Seperation Anxiety

In addition to making lots and lots of french knots, I've been working on clearing out and finishing up old projects that have accumulated in my studio. I have been grooving on a coffee buzz, and have sewn miles and miles worth of seams this last week.

Things were flying along until about 4:30 this afternoon. It's amazing how a great coffee buzz can so quickly become an anxiety attack. As I was sewing some velcro onto a baby bib, my thread suddenly broke and snapped back into the take up tension. No amount of cajoling would let me free it.
Oh, No. Oh, Nooooo!
I won't be able to sew this evening. I might not be able to sew tomorrow.
Wait, it's only 4:43! I can still get it to the sewing machine emergency room by 5!

Apparently, my emergency isn't necessarily the repair technician's emergency. I explained what happened, and he told me that it shouldn't be a problem to repair, and would be done on Monday. As my face paled, and I stammered, and tried to form a complete sentence, another technician who'd been listening said, " I bet you'd rather have it by Friday wouldn't you?" "Yes, yes, oh, yes! Thank You!" I replied. At least someone understood that a sewing machine is actually a vital organ.

There is a chance that I might clean while my machine is getting fixed. Maybe. Wait, I don't need my machine to make french knots. I'm saved.

Friends In Fargo

Lysa and Tammi counting french knots. This was Tammi's first time making french knots and she completed an entire block!!
This is the big pot of chili I made to keep my Fargo friends sated as we worked on blocks for the project. It was such a fun evening! Friends coming and going, catching up with one another, meeting new people, and enjoying each other's company. Thanks to Tammi for cleaning her house ( it was immaculate!) and being such a flexible hostess!

It was terrific seeing everyone back in Fargo - I miss you all! Who knows? I might just move back.

All In The Family

I've been fortunate to get lots of help with this project from my family. My mom is busy making blocks, and my dad does a terrific french knot! For the last few months, every time I have sat down to draw with my nieces, the 4 year old has drawn some version or another of the block the rest of us have been working on. This is a picture she drew not long ago.

Cool Beans

I spent most of the morning in the studio cutting out fabric for the upcoming playshop/party in Fargo next week. I have enough cut right now to make another 250 blocks! Will cut some batting next. (Thanks Lucille!)

Then the phone rang.

It was a really nice woman from American Public Media. That's public radio man! We talked for 10 or 15 minutes. She will be passing her notes on to the producers of a program called, "The Story". I'll let you know if anything comes of it!

Exciting News

Have you checked out the Sept./Oct. edition of Fiber Arts magazine? There is a photo and a small article about the project there. Welcome to anyone who has found the project through the magazine! I have been getting responses from folks all over and welcome everyone's shared commitment and help. It was kind of surreal to see something that is usually sitting in a place of honor on my living room floor on the pages of a magazine.

More news:
I will be hosting a chili supper/and still counting workshop at my friend Tammi's house in Fargo at the end of the month. I will be back in Fargo for the Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference, where I will be teaching a couple of classes, and hanging out with all of my Fargo friends. If you find yourself in the area, or have been looking for the perfect excuse to visit Fargo (it really is a great little city, and no, I don't work for the chamber of commerce) drop me a note and I'll send you the details.

Thanks for all your help!

C

Long Time No Write

Here's what's been going on.
I've been making and passing out lots of blocks for folks to knot or bead. (If anyone wants to help in making the blocks, I would love it!!) I sent out an e-mail to folks I knew were working on knots and/or beads asking to send in anything you had completed so I could get some photos. A magazine had expressed interest in a possible story. Well, there was some confusion at the P.O. office about the name on my box, so if you sent anything and it got returned, I'm sorry. It has been corrected, and I should be getting things in the box now.

So, about the magazine. I sent in a photo of what I had available, and hoped for the best. I got an e-mail late this week from an editor at fiberarts magazine that the photos were fine and she would send me a copy of the article when it was published!! Not sure when it comes out, but will let you know to keep an eye open for it.

I am going to start working on a little press kit, and would love to include everyone's blocks in the next photos. Please send in anything you have done. The variety and personality of different makers really brings charcter to the overall piece.

Thanks for all you do! C

look for new photos below the comment break

Overwhelming

You haven't heard much from me in a while. I had every intention of being of being a teriific cheerleader for this project when I started. I thought I'd be able to fake my way through those times when I have to stop listening to the news because it's just too much. I get overwhelmed and have to step back for a while. So, I stepped back until I had more positive words to send you.

The project continues to grow, and folks are helping out on it all over the place! It might be getting some local publicity. I was at an arts festival this last weekend working on a block, and one of the other participants asked me about what I was working on. I explained the project and she jumped up and got pen and paper and started taking notes, and asked, "Would it be alright if I shared this with my editor?" Well of course! So we'll see what happens there.

On another note, someone had asked earlier about when to send the completed blocks to the p.o. box. I had said save them up and send them in groups to save on postage. That's still fine with me if it's fine with you, but, I have had to rent a storage place for the project, because as it grew to about 50 pieces, I realized it was the symbolic representation of10,000 deaths. That was too much death to have at my house all the time. And possibly too much for your house too, so feel free to send them in whenever - I would love to see more of them coming in! My plan is to take them from the p.o. to the storage unit and finish putting things together there. I have a few more to pin on and will remember to take a picture for you.

Thankks again for all your help!

Caron