Discover the art of creative needlework at one of the finest juried textile exhibitions in Ontario; Threadworks 2010 showcases textile art from artists across Canada. Opening on April 24, Wellington County Museum & Archives is proud to host and support this special project of the Ontario Network of Needleworkers.

Held every three years, the 2010 theme "Trees" will showcase a range of interpretive works of the highest technical and artistic quality. Entries are as varied and spectacular as the techniques and material used to create them; ranging from dramatic wall hangings to small three dimensional sculptures. Each provokes a wide range of interpretations while exploring the theme and taking the viewer on a journey of discovery; from the subtle, to the very personal, humorous or the more serious environmental issues. Threadworks provides a wealth of opportunities for the young and old to embrace the experience of textile art at its best. With over 200 works submitted, only 65 pieces are chosen by the jurors, award-winning textile artists and academics Dianne Gibson, Judith Dingle and Susan Burke.

Formed in 1983, The Ontario Network of Needleworkers includes 1200 members and 23 guilds. The organization continues to share, promote and encourage the art of needlework in local communities across the Province through exhibitions, educational resources and intergenerational sharing of ideas, skills and love of the craft.

Please join us at the opening reception and awards ceremony on Sunday, May 2nd from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Wellington County Museum & Archives. All are welcome to attend. The exhibit runs until June 13, 2010. Wellington County Museum & Archives is located on Wellington Road #18 between Fergus & Elora and it is opened weekdays – 9:30am to 4:30pm and weekends & holidays – 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

For more information please visit our website at www.wcm.on.ca or phone 519-846-0916.

The Threadbare Heart is novel is about, among other things, the way that fabric can speak so powerfully about our lives – about the things we love, the things we lose, and the things we may regret never doing.

The main character, Lily Gilbert, loses a lifetime of fabric in a Santa Barbara wildfire. When she ventures into a fabric store for the first time after the tragedy, she imagines a quilt she never made:

Quilt Contest

Keepsake Quilting has specially selected a fabric Medley™ of 5 fat quarters that evoke the beach on a clear summer day. The challenge is to use at least 3 of the Medley fabrics, and at least 3 fabrics from your own stash to make the quilt Lily never made. In addition, we’d like you to write up to 500 words about the fabrics you use from your stash – where they came from, what they mean to you, why you chose them for this project—and we’d like you to name your quilt. The finished quilt should be 30″ x 30″.

Quilts will be judged by members of the Keepsake Quilting staff and me in early July. All entries must arrive at Keepsake Quilting by July 1, 2010. You can get all the details about where to ship when you purchase your "Fiction Comes to Life" Fat Quarters – and you are not required to purchase or even read The Threadbare Heart to enter the contest, although I think you might just like it :)

The maker of the winning quilt will receive a $150 gift certificate from Keepsake Quilting, and a "Book Club in a Box" kit, featuring 10 signed copies of The Threadbare Heart; an hour-long phone chat with author Jennie Nash so that you can gather your friends together to discuss the book and bring Jennie into the conversation; and a gift certificate for a delicious "Rum Cake by Kelli" to serve at your book reading event. The winning quilt will be displayed at the Keepsake Quilting shop in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, and on The Story of My Stash blog at the Quilting Club of America, AND IF THE DESIGN IS ORIGINAL, MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR A KEEPSAKE QUILTING QUILT KIT. Five runners up will each receive $25 gift certificates from Keepsake Quilting and a signed copy of The Threadbare Heart.

In addition, I am hosting a blog for Keepsake on the Quilting Club of American website, called The Story of my Stash. The idea is to get quilters talking about – and telling – their stories. I would love it if you wanted to contribute a few words in response to one of my prompts. This week’s question is about your first ever sewing memory. Who was present? Where did it occur? What do you recall?

Cheers!
Jennie Nash
Web Site | Blog | Twitter

Here’s my progress so far on Rachel’s Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Along. I was caught up at Easter, but now I’m behind the last three blocks blocks. Oh well, they’ll have to wait now until after Market and other deadlines get done first. I’m loving how these are coming together.

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5 – my fave so far