Needle Arts Corner
By Madonna A. Terlizzi
Needle Arts Corner – Summer 2012 Issue!
We had a great spring here at the Studio and are looking forward to a busy summer and fall! The Mystery quilts that we made over the winter months have been finished. They are absolutely stunning. You will be able to see them at the Farnum House on August 19, 2012. See below for more details!
I have had the opportunity to visit a few museums over the last couple of weeks and would like to tell you about them: My first trip was to the Danforth Museum which is located in Framingham, MA. Over the summer months they are featuring local artists and their work. The show, which encompasses their entire museum, was very inspirational to say the very least. The museum put away their permanent collection to make room for this special showing!
Another day in June, I took two of my girlfriends to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We had a wonderful time looking at all of the wonderful art, such as Renior, Monet, Hopper, Rodin to name a few. The new contemporary wing and recent addition are now open. The special attractions for this summer are Alex Kats Prints and Dancing Renior’s. Do not miss these exhibits! Plus, it is always nice cool in the museum, especially by the mummies! They also now showcase how they restore some of the many artifacts that they acquire such as Egyptian stone pieces, paintings from many periods of time and their newest acquisition, Juno. It is just fascinating to experience these professionals at work.
Living in the Blackstone Valley most people are familiar with Samuel Slater and his impact on America and the Industrial Revolution that has had a huge impact on this country. A trip to the American Textile Museum in Lowell, MA is a fantastic place to see just how textiles and their daily uses impact our lives. The exhibits start in the Colonial times and ends in the modern day use of linen, cotton, wool and the many other natural and manmade materials. Just a great place for the entire family, I had visited there a year or so with the gals from my Guild and just the other day brought my dad with me. There is something for everyone there, you must check it out. The special exhibit now showing is a huge collection of Civil War quilts. I will be making another visit when we attend the Lowell Quilt Festival in August. I cannot wait!
Studio interests:I have a block of the month quilting project that will be starting on September 4, 2012. You may sign up to play anytime this summer. The cost is $10.00 for the project instructions. It is a beautiful quilt that you will enjoy for many years to come.
I will also be holding monthly charm swaps so you can add to your current charm quilt project or you are welcome to start one now! Just bring ten sets 3” squares to any class and take a new set for yourself. This is a wonderful way to get rid of some of your unwanted fabric. I am holding charm swaps at the Purity Spring Resort retreats as well. You can never have too many charms!! If you are wondering what they look like when these charm quilts are done, just ask to see the finished ones that I have and the top that I have in progress. You will want to get started on one right away!!!
I have a new fixation and it is called Cathedral Windows!! So I pulled out a book and started a piece for everyone to see. My initial one project that I had made a few years back is very colorful, with various colors used as the foundation pieces, I have since made it into a needle book. The one that I just started has a muslin foundation, with scraps of 1930’s reproduction fabric for the inner colors. Very cute! I am happy to show it off at any time!
What else is new? We made some primitive flags out of my bin of red, white and blue fabric and lady bug needle books. My gals have also made colorful ice cream cone wall hangings, followed by an ice cream party! A very tasty and fun adventure!!
Summer and Fall Activities to sign up for:These events are coming soon and space is limited, so sign up soon so you will not be left out of the fun!
If you could not make the July date consider this one (or come to both events)! Plan to come for a sizzling evening of sewing, refreshments and live music, featuring Joe Terlizzi. Time: 5:00 to 10:00pm, Fee: $25.00 Seating limited: 10 people
What to bring to the Summer Sizzlers you say? Old projects that are lurking in your closets, new projects that you are not sure of or need a block of time to cut out, how about starting your Christmas presents now instead of November? You also have the option of just relaxing for the evening and enjoying a few uninterrupted hours with your friends (new and old). Sign up sheets are available in the Studio, your seat is secured with payment to these events.
I have a fantastic new book by Joyce R. Becker called Quick Little Landscapes which features some new fun techniques that I believe you will enjoy. Class fee of $15.00 includes supplies and light refreshments. Sign up sheet is now in the Studio. You will need your machine for this project, so bring it along!
We have a couple of adventures out of the Studio coming up too!August 11, 2012: Trip to the Lowell Quilt Festival. If you have not attended before you should consider checking it out. There are beautiful quilts to see as well as vendors from across the country. There is also a bus that will transport you to the New England Quilt Museum and the American Textile Museum. Both are fantastic establishments to visit!
August 19, 2012: Quilt showing at the Farnum House, located on Rt. 16, Uxbridge, MA. Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Come by and check out this fantastic old home and our handiwork too! Free to the public, donations to the upkeep of the house are accepted.
I have also had the opportunity to present a couple trunk shows and workshops to various quilting guilds in New England! My topic is Victorian Crazy Quilting. It is a pleasure to meet everyone at these events and show them my hand made pieces, antiques and other wonderful pieces that I have collected. My trunk show can be brought to libraries, senior centers, schools and of course guild meetings.
For such a small place, it is a really busy one!! All are welcome to attend classes, just contact me and I will get you started! Happy summer!
Peace,
Madonna
508-294-5721
