Shelving Myself

1. I recently started a part time job at a branch of my local library. I am really enjoying the energy and atmosphere of the library in a whole new way.

1a. Last Saturday, I was interviewed by Katherine Bell. She is writing a book called Quilting for Peace, and will be including the And Still Counting project in her book.

1 + 1 = 2! How cool is it that next spring I will be able to shelve a book that has a bit of me and the project in it?!

A New Installation

A photo of the last bits of the installation process at the Whitney Center in St Cloud, MN. That's my brother Steve on the ladder, Jim the curator, is standing by the flags, and I can't for the life of me remember the name of the man who serenaded our efforts, but he was a fine singer.

We hung 715 blocks. 715 American soldiers, 151,500 Iraqi citizens. 715 out of 3,100, not quite 1/3 of the blocks I'm hoping for. I'm going to need a really big space.

That's A Lot of Blocks

I am working on documenting my quilt inventory. So, I put the 690 blocks that are at my house right now, out on the lawn. That's a lot of blocks.

It's a weird and bittersweet accomplishment. I am glad to have these finished, and usually I have this sense of "look what I made!" It's just different when they represent so much death.

HOPE

I signed up a while back as a Fiber Artist for Obama. We are coming up with possible design ideas for our project. I cannot, for the love of all that is good, make my photo of my idea for a block attach to the group emails. I'm trying here. Cross your fingers.

Memorial Weekend

I'm not so good at writing about all the things that I feel about the war and it's costs and effects on our country and the world. When my words get stuck, I tend to make things. I'm hoping that implementing the creation of a small memorial quilt for each soldier who has died speaks the words I can't find.

So I am hoping that each of us at the very least, spends a little time contemplating war and freedom and liberty and the cost of achieving the lives we are privledged to have. And if you find yourself with a spare moment or two, make some knots on a block to honor those who have given their lives.

Portions of the project will be available to view this weekend at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN, and at the Evansville Art Center in Evansville MN.

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?

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!