New Fused Quilt

A quilt to blog at long last! It has taken me a long time to make time for myself. This piece is 18" x 19" and is silk fused onto cotton with some hand embroidery, couching, and machine quilting. The metallic threads don't show too well in this photo. I'm still very much a beginner, practicing techniques for the next, always another, quilt on the horizon. This piece began with the fern-like background and a hand-painted silk scarf I never wore. I like the motion, looks like flowers floating on water, but I don't like the colors, muddy to my eye.

Back in March, my husband Marc and I joked about being in the canyon, a white water rafting phrase to describe how one is in a turbulent channel and unable to manuever, but must hold tight and ride it out. Little did we know how apt the analogy would be! The end of another school year is always turbulent and SJ's two big science trips really churned things up in our household. But last Monday when we returned from traveling to the daily grind, we were stopped cold by the death of my father-in-law. We've really been in the canyon and holding on tightly. Nothing like death to shake you up, set your priorities straight, and give you a clear sense of grace and gratitude. At least that is true for me.

This morning's NPR broadcast had a piece on podcasters and blogging. I was glad to be on my way to work, where I am fortunate to be able to read and post blogs as "professional development." And it is with gratitude that I read the other blogs in this Ring. What wonderful, creative souls you are! You reach right through cybersphere and touch this virtual woman. Thanks to each of you.