After 18 years of service, Patricia Malarcher has stepped down as editor of Surface Design Journal (effective January 1, 2012). Revisit the upward spiral of excellence attained during her tenure in this chorus of gratitude from colleagues and collaborators. Use the comments app to add your voice….

With strictly-enforced spending minimums & itineraries, Bhutan is no traveler’s paradise – but it does value its weavers & hand-crafts. In her last post as SDA student rep, Kaino Hopper shares textile highlights from her recent visit to the Land of Gross National Happiness….

If your work – or life – feels stuck or out-of-focus as a new year begins, catch a fresh wind from the experience of 3 participants who are taking Jane Dunnewold’s independent study course to find creative clarity. Linda Witte Henke shares her perspective….

SDA Europe Representative Karina van Vught recently planned & hosted a 2nd confab of SDA members at Zijdelings, her textile arts center in Tilburg, NL. Mirjam Pet-Jacobs gives an overview of the outstanding “Ecovision” 2-day program….

In the mood to get inspired by some innovative work using fiber media? Check out this latest selection of sites curated especially for SDA NewsBlog viewers by web-roaming SDA member Mickie McCormic….

Experience the thrill of seeing Barbara De Pirro’s creative mind at work while getting your consciousness raised by her unexpected mixing of organic & synthetic (and environment-damaging) materials in her outdoor installations….

Get the real story behind what it takes to plan and shoot a video how-to about your favorite textile technique or creative process. SDA member Anne Selby (UK) generously shares her insights on making one about arashi shibori that includes the award-winning machine she designed….

The Linen Biennial, a suite of international exhibitions at heritage sites in the Portneuf region by the St. Lawrence River (June-October, 2011), honored the flax and linen culture that 17th century farmers fr0m Ulster, Ireland, brought to Quebec. Patricia Malarcher takes you on a tour of the fashion, fine art and craft that were featured this year….

Let this travelogue by Carolyn Kallenborn transport you on a virtual vacation to Oaxaca, Mexico. Footage of exuberant dancers in technicolor textiles is a must-see – as is her documentary “Woven Lives/Vidas Entretejidas”….

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts recently celebrated 50 years of inhabiting its superbly designed buildings with a conference on design itself. Whether you’ve ever taught/taken a class at Haystack or not, let yourself be transported there by this overview of a well-designed gathering in a spectacular setting dedicated to creative expression….