What I Did at Asilomar

“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” 
― Maya Angelou

When Andrea and I went to Asilomar in Pacific Grove, CA, we attended a Fiber Arts Seminar called "Empty Spools". Empty Spools has been around for thirty-four years and Asilomar for longer than that.  I have given you links to both websites if you want more information.

My teacher was Melinda Bula, a fabulous fiber artist who has won many awards for her art.  She was very knowledgeable and fun!  Her specialty is landscape quilts and BIG flowers...the same technique used in both.  I was interested in the landscapes as I have a jillion pictures from various trips that I would love to recreate in fabric. So here we go!

The first thing I had to do was to select my picture. Then I had to take it to Kinkos to get it enlarged. I decided to enlarge mine to a 30" x 32" size. And this enlargement along with a whole suitcase filled with fabric and other needed supplies boarded the plane with me.

My picture .... From the  Silverton to Durango train along the Animas River in Colorado

My enlargement in black and white

Step one: determine horizons and areas of color/value

Step two: pin backing fabric (muslin) on foam board and begin to "audition" fabrics for large areas.

Step three: begin to add fusible fabrics to areas (another student is working right next to me).

We were to bring a big variety of fabric in all values because that is how to get the depth and perspective in the landscapes.  We also were to bring 25 yards of Steam a Seam which is a fusible one irons onto the back of the fabric, then can cut to any shape needed.  There is a paper back on the fusible; once it is peeled off you can stick it to your background and move it when needed.  It is not permanently stuck until  you iron it on. I thought surely 25 yards was a mistake so I emailed Melinda to see if she really meant 5 instead!  But, no...and she was right! I have already used a bit less than four yards and am far from done!!

This is my workspace...there were three of us at the same station. Mine is over by my board.

We each had our own table and boards to work on.  We shared the ironing areas to adhere the fusible, etc. There were 14 of us...most from California, but a couple others from other states...one from Hawaii who comes every year and stays for two sessions...a different teacher/class for the second week.

Continuing to add fabric...now starting to create rocks!

I didn't like where my water background was going so I peeled it off, put on another base of fabric and started to add foamy water.  I could line my rocks up along the edge of my work to place whenever I wanted at a later time.

When ever I needed to back off from looking at the big picture, I would just make more rocks from the fabric I had, combining values and textures to get the right look.  I have a LOT of rocks to make.

A close up of the beginning of water and ripples.

I chose to start in this corner of the picture because one of the things that Melinda is really good at is water!  I wanted her to guide me in how to create that foamy look and ripples.  I figured I could do the trees on my own when I got back home!

A closeup of my rocks and starting of water.

And another closeup with a subtle difference.

And that is about as far as I have gotten with this "Masterpiece"!  Today, I am going to Office Max to get a foam board.  I didn't want to fold my work so far up so I found a mailing tube and rolled it up to mail home.  I haven't even unwrapped it yet because I haven't been home long enough to work on it!

I know this probably doesn't look like much yet but hopefully in time it will develop into what I want it of look like.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I wanted to add one more picture....at the end of the day, after dinner and our walk, we would go to the Main Building Assembly Hall and listen to all the various teachers give a little talk about what they do.  And there would be a little show and tell of people who had attended in years past as well as any announcements for all. There were some there who have been coming every year for a long time.  One woman was the charter member...had not missed one year in 34 years!

General Assembly Hall at Asilomar...an architectural beauty of its own!

Home, Sweet Home!

If you go anywhere, even paradise, you will miss your home. Malala Yousafzai

I have been out of town for over three weeks!  And home...my own bed....my own shower....feels so good!  I love to travel but I really love to come home!

My daughter Andrea and I went to Pacific Grove, CA...between Monterrey and Carmel...to take a couple of art quilt classes.  And while there we revisited some favorite spots in the area.  We stayed our first night, a Saturday, in Pacific Grove right on Ocean Drive with Monterrey Bay right across the street.  That evening we got some great pictures of the Bay and sunset.

The next morning we got up real early and started walking up the beach again.  It was a little chilly but a great walk!  We asked this gentleman where was a good place to get breakfast and he told us to keep going in the same direction, towards Monterrey, which we did.  We actually walked to where Pacific Grove becomes Monterrey and had breakfast at  a place called Fresh Awakenings.

Fresh Awakenings- We ate inside as it was a bit chilly!

Then we hiked back to the motel to shower, pack up and get ready to go to Asilomar.  We had to check in then were to go to our classes by 5:00 to have a short class that evening...a bit of an introduction, etc..

Lobby in the Main Building where we checked in

Our dorm building-our room was at the end.

The view from our window...the whole back wall was glass...our own patio...a huge room!

Merrill Hall- where my class was at one end.  Also where the general assembly was held each evening.

The dining hall where we ate all our meals.

Asilomar Beach-every morning we would take a walk among the dunes.  

Walkers are requested to stay on the boardwalk when at the dunes because of the fragile ecosystem.

And after dinner, before the general assembly meetings, we would walk down again to catch the sunsets.

One of our last nights' there we saw a finger nail moon with Venus in the west sky. 

March...International Women's History Month

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. — Eleanor 

Roosevelt

Many Strong Women

      Each year we celebrate National Women's History Month.  Because of the shrinking of the world due  to our use of cyberspace,  it has become INTERNATIONAL Women's History Month.

After witnessing the worldwide unity during the Women's March of January 21 of this year, and seeing all the activism occurring daily, it is becoming more and more apparent that if we want change, it is going to be up to the "fairer" sex to make the world an even better place to be.

       And meanwhile, on Wall Street, a new statue was on display for Wednesday March 8, the Day of the Month in March that is designated as International Women's Day.  I think this is one of the most dynamic shots of the  year!

Wall Street Heroine

And her adversary

I don't know if this is a permanent art work, but I hope so!  This is the kind of thing all our little girls need to see!  Here is a link to a video you can see about people's reaction to this little super girl!

I Am An Ambivert!

"After an hour or two of being socially on, we introverts need to turn off and recharge....This isn't antisocial.  It isn't a sign of depression.  It's just the way we are!" Jonathan Rauch 

I love this poster!!!

A couple of weeks ago, our minister, the Reverend Shari Woodbury gave a reflection on the subject of extroverts, ambiverts, and introverts.  Probably most of us fall in the category of ambivert. By definition, an ambivert is: a person whose personality has a balance of extrovert and introvert features. I had not heard this term before so had always had a difficult time deciding which I was when in a group being asked  was I....an introvert (a person who tends to turn inward mentally; one who avoids large crowds, feeling more energized by time alone) or an extrovert ( one who finds energy in interactions with others.)

Shari referred to an author/speaker, Susan Cain who has a very interesting TEDTalk  about being an introvert.  And she has a book that looks worthwhile for understanding the workings of the introvert. I haven't read it yet but it is on my list.

Susan Cain and one of her books

With this being said, I do think that I am closer to being an introvert even though I love meeting people and can usually get into a conversation with ease...a curiosity of wanting to know about what makes them tick.  But I need my "lone time"; I do not need to always be around people; in fact after being in a crowd, big or small, I need to be alone. But I am happy to discover the term ambivert...so I guess I am ambivert with strong introvert tendencies! 

I found these two "brains" on Google.....Sooooooo.......Which are you????

A Busy Couple of Weeks

"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." -Harry S. Truman

    As so many of us have shaken our heads and said..."It's going to be a long four years!" I have decided to become more proactive.  I have always voted as soon as I was old enough.  I wanted so badly to vote for John Kennedy but wasn't 21 yet...I had a year to go.  Yes, my children, we all had to be 21 way back then!  But with the current state of affairs, I find it very encouraging to see how many people, including myself, are becoming less complacent and more active.

I have joined three different Democratic Groups in the past three weeks.  First was the Stonewall Democrats of Tarrant County.  I have several friends already active members of this group.

Then the following week, I attended a meeting of the Southwest Fort Worth Democrats, another fine group of active Democrats...I couldn't find a website for them but this link will take you to their Facebook page and information about meetings.

Then just this morning, I attended the Tarrant County Democrats Women's Club...and I was blown away!  Great meeting...they reported that as of the first of January they had 146 members and at the end of meeting today they have a total of 505 members!!  And I was really pleased to see how many young women... 25-45 age group... were there! Wahoo!  We are Women, Hear us roar!!

Although I do want to support all of the organizations, I think I am going to find I have more of an appreciation for this group...I have to  rein in a bit or I won't be able to be effective anywhere!
     
        And another thing I have been working on is my scrappy tablecloth.  I did get it pieced but not quilted yet.

The piles of scrap fabric because I cannot throw anything away!

Starting to sort a little bit into color and size

More sorting

Getting on the wall

More on the wall!                              

And finally to the table!

So on Saturday night I hosted a Circle Supper with seven other people from my church and was able to set my table with my multi colored Fiesta ware and my new, very colorful table cloth!!! (Circle Suppers are a monthly affair....kind of a potluck kind of thing with lots of good food, good wine, and good company!)

Human Rights and a Book Review

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” 
― John F. Kennedy

Movies That Matter Logo

     Last night several of my friends and I went to see a movie at the Modern in Fort Worth.

The Modern Art Museum- Fort Worth, Texas

Every other month, the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission (HRC) shows free films that celebrate diversity and inclusion. Each event is followed by a moderated discussion with local subject matter experts.

"Atomic Mom" was the movie last night.

     The film we saw last night was "Atomic Mom", a documentary style film made by M.T. Silva about her mom, Pauline Silva.  Pauline was a researcher on the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project during the Cold War. At the time, she totally adopted the Cold War mentality and never questioned her work...as she said at the end of the film, if she knew then what she knows now, she would not have kept quiet.  It was a very depressing film but very worthwhile to view.

     The frightening part of seeing a film of this nature is with what is going on in the world today, and with the temperament of our current administration, how close we could come to even more than a cold war!  And the concern that good people who can keep us safe are either "sworn to secrecy" or are too intimidated to speak up!

     Here is a link to the "Movies That Matter" website where you can find out more about HRC and their film schedule for the coming year.

     On a more cheerful note, I don't think I ever reviewed "The Perfume Collector" by Kathleen Tessaro on my blog.  This is a book I read for my Westside UU bookclub.

This was described as historical fiction and is based on the history of perfume which was very interesting. I had no idea that they could create specialty perfumes for individual persons, but then I am more of a "clean soap" smell kind of girl!  Anyway, a bit of intrigue leads you from New York to London to Paris..across several years and back.  The description of the places and the times as well as the development and competition in the perfume trade makes for a good read.

Book Reviews

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” 
― Francis Bacon, The Essays

 I realize I haven't posted for awhile..been busy contacting my congressmen, calling, emailing, sending postcards and letters...anything to get their attention to my unhappiness with what is going on in Washington due of "he who's name I cannot mention".  But I am not going to dwell on politics!   I am going to catch up on some of my book reviewing.

Recommended by a friend

"The Golem and the Jinni" by Helena Wecker really kept my interest.  This is not for those who do not care for fantasy or stories of legends.  A Golem is a creature made of clay who comes to life but must obey his/her master in all things. I had read of these creatures before...mostly if not altogether from Jewish legend.  The Jinni is a mythical creature...like a Genii in a bottle!  These two, a female Golem and a male Jinni, meet in New York City...probably around the early 1900's when a lot of immigrants were coming to our country.  I found it to be fascinating how they were able to survive and actually become human-like throughout the story.

Did I already read this???

Have you ever started a book and thought it sounds familiar? The "Art of Forgetting" by Peter Palmieri was one of those books for me!  But I couldn't put it down because I had no idea what was coming next!!  It is a medical mystery...and a mystery to me as to whether I had read it before...I did like it ...maybe twice, because I never could decide if I had read it previously!  It did keep me page turning!

Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer

"The Crossing" is one of Connelly's most recent mysteries.  If you are a follower of Hieronymus Bosch (not the artist, the detective) and the Lincoln Lawyer (think Matthew McConaughey) you will really like this one!  It even makes reference to the movie, "The Lincoln Lawyer"!

Yes, I know I have done this before

The last time I reviewed books, I reviewed "The Muse" by Jessie Burton as an audio book and at that time,  I said it might be one to read.  I have chosen it for my turn at our Villas book club this month.  It had been a while since I had listened to it so I decided to read it.  And I was right about this being a well-written and needing to be read book.  I really like this book...I would give it five stars!!!!

My most recent read book

And lastly, "Life After Life" by Kate Atkinson..I just finished it this morning before posting!  This is the most peculiar book....I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it.  Ursula, the main character, almost dies at birth ....I am not giving anything away by saying that because it happens to her many times!!!  She is born? in 1910 and the book progresses through the 1950s? It can be confusing because it skips back and forth throughout...with different histories for Ursula and those around her.  Compelling reading, but can be a bit frustrating as I was never sure what was real and what was just in her mind! It is interesting though but can be a bit of a struggle so I don't want to rave about it and mislead anyone.

The Name Game

“It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.” 
― W.C. Fields

     Seventy-six years and a few months ago, this adorable little girl was born.  Her parents named her Mary Jacqueline with the plan of nicknaming her Jackie. Her paternal grandfather was called Jack even though his name was Jesse.

Mary Jacqueline

Paternal grandfather-Jesse better known as Jack (deceased before Jay was born)

       This baby, Jackie, had a big sister, Judy, who was 21/2 years older than she.  Judy had trouble prounouncing "Jackie"; her version was more of a "Jay"....so everyone called Jackie, Jay.

Big sister, Judy

As "Jay" grew, everyone called her that and as far as she knew....that was her name!  Her paternal grandmother always insisted on calling her Jackie.  That really irritated Jay because THAT sounded like a boy's name!!!!

Paternal grandmother who insisted on Jackie!

     When Jay was nine, her baby brother was born!  So cute...his name was John (maternal grandfather-deceased) Carnes (mother's maiden name)....and here we go...wait for it...Jack is a nickname for John...so new baby became Jackie!  Whew! Pressure off Jay...Grandma now has a Jack in the family!

Baby JACK!

    Time goes by...Jay graduates from high school and is heading to college.  By now she has decided that Jacqueline..or Jackie...is much cooler than JAY!

Mary Jacqueline graduating from HS

     So off to Mizzou goes Jackie...but it didn't stick...18 years of being Jay was just too much.  It actually wasn't too bad...she even gotten invited to a fraternity smoker (that's what they called frat pledge parties) to which she accepted but didn't get to attend once her gender was discovered.

      Okay...zip ahead about 60 years.  Jay often signs her name Mary J. as that is her legal name on all legal documents but she still often uses Jay and wouldn't you know, she gets a lot of Mr. Jay...mail and phone calls.  She has become more vocal on line lately and decided it is time for another name change!  So rather than sign my name "Jay" I am feminizing (is that a word) my name by adding an "E".   So for now on, I will be signing my name "Jaye"...a long time coming!  We'll see how it goes! (This creative name change usually happens in junior high! I'm a little  slow!) 

Jaye....2017