Winter

The cold and bitter winter weather has me thinking about  lines in a poem by Dobby Gibson that stuck with me.  They are from a poem called Upon Discovering My Entire Solution to the Attainment of Immortality Erased from the Blackboard Except for the Word "Save."  It's interesting how these things happen.  I cannot remember more of it so I must go off and find it so my memory is refreshed.

And if you have looked
at a winter garden
and seen not a winter garden
but a meditation on shape,
then you know why
this season is not
known for its words,
the cold too much
about the slowing of matter,
not enough about the making of it.

Newest Obsession

It seems every Christmas I have a new project that I just can't stop making. They become my potato chips or or as Abby on NCIS says "pistachios."  Last year it was tote bags and this year it's clutch purses. I was only going to make four and you see how well that worked out. I once again have my friend Barbara to (lovingly) blame. She saw a small picture of a clutch in a magazine. I definitely think ours are better than the ones for sale at $78 a pop. I put pockets inside mine. Used fusible Velcro (love the stuff!) so they stay closed. And of course, I used dipioni silk on all but the black and white one which has over-dyed wool felt. I hope these are as big a hit as my tote bags were last year. These were certainly more fun to make. Enjoy!

Never a Dull Moment

I had the privilege of joining Arts in the Cards group. Even though researching, interviewing and writing take up most of my time, I have to have an artistic creative outlet so ATCs (artist trading cards) are perfect. I've also discovered that it's a wonderful group of artists.

The theme for this trade was typography which made my heart sing. It also gave me an opportunity to play with Nevr-Dull (a metal polish) and polymer medium. I'm looking forward to more exchanges and learning more about the artists in the group. I also plan to continue to explore the theme. It must be the writer in me!

Fiber Sisters for Hope

I was asked to join the Fibers Artists for Hope which made me happy. I know this group well. They originally began by making Obama quilts. I interviewed many of them for Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories, an oral history project of the Alliance for American Quilts. They had begun working on a new exhibition called "The Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts About Racism" which deals with racism. I had less than 10 days to make my quilt. Sometimes it takes a quick deadline to get me from over thinking and just creating. This piece makes me happy. You can visit the group's blog to learn more details about the exhibition--Unspoken Truth and Hope blog. Now it's back to writing for me!

Making Cards

I've been making greeting cards for a while now. My focus is on writing. However, it cannot be me entire  life. I also need something that does not take a lot of time. Making cards seems to be a nice way to balance my need to be creative without taking too much time. I try to make a card each morning while I am waiting for my oatmeal to cook. This means I have eight minutes to accomplish my mission. This also means I cannot over think during the process.
Here is the Halloween I made for my friend Barbara. She is my partner in crime. For the last couple of years, we have gotten together on Fridays to create Christmas gifts for our family and friends. The background paper and hand were from a trick or treat bag. Wish I had bought more than just one package. The bird and happy Halloween were from a package of stickers from JoAnn's for a dollar. Again, why didn't I buy more than one? I love the crow. The stars were from a punch and paper from a mail insert. The swirl is also a sticker. It was a fun filled 8 minutes! And more importantly, Barbara liked it.

Quilts Around the World

It just arrived! I can't wait to read it and share it. This amazing book, Quilts Around the World: The Story of Quilting from Alabama to Zimbabwe, by Spike Gillespie has two sections written by me. It was such an honor to be asked to contribute. I have one section on my travels to Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan and another on my work with the Latina community. I am in great company with Laurel Horton, Carolyn Mazloomi, Charlotte Pateria, Marsha MacDowell, Margaret Rolfe and Wendy Lugg also having written for the book. From first glance, this looks like a truly incredible resource. There are even quilt patterns. Another outstanding job done by Voyageur Press. Check it out!

Book For Sale

Whenever I am feeling stressed, I seem to go into a cleaning mode. I know it's a go figure. Over the last few days I've been tackling my office. I am embracing "out with the old, unused and unneeded so that new and wanted things can come into my life." I also need the cash for a particular project. If you want to know more, email me. Don't want to share here. I'm sending everything media mail unless you want to pay for it. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully we can make this a win-win situation.

The following books are all $5.00 each.

Garden Inspired Quilts by Jean and Valori Wells (a little wear on the cover)

Embellished Mini-Quilts by Jamie Fingal (perfect)

Quilting Your Memories by Sandy Bonsib  (a little wear on the cover)

Small Amish Quilt Patterns by Rachel T Pellman

Fun Photo-Quilts and Crafts by Ami Simms

Patchwork Persuasion by Joen Wolfrom

Fractued Landscape Quilts by Katie Pasquini Masopust (has her message from her to me inside)

Fabric Lokers Hooking by Kathleen Carpenter (bought for a friend then she decided she didn't want to do it-never even opened)

Quilts from Aunt Amy by Mary Tendall Etherington and Connie Tesene (has my name inside)

Quilt Savvy by Caryl Bryer Fallert

Kentucky Quilts 1800-1900 (out of print)

The Electric Mola by Jane Hill

Photo Memories in Fabric Album Coverups by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith (if you like cute, this is for you!)

 

The following books are all $10.00 each

Quilted Memories by Lesley Riley

Journey of an Art Quilter by Barbara Olsen

The following is $25.00

Abstract in Design in American Quilts: A Biography of an Exhibition by Jonathan Holstein (out of print- new)

Details about the Book Deal

It's funny that my life is so centered around the book that I forgot to give details. Thanks to everyone who pointed out my error. The book will contain 30 stories based on a discovery made about a quilt. Voyageur Press is publishing it. They asked me (you could have knocked me over with a feather) to write it. In so many ways, this was a book made for me and I am so thankful that Voyageur Press felt the same way.  I'm still looking for stories so if you have a story that meets this criteria, please get in touch with me. Read carefully. Remember this is not my idea so I don't have a lot of latitude.

1. Your story must be long enough for me to write a 2,000 word essay. It's a lot of words--about three single spaced pages. I need lots and lots of details!
2. Your story must include an element of discovery either about the quilt or the maker. There has to be a surprise element.
3. You must have a high resolution digital (300 dpi)  photo of the entire quilt with no one or no thing in it. It can also be a transparency. Or be willing to have the quilt professionally photographed. If your photo does not look professional, it will be refused. Remember this is going into a book!

I am working on my 12th story. I feel pretty good since I only started writing on September 20th. I have to have it done by January 15. I am up to the challenge! At least that is what I keep telling myself at 2 a.m.

Book Deal!

I apologize for not posting. First it was the call of the great outdoors and gardening. Gardening feeds my soul in a way nothing else does. It also helps me recover from the long Chicago winters which I am finding more and more difficult to endure. Next came a couple of really nasty emails about my teaching at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Both people felt I should not because I am not Mexican. These perplexed me.I wish I could also say that they did not bother me, that I have grown past caring, but it did. Lastly, I got a book deal! So I have been interviewing, writing, researching, and editing for 8-12 hours a day. This also shows that once you get out of the habit of doing something, it's tough to get back. However, I promise I will post more often as I have a lot to share and this blog is important to las puntadas del alma. You'd have to kill me if you didn't want me to support them. Happy creating! Life is full and good.

Florinda Malacara

 Florinda has not had an easy life. I remember how angry she appeared when she first joined the group. Now she works so hard and I'm watching her blossom. This is her second quilt which she titled "The Exceptional Slave/ La esclava excepcional."

Oney Judge was a seamstress for Mrs. Washington, but they also allowed her to play with Nelly, their granddaughter. They never allowed her to read and write. Her history reminds me of many stories of people in my community.

Oney era la costurera de la Sra. Washington pero además le permitían jugar con Nelly- la nieta de los Washington- pero nunca le permitieron aprender a leer. Su historia me recuerda a tantas historias de gente de mi comunidad.

Dolores Mercado

Dolores is an artist, a curator at the National Museum of Mexican Art, our museum liaison, and a member of our group. We are all deeply appreciative of all the she does for us. This is her first quilt which is titled "Although it is Probable She will Attempt to Pass for a Free Woman/Aunque es probable que ella intent hacerse pasas por una mujer libre."


The title is part of the runaway advertisement that appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette on Tuesday, May 24, 1796. Unfortunately these words are still prevalent for women to this day.

El título es parte del anuncio que apareció el día martes, 24 de mayo de 1796 en el Pennsylvania Gazette, después de que Oney escapó de la Casa Presidencial. Por desgracia estas palabras todavía están vigentes para muchas mujeres.

 

Christina Carlos

Christina actually researched the clothing at the time to make sure that her quilt was historically true to the times. Her quilt's title is "Choices/Elecciones." I love watching Christina's process and how her art is evolving as she gains confidence.

"I admire Oney Judge because she made a choice to be free at the sake of being a wanted fugitive along with living a life of poverty. In society, there are laws that want to be passed to limit a woman’s right to choose in having a family. It is not up to man to decide on a woman’s choice. Women have to live with their own decisions and that is what I believe Oney did."

"Admiro a Oney Judge porque eligió ser libre a costa de ser una fugitiva, y de vivir además en la pobreza. En la sociedad, hay leyes que se quieren aprobar para limitar el derecho de la mujer a elegir si quiere tener familia. No es asunto de los hombre decidir  el derecho de las mujeres a elegir. Las mujeres tenemos que saber vivir con nuestras propias decisiones, creo que fue lo que Oney hizo."

Beatriz Alvarez

While everyone went smaller, Beatriz didn't and for that I am truly proud of her. Beatriz was the first to make a pieced background too. I think Beatriz summed up the project so well when she said, "I have learned about history, increased my vocabulary and feel connected to a women that I never knew existed." Her quilt is called "Courage" and her artist statement is "I had the opportunity through this project to know the history of women with great faith and valor. She had faith and courage to change her life. She reminds me of women from my country that have to leave their country in order to find a better opportunity for their family."

"Con este proyecto tove la oportonidad de aprednder la historia de ona mujer con mucho valor y fe para cambiar so vida y el cual me recuerda a las mujeres de mi pars que lo tienen que dejar para boscar una major oportonidad para so familia."

Lucy Campos