Indigo: In Search of the Color that Seduced the World

I stumbled upon Catherine McKinley's book Indigo: In Search of the Color that Seduced the World at my local library and while I have not finished it I would like to recommend it. This is not a history book but instead a memoir that contains the history of indigo especially the Gold Coast of Africa. It is beautifully and eloquently written (I admire good writing.). I have been drawn to memoirs lately so this was a bonus find for me. If you do read it, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Ideas and Multiple Discovery

Ideas are like rainbows. If the conditions are right and paying attention, you are rewarded.

I got an email from someone I don't know who I have decided is concerned for me (attitude is everything) even though she feels I have "stolen" an idea from someone. I have been teaching "my" quilt-as-you-go technique internationally for more than 20 years. I readily admit that I did not invent quilt-as-you-go and my version is also based on my love of strip and scrap quilts. I simply put it all together in my own way. About five years into teaching "Bending Quilt-As-You-Go," someone asked if I knew of Ann Bauer's work, which I had not. She said that while our work was similar in construction (quilt-as-you-go), she also noticed differences. From that point on, I avoided Ann's work (sorry Ann, just did not want to be influenced). I also suspect that this might be what the email is referring. Although I cannot be sure because the email does not share the "who."

Multiple discovery- a term used in the scientific community whenever two or more scientists in different parts of the work come up with the same idea at the same time- is something I think also occurs all the time in all fields. One example from the quilt world involves Kathy Schmidt and Rayna Gillman who were both working on books about "no rules" or "free-form" quilting at the same time. I believe that ideas are out there floating around looking for people who are open to them (see my quote). Ideas are limitless. We just have to be open and do the work.

My technique was born because I wanted people to keep making quilts. I kept hearing about too many UFOs, not being able to master machine quilts, but not having the funds to pay for quilting, etc. I can remember the day the idea came to me and how I could not sleep until I figured it out. I love those magical moments that don't happen often enough, but just enough to keep me working. My technique is now being used to create unique shoes in Georgia (country not state).  An artist in Almaty continues to make a living selling potholders using my technique. It makes me happy because creating is a good thing.  So what ideas have sprung up into your head?

Butterfly?

I am back to lots of handwork. It grounds me. It also uses the indigo piece that I have had on my design wall for more than a year. Time to use it! So my question to you is, do I use the butterfly or not? Thanks for your input.

Letting Go- SteamFast SP-660

I remember a wonderful conversation about letting go with Arline Crowley. She has a story in my book Quilts in the Attic called "History Returned. "I heard people say that when they got older, they started giving things away. I just thought that was nuts until I turned seventy-two, and now I understand." I am not seventy-two but I do feel a strong need to clean out items I am simply not using. I have a lightly used SteamFast SP-660 with manual, pressing pad and water container for filling the water tank. Retails for $249.99 and I am asking $100. It is great for pressing large pieces of fabric. A friend uses her to fuse. I am willing to ship for the actual cost of shipping. 

With gratitude,

Karen

Everyone Needs a Hand Now and Then

People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable. -Anonymous

To say that this year has not going as planned is to put it mildly. I have decided to consider it a sad Country Western song that will have a happy ending. I am healthy again and more hopeful. The dead Kindle and furnace have been replaced and fixed. The broken work is being recreated. Time to get moving and make up for lost ground. To let go (looks to be the theme for my year) of what did not happen and focus on the moment. I continue to be a process person--it's a journey.


Jasper Johns's quote from one of his notebooks dating from the early 1970s really says so much about how I feel:

To give up
or
To do the work
To doubt that the work needs doing?
At any rate, time passes.
A clear object.
An unclear object.
_______________

To begin to do.
A way to begin.(which might or might not include a way to end.)


On a lighter note, I love exchanges and have missed doing them so I suggested to two friends--Linda Edkins Wyatt and Marie Z. Johansen that we use our hands to create art. The left hand (the one closest to our heart) will be used for a round robin. For mine, I did simple watercolor so that Linda and Marie could add to you then I decided that I would create a book so there are also blank pages. For my gift (right hand) one, I am creating something out of clay. My first attempt got knocked over and broken. While disappointing, I try to remind myself that I can always create more and this attitude is a must when it comes to creating with clay. There are times when I honestly wonder why anyone would work in an art that has so much outside our control. Since I was trying a new technique, I think my second attempt will actually be better. Practice does make perfect (or at least better). Linda was on the ball. I share her "Seek" with you. You can also read her thoughts on our hand project on her blog.

Here's to making it a great day! And hoping that your new year is going well. 

Treasures from the Past

First, thank you to everyone for the kind words. It has been wonderful to reconnect. I have missed you!

This year is not going as planned. My grandson shared his cold and it hit me hard. I've been battling a nasty cough and congestion for 9 days. Guess I needed to rest. I have worked on the first dress. Dipping the resin, as opposed to brushing it on, was a challenge. I think I am going to need to brush more resin on if I want to add anything to it especially at the top. The dress was too pale so I dyed it with strong tea and turmeric. I do like the way it looks. I am still undecided about adding wings, but not sure that as it is that it is enough so please share your thoughts. This is the medium sized dress/slip. It is 19 inches tall by 14 inches wide.

I was surprised by how many people reached out to me about their family treasures and their struggles. I think this is a great topic for us to explore if you are game. Perry has lots of family lace and wonders what others would do with it. I am sure she would appreciate suggestions as I did not have any. I was also asked if I feel any guilt about how I am using this gift from my mother-in-law and honestly, I don't. I feel gifts should not have strings and my mother-in-law never expressed more than she wanted me to have Carolyn's clothes because she knew I would care about them, which I do. I also feel that having them out in the world if even just on my blog is better than sitting in a drawer. So I look forward to being healthy again and hearing your thoughts. So is it enough? And don't forget thoughts on all of Perry's family lace. Also I would love to hear if you have also transformed a family heirloom/object.