Have your ever dreamed of making the trip to Paducah, KY for the AQS Quilt Week Activities??? Register soon and be on the bus in April...

Limestone Quilters Guild is sponsoring a 

QUILTERS BUS TRIP 

to the American Quilters Society 's 

"QUILT WEEK IN PADUCAH" 

this spring,  April 20-27th.

It is one amazing trip, and a very reasonable alternative to driving yourself, booking all of your own hotels and being on your own. Who wouldn't want to be among a group of great quilters and seeing the sights, touring the Quilt Shows, visiting the amazing Quilt Show and all of the Quilt Week events in Paducah, the National Quilt Museum and so much more. You will shop til you drop, share great evenings with quilt friends old and new and have so much time on your hands to see all that Paducah has to offer....

Seats are available now!!! The bus leaves from Kingston, and by special arrangement, may be able to pick quilters up at designated points across the 401 as they are driving through to Sarnia to cross into the USA. Passports are required, and yes, a minor technicality of a special rate $15 "membership" in the Limestone Quilters Guild as detailed below (this is a sponsored trip by LQG). .

And you be back well before the QUILTS KINGSTON 2015 Show, or events that your group or Guild is planning next spring. ... make this your reward for getting your exhibition entries in right away! There is no more beautiful city than PADUCAH in April - green grass, beautiful city, hundreds of vendors to shop for quilt supplies and MORE!

Contact Trip Conveanor, Susan Clarke at:  sjcway@cogeco.ca  for all of the details and be a part of all of the fun!

Note: Susan can email you a larger copy of the details sheet below...don't wait. Seats are filling fast!

 

Join LORETTA MOORE and LESLI ZANETTI at Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in March 2015 ....contemporary and primitive styles complement each other is this wonderful display!

Get “Hooked on Rugs” at the MVTM   VERNISSAGE Saturday March 7, 2015 2-4 pm   From March 3 to April 11, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is featuring the work of fibre artists Lesli Zanetti and Loretta Moore in the Nora Rosamond Hughes Gallery. Their hooked rugs are a delight, with artful designs from primitive to modern. Lesli’s interest in rug hooking began with a 1992 visit to Cape Breton, where she was struck by the unique and complex Acadian scenes depicted on beautiful rugs. On a subsequent trip to Newfoundland she was drawn to the vibrant colours and simple scenes of their rugs. With one of Deanne Fitzpatrick’s rug hooking kits, Lesli taught herself to hook, and her passion for the craft was firmly entrenched.   After 10 years, Lesli has found her own style.  She prefers to use recycled wool from garments donated by friends or found at second hand shops.  Imagining the history embedded in a wool garment as it is ripped apart and refashioned into a new rug is an important part of her creative process.  She describes her rugs as simple in style, bordering on the primitive, but without a traditional palette.  Somehow, she just has to inject bright colours into her designs Loretta’s passion for fibre arts developed at an early age, sitting in her mom’s sewing room and making doll’s clothes from scraps. She later made her own clothing and learned to quilt. It was in a quilt shop that she discovered her first rug hooking kit. “After the first few loops I pulled, I realized that I had discovered a fibre art that appealed to every creative bone in my body. I loved the almost zenlike feel of pulling loops, loved playing with colour and developing my own through dyeing, and loved the final product,” says Loretta. While her preferred style is primitive, folk art wide-cut rugs, she loves playing with various fibres and techniques. She also teaches and sells supplies through her business “Hooked on the Lake.” Don’t miss a chance to enjoy these wonderful rugs. You may well become “hooked” yourself. Both artists will be conducting demonstrations in the gallery on March 12 from 11 am to 2 pm. There will be a vernissage on Saturday, March 7 from 2 pm to 4 pm.   For more information call the Museum at 613- 256-3754.

TEXTILE DESIGN Program at St. Lawrence College starts next Thursday, January 15th until April 2, 2015... Come Play!

Free Form Pieced by Bethany Garer

When I hear that a class has been OK'd as a "go" with the college, the excitement and the work begins... I love to have students and friends in the classroom, and have the opportunity to see the stash fabrics come out from the closets and from under the beds.

This term we are focused on 

COLOUR - The Quilt Artist's Way

* We will start with some sketch book exercises

* Some great videos from the best teachers to inspire us as we work through some paint exercises

* We will dye threads and bits of fabrics (nothing too wild as I for one do not want to carry loads of supplies into the college in bad weather

* We will complete some exercises with Japanese BORO Textiles as the inspiration - so if you are attending the course - start scoping out the websites and library books you can find about BORO cloth

* I have new COLOUR HUE DYES to experiment with for silk fabrics

* We will have an evening of Marbling fabrics later as spring approaches with PEBEO Marbling paints

* YOU will be working on one, great colourful project to submit for your course grade at the end of the 12 weeks.

SO, now that you know what we will be working on... just register and come play! There are seats available... WE HAVE STUDENTS and class starts next Thursday, Room 00060 in lower level Green Wing - 6-9 pm.

Register at www.SL.on.ca, Part Time Studies, ARTS 109...Hope to see you here.

Bethany Garner

Professor, Textile Design

textiledesignslc@gmail.com

Join artists from the Quinte Region and friends, with Featured Artist, ANN FALES, at Gallery 121 in Belleville for an outstanding Fibre Art Exhibition

SAQA Central Canada members with work in the Exhibition/Sale include:

HILARY RICE, JOAN REIVE, CAROL PETERSON, ANN FALES, MARY MINIGAN AND BETHANY GARNER.

Gallery 121 is a non-profit cooperative art gallery founded in 1991 by Quinte area visual artists to provide exhibition space for its members.

Gallery One-Twenty-One

Quintessential Art

48 Bridge Street East

Belleville, Ontario, Canada

K8N 1L6

613 962 4609

Gallery Hours:

10:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday

Contact us via email: gallery121artists@yahoo.ca

Visit our Blog:  www.gallery121artists.blogspot.com

FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Weekend Workshop sponsors a CABIN FEVER weekend of play February 6-8, 2015

Cabin Fever Weekend returns to FIBREWORKS in 2015

Three Days - Three Workshops

Perfect for giving you a new start on projects in the new year...

DAY ONE: Friday, February 6, 2015 
"LINKED IN" 

* A day for quilters to come together and play

* Pattern provided and a comprehensive handout

* Supplies list provided with paid registration

* $50 workshop fee

QUILTERS TAKE NOTE - Friday's workshop is for YOU! Start the New Year off with a date to stitch and play and create a great quilt. You can even choose to do table runners or placemats instead of the quilt if you like - or a great tote bag for your quilt meetings.

A wonderful, easy to piece Challenge quilt I made with fabrics from my stash and a pattern designed to share, this quilt will be a fun gift for a friend, family member or even to have on your own bed. Beginners skills are all that is required...straight sewing and you will receive the cutting directions in advance of the play date...workshop so that you come with all of the parts cut before you arrive at the Odessa Hall. If this one doesn't say "summer is coming" and "cottage country" I don't know another project that will!

and...

 

DAY TWO: Saturday - February 7, 2015 

FLAT DYEING

* brilliant original fabrics created in such a fun way

* all dye and auxiliary supplies furnished

*  you need white cotton/linen/silk fabrics, pre-washed 

* supplies list provided with paid registration

$50 class fee includes dyes and comprehensive handout

NOTES: All of the fabrics for my RED SKY AT NIGHT piece above are flat dyed using a palette of the red, blue and yellow primaries in Procion MX Dyes that will be available to you at the workshop. 

By pouring the dyes across your fabric, laid flat on the table in front of you and moving the dye with your gloved hands, you will create a beautiful palette of 'ombre' colours  that you can combine for your new work.

I can't tell you how much fun this is - and YES you can attend the workshop day and use the dyes to do shibori pole wrapped pieces, folded and painted pieces using the dyes available or just "dip dye" a great palette of gradations to be used in quilts or fibre art projects. Just play with the dyes to do whatever YOU want to do...screen printing, dye painted cards, scarves - your choice. (and yes, I will have print paste available for you to add dyes to for screen work/direct painting of fabric)

 and....

DAY THREE : Sunday, February 8, 2015

 "Free Form Collage"

* Create one great, original piece in small or large format

*use a combination of your stash fabrics, and be inspired by nature/a photo you love

* experiment with fusibles, free form cutting by hand and layering for effect

* more inspiration will come from a collection of your favourite cloth bits and threads

* experiment with  fused applique, layering sheers and machine stitching

* supplies list provided with paid registration

* $50 class fee includes handout full of tips

Inspiration for my new collage work comes from the 'Group of Seven'

SPECIAL WEEKEND PRICING: 

$120 for all three days

at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall

Odessa, ON

on Highway 6 in the Village

9:30 am - 5 pm

Brown Bag Lunch needed for all students

Break time treats and Coffee, tea and water provided

Registration is Open NOW

Please contact Bethany for your pdf Registration form

(or complete the registration form on the FIBREWORKS KINGSTON BLOG sidebar
 under CABIN FEVER WORKSHOPS)

http://fibreworkskingston.blogspot.ca
 

Your cheque should be payable to HERITAGE QUILTWORKS  CANADA

and mailed to

Bethany Garner

3275 Orser Road

Elginburg, ON K0H1M0 

Hoping you can join me for a great weekend of play and that you will bring a friend or two and really make a weekend of it - stitching, designing, dyeing, painting with dyes...  COME PLAY!!!

Contact Bethany at: garner@kingston.net

 or fibreworkskingston@gmail.com

Special Greetings to our readers and friends across Canada and the US......

As the snows begin to fall and the winds pick up, do focus in on your home, your studio and all of the things you love the most.

Be kind and loving to your friends and family, and helpful to those who are might be in need of your assistance at this time of year. Remember those who are less fortunate and bring the blessing of your smile to those you meet along the way. Simple gifts.
   
As we head toward the new year, please know how much your ongoing support and encouragement mean in this quest to bring new Workshops, the very best of the best Instructors your way, and the opportunity to share techniques, new design options and the just plain fun of being together with like minded artist friends old and new.


Please do plan to join me at FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Workshops in the new year. All of the news is at our Blog:    

http://www.fibreworkskingston.blogspot.ca  

Visit  the blog in the week between Christmas and New Years for the launch of our CABIN FEVER WORKSHOP WEEKEND News - scheduled for February 6-8, 2015... hope you will join us!

And Winter Term at St. Lawrence brings you "COLOUR - The Quilt Artists Way from January 15- April 2, 2015. Come Play!  details are at:   http:www.bethanygarner.blogspot.ca

Have a wonderful Christmas and a most blessed New Year!

Bethany

Kingston Fibre Artist Group member friends participate in a project to purchase a Rickshaw for a family in India....



Rickshaw purchased with the donation by KINGSTON FIBRE ARTIST GROUP friends

The magic of providing a chance for a job and a better life for a family was very exciting for our local Kingston Fibre Artists Group members who donated to a collection dedicated to purchasing a brand new rickshaw for a family man in Jaipur, India. Our donated dollars went to DANIELLE AIRD, a friend in fibre and textiles who travels to India each year to shop for supplies to bring back to Canada and sell in support of Calcutta Rescue Canada.

We love supporting Danielle and her personal projects and are thankful for her help in guiding us in our quest to participate in the Rickshaw purchase this year.

NOTE: This Rickshaw project was NOT sponsored by Calcutta Rescue, but indeed a worthy  initiative developed by Danielle Aird.

 

Here is her story....and the project is on hold by Danielle for now, but she may be able to encourage more friends to participate in the future.

Danielle is often at the Downtown Kingston Sunday Market on Market Square in the warmer months and you may contact her here: calcuttarescuecanada@gmail.com

 

The Letter below was received from Danielle on her return to Canada:

 

 

 

Dear friends who contributed to the rickshaws and blankets,

 

Attached below is a copy of the saga. I will work on a slide show to share with you soon.

 

Danielle Aird, Kingston, ON

 

The Rickshaw Story, November 2014

One morning, a few years ago, while visiting Jaipur, India, I hired a bicycle rickshaw man. Papu was such a pleasant, humble person that I hired him for the whole week. After 4 or 5 days, while he was pedalling, taking me to Johari Bazaar, I said to him: “Today, Papu, you will take me to a rickshaw maker.” He knew instantly what that meant. He turned around on his seat and touching his heart, said to me “My heart is so happy.” He took a minute to catch his breath and continued on to my destination. We ordered the rickshaw and Papu told me that he was illiterate but if I would write my name and my husband's name on a paper, he would have it painted on the back of the rickshaw. He was upset that I would not be around when it would be ready so I could be the first to ride in it. I visited his home, a room about 10 by 15 feet – one toilet in the building is shared by many many people. I met his wife and 2 of his 3 children.

Another year, my sister sponsored two rickshaws. Papu helped me find suitable recipients. One of the rickshaws was for her 5 grandsons' Christmas present. Their names were painted on the back. I met one of the families and I will never forget the smiles.

In November of this year, before leaving for India with friends Malka and Judy, I mentioned this to those of you on my emailing list and more than 10 people came forward wanting to donate rickshaws. I stopped at ten, realizing that this would be a huge task (I had expected that 2 or 3 would be interested). I contacted Laxman, a kind, compassionate friend in Jaipur and asked if he would know of any deserving persons to whom we could donate the rickshaws. He explained that in the area where he lived, there were no bicycle rickshaws but that he would ask around and try to find as many suitable persons as possible. He already knew of one person: the woman is a housecleaner in the neighbourhood and he felt she was a good woman and he enquired about her husband and found him to have an honest reputation. He wanted to make sure that no one would receive a rickshaw and turn around and sell it for drugs or such things.

 

The seven piece Rickshaw collection purchased in 2014 by Danielle and her friends

Kingston Fibre Artists Group Recipient and his wife

 

Upon arrival in Jaipur, I asked Papu if he knew anyone and he came up with two men from his neighbourhood. One problem I had not anticipated is that the men live in very different areas. I had thought they would all be in the same neighbourhood.

My friend Laxman (with the help of his brother Suresh) managed to find a total of 5 men. But Laxman works in a tourist shop 7 days a week from 10 am to 9 pm so it was not possible for him to do any legwork. Suresh, who works in more or less the same conditions, was fortunate to have a co-worker who would take his load on while Suresh drove me about side-saddle, without helmet, in the thick of traffic from one rickshaw man's house to another. It was wonderful but the whole time, I was aware that I must be imposing on this very kind man. Whenever I tried to apologize for causing such trouble, he would reply that this was his duty and that since I was coming to help some people, it was the least he could do.

They say the devil is in the details. That is true: to complicate matters, I was not feeling well at the beginning of the visit to Jaipur; then, Judy was sick... then, when we visited the first candidates, my camera's battery died (it is not the kind that is easy to replace) so Judy took some photos; Malka took some photos. Later, I was able to find a charger and to take photos myself. Meanwhile, I tried to keep details straight: names, some information when possible, who would get rickshaw #1, #2 and so forth... , there might be some mistakes with names and ages but I did my very best...

Laxman made numerous calls on his cellphone to coordinate the building of the rickshaws, asking all the right questions, making sure the frame would be such and such, the tires such and such, the rim such and such, that the price would include the painting of names on the back, tax... that they would be ready for delivery while I was still in India. He helped me get the best rate of exchange for the Canadian dollars. (They did end up costing $285. each but I am happy to pay the difference.) Then, he made sure each rickshaw man received a note attesting to ownership. He was invaluable. I could not have done it without him or his brother Suresh. I also could not have done it without Malka and Judy's incredible patience. They definitely have been plunged into the bowels of India during this trip.

Laxman informed us that there was a huge need for blankets and sleeping pads for destitute people. Three of the kingston families who had each donated funds for rickshaws agreed to have their funds allocated to this. Malka and I had fun (while poor Judy was recovering at the hotel) going to the factory depot into the innards or the bazaar to purchase the blankets and pads which we distributed mostly to leprosy patients. We sat in our motor rickshaw crushed under the huge mounds of blankets and drove off into the distance where we brought many smiles to beautiful faces. It was absolutely heart-warming to meet such cheerful people; they have fingers and toes missing; some are disfugured, and yet, they are the most joyful bunch of people; no self-pity there.

 

I had planned on having some really nice pictures with smart compositions, good lighting, etc... but time was of the essence and since I did not want to impose on Suresh, the photos are what they are !

I could go on; suffice to say that this was a wonderful experience and Malka, Judy and I have all of you to thank for it. I will work on a slide show and hopefully, I can share it with you soon.

Thank you all!

 

Danielle Aird

www.calcuttarescuecanada.ca

www.calcuttarescue.org

 

 

THIS IS A BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT for the Kingston Fibre Artists Group friends who shared in the donation to Danielle and her project for a rickshaw purchase ...all best wishes to Danielle and to Judy, Malka, Laxman, Papu and all of her friends worldwide. And especially to our Rickshaw Recipient and his family!