SAQA - Studio Art Quilt Associates

Today I attended my first SAQA meeting of the six New England states.  There were about 16 women representing Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine in attendance at the meet-up amiably hosted by a Hillsborough NH member.

Not just 16 women in attendance but really talented women who are producing quite incredible work.  Unique.  Original.  Compelling.   I came away really juiced and ready to work.

Two of the women, both from Massachusetts, inspired me with their personal challenge to produce one 6x8 art quilt each week.

This seems like a really good way to stay 'in the groove'; keep the creative juices flowing even in difficult times that can easily become dry times.

I think I'll pick up the suggestion for 6x8 personal challenge.  Although I did invite Judy M. to join me ....... Stay tuned.

For a long time now I've worked alone without benefit of collegial support and encouragement.  Some years ago when I worked in Concord NH I joined the Capital Quilters -- a fine group of women where I made good solid friends.  But since moving away, I've not found a similar group nor had the luxury of that kind of support, encouragement and camaraderie that happens when like minded spirits get together.

Fortunately, Wen Redmond found me last year and extended an invitation to join the Seacoast Area Fiber Artists with her.  We are about 12-strong in membership, a lively, fun, interesting, and talented group.  I am loving the the opportunity to share with these women who are producing such wonderful work -- some of which you can see here and here .

From that invitation, came membership in SAQA.

International Art Exchange

My friend Susan at artstream gallery asked me to participate in an International Art Exchange.

At first, I thought, "nah".  Sounds too much like a chain letter.  Well, it is structured like a chain letter where you send one piece of art to the person on the top of a two-person list.  And then wait for the mail to deliver up to 36 pieces of art in return.  Theoretically, from everywhere.  Doubting Thomas that I am, I didn't really think I'd get anything in return mail.  But still  . . . . I sent off my package to Flossy-P in Australia.  Flossy blogged about the Art Exchange on December 1 and included photos of the gifts she'd recieved  --  all from New Hampshire and Maine.  .......  Then, on Friday, I received my first exchange in the mail.  From Jenny, the quiltcookie, in North Carolina.

Not only did I get these beautiful quilted coasters from Jenny but she included a note to let me know that she was responding to the art exchange from Kathy Lee, fiber artist from Old Orchard Beach in Maine.

I recently met Kathy at the Seacoast Area Fiber Artists, a textile group of about 10 women artists founded by Wen Redmond.  Wen has a studio in the old Salmon Falls Mill and a few months ago emailed to invite me to join the group.  I did.  Happily. 

. . . .  not to be greedy.....but......maybe there will be another package in the mail ......

Now, when I got my mail on Friday, the package from Jenny in North Carolina looked like this

ripped ..  torn .. and dirty ..

It was placed inside a clear plastic envelope by the USPS with big, black, bold letters upon it reading:

WE CARE!

It's quite amazing that I received it at all and in good condition.

But it was....in fine perfect pristine condition.

 *****

We are technically 15 days from the official start of winter.

But

it snowed last night

and we awoke to this

..... looking east from my living room window.....

... the lane going southwest from our house in the woods.....

Have a happy, creative, lovely Sunday!