Around the World Blog Hop

I was invited to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop by fabric artisan Carol  of Carol R. Eaton Designs.  

BUT here is the catch...I am blogging more frequently at the following addresses. Please go to http://www.MaryLachmanDesign.blogspot.com (Mary Lachman Design) and 
Moth at the Window.

Spring Garden - inspired by my backyard (honestly!)

CheckerBlue Scrap Quilt Free Pattern

CheckerBlue is an easy to make scrap quilt. The checkerboard 9-patch blocks are all made from 2 1/2" strips. Four 9-patch blocks create one large 'checkerboard' block. The alternating large squares combine colors from the smaller 9-patch blocks and a contrast colors. A knowledge of basic block and quilt construction is assumed. If you have any questions please leave a comment for me.

Materials:
Assorted dark, light and medium 2 1/2" x wide-of-fabric strips (I used predominately blue and white).
Two yards of dark contrast print fabric (C)
One yard of blue and white check fabric (D)

How to make one 9-patch block:

1. Cut 2 1/2" strips into 2 1/2" squares.
2. Sew dark and light squares together in groups of 3 (dark-light-dark) = A
3. Sew light and dark squares together in groups of 3 (light-dark-light) = B
4. Sew the group of 3 'A' to a group of 3 'B', press seams to dark
5. Add another row of 3 'A' or 3 'B' to complete the pattern
6. Completed block will be 6 1/2" square.
7. Four of these 9-patch blocks are sewn together to make one large 'checkerboard' block that should measure 12 1/2" finished.

How to make larger contrast block:

1. Cut 2 fabric strips 4 1/2" x 12 1/2" (C-1)
2. Cut 2 squares from the same fabric, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" (C-2)
3. Cut 1 contrast fabric square, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" (D)
4. Sew one C-2 square onto the side of D square. 
5. Sew the second C-2 square onto the opposite side of the D square.
6. Sew the C-1 strips along each edge of the C-2:D:C-2 piece.
7. The completed contrast block should measure 12 1/2".

To see my current work in progress go to http://www.MaryLachmanDesign.blogspot.com

Connecting Threads - Quilting as a part of Jewish Life

My art quilt group, Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective, traveled to the West Hartford Jewish Community Center for a meeting in August and had a chance to see some amazing artwork in the front gallery. Here are some of the photos.

Indigo Dyeing

I think I am in love again.  And this time it is with INDIGO.  

Thank you Carol R. Eaton for introducing us.  My fingers are blue, my shirt is spattered, but this is FUN.

A Little Bit of Shiva Paintstik

I was at the courthouse today for jury duty but mid-way through the morning we were released. Hurrah!

Bonus day in the studio. I set to work on the piece shown above.  These are just strips of commercial cotton of various widths that I sewed side-to-side and then cut at odd angles, sashed randomly in white and set them all against a black background. 

Here it is now. Colors muted and blended. Hmmm. I like it but think it needs something more. Still not quilted. What do you think it needs? I would love to learn your thoughts.

Shiva Paintstiks - Easier than You Think!

Several years ago I received ziplock bag of Shiva Paint sticks that a friend no longer wanted. And like so many things the bag sat around in my studio for a year or so before I got around to trying them.

On Sunday afternoon I pulled out some hand dyed fabric, a couple of plastic templates, and the paint sticks. After a few missteps I figured it out...and of course by then I read the directions!

To see what I did please follow this link later tonight to my new blog http://marlachmandesign.bogspot.com

Consolidation

I have decided to consolidate my blogs into one (for all obvious reasons). Please follow me from this point forward at:

http://marylachmandesign.com

Thanks! See you there.

12 Characteristics of Creative People

This is a list of 12 tendencies shared by creative individuals posted online by Kim Phillips in March 2012. I  have reprinted the list here with her permission. Please follow this link to her original post    http://getlucid.net/?s=creative+people

Creative people are different because they operate a little differently. They....

1. Are easily bored
2. Are willing to take risks
3. Don't like rules
4. Ask "what if"
5. Make lots of mistakes
6. Collaborate
7. Are generous
8. Are independent
9. Experiment
10. Motivate themselves
11. Work hard
12. Aren't alone

Do you see yourself in this list? I can relate to every one, but the big ones are #1, 3, and 8.  Send me a comment and let me know which ones resonate most strongly for you.

Weekend Stitching and the Duncaster Show Continues

I want to finish putting the binding onto "Blue Check" a contemporary quilt of my own design inspired by Kaffe Fassett. Check back for a report on my progress.
And yes, that is my Green Machine, a vintage Sears Kenmore from the 1950's. It is my 'go to' machine. Those of you who know me from quilt retreats know it is with me when the Featherweight is not.

The exihibit of my art quilt group, The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective (CTFAC) http://ctfac.blogspot.com  "Spring Thaw"continues at the Duncaster Retirement Center in Bloomfield http://duncaster.org through this March 28, 2014.  We were overwhelmed with the interest the group showed in us and our work. The reception included music and gallery talks by members of CTFAC.  The Duncaster Center is located at 40 Loeffler Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002.

Here Antonia Torres (right) and I walking to the exhibit area to talk with attendees about our creative process. 

Artwork by Rosalind Spann

Artwork by Karen Loprete

Irises by Carol R. Eaton 

Artwork by Christina Blais

Here I am discussing our Grey Matter Challenge

Woodland Inspirations - Southford Falls State Park

This year is the 100th anniversary celebration of Connecticut State Parks. 

I have set a goal for myself to to hike in as many parks as possible this year. The thing that may surprise you is how many state parks (and national forests) there are in Connecticut. To find a park near you search the website of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)  www.ct.gov/deep 

Here are some photos I took at Southford Falls State Park in Oxford this week. What a glorious time of year---the transition between winter and spring. I am inspired by the sun, clouds, and water. I love the shadows that are cast by the trees on the snow-covered forest floor. 

Spring Thaw

As February winds continue to blow the snow and cold one cannot help but think of spring which is only a few weeks away.

To speed our transition (if only in our minds) my art quilt group (CTFAC) opens a new show titled "Spring Thaw" at the Duncaster Retirement Center in Bloomfield. Several of my pieces are shown below.

The opening reception is Sunday, March 2nd, from 4:00-5:30 p.m.  The exhibit continues at the Duncaster Center  http://duncaster.org through March 28, 2014. I hope you will be able to attend.

"Window Box" by Mary Lachman, 2013- wool, threads, and vintage crochet mounted on streched canvas,

"Roses and Old Lace" by Mary Lachman, 2013 - wool, threads and vintage crochet mounted on stretched canvas

"Spring Garden" by Mary Lachman, 2013 - cotton fabric and vintage crochet mounted on stretched canvas

Starburst

Fresh off my needle is "Starburst" a 26"x26" art quilt made of cotton fabric and batting. The design was inspired when a friend and fellow quilter suffered a strange brain phenomenon causing her to lose 20 years of memories over the course of 1 week.

I will exhibit this piece in "Impromptu Fibers" at the Legislative Office building in Hartford, CT later this spring. "Impromptu Fibers" is a combined show of two art groups, The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective http://ctfac.blogspot.com  and Sisters in Cloth http://sistersincloth.blogspot.com
Check back for additional information on that exhibit.

The Grey Matter Challenge

Early last summer I handed each member of my art quilt group (CTFAC) a brown paper bag filled with strips of grey cotton and challenged them to create a small art quilt using at least 2 of the fabrics in the bag.

My piece is a landscape reminiscent of the view out my car's rear view window in the late fall as I drive to work early each morning. The sun is not yet over the horizon, but has begun to fill the sky with a beautiful light. It will be mounted on 11x14 inch stretched canvas as part of the next CTFAC exhibit at the Duncaster Retirement Center in Bloomfield in March.

For more Grey Matter Challenge pieces check out the CTFAC blog at  http://ctfac.blogspot.com

Jungle Fever

My nephew Dylan just graduated from the University of Florida with an emphasis in Spanish. 

I am sending him "Jungle Fever" a bed size quilt I made several years ago. It has been rolled up in my studio closet for several years waiting for the right recipient and he is the one.

The pattern is simple. I used Laura Burch fabric squares sashed with coordinating brights and cornerstones in black and white. The entire quilt was framed in black and white and the back was randomly pieced in large blocks of the same.

Lily Pads in a Tranquil Pool

Lily Pads

Mary Lachman 

  24"x 24"

Announcing a New Blog

Today I am announcing my new blog, Mary Lachman Designs. Here is the link: www.marylachmandesign.blogspot.com

I believe the new title better reflects the range of my artwork.

If you have followed me for more than a month, you know that I create quilts, mixed media art,  and fingerless gloves. I also spin, felt wool,  and design my own patterns.  Hence, the old blog title seemed too restrictive.

I released my first post on the new blog today. Please let me know your thoughts. I intend to keep this blog going for a short time, longer if readers wish me to!

Fingerless Gloves at the Flanders Nature Center Holiday Artisans Show, Woodbury CT

These next two weekends will be the final days to see and buy a piece of handmade art by a Connecticut artist at the Flanders Nature Center Holiday Exhibit.

I will be adding several different styles of handknit fingerless gloves to the exhibit. These are all my own design. I will also have several new pieces of quilted wall art available. Other artists have handpainted ornaments, handwoven scarves, and handspun alpaca yarn for sale.  There is truly something unique for everyone on you love.  A portion of all sales go to benefit programs at the Nature Center where children and adults learn about the environment.

Here is a link for more information: http://www.flandersnaturecenter.org/pdfs/fla_artisanmarketplace.pdf

Spinning and Knitting Demonstration at Flanders Nature Center

Today I will be at the Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury, CT demonstrating the transformation of wool roving into yarn with a spinning wheel during the Holiday Artisan's Show and Sale.

Woodbury is a wonderful destination with lots to see and do including hiking trails at the Nature Center, Woodbury Pewters, and many antique shops.

Stop by and see me if you have a chance. I will be there from 12 noon - 2 p.m.

Here is a link for more information: http://www.flandersnaturecenter.org/pdfs/fla_artisanmarketplace.pdf

Feathering the Pop-Up Nest

On Saturday, after a mentorship meeting with Jane Davila, several of is stayed to clean up a small studio that we are renting as the Pop Up Fiber Artists during the Bridgeport Arts Trail, November 8-10.

This amazing group of women will be exhibiting and selling quilts, fiber arts, wall hangings, and accessories. We will be at the top of the stairs on the 2nd floor of the Nest Arts Factory, 1720 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. Mark your calendars and come see us!

I have been experimenting with hand-dying and leaf stamping. This is one of my pieces that will be for sale that weekend. It is 8"x10" and gallery mounted on stretched canvas and ready to hang.

"Tree in the Forest" for SAQA CT exhibit at the Slater Museum

This is a small art quilt that I just completed. It will be offered for sale at the Slater Museum in November in conjunction with the "Local Color" exhibit December 8, 2013 - January 14, 2014.  A portion of the sale of this item will go to the Slater Museum.

The "Local Color" opening reception will be Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Slater Memorial Museum on the campus of the Norwich Free Academy
108 Cresent Street
Norwich, CT 06360