News

March, 2011
This month we’ll be vending first in Lancaster, at the AQS show downtown, and then at the Empire Quilters’ show held at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Please see the Events Calendar for details. The Beckoning Cat in downtown Lewisburg, PA, is now open by appointment or by chance only to better accommodate Susan’s travel schedule. Please call ahead: 570-523-1520.

February, 2011
Over the last month, we’ve been adding fabrics and other products to the Online Catalog—with more to come—so please take a look! The itinerary for my 20th textile tour to Japan is just about set for November 2011. Set against the background of magnificent “KOYO” (or “autumn color change”), the tour is aptly titled “Autumn Splendor.” The day-to-day itinerary and pricing will be available early March. The main event of this tour will be a visit to the YOKOHAMA QUILT FESTIVAL. The tour will be limited to 15–20 people, as always. I am happy to talk about Japan and the tours anytime, so please contact me!

January, 2011
Happy Year of the Rabbit! After traveling to 13 events for vending and teaching, our revised e-commerce website launched in mid-October. Hurrah! I departed two days later with 16 participants embarking on my 19th textile tour of Japan, titled, “Cloth & Clay.” We visited Tokyo, Mashiko, and Okinawa, and were welcomed by museum directors and artisans all along the way. The tour theme—attempting to trace the origins of the Japanese Mingei craft movement back to Okinawa—developed beautifully, and the natural beauty of Okinawa was mirrored in the faces and smiles of the Okinawans. Making “craft for the people and of the land” continues in Okinawa, just as Soestu Yanagi and Hamada Shoji and Bernard Leach witnessed it a hundred years ago.

June 10, 2010
What's H-O-T in the world of Japanese quiltmaking, you ask? Shown on the right (and now in stock @ QEJAPAN) are some especially gorgeous fabrics from both the 1st and 2nd collections of Japanese premiere quiltmaker, Keiko Goke. I've been a fan of Goke-san's work for over 15 (?) years... and I remember the moment when I first saw one of her early quilts in a Japanese magazine: I knew right away that she would rise to become one of the top Quilt Sensei (master / teacher) in the Japan. I went to meet her at her Sendai studio, and then arranged for a solo show of her artwork in Paducah, KY (1995?). OMEDETO GOZAIMASU, Keiko! (Conratulations!) We LOVE your fresh color and bold graphics-- so refreshing! Printed on the finest high end cotton fabric, these fabrics have such a wonderful "hand." To see these fabrics one at a time, please go to our Kontemporari Section in the Fabric Catalog. P.S. I've already ordered a selection from Collection 3-- scheduled for July 2010 delivery--and featured on the "Coming Soon" page. The "JFC" Japanese Fabric Club Members will receive the first cuts...

April 2010
This abstract landscape quilt (on the right) is a remake of one of Susan's earlier patterns from 2001 called "Along the River's Edge." The soft flowing horizontal "flow" creates a feeling of moving water through the vertical lattice bars of swooping cranes. Instructions for this easy "free-style rotary cut curves" technique and complete directions for making the quilt are yours for FREE when you order the ARE2 Fabric Kit for $35 (plus S/H) -- while supplies last.

January 16, 2010
We started the year off with a “Cutting Edge Event” at The Beckoning Cat—our 1st Annual Scissor and Knife Sharpening Day. We encouraged people in the community to bring forth all their dull and tired blades and start the year off right! Charlie Casale, from Williamsport, PA, came with his truck and tools, and setup right in the back of the shop. From 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—without a break—he sharpened a very wide assortment blades as they were presented to him. We estimate he worked on about 200 pieces! Shown here is 1. my hand-drawn advertisement for the window, 2. Charlie at work (see how fast his hand moves?), and 3. testing a pair of left-handed scissors for artist-calligrapher Nancy Cleaver.

January 15–30, 2010
Across the last two weeks of January, Susan offered a choice of several “Winter Workshops” at The Beckoning Cat shop, such as Japanese sashiko, Folded Origami Kimono, Silk Piecing with Foundation Muslin, and Intuitive Collage. Classes were small and casual, and mostly centered on technique…but we sure had a great time!

If you have a group of 4–6 friends and would like to come to Lewisburg for a private sewing/quilting retreat weekend, send Susan an email! Lewisburg is located in the heart of central PA—just 5 minutes from Rt. 80—with gorgeous scenery and fun activities to offer in every season.