This morning, a full week after the Great WI Quilt Show, having exhibited the largest collection of my work publicly ever, 9 pieces, and recorded my lecture with PBS WI for a second time since 2022, I write in plain air, under the shade of a 13’ baby oak tree.
In the countryside this morning, surrounded by the maturing trees I planted in 20217 with my family, I’m being serenaded by grasshoppers, birds, the rustling of leaves in the gentle morning breeze, the sound and sights of chipmunks chasing each other, the flies running after something invisible and a warm sun chasing the day. A rooster chimes in once in a while with his boisterous call; no cars, atvs, lawn mowers and/or human noises distract me. There are however the occasional mosquitoes, reminding me that you can’t enjoy summer-like weather without their intrusion. And then, the magical flight out of the corner of my eyes, of tiny, white butterflies take my attention, making me smile like a little girl, seeing them for the very first time. I feel “full.”
The work that I exhibited last week is part of a body of work for which no pattern exists, with the exception of one, the recognizable log cabin block. These pieces will be part of my first solo exhibit in 2026, in Door County. This feels like both the start and the culmination of something; I’m still trying to decipher what the latter means to me. I have been preparing for this since 2017, not knowing when/if I would have this opportunity, hearing the echoes of “no one is interested in hand-stitching,” comments that I began hearing in 20216, accompanied by “you must be crazy.”
I largely feel that my work isolates me; after all, I produce my work alone, like most makers. The fact that I choose to talk, work and advocate for Sustainability may also cast me as an anti-shopping villain. Not exactly the case but I can understand how it may be interpreted that way.
If you have taken a workshop and/or listened to one of my lectures, then you know about my upbringing and why it’s so important to me to discuss making-do as a daily pursuit. Resources are finite after all.
I want to say, Thank You, to everyone that encouraged me, took a workshop, sent me a note, smiled, shared my work on social media, took photos to take home, attended a lecture and/or stopped to talk about my exhibit, the PBS WI crew, and my partner of almost a quarter-century, for the laughter and unconditional support.
To my friends that surprised me by wearing t-shirts with my face on it, you are on a league of your own; you are truly beautiful humans and I will cherish this forever!!!
I quite enjoyed this event; I was humbled by the love and I continue my journey of creating unconventional, sustainable work.
If you have time, please check out the classes that are being offered at Blue Bar Quilts Sept 20 - 21st, in Middleton, WI. These workshops close out my year there. I appreciate everyone that made an attempt to find me there since 2017!
“Leave the Road, take the Trails”
