Marianne Parsons was one of the people to whom we owe gratitude for the formation of the Fibre Art Network (FAN). She is one of the charter members of the group. Coming from a farm background in Saskatchewan, this woman has taken her early training in clothing construction and her training as a teacher to influence the lives of many. After teaching quilting for a number of years she decided she didn’t want to sew any more straight lines...

Janet Bednarczyk recently moved from North Vancouver to Oliver BC and can’t believe her luck in finding a home with space for a studio with a wall of windows overlooking vineyards and orchards. Janet and her husband Don are busy personalizing the gardens surrounding their new home and building a controlled environment greenhouse for Don’s prize orchids. They are busy settling into their new community but Janet, now working only part...

Diana Bartelings, lives and works near Midway BC, a small town along Highway 3 in southern British Columbia. She joined FAN about the same time I did and has been an co-exhibitor in most of the group shows since 2010. Diana’s story is similar to that of many fibre artists in that she entered the fibre art world via traditional quilting. As she learned the basics she discovered that she really liked ‘doing her own thing’, designing rather...

Only a few days before departure on our ‘bucket list’ trip to the west coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, I realized that this was an opportunity to connect with as many FAN (Fibre Art Network) members as possible. I’ve belonged to this group for several years and have met a number of members but how better to get to know people than to see where they create their work. It is also a way for me to personalize this bucket-list...

Last night I finished #5 in a new series that has been percolating for some time. For details on individual pieces go to my fibre art and Quilts Portfolio.     During 2014 I focused on entering mainly ‘juried’ shows and casually pursued some publication opportunities. I was successful in gaining acceptance to all shows entered and had two ‘published’ opportunities – one to be revealed when the book is...

We are back to weekend visits! Before Christmas our favorite little person would visit but decide to sleep at home. It seems she sensed that was where the action was and didn’t want to miss anything! However, Grandma has restocked the craft supplies and there were lots of new activities to try. Before Christmas we made Christmas tree ornaments that turned out rather well. Today she demolished the remaining supply of styrofoam balls making...

One of my goals for 2014 was to apply to as many juried shows as possible. I just heard from the Surface Design Association (SDA) show ‘Edge of the Forest : Exploring Perimeters’ and have yet another piece heading out for travels across Canada. This exhibition features work by Canadian members of the SDA and will open at the: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (Ontario) and this show will run from March 1-30, 1915. John M....

I’m learning to work with a short production week! I’ve got a four year old in my life who ‘loves’ doing crafts with Grandma. As she visits often, the weekend is often focused on our joint efforts. This is ‘work in progress’ of the start of our Christmas crafts. These Christmas ornaments are now dry and waiting for their hangers.

Last night I sat and stitched! I love hand stitching! Stitching is reflection time. Mind journaling time. Sorting out time. Recognition time. This summer I crossed another milestone, the unanticipated loss of a cherished sibling. I live at a distance, plans unfolded quickly and I missed the celebration of his life. Then the revelation that yet another sibling suffers from heart ailments. It’s time to take stock and to examine priorities....

Spring and summer 2014 have been a time of extremes. Emotions have run the gambit – from high to low. Happy times mingled with sad, joy with sadness. It was a time of renewal and of letting go. Since April I have said goodbye to a much loved younger brother who left us suddenly without warning. A warm and caring man, highly regarded by family, friends and neighbours; his death has left a hole in many lives. The shock and sadness left me...