Catch Up Time!

Woah - a whole week of sick kids, then a whole week off school with a sick mama.  I haven't been at the computer at all, but I have been stitching in between sleeps, tea, and hot baths.  I *think* I'm done the old corn field.  I expect that matting it will add that perfect look.  Want to see?

Old Cornfield, 2015  8"x20" / 20cmx50cm

This is number 4 of 12 that I'm creating thanks to a grant with the Saskatchewan Arts Board.  There is baby blue in the puddles but my camera appears to not see it well.  I also have lumps and bumps stitched in with other yarns, and some beads and rocks too.

detail of work in progress

I'm still on the watch for Stitch magazine to arrive in our city's bookstores from the UK.  I was assured it't coming but is very late due to weather.  In the mean time, I got this.  A Needle Pulling Thread (Canada) winter 14/15.  My goodness, goodness... I love how Carla colour themes her issues.  This one is indeed STUNNING.  There's the prettiest tea cosy ever, and an absolutely gorgeous winter cape.  I wish I could make everything in there.

hot off the press

The back pages have a regular column titled, 'In the Loop'.  Look!  There was coverage of the Focus on Fibre Arts Association show.  That is wonderful to see!  : )

'In the Loop' - A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine

Two pieces on those pages are here in Saskatoon as part of the Our Prairie in Fibre show - Judy Weiss' Mosquito Country (middle right edge), and Leah Gravells'  Canola Fields (upper left corner).  Can you believe that it is coming to an end?  I wish I wasn't so sick.  I want to go spend more time in that room.  I want to run my fingers through the yellow frayed fabric of Heather Lair's torn strip landscape, The Ice that Hid the Sky.  (No no, not allowed of course... I'm just sayin'!)  I want to run my fingertips over those thousands of hand stitches in Arlee Barr's Winter Prairie.  I want to squish my hands into all of the hooked rug art - I'll have to get one of Jean Ottosen's Prairie Sky pieces sooner or later.  It really takes a lot of restraint to be an admirer of fibre art.  So for those of you who are just that, kudos to you!  Though, (haha) I wonder what happens after you purchase a piece and take it home.

Okay - the last of the news:  Saturday, Febraury 21st.  That is it.  That's the last day to see the exhibition.  It's a bit sad, but I feel so fulfilled by the whole event.  The show really took on a life of it's own, and so many new opportunities were made because of it.  Did I tell you?  One depiction of a piece in the show that was drawn & coloured by a kindergarten boy was loved so much by the fibre artist who made the piece, that she plans to display his rendition alongside her art in an upcoming exhibition in Regina.  WOW.

And the tears during the curator's talk were so humbling.  Leona Larson's passionate endorsement of the show that night still has me tearing up.

It's wonderful how your homeland can heal you and ground you..  While at a school, I noticed one of the staff having a rough moment after a phone call.  I walked into her office (uninvited) and held up a student's colourful prairie fabric art.  She exhaled all that stress she was holding in, her shoulders dropped, and she said, "Thank you.  I needed that."  And then she breathed in and said, "Wow.  That really is beautiful."

The stories that have come out of this curated show are unending.  In retrospect, this has been the BEST part about curating.  I witnessed people feeling deeply, expressing, discovering, connecting, and carrying their inspiration forward into the community as a result of the collection of art in that room.  It's been an absolute gift (and extremely difficult to put into words).

Home for the Holidays

They're home!  Back in my arms... and looking lovely on those purple walls I might add!

Where Sunlight Falls, 2014 (2nd place award... it's my favourite)

All three pieces from the Prairies show were returned safely by mail to me today.  My kids came downstairs with boxes - For you mom!  For you mom!  For you mom!  ; )  Awesome.  Everything was frozen cold, but in perfect condition.  That was surprising for how much this show traveled.  I am very appreciative to the organizers for taking such good care.  I always seem to get things back from other events with some wear & tear or matting that needs to be replaced from people's hands.  That's never fun.  But this time?  Awesome. 

Also, in one box was this

To whomever made the front of this one, thank you also for all those beautiful hand stitching!  I love that the awards were fibre art as well.  That is really wonderful.

the new one on the right - Viewer's Choice

For now, these ribbons are up on my design wall.  I need to definitely do something special with them.  They are home for the holidays.  Just in time - our celebration is Sunday.  We will having out turkey dinner and then opening gifts right after to celebrate the Solstice.  The next morning, we have plans to head out to enjoy the first sunrise of the season, and celebrate that the daylight hours grow longer.  Did you know I've been photographing the winter solstice sunrise for almost 20 years now?  I love the tradition.  Thank goodness this winter has been so mild.

The last but not least thing I got in the mail was this.

I didn't join her latest swap.  I felt I didn't have time to complete cards for it in time.  She still sent me one!  Brandy, that is SO sweet.

I should mention that when I had the draw for the digital subscriptions to Quilter's Connection Magazine a couple weeks ago, one of the winners chosen was not linked to an email.  Try as I might, I cannot find contact information and they haven't replied from when I announced their name on the winning post.  SO.  Here's your chance...  without announcing another giveaway, go ahead and leave a comment if you are interested in a digital subscription.  To enter, tell me what your favourite holiday food is.  Mine is cranberry sauce.  mmmmmmmm  I'll pick a winner by Sunday morning.

Have a great day,

Things I Love Thursday

Today, it's not things I love... but rather, folks I love.  I love viewers!  I am so grateful to all those who have been following my blog / Facebook / Flickr pages, my work, classes & exhibitions...  THANK YOU.  So, now guess what!?  I was just informed last night that A Prairie City was awarded yet another ribbon - this time for Viewer's Choice.

This, along with three other pieces of mine were juried into the Focus on Fibre Art Association's 'Prairie' competition which is touring a variety of venues in Alberta, Canada.  That was exciting enough!  When it started in May, we headed off to the reception in Edmonton where I ended up with a second place (Where Sunlight Falls), first place (A Prairie City), and a Best in Category award (A Prairie City).  I was so overwhelmed!  Gee, I had no idea there was a viewer's choice ballot as well.

So to those of you who headed out to see the show - thank you!  And thank you so much for all the votes.  I can't wait for that ribbon to arrive in the mail.  This is pretty special.  Who'd have known!?

also juried in - June Grasses

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH XO  I am so proud to be a part of this beautiful exhibition.  : )