Free Motion Fun at Quilt Atlantic April 25-27, 2014- Deb Plestid, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

                       Three Bums on a Beach - Free Motion Machine Quilting 

Deb Plestid will be teaching at Quilt Atlantic at White Point Beach Resort this April 25 -27, 2014 at Hunt's Point, Nova Scotia. Use your machine as your mechanical art pencil and your threads as your colourful nibs. Join me in this class to explore the myriad stitches you can use to individualize your quilts. You will create a stitch language through making a number of small samples that will become a reference for your future work.  Practice making continuous line designs, see how stitch density adds texture and interest, play with your own doodles and see them come alive in your quilts.

Current Work - Kate Madeloso, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

“The Whale and the Butterfly”

The Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Bee had a show titled “Provocative” at the Edible Art Cafe on November 2013 to January 2014. This was Kate's entry which sold the afternoon before the opening. Numerous textile techniques. All hand stitching on the woman.

For more of Kate’s recent work, check out the recent update to her blog.

Member Profile - Nancy MacIntosh, Bridgetown, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Needle arts from childhood have been something I have been interested in.  Even with a large family and a hectic career while a single parent never stopped me exploring techniques.  However when I moved and subsequently retired to the Annapolis Valley I had the joy of discovering a local quilting Paradise Village Quilters and then the Mahone Bay Quilt Guild.   In under 4 years I have progressed through several quilts learning as I go with the support and encouragement of my quilting community.  I love the symmetry of the traditional blocks and their basic recipe for elemental shapes and colours.  Learning traditional techniques provides a foundation to experiment.  And learning to long arm quilt has expanded my ability to express my feelings for loops and swoops and non-traditional quilting designs. 

Through seeing other people’s works and through magazines and on line I have expanded my choices to move my quilting into the arena of art with shapes that are more animated.  It also means incorporating thread painting, felting, fabric paints, silks, wools, photography and on and on.  Treasured things like a gold bracelet have found a place out of my ‘found’ box on some quilts.  Joining SAQA is another move along my quilting and art road. 

Here are two pieces. The first was shown in Art Hits the Wall this summer. This theme was kaleidoscope and as the source of inspiration, the kaleidoscope breaks,  the quilt and pattern unravel.  It is called Fractured.   It was an honour to be among well known art quilters. 

The second was one inspired by a piece of fabric which incorporated all the colours you see in the sky from morning to night.  It is called As the Sun Moves from Dawn to Dusk.

And lastly a thread painting prompted by the beautiful Annapolis Valley fall colour.

     

Update on "Rusty Things" Exhibition - Susan Tilsley Manley, Westville, Nova Scotia

Susan reports that her exhibition opening of Rusty Things went very well and is sharing a few photos of the evening with us. 

For those of you who sometimes miss reading the comments left on this blog, Deb Plestid remarked, "This is a must-see show - Susan's work links memory, loss, politics...among other things. Her work asks you to consider if change is necessarily progress? What reality is reflected in nostalgia? It is a stimulating show. The work is exceptional in its detailed execution and the addition of colour to her Rusty Things series is a wonderful new exploration in her journey and in her examination of time and living our changeable world.”

A reminder that Susan’s exhibition continues until March 31st at The People’s Place, Antigonish Town and County Library, Main Street, Antigonish, NS

Member profile - Sharon A. Burchell, NE Margaree, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

I moved back to NE Margaree, Cape Breton on the 28th of November. I am back in my little home here, surrounded by family and friends. I had been away 7.5 years and was travelling home every month, so it was time to be here permanent again.
 
I have rejoined my old quilt guild, The Celtic Quilt Guild, and am enjoying sitting, once again, with such talented people as Anne Morrell Robinson, Bea Tilsley and Mary Ross, to name a few.
 
Here is a photo of a "work in progress" called Maura's Eggs .

 
Maura's Eggs
- a work in progress by Sharon A. Burchell (bysharonann)
- based on a photo of a basket of eggs that was sitting on my son's mother-in-law's counter. He drew a face on one of the eggs and took a photo.
- measurements = 22 in wide and 16 in high
- the eggs, pitcher and basket rims are stuffed (raised from surface)
- the basket weave was machine stitched and then everything is hand appliqued


Hoping to have more time now to look at upcoming shows and work on projects for them.
Sharon
 

SAQA Atlantic Trunk Show - Upcoming Schedule

We thought it might be interesting to share the schedule of the SAQA Atlantic Trunk Show as it now stands. There are possible booking dates available and you can work out those details by contacting the 2014’s winter/spring guardian of the trunk show, Nancy Elaschuk. Sharing the upcoming schedule also gives you an opportunity to know where the show is in case you might like to drop by, or to book it for a showing in your area!

March 5             Elm City Quilt Guild, Fredericton, NB
March 22-23    Chapter of Embroiders Association, Sussex, NB
                           Sussex Art Co-op, Sussex, NB
March 25          Sussex Quilt Guild, Sussex, NB

April 2                Marco Polo Guild, St John, NB
April 4-6            Gathering of the Guilds, Rothesay, NB
April 15              Fredericton Quilt Guild, Fredericton, NB
April 24              Mixed Media Group, Moncton, NB

May 14              Greater Moncton Quilt Guild, Moncton, NB


There is a comment/guest book travelling with the show and this is what the Ackerley Guild had to say: “ We loved the show. The girls were so impressed. It was great to see the use of many embellishments and techniques. We read the backs and discussed the pieces. Wonderful opportunity!”

Please note that we would love this show to travel outside the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick area. As well, it would be great to have it seen at venues other than those quilt and fibre related. If you are interested in taking the show to your area, please contact Nancy.

"Rusty Things" Exhibition - Susan Tilsley Manley, Westville, Nova Scotia

Rusty Things

Art Quilts

by Susan Tilsley Manley

The People’s Place: Antigonish Town and County Library

Main Street, Antigonish, Nova Scotia

March 1-31, 2014

Opening night Friday, March 7

6 to 8 pm

All welcome!

Susan gratefully acknowledges the support of Arts Nova Scotia through the Creation Grant Program.