Libby began a spiral into severe medical issues on April 30th that included a ruptured aneurysm, a 7 hour surgery to clip the aneurysm, and a stroke that required additional surgery.  Libby is a true superstar in the art quilt world, and she needs our love and support.  While I’ve been following her updates on Caring Bridge, my own medical issues prevented me from posting here sooner.

If you are able, please visit Caring Bridge to read her story and updates, and please consider sending a small monetary donation to help with her medical expenses.  On June 8th, Libby’s sister wrote the following, which I am sharing here:

“Contributions – Angels Needed
Written Jun 8, 2013 4:28pm by Cathy Arnold (Libby’s sister)

As Libby’s recovery plan is beginning to take shape, it has become clear that this will be a long and unpredictable process. Medicare will only pay for a portion of the cost of the rehab. She does not have an auxiliary policy. The burden of paying for the long term rehab and care will fall to Lester and the family.

Thank you to all who have donated to CaringBridge in tribute to Libby.  Although those contributions do not go towards any medical expenses, they have helped to make possible this website communication.

If you would like to make a much needed contribution towards Libby’s rehab and other extensive medical expenses, it would help ensure that Libby is provided with the best medical care possible.

A bank account has been set up at JPMorgan Chase Bank. The name of the account is the “Libby Lehman Medical Fund”. Checks, Money Orders, or Cashier’s Checks should be made out to “Libby Lehman Medical Fund” and mailed to her sister, Cathy Arnold at 2220 Stanmore, Houston, TX 77019. Please include your name and address if it is not on the check. If you wish to use an online secure transfer method from any bank called Chase Quick Pay, please email Cathy’s husband, Bill Arnold at bill.arnold@rice.edu, and he will provide you with proper instructions.

Bill Arnold and Bill Askey, Libby’s brother-in-laws, are the Trustees of the Fund and the only signors on the bank account. To the extent possible by the amount of funds in the account, they will be responsible for issuing checks to pay for any medical bills that are presented by Lester. The Family is very appreciative of all cards, letters, quilt pieces, and contributions received on behalf of our beloved Sister, Libby. She is a real treasure to all of us, and we all want her to be able to recover to the best of her abilities.

Thank you so much.” Cathy Arnold, on behalf of Libby & Lester Lehman

I continue to feel very fortunate by the amount of love that I have received (and continue to receive) during my recent medical crisis, and my hope is that I can help pay that love forward to Libby.

by Mary Schoeser

What has 567 pages, over 1,000 images, weighs over 7 pounds, and has enough inspiration to keep your artistic juices flowing for a very long time? Mary Schoeser’s latest book: Textiles The Art of Mankind.

The book features work from around the world, with both historical pieces and contemporary ones.  It is an overwhelming tome of text and visuals that I will periodically be dipping in and out of for a long time to fully take it in.

One of my quilts, Squared Illusions 6, is included (bottom right above). I do wish that the important fact that the piece is primarily made from digitally-printed pigmented ink on fabric was included in the description. Even so, I am incredibly thrilled and honored to have work in this book.

Books published by Thames & Hudson are often beautifully displayed at museums around the world, and for good reason. They are gorgeous to look at, informative to read, and provide massive amounts of inspiration. This book is no exception. While expensive, at $95 retail, Amazon sells it for nearly $30 less. And, since the book is over $25, you can get free ground shipping with it. If you love textiles, consider treating yourself to this beauty.

I took this shot one afternoon, on route to the train station. From it, I created a bunch of variations using several different iPad/iPhone apps. (Yes, I know I’m missing a “w” from my signature brush!)

I’m thrilled that my Artifications quilt is on the cover of the latest issue of The Professional Quilter magazine. The magazine is the quarterly publication of The International Association of Professional Quilters. I’ve been writing the technology forum column for the magazine for over 15 years (it’s hard for me to believe it’s been that long).  If you’re not a member, check it out.  It’s not just for quilt makers, but mixed media artists, too.  I’m also happy to share that I’m working on an eBook compilation of columns, all updated where needed, and selling it my website at some point in 2013.  Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll keep you posted.

Here is the cutie, the 95 lb Bud-Z that can knock me on my butt in a single move (and he’s done it several times).  We got him after after our beloved Buddy died.  Buddy was a Rottie, Chow, Shepard, German Short Hair Pointer mix with a beautiful disposition.  After he died (two years ago, March 3rd, I wrote a post about him then), Rich tried to find a similar looking dog.  He did, in West Virginia (found him on PetFinder.com). Well, he may look the same, but his temperament is truly different. To say the least, the first year he was very difficult to the point we hired a trainer to help us with him.  Here’s the post I wrote after Buddy died. You can see how similar they looked, oh but how different they are!

As a present for Rich, I had Bud-Z’s DNA analyzed, and the results are in.  We thought he was Chow, Rottie, and Shepard, and then guessed other things.  Our vet though Ridgeback and Shepard, another vet thought Golden Lab.  Rich was sure Bullmastiff, and I feared Pit Bull.  But, nope!

The results are in … Bud-Z is a Chow-Chow mix and a Whippet Mix!!  Whippet????  We thought, no way!  However, Bud-z is incredibly fast off the line.  The other breeds in the mix, which all add up to the special dog that is Bud-Z are:
Catahoula Leopard Dog at 45.54%
Plott Hound at 21.07%
Cardigan Welsh Corgi at 10.16%
Newfoundland at 7.72%
Shih Tzu at 3.51%