Mt. Rainier Reflecting in Tipsoo Lake Quilt update

Today, I am sending a query off to an agent in the hopes that I can get my novel published. This is the quilt that I am hoping will appear on the cover of my novel. I am still quilting it and still have the top sky and the reflection to quilt, then  I need to block, and bind my quilt.

I am really hoping my novel will be picked up as a series! I love to write and I love to quilt and the two go hand in hand for me. Although I had the basics for my novel, I let the characters lead me rather than write from a outline. As my characters developed it was fun to watch their interactions and see where the novel would lead me! Yes, there are parts that draw from my own experience as a landscape quilt artist, author, designer and teacher but I figure why not use some of my knowledge to make the novel authentic.

Anyway, wish me luck - I am crossing my fingers and my toes in the hopes that I will find an agent and then a publisher.

That's all for now!

Fondly,
Joyce

Adding texture to trees with free-motion embroidery

Well, it took me a half hour how to figure out to upload this video from my phone, but I don't give up easy! I just wanted to show you how I add the texture to my Douglas fir trees in the quilt I am working on of Mt. Rainier. I use my right hand to control the free-motion embroidery, making small circles. I use a straight stitch.

Threadpainting trees

I am doing my best to update my blog more often! Now that I have finished my first draft of my manuscript, it is being read by my friend, Cyndy Rymer. Cyndy was the editor on two of my quilting how-to books and an amazing writer and quilt artist as well.  I am forging on with my quilt that I hope will be featured on the cover of my novel, if and when it gets published. If Cyndy says my novel is a "piece of crap," I will go on to plan B. I just don't know what plan B will be..........My dear friend Jane Moxey also took the time to help mentor me and gave me so many helpful suggestions that made my novel so much better. A big shout-out to Jane - "You rock girlfriend."

Anyway, I am adding texture to the top row of trees with thread work or free-motion embroidery. I will be putting a layer of light pink tulle on the bottom half of the quilt to make the reflection dulled a bit and it won't be as necessary to do as much thread work on the trees as a result. Each of the larger trees takes around 30 minutes each and I use a stitch I invented - tight little circles with a squiggle on the end - takes two bobbins for each tree and a heck of a lot of thread on the top!
I am still contemplating whether or not to add a border or not.....normally, a quilt just whispers in my ear and says "You don't need a border, you idiot," or, "What were you thinking, put a border on me!"
It's funny how quilts talk to you if you listen, isn't it?
Onward and upward. Until next time!
Happy quilting,
Love,
Joyce

Landscape quilts and a new book

 Mt. Rainier reflecting in Tipsoo Lake (in progress)

 

 

New Happenings

After having rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder last year, I was unable to create quilts. However, I was able to write! I've been diligently working on a "quilting" genre novel since then and am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel.  I am in the process of creating what I hope will be the cover quilt for my novel (above). The novel is partially set in New York and on Orcas Island, WA. The theme also focuses on my protagonists love of landscape quilting (go figure....), her dream of creating a quilt based on Mt. Rainier, and becoming a "Professional" quilt artist. That's all I will divulge for now, other than to say it is a rather "spicy" novel and has lots of humor! 

After another rewrite, I plan on querying agents who deal with this type of genre. It's the agents job to find a publisher, so keep your fingers crossed for me! 

 FYI, I painted the sky and water for my Mt. Rainier quilt and I must say, it was loads of fun. I need to do more of it! I used transparent fabric paints vs. opaque.

By the way, after checking out McKenna Ryan's choice of  electric die cut machines, I asked Santa for the same type. He brought me a Silhouette electric die cut machine but as yet, I haven't had time to hook it up to my computer. I can just imagine what I will be able to do with it in the future (imagine being able to cut out multiples of trees, bushes, flowers, leaves, etc.) I will keep you abreast of my pursuits in that regard as soon as I get it set-up!

My New Years resolution is to be more visible on social media so let`s toast to that! See you soon.

 

The quilt show

See my latest quilt:


http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/quilt.php/quilts_id/1023348

The Quilt Show Episode 912

Well, after a year and a half after taping an episode focusing on landscape quilting with The Quilt Show online with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson, my episode (#912) begins airing today and can be viewed for the next two weeks - there will also be a new project for members available later on as well as more slides of my quilts......It was so much fun being on the show and I am very humbled to have been asked to be a guest!

View more on Joyce R. Becker's website » www.Joycerbecker.com and her blog, www.joycerbecker.blog.blogspot.com

Garden tour, Luncheon, and vintage fashion show!

One of my "Thursday group friends," (my quilting satellite group) bid on an auction at her church for a group to enjoy a garden tour, a luncheon, and a vintage fashion show. My friend, Christine, treated us to the most wonderful day - The home we visited was beautiful with a huge flower and vegetable garden. It was a gorgeous day out, in the low 80's, and after the garden tour, we were seated at beautifully decorated tables in the garden, and treated to an incredible home-made luncheon. 

The quiche was creamy and full of ham, and a home-made granola, topped with garden-grown raspberries and Greek yoghourt, was delicious. We also had a small muffin with orange zest and an orange glaze on top.

After lunch, we headed inside the home to view an amazing fashion show of clothing and accoutrements, from the Victorian era to the 50's. What a treat. I haven't had such a wonderful day in ever so long and I think the rest of my friends felt the same. Thank you again, Christine!

Here's a cell phone photo of one of the outfits:

Change in Plans....

Today, I thought I was going to work on my quilting novel......silly me, what was I thinking? I was trying to tidy up my studio and put things away since our house-keeper comes tomorrow. I tried cramming one more thing into one of drawers and it just wouldn't shut, so....................
I decided it was time to clean those suckers out! OMG, I had so much shit stuffed in the drawers it was no wonder everything wouldn't fit. I unearthed all kinds of crap, none of which really belongs in a sewing studio like; ribbon/bows to decorate the top of a gift, 6 pairs of scissors that were so dull they wouldn't even cut paper, little bits of fabric, pins up the ying yang, and a whole bunch of machine embroidery needles that were UN-used!! The list goes on and on and on. Now, everything has a place and I feel a whole bunch better. However, now I need to re-organize my whole studio but wait a minute, I can't possibly do that with my shoulder still in a sling, can I......tee hee

Here's some photos of my newly organized sewing table drawers: