Doesn’t that look like a village you’d love to visit?  It’s nestled in the hills of the Abruzzo region of Italy where I’ll be teaching a textile art workshop in September….and I’m soooo excited!

It’s like the perfect adventure….combining two of my favorite things…travel and textiles!  I’d love to have you consider coming along!

I’ll be teaching at the Abruzzo School of Creative arts…and everything about the school, the location, and the itinerary are deliciously inviting. Check out the website at  www.abruzzoschoolofcreativeart.com.  My workshop will be September 5-12 and you can learn more details about my class by clicking on my name at the top of the page.

Now….you may be asking yourself….why would I want to go to the other side of the world to take a workshop when I can do that at home. Good question….and I have a good answer.  While we’re at this idealic location we’ll be immersed in its beauty and ancient culture which will feed our souls and allow our inspiration to blossom and grow. Nothing to do but enjoy and learn. How often do you get that opportunity in life? Not often.

As artists we need to recharge our batteries from time to time and nothing does that like a fabulous location, others around us who share our passion for textile art…..and  the opportunity to relax and grow artistically. I get this same rejuvenating effect as a teacher as you will as a student……and I can’t wait!!   And the opportunity to be hosted by natives of the region is priceless….our itinerary is relaxed with lots of time for side adventures like an Italian cooking class, wine class, market trips and more. I hope you’ll look at the fabulous details of the itinerary on the website.

So….what do you think?  Let me know if I can answer any questions…..I’m already dreaming of the hills of Italy…especially when I look out my studio window at the drab Washington Winter! It’s only six months away….sigh….

Back by popular demand……POPPIES!  The favorite fabric line I designed for Clothwork Textiles will be on the market again next summer….only with a few tweaks and updates. The main print that you see here will be the same as the original hugely popular version….and in three different colorways. Here’s a sneak peak at the other two….all favorites of mine, of course!

The line will be called SCARLET…. appropriate for red poppies, don’t you think. It’s been several years since the first line made its debut, but I still get emails asking if by chance I have any left. Although I don’t sell fabric through my website ( I leave that to the quilt shops)….I will share a little of my private stash if folks can’t find it anywhere else. I’ve hoarded the last yard or two….don’t ask me why….I guess I just like to look at it…so I’m thrilled there will be a new supply.

As you probably know….one of my mottos when it comes to fabric is Bigger is Better. The other is Go Big or Go Home.  It works for lots of things….including fabric! I love designing and working with big, bold, brave prints and I especially like them with black. If you want a little, or a lot, of drama….you can’t go wrong with red and black.

We’re also bringing back the killer variegated solids…which I LOVE using. You get an added punch when you use a color in various shades and these are fabulous. It’s hard to tell from the photos as you’re seeing just a little slice, but trust me…you’ll love them!

I love designing fabric….or I wouldn’t have stayed with it for over ten years. It’s tough out there in the fabric design world and you really have to like the process and the product to hang in there. Obviously I do.  If you’re a fabric fan, you’ve probably discovered changes in the availability of fabric at your local quilt store. Reorders are pretty much a thing of the past…..It’s a “one and done” kind of game now.  Shops order it when it’s still in the paper artwork form and the orders are placed for the amount that’s pre-sold before the printing. That’s the way the games played with many, or even most, of the fabric companies today. Moral of the story is…..if you see it at the quilt shop and you like it…you’d better buy it then because it may not be there tomorrow. Period. That being said….I still love designing, touching, playing with, creating with, looking at, and studying…..FABRIC.

Here’s a look at a few more of the prints you’ll find in the line. Remember, quilt shops….summer, 2012. Don’t miss it!