Photo
of the Month
Pippin on Shelter
Pippin is glad to be earning her kibbles
at last.
Upcoming Classes
Click Here for Details

Bath, ME
(3-part course)
Sept. 17, Oct. 29, Nov. 19
Portsmouth, NH
(3-part course)
Sept. 18, Oct. 30, Nov. 20
Auburn, ME
(3-part course)
Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 10, 2012
Harpswell, ME
5-day Retreat
Feb. 13-17, 2012
Yarmouth, ME
(lecture only)
March 19, 2012
Kalispell, MT
April 18-22, 2012
Harpswell, ME
2-day Retreat
May 11-12, 2012
Asilomar at Pacific Grove, CA
May 27-June 1, 2012
La Pointe, WI
June 3-8, 2012
Yellowknife, NT, Canada
June 20-24, 2012
Loveland, CO
July 11-15, 2012
Harpswell, ME
4-day Retreat
Aug. 16-19, 2012
Grand Forks, BC, Canada
Sept. 21-24, 2012
Houston, TX
Nov. 13-15, 2012

Lake Jackson, TX
Nov. 13 & 16, 2012  

 

More Classes
susancarlson.com
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Given Land cover
The Given Land is a novel written by my husband, which was inspired by our family's trip to New Zealand. When predators invade their island home, the bird heroes of the Given Land are forced to fight for their existence. Geared to young adult readers (aka our son, Sam), it will appeal to adults as well.
For more information, visit the website:
tomallenbooks.com
November News

Presenting "Dixie Dingo Dreaming"

Dixie Dingo Dreaming  

As I announced last month in this spot, I am honored that my quilt "Dixie Dingo Dreaming" won first place in one of the special exhibits at this year's International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. The particular theme was "Good For You" and I was inspired to create a quilt of my dog Pippin, who is good for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

 

I spent four wonderful days with my mother, Meta, attending the festival. The suitcase that was half full on the way to Texas came back home to Maine stuffed full of new fabrics.

 

Here's the write-up that accompanied my entry:

 

Pets, like our dog Pippin, enrich our lives. The fact that she is not of a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club does not dismay Pippin any more than it does us. She is plainly satisfied to be partly or wholly (who knows for sure?) dixie dingo, the wild dog of the Americas. She reminds us to be happy with who and where we are. Sitting in the sun is an opportunity to practice her philosophy of living in the moment. While correct posture is an important habit to cultivate, it is sometimes preferable, indeed sometimes necessary to slouch. Simplicity is her touchstone: warmth, food, and affection are all that are really needed. Though on her short list of indulgent behaviors are: begging for dog biscuits, snitching compost scraps, fighting strange dogs, and rolling in anything rotten (either animal or vegetable, it matters not, nor is it always clear). The only thing better than lying in the sun is: sleeping in the sun, of course. Even sitting up her eyes droop and she snoozes, though it is better obviously to stretch out, turning from belly to side to back in order to ensure even distribution of the sun's rays. Sometimes, when she is lying belly up with legs in the air, her tail will wag, though we have not moved or spoken. Is there any clearer indication that she is happy? Is there any clearer invitation to be happy ourselves?  

 

Visit my website for more pics, including closeups of the quilt and a couple shots of the show.

 

Until later,

Susan

Schedule of Maine Quilting Retreats 2012

Harpswell InnThere are still spaces open in the 2012 Retreats, though the Mother's Day event is filling fast. For more details on each, including a registration form, please visit my website: www.susancarlson.com.

2012 Fuzzy Slippers Winter Quilt Retreat

February 13-17

This 5-day class allows you to delve into fabric collage with any subject you'd like, with Susan's guidance along the way.

 

Fee of $525 includes lunches and dinners, snacks, chair massage (with optional full massages), and evening presentation by Susan.

 

2012 Mother's Day Weekend Quilt Retreat 

May 11-12

Spend the Friday and Saturday before Mother's Day luxuriating in colorful bits of fabric while learning the basics of fabric collage. Using Susan's designs or your own, create a wild and wonderful (or sedate and serene) fish, butterfly, or bug. 

 

Fee of $210 includes lunches and dinners, snacks, chair massage (with optional full massages), and evening presentation by Susan.

 
2012 Maine Lobstah Summertime Quilt Retreat

August 18-22, Sat. Evening thru Wed. Afternoon 

After the Saturday night lobster bake, the following four days will allow students to either complete a simpler project, or to get a good start on a more ambitious project.
  

Fee of $420 includes lunches and dinners, snacks, chair massage (with optional full massages), and evening presentation by Susan.


PDFs of Fish Patterns

Fish PatternsIf you just can't wait for the mail to arrive to get started on your new fish quilt based on one of my designs, now you can have one emailed directly to you. Plus you save on shipping and handling. Fish patterns come in 9 different designs. See them all at my website.

 

PDF Fish Patterns ONLY $5 

 

This Bag Will Tickle You Pink

Tickled Pink BagYou can't have too many bags (at least that's what I tell my husband). They're so usefull For groceries, for fabric storage, for travel--however you use your "Tickled Pink" bag, you'll be the height of fashion. This quilt is featured in my second book Serendipity Quilts and can viewed at my website.

 

With zipper and rugged shoulder-length handles. Made from recycled plastic water bottles! Generous size of 15.5" x 15" x 8".

 

$10 plus shipping.

Click Here to Order