Tick. Tick. Tick.

Now for those who follow my blog--and I do apologize for not writing in what seems like forever--anyhow those people know that I have been working ever so hard to get ready for the Baltimore show. It is after all in less than a month. Do I hear that clock ticking?

And I do already have a lot of new work. Baltimore has not seen rainbows of the dawn for instance.

Rainbows of the dawn--45x45"--copyright Ann Brauer 2013

Love that quilt. Nor have they even seen early summer.

Early summer--45x45"--copyright Ann Brauer 2013

What fun colors that one is. Sings, doesn't it? Or the tea cozies.

Tea cozies--9x12"--copyright Ann Brauer 2013 and 2014

I still did not have that big WOWSA quilt for the back of my booth. And I sure did not even see it in the back of my mind.  Tick. Tick. Tick.

Sure I could go with winter light. Love that quilt. But I did show it last year. And as I had told a friend of mine who is bringing work she has had for a number of years to another craft show--long story there and not my story but her work is spectacular--anyhow I said bring at least one new piece that you are confident will sell. That will knock their proverbial socks off. Besides people like a choice and I think want brighter colors.

Winter light--99x99 inches--copyright Ann Brauer 2013

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Until finally this week it hit me. Suddenly I started designing a quilt in my mind that should look great. Brighter colors than winter light.

So I start. No time to ask myself questions--will it work? Can I finish it in time? Am I crazy to even begin such a project now?

Tick. Tick. Tick.

I just start. Look at the first few rows. Yes, it works. There is a there there.

Make another. Pin it up to the design board. Don't you just love this shot?

Let's see what happens. I must remain calm and steady. I can do this, can't I? Yes, I can.  I must. Because now I can visualize my booth. The colors that will pop. Yes, colors of summer needs to be hung near it I think.

Colors of summer--45x60 inches--copyright Ann Brauer 2013

The Baltimore Craft Show is February 21-23 at the Baltimore Convention Center. I am Booth 4209. For discounted tickets you can go to   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-american-craft-council-show-in-baltimore-tickets-8022827493 and using this code BWI2014GUEST.

What do you think? Does this ever happen to you?

the quilts of Ann Brauer--summer will come

Ah today--the first Nor'easter of the New Year. It is named--oh so appropriately--Hercules. Don't you love how they are starting to name them now? For me I think the waiting is the worst. I went out hoping to make it down to the studio today but the snow was slick and I decided it really was not worth the risk so my pantry is VERY clean. Summer will come.

summer comes to the mountain--32x48"--Ann Brauer

Most days though I am working at the studio. Across the river I can watch the progress on the new studio. Oh is that exciting. It is now framed both inside and out, the slab has been poured and the windows are in place. I make it over there every chance I get and still have to pinch myself that soon I will have the best views in town.  I can hardly wait. And of course I will let you all know and hope that many will be able to come visit me in my new space. Until then you can visit me at my current space provided we are not having a Nor'easter or I am doing a craft show.

Meanwhile I am working as hard as I can on my orders--yes this weather has delayed me a bit.  I am also trying to get ready for the next few months. The Baltimore show is early this year--February 21-23.  I am Booth 4209. Of course I am trying to have lots of new work for this show including tea cozies. Perfect for today, aren't they?

tea cozies--Ann Brauer

If you are thinking of attending the Baltimore show you can purchase tickets for half price until February 20 by going to this web site
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-american-craft-council-show-in-baltimore-tickets-8022827493 and using this code BWI2014GUEST. I do hope to see some of you there.

Later in the season, I will be doing the Paradise City Arts Festival in Marlborough, MA in March and will do the Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show in April. But more about these in the upcoming months.

Meanwhile I have been adding stock to my Etsy shop. I will be the first to admit I was a bit wary of opening a shop on Etsy--there is definitely a learning curve--and I certainly do not have everything listed on the site--but I am enjoying the process of writing about my work for people who may not have seen it. It is also allowing me to take a step back and examine the body of work I have. Who knows what else I will learn in this process or how long it will work for but for now--do check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think. Here is the web address:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnBrauer

Well I have gone on a bit. Hope you all stay safe and dry and have a great New Year.

the light returns

Maybe it is because I always leave work at the same time most days but suddenly it is still almost light when I reach my car. Yes, there is only a difference of seven or eight minutes. And snow on the ground does help. But the seasons are changing. The light is clarifying. For those who don't know, the afternoon sun does start setting later long before the days get noticeably longer. Something about our orbit around the sun. I don't really care about the reason though, I just know I love having the afternoons lengthen.

And what that means for me is that Baltimore is less than two months away. You know--the Baltimore Fine Craft Show February 21-23 at the Convention Center. Yikes, it is early this year.  It is time to switch from holiday orders. That daily requirement of making my most popular items--the blue placemats. The potholders. The eyeglass cases that I know will sell. Time to start making new quilts. The ones that push me and my limits. That will hopefully stand out against the 600 other exhibitors in Baltimore. For more information: http://shows.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

Yet for me there is just this bit of fear and hesitation. What if I am no longer creative? Sure, I can make a tea cozy and plan five more tea cozies. That is easy. But what if I just can't create anything new and exciting and beautiful.

Now I know that if I get going the quilts will come. So I tell myself not to think too much. To just start. Make a quilt that I haven't been thinking about that much. What about the next in the desert sun series? Love those colors.

desert sun--32x48"--Ann Brauer

Start with the grey. I know that. See if that gives me the momentum. Sometimes that first block is the hardest, isn't it?

So lonely it looks by itself. Is it too blue? Too green? Do the greys work together?  I must finish that row.

Then make the green. No, I am not going to study the quilt to get the green "right". I want this quilt to have its own personality. Let the quilt choose its destiny.

Doesn't that look wonderful and fresh? Which I confess is just how I feel right now. So eager to go to work and just see what happens. Last night I even envisioned another quilt. One not even based on quilts I have previously done. Maybe I can get in the groove again. Hmm. Wonder what will happen? Does this ever happen to you? How do you get going again?

the custom placemats

Okay--I support myself making quilts. Hence I do take custom orders. Pretty cut and dried isn't it? Just make what the customer wants and know that it is sold. What more could I ask for? And some orders are like that--ten gold placemats. A lot of sewing but basically I know what they will look like. Sure there are some artistic considerations. After all, there is always at least one fabric that I don't have which means that I have to rethink the entire color palette. One fabric does change that much. Always. But still it is just a matter of getting them done.

But then there are the other orders. The ones that I am curious about. Can I really make it? What will it look like? You know, the order that is actually something I have been thinking about. However, I will get paid to play.

So of course I had to say yes when the customer asked me if I could make 4 placemats just like this  runner with the very skinny strips. 

table runner--blues and purples--12x40"--Ann Brauer

Yes, the colors are wonderful, aren't they? But was it doable? Would I drive myself crazy in the process? Well, there was only one way to find out. Of course I said yes.

I started sewing. Oh these seams are long.  I had to select the magenta fabrics again. As I said, if I am out of one fabric I have to rethink them all. And the placemats are just slightly wider than the runner. It is the little things that matter.

So I keep sewing. Is there too much magenta?

Does the black contain it? I sew and sew. Stop and find more of the blue and purple fabrics and keep sewing. At least I know what I will make at the studio the next day. Gradually though it takes hold. Unfortunately I forget and don't snap images of the process. Just want to get it done. Thank goodness the new motor is faster.

Finally I finish.  Can't wait to see what they will actually look like.

Placemats--Ann Brauer

Cut them to size.  Hand sew the bindings. Finish them. And think.

Are they glorious? Yes. Don't they almost glow with the colors?

Is the back fantastic? You betcha.

Placemats--back--Ann Brauer

Did it take too long for a regular item? Alas. Yes. For now. Maybe there is a way to make it a bit faster. I am not sure.

But would I--could I--do it again if asked. Ayup!!! After all there are so many possibilities. So many colors that I want to work again. Now to see if I can get an order or two to play with this idea. Maybe in this color way--wouldn't that be great?

Or maybe this one?

Do you ever take a custom order just to see what will happen? How does it work out? Any tips?

the quilts of Ann Brauer--winter light

Dear all,

Can you believe how dark it now is in the afternoon? It is definitely getting to be that time to hunker down by the fire (or in my case the sewing machine--and I do love the new motor by the way) and wait for the sun to return. Now certainly there are wonders to be seen in the night sky--Orion is rising higher and higher in the sky. The Milky Way flows across the sky. Sadly the Comet Ison flew too close to the sun. Although coming home from a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner after just learning the news, I did see a wonderful shooting star streak across the horizon and the Pleideas were high in the sky. Yes, I made this quilt--moon rising--in anticipation of the season.

moon rising--32x48"--quilt--Ann Brauer

Enough already. I am busy getting ready for CraftBoston this week-end. Always I look forward to this show--there is so much delightful work that I often find just that little something for my wonderful step children or even myself. This year it is at the Hynes Auditorium in Boston and promises to be larger than ever. For hours and more information do check out their web site: http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbholiday/holidayinfo.asp I am Booth 505.

Maybe it is the season, but I got inspired to make a few tea cozies this year so I could linger by the fire sipping my cup of... Of course they will be at my studio where I am working most days--unless I am at CraftBoston or the weather threatens. For those who can't make it to Shelburne Falls, I have listed several of them on my Etsy site or contact me for specific colors and designs. And do let me know what you think of them. https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnBrauer

tea cozies--quilt--Ann Brauer

Well enough for now. I do hope I will get to see several of you either at CraftBoston or in Shelburne Falls. For the rest, have a great holiday season. Enjoy the return of the sun--it will happen soon. And do look at the night sky every once in a while.

the motor transplant--a love story

Now usually--as faithful readers of my blog will know--I write about dilemmas. Artistic questions--how do I design the quilt for the particular space, what is the color grey?  Or maybe I am going to a craft show. How do I arrange the display? You know the questions. Maybe by now you even know the answers.

This time though it is slightly different. Sure I am working on a big quilt for a customer which I want to get finished.

Yes, I am even getting ready for a show--CraftBoston this December 6-8 at the Hynes Auditorium in Boston.  For more info: http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbholiday/holidayinfo.asp There is even Moonlight Magic in Shelburne Falls this Friday. Parades. Candles. Music. I will be open until at least nine.


No this time I am writing a love story about my sewing machine. Now it is a Singer 281-3. A very standard industrial sewing machine. Apparently they made the same design from the 40's through the 80's. A few variations. Just enough so that those who really know sewing machines can date them.  Not me though. If I am told that my machine was made in the 60s I will believe them. After all I have had it since 1983. Bought it in West Springfield shortly after I decided to become a serious quilt maker. When the Kenmore I had purchased in high school for $20 finally gave up the ghost (or maybe it didn't since it was a metal machine but that is another story.)

And this machine has served me well. When I first got it, I was living by myself in a little house in the woods. Yes, I loaded it into my car and somehow or other managed to get it up the steps and into the house by myself. Oh I was so eager to try it out. But it sure was heavy even though it does come apart. You can remove the head easily though even that is heavy. I know. A couple of times I have had to take it down to West Springfield to get it fixed. There is an oil pan that comes off also.

It survived moving to my DH's house. Upstairs. Downstairs. It loved being in my darling studio in Shelburne Falls where I could sit and watch the Deerfield River flow by and the colors of the season move up and down Mount Massamont. 

And yes, it survived floating. Still has a few water spots on the throat plate where the water lapped at its edge. But one new starter switch and a flushed system later and the machine was good to go. Thanks Dick and Diane.

And yes, the machine survived ME. Sure I changed the oil every once in a while. Cleaned out the motor when I remembered. Even got a few new belts--the ones from the auto shop work just fine. Thank you.

Now of course there were a few things I didn't particularly like about it. I had it set at the slow speed of about 2000 stitches per minute. Fast enough usually but I sometimes wondered if I should switch pulleys and go at 3000. Never did though. And it was noisy. Turn it on and there is the sound of the motor. Always. I think it bothered my neighbors. The walls in my current studio are thin. Sorry.

But still I was not prepared to hear that ominous whirr in the motor Monday. The high pitch squeal that had never been there. The refusal of the engine to stop spinning long after I had shut off the power. Like the clutch in the clutch engine was gone. This could not be good. Argh!!! Had I tortured it to death by not cleaning the lint often enough? Was it the lasting effects of Irene? Who knew?

But there was no time for an analysis. Could I get it working again quickly?  I did not want to move the entire machine down to West Springfield to get it fixed. Ugh!!! I had far too much work to do. And it is HEAVY!!! Could I get a new motor and install it myself?  Time for some quick internet research. How lucky we are to have such a resource. Yes motors were available. Yes, they can be installed.  A quick decision. Contact my friends in West Springfield. Now they now sell a different engine. But yes, it could be delivered the next day. And yes, the holes are the same. Time to see if I can get my DH to help. What a sweetheart.

I removed the oil. We took off the head. And the oil pan.  My DH removed the bolts.

Removed the cords. Of course it was unplugged.

 Put on the new engine.  It is so tiny. Almost light weight by comparison.

The instructions were impossible. Translated Chinese is not my forte. A few diagrams that I really could not figure out. A few replacement parts that were beyond me. Adjusted the treadle. Realized that the included belt did not work but the old belt was just fine. How lucky I am that my DH is so good with such things. There he is adjusting the new motor.

And then to learn to use the new motor. This one is variable speed. I can dial fast or slow. That is the little blue dial you see there. This could actually be fun. Yes, I confess I made some potholders at my normal speed. Just to get the hang of it. And then I had to take it out for a full throttle test run. 3500. Unbelievably fast.  And unlike my old machine it does not run until I press the foot treadle. It is so quiet. How long will it take me to get used to this. But it works. Sweet. How great it feels to have a working machine again. How lost I felt without it.

For those in the area, I  hope you will drop by some time soon to see the new engine. Maybe even during Moonlight Magic. If I am not busy maybe I will run it for you. Full speed ahead. Just so you can see. And if you are not and have an industrial, do realize that the new--or well not 30 year old motors--are adjustable. But probably you knew that already. After all, I make quilts and only learn as much about sewing machines as I have to.

So what problems have you solved recently? What sewing machine do you use? And why do machines always challenge you when you were most busy?

getting it done--another take on custom orders

Now some custom orders I do require that I rethink my color way or stretch the concept of my quilts to fit the space. As I wrote recently, these are challenging but I always feel like I gain so much in doing it.

Others though, like the one I am currently working on, are more subtle. An existing quilt is just perfect only it is the wrong size. The wrong shape for the given space. If only I can just shrink and stretch the quilt to size. And I confess it can take me a bit of time to get started. After all, this should be simple, I think in my famous last words.

That is the case with my quilt--colors of the rain. This quilt was 45x45 inches. I had made it once. The customers loved it--but they need a piece that is 60 inches wide by 36 inches tall. Lovely quilt, isn't it?

colors of the rain--45x45"--quilt--Ann Brauer

 Lovely quilt. Nice soft colors. And I confess I contemplate the quilt. Wishing that I could just copy this piece and mark off another order as "Done." But I know deep in my experience that it does not work that way.

Now for those who have been following my blog will know, I am building a new studio. Yeah!!! But what you may not know is that for the last few weeks little work has been done on this project. Where or where is the plumber? I keep asking. Don't they know how much I long to move into my new space? And yes, it is a drag on my psyche no matter how much I try not to think about it.

So I decide that the best course will be to get this quilt done. After all, I don't want to be a similar drag on someone else's psyche. Especially not a good customer. So I tell myself to make what I know.

And I cut the strips for one of the grey rows.

Of course no matter how much I have thought it out previously, it will not be the same. Some fabrics are used up. And changing one fabric changes all the others.

And I sew a length of the grey. Lovely colors aren't they? Isn't the texture fabulous?

OK only three more rows to do. And gradually I work on it. A bit ever day. After all there is only so much grey I can work on in November. But finally all four are done. I hang them up and try to absorb their colors.

I play with the order. Move the tan away from the mauve. Amazing how subtle but true the color gradations are. Finally I get it right. Figure out the math of the quilt. And carefully cut the pieces. Laying out the framework of the piece. 

Yes, someone comes in to the studio and asks if these are samples. Okay. I explain that it is my design board. I need to fill in the blanks.


But still there is progress. And as for my studio, well let's not go there just yet--although I promise you will be the first to know when I hear. Meanwhile send me a good thought about plumbers. Actually seeing them. And keeping my patience in the process.

So how do you do it?  What tricks do you have?