This coming weekend my sisters and I will travel to Tarboro for a girls weekend to celebrate Mama's birthday. So happy my sister Marilyn from Arden made a pit stop to the workshop today and that she brought her creative spirit with her. During some Appalachian winter's nights, she had reimagined some fabric remnants into colorful braids and needed a strong machine to zigzag them into a rug. The Sailrite LS-Z was just the machine to do the job. Can't wait for more fun projects this weekend! Time spent with family is priceless. 
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 For my friends who love furniture and upcycling, here is the ultimate: "Found Chairs and Trees" by artist Tom Shields (American born 1970 and lives in Penland). Weekend weather was amenable to hiking and what a nice discovery on the trails at the North Carolina Museum of Art. This exhibition takes the chair back to its roots by grafting chairs to trees. Over time, the chair will decay, completing a natural cycle.
 This year when purchasing my fresh wreath from the Christmas tree lot, I grabbed some of the free tree trimmings. I wanted to bring the fresh scent of trees into my bedroom. Long ago when I was a student in design school, my very talented friend Mary Sox gave me this cotton fabric of Victorian doll cutouts she hand screen printed. I had so much fun stitching up these little dolls! I embellished them with cotton, red embroidery thread, lace, and ribbon. They have been well loved over the years and seem at home on these branches, and I know they will bring good tidings. And cheer.  Shout out to Bill's Sewing in Hildebran for loan of industrial walking foot and overlock sewing machines. These machines are so much quieter than my old reliables! Demonstrating the slipcover process at the Furniture Festival was so much fun.  Carolina Slipcover Girls came together at the Hickory Furniture Mart. I enjoyed spending time with Emily of Emily Jane Creations, and Kristi of Pink and Polka Dot. They have a passion for all things slipcovered.  Upholstery demonstrations took place outside of Southern Style Fine Interiors. This artisan in the far left corner of photo was covering club chairs in luxury leather that was the green "color of the year" we have been hearing so much about. The chairs were very vogue.  Musicians were there too. It would be so nice to work with live music in the background all the time. I think this would be a great concept for the manufacturing environment and a great way to create jobs for musicians.  Local Artisans showcased their talents in paint, wood, clay, and metals. Many drew inspiration from Nature. I was inspired by these works of art!
Still unpacking from the slipcover demonstrations at the Furniture Festival! It takes a lot of tools to make a slipcover. Also brought home a few souvenirs. Someday I'd like to be a professional tourist.    Woven-Stones
I was delighted to receive a commission from my mother and creative colaborator Linda Meeks. She is co-hosting the 2012 Slipcover Summit in June at the Hickory Furniture Mart and wanted an artwork inspired by her parsons chair slipcover (which placed second in a nationwide contest sponsored by the Slipcover Network!) to accompany her display. I had so much fun incorporating the fabric and austrian crystals from the actual slipcover. Generally commissioned works prove difficult to mediate between personal style and the desires of the client, but having lived with her for my first 18 years made this one easy! Katherine Meeks Student, Teaching Fellow at Appalachian State University Studying Art Education and Studio Art   These are my sweet new shoes. I was the highest bidder at a live auction to benefit NC UM Camp and Retreat Ministries. Chelsea Masters hand painted the shoes and created them especially for the Sweet Dreams auction. Chelsea is studying art & design at NC State University and has been custom designing shoes for several years.
 I love sunflowers. I love art. I love my garden. I love my daughter Katherine. And I love the new sunflower art in my garden by artist Katherine Meeks. On Campus Creations Online Store. Portfolio.   Recently I needed to charge my creative energy so I took a little road trip to Aita Studios in North Wilkesboro to visit my childhood next door neighbor and longtime friend Gilda Aita. In addition to teaching art education in Wilkes County, Gilda has worked in clay for over 20 years, creating spiritual art. I came home fully charged and with a prayer pot to boot that I proudly display in my workshop. If you are interested in seeing more of Gilda’s clay art, visit www.aitastudios.com.  Ceramic Frog Art by Gilda Aita |