St. Louis

I've packed everything but my toothbrush that I'll need in the morning and then I'm flying to St. Louis for the annual Weavers' Guild show.

I really dislike packing, all the inventory for the show has to come off the hangers and be wrapped in tissue paper, then stuffed into those vacuum travel bags. I have to decide what the weather will be doing, cold, take sweaters and rain coat, boots, and a mixture of casual clothing and for wearing to the show. When I get there I will no doubt be ironing a lot. But it's all worth it when it's over.

The St. Louis guild has always made me feel welcome even though I think they secretly think I'm a little crazy. I've made some friends there and always look forward to this show. If you're in the area you have to come by!

I'll be going to Poplar Bluff for the week after the show to visit my folks and my sister will be there from Ohio too!!

My computer will be with me but not sure how much time I'll have to use it or get a connection. It may be after Nov. 8th before I get a chance to write more.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Fall weather!

The Day After

Yesterday was long and emotional but I have to say I am so glad I went to both services. I had thought the one for Pippin would be a gut wrenching affair but in reality, even though moments of deep sadness and tears sprang forth, the service was so well done and sweet. What a gentle and inquisitive little soul he was. All who spoke were so eloquent and real and painted a picture of this young boy's life and who he was and who he was surrounded by.

At the service for the 21 year old it was so nice to see all his friends there. Most of these young people were my son's friends too and I made sure I gave each and everyone of them a big hug! We all sang along to Bob Marley's "Don't worry 'bout a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be alright"! This was the song his mother sang to him as a lullaby.

It was an extremely contemplative day but I got to end it at a birthday dinner party for a friend that was full of pleasant conversation, meeting some new friends, and having a nice glass of wine.

We have to appreciate everyone in our lives that we value and pay attention!

Uncertainty

Today at 10:00, less than two hours from now, I will be attending a memorial service for a sweet little boy who died at age eleven in a tragic accident. He is the grandson of some dear friends of mine.

"Pippin Seales died at Natural Bridges, a place he loved, shortly after celebrating his eleventh birthday. He and two friends were playing in a cave below the entrance kiosk, when it collapsed. The injured friend is beginning to recover and needs your prayers. It took long, long minutes of frantic excavation to get Pippin out - first with the help of so many people who were nearby, and then by the rescue crew. He could not be resuscitated."

Quotes from those who knew Pippin in his many walks of life:

"so sweet"

"so beautiful"

"guileless"

"the stalwart kid"

"his contribution to our lives

is everlasting"

"so full of wonder and love"

"so kind"

"such a good friend to everyone"

"a bright shining star"

"Every time I saw him,

he opened my heart."


We all the know the cliches "Death is a part of life" "He's moved onto somewhere better" etc. etc., but it still leaves me to wonder why a young boy's life had to end this way, and why this boy? Thoughts that everyone ponders at one time or another and never has an answer for.

After this service I will be attending a second service for a young man, 21 years old, a friend of my oldest son's, who died in a car accident.

I can't believe this will be my day. I don't know how I'll feel. Right now I feel nervous and sad. In the back of my mind humor is trying to surface saying "Geez you sound like that lady in Harold and Maud!"

And what do people wear to these services? Black? I think not these days, but nothing too bright or flowery right? Bottom line is, it doesn't really matter.

I will go to pay respects to the families, to those who survived, and feel badly for them and at the same time grateful that my family is healthy and alive. Does that sound crass? I don't mean for it to. I truly am grateful since any of these accidents could happen to us at any time.

I think I'll close now and take a walk before getting ready for this emotional day.

Albie Smith's class at A&S

I thoroughly enjoyed learning to create paste papers using the techniques that Albie taught. Here are images of the work I did. We had a whole stack of papers to paint but I'm slow and only got a few done. I did get my book board put together and the front painted but not the inside. I can't wait to find time to finish this but it will have to be after Nov. 8th when I get back from St. Louis.

These are the first few small pages I did and I wasn't real happy with them but I had never used this technique before and was learning. I can also go back over them in the future to add more interest.



I painted a couple more small sheets of paper and then moved on to the large ones of which I only got two done.






By blocking out sections of the larger papers you can see how the designs could be used in other formats. Like a collage or a book pages.





This page was my "blotter" page and I quite like it and was surprised that it turned out so cool!




Now to see another persons work from this class go here ! Look how great his work is and how many sheets he got finished!

This is my covered book board.

eBay and Etsy

I'm clearing my studio of past accumulations. I have already given away some of the larger items but I have put some items on eBay that I'm selling very reasonably and I have listed some of my dyed ribbons and fiber/fabric kits that I call "treasure bags" on my Etsy shop. Please take a look and bid if you see something you are interested in!

Home from Art & Soul

Driving through Shasta I snapped pictures as I drove. The guy behind me gave a puzzled look as he passed me, seeing me stick my camera out the window as I went along the highway. On the way home Mount Shasta was dusted with new snow but my camera was packed in the back of the car so I only have these photos of it on the way up.

I was away for ten days and it is always such a wonderful yet intense experience! I went early this year so I could take Albie Smith's class. I haven't taken pictures of my work in her class and will save that for the next post. I drove the 700 miles (two days up and two days home). I took Albie's class on Wed. and Jennifer Campbell's on Thursday evening. I set up for vendor day late Saturday afternoon, after Jennifer and I went exploring the Alberta area of Portland and then onto N. Mississippi. We were informed by the owner of Collage to check out a cool vintage type shop called Flutter. We found the most wonderful deconstructed and recycled garments and jewelry by local artist, Julia Barbee. We each had to have one of her slip dresses! You can see us wearing them at vendor night.





My classes I taught were fabulous. It's always such a challenge to get all the dye equipment I need there and set up but at the end of the day seeing what is created in the classes and meeting all the wonderful people is all worth it. I did not get any photos of classes. I am bad about that so I have nothing to post. If any students are reading this and took pictures please let me know!!

I unloaded my car yesterday but all the boxes and tubs are waiting in my studio for me to unpack them so I'm off to do that now.