CONCOURSE A, PDX

"A Path to St. Johns" by Carol Wilborn (45"x45")

Yesterday I was stopped in my tracks at the Portland, OR airport as I was bee-lining it to my flight back to Medford. The long, well-lit hall leading toward Concourse A was lined on both sides with TWO attractive fiber art displays that made me park my suitcase and take some time to enjoy these beautiful quilts. Here is info about the show along with other pieces. I was wonderfully reconnected with memories of living in this city in the mid 80's when I was working on my Masters degree. Daily I traveled over one or more of the bridges that dot Portland's skyline.

                                      

I love the night scene here.

This digital-like image title " The Bridge of Life" by Janet Murdock was particularly interesting.

Then I turned around for the next exhibit:

By this time I was needing to get to my flight, so two photos needed to suffice.

IF in the airport, head to Concourse A for a fiber treat!

BALANCING ACT

February always zips by. Here in southern Oregon, the month started out in the midst of huge rainstorms (much needed), and now we are witnessing an intense arrival of spring. I pruned my rose bush last week and now I see buds popping out. It's all happening so fast...just like time zipping by.

My head is wrapped around my upcoming trip to Alaska to visit my brother and his family after the passing of his wife Leona. She died last month and now I am finally able to head north. She was sweet and funny and was loved by all. She loved berry picking and all native crafts (beading, basketry etc.) and when I imagined making a small memorial quilt for her, I imagined small berry plants, maybe some salmon (she used to have a set net site with her mother in Bristol Bay) or the like, but what came out was a simple mountain scene. In past memorial quilts (these are small - 8"x10" - and are actually a sleeve that fits over an acrylic frame) I have added small lines to attach photos with mini clothespins, but here I just zig zagged the photo to the fabric and am so happy with it. I now have lots of new ideas for photo quilts!

My goal this year is to step in to the world of exhibitions. I have just entered my first to a SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Association) show called "Balancing Act". Here is a small slice of the piece I entered yesterday. It represents the many roles we play not just throughout our lives, but each day...balancing roles and responsibilities. Now another theme for our southern Oregon chapter is swimming around in my head...Poetry and Cloth...and when I return from Alaska I'll be making those ideas real.

The main focus this month has been our house remodel. We are in the midst of a major gutting of a 1951 house and while Tom is there working away, I am researching, shopping, being the courier, cooking lunch, and this week getting some yard work done. My own studio time is squeezed in where ever I can....sneaking in bits and pieces of sewing moments, BALANCING it all out, and eventually getting it all done, or at least most of it.

And let's not forget the important stuff...

Whether it be on Facebook, online quilt journals, phonecalls, or actual coffee dates and connections, our friends are always the best. When life may feel OUT OF BALANCE, friends always pull it all back together!

INSPIRED BY LIFE

Life is good! I recently returned from a short visit to Mexico where I experienced, once again, another amazing trip with my traveling group "Sisters of the Castor Beans". This year our group of eight went on a journey through the little advertised Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, located in the north central area of the country. We visited the capital city of the same name, two amazing "magic towns" (a tourism designation...Real de Catorce and Xilitla), beautiful rivers and waterfalls, all happy being together with good food and good laughter at our sides. The serotonin was flowing!

 Here we are getting ready for our canoe trip on Rio Tampaon.

And the Edward James gardens were amazing! This is worthy of a GOOGLE!

Beyond all of this adventure and fun, I was able to visit with my Mazatlan friends and of course my sewing ladies.

It was the first time I had seen them since our San Francisco trip, and of course they had brought lots of good food to share with us. We recounted our memories and had lots of laughs together.

I was so happy to see Paty again. She is the only one of the group who was denied a visa for the SF trip. She is the youngest and most educated of the group and the rejection by the officials at immigration was crushing to her. Happily she also received a box with a new machine and lots of fabric. Here she is holding Frances' beautiful new granddaughter, Helen.

I was able to finally divvy out the Day of the Dead fabric I acquired in San Francisco. I know they will come up with some great creations!

 Vilma and the ladies made some beautiful tops for Bev!

Once again, I said "adios" to my Mazatlan... Until next year!