The SAQA exhibit is beautifully presented in two galleries at this regional museum. Many of the artists were present for the reception and later chat time together. I was very happy to hear that both the 41 quilts in the Canadian exhibit and the 40 in the International exhibit will travel together, though the schedule is not yet complete. Lisa Ellis, the president of SAQA, was a gracious speaker (a person can learn a lot about tact and diplomacy by listening to her). So farewell to my "Choke Manifold" for a couple of years at least--who knows what may happen next.
My niece Kris and husband Steve grow hydroponic lettuce, herbs, hazelnuts, ginger and elderflowers at Mud Lake Farm in Hudsonville MI. Check out their website: mudlakefarm.com Their ginger and elderflower cordials are delicious (and they ship promptly). Whenever I visit, I get my fill of the most beautiful salads--they supply a number of western Michigan restaurants. Farm work is never-ending, with constant concern about weather and no time for relaxation, but they are smart and determined. Gee Gee stayed on to enjoy time with her daughter and grandchildren as I flew home from Grand Rapids. Priscilla the cat was very happy to have a warm lap back in the house and has rarely left it since I came in the door.
Immediate priority was to make a donation for the SAQA mini-quilt auction. So good to be back in the studio, and for this introvert, to be alone for a while! I had been noodling about this piece while gone, deciding to use the distorted machine embroidery that I abandoned for the St. Cyprians project. I cut up the failed piece and salvaged the nice embroidered pine trees. So here's the finished 12 x 12" auction quilt, "4rocks4trees". I mailed it this morning; unless there's an unexpected delay it will reach SAQA by the June 1 deadline.
I bought some beautiful variegated silk yarn in Stratford and used it for the hand quilting and the blanket stitch edge. The rocks are cut from a dyed and painted "Quaker Lace" cotton tablecloth--didn't all our mothers have one? the background fabric is a woven cotton ikat.
Anyway, that's one thing off the To Do list. While designing this one, I put together a larger version that I probably will finish next. That will use up all the abandoned pines so I can quit feeling sorry for them. I have about two weeks at home before my nursing school 40th reunion at Wright State University in Dayton OH. Hurrah for sewing time!