Remembering

Today is for remembering. For those lost far away from home, and this year, sadly, some lost on our own soil. Thanks to Jeanne, a portion of the project is hanging today (through the 20th) at the Douglas County Museum in Alexandria.

Today is the perfect time to spend a minute or two adding some knots to a block to remember those who have died in the Iraq war.

We've passed the 2000 completed blocks point now!! Thanks for all your continued help! Now that we are 2/3rd of the way to the goal of 3100 blocks, it seems reasonable to set a goal for completing the other 1000 blocks by Memorial Day 2010. I have a site where we can hang the entire project lined up. We can do it! I'll be posting some meeting times for folks to gather and work on the project here in central Minnesota. Feel free to organize something where you live. We'll have a big push starting in January. We can do it!

I just finished a batch of base blocks to stitch on. Drop me an email for my address, send me some $ for postage and I'll get some out to you. Or you can follow the tutorial here, or check out the project in Katherine Bell's "Quilting for Peace". It's pretty cool to go to work at the library and see a book I'm a part of circulating!

Indian Summer

I can't believe I forgot my camera, and alas, have no photos to share from the weekend in Fargo. The quilt show was beautiful, as always. The talent of quilters in North Dakota is amazing and diverse. I am proud to have been a part of it.

I shared the story of the project with lots of people, and sent out lots of blocks to be knotted. Thanks to all for your caring and support. The many different "voices" represented in the project add so much to it's meaning.

Oh the Planning and Scheming!

So much is happening or soon to happen!

I'm getting packed to take the project on the road. We're
heading to Fargo for the annual Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference, September 25th, 26th, and 27th. I'll be doing a couple of presentations, and will have lots of blocks available if you want to sit down and make a few knots!

Remember the book? An advance copy of Quilting for Peace will soon be arriving on my doorstep! It outlines 20 amazing community service oriented projects. I am soo excited to have been included in this book by Katherine Bell! I can't wait to see in person! In conjunction with it's October release, there are plans a-plotting for more events.

I'll let you know as things are finalized!

I just got more awesome blocks in the mail this week!! THANKS to everyone who keeps plugging along with me in this big adventure! May the end be soon in sight.

Hodge Podge of Information

* Here is how the garage sale tent worked for the Green Fair and Peace Concert in Litttle Falls. It was a really nice evening of music and earth friendly activities. I spoke with lots of supportive people and sent off lots of blank blocks to be stitched.

* I just received word that there will space for some of the project at the Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference in Fargo at the end of September. Back in my old stomping grounds - Fargo is where I honed my creative and quilting skills.

* I am gathering things to fill a box to send off to Iraqi Bundles of Love. Major Art La Flamme will soon be returning home from his tour of duty. Before he himself leaves, he wants to leave something helpful to the people of Iraq. Check out his site to learn more.

* And, I had almost forgotten about the conversations I had with Katherine Bell. She has written a book, "Quilting for Peace" and it will be coming out in October. Katherine included the And Still Counting project in her book and I am so excited to get my hands on a copy. I have already requested it become a part of the collection in the library where I work! Stay tuned for more events surrounding it's release!

Next Stop Little Falls

Not a lot of warning for you on this one, as I was just able to rearrange things enough to make it all work out.

I'll be taking a portion of the project to Little Falls, Mn. The Fransiscan Sisters are hosting a Green Fair / Peace Concert this Wednesday, August 5. The event will run from 4-8 pm and includes activities for kids and adults. There will even be a recycled fashion show. Swing on by if you're in the neighborhood!

It was, "quite a week" in Lake Wobegone

There was nothing quiet about it. The little Town of Avon, Mn was all bustle and hustle last week in preparation for the 35th anniversary live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion.

On Saturday morning I hung a portion of the memorial project on the front of my friend Lucy's quilt shop, Aunt Annie's silks and quilts. I got a picture just before the street filled in with cars, and the sidewalk filled with musicians entertaining the masses (11,000+) before the show started. I talked to a few folks about the project, and someone even took my picture. What a day!

Fourth of July

I'll be hanging a portion of the project on the front of Aunt Annie's Quilt Shop in Avon, MN on the Fourth. There will be all sorts of art things going on around town, including a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion. Come join us!

Oh, My

Awards are given at quilt shows. It is definitely an honor to receive one, but, as anyone who has ever entered a piece in a show knows, the subjectivity of the judges is difficult to predict. The awards that mean the most come from the viewing public. Or, in this case the security guards, who walked miles and miles making sure all was safe and secure.


It was the guard's choice ribbon that I found hanging on the project when I returned to Duluth on Saturday to dismantle the display. I was honored to receive this recognition. And this was before, I took the ribbon down, and read the inscription, "From 2 disabled Iraq war vets, our sincere thanks."

Oh, my.... I got the best award given this weekend. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this project a reality. Oh my... the security guards, who walked miles and miles making sure ALL was safe and secure. Oh, my.

1,170 / 248,040

Here's what 1,170 blocks looks like hanging at MN Quilters in Duluth.

Photos of the Paramount Exhibit

As promised, here are the photos. A difficult venue to document, as the wall is curved, and pillars prevent a full on shot. It was really a breeze to hang with the help of a coule folks at the Paramount ( whose names have escaped me - sorry - thanks guys!)

The reception for the show is Friday, June 12, 5 - 9pm. I'll be making candy kakbobs, so come on by!

Paramount

I just had a request to display a portion of the project at The Paramount Gallery in downtown St Cloud, and happily obliged. It was a short turnaround, so of course I forgot my camera. Later. I promise.

540 blocks fit perfectly in the space. They will be there until sometime in July, along with the work of other artists who I spent some studio time with a couple weeks ago. We gathered in the studio space of the paramount and spent the weekend working on things for the show. I completed a small piece made from scraps from the "Big Project."

Another venue fast approaches - Minnesota Quilters is in Duluth this year and I will be hanging as much as will fit in a section. This show runs June 11 - 13. What a great road trip that will be!

Oh hey - I have a free day to hang the piece, but am unable to be there to pack it up. My friends Lucy and Mopar will be in town with their booth from the awesome Aunt Annie's Quilts and Silks, and they will bring it home to me. Is anyone going to be in Duluth that Saturday afternoon who could pack it up and deliver it to Lucy? That would be terrific. Let me know.

Photos!

At last.... photos from Atonement.





Huge Thanks to folks who have been helping with more blocks - the pile keeps growing!

It's up!

My mom and my brother and I spent all of last Friday afternoon hanging nearly 1650 blocks at Atonement Lutheran Church in St Cloud Mn. Of course I forgot my camera! Both Friday and Sunday when I went to speak to people during the fellowship time. So when I went to get my camera to take some photos this week, my shutter is stuck. when I get the technical difficulties ironed out, there will be pictures!

Gearing Up

Getting some final details taken care of for a display of the project at my parents' church - Atonement Lutheran,here in ST Cloud. We'll be setting things up Friday, and it will hang there through the next week. Atonement is located at 29th Ave and 12th St N. Services are at 8:00am, 9:00am and 10:30am. I will be hanging out in the fellowship hall between the services if you want to come talk.

oh goodness!

Wow! Look what came in the mail this week!!



Holy cow - Thanks Marcia!!


And you too, Sarah!

Am working on getting a display ready for Atonement Lutheran Church in St Cloud later this month, so these will hang there!

Thanks for your notes of encouragement, and the great mail this week! It helps to keep me going.

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!