January was a crazy, busy month for me with in-person events that had been booked well in advance of the lingering Covid threats. I taught at Craft Napa, Road to California, a local needlearts group and then traveled to Florida for a guild retreat.

Wearing masks to teach is the normal at this time, especially in California where vaccines are required also. I did miss the social aspect at these events but it was good to be around creatives doing what we love. With time to unload and repack I set off for Ontario, CA for Road to California and a 3-day Pet Portrait workshop I was teaching.

I think I had about a weeks break before repacking for a week long trip to Florida. I was invited as the “national” teacher to the Peace River Quilters retreat at Lake Pierce near Haines City. When I got up in the morning I was stunned by the beauty of the lake and the trees dripping with Spanish moss.

I was teaching two classes here; the first Sunflowers and then T-shirt Quilts. I was very happy that my students worked so hard, making excellent progress, finishing or nearly finishing their projects in one day. Tom even got to stitch on his sunflower. The retreat was really fun, I felt spoilt that I could hang out, take short walks at this beautiful location before heading to their home town of Punta Gorda for more fun.

One member of the Peace River quilters decided it would be a good idea to make a quilted car cover and little did she know what she was taking on! With a few friends and donated orphan quilt blocks they put this van cover together just in time for the retreat. It was really impressive!

Sunsets at the retreat center were beautiful. I got to look for gators, and I think I saw a baby one hanging out in the water! Leaving for Punta Gorda with the quilters we stopped for a Cuban lunch on the way. The weather warmed up from Florida’s cold snap and I was ready for palm trees and sunshine.

Back at the guilds hometown I got to present at the quilt meeting and the following day taught my Fabulous Fish Fabric Collage class. My host Becky and friends kindly took me to see Manatees at Manatee Park at Fort Meyers and then Burrowing Owls that hang out in the empty lots near their home. Everyone was so kind, fun to work with but I was happy to come home.

Once back I had a few days to apply to a SAQA exhibition. The problem was I had yet to make the quilts! For Prism Play entry quilts had to be 15” x 45” and made using the colors from one color card. I had chosen a yellow/green card and blue/green. I am happy to say I did get them made and entered on time!

If you have ever wanted to take a fabric collage class from me there are a few opportunities this year. I will be teaching for the Quiltfest Virtual Schoolhouse on May 11-14th. Wildflowers, Three Hens, Vases and Succulents. These are all 3hr online classes with kits available. Registration is now open.

Aug 3-4 I will be at IQF Long Beach teaching three classes Dazzling Dogs and Cats 1 day , Wildflowers and Fabulous Fish both 3 hr classes. Kits are included in these workshops. Finally I will be teaching at IQF Houston between Oct 31-Nov 5 classes TBD.

I am happy to announce I will be teaching at Empty Spools at Asilomar April 21-26th 2023 with a five day in depth study of fabric collage, Animal or Pet Portraits.

2022 will be a creative year for me as I work on new projects, catch up on the custom quilts I make and travel and teach.