Philosophy 333

Do things really happen in three's?
Well, it is now the third month of the year. Ariana is three years old. Peggie has finished three quilts in her Arizona series.
But that isn't the question.
This year there have been three tragedies with connections to our lives. So, if such things really do happen in threes, good. We are ready for that to be over. (mass shooting, Austin, tsunami)
I don't mean to trivialize all the other tragedies (imagine if you lived in Libya right now) or to ignore that others have suffered more directly, but I really don't want anything to hit any closer to home than the three mentioned above.
So let's go for three good things. Casey could get that new job, Greg's kitchen could actually get done on time and on budget, we get to eat Rocky Road Pie at Mom's 86th birthday party. Yeah, that would do it.

It's a color riot!

I've spent quite a bit of time lately working with rust-dyed fabrics and while that's been very enjoyable I've really missed color! Last week I decided to get into my scraps and pick out only bright colors. I made this top using the "quilt as you go" method. It's about 36" square. It's finished for now but I may be adding another element on top. We'll see.

And, great news. My sewing machine is fixed and we're heading out to the eastside to pick it up and bring it home. I managed to get along without it but really missed quite a few features. And, my 40 year old machine started acting up when doing free-motion stitching. Not a good thing.

Philosophy 201

Today I will make my seventh visit to a medical professional in the last six monts.
I now know why retirement is necessary. While working, I did not have time for seven medical appointments in six months. And I am not even in poor health. So far.
Yesterday we were going to attend a spring training game. One of only two scheduled in Tucson this year. Being efficient, we combined the outing with a stop at the library and another to drop off our taxes. We arrived in the vicinity of the ball park right on time. As did several thousand others. Traffic was backed up in both directions for half a mile, including up the freeway offramp. We waited in line until nearly game time, having gained about half the distance to the parking lot. Then we let the nasty wind and the delay force us away. Today we read that the game was a sellout, with taffic still backed up in the third inning. D-backs lost 12-1, so it was a good game to miss.
Some bad news. My cousin's son has been missing for over a week. For a while, no news is good news, then, with time, it reverses. His body was finally discovered in a river. Sad. But at this point, knowing is better than not knowing. Our hearts break for those who knew him and loved him. R.I.P. Austin Bice.

Aw, shucks...

It doesn't take much arm twisting to get me to post another art quilt. After a little research at the library, we found these family brands. Cool, huh?

The plan is to replace the yarn with rusted barbed wire. I just haven't gotten to it yet but it's gonna happen.

Sewing machine update...

The main powerboard is the problem just as I expected. Because my machine is rather old, what? 19 years? old? they have to send away for a new powerboard. The store did some good negotiating with me to get me to buy a new machine--price marked down, floor model available with full warranty, free cleaning next year, 12 months interest-free financing, $50 store credit, $200 trade-in on my machine (cough-cough). I've decided to postpone a new machine and have my old one fixed. I really like it. It will take about 3 weeks or so. I guess that's okay but I do have a two-day workshop in April so I need it by then for sure.

My oldER machine, did help me finish this. Well, it's all finished except for the "hem" (read--handwork). It's 24"h x 19"w but no title yet. I had a good time making it, and learned some new things. One of which was threadpainting using a 40-year-old machine worked just fine. On another happy note, about a year ago a group of us (about 12-14) formed an organization, Fiber Artists of Southern Arizona, aka FASA. We sent out a CD of work in December and have been accepted for our first art show which will take place mid-August through mid-September at the Jewish Community Center. While I won't be here for the opening reception, etc. my work will hang in good company. We've also just purchased a domain for our website and each artist will have a link to a personal page. Some already have personal websites so those links will show too. I'll let you know when the website is active.

It's a good thing I got that smartphone that practically cooks and cleans as I'm spending lots of time in my studio! Between Bill and the smartphone, really, what can I add?

Our drive to Sierra Vista by way of Sonoita for a quilt show on Sunday was beautiful. It had snowed here at our house but it was even prettier on the drive.

The picture above was taken in the morning and the next one was taken in the afternoon.