2025 Artist in Residence at the Sacred Threads exhibition,

 Good day,

Sharing a link that went out to the Sacred Threads Community,

Dear Sacred Threads Community,

We are pleased to announce that our Artist in Residence will be Valerie Poitier. Ms. V is a wonderful choice for the Artist in Residence at the Sacred Threads exhibition due to her remarkable ability to weave emotion, spirituality, and storytelling into her artwork. Her creations not only showcase exceptional artistic skill but also invite viewers on a deeply personal and transformative journey. Valerie's work embodies the mission of Sacred Threads by exploring themes of joy, inspiration, spirituality, healing, and grief with authenticity and grace. Her unique perspective and expressive use of color, texture, and form create a powerful connection between the art and the audience, making her an inspiring and deserving choice for this honor...https://www.sacredthreadsquilts.com/

Below currently on Exhibit at the https://artscollabmedford.org/events/gallery-viewing-hours-2025 come see it in person at the Sacred Threads Exhibition: Detail of "Sisters Sistah’s and Ancestors." 

An original design drawn on cotton, Procyon dye painted. Then she used Shiva oil stick, fabric paint, and acrylic paint to enhance the faces and background. To complete the quilt she used a technique called trapunto to raise some of the faces up, and stitched and quilted it using a home sewing machine.

updated 3/15/25

Ms. V

I Remember Saying this...

 2024 Reflections and mid year updates.

Well, as I have been know to say at the start of a long rant. No not this time. This time I am going to post a few paragraphs of a memoir I am working. Something written for my children, your children. Somethings for me to remember and things you may want to revisit. A few life lessons I. hope to continue to examine and a few you might take a look at too.

works in progress...they are further along, will post finished pieces after I exhibit them. 


Memoir in progress.

I Remember Saying This. By Valarie Pratt Poitier

 

 

Originally written 09/09/2020

Draft Updated 07/03/24

 

 

I remember saying this to your mother who was dealing with a different series of health issues than she is now in 2024. Not the same issues or circumstance as me, nor like what you are experiencing, but her own, her own stuff. No matter how limiting you might think what is happening is, it is, and then again, it isn’t. We all need the following reminder.  At any given moment our bodies condition shifts. Our needs, gains and losses are all an uncomfortable or very comfortable part of what we experience along the pathways of life. Something in your journey will fail your expectations. You will often, whether you intend to or not, attribute it to someone or something else, a loved one, the boss, a car, your physical or mental health, the weather, it fell, or the infamous, they, didn’t do their part. We will all be challenged by its state, condition or a diagnosis we might receive.

A diagnosis is actually a best guess among other things.  During any challenge where in that moment or series of moments where were you? What was or is your part in all of it? Were you there? Awake, paying attention? Especially if it is health related? We often think back and go into a “would’a, should’a, could’a” rant. But the past is just that. “Be Here Now’ wake up now and smell the roses, stop putting off today what you cannot go back and change tomorrow. The only moment you have is this one right now, well that one’s in the past, Now.

My dear ones you are all grown up and it’s time to drag the answers out of the subconscious, you know the ones that circle around and around that you ignore. Stop doing that. That is one of the reasons your health challenges advance so quickly. It was not “all of a sudden” you got sick.  Reflect. Somewhere in that head and body of yours you knew something was off. Pay attention to feelings that let you know things are not normal. If you pay attention when you feel great it is more likely you will know when something is awry. Our bodies give us clues, wake up calls, cramps, shooting pains, headaches, dizziness, rashes, restlessness and unusual thirst. It is, what it is. It’s just another path. One we all visit from time to time, on our journey of discovering, how to care for oneself with love. It’s time to respond with courage and not fear to the signs your body sends.

Now begin to take care of yourself differently with intention and like any skill practice makes perfect. Results do not guarantee a perfect body, rather they contribute to a healthy state of mind. Caregivers often suffer more than the person needing the care, only because caregivers put themselves last. Put your health first and more of the overall results for everyone will be positive. Why? Because you are the one everyone is probably depending on to pull off or handle the caretaking. 

Our elders always said something like this…You are not ...

Well that's all for now. I'll add more in my next posting.

Blessing abound!

Ms. V

2023 Fall Reflections

 I have wonderful news!

This year I wrote a story about one of the quilts I made in 2012. This quilt 240 Million African Slaves Ago was made in response to a Call for Exhibit. There were over 89 art quilts involved in the traveling exhibit. The size and locations of the museums dictated how many of the quilts could be exhibited at any one time. The exhibit was laced out in a time line and my quilt was a depiction of one of the earliest of the 400 years of African American Historical moments displayed in cloth.

Here is a link to the article and a picture of the quilt. I must add that you will not find very many of my art works online because this very quilt;s image was posted on line for sale as a painting. I went to the site and posted “words” and explained that it was a quilt. After that i did not see it again but by then they had made quite a bit of cash off my original design. None the less here it is in the Tufts U Osher Spotlight 2023 Magazine. And a little about the blood sweat and tares it took to make it.

 https://universitycollege.tufts.edu/lifelong-learning/spotlight

Once you reach the page, click on Spotlight 2023. Scroll down the article is on page 15.

Regards, 

Ms. V

Reflecting on 2023 Creative Accomplishments

Greetings,

I attended the wonderful “Teachers Event” at the New England Quilt Museum as a participant. There were also 16 other Instructors who like me, give lectures and workshops. It was great to see so many familiar faces. The program had a wonderful turnout of Guild Vice Presidents and Program committee members attended from all over New England and Connecticut.

My three minutes included a brief chat about my 2019 year break, the Covid Plague, which extended to a few years. That was an unexpected gift. I had been driving and flying all over the country for 20 years. The universe decided to give so many of us a break, and many of us elders stopped running hard for nearly three years.

I’M BACK!!!

I will be teaching workshops full and half day, doing Trunk Shows, providing one of my four lectures, motivational speaking, and New to my Menu you will find, Zoom support for groups, guilds, funerals, workshops both regular and Hybrid meetings.

What Else Was I Up To? 

Here are a few really interesting events I have participated in during and Post Covid 19, 20, 21…

I joined a couple of writing groups and took writing, history, drawing, painting, speaking, and quilting classes. I also taught Exploring Race, Art and Culture, and Retirement  courses at Tufts University’s Osher Program.

That led to participating in over 100 zoom meetings, classes. I became so proficient i started providing support to other writing groups, quilt guild meetings, workshops, and special events.

I also hosted and moderated two family funerals. Family and friends from all over the country attended both funerals and it was wonderful to see so many beloved faces. During each celebration of life we spotlighted friends and family from all walks of life of the person. 

My art work reflected the times and a few pieces were exhibited in a few online exhibits. Three others, collages, were used in the website announcement and the online and in person handout. Here are two of the quilts made especially for that exhibit below. I was thrilled to see details from my work used for the advertisement and one for the website posting. You can find them on my Facebook Page at “Val Quilting Poitier.

https://www.gcac.org/press-release/caution-artists-at-play-opens-aug-28-in-the-loann-crane-gallery/

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) opens a new exhibition in GCAC’sLoann Crane Gallery titled Caution: Artists at Play on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. An opening reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. that same evening at the gallery located at 182 E. Long St. Caution: Artists at Play will be on view through Jan. 24, 2024.

Not Perfectly Straight, yet Beautifully Made.

Regards, V

Yep! Teaching online Spring/Summer 2021!

 Well I made it over the hump. I took some time to take zoom classes on topics I was interested in. I chose a wide variety of topics. Some requiring reading and research, an five day intensive study of color and requiring a heavy out put and quick turn around of art quilt tops, writing classes both fiction and memoirs and twenty different zoom events about suffrage, suffragettes, race, social justice issues and women’s history.  

Midway through that period I learned all about online teaching and exactly what I needed to invest in to provide excellent workshops and day classes. As I continued to check out that arena, I worked as a class assistant then a class monitor tor two sessions over a five month period. I ended up teaching two classes and loved every moment of the process. Now I am ready to forage ahead as an online instructor, lecturer, panelist and to stream live on topics I am interested in and have invested years studying.

I will be posting my line up soon, but first I am waiting to see if I get the artist residency I applied for. Almost every else will be scheduled around that project and my ongoing studies.

Below is one of the art pieces I created during the art class I took early March with Hollis Chatlain of NC. It was a fabulous class that caused me to stretch and quickly produce a quilt top. I’ll get to the quilting soon then post the finished product.

To be added...

Happy days ahead, filled with new and wondrous finished projects and online teaching opportunities!

All the best,

Ms. V

To Share ON-LINE or to wait COVID 19 out!

I thought I would share my thoughts about on-line classes and lectures.

    It is a daunting task for some of us to switch on a dime from in person classes and lectures to going live on our computers. That is so, even if, those of us over 50 are computer and use some of the new products, have cameras, stands, and are fun, interesting, engaging and proficient speakers. 

Here are the questions I asked myself:

What will it take and is it worth the investment? 
Will it give the same satisfaction as meeting up with a new group or village of quilters and fiber artists?

When you ask questions to get a feel for your audience, will anyone answer?

What do I charge? Do I lower my prices? Most people don't.

How much equipment should I update or buy, and which/what things?

How many times should I practice before going live?

How do I attract an audience?

What should I teach?

What do I really want to share?

Should I use the same format for the lectures which is a combination of Show & Tell and Powerpoint?

    To facilitate the answer, I began to watch zoom lectures of different types, especially non-quilt related to see what worked and what did not work.

In progress shot, now completed and has been exhibited 10 different locations.

I plan to go for it. But I think I want to add being a back up person if your scheduled speaker is not available.  That way I won't spend weeks or months being anxious. And I am great at brainstorming!...lol.

I'll let you know what I decide and find. 

All the best!

Ms. V

2020-2022 Lectures, Workshops, On line, In Person...

Welcome!

Here are are my On-line lectures and workshops. The fun for me is to chat with you then tweak the program to fit your small group, large guild, art alliance, or webinar.  My goal is to be informative and entertaining, while sharing meaningful techniques for life and art! Email me for prices!

Your Process, Claiming Your Artistic Voice. Workshop or Lecture

Where are you in your process? Let’s explore. We can work together in a single day, half days, Or in-person (when safe) workshops. Using finished and unfinished projects, I will share my hard won victories. Oh you will recognize some of your own favorite techniques, starts and stops, and those ready to toss it moments.  We all have them.

During this time together we laugh, we get our mojos back, we move ahead, and some will stay right where they are, and be ok with that, while others will finish up projects!
It’s personal and we get to choose for ourselves.
It’s our process after all.
I will share where and when I get stuck. 
Then how I get unstuck and motivated.  
There are jewels of knowledge to be found in this lecture and workshop.

When Thought and Thread Collide, I mean Join!

Using thoughts, sketches, and research to tell the story. It all unfolds in this lecture and trunk show including my most exhibited pieces.  Between them they have graced 17 museums and quite a few galleries.  Lecture, Slide Show, with samples of each step.

How to Promote Your work and Yourself—without apologizing! Interactive Lecture/Workshop.

When we conclude the workshop or lecture you will be, energized, informed, rethinking how you speak about yourself and your work.

Awesome response from participants! Was even selected as one of the best workshops and rebooked for the 25^th anniversary National Conference of SAQA. (Studio Art Quilt Associates)

Hanging in Harmony—Interactive Workshop or Lecture.

-How to create a cohesive body of work!

-Have you ever wondered how to get your exhibit to flow in such a way that the viewers are in Awe?  

-There is a process that allows you to align or alternate similar work, color, size, and topics that can draw the viewer in.  

-You will learn how to get the Oooh’s! and Ahhh’s. Great for On-line or in person exhibits. We go beyond just showing the picture. Once you have seen the picture you usually want more info. Now there’s a quick lesson on how add information and labels to the slide or picture for best impact.

-Lecture can be Tweaked for the guild or those who hang quilt shows. 

-The Workshop can be 45-90 minutes or half day for those who have an interest on how to plan and execute the hanging of a quilt show. Because this will happen online for now size is not an issue. Remember it’s interactive and you get to add feedback as we work through the process.

Show and Tell!  Fun Lessons on Best Practices When Presenting!

Rib tickling interactive Lecture. Includes a selection from my trunk show and member quilts.  We combine our stories and audience participation. Get ready to have fun while we brush up our presentation skills. It’s fast pace and we end on a very high note!

Strip Piecing to the Max workshop only!

Let’s take this beyond beginner level piecing. It’s easy and the results are fabulous! We create the fabric, cut out the appliqués, Ending with  a 9”x12” takeaway.  Workshop priced per person, guild pricing available. Gather basic quilting supplies, machine or iron and your precut strips or scraps, kits available.

Yes, I will design a fiber related course for a small group or to be presented to guild members.

Contact me and we will plan an event for your guild, group, or those few close friends!

All the Best! Ms. V

90th Birthday Today for our Mother!

Great Morning. Today is my mother's 90th birthday! Family and friends are gathering from all over the East coast to join herin celebration.  Through out the day I will post pictures of our time together. Let's start with Mothers grand mother and her fathers sister. In Philadelphia walking pass Lit Brothers on Market Street. When those clothes were fashionable.

The second picture is at the opening of the traveling exhibit And Still We Rise, in Ohio in the fall of 2012 or 2013...gotta look that up. I was part of a panel who spoke about their work and our quilts in the exhibit.  Mother and my husband were there to see the opening and to here me speak at the National Underground Railroad Museum.

Have a blessed day!

To the right is a picture of my great grand mother Willie Cratic Finch and great aunt E. Finch Morris.

Elton, Valarie, jo Pratt leaving the auditorium.

Be the blessing.

Everyday I strive, I pray I work and rest to be what I want existing in the world.

Be the blessing you want to see.
Be the blessing you want to have.
Be the blessing you want to hear.

I make quilts that asks questions of the viewer.

Be the blessing that solves the problem.
Be the blessing that heals.
Be the blessing that feeds a hungry soul.
Be the blessing that cares for living things.
Be the blessing you want in the world.
Be the blessing that leads to joy.
Be the blessings that needs not apologize.
Be the blessing others emulate.
Be the change that causes the blessing.
Be the blessing. Just stand up and Be.
Be the little you that 'is' larger, wiser, closer to the real truth, than the bigger you has become.
Be That, that which your little self, knew to be true.
Be the blessing and joy you were, are, before your first hurt, undaunted.
Be that blessing to all, all of your life.
(Let your light shine till it blinds.)
You can be that blessing in my life.
I can Be that blessing in your life.
Choose, I choose to
Be the blessing.

Ninigret Quilt Guild - March 2016 Lecture

"Quilter and motivational speaker, Valarie Poitier gave a slide and trunk show. 

Her topic was "Promote Your Work Without Apologizing" and was fabulous.

She was energetic, educational and very entertaining."

What a wonderful guild!

tI met my match...Ms. Barbara and she is an amazing personality, wonderful quilter and a guild treasure and favorite.  

I thought she was perfect!  Ms. Barbara my hat is off to you, what a gem!

This concludes my winter Lectures. What a fabulous time I have had traveling and meeting new people, sharing, learning and growing in spirit and lessons learned.  I am proud to represent the quilters in Massachusets where ever I go.  Many of you and our sister states have helped me develop my current programs.

If your guild is looking for a lecturer or workshop teacher contact me and let's see what we can arrange.
All the best!

March 2016 Lectures, Skits, quilters Journey Presentations

Presenting: an Off the Wall, rib tickling, event.

Quilts, dyed Fabrics, lecture, skits, stream of quilters consciousness, oh dear.
Get ready to be entertained, educated, wowed, and terribly impressed when Ms. V lets loose, and not her quilting seams.

March 5, 2016
Greater Hartford Quilt Guild

Scout Hall Youth Center

28 Abbe Rd, East Windsor, CT 06088

Presenting: A Quilter's Journey

A Lecture and a Trunkshow.

44 years in the making. No really there are at least two sewing projects scraps She will one day put in a quilt.  How does one go from bed quilts to art hanging in museums across the country. And still keep her sense of humor, find her sharp scissors, create a layout for one hundred and fifty quilts, serve on the board of a museum, teach, and represent 100 Massachusetts Art Quilter's. 

March 17, 2016

Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild

http://www.thimblepleasures.org/

Goss Hall of the Unitarian Universalist Church at 13 Maple Street, Mendon, MA (click here for directions).

Presenting: 

March 29, 2016 

Nimble Thimbler’s Guild  

Reading, MA

And Still We Rise...the quilt exhibit has left Connecticut.

"240 Million African Slaves Ago" is now in Winchester, VA at The Museum of Shenandoah Valley. This is its fifth museum stop on this journey. I attended the opening, feeling so proud and thrilled. I saw some of the other artists and the curator. I participated in the filming done by a local news station. That clip is available on my Facebook page. Val Quilting Poitier. As soon as I figure out how to post it here I will.  The link to the museum is below the picture. All the best!

"240 Million African Slaves Ago" was on exhibit at the Bruce Museum on Friday 1/15/16.  I attended the Opening Reception.  I am so thrilled to have been a part of this exhibit.  Lots of wonderful art enthusiast, museum members, staff, and the local news. I had an opportunity to 

Here I am so pleased to see my quilt. It's on a 5 year tour.

answer lots of questions about my quilt, the story behind it, and the techniques.  What a honor.  Thank you 

Here is another thrill, I experienced.  Watch this recording often interview about the exhibit.

BruceMuseum/videosAnd Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations opens today.  This exhibition narrates nearly four centuries of African American history, from the first slave ships to the first African American president and beyond. Corinne Flax, Manager of School & Community Partnerships, shares some details on this morning’s News 12 CT show “Our Lives” with Gwen Edwards.

https://www.themsv.org/exhibitions/and-still-we-rise-african-american-story-quilts

Workshops and classroom instruction, sewing, surface designing

Quilting Workshops, seminars and Classes 2016-2017, 2017-2018

Design using regular 1/4 seam, Raw Edge or Needle Turn

• Strip Piecing Choices a Scene, Landscape, a Room, an Animal, make a small Quilt Top
• Learn to add Perspective, shadows, highlight central motif.
• Techniques and Notions: Bring all those things you bought and rarely or never used again to a workshop. Let's use then in a project and on sample sandwiches.
• Surface Design, dyeing, stamping, silk screening, mark making.
• Good Solid Basic Sewing and Quilt Techniques.
• Trapunto, add stuffing. 
• Faces, masks, appliqué!

Professional Development Workshops for guilds, artists, speakers

Teach the teachers/Train the trainer - do you want to improve your presentation skills, pair down, expand or tighten up your trunk show, workshop, finish the lesson on time? Get some advice and learn how to get/give a great result? Create a solid presentation, get some advice, see what others are doing right, learn to put your best foot forward? 

Training for Speakers and Lecturers. Are you interested in lecturing or giving a trunk show that will leave the audience on the edge of their seat.  Want to Take a class or seminar with like minded others, preferable at the same skill level? I  have a workshop for you!

For groups, guilds or a one hour motivational presentation for your guild; How to Promote Your Work Without Apologizing! 

Here's How I Work - Pick a level, schedule several workshops in one contract.

If you are like me you want the most out of a class and want like skilled members to work with. So let's do a one day or three day session grouping like skilled members together. Yes an opportunity to learn in your own skill level. No more beginners in an advance class or super quilters breathing over your shoulder if you are a beginner, finishing before you get half way done.

Basic Class Room Style and a few Techniques that are taught in each class.

Raw edge or needle turn are possible to do for each type of lesson.

Note the lessons will enhance your skill level if you are a beginner or advanced Quilter.

In class 101-1 

1. You will learn a solid design, placement, and composition technique while making a few 6" X 8"quilted.  Choose either a Landscape or Perspective Design, or both. Final piece can be framed as a top or loosely quilted and finished using a raw edge or binding. (One Day Class)

In class 102-2 

2. You will build on lesson 101-1 using a photo you will learn how to lay your colors and fussy cut shapes to enhance the perspective and depth of the scene.  Finished quilt top size between 8" X 10" and a Fat Quarter. Finished work can be matted or framed. (Not necessarily 2 consecutive Days, )

In class 103-3-5 - Days, over a Weekend, once a week,  or Five Consecutive Days, mix it up and add a Saturday or Sunday Book at the middle, start or end of the week.

3. Continuing to build on previous lessons or for our quilters who want to start adding surface designs...You will use permanent and no permanent pencils and markers or other permanent inks, paints, oils sticks to scribble and shade in details. Followed by stitching either by machine or hand. Finished work size up to a fat quarter and can be framed or quilted.

General Materials

1. General sewing tools - thread, needles, adhesive either paper backed or not, scissors for fussy cutting, cutting board, ruler, pins and needles, machine optional for one and two day classes or a needle turn class can be taught as an add on day or separately.
2. camera or phone with camera
3. Variety of small fabric Scraps, precut trips or fat quarters, even fat eights in sky colors, ground colors, greens for grasses and bushes, creamy beiges and yellows in various shads, greys, Browns, think earth tones.
4. Inexpensive glue stick made for children's craft, and paper.
5. Permanent pens in your collection, "like" Sharpies, pentel, Farber Castelle.
6. Watercolor paints, watercolor crayons or watercolor pencils
7. Oil sticks, shiva or oil pastels.
8. spiral note book.

Detailed Materials List for each class will be given.

Patterns or examples are available as part of a kit, separately, or included in cost of class

Materials listed in #3 will be available to purchase in a kit.

If we are working and the group wants to add a day, lets see if our calendars mesh and we will add a day.

Speaking Engagements Fall 2016

Well, we are off and quilting new stories and sharing them hither thither and yon...gotta love spell check. I do try to limit my lectures to four times a year, but lately a few others have squeezed under the door.

That gave me time to participate in my guild activities, travel to see my offspring and theirs, rest, sew, rest, sew, oh and eat and exercise, did I mention sketch, stop-sew-buy-fabric-sew, and the most important part, finding stashed fabric in the most unlikely places at home?

Booked November 8, 2016 - update soon

Booked November 17, 2016 - update soon

October 25, 2016

7:00 pm 

Rising Star Quilt Guild , Lexington, MA
Lecture, trunk show, slide show

October 19, 2015

Farmington Valley Quilt Guild, Simsbury, CT

Lecture: How to Promote Your Work Without Appologizing

September 14, 16, 2015

Monday 9:00 am 09/14/2015     

Hanna Dustin Quilt Guild

http://hannahdustinqg.org

Program: “Promote Your Work Without Apologizing” 

Meetings are held at the Hudson Community Building (formerly the Lions Hall) on Lions Avenue in Hudson, NH.

From Route 93, Exit 3 – West on Route 111 approximately 8.5 miles. Turn right at the light just past Burger King. Turn left after the Dairy Queen onto Adelaide St. Turn right onto Lions Avenue.

From Route 3, Exit 5 – East on Route 111 to Hudson. Continue straight on 111 and turn right at the Dairy Queen onto Adelaide St. Turn right onto Lions Avenue.

 If you’d like to get directions: click here!

~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, 7:30 pm  09/16/2015  

RHODODENDRON NEEDLE QUILTERS GUILD

http://www.rnqg.org

Program:  Ms. V’s Solo Act:  A Quilter’s Life, a rib tickling informative trunk show, and performance.

RNQG "guild members hail from 37 towns in southeastern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. Experience levels range from beginner to professional." 

New Location:  

Walpole VFW Hall108 Robbins Road, less than a mile NW of their former site.

~~~~~~~~~~

October 13, 2015

Tuesday, doors open at 6:30, 10/13/2015

Cocheco Quilters Guild

http://www.cochecoquilters.com

Program:  New Work, Collections, & Skit

Located at the McConnell Center, 61 Locust Street, Dover, NH.  

• Park behind the library and enter through the door marked #2 (handicapped entrance: door #7).  
• Doors open at 6:30 pm, meeting begins at 6:45 pm. 
• Included in the business portion of the meeting are officer and committee reports, Show & Tell, and a fat quarter and door prize drawing.Each meeting features an interesting program, often with nationally recognized quilt teachers and artists offering lectures and trunk shows of their work.

Each meeting features an interesting program, often with nationally recognized quilt teachers and artists offering lectures and trunk shows of their work.

~~~~~~~

December 8, 2015

Social time 6:30, Meeting 7:00-9:00

Tewksbury Piecemakers Guild 

Tewksbury, MA 01876

*Please note: members only, not open to the general public*

~~~~~~~

December 8, 2015

Social time 6:30, Meeting 7:00-9:00

Tewksbury Piecemakers Guild 

Tewksbury, MA 01876

*Please note: members only, not open to the general public*

Speaking Engagements Fall 2015

Well, we are off and quilting new stories and sharing them hither thither and yon...gotta love spell check. I do try to limit my lectures to four times a year, but lately a few others have squeezed under the door.

That gave me time to participate in my guild activities, travel to see my offspring and theirs, rest, sew, rest, sew, oh and eat and exercise, did I mention sketch, stop-sew-buy-fabric-sew, and the most important part, finding stashed fabric in the most unlikely places at home?

October 25, 2016

7:00 pm 

Rising Star Quilt Guild , Lexington, MA

October 19, 2015

Farmington Valley Quilt Guild, Simsbury, CT

Lecture: How to Promote Your Work Without Appologizing

September 14, 16, 2015

Monday 9:00 am 09/14/2015     

Hanna Dustin Quilt Guild

http://hannahdustinqg.org

Program: “Promote Your Work Without Apologizing” 

Meetings are held at the Hudson Community Building (formerly the Lions Hall) on Lions Avenue in Hudson, NH.

From Route 93, Exit 3 – West on Route 111 approximately 8.5 miles. Turn right at the light just past Burger King. Turn left after the Dairy Queen onto Adelaide St. Turn right onto Lions Avenue.

From Route 3, Exit 5 – East on Route 111 to Hudson. Continue straight on 111 and turn right at the Dairy Queen onto Adelaide St. Turn right onto Lions Avenue.

 If you’d like to get directions: click here!

~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, 7:30 pm  09/16/2015  

RHODODENDRON NEEDLE QUILTERS GUILD

http://www.rnqg.org

Program:  Ms. V’s Solo Act:  A Quilter’s Life, a rib tickling informative trunk show, and performance.

RNQG "guild members hail from 37 towns in southeastern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. Experience levels range from beginner to professional." 

New Location:  

Walpole VFW Hall108 Robbins Road, less than a mile NW of their former site.

~~~~~~~~~~

October 13, 2015

Tuesday, doors open at 6:30, 10/13/2015

Cocheco Quilters Guild

http://www.cochecoquilters.com

Program:  New Work, Collections, & Skit

Located at the McConnell Center, 61 Locust Street, Dover, NH.  

• Park behind the library and enter through the door marked #2 (handicapped entrance: door #7).  
• Doors open at 6:30 pm, meeting begins at 6:45 pm. 
• Included in the business portion of the meeting are officer and committee reports, Show & Tell, and a fat quarter and door prize drawing.Each meeting features an interesting program, often with nationally recognized quilt teachers and artists offering lectures and trunk shows of their work.

Each meeting features an interesting program, often with nationally recognized quilt teachers and artists offering lectures and trunk shows of their work.

~~~~~~~

December 8, 2015

Social time 6:30, Meeting 7:00-9:00

Tewksbury Piecemakers Guild 

Tewksbury, MA 01876

*Please note: members only, not open to the general public*

~~~~~~~

December 8, 2015

Social time 6:30, Meeting 7:00-9:00

Tewksbury Piecemakers Guild 

Tewksbury, MA 01876

*Please note: members only, not open to the general public*

Strips torn, zigzag stitched, pieces from scratch and scraps.

Wall Street: 240 Million African Slaves Ago

2013 Cincinnati, Ohio - after the opening and panel discussion.

Then it went to the history museum in Florida its 2014 exhibit. 

Exhibit at the Bullock Museum in Austin, Texas closed on August 30, 2015.

The quilt will be heading off to its new location...

Below is an in progress shot of the quilted faces a few moments after I visualized individuals and knew I could add the details of hair and profiles, which you see on the upper right to left at the top of the wall.

2 Traveling Quilts - eight stops then home.

Mandela Quilt: 

Johannesburg, So Africa

Second and third Location Schedule

The Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
September 8, 2015 - January 31, 2016

National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center
Wilberforce, OH
April 7 - October 7, 2016

Cleaning My Studio? UFOs? One day some day.

What am I crazy?

I will never find thirty percent of my gee gobs again.  I love seeing everything, and I mean everything. If it is away I forget about it until I need something like it.  Eventually I remember but that is usually after I figure out how to do it another way.

So I challenged myself. First of the year, clean it up.  I have thought a lot about it and the challenge of completing projects.

Here's what occurred to me.  UFO's have stages and need to be categorized, librarian's kid...

Unfinished projects

1. Those you have selected the materials, tools, cut, started to sew, skreeched to a halt, put away or boxed, bagged, placed other "more urgent" projects on top of...type.

2. Then there is the one day some day type.

3. The when I get a long arm type.

4. When I get the space type. 

5. Loss of interest fifty percent or more into it.
6. Maybe I can repurpose this.

So here are the first three actual UFOS that I am working on...

1. Binding finishing and label on the Virginia Speigle 100 Quilts Fund Raiser.* Yeah-done!

2, Mazloomi Landscape quilt- still working.

3. Large blue face quilt. Still in the bag...ahhh
4. Organize Scrap collection - 85% complete..*happy* dance
5. Mop up leak from storm damage...on going. Will fix after last snow, gutter still frozen.
6. Studio more chaotic during this cleanup.  History for me, it gets worse before it gets better, hope to see table tops soon.
7. Less sewing done, *plus side* I am finding all my tools and sorting out giveaways.
All most figured out where it all should be...20% there.

Second quarter - goals

Find all African literature and place in one bookshelf. Include small artifacts, sculptures, small quilts. 

Make something to hold rulers in, wall hanging or pegboard thing.
All things yarn, looms, string, related books, magazines, and tools boxed for move.

Orlando History Museum and 240 Million Slaves Ago...

This Quilt has moved to its next stop on it's 5 year tour.

My Quilt Below is On Display at the Bullock Museum:

06/19/2015 - 08/30/2015

1800 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701 • Map it

Update

Exhibit is now on display at the Orlando History Museum until May 3, 2015

http://thehistorycenter.org

Link to the article about the next museum my tribute to African American history in quilt form. http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=063bf7ed7fede722d0387fe34&id=1a5bd9030a&e=2f563d8759

First Stop, National Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinatti, Ohio. Mother and husband joined me on the trip and was there to see me in action on the panel.

SAQA NH-VT-ME Annual Gathering in Searsport, ME

5th year of the Annual Gathering of many quilters and quilt artists from NE and Canada...

If you want to know what is happening late August in ME.  http://saqanhvtme.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

I have gone twice and had a lovely time.  Maine is so beautiful in August.  You are a block away from a beautiful body of water and lobster is so plentyfull and inexpensive.

Go, Come, join us!  If you haven't yet it is also a good time to meet the new reps, sit a spell and chat.

Ms. V