STEEL 2022 48H x 44W

Artist Statement—This is an unusual color palette for me—so limited! It reminds me of the Industrial Revolution, Social Realism Posters, and massive quantities of metal—ships, planes, and Cold War Missiles. It makes me think about all that is cold, intellectual, masculine, and hard edged. Look for this quilt in the Improv Category at QuiltCon 2024.

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
Ryunosuke Satoro

Every Friday that I am in Anchorage, I host Crafty Makers at Taku Elementary School. Crafty Makers is a stitching program for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. We make things with fiber and stitch.

Last week, we decided to push all the tables together and make one big SEWING CIRCLE. They didn’t know what was happening, but I did. I could actually feel the energy change. We were now all stitching together. Several of the students asked if they could get their friends from the lunchroom to join us. (Spread the word—making is COOL.)

Here is a sample conversation almost word for word.

Loudest and Most Opinionated Crafty Maker—“They only like quiet shy girls.” Laughter.
Quiet Shy Crafty Maker—“I am quiet and shy, and they don’t like me!” Giggling.
Ten Year Old Crafty Maker throws her hands in the air—“I have waited ten years! And NO ONE has ever liked me.” Groans.

LAUGHTER. STITCHING. TOGETHER.

QUILTCON
Later that day, I realized that those young makers were gathering to stitch and talk and commune with each other. And this week I will be doing the same. How cool is that? I am mostly at QuiltCon to see and connect, but there are a few things I am doing that I wanted to share.

BOOK SIGNING
Thursday, February 22, 2024
C&T BOOTH 515
1:00-1:30PM Book Signing—Stop by and say hello!

STUDENT MEET UP
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Rye Bar Marriott City Center Hotel 
5PM-7PM—All students welcome. Meet your virtual friends LIVE!

WORKSHOP DISCOUNT (For All of YOU!)
Thursday, February 22—Sunday, February 25, 2024
Coupon Code—QUILTCON24

To celebrate QuiltCon 2024, I am offering a 24% discount code on the following virtual workshops.

Circle & Curve Sampler
Game of Improv
Under the Influence 

Select your workshop and then use the code QUILTCON24 to receive 24% OFF the cost of the workshop. The code is good from Thursday, February 22—Sunday, February 25, 2024. I hope this entices you to sign up! 

WHAT’S HAPPENING
MOROCCO with AMAZIGH CULTURAL TOURS

I am going to Morocco with Amazigh Cultural Tours, and I would LOVE for you to join me!The tour is happening April 13—27, 2023.

STUDIO SNAPSHOT
I am in the middle of a long term project that involves scraps. I like this type of work. It allows me to revisit so many fabrics. Don’t you folks love it when you see an old time fabric in someone else’s quilt, and you recognize it from your stash? I have been quilting long enough that the fabric I bought new is now vintage! 

FLASHBACK PHOTO
My studio is in the center of our house, and somehow everyone manages to find a space to hunker down. This is Kato. It is hard to believe that we have had this crazy cat for twelve years! When I am on the road, I have to be careful to put away all my fabric. If I don’t, it will be covered in orange fur when I get home.

May you always be part of a sewing circle.

Maria