Compositions in Emerald and Violet

The sun has barely shone all week, but a dusting of snow is finally relieving the darkness. I have been working steadily on the next fabric line and am unusually pleased with its progress. But that means I've been sitting at the computer for days. And as any quilter knows, a day without fondling fabric creates a vitamin deficiency!!!!! So for my health and sanity, I spent the weekend playing with the Sunshine and Shadow fabrics.

I was curious how Jan Krentz's 45 degree Fussy Cut Diamond Ruler would work with Sunshine and Shadow, since it had been so successful with the past fabrics. So that's where I focused my experimentations. After trying many variations in color and motif, this is where I landed (above). Uncharacteristically subdued for "Miss Contrast", but I quite enjoy the verdant lushness that metamorphosed on my work wall. I also like the gentle undulation of the green fronds combined with the spicy glow of periwinkle. I have christened the piece, Emerald Forest.

Here is another quilt in the same Violet colorway. This piece combines all four Simple Silhouette Butterfly patterns and also celebrates Mother Nature's opulence. The asymmetry of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit print creates and interesting setting for the Paradise Butterfly.

Below the Coleus fabric makes a rich surround for the Fluttering Butterfly. The critters are appliqued with a matching satin stitch and the quilting is kept simple to allow the fabric to do most of the hard work.

Hopefully, these quilts are reminders of the emerald green energy hibernating beneath our feet. Time to

pull out those seed catalogs and dream of spring.

Winter Wearables

Well, I'm finally feeling rejuvenated from all the activity of the busy work year and the happy holiday gatherings. Above is a photo I took on New Year's morning, a lovely scene to begin anew. But now the ornaments are packed away, as we rapidly approach the deep heart of winter and look forward to that splash of February red.

The frigid weather and a foot of snow has contributed to the drama of the season. The driveway has already been plowed about six times, so there is a pristine layer of white over everything. The only tracks are made by the deer in the dark of night to be discovered the next morning. Sometimes mice will make snaky little tunnels under the snow.

So I was in need of a cozy hat to wear when I dig out the car and head for the gym each week day morning (a routine started last summer). Inspired by some Jacobean knitted hoods and 17th century embroidered sleeping caps, this is the result. It is quilted with wool batting and lined with fleece. Of course, I could not resist adding the Art Girlz felt dingle balls dripping down the back. Now I don't mind those cold mornings quite so much!

And this design is bound to be added to the Pint Size Pattern series. Below are the Cozy Cowl Scarf and the Romantic Ruffle Scarf patterns made up with the new Sunshine and Shadows fabrics. The colors really spice up the winter grays and browns. The first set is made with the

Periwinkle colorway.

Next we combine fabrics from the Violet colorway. I think the lovely blue adds a little Spring optimism to the ensemble.

The scarf includes a yo-yo decoration anchored with an antique shell button.

Finally we have the cowl and scarf in the Mulberry combination, which I think is really elegant, as well as warm. I have noticed lots of pink outerwear this season and I think these are their perfect fashion accessories.

The scarf below has a pearl button to add to the romantic look. All of these projects are lined with matching fleece for maximum toastiness and practicality.

I think these designs will even make Californians wish for cold weather!

Life Totem

Here is my latest art quilt, Life Totem (23" X 71"). It all began in a fit exasperation, tired of the endless practical duties which had taken over my life. I needed to make a quilt! So I began by making flower and bug "parts" and rummaging through my file of orphaned shapes from old projects.

The totem idea has been brewing since the Garden of Shadows quilt, so it was a natural way to organize the composition. The colors came automatically and the fabrics shapes are all hand dyed cotton. The background is white brocade, which creates a white on white pattern as a contrast to the solid colored applique.

As I moved the shapes the characters began to take form. I enjoy imposing extreme discipline on unruly objects, as you may have noticed. I think this is also one of the reasons I like to design fabric, which is my first challenge for the new year.

Enjoy your blessings and take it easy this week, my friends. Happy Holidays!!

Santa's Workshop

I have just returned from an inspiring week in the Greenville Arms and the Hudson River Valley Fiber Art Workshop in Greenville, New York. They had a snow storm the day before I arrived, so it was a beautiful scene that greeted me. On top of that, I arrived just in time for one of Chef Mark LaPolla's delightful dinners. The next five days were spent in their studio, with a grand group of adventurous students. Good food, great company and comfortable, cozy surroundings made this week a real treat!

So I came home filled with inspiration, but now I have to rekindle the Christmas spirit and get in gear for the weeks to come. We have snow at home, too, so that helps to get in the holiday mood. I am determined to keep things simple this year and stick with the handmade pledge, so to the studio I go.

Santa's helpers, "Weaving the Web", have been here producing pillowcases to vend on their new Etsy site. They have come up with an impressive variety of new color combinations using fabrics from the Sassaman archives. Their taste is fun and modern and I enjoy seeing their vision take shape. So thanks to these busy elves, you can still give unique handmade gifts, even if you don't have time to make them yourself.

The kids resourcefulness has encouraged me to get into the act, too. Above you see pillowcases made in two colorways of the new Sunshine and Shadow fabric for FreeSpirit. The designs and colors this season are very romantic and a bit decadent and lend themselves to many home decorating projects.

The Periwinkle color group, above, is the most mysterious. It makes me think of a Victorian sitting room where Sherlock Holmes would be lounging in a velvet smoking jacket and cap.

There is nothing so subtle about this graphic set of cases! But I love them for their electricity and energy. You could change the middle accent stripe to almost any color...red, pink, green and the results would be just as dramatic.

The final pair is made from last season's Prairie Gothic. The checks make these combinations especially refreshing. The bugs would be perfect when the grandsons sleep-over and the coneflowers would be nice for anyone, in fact, I have a set of these on my own bed this week.

The time is whizzing by and there is still lots to do. But it is a joy to be home in our winter wonderland and fondling fabric in the studio again!

More Merry "Making"!

I am hoping that you all survived Thanksgiving and are in the mood for some more holiday merry making. So here is another little idea to add to your crafty gift list. Pot holders are a great excuse to bust into your fabric stash and satisfy your fabric fondling needs on a cold winter's day.

My kitchen is tomato red and flows into an orange and yellow living room, so the fabric was chosen to match the color scheme. I began by making little 8" quilts by sandwiching the top fabric with batting and an ugly back fabric. Then I quilted through the layers with topstitching thread.

Next I covered the ugly back with an 8" square of red terry cloth cut from a cheap fluffy towel.

The binding is machine stitched, remembering that these are meant for use and will get dirty.

So no agonizing over perfection! This would be a perfect use for novelty fabrics, too.

I also want to share our new "Spider" chairs with you. This is one of a pair of walnut

mid-century modern chairs that we had refinished and reupholstered in the Teasel and Lace fabric from last seasons Prairie Gothic line for FreeSpirit. It is really a treat to have such

elegant pieces of furniture wearing my own fabric!

This chair has found a home in front of our red book case. Love the contrast! The extra pillow is for cat protection. As you can see, Pumpkin has already claimed this seat as her own.

Smart cat!!

Pint Size Patterns

Today I am happy to introduce our new series of Pint Size Patterns! These economical little patterns are thanks to your persistent question, "Do you have a pattern for that?" Now I can say, "YES, YES, YES!"

The size of a greeting card, each pattern unfolds to reveal "user-friendly" directions for each fun project. Also included is a colored envelope for easy gift giving.

All instructions are easy and clear enough for beginning stitchers, but also entertaining enough for accomplished ones. The projects are classic and can be made again and again. I have made at least 30 pillowcases in the past year and as many napkins and contrasting napkin rings and plan to make more as Christmas gifts.

Pint Size Patterns are perfect for using new personality prints, like Sunshine and Shadow, but they are also great "stash busters" to use up that wonderful fabric on your shelf. In fact, that would make an inspiring gift for the young crafter... a pattern, a stack of fabulous fabric and some basic sewing supplies.

I have also found that these simple projects are great stress relievers, too. They are a nice excuse to spend an afternoon fondling fabric and combining colors... can't get better than that!

And you really need some new napkins to spice up that Thanksgiving buffet, don't you?

Like me, many of you have also made the "homemade pledge" for gift giving this year, and not only for your pocket book. There is nothing as special as a personalized gift made with loving hands and hearts.

So this is my gift to all crafters, an easy way to begin the "merry making" for a creative holiday season. In the next few weeks I will show more examples of each Pint Size Pattern made in a variety of moods and fabrics, so stay tuned.

For more information and inspiration, please visit JaneSassaman.com.

Great Greenville Arms

When I woke up this snappy autumn morning I was happily reminded that I get to visit the cozy Greenville Arms 1889 Inn for my final workshop of the year. This will be my second stay and I can hardly wait. The Inn is owned and lovingly cared for by Kim and Mark LaPolla. Kim is a quilter and Mark is a Chef de Cuisine and they have combined their talents in this ideal venture.

They cater to an artistic and loyal clientele by hosting painting and fiber workshops all year round, the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops. Most guests are housed and very well fed in the historic inn during the week. The atmosphere is friendly, warm and comfortable and meals are sociable and delicious! Mark is also a Chocolatier, so there are other obvious advantages, too.

But the story just gets better. Here is the studio, behind the house, where all the workshops take place. Everyone has their own table and some elbow room, so the space is just the right size. You get to know your classmates very well by sharing meals, ideas and quilting techniques for 5 days. There are some classes that have a perfect chemistry and my class at the Greenville Arms was one of those!! So you can see why I am so anxious to return.

You can see our mutual affection in this happy picture. So if you have had a busy year, like I have, a pampered visit to the Greenville Arms in early December will have you revived to face the holidays and inspired for a new year of creative quilting. The dates are Dec. 6-12 and I hope to see some of you there!