Almost....

We are nearly there! I had set a goal to complete 3100 blocks-the number of American military deaths at the onset of this undertaking. I need about 100 more blocks to finish my tour of duty.

If you're cleaning the house and decorating for the holidays and come across a stash of blocks - finished or not, send them in!! My focus for 2011 will be finding venues, and maybe someone to sponsor the exhibit permanently. Any ideas on those fronts are welcome.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the construction and installation of the project as it has grown these past few years. This project has totally overwhelmed me at times, and I couldn't have slogged through without your help and encouragement.

Thanks,

Piece,

Caron Lage

Send blocks to me here:

118 20th Ave N

St Cloud MN 56303

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!!

Heading West

Taking down 500+ blocks from the Paramount tomorrow, and then getting my ducks in rows to take the project to the Fiber Arts Festival in West Fargo ND this weekend. I have to borrow my brother's truck, as there is far too much to fit in my car!

I will hang as much as is completed (hoping to garner enough help to complete a few more while I'm there!) and, there might be a little EARLY morning television coverage. Come visit if you're near North Dakota!

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.

Memorial Weekend Display

2616 blocks hanging at the Waite Park Library 253 N 5th.

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....