momentum

More blocks from Jane -Thanks!!

It's been a difficult winter to maintain my momentum. But, when I glance over to the side and see the photo of last January, where every block that was completed was hanging at White Bear Lake Unitarian Universalist Church. There were 330 blocks at that time. Now we are just under 2000 completed blocks.

I need help finding suitable venues. You've all been so wonderful to help create this memorial, let's get it out where it can be seen! Can you help me with a little different momentum this time around?

Summer Vacation

Have you started making summer plans yet? Keep Duluth Minnesota in mind for June 13 - June 16. I spoke with the woman in charge of the non-judged quilt display at Minnesota Quilters, and she said she believes I can have an entire alcove at the show in Duluth this summer. That would be 3 - 8' x 8' sections so that should be able to accommodate at least 750 blocks!

There are a couple other venues I'm awaiting word from, so keep making blocks! It would be awesome to have simultaneous (and large) exhibits this spring and summer and fall.

There are so many other things to pay attention to these days, it's easy to forget there's still a war going on.

Forward Motion

I let things here slow down for a while. The summer had been crazy busy, and fall was keeping up the pace, so, I slacked off a bit in keeping you all updated.
A bit of a schedule re-arrangement looks like I might actually have a few dedicated hours each week to find venues, and do more than work on making knots on my lunch breaks
Sitting on my desk waiting for more than a few minutes of my attention are a couple of proposals for large spaces to hang the entire project. The project has continued to grow, and is now just over 1700 blocks! (Last December, when I did that MPR interview, there were only about 350 blocks completed! Some dedicated folks have helped keep me inspired when the size of this undertaking overwhelms me. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks! You are amazing!

Hope

The everlasting cold is finally abating and leaving me with a smidge of extra energy.

Blocks keep coming in from amazing people. Thanks, and thanks, and thanks! There a couple of venues pending. I'll keep ypu informed as they come to fruition. If you have any places you would like to see the project hang, either in part or the entire 1600+ blocks that are now complete, let me know!

In other news, I helped a number of other fiber artists create an Obama quilt this summer. Our most hopeful dream came true this week. Keep an eye out for this quilt at the inauguration! My HOPE blocks is the second from the bottom on the left.

Soapbox

It is election time and there are choices to be made. While I am proud and privileged to be creating this memorial, it is not something I want to do for the rest of my life.

Take a look at this video:

Please vote for the candidate who makes plans for peace, not for war for the next century. I want us to be able to finish this project.

Yes, we can.

Housekeeping

Nothing too glamorous, I've just been thinking about how to attempt to stay organized. I have 2 or 3 folks who are working on plans to exhibit parts of the project in the near future.

I've created an online calendar account at Yahoo. If you are interested in exhibiting, you can check out the availability at Yahoo Calendar. The id is ascexbibits and the password is dates&times. Each listing will show the number of blocks on display that particular day at each venue. Total them up to see how many are available. (I'll have a running tally in the sidebar on the blog.)

Please make sure to send me a comment or e-mail if you add something to the calendar, so we can coordinate delivery and other details and get you talked about in the blog. It is an easy project to hang, and can be customized to fit anywhere. Instructions for hanging will come with the sections you request.

As far as delivery goes, if you know someone coming through St. Cloud, we can try and coordinate a pickup time. Otherwise, I need to ask that the exhibitors pay shipping both ways.

If it works schedule- wise, I will sometimes be available to do a bit of a meet-n-greet, and spend some time showing people how to make french knots and sew on beads. I would need to ask mileage, and, that you buy me a cup for the road home.

if you've made through the end of all this boringness, you will be rewarded with a photo of six more blocks that are now available for display! They just arrived in the post from Carol. THANKS for the pic Carol!!

Yes, You Can Have A Peaceful Event At The RNC

You won't, however, get any media attention. Well, at least not from any of the main stream media who found their way to Peace Island.
I did do a couple of interviews with people making documentaries. It will be interesting to see what happens with them. And, before I found my gumption to actually be interviewed, Zach did some video of the project as we were getting set up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65sNZYv-tW0

It really looks nice! Thanks Zach!

It was really an awesome day. The police had many streets blocked off, so it was a little difficult in getting there at certain times of the day, but, for those who did make it, It was what every celebration of peace should be. Food, music, kite flying, a bit of civil disobedience, and art with a message.

Many people, after visiting with me about the project, took blocks and needle and thread with them, and sewed while enjoying the music. We got alot accomplished there, and many blocks went home to be finished and mailed in. I love getting blocks in the mail!
What a day!