This past fall has been quite a whirlwind with travel for shows and teaching, starting in a new cooperative space at Fiberworks Studio, plus shooting three segments for Quilting Arts TV that will air in 2018!

And somewhere in there I decided it was time to revamp my website.

Unfortunately all that meant that time for blogging was in short supply. So in the last couple of days of the year, I’d like to look back at where I’ve been, before moving forward with new plans for the new year.

The featured image above is a collage of the nine most liked images from my Instagram feed in 2017. I’m @cindygrisdelaquilts if you’d like to follow me there too.

 

Quilting Arts TV with Susan Brubaker Knapp -Cindy Grisdela

Quilting Arts TV with Susan Brubaker Knapp -Cindy Grisdela

Maybe the most exciting thing I did was go to Cleveland, Ohio to shoot three segments for Quilting Arts TV. QATV airs on PBS stations, and the upcoming 2100 season is due to begin in January 2018.

I’d never done a TV appearance before, so it was all new to me–preparing my demonstrations, makeup, working with the producers to get the flow right, chatting with the host, Susan Brubaker Knapp, on set as I worked. Plus bringing three changes of clothes for each of the three segments!

On set at Quilting Arts TV - Cindy Grisdela

On Set at Quilting Arts TV pre shooting – Cindy Grisdela

It was a ton of fun and not nearly as intimidating as I imaged it would be. Everyone was friendly and helpful and I felt like I was just chatting with friends–plus I met some other amazing quilt artists. I was able to preview some of the final footage recently and it turned out pretty well, I think!

My segments are in the first epsiode–2101 on Curved Piecing and the fourth episode–2104 on Improv Blocks. The third segment–on traveling on the art show circuit, will air in 2019. Check your local PBS listings for times near you. Or you can purchase the entire series here.

I did a lot of teaching this fall and had a great time visiting various quilt guilds and sharing my work and my book. But the big stretch for me was teaching for the first time at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX in November.

Curved Piecing Demo at Houston - Cindy Grisdela

Curved Piecing Demo at Houston – Cindy Grisdela

The Quilt Festival is definitely one of the biggest quilt shows in the country and it’s a great honor to be asked to teach there. I taught two classes–one on Curved Piecing and one on Improv Color Blocks–and did several demonstrations and open studio events.

Student Curved Piecing Class at Houston - CIndy Grisdela

Student Curved Piecing Class at Houston – Cindy Grisdela

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Improv Color Blocks Class Houston - Cindy Grisdela

Student Improv Color Blocks Class Houston – Cindy Grisdela

Abstract Landscape Demo Houston - Cindy Grisdela

Abstract Landscape Demo Houston – Cindy Grisdela

And I had so much fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones! It was great fun signing books with my friend and fellow author Maria Shell.

Book Signing with Maria Shell - Cindy Grisdela

Book Signing with Maria Shell – Cindy Grisdela

I did seven shows between the end of August and Thanksgiving–some close by, like the King Street Festival in Alexandria, VA in September, and some far away, like the Art in the Pearl show in Portland, OR. I wrote about my experience at the Rio Grande Balloon Festival in Albuquerque in October here. One highlight of the show season was winning an Award of Excellence at the Downtown Art Festival in Gainesville, FL in November.

Award of Excellence winner - Cindy Grisdela

Award of Excellence at the Downtown Art Festival in Gainesville, FL 2017 – Cindy Grisdela

I was juried into the Fiberworks Studio at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA earlier this year and began working there in September. I’m there about four times a month from 10-5 working.

Fiberworks Studio in Alexandria, VA - Cindy Grisdela

Fiberworks Studio in Alexandria, VA – Cindy Grisdela

The above photo is of the back wall of the studio showing representative work of each of the eight artists. I wrote about it earlier this fall here if you’d like more information. It’s a fun place if you’re in the area and have a chance to stop by.

Last but not least is the website update.

If you’ve visited in the last few months, you may have noticed that things looked a little different on the website. I decided that I wanted a simpler, cleaner look than I had in the past, in addition to being something that I could maintain on my own. Although I’m happy with the overall outcome, as usual I bit off more than I could chew in the time I had available. There are still a few glitches that I’m working on–I guess all websites are works in progress.

Thanks for reading all the way to end of this long post! As always, I love to hear your comments.

 

 

 

 

 

9 Comments

  1. Didi Salvatierra on December 31, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Love your work!



    • Cindy on December 31, 2017 at 5:23 pm

      Thank you very much Didi–Happy New Year!



  2. Maria Shell on January 1, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    Happy New Year Cindy! What an adventure you have been on. Lot’s of good stuff happening. May 2018 be just as exciting!



    • Cindy on January 1, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      Thanks so much Maria! Happy New Year to you too! Looks like it will be an exciting year.



  3. LynneP on January 4, 2018 at 12:27 am

    Hi Cindy,
    WOW you sure have been busy. I didn’t know you were doing QA TV. That’s so exciting and I look forward to seeing you on TV!
    Best wishes for a wonderful 2018!



    • Cindy on January 4, 2018 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks Lynne! Happy New Year!



  4. Rachel Biel on January 5, 2018 at 9:35 am

    I don”t know how you do all that you do, Cindy! It’s a whirlwind just trying to keep up! Great accomplishments and I wish you a wonderful year in 2018!



    • Cindy on January 5, 2018 at 10:57 pm

      Thank you Rachel! Happy New Year to you too!



  5. Yoko on January 10, 2018 at 4:26 am

    I got to know your work through your book, which I found at the City of Melbourne Library in Australia. I fell in love with your beautiful colour works! I will try doing patchwork this week!! Thank you for wonderful inspiration!! 🙂