Finally.....

Yes, it is Thanksgiving Day. I do have a turkey to cook and a pie to make. But still I finally get a chance to update my blog with a few "new" images. Well, actually these were take by my wonderful photographer John Polak last March. Well, except for "desert days" which I snapped myself. Can you tell I have been going non-stop since then?

Still I have one more show--the One of a Kind Show in Chicago December 1-4 at the Merchandise Mart. This should be an adventure. So I decided to add images to my blog post (and even send a note off to my photographer to make an appointment after I return.) Don't we all need color and art in our lives right now?

First here is "two suns." I am not sure of the story of this quilt but I do love the colors and the exuberance.

two suns--quilt--ann brauer--2016

Then there is "prairie sun." Can you tell that I grew up on a farm in the Midwest and love the power of the sun against the horizon?

prairie sun--quilt--ann brauer--2016

"Ocean sunrise" has the reflections of the sun on the water. What do you think?

ocean sunrise--quilt--ann brauer--2016

Then there is "abstractions on the night". I am not sure of the story here either--sometimes I like quilts that express something that I can only ponder and imagine. Maybe you know what I was trying to say?

abstractions on the night--40x40 inches--quilt--Ann Brauer--2016

Finally there is my quilt "desert days". This is the start of a new direction for me where I create complex but simple quilts that read as landscapes. This quilt is already sold although I am working on a new one for the OOAK Show.

desert days--quilt--37x47 inches--Ann Brauer--2016--SOLD

So what do you think? An interesting progression from where I was at the beginning of the year to my more recent landscapes. Hmmm. If you are in the Chicago area, I hope you will consider coming to the OOAK Show. It should be fun.

For more information on that show, please visit their web site: http://oneofakindshowchicago.com/

I am Booth 5121 toward the back.

Then in February I will be doing the Baltimore Craft Show at the Convention Center. March sees me at the Paradise Arts Festival in Marlboro, MA. And of course you can also visit me at my studio in Shelburne Falls, MA or check out my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/annbrauer

You can't go home again--or can you?

I don't know about you but every once in a while I get an order that is just so special, I have to say yes. In this case it was from a lovely couple that I had never met before. OK--why was it special?

You see years ago--like almost thirty years ago--maybe it was even 32 years ago--I am not sure, they had purchased a quilt of mine from a gallery and hung in their living room all this time. Seen children grow, friends come and go. Indeed the only image they had of the quilt was from a large party.

Alas though when they repainted, its time had come. They told me that they cried when it came down.

And that would be enough to make a story. But they wanted me to make a quilt to replace it to hang for the next 30 years. Of course it wasn't going to look just like the quilt they had had. Styles had changed. The quilts I make have changed. Their furnishings have changed. They brought images of the room. Together we looked at quilts I had made and they found a piece I had made 8 or so years ago that they loved.

prairie dawn--quilt--ann brauer

They loved the blue sky in this quilt and the red "sun." But after some thought--they preferred the bottom of this quilt.

rainbows of dawn--quilt--ann brauer

OK--this would be interesting. Now I had not thought about these quilts for years. How do I make them? What colors work? Can I even figure it out? Remember that old saying that you never forget how to ride a bicycle--would it also work for making a quilt?

I had to find out. I told myself to start with what I knew. Maybe that wonderful chartreuse green on the bottom. So I cut lots of fabric in those colors--the palette.

fabric palette--quilt--ann brauer

And started sewing. It is quilt as you go in blocks so I sew right sides together through the cotton batting onto the back.

sewing--quilt--ann brauer--2016

And press open.

sewing--quilt--ann brauer--2016

Check out the back to make sure it is working.

sewing--quilt--ann brauer--2016

Repeat and continue until I have a block.

sewing--quilt--ann brauer--2016

And start to pin it to my design board. This quilt is large enough it will occupy the design board until I get it done. I hope that will be incentive to work quickly.

sewing--quilt--ann brauer--2016

So the story begins. The sewing I know how to do. But will I be able to get the colors to fall into place. Will the top and bottom designs work together? And when can I begin to get this off my design board since I do make work for the American Craft Exposition in Glencoe at the end of September?  Then I have the Philadelphia Museum of Art Show in November and the One of a Kind Show in December--just to keep me off the streets. Yikes!!!

And just like a TV show that leaves you dangling, this will be continued.

What do you think?

The promise of sunrise

blood moon--40x40 inches--Ann Brauer 2015--photo by John Polak.

Today my interview came out in The Textile Artist. Thanks Daniel for all your work. It was a pleasure.

I'll  post the link so you can all enjoy it.

http://www.textileartist.org/ann-brauer-the-promise-of-sunrise/

the quilts of Ann Brauer--May showers edition

OK--isn't there a saying that May showers bring June flowers? Or something like that. After a really warm February (which did a number on my forsythia), a cool March and a dry April we are finally getting some much needed rain. Yes, I would love a couple of nice sunny days but t has been perfect weather to plant my early spring crops--lots of onions, celery, swiss chard, and of course peas.

It has also been perfect weather to make quilts--which is good since Shelburne Falls is having its first ArtWalk of the season May 7 from 2 until 6. What a perfect time to plan a trip to our little village. The Bridge of Flowers is absolutely glorious, the rain has made the flowers spectacular and the hills are turning that wonderful shade of spring green. Lots of galleries will be open with special events. And then there are the restaurants--need I say more?

I have been working on lots of new quilts that continue to explore the circles that I started creating. Don't you love how "ocean sunrise" dances above the water?

ocean sunrise--40x57 inches--ann brauer 2016--photo by John Polak

This really new quilt "it might as well…"  reminds me of the splendor of gardens in the spring. It is part of a series of imaginary landscapes I have just started to create that are smaller and more intimate. I think it is about 16 x 40 inches if I remember correctly.

it might as well--16x40 inches--ann brauer 2016

And there is the meditative landscape of "desert days". Don't you want to just fall into that horizon?

desert days--quilt--37x57 inches--Ann Brauer 2016

Meanwhile if you can't make it to Shelburne Falls this week-end, the next ArtWalk will be June 18 from 2-6. I will be doing the Berkshires Craft Show in Great Barrington August 12-14, and the American Craft Exposition in September in Glencoe, IL but more of these later. Of course my studio is open almost every day but Tuesday (although calling first is a great idea)  and I continue to keep my Etsy shop well stocked. http://www.etsy.com/shop/annbrauer

I hope you have a joyous spring.

one fine day...take two

OK. I confess I have been so busy playing with my designs and techniques that I have rarely written a blog post for what seems like months. It feels like I have just rediscovered quilting although actually I am just working with concepts and colors that I already know and using them to make my quilts even more detailed.

First I had to become comfortable with the techniques and the effects I could achieve. There is after all a learning curve with anything new. Fabrics work differently. I can create circles.

abstractions on the night--quilt--40x40 inches--ann brauer 2016

And flames.

green flames--12x40"--quilt--ann brauer 2016

I can even almost paint with the fabric. Don't you love the reflections of the sun on the water in my quilt "ocean sunrise?" Yes, it was hard to do. Trust me.

ocean sunrise--40x58"--quilt--ann brauer

But now I must use these methods and create a coherent body of work. I have a solo show in July at the Shire City Sanctuary in Pittsfield, MA. Sure I could use the quilts I have already and I may well use "ocean sunrise". Indeed they are wonderful and lovely--each in their own right. But opportunities for solo shows don't just come along. I want to make the most of it and create a body of work that sings together. Maybe using "ocean sunrise" but I need more than just this one quilt. What else can I do? Quilts with a purpose and a connection.  Quilts where the sum is greater than the individual works.  Quilts that are more than showing I can create complex techniques and then master them. This should be fun.

But where to begin? The space is small but lovely with brick walls stretching up to the ceiling and great sight lines. I think of the image of this space frequently as I ponder what to make. I need a theme. A concept. Although I have been contemplating this show for some time, now I must buckle down and start working. More colors, more variations on the theme. But not so varied it seems disjointed. And of course I don't want to just repeat myself. Again--this should be fun.

Then as I am working on my web site I realize I should look at quilts that I have made in the past. This could be a great jumping off point. I had a purpose and reason for making the quilts when I created them. I can sort of preview the concept of a quilt before I begin sewing and then see where it takes me. And there are colors that I dream about but haven't worked with recently. This would be fun.

So I start. "One fine day" just jumps out at me. Well maybe not the grey at the bottom but I love the teal and gold.  I can figure out the bottom later. It should look great against the red brick, right?

one fine day--quilt--ann brauer--32x48"

So I start--not to duplicate this quilt but to try to capture a bit of its essence in a new piece, while including what I have learned from my new techniques. This could be fun.

one fine day--two--quilt--ann brauer

I will try to keep my loyal readers posted as I prepare for this show. We'll see if I can blog more frequently about working in a series. No, this will not be a series of blogs about technique. That is not my current interest. But I want to explore creating a group for the show. So we'll see.   At least that is my intention for now. Wish me luck.

And of course I welcome comments about getting ready for a solo show. Or working in series. And if you happen to be in Shelburne Falls, do drop by and see my progress. What will this quilt look like when I finish it?

the quilts of Ann Brauer--blue hearts for February edition

It hardly see like February at all here. We just missed the snow that hit the mid-Atlantic states (I literally saw one flurry and a dusting about two miles south of my studio) and now we are having mud season if you can believe it. I guess you just never know do you. Anyway it allows me time to work in the studio. I am almost done with my orders and have started working on new quilts for Baltimore. I do love it when I get to show my new quilts off to visitors.

Here are a couple of them hanging up in my studio. What do you think?

Ann Brauer--quilt studio--2016

And of course I am trying to make more table runners and glass cases in the colors that keep selling. Don't you just love this blue one? Doesn't it remind you of spring?

blue river--13x40"--Ann Brauer 2016

In my spare time I have been looking through my studio finding older quilts that could use a good home. Many of them are tagged with a postcard that lists their new price. I must say I was feeling generous to my customers when I marked some of them down. The next time you are in Shelburne Falls you might want to drop by and see what I have. Meanwhile my friends up at Salmon Falls Artisan Showroom are having a blue heart sale February 12-15 to celebrate the opening of the Blue Rock Restaurant in their new home just up the hill from my studio. I reduced the price of my work up there by 20% since I need to replenish my stock but do come down to my studio and twist my arm if there is something you want that is not already on sale.

detail--blue city--Ann Brauer--quilt

My booth number for the Baltimore show is 1201. For further information about that show or to pre-purchase tickets check out their website http://www.craftcouncil.com  The website for the Salmon Falls Artisan Gallery is www.SalmonFallsGallery.com  And of course you can always check out my work on my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/annbrauer 

May the rest of your winter have just the right amount of snow and sunshine and may the crocuses appear early and bright.

the frolic

I don't know if this ever happens to you, but sometimes I just need to get a quilt DONE. Not one of those long projects that I work on for days or even weeks but a little quilt to refresh my mind. An amuse bouche. Or maybe if I were British I might call a frolic.

In this case the perfect project was delivered to my in box. A customer who had bought a couple of my placemats on Etsy now wanted something to hang in their baby daughter's room. They seemed like sweet people, would give me free reign and it seemed like it would be fun to do. (Besides the annual sale at The Textile Company starts next Tuesday and it would be fun to have a bit of extra cash around--yes I am a bit of a fabric-aholic).

I had a couple of placemats around in the colors they wanted so I pinned them up loosely to my design board to give the couple a rough idea what I planned to make.

frolic--quilt--Ann Brauer

Perfect they said and I decided to start. This was not a project to spend a lot of time on. The budget was low. I knew that going in so I wanted to relax, have fun and finish it. Perhaps it could be a bit lighter. A hint of sunrise. I pulled out some fabrics and started sewing.

frolic--quilt--Ann Brauer

By putting the horizon line lower I knew I could create more interest. I figured I make the bottom be slightly more blue. Again a bit more interest.

frolic--quilt--Ann Brauer

The colors kept calling me. Yes, it was taking longer than I had anticipated. Partly because even though I was working with a familiar idea I did have to do more thinking than I do with placemats where I  organize the fabrics all and sew. There were more colors involved. I had to hunt for just the right color which does take time. Then I had to look at what I was doing to make sure I was still on track. Still the quilt kept calling me.

frolic--quilt--Ann Brauer

Until finally I could trim it off.

frolic--quilt--Ann Brauer

Doesn't that yellow add such an interesting spark?

Normally I like a black binding. It makes my work consistent and I think makes it look more finished. But this was for a young child. And the original placemats had a lavender background so I figured that was what was called for.

frolic--quilt--Ann Brauer

Not bad, is it? Should I make more. While I know I under-priced myself on this quilt, I could probably sell more if I made them.  If I made them in a series it would be quicker. Three hung together would look great. I could spend weeks doing this. Still the finish work took longer than I had hoped and I think I would want to quilt on top of the piece these days. That could not be made faster.  I have other orders to fill. Baltimore is very soon. And if I have any hope of having the dynamic and impressive booth I long for at that show, perhaps it is not the best use of my time. Sigh. Although a good concept to have in my back pocket when I need one. Or when a customer requests one. Thanks Etsy.

And you, do you ever make something just because? A small fun piece. What do you think?

another blog

What a delightful and fun blog post this is. Hope you enjoy.

http://gefiltequilt.blogspot.com/2016/01/i-spent-new-years-getting-insanely-thin.html.

the textile curator

I love it when people include my quilts in their blogs. Here is one with lots of wonderful images of my quilts and some great content. Hope you enjoy.

dreaming of rainbows--quilt--Ann Brauer--2014

http://www.textilecurator.com/home-default/home-2-2/ann-brauer/

finishing the quilt

It may be an apocryphal story but family legend has it that my grandmother would take her quilts to the local quilting bees--she had to. After all, her in-laws were there. Then when she came home she would take out their stitches because they were too big. In her world neatness did count.

Now I am not a fanatic about my work but still I think it deserves the respect of having the back look good even if you are the only person who will see it. This is the quilt "dawn" on my design board just waiting to get finished.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

To begin I take two small blocks that are going to be joined.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

I then put them right sides together, pin them and sew a seam. My machine is a 1965 Singer 281-3 which is beginning to get some wonderful signs of wear that adds character to it. (It actually survived when I lost my studio to Irene--pretty amazing isn't it? But I digress.)

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

I open up the seam just to make sure I caught everything. Then I add a strip of fabric binding which will cover the seam allowance on the back. Probably I could do this process in one step but it always feels more secure with a double seam. This is a place you can use what you have and create your own style.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

I press the binding over the seam allowance and whip stitch it in place. Yes, this is not my favorite part of making the quilt. I want it done. But I turn on my favorite NPR station and hope that maybe Terry Gross has a great interview. What is Robin Young talking about today? You get the idea. Of course this is also a good time to dream of your next project.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

I double check the front to make sure it is OK and repeat. And repeat and repeat.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

Finally I sew the long rows together using the same technique. Note I have staggered the side where I press the bindings so it does not become too bulky.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

There you have it. A neat finish on the back. A quilt that lies flat.

Here is the snapshot of the quilt "dawn" the perfect project to finish at the end of the year. I had forgotten how wonderful the colors look together. Now I am wondering if I should make one for the studio also. Hmmm.

dawn--quilt--Ann Brauer--2015

 So I hope that answers your questions. And now I need to work on the next projects for this order.