For years I kept journals -- in composition, spiral bound, and French graph paper books. This blog is an attempt to get back to writing and documenting the world around me using photos, newspaper headlines, and other articles.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Vermont Quilt Festival

I hadn't planned on taking a couple of days off work and driving to Vermont to attend VQF.  But Monday after Selim's last day of school, a plan came together that allowed me to go.  I left home on Thursday morning at 4:33am (only 3 minutes past my ETD) and drove west, into the fog.

Fog rising off the lake

Bird flying at sunrise.

I made decent time and arrived at the Vermont Technical College in Williston, VT, with 22 minutes to spare before class.  I had signed up for Amy Garro's classes on Paper Piecing Design.  I had gotten inspired by her trunk show and was pleasantly surprised that there were spaces available in her classes.  The class (in 2 parts, beginning and advanced) was right up my alley.  We used graph paper, pencils and lots of erasers.  I've done a few blocks bases on foundation paper piecing and learning the fundamentals of design was great.  During the class, I made two patterns that I plan on sewing up.  One is based on simple lines technique and the other I made during the 2nd half of the class that was a bit more advanced.

After class I checked into the hotel and took a brief nap.  By 4:30 I was back in the car, this  time heading to Essex Junction and the VQF festival site.  The Opening and Awards Ceremony started at 6:30.  I sat by myself, in a sea of quilters, and absorbed all the chatter.  There were families dressed up in what I would call their Sunday best.  And there were groups of women who came from all over the US to attend the event and sat in packs.  Every now and then there would be someone flying solo like me.

The cutest thing was when the kids who entered quilts in the youth category all went up on stage and collected a goodie bag of fabric.  But then an even bigger surprise, one of the sponsors gave each of the children a sewing machine.  One family had three kids up there.  When they sat back down, the dad had three sewing machines at his feet.  I hope the family car was parked in the closest lot and now way out in the back 40!

I enjoyed listening to the chatter when the names of the ribbon winners were announced.  My friend, Megan, won a blue ribbon for her entry!  As it happened, I ran into her on my way out and was able to congratulate her.

Megan with her rose and ribbon!

I opted not to stay for the champagne and chocolate reception afterwards.  Suddenly, my early start and long drive caught up to me and I needed to get back to the hotel.  The next morning, feeling refreshed, I headed back to see the quilts.  There was a lot to take in.

First up was Megan's quilt, Esfahan.  There were so many people around it, that I couldn't get the whole thing without getting someone's back.  Just imagine that the left hand side isn't cropped out.  I saw this quilt pretty early on in the process, in the summer of 2014, I think.  To see it now in all its glory was amazing.  This is all hand sewn -- thousands of hours of handwork.

Esfahan by Megan Farkas as seen at VQF
Detail


There were others that I liked at well.  A Mosaic Sampler by Nick Williams caught my eye.  May be its because I'm working on a sampler now myself, but there were aspects of this that I found pleasing.  I loved the border.

A Mosaic Sampler by Nick Williams as displayed at VQF

The Peony Reproduction made by Theresa Tiburzi, won the Founder's Award.

The Peony Reproduction by Theresa Tiburzi, VQF


I really enjoyed June Blooms at Shelburne Farms by the Mountain Art Quilters.  The eight-panel group quilt is based on a photograph.  Each member was given a slice of the photo and a specific panel size and from there, could interpret it however they chose.

June Blooms at Shelburne Farmbs by Mountain Art Quilters, displayed at VQF

I love this idea.  It sparked an idea for my project of using my photographs of  London buildings and other architectural motifs and turning them into quilts.  I've struggled with size and form and I think this idea could be the solution I have been looking for.  I wish I had measured the size of the panels.  But I think they might have been around 1 foot wide by 3 feet long?  In my mind, I can see eight separate buildings all in a row, almost like a skyline.  It just might work.

My favorite of the small modern quilts was Urdhva Hastasana (upward salute pose) by Lynne McLandsborough.  I loved the color and since I have seen other work based on this design, I admired the way she played with it.

Urdhva Hastasana by Lynne McLandsborough, shown at VQF

I had seen Twelve Dozen by Timna Tarr as she worked on it and posted photos on social media.  It was so fun to see it in person and really enjoy all those small bits of fabric up close and personal.  Whimsical and made me smile.

Twelve Dozen by Timna Tarr, displayed at VQF

On the right hand side, or maybe it was the back, each instructor had a quilt on display.  These were awesome.  Maybe some year I will sign up on time to take class from Katie Pasquini Masopust.  I have admired her landscapes and then I saw this hanging up:

Pizzicato by Katie Pasquini Masopust, displayed at VQF


Just to be able to think like she does, even for a moment, would be exhilarating.   I think taking a class from her would take me so far outside my comfort zone.  What a stretch it would be!  I loved that each segment got a different quilting treatment.  The whole thing -- fabulous!

Detail

Amy Garro displayed her Icy Waters quilt.

Amy Garro, Icy Waters, displayed at VQF

I'm often drawn to art quilts that are representational, like the fabric interpretation of Monet by Melinda Bula.

Monet in Pasadena by Melinda Bula, displayed at VQF


So I was in for the biggest treat when I went into the other exhibition space and took in the work of Ruth McDowell.  She had 62 quilts on display.  I didn't save enough time in my day to really study them and enjoy.  I walked through the whole exhibit and took notes on the works I wanted to go back and revisit.  Then I went back through and focused on the ones that wowed me and made me feel.

Hobblebush was my favorite, partly due to the color, I'm sure.  I kept walking back to it, circling it like a homing pigeon.

It wasn't too hard to understand why I loved her Sap Buckets.  It brought me back to my childhood and going out in the snow and tapping the trees.  I could hear the pins sounds of the sap hitting the bottoms of the metal buckets.

Electric Chard - looks like plants that grew out of my garden, only prettier.  I didn't need a title to know what she had quilted.

The fabric selection for Reflections was amazing.  You will have to take my word that School of Dories, and A Rash of Flamingoes were just as fabulous as all the others.

After concentrating a second time on the works that I loved the most, I went back to the table where they were selling her books.  My favorite was a landscape book, in French.  I stood next to another woman who was looking at the same book.  "Too bad I don't read French."  I said to her.  "It's in French?  I hadn't noticed!" And we both chuckled.  One of the women behind the table said, "If you go to my web site, you can order the book on demand in English."

It took me a few seconds and clicks of the brain to process that she had said "my" website.  I looked up, gave a quick glance at her name tag and realized that yes, she was indeed, Ruth McDowell!  We had a nice conversation and I expressed my admiration for her work and her use of color and fabric placement.  What a great way to end my first VQF experience.

I left with a couple of important realizations.  Number one is that I could have a quilt in that show next year if I paid attention to deadlines.  My work is as good as some of the quilts on display.  I'm not sure that I would win a ribbon, but my use of color and fabric is as refined as least half of the quilts on display made by regular folks.

The second was that I should pay more attention to classes in my area.  I learned so much in the six hours that I spent in that classroom on Thursday.  I learned a new skill and I'm sure I will be able to put them to use.

The third was that this quilting journey that I have been on now for a while is really important to my overall happiness.  It was a good thing that I used up 16 hours of annual leave to have that 2-day adventure.  I need to find a balance or be able to juggle the things that really are important.  Playing with fabric and color are important to me.

Just as important is expanding my quilting tribe.  I did that this trip.  At the second half of the class on Thursday a woman walked in and I recognized her from the class I took in February.  We talked about our projects since then and she encouraged me to finish my quilt that I started in that class.  And she said I should enter it in a show.  Talk about a confidence boost!  I saw her again on Friday morning and we exchanged contact information.  I have a feeling that I will see her again, at some other quilting venue.

Lastly, I want to learn how to quilt my projects.  I think that is the next step in my development.  I'm working on beginning pattern design and I need to know how to finish off my projects.  I bought a book at one of the vending tables.  And my quilt guild is hosting a quilting teacher in October.  I hope I can be a part of that class.

I can't wait to get back home and attack my projects with new attention and enthusiasm.


Saturday, June 25, 2016

No longer a 5th grader

My how the school year flew!  Hard to believe that he is no longer a 5th grader.  The last month has been a whirlwind of activity.  His class rode the train to Boston and they walked the Freedom Trail.  He came home with a musket ball necklace and an electronic device full of great photos.  I"m grateful for the parents who chaperoned the kids and walked and walked  on such a warm day.

The train on its way from Boston to points north.

Necklace and the view from Bunker Hill Monument.


He finished up Spring soccer with a weekend double header.  First up was a game with Raymond.

Pre-game pose.

Followed on Sunday by a game with Jacob's team.  That was a great game.  It was hard for the parents and grandparents to just root for our own child.  We were happy when "Lefty" scored, although it ended up being the game winner and Selim's team lost.  The boys did well and enjoyed the experience of being on the same field together.

Friend vs. Friend - both played well.


With soccer over, Selim and had a free weekend morning and we went up to Butternut Farm in the early morning and picked strawberries.  We arrived 20 minutes after they opened and got one of the few non-overflow parking spaces left.  In 40 minutes we had picked our fill.  This was the first time Selim out picked me.  He ended up with a tray weighing 8.94 to my 8.70.  He used to take fruit off my tray when he ate more than he saved.  But  I don't think that was the case this time.  I think he flat out won.

"Mom, I think I'm about done here."

We picked in both places.

I should have paid closer attention to my hair before we left.


In the field, it is easy to keep picking.  And then we brought the berries up the stairs, put them on the kitchen island, and wanted to go back to bed.  Instead, I made a tasty smoothie and then took a nap.  Over the next few days I made a couple batches of jam and washed, dried, and sliced the rest and put them in the freezer for use during the winter.

Gorgeous berries.

Now what? Smoothies!

And jam!

Last summer we didn't pick much fruit as we were in the process of packing up the house.  I look forward to blueberry season next month followed by peaches and apples.  I hope the winter was kind to the peach trees.  Last year they lost almost their whole crop.  Here's to a great fruit picking season!

Friday, June 24, 2016

Finding my Tribe

A couple of weekends ago, I drove to Amherst to attend a trunk show with Amy Garro who blogs at 13 spools.  She has also written a book on paper piecing:


The New Hampshire Modern Quilt Guild hosted the event at the Messiah Lutheran Church.  Having left Milford in 2005 and not been back to the area until Selim's soccer tournament over this past Memorial Weekend, it sure was odd to be back on Route 101 in Amherst for the second time in less than a month.  The church was easy to find and had a beautiful, open, calm interior that was a beautiful backdrop for Amy's work.

Here are a couple of pictures, posted with her permission.  I didn't take many of the whole quilt, most are sections, focused on the quilting details.

Love the birds flying in the quilted updraft!

The small squares are the same fabric as the backing.

Bold and inspired by Navajo design.

I like the fabric choices on this one.

Book cover live and in person.

The event was satisfying on so many levels.  Her work is really interesting.  She comes at quilting from a graphic, architecture, as well as artistic background.  She spoke about the process, finding her style, and lessons learned.  Not every quilt is perfect and a finished quilt is better than an unfinished one.  Some she quilts herself and others she requests help from other quilters.  And there is no shame in that.  I loved her approach and the recounting of her journey.

Also, there were women from the Seacoast Guild that I just joined and it was fun to see them there and talk about the quilts after the presentation.  I introduced myself to a woman that I blog stalk and that was fun.  I sat in a room with other women and felt like I had found my tribe.  These are women that I will get to know, hopefully, in the months ahead.  I was happy, energized, and inspired.

I came home ready to write on my experience.   I turned on my computer and checked in on social media first.  And there I saw that Rachel had passed away after a two year battle with cancer.  The wind left my sails and there was no way I could talk about the excitement I felt on finding a new peer group when one of my friends from my original tribe had passed away.  It wasn't unexpected, however, I wasn't ready for it to be real.

But I am so grateful that we had the long conversation in the big house at Sarah's memorial this past February.  I was able to tell her that I was inspired by her courage and the way she navigated all the medical choices and options she faced.  We had a sweet conversation.  Then in May, I spoke with her on the phone as we discussed getting passports and the requirements.  Unfortunately, our paths didn't cross when she came to get her passport, but maybe there is a reason for that.  Anyway, she passed away June 12 in Mexico with her family by her side.  She leaves behind her husband and three school-aged children, extended family, and many, many friends.  She will be missed.