New Quilts In Solids

Updated Lest We Forget; Cuesta Benberry and Mary Schafer

Mary Schafer becomes the 37th Honoree to be inducted into The Quilters Hall of Fame

It was indeed my pleasure to attend this years celebration honoring Mary Schafer. The event was held in Marion, Indiana, the home of Marie Webster, author of the first quilt book Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them.

On Friday, July 20th, I was the keynote speaker at the luncheon, speaking about Mary's life and contributions to quiltmaking. Since many of you are fans of Mary's I am sharing my notes with you. For those who don't know about Mary, you can read all about her in Mary Schafer, American Quilt Maker. Marston, The University of Michigan Press, 2004. 

Read more at Schafer  ... Book is available from Gwen at Books 

The site is a great reference. Exhibat Hall, Mary Schafer Quilts

...Exciting news!

Collaborative Quilting has joined Mary Schafer; American Quilt Maker in the gift shop at the Smithsonian!

The Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery, housed in a historic architectural landmark across the street from the White House, in Washington, DC.

...Gwen Marston Quilt Designs on Tile

Now you can own permanent images of Gwen Marston's delightful quilts in the form of art tiles with which to grace your home.
Visit New and Improved Gwen Quilt Tile web store at Loudeac Tile Studio

...Gwens Newest Books

... Books are available from Gwen at Books 

At Home With Gwen

Ahhhh, home at last. Life in the country.... Summer time means lots of outdoor activity, as in weeding and watering and general cleaning up the grounds after our hard Michigan winters. I have a hard time deciding whether I want to be outside working in the gardens, or inside making quilting. The solution is always the same. I work outside until I get too hot or the bugs bug me, at which point I begin thinking how nice and cool it is inside working on my quits. So in I go and happily sew away until the outside calls to me. I'm very busy making basket quilts as that is the theme of my quilt retreat this year. Now I've fallen in love with basket quilts and can't get enough of them!

Here is something I ran across the other day that made me laugh right out loud. In a book review by an author who holds the view that education is slipping the question was asked: "why so much ignorance and apathy"? to which the curtly response was "I don't know and I don't care."

Winter is in full gear on Beaver Island. Outside my big windows it looks like a Currier and Ives print. We have lots of snow and it stays white. I realize my friends in California and Florida don't get it, but I love the four seasons including winter. It is stunningly beautiful and us "strong north woods women" know how to deal with it. So think of me nestled in, working on quilts, staying toasty with my wood stove , and enjoying the great view. Life is good. Wish you were here.

On The Road With Gwen

I began 2008 with a visit to the Grand Rapids, Michigan guild where I was welcomed by a blizzard, and warmed by seeing old friends and making new ones. Since I did so well with that blizzard, I decided to get some more of it and headed to Havre, Montana, 20 miles this side of the Canadian border. I flew into Great Falls, the home of Charlie Russell (the famous western painter) and where Lewis and Clark spent the winter at nearby Fort Benton. Havre lay two hours north and I was driven there through the most expansive prairie I've ever seen. They don't call it "the big sky country" for nothing! Lots of open space and ranches with the Bear Paw Mountains on the horizon.

Close to Havre is a museum honoring Chief Joseph the great Nez Perce leader whose military maneuvers are studied at West Point. After eluding the U.S. Army for 1400 miles he finally surrendered just 19 miles from the border and freedom. The odds were stacked against the Nez Perce who were traveling with 500 women, children and old people and fewer than 200 warriors. The U.S. Army had more than 2000 soldiers. And by the way, it was the Nez Perce who bred Appaloosa horses known for their distinctive color and endurance. But I digress. Still, this is one of the most sorrowful stories of the American west.

After Havre, I found myself in San Juan Capistran and unlike in Montana, there were other cars on the roadways. Going from northern Montana to southern California reminded me once again about what a diverse country we live in. Soon I'll be heading back to California to teach at the Empty Spools Seminar. This event is held at the Asilamor Conference Center right on the ocean. It's a wonderful event held in a beautiful natural area.

How to contact Gwen
I'm not wired up yet here on Beaver Island, but please feel free to contact me at:

Gwen Marston
Box 155
Beaver Island, MI 49782
231-448-2565