Sacred Threads 2013

Hello, I thought I might let you know of a very special show called Sacred Threads that runs July 10th through the 28th. Sacred Threads is an exhibition of quilts exploring themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing. This biennial exhibition is a way for quilters to express their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey. The objective is to create a dignified exhibition of artwork that touches on both spiritual and personal levels all those who view it.  I love this show as it is a wonderful way of connecting

 with artists and their spiritual journeys. I am graced to have two pieces in this show. The first piece, Emerald Treasures has and always will be an inspirational touchstone piece for me. After it was created, it left immediately for a show where it placed third. On it's way home, it was caught in a conveyor belt and the large turtle head was completely decapitated along with a large piece of her shell missing. I was completely devastated especially after having received notice that it had been accepted into IQF West Coast Wonders special exhibit. Not knowing what to do, it sat on my table for a couple of weeks. Finally, I knew I had to try and fix the piece in hopes that she might travel once again. I had no idea how to do this or if it could even be done. I repainted another head and attached it. Next, I began rebuilding her shell. Luckily, I still had beads and leftover materials that matched. There were holes that went through the entire quilt. I used Mistyfuse and fused fabric over these area. Finally, she seemed ready to travel and make her way to festival where she was featured in the program. You cannot imagine how tickled I was that she could be resurrected and shared with others, once again. Emerald Treasures has been an inspiration to me to never give up even when presented with adverse situations; hope prevails.

    The second piece, Welcome to My Garden is part of the Peace/Brotherhood Exhibit at Sacred Threads. Welcome to My Garden was designed to encourage fond memories of time spent in the garden. The leaves on the right bear the words, "welcome" and "garden" in languages including French, German, Italian, Swahili, Spanish, Norwegian and many more. It reaches out to people from all around the world through text and beckons visitors to enter the garden and gather inspirational phrases like they would flowers. Here, many things have been planted and cultivated ranging from flowers, vegetables, teas, herbs to dreams for the future. These seedlings brought to full fruition are captured by phrases found on the leaves of the plant to the left. They include messages about special times experienced with friends and family, secrets whispered, conversations held and intimate moments from long, long ago. It is so tranquil that it seems to invite the recollection of the last time I walked through the garden, hand in hand with my lover or shared a cup of tea with my best friend.

As the memories flashed before me, I soon found myself reaching back to my own childhood memories and the sensations I experienced when I first walked through grass and felt the blades between my toes or breathed the scent of a favorite and endearing flower. It is here, where I am reminded of the past. It is here where I have learned to dream. This piece has been inked, painted and texturized with fibers. If you are in the area, I encourage you to visit the show. It will be held at the Floris United Methodist Church located at 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon, VA 20171 (near Dulles Airport). Show hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Admission is $5 and there are quilts from almost 200 artists! Wow, what a show! This year, Sacred Threads is sponsored by Dee Brehm and eQuilter.com . Quilts will be offered for sale and if you are not able to get to the show, you can order the CD at http://www.sacredthreadsquilts.com/ for only $7.95 including postage. Special thanks to Shirley Pignatelli and Lisa Ellis for putting this fabulous event together!