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....

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!!!

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!

1,170 / 248,040

Here's what 1,170 blocks looks like hanging at MN Quilters in Duluth.

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!

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!

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!

Saying it All

I received an email today from someone who kindly made a block for the project. She summed things up so well, "This was a thoughtful and meditative activity - every French knot I made hurt."

This project can feel like that a lot of the time. I have to focus on the calming and meditativeness of the stitches or the beads and hope that it will send it's calm and peaceful intent where it is most needed.

Thanks to all who are helping to remember those who have given so much.





Look! More base blocks from Annie!! Let me know how many you want!

THANKS! to Jean for the financial booster shot! RNC, here we come!

Keepin' On Keepin' On

My, how summer seems to be flying by. The RNC will be here before you know it!

We are a go for the Peace Island Picnic, and there is a possibility of a retail space in downtown St Paul for that week. (Sept 1 -6) Hopefully we can get the space donated. If we find something with great visibility, and some cost, I may come begging. You've been warned.

Here are some of the behind the scenes stuff I've been keeping busy with.

Because I can't be "all project, all the time," a preview of a new quilt pattern I'm writing.

bucket o' backs

Six inch squares of batting scraps.

These are the sleeves that get sewn onto the back of the top row of blocks in the 5 x 6 sections.
The "spaghetti straps" I came up with to link one section with another when hanging. Each section of 30 blocks hangs from a stick that loops through the sleeves sewn across the top row. The "spaghetti straps" hang from stick to stick in the back and keep the weight distributed across the sticks, and not the blocks.

Piles of completed blocks waiting to be pinned together.

Base blocks ready for knots/ beads - see the two big stacks of blue blocks in the back? THANKS ANNIE! 100 blocks and she's making more. Now you have no excuse to not participate - there are plenty of blocks already made!

I tried to make a video tutorial about french knots, but am having trouble making it load. We'll see.

What A Week!

Check it out! Here's a link to the press coverage in the Echo Press from Alexandria Minnesota. (I can't make the link work today, will edit this tomorrow at the library. You'll just have to trust me that we got some press.)

and....THANKS!!!

Every single day this week has brought me something else for the project. Safety pins!! Fabric! Competed blocks!! Batting! Thread! I can't thank you enough for all of your kind help with this. Some things have come in groups, and I am not certain I have everyone's name listed in the sidebar thanks section. Drop me a note if I have missed your name. I want to make sure you're thanked!

Front Page News

So things are rolling along. We are well over 1000 blocks completed, and a few kind folks have graciously donated nearly all the safety pins we'll need, as well as purple beads. THANKS!! Oh my gosh THANKS!

I met with Coleen and Ross Rowley last week and will be joining them at their event at the Republican National Convention. Check out some of there plans here. I am so excited to have the project be seen by policy makers. It is important they be reminded that we do keep tab on the decisions they make on our behalf.

No meeting for coffee this weekend. Spend some time with your mom!