“There was nothing but land: not a country at all, but the material out of which countries are made.” -Willa Cather The oxen leaned into the yoke, pushing against the wood with their sinewy strength. Under the weight of the covered wagon, the iron rimmed wheels grated against the gravel cutting ruts of legacy. […]
“I always have the most fun on the Fourth of July. You don’t have to exchange any gifts. You just go to the beach and watch fireworks.” -James Lafferty Linda Nelson Johnson- Fourth of July hand dyed fabric with metallic thread Learning How to Celebrate We were just married. Inexperienced. Not thinking things through. My husband […]
“You were unsure which pain is worse – the shock of what happened or the ache for what never will.” […]
“The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” -Mary McLeod Bethune, educator Artist Unknown It started with my first born, Jessalyn, wrapped papoose-style in her cotton candy pink quilt, and tucked in my elbow. With my other hand, I held a magazine with lots of pictures and slowly turned the pages […]
“As a creative person, you are especially sensitive to the world around you.” -Matt Tommey The word makes me uncomfortable. It conjures up projects that are too grandiose for a person like me to create. Using the word stops progress on my work. Even today, it is difficult to for me to say that I […]
“To be invited within the circle of handiwork is one of the oldest forms of female acceptance and companionship.” – Patricia C. McKissack When I was teaching school, my personal life morphed into a crazy quilt pattern, with some heavily embellished patches, but no organized pattern. The “in the ditch” grind of curricular demands left […]
“And just like that, autumn overtook summer with the softest kiss.” -unknown Photo by Martingale Like the bees buzzing in the air, we humans think that warm days will never cease. But the crispness of the breeze signals that a new season will dawn with produce that is ripe to the core. Abundant orchards of […]
“Because you have taken hands, touched hearts and opened minds, you will never be forgotten. Love and best wishes.” Dedication on retired teacher’s quilt Phyllis Stephens, Quilt artist Brooklynartscouncil.org Every teacher needs to put this advice into her daily lesson plan book. It is the Three R’s to an educator’s peace of mind. […]
“The best things in life are old, loved and rescued.” – Anonymous madebybarb.com Up-cycled Sweater Quilt The consignment shop where I drift in and out to find bargains has a winter sale which is exceptional. They need to clear out their sweaters to make way for the lightweight tee shirts of a warmer clime. Ribbed […]
My mother married in 1930, just as the Great Depression descended upon our country like locusts on a cornfield. Her life in the Dust Bowl area included a Hooverville, The Black Hand, midwife delivery of my older brother, and feed sack material for hand sewing. While my father worked six days a week, 12 hours […]