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

New World Rose The Second Time Around



New World Rose Designed and Executed by Mercy A Savage

I hope this blog finds all of you enjoying a wonderful holiday season surrounded by those you love.  
I know it's been a long while since I last reached out to all of you and my apologies.  As some of you know I also have a "9 to 5" corporate job that keeps me on my toes.  In addition I have been working diligently to create a better version of my original Santa Maria block using the exact same materials, fabrics, ribbons, threads, etc. that will be going into the kits for the Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy workshop.  I finished the block sample last night - phew!  As you can see the fabrics are all batiks and hand- dyes.  I used 6 strand embroidery floss. hand applique 50 wt cotton thread, and hand-dyed 4mm silk ribbon for all the embroidery.  I am much happier with this block because I think the design is more cohesive.  The ship is Columbus' Santa Maria and the flowers are the typical varieties on the islands the ship visited.  Enjoy the eye candy.

Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year from sunny Miami,
Best stitches!
Mercy


Close up of New World Rose Block

 

Close up of New World Rose Block

Close up of New World Rose Block




Second Chance...or Love It Now Because It Will Not Grow On You

Happy summer dear blog readers!

I hope your summer (and for those on the other side of the equator, your winter) is happy and fulfilling.  My summer is flying by.  I'm extremely busy at work and at home.  In my studio, I am happily  auditioning fabrics and supplies for the Santa Maria: New World Rose block that I will be teaching in February 2014 at The Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy.  Click  HERE and scroll down to Class 405 to read a class description. 
 
In the Fine Arts world, artist frequently work in series.  As series is usually when an artist creates several pieces that explore the same theme.  Some artist work in a series for a few pieces and some work in a series their entire career.  Sometimes,  the work that comes out of a series is referred to as a "Period".  A famous example is Picasso's Blue Period.  One of my favorite artist and his series is Wayne Thiebaud Cakes and Pies.  When my medium was oil and watercolor, I too used to work in series.  In fabric, not so much.  I'm not sure why.  Which leads me to the title of this blog, Second Chance.  I am stitching another Santa Maria block in preparation for the upcoming class.  I don't think I have ever stitched a second of anything on purpose.  I am so happy that I am.  On the second block I have the opportunity to fix all the little design flaws that I was only able to pick up on after the original block was completely stitched.  And of course drive me crazy every time I look at it!  Arrgh!  So the class block will not be EXACTLY the same - because it will be BETTER!  At least in my humble opinion.
 


So much happier with the flower wreath!!!

For the second block, I'm taking photos at every step to include in the class pattern instructions.  Below is a sneak peak.  The photo captions are some of my favorite tips!  Enjoy!


Select a background fabric you LOVE.  You will be staring at it for as long as you work on your project. If you don't love it before you start, I guarantee you won't grow on you later.  It will instead become an excuse to dump the project into the UFO pile.

 
 

Layout all the fabrics you select for a project in some type of order.  Take a photo of it with a digital camera or even your phone.  Take a critical look at it.  Is the combination pleasing to the eye or does anything stand out?  Or look like it does not belong?  Play and enjoy the process.  The only person you have to please is yourself.  If  you love the selections and combination then you will love the outcome!  Again, and sadly, if you don't love it now you will not love it any better later!.

Until next time...
 
Best stitches!
Mercy in hot, humid, sunny Miami

 



 

 

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Close-up of the New World Rose - Santa Maria Block by Mercy Arrastia Savage

As the David Bowie song goes..."Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes".  Fortunately, all good changes.  Just so much change in such a short amount of time that I have not been able to keep up with my stitching or my blog.  For that I apologize.  But I'm back among the blog-o-sphere and I have lots of news to share.
First the BIG news. I am honored beyond words to have been invited to The Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy (TESAA)  as a Guest Artist in 2014.  I will be teaching my original, Baltimore-style block, The Santa Maria. 


Santa Maria by Mercy Arrastia Savage

Ultra-thin stem - part of my TESAA Workshop

The Applique Academy has moved venues and will be held in 2014 at a beautiful resort right on the James River in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The change in venue has also made the accommodations more affordable.  So if you have been considering attending but the cost held you back, give it another look.  This may be your lucky year!

Personally and professionally, I am very blessed.  This has been an incredible year.  In a few months, my office will be relocating to a bigger, better facility one county north to accommodate expanding business.  This required my husband and I to move or I would have been stuck with an unbearable commute.  We found that perfect home for us.  It's still in Miami but in a much more central location.  Plus, it's much smaller so for me it's a dream.  Way less upkeep and responsibility! So much more time for the fun stuff!!  Of course, this dream needed a lot of work - new floors, new appliances, new laundry room, new A/C, new electrical, new...well you get the idea.   There are still quite a bit of projects but they are all my husband's domain.  I finally finished the unpacking and organizing and am in my new sewing room!



Wreath I began in class with Elly Sienkiewicz at TESAA 2103 

I celebrated by unpacking two Baltimore-style blocks that I started in February in class with Elly at TESSA.


Rose made from gathered french wire silk ribbon.
Made in class with Elly Sienkiewiz at TESAA 2013

The Rose Wreath is almost entirely stitched using silk ribbon and Ultrasuede.  It stitched up fairly quickly and has been a lot of fun.  Next, I need to begin adding the embroidery detail.


The second block was also started in class with Elly.  It will be a basket filled with flowers.  Right now it's just a basket.  I made the slats by appliqueing down lengths of shaded french wired ribbon.  I left the wire in while I basted the strips of ribbon down.  I then removed the wire and appliqued the edge.

I made the brim by braiding three different colors of Hannah silk ribbon.  I love how it turned out.
But, I must confess it was not my idea. It was my friend Faye Labaneris' idea. If you are not familiar with her or her work - check out her website www.fayelabanaris.com. She has authored several books for AQS and is a very talented needle artist. She will be vending and teaching at TESAA 2014.

Well, that's all for now.  Hopefully, I will be able to get into more of a routine quickly and find even more time for stitching and keeping up with all of you.

Until next time...

Best stitches,
Mercy in Miami 


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

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