It started out as chaos, but the last minute projects are being accomplished. We’re actually doing great considering all the hands to help.
Pre-Wedding Peek
Back and Forward
This has been an exciting week back, well five days. It’s always good to get home from a trip, nest with my stuff, rearrange and revisit projects and possibilities.
We did the usual re-hanging of quilts, in new spots, and sorting of fabrics, promotional discounting, cutting, stitching, teaching, greeting of customers – lots of newbies this week ( we love that our network continues to expand .)
(Breath)
Our plans for helping the Chinese Orphanages grows exponentially. A quiet mention of the idea has more individuals and an entire class of young volunteers committing to the project. Here is an excerpt of an email I received from PL upon returning with her new baby.
“…the SWI director decided to hang (the quilt I sent with P) on the wall, so all the
children could see and touch it. It is currently the only source of
visual and tactile stimulation for these kids, which is so needed…The
orphanage walls are bare, but this quilt brightens up the area. You
know, Roxanne, you handed me the quilt, which was one of the many
beautiful ones you have, as a gesture of generosity. I don’t think
either one of us could have ever imagined the magnitude of its worth to
these people. Just amazing. You made a lot of people happy!”
This is a hard act to follow, but we also received a generous donation of fabric and a sewing machine which will go to Community Service Club of New Fairfield, Healing Hands Quilters. I think the end of summer is a call to organize our lives for the coming season. These gifts were from two separate sources, both this week.
Finally, as the Quilter’s Alley was closing for one of our few remaining 2-day weekends ( we reopen on Sunday from 11-3 after Labor Day), we were graced with a visit from Sheila Hicks, weaver (and her friend, Joyce). I recognized her as someone who had been to our shop a few months earlier by her enormous smile. Her smile is like a hug that laps you into her energy. Never has anyone complimented my needle selection with such joy. It is so precious to be around people who revel in such simple beauty. From a case in her purse, like treasures, she pulled out the scissor I sold her last time and a graceful latch-hook tool that she uses to pull threads through the weaving ends. As the interaction unfolded, we were on the metallic threads, ribbons and anything I might have for her minature weavings, Paris studio (?) website? Before long, we circled Stu’s computer screen to see the amazing work she has produced over the last 40 years, all over the world. Wow! I feel so lucky!
Lost and Found
This week, I spent my third sewing session with an amazing woman. Each week, as we cut and sew, we talk and Patricia has opened up a whole new world to me. We’ve been working on preparing a 100 wishes quilt for her new daughter who she will meet next week in China. She and her husband are “scrambling to get things in order” before they leave on Monday. (they are there!) Ruby is about six months old – most of her life spent in the Social Welfare Institute of Yugan County, Jianxi Province. -most of her life spent beside her twin, Raven. But Chinese orphan girls are excluded from proper medical care and Raven died of a septic infection because of a lack of antibiotics and the warmth of a proper environment.
I’ve learned so much about the situation in our three visits. In 1979, China established a One-Child Policy to suppress the population. Only wealthy citizens can afford to pay the fines levied for the privilege of keeping a second or third child. Couples in rural communities abandon newborn daughters or male and female children with birth defects and “special needs” in “finding places.” – places that ensure the infants are found, brought to the appropriate authorities and to an orphanage.
I learned that it is the babies and elderly, connected sectors of China’s Social Welfare Institute, that endure conditions not suitable for these fragile beings. Most have no heat, some being in the coldest parts of China. Layers of clothing are relied upon to insulate but not adequately against the weakening effects of disease. A blanket is a luxury. A blanket of one’s own a rarity.
I have become connected to this situation, like often happens serendipitously at the shop. Our open door invites opportunities for new experiences and knowledge. So, happily and unexpectedly , Patricia and I have decided to combine our efforts and those of the people we ask, to bring quilts to the orphanages of China. We have been graciously embraced by everyone we have approached to date. Resources for the possibilities unfold with every conversation.
We are looking for sewists, quilters and other facilitators to begin our venture in bringing warmth and love to this very necessary situation in an unprecedented way. It is a daunting task, but we can make a difference, one quilt at a time. Please contact us if you can help.
Patricia finished the top of Ruby’s quilt before her trip. She will wrap Ruby in it as they commemorate Raven in a blessing at the temple.
Two Weekends (and the week between)
When I’m busy entertaining and working, working and entertaining, blog posts go on hold for a bit. The photos stay in the camera a bit longer than usual, but the camera is always present (someone’s).
Without further delay, here are Ally and her friends who visited the last weekend of April.
They even sent a “thank you” note. What manners!
and the guy.
I wish I had a shot of the assembly-line t-shirt quilt making.
Later that day…Justine finished her quilt.
Then, during the week…
Then this past weekend, the Northern Star Quilt Guild Show…
We sold lots of WonderFil Thread
Lots of Cherrywood Hand Dyes
A couple of Husqvarna VIKINGS
A friendly vendor barbecue (Jim’s camera) The ribs were prepared on Friday night to save time. On Saturday, some of the guests arrived before we did.
We were all very hungry.
Youtube …finally and more to come
Inspired by the Sea
I’ve been home for two days now, but still go to bed early and wake up earlier than I did before I went on Israeli time. I have bunches to catch up on at
The Quilters Alley and lots to report from the other side of the world, as well. It’s good to be getting up early.
I went all over the city of Tel Aviv, mostly on foot, and saw many interesting things. The colors are especially intriguing to me and so for this round of colorful vintage objects, I’ve chosen turquoise, with a smattering of green, because orange is still the most popular color in recycled objects.
First, my inspiration:
I look forward to sharing more of my beautiful trip in upcoming posts! Enjoy!
Where am I?
I know where, but some of my loyal followers are probably wondering where I’ve been. That’s because I’ve been spending (too brief) time with my Israeli daughter,( and my New England daughter, ) learning a new language, quilting, entertaining textile dignitaries, sewing, flea marketing and resizing all the photographs that document these activities. Not time to post until now.
We’re excited that crisp autumn air is bringing people to their sewing senses and creativity is again in season. The recently added fabrics are getting fabulous feedback and, with that, selling well. The students are flocking for pillow and drawstring bag projects and we’re please to be collaborating for another year with the Ridgefield Consumer Science departments.
With Sundays off this summer, we have taken to making up for all the tag sales we haven’t made it to in the last four years. Hence, Elephant’s Trunk! Our visit to Brimfield was actually an offshoot of this favorite diversion of ours. This week I took the camera:
Some vendors create vignettes of home sweet home.
Most just put it all out there for the viewing.
Most stuff is used.
Some stuff is unusual. We have since added to our garden sculpture collection. When you run out of room inside, dress outside. I was even motivated by our exterior decorating, to do some overdue pruning. My poor, neglected garden!
Hi to (another) Roxy, our fave waitress, at the Windmill Diner, our after-flea breakfast spot.
On an indoor note: We were visited by one of the Metropolitan’s Textile Curators. Wow! And she bought fabric. “Which fabric?” you ask. The reproduction of the Brimfield circus print. How interesting.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Textiles
Shara arrived on July something, something, a bit of a blur, a few short days until she flew to Phoenix and drove to Colorado. I am happy she finally got to see the Grand Canyon on her way to friends’ wedding. Love the shoe shot.
Here in no particular order:
We did some super cool cultural city things like MOMA. An Israeli artist is installed there at the moment. “Coincidence is the messenger of truth.” And the coincidences just keep coming. I love museums and am drowning in the artistic overflow at the moment. No time, but to work.
Some of the inspiration:
I got to the city, said, “I want to buy something on the street,” saw an amazing artist who had original pieces that almost looked like quilts and I bought a beautiful blue and gold piece that I absolutely love, and discovered Martha Murphy. I didn’t really discover her, but am now aware of her talent and love it.
So a few more quilts, good feedback, artistic license, stress and joy, the ever-persistent balancing act of life.
Eze yom sameyach (This is a happy day)
Shara reporting in real time…
Don’t they look so…. happy!
And finally some more tmunot (pictures)
ah!……
They’re Off…
This morning (Sunday, the 31st) I started a very short photo journal of Ally and Kate preparing for their trip to Israel. I am happy. I am sad. My girls will be together tomorrow, after nine long months. I am not with them. Shara will meet Ally and Kate at Ben Gurion Airport. As I write, they are still lifted on wings of jet power. But soon will be landing and hugging and bringing hugs from Momma and Daddy, too. And then, Ally will go on her tour, and Shara promises to stalk the tour, so she can be near/with her sister.
I documented their waking moments, the bags they will lug through Israel for the next week and hugs so-long until next week. I had a bit of Israel for Mothers’ Day, too, but I’d much rather be on the plane with them.
When the computer doesn’t cooperate
I look good. I tried to post all three topics in one, but the photos wouldn’t move. So I am continuing to load the myriad of pictures that I’ve taken this week, documenting the flurry of activity around the shop and elsewhere. Molly Tango Foundation Mothers’ Day Luncheon was a success with about 60 books sold and the auction of Molly’s Story Quilt. The Ridgefield Press had given us a front-page spot in print and online and the feedback was phenomenal. I got an”Aloha” email all the way from Hawaii: Kona Bay Fabrics president: thanks, Doug.
Here are a few shots from a great event.
The ballet theme says “Molly.”
Lots of Ridgefield retailers donated merchandise to raise money at the luncheon.
And thanks to Brittany for her help collecting the donations.
Later that evening…what a celebration!
And for Mother’s Day I received a very special gift: Meals4Moms. Thanks, Ally.
Ideas in Cloth 