08.17.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:14 pm by Administrator
My first diary was about 1″ large and had a key enclosure. It was a gift. When I found that my mother had been reading it, when I was a teenager, and left it unlocked, I believe I discarded it.
For about the last ten years or more, I have regularly written journal notes about quilting activities, inspirations, illnesses, and aggravations. Sometimes, I’ve drawn illustrations and added color with colored pencils. It’s fun to re-read “back issues” periodically.
I suppose that is just one more thing I have in common with the person whose life I have been researching. She kept a diary and she illustrated many of her letters. Fun to see, and these types of things will be including in my upcoming CD, soon to be released.
I’m going to take some time today to read my diaries and to look at notebooks full of photos of quilts and quilted items I have made. It will be gratifying to review some accomplishments.
I also have a film of the first quilt history talk I ever gave … in 1991, I believe. I may shudder when I view it, #1: because today more is known about the subject than ever before, and #2: I know a lot more today, these 17 years later.
Your diary doesn’t have to be really fancy. I like those blank books with a hard cover. One can even buy them with quilt patterns. Whatever you do, keep it fun.
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
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08.02.08
Posted in Uncategorized, Museum News, Quilt Show at 9:52 pm by Administrator
Now, to be perfectly honest, we thought that every quilt in the show this year was special. One reason for that is that it would be difficult to find a more dedicated group of quilters anywhere, in these here parts! In this brief photo essay, you will get a glimpse of only three quilts. This essay is kind of a teaser, you know, in hopes that you might take a drive to Vermont to see the other quilts in the exhibit (which ends on September 21, 2008).
So, while I was schmoozing with folks (that’s probably a local word for “yakking”), Jim had his trusty camera in hand and took a few photos. Of the three quilts you will see here, it would be a tough decision to say which one of them I enjoyed the most. Here goes:
Mary Guntz of White River Junction, Vermont made this large “Stars All Around” quilt. From a distance, in dim light, this quilt sparkles. Here you can see the extensive quilting in the borders. The lines completely fill the space, as well they should! Nice work!
This quilt by Joanne Shapp of North Pomfret, Vermont has appealing graphic qualities and is rendered in a not-too-often-seen, green color. She calls the quilt, “Crop Circle: Windmill Hill, June 18, 2000.” We enjoyed this quilt very much! It is amazing what can be done with fabric, isn’t it?
These whimsical cats and their antics made us smile. The quilt is called “Purrfect World,” and is made from a commercial pattern, designer not stated. Janet Pace lives in Ludlow, Vermont, and finished making the quilt in a class at Fletcher Farm, VT, in 2007. We like anything that makes us smile, and this quilt did!
So, there you have it, a small sampling of the quilts in the 22nd Annual Quilt Exhibition at the Billings Farm, Rte. 12 & River Rd, Woodstock, VT, 802-457-2355, http://www.billingsfarm.org
These quilts are shown here as an editorial review of the show. If for some unknown reason, a quilter objects to our praise of her work and subsequent public display of her quilt, we will gladly remove the image. Somehow, I don’t believe that any of the quilters involved in this show would actually be that silly, but one never knows.
Cheers!
Patricia and James Cummings
pat at quiltersmuse.com
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07.30.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:40 pm by Administrator
The longer I live, the more I believe Joni Mitchell’s words. We are, indeed, captives on a carousel of time. “We can’t return, we can only look behind, from where we came.” Like all good lyrics, these statements ring of truth.
In fact, we can look to a lot of musical lyrics to guide our lives or make sense of life itself. “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back,” - why, that is another true statement for most of us. Just when we think we are getting ahead, we find that life has taken a downturn in health or resources.
Recently, I needed postage stamps. Stepping up to the window, I asked for more of the Frank Sinatra’s commemorative stamps. They had sold out immediately, I was told. The old boy, famous for the line, “I did it my way,” still has appeal, after all these years.
We wonder if Marilyn Monroe were still alive, if she’d be getting Botox treatments. Sometimes, I believe, it is preferable that these adored icons die young. It preserves the memory of the loveliness of their youth … forever.
We never saw JFK with gray hair and a long white beard. Nothing wrong with gray hair. I have it myself. I hope to bypass the long white beard, however.
Those are all of my morning ramblings for now. The sun is shining and I’m going to try to find my leash and take myself for a walk. Silly me!
Patricia Lynne Cummings
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