Geraldine Zillions - Texas Quilter Overcoming Odds

The Fort Worth, Texas Star Tribune published a story about Geraldine Zillions in its November 23, 2010 issue titled "After Years of Abuse, Mom is Finding a Way to Shine Again." If you can, take a moment to read Sistah Quilter Zillions' story. The early parts are hard to bear, yet 52-year old Ms. Zillions is using her creative energy to make hand-stitched quilts, jewelry, and wearable art to bring joy - and a bit of revenue - to her life now. Blessings!

Tricia Waddell - Editor-in-Chief, Stitch Magazine

Tricia Waddell, editor-in-chief of Stitch Magazine, recently announced that the bi-annual publication is moving to quarterly! Burda Style recently published an online interview with Ms. Waddell. According to the interview, she's a crafter herself:

"I love to make stuff period, so I do all sorts of crafts. I enjoy knitting, jewelry-making, mixed-media artwork, hand embroidery, and most recently I have been learning to weave. I definitely combine crafts, especially the fiber-related crafts. I love adding custom handcrafted touches like embroidery or beading to my sewing projects. And I want to add more fiber techniques into my mixed-media work."

What do you like best about Stitch? If you are not familiar with Stitch Magazine, do visit the Stitch blog! Enjoy!

Update: Carol - thanks for sharing that the Burda link is no longer working. Sorry about that! Here's a link to a YouTube video interview with Ms. Waddell by PinkChalkTV. Enjoy!

Auction Finds - blog by Sherry Howard

Today I stumbled upon - and then spent nearly an hour reading - Sherry Howard's Auction Finds blog. Ms. Howard, who also has taken quilting classes, describes different treasures she finds at local auctions such as Jet Magazines, samplers, artwork by black women including Lois Mailou Jones, and more! If you have a moment, put in your bid at the Auction Finds blog. Enjoy!

New Books in History features "This I Accomplish," the book on Harriet Powers

If you love history, do stop by the website New Books in History. Dr. Marshall Poe of the University of Iowa hosts a weekly podcast featuring a historian talking about a ..... new book in history. Dr. Poe is an expert in Russian history and has even played basketball with President Barack Obama! He and I had a delightful conversation about Harriet Powers and her quilts. I also shared my thoughts that if there is a Harriet Powers' quilt as-yet-unidentified still out there, it is likely in Iowa and from a September 1959 auction of the contents of Port Sunshine, the Keokuk, Iowa home of James and Lorene Curtis Diver. If you are on Facebook, check out New Books in History there. Enjoy!

Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild launch new website!

The Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild, founded in March 1995 in Newark, NJ, just launched their website! Do take a moment and visit www.nubianquilters.org . Enjoy!

Strength from All My Roots: Textile Arts Honoring the Legacy of Pauli Murray

Wish I could be in Durham, NC tomorrow for the opening of "Strength From All My Roots: Textile Arts Honoring the Legacy of Pauli Murray" at the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main Street, Durham from November 19 to 30, 2010.

According to her memorial website, "Pauli Murray was a champion for civil and human rights who grew up in Durham. Her insights and vision continue to resonate powerfully in our times. As a historian, attorney, poet, activist, teacher and Episcopal priest, she worked throughout her life to address injustice, to give voice to the unheard, to educate, and to promote reconciliation between races and economic classes. Her beautifully written memoir, Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family, was published in 1956."

The textile exhibit features narrative quilts by the Heritage Quilters group in Warren County. Some of the quilts are stitched by Carol Beck, Marjorie Diggs Freeman, Barbara Lau, and Mary Rocap of Hillsborough, according to an article in the Herald-Sun by Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan with photos by Christine T. Nguyen. In the photo areThe Rev. Jeanette Stokes (left) and Courtney Reid-Eaton, curator. Enjoy the exhibit!

Carole Harris' textile creations on display

Carole Harris' quilts and textile work are currently on display at the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital (just outside of Detroit) from November 4 to December 30, 2010 as part of the Healing Arts Program - Artist Avenue Gallery. Enjoy!

Lucy Craft Laney Museum - 2010 Augusta GA quilt exhibit

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum's Annual Quilt Exhibit is on display now until December 31, 2010 in Augusta, GA. This year the featured quilting group is the Essie McManus Quilting Guild of Johnston, South Carolina. Other quilters works are also on display. The quilts, according the museum's website, "reflect a combination of history, culture, skill and an overwhelming love for this emerging art." Admissions: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors/military, $2 for children. Click here to see WJBF-TV news report of the exhibit. Enjoy!

Dr. Nancy J. Dawson organizes TN and KY Black Quilt & History Project

I just read the following online:

"Quilters from Tennessee and Kentucky will collaborate with The Homeplace, located in Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area, and Fort Donelson National Battlefield to design a series of quilts depicting the African American experience “Between the Rivers” (LBL), and the Civil War in Middle Tennessee.

The project, which is being sponsored by The Homeplace, Fort Donelson National Battlefield, and the Emmanuel Family Life Center Quilting Guild of Clarksville, will begin with a panel discussion on African Americans at Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, and “Between the Rivers.” Join us Saturday, November 20th, 2010, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Emmanuel Family Life Center, 303 Fairview Lane, Clarksville, Tennessee.

Guest speakers will include Cindy Earls from The Homeplace; Nina Finley from the Houston County Historical Society; Susan Hawkins from Fort Donelson; George Sholar, a descendant of African American soldiers who were recruited at Fort Donelson; and Nancy J. Dawson, an African American Studies researcher and the project director.

In honor of African American History Month, the quilt exhibit will be displayed at various locations throughout Tennessee and Kentucky in February 2011, including schools, museums, and libraries. The quilts will be discussion pieces to help Fort Donelson and The Homeplace interpret the Underground Railroad in this area, the enslavement of African Americans, and their daily lives during the Civil War era.

The event is free and open to the public. Quilters and historians are encouraged to attend. For more information email Dr. Nancy J Dawson at efuanjd@yahoo.com." Enjoy!

Columbus Black Doll & Gift Show - November 27, 2010

If you are in Columbus, Ohio on November 27, check out the Columbus Black Doll & Gift Show. Natasha Gates, who is organizing the event, shared with me that the show will be from 10am to 5pm at the Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12 years old. Free parking. Enjoy!

Malene B - Carpet Designer

I wish this Market Women carpet came in fabric! Have you visited Brooklyn-based carpet designer Malene B's website? Go! Enjoy!

Black Santa Fabric from Kweli Kitwana

Every year I am on the look out for African American or Black Santa Fabrics. If you see some in your area or online, will you drop a note? Have you seen Kweli Kitwana's Black Santa Joy fabric?! The cotton print is available from SpoonFlower.com. The print also comes in a blue background. Enjoy!

Sisters of the Yam - Quilt at the VMFA in Richmond

The Sisters of the Yam, a quilting guild in Richmond, VA since 2001, has a lovely quilt on display at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The quilt is a complement to the current exhibit American Quilts: Selections from the Winterthur Collection is organized by Winterthur and curated by Linda Eaton, Senior Curator of Textiles at Winterthur. The Sisters of the Yam recently presented their 2011 "Opportunity Quilt" as a raffle benefiting the Black History Museum in Richmond. This gorgeous handmade quilt, titled "Diamond Trellis," is 84" x 96" featuring 224 blocks in a diamond pattern with black stripes creating a trellis design. Raffle tickets $5 each or 3 for $10. The drawing will be held March 17, 2011. Contact the Black History Museum at 804-780-9093 for info on purchasing tickets. Enjoy!

1.6 Million African American Quilters mug and tote bag

For those interested, you can get a 1.6 Million African American Quilters mug, tote bag or other items at Cafe Press. The mug is $11.99 and the tote is $13.99. Enjoy!