When I was a little girl, my Grandma and Grandpa Sweek had chenille bedspreads. I was fascinated with the chenille. Often when I would visit their house, I’d tiptoe into the bedrooms because I just had to touch the chenille bedspreads. My fingers would trace the chenil...

We are so excited that Heidi Parkes, the 1st place winner in the Handwork category at QuiltCon 2016 will be conducting the workshop Korean Hand Piecing: Jogakbo at the October 28-30, 2016 Sew and Sew Retreat.  You may be thinking, “Sounds interesting, but what the heck...

I was asked by the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts to teach my Coiled Fabric Bowl class for the upcoming Fall University Day (FUD) held October 1, 2016. The FUD theme is “All About Wool,” which meant the fabric for the bowl had to be wool.  It is hard to find s...

Most of us this holiday will be with family and friends attending parades, picnics and firework displays.

That’s because 240 years ago, America declared its freedom and independence from Britain.  Voila! Just like that we had the exclusive right to this lifestyle that w...

My newest grandchild, Jack Louis, is now three weeks old. I think he is sweet, cuddly and adorable - especially in his little fox outfit. So cute - Jack-is-a-fox!

Of course I made a few things for Jack. A stuffed fox to play with...

A woodland themed quilt...

When I was seven years old, my grandmother taught me how to sew and crochet. I would spend the weekend with her learning how to stitch straight lines, trimming and pressing. 46 years later, my memories of our time together are very vivid.

I was so pleased when my niece,...

When I was eight years old, my mother put in my hands a sampler to embroider and explained how to stitch.  I remember she also told me to use a hoop and that the fabric should be taut enough for a penny to bounce off it. Below is that sampler. It was like pai...

A LOVELY day was spent with Heidi Parkes, quilt artist and a 2016 multiple first place winner at QuiltCon West, at the International Quilt Festival Chicago. The International Quilt Association is dedicated to the preservation of the art of quilting as an art form and t...

A few weeks ago in mid-March, the Cedarburg Spur Fiber Arts Trail took place. I had a great viewpoint of the day from the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts lobby – guiding visitors in making their own Gelli® monoprinted “Postcard from the Trail”.

The Cedarburg Spu...

We all have a family tradition or two that just has to happen every year. One of mine is the annual Valentine's Day party. This family party has been a tradition since I was a little girl.

A heart-themed or Italian meal is always prepared along with a very decadent des...