tomorrow is another day

Boston Strong! Boston Proud!

Watching all those who put so much at risk. Love watching all the crowds cheering the responders on for their hard work and sacrifice.  Puts it all in perspective doesn't it?

Sure I grumble. But only a little. After all I had worked really hard getting ready for CraftBoston. I knew it would be a great show--the first thing I saw as I unloaded my van was my quilt up there marking the aisle. Sweet, huh? What a great omen!

For more info on the show, visit http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp   
I will post when I know for sure it will be open. Hope to see many of you there.

cutting loose--creating the wall of purses

Maybe it is the long long wait for spring this year. Those grey days that just seem endless. Or maybe it is time to recover from making large--as in really LARGE--quilts. Or maybe it was just that pile of small strips that had grown and grown until it was either time to use it or lose it if you know what I mean.

In any case I decided it was time to make purses. After all my stock was getting so low I no longer took them to craft shows. And I am doing CraftBoston at the end of this month.  http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp So low that I could not even offer customers in my studio a good selection. You know the routine--what color are you looking for? let me show you some others? Always does help sales.

And yet I really did not want to make the same old purses. Been there. Done that. Until it occurred to me--I could create new designs. New colors. After all, these are just purses. They don't have to match do they? Why not have fun?

I mean who would not want this lime green and black purse? Cool isn't it?

purse--lime green and black--Ann Brauer

Or a teal and rust purse? Sassy, isn't it?

purse--teal and rust--Ann Brauer

What about red and magenta? A logical progression, isn't it?

purse--red and magenta--Ann Brauer

Of course there was the red and grey purse that sold "hot off the sewing machine". What fun. Yes, I do actually make them two at a time so I still have one of these purses in stock.

purse--red and grey--Ann Brauer

What about stripes? Stripes and red. That is different isn't it?

purse--stripes and red--Ann Brauer

Or a blue and mauve purse? How elegant. I actually saw those colors on an episode of Murder She Wrote. Amazing what can inspire me, isn't it?

purse--blue and mauve--Ann Brauer

And the result--a work still in progress. This "wall of purses". I sit and look at it. Wonder what else I can make? What other colors I need? More blues? Definitely. Something brown? Sure. More black and red? Why not.

purses--collection--Ann Brauer

So many possibilities. Such fun. Does this ever happen to you? Have you ever tried creating a collection--one concept. So many designs. Not really thinking about it but just letting it happen. And yes there are Sidewalk Days in Shelburne Falls this week-end so I do hope those in the area will drop by and see all these designs.

the quilts of Ann Brauer--it's April after all

OK--Twitter has returned its vowels. YouTube is still in business and GoogleNose is no more. That still does not mean that we have not been having a light snow every night here. I guess the positive benefit is that the ground is frozen again so mud season will have to wait.

Of course I really do not have much time to contemplate the weather. I try to spend most days in my studio finishing orders, getting ready for CraftBoston and filling my shelves with more stock.  But let me be more specific. First on April 12-14 there will be "Sidewalk Days" in Shelburne Falls. Now I doubt if I will actually put my quilts out on the sidewalk--I don't want to chase them over the Bridge if the wind hits just right. But do drop into my studio and see what I have dug up from my shelves of UFO's or old favorites to tempt you into some spring redecorating. You just never know.

Then April 19-21 I will be showing at the CraftBoston Spring Show at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. This show promises to have lots of wonderful work and glimpses of Boston Harbor as you enter the Seaport Center. My booth is 133--tucked away a bit but I am sure you will find me. Yes, I should have some wonderful new quilts for this show and if you haven't seen my new quilt--dancing into spring--you will want to check it out. For more information: http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp

And now for the quilt of the month--this time I have chosen moonlight. This quilt is 45 x 45".  Don't get me wrong. I love this piece and if no one purchases it in the next ten days I will return the price to $1400. But for the next ten days or until sold it will be only $800 plus all applicable taxes and shipping fees.

When I am not at a craft show, I should usually be working at the studio so I do hope you will drop by and see me. Of course in May I do have a couple of family functions scheduled, so do call first if you are coming from a distance.

I hope spring is coming where you live. Enjoy the season.