Making Changes

I recognized a friend at the St Lawrence Market that I hadn’t seen in over 30 years ! She and I went to high school together in Montreal. She has recently moved to Toronto.

I exhibit my work in Europe.

We met for coffee later in the week and had a long chat about everything! It was wonderful!!

I prepare teaching samples for my
quilt classes.

She asked about what I was doing and I gave her my blog and my website address.

I organize trips to Verona, Italy, with a textile theme.

But later that week I wondered what she would see on those sites.

I work on art journals.

The website has not been updated for years! No new photographs. No new text. No additions to my CV. Yet I have done a lot!

I recently organized a trip to Umbria for August 2016...
and by organize I mean preparing an itinerary,
interviewing the right people to give workshops and lectures,
finding the best places to eat,
booking an amazing villa,
discovering places to visit...
a big job!

The blog is fine if you follow me regularly. You know what projects I am working on and you know what I have done.

I exhibit my work in Toronto.
This piece was part of the exhibit
The Gathering last summer
@ Gallery 814.

But for a person who is just visiting for the first time I need to have a better description of what I am and what I do and what I have done!

I teach in the art department at different high schools.

My website and my blog need a make-over! 

I take some art classes and always keep learning.

That is what I will be working on in the next months.

I curate textile exhibits

Missing You

I can't really say I "miss" stuff when I am here in the south of Italy.

August 25 photo diary project

But I have noticed I miss making quilts. I miss my fabric.

My friend sent me an email with a picture of her workspace. Nothing set up -just a picture of what the space looked like. She and I sew together sometimes. I really loved that she sent me that.

Gail's quilt

Author Margaret Atwood described quilts as flags (taken from Judy's Journal)

Reading Amy Friend's blog this morning, I see that comparison again. I love that thought! Thinking of the motion of a flag when one is under a quilt. Moving, alive, being blown by the wind. It's beautiful. I miss my quilts.

I leave the beach on Monday..

... and head north to Verona where I will be confirming the itinerary for next year's group trip (May 15 to 24). I will be sewing at the Ad Maiora studio for sure.

Happy sewing!

A Thought

Once in a while I wonder if it is worth blogging.

Is there anyone out there??

I check my stats regularly and there are hundreds of views worldwide per week so someone out there is enjoying my photos and my thoughts.

Someone out there is being inspired.

Once in a while I get a comment that encourages me to continue, like Martha's which she just posted even though it was a past post. Thanks Martha!!

I do too much talking to the walls as a mom so it's nice to know someone is listening on-line.

Keep commenting!

(my photos from the airplane flying over South Africa, October 2013)

Tea with Marilyn

I had (virtual) tea with Marilyn Mirabelli of Simply Splendid Victorian Afternoon Teas.

My friend Gail decorates her garden with vintage tea cups.

You can find the interview she conducted on her blog while we had "tea".

La Stanza del Tè, translated is The Tea Room,
an art piece by italian Maria Teresa Sansotta.
made with tea bags, fabric scraps, crinoline,
 approx. 1m x 1.40m
It was a present to me from the artist
for my 25th wedding anniversary.

Marilyn has organized teas at my home on several occasions. I remember the Mother's Day Tea with fondness. Very elegant and right up to my high standards!

The tea ingredients,
including scones and fancy sandwiches,
always come in a fancy box!

Thank you, Marilyn, for your interest in my textile career.