artfiberfest: the people

tracie and me, show & tell night, AFF 2007

There was something really delightful about the small number of folks at AFF. The first night, we all fit in one room in The Commons. Teesha showed us a very cool hand-quilting technique that I cannot wait to try with projects as there is something so relaxing about stitching things by hand. Right before we all started to gather in that room, I was sitting in the lobby of The Commons (it is the main gathering building at Fort Worden where people gather for meals) writing in my journal. My thoughts were along the lines of what it felt like to be "having that first day of school feeling combined with the knowledge that I feel so certain of where I am."

As I sat there wondering if I was going to see anyone that I knew, Kristin Steiner and her sister Jan Reingold (a talented jewelry artist – I bought a necklace from her on vendor night and can't wait to share it soon) came around the corner. Some of you who have been reading my blog for a while might recall how Kristin's Artfest 2006 class changed my life. So to see her was a true deep breath for my heart. It was wonderful to have that little moment with the woman who started my love affair with fabric. While we were talking, Tracie suddenly appeared ready to give me a huge hug.

Tracie and I connected at my first artfest when I stood at her table at Vendor Night and totally "got" what she was conveying with the artwork she was sharing that night. I held one of her little canvases that night and knew it was meant to hang on my wall as it was my story (I talked about that moment in the middle of this post). A friendship began that evening. Spending time with her at meals and on Vendor Night was a highlight of my time up in Port Townsend. I just adore Tracie and the honest, open-hearted way she looks at the world. She teaches classes with her mother-in-law Marylin who is one super cool, hilarious, and kind woman. I learned so much from the two of them as we talked late into the evening more than once. (Thank you both for your encouragement about my artful journey.)

Tracie and I had a "full circle moment" when she came over to my vendor table and was looking through my flag sets. There was one that I hadn't yet put out, and as I showed it to her, she said looked at me in that same way I looked at her across her table…she totally "got it" and knew that this flag set was meant for her. Such a treasured moment between friends. (I miss you already girl.)

I was able to connect with a few of the teachers either in class, at vendor night, or at meals. I want to classes with everyone...in fact, I think I could have taken classes for several more days as I simply didn't have that same exhaustion as I do at Artfest. A few links I invite you to explore: Alma, Mary, Syd, Tracy, Darlene, Keely, and Pam (more about those last three in another post about my classes).

And, I connected with so many other students. Because AFF was smaller, it was easy to see the same people to keep the connections going. I must admit that I did a horrible job keeping track of people's blogs and web sites, so if you are reading this, please contact me!! I did have two classes with Sarah (we got to really bond in Keely's class about life and all the good stuff) who lives not too far from me; I am already looking forward to getting together with her hopefully soon. I also had two classes with Candice. She and Julie (who I briefly met at Kelly's vendor table at Art and Soul) organize the retreats at The Art Nest. Candice was a joy to talk with, and she has such a cool style about her. She created the most gorgeous journal in Pam's Saturday class.

As I was driving home Sunday, I started feeling a bit melancholy that the retreat was already over…but then I started to think about how soon many of these people would be at ArtFest where we would be doing it all over again…

*****

I have been unpacking the creations I have left from Vendor Night, so I will be adding some flag sets to my etsy shop later today.

I will also be adding two Selma Slingbags. This is a new design of my patchworked bags; it has a longer strap so that you can "sling" it across you.

I haven't been able to get into my studio yet to do something with all this creative energy I have after the weekend. A good portion of yesterday morning was spent with Millie at the vet. The poor girl has given herself a "hot spot" on her head. She looks like she was in one heck of a fight as she has a quarter-size "wound" in the midst of a three inch by three inch shaved area right on the top of her adorable little head. The poor baby. She is on the couch with me as I work so that I can make sure she doesn't scratch her wound open. And, when we have to leave her alone, she becomes Miss Coney yet again. Right now, her nose is a few inches from my computer and I can feel her rhythmic breathing against the back of my hand as I type. How I love moments like this one.

the. best. time.

fabric (new and from my stash) to be made into Natasha (reversible) aprons and other things, 22 october 07

I had the best time at artfiberfest. The. best. time.

I want to tell you about the incredible people (old friends and new) I bonded with. I want to tell you about all my classes. I want to tell you about the feeling of having someone really get my prayer flags and the moment when a person looks across the little table holding creations I made by hand and says, "This is meant to be mine." I want to tell you about my epiphanies and ideas and a very special moment I had all alone in my room at the B&B. I want to tell you about all the joy and truth that has been setting up camp in my head and heart.

And, I will. I really will.

However, I have spent the day catching up on work, mailing out a swap package, talking on the phone with a couple of friends, and trying to keep these feelings present while in the back of my mind so that I do not just get swept back into being the person who forgets what she knows to be true. And, I am a bit sleepy. But I knew, after Kelly's (insistent) gentle proddings, that I must check in here a bit.

And, the truth is that I also, of course, spent a bit of the day at a fabric store before picking up Miss Millie from doggie camp. You see, my aprons, the six aprons that I brought with me for vendor night…well, they sold. Fast. I didn't even take any pictures of them. And, lots of people asked me about them. So, I plan to make a few more to put in my shop. Which, of course, means that I had to get some fabric to supplement what I have.

And, I don't think a person can ever have enough gigantic rick rack, so I had to get a bit of that too.

to artfiberfest i go

Off to the land of fabric, connection, laughter, walks on the beach, fiber, and friendship. It feels like a bit of a solo journey this time without my partner-in-crime Kelly. Last night was full of trepidation (that first day of school feeling) and questions of am I good enough (are they gonna like me).

But, I've got the Indigo Girls, Paul Simon, and the Dixie Chicks to remind me of what I already know to be true about me, about this creative journey, about all of it.

I. am. so. blessed.

While I'm gone, I hope you'll share what you know to be true in this moment in your life.

(And, if you live in the area, I hope you'll come over to Port Townsend on Friday night to see everyone - including me - at the Artist Market Place in the Commons at Fort Worden at 7pm.)

lately late

I have been a few days late for a lot of things lately. A few days late watching the Notre Dame football game (finally watched the Irish win today). A couple of days late wishing a friend a happy birthday (and going on over a month late wishing the same to two other dear friends). A few days late sharing the joy that was my weekend in Portland as I crashed the party that is Art & Soul …

I am still getting over the bug I had a few weeks ago as it seems to be hanging out in my system and rearing its head every few days. That, combined with hardly sleeping Friday or Saturday night has turned this week into one where I seem to work and nap and sew and nap and add more items to my ways to procrastinate list and then take long hot showers.

But, on to the goodness that was my 36 hours in Portland.

(I wanted to tell you details, all the little details, but as I tried to write those few paragraphs, I kept coming back to wanting to just tell you the following.)

I spent my 36 hours in Portland surrounded by goddesses with names like Kelly, Judy, Diane, Tonia, Stephanie, Nina, Misty, Jen, Joyce, Sharon, Carla, LK, Katie, and others.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland laughing my way to wholeness.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland learning from every person I talked with.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland with a brain crackling with ideas and dreams.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland so grateful for all that has happened to bring me to this moment.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland soaking in the wisdom.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland believing in possibility.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland thankful for every gift.
I spent my 36 hours in Portland high on the high that is knowing you are on your path.

And, I spent 10 minutes on the drive home from Portland taking a few pictures* that summed up how I was feeling as I sang and drove and reflected on all of it.

(check out Kelly's post and Judy's post and Nina's post for a few more about some of the fun had by all)

*Don't worry, I really was paying attention while driving. I was. And if you look closely, you can see just a bit of my new Nina necklace. Oh how I love it!

some real-life excitement

Blue skies smiling at me
Nothin' but blue skies do I see.
—Irving Berlin, "Blue Skies"

This song has been going through my head for the last few days. I went to theatre camp for two summers when I younger. One summer, the camp put on a tribute to Irving Berlin, and this was one of my favorite songs to sing when I was in the chorus. My age group did several songs from Annie Get Your Gun. (Oh the lyrics from that one! My favorite is "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.") When you weren't on stage, you were singing from the back of the audience in the chorus, so we had to learn everything. I am so glad though as many of these songs became some of my all-time favorites. At the end of that summer, at the age of 12, I even tackled a huge biography of Berlin I was so enamored by him.

I have to admit though, I haven't been singing "Blue Skies" because we had any around here. Nope, we have been having some fall weather with a dash of humidity lately. Gray skies, a bit of rain, then some downpours, but with all this humidity to remind us that it is really summer.

No, no blue skies outside. But, this seems to be the song I turn to, without even noticing, when the skies are turning blue a bit more inward. I have been singing this song because I am super excited about three things.

The first:

I received my copy of Portals (Heather's zine is full of so much color and inspiration) and got to see my article, poem, and artwork in print.

Oh it just filled me up to see it. (Insert big smile of joy.) Thank you Heather for including me!

The second:
I received word from the ladies of Portland's (wicked cool) Crafty Wonderland that I have been selected to participate in the next Crafty Wonderland on August 12. (Insert little dance with lots of twirling while smiling here.)

The third:
I received word from Teesha Moore that I have been selected to participate in Vendor Night at ArtFiberFest in October. (Insert jumping up and down while smiling and twirling here.)

So in between reading the book this weekend, Jon and I also celebrated these things. He got me a congratulations card and everything.

It is as though I hear the whispers once again…you are on your path.

And in between the whispers there are a few whoops and hollers that seem to confirm it. Sing with me now…

Blue skies, smiling at me. Nothin' but blue skies, do I see. Bluebirds singin' a song. Nothin' but bluebirds, all day long.