Mandala

It's a day for finishing things. I couldn't get any of the usual suspects to pose on this (I think they are waiting for a nice juicy hurk to come on first) to show some scale but it's nearly 4 feet across and has to weigh 15 pounds. (Click on the picture for the full effect) I love this because I can account for each piece of fabric that has gone into it. For instance, that tortoise-shell looking ring halfway from the center used to be a beautiful batik scarf that my sister Kitty gave me years ago. Sorry Kit, it had an unfortunate accident in the laundry - I saved the beaded fringe for another project though! The very dark rings at the outer edges are two pieces that dyed puke-y looking and then over-dyed too fabulous to hack into until now. That hot rose eye? - one of my earliest overdoses of fuschia. I have a show in mind for this one, believe or not! Crocheting this thing has prepared me for a second career as a strangler, but now to rest my weary paws and get busy finishing the Black Duck even though the saintly agenda says I'm supposed to be sewing on sleeves for my "Visions" entries, as yet un-photographed. Yawn. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF ENTRIES - JANUARY 12TH - seems like a lifetime away. At least I've confirmed that I'm still a member.

New Year's Out!

For the first time in about 30 years (we put our heads together to confirm this) Jim and I went out on New Year's Eve. It wouldn't have happened except for the fact that Jim's most favorite band, Poco, was playing at a local eatery. The cover charge was steep which guaranteed a house full of real fans and music lovers. I told my Dad over the phone that "The Swallow at the Hollow" is the kind of place where it's OK to eat with your hands - they boast the best BBQ anywhere, anytime. Neither of us are huge barbecue fans but we were there for the music and a great time was had by all.

Slow Art

I'm thinking I need to stop mentally building twenty foot square canvases, slapping paint on my bare body and flinging myself full tilt boogie at said canvases. Them days are truly over. I think this crocheting fest is a sign. For the New Year, some Slow Art. Slow for me anyhow.

remember those scraps from yesterday?

I've been busy. I was going to take a look around the web for input on log cabin blocks but decided against it. I shoulda looked. Should learned what it was all about. Each block is 9"square-ish. I did make one years ago but the fabric was all plaids from Bonnie Doon blouses - who could tell which end was up? I sure couldn't. And now this. I got up this morning, finished off the last blocks while listening to Charles Osgood guide us through some good and thoughtful news including a wonderful article on the English painter J.M.W. Turner and the fact the Blue Iris will be the Color to be in 2008. Then I came downstairs to see what the internet had to offer. Checking Bloglines to see who had updated recently, I was delighted to see that Dijanne Cevaal had something new to offer. It never ceases to amaze me how we seem to tune in to the same things. I like hers better but "I ran out of orange and red" seems a lame excuse. Maybe some checkerboard sashing? Maybe some ketchup and glitter? Jude - I have to take a serious lesson from you. "SLOW DOWN & CONSIDER" would put it gently. I rushed this one into pell mell hell so far. I was knee deep in scraps when I remembered what I really wanted to do was a move on your little windows which will remain on my mental drawing board.

what I'm working on

There are a few good shepherds on the QuiltArt mail list who, when the topics wander too often into dangerous or irrelevant territory, will ask the very pertinent question "What are you working on" art-quilt-wise?" This time,when the bell was rung, I drew a blank. Colin got me a copy of "Art & Fear " for Christmas and I started to keep my promise to self to make time for holding a book in my hands and taking the content in through my eyes and into my brain. Good Old Fashioned reading. No sooner did I start the second chapter than I needed to put the book down and start assembling UFOs to be discorporated as ingredients for a functional, to be snuggled under, bed quilt. Much of the impetus for this project has come from Jude Hill's "Listen to the River" story. Really, it's where all my current work got started years ago. Making something useful out of drek. Making something to be beloved and long lasting. Making something that matters for someone who matters to me. Not a bad way to start the new year.