RINGING IN 2024

2024!?!  How did we get here so fast?  Wishing all you faithful followers the very best in the coming year.

This is the time when many folks take stock of their lives, and perhaps begin anew.  Well.....since we are already in the 4th quarter of our lives, we are making a HUGE change.  Believe me I didn't see this coming!!  

When we moved from our custom 'dream Wisconsin retirement home' over looking the Sugar River in 2000, I was stunned.  I never thought I'd leave Wisconsin.

In 2006 we headed to a new log-sided home in the mountains outside of Asheville, NC.

Somewhat later we remodeled the exterior to reduce maintenance.....as well as areas of the interior.

Now 18 years later.....we find the 3 story house is bigger than we need, the 2+ acre property is definitely too much to maintain.  Between us there were 5 surgeries in 2023 and we realized (pointed out by our very caring son), we need to be closer to family.  I've been fighting the idea as I love it here, and love all my fiber buddies who I will miss terribly.....but onward is now the motto.

We are heading WEST.......I'll have a beautiful new kitchen to cook in.  We haven't had less than an acre between us and neighbors in 43 years.  This is a 55+ community.....it's a bit of a mice maze.  (sigh) Fortunately, we found a corner home....which gives us a small buffer.  The huge bonus is not being 3,000 miles away from our son/family and having lots of time to spend with our grandson's (before they want nothing to do with adults.)

So with a heavy heart, this spring we will say goodbye to this beautiful area and hello to no more winters!!  Obviously we are downsizing, so I will be looking for new homes for my art quilts.  If you see anything that tugs at your heart on my online gallery, https://marystorishop.blogspot.com/ give me a shout.....I'll cover the shipping and some items are negotiable.    

Please stay tuned for updates.....and it wouldn't be my post on football Sunday without saying.....

GO PACK GO!!!!!  

 

CAN THE PACKERS FINISH WITH WINS?!?

 Yes, I know it's a growing year for our team....they have the youngest team in all of NFL.......but Packer fans never give up.  We'll be cheering tomorrow night......gotta "LOVE" them.

Thanks to my good friend Linda Cantrell, I was surprised with fabulous (and toasty) Packer hat that she knit for me!!! Thank you girlfriend💕

GO PACK GO!!! 🏈🏈🎉

MORE GOOD EATING

 "The husband" is a meat eater......I can do without it for the most part.....but occasionally he treats himself to an excellent restaurant cut of beef from Snake River Farms in Idaho.

He bought a HUGE hunk of short ribs which I've managed to store in my small freezer until the holidays.

He had to cut it into 3 sections and vacuum pack them for their Sous Vide bath. It was so full I had to weight the meat down with a plate and pie weights!!  

When nicely precooked for hours, he smoked it on our grill......there was and is some good eating........

LIKE BEING PRESENTED WITH JEWELS

 What a treat......besides a Packer win this weekend......Christmas brought me the most beautiful box of chocolate I've ever seen.  Not to mention delicious!!

The box made me feel like I was being presented with a precious piece of jewelry.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

YOU'LL NEVER TAKE THE WISCONSIN OUT OF ME........MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AND BY THE WAY......GO PACK GO!!!!!!

PTA (PROFESSIONAL TEXTILE ARTISTS) CHRISTMAS PARTY

I imagine most quilt groups have their own versions of Christmas gift exchanges......PTA (Professional Textile Artists) does too......sadly each year we seem to not remember exactly which rules our white elephant exchange should follow....hilarity ensues. I saved the best for 2nd last photo. It was the gift I selected....there was a card that read: "I saw you look at me when you came in. Match something up and I'll go home with you. Look Around!" In the envelope was a small length of imitation pearls. Pretty soon we were all scouting around the house looking. See what we found by referring to the last pictures. The rest of the photos speak for themselves.....I've been with this group for 18 years.....there's never a dull moment!!! 

FELTING SUPPLIES

SOLD.     Yikes, it's been awhile since I posted.......but I have a good reason.  As I mentioned previously, we decided to downsize.....an overdue decision I might add.

Because my rotator cuff surgery was so severe, my doctor suggested I stop certain activities.  I LOVE felting.....everything about it, but I never want to go through this surgery again so I've decided to stop.  So, my very large amount of supplies are being sold as one lot.

All supplies you see in all 9 photos can be had for one price - $200. Retail value $500+. Never used Merino roving - lots of colors, nips, curls, pre-felts, battings, resists, nettings, mats, felting needles, etc. It's everything one needs to start felting or add to your own stash. 

SOLD

EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE

 EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE.......... large price reduction on select inventory pieces, shipping not included in price. Will send the least costly manner. PayPal or check.....email: [email protected]

#1. DAISIES - 16" x 21.5" - NOW - $99.00

Pieced and appliquéd cotton prints, hand embroidered,

and machine quilted.

#2. SUN DAPPLED - 20" X 14.5" - NOW - $75.00

Artist ice-dyed & eco printed cotton, hand embroidered, machine quilted.

#3. WOODLAND FERNS - 27" X 14" - NOW - $55.00

Artist ice-dyed & discharged dyed cottons, machine quilted, hand embroidered.

#4. IMPRESSIONS - 12" X 11" - NOW - $50.00

Resist dyed felted wool, hand embroidered, beaded, machine quilted. Prepared for hanging with pockets.

#5. LINES - 11.5" x 17" - NOW - 50.00

Woolfelt & artist dyed/felted wool, hand embroidered. This piece is ready to hang but would also look fabulous framed with a white mat.

WORK DISPLAYED

 I'm always so darn thrilled to see my work displayed in its new home.  

This one is especially dear to my heart as it is paired with artwork of Frank Duncan, featuring Alan Bibey's mandolin.  We are HUGE bluegrass fans and are delighted that Alan is now with our (local but super famous) bluegrass band:  Balsam Range.

My piece is "Blue Ridge Mountains On My Mind" - Artist hand ice-dyed cottons, Ultra-suede, hand stitched.  Wrapped on a canvas covered frame & secured in a black wood frame without glass.

It resides with a couple in South Carolina who are serious bluegrass fans as well.

Even if you don’t care for Bluegrass music……go to Youtube and watch this video….it will break your heart.  The Papermill, the main employer in the next town over, closed after over 100 years……read some of the comments to the video.  We went to an outdoor  benefit by this group…..one of our favorites (the fiddle player who is the main vocalist) lives just down the road from us.   It was right across the street from the mill….there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience when the group got on stage and the mill’s whistle blew………. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLsS1haRbyM

A FUNNY!!

 Yet again I've been hanging out at Mission Heart Hospital in Asheville as 'the husband' has more work done to fix his body! This is often serious business so any reason to chuckle is one that sharing is in order.

The photo speaks for itself.....I thought this was hilarious!

WINTER BIRCHES

New work, available now.....

WINTER BIRCHES - 13" x 13"

Acrylic mono-printed cottons, appliquéd, embroidered, and quilted. Wrapped onto canvas covered frame and secured in wood frame without glass.

WORKING WITH MONO PRINTS

Having great fun working with some of my mono prints! Since they are stiffer than traditional quilter's cottons, a 90/14 machine needle works best when adding thread textures.

In keeping with my current goal to keep my sewing sessions short while my shoulder recovery continues.....this will be a small framed piece. That doesn't mean it's a quickly completed project.......perhaps the deliberate pace helped to develop a well thought out design. Stay tuned......it will be available very soon. 

HERE COME THE HYBRIDS

 A follower pointed out that my new quilt "Roots" - posted on Oct. 13th reminded her of my earlier embellished quilts....especially "Here Come The Hybrids' - 45" X 45". Made with commercial cottons and specialty fabrics, 3-D hand appliquéd, machine quilted, & mixed media embellishing. This quilt was published in my book, "The Stori of Beaded Embellishment", featured on back cover & page 42. It was also published in numerous magazine articles and traveled with the "Enchanted Garden" exhibit.

I've decided it's time to offer some of my well known quilts at affordable prices to folks who can enjoy them. If you are interested in owning this piece, DM me for further information.

Watch for more posts of available pieces.

                     Here Come The Hybrids - 45" x 45"

4.5 LOOK AT FALL

After several yucky days, we woke up to a picture perfect day.  As is typical in the fall, the interesting image of fog in the lower valley is visible.....almost appearing as a lake.  Today it will burn off before traveling up to us.

The leaves are changing almost overnight.....with the sun sparkling I decided to document this day, rather than wait till the weekend.

Enjoy the beauty of Upper Crabtree valley, in Clyde, NC.

SILHOUETTES

 I've had an obsession working with silhouettes as a focus for my art quilts for quite some time. Additionally the continual use of a sun or moon sneaks in. Here are 3 - 13" x 13" framed pieces I made inspired by the theme. And of course my one time all consuming passion of beading everything that stood still!!  

The pieces are currently for sale and can be shipped direct to you. Contact for info if interested.