Good Morning North Carolina and Virginia SAQA members. 
 I had the nicest surprise yesterday.  This beautiful bouquet of flowers was delivered to my home from our wonderful SAQA organization as a thank you for my service as your regional rep for the past 2 years.  So thoughtful and appreciated.

Now, in case you didn't know, there will be two new regional reps who are just taking over for Lori and me.....Susanne Miller Jones (who you met on a previous blog), and Kathie Briggs, who has just recently moved to NC.  So let's all welcome them with as much support and encouragement as we can!

Meanwhile, I'll be busy getting ready for my upcoming show at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center in Cary NC.  The show will open 26 October 2016 .                     The artist reception will be  28 October from 6-8 pm.  So mark your calendars and I hope to see you there.  This will be a solo show called, "The Rhythm of the Sea", and my fiber works will hang until 23 November. 

Beach Series #23 by Eileen Williams

And, speaking of the sea,  summer is here and I am busy making my beach quilts for the galleries that carry my work.  So, I thought I'd leave you with a glimpse of some of the quilts from my beach series.  Hope you enjoy them!

Beach Series # 36 by Eileen Williams

Beach Series # 37 by Eileen Williams

Beach Series #38 by Eileen Williams

Beach Series #39 by Eileen Williams

Beach Series #52 by Eileen Williams

Have a great summer everyone!

Only a few days left

It's not too late to send in your 2016 12x12 inch quilt for the 2016 SAQA benefit auction.  Hurry though, the quilts must be received by June 1st.  Go to SAQA.com for more information on this worthwhile fundraiser for this fabulous organization.

Seven Berries by Eileen Williams


 Also, big news....The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims came to my home last year and filmed me in my studio talking about making art quilts and my beach and seascape quilts.  Episode #1811 has now aired!!  If you are not a member of the quilt show, www.thequiltshow.com
stay tuned...with the following link, you can view this episode for free for one week beginning 29 May.http://thequiltshow.com/watch/show-list/video/latest/show-1811-row-by-row? artist_coupon=18110522
Hope you enjoy it!
Best wishes to you.  Eileen

Creativity Workshop: Art Quilt Inspirations

Good News!  Sandra Sider, curator of the Texas Quilt Museum, and former SAQA President, is announcing a creativity workshop.

September 25 - 29, 2016

This workshop is based on the principles of art and design developed in Sandra Sider's critique workshops and written about in the volumes of her Studio Quilt monograph series and illustrated in her new book 1000 Quilt Inspirations.  Limited to 12 participants, the workshop will allow Sandra to spend considerable time each day working one on one with quilters, evaluating their work and suggesting possible directions for developing each quilt.  She will also teach the basics of monotype  printing, stamp printing, and photo transfer, as well as cyanotype on fabric ...(if it's a sunny day).  The final morning will be critiques.
Quilters should bring materials to begin a new quilt top, sewing supplies and tools, sewing machine, and an iron.  Class is suitable for all levels of quilters, but excellent sewing skills and expertise with one's ewing machine is a must.
Tuition for the week is $500.00.  There is also a materials fee of $40.00.  Total cost is dependent on the lodging selected, from $450 to $775.  It does include all meals.

To register: http://stonypointcenter.org/get-involved/latest-news/222-quilt0116#.VvrCenCMD0A

Introducing Pat Arndt

My name is Pat Arndt and I have lived in Harrisburg, NC for the past 10 years.  We moved here from Pittsburgh PA.
I am a part-time quilter and a full time creative person!  (As we all are).  I also work part-time at the Y in Concord, NC.  The job is important to keep me balanced.  I could create all day and forget the world without it!











Q:  Do you have your own studio or do you work wherever you can find a spot?  What is your favorite feature of your work space and what is your least favorite feature?
A:  I am fortunate to have my own room which is 12 x 12', but I am quickly outgrowing!  Favorite feature, HUGE Koala desk my husband bought for me!  Worst feature, no water source for my printing of paper and fabric.

Studio

Q: What is the funniest or most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at an exhibit or quilt show or gallery opening?
A:  Most embarrassing moment in my journey....I joined Three Rivers Quilters in Pittsburgh and had no idea what a juried show was.  I was new in expressing myself in any medium and going public.  Submitted my picture, (front was all they asked for).  I had wires twisted and exposed in the back from my "3-D" effect on the front!  Lordy, they had to hang it because it was accepted but the critiques were hard to handle....put me back 10 years!  (They changed picture format after that to include both sides for entry).

Q:  In addition to art quilting, do you engage in any other artistic endeavors?
A:  I fell in love with paper painting this past year.  Due to hand surgery gone bad, this is a great way to stay creative and not be so hard on my hand.

paper painting piece

Q:  How many art quilt groups are you involved with?  Tell us a little about them and what you do.
A:  Belonging to a spin off from our Cabarrus Quilt Group, my 10 person art group is a group of wonderful artists that nurture, critique, teach, and learn from one another.  My favorite critique...."are you married to that fabric?"  All done with much concern and caring and loved.

I look forward to learning from my membership in SAQA and from following other stories of your creative journeys.

  Let's take a look at some of Pat's wonderfully creative and colorful quilts!

Quilts by Pat Arndt

Pat's 6 x 6" quilts

Quilt by Pat Arndt


Thanks Pat for sharing with us.Anyone else out there willing to share your work and interests with us?  People would love to hear from you so let me know!