Celebrating 51 Years of Star Trek

Today is the 51st Anniversary
of the Very First Episode of Star Trek!
Congratulations to the host of artists
who have contributed to this adventure
for the last half-century. 

Last year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary, I got a tattoo on my wrist of good ol' NCC-1701,

but it's so teeny it's hard to photograph.

This year, I made these blocks!!!

Anyone who's known me for more than a half an hour knows that I'm a pretty serious Trekkie. (I have double majors in TNG and TOS, with a minor in VOY. I am proficient with DS9, but it's an area I'm working on. Sooner or later I will get to ENT, and I'M ENTIRELY BESIDE MYSELF WITH EXCITEMENT ABOUT DISCOVERY!)

Star Trek has been a source of inspiration, and comfort, and fun for me since before I can remember, and making these blocks was a total delight.

When I finished piecing the block in the original classic-looking colorway (above with the whites and blues), I decided that I had gone invested too much time and energy to stop there, and a 2nd colorway just had to happen. This one should actually fit into the "2 Palette" quilt I started in 2014.

Rainbow colorway!

These tiny pieces are crazy even for me.

(the one to the left of the dime - it's so teeny you might miss it)

I love this total mess on the back! 

Weirdly, my Star Trek fabric stash is not as impressive as you might think - I'm actually really selective in this department.

As always, thanks for reading!

Happy Star Trek Anniversary, and Live Long and Prosper!

-Reyna de Courcy

Hexatopia at Drop Forge & Tool

Hello! 

My big news today, is that I am once again going to be teaching Hexatopia, this time at a very cool artplace in Hudson NY called Drop Forge & Tool!

Founded and run by two of my favorite people ever, Katherine Daugherty and Michael Hoch, Drop Forge & Tool is all about maker workshops and creative residencies.

I was lucky enough to be there for their first big event - an open house with performances by The Bengsons. (If you don't know their music, drop everything and listen right now. Here, just watch this video of their song 'Bells'. You'll thank me.)

Here's me and Tahli hanging signs just before the party got started.  (We made the signs. Very proud. They're still hanging in the entrance of the residency apartment.)

Me and Tahli hanging signs for the DF&T open house - still under construction

 It's a really big place. There's room for something like 80 artists to stay in residence (hyperbole), and a workshop space in the attic where all sorts of art-magic is just bound to happen (understatement).

Here's the attic workspace still under construction:

DF&T workspace (under construction)

And here's a view from the street. You can tell from the snow that these pictures were taken a while ago. The place was still very much in-the-works at the time, and I think there are still bits and pieces getting worked on still, but it is up and running!

DF&T (under construction)

Apparently it's going to be a different color next time I visit.

Last time I went to visit, it was as an actor / theatre artist type person with a company called Agnes Table. Here's us at Drop Forge. We got the wheels rolling on a few different vague projects. (The best ones start vague.)

Agnes Table at DF&T: Reyna de Courcy, Sarah Wiggin, Michael Hoch, & Jason Lambert

So, now I'm going back to teach some workshops!

First, I'm teaching a beginning English Paper Piecing class. (Tues 5/5 - 6-9pm).
We're going to learn the basic technique, talk about different styles of working, and tools - then we're going to go over Grandmother's Flower Garden, Patchwork of the Crosses, & how to make a (3D) soccer ball.

And then I'll be diving into teaching Hexatopia (3 sessions Wednesdays 5/6, 5/20, & 6/3 - 6-9pm).

If you happen to be in the Hudson, NY area, and you're interested in taking the class, there are more details here, AND other cool workshops coming up!

When last I taught this class, I made a blog entry with lots of details about what the Hexatopia class is all about. Obviously, allllll the logistical details are all different, but if you're considering taking the class, you might find it informative.

In the meantime, here are some of the blocks I've been making!

This one I finished just moments ago.

Rotational symmetry w this great Japanese fabric I found at Cool Cottons in Portland OR.

Rotational symmetry might, in fact, be the theme of the rest of this post:

Lost of green with fussy blackbirds

Classic Whirlagig with white birds. (You don't think the colors look too much like traffic-type things, do you?)

This next one I've been calling 'Live Long & Prosper' because I was working on it when I heard the news that Leonard Nimoy had passed away. One day I would like to design a block specifically with him in mind, but for now, this will have to do. I used surface-of-the-moon fabric for the outside, and bright stars for the inside.

Live Long & Prosper

Thank you so much for reading!

All the best, 

Reyna

Anne O'Donnell's Alphabet Quilt on the Set of Luna Gale

Apart from my habit of sewing backstage, and on breaks, my two worlds of acting and quilting rarely overlap. But here, on the set of Luna Gale, overlap they do!

Some of the most poignant scenes in this play take place in a visiting room at the Department of Human Services. It's a playroom, where parents and children in complicated and difficult situations can spend time together in a safe environment.

Our truly brilliant set designer Todd Rosenthal filled this room with colorful toys, kids books, and teddybears, and painted the walls with great big colorful murals. This room is like a ray of sunshine.

Todd Rosenthal's set for Luna Gale - DHS visitation room

And on the wall..
is this lovely alphabet quilt, by Anne O'Donnell!

Alphabet Quilt by Anne O'Donnell on the set of Luna Gale at the Kirk Douglas Theatre

Anyone who knows anything about quilting knows that making a quilt is not a quick project, and seldom is it an easy one. Having this wonderful piece of craftsmanship present on the set is one of the many details that help tell the story with precision, clarity, and truth. Such attention to detail!

And speaking of details....

Through the miracles of social media, I got in touch with Ms. O'Donnell, and she graciously agreed to answer a few questions - my first interview for this blog! :)

So here goes!


Rd: First of all, how did this lovely alphabet quilt find it's way onto our set?

Anne: The alphabet quilt was purchased by the Goodman Theatre's properties department from my Etsy shop about a year ago. It's as simple as that. I kind of had a clue from the address that it wasn't a typical buyer, but when I asked what its intended use was I didn't get a reply. My friend Melissa has season tickets to the Goodman, so she was my go-to source for info on the quilt's fate. We looked at the upcoming plays and figured Luna Gale was the most likely one to need a baby quilt. Melissa saw the play early in its run and said "your quilt is prominently displayed in Act 2! It looks beautiful. Oh, and the play's really good, too!" At some point I contacted someone in the Goodman's publicity department about getting official set photos, and she graciously sent me a link so I could see how the quilt looked on stage. I was thrilled!

Rd: Well, I'm certainly thrilled to have a little quilt action mixed in to this project!
I understand that this is not your first alphabet quilt - what is it about alphabet quilts that you find fascinating?

AO: I am very fond of alphabet quilts. I'm a librarian, so there's that. Also I like word quilts. Not quilts with words written on them, but word blocks. The book Word Play Quilts by Tanya Ricucci is a big inspiration. I like the idea of a quilt being used to teach literacy skills to a child or anyone. My other alphabet quilt is called Abstract Alphabet and it's my personal favorite. The letters are pieced, using a lot of half-square-triangles.

Rd: I know that book! I've been meaning to try it out. I'm all about techniques that involve no precise measuring! Can you tell me a little about the Chicago School of Fusing?

AO: The Chicago School of Fusing is a fun project by Laura Wasilowski, an art quilter who makes amazing fused fabric creations. She owns Artfabrik in Elgin IL, where she sells her hand-dyed fabric and thread. She also teaches workshops. I took a fusing class from her - my one and only quilting class so far - and she's a very fun instructor. (She sings.) Anyone who completes one of her classes is admitted to the Chicago School of Fusing, and you get a little badge in the shape of an iron. It was in her class that I learned the fusing technique I used in the Luna Gale quilt. And I used Laura's fabric, too.

Rd: Using hand-dyed fabric really gives a project an extra layer of magic!
You belong to a Librarian Quilter's Group - that's a very specific group! Can you tell me a little about it?

AO: The Library Quilter's Show is a group of about 7 former and current library staffers who send our quilts on a several-months-long traveling show that goes on display at several Chicago-area public and university libraries. It is currently at the Downer's Grove Public Library. I have two quilts in the show this time. My good quilting buddies Iva and Roleeta are also in it. The coordinator of the group is Jo Mortland. btw, Jo's daughter recently moved to NYC to pursue her acting career.

Rd: Best of luck to Jo's Daughter! (I'm sure I'll run into you in some casting office waiting room!) How long have you been quilting, and how did you get started?

AO: I've been quilting for about 20 years. I started when I was pregnant with my older son who is now a sophomore in college. I had not had any exposure to quilts at that point. No one in my family quilted, and we didn't have any around the house (horrors!) except one odd, heavy little quilt made of pink satin squares; I never knew where it came from. My sister-in-law Liz gave me an adorable baby quilt as a gift, and I fell in love with it. The fabrics were so appealing, it was all cotton, and the techniques looked like something I could handle, so I jumped right in and made a really ugly bedspread. I learned a lot from that project! and the rest is history. I have Liz and my mother (who was a dressmaker and always encouraged me to sew) to thank for my discovery and love of quilting.

Rd: (Hurray for ugly first projects <3) What is the quilting scene in Chicago like? Are there places you would recommend for a visiting quilter to check out?

AO: The quilting scene in Chicago is lively, and I don't pretend to know everything about it since I live in the burbs. There are three guilds that I know of: IQI (Illinois Quilters Inc.), Chicago Modern Quilt Guild, and the Northwest Suburban Quilters Guild. Faith Jones of freshlemonsquilts is in the suburbs. I've mentioned Laura Wasilowski. There are several big quilt shows every year (besides the Library Quilters :-): the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont in the spring, the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Schaumburg, also in the spring. And IQI's Fine Art of Fiber at the Chicago Botanic Garden in November. There are local quilt shops: Quilter's Destination in Arlington Heights, Quilter's Heaven in Northbrook, Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop in Fox River Grove, and a Touch of Amish in Barrington. As far as places to go, I can tell you from personal experience that quilters have a nose for quilts, and wherever quilters go, quilts will be there. I have never gone anywhere and not encountered a quilt or a quilt shop right in my path. It's pretty funny, actually.

Rd: Yes, anytime I travel anywhere, first thing I do is find all the quilt shops. It is ridiculous. :)

Thank you so much for the interview, Anne!!

You can see the alphabet quilt live on stage in Luna Gale through Dec 21st, and be sure to check out her Etsy shop!

Thanks for reading!
All the best,
Reyna

Kirk Douglas Theatre by night

Los Angeles Adventures

I'm extremely pleased to announce that the play I worked on at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago last winter, 'Luna Gale' is going up at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles! If you happen to be in town, tix are on sale, and previews start tonight!

It's an absolutely amazing script by Rebecca Gilman, directed by the totally tubular Bob Falls, and I'm thrilled to be reunited with the entire original Chicago cast.

People ask me what it's about, and I'm terrible at summaries, but this video they put together really gets at the heart of it:

I'm going to be walking out the door to go do our first preview in less than an hour - what a strange feeling! We did the play for over a month when it was at the Goodman last winter, and we've had three weeks (2 in Chicago, and 1 here in LA) to get it back on it's feet, so I think it is definitely ready for this first preview audience. I'm so proud of the play, and I'm so proud to be working with all these brilliant people, I really am having a wonderful time, but it's a demanding and complicated play - these last few hours before curtain are like looking down at whitewater rapids just before pushing your raft into the water.

But, backing up a little....

FIRST, before I left NY, I had to pack up a bunch of blocks for me to sew while I'm away! I brought my entire thread collection... I'm picky about colors. :)

packing blocks for LA

I won't be back in NYC (where all my supplies and stash is) until the beginning of January - I designed, cut, and packed up 18 blocks - all ready for piecing - I think that will be plenty! So many sandwich bags!

THEN, I got on a plane and flew away from NYC...

TTFN NYC!

Next stop was Chicago, where we rehearsed for 2 weeks.

OMW to rehearsal, back at the Good ol' Goodman

So great to be reunited with the team - these people are amazing! (Yes, I do get paid every time I use the word 'amazing'.)

Lunch with the cast (counter-clockwise from L): Jordan Baker, Colin Sphar, Richard Theiriot, Melissa DuPrey (picture-taker front and center), Erik Hellman, me, and Mary Beth Fisher

THEN, we got on a plane, and flew to ridiculous Southern California

ridiculous LA - Marina del Rey

While everyone I know is freezing their fingers off in NY and Chicago, we're parading around in shorts. (Actually, I failed to pack shorts because the idea of shorts in November... I just didn't believe.)

obligatory selfie at the beach

We're staying at these apartments that are literally 5 minutes (walking) to the beach... and this is what the walk looks like...

going to catch sunset at the pier

Our venue, the Kirk Douglas Theatre, used to be an old movie theatre! Check out how cool it looks!

Kirk Douglas Theatre

Check out the adorable box office out front!

Kirk Douglas old school box office

And it lights up like some sort of magical ice palace at night... I'll get more pictures of it's nighttime look soon.

Kirk Douglas by night - our amazing director, Bob Falls took this picture.

Bringing it all back to quilting..

I've been so busy with all the traveling and rehearsal and whatnot, I've so far only completed 1 of the 18 blocks that I've packed.

New block: Appropriately sunshiny colors for my first week in California!

So, now it's getting to be about time for me to walk out the door and go do this crazy show!

(I always like to be way early.)

Wish me broken legs!

And thanks for reading!

All the best,

Reyna

Astronomical Quilt at the Houston Festival

For those of you who are just tuning in,

during her time on the International Space Station,
Astronaut Karen Nyberg hand-peiced a very cool star block...

... and then invited all of us quilters everywhere to contribute our own star-themed blocks to be combined with hers into a big global community space quilt to be displayed at the International Quilt Festival in Houston! (<3 <3 <3 <3 <3) If you haven't yet, you must watch the video invite.

In the end
the project received 2,260 blocks! 
They had to make 28 panels to fit them all!
How fabulous is THAT!

To my extreme delight, they chose to put my block in the main panel (of the 28)
just a few blocks over from Karen Nyberg's! (When I found this out, I pretty much squealed and ran around my apartment like a little kid.)

Here's Astronaut Nyberg at the festival with the finished piece!

Astronaut Karen Nyberg with the completed Astronomical Quilt!

This picture makes me grin so big, I can't even deal with it! :) 

Astronaut Nyberg's block is the red white and blue one in the center, and mine is just to the right..
well, mine looks like this:

more deets/pictures here

I really wish I could've gone to visit the festival, and seen all 28 panels, but sadly that just wasn't in the cards for me. 

Luckily, my friends Emily Klainberg and Deborah Bingham were in attendance, and were kind enough to send me some pictures! (Thanks so much you guys!!!)

There's my block! And there's Astronaut Nyberg's!!!

all-over star quilting in the mix

Furthermore

the festival posted a gallery on the website of 48 of the Astronomical Blocks along with the correspondence that accompanied them. There are some really amazing letters and stories - you gotta check it out! I can't recommend enough!

Here are a few of my favorites:

This one is by Ilana Spanier. 

The seven points commemorate the 7 astronauts of the Columbia Space Shuttle.

Astronomical Block by Ilana Spanier

This one is by Dana Saxon, PhD, it's the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram! So cool!

Astronomical Block by Dana Saxon, PhD

This next one is by Marianne LaFarge. I love the view of Spain!

Astronomical Block by Marianne LaFarge

And this last one is by Jan Meredith in honour of her father who worked on instrumentation on Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.

Astronomical Block by Jan Meredith

There are really a lot more. You've just gotta check out the gallery and read the letters. Very cool. 

Once again, I'm so glad that I got to contribute to this project. 

Space exploration and the amazing explorers who do the exploring are a great source of inspiration to me. When I made my block, I felt like I was writing a thank-you letter for that, and I'm sure that's true for most, if not all, of the 2,260 quilters who participated. 

Thanks for reading!

All the best,

Reyna

Astronaut-Quilter Karen Nyberg sewing aboard the ISS <3

6 Completed Blocks: Eggs, Moths, Owls etc

Well, the last 2 months have been so busy, I have several post that I've been meaning to make, but just haven't had any spare time. Now that I've got a minute, I can't decide where to start, so I'm going to keep it simple for now and share the 6 blocks that I've completed since my last post - all in the new palette I talked about last time.

I'm especially proud of this first block.

'String of Pearls' - 61 pieces, edges finishing at 3.75",
designed specifically for this egg print with the Reverse Window Shopping technique 

I've been calling it 'String of Pearls' and I think of Marge Simpson every time.

The block design was inspired by this egg print - I used the Reverse Window Shopping technique to single out individual eggs.

Martha Negley Westwood Egg Linen

Ended up being 61 pieces. Yikes! It took forever, but I enjoyed the process!

'String of Pearls' with Eggs, detail

And then after that I needed a break so I went with something nice and simple.

This next one makes me think of the windows at my friend Jim's historic farm house in New Hampshire.

Jim's Windows - setting the table

So I'm nicknaming it 'Jim's Windows'.

'Jim's Windows' in lavender and grey

(I'm currently working on designing a block in honour of his diningroom table - more on that soon.)

This next one I made as part of my 2nd round of the Hexatopia class at the City Quilter (more on THAT soon! so behind on my posts!)

And then this one I made with the Reverse Window Shopping Technique, isolating these Tim Holtz moths.

Moths - designed with the Reverse Window Shopping technique

Last, but not least is one that my sister Tahli nicknamed for me,
it's called 'Ancient Alien Technology'

'Ancient Alien Technology'

It's one that I'm really looking forward to trying with different prints.

That's all for now, but hopefully in the near future I'll be posting with follow-up about Karen Nyberg's Astronomical Quilt, as well as news of my current out-of-town adventures in Chicago and Los Angeles, and a loonnnng overdue post about my 2nd round teaching Hexatopia at the CQ.

Thanks for reading!
All the best,
Reyna