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!

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.

1170!!

You read that right! There are currently 1170 blocks completed! Thanks! Take a deep breath and let's keep going. I have a couple more irons in the fire about future venues. Let me know if you have any places you'd like to see it hang.

I am looking for someone who is driving from Fargo/Moorhead to the Twin Cities and would be willing to play courier for the sections of the project that are currently hanging at the Hjemkomst Center. I need them for our next installation at the Whitney Center here in St Cloud the first week of June. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?