ANOTHER ARTWALK

At the end of my quiet, dead end (calle cerrada) street (calle Nicaragua) is our home and my studio. Perhaps you wandered down last Friday night for Mazatlan's monthly Artwalk. If so, you were welcomed at the door by my homemade sign.

Hanging from a rather makeshift clothesline stretched across our entrance/living area were the first of my small journal quilts in my Signs of Life project.

The rest were displayed in my studio on two large boards, along with other works. 

You had your favorite, didn't you? You wanted to buy one, but I just couldn't bear to split up this collection. Perhaps it was the Seahawks one, made for my son Ben. Oh, those Seahawks, they always get lots of attention, even on a little quilt!

Or perhaps "B-15" was a favorite of yours...it's one of mine too!

I hope you had a chance to enjoy a glass of wine or jamaica water in my patio.

As much as you enjoyed my display, you weren't able to read all the stories that went along with these pieces. That's what makes them extra special! I have just made my Signs of Life book public on blurb.com and you can preview the WHOLE book there. You can read EVERY STORY! Do it, you'll love it!

http://www.blurb.com/search/site_search?search=Mary+Ruzich

And thanks so much for stopping by last week! I hope to see you next month.

Grateful every day! Mary

FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK...JANUARY 2014

     The streets of downtown Mazatlan will be bustling this Friday evening. My studio will be one of many with doors open to the public, and inside will be the first exhibition of my Signs of Life Project, a collection of 62 journal quilts documenting my life in 2013. These small, hand-dyed collage creations feature my signature signage, birds, and unique style, all accompanied by stories that tell of special events, people, travels and experiences from the past year.
     The photo above is of the self-published book from this project that I recently produced through Blurb.com. It was the perfect activity for my stifled energy when I broke my foot in November. I love thumbing through the hardcopy of this personal journal. I recently lent it to a friend and this is what she said:
     "We were both blown away by your book. What a treasure! We feel privileged to have been allowed a glimpse through this window into one year of your life, as well as to have been given some background and history about you and your family. You have a remarkable way with words that makes some scenes come alive. Thank you for sharing with us. Having read Signs of Life has given us even greater admiration and respect for you as a gifted artist, and as a giving, caring, and loving individual."
     I am humbled and honored by her words. This little note is going in my 2014 "grateful jar" where I'll be documenting small wondrous moments of this upcoming year.
     See you at the Artwalk!

GYPSY QUILTING

For I am just a gypsy quilter,

Needle and thread in tow,

I stitch my stories as I travel,

Across this land I go.

Yes, it's that time again...moving time. Transitioning. Packing up and heading out.
Tomorrow we head north to our summer spot in Refuge Cove. Four days later we'll arrive. There will be friends along the way to visit, and familiar places to enjoy. And lets not forget all that last minute shopping.

I have these three little story quilts from my "Signs of Life" project ready to go. Thank goodness I don't get car sick. I can stitch away mile after mile, ferry ride after ferry ride.

Refuge Cove, here we come.