Alzheimer's Auction & Sale

The April Slow & Silent
Quilt Auction To Fight Alzheimer's
Starts April 1st

All profits fund Alzheimer's research!
 

My quilt, "Memories", was selected from hundreds of quilts donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative to be auctioned during the month of April. These are online auctions to raise money to fight Alzheimer's.


Now is your chance to own one of my quilts. Please bid in the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative online auction. Even if you don't make the winning bid, your support would make a big difference to me and to the AAQI, a nonprofit national charity that I support.  Click here to bid.

There are also a lot of quilts that are priced to sell at any time.  The "Falling Leaves" postcard that I donated has already sold.  The larger piece pictured here is still up for sale.

Go the "Quilts for Sale" page to see it and the others that can be purchased at all times.

"Fading Memories II"
(10"x 8")  $175

"Waiting"

"Waiting"- 17"x 13"

cotton, lace, wool roving, thread ravels, & tulle

oil stick pastels & colored pencils

machine quilting

Dolls.  I love dolls.  I've collected dolls.  I've restored dolls.  I've made dolls.  I've dressed dolls.  This photo of dolls delighted me.  Consequently, I didn't stray far from the original for my interpretation.

Click here to read about the process of my thinking about and making this piece.  If you've missed the other participating members creative interpretations of this challenge photo, scroll down to see them while you're there. 

Exclusive collaboration with Erickson Beamon and Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters and jewellery designer Erickson Beamon have collaborated launching an exclusive collection later this week. This collection includes a chain and charm bracelet, a pair of anchor shaped earings, a long belly button hitting pendant and a shorter multi chain layered a-symmetric necklace. The collection ranges from £68.00 and £98.00 and will be available at selected Urban Outfitter stores and online at www.urbanoutfitters.com

New womenswear label Rütme launches

Following the success of HUMOR in the UK, the Danish brand is set to introduce the women’s branch of the label Rütme. The creative force behind Rütme includes designer Rikke Charlotte Larsen and art director Nicole Rindsig. Together they have designed a collection full of funky silhouettes, artistic graphics and crazy colours. This debut collection samples inspiration from current females in music including Lucy Love, CocoRosie and La Roux’ singer Elly Jackson. The functionality of sportswear and the colours of vintage T-shirts and sneakers from the 1990s are combined with elaborate fashion details like puff shoulders and highly detailed graphics. Prices ranges from £25.00 - £110.00. Stockist number: 020-7436 0986.

New online fashion house supporting new talent, House of Maffia launches

Lisa Maffia has been on the UK music urban scene for years after being the First Lady of chart success So Solid Crew. Lisa went on to have a successful solo career and helped create the platform for take-over acts including N-Dubz, Chipmunk and TinchyStryder. Lisa is now launching her own online fashion house, House of Maffia. Using her previous experience in the music industry, Lisa hopes to help pave the way once again for up-and-coming designers. The online fashion house will feature Lisa’s own range Lei Chels, alongside a number of concessions from new and exciting creative talent. House of Maffia will act as a platform for the concession designers to showcase and feature their creations. Each designer will not only be able to sell pieces from their collection on the site, but will also each have a separate contact profile, giving them a space through which stylists, musicians and retailers can contact them direct. House of Maffia is holding a press launch on 6 May (See DIARY dates).

moloh fashion show in aid of The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care

moloh and Calcot Manor are teaming up on 19 April to stage two fashion shows in aid of The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care. A two course sit-down lunch will be served ahead of the half-hour fashion show. The lunchtime ticket price will be £55.00 per person to include a donation of at least £8.50 to The Lavender Trust. A half hour champagne and canapé reception at 7pm will precede the evening fashion show with tickets for this event priced at £39.00 per person to include a donation of at least £2.50 to The Lavender Trust. The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care raises money specifically to fund its information and support for younger women. moloh will be showing its new 2010 collection that hits the shops the week of the fashion show. moloh has shops in Tetbury, Gloucestershire and Pimlico, London. www.moloh.com

Craftwork campaign from Levi's

Levi’s latest campaign has been developed to support the re-launch of its UK Flagship store on Regent Street, due to open tomorrow. The campaign has gone live in print magazines and is inspired by the flagship stores Craftsmanship design. The campaign is entitled ‘Craftwork’ and was developed and created by Exposure. Levi’s has recruited 18 of London’s most talented craftworkers to feature as icons of the new store. Levi’s scoured London to find craftsmen and craftswomen across worlds as broad as art, music, performance and catering to truly represent a young and dynamic London. Imagery was shot by leading music and portrait photographer Dean Chalkley and can now be seen throughout London as of yesterday.

London Jewellery Week 2010

London Jewellery Week 2010 is set to take place this June in venues across London (See DIARY dates). The four cornerstone events of London Jewellery Week will support new designers, feature established names and give visitors an experience of two of London’s traditional jewellery quarters: Treasure is a selling exhibition to be held at Victoria House on Kingsway, featuring over 80 contemporary designers showcasing their latest bespoke collections; The Goldsmiths’ Company at Goldsmiths’ Hall will be the venue for a number of special events during the week, including the launch party and a Salon Privé fashion show; Hatton Garden will host the family-friendly Hatton Garden Street Festival, featuring open-workshops, launches, activities for kids and opportunities to learn about diamonds, stones, jewellery and the history of the area; Green Street Jewellers’ Association represents the traditional centre for London’s Asian jewellery trade and will host a series of activities, including the launch of Discover, a new consumer jewellery magazine, and a sponsored prize draw.

Growing Flock

Birds!  There's evidence of a growing flock out there in the world.  In the last month about 200 people from all over found their way to my blog because of their interest in fabric birds.  On the Scribd site where my bird pattern can be downloaded there have been 21,290 visits and 1,783 downloads since it was posted at the end of April in 2008.  If everyone who has printed the pattern made just one bird that would be a huge flock.

As most everyone who makes one bird quickly finds out, there is little chance of just making one.  Ideas for the next bird hit quickly.  Besides, all the tools and materials are already out.

A number of birds have been blogged about and shared with me.
Judy created this one.

I cannot recall who created this wild, wired and beaded beauty.

How about this combination of fabrics?  I love placement for the eye.

The rest of the photos are of birds made by ladies of the Ramsey Methodist Chapel Craft Group in the UK.  Note the fancy fabric tail on the one.

PS:  Below is an email from the person who contacted me about permission to use the bird pattern for the church group.

Nellie thank you so much, even my bird with it's wobbly legs. And yes we did have enormous fun making them. Further you are right, there are more being made.

Thank you again for giving us permission to use them.

Marjorie

Personal shoppers & stylists - Abigail Michael London

Abigail Michael London houses personal shoppers and personal stylists. Current clients who recommend Abigail Michael London as a service to its visitors include: Hilton Hotel, Manderin Oriental Hotel, Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten, Brown's Hotel, The Dorchester and Virgin Active Mayfair/ Regents Park. After having worked with the best within both the entertainment and fashion industries. Abigail Michael London has now decided to transfer their know-how to the general public. The services provided are tailored to meet the needs and requirements of its clients, covering all ages and sizes for men and women and children. Offering not only styling and shopping consultations, Abigail Michael London provides clients with the latest trends in fashion.

MediSpa at Urban Retreat

The new MediSpa at Urban Retreat offers a range of non-invasive holistic facials, five element acupuncture, medical aesthetic treatments and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to sculpt and reshape the body. MediSpa is also offering a number of new services on site. Registered with the Care Quality Commission, MediSpa provides a comprehensive portfolio of services to treat all skin types; body contouring, cellulite, skin tightening and rejuvenating treatments.

New online boutique Ce Me London

Founded by Mindi Chahal, Ce Me London is a new online boutique with a collection of catwalk led fashion, designed in house. Based in London, Ce Me London has been supplying select boutiques around the world with bespoke and couture cut designer dresses for over twenty years. The collection includes a selection of classic evening dresses, party dresses and on trend day dresses. Featured here is the Golden Olive V-Neck Dress priced at £50.00.

News For the Day

Two events that I'm involved in have "reveals" online today.

The quilts for April's The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative auction are posted and one of my scrappy postcards, "Memories", is up for bidding.  Click on the highlighted link to see all 25 wonderful quilts and then make  a bid beginning April 1st on your favorite.  The purpose of the auction is to raise awareness and fund research.  AAQI is a national, grassroots charity.  2010 is its third year as a nonprofit corporation. So far this year it has earned approximately $7,895.38 in profit. All profit is used to fund Alzheimer's research.

More about this postcard can be read about here.

The other two pieces that I created and donated at the same time are  listed for sale on the AAQI website at this link.  "Falling Leaves" (#4936) is  postcard size while "Fading Memories II" (4937) is 10"x 8". They, too, can be read about on the same post as the flower piece that's up for auction.

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On the Interpret This blog the reveals begin for the interpretations of this March challenge photo submitted by Kay of Out of the Basement.

Kay and Kim are the first to post their interpretations.  There will be two reveals a day through next Wednesday, the 31st.  Mine will be at noon on Tuesday.

New Canvases

It has been a while since I've worked on new canvases and it felt good to take these two through the many stages to completion. What I enjoyed most this time was the addition of molding paste and stamping into the paste for some great texture.

The sunflower piece is available in my Etsy shop and the pear I'll be hanging in my kitchen. I plan to create two more small canvases to go along with it...an artichoke is next on my list.



Sunflower painting available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Former creative director of WGSN has been appointed as TEXPRINT's new chairman

TEXPRINT, the non-profit organisation that nurtures home-grown textile talent, has announced the appointment of its new chairman Barbara Kennington (formerly creative director of WGSN - leading online research, trend analysis and news service for the fashion industry). Barbara will formally take over from the current chairman Julius Schofield in September 2010 at TEXPRINT’s annual prize ceremony at Indigo, Paris. During his seven years leading the charity, Schofield has been responsible for enlisting the support of some of fashion’s most loved designers including Diane Von Furstenberg and Giles Deacon. Many of TEXPRINT’s former alumni, such as Louise Goldin and Alice Temperley, have become internationally renowned names thanks to the support they received from this dedicated and hard working organisation. After graduating from London’s Royal College of Art in the late 1970s Barbara set up her own label, later moving on to work as design director for Desmond & Sons, then Coats Viyella PLC, both major suppliers to Marks & Spencer. In 1997, having developed the concept of WGSN with its founders Mark and Julian Worth, Kennington was invited to join WGSN to put the concept into action.

New watch collection from Miss Sixty

Miss Sixty are launching a new watch collection available this May. The Holiday Watch features an oversize rubber strap with digital face. It is available in six colours: fluorescent fuchsia, sunshine yellow, apple green, classic red, teal blue and white. Priced at £25.00 each, the Holiday Watch comes in its own bright pack, which can be used as a coin purse or mini carry-case.

Lyme Fine Jewellery collection

Lyme Fine Jewellery, the brainchild of Celia Weinstock, features a selection of precious and semi-precious gemstones, ranging from cut diamonds to brightly coloured coral, handcrafted and set in a variety of shades of 18k gold, from black to pale gold. Her unique designs combine traditional techniques with contemporary finishes and the result is a collection which appeals to all ages. Celia’s first collection, on display at Mallett on Bond Street, features over sixty individual pieces, including both classics and more contemporary pieces, taking her inspiration from Art Deco, Naturalistic and Ancient Asian motifs.

Scalloped Piping

Leona's scalloped binding insert at the outside edge of her quilt, "Serengeti at Twilight", has gotten a lot of attention.  She sent a detail photo and a statement to share with you.

Dear Nellie, 

I've attached a photo of the binding for you, since you mentioned it.  As I was taking questions at the show, people asked about it and thought it was rick-rack; they weren't sure if they believed me that I had made it myself.   I learned the technique from a Ricky Tims CD. 

 I surfed the web to find more specific info about Ricky Tim's process and found an interview he gave Barbara Beck for The Alliance for American Quilts in the year 2000 at International Quilt Festival.

This is a scalloped binding and it looks like the scallop is a fold that's put on the quilt and then the binding is put on.   In actuality the scallop is put onto the binding and the binding is put onto the quilt and I quilt in the ditch between the scallop and the binding. There's a line of stitching you can barely see running right along the edge of that quilt so there's not a single hand stitch anywhere on this.

I did a bit of experimenting with the help of Leona's and Ricky's information and recognized this scallop as a technique that I've previously used in heirloom sewing ... both by hand and by machine.  The "blind hem stitch" on the sewing machine does the trick.  It's a matter of playing around to find the right thread, stitch width, and tension to achieve a good scallop for the fabric used.  I located the stitch information for a scallop on a doll's dress I had made of batiste.  The tension on the machine was set at 8.5 ... it would need to be higher for a heavier fabric.  Of course, that scallop could be stitched by hand on a narrow binding already inserted into a quilt.  I cannot imagine how long it would take, but it's the kind of thing Linda Roy wouldn't think twice about doing ... if she hasn't already.

PS:  Here's a bit more information in response to the questions in the comment section. The scallops are made on the binding by machine sewing the blind-hem stitch on the folded edge.  Then the binding is attached to the  desired place on the quilt by sewing over the row of machine machine stitching on the binding.  A regular binding for the raw outside edge would then be added.  At least that is how I would do it.  I don't know if that's the procedure followed by Ricky Tim. And yes, Kay, that is the same machine stitch used to make a lettuce edging on knits.  The trick is to get the tension for that one stitch that swings out over the edge of the fold tight enough to draw the fold into the stitching line. If this scalloped piping were being done by hand the procedure is quite different.  It would be done after a plain fold piping is already sewn into the quilt.  Click here to go to a link to show how that would be done. Leona posted a tutorial here on how she made the scallops and applied  them to the binding of the quilt.

Alexander McQueen launches Mens underwear collection for Autumn/Winter 2010

Alexander McQueen announces the launch of its first mens underwear collection for Autumn/ Winter 2010. The collection comprises of four ranges - Basic, Fashion, Sleepwear and Loungewear. The Basic range offers boxers, briefs and vests which will be available in white, black, grey and navy. This includes an all over skull print or plain colour, and incorporates a variation of narrow or wide detailed waistband and feature embroidery. The Fashion series draws inspiration from iconic McQueen prints and details. Updated seasonally to include fresh designs, the range will feature key signatures from past and present collections. The launch collection offers the feather print, x-ray, degradé, and the most recent bone prints. The Sleepwear comprises of luxury pyjamas and boxers and is inspired by the traditional gentlemen of Savile Row. The range is available in a cotton plain colour, silk and cotton blue feather print and for a more luxurious feel, a silk skull jacquard, a design already seen in silk accessories such as cravats and ties. The Loungewear draws on military wear, incorporating lightweight jersey fabrics into long johns and classic Henley tops, and fleece for the hooded asymmetrical cardigans and track pants. The brand image and packaging imagery was shot by renowned fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan, and is reminiscent of old black and white abstract photography. The collection will be available online on www.alexandermcqueen.com and in stores worldwide from June 2010. Prices range from £35.00 for a basic boxer to £370.00 for silk jacquard pyjamas set.

SMQ Guild Show Special Award Quilts

The Smoky Mountain Quilt Guild Show took place in Maryville, Tennessee last week.  There were over 1650 visitors who came to see the exhibit of 175 quilts.  The submissions were mostly from Tennessee quilters.  Forty-five quilts were sent from 17 other states.  All the quilts can be viewed in a slide show here on the guild's website.

I'd like to share the quilts that won the special award ribbons (click to see post about ribbons) since I was in charge of those.  The person's name who created the ribbon's rosette is in parenthesis behind the award title.

BEST IN SHOW BED QUILT AWARD (Nellie Durand)
"Vintage Button Bouquet"
by Linda M. Roy of Knoxville, Tennessee

category: Bed Quilts-Mixed Techniques/Appliqued

Linda was inspired by antique button (1850-1880) found on bracelets and watches purchased at "Prized Possessions" at national quilt shows.  She placed motifs on a background of burnt cheddar.  The grays and gold/yellow mimic the colors found in many of the buttons.  Linda is well known for her hand-work and quilting.

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BEST IN SHOW WALL QUILT AWARD (Nellie Durand)
"Serengeti At Twilight"
by Leona Harden of New Tazewell, Tennessee

category: Bed Quilts-Mixed Techniques

Leona wrote, "Medallion style using orange, purples, greens, and gold.  The quilting motifs are from a study of the Serengeti region.  No piecing - all is raw edge applique."  Leona does amazingly intricate quilting designs with her Tin Lizzy long arm machine.  I wish I had taken a close-up photo of the scalloped narrow piping that was inserted at the edge of the border.

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EXCELLENCE IN HAND WORKMANSHIP AWARD (Linda Roy)
"Hummingbird Heaven"
by Mary E. Piper of Racine, Wisconsin

category: Bed Quilts-Mixed Techniques

Mary says, "This is my first large applique project.  It consists of 16 blocks with each one having a different flower and hummingbird in place.  The piecing was all done by machine; there is hand and machine applique in each of the blocks."

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EXCELLENCE IN MACHINE WORKMANSHIP AWARD 
(Loretta Painter)
"Birds Of A Feather"
by Peggy Garwood of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

category: Two Person Team

 Peggy writes, "My version of the pattern added trapunto and I changed the border.  The hand-guided machine quilting by Kathy Drew used over 6,000 yards of thread."

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INNOVATIVE DESIGN AWARD (Tone Haugen-Cogburn)
"Rain Drops"
by Lissie Turnage of Johnson City, Tennessee

category: Two Person Team - Large

Lissie wrote, "Tennessee Quilt Shop of Jonesborough invited Judy Neimeyer to teach a 3-day class using a technique called Foundation Paper Piecing. Curved piecing and traditional skills are required to jin the units after the foundation piecing is completed.  The design and color are unique.  The crystals add to the beauty of the quilt.  It is quilted by Donna Patrick."

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SURFACE EMBELLISHMENT AWARD (Bridget Wilson Matlock)
"There Is Nothing Sissy About A Pansy"
by Bonnie Ouellette of Seneca, South Carolina

category: Wall Quilts - Mixed Techniques

Bonnie wrote, " My attraction to the pansy and its strength through tough winters, stimulated me to design this piece.  The background fabric is from a thrift store dress and is machine quilted.  The superimposed beaded piece is done completely by hand."

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JUST FOR FUN AWARD (Sheila Rauen)
"Games And Toys For Girls And Boys"

by Dot Fraser of Norris, Tennessee

category: Two Person Team - Small

This quilt was made for the Norris Guild Challenge entitled, "The Child Within".  It was made by Dot and quilted by Loretta Painter.

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SCRAP QUILT AWARD (Melissa Carter)

"Red Serpentine"
by Geraldine Couturier of Knoxville, Tennessee

category: Two Person Team - Large

Geraldine wrote, " Several years ago I took a class taught by Mary Mashuta.  Using her book, Cotton Candy,  I decided to use black and white fabrics with a red background to make the quilt POP.  The construction was completed in November 2009 and is quilted by Sue Drinnen."

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TRADITIONAL DESIGN AWARD (Gloria Felter)




"A Walk In A Springtime Garden"
by Ann B. Meyer of Maryville, Tennessee

 category: Two Person Team - Large

Ann wrote, "I loved the picture of the Irish Chain quilt on the cover of the quilt book, Using Your Scraps.  I used many pastel scraps that had been saved for many years plus a few purchased fat quarters.  It's machine quilted by Debbie Best."

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NOVICE AWARD (Patty Ashworth)
"Doyleen's Heritage"
by Leslie Hinson of Knoxville, Tennessee

category: SMQ Members Only Challenge

Leslie wrote, "While pondering what to do for the Pearls of Wisdom SMQ Challenge for the 30th anniversary, Doyleen Taylor said she remembers sitting under her grandmother's quilt frame.  And so the idea --on the left side is 1980, on the right is 2010 with the little girl grown up."

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IRENE WYLIE MEMORIAL AWARD (Tone Haugen-Cogburn)
"Monarch's Paradise"
by Donna Davis of Aiken, South Carolina

category: Wall Quilts - Mixed Techniques

Donna wrote, "I made this quilt for the Hoffman Challenge in 2007.  The background fabric was the challenge fabric and as it turned out, was a real challenge for me.  It won Creator's Choice.  I made some flowers by using the Petal Play technique."

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JUDGE'S CHOICE AWARD (Nellie Durand)
"Through My Eyes"
by Christine Bryden of Mosheim, Tennessee

category: Large Pictorial

Christine wrote, " This was a challenge quilt.  Most of the fabric was hand dyed or painted.  It's pieced by machine.  The design was inspired by Quiltscapes written by Rebecca Barker.

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VIEWER'S CHOICE AWARD (Nellie Durand)
"Thistles"
by Mary Ramsey Keasler of Cleveland, Tennessee

category: Large Pictorial

Mary wrote, "This is an original design based on my photos of wild thistles growing along the roadside during a hot summer drought.  The brilliant green, pink, and fuchsia colors were an inspiring contrast to the parched summer fields."

That one got my vote ... along with a whole lot of other people's.

Cat Deeley appointed Global Brand Ambassador for Links of London

Links of London has announced Cat Deeley as its Global Brand Ambassador, with immediate effect. In her role as the first ambassador for the brand, Cat will front the Autumn/Winter 2010 campaign across the UK, US and Asia.