Almost....

We are nearly there! I had set a goal to complete 3100 blocks-the number of American military deaths at the onset of this undertaking. I need about 100 more blocks to finish my tour of duty.

If you're cleaning the house and decorating for the holidays and come across a stash of blocks - finished or not, send them in!! My focus for 2011 will be finding venues, and maybe someone to sponsor the exhibit permanently. Any ideas on those fronts are welcome.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the construction and installation of the project as it has grown these past few years. This project has totally overwhelmed me at times, and I couldn't have slogged through without your help and encouragement.

Thanks,

Piece,

Caron Lage

Send blocks to me here:

118 20th Ave N

St Cloud MN 56303

Catching Up

I have been gone for a while.

There's a sequence to this displaying of the project.

Work maniacally to get everything ready to go ahead of time, so hanging 2,500+ pieces "seems" relatively easy.

Hang out at the event - meet really great people, have meaningful conversations about big topics, learn new skills - the Fiber Arts Festival was awesome! A huge THANKS to everyone I met and talked to there, and who helped make a few more blocks to add to the memorial.

Recover. The theme of this project is one of profound loss and sadness. I'm always amazed at how depleted I feel after hanging the project, and then again after visiting with people. It's always a really good thing to hear peoples stories and reactions, but, sometimes it's a while before I bounce back.

Thanks to Debi form the Nordic Needle for including ASC in the most recent newsletter. A whole new group of blocks will be arriving from their subscribers -Thanks!! That jolt of enthusiasm was just what I needed.

*****

I have spent some time this summer preparing for a couple of art shows - not ASC , but my "other" art. If you're going to be in Central Minnesota this fall, look for me and my work at

Lost Lake Design , Sept 11 &12, and I will part of a group show at the Whitby Gallery at The College of St Benedict. Opening reception will be on Sept 12 @ 2:00pm, and the show runs through Oct 24th. I will also have a few pieces at the Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference in Fargo Sept 24, 25, 26th. Whew!

**Oh Hey - If anyone got any photos of the project at Bonanzaville, will you share them? My camera was a no go that weekend. Thanks!

****One more thing.....

There are still many more blocks to be completed. I never thought this when I started - it seemed as thought this war would go in perpetuity, but there may actually be an "end " in sight.

I had stated that the 3,100 of the original goal was completed - that would be my "tour of duty" in an ongoing situation. But, with enough help from y'all, if indeed we get a final number , maybe I'll finish what I started. I would NEED HELP!!

Heading West

Taking down 500+ blocks from the Paramount tomorrow, and then getting my ducks in rows to take the project to the Fiber Arts Festival in West Fargo ND this weekend. I have to borrow my brother's truck, as there is far too much to fit in my car!

I will hang as much as is completed (hoping to garner enough help to complete a few more while I'm there!) and, there might be a little EARLY morning television coverage. Come visit if you're near North Dakota!

Oh, yeah, it made the television too!!

Thanks to Deb who spread word about the Memorial weekend display to Mary Costello at Fox9 News in Minneapolis, the And Still Counting project was covered on the Sunday edition of the news!! As Deb says "WOOT!!"

link to the newspaper article

The project made the front page of the local section of the St Cloud Times!! Thanks TaLeiza for getting this story out! And thanks Dave for the picture - I was curious to see what angle would make the cut - it was impossible to get the entire project in a shot.

Memorial Weekend Display

2616 blocks hanging at the Waite Park Library 253 N 5th.

Time Flies!

We got the go ahead to hang the project over the Memorial Day weekend on the fence at the Library where I work!! I want to be able to hang as many blocks as possible that weekend, so if you've been procrastinating, get going!

I have been sewing sleeves on blocks like crazy and have lost track at this moment of just how many completed blocks there are in my living room right now - somewhere around 2500!

A venue has been secured for the project to hang at one of the banquet dinners during Minnesota Quilters in June, and, it will be traveling to West Fargo for the Fiber Arts Festival in July! We may even get some tv coverage....

sticks!!!

Some of my awesome patrons/friends at the library where I work made me a whole bunch of sticks! I took delivery of 70 some sticks this afternoon, and have received blocks in the mail and from family and friends, and even people I don't know from the internet this week. THANKS!!!!

Things are still up in the air about displaying the project on the fence at my library. If that doesn't work out, something else will.... I have a plan......

7 years

As crappy as the economy might be, as difficult as our day to day lives are, compare your life with life of the family who has lost a loved one in the war, or the life of an Iraqi citizen.

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. 3 years since I started the project. Make a block, make some knots - do something to remember.

I have to admit....

....that I am not the most technically proficient person. I am stubborn, and keep trying to figure things out on my own. My computer has become fit for the legally blind... the font is so large I cannot find all the shortcuts to my dashboard to be able to add another post. It's a breakthrough day - I am still unable to make the font reduce, but I did find my dashboard. I apologize for being so inept.

We keep plugging along. I've been getting blocks and sleeves(!!!! Thanks DEB!!!!) every week. THANKS - and keep 'em coming! This project gains so much more meaning the more hands that are involved. All it really takes is a little time, and maybe some $ for postage. I am always so honored by those of you who have taken the time to help, and to remember those who have given ALL on our behalf.

I have been busy sewing sleeves on and spent an afternoon last week at Aunt Annie's attaching newly sleeved blocks to existing blocks. I got through 400!! Total - not 400 with sleeves - yet...

I've sent out a few more proposals to hang the project, so cross your fingers.

Roger has started a facebook page for us - my everlasting gratitude to him!!!

Upsala and Some Catch-up

When "Quilting for Peace" came out this last fall, the library where I work put out a little blurb and a link on our staff daily news page. The awesome Wanda who manages the Upsala branch contacted me and asked me to hang a portion of the project in their library. Thanks Wanda!!

It was last week already that I went and installed 435 blocks, suspending them from the ceiling. They have a beautiful mural on the wall and the project looks really nice with it. It will be there through the end of the month - stop by!

I keep getting completed blocks!! You have no idea how happy I get at the thought of having this completed and ready to be viewed en masse. Keep 'em coming! I am aiming to be done by Memorial Day, and there is still lots to do.

I may have arm twisted someone into helping with PR. I know you recognize that as my not strongest skill as I am woefully behind on posting and organizing photos etc, etc, etc....

Any place you'd like to see the project hang? Let me know!!

Oh, we didn't have an artist for February at my library, so I also hung 496 blocks at my library! You can stop by Waite Park on your way home from Upsala!

WOW!!!!

I got the best new year greeting Friday morning.

I walked into Aunt Annie's quilt shop, right into a box FULL of base blocks! 550 blocks ready to be knotted! OMG! Anne H - this is a dream come true! More than half of what is needed to finish this project by Memorial day. I can' stop saying, "Wow!"

THANKS ANNE!!!

We're really gonna get this done! Let me know how many blocks you need!