Google's new What Do You Love? - Try Quilting

Google has soft launched a new search engine called What Do You Love? It's a one-stop place to find image results, videos, books, mapping, alerts, trends in online discussions, and more! Here is a quick screenshot of African American Quilting in the new What Do You Love? search engine. Try it yourself - put in your own name, or your guild's name or Underground Railroad quilts, or Obama Quilts, or ..... What do you think of the new search engine? Enjoy!

Kickstarter - One Quilter's Project Awaits Funding

Have you visited the fundraising website Kickstarter? At the moment, sistah quilter Marion Coleman is trying to raise funds to travel to Lithuania this fall as part of the Kaunas Textile Biennial '11 and to attend the European Textile Network conference. Have a look at her project today and view her video. If you decide to make a donation, you won't be charged unless the total amount she is seeking is pledged by a certain date. Marion's six part narrative quilt series will be on exhibit in Lithuania. Best wishes Marion! Enjoy!

Sue Rock Originals Everyone!

If you haven't heard of the fantastic work Sue Rock is doing, you should check out the 5 min video here! Sue Rock Originals Everyone is the only domestic violence non-profit committed to textile support to those suffering from domestic violence. The 501(c)3 non-profit engages volunteers to sew, knit, or crochet new garments for domestic violence survivors.

According to Ms. Rock, who received a Woman of Valor Award for Excellence in Service by New York State Senator John L. Sampson in May 2011, "for seven years we have had the encouragement of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office in supporting the lives of women."



You can donate directly to this charity or purchase garments at the Sue Rock Originals Everyone store in Crown Heights Brooklyn (1069 Bergen Street, NY, NY 11216). Visit Sue's blog http://suerockoriginals.blogspot.com/ or the Sue Rock Etsy store for vintage knitting and crochet patterns. Enjoy!

Marian Wright Edelman - 1966 Visit to Quilters

Marian Wright-Edelman (standing) is visiting quilters at the Mount Beulah Center, operated by the Delta Ministry of National Council of Churches in Mississippi, according to a June 1966 Ebony magazine article. The quilters would send the completed pieces to an African American owned cooperative in Jackson to be sold. Just consider - quilts as a revenue generator way back in 1966! Enjoy!

Ravin J. Hill - Jackson, Mississippi Quilter

I met Ravin J. Hill at the memorial service for quilter Gwen Magee. Gwen had been an artistic mentor to Ravin, a graduate of Tougaloo College (BA) and Florida State University (MS Art Ed). She's a bright, engaging, imaginative quilter. It was a delight to meet her - and especially as we spirited away to the parking lot to see two quilts she had in her car, including a pink and green memorial story quilt she made to honor a best friend.

In 2008, Ravin had a solo quilt exhibit at the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center featuring 11 of her quilts. The show was titled "Grandma's Hands: Celebrating the Quiltcode of the Underground Railroad". In the photo here is an image of the 18-page full-color exhibit catalog and one of her quilts. The show was dedicated to her grandmother, Lueberta Hawkins (1907-1997), who taught her to quilt.

Earlier Ravin titled her senior thesis on "Quilt of Life." I hope she continues to exhibit and write about quilting. Ravin is today engaged in art therapy. Do wish Ravin continued success in her quilting! Enjoy!

January 1987 Alabama Tourism Ad - Quilters

The January 1987 issue of Ebony magazine featured this state of Alabama tourism ad - "Follow the Achievements of Black Alabamians." The ad features noted Freedom Quilting Bee members
Addie Nicholson and Estelle Witherspoon. Have you noticed other African American quilters in advertising? Enjoy?

Pieced Together; Moscow Meets Harlem June 14 - 27, 2011

If you are in the New York area, visit the exhibit "Pieced Together; Moscow Meets Harlem" at the National Arts Club in Manhattan, June 14-27, 2011. Marina Kovalyou, president of the Russian American Foundation, and quilter Laura Gadson co-curated the show. Nearly two dozen works by artists such as Michael Cummings, Gadson, N. Fedotovsky, Ife Felix, Dindga McCannon, Paula Wynters, Lidia Semenova, and L. Stepenova are included. (Photo by Mariela Lombard for the NY Daily News.) Enjoy!