More Birds

When Judy had her operation, she woke up with "3 Little Birds" by Bob Marley. The story must have influenced me to add a golden bird and a black one to the blue bird. The variegated floss is perfect for this kind of picturesque "emquiltery". Apart from the black matter, all cloth came from Jude. It is a fun piece, and I have to take care and remember my duties like going to the last session of gymnastics, hopefully for good, and I mustn't forget to have breakfast before going -- which I actually sometimes do! Or I get carried away by my friends' beautiful blogs...

Dancing Poodles of Afghanistan

A new mail from Pascale Goldenberg:

Hi!
The latest shipment of embroidery-squares has arrived. The Picasa-Galery is restocked. Anyone who is in need or wants to just look at the new designs is welcome to do so.
My new book describing the whole embroidery-project hast just been printed. You are welcome to order it through me (20 Euro). I am sure you will love the numerous photos on the special square collection ! Since I will be in Afghanistan between July 29th and August 20th 09, you may order before July 27th or after my return.

I was thinking of a little present with symbolic meaning for the Afghany women. They love to take care of flowers. If you could quickly participate in sending flowerseeds in a envelope. Thank you. (Pascale Goldenberg Kirnerstr. 16 79117 Freiburg, Germany)

Quilters living in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg, Danmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, France and the United Kindom, who like to participate in the contest " Afghanistan-Inspiration ", are also welcome to contact me for further Information. And please do share them with all your artists friends.

Keep in suspence and have a plesant summertime !
_________________________________________________________

Aren't they incredible? More of this kind if you scroll down the page.

More about the book
And here is the link to the book shop -- in German
Or send a mail to: Goldenberg-Freiburg at t-online dot de

A visitor from New Mexico

Yesterday, I had the great joy, honour and pleasure to see an old friend who lives in Santa Fe now (C, aubergine blouse). We first met 33 years ago, and this is about how long I have known our host R who is sitting in front of the barbeque machine with his wife D.

J and I picked her up with her luggage and took her to our hosts to have a lovely meal and a long talk about what happened since we last met and how to save the world. She is a British citizen who has spent a long time in France and then immigrated as a religious worker to the USA. This was the first meeting after 10 years, and we continued our connection and she is so close to my heart as if no time had passed.

R was my boss for 1,5 years in 2001-2002. I first met him in 1975. C was so enthusiastic about New Mexico. She gives me another reason to dream of a journey. We made our first steps into Buddhism in 1979 together.

At the moment, her plane lifts off. I do hope it will not be another 10 years before I see her again!

Stitching with Diane's floss on Jude's cloth

What a wonderful feeling to connect artists in Europe and the USA. Got some beautiful floss from Cymberrain today. Pansy, Jewel, Hyacinth and Bee-Eater. Thank you, Diane! And I wish all my American readers a happy July 4th! --
The Bird looks a bit darker today than on Wednesday's posting. And it is!

Sudden Appearance of a Blue Bird

Before and After Challenge

Martha Marshall, owner of the blog "An Artist's Journal", was so kind to show my pictures in her series "Before and After Challenge". I think that spectators very rarely get an insight into the development of a piece of art. In so many cases, this is a journey into the unknown, but in the galery, you just see the final state. Martha Marshall is one of those artists who make this process more transparent. Whereas many of us often forget to document the stages of their work, she shows them continuously. To me, this is very helpful for my work, it has confirmed the necessity of patience -- to keep working on one piece -- and to invite other artists' critical and not only praising voices. With kind permission of the artist, I show two small abstract paintings by her. Thank you so much, Martha!
No 1: Infinity, No 2: Lakeside

Thank you for keeping fingers x-ed

This morning, starting with a gesture of optimism, he was right indeed. They want him, they just aren't sure in which one of their houses. It is a large furniture store with numerous shops around Hamburg. They want him for a leading function. He said, the interview was perfect, friendly and harmonious. Mutual liking. He doesn't have a contract yet, but he's "inside", he said with conviction. "Munich is such a tiny dot on the horizon, getting smaller all the time", he added. -- And off he went to his old job.
The painting beside him is "Tea Tree" by Martin Harms, a German painter who lived and worked in New Zealand for more than 25 years. He is a close friend of my brother and gave me this painting.


Today I finished the chicken shack quilt, and it will be a cushion cover. The circular quilting around each bird has shaped the surface into a hill landscape. Which creates new ideas.