Writing Set up

I'm writing a new how-to book (which is scheduled to be published in the Spring of 2013), and I'm amazed how much technology has changed since I wrote my last book.

In 2006, when I wrote The Uncommon Quilter, I worked at my desktop when working at home, and my laptop when on vacation. All of the sketches for the illustrations were created for the illustrator, not very well in my opinion, using Photoshop and my mouse, which for me is like drawing with a brick.

Fast forward to 2011/2012 and I'm working with very different tools. I have my ipad partnered with a wireless keyboard with Wingstands holding them together. I got the Wingstands via Kickstarter a few months ago.

While creating the samples for this book, I can sit at my sewing table as I cut and sew at my sewing machine, while I can type instructions using notes on my ipad, and I can also sketch the illustrations using Penultimate and a Bamboo stylus, also on my ipad.

Then I email everything to my self so I can access it to on my desktop, where I can edit, save for the illustrator, and etc. I like that I don't have to run back and forth from my sewing area to my desktop, which would be distracting. Thank you new technology!

New Book!

I am very happy to announce that I am going to be writing a new book! It's going to include stitching, and will be of interest to people who like to work with fabric, paper and surface design, including those who like to collage and etc. It will not be a quilt book. I'll go into more detail about it in the near future.

Running Press will be the publisher, and the release date is scheduled to be in the Spring of 2013.

I can't express how excited I am about this! I really enjoyed writing my last book, The Uncommon Quilter, which was released by Potter Craft (Random House) in 2007, even with the six-week writing deadline. I'm really happy to have up to nine months to write this new book.

I have a few other projects I'll be working on over the next few months, including some fun web design projects, a few exhibits, and a possible outdoor art installation I'm waiting to hear about. All good stuff!

Julie & Julia

Last night I went to see the movie Julie & Julia. I was interested in it for three reasons. One is because I love Meryl Streep. The second is because I grew up watching Julia Child on TV. And the third reason is because I didn't know much about Julie Powell's one year project about making every one of Julia Child's recipe's from her cookbook, and I wanted to find out more.

The movie was very enjoyable, and I liked how it bounced back and forth between Julia Child's and Julie Powell's lives. I enjoyed learning about Julie's dedication to her project, and how sometimes it was fun and sometimes it was a burden.

I can totally relate because of my project of making a small quilt a week for seven years, which led to my book The Uncommon Quilter. I never could have done my project more often than once a week, and I'm impressed that Julie Powell managed to cook at least one of the recipes just about every day.

While I don't usually want to read the book that influenced the movie, after seeing the movie, this is one time I would like to. I'm sure Julie Powell's book (which is also based on her 2002 blog about her experience) has a lot more about her project than the movie was able to include, since the movie was about the two women, and not only about Julie.

Lecture

I had the best time last night. I drove from my house in Natick, Massachusetts to Falmouth, Mass, which is on Cape Cod (1.25-1.5 hours away). My reason for going there was to give a lecture about how I made a small quilt a week for seven years, how I used a lot of recycled objects and unusual materials in these quilts, and how it turned into a journal. My book The Uncommon Quilter was about this project. It was especially sweet being in Falmouth to talk about it, since I spent two very intense weeks writing it in Falmouth four years ago.

When I give a lecture, it's usually to a quilt guild, and I never know how it will be received. Everyone is always very nice, but if they are a group of traditional quilters, it may be interesting and funny, but not necessarily inspiring.

Last night was a very good match. I had a feeling during their business meeting, when the were discussing different upcoming workshops, and when they had show-and-tell. One member showed a piece she made by painting on canvas, cutting it up and reassembling it, and stitching it. It was beautiful and could easily be hung in an art gallery or museum.

When it was my turn, I explained why and how I got started making a quilt a week, and then I showed slides (very low tech) of many of the individual quilts, small groups of them, and a shot of a year of them together, to show the depth of the project. My stories about the individual quilts are some times sad, but usually funny. I love when questions are asked about why or how I did something, and I really love making people laugh.

After my lecture, members got to look at some actual weekly quilts , as well as four of my 12 x 12 x 12 Series which are mounted on canvas. Many many many women told me they were very inspired to try new techniques and materials, and we had some really nice conversations. Fun night!

Book Review

I got a nice surprise in the mail. A copy of Quiltmaker Magazine's January/February 2009 issue, with a review of my book "The Uncommon Quilter."

"Not So Common Quilting. Cupcake wrappers. Dryer lint. Construction Fence. These are just some of the inspiring materials used by Jeanne Williamson to make the small art quilts featured in The Uncommon Quilter. Full of anecdotes, ideas and insiration, this title can help you see the world in a fresh way."

Read more reviews.

Book Birthdays - Mine, and Stephen Colbert's

It's the first birthday for my book, "The Uncommon Quilter," and also for my hero Stephen Colbert's book "I Am America (And So Can You!)."

A year ago, as I was waiting for the release date of my book, I did a little comedy writing myself (with a little help from my husband). Read my Open Letter to Stephen Colbert, and more of my posts to/about Stephen, Books published (tomorrow) by Stephen Colbert, Jeanne Williamson, Eric Clapton, and Ken Follett, Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger to Stephen Colbert!, and October 9th books - Stephen Colbert's and mine.

Stephen, have you read my book yet? Whether you have or have not, you're my hero! And Mrs. Colbert is too, after I read "Colbert - And His Wife - Rock The New Yorker Fest" on the HuffingtonPost.com. (Even if he's unfortunately not my Congressman any more, I hope Barney Frank will forgive you. He's a wonderful Congressman, and just as brilliant and funny as you are!)

Happy birthday "The Uncommon Quilter!"

Recycling Older Work

In 2003, I made Orange Construction Fence Series #19. It was 38.5" wide x 59" high. I wasn't very happy with it, so I put it aside.


In 2004, I worked on it some more, adding more "color", to see if I could rescue it. I thought it was improved, but I still wasn't in love with it.

In 2007, I cut it up in to twelve pieces and added more paint, working on three from each of the four "rows" and thinking I'd possibly show them by row, or reassemble the whole piece. Below is the result.





By 2007, my work and focus had changed, and I was not happy with the direction I was heading with these twelve sections, so I put it aside once again.

A few weeks ago, I decided to re-work the twelve pieces again. I started by adding even more paint on top of what I had done in 2003, 2004 and 2007, but I was still not satisfied. I painted on the front of almost every piece, and on the back of some, letting the paint soak through to the front. (I discuss how to do this in my book, The Uncommon Quilter.)



Still unhappy, I decided that there was no saving these pieces without drastic action. So, I got a ruler and scissors, and I cut each section in to 2" wide vertical strips, and decided to rearrange and swap strips between two sections at a time, and then sew them together. Above is the detail of one of the sections, from the back side. It gives me ideas for the future.

I will try to post the final results of this project tomorrow. Stay tuned.

New England Quilt Museum Lecture and Book Signing

I'm going to give a lecture about how I monoprint on fabric, at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell MA, this Saturday May 3rd, from 1-3pm. After the lecture, there will also be a book signing.

I'm going to show (actual) slides of my work. (I am behind in that part of the technology, but more about that in a future post.) At the lecture, I will share my progress and inspiration in working with whole cloth, and discuss monoprinting on fabric and the creation of many pieces (but not all) from my series Orange Construction Fence #1 to #59. I will talk a little about how making a quilt a week influenced my larger work, and how my larger work influenced my smaller work.

I do have three pieces hanging in the "The Whole Story: Whole Cloth Quilts by Hand and Machine" show which is currently on exhibit at the Museum, but I will bring additional work to share as well.

After the lecture, I will be signing The Uncommon Quilter, for anyone who brings their copy, or would like to purchase one from the Museum.

I look forward to both the lecture and the signing, and sharing with everyone who attends.

Uncommon Quilter

We were running errands this morning, and made a quick visit at a local Barnes and Noble, so I stopped by to see if The Uncommon Quilter is in stock. A few copies were there. It's still on the waterfall display, which is now lower on the shelf. That's nice. A few months ago it was over my head (as per the picture below), and I walked right by it at first. I'm thankful that Barnes and Noble is displaying my book in the waterfall display.

Uncommon Quilting on the Radio

I'm on the radio! Listen to me talk about my book The Uncommon Quilter, using recycled objects in quilt making, and a little about fiber art vs other art forms. INQUIRY: Uncommon Quilting is hosted by Mark Lynch (WICN Public Radio in Worcester, MA). The interview is a little less than 30 minutes long, and can be heard on the web or downloaded as a podcast, so you can listen to it at your convenience.

The Whole Story: Whole Cloth Quilts by Hand and Machine

Orange Construction Fence Series #43, #44, and #45, will be on exhibit in "The Whole Story: Wholecloth Quilts by Hand and Machine" at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell Massachusetts, from April 3 - June 15, 2008. Read the press release.


On Saturday, May 3rd, at 1 pm, I will be giving a lecture "Stitched Mono-prints", detailing my approach to creating contemporary wholecloth quilts. Afterward, I will be signing copies of my book The Uncommon Quilter.

The Uncommon Quilter Wins Design Award

The Uncommon Quilter has won a Merit Award in the Editorial category from the HOW 2008 International Design Competition! The work of all of the winners is in HOW magazine's April 2008 International Design Annual.

I am very happy about this, and I want to thank everyone I worked with at Potter Craft, especially La Tricia Watford, who designed my book. Thank you very, very much!

Waterfall Display!

I stopped by a local Barnes and Noble and saw my book, The Uncommon Quilter, in a waterfall display. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have my book displayed cover side out vs spine side out. Thank you to Barnes and Noble and to Potter Craft for arranging this. I very much appreciate it!

Uncommon Quilter Movie

In May I posted a short movie on YouTube.com that shares one of the quilt projects in my book, The Uncommon Quilter. It shows how to make a quilt using sushi grass and fabric leaves, which is called "Autumn Leaves" in the book. Since then, 2000 people have viewed the movie, and I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has watched it.

My son's college A Cappella group, the Carleton Singing Knights, has a number of YouTube videos. One from a year ago is getting close to two million hits. A newer one, "Beach Boys - God Only Knows (A CAPPELLA**!)" where he sings lead, has 2400+ hits. I'm hoping my video's views can catch up to that one.

Uncommon Quilts

Have you made one of the quilts in the The Uncommon Quilter, or have you made your own variation? Have you tried an interesting new material or technique?

I have started a web page where I hope to post images of quilts that were inspired my book. You can see it at: uncommonquilter.com/uncommon_quilts.html .

For anyone who does give me permission to post a quilt on my website, I'll post the image with your name and copyright symbol, a link to your blog or website, and a list of the materials you used.

If you have made one, would like to have it posted on that page, please write to me at jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com. 

I miss Stephen Colbert!

The writers' strike has been going on for almost two months, and The Uncommon Quilter misses her late night humor fix. I gave my son Stephen Colbert's book "I Am America (And So Can You!)." I hope I get to borrow it when he's finished reading it.

Stephen Colbert I miss you! I miss Jon Stewart too, but I miss Stephen more. Stephen and I have a certain kinship since we both released our books two months ago today, on October 9th. For a little comedy written by a visual artist, read my Open Letter to Stephen Colbert, and more of my posts to/about Stephen, Books published (tomorrow) by Stephen Colbert, Jeanne Williamson, Eric Clapton, and Ken Follett, Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger to Stephen Colbert!, and October 9th books - Stephen Colbert's and mine.

Stephen, you might enjoy reading my book during this down time. My publicist messengered a copy to you on October 9th. Now is a good time to take a look. :)

I hope the writers' strike ends soon!!!

Author Talk and Book Signing Today

I'll be giving in an author talk and book signing today, Tuesday, December 4, at 7:30 pm, at the 
Morse Institute Library, in Natick, MA, in the Lebowitz Meeting Hall.

I love the write up the Library posted on their website so here it is:

"Local author and nationally recognized quilter Jeanne Williamson will share her charming anecdotes as she talks about her new book, The Uncommon Quilter, an inspiring, insightful guide to creating unique small quilts for self-expression, creativity, and personal and artistic growth.

"Jeanne creates her quilts almost exclusively from found objects, incorporating everything from newspaper and cupcake wrappers to fall leaves and funky yarns into her mixed-media art quilts. The goal is simply to create.

"Jeanne will sign books, which will be available for purchase at this event. This program is presented at no charge and is open to the public. For more information, please contact the Library at 508-647-6520."

See you tonight, if you can stop by.

Dryer lint

I want to share another dryer lint sample I have. Why dryer lint? Because it's fun and unusual to work with.

You can read more dryer lint posts on my blog by clicking here.

There are two projects that include using dryer lint in my book The Uncommon Quilter. I hope that anyone who reads my book and creates either the two dryer lint projects, or there own versions, will email me to share their results. I'd love to see them. I can be reached at jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com.

Netting produce bags

Produce netting bags were in abundance when I was at the market last night. Ahhh, the possibilities!


There are many projects that use netting in my book The Uncommon Quilter. Read more about how I like to use netting by reading a past post, "Making small quilts by reusing plastic produce netting bags".

Project Runway

Yeah! I am very much looking forward to the 4th season of "Project Runway", which begins on Wednesday, November 14th.

My book, The Uncommon Quilter is focused on using unusual materials in quilt making, so it should be no surprise that my most favorite episodes from the past three seasons were those that used unusual materials in the creation of clothing. Click on the links to the Project Runway website to read the descriptions of the challenges, and then click on the "Photos" link to see work in progress and the finished garments.

Season 3:
"Wall to Wall Fashion", garments are made with the contents of the designers' apartments.

Season 3:
"Waste Not, Want Not", the designers must make garments made from what they brought back from a recycling plant in New Jersey.

season 2:
"Flower Power", the designers create garments made from real flowers and plants.

season 1:
"Innovation", after a visit to a Manhattan supermarket, the designers must create garments with their purchases.