Helen Fujiki

Helen Fujiki visited the west coast for a series of lectures and workshops. http://www.helenfujiki.com/Fuji_Wa_Quilting/Welcome.html

I attended the presentation with the Lion's Gate Guild. When I walked into the hall, about 40 quilts lined the large hall - and that doesn't count two sets of 'manhole covers'.

The surprising part was that these quilts were all done in the last 4 years! Helen won two CQA/ACC awards at the 2008 National Juried Show. http://www.helenfujiki.com/Fuji_Wa_Quilting/Welcome.html

Helen won 'Outstanding work by a First Time Exhibitor in the NJS' for Fuji Wa

and 'Excellence in Workmanship: Machine Quilting: Honourable Mention' for New Beginnings.

Her presentation was inspiring - she has an excellent sense of design.

The workshop the next day was informative. The main technique was 'broderie perse'. We worked with images and motifs from fabrics ... with a Japanese flair. The idea was to create an interesting design and enhance it with machine quilting. We needed a second day - we barely got started. I found this a little foreign to my usual methods of working. However, I am going to continue to develop it ... time will tell ... I need a quilt for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Studio Tour

My husband and I took Saturday afternoon off and visited a friend's 'open studio'.

Judy Villett's studio was part of 'Common Threads' studios tour that included Michelle Sirois Silver and Julie Pongrac ... unfortunately, we didn't get to the other two.

Judy Villett's renovated studio showed off her work beautifully! Judy has a history of teaching in Edmonton and is opening her studio for teaching in Vancouver, BC. She has experience from traditional to abstract and her knowledge of colour and design are extensive. Arrange a private lesson, come with a friend or join a scheduled class.

In 2009, Judy organized a Cherry Festival Quilt Show and is planning one for 2011.
The piece below uses discharge fabric made by another friend Pat Crucil.

If you have an interest in quilting and would like to learn, or you would simply like to increase your understanding of colour value or design work ... call Judy! She is patient and encouraging. website: http://judyvillett.com/JudyVillett/Welcome.html

Be sure to check out http://judyvillett.com/JudyVillett/Classes_%26_Lectures.html and her gallery http://judyvillett.com/JudyVillett/Photo_Gallery.html as well!

Judy also judges quilt shows for guilds ... a good experience for members ... they will get suggestions & comments that will help them to grow in confidence.

Judy shared her studio with a friend, Janet Armstrong. Janet is known for her knitting retreats (for beginners to experts). Janet's current fibre art work is based on sunsets in a dark sky, often with tree silhouettes.

Website: http://www.janetarmstrong.com/ Janet makes exquisite little fibre art pieces that are well priced as a gift for you or a friend! She had made some beautiful liturgical stoles for ministers. http://www.janetarmstrong.com/Custom_Orders_Liturgical_Stoles.php Check - blog: http://janetknitsandstitches.blogspot.com/