I belong to a wonderful supportive group called Arts in the Cards. Being part of this group allows me to experiment while being supported by the wonderful members of the group. This round the theme was opposites.  I've started painting again so I decided to try my hand at painting ATCs. These are based on a poem by Stephanie Kaza of Green Gulch Farm (below).  I also have a favorite rubberstamp by Marsha McCarthy (scroll down to the bottom of the page, it's the last stamp) which has a sun and moon and the first two lines of the poem. I love how things have changed. Now her designs are only on cling stamps while mine is mounted on wood.

 

Since I do love rubberstamps, I also used a rubberstamp to create some texture on the night side. The sun and moon were done with Sakura gelly roll pens. The silver one cooperated so nicely. I actually made nine but somewhere between my studio and my living room I managed to loose two. Good thing I have the seven to mail! Life is good.  Karen

We live by the sun, We feel by the moon, We move by the stars,

We live in all things, All things live in us,

We eat from the earth, We drink from the rain, We breathe of the air,

We live in all things, All things live in us,

We call to each other, We listen to each other, Our hearts deepen with love and compassion,

We live in all things, All things live in us,

We depend on the trees and animals, We depend on the earth, Our minds open with wisdom and insight,

We live in all things, All things live in us,

We dedicated our practice to others, We include all forms of life, We celebrate the joy of living-dying,

We live in all things, All things live in us,

We are full of life, We are full of death, We are grateful for all beings and companions.

President's House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts

The catalog for The President's House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts arrived which was exciting. Carolyn Crump did a great job with the design. Michelle Flamer, the curator, accomplished something amazing with this exhibition. If you are visiting Philadelphia before September 1, please check out this incredible exhibition which can be viewed at three different institutions--Independence Visitors Center, National Constitution Center and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. I am particularly proud of my group Las puntadas del alma/Stitches of the Soul. Their quilts can be seen at the Independence Visitors Center. If you go, please send me photos. Finances simply don't allow me to attend.

Carolyn Crump and I was fortunate to have our quilts selected for the press conference back in March. How cool is that? I am so grateful.

Prayer Flag-Time

I have always loved poetry and Naomi Shihab Nye is one of my favorite poets. I can thank my husband Tom for this as he was the one who gave me a couple of her books as a gift. What I love about Naomi is her poems deal with everyday things. I thought this poem worked well with my fourteenth (still can't believe it has been two weeks) Prayer Flag which deals with time. This time I used paper because the lady on the moon rubberstamp did not work well on paper. It also uses a piece of fabric that I have held on to for a number of years. It's one of those pieces that you always wish you had more. It feels so good to be using up these little bits of treasures and putting good vibes out into the world.

I am also celebrating today that the second round of edits to my book are done! Rejoice!

Walk like a leaf!


The Art of Disappearing. 
by Naomi Shihab Nye 


When they say Don't I know you? say no.
When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.
Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.
If they say we should get together.
say why? It's not that you don't love them any more.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees.
The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished. When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven't seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don't start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.
Walk around feeling like a leaf. Know you could tumble any second. Then decide what to do with your time.

Tea Time

I'll admit to being shocked and pleased that my Tea Time postcard for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative's auction is $70 and there is still time (auction ends 10 p.m. Eastern on the 10th). Please consider visiting and bidding on any of the wonderful quilts and postcards that are available. This is a great nonprofit organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer's by funding research.

Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Auction

Eight members of the  Postmark'd Art group have donated postcards to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative auction. I personally donated 5 postcards and hope that you will support the effort of this incredible nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure by giving grants for research by bidding on either a postcard or a quilt. The auction ends on the 10th. Thanks!

Prayer Flag-Simplify

My journey to simplify my life began many years ago and continues to this day. It really is a journey (process) and not a destination. I am happy to report that it has gotten easier to let things go and be more organized. However, it's been a while since I focused on getting rid of unneeded things so I've decided to spend July letting one thing go a day. This Prayer Flag is in honor of this decision.

Prayer Flag-Be Kind

There is so much impatience these days. We seem to have forgotten each other. I've tried to place myself in the other person's shoes instead of being impatient or judgmental. This is not easy. Today I needed to run into the grocery store to pick up one needed item. No one was at the 10 items or less cash register so I was stuck in a long line for impatient people. The male in the couple in front of me seem particularly aggravated and he was taking it out on his wife. His verbal assault got to the point where I felt I could not hold my tongue. My first inclination was to admonish him then I remembered my promise to myself to "be kind" whenever possible. So instead I choose to say, "I suspect you are having a bad day. It really is frustrating to have to wait." This seemed to distract him from calling his wife names. He seemed to soften. We chatted a while and the line moved forward. I wished them both a great day when they finished and turned to the business of paying when the woman came quickly running back. I almost knocked into her. She quickly thanked me asking, "No one has ever spoken up for me." "How sad," is all I could think at the time. Kindness doesn't take anything to do. Be Kind.