Quilting on the Edge

Tuesday's Two Cents: This and That

  This photo is of the Roser Chapel on Anna Maria Island.  It was built by one of the original settlers on the island, and stands now, connected to a larger church and community building.  On most days, a sign is posted outside the chapel that says Open for Prayer.  I like that......the fact that I have, on a moment's notice, stepped in and taken advantage of that sign. There's probably about 30 pews in there, and a small altar, and you can sit in there all by yourself and enjoy the place in whatever way you choose.  I think this is a good example of incorporating a spiritual experience into your daily life.  Right near the entrance is a lectern that holds a typewritten list of prayer requests for the week, so you can have others to pray for besides your own personal intentions if that interests you.  This is one of the places I miss when I'm not there on the island.  The weather has gotten cool again here in Indiana, not really a surprise, but still not altogether welcomed.  Fortunately I haven't bought any annuals or vegetables yet for my small garden, so I'm not having to cover anything at night in case of frost.  Yesterday I was able to finally return to my daily 30 minute walk after 10 days without it since I had some sort of virus which kept me down.   I've been walking daily for over 20 years, so you can imagine I'd miss doing so.  I'm glad to report I haven't lost my stamina and speed.  I usually go 2 miles in 30 minutes, give or take.  As far as quilting goes, I am sort of in another of those creative ruts, which I expect won't last too long.  I have enlarged one of my photos for my next piece in the Anna Maria Island series, so next I have to make the pattern then I'll get started.  I'm going to make one of the boardwalks to the beach that are at the end of many streets, which you walk over to get to the shoreline.  I'll post a photo later.  So that's where I am this Tuesday, missing Roser Chapel, glad to be walking again and over the virus, and looking ahead to a hopefully warmer week.  Hope your week is a good one too. 

Tuesday's Two Cents: Your Own Billboard

Wonder if you were given the chance to create a huge billboard and you could put anything you wanted on it?  at no cost to you.  I don't know why I've been thinking about this, but I have and have wondered what message I would want to put out there.  I don't think I'd advertise anything, but I would want to leave a message.  Color would be important, as well as what images you chose to include, if any.   I would have a billboard with a lovely image of waves gently rolling into a shoreline on a blue sky day.  Various shades of blue in the water.  Then, somewhere off to the side, like in the lower right hand corner, I would have the word RELAX, with smaller words underneath that read  "Live in the moment".   What would you create?  For a short discussion on the psychology of color, click on this link: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/7acCfE/www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html

Tuesdays' Two Cents: Warped ATC's

Here are my ATC's for the April challenge, the theme was warped. Judging by this chick's image, I think I met the challenge.  Click on the image for a closeup and you'll notice the facial features are made of seashells.  I created the image, took a photo, then attached the image to a fabric background.  The hair is a painted strand from a mop head......so there she is.  Her name is Shelley.  Others in my group made uneven, or warped cards, and one made a card with weaving elements, which were both pretty neat.  

Tuesday's Two Cents: What are your Must Haves?

I hear  that a busy hurricane season is predicted for Florida this season, and altho I don't let that piece of information distress me, it does cause me to think about all I have and having it all blown away, literally.  This then leads to thinking what I would take with me if I had to evacuate our place here.  Of course the usual records and photos are at the top of the list. But then it turns into an exercise in what do I value most among all my possessions?  After people of course.  I mean among the things I have. This is probably a good exercise for all of us to try.  Forget bad weather, wonder if our life situation dictated we get rid of most of what we have, and pare down to the bare minimum.  What would be on your bare minimum list?  Let's assume clothing is done, important papers and records, and photos. Pets have been dealt with.   Now we're getting down to the real nitty gritty of it. I'm pretty sure my quilts would be next on the list.  If space were an issue, I'd probably have to leave some behind, so that would be another priority list I'd have to do. Then I think I'd be sure to take some of my favorite books.  I already know which those are, do you?  I could grab them in a few minutes. Maybe limit myself to five or six.  Furniture is out, but what about all those "things" around the house that make it a home?  I'd probably have to grab a few small things.  Is my car full yet?  Maybe.  I think now I'd grab my laptop and phone, maybe camera.   Then what? I think I'm done.  Honestly, it seems I know, and you surely do too, the things that will bring you comfort in such a situation.  And very quickly, you also know the things that are just there and you can replace if needed or just do without.  Taking a look around my home here, that's a lot of stuff I could do without.  This certainly gives new perspective to all we have in our lives, at least it does for me.   Maybe we simply do not need anymore.  Of course we knew that already, didn't we?

   

Tuesdays' Two Cents: Letting Go of What May Have Been

Well Butler lost in the NCAA finals last night.  The little school from Indiana, my life long home state. The state of "Hoosier Hysteria".  For the uninformed, that means Indiana is crazy about and overtaken with interest in basketball.  The old film "Hoosiers" is based on this phenomenon.  Butler only lost by two points, which means they hung with Duke all of the game and have nothing to be ashamed of regarding their performance.  I'll bet that's little consolation to the team and fans, and anyone on board the Hoosier Hysteria train, even me here in Florida. I stayed up to watch it and was really hoping they would do it.  I had some doubt, however.  

Whatever the outcome, it was quite a ride for us all.  Even non Hoosiers who like a great story of the small competing with the big.  I think we all can remember times when we've jumped on a similar bandwagon and took the ride of possibility.  The idea of "maybe this could really happen" is appealing, and while you're on the ride, it's exciting!  Maybe we're not so surpised when it doesn't work out, just saddened a bit.  Maybe we are thrilled when it does work out!  Nothing like that sort of high, when a chance to do something we never imagined presents itself and we go for it.  I think that's why I keep jumping on these sort of bandwagons.......the thrill of seeing someone accomplish a goal that may have seemed out of reach.  Even if it doesn't happen, the ride was worth it for all the fun and excitement it created.  If you're a Chicago Cubs Fan, this is where you say........THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR.  

Tuesday's Two Cents: What's Going Through My Mind

 It's beena crazy weekend, nationally anyway.  I'm left with some thoughts that you may have too.  First, I am disappointed in those who, when push comes to shove, cannot keep their actions consistent with their stated principles.  Yes, everyone has a price, not matter what they say into the microphone.  I should have known better, but I chose to believe in people's inherent truths that they express, and guess what?  I was wrong.  This is immensely disappointing. 

Second, spring is here!! Families have arrived on Anna Maria Island for vacations........I hear kids squealing in neighborhood swimming pools, and see lots of folks on bikes and walking about.  Everyone is happy!  I hope the weather holds out for them.  I am reminded of when we did that years ago.Azaleas are budding and even beginning to bloom here in Florida.  I fed them some miracid today and I expect they will reward me for that feeding.

Third, some days you look around the house and it's clear that it is time for more than the usual house cleaning.  It is now one of those times here for me.  I'm reluctant, procrastinating, and not happy about it.  But I'll get to it all in due time.  I'm not in any hurry.  I do things little by little.......instead of days of whirlwind activity as I did when I was younger.  I like to think I'm wiser now instead of lazier.

Fourth, I am more than half done hand quilting my donation for the Pioneer Land Quilter's Auction this summer in LaPorte, IN.  This is the time when I gain new momentum on a project.......I'm anxious to see it all done!

Another Tuesday is here.......for me, after Tuesdays, the week flies by!  Fortunately, I have no significant appointments this week, and all I really should be doing is starting that extra cleaning I mentioned.......we'll see what happens with that.  My studio still has the loudest voice!

 

Tuesday's Two Cents: A Day Late but Still Good

 I guess if you post on a blog or website online you are subject to having your work copied, despite understanding about copyright laws and how they apply to all items on the web.  I have a site that keeps track of what is copied from my blog here.......in the last ten months since I have used the service to keep track of copying,  12 images and 69,954 words have been copied from my blog... is that alot?  probably not, maybe so, I don't know really.  I can guess what some of the words are........according to my blog "hits", many times I've had people looking at my Tuesday's Ten List of short story opening sentences.  Believe me, I know 'em, and I'll know 'em if I see 'em.  but that's unlikely too isn't it?  Out of all the things they could be used on, the odds of me seeing it aren't very good.  One never knows though. From my website, some interested observer had been to see my WildFire quilt many many times........by now the viewer would have made the purchase, but if they are just trying to make one themselves, I guess going back and back again lets a person learn a lot.    I recently read of another quilter whose designs were discovered on a fabric line..........now, that's some copying all right.  This doesn't make me feel good, but I don't think I ever expected anything on the web to be private.  There are unscrupulous people, and that's that.   But I wouldn't hesitate to pursue it if someone had pilfered my words or images for something in a commercial way.  I've known of that to happen too.  It's a chance we all take.  But one thing all copiers should know:  we look out for each other in the quilt world.  Most people hear of their stuff copied by someone else telling them who saw it some where else.......so maybe the original artist or writer doesn't see it, but they have friends, and fans, I daresay, that can, and do, and have let them know if they see their images elsewhere.   threatening? Probably not, to the copiers.   But, it can and does happen.  My two cents, a day late but still good. 

Tuesday's Two Cents: Sideways Day

I am having what I call a Sideways Day.   Nothing motivates me.  While I have many things I could be doing, none of these things hold my attention.  I took this photo of post it notes once for what must have been a good reason at the time.  Today, I came across it and it sort of fits my mood.  There's nothing written on any of them.  Maybe this means I can just coast today and not commit myself to anything.  I did accomplish a few things.  I filled two bags for Goodwill out of a closet upstairs, I've had this on my mind to get ready and altho it only took five minutes or less, I did do it.  I took my daily walk, altho I don't really think that counts as anything since I do it everyday, it's sort of like taking a shower or some other routine activity.  One other thing I did was take a white rocker off our deck outside to scrub it........it was filthy from sitting out in rain and wind storms, and to adequately clean it, I needed a bucket of soapy water and a hose.  Done.  Then I sat down on a chair on our patio and telephoned my great friend Jan in Indiana and caught up with her life.  I was relieved to hear she was supposed to be cleaning house but instead was reading a book.  Kindred spirits!  I encouraged her to not clean.  Misery loves company.   I've always had a difficult time dealing with these sideways day.......I guess my work ethic or standards are expecting me to have accomplished something major each day to qualify for the end of day reward of thinking my day was worthwhile.  But I know, that is not so.  It is okay, even good, to have days like these.  Perhaps it means the mind and soul need a break to rejuvenate and catch up with myself.  That's what I'm going to try to remember the rest of the day.  After I finish this, I'm going to go downstairs and put away some yarns that I've been meaning to for a long time.  I guess it's that kind of day:  picking away at small tasks. Those I don't usually take the time to do since I'm doing bigger things.  Hmm...maybe not such a sideways day after all.     

Tuesdays' Two Cents: Ode to What I Take for Granted

 My shower was warm, the towel was fresh. I had soap and shampoo.  My hairdryer worked as it should.  My hairbrush was sitting right where I left it.  I could choose clothing appropriate for the weather.  I exercised without difficulty, I took a walk without giving the ability to do so a second thought.  I did it for health, not for necessity.  I enjoyed a warm cup of coffee and cold glass of orange juice.  I ate vanilla yogurt with dried cranberries, it was all right there in the frig and cupboard.  The sun was shining, the palm trees swayed and filled with air with swishing sounds. People smile at me while I walked, and I smiled back.  Nothing hurt me.  My body worked easily and carried me where I wanted to go.   I saw a closet with fabric and threads, needles and paints too.  I could create whatever I wanted.  Or, I could read, or listen to music.  I could hear from friends online, and or read interesting articles there too.  I could contact anyone I wanted to by telephone.   Yes, just another ordinary day, full of routine activities that I seldom notice.  I take them for granted.  I think this falls under "things to be grateful for".  For some reason today it hit me while walking that I usually describe these things as ordinary, and for me I suppose they are.  I can imagine those for whom this would not be ordinary.  Some could not take that walk, or enjoy that shower.  Some without something to eat.  I don't know why these thoughts came to me today, but I guess I was due for a reality check about life.  So, I've taken a step back and posted about it.  As we all know, it's the little things, not the big events of celebrations.  I hope I remember that more. 

Tuesday's Two Cents: New Art Quilt Project

Yesterday I decided to dig out of my creative limbo by reviewing some of my photos for inspiration.  This one stood out.  I remember taking this photo outside, in the dark, using my regular digital camera with its' usual flash.  The long branches are of a bamboo plant, and at the base of the plant are small palm plants.  I decided to challenge myself to create this on a dark background with muted palm fronds and something for the branches, not sure yet.  So I selected a black fabric with printed swirls as my background.  First I created a stencil for the palms.I used freezer paper, the kind you buy in the grocery store, because you can iron the shiny side to fabric and it stays in place temporarily.  By the way, these photos are smaller but you can enlarge them by clicking on them if you want a better view.  Next I mixed up some muted green color paint........this was trial and error.  I started with a medium green, added black........too much black.  Then some white and gold, finally ended up with this for my paint. 
This is how the stencilling looked as I started applying the paint lightly with a stencil brush.   I first made one stencil across the middle bottom, then decided I'd make another one near it but added some white to the paint to make it a little lighter.  Here's how it looks so far:

This piece measures 20 inches high and 28 inches wide as of now.  I'm going to need to make another stencil for a downward hanging palm frond, but all in due time.  I'll keep you posted.  I'm liking this so far......anxious to see where it goes.  Thanks for looking.