Kindness Chronicles, 4-1-12

Well I must not have been very kind this week, because I can't remember any particular instance.  So I'll post a story I found recently, on kindnessusa.org.


"During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'" I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy."


I believe that simple acknowlegement of the humanity of others is one of the kindest things we can do.  And I do try to practice that one little thing every day.

A pocket page from my sketchbook.

Kindness Chronicles - 3/27/12

What was my favorite "Random Act of Kindness" this past week?  Well, I let 2 different people go ahead of me in the grocery line ... it's amazing how grateful people are when that happens! ... and started a conversation with an elderly gentleman who was waiting in the Customer Service line with me at The Dreaded Walmart.  He seemed a little taken aback at first, but as the wait grew longer, he launched into some stories about his grandchildren.  It made the waiting time go faster for both of us, and kept me from getting frustrated.

My favorite R.A.K, though, was letting another driver take the parking place we were both angling for.  She looked so surprised when I waved her in, and even trotted to catch up with me on foot and thank me.  What a lovely (short) conversation we had, and I felt wonderful for the rest of the day.

It seems that simple "acts of kindness" always make me feel better, both about myself and about the people around me.  It's one of those things that benefit the "do-er" more than the "do-ee".  I'm also loving the fact that I'm becoming more and more aware of every-day opportunities to be kind.  It doesn't take anything away from me, and in fact, gives me a huge Happiness Boost.

Try it, you'll like it!

Fun with Photoshop

A friend sent me a picture of one of her granddaughters, enjoying for the first time the annual bluebonnets that are now gracing most of the Texas countryside.  The child is so adorable, and the picture so beautiful, that I couldn't help creating a little Impressionist-style "painting" of her in Photoshop.  Here are the two pictures ... the original plus the 'shopped one.  Everybody say, "Awwwwwww" ... and don't forget you can click on each picture to embiggen.

(original)

Impressionist "painting"

Cat loves Bearded Dragon

This is just too weird and adorable not to share.  Thanks to picklified on YouTube.

Interspecies snorgling at its best.

Book Review: Art Quilt Portfolio: The Natural World

I’ve just received this new book for review (the first in a series) by Martha Sielman, Executive Director of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA).  My first instinct was to run my hand over the beautiful cover, which features “Peacock Pride” by Barbara McKie, and what a sweet little surprise it was to find the image lightly embossed … a delicate, subtle embellishment of an already stunning cover.  (Little things like that just make me happy.)

The book itself, like most recent art books by Lark, is printed on lovely, heavyweight paper that is a pleasure to handle.  The color photography appears to be true to the originals (at least according to my vivid memory of having seen some of them in person).

There are well-written profiles of 19 major fiber artists, including some of my favorites … Betty Busby, Paula Chung, Ginny Eckley, Ruth McDowell, Barbara McKie, and Annemieke Mein.  Plus, there are both full-page and smaller images of some breath-taking art quilts by more than 70 other artists.  I can honestly say that this is one of the most beautiful and informative art-quilt books I’ve seen, and it will have a permanent place in my library.  In fact, I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series.  (No affiliation, etc.)  Here are 192 pages of incredible artwork to feast your eyes upon, and to inspire you.  Highly recommended.

Kindness Chronicles - 3/19/12

My favorite experience with the Kindness Chronicles challenge this week was with a Down's Syndrome lady I met in the grocery store.  She was accompanied by her parents (or maybe they were her grandparents), who were getting frustrated with her attempts to stop people to talk to them.  She had the sweetest smile, and I decided I was not in such a hurry that I couldn't stop and visit with her.  She was pointing to the "muscles" in her arm, and telling me that she goes to the gym every day.  As we visited (I had a hard time understanding her, but she didn't seem to mind), she would occasionally reach out to touch my arm and ask if I had muscles.  I laughed and told her that I needed to go to the gym too!  Finally, as her guardians urged her to leave me alone, I asked if I could have a hug.  She was enthusiastic but gentle in her response, and I walked away feeling happier than I had that morning.  What a sweet spirit resides in that lady, and I felt lucky to have basked in her radiance for just a little while.

Kindness Chronicles - March 4, 2012

My very first post of my monthly Kindness Chronicles was supposed to be today … and I almost forgot about it!  Well, I had made a few notes this past week to think about, so I’ll go ahead with the post, albeit a little bit late.

One of my favorite public activities has always been to see if I could make someone smile if they were looking grumpy.  It doesn’t always work, but it’s surprising how many times it does.

I first started doing this about 20 or 30 years ago, in my car.  I’d make it a point to catch the eye of an oncoming driver (passing in the opposite direction … I didn’t want any follow-ups or someone thinking I was flirting).  I’d smile or even wave.  Sometimes they would wave back, and sometimes look a little confused … “Do I know her?”  Nevertheless, it’s pretty rare that the person wouldn’t respond at all.  It became kind of a game for me.

Later I started doing it with people on the street.  That takes a bit more courage, and I’m always mindful of my personal safety, but I’ve never had a negative or adverse reaction from anyone.  (Once a construction worker thought I was flirting and yelled something to impress his friends … but it was broad daylight, I was in a crowd, and I just pretended not to hear, smiled, and walked on.)  Every other experience has always been positive.

I do think that people are so rushed and preoccupied that they are startled when a stranger smiles at them.  I know that when it happens to me, it kind of makes my day, and so I enjoy passing it along.

 

I love what fiber-artist Lyric Kinard has started with her Kindness Chronicles, and I wanted to join in, and try to make the world … or at least my little corner of it … a bit nicer place.  So I hope to keep up the monthly post (first Sunday of the month) for my own sake, and hope that you will join us too.  It’s already making me more “mindful” to be kind to others.

Sold!

One of my favorite art quilts has been marked as SOLD at Gerald & Debbie Tobola's Copper Shade Tree Gallery.  It is "The Dance: After Erte", a 32x60" hand-painted silk piece, quilted with silk batting.  This was a difficult piece for me to let go of, but I try to keep in mind that "there is always more art to be created."  Here's an image, to remember it by:

The Dance:  After Erte
32x60"

Gerald tells me that it has gone to live in New Orleans, and that makes me happy.  "The Art in Fiber" exhibit is at The Copper Shade Tree through March 4, and you don't have to be in Texas ... you can see and purchase artwork on-line.  Here's a direct link to some of my work there, and there are many other wonderful fiber artists' work to be seen as well.

Success! Foto/Fiber 2012

The incredible Virginia Spiegel has once again come through in spearheading a fabulous fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  In just two days, Foto/Fiber 2012 raised over $7,000, bringing the total raised by Fiberart For A Cause to over $220,000.

I am honored to be associated with FFAC and with Virginia's efforts to raise money for the ACS.  My BONUS package has been sent out to the generous donor who purchased art at this on-line event.  Here's part of the package I sent ... a fiber-art postcard called "Delicata Wingosa".  (I must have been subliminally influenced by the Harry Potter books!)

Delicata Wingosa, 4x6"

As someone who has lost loved ones to cancer (and who among us hasn't?), I send my heartfelt thanks to all who participated ... both patrons and artists, and most especially to Virginia Spiegel.

Today's the day - Foto/Fiber 2012 Fundraiser!

Today, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (CST),  is the GOLD DONOR Day for those who wish to contribute a minimum of $100 to Virginia Spiegel's famous Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Tomorrow (same hours) is the regular day for those who wish to contribute a minimum of $50 to the cause.

If you choose to donate today, you may pick your choice of not only the photo(s) that you want, but also a specific artist's BONUS.  If you wait until tomorrow, the artist's BONUS will be randomly chosen for you.

Here is a sneak-peek at the BONUS package I am contributing to the cause.

BONUS contributed by Linda Teddlie Minton
includes
fiber-art postcard, ready for framing or mailing
2 skeins specialty ribbon for embellishment
hand-dyed coffee filters for mixed-media work
5/8 yard cut of Mickey Lawler's SkyeDye fabric
1/2 yard cut of my own overdyed 100% cotton fabric

Have fun shopping at the Foto/Fiber 2012 fundraiser ... you couldn't ask for a worthier cause, and you'll be receiving some fabulous artwork.

Here is a preview of the fabulous Photos.

Here's the link on how to SHOP and Donate!  This is a very short-term fundraiser, so don't miss out!

Foto/Fiber 2012 is almost here!

Foto/Fiber 2012
90 Photos AND 90 BONUS Fiber Surprises
Beauty and Mystery Unite to Fight Cancer
Gold Donor Day - February 15, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $100, choose a photo by
Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, or Cynthia Wenslow
and choose a BONUS Fiber Surprise
by a specific artist from an amazing list of generous fiber artists.

Regular Foto/Fiber - February 16, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $50 and choose a photo by
Virginia A. Spiegel, Karen Stiehl Osborn, or Cynthia Wenslow.
Your BONUS Fiber Surprise will be chosen at random for you from the list of generous fiber artists.
Artists donating BONUS fiber surprises include: 
Natalya Aikens, 
Frances Holliday Alford, 
Pamela Allen, 
Liz Berg, Sue Bleiweiss, 
Nancy G. Cook, 
Jane Davila, 
Vivika DeNegre, 
Diane Rusin Doran, 
Jane Dunnewold,
Jamie Fingal, 
Leonie Hartley Hoover, 
Leslie Tucker Jenison, 
Lyric Kinard, 
Susan Brubaker Knapp, 
Lynn Krawzcyk, 
Jane LaFazio, 
Susan Lenz, 
Jeanelle McCall, 
Linda Teddlie Minton, 
Karen Musgrave, 
Gail Myrhorodsky, 
Karen Stiehl Osborn, 
BJ Parady, 
Cate Coulacos Prato, 
Yvonne Porcella, 
Wen Redmond, 
Sue Reno, 
Lesley Riley, 
Susan Schrott, 
Cynthia St. Charles, 
Lura Schwarz Smith, 
Sarah Ann Smith, and 
Terri Stegmiller

Drawings for Fiber Art throughout the event.  All patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012 will also have multiple chances throughout Foto/Fiber to win amazing fiber art donated by:Leonie Harley Hoover
Lyric Kinard
Lynn Krawczyk
Yvonne Porcella
Susan Schrott
Mary Ann Van Soest

More information on how Foto/Fiber 2012 works:
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiberHowItWorks.html
Our goal – Raise $7,000 for the American Cancer Society
in just ten hours over two days.


And here are the DIRECTIONS on how to donate and win one of the above works of art and/or bonuses.

Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $215,000 to the American Cancer Society through the generosity of fiber artists and their patrons.
Contact
Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.com
for more information.

"Creative Quilting with Beads" - review & giveaway

Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader’s book on quilting with beads is now available in paperback format.  I’ve received a copy for review, and my first comment is that it is beautifully published on high-quality paper and with excellent photography … always my first requirement for any book to earn a place on my bookshelf.

The first part of the book, “The Basics”, truly is a simple, basic overview of tools and supplies, techniques, and even several easy options for hanging an art quilt.  There are no extensive bead-stitching instructions, but the basic techniques shown are well-illustrated and explained.

The second part, “The Projects”, contains 24 fun projects, including several purses, a vintage pillow, an apron, and a soft art-doll.  The rest are art quilts, at various levels from sweet-and-simple to sophisticated-and-striking.  One of the little handbags, by Veronica Hofman Ortega, actually serves as a sampler of beading techniques on the front of the elegant little bag.  There is a convenient “Templates” section in the back, for those who want to follow along with the projects, or you can just use the projects as inspiration.

As a somewhat experienced beader myself, I was most taken with the pieces by Sarah Ann Smith, Larkin Van Horn, and Deborah Boschert, but many of the other pieces would definitely appeal to beginning-to-intermediate beaders, traditional quilters who are looking for a slight twist to add to their work, and those who just want to experiment a bit.

The third section is the “Gallery”, with smaller images of some pretty exciting beaded artwork by other artists, including two of my favorites, Susan Shie and Susan Sorrell.  I have already found a lot of inspiration in these images, and look forward to going back through them again.

There is a nice section at the back (“About the Designers”) which gives background, website, and contact information for the designers who contributed. The actual Index only references “The Basics” section on tools and techniques, and it would have been helpful to have indexed the artists’ names with the page numbers of their artworks here.  This is really the only issue I have with the book, however, and consider it a very nice addition to my bookshelf.

Now, who would like to win a copy of this lovely book?  I want to mix it up a little this time, and have an actual contest instead of just a drawing.  Leave me a Comment with a haiku (5-7-5 syllables) and I will pick a winner.  It can be about art, beads or beading, quilts or sewing, anything that inspires you.  (Don’t worry about not being a poet … I’m not a tough grader!)

Here’s one to start you off:

            Calmly stitching beads.

            Nosy cat jumps in my lap …

            All beads on the floor.

If you’re new to haiku, it’s fun!  Sometimes it’s easier for me to start off with the last line, and build up to it.

Good luck!  I’m looking forward to reading your haiku, and sending this lovely book to the winner.

The Space Between ... in Quilting Arts Magazine

I finally received my February/March 2012 (Issue #55) of Quilting Arts Magazine.  (I swear, someone at the Post Office reads my copies before I get them!)  I've been looking forward to it because there is an article smack-dab in the middle of the magazine on The Space Between ... the most recent invitational exhibit curated by Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison.

The exhibit, of 40 quilts by 40 artists, debuted at the International Quilt Festival/Long Beach, and was also featured at the International Quilt Festival/Houston this past October.  Five of those artists are featured in this month's Quilting Arts ... Susan Brubaker Knapp (that's a detail of her quilt "Hope is the Thing" on the magazine cover), Linda Teddlie Minton ("The Antechamber"), Susan Fletcher King ("Schooling Through the Jellies"), Jayne Larson ("Breathing Space"), and Sherry Kleinman ("The Family Tree").

What an honor to be included in the exhibit, and then to have the opportunity of being seen in Quilting Arts Magazine!  Thank you, Jamie, Leslie, and QA!

The Art in Fiber, 2012

If you are anywhere near Round Top, Texas (near LaGrange, between Austin, Houston, and San Antonio), please come to the opening of The Art in Fiber, 2012 at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery.

I'm so honored to be participating in this invitational exhibit, with such wonderful fiber artists.  If you can't make it to the opening on Feb.4, please do try to make it by the gallery before the exhibit comes down on March 4.  I've sneak-peeked some of the incredible work that will be there, and you won't be disappointed!

And speaking of sneak peaks, here's a tiny portion of one of my entries:

"Look Into My Eyes" - detail

I hope to see you there!

Farewell, little Baby

Baby Cat, in better days

I had to bid farewell to my sweet little Baby, 14 years old, yesterday.  She had been getting thinner and thinner, and had finally gone into kidney failure.  She spent most of the last month in my lap every time I would sit down, and slept curled up under my arm every night.

Rest in Peace, my sweet Baby.

The pain of losing our beloved animal family members is the price we pay for all the joy they give us in life.  Baby's big sister Mariah left us in May of this year, and Bouncer is now an "only cat".  He has been wandering the house, loudly calling for his lost sister, and trailing after me like a little dog.

Bouncer (aka "the meatloaf"), is now an Only Cat.

I will miss Baby and Mariah, but take comfort in the knowledge that they led a cozy, comfortable, pampered existence in my care.  Bouncer is so robust and healthy, I hope he lives happily with me for many more years.

A weird post for a weird book

While browsing around on Goodreads.com (my favorite place to get recommendations for what to read next), I came across this one ... Blueprints Of The Afterlife by Ryan Boudinot.  In scanning the reviews, I found a review by the author (who, naturally, thinks it's great!) in which he offers a very cool giveaway ... of a signed manuscript page from the book.

Well, I love quirky, I love science fiction and dystopia, and I love innovative promotional ideas, so naturally I had to give it a go.  Ryan, here's my entry for your giveaway ... great idea!  (Although it's not required for the giveaway, I'm intrigued by the concept of the book, and so have ordered a copy ... can't wait to read it.)  Thanks, Ryan!

Aaaack!

Oh, holy cow!  Ricë Freeman-Zachary (Notes from the Voodoo Cafe), one of my all-time favorite artist/bloggers, has posted about an outrageous thing that happened to her and her husband in the West Texas town of Midland, where they have lived all their adult lives.

I don't usually post directly about another blogger's post, but this one is important.   Ricë is such a creative writer that all her blog posts are incredibly interesting (she writes professionally for several big-name art and fiber-art magazines).  When she posts a "rant", we all run to read it ... don't miss this one.

It will most likely make you see red.  It is not fiber-art related.  If you don't like to read "rants", please take the opportunity to read her other posts, which ARE fiber and art related, and which are always intelligent, informative, and often very funny.  You won't want to miss her fabulous writing.

Iced Coffee and Hoarding ... a Rant.

I was so happy to find this wonderful iced coffee mix at The Dreaded Walmart.  It's quick and easy, it's delicious, and it's zero-fat and low calorie!  When you mix it with milk, as the directions state, the resulting iced coffee is 110 calories.  But I discovered that I liked it even better when mixed with plain water ... for a cleaner taste and a grand total of 20 calories per 8-oz. glass!

It comes in other flavors too ... French Vanilla is my favorite.

Now, why am I creating a whole big blog-post about an iced coffee mix?  Because it's NO LONGER AVAILABLE at Walmart or anywhere else!

Oh, there are other iced coffee mixes, all right ... Maxwell House, for instance, at a higher price, higher calorie-and carb-count, and less flavor.  Why Walmart would discontinue carrying the superior product, when every time I went to buy it, it was nearly sold out, is not really a mystery.  I have accosted the food manager at my local store, and the answer is always the same ... "we don't control purchasing, the orders come from on-high".

In other words, it doesn't matter that the product was more popular in this particular store ... someone at the head office took an average count from some anonymous numbers, and picked Maxwell House as the winner. Why there can't be a choice for customers is something I'm getting used to in San Antonio, Texas, the home of  "you live here now, you don't have a lot of choices ... get used to it".

For instance, HEB several years ago ran all the other grocery stores out of town (Randall's, Krogers, Safeway) by severely undercutting their prices; then once they folded, raised their prices right back up again.  There are literally no other supermarket choices in San Antonio (the ONE and only thing I hate about this town!)

So, back to the North Sea Iced Coffee Mix (which I discovered, by the way, was formerly known as Frappe' Creme Iced Coffee Drink Mix).  I looked and searched and combed the internet for more sources of this wonderful product.  I finally tracked down the parent company (not easy) ... Sturm Foods ... and begged to be able to buy directly (in bulk) from them.  No such luck.  I received a very nice response to my request, which stated that Walmart is no longer carrying their product, and that it is currently no longer being carried in any other store.  And that they can't sell to individuals.

I guess I wouldn't be so bent out of shape about this if it didn't seem to be the norm instead of the exception.  Favorite lipstick color?  Not made anymore.  Best diet soda?  Discontinued.  The only hand cream that works on my super-dry skin?  No longer available.

My paternal grandfather ("Papaw") was what some might call a hoarder.  You would never have known it, because he was very neat and tidy, and everything was stacked neatly behind cabinet doors.  But when he found a product he liked, he bought mass quantities of it, because he never wanted to run out.  He blamed his hoarding on The Great Depression.  I blame mine on The Dreaded Walmart.

Misty Fuse

I've talked about Misty Fuse (paperless fusible web) before, and how much I love it.  In fact, LOVE  isn't a strong enough word ... I LURVE it with a fiery passion usually reserved for purveyors of castile soaps.

(By the way, I DO also love my Dr. Bronner's Hemp-Almond Pure-Castile Soap, but that's another story.  Also, if you have really great eyesight or else a super-power magnifying glass, be sure to read the very tiny print on the bottle, for an education and/or a scary/incomprehensible rant, depending on your viewpoint.)  

Iris Karp of Misty Fuse
(This picture is actually from 2009.  I forgot to take a
picture of her this year, so I borrowed this one from
Susan Brubaker Knapp.  Thanks, Susan!)

Annnnyway, to get back to the subject of this post, I LURVE my Misty Fuse, and while at Quilt Festival in Houston a few weeks ago, I made a bee-line for the Misty Fuse booth, and ran into Misty Fuse Genius, Iris Karp.  (Iris and Misty Fuse have a Facebook page, too.)  We had our yearly hug and quick chat, and I made off with my purchase ... at long last, I had decided I needed a BOLT of the wunnerful stuff.  I've been buying it by the package for years (ever since I discovered it), and finally made the plunge.  "OMG," as the kids say, why did I wait so long?  It is so much easier to access, straight off the bolt!

The packages are great, but the bolt is even better!

Someone suggested using a paper-towel dispenser for the roll ... either the horizontal kind mounted on the wall, or the kind that stands upright on the counter.  Great idea!  I'm also thinking I will make a little quilted "cozy" to slip over it, just for fun.

If you've never tried it, just buy a small package at your local quilt shop, or on-line.  Instructions come with the package, and I'll bet you'll fall in love with it too.  (No affiliation, etc., I just love this stuff, and it's one of my favorite purchases from Quilt Festival this year.)  Have fun fusing!

Thankful

Baby

I've been thinking today about all the things I'm thankful for ... of course, family and friends are first on my list.  But I'm also supremely grateful for the love and companionship of all the animals and pets who have passed through my life.  My first dog was Frisky; parakeets were Tick, Tock, Amy, and Abby; the rabbit was Hopalong Cassidy (of course); our beloved neighborhood dog Lady innocently killed Hopalong when he escaped, and proudly brought the body to her mistress expecting praise; there was a nameless little green turtle who escaped his bowl, but who we discovered months later alive (he had been hibernating); Snapper the box turtle was our neighborhood mascot; and numerous goldfish were given solemn burial ceremonies at the toilet.

Pfeiffer was the family dachshund who came to us as a Christmas gift when I was 10 or 11 years old.  He was probably a "bargain" because his little tail had a crook at the end.  He loved us with a passion and couldn't bear to be separated from us.  He was also as stubborn as a mule (a dachshund trait) and there are many funny family stories about him.  When my parents moved to Guatemala on business, he went with them, and contracted a disease that paralyzed his hind-quarters.  He had a little two-wheeled cart for a while, and he could go running around that way.  He eventually had to be put to sleep when they returned to the States.  I still miss him.

Buddy and Peaches were my two Siamese cats who loved me for 22 years.  Later, Siamese litter-mates Bouncer, Baby, and Mariah came into my life.  Now, only Bouncer and Baby are left, and they are getting old and fragile.  What will I do when they're gone?  I don't know if I will want the care and heartache of a pet again, but I do know that I will be forever grateful for the love, joy, and companionship that they have given me over the years.  I'm not sure I even know how to live without a pet in my life.  And I'm guessing I probably won't even try.

Don't forget your smallest friends this Thanksgiving.  And have a wonderful holiday.