The Big Surprise!

I received lots of guesses and they would have all been wonderful if true.  Sadly, they were all incorrect.  Here is the surprise….

A very talented needle artist, Kathy Dunigan, is launching a brand new quilting event geared to the applique enthusiast.  The Kathy Dunigan Applique Academy (TKDAA) will kick off February 3 through February 8, 2015 with 10 applique teachers!  The event will be hosted in the Dallas, Texas area at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront hoteland conference center.  So far, the venue and arrangements are spectacular and it promises to be a world class event. 
As all things Texan, I just know it will be a big, welcoming, friendly event!




Main Conference Class - Botanical Rose Study - The Esperanza Rose

I will be teaching a one day class on Tuesday February 3 (Basket of Roses) and a three day class Thursday, February 5 – Saturday, February 7 (Botanical Rose Study).   

Tile of Antique Block
Basis for Botanical
Rose Study Block

Both projects continue the New World Rose series I began with The Santa Maria block that I taught at TESAA in February and the kits will include the same background fabric for anyone wishing to work on the entire project from the beginning.  I will also have additional Santa Maria kits and patterns for anyone that was not able to attend TESAA or missed out on the initial kit. 



One Day Class will
be based on this Eggelston block
Basket of Roses

For those of you that have not heard, Elly decided to close TESAA.  However, it is with her blessing that TKDAA is opening her doors and Elly will be in attendance.  A wonderful tribute to Elly is in the planning stages.  I’m sure there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

I will let everyone know as soon as Kathy has the website up and running.  At the moment, I believe she is planning on opening registration in June.

Until next time,

Best stitches!

Mercy in very HOT Miami

Priceless

My Artist Studio space at TESAA

TESAA Tuition - $975
Lodging - $1850
Travel - $475
One Perfect Berry - Priceless
One Perfect Experience - Beyond Priceless






Closeup of Santa Maria block
drafted and stitched by Mercy Savage

I just returned from the19th Annual Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy in Williamsburg, VA where I was honored to serve as Guest Artist.  This honor included the privilege of teaching a one day class for a large group of enthusiastic needle artist.




Me teaching on 2/20/2014
My Aqua Album in progress in the background

I was also given a beautiful space in the center of all the activities to display my work and chat with Academy attendees as they strolled from class to class and vendor to vendor.



My perfect berry in Sandra Leichner's class

As if this honor was not special enough, I also had another dream come true when took a 3 day class from Sandra Leichner.  That is where I was able to stitch my PERFECT BERRY.  I loved Sandra's class.  It is just you, the fabric, the needle, and the thread.  Yes, there are freezer paper templates and an overlay but no glue, no starch, no burned finger tips, no kindergarten craft-type work, etc.  My favorite prep method is still Template Free (Back Basting) but we share the love of needle turn and her instructions and generosity of spirit were, again, priceless!


My Main Conference Class was with Elly Sienkiewicz. As always, Elly was delightful. In a few minutes, as she lectured on the class topic, she twisted a yard of silk ribbon into this beautiful rose.  Elly wrote the book - both literally and figuratively - on manipulating silk and cotton into gorgeous bouquets and is responsible for this Golden Age of high style applique that we are now enjoying.  She is currently working on book number 21.





From left to right, Faye Labanaris, Elly Sienkiewicz, Mercy Savage
A chance meeting in Faye's room and captured by my husband on his iPhone.

Here I am on the right, Elly is in the center, and Faye Labanaris is on the left.  Faye, a vendor and teacher at the event, is a talented, award-winning needle artist known for 3-D flowers fashioned from silk and Ultrasuede that can be applied to quilted projects or clothing. The fact that she has been my dear friend for many years, is once more, priceless.





I was able to spend one afternoon at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum visiting the Quilts in the Baltimore Manner show.  I feel a powerful connection to these quilts and they has invaded by artistic sensibilities.  I can see their influence in everything I am currently stitching and sketching.  Here are a few of my favorites from the show.

Stay tuned for more quilts and photos in coming blog entries.

Until next time,
best stitches from sunny, warm Miami, Florida
Mercy

TESAA 2013 Part 1 - Quilts in the Baltimore Manner

Greetings dear blog readers and fellow quilt lovers!  I was very fortunate to spend the last 10 days  in Colonial Williamsburg, Virgina and attend The Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy; TESAA as it is affectionately called by attendees.  It was an action packed event that included stitching with new and old friends, many side trips to local museums, shopping, and delicious dining.  The very first day in attendance, we were fortunate to attend an exhibition at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum entitled Quilts in the Baltimore Manner.  The small group was led by none other than Elly Sienkiewicz.  Elly has written over 20 books on Baltimore style quilts and is credited with the revival and current popularity of this intricate applique style. 
Rather than bore you with narrative, I would like to share the photos I was able to take of the exhibit.  These were some of the more unusual and ornate blocks.  As you view the photos, keep in mind that these stitchers were in love with the industrial revolution and the marvels of their time.  They used all and any materials available to them to express their artistic vision; paint, ink, thread, paste, fussy cutting, etc.  Their work is filled political, religious, and social commentary. I really believe these free souls were the art quilters of their time.  Of course that is just my humble opinion. 

Classic we all recognize!

I love the simplicity of this basket!

Sweetest bird block ever!

Love the tiny basket filled with large blooms!

Beautiful perspective!

Loaded with symbols!

Can you see the white thread? 

Another classic block!

More symbolism!

One of my favorite classic designs!

 





Beautiful White Rose block!

The museum reproduced several classic blocks on tiles to allow you to lay them out and create various settings. 

















Included in the show was a spectacular brodrie perse quilt and a stuffed white work quilt.  Enjoy!

Until next time...

Best stitches,
Mercy in Miami

New Tip for the New Year

In progress Rosebud Heart Wreath,  design by Elly Sienkiewicz

 I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and that it was the merriest Christmas ever!  We were very fortunate to spend a very quiet, low key holiday, surrounded by family and friends. 

As usual time has gotten away from me and I was not able to post in time for Christmas.  Instead, please accept this tip as a belated gift. 

I love to add folded, gathered, 3-dimensional flowers to my applique blocks.  I usually prepare them ahead of time so that they are ready to go when I sit to applique.  In the case of the Rosebud Heart Wreath pattern (designed by Elly Sienkiewicz) there are several folded rosebuds - 21 in all.  To complicate matters, I chose to do them in 2 colors out of mottled, hand-dyed silk.  I wanted a certain symmetry to the layout so I created a mini, portable design wall that I could keep in my sewing basket.

Double-sided tape in a manila envelope makes a mini design wall

 I learned to use double sided tape in a manila folder to keep templates organized in class from Mary Sorensen.  Even though I don't use templates in my applique preparation I always remembered this organizing tip and decided to try it out on my rosebuds.  It worked like a charm!  I played with the lighter colors on top and the darker colors on the bottom, making sure to match both sides of the wreath.  When I finally decided on the layout, I stuck the rosebud in place on the tape in the exact order I wanted them to be stitched on the block.  The tape held them in place securely until I was ready to applique. 



Folded Silk and Gathered Rosebuds waiting to be added to applique block

Closeup of Rosebud Heart Wreath, designed by Elly Sienkiewicz

This is the last block I will be working on this year (for a few days more).  Then beginning in January I will switch to embroidery to give myself a break from applique.  My goal for 2013 is to embroider the 9 blocks I have stitched thus far and stitch the remaining 4 to complete the 13 block set.  I do not have anything planned or ready for the setting triangles but that will be the project for 2014!

From my family to yours - I wish you a happy, healthy New Year with lots of time for family, friends, and stitching!

Best stitches,
Mercy in sunny, warm Miami

Happy New Year from the best fabric guard dog ever - Ricky!

Basket of Roses...To Layer or Not To Layer, That is the Question



Closeup of my block Basket of Roses, pattern by Elly Sienkiewicz.  Each petal is appliqued from a separate piece of fabric.  Top, large petal is padded with thin, cotton batting.



I finished the applique portion of another block in my Aqua Album quilt last night.  I call this block Basket of Roses.  Again, the pattern is by Elly Sienkiewicz and can be found in her books.  There were a few lessons learned and a few more grey hairs earned stitching this block that I think you may find interesting. 

Basket of Roses

First, there were a few opportunities for reverse applique in the flower centers.  Notice the yellow centers in the purple trumpet shaped flowers, the polka dot rose centers, and the rosebuds.   None of these shapes are needle turned so this is a wonderful spot for me to you specialty fabrics that are gorgeous but impossible to needle turn.   The hand dyed silks were a breeze to use.  If did pad the underneath of the silk with a very thin cotton batting just to give the fabric a little heft. 

 


Hand-dyed Velvet Rosebuds

The hand-dyed velvet was another matter all together.  It pinkish red velvet buds had so much bulk from the nap of the velvet under the green batik that it was impossible for me to keep flat.   The result was very interesting but I doubt I will use velvet again in this fashion any time soon.  



 The large roses for this block are drawn on the pattern the same way as the large roses on another of Elly's patterns (Urn of Roses block). I worked on the Urn of Roses block in a class and the instructor had us cut the rose shapes from a single piece of fabric (Not Layered).

The petals were defined with embroidery.  The result is nice. I think once I add a little embroidery to the centers I will like the overall block more. 



Roses cut from a single piece of fabric



The look is not my favorite so in the Basket of Roses block I appliqued each petal separately (Layered).  I padded the top petal to give the block a little dimension.  I love the look so much more and time-wise it did not take significantly longer to stitch.  But at least now I know how the two looks stitch up and I can pick and choose from my arsenal of techniques!



My Urn of Roses block, pattern by Elly Sienkiewicz



I will try to finish the drawing of my Santa Maria ship block tonight so that I can begin stitching SOON.  I would love to finish the block by October 12th, the same day Columbus discovered America (or as he thought, found Japan!)  

Until next time...


Best stitches,
Mercy in Miami
 

Applique Hurricane Preparations!



View from my sewing room.  I am very blessed!

As I write to you dear blog reader, we are waiting for Tropical Storm Issac to decide on its path.  I have my battery powered light box and Ott light dusted off so that I can continue to stitch if the storm does come our way and happens to knock out power in our area.  My husband mentioned something about the list of emergency supplies extending beyond fresh hand sewing needles and battery powered lighting but I suspect they are not as essential as my stitching supplies !

Grape Wreath Close-up

I did want to share the latest block I finished appliqueing this week.  It's the Grape Wreath designed by Elly Sienkiewicz.  What did I learn while working on this block?  I learned that when working on a project that requires repetition, make sure you select a technique that you ENJOY.  I started this project using the Perfect Circle method and I was miserable because I was painting with starch and ironing and all this stuff that felt like crafting and not sewing.  Yes, my circles looked very round but my spirit was very flat.  I switched to needle turning the circles and not only did I actually finish the block, I enjoyed stitching every single grape!  I don't even care that they are not perfectly round.

Grape Wreath Block designed by Elly Sienkiewicz

Another lesson learned had to do with color.  Every pink, purple, red that I auditioned for this block looked OK but did not excite me.  Then as I was enjoying a plate of fruit salad that included different varieties of grapes I got the idea to mix and match the grapes as they appeared in my yummy salad.  Once I added the yellow and green grapes the whole block came to life. The contrast in color and value gave the block the ZING that I was striving to achieve.  True, the block does not follow the Baltimore Album style tradition based on color choice.  However, I am honoring the spirit of the early stitchers by applying artistic principles of color and composition.  I hope the many wonderful and talented traditionalist forgive.  I have no self control when it comes to color!

Santa Maria Block sketch designed by Mercy Savage

Every Baltimore Album style quilt needs a ship block.  Born and raised in Miami, and as a second generation Cuban American, I thought it would be nice to honor my heritage by stitching Columbus's ship, the Santa Maria.  Of course I couldn't find a pattern for it so I drafted one.  I'm still contemplating it on my design wall but here is a sneak peek at what I have so far.

Just for fun I wanted to share what's growing in my garden these days.  This is one place where I draw lots of my color inspiration.  Enjoy!

Avacado

Hibiscus



Bougainville

Orchid

Rose

Until next time...

Best stitches!

Mercy in Miami

Four Years in the Life of a Baltimore Style Album Quilt









Close-up of Ruched Rose Wreath.  Design and inking by Elly Sienkiewicz



First eight blocks in progress



As I was preparing my registration materials for the Elly Sienkiewizc Applique Academy over the weekend, I was inspired to put my in-progress Aqua Album blocks up on my design.  This project has been four years in the making and each block is a design from one of Elly's books.  Life has interrupted this quilt top's progress many times in those four years.  Fortunately, I was been able to overcame each challenge in turn and I never gave up on my favorite form of quilt making, needle turn applique.   When I as finally able to reacquaint myself with my Album-style blocks, the first thing I did was review each block and see what still needed to be done.  I was shocked to realize that of the eight blocks started, NONE are finished.  Plus I still have another 5 blocks to make to complete a 13-block setting.  I was struck as to how little I had accomplished in four years and how much still needed to be done.  And then I realized, I am in the middle of one of my all time favorite projects.   I am completely happy in the process and grateful each time I pick up my project and can stitch.  Some people are about the destination, but I, dear blog reader, am all about the journey.   I hope my photos motivate you to enjoy your journey and not give up on your passion, no matter what life throws at you.

I recommend the following sites to those of you that would like to learn more about Baltimore-style Album quilts (BAQs).

Barbara Burnham's Blog

Baltimore Applique Society

Marylou McDonald

New England Antiques Journal

Baltimore Album Quilt Images

And of course, Elly's site

Elly Sienkiewicz

 


Pastoral Peacock (Design by Elly Sienkiewicz)

  



 


The Peacock's eye is embroidered.  Now I need to do the same to the leaves and the rose buds.  Definitely, need some rose moss here and there.

  


Grape Wreath is the block I am currently stitching (Design by Elly Sienkiewicz)




You can see I am Back Basting each grape with a little bit of batting in each one!








Ruched Rose Wreath is my most finished block.  Elly did all the ink work on the block for me in a class in 2010.  I still have to go over it to darken a few areas and then heat set it.

 



Bottom rose is ruched velvet ribbon.





Victorian Vase  (Design by Elly Sienkiewicz).  Missing all the flowers and the leaves.





Victorian Vase Rosebud.  I just love the polka dot batik fabric!

 

Urn with Stuffed Roses  (Design by Elly Sienkiewicz)

 

Center, where pin is, is waiting for a vignette!





Rosebuds are crying for some moss.  This is a great spot to use fancy fabrics that you don't have to needle turn.





Woven Basket with Roses (Design by Elly Sienkiewicz)  that is missing the weaving on the basket front and the roses.  The rose buds are the bottom layer of reverse applique.  Notice I used hand-dyed velvet. 






Roses and Acorns



This block is not finished because I cannot decide how to make the flowers.  The pieces of ribbon are informally pinned on the block so that I can decide on color, texture, etc.

Until next time,

Best stitches,
Mercy in Miami