My Truth

I have to admit that I have not been keeping up with posting these shirts each week like I promised. I am finally getting it back together.

This week's t-shirt is focused on a saying that my grandmother used to say. I laugh now to think of her saying "It's easy to remember the truth."

Please check out my www.teespring.com/mytruth and order a shirt today. The orders will not get filled unless all 55 shirts are sold. Please please help me  reach this goal.

Thanks!

New Book

I wanted to create something that was unlike all the art quilt pattern books available. I also wanted to make it clear and easy for all levels of quilters. This turned out to be a great way to use all those saved scraps.

The first scrappy quilt I made was such a hit, I thought that maybe other quilters would want to know how to do this. I also wanted this pattern to be a break from rigid rules of piecework. The blocks are free form and ever changing. It gives the quilter a chance to be creative in building the blocks.

The book features the pattern for applique of a lady with flowing hair. So easy to use.

I am excited that this book is available now at http://www.amazon.com/Scrap-Easy-Aisha-Lumumba-ebook/dp/B00JXNNPF2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399215678&sr=1-1&keywords=scrap+easy

or http://www.obaquilts.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=255

Order your copy today and think of a gift for a quilting friend.

Atlanta Pride

I moved to Atlanta many many years ago. I find that without travel one tends to take home for granted. Recently I visited South Carolina and it opened my appreciation of the dry land in Atlanta. While in South Carolina, I looked over at the wet marshland off the side of the road as we moved along, just curious about walking in such an area. I could see myself sloshing through with big rubber boots, not the cute sandals I was wearing. That was not my idea of an afternoon stroll. I do have to admit that I loved the massive old trees that had been so strategically preserved.

Yesterday, I was riding along an Atlanta highway and I looked over to the dry grassy area. I found myself thinking that I like the dryness. Instantly realizing that it was training and association that fueled that love but loved it none the less.

I appreciated the wetlands but couldn't wait to get back home. This new t-shirt is my tribute to the city I have come to love. The picture is from my quilt A-T-L which is the skyline of Atlanta. This week I have offered it in two colors.

Get yours today at www.teespring.com/A-t-L

Tees that Matter

I am on a mission to create a new t-shirt every week for the rest of the year. When I am finished, people will own some beautiful and meaningful t-shirts. My starting point will ensure that I create 40 t-shirts by the end of the year.

I have so many wonderful t-shirts planned. Don't worry, one or more of these weeks I will hit on something that you want. Help me spread the word by telling everyone you know about this project. And when you see one that looks just like one a friend will love, share for me. It is my prayer that they all will be a big hit.

This weeks' shirt is Lumumba/Africa and last weeks' shirt was Quilters are loved.

I will post a new one here each week. Do me a favor and be on the look out for them and get ready to get some! They make awesome gifts too.

After The Funeral-1943

I am so pleased to present the final version of After The Funeral-1943. When I started this quilt I had no idea what a great adventure it would be. I was terrified to share my process-step by step, but I took a deep breath and dived in.

I can truly say that I followed the path of the yellow brick road. I meet some scary creatures along the way and I hung in there. I found out that this picture was after the funeral of my grandfather- John Lindsey Lewis. He was born and lived his entire life in McDonough, GA. He was a great family man-father of ten children. A wonderful side note is that almost all of his children went to college and graduated in the 1930's and 40's. I am sure it was a sad day for the grown ups, but the children saw it as another day to play in my grandmother's wonderful yard. Two cousins (Aileen Harris and Darryl Lewis) are missing from the picture, however, I am sure they were around somewhere. I started this quilt because I wanted to be in an exhibit about Georgia landscapes and people. Sad to say that I was not accepted into the exhibit but ended up with a family treasure about a great Georgia family-mine!

I was surprised by the reception of this quilt at the family reunion last year (as unfinished as it was). I pray that I will be able to bring more of the old family pictures to life. I'm pretty sure, I probably won't broad-cast the process to the world. I like the solitude of the work. I cherish being alone in a room making the magic happen. I found that I like looking at the end result and knowing inside the mistakes I made and how I fixed them. My secret.

Thanks for taking this journey with me.

Andrea Jones

Andrea Jones was born to Walter Jones and Marion Lewis Jones. She is the sole survivor of the children featured on this quilt. Andrea is a very creative person. She makes beautiful soft sculpture dolls and other miniature items. She made countless Cabbage Patch dolls at the height of the Cabbage Patch craze. Andrea has also made many Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.  Her favorite thing is to work with children.

I am proud to present Andrea Jones as the final face on this quilt. I know it has been a long time coming but I have gotten swept up by Life. Forgive me. Trust that I have been squeezing the most gusto out of it though.

Vendya A. Little

Vendya Albertyne Lewis Little was born August 3, 1941 to James Andrew Lewis (Chief) and Albertha Hunt Lewis in Newnan, Coweta County, GA. The family later moved to Midway, Liberty County, GA.
       After graduating from Liberty County High School she attended Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, GA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. She moved to Milledgeville, GA and began her career as a High School Health and Physical Education Teacher. In, 1971, she became the Recreation Director with the Georgia Department of Corrections at the Women’s State Prison. While working at the Prison, she became the first black female Deputy Warden in the Georgia Prison System statewide. She also trained two of the three female Wardens in the Georgia Department of Corrections to date. She worked for the Department of Corrections for 31 years. She retired in 2002.
         She met and married Eddie Frank Little of Detroit, Michigan in 1985, who preceded her in death.. Also preceding her in death were her parents, and her granddaughter Ashley Nicole Lewis.
       She was an active member of Flagg Chapel Baptist Church, in Milledgeville, GA. She loved to sing and was a member of the Choir. She sang in numerous weddings and her rendition of the “The Lord’s Prayer” would bring tears to your eyes.
      Vendya was a wonderful free flowing fun-loving spirit. I loved that she lived her life to the fullest. I have to say that I had a very hard time with Vendya's face. This is the version I am finally accepting after many attempts. I'd like to see a little more joy in the face since the original picture had a softness, but I promise to get better with more and more attempts. NEXT TIME.