tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75016290572647555642024-03-13T06:12:07.498-07:00Dye Me to the MoonI am a gypsy quilter.
I am a passionate hand-dyer.
I am an intuitive designer.
Color is my vehicle.
Textiles are my highway.
Let’s journey together through the fibers of imagination and creativity.Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-16046685823583032692016-12-15T17:11:00.001-08:002016-12-15T17:11:54.688-08:00HIGHLIGHT BURSTI love these!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeK-X4vYvvU/WFM_SQRr8RI/AAAAAAAAC8g/yzuRIsBB4g4/s640/blogger-image-115313342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeK-X4vYvvU/WFM_SQRr8RI/AAAAAAAAC8g/yzuRIsBB4g4/s640/blogger-image-115313342.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pinch a white fat quarter in the middle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qXwPDJBStiY/WFM_WTeFVgI/AAAAAAAAC8o/7GDpPd52t3U/s640/blogger-image-1995565497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qXwPDJBStiY/WFM_WTeFVgI/AAAAAAAAC8o/7GDpPd52t3U/s640/blogger-image-1995565497.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Draw it up with the middle at the top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-emBzDVwvhsc/WFM_IqFIfHI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/2-14Ka4cnho/s640/blogger-image--1564947866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-emBzDVwvhsc/WFM_IqFIfHI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/2-14Ka4cnho/s640/blogger-image--1564947866.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Weight it at the bottom so it doesn't float up. I use coins and a bull clip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHDZxqqDy60/WFM_K69q5NI/AAAAAAAAC8U/mnljuxPy9rk/s640/blogger-image-1835352326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHDZxqqDy60/WFM_K69q5NI/AAAAAAAAC8U/mnljuxPy9rk/s640/blogger-image-1835352326.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Put it in a cylinder with about an inch of dye concentrate at the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zmVrQIwUspw/WFM_Uftm6uI/AAAAAAAAC8k/YEdvDLXYqJE/s640/blogger-image-1793845187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zmVrQIwUspw/WFM_Uftm6uI/AAAAAAAAC8k/YEdvDLXYqJE/s640/blogger-image-1793845187.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every 15 minutes pour another inch or so of soda ash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is after an hour or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-57gHjrrzpPk/WFM_P0hKc4I/AAAAAAAAC8c/_w82thA1ZTo/s640/blogger-image-1206035610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-57gHjrrzpPk/WFM_P0hKc4I/AAAAAAAAC8c/_w82thA1ZTo/s640/blogger-image-1206035610.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once you get to the top, push the center down for a minute or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ro2Q_7Bu3a8/WFM_NEyQl0I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/UwiozBAuqzs/s640/blogger-image--111039538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ro2Q_7Bu3a8/WFM_NEyQl0I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/UwiozBAuqzs/s640/blogger-image--111039538.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beautiful? Yes!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">E</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-75994842497051380982016-12-12T19:17:00.001-08:002016-12-12T19:18:52.789-08:00HAIDA GWAIIThere was an amazing exhibit in Mazatlan last month.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NWEOwaJ9DKY/WE9oJJEAwzI/AAAAAAAAC78/cQFXPTBjmfE/s640/blogger-image--592239952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NWEOwaJ9DKY/WE9oJJEAwzI/AAAAAAAAC78/cQFXPTBjmfE/s640/blogger-image--592239952.jpg"></a></div>The artist, Sandra Price, is from Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). She creates a quilted background and adds her hand stitched poetry/prose. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ViX82o2xpg8/WE9oFWO6jQI/AAAAAAAAC70/xkC2FVf2Wmw/s640/blogger-image--996658898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ViX82o2xpg8/WE9oFWO6jQI/AAAAAAAAC70/xkC2FVf2Wmw/s640/blogger-image--996658898.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rXsMgVk7isg/WE9oLO73SQI/AAAAAAAAC8A/L9XJDxUhygI/s640/blogger-image--1698468403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rXsMgVk7isg/WE9oLO73SQI/AAAAAAAAC8A/L9XJDxUhygI/s640/blogger-image--1698468403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She also brought along traditional blanket work from local people in her community.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c1ziJUpFsu4/WE9oHO97LuI/AAAAAAAAC74/CcWg0LGdRnE/s640/blogger-image-1565228860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c1ziJUpFsu4/WE9oHO97LuI/AAAAAAAAC74/CcWg0LGdRnE/s640/blogger-image-1565228860.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Amazing! Thank you Sandra!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-91947848464691131642016-12-08T18:49:00.001-08:002016-12-08T18:49:05.786-08:00ICE-DYES<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D19Uo_uYKj4/WEoboTl4p2I/AAAAAAAAC7k/JIYY1OZ6aIg/s640/blogger-image-1332162824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D19Uo_uYKj4/WEoboTl4p2I/AAAAAAAAC7k/JIYY1OZ6aIg/s640/blogger-image-1332162824.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a trial of folded ice dyeing, inspired from the June issue of Quilting Arts, that I tried yesterday. Personally it's not my favorite. Once covered with ice, it's hard to tell where you're sprinkling the powder. </div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-71127285637536005792016-12-08T18:42:00.001-08:002016-12-08T18:43:13.769-08:00MIGRATIONWe're back to Mazatlan. Same amazing and beautiful place. Same wonderful people. AND there's a new quilt shop in town...just two blocks from my house. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WlvA0rfbJ1U/WEoaCgRwWQI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/exbO3WLI93o/s640/blogger-image-996364389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WlvA0rfbJ1U/WEoaCgRwWQI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/exbO3WLI93o/s640/blogger-image-996364389.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And my favorite "sewing ladies", who I've worked with for many years are running the shop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ODMqkj9O3sU/WEoaGFJ18CI/AAAAAAAAC7c/bLOX-SA3FL8/s640/blogger-image--1907640563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ODMqkj9O3sU/WEoaGFJ18CI/AAAAAAAAC7c/bLOX-SA3FL8/s640/blogger-image--1907640563.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you Linda Hannawalt for making this dream come true for my friends!</div><br></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-66212011165888832932016-11-29T22:12:00.001-08:002016-11-29T22:53:08.130-08:00DEPARTURE<div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F42Q976QW-A/WD51cNahNCI/AAAAAAAAC6c/eemPMMUzJRU/s640/blogger-image-635555158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F42Q976QW-A/WD51cNahNCI/AAAAAAAAC6c/eemPMMUzJRU/s640/blogger-image-635555158.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I made these with my dye group this week. Fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sWiE3lILC5w/WD51avaY8XI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/7gEAjNqGoVo/s640/blogger-image-967546761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sWiE3lILC5w/WD51avaY8XI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/7gEAjNqGoVo/s640/blogger-image-967546761.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I finished this piece yesterday. It's for the tell a story contest in Quilting Arts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIW58UGeJN0/WD52pgk90qI/AAAAAAAAC6g/LtiKvRtv3Wk/s640/blogger-image--1966075454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIW58UGeJN0/WD52pgk90qI/AAAAAAAAC6g/LtiKvRtv3Wk/s640/blogger-image--1966075454.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finished!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Something has drastically changed on the blog site...must investigate!</div><br></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-10640072564404038862016-11-18T21:05:00.001-08:002016-11-18T21:05:09.352-08:00FALL TO WINTERIt came early this year. In my limited experience of 7 years here in the valley, this year's "weather" has come early. Typically I've enjoyed beautiful autumns lasting till Thanksgiving. After that it seems to go to hell. But this year? Much earlier. <div>We've had daily fires in the wood stove for a month now. Leaf raking is a frequent activity. I seem to be making stews and soups more...yum! And best of all, my studio is getting a good workout.</div><div>Just finished a top that was very spontaneous...I started it Monday night after our local SAQA meeting. Inspired by the election.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eRFbO8ViHcg/WC_dhH6QLGI/AAAAAAAAC6I/u8zoG-lUx_Y/s640/blogger-image-346505011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eRFbO8ViHcg/WC_dhH6QLGI/AAAAAAAAC6I/u8zoG-lUx_Y/s640/blogger-image-346505011.jpg"></a></div></div><div>There's always good inspiration at our meetings. Here is a portrait from a photo by Deb Runnels. "Praying for Rain".</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxvnNbBDmGA/WC_dcFxPcPI/AAAAAAAAC6A/7ftvNMIq5Ds/s640/blogger-image--1133242767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxvnNbBDmGA/WC_dcFxPcPI/AAAAAAAAC6A/7ftvNMIq5Ds/s640/blogger-image--1133242767.jpg"></a></div>When possible, I try to make it to the Monday dye session at Cynthia's. There's been a leaf craze lately. Silk screened leaves. I love this photo!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGUNKYYvmsI/WC_demm7PKI/AAAAAAAAC6E/VspKyZEzT6U/s640/blogger-image-1330090229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGUNKYYvmsI/WC_demm7PKI/AAAAAAAAC6E/VspKyZEzT6U/s640/blogger-image-1330090229.jpg"></a></div>Lots more going on in my fiber world. To be continued...</div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-33803566444285750992016-10-16T09:32:00.001-07:002016-10-16T09:32:05.843-07:00AUTUMN LEAVESI'll be doing a couple of gelli plate printing demos this week so thought I'd do a dry run yesterday. It was the perfect stormy day to stay in and play.<div>I printed up some leaves on earthy colored remnants with acrylic paint then pieced them together for a table runner. What a fun and easy process!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-myRFCgGx5SA/WAOrfMg3ksI/AAAAAAAAC5c/CFtl19ijFX4/s640/blogger-image-831827410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-myRFCgGx5SA/WAOrfMg3ksI/AAAAAAAAC5c/CFtl19ijFX4/s640/blogger-image-831827410.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Here are some of the individual remnants.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_1ydryZ-qSg/WAOrhfcSENI/AAAAAAAAC5g/24JVOWgffy0/s640/blogger-image--414670460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_1ydryZ-qSg/WAOrhfcSENI/AAAAAAAAC5g/24JVOWgffy0/s640/blogger-image--414670460.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-11280567129181453232016-08-12T22:02:00.001-07:002016-08-12T22:02:05.606-07:00ANOTHER EAT YOUR GREENSA few years back I was into an "eat your greens" placemat series. Now I am working on one for a SAQA poster exhibit. I used a 7 color collection dyed from lemon yellow and steele gray. Today I free-motioned the sun and some lettering. Next step is the greens. And on and on. With buttons!!!! Yeah!!! This is a fun one, and speaks well to my graphic skills.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4L-gpylxuw0/V66pywRr5sI/AAAAAAAAC3k/qay2mmRMHJQ/s640/blogger-image-769627274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4L-gpylxuw0/V66pywRr5sI/AAAAAAAAC3k/qay2mmRMHJQ/s640/blogger-image-769627274.jpg"></a></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-39475339080621026732016-07-15T12:49:00.001-07:002016-07-15T12:49:03.789-07:00SISTERS #2We're home now from our great trip to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. So much inspiration!<div>With a week full of classes held just prior to Saturday's show, there definitely was incredible talent present with all of the outstanding teachers on site. On show day, we really enjoyed the large tent just for displaying teachers' works. It was early morning and the sun was shining brightly behind one wall of quilts. Every seam allowance was shining through. We even could see some of the backing pop through on a few of the quilts. For me, it was an amazing display!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z3bwEF_h1d0/V4k-Lr-d4OI/AAAAAAAAC0c/d6uiP5tj6o8/s640/blogger-image-1222196650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z3bwEF_h1d0/V4k-Lr-d4OI/AAAAAAAAC0c/d6uiP5tj6o8/s640/blogger-image-1222196650.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes most of the lines seen here are seam allowances, only seen because of the sunlight. Quirky but I loved it!</div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-58027111960895134152016-07-10T11:42:00.001-07:002016-07-10T11:42:24.936-07:00SISTERS OUTDOOR QUILT SHOW<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v765ecAcmHU/V4KW-3__ecI/AAAAAAAAC0I/s3AAX7apnBA/s640/blogger-image-381954548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v765ecAcmHU/V4KW-3__ecI/AAAAAAAAC0I/s3AAX7apnBA/s640/blogger-image-381954548.jpg"></a>It's the largest outdoor quilt show in the world they say.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We spent the weekend here in the local campground and enjoyed this amazing quilt event. We missed the classes but now know to sign up next year. By the end of the day we were energized by the creativity, and overwhelmed by all that was to be seen. Amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dAGbD6wDiHg/V4KXDx4Df8I/AAAAAAAAC0M/dSmU2VZxWvg/s640/blogger-image--1410201976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dAGbD6wDiHg/V4KXDx4Df8I/AAAAAAAAC0M/dSmU2VZxWvg/s640/blogger-image--1410201976.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-48856393977588133402016-06-17T19:08:00.001-07:002016-06-17T19:08:42.792-07:00POETRY AND CLOTH<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lovely show at the Rogue Gallery in downtown Medford tonight. Fiber artists - you should be proud!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0l9pwroJGvw/V2StKeCGJdI/AAAAAAAACz4/yL6X97r1I9s/s640/blogger-image-869536564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0l9pwroJGvw/V2StKeCGJdI/AAAAAAAACz4/yL6X97r1I9s/s640/blogger-image-869536564.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-67241880826033095752016-06-12T07:51:00.001-07:002016-06-12T07:51:45.969-07:00ITS IN THE DETAILSThe patterns and designs in clothing from Latin America represent individual villages/origins. Here is a sun motif typical of Chichicastenango in Guatemala. I used the book "Threads of Identity: Maya Costume of the 1960's in Highland Guatemala" by Patricia B. Altman and Caroline D. West as a reference.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tAg_RL_Ix0w/V113AbIUrwI/AAAAAAAACzk/O5ZwDmZiOKo/s640/blogger-image--69966309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tAg_RL_Ix0w/V113AbIUrwI/AAAAAAAACzk/O5ZwDmZiOKo/s640/blogger-image--69966309.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-13877175108502825022016-06-12T07:44:00.001-07:002016-06-12T07:44:23.346-07:00RELAXATIONLast weekend we went camping at Union Creek. There is nothing more relaxing than swinging in the hammock with a good book, the sun filtering through the canopy of trees.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-59tucxwc1AE/V111RuoaR3I/AAAAAAAACzY/HcUpCOtd1yg/s640/blogger-image--1289768850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-59tucxwc1AE/V111RuoaR3I/AAAAAAAACzY/HcUpCOtd1yg/s640/blogger-image--1289768850.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-42497857195791829042016-06-11T17:15:00.001-07:002016-06-11T17:15:18.738-07:00PATRIOTIC DYEING<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My friend Kathy wanted to make some 4th of July tee shirts for her grandkids in Virginia. They really turned out great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCsZcz3d4X0/V1yplXf_OjI/AAAAAAAACzI/WFyq5w908ks/s640/blogger-image-288641746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCsZcz3d4X0/V1yplXf_OjI/AAAAAAAACzI/WFyq5w908ks/s640/blogger-image-288641746.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-9893266574141891012016-03-03T10:35:00.001-08:002016-03-03T10:35:37.065-08:00XICO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My annual "Sisters of the Castor Bean" trip took us to the state of Veracruz this year, located on the eastern seaboard of Mexico, on the Gulf coast. One of the many highlights was visiting the Magic Town (Pueblo Magico) of Xico (HEE-coe). Located in the central part of the state, it is home to a month long celebration in July featuring the festival of Maria Magdalena. </div>
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The local church, dedicated to Maria Magdalena, is flanked at the entrance with a beautiful archway of natural flowers and plants, now dried with age. It is made anew every July to grace the entrance where a statue of Maria is carried through town. Our guide informed us that in these daily processions, she wears a different dress every day, and has been doing so since 1898.</div>
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The statue that is carried through town is your typical upright, hands-in-prayer mode Virgin Mary, but the statue at the altar was much different and quite surprising. Here we found a lounging Maria Magdalena, as she had a reputation of being a repentant prostitute or loose woman. This was my first experience of a reclining Mary.</div>
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Our guide suggested we see if the Dress Museum was open. We had no idea there was such a thing. When we entered the building and saw row upon row of the dresses that Maria has worn over the years, we were awestruck. Of course many of the early ones have gone by the wayside, but we saw many from mid century and of course all of them from recent years. Let's see....31 days in July times 117 years of the festival equals 3,627 dresses. That is one well-dressed ex-prostitute!</div>
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All of the dresses were beautifully made and a few were hand-painted. We were so curious as to who the seamstresses were, how they were chosen, etc., but that wasn't included. Regardless, it was an amazing display!</div>
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Down the street was the Muso del Danzante Xiqueno. This featured another prominent part of the July festival...the masked clowns and costumes that are dancing through the streets each day.</div>
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We also happened to come upon a mask making class there, with children and adults carving and painting wooden masks, big and small.<br />
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Xico was a definite treat and maybe someday I'll win the lottery and spend the month of July in this lively town!Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-33272253486743309872016-02-11T20:44:00.000-08:002016-02-11T20:44:21.970-08:00IN MY HEADThat's where all my creativity is these days...in my head. I have had the fortunate pleasure of traveling lately. We (hubby Tom and I) just returned from 5 weeks in Colombia, and now I am off on my annual girlfriends' trip...this year to the state of Veracruz on Mexico's east coast. My iphone is clogged with photos that don't seem to want to download. I am backlogged on journaling about Colombia. My head is swimming with thoughts about what I will create when I get settled in Oregon. One goal I have is to be better with time management. There is so much to do and so little time!Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-86350632649243931342015-12-31T16:25:00.001-08:002015-12-31T19:47:49.075-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I look back on 2015, I am amazed at all of the many wonderful adventures we've had. I want to jot them down, as I know there will come a time that my memory won't serve me so well...</span></div><div>January: Tom and I were in the early stages of remodeling our new place in Medford, Oregon. I say "we" but HE did most of the work...all the way down to the studs! Huge project! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KCH1nX5kbSI/VoWrj1kXcII/AAAAAAAACuk/5HUDil6NLZc/s640/blogger-image-940062480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KCH1nX5kbSI/VoWrj1kXcII/AAAAAAAACuk/5HUDil6NLZc/s640/blogger-image-940062480.jpg"></a></div>My "girlfriends' trip" took me to Mazatlan for three weeks where 8 of us visited the beautiful Mexican state of San Luis Potosí...another wonderful trip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENcvKkTNzLs/VoXHWWBuaOI/AAAAAAAACwM/iJTpQeEh6Vc/s640/blogger-image-1852953486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENcvKkTNzLs/VoXHWWBuaOI/AAAAAAAACwM/iJTpQeEh6Vc/s640/blogger-image-1852953486.jpg"></a></div></div><div>February: on return to Oregon, I resumed my role as "support staff" to Tom and his revolving door of workers. I tried to find spare moments for fabric work. I became active in a quilt journal group out of The Sew Creative quilt shop in Ashland, where I also taught a few classes. Local Studio Art Quilters Association (SAQA) meetings were also held there which pushed me into entering my pieces into international exhibitions. My goal for the year was to enter five pieces, which I accomplished, and out of this five, I am proud to say one was accepted! More on that later. I continued meeting with my dye partners- Christine, Cynthia, and Lene- on their Monday afternoon sessions whenever I could make it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXAaiRvNwck/VoW-qmQRp7I/AAAAAAAACv0/-cjZbPqZo9M/s640/blogger-image-1857778803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXAaiRvNwck/VoW-qmQRp7I/AAAAAAAACv0/-cjZbPqZo9M/s640/blogger-image-1857778803.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the end of the month, I flew up to Anchorage to visit my brother Geoff and his family. His wife, Leona, passed away the month before and this was my first chance to get up there. We had a wonderful visit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WHIVTt6uYq8/VoW-flj2eLI/AAAAAAAACvU/LYFw2i_clfs/s640/blogger-image--1170870594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WHIVTt6uYq8/VoW-flj2eLI/AAAAAAAACvU/LYFw2i_clfs/s640/blogger-image--1170870594.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While on this trip I had a long layover in Seattle and was able to reconnect with my long lost cousin, Erin (actually I am the long lost one!).<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5oxAmTDsohk/VoW-imkCUNI/AAAAAAAACvc/7uGMMC7qsT4/s640/blogger-image--4303964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5oxAmTDsohk/VoW-imkCUNI/AAAAAAAACvc/7uGMMC7qsT4/s640/blogger-image--4303964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">March and April: nothing monumental jumps out of my dim memory bank, except more house work, more fabric work when I could find moments to fit it in.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nEbSkTATc4M/VoW-tul8iVI/AAAAAAAACv8/WSBnxShqKxE/s640/blogger-image--1336598224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nEbSkTATc4M/VoW-tul8iVI/AAAAAAAACv8/WSBnxShqKxE/s640/blogger-image--1336598224.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lqFvlqROjs/VoWrWSGvWnI/AAAAAAAACt8/H6yy99U86p0/s640/blogger-image-1897473902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lqFvlqROjs/VoWrWSGvWnI/AAAAAAAACt8/H6yy99U86p0/s640/blogger-image-1897473902.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May: We extracted ourselves from the house project and drove north for the month for our last trip to Refuge Cove. There was a bit of work left for us to do as we promised the new owners. Our friends and RC neighbors, Jim and Sharon, joined us for more good times together. It was a bittersweet visit as we knew it would probably be our last. We have 15 years of wonderful memories there to carry us through the rest of our lives!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Za5WFehYoB0/VoWrTy1NmZI/AAAAAAAACt0/1KMPl7muP3s/s640/blogger-image--1234739180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Za5WFehYoB0/VoWrTy1NmZI/AAAAAAAACt0/1KMPl7muP3s/s640/blogger-image--1234739180.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">June: house work continues! By this time, friend and neighbor Travis was a regular on the scene and also the triple digit temps arrived which made their work brutal at times. We couldn't have survived without Travis!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MIeiJZqRHIE/VoWrpq9F7fI/AAAAAAAACu0/reQFBmC2Fzs/s640/blogger-image-195443291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MIeiJZqRHIE/VoWrpq9F7fI/AAAAAAAACu0/reQFBmC2Fzs/s640/blogger-image-195443291.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we couldn't have survived without our good friend and interior designer, Galen, who was always on the ready with our daily questions and quandaries. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qb1sMXG1YjE/VoXycL4MRhI/AAAAAAAACws/U8eV6lP-qoY/s640/blogger-image--1913475563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qb1sMXG1YjE/VoXycL4MRhI/AAAAAAAACws/U8eV6lP-qoY/s640/blogger-image--1913475563.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We took a short break with good friends Rick and Christine in our little travel trailers to a vintage trailer rally up the road at Valley of the Rogue State Park. It was blistering hot but luckily we could sit in the river to cool down and we enjoyed seeing all the interesting trailers and meeting folks from all over.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YrZgekKPiCM/VoWrOw5EwFI/AAAAAAAACtk/fzcjbl5PL-o/s640/blogger-image-1362575868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YrZgekKPiCM/VoWrOw5EwFI/AAAAAAAACtk/fzcjbl5PL-o/s640/blogger-image-1362575868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">July:more hot weather, more house work. We took our little trailer up to Union Creek, on highway 62, right on the Rogue and parked it for six weeks. It became our weekend getaway from the constant stresses of remodeling! It was wonderful: just an hour away and only $8 a night with our golden age pass. What a deal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vbG1OFCCFs/VoWrhUX69SI/AAAAAAAACuc/uF0nC2CEPUQ/s640/blogger-image--1492109238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vbG1OFCCFs/VoWrhUX69SI/AAAAAAAACuc/uF0nC2CEPUQ/s640/blogger-image--1492109238.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We even had visitors: Cecelia and Jerry from Mazatlan/Grants Pass.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NwarkDF-wSE/VoW-aTSC7tI/AAAAAAAACvE/uUorSsK_5ws/s640/blogger-image-1098053271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NwarkDF-wSE/VoW-aTSC7tI/AAAAAAAACvE/uUorSsK_5ws/s640/blogger-image-1098053271.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was also time to put our mobile home in Jacksonville on the market. What a great place that had been for us in our comings and goings these last five years!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uTLIoOq4kw0/VoWrRQn1HKI/AAAAAAAACts/VS3TLT5Y6XI/s640/blogger-image-896148393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uTLIoOq4kw0/VoWrRQn1HKI/AAAAAAAACts/VS3TLT5Y6XI/s640/blogger-image-896148393.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We put it on Craigslist and sold it in three days. We arranged for a September 1st transfer which now put the pressure on us to get our new house to a move in and live able stage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">August: the smoke rolled into the valley at the beginning of the month and lasted four weeks... Ugh! Thankfully we had our little weekend getaway up on the Rogue! Other than that we were in full tilt mode on the house! Tom's sister came up for a quick visit which as always was great! We have good times together!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gs843KO_jI4/VoW-lZGjf5I/AAAAAAAACvk/hprEYG8L1Vc/s640/blogger-image--1163192098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gs843KO_jI4/VoW-lZGjf5I/AAAAAAAACvk/hprEYG8L1Vc/s640/blogger-image--1163192098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">September: we moved in as planned on the first and spent the rest of the month taking lots of deep breaths of relief, enjoying our new place, even in its unfinished state. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ExV4mq9up-c/VoW-dOH2MwI/AAAAAAAACvM/GYcdXVFROOk/s640/blogger-image-412718661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ExV4mq9up-c/VoW-dOH2MwI/AAAAAAAACvM/GYcdXVFROOk/s640/blogger-image-412718661.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Near the end of the month, Tom, in one of his Craigslist moment, found a travel trailer on his wish list- a 16' 1966 Kencraft, in Boise. He negotiated with the owner and we were off for a quick road trip! We stopped in our old stomping ground of Bend (where we met some 30+ years ago) and were wonderfully reunited with old friends, Jill and Denny in Sisters. A great reunion! Onward with a most beautiful journey through eastern Oregon to pick up Tom's new project. A quick turnaround brought us back to our JOB! (The house!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B4LCIafYwto/VoXHcwiVYvI/AAAAAAAACwc/VblxL0J_vTE/s640/blogger-image-1171428125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B4LCIafYwto/VoXHcwiVYvI/AAAAAAAACwc/VblxL0J_vTE/s640/blogger-image-1171428125.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">October: Same old stuff with house work. Yes it was getting old! Thankfully we had enough completed to host our first house guests, Jim and Sharon from Sidney, BC/Refuge Cove. It was a great weekend with a highlight of visiting Crater Lake on a most glorious day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RGjCbTVrg7c/VoWrZCY9-MI/AAAAAAAACuE/2DtGY4xbm4o/s640/blogger-image-642102255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RGjCbTVrg7c/VoWrZCY9-MI/AAAAAAAACuE/2DtGY4xbm4o/s640/blogger-image-642102255.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The following weekend, good friends Lee and Jayne from Anacortes arrived with their sweet dog Rainey. We hung close to home, toured through the Applegate wine country, and had a craft day of makinh wine cork key chains...another great time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MwoZdb3W-7k/VoWrmmoOwJI/AAAAAAAACus/f5xPM5_J3Bg/s640/blogger-image--324301653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MwoZdb3W-7k/VoWrmmoOwJI/AAAAAAAACus/f5xPM5_J3Bg/s640/blogger-image--324301653.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Near the end of the month we headed to Texas for a week. I had a piece on exhibit at the Houston International Quilt Festival and I wanted to see it and take part in this event.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">That was exciting, <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--DsFM97coU0/VoWrbvZY6NI/AAAAAAAACuM/89idniVeZgk/s640/blogger-image-1174527039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--DsFM97coU0/VoWrbvZY6NI/AAAAAAAACuM/89idniVeZgk/s640/blogger-image-1174527039.jpg"></a></div></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But the best part of the trip was reconnecting with old friends: Bob and Gisela, our good friends from Alaskan days;<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4C9PrVBUX7U/VoW-nxNZOVI/AAAAAAAACvs/KwL5DQmEoaQ/s640/blogger-image-301610016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4C9PrVBUX7U/VoW-nxNZOVI/AAAAAAAACvs/KwL5DQmEoaQ/s640/blogger-image-301610016.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">my nephew David (Ginny's son) who I hadn't seen in decades along with his sweet wife Sam;<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3rAUWgjf33Q/VoXHZ_4h8sI/AAAAAAAACwU/dDQx9D4Sru8/s640/blogger-image-380102742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3rAUWgjf33Q/VoXHZ_4h8sI/AAAAAAAACwU/dDQx9D4Sru8/s640/blogger-image-380102742.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>And Annie Unrein from Guatavus days...she had a booth at the quilt festival...small world!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wteEiyjq0YE/VoWref7kGYI/AAAAAAAACuU/GHThyDIZNso/s640/blogger-image--934661975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wteEiyjq0YE/VoWref7kGYI/AAAAAAAACuU/GHThyDIZNso/s640/blogger-image--934661975.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was wonderful to see these folks. We even got to spend a couple nights in Austin to check out the town. It was Halloween so you can imagine how crazy that was!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q1SXon7ld6E/VoXyhav6FaI/AAAAAAAACw8/IvGIfzEOXv8/s640/blogger-image--1399704911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q1SXon7ld6E/VoXyhav6FaI/AAAAAAAACw8/IvGIfzEOXv8/s640/blogger-image--1399704911.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On to November: this was our final month before heading to Mazatlan. Lots of last minute things to take care of before leaving, mainly to try to get a bit of our landscaping done. Both our front yard and back were war zones and needed lots of help. We brought in some equipment to dig out old stumps, level the ground and spread some new planting soil. And not to forget dig some holes for three new trees in the back. The amount of work was more than we expected, so only the back yard was completed and we were able to plant three new trees before the cold snap hit. Perfect timing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7qkGC_Q_qTs/VoXye-YODUI/AAAAAAAACw0/YsG38flgij8/s640/blogger-image-1412363036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7qkGC_Q_qTs/VoXye-YODUI/AAAAAAAACw0/YsG38flgij8/s640/blogger-image-1412363036.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thanksgiving was quick to arrive and Ben came from Klamath Falls for the weekend and a great dinner shared with Rick and Christine...just like old Fairbanks days. Ben is attending Oregon Institue of Technology in KFalls now so it's great to have him close by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December: we arrived back in our winter home on the first. It had been two winters since the two of us have been here. It was wonderful to see old friends and our wonderful Mexican neighbors. Our house was super dirty but we quickly got on that task (it's only more work!) and got right to setting up the Christmas tree.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddWKNmyBPVg/VoXyvP7xWDI/AAAAAAAACxk/uZBp0MpqbNM/s640/blogger-image-1769236980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddWKNmyBPVg/VoXyvP7xWDI/AAAAAAAACxk/uZBp0MpqbNM/s640/blogger-image-1769236980.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Soon it was time for me to depart for Chicago for the wedding of brother Geoff's son, Jordan, and his beautiful bride Jennica.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-woQTCBjFR3I/VoXykDZJGrI/AAAAAAAACxE/q7khbBr5-X4/s640/blogger-image--943840202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-woQTCBjFR3I/VoXykDZJGrI/AAAAAAAACxE/q7khbBr5-X4/s640/blogger-image--943840202.jpg"></a></div> It is rare for my brothers and I to get together (Anchorage-Cincinnati-Medford) so it was quite a family reunion. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fa_JoPWXCX8/VoXypmSg1ZI/AAAAAAAACxU/w2XpxqcQK7M/s640/blogger-image-719834557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fa_JoPWXCX8/VoXypmSg1ZI/AAAAAAAACxU/w2XpxqcQK7M/s640/blogger-image-719834557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The wedding was on a Friday night and the happy couple left early Saturday for their honeymoon which gave us all a day to explore downtown Chicago. We had a great time. This is the "bean" near Navy Pier...a wild picture of us all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mG7FXprTeP0/VoXym3GvD8I/AAAAAAAACxM/XQY7sdc8SqQ/s640/blogger-image--652637681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mG7FXprTeP0/VoXym3GvD8I/AAAAAAAACxM/XQY7sdc8SqQ/s640/blogger-image--652637681.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now we are at the end of the Christmas season in Mazatlan. We spent good times with old friends. We enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach on the 25th. Now we are prepping for the all night party held by our neighbors every New Year's Eve. Karaoke machine and all. It's going to be a long night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Saturday morning, our 23rd anniversary, we head to Colombia for a month long trip. We don't have much of an agenda, just enjoying and exploring. What a way to bring in the new year! We send best wishes to all with the classic Mexican wishes: salud, dinero, amor...health, money and love... Or which ever order you prefer! Happy 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HLn5qkZcajA/VoXysdNrq6I/AAAAAAAACxc/bWjZlIAV0sk/s640/blogger-image--491096367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HLn5qkZcajA/VoXysdNrq6I/AAAAAAAACxc/bWjZlIAV0sk/s640/blogger-image--491096367.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-4725156816219625172015-12-31T12:35:00.001-08:002015-12-31T12:35:41.485-08:00ONWARD TO MAZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Yes, the time has come to head south. Time to organize and clean from our past year of remodeling. Time to put away the projects I've been working on in my spare few moments and look to new creations this winter. Here are some of the things I've played wth this fall:<div>Mandalas<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v5yvif86OWE/VoWRh6T_obI/AAAAAAAACtE/iQhZ8Gf5hQA/s640/blogger-image--1983421340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v5yvif86OWE/VoWRh6T_obI/AAAAAAAACtE/iQhZ8Gf5hQA/s640/blogger-image--1983421340.jpg"></a></div>Gelli printing</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sDygoGr0d1Q/VoWRbHWmqWI/AAAAAAAACs0/2lLF_m1HErs/s640/blogger-image-1641775132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sDygoGr0d1Q/VoWRbHWmqWI/AAAAAAAACs0/2lLF_m1HErs/s640/blogger-image-1641775132.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mVDtIPgbgGE/VoWRej2ZSgI/AAAAAAAACs8/coroddnP-H0/s640/blogger-image--1389621298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mVDtIPgbgGE/VoWRej2ZSgI/AAAAAAAACs8/coroddnP-H0/s640/blogger-image--1389621298.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gathering sewing ideas for the seeing ladies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CTLw0VMNrTU/VoWRY2p9awI/AAAAAAAACss/FYwGtiUxNVU/s640/blogger-image-826120305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CTLw0VMNrTU/VoWRY2p9awI/AAAAAAAACss/FYwGtiUxNVU/s640/blogger-image-826120305.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a checkerboard design by my friend Sandy. She taught a group of albino women in Tanzania how to sew them and the local Masai folk made the checkers out of beads! They are going to market them with 10000 villages... A beautiful product!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QdG9qsFsGlA/VoWRnGZ6qbI/AAAAAAAACtU/zBgnvG82pT4/s640/blogger-image-879393329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QdG9qsFsGlA/VoWRnGZ6qbI/AAAAAAAACtU/zBgnvG82pT4/s640/blogger-image-879393329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've also been having fun with local groups: SAQA and journal quilts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now on to southern creations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-53YLPYggbds/VoWRkuho5xI/AAAAAAAACtM/I0O0exDNthM/s640/blogger-image-1208649565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-53YLPYggbds/VoWRkuho5xI/AAAAAAAACtM/I0O0exDNthM/s640/blogger-image-1208649565.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-12159365789996547522015-11-09T09:16:00.001-08:002015-11-09T09:16:36.426-08:00SOME FAVORITESHere are a few favorites from the Houston show that really caught my eye. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uR4zzWA55hU/VkDTToEmxVI/AAAAAAAACrU/RAkNc7fLAPY/s1600/bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uR4zzWA55hU/VkDTToEmxVI/AAAAAAAACrU/RAkNc7fLAPY/s320/bear.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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This piece was quite large (maybe 4'x5') and I loved the colorful shading on the bear's underside.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VlW6O0XjwLY/VkDTeQR5kBI/AAAAAAAACrc/HFQvZUGFZfE/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VlW6O0XjwLY/VkDTeQR5kBI/AAAAAAAACrc/HFQvZUGFZfE/s320/bike.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
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A sweet and simple composition, yet quite complex.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Ijt1X65-c/VkDTeviLG1I/AAAAAAAACrg/motVtTeLLnM/s1600/cascade%2Bof%2Bred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Ijt1X65-c/VkDTeviLG1I/AAAAAAAACrg/motVtTeLLnM/s320/cascade%2Bof%2Bred.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was intrigued by the reds on top of the gradated background. This one was pieced, unlike mine that are a one cloth dip.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GpqfUvNt5M/VkDTfaBYAdI/AAAAAAAACrw/sRf-BK9YFqY/s1600/city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GpqfUvNt5M/VkDTfaBYAdI/AAAAAAAACrw/sRf-BK9YFqY/s320/city.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was well worthy of the ribbon. Great perspective and color and vibrancy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TeDvaeFsXyQ/VkDTfR47jJI/AAAAAAAACrs/Q48MuAdWFTs/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TeDvaeFsXyQ/VkDTfR47jJI/AAAAAAAACrs/Q48MuAdWFTs/s320/dandelion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Great closeup detail!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfHgYxRpQfc/VkDTgXjVdJI/AAAAAAAACsE/foUaLfWcqP8/s1600/door%2Bcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfHgYxRpQfc/VkDTgXjVdJI/AAAAAAAACsE/foUaLfWcqP8/s320/door%2Bcloseup.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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Another great closeup...so subtle!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46a4GeF4yNU/VkDTgG10VvI/AAAAAAAACr4/bjEkeVkxxws/s1600/ladder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46a4GeF4yNU/VkDTgG10VvI/AAAAAAAACr4/bjEkeVkxxws/s320/ladder.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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This simple piece captured a southwest feeling. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RP-Ya8FWyzM/VkDTgOnrSNI/AAAAAAAACsA/o1hhCV_s_Aw/s1600/number.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RP-Ya8FWyzM/VkDTgOnrSNI/AAAAAAAACsA/o1hhCV_s_Aw/s320/number.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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Just numbers! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0g8PCY9Mo6o/VkDTgnoaECI/AAAAAAAACsI/tbmvcQxZo1Q/s1600/rainy%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0g8PCY9Mo6o/VkDTgnoaECI/AAAAAAAACsI/tbmvcQxZo1Q/s320/rainy%2Bday.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
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This small piece was full of life despite being a rainy day!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMK2npyHp80/VkDTg3l7GkI/AAAAAAAACsQ/x8nE2f5hm44/s1600/sedona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMK2npyHp80/VkDTg3l7GkI/AAAAAAAACsQ/x8nE2f5hm44/s320/sedona.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This five piece of the Sedona rocks was amazing!</div>
Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-48317669853488111512015-11-09T08:24:00.002-08:002015-11-09T08:25:36.700-08:00FOUR HOURS IN HOUSTON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KA9F35ZgaSM/VkDHgjob9MI/AAAAAAAACrI/B8sU5Di-C9k/s1600/Mary%2BRuzich%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KA9F35ZgaSM/VkDHgjob9MI/AAAAAAAACrI/B8sU5Di-C9k/s320/Mary%2BRuzich%2B1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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I just returned from a great week in Texas where I visited good friends, reconnected with long lost ones, explored the city of Austin, skirted the storms, and made a quick visit to the International Quilt Festival in Houston. My quilted piece "My Circle of Life" was included in the SAQA exhibit there and I was able to view it, along with the thousands of other amazing creations that filled the George R. Brown Convention Center.<br />
With only four hours, I focused mostly on the exhibits, and just made a quick pass through the marketplace. There I reconnected with an old friend from Gustavus, Annie Unrein, who owns byannie.com. Back in the exhibit hall, I wandered among incredible pieces and snapped photos of my favorites.<br />
So little time...so much to see. It was amazing!Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-77217771835600498892015-10-07T17:23:00.001-07:002015-10-07T17:23:09.479-07:00ALL DRESSED UP<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What is it about this piece that fits with the theme "All Dressed Up"? Look closely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's been ages since I've participated in my Cyber Fibres quilt journal group. This theme has been brewing in my brain for awhile, waiting for the perfect time to execute. The time arrived this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had a much more complicated piece planned, but when I fused the first eight pieces that filled in the mandala form, I knew it was time to UNcomplicate. Less is more right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I knew "buttonizing" was going to finish it off. I played with black buttons and white, and white won out...they popped more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In my world, buttonizing IS a word. It's definitely a verb and it's what I do a lot of. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now if you're still wondering about the theme, just look carefully at the black shapes and it will come to you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8ioXGKvxKg/VhW3a09t9EI/AAAAAAAACq0/8uF9GjHKbkA/s640/blogger-image-1108517949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8ioXGKvxKg/VhW3a09t9EI/AAAAAAAACq0/8uF9GjHKbkA/s640/blogger-image-1108517949.jpg"></a></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-24034398293305514822015-10-02T10:09:00.001-07:002015-10-02T10:09:19.349-07:00WALKING FOOT NOVICE<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After all these years, I finally decided to conquer the walking foot. I've had two of them in my closet, encased so well in their small Bernina boxes, just sitting and waiting for me to use them. It's kind of embarrassing actually...but not anymore! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been on a circle kick lately and just finished these two table runners. The top one was seen with my normal foot etc. but the one at the bottom was seen with my walking foot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I easily found a video on You Tube and in less than three minutes I was off and running. It was a bit jerkier than with my normal foot but I just focused a bit more and soon things smoothed out. I sewed the edges of the table runner without one little crinkle or pleat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm so happy to have a new tool and technique under my belt.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7M_tfY5SSQ/Vg66PXMgVdI/AAAAAAAACqk/1ko0LR-L-SE/s640/blogger-image--1261709079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7M_tfY5SSQ/Vg66PXMgVdI/AAAAAAAACqk/1ko0LR-L-SE/s640/blogger-image--1261709079.jpg"></a></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-58984714513050089062015-09-30T14:10:00.002-07:002015-09-30T14:10:22.676-07:00CONCRETE AND GRASSLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just entered this 38" square mandala into SAQA's upcoming exhibition. Here's my kindergarten art skills at their finest!...at least it appears that way, but it really wasn't all that easy. The foundation was a nine patch of blacks/grays, then I basted a grid of white thread for guidelines to align my pieces, which helped immensely. I loved the look of the big stitches running through and decided to leave them in.<br />
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<br />Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-61762308606914571202015-09-28T10:32:00.001-07:002015-09-28T10:32:28.702-07:00BACK AT ITFinally I have a sewing station up and running. It's been a wild and hot summer, and we survived!<div>This piece ( 20"x20") is going to a friend who need a pick me up. I used Barbara Ramsey's circle technique and just added more filler pieces. The fall colors sing to me!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q7IsuLqZCc0/Vgl5q-GX9LI/AAAAAAAACp8/Y1u72aMgAs4/s640/blogger-image--505010489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q7IsuLqZCc0/Vgl5q-GX9LI/AAAAAAAACp8/Y1u72aMgAs4/s640/blogger-image--505010489.jpg"></a></div></div>Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7501629057264755564.post-61272022578587695752015-06-09T18:27:00.000-07:002015-06-09T18:27:37.506-07:00CATCHING UP (AND CATCHING MY BREATH!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe I haven't posted in over two months. Life has been crazy and leaving me little time for extras like keeping up on my blog. I have been trying to put in time at the remodel project, and then we were off to Canada for three weeks in May. We paid our final farewell to beloved Refuge Cove. It was a bittersweet visit, connecting with friends and also some of my "Cyber Fibre-ists". We had a show at the museum in Campbell River and my visit was timely to pick up my pieces at the close of the show. I was so happy to hear that we were booked again next April in Sidney, BC. I'll be there!<br />
After our trip, I was wild to get back to creating. That's how it is with me...I just have to have that creative outlet! My first endeavor was a total disaster when I ironed on a square of foil that already had fusible on the back - instead of becoming a lovely moon in a star filled sky, it was a massive square of silver that couldn't be erased. Oh well, I say! Next I was off to work on a journal quilt I'd been thinking about quite a bit. My format is mandalas and I put one together to fit the theme "Whispering Shapes". Now I know this was a stretch, but I want to try my hand at a series of mandalas and this theme was the best fit for the finished product.<br />
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My next mandalas will have as their themes "Breakfast", "Found Objects", and "One Hue". Maybe I'll find the time.<br />
Today I registered two pieces for the Oregon SAQA show "Poetry in Cloth". They will be on display at US Bank in Ashland during July and August. I would be happy to be selected for the Oregon exhibition but there are some amazing quilters out there!<br />
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And at the top of this post is the piece I will be mailing later this week to SAQA's exhibit "Balancing Act". I love this piece.<br />
Our remodel project is totally consuming but I carve out little snippets of time to sew. I can't say I'm thankful for the super hot weather we're having, but it does keep one inside, and my default location is the studio. Yesterday reportedly got up to 105 (horrible!) but I was able to sneak off to my studio and let all those outside projects GO. Yes!Mary Ruzichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597541895515873619noreply@blogger.com0