Cambridge Textile Artist Sandra Scott

WOW! Cambridge, England textile artist Sandra Scott stitched the quilt in the photo. WOW! Sandra shares on her blog that her "work is a reflection of who I am as a mother, wife, teacher and artist. I enjoy experimenting with new art materials and gadgets." Take a moment to visit Sandra's blog and give a shout out to this sistah quilter in England! Enjoy!

Willard Wigan - Micro Sculptor - Eye of Needle

My Mom forwarded this report to me - just had to share it! Have a look at UK micro artist Willard Wigan. Some of his work sold in 2007 and later was insured by Lloyd's of London for 11.2 million pounds - that's about $20 million. Now, wonder if he's created a mini quilt?! You can also visit Mr. Wigan's website by clicking here. Enjoy!

116 Years Ago Today - Martha Ricks Presents Queen Victoria with a Quilt

This day in history .... July 16, 1982 .... 116 years ago today, Martha Ann Ricks was invited to Windsor Castle to meet Queen Victoria. This former Tennessee slave and Liberian citizen was honored with a lunch and tour of the Castle. She also had an audience with Queen Victoria and met the queen's son, Prince Edward, his wife, and three daughters. Sistah Quilter Martha Ricks presented the Queen of England with a handmade quilt featuring a coffee tree in full bloom. If you haven't heard about Martha Ann Ricks before, I invite you to read my children's book about her - it's an inspirational story! Enjoy!

On the Reading Table - UGLY by Constance Briscoe

.........................................................................On a recent trip to Sydney, Australia I could not find ONE FABRIC SHOP - and in the few free weekend hours, I did try! I did, of course, locate a bookstore - actually two different ones, but that's another story.

Are you familiar with Constance Briscoe? According to her website, she "was called to the bar in 1983 and practices as a barrister. In 1996 Constance became a part time judge - one of the first black women to sit as a judge in the UK." In the book section of the department store David Jones, I saw "UGLY" an autobiography by Judge Briscoe. Here's what I read on the back cover:

"I handed my school photograph to my mother. She stared from the photograph to me. 'Lord, sweet Lord how come she so ugly. Ugly. Ugly' These cruel words are just the beginning. Constance's mother systematically abused her daughter, both physically and emotionally, throughout her childhood. Regularly beaten and starved, the child was so desperate she took herself off to Social Services and tried to get taken into care. When Constance was thirteen, her mother simply moved out, leaving her daughter to fend for herself: there was no gas, no electricity and no food....."

I bought the book. Have a look on Amazon UK - there's over 80 comments about it! And, a sequel coming out next year. This book is near the top of my reading stack. Have you heard of UGLY?

Turning a Page of a Story Quilt

What do you think about THIS story quilt?!

The Design Products department at the Royal College of Art (UK) created various pieces to illustrate an enhanced hotel experience. One of the pieces was an innovated twist to hotel bed covers. Design student Tiago da Fonseca created this Bedtime Story bedcover that has several printed sheets. You keep warm in bed by turning the pages for added covers and warmth. You also get to actually read a story!

Thanks to Fuse#8 and CubeMe for sharing the story!

UK Stitches In Time Quilt

A quilt containing 60 blocks illustrating historical British figures and scenes about the 1807 Abolition Act to abolish slave trade on British ships was unveiled at London City Hall yesterday, April 5, 2007. The In Stitches project, sponsored by The African Families Foundation (TAFF) and a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, brought together African, African-Caribbean, and British quilting women in England - from cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, London, and Manchester.

Nana Ama Amamoo, Director of The African Families Foundation is quoted in an article that “The creation of a quilt is a uniquely feminine way of recording events. The project enables us to remember the past and seek for reconciliation through working together in the present.”

The quilt will be displayed:

April 5 - 30: City Hall, London and Greenwich Maritime Museum

May 1 - 30: British Empire and Commonwealth Museum and Feminist Archive, Bristol

June 1 - 30: Central Library, Liverpool

July 1 - 30: Soho House, Birmingham

August 16 - 19: NEC, Birmingham for the international Quilt Festival

September 1 - 30: Central Library, Manchester

October 1 - 30: City Hall, London