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"Thanks to the sensitivity and wide wavelength range of the Herschel Observatory, we detected a very rare type of emission called hydrogen recombination line laser emission," said astronomer Isabel Aleman.
New research suggests there is a binary star system hiding in the center of the Ant Nebula. Photo by NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team/STScI/AURA
May 16 (UPI) -- The core of the famed Ant Nebula is home to a double star system, according to new research by an international team of astronomers. The presence of the binary star system was revealed by a rare space laser.
When stars similar to our sun die, they expel their outer layers and form an interstellar cloud of gas and dust known as a planetary nebula. The Ant Nebula is named for its two lobes, which resemble the segments of an ant's body.
Recent observations of the nebula by the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory revealed an infrared laser emission. Only a few such laser beams have been previously identified.
"Such emission has only been identified in a handful of objects before," Toshiya Ueta, principal investigator of the Herschel Planetary Nebula Survey, said in a news release. "This was a remarkable discovery that we did not anticipate. There is certainly more to stellar nebulae than meets the eye!"
Donald Menzel first observed the Ant Nebula in the 1920s. The planetary nebula's official name is Menzel 3, in honor of the late astrophysicist. Menzel also surmised that a gaseous nebula, under certain conditions, could produce "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation" -- a laser.
"When we observe Menzel 3, we see an amazingly intricate structure made up of ionized gas, but we cannot see the object in its center producing this pattern," said Isabel Aleman, an astronomer with the Leiden Observatory. "Thanks to the sensitivity and wide wavelength range of the Herschel Observatory, we detected a very rare type of emission called hydrogen recombination line laser emission, which provided a way to reveal the nebula's structure and physical conditions."
Models designed to produce a similar emission suggest the presence of extremely dense gas surrounding the stellar core at the center of the Ant Nebula -- some ten thousand times higher than the density of gas in the outer regions of the nebula's lobes.
Typically, during the explosive transition from living star to dying white dwarf, most of the gas is pushed away from the star, leaving a void.
"The only way to keep gas close to the star is if it is orbiting around it in a disc," said researcher Albert Zijlstra. "In this case, we have actually observed a dense disc in the very center that is seen approximately edge-on. This orientation helps to amplify the laser signal. The disc suggests the white dwarf has a binary companion, because it is hard to get the ejected gas to go into orbit unless a companion star deflects it in the right direction."
Scientists have not yet directly detected the companion star, but their observations and models -- detailed in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society -- suggests the presence of a pair of stars.
"This study suggests that the distinctive Ant Nebula as we see it today was created by the complex nature of a binary star system, which influences the shape, chemical properties, and evolution in these final stages of a star's life," said Göran Pilbratt, ESA's Herschel project scientist.
Hawaii seasoned real estate agent since 2004 which started on Big Island where I became a top agent in a nationally recognized brokerage firm with over 100 transactions in my first year. Two years later relocated to Maui. Short term rental condos sales expert (you are able to rent them on Airbnb). Very knowledgeable from West Maui (Lahaina/Kapalua) to South Maui (Kihei/Wailea) on condo complexes weather you are looking for investment or second home. I have property managers standing by to exceed your expectations, provide potential net income sheets, and offer an exceptionally low management fee for top notch full service. My portfolio of sales includes Montage vacation condo sales to multi million dollar homes. I also provide 100% attention to detail in all buyer price ranges on Maui. I’m in the process of acquiring a Principle Broker license in Bend, Oregon. Looking for team members in Maui if you know any go getters!
Looking for lenders? "Condotel" (condo’s that allow short term AirBNB style rentals) require unique financing which can be found on Maui. Send me an email for the best lenders that I work with that are well known on Maui.
Searching to purchase as a sight unseen buyer? Video tours of complexes and condos are readily available to you, just ask!
I use digital timelines to keep you well informed every step during a purchase. I look to exceed your expectations and grow in the best that I can be. My relationship with you means more than a fast sale.
"My partner and I enlisted Stacey’s help to identify and purchase an investment property on Maui. I have worked with quite a few agents in my day, and I can’t say enough about how great Stacey was to work with. Throughout the entire process (research, offer, negotiation, close, and post-close) Stacey was incredibly supportive and provided a great deal of value-add. She listens very carefully, is very thoughtful, and is incredibly attentive to detail. She has a great network of service providers that have also been equally important to making this an easy process. If the need arises, I will definitely get Stacey’s help again - and I highly recommend her. "
"We purchased a home in Paia and Stacey represented us in the process. Since we were off island, it was mission critical to have a representative in our corner that had local knowledge of the market and could help us make the most informed decision possible. She does an amazing job of multi-tasking on so many fronts, and keeping all of the details straight, no matter how small and getting back to you in a timely fashion with information that you can use. This transaction would not have happened for us if it weren’t for her skill and professionalism. I not only recommend her to you, we will use her in the future in the event we have another transaction (buying or selling)."
Hawaii seasoned real estate agent since 2004 which started on Big Island where I became a top agent in a nationally recognized brokerage firm with over 100 transactions in my first year. Two years later relocated to Maui. Short term rental condos sales expert (you are able to rent them on Airbnb). Very knowledgeable from West Maui (Lahaina/Kapalua) to South Maui (Kihei/Wailea) on condo complexes weather you are looking for investment or second home. I have property managers standing by to exceed your expectations, provide potential net income sheets, and offer an exceptionally low management fee for top notch full service. My portfolio of sales includes Montage vacation condo sales to multi million dollar homes. I also provide 100% attention to detail in all buyer price ranges on Maui. I'm in the process of acquiring a Principle Broker license in Bend, Oregon. Looking for team members in Maui if you know any go getters! Looking for lenders? "Condotel" (condo's that allow short term AirBNB style rentals) require unique financing which can be found on Maui. Send me an email for the best lenders that I work with that are well known on Maui. Searching to purchase as a sight unseen buyer? Video tours of complexes and condos are readily available to you, just ask! I use digital timelines to keep you well informed every step during a purchase. I look to exceed your expectations and grow in the best that I can be. My relationship with you means more than a fast sale. I look forward to hearing your goals! "My partner and I enlisted Stacey's help to identify and purchase an investment property on Maui. I have worked with quite a few agents in my day, and I can't say enough about how great Stacey was to work with. Throughout the entire process (research, offer, negotiation, close, and post-close) Stacey was incredibly supportive and provided a great deal of value-add. She listens very carefully, is very thoughtful, and is incredibly attentive to detail. She has a great network of service providers that have also been equally important to making this an easy process. If the need arises, I will definitely get Stacey's help again - and I highly recommend her. " Ryan-Purchased a home on Maui "We purchased a home in Paia and Stacey represented us in the process. Since we were off island, it was mission critical to have a representative in our corner that had local knowledge of the market and could help us make the most informed decision possible. She does an amazing job of multi-tasking on so many fronts, and keeping all of the details straight, no matter how small and getting back to you in a timely fashion with information that you can use. This transaction would not have happened for us if it weren't for her skill and professionalism. I not only recommend her to you, we will use her in the future in the event we have another transaction (buying or selling)." Bryan-Purchased investment property on Maui
We were well taken care of by Stacy and Alex on the sale of our condo on Maui. We couldn't have asked for a better team. We were informed on every step...
I would like to tell all who will listen about Stacey Sebastian. Not only is Stacy a very nice person, she is a great realtor. I purchased a lot in Lahaina which wasn't...
Stacy Sebastian is by far and away the best realtor I've ever met. She was on top of every detail of the transaction from the timeline to problem solving...
If we could give Stacey and Alex 10 stars we would! This is our first vacation rental / 2nd home, and we purchased a beautiful condo in South Kihei. Being in CA and...
If we could give Stacey and Alex 10 stars we would! This is our first vacation rental / 2nd home, and we purchased a beautiful condo in South Kihei. Being...
Stacey and her partner Alex are absolutely AMAZING! They stuck with our short sale purchase through the craziest setbacks and roadblocks. Stacey went above and beyond...
My husband and I love Hawaii, and made a decision a long time ago to purchase a place either in Maui or Kauai. We're finally at that moment. Stacey was very helpful...
Stacey is very knowledgeable about the local market and provided guidance through every step of the process for our condo purchase. She responded to our inquiries in...
I contacted Stacey to inquire about a Letter of Opinion that I wanted regarding a Time Interval that I own at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach. She was very helpful even...
Stacey has been uniquely excellent in two aspects. First, she provided us with a massive amount of very detailed information to allow us to learn about the neighborhood...
What a great find! We were on the island for vacation and contacted Hawaii Life Real Estate where we were introduced to Stacey. From the initial phone call, Stacey narrowed...
Stacey helped us purchase a condo in 2015 and she was incredible. When we knew we would be buying in Maui again we went right to Stacey. She steered us in the right direction...
We bought a home with her in Lahaina. We are based in CA and it was so great to have her on our side. She worked on finding the right property for us for several months...
If you've been reading Stitch*illo, you've likely been enthralled with Karen Barbé's work. Located in Santiago, Chile, Karen's skills as a textile artist (and designer and photographer) are impressive. I was so thrilled when she agreed to be part of Stitch*illo. If you want to delve into Karen's approach to colour and design, I recommend her book Colour Confident Stitching.
Karen says that through her stitches she translates the worlds of home, crafts and comfort onto textile surfaces. “As an embroiderer I find a deep connection with a vast tradition of needlework, which I contribute to with a fresh look thanks to my design background,” she says.
Karen was using her graphic design background in the corporate world, which she eventually left ten years ago to pursue her passion for textiles. “I realized they were a natural extension of a family tradition,” she says. “Becoming a trained designer enlightened this long, cultivated family practice with new tools, both conceptual and technical. To become a designer honoured this natural and affectionate tradition. Of course I didn’t see it as clearly as I do now. It was more about following my natural creative approach to everything. I’m thankful for how this discipline provided a rationale and methodological container that has shaped and improved my work, regardless if it involves textiles, stitching, photography or, lately, writing.”
For Karen, embroidery is a synonym of calm and peace. “It also provides an opportunity for conversation: to discover the interconnection between your eyes, neck and fingers with the fabric, needle and thread. I like to think about embroidery as engaging in a conversation or learning a new language. When we learn to embroider, all your focus is put into mastering the stitch—a precise and guided movement. At the beginning we only observe and get into this conversation step by step, much like making sure we are using the right words and grammar. But when we remember—without thinking—the right direction and sequence of every up and down of the needle through the fabric, that is when we can start having a more fluid conversation. I also like to see it as a negotiation, a set of questions, exclamations and commentaries. The needle and thread develop their own ways and we need to learn how to interpret and decode their signs and warnings, their postures and gestures. It is only after we have repeated a single stitch hundreds or thousands of times that we can engage in an endless conversation without thinking about whether or not we are being precise. It is almost like a dance with technique, shape and colour, all unified among the story, thread and fabric.”
“Embroidering takes so much time, attention and focus. Sometimes, and depending on the stitches being used, an area as small as one square inch can take up to four hours to complete. And so, approaching thinking, experimentation and creation in design through embroidery means having to reconceive and reshape creative and production methodologies so that they can fit and work with the time demands of today. It is also a declaration of an appreciation of life and design in a slower fashion, where mistakes and corrections are given the necessary time and consideration.”
Finley and I hosted a Sew A Softie party at our house today! Founded by UPPERCASE reader Trixi Symonds, the yearly event encourages passing on the love of hand sewing to the next generation.
Trixi writes, "It encourages parents and children to turn off their computers, put down their smart phones and discover the fun and fulfillment that comes from creating a simple-to-sew softie together. This year Sew a Softie will take place from July 1st to 31st."
I've been teaching Finley to sew for a while and he was proud to be a Kid Ambassador for the event. We invited a few friends and parents over and had some fun making creatures (with a break for cookies and muffins, of course.)
Rather than have a set project that we were going to make—and set up expectations of what something is "supposed" to look like—I simply offered the framework for what were going to do.
1. Draw the body shape of your creature on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper (this way, it won't be too large and take too long to sew).
2. Cut out your paper pattern and trace around it on two pieces of fabric. Or have a parent cut around the pattern. We used fleece, felt and various remnants.
3. Cut out eyes, ears, feet, beaks, wings or any other embellishments out of felt. Use a simple running stitch to attach the features to the front fabric piece. Attach any button eyes at this point. We used contrasting thread so that it was easy to see what we were stitching.
4. Put front and back together and stitch around the perimeter, leaving 2-3 inches open so that you can stuff the softie. A running stitch is easiest. Finley used a whip stitch, which was a new technique for him to learn today. Sandwich any feet or wings between the front and back layers and sew them in when you're going around the edge. We used safety pins to hold things together in the meantime.
Our friends were ages 5 through 7, and although some attention spans started to wander we were able to finish our softies in about two hours.
Artists Melanie Thompson and Judith Barnett have created a stunning installation in praise of women's work. "We are the makers of every item in the show," says Melanie. Melanie is a basket maker and mixed media artist. "Judith," describes Melanie, "is an accomplished seamstress with no formal art background but boundless enthusiasm."
"The installation of a 1950s kitchen was inspired by an old wooden recipe box given to Judith by her 93-year-old neighbour Mrs. Williams. The box held a lifetime's recipes, all beautifully scripted in pen and ink. The idea that this box represented the lifetime of one woman's work seemed too great not to acknowledge in art. The strong emotional and nostalgic feelings it provoked felt like a call to make a body of work that referenced the era of the homemaker in the 1950s-honouring women’s work."
"We have made a wide variety of art pieces evoking the homemaker style of the 50s," describes Melanie. "The iconic apron and house dress have been rendered in knitted copper wire, pattern paper, tea stained canvas covered with written recipes, cotton embroidered and dyed with onion skins, image transfer on painted organza, recipe pages, black garden netting and pieced material remnants. There are mixed media wall pieces using stitching, buttons, collage, embroidery, and acrylic paint. Mixing bowl sets made with looping copper wire, handmade paper, and chicken wire as well as stitched samplers on baking trays and a cutlery box with utensils from the era. We have stitched and repaired clothing, small wire houses, recipe books deconstructed, handmade books, a set of pot holders and a tea cozy made from used tea bags and so many more items too numerous to describe. It needs to be seen to be fully appreciated."
Editor's note: Below these paper dresses, the third card from the left is from the UPPERCASE book Feed Sacks: The Colourful History of a Frugal Fabric by Linzee Kull McCray.
"I didn't know a photograph could make me feel so happy or beautiful until I saw her work," says Lana.
Lana Lepper designs and makes contemporary geometry-inspired jewellery. “I love my craft fiercely and passionately,” she says. “It’s unparalleled to any other task or job I've ever performed.” She lives in Vancouver with her husband and dog. “We live in a small (but not too small) apartment overlooking the city of Vancouver.” She has a bachelor of science in biology and enjoys snowboarding. (“And I'm cocky about how good I am,” she admits.)
Nearly two years ago, Lana was laid off from a corporate job. “I was devastated. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed, worrying about how I would pay my mortgage or how I would share my perceived failure with my husband and friends.” She felt like she had failed, that she wasn’t good enough. For the job, for anything. “What if I never worked again? Would my husband still love me? Think of all the nasty terrible fears you have deep down inside you about your performance or job expectations—those fears hit me like a wall and nearly drowned me in their miasma.”
Fortunately, Lana’s husband showed his support. “He told me that we would adjust. Find our centre and continue to achieve our goals. He said he trusted me. He believes in me.” Her friends rallied around her as well as she tried to find new footing.
For years she had been living a double life, one in the corporate world, the other as a jewellery designer LanaBetty in the off hours. With a holiday season fast approaching, Lana and her husband decided she should give the holiday markets her absolute best effort. “I decided that I would attack the markets with ferocity and passion. I would get angry about my job loss and funnel that energy into design, production and sales. I would fix up my website. I would set targets and hit them.” The backup plan? “If it all tanked, I would put LanaBetty on hold and look for another corporate job.”
Lana’s primary goal, though, was to be happy. “No more working with stress so high I couldn't sleep. No more working so hard I forgot to eat. No more pushing papers for a company that didn't care.”
“It's been almost two years now and I can honestly say I am happy. I have never worked so hard in my life. Every moment is spent on social media or in the studio. Everything I have done before this moment has prepared me for the next. I have had my jewelry featured in blogs, on models, in magazines, doubled my sales and have kicked up quite a niche market in custom jewellery.”
Lana has found that the most satisfying aspect of running her creative enterprise is that she is accountable to herself. “There has never been anything more empowering or satisfying.”
“Dive head first into your passion and let every single moment be the best moment. Be happy with who you are and content when you get into bed every night. Strive for greatness and (sometimes) be humble about it. Be proud of yourself and always, always, do what makes you happy.”
I got this far and ran out of yarn! fortunately, my mother in law haD a good supply of yarn and I was able to keep POM and carry on.
The wreath wasn't done until after Christmas, but at least it will be ready and waiting for next year's festivities! Or perhaps I'll just bring it indoors to enjoy year-round. It's nice to pet it once and a while!
As I mentioned in my newsletter today, one of my goals for 2016 was to revamp this website. It's the digital window into what UPPERCASE is all about and very often the first in-depth experience someone will have with the magazine before they subscribe or see a copy in person. The site really needed some focus and a much stronger home page. And in the backend, I've had my site hosted with Squarespace for a decade (!!!) and the navigation and organization was getting out of hand.
I've been thinking about the redesign for months—gathering ideas, jotting notes, saving urls on websites that I like, musing about it, wishing it would magically get done by itself... but my print projects always necessarily take the forefront of my to-do list. And readers will know that I put out a LOT of pages in 2016. Four magazine issues and the 544-page Feed Sacks book!
With my workload done for the holidays and some mental space to tackle a medium that's quite a bit different than print, I started fleshing out the site redesign. I selected a new Squarespace template (I'm using Five) and got the basic framework ready. Full screen video on the home page has been on my wish list for years and I'm happy that there's the support to make that very easy to do now. With issue 32 fresh from the printer, I shot three different videos, trying to get the best possible result. I'm still not 100% satisfied with the video on the home page, but I'm sure I'll improve it with each subsequent issue. I'm a learn-by-doing sort of person!
After a very pleasant and mostly technology-free Christmas, on New Year's Eve—in that concentrated flurried feeling of having to get everything clean, sorted and ready for the change of the calendar—I dove in to the redesign. (Do you feel like that on New Year's Eve? I even felt compelled to clean the inside of my microwave. And I enjoyed doing it!)
The new design went live yesterday and there are still some elements to smooth out and improve upon, particularly on the blog page and some typographic elements... but the best thing about it is how this online renovation makes me feel enthusiastic and energized about the work I'll be doing in the coming year. A fresh new home for the new year.
There are two new volumes in the Encyclopedia of Inspiration in progress: Botanica and Stitch•illo will be coming your way in the first half of the year. (You can still order the set and Feed Sacks will ship right away or you can purchase the books individually.) I have more plans and projects that I look forward to sharing with you soon.
And of course, the mainstay and core of what I make and do: UPPERCASE magazine. The January/February/March issue is on its way to subscribers and will soon be at stockists worldwide.
Want to published in the spring issue? The open calls for submissions are posted and submissions are due January 16.
I love a good craft and art fair and there's one in Vancouver this weekend that I'd attend if I could. Salt Spring in the City brings artisans from Salt Spring Island into the big city to show and sell their wares. "Over thirty vendors have been invited to attend Salt Spring in the City," write the organizers, "It's a curated, pop-up village market, where the criteria for inclusion means the product must be designed, and produced on Salt Spring Island. The Vancouver showcase will include food and fashion, paintings and pottery, wine and crafts, and a sense of nostalgia for the West Coast’s homesteading practices. Visitors will discover the wares of woodworkers, designers, jewellers and potters, artisanal cheese makers and preservers, weavers and painters, artists and foodies."
Cherry Blossom Eco-Clothing is made from materials that are sustainable, comfortable and pack in a pinch. The style is flexible enough to ware for comfort by day or add accessories for a night on the town, and turn that little black, eco-friendly dress, into an after dark staple.
These hair accessories, including headbands, will thrill you with their versatility. End of Her Rope uses a unique sculpt-able wire that bends on the inside of the headband, so you can sculpt the materials for the customized fit your head has craved. Non-breakable, and fun, wear them in different ways to create a unique look daily.
Julie Mackinnon, who refers to her people as “clay people”, will bring her high-fired porcelain designs that are gaining fans daily including Canada’s most beautiful tea store, Silk Road Tea, who wants her contemporary handmade work in their stores, look for the announcement this spring.
Vintage clothing, like jackets, kilts and thrift store finds are upcylced into one of a kind bags and accessories. Salt Spring Tweed transforms quality jackets and coats into usable wares like iPad Sleeves, cushions, messenger bags, camera bags, flatpack laptop bags and purses.
A former Art Director, and the designer of all the savvy marketing materials for Salt Spring in the City is abstract West Coast painter Zandra Stratford. Her artwork is described as textural, bold and topographic in nature, and punctuated by an art series that features equal parts sumi ink painting and cyberpunk.
I'm in a sweet spot in my creative projects right now. For ongoing projects, it means that the momentum of being nearly finished motivates me to get them done. For new projects, there's the excitement of seeing something that was in my mind start to be made real on the page. And best of all, there's room for new ideas to emerge and future projects to dream about!
The fall content is assigned and so in the hands of others momentarily, Glen and I are writing the Compendium profiles and are about halfway, I've got the book design and page layout underway (I bought a new font for this project, it's always fun and inspiring to work with a new typeface), a still-secret project is incredibly exciting, the granny square blanket I've been working on for SIX YEARS needs just a dozen more squares...
Everything is ticking right along, but none are so demanding that it is becoming overwhelming... yet! I know it's the calm before the storm because a week from now the fall content starts rolling in, The Typewriter book preorder data needs to be compiled and the Compendium will be in full production and my projects will shift from creative bliss to "what have I gotten myself into!?"
To see the rest of today's newsletter and read excerpts from issue 26, click here. Sign up for my weekly newsletter for weekly free content.
The Maker's Atelier, in Brighton, UK, is celebrating its first birthday. I thought you'd enjoy reading about this lovely place with impeccable design, so here's an excerpt from their press release:
Designer Frances Tobin has been making clothes for as long as she can remember, her mother taught her. When she left home, she trained in fashion and textiles graduating from The Royal College of Art in London. She went on to design for many leading fashion brands in Italy, the US and the UK, including Gucci, Les Copains, Esprit, French Connection and Warehouse.
Throughout her design career, Frances has always continued to make her own clothes. But she has never used shop bought patterns, as they don’t have the look that she wants. When someone suggested she publish her own dressmaking patterns, she thought yes, why not! Here was an opportunity to create something special.
So she created The Maker’s Atelier for women of any age or shape - who know how to dress well, but can't always find what they want. Her aim is to help fashion-conscious women, create beautiful clothes to wear with style. She takes the key shapes from current fashion trends, refines them into clear dressmaking patterns, and then sources the perfect fabric. Frances believes that the simplest shapes in the finest fabrics make the most successful clothes.
The patterns and making-kits are sold exclusively from the website, and the making-experiences take place in a beautiful, vaulted atelier in Brighton's Kemp Town. The courses are suitable for beginner and intermediate dressmakers; they focus on fabric selection and making an individual item from the current range. Lunch, refreshments, maker’s gift bags and, of course, the finished garment, are all included in the experience.
It was a beautiful Sunday at Heritage Park — our first visit of the season, perfectly timed to be during the 20th annual Festival of Quilts. The quilts were perfectly paired with the buildings, like all these high contrast and graphic quilts hanging on the Wainwright Hotel.
Please join me and a roster of talented Western Canadian artists and artisans at the New Craft Coalition craft fair this Friday and Saturday.
I'll have the current issue (with free printmaking samples while they last) plus back issues, books, papergoods and special offer: subscribe/renew and get a free issue!
Barb Skoog is one of 75 printmakers profiled in the current issue. When I was going through the many, many submissions (250!) to curate the content for this printmaking-themed issue, I was delighted to see a paper marbling submission. Barb generously donated a delicious stack of hand-marbled papers for subscriber copies (for those subscribed prior to the end of March).
It was tempting to keep this beautiful stack all to myself, but I know there are dozens of subscribers out there who now have the joy of holding her papers in person.
Barb is a Los Angeles-based artist specializing in the Turkish form of marbling called Ebru. She writes, "This centuries-old art form involves floating paint on thickened water, making patterns and designs using special tools, and then placing paper, fabric, wood, or other materials on top of the water where the image is immediately and permanently transferred. In addition to having my work featured in art and lifestyle magazines, juried shows, and galleries, my marbled pieces have been used in bookbinding, in mixed media, as fashion accessories (purses, scarves), as home décor, and more."
If you'd like to learn this technique, Barb has a freshly-launched eCourse. The video below offers a happy teaser on what you'll learn in the course. It looks like so much fun!
Barb has a special offer for UPPERCASE readers. Using the promo code UPLOVE, you can get $80 off the regular price ($259) and take the course for just $179 if you sign up by May 31. Class officially begins on June 8 (6 weeks guided instruction) but students have access to all info for six months.
Thank you to Barb Skoog for her support of UPPERCASE through a Calling Card. If you'd like to purchase a Calling Card ad for the next issue and for the blog sidebar, please visit this page for more details.
This is a snapshot from surface pattern designer Sophie Stock's inspiration board, one of the recent submissions to the Compendium. I hope you'll be just as brave and enter your creativity into the UPPERCASE Compendium of Craft and Creativity.
You've got the rest of the weekend to pull together your images and answer the questionnaire. You can do it!
Salt Spring in the City is an event later this week (March 27-29th) in Vancouver that celebrates the artisans of Salt Spring Island.
"We will be bringing the island’s bohemian lifestyle and fresh finds from our hottest artisans with over 30 unique brands to discover," write the organizers. "From the modern to the rustic, chic to traditional—there's something for everyone. Salt Spring in the City will take over Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street)."
There looks to be a nice assortment of vendors at the event. If you're in Vancouver this weekend, please go check it out!
Doors open on Friday at 4pm and the event is open until 9pm. On Saturday, March 28, 10–6 and on Sunday the event is from 10–5.
Thank you to Salt Spring in the City for supporting UPPERCASE by placing a sidebar ad! Visit their blog for plenty of artisan profiles and for more information.
I've been practically around the world and back since I last sent or posted a message about the UPPERCASE Compendium of Craft and Creativity, but now that I'm back from Australia, I'm in full design mode to get the next issue of UPPERCASE off to print. Which means... I'm keeping the Compendium entry open until the end of March since I won't be doing final reviews until April anyway! So please take a chance, gather your images, and submit to the Compendium today!
I just sent out an email sharing more of Elyse Wigen of Prim Society's submission (sent to those who have expressed specific interest in receiving emails about it. You can sign up for those emails here or on the sidebar. To read more about Elyse and see her beautifully made children's products look here.
The Australian Tapestry Workshop was a highlight of my visit to Melbourne. Such an incredible space, beautiful light... and oh, the spools of colour!
For day two of QuiltCon, I wasn’t up for the 7:45 a.m. yoga session, but did enjoy the Maker to Making a Living panel at 9 a.m. on Friday. Four industry professionals whose experience ranged from a few to 40 years shared their career paths, their aspirations vs. the reality of “making it” in the quilt industry, and the challenges of small-business ownership. While each panelist (Denyse Schmidt, Mary Fons, Heather Givans, and Brenda Groelz) looks for personal fulfillment and a life filled with making things, they acknowledged that making money to pay the rent (or “buy the kitties food” as moderator Jacqueline Sava called it) was of equal importance. I loved hearing these women riff off one another’s comments and acknowledge the satisfactions, but also the hard, hard work that goes into making careers like theirs happen.
Next up was one of my favourite lectures: Modern Materials: Quilts of the 1970s with Bill Volckening. This Portland resident found his first quilt rolled up under a table in an antique store and though he didn’t buy it at first, he couldn’t get it out of his mind and returned for it. He was initially seduced by the colors of the quilts of this era, but also became intrigued by the fabrics themselves—Dacron, polyester, and some quilting cottons—and the context in which they were stitched. (He compared one quilt to the painted bus used by The Partridge Family.) A number of quilts from his collection are on the show floor, so it’s possible to admire them in person. They’re pretty wild.
At noon I gave a talk about UPPERCASE and expanded on the story I wrote about feed sacks for issue #24. Audience members ranged from people who had never heard of feed sacks to two women who had worn feed sack underwear as children. I shared a photo of a doily crocheted from the strings used to hold feed sacks shut and an audience member recalled a relative knitting a pair of socks from the strings she’d saved. Another pulled the loveliest piece of feed sack material from her purse—the pink, grey, and gold apples had such a contemporary feel.
All day long I ran into people who wanted to talk—about quilts, about feed sacks, about fabric, about a quilt they’d seen on the exhibition floor. Those conversations are the real highlights of QuiltCon. Even after the convention center doors closed for the day, Austin was full of people talking about textiles in hotel lobbies and over dinner and drinks. The quilts and the lectures and the workshops provide fodder for getting a conversation started, but the shared love of stitching keeps them going.
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