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!!

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.

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....

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!

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!

It was, "quite a week" in Lake Wobegone

There was nothing quiet about it. The little Town of Avon, Mn was all bustle and hustle last week in preparation for the 35th anniversary live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion.

On Saturday morning I hung a portion of the memorial project on the front of my friend Lucy's quilt shop, Aunt Annie's silks and quilts. I got a picture just before the street filled in with cars, and the sidewalk filled with musicians entertaining the masses (11,000+) before the show started. I talked to a few folks about the project, and someone even took my picture. What a day!

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.

Paramount

I just had a request to display a portion of the project at The Paramount Gallery in downtown St Cloud, and happily obliged. It was a short turnaround, so of course I forgot my camera. Later. I promise.

540 blocks fit perfectly in the space. They will be there until sometime in July, along with the work of other artists who I spent some studio time with a couple weeks ago. We gathered in the studio space of the paramount and spent the weekend working on things for the show. I completed a small piece made from scraps from the "Big Project."

Another venue fast approaches - Minnesota Quilters is in Duluth this year and I will be hanging as much as will fit in a section. This show runs June 11 - 13. What a great road trip that will be!

Oh hey - I have a free day to hang the piece, but am unable to be there to pack it up. My friends Lucy and Mopar will be in town with their booth from the awesome Aunt Annie's Quilts and Silks, and they will bring it home to me. Is anyone going to be in Duluth that Saturday afternoon who could pack it up and deliver it to Lucy? That would be terrific. Let me know.

It's up!

My mom and my brother and I spent all of last Friday afternoon hanging nearly 1650 blocks at Atonement Lutheran Church in St Cloud Mn. Of course I forgot my camera! Both Friday and Sunday when I went to speak to people during the fellowship time. So when I went to get my camera to take some photos this week, my shutter is stuck. when I get the technical difficulties ironed out, there will be pictures!

Gearing Up

Getting some final details taken care of for a display of the project at my parents' church - Atonement Lutheran,here in ST Cloud. We'll be setting things up Friday, and it will hang there through the next week. Atonement is located at 29th Ave and 12th St N. Services are at 8:00am, 9:00am and 10:30am. I will be hanging out in the fellowship hall between the services if you want to come talk.

oh goodness!

Wow! Look what came in the mail this week!!



Holy cow - Thanks Marcia!!


And you too, Sarah!

Am working on getting a display ready for Atonement Lutheran Church in St Cloud later this month, so these will hang there!

Thanks for your notes of encouragement, and the great mail this week! It helps to keep me going.

momentum

More blocks from Jane -Thanks!!

It's been a difficult winter to maintain my momentum. But, when I glance over to the side and see the photo of last January, where every block that was completed was hanging at White Bear Lake Unitarian Universalist Church. There were 330 blocks at that time. Now we are just under 2000 completed blocks.

I need help finding suitable venues. You've all been so wonderful to help create this memorial, let's get it out where it can be seen! Can you help me with a little different momentum this time around?

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!