Viewpoints 9-2 Revealed

The challenge posed by Viewpoints 9-2 member Misik Kim was very interesting, indeed.  September.(9th month) Remember that this rotation we are focusing on the number 9.  And, Movies.  Not two things I ordinarily link together.

That was until I gave it some thought.  Actually, lots of thought.  Took ages…then in the middle of the night, literally in a dream I remembered:

I was a teenaged university student.

Yes, it was a l-o-n-g time ago.  How long ago, you wonder?  Well, none of us used an abacus.  However, data entry from all of our studies was input by punch cards.  And, we still used slide rules.  I'm pretty sure that the last time I saw a slide rule was on Antique Roadshow.  But I digress.

My family had just relocated from Itazuke, Japan to Fort Worth, Texas, where I matriculated at the university in September.  It was the early 1960's.  The heat had diminished somewhat…locals said it had 'broken'.  The evenings were beautiful.  Drive-in movies on a Saturday night with my current beau were magical.

1960's Romeos and Juliets

Where did April go?

First was helping man the SAQA booth at the Sew and Quilt Expo in Worcester MA from the 9th until the 12th.  It was a ton of fun because of the SAQA/MA volunteers who came, brought work to share and schmoozed.  We talked 'saqa' to SO many people…enjoyed two SAQA traveling exhibits, bought a few things, had some tasty dinners and generally socialized with old and new friends.  Not a bad assignment.

I was able to get to Boston to see Quilts and Color: The Pilgrim/Roy Collection.  It was STUNNING!  The layout…the installation…the lighting…the background wall color….where to start/end.  A gotta see for sure.

Then on the 16th I helped Diane Cadrain install Impromptu Fibers in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  This exhibit included contributions from three CT art quilt groups:  CT Fiber Arts Collective, Women Against the Grain and Sisters in Cloth.  It will only be hanging until Tuesday (2 weeks) as the Legislators are in session so the exhibits are of much shorter duration.

I did get some creative work done in the studio.  I have a series underway.  Flying Solo, above, is from the leftover schnibbles of a larger piece…still under construction.

Next week I head south to the DC area for the SAQA Conference.  SO many of our SAQA/CT members are going…and friends from all over.  I can hardly wait.

Hopefully my next post won't be so long in forming.

SAQA Annual Benefit Auction 2014

Autumn Years Squared

Autumn Years Squared detail

I am WAY ahead of schedule.  For me REALLY ahead.

SAQA has its Annual Benefit Auction in September!  And here I am.  FINI!

And, wonders of wonders…I like this piece.

The basis of it is a black linen vintage table napkin.  The tree was stamped on a piece of batik with a block that I recently carved.  The leaves are hand dyed cottons and the whole is both machine and hand stitched.

Spring Snow…grrrrrrr

We are all so tired of winter!  This was the view outside our back garden this morning.  The little tree on the right in this pic is a dogwood….should be blooming soon.  And, I'm pretty sure that our garden's nesting bluebirds, cardinals, robins and chickadees are pretty bummed out too with the snow covering most of their food options.

I look forward to spring…like everyone else…in addition to the usual, I await the warming of my studio.  It is on the lowest level of our home and is unheated.  However, there is a wall of windows that allows wonderful solar heat…often.  But, not today.  Hence, little work will get done as I'm too darn tired of wearing gloves whilst I work (actually my gloves are 'wristies' with fingers exposed so that I can feel what I'm doing…why else do it?  Part of the reason for preferring textiles is the touch)

I'm cold.  I'm tired of being bundled.  I'm leaving to hang another exhibit.  Oh, and we took Double Take down on Friday (stowed it away temporarily…you may be hearing about another venue in the future.  The exhibit that would not die)

Happy Spring.

Thank Goodness It Didn't Snow

This has been another long winter.  After a couple of 'balmy' 40-50F days, the temps dipped again with blustery winds and tiny white particles blowing around….but we are NOT calling it snow.  Mostly because I can't bring myself to say the word…that and there will (fingers crossed) not be an accumulation, so we can ignore the white stuff.  Right?

I am taking a break from clearing a bit of my studio.  I am tempted to say cleaning…but I actually know that will not happen.  Oh, I vacuum and clean…but really "cleaning"? Nope not happening.  There is simply too many 'things' and mountains of fabric about.  I organize a bit and then get distracted.  Probably only happens to me.

Today I went through shelves of magazines.  About 25-30 Australian Patchwork magazines, 8-10 New Zealand, from the beginning Quilting Arts and the like.  I have put the Aussie mags aside to offer for sale at our SAQA/CT vending day at our regional meeting on Mar 22.  No idea what they are worth.  Maybe a dollar or two.  I can't just toss them.  I HAVE to find a home for them, otherwise, I'll have to keep them. ;^)

I also 'found' fabric that I'll never use to offer in my collection to sell.  I probably could just randomly pick every fourth piece in my studio, put it in the bin for sale and never miss it. Hmmmm…..

I am also working on my second commission…but when I come to a point that I need to ponder its direction, I try something else constructive to divert my attention.  This week I made another SAQA Conference Spotlight Auction contribution.  No, we are not suppose to send more than one.  HOWEVER, I hated the one I sent off earlier (check it out…I'm sure you'll agree…it's a couple of posts ago titled Forsythia).  I was haunted by it.  Even dreamt about it…not a good sign.  Here's my 'real' contribution.

I am rationalizing the problem with my Spotlight project…the dimensions are just too small…6"x8" to be matted to 4.6"x6.5".  Imagine this matted.  It's little.

Okay.  Enough procrastinating:  Back to clearing a path through the fabric.

It's About Time

Double Take's Swan Song

Well, we THINK that this is the last venue for Sisters in Cloth traveling exhibit, Double Take.  But, we've said that before and then another opportunity pops up and we are constitutionally unable to say no.

Gail Kotowski found a venue in the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton MA.  Yesterday member Marie Shepherd, Gail and I, along with toter and photographer DH, installed the exhibit at the Grubb Gallery, a very nice, well attended gallery at the school.

Check out Sisters in Cloth blog for five more pics.

The Opening Reception is March 23 2-4pm if you are in the area.

Poster featuring Martha Wolfe's and Ruth Anne Olson's interpretations

Diane, Gail and Marie getting started

Entry facing wall: R-L Zimmerman, Wolfe, Olson, DeNegre, Ludington, Howard

Vivika DeNegre's piece with inspiration photo by Rosemary DeLucco Alpert

Carol Ludington's piece with inspiration photo by Rosemary DeLucco Alpert

Viewpoints9-2 Reveal Day!

Gosh, I almost forgot to alert readers.  Viewpoints 9 Challenge 3 is being revealed right this moment.  In fact the third one…Kate Themel's was just posted.  Mine is in line.

The challenge was posed by Lisa-Marie: 9=Nein=NO.  (This year all of the challenges are about '9' and Lisa-Marie's was about 'NO.  You might enjoy reading her actual challenge.)

Here is my response.

Perhaps it's the contrarian side of me, but I couldn't help myself.  "NO" just naturally means "YES".

I recall that we were cautioned as teenagers, learning Japanese while living in Japan, that "Iei" (No) was impolite to say in business and formal situations.  I don't think it's as much of a taboo now, except in retail/business exchanges when it is still very impolite, but long ago and in a rural area it was stressed.

That suited me fine!  I tried to co-op the etiquette and extend it to American-English situations as well.

It is very interesting…and sometimes requires adroit mental gymnastics, to communicate 'no' without using the word.  Prime training for diplomacy that was required years later when I became a parent and, later still, during my career as a real estate broker.

Now, older, wiser and much more experienced, I see real value in not saying 'no'.  For instance, I try dyeing, or a new technique, or a new idea without success.  Perfect time for a 'yes!'  That situation simply set up a new dynamic….time to try something different.

I hope to build on negatives with a big, old, hearty, fist-pumping YES.

You really MUST read the other responses!  Besides the art work is GORGEOUS!

It Would Be Impolite to Say No (27"x27")