Our youngest son, Jeff, is now officially Dr. Jeffrey Goldsmith, newly-minted with a PhD in Biostatistics from Johns Hopkins! Sreve was there for his thesis defense; I stayed home to work. I hated to miss the event but I was extra-special happy that Steve was there.

This is Jeff prepariing for the public presentation of his thesis. That was followed by a private session with his committee.

I can’t even begin to explain what Jeff does. I try – which makes his head hurt. But I am his very proud mother so I feel compelled to brag. I think it is sort of in the ballpark to say that he writes formulas that are used to interpret the data gathered by fMRIs. Much of his energy is spent with researchers working to find a cure for MS. He is insanely good at what he does. He sometimes reads my blog. Jeff, if I’m way wrong please let me know. 

He has worked incredibly hard to get where he now is. (I could go on and on, but won’t.) Now he is working on what comes next. But what comes next couldn’t happen without him passing his defense which he did with flying colors. Oh happy day!

I like to use big, happy prints on the back of my quilts. When I see a fabric that looks like a good back, I buy 1-2 yards of it which is never enough for a whole quilt back. I do this to myself on purpose because it forces me to sew different fabrics together rather than resorting to using the same quilt over the whole back. It makes me crazy on the day I have to choose the fabric but the results always make me happy.

These are the fabrics I chose to mash together today. This is from the Floral Folio collection by Cary Phillips from Clothworks:

And this is Frog Prince from the Prince Charming collection by Tula Pink. Look close for the hidden images…

Look at them sewn together…

These are not fabrics that I ever thought about using together but darned if they don't look really good together. I love a good mash-up!

Or I should say, re-covering chairs. I put new upholstery on my dining room chairs not that long ago. I used Scotch Guard on the chairs but it was no match for the abuse that we apparently dish out. There were stains all over the chair seats and backs and I couldn't take it any more.

I ordered a roll of laminated fabric from the Good Fortune collection from Moda. This print is perfect in the room and the vinyl coating on the fabric wipes clean. Steve removed the staples for me (which is a hard job) at a rate of one a day. I re-covered the chairs at the same pace.

Laminated fabric does not stretch so the chair backs are not as smooth as they were before but I can handle that better than the stains. The fabric doesn't feel or look too plastic-y.

I had enough left over to cover the seats of the chairs in the breakfast room as well. I hadn't realized how dirty the previous fabric was until I took it off. Ick.

Thank you to all of you who told me what makes you buy a quilt book. Your comments have reinforced for me the importance of color, good design, and clarity and accuracy of instructions. These are all things that Linda and I work hard to do well, but we can always do better.

As I read your comments I realized that I am just like you. A good cover draws me in. Good color inside is important. I love good instructions for techniques I don't already know. 

I find myself buying a lot of books for things like fabric printing – even when I know that I am not likely to ever find time to actually do it. But the idea that I could open this book and do it makes me happy. And, you know what? The cover and the color images of the projects inside made me part with my money.

How many of you bought the Wee Folk felt people book by Sally Mavor? I still want to make a bunch of those little cute folk. Check out her website here. I had no idea until just now that her work is primarily used in illustrations. Amazing! Now there are more books to go on the list…
 

I have a presentation to prepare for a quilt industry seminar in March. My topic boils down to what makes a quilter buy a quilt book? Since Linda and I have been writing quilt books for 19 years you'd think I'd have a clue. I have some clues… but I am sure that you all know better what makes you buy a book than I do.

So I'm asking: 

• What makes you look at one book over another?
• What makes you part with your hard-earned money?
• Do you prefer buying books in a shop or online? Why?

Feel free to answer any question – even ones I didn't ask.

You know what books I've been buying? Moleskines. Especially the 'passions' moleskines. In the recipe division. 

I gotta say, Alice Walton has built a fantastic museum for American art. This review says it better than I could, or have time, to say. The surroundings are lovely – hilly with lots of trees. The walking trails are interesting. Yes, there could be more art and I believe that is the plan. What's there now is good.

The building is segmented. The copper-clad sections reminded me of roly-poly shells. 

Can you see our shadows? We are standing on one of the walking path's bridges behind the museum. I sat in one of the green chairs behind the glass later. Very comfortable – wish I had one.

The structure on the inside is light and airy. 

 There is no admission charge. Parking is free. The museum staff is friendly and helpful and protective of the art. Honestly, I was reminded of Walmart greeters, but in the best way. 

I took a few photos to share, with quilters in mind. This version of the Last Supper is made of spools of thread (DMC I'd bet), hung on chains. It is huge. When you look through that small glass globe, the image is right side up.

I loved the piece below by Mary McCleary. This is a mixed media collage and it is amazing. I had a detail shot and have lost it!!! Click this link to see more on her site.

This one sort of makes my head hurt. It is a very large curtain/screen made from deconstructed silk flowers that have been sewn together.

When I walk through a museum and come across something like this, I give it my garage sale test. "If this was in a garage sale, would I buy it? Would I even stop to look?" Perhaps it is because I am a quilter, this one didn't pass the test for me. Luckily for the artist my opinion doesn't matter one bit.

Another artist played with the 'what is art' question outside. There are several boulders along the walking paths with important looking chrome numbers on them. Look close and you will also see that they are labeled ART. The boulder, the rock, is the art. Subtle and interesting.  

The museum store was very good. I didn't buy this tree but we did find a wonderful cane for Mom.

It's pretty and it comes apart like a tent pole. The kind of pole where there is elastic inside. If you haven't put up a tent lately, go to this site for more info. 

It was a good trip. Steve and I visited and enjoyed time off with no real agenda. I did do some sketching and a lot of thinking about what quilts are next after we finish the book we are working on. I caught up on my magazine pile.