Trinity Banner update

I've stitched down the crescent moon shapes, hand, and dove of the banner now, using just a straight stitch. This worked out so well, appliqueing the elements separately before stitching onto the background. It's really adding some wonderful dimension to the piece...and the anxiety level was diminished because I didn't have to satin stitch through all the layers.

I will need to stitch 2 more crosses though - when placing the banner up on the design wall, I realized that 9 was not going to be enough.

So often on work this size (30x45) or larger (read: not always in my comfort zone), I tend to freak just a little. I also get visits from the intuitive muse, where the outcome is usually so much better than my original design. Maybe it's because of the time I allow for these pieces. Maybe it's coming from a deeper spiritual place inside of me. I'm not at the point of gathering beads and other possible embellishments yet, but today I felt that bubble of glee rise up too.

I am bringing it in next Tuesday for a preview with Phyllis from church, who is head of the Altar Guild and commissioned it. It will be in memory of three women who were members of that committee. Nice...

St.Nicholas and other Life Adventures

Yesterday at Emmanuel, St. Nicholas paid a visit to our brunch and had with him a bag of treats for the children. The good bishop (Jason) arrived just in time and thankfully Mom found his beard and wig just in time, too...
Jeff had the honor last year!






Life adventure - illness: back in October, I first posted about being ill and having pneumonia. I surely didn't expect to be on a roller coaster of continued illness almost 2 months later. A few days after finishing an antibiotic, my symptoms of extreme fatigue, night sweats and intermittent chills returned. I was told that the med was still working and that I needed to wait. There's that word - wait - not good when heard from the medical community. Since I have a congenital heart valve defect that only needs to be evaluated every year, they sent me for an echocardiogram to check for endocarditis. No changes from my last one. It's two weeks later now, and it's time for some blood cultures. No bacteria found, but it's difficult to detect after finishing an antibiotic. Elevated white count, still feeling like crap, so let's do another antibiotic. Again, symptoms returned after finishing that med. Let's send her to an infectious diseases specialist. Quick exam, another set of blood cultures taken and no bacteria found. I was angry because of instead speaking with their staff, they left a message that I should follow up with my primary physician. Assertive Julaine now - I called my cardiologist's office and after going through everything that has happened, they said that I need to be evaluated. Appointment this Friday. It can't come too soon for me, as I went to the ER last Thursday with symptoms of a transient ischemic attack. The whole right side of my body suddenly became weak and felt heavy. I had to catch myself from falling. Since whatever causes the blockage is temporary, they won't always see evidence on a CT scan. Probably a pinched nerve in my lower back. I have now written down everything that has been wrong with me. I am counting on getting some answers at my appointment. This has been going on way too long, and I just want my life back and a little energy to go with it - I don't think that's too much to ask ~












While I have been down, the most therapeutic and creative thing I have been working on involved knitting these "showercloths." I know they look like potholders, but teamed up with small bottles of shower gels, they'll be great for quick Christmas gifts this year. I used the Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarns and found that mixing a solid and a variegated yarn looked the best. The first ones were for Jeff, Jason and I - we have been using them and love how they feel on the skin, altough the men would prefer a larger size. I've wrapped the cloths around the shower gels, and tied them up with more yarn. I've made 18 of them and they're ready to go in case I hear, "Mom (or Dear), do you have anything that I could give for a gift?"

The whole experience has made me feel depressed. I used to think that only seniors had problems with not being listened to. Since I haven't been caught up in the medical system that much since my aneurysm surgery 6 years ago, I sure can see the differences in the time they take listening to you and responding.

Scenes from Artscene part 1 - Art at Emmanuel

Me and Bobbie McGee...no, just kidding! This is the beautiful and talented co-curator Bobbie Walter and myself at the opening last Friday evening. What a night! Everyone was blown away by the art created by church members. In total, there were 10 of us, which I thought was wonderful for our first exhibit.

The Walker Hanging System is phenomenal! Moulding up against the ceiling~poles that slip on and off easily and can slide from side to side where you need them to be~three different types of hardware that can slide up and down to accomodate different types and sizes of artwork. This includes special hardware for hanging textiles!











































Our little "pop art" section...my "Zipper Study" quilt is in the center.
















The boutique~set up by Andrea Mahan: wearables, assemblages, candle holders, small art quilts, postcards, mosaic bowls. Beautiful and so artfully arranged.














Here we see co-worker and friend Roberta and her sister Sally checking out "The Leaves" - one of my ceremonial ruanas meant for the wall. If you click on the image, you'll see an interesting piece of art to the far right, and here's the story: At 11 pm. the night before the opening, Bobbie, her husband Lenny and I were getting a bit goofy. With setting up the room, we found fabric sample cards from when the room was renovated this past summer. Well, Lenny decided to hang them up. Andrea put a label on it that read, "Found Item" with the price of $10,000 (guesstimate of what the renovation cost-wrong-3 times that amount I think...
Anyway, we watched as people viewed the art on that wall, and came to that piece. Much laughter along with quite a few strange stares. Will it stay through to the end of the exhibit? Sure, why not?


The plans are to keep this exhibit up until the end of October. The good challenge for us now: what's next? No one wants to see these walls bare.

The Anniversary

"Ancient Flames ~ New Flames" is now hanging in the sanctuary.

















"The Stars Project" - 125 stars with names of the ancestors written on them. Accent stars created by the artists in the church. Suspended by 2 floral rings, each is attached by monofilament line.















A detail photo of the stars taken from the bottom, looking up.


















One of my accent stars, with a small postcard of Emmanuel from the early 1950's attached to it.

Embellishment

All 125 flames are now appliqued ~

All have stitched inner flames, or smaller appliqued flames inside ~

The three panels are sewn together ~

I've found the fabric I like for the backing ~

The binding will be the same kona black ~

I'm now embellishing each flame with beads ~ the silk organza images and the Luther Seal will be attached with tiny seed beads ~

24 words and phrases will be added ~

What shall the title be? ~

90 Flames

The right panel of the banner is now appliqued. I used one of my machine's shading stitches, in various widths, from 4mm.-7mm. to applique the 5 sizes of flames on the panel. I free-motion stitched them using my regular opened-toed foot because I felt I had better control with it, instead of using my darning foot.












35 more to be stitched -
Since the 125 flames in total will represent 125 years of the congregation, they are also the people. Interpretations of music, outreach, family, caring, and our congregation's passion for taking in Jesus' true spirituality will be added to the flames.

Quilted Center Panel

I just finished quilting the center panel of the banner. Using the two forward, one back stitch on my machine, I was able to get the top-stitch effect that I wanted. I worked on about a 10 inch area at a time, changing thread color quite often. I was having a few problems with my bobbin thread showing too much, so I changed that thread each time too. Since I use this stitch quite often in my quilting, it really wasn't that tedious.

What also helped immensely was that I finally got a walking foot for my machine, so now you could say that I have a Kenmore~Janome machine. The dealer knew exactly what foot I needed.

What's next? I'll be warming up to free-motion quilt on the flames. I'll keep you posted...

She Sure Gets Around

The "Green Goddess Dressing" quilt does it again! Her latest photo is in the current issue of Common Thread,
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores company newsletter.

They wrote something very nice about me and the quilt...thanks to Sally, Becky and Kayla from Store 610 for setting this up ~

Progress on Banner

After removing over 10 flames from the banner, I felt I needed to break it up a little. I started working on this center panel by fusing small strips of the same hand dyes that I used for the flames. The Luther Seal is about 2/3rds of the way down the panel and in the photos here, you can see the silk organza with some images from the church printed on: the "1882" is taken from the cornerstone. All is going well...when can I start quilting?

To view previous posts on the banner, check out May 24-June 5...

Sacred Spiral Dancers

We have a liturgical dance troupe at Emmanuel who through their movement and music bring so much to worship. Our son joined the group and danced with them for the first time on Sunday. He fit right in with all the ladies and Tim, our music director.

I told him yesterday after rehearsal that I saw something in his eyes that was magical. The youth director was amazed because he's one of the party guys in the youth group, and is often seen being goofy...

He's still a teenager (you know what I'm talking about), but there are times...well, Jeff and I cried.

Side note: not too much complaining ("Mom, I'll look like a bridesmaid") when he saw the sashes that I made for him and Tim. I had to match the ladies' orchid skirts.

Staff Retreat 2007

If you haven't been to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
in Springfield, Illinois, it is great experience! Abe waited a long time for this -
Here's a photo of Jeff and I with the family...








"Well behaved women rarely make history" - fascinating exhibit - the quote was not Mary's...
















The whole group being a a bit silly with miniature fly swatters (don't ask)...

Mardi Gras at Emmanuel

Sunday was our annual "Feast of Fools" celebration at church. Here we see the lovely blonde Brenda (one of the high school youth) sticking her tongue out during the lasagne meal, and the children donning their hairnets and getting ready to perform a skit with Jason...remember Gladys and Tyrone from Laugh-In??? The kids and a few adults had a lot of fun bopping him with purses...in another skit, yours truly played Edith Ann...and that's the truth (insert raspberry)

Children's Advent Program

This photo is from our children's program this past Sunday. I have always wanted to put together something that wasn't "all Christmas, all the time."

I selected three Advent poems and readings, and there was only one Christmas song - "Go, Tell It on the Mountain," in which the children did motions, including one where they had to shake their bottoms and extend their arms at the same time. It was so much fun...

Of course the costumes were the same, but with learning the Bible stories that speak to the coming of the Christ child over the course of the past three weeks, they understand.

It was wonderful! And that "Miss Leavey" thing (see a previous post) - well, Julaine has been vindicated...

Quilt update: Bronwyn's quilt will be shipped to Minnesota tomorrow! I'll take some pix before I pack it up ~

St. Nicholas...

a.k.a. Jeff, my husband! I just got this photo yesterday, but it was taken at Emmanuel's annual St.Nicholas Feast on December 3rd.  

Just call me Miss Leavey

I looked for a picture of Miss Leavey, the kooky Sunday School teacher from the movie Simon Birch, but couldn't find any...

It's that time of year when Julaine is in the last week of preparations for the annual pageant at church. If you saw this movie, you'll remember the scenes from that pageant, and the teacher, who was going a bit CRAZY !!!

That's me!!! Every year it always works out; every year the children are so excited; but every year since 2004, something happened...

2004: a parent started changing the location of some props.
2005: the sound system decided to stop working, so solos were not heard.
2006: our accompanist couldn't rehearse with us today, because she had to play for worship.

Okay, so I haven't had any angels throw up on me, and I never have any problems with casting the parts - so I just need to focus on the children, and realize that it will be wonderful, right?

DJ and his bass

Well, our son is back from Canada, very tired, but had a great time!

Up at camp, he was talking about being a little bored this summer, and not feeling artistic or musical...

Our pastor, Jim, picked up on this, and said, "Oh, no! What would you like to do?" So our very cool spiritual leader showed up this afternoon with a bass guitar! "Play with it, learn it, and come play at church." The youth director, Lucio, plays the bass, along with some of the young men in the youth group. One of my husband's and I's best friend plays the bass, too...and not leaving anyone out here, I play folk guitar, but haven't touched it in awhile. Time to dust off the case, pull it out, and show Jason a few things...

Starting in the Creative and Performing Arts Academy this fall, he's signed up for dance and theater classes, but maybe he can take an instrumental class for the second semester.

Jim has been known to do these sort of surprises in the past - he is a gift, and is so connected with the kids ~

On to Luther Village

Here they are - the high school youth group from church all ready to leave for Canada!

A long trip ahead of them today, their destination is Luther Village, a church camp near Kenora, Ontario.

Oh, no - they were not allowed to bring any electronic devices - no ipods, personal stereos, cell phones, etc. The idea is that they have to talk with each other on the trip.

Another rite of passage here...only child going away for a week, far away, without mom and dad...I have to say that I shed a few tears. Then when my husband and I got home, we started laughing...peace and quiet for a week...sorry, no dancing was allowed, because it was way too early for Mr. and Mrs. Nightcreature~

Milwaukee's Inspiration

Yesterday, the church staff went up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a day. It felt good to get away from preparations for my art fair...

Did you know that the actual chapel where Joan of Arc prayed was brought over from France, back in the 1920's? It was in New York originally,
then came to Marquette University in Milwaukee.


































Then on to the Milwaukee Art Museum! This first photo is of a display of custodians. Actually, my husband is one of them...can you guess which man is art?












A bronze sculpture in the main hallway...



Georgia O'Keefe - one of her "Blue" paintings...















And some artful furniture from the 1940's?