle up under it...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Bonnie McCaffrey's Vidcasts

I don't know how many of you are aware of Bonnie's vidcasts but, they are the best. I download them onto my ipod from itunes. But, you can go to her website and see them too. The last one she had Larkin Van Horn showing her beading skills and that was #30. I was having a bit of a problem downloading some of them so Bonnie and I have been emailing back and forth because she was trying to fix the ones that didn't work.. And I have to say that they are all working great.. Thanks Bonnie for continuing to bring us these great vidcasts.
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/

Check out Quilting Arts Blog..

Pokey was kind enough to post on her blog about the boy who lives near me that is fighting cancer. I posted a photo of my postcard for him below. Here is her blog to check it out.. just scroll down a bit...Thanks Pokey...
http://www.quiltingartsblog.com/quilting_arts_blog/

Having Fun In The Snow..



My neighbor and I spent part of the weekend working on these snowmen.. they were in the Cloth Paper Scissors magazine... I have a few more in the making..
Sorry I haven't posted much lately.. I have been soooo busy..I'm working on a portals quilt for MArQ, a couple pillows for a gift and numerous other fun projects.. Oh and organizing my sewing room...

Saturday, January 03, 2009

My Card for a little boy


There was a news story last night.. A young boy in our area is battling cancer..
He is collecting postcards from around the world..It keeps his mind off his cancer, his chemo and radiation and the pain that is going along with it.. So I made him this card today... if you are interested in sending a card please email me for his address or go here to see the story.. > http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/37028974.html

Friday, December 26, 2008

AHHHHHHH It's over....





Well, you all know how much I love Christmas.. but, this year was very stressful.. I can now breath. Yesterday while waiting to go to my parents house I whipped up this quilt block..I was trying to do some curves.. but, after all of it the curves are barely visible.. but, I loved this block so much I decided to order more of the butterscotch bali pops so I can make a lap size quilt with these blocks.. I also have some cute photos of the animals celebrating Christmas... they had a good time...

Saturday, November 29, 2008

African Quilt revisted


I did this quilt a few years ago and realized it was before I had a blog. So I thought I would share it with you today. I think this was the 4th quilt I had ever made. I have it hanging in my basement near my sewing area. I really had fun making this quilt.

Monday, November 24, 2008

YAH!!! SNOW!!



I woke up this morning to snow.. it is beautiful... even if I had to shovel... here are some shots...

Friday, November 21, 2008

Class with Gloria Loughman





At the show they had a special exhibit ... quilts from Oz. My sister and I took a class from Gloria who had quilts in the show.. along with some of her students works. I just loved these quilts. The class was really incredible. She usually teaches this class in a few days. We had it for one day. She did a great job of giving us all the information in the time she had. I really love the technique of the pieced backround and then the applique over that. If you want to see more on the class we took my sister wrote all about it on her blog. http://cheryls-chatelaine.blogspot.com/

Tangled up in blue



This was an interesting quilt... Again.. I just love this show because of all the unconventional pieces of art.

This is a fun quilt



When I saw this quilt it reminded me of all the windmills that have been built in Wisconsin the past year. When we drive up north you can see them for miles and miles.. Everyone is going green I guess... This quilt won a blue ribbon for best mixed technique.

Mancuso Quit Show







This is a quilt by Margie Garratt who lives in Cape Town, Africa... I really loved the quilting in this piece.. She did an awesome job so I had to share it with you. THe show was really fun.. Sooo many quilts from all over the world.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Mancuso show





Here I am with my Complete Serenity quilt at the Mancuso Quilt show. I'll write more later about the show and the class we took..

Sunday, November 02, 2008

The Unknown Spirit ( Stay at home challenge quiltart list)


This challenge is run by Diane P. from the quiltart list for those of us who weren't able to attend the HOUSTON show.. The quilts are auctioned off every month ... go here to see this months quilts... http://www.alzquilts.org/
So this is my story....
I was sitting in the waiting area of a mental health facility right before this
challenge. A man and his mother came in. She was there ( I found out later) to check how her
Alzheimer's was changing her. She had asked her son very timidly," how old am I ? " He
replied," 80 years old." She continued in disbelief on how the time has gone by so quickly. After
she took a very short walk down memory lane she asked again," how old am I?"... her son
replied," 80."The women was so sweet and it just seemed so sad to me. I'm naming my quilt THE
UNKNOWN SPIRIT... for these unknown people who are dealing with this disease we
call Alzheimers.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

New Hampshire trip












I finally have a chance to post some photos of my trip.. We had a great time.. Our hostess Patti was gracious and wonderful..We played in her studio and visited Keepsake Quilting.. We had 15 gals over one night for dinner and a bonfire.. it was one of the best vacations ever... Here are a few photos...Patt G. and I went from here.. Elizabeth came from Virginia and Mary from Connecticut. We all met on the internet.. and swapped art for years.... so Patti B. invited us to her place to hang out.. I have to go back next year for sure...

Making Table Toppers..



This is a fast and fun project.. I have Halloween on one side and Laurel Burch Christmas on the other

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Cedarburg Quilt Show


So here I am in New Hampshire shopping at a stamp store and my cell phone rings.. It is my friend Chris.. I wasn't sure why she would call me while I was on vacation.. I thought something was wrong. But, that wasn't the case.. something was right!! SHe called to tell me that my quilt ( the one that I wasn't going to put in the show because I was going to be gone) had won a red ribbon. It took second place.. My first bed quilt.. It was made by me but, quilted by Gloria Anderson... I was shocked.. and started to do the happy dance.. I took this quilt to my quilt class where my dear friend Maggie Gordon said... why aren't you putting the in the show... and I said.. I'm going to be out of town.. Soooo she took it and put it in the show for me.. She is such a great person.. I love her to death.. I want to thank her publicly for being so insistent and taking my quilt to Cedarburg for the show.. So... that is my story.. I am home from a great art retreat in N.H...... I didn't want to come home.. I will post more about the trip later...

Friday, October 10, 2008

Leaving on a jet plane... off to New Hampshire


I am soooo excited.. My girlfriend Patti Gramza and I are leaving today to go visit another art friend Patti B... Elizabeth and Mz. Mary will be coming too.. We are planning a trip to Keepsake Quilting.. sooo excited.. and just a fun 4 days of relaxing and chucking and jiving... I'll take a lot of pics and upload them when we get back.. Wish me luck.. I hate going on planes... Laura

Sunday, October 05, 2008

My newest quilt "A Friend to the World"





I call it A Friend to the World. It is the first of a series of Native American Symbols. I did this for the Fast Friday challenge. You can see all the quilts here. http://fastfridayquilts.blogspot.com/
We had to use complimentary colors on the color wheel.. I chose Blue/purple and yellow/orange. I started this last friday when the challenge was announced.. I made it a little bit too elaborate and next time I think I will simplify it a bit. But, all in all..it was fun to do.. Love FABRIC!!! I appreciate Cynthia for inviting me to the Fast Friday group.

Friday, October 03, 2008

True Colors...



are beautiful like the rainbow... and did we have a beautiful double rainbow here the night before last...