As much as I really wanted to participate again this year, my obligations to my family's business has taken much of my time and energy. That has made it difficult to create enough pottery for the show.
I will miss all of my fabulous customers and the hospitality of the Clayton community.
May all of you have a successful show.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
A Fitting Tribute
Dogwood trees and blossoms were a favorite of my mothers.
While growing up, we lived in an area that Dogwood would not grow. When my father retired, they moved South and Mom was finally able to enjoy Dogwood in her own yard. Although the photo does not show it, in addition to the large pink Dogwood in the yard, up closer to the house are several young white Dogwood that were no longer in bloom when I took this photo (a few years back).
Mom passed away nearly 4 years ago.
In our area there is the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. A group pf people create quilt "squares" out of wood (or now aluminum) boards & paint to copy a fabric quilt that already exists. They are then mounted on buildings and added to their web site with map coordinates so people can find them.
I noticed that there was currently only one such quilt square in our downtown area. (Since then 7 more have been added with 2 more to come, that I am aware of.) I talked to my sisters (I have 3) and we all decided that it was a great idea to commission a quilt square to mount on the side of the building that our store is located in. And we all decided it needed to be Dogwood blossoms.
I scoured images of Dogwood quilt patterns and nothing really "spoke" to me until I saw this one (design by Annette Ornelas). The fabric quilt pictured above was made by my oldest sister Sue.
We raised money through family (I also have 2 brothers), including my father, one of my mom's sisters and a close family friend. Then, I filled out the paperwork and sent them a check so they could begin the production process.
They borrowed the fabric quilt to use as a guide and they chose paints, drew templates and started taping off areas to paint.
The painting was done once a week (or so) at a facility about 15 miles from us. Because of work, we were not able to make it to their painting sessions, although we (and anyone else) were welcome to help. But they were sure to send photos of the progress. (See the fabric quilt on the table in the background?)
Once they had put marine grade varnish on all surfaces to seal it, they delivered it to us and we waited a few days until the installation crew could come by.
Once the installation was complete, the 4' x 8' copy of the approximately 2' x 4' fabric quilt looked quite small...
We know Mom would have loved it.
Creatively, all I did was find a pattern I liked & asked if my family agreed. The rest was completed by others.
Here is the wooden quilt :
While growing up, we lived in an area that Dogwood would not grow. When my father retired, they moved South and Mom was finally able to enjoy Dogwood in her own yard. Although the photo does not show it, in addition to the large pink Dogwood in the yard, up closer to the house are several young white Dogwood that were no longer in bloom when I took this photo (a few years back).
 | ||
| Pink Dogwood in the side yard... Mom's favorite tree in the yard. |
Mom passed away nearly 4 years ago.
In our area there is the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. A group pf people create quilt "squares" out of wood (or now aluminum) boards & paint to copy a fabric quilt that already exists. They are then mounted on buildings and added to their web site with map coordinates so people can find them.
 |
| Fabric quilt made by Sue Congdon (my sisiter). |
I noticed that there was currently only one such quilt square in our downtown area. (Since then 7 more have been added with 2 more to come, that I am aware of.) I talked to my sisters (I have 3) and we all decided that it was a great idea to commission a quilt square to mount on the side of the building that our store is located in. And we all decided it needed to be Dogwood blossoms.
I scoured images of Dogwood quilt patterns and nothing really "spoke" to me until I saw this one (design by Annette Ornelas). The fabric quilt pictured above was made by my oldest sister Sue.
We raised money through family (I also have 2 brothers), including my father, one of my mom's sisters and a close family friend. Then, I filled out the paperwork and sent them a check so they could begin the production process.
They borrowed the fabric quilt to use as a guide and they chose paints, drew templates and started taping off areas to paint.
Once they had put marine grade varnish on all surfaces to seal it, they delivered it to us and we waited a few days until the installation crew could come by.
 |
| Blue Ridge Electric - you guys know your quilt installation "stuff" - Thank you! |
 |
| With my sister Terri Brooks on the day the square was installed. |
Once the installation was complete, the 4' x 8' copy of the approximately 2' x 4' fabric quilt looked quite small...
We know Mom would have loved it.
Creatively, all I did was find a pattern I liked & asked if my family agreed. The rest was completed by others.
Here is the wooden quilt :
Sunday, January 25, 2015
A bit of progress
When I started working on these, I had orders for 21, it is now up to 24! That is good!
These angels are hand-built out of a ^6 stoneware clay. No two are alike.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Let's give this the old College try...
They were so popular from their photo-op, that I received orders for more. (Those are currently in progress.)
My poor blog has been neglected, yet again. This year, I have joined a group to help me kick-start my blogging again. This is important to me.
Now these angels have their heads & halos... plus a touch of gold.
Here is to a blog-tastic 2015 & beyond!
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