From my husband Tom:
Susan is temporarily handing over the keys to the blog post to me. I’ll see to it that you continue to receive your regular dose of fabric collage content by revisiting my favorite posts. For the next three weeks I’ll show off some of Susan’s quilts. You may have seen them before, but like all art, another viewing may reveal things you hadn’t or weren’t ready to see before. I hope they inspire you.
To start we go all the way back to the beginning of the blog with “Crocodylus Smylus.” Stevie, as Susan refers to this quilt, kicked off the blog with a bang in November 2015, creating a lot of interest in Susan’s method of fabric collage. This post below collects all the posts that we’ve written about Stevie, from the first three “how-to” posts to the ones describing her various adventures at exhibits around the world.
Susan will be back soon. We all encounter periods in our lives that are more challenging than others. Physical or mental illness, professional setbacks, natural disasters, and so on. This is part and parcel of being human. We recover, given time, enough to rediscover joy.
Susan is undergoing one of those periods, having lost her mother and father within five months of each other. Her way of rediscovering joy is spending time in her studio working on her next spectacular fabric collage quilt, which has a deadline of early September. Creativity is her balm. So while she replenishes her spirit we can enjoy her past quilts and look forward to the completion of her next work of art.
Susan has also encouraged me to share with you a passion of mine: sea kayaking. I enjoy the sport for so many reasons. Increasingly, I have found the social aspect of paddling with friends most beneficial. Then there is the restful and curative power of being in nature: the ocean, the islands, the wildlife. And of course it is a physical activity to offset the many hours I spend in front of a computer screen. In the next few weeks I’ll drop a sampling of videos I have produced around my adventures.
—Tom
Original Post: Crocodylus Smylus (Update with Slideshow)
Quilt Stories: (Re)Introducing “Crocodylus Smylus”
Originally Posted April 1, 2017
I figured it was about time to introduce “Stevie”, my my 20 foot saltwater crocodile, to those who might not have seen her the first time around. And reintroduce her to those for whom it’s been a long time since they saw her. Here’s a brand new video I created especially for this purpose:
A year and a half ago I kicked off this weekly blog with the first of three posts about the making of my quilt “Crocodylus Smylus.” Writing the posts about the quilt was almost as big an undertaking as making it. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. However, there’s a lot of good information there: lots of photos, lots of technical descriptions, and even a time-lapse video which to date has viewed more that 56,000 times:
I made Stevie (nicknamed for the late Steve Irwin, Australian conservationist and “Crocodile Hunter”) in 2015. As always I work better with a deadline, so the commitment to have her ready to premier in an animal inspired quilt exhibit at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts provided good motivation. Stevie has since gone on to anchor my special exhibit, Specimens, at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this past November. Before that she visited her (saltwater crocodile) homeland of Australia, then appeared on “Quilting Arts TV.” Currently, as you can see in the video above, she resides on the pinning wall in my studio.
Rather than repeat everything I said the first time around, I have created a reference guide with links to the existing blog posts starring or featuring Stevie. As you can see, she has been a busy girl. Have fun exploring.
Making a 20-Foot Crocodile Quilt: Part 1 of 3
Posted November 15, 2015
I begin to describe the experience of making my quilt “Crocodylus Smylus,” a life size fabric collage creation of a saltwater crocodile.
Making a 20-Foot Crocodile Quilt: Part 2 of 3
Posted November 21, 2015
I continue relating the experience of making “Crocodylus Smylus.” A time-lapse video shows the progression of piecing the quilt and reveals how success isn’t always a straight line.
Making a 20-Foot Crocodile Quilt: Part 3 of 3
Posted November 28, 2015
In the final installment of making “Crocodylus Smylus” I reflect on getting help and how it feels now that the quilt is done and living a life beyond my studio walls.
“From Insects to Elephants” (and Crocs)
Posted December 19, 2015
A visit to the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts where “Crocodylus Smylus” had its premier with over 100 other animal quilts by over 50 other artists.
Lights, Camera, Quilt!
Posted March 26, 2016
I got a small taste of life on set last week when I was invited to tape two segments for Quilting Arts TV, hosted by Susan Brubaker Knapp. Thanks to the crew at KS Productions, Stevie the croc quilt and I were both ready for our closeups.
On the Road: Melbourne, Australia
Posted April 23, 2016
I have to say it was the first time I’d been introduced to a cheering crowd accompanied by Elton John’s classic anthem “Crocodile Rock.” I guess that’s when I knew that quilters Down Under do it a little differently.
Specimens at the International Quilt Festival
Posted November 5, 2016
My experience during the four days of the Houston show, where Stevie made thousands of fans. I had fun sharing the show with visitors and talking with students, blog and newsletter followers, and fellow teachers. This post has been updated with descriptions and full-size images of all the “Specimens” quilts.
Reflections on the Houston International Quilt Festival
Posted November 12, 2016
Five (okay, four and a half) days at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Five days of meeting and making friends. Five days of showing off “Crocodylus Smylus” and “Kaloli Moondance” and the rest of the “Specimens” collection of quilts. Five days of answering questions about technique and inspiration. Includes a “walk-around” video of the display and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stevie.
Susan, so very sorry for the loss of both your Mom and Dad. It’s just hard. I am glad you are having time to restore your soul. Praying for comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
Tom, thank you for sharing your kayaking journeys! Simply stunning and beautiful. They restore my soul. I love hearing the paddles dip in the water!
Great post – thanks Tom! And all best wishes to Susan.
Tom, the kayak video was beautiful and peaceful. Thanks for sharing!
Love the crock video and the one from Tom on the water so peaceful
Thanks for the lovely kayak video, Tom. And we never tire of Susan’s early stories. What a team!