The
de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi brought a marvelous exhibit to Hattiesburg last week. There are 130 pieces of Tasha Tudor's art on display, along with miniature dolls and their clothes, books, toys, and untold other items. A two-day symposium featured Tudor scholars and a daughter-in-law, who told some of the history of this unique woman who recreated life of an earlier time. She lived 1915-2008 in New Hampshire and Vermont and produced more than 15,000 drawings, paintings, illustrations, books, cards, calendars, and stationery.
I knew quilters were dedicated but learned that Tasha Tudor fans are just as loyal. There were people who drove to the symposium and exhibit from Pennsylvania, Tampa, Nashville, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Mobile. And they were not disappointed.
Pine Belt Quilters were asked to take part in the symposium and exhibit by displaying some quilts and presenting a lecture on "The Timelessness of Fabric." Susie Jackson and I gave the lecture and showed examples of quilting through the ages and how it has changed from merely utilitarian covers to an art form.
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| My quilt "This Is My Story, This Is My Song" and Susie Jackson's whole cloth masterpiece |
We displayed 12 quilts in the lobby area of the Oddfellows Gallery. The gallery used every available space, even above the elevator and doorway.
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| Quilts by Martha Ginn and Ella Lucas |
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| Quilts by Betty Allen and Linda Flanders |
The exhibit will run through December, 2015. There are two more special events in November and December, a cooking demonstration and a Victorian tea.
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| Quilts by Joe Bingham, Martha Ginn, and Ella Lucas |
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| Quilts by Vivian Plummer and Ellen Hall |
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| Oddfellows Gallery in Hattiesburg |
The cones are similar but unique, and it's hard not to appreciate their beauty. The wind blows the dry pine needles from the trees, making a carpet of needles (pine straw) over the grass. The straw makes wonderful mulch around azaleas for winter protection from the cold. That is, if you want to rake and move it to the flowerbeds.
Along with raking pine straw, I've been power washing my concrete and brick that has discolored. This job is really fun, mainly because of the instant gratification it brings. Once you start, there's no stopping until all sidewalks and paving stones are done.
