Busy February

 My plants are still having to stay in the garage because of occasional freezing nights, but the geraniums don't seem to mind. The white one is blooming now. My yard is still totally covered in pine straw and leaves, but until the frequent rains stop and it is time to think about spring flowers, it's no problem.

I celebrated Valentine's Day by enjoying some sweet red bell peppers, saying these were preferable to chocolate, which bought on several negative comments from friends. 

My unexpected scare over Valentine's Day was brought on when Rahrah was inadvertently left outside overnight. She was gone until about midnight the next night when she was on the front porch with no explanation about where she had been. I know she was curled up asleep somewhere all that day when I was worried and looking and calling for her. 

I finished the three pieces I was working on for a SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) call for entry. These are 15" x 45" quilted pieces based on the colors from three of the color cards from Joen Wolfrom's 3-in-1 Color Tool. My cards were #2 Chartreuse, #21 Orange, and #10 Violet.

Chartreuse Springs Forth

Detail

Outrageous Orange

Detail

Violent Violet

Detail

I finished another large stitched picture, Yellow Zinnia. It is 19" sq. pinned to foam core before framing.

Yellow Zinnia, 19" x 19"

Here are the first two, a lavender zinnia and a rosy zinnia. I have an orange zinnia on the machine. 

Lavender Zinnia, 19"x 19"

Rosy Zinnia, 19" x 19"

My favorite bread store, a Breadsmith franchise, has closed and I'm not aware of any other whole wheat bread as delicious and healthy as what I had been getting there, so I'll be searching for a substitute. This seems like a good excuse to try a few new recipes.

Staying Warm Inside

Our South Mississippi winter isn't nearly as dramatic as what I see on TV on the East Coast. The yard has been covered in pine straw and leaves but several favorite plants have survived and even thrived on the porch or in the garage. This tall begonia will come back after I trim the frozen leaves. The red geranium right beside it just put on a beautiful bloom. The croton and maidenhair fern in the garage are fine, along with the blooming white geranium. The next two plants are loving the cool weather in the garage.

In the warm house I have been enjoying more stitched pictures with these large panels. After stitching I have the framer pin to foam core so they are ready to frame. They are about 19" square. Then I made one more of the 15" x 45" pieces for a color challenge. It is finished all but the facing, so pardon the ruffled edges.

Outrageous Orange, 15 x 45, ready for facing

Elizabeth and Rahrah stay very close to me when it's cold, even sometimes inadvertently sleeping touching each other. If I wonder why I am behind on some personal letter writing, here is my reminder.

Takin' Down Christmas

Advent and Christmas at my church, University Baptist, in Hattiesburg is always beautiful, perhaps more appreciated this year. The crismon tree was literally filled with many new ornaments made during the pandemic.

 I love Joni Mitchell's "Comin' On Christmas" and hear it in my head often. But it has morphed into "Takin' Down Christmas" as I put away my few decorations and rotated some fiber art on the walls after bringing home my exhibit. The poinsettias are finished, but I keep forgetting to move these sparkly trees from the guest bathroom.

I was totally surprised to get a 2nd place ribbon and viewers' choice award for this cheesecloth piece in the South Mississippi Art Association's 45th annual show last month. It was created in a Mary Pal online class, based on a photo entitled "Elderly Woman" by Chalmers Butterfield. Mary's technique uses Dura-lar, cheesecloth, and white glue. I have several other cheesecloth projects in mind and am eager to give them a try. Meanwhile, I will enjoy seeing this piece on my wall.  I named it "Wisdom." 

"Wisdom," cheesecloth picture

It is good to change the artwork about occasionally, remembering making these pieces some time ago. The Atrium at Ochsner's was made after Roy had DBS surgery in New Orleans. The Eagle's Nest is a McKenna Ryan design. Sunday Ties is made from my collection of men's ties in 6" blocks sashed with quilted black faille, framed to 12" x 25".

The Atrium at Ochsner's, 19" x 29"

The Eagle's Nest, 34" x 31"

Sunday Ties, men's ties
Three 6" blocks framed to 12" x 25"

It's time for new work. These pieces are for a SAQA color challenge 15" wide and 45" long using only the colors found on one of Joen Wolfrom's cards from her Color Tool set of cards. These two pieces are in Violet and Chartreuse.

Chartreuse Leaves Springing Forth
Violent Violet

And I'm A Year Older

Who knew being 85 years old would be such a happy time? I just turned 86 and am amazed to recall the number of causes for celebration in spite of some serious concerns. But I find joy every day and feel blessed to have another year to enjoy. 

There have been puzzles with friends (and cats), flowers in my yard, USM student recitals, Senior Readers Theatre, and art shows. I got to rehearse and sing the music of Christmas with the Meistersingers. A new gallery in Flowood, Pacesetter, asked to show some of my fiber art. I won ribbons in South Mississippi Art Association's invitational show at Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey and their 45th annual show at the Hattiesburg Train Depot. I was honored with a solo exhibition of my fiber art, and got to spend a week in Gatlinburg in a class with Paula Kovarik and four other awesome artists. 

Losing my beloved cat Tarbaby was sad, but he left me with wonderful memories of his unique personality, and I am grateful I could provide him excellent care and comfort during his brief illness. I made lots of fabric postcards and finished The Conversation, a quilt of my three cats, Tarbaby, Rahrah, and Elizabeth from a photo I took a couple of years ago. 

I look forward to making more fiber art, gathering with friends, and caring for this beautiful world in 2022. 

Tarbaby demanding my attention

Elizabeth helping Peg Hightower 

Blue Ghost-quilted Flowers

Fabric Postcards

Fabric Postcards

Wisdom, cheesecloth picture

Arrowmont at Gatlinburg

The Apothecary Shop, 18" x 18"

Tarbaby at the Vet

The Conversation, 24" x 24"
Tarbaby, Rahrah, Elizabeth

The Exhibit is Down

Sharing my fiber art with friends at the Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey University from November 9 - December 16 was a great pleasure. I got to attend several times and talk about particular pieces and the stories or inspiration behind them. For instance, this quilt made from counted cross-stitch blocks was the transition that started my quilt journey. Linda and I began stitching these blocks around 1984 and it occurred to me that we wouldn't know how to make a quilt from them, so I left her to finish the squares while I learned to quilt. We completed it in 1991 and won several blue ribbons in quilt shows and I never returned to cross-stitching. 

75" x 95" From Cross-Stitch to Quilting
by Linda and Martha Ginn

With Dr. Ed Ford, Curator
Also pictured (L to R) Interleave Symphony, Fractured Roses,
Improv Music, Butterfly Crossing

(L-R) Butterfly Crossing, Round Robin Pathways
This Is My Story, This Is My Song,
Travel Poster, Finding My Way
(with two small ghost-quilted pieces)

Here are more pictures from the exhibit. Thanks to everyone who saw the exhibit and especially to those who wrote, called, or texted me with your kind comments. 

(L-R) Finding My Way, Rise & Shine, Inner City
Mississippi Orange Peel, Circle Dance

(L-R) Circle Dance, Wellness Center Pool
Blue Ghost-Quilted Flowers

(L-R) Orchid, Campfire, In the Jungle, Return of the Trees

(L-R) Leaf Study Crotons, Green Fish,
Elizabeth My Almost Perfect Cat, Yellow Fish

(L-R) Mountain Snow Melt, Ireland Street, Triangle Extensions

(L-R) Twisted Trees II, Twisted Trees I, Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre, 24" x 52"

Twin Poppies I and II, Sunday Ties

Sycamore Leaf, Leaf Study I and II, Leaf Study Crotons,
Green Fish, Elizabeth, Yellow Fish