Laurel Burch

I was so saddened to hear of the death of Laurel Burch recently. She has been a favorite of mine for decades. Starting with her jewelry pieces all the way up to her wonderful fabrics and embroidery machine designs. I loved the story of her starting her jewelry business in the Haight Asbury district of San Francisco (think hippies and flower children). I know the hippie era was quite controversial but I personally loved the sentiment (think Make Love not War) and always was a bit of a closet hippie myself LOL. Loved those long, long skirts and beads, the flowers in the hair and Birkenstocks and the organic food, the concern for the earth and the political questioning. Laurel Burch's art always represented to me the spirit of the 60s and 70s. This quote from one of her books is a favorite: "Share with the world from the heart of your heart." I was so excited when she branched out into fabric design and patterns. Karen over at sewprimitivequilter has a link to an article about Laurel Burch's life and death on her 9/20/2007 post.

I know that a big part of her appeal to me, besides the wonderful colors and the mixing of media, is the importance she placed on living things. another quote from one of her books sums that up: "As an artist my life is deeply connected to the purpose and joy of creating for so many kindred spirits. We share similar passions and dreams about the importance of magic in our every day lives and the kinship between all living things." I think I'll machine embroider one of her glorious giraffe designs this weekend. She'll be missed.

Playtime

Taking a break from borders and backings and bindings oh my, I decided this week to use my embroidery machine. It tends to be a very expensive doorstop if I don't remind myself to use it once in awhile! I am a huge fan of Laurel Burch's art and when she started designing fabric a few years ago, I thought I had died and gone to heaven!!! As is often the case, I usually think her fabric is too pretty to cut into. I embroidered four of her cat designs from a Bernina card and will most likely make a bag with this fabric and these kitties. That is, if I can make myself run a rotary cutter over this luscious stuff.

Another diversion this week has been doll quilts. I don't have any daughters or granddaughters--I just like doll quilts!!! I found this little vintage Scotty pattern and hand-embroidered two of them yesterday at my mini group. Love to embroider by hand. I have had the Scotty fabric in my stash for a while--just a FQ. Wish I could find some more of it, it is so darn cute. I kind of have a thing for Scotties right now. Don't know why, I've never owned one. I blame it on Mary Engelbreit LOL! I need to add a little more on to this quilt--either squares or a border. Then I can handquilt it in front of the TV this weekend. Callin' it McPatch for now.

Hope everyone in Blogland has a super weekend! Sew long!