Virginia A. Spiegel

Pink

My Mom grows ornamental cabbage; what glorious pinks and purples in an otherwise sedate November landscape.

If it’s Tuesday, of course there is a new post in The Garbage Day Project. It’s back to the 70’s. And just when I thought all the humor had gone out of garbage.

If you enjoy reading my blog, treat yourself to Art, Nature, Creativity, Life. It’s an ongoing online book available exclusively by donation to the American Cancer Society.

Karey Bresenhan, Honorary Chair of Fiberart For A Cause
Director, International Quilt Festival - Houston, Chicago, Long Beach

Take a bow Friends of Fiberart For A Cause! We are the #2 Nationwide Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in 2007. To date, we have donated over $135,000.

What a team effort! I wish I could give each of you, spread throughout the world, a hug or a handshake (your choice) and say, “Job Well Done!”

A very special thanks to our Honorary Chair, Karey Bresenhan. We literally couldn’t have done it without her support, inspiration, and personal attention.

I must also mention my sister Nancy, Relay chairperson, and the person for whom I hoped to raise $90 when I started FFAC. (Click on her name for the whole crazy story.)

I’m not sure if we can ever top the postcard project for sheer magnitude of dollars raised for the ACS, but, with your help, I plan to continue using fiberart to raise funds for the ACS.

My Dad is a thirteen-year survivor of colon cancer and, so, of course, it is personal.

Thank you! Virginia

True Stories #1

Fiber Renaissance is a traveling exhibit of 32 artworks from the members of Studio Art Quilt Associates, curated by Cheryl Dineen Ferrin, that will be seen in the Chicago area now through November 11. These works were selected, predominantly from the Midwestern members of SAQA, because they each display the high level of creativity, innovation and technical quality of truly fine art quilts.

In addition to two of my pieces from the True Stories series, there are works from Pamela Allen, Susan Shie, BJ Parady, Jette Clover and many other SAQA artists.

Cheryl has made a lovely website for the exhibit in case you can’t make the Greater Chicago Quilt Exposition in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Any author would be thrilled a note such as the following:

“Hi Virginia, I just wanted to let you know how much I’m enjoying reading your book. In fact the first night I received my password I could not help myself but stayed up well past midnight, thinking just one more chapter and just kept on thinking that!! I’ve since gone back many times and absorbed one chapter at a time, in more depth and thinking about the content longer while enjoying the pictures. It’s simply wonderful!!
Frieda Oxenhamm, England

Thank you, Frieda, for taking the time to write me about Art, Nature, Creativity, Life.

Working Title: Starry Night - Detail

I have a small series of four works in progress of which the above is a detail. For all the difference between this and the new Boundary Waters cliff pieces, these are still part of the Boundary Waters series. These are smaller works based on screenprinted and painted upholstery fabric.

If you received my newsletter or subscribed to my online book, you will find the story of these pieces in “Enough.” It was a night in the Boundary Waters when the stars in the Milky Way were so close that we felt we could touch them.

I periodically go on a handstitching binge. For example, the Go With The Flow series. These new pieces are stitched in a running stitch with Laura Wasilowski’s great hand-dyed threads. I should have this work up next week on my website.

If you enjoy reading my blog, treat yourself to Art, Nature, Creativity, Life. It’s an ongoing online book available exclusively by donation to the American Cancer Society.