Veterans Day 2011

It is once again time take a moment of reflection and thanks for those whose job it is to defend our freedoms.

I will be hanging a portion of the project at City Hall in St Cloud for the month of November, and Veterans Day. You won't eve have to stop in to see it, as it will be visible through the windows in the front entrance.

make art not war

Thanks to Mimi and her vigilant forwarding of interesting emails, I learned of a group that is posting art online about the war . I contacted http://www.10yearsandcounting.org/, and the And Still Counting .... project has been added to the group! Go check it out! There are many creative people remembering.


Working on some details to display the project regionally over the anniversary of 9/11. I'll keep you posted.

Let me know of other possible venue sites, big or small

Piece,
Caron

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!!

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.

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!!!

Indian Summer

I can't believe I forgot my camera, and alas, have no photos to share from the weekend in Fargo. The quilt show was beautiful, as always. The talent of quilters in North Dakota is amazing and diverse. I am proud to have been a part of it.

I shared the story of the project with lots of people, and sent out lots of blocks to be knotted. Thanks to all for your caring and support. The many different "voices" represented in the project add so much to it's meaning.

Oh the Planning and Scheming!

So much is happening or soon to happen!

I'm getting packed to take the project on the road. We're
heading to Fargo for the annual Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference, September 25th, 26th, and 27th. I'll be doing a couple of presentations, and will have lots of blocks available if you want to sit down and make a few knots!

Remember the book? An advance copy of Quilting for Peace will soon be arriving on my doorstep! It outlines 20 amazing community service oriented projects. I am soo excited to have been included in this book by Katherine Bell! I can't wait to see in person! In conjunction with it's October release, there are plans a-plotting for more events.

I'll let you know as things are finalized!

I just got more awesome blocks in the mail this week!! THANKS to everyone who keeps plugging along with me in this big adventure! May the end be soon in sight.

Hodge Podge of Information

* Here is how the garage sale tent worked for the Green Fair and Peace Concert in Litttle Falls. It was a really nice evening of music and earth friendly activities. I spoke with lots of supportive people and sent off lots of blank blocks to be stitched.

* I just received word that there will space for some of the project at the Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference in Fargo at the end of September. Back in my old stomping grounds - Fargo is where I honed my creative and quilting skills.

* I am gathering things to fill a box to send off to Iraqi Bundles of Love. Major Art La Flamme will soon be returning home from his tour of duty. Before he himself leaves, he wants to leave something helpful to the people of Iraq. Check out his site to learn more.

* And, I had almost forgotten about the conversations I had with Katherine Bell. She has written a book, "Quilting for Peace" and it will be coming out in October. Katherine included the And Still Counting project in her book and I am so excited to get my hands on a copy. I have already requested it become a part of the collection in the library where I work! Stay tuned for more events surrounding it's release!

Next Stop Little Falls

Not a lot of warning for you on this one, as I was just able to rearrange things enough to make it all work out.

I'll be taking a portion of the project to Little Falls, Mn. The Fransiscan Sisters are hosting a Green Fair / Peace Concert this Wednesday, August 5. The event will run from 4-8 pm and includes activities for kids and adults. There will even be a recycled fashion show. Swing on by if you're in the neighborhood!

Fourth of July

I'll be hanging a portion of the project on the front of Aunt Annie's Quilt Shop in Avon, MN on the Fourth. There will be all sorts of art things going on around town, including a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion. Come join us!

Oh, My

Awards are given at quilt shows. It is definitely an honor to receive one, but, as anyone who has ever entered a piece in a show knows, the subjectivity of the judges is difficult to predict. The awards that mean the most come from the viewing public. Or, in this case the security guards, who walked miles and miles making sure all was safe and secure.


It was the guard's choice ribbon that I found hanging on the project when I returned to Duluth on Saturday to dismantle the display. I was honored to receive this recognition. And this was before, I took the ribbon down, and read the inscription, "From 2 disabled Iraq war vets, our sincere thanks."

Oh, my.... I got the best award given this weekend. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this project a reality. Oh my... the security guards, who walked miles and miles making sure ALL was safe and secure. Oh, my.

Summer Vacation

Have you started making summer plans yet? Keep Duluth Minnesota in mind for June 13 - June 16. I spoke with the woman in charge of the non-judged quilt display at Minnesota Quilters, and she said she believes I can have an entire alcove at the show in Duluth this summer. That would be 3 - 8' x 8' sections so that should be able to accommodate at least 750 blocks!

There are a couple other venues I'm awaiting word from, so keep making blocks! It would be awesome to have simultaneous (and large) exhibits this spring and summer and fall.

There are so many other things to pay attention to these days, it's easy to forget there's still a war going on.

Forward Motion

I let things here slow down for a while. The summer had been crazy busy, and fall was keeping up the pace, so, I slacked off a bit in keeping you all updated.
A bit of a schedule re-arrangement looks like I might actually have a few dedicated hours each week to find venues, and do more than work on making knots on my lunch breaks
Sitting on my desk waiting for more than a few minutes of my attention are a couple of proposals for large spaces to hang the entire project. The project has continued to grow, and is now just over 1700 blocks! (Last December, when I did that MPR interview, there were only about 350 blocks completed! Some dedicated folks have helped keep me inspired when the size of this undertaking overwhelms me. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks! You are amazing!

Hope

The everlasting cold is finally abating and leaving me with a smidge of extra energy.

Blocks keep coming in from amazing people. Thanks, and thanks, and thanks! There a couple of venues pending. I'll keep ypu informed as they come to fruition. If you have any places you would like to see the project hang, either in part or the entire 1600+ blocks that are now complete, let me know!

In other news, I helped a number of other fiber artists create an Obama quilt this summer. Our most hopeful dream came true this week. Keep an eye out for this quilt at the inauguration! My HOPE blocks is the second from the bottom on the left.

Soapbox

It is election time and there are choices to be made. While I am proud and privileged to be creating this memorial, it is not something I want to do for the rest of my life.

Take a look at this video:

Please vote for the candidate who makes plans for peace, not for war for the next century. I want us to be able to finish this project.

Yes, we can.

Yes, You Can Have A Peaceful Event At The RNC

You won't, however, get any media attention. Well, at least not from any of the main stream media who found their way to Peace Island.
I did do a couple of interviews with people making documentaries. It will be interesting to see what happens with them. And, before I found my gumption to actually be interviewed, Zach did some video of the project as we were getting set up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65sNZYv-tW0

It really looks nice! Thanks Zach!

It was really an awesome day. The police had many streets blocked off, so it was a little difficult in getting there at certain times of the day, but, for those who did make it, It was what every celebration of peace should be. Food, music, kite flying, a bit of civil disobedience, and art with a message.

Many people, after visiting with me about the project, took blocks and needle and thread with them, and sewed while enjoying the music. We got alot accomplished there, and many blocks went home to be finished and mailed in. I love getting blocks in the mail!
What a day!

What a Day!

I am once again on my way out the door, so here are some photos from Peace Island Picnic to look at until I can add commentary.

Practice

Her is one last photo of the 715 blocks that hung at the Whitney Center this summer.

My family helped me do a trial run in setting up for the Peace Island Picnic. We set up the standard from which the panels will hang and figured out how to solve the glitches that arose. Hanging against a wall is so much different than hanging in the gusty breeze! There are a few minor things to change, and I think things will be ready for Thursday. Provided the RNC doesn't abandon St Paul all together. See you Thursday!