quiltersmuse.com Blog

I have been searching for a week now for a specific photo requested by a family member and have yet to find it. What I am seeing, in looking through old photo albums, are images that I have been compelled to scan and add to our website. That task has been partially occupying my days.

I did come across the photo, seen above, that I took in Spain. My memory of taking the picture is non-existent, although I would have to say that it is representative of some of the streets in the older section of Pamplona. The first thing I considered when viewing this photo was the “vanishing point.” That is an art term that usually refers to the distant point at which lines converge. The second consideration was the recollection of the wonderful overlays, the ghost layers, that are the mark of Katie Pasquini-Masopust’s work.

The street is so close, that if across the street neighbors stood on their balconies, they could almost reach out and shake hands. I find the photo to be charming, rustic, and as well as a point to ponder. To me, the photo could represent the narrow viewpoints of individuals. At some point, in the distance, their thoughts may converge. To be simplistic in my thinking, perhaps all it would take would be a handshake. I continue to hope for peace in the world, and try to keep reminding myself that peace begins with me, and you, too. Have a great Sunday!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

photo by Rebecca Gorham

The happy, little person with a book, seen above, is my grandson. Just a couple of months ago, he turned “two.” Already, he cannot go anywhere without his “book bag.” Loving relatives, his parents, and friends keep him well-supplied with his own little library.

Seeing the picture above, makes me happy and wistful at the same time, for it is not that long ago that I was reading to his father and taking him to the library which, in our small town, was only open on Saturday. At the age of four, my son was reading to “me.” I recorded one long story about a chipmunk and still have it on a cassette tape. It comes as no surprise that, as I write this, he is working on his doctoral dissertation. All of these remarks are not to brag, but to say that education is important, and the earlier that children are taught, the sooner the lessons will “stick.”

Tonight on the TV news, there was a report of continued upheavals in Kabul, a war torn area, in which a school had to be shut down because no one could afford pencils. Pencils? Wow! Who, in America, could not afford to buy pencils? The poorest of the poor could buy one. As I sit here, tears are streaming down my face as I think of the utter waste of human potential. The children so want to learn. They are afraid to leave their homes, in many instances, as so many children have been kidnapped there and some never return.

There are dire circumstances that disrupt learning in Pakistan, as well, particularly the area about which someone wrote to me several days ago. In the northwest province, high in the mountains, and rich with natural beauty, the authorities have told everyone that all schools must close within 30 days.

I struggle with knowing that there are both children and adults who want to learn cannot do so. Yet, they would have to learn, in order to seek, or keep, a position of work that could sustain them and/or their families through life. I am ever thankful that I was blessed with a fine education, in part because I was a good student, and in part, because my father valued education and placed a high emphasis on it. He told me to be a teacher and that I would always find work, no matter what happened. Teachers are always needed.

Part of my mission in creating a huge, educational website is to share what I have learned, freely, realizing that not everyone has had the same experiences as I have, nor has lived as long, in some instances.

The saying goes: “If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.” I hope that I will succeed at teaching “fishing,” or shall we say, “learning through the written word and images.” If you can read well, you will have many doors open to you. At the very least, you will be able to fill out a job application! Wishing you the best of luck, and I hope that you enjoy exploring my “improved” website that I have just spent more than a week updating.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

When I saw this recently-made pillow, I fell in love. This is what the seller has to say about this one of a kind, fabric sculpture, by fiber artist, “Renate”:

A UNIQUE LITTLE COLLECTORS’ ACCENT PILLOW ~ 11″ X 11″ ~

AS IF STEPPING FROM THE PAST INTO THE FUTURE,

WAS MADE FROM A PIECE OF ANTIQUE WOOL, EYES ARE PAINTED

ALL ORIGINALLY DESIGNED AND METICULOUSLY HANDCRAFTED BY ME

FOR YOU THE DISCRIMINATING COLLECTOR.

I HAVE TO JUSTIFY TRYING TO MAKE THIS MY LIFE’S WORK …

I really enjoyed seeing this item and thought that you might, too. This is eBay auction 200310091672. Click on the link to go to this auction. The pillow fabrics are from the nineteenth century (1800s).

Many thanks to the seller “naturalsbyrenate” for allowing us to post this photo here, for all to enjoy!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications where I have posted a photo essay about a Bullfight I attended in Spain in 1972.

Today, I received this note in my mailbox.

Pat,

I thought I would pass on some pictures to you that I took of things given to me while I was in Pakistan. I am also the owner of a small home-based business called The Lost Caravan, and I sell imports from Pakistan, to help me be able to work on projects within Pakistan. I started a non-profit organization in the N.W.F.P. of Pakistan called The Roshni Centre for Women (www.roshnicentre.org).

Sincerely,
Rabia

“Is your Caravan Lost? It is, if you no longer weep from gratitude or happiness, or weep from being cut deep with the awareness of the extraordinary beauty that emanates from the most simple act and common object.”

from “Someone Untied Your Camel” — Hafiz (1320-1389)

Black and white Sindhi quilt, close-up

Embroidered bodice of red satin dress

Brightly-colored Sindhi quilt, close-up

Detail of Balochi dress panel

Pakistani embroidered veil, close-up

Many thanks to Rabiajehan Sher for sending these images. I hope you have enjoyed them and will check out her website.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

To view more textiles from Pakistan, visit our website.