Oliver's travels...

Oliver is once again going to be travelling. For those of you who will be attending MQX (Machine Quilters Expo) in Providence, Rhode Island, make sure you take a peek at the Special Exhibit entitled Pretty as a Picture, Quilts Inspired by Photographs. Because while you're walking around and looking you'll be able to see Oliver, along with his classmate Park Ling. Park Ling is owned by Pat Parker, a very dear friend who was also in the week-long retreat with Sharon Schamber, he was painted and appliqued in the same manner as Oliver. It was my honor to do the thread play and quilting on Park Ling.

OLIVER - inspiration photo and quilt:

PARK LING - inspiration photo and quilt:

So make sure you visit MQX in April and send pics if you can as I will be unable to attend {pouting}. You can visit the MQX website here, the show is April 11-16, 2011. Hopefully the boys (Oliver & Park Ling) won't be getting into too much trouble while they're away!

Paint dust...

I don't want this to sounds as if I'm bashing -- but I did warn you -- sometimes we get the "ugly" -- for those that know me, you know I'm just venting...

Anyway... I HATE PAINTED FABRIC! There, that wasn't rude at all now was it? Now, don't think I'm talking about beautiful art like my mermaid or owl... NO, I'm talking about manufactured painted-on patterns... you know, tone-on-tones, but they're not really... they are white or cream fabric with PAINT as the pattern, and no, not high-quality paint. But let me stop the venting and show you why.

Here's a pic of painted fabric so that everyone is on the same page (I must apologize for not knowing the manufacturer of this specific fabric)...

Okay... here is what my machine looks like normally...

And here is my machine after one tiny little section of painted fabric...

LOOK AT ALL THAT PAINT DUST! It is everywhere, in the bobbin, on the tracks, everywhere -- oh yes, my lungs too. Now this doesn't mean you shouldn't use this fabric -- this is just my own personal opinion and its more of a mess and clean-up issue than anything else.

Either way, I would love to hear your opinion on this subject!