Many students have said that a class at Sievers is a “gift given to myself”. If the first two classes are any indication, what’s inside those gifts are color, inspiration, learning and sharing as well as new and continuing friendships. It began with the Open Quilt Studio in early June. How fun to see all the fabrics unwrapped and quilt tops created during the week! Susan Hoffmann, one of our instructors, was here as a student in the Open Quilt Studio and presented us with a very special gift which has been added to our Permanent Collection and is on display in the Sophie Studio. “Carolyn’s Woods” was inspired by a photo shared on this blog a few years ago of the daffodils at Sievers. The technique is Landscape ‘Painting’ with Fabric and is the […]
A day in June
“And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days;” Here’s our June day on Washington Island. “Whether we look, or whether we listen, We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;” James Russell Lowell A few choice words and a few choice photos are all that’s needed on a day like today!
What’s new here and there
What’s new here… Today we start keeping regular hours in the shop (10am – 5pm) each day through October 31 and the Washington Island Art Association artists just started their five-day Open Workshop this morning, a very green, partly sunny day. So starts our 39th season! For the past 10 years, we’ve been fortunate to have Connie Westbrook as an employee, instructor and friend. She’s decided to step back from the employee role and more fully enjoy retirement time on the Island. No doubt we’ll see her at Sievers more than a few times while classes are in session! One of the new things Connie plans to do is explore all the surrounding islands, bays and harbors by boat with […]
May Miscellany
It’s official! The information packets for Class#1, Open Quilt Studio, were mailed today. On June 5, those students will be the first to arrive of 322 registered so far. We’re already getting the buildings ready as our initial guests will be the W.I. Art Association artists utilizing the Walter Studio starting on May 22. After 20 years, one part of getting the buildings ready meant it was time to sand and then re-varnish the floor of the Sophie Studio, making it nice and shiny again. Many beautiful and special items have already arrived for the Sievers Shop. We will be open daily, 10-5, starting Monday, May 22nd. Until then, as temperatures permit and if we are in the office, we’re happy to greet you. One […]
April Images
For the fifth year in a row on Washington Island, a Quilts of Valor sewing event was held in the Sophie Studio. Coordinated by Ellen Graf, a total of 26 individuals were involved in the event during the last few days of March and early April. From their hands, ten quilt tops were completed, joined by three quilts that had been finished before the event began. They will be on display at the Washington Island Memorial Day Program before being awarded to recipients known and unknown by the Island makers. The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national non-profit whose mission is to create comforting and healing quilts for service members and veterans touched by war. It’s the time of the year when so many wonderful things are arriving […]
First Day of Spring
It took a walk in the woods to come up with some lush greens to mark the first day of spring and although all that appeared were mosses, they were at least mostly clear of snow. Ice still remains in the harbors, but has lost ground along the Lake Michigan shore, giving way to several pair of geese. It may be possible that strong north winds affected the growing pattern of these two clumps of cedar trees, making one of the trunks on the right almost ribbon-like. Moving from the out-of-doors to inside the office at Sievers, we continue to receive new yarns, books and handmade items for the shop. Soon it will be time to freshen up all the buildings […]
March Ramblings
March is proving to be contradictory, as usual. There have been snowstorms, windstorms and thunderstorms along with sunshine and alternating warm or cold temperatures. We have yet to see a herald of spring but know we’ll be hearing new birds and seeing some green in the next couple of weeks. The water and ice around the Island remind us to be patient. We are in the midst of ordering yarns, books, patterns, fabrics and more for the upcoming season, including some new yarn additions from West Yorkshire Spinners, Baa Ram Ewe and Rowan. Today we counted 277 registrations. It will be so good to see each of you and “catch up” since your last visit! The last few days of March and first few days of April have been set aside for this year’s Quilts of Valor event, coordinated by Ellen […]
Island Winter
As the thermometer is reading 42° at this afternoon and the bright sun is creating a cascade from the eaves, it seemed time to send along a few winter photos of the Island, before much of the snow is gone (temporarily, we’re sure). From the east side of Washington Island to the west side and from the harbors to the ferry passage through “the Door”, the ice will last longer than the snow but it may shift depending on wind direction. It’s not all barren landscape! Shore birds and ducks find resting places and fisherman create their own village out on Detroit Harbor. From the cold light of a February moon to the promise of warm sun for a good maple sap run, we embrace each season!
