field of purple--17 more days

Today. Cloudy. Windy. Cold. Just a hint of snow with another Nor'Easter in the forecast. More dreaming of spring. Crocuses. Lilacs.

I love the simple long lines of this runner which I named "field of purple".  At 13x40 inches it will make a lovely statement on any table or bureau. I did attach looped tape on the top and bottom if you want to hang it vertically. Of course it is signed.

For some reason, I still own this quilt. I had listed it at $195 but for this special I am reducing the price to $125.

field of purple--13x40"--Ann Brauer 2014

 Aren't the colors wonderful?

field of purple--detail--13x40"--Ann Brauer 2014

If you want to see more images, it is listed here on my Etsy shop. Thanks.

and now the sun is shining--only 18 days

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday it snowed, sleeted. The wind blew. And I decided to stay at home rather than drive through the slush. So I didn't get a chance to get a new image until this morning. However, aren't these placemats perfect? The hint of warm sunshine against the grey of March. Wouldn't they make a great wedding gift? Or maybe you want to spiff up your own kitchen.

two quilted placemats--copyright Ann Brauer

At 13x19 inches I find them just the right size for most place settings.

Two quilted placemats--copyright Ann Brauer

And because of the polyester batting, they can be washed gently and dried at a cool temperature.

Two quilted placemats--copyright Ann Brauer

But I have had them for a while and they don't match most of the mats I am currently making. So I decided to reduce the price from $80 for a set of two to $45 for this particular group. Of course I won't tell if you don't. To see more images, they are listed on my Etsy shop here.

only 19 more days--nor'easter riley

As the snow swirls around my window (doesn't that sound dramatic--or is it just cliched) there are believe it or not only 19 more days until the Vernal Equinox. And today's entry into the spring cleaning is my wonderful quilt "study in stripes".

Don't you love the geometry of this quilt? Aren't the colors perfect for spring? Yes, it is based on the traditional log cabin pattern although I have played with the design. I made it by piecing and quilting the many strips of cotton fabric going through the cotton batting onto the back. Yes, I had to tie off threads at every seam. Argh!!!

study in stripes--detail--ann brauer

At 12 x 48 inches wouldn't this be a dramatic table runner for the spring? Wouldn't this look great in either a modern home or a country cottage.

study in stripes--quilt--12x48"--ann brauer 2013

Of course you could also hang it as an accent piece in that nook that needs a bit of color and design. I have attached looped tape on the top and bottom  and provide you with the matching hooked tape and faux wood to attach to the wall.

study in stripes--detail--ann brauer 2013

For some reason, this quilt needs a good home so I have decided to reduce it from $400 to $225--at least until spring comes. Of course I signed it. The quilt is listed here https://www.etsy.com/listing/176420147 on my Etsy shop. If you want to hang it horizontally let me know and I can attach the looped tape for an additional $20 fee.

study in stripes--detail--ann brauer

Count Down to Spring--Only 20 more days

Can you believe it--the Vernal Equinox is Tuesday March 20 at 12:15 pm Eastern Time. So soon. And yet so distant.  I want crocuses NOW. Not another Nor'Easter.  Oh well. Time for a spring cleaning.

I need to go through my studio and find the quilts have been here too long. Maybe part of a series from a few years ago. Not quite what I am making now. Maybe they were at a gallery. Or maybe they were a direction that I did not continue. Certainly when I do a craft show, I cannot take everything with me.  I only have a mini-van and a designated space. I need to present a concise statement of my current work so I don't overwhelm my customers. So some of these quilts hang around and become even more dated.

Anyhow, I decided this year that I will post one work a day at a reduced price until spring actually comes. Some will be larger quilts at reduced prices. Some will be smaller items that need a new home. When they are gone, they are gone. If they aren't gone by spring, I may relist at the regular price. I do like many of these quilts after all.

So here goes. The first quilt is aptly called "colors of spring." I love the colors and the simple lines of this piece. Wouldn't it look great against a white wall? Maybe in your kitchen or sunroom? It could even make a statement in your office or hallway? At 38x38" inches it will fit in so many locations. Hanging is simple as I have sewn strips of looped tape on the top and bottom.

colors of spring--38x38"--Ann Brauer 2014

Don't you love all the wonderful colors in these piece. Here is a bit of the detail of the work.

Detail--colors of spring--Ann Brauer 2014

And the wonderful blues in the quilt.

Detail--colors of spring--Ann Brauer 2014

Of course it is signed on the back. You can also see the looped tape for hanging. I will send you the matching hooked tape and strips of faux wood for hanging. It is simple.

Detail--colors of spring--Ann Brauer 2014

Anyhow, I have reduced the price from $625 to $375. If you want it, I listed the quilt on my Etsy shop here. https://www.etsy.com/listing/208562454 Or as they say, tomorrow is another day and I will have another listing as I wait for spring.

thinking big

Sometimes a new year forces me to take stock and reconsider the quilts I am making. Now of course I love the intricate piecing with the suns and moons, the mountains and sky. The soothing landscapes with complex colors and patterned fabrics that tell countless stories. Oh I do enjoy all the possibilities that these present.

Quilts--Ann Brauer--2017

And yet I wanted more. I missed the scale of my large quilts. The ones that would take over a space and make a statement of strength and power. How big could I go? I was glad to take a break from large quilts--they take over the studio and most importantly my mental energy--but there is a power there that I wanted to rediscover if I dared.

Well, there was only one way to find out. Start. So one morning at the beginning of January--or maybe it was the end of December--the days do become a blur--I did a couple of experiments. After all a new quilt would have to include all the knowledge and skill I have gained with the smaller curved pieces.  Then without too much thought I made the first sample blocks and pinned them to the design board.

View from my window--work in progress--Ann Brauer--2018

That didn't seem like a lot although maybe it gives you an idea of the scale and size. One of the samples is on the bottom left.

View from my window--work in progress--Ann Brauer 2018

I had to keep moving forward. This took forever. Or should I say forever! But I knew that I wanted the color progression on the bottom to highlight the over all design. Keeping track of designs that will come is one of the hardest parts about going big--especially when it will be weeks before I see the whole. I need to keep faith in my work and my vision even though others told me to make more potholders and placemats for the Baltimore Show.

View from my window--work in progress--Ann Brauer--2018

Still it gradually progressed. Of course I had to test my methods to make sure that my idea would work. Was I really crazy. What would the finished quilt look like? Those are my first tests of joining the blocks on the bottom left.

View from my window--work in progress--Ann Brauer 2018

Slowly I join the rows. Yes, I am making this quilt one block at a time. After piecing I quilt the blocks individually and join them together. I know there will be so much hand sewing so I try to break it up a bit.

View from my window--work in progress--Ann Brauer 2018

And also test colors for the bottom of the quilt. I have an idea. But will it work. Again I pin fabric to the design board to contemplate as I sew. It is hard to see the progress isn't it? Days of work and I have added one row. What was I thinking?

View from my window--work in progress--Ann Brauer 2018

Slowly though the quilt grows. As you can tell it is taking over the design board. If you note, I did finish the top row and joined it together since I know that when I finally sew the long rows together the quilt will be BIG and hard to maneuver.

Then comes the time of silence. The quilt is simply too big for the design board. Pins will not hold it up and so I have to rely on memory and faith. This part is so hard. After the weeks of work and struggle I just have to trust that my concept for the art is good. The colors will work. The blocks will add to the quilt and the statement. Day after day I go into the studio and do the hand sewing until I have to find a different task. Now is the time for potholders and placemats. Something simple I can finish when I can't face another long seam. (Did I forget to mention that I hand finish all the bindings. Well of course I hope you realize.)

Then finally. I can't wait any longer. Sure I have some threads to clean. Perfection is there but it can wait. I haven't named it yet although I know it's name. I simply must hang it up and learn from it. I need to absorb this quilt and wish I had time to make another one. Later as they say. 'Tomorrow is another day."

View from my window--95x95"--Ann Brauer--2018

And yes, each block is quilted individually. I didn't want the quilting to lessen the impact of the black outlines. This is  among other things a quilt about quilting.

view from my window--detail--Ann Brauer 2018

And for those of you who have made it to the end and are wondering, the name of the quilt is "view from my window." It is about 95x95". I can't wait until I have my wonderful photographer take even better images of it. But in the meanwhile, please let me know what you think. Thanks.

don't stop thinking about tomorrow

There is an apocryphal but oh so true story that I have heard for years--probably you have heard it also.

An artist is asked what she would do if she was given a million dollars. The answer of course is to keep making art until she ran out of money.

Isn't that the way it goes. Always there is another quilt to make. Another show to prepare for.

Next up is the Baltimore Craft Show February 23-25 at the Baltimore Convention Center. www.craftcouncil.org How I love this show. This is another large show with six hundred artists and lots of customers who are searching for an escape from winter. For me it is the first chance to define my work for the coming year. How can I create a body of work that carries on from what I have previously done, allows me take advantage of the insights from last year and reads as a cohesive whole. One friend noted that all of my square quilts reminded her of school bus windows. Interesting thought. Do I need to make more quilts that are other sizes? Another friend whose work I respect said she preferred my more abstract pieces. Hmmm. And of course there are all those who make comments about psychedelic colors. I hear these and put them in the back of my mind to gel.

I look at other art to feed my soul and to help me see new possibilities. What inspires me. What am I trying to say. I sketch lots of quilts that will probably not get made just to see if I could make them. After all,  I am not making quilts just to make quilts--I  want to make quilts that have a purpose. Although it can be important to understand the technique until it becomes my language, technique is not the content of the quilts--at least not for me. I want to speak with the viewer. What am I trying to communicate.

And I make lots of potholders and place mats as I think about it. There is no point in sitting idly by and fretting too much. That does not create art. Instead I sew and play with the fabrics.

This year I have decided to feature my quilt "mountain sunrise". I love the colors and the joy of this piece. So happy and confident. Definitely it will be a focus. But my booth is large and there are 600 exhibitors at the Baltimore Show. I need to WOW the crowd.

mountain sunrise--40x40"--quilt--Ann Brauer 2017--image by John Polak

I make a long quilt--it's a new day. Not large enough to be a showstopper but still it was a quilt I wanted to make in a shape that could look great over a sofa or bed. Size does matter sometimes.

it's a new day--17x63"--Ann Brauer 2017

I look at other quilts I have made. I love the triptych in notes from twilight. That could make a strong statement in my booth.

notes from twilight--40x80"--quilt--Ann Brauer 2017--image by John Polak

And I start sewing with a purpose. Yes this is a quilt that I want to make. A quilt that will look great. And a quilt that should dominate the booth. Now there is just the long slow road to completion. One tiny bit of fabric at a time. I'll try to keep you posted.

And you--how do you choose what to make? How do you create a body of work?

it's a new day

Sometimes titles just come to me. The promise of dawn with the sun rising in the clear morning sky. The New Year. The open possibilities of fresh starts. The sun lingering longer in the sky. Here's wishing everyone a happy and joyous journey.

it's a new day--17x63"--quilt--Ann Brauer 2018

detail--it's a new day--quilt--Ann Brauer 2018