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!

Getting Seen

It's always difficult to temper my enthusiasm about progress of the project with the gravity of the subject matter. Something feels a little off when I get excited about things.

But it's a good thing that more and more blocks get completed and seen. So on that note, I have secured a space for it to hang June, July and August! It will be at the Whitney Center in St Cloud. We should be well over 1000 blocks then as I have 960 right now. Plus, I may have found a venue for the Republican National Convention.

Keep on knotting, and beading, and sending me safety pins. Has anyone picked up on the hints about safety pins? oh, Joann's has solids on sale hint, hint nudge, nudge, know what I mean?

I Have No Idea

Apologies to anyone who may have shown up at Mississippi Bean & Tea to find no one sewing.
I have no idea what went wrong with my intestines yesterday afternoon, but, they were not to be ignored. I had to leave shortly after I got there. Which was late anyway, because it's that transitory time of year. You know when you no longer keep your keys in your coat pocket, 'cause you're no longer wearing a coat, and you can't for the life of you figure out where you put them down. So I begged a ride from my sister in law. Then 10 minutes later called my mom to come get me. You know it's bad when you call your mom. Thanks mom!!

I still can't find my keys. I may actually have to participate in that spring cleaning nonsense.

Next Sunday I will be at the earth day celebration at Great River Arts in downtown Little Falls with the project. Come visit us there!!

900+ !!!

Hey- we're making progress! I have just over 900 blocks completed with your help.

Keep plugging away and sending me blocks. And no excuses like, "I can't sew on a button." To sew on a bead, is one stitch up, and one stitch down. Granted, that's over and over, and over. Then you spin that technique and use the fancy term, "mastery learning" by the time you've completed a couple of blocks, you'll be able to sew on a button! Another bullet point on the resume of life!

If you still refuse to pick up a needle and thread you can help by purchasing some size #1 safety pins, and purple "E" beads. Right now I have 3 sections of 30 blocks each ready to pin together, but I am fresh out of pins and running low on beads. HELP!! I won't turn down other supplies either, but pins and purple beads are the top priority right now.

I am working the details to hang the project in another venue. I am hoping all 1000 (because by the time it hangs you'll have sent me at least 100 more blocks and the pins and the beads) will fit in this space. I'll let you know.

At Last

Here is a photo of the portion of the project that is currently hanging at the LOFT Gallery in downtown St Cloud. This show is a group display with other artists from the Avon Area Arts. A new local group that has started up. Check it out at 819 St Germain. (That's the downtown version of St Germain- it's interesting to note that there are 4- yes, 4 different streets with the same name in St Cloud. Two of them are only a couple blocks apart from each other, and the other 2 are on the other side of town, not really near each other. I like to joke that city planning meetings are actually keggers. I don't know how else to explain 4 distinct streets with the same
name without accusing someone of being drunk.)

I hope everyone has been diligently knotting and beading and stitching. Perhaps someday we'll be caught up, and it will only take a few of us getting together once a month to record the most current deaths. Or, maybe it will all end peacefully, and I can be done with this BIG project. That's the one I'm hoping for. Thank you to everyone who is helping to complete this. Your response and dedication keep me going when I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the enormity of everything.

If you find yourself in the St Cloud area on a Sunday afternoon, Stop in at Mississippi Bean and Tea at 819 St Germain. (Yes, in the same building as the gallery) I am going to be setting up a little stitching get together from 2-4 in the afternoons. I will bring blank blocks, thread, needles, & beads. You can bring along yourself and maybe another friend to help stitch knots, or beads while we enjoy each other's company. We will do this every Sunday, unless I have something else come up. Then I will make a note here. But if we get a nice group going, you won't even need me every single Sunday. I'm excited for the progress we've made recently, and it makes me want to maintain that momentum.

Catching Up

Life got a little overwhelming for a while, but, things are almost back to manageable.

We are making progress! Remember back in January when I hung the 330 blocks that were completed then? Now there are 330 hanging in The Hjemkomst Center, 360 blocks hanging at the Loft in downtown St Cloud, and I have another 100 finished blocks courtesy of Anne, Bob and Eileen . THANKS!! Sarah sent me a note saying she has another 70 blocks ready for knots!! We are going to pass the 1000 completed block mark soon.

I would love to know how many blocks you have in progress and might be sending in soon. And if you feel the need to send in some #1 safety pins, and size E purple beads, I will do a happy dance!!

My pc and I have been arguing about posting photos this week. I'm going with the tomorrow is another day theory. Check back for images from both the Hjemkomst Center and the loft soon.

Out and About

I spoke with two groups about the project this week. One a contemporary quilting group in Lakes Country Minnesota, and another small symposium group on compassion up in the Fargo / Moorhead area. Hi to all who kindly let me ramble on!! It's really energizing to meet folks who are excited to join in.

I hung some more panels at the Heritage Hjemkost Interpretive Center in Moorhead. Of course I left my camera in St Cloud. I will do some scrambling this afternoon and get some photos up soon.

I am putting some more panels together to hang at a gallery in St Cloud this weekend. I'm almost out of brass safety pins, so if anyone has any they would like to donate to a good cause let me know!!