Favorite Quilts from AQS Grand Rapids 2015

The award winning quilts are shared by the  American Quilt Society, but there are many other wonderful quilts at their shows.

We especially enjoyed the DeVos Center as a venue for quilts. We could get quite close and far away, which enables the viewer to see a quilt at its best.

Here are some bed sized quilts that I especially liked.

I was drawn to this quilt every time I saw it. I Like Circles is by Roberta Amstadt of Traverse City, MI.

Shower of Roses by Donna Derstadt of Libertyville, IL is a Susan Garman pattern.

Chieko Shiraishi of Saitama-shi, Japan appliqued a handmade Irish crochet lave on the pattern of antique lace to create this amazing Irish Crochet Lace quilt.

I am a sucker for pictorial quilts. There were many amazing ones at this show.

Blue Season by Jan Berg-Rezmer of Gladwin, MI is based on a photo in Michigan

Fancy Flamingos by Beverly Curtis of Muskegon MI

The Finish Line by Bonnie Marshall Creel of Big Bear Lake, CA

Spanish Arches by Lenore Crawford of Midland, MI

Larger Than Life by Carol Kolf of Sheridan, WY uses amazing thread painting

Sunset Sentinel by Cathy Geier of Waukesha, WI

Daisagi-Great Egret by Chris Eichner of Franklin, NC

Judy DenHerder of Zephyrhills, FL made Big Red, a Michigan landmark

Peaceful Evening by Beth Schillig of Columbus, OH 

The Stories We Tell, The Stories We Need To Know

"I can still call to mind the precise shade of the water that day. I call it summer blue, the color of water in July--all of promise wrapped up in it, and every disappointment too."

We all have inherited family stories. We believe they are true. The Color of Water in July by Nora Carroll portrays a woman who determines to dismantle the stories, finding that the truth allows her to become the person she wanted to be.

Thirty-three year old Jess's grandmother has died and the family cabin on Traverse Bay in northern Michigan is to be sold. Jess returns to the cabin for the first time since she was seventeen years old. At first Jess is uninterested in the history and family heirlooms and papers. She is encouraged to sell it by her boyfriend Russ, a writer for Architect's Digest. He sees a story. He sees the money. The cabin will become a cover story, remodeled, and sold.

Jess feels haunted by the events of her last summer with her grandmother, the year when she fell in love and believed her future was set. Before events escalated and she decided to leave the man she loved behind.

Alternating chapters tell the story of Jess's grandmother, the sister she lost, and the baby she raised who became Jess's distant mother, a Pulitzer prize winning journalist. Layers of the story are gradually stripped away, revealing a reality Jess had never imagined.

"I need to be sure that you really want to know.""That's what I came here for, said Jess."

Jess must decide what really matters and how to hold on to it.

The book has mystery, surprises, and lots of local color. The epilogue ending was somewhat tacked on and not necessary; I think we all realize what was coming. I enjoyed some fine lines, such as, "It had turned to August now, you could feel it right away, the lack of sincerely of summer, the hint that it was already planning to leave." I have not lived as far north as Traverse City, but I have lived down the Lake Michigan coast and know how true this feeling it.

It is mid-August as I write this. The last weekend for tourists and the cabin summer folk is soon coming. After Labor Day the "Trolls" leave but the townies remain year round. Resort areas start closing up shops by the end of September, not to reopen until Memorial Day. The color of the water will change to gray and white, the calm water whipped up to high sprays. If you go near the beach the sand in the wind will get into your nose and hair, scratch your glasses. You will feel the grit in your mouth. Summers Up North are short.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for a free ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

The Color of Water in July
by Nora Carroll
Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: August 18, 2015
ISBN: 9781503945630
$14.95 paperback

The color of water on Pentwater Lake in July

Pentwater Lake in early winter

Lake Michigan in July

AQS Grand Rapids 2015: Quilts By Friends, Real and Virtual

It was cool to see quilts at the AQS Grand Rapids show made by people I actually am friends with, or have meet, or who are virtual friends.

Theresa Nielson is a local quilter in my guild and weekly quilt group. Her embellished quilt was in the Quilt Alliance Contest, Animals We Love.

Theresa is a prolific quilter who loves crazy quilts. She is also an author and mother to a houseful of birds, dogs, and cats.

Virtual friend Tim Latimer had two quilts in Animals We Love--based on his beloved companion Teddy.

If you don't follow Tim's blog you have to check it out. Tim is a hand quilter, restorer of unloved vintage quilts, and master gardener. What better way to spend a few minutes than seeing quilts, gardens, and Teddy?

Tim's contest entry was Reindeer-Go-Round, his original hand cut paper snowflake pattern brought to wall quilt size, quilted by hand with trapunto.

Two years ago Tim won best in show for hand quilted wall hanging at AQS Grand Rapids. I was able to meet him at that time. He also has an Etsy store where you can buy the pattern for the Reindeer Snowflake Quilt.

I reviewed Mary Kerr's book Recycled Hexie Quilts earlier this year. Her Quilt Alliance entry was adorable, incorporating vintage embroidery and hexie quilt.

See all the Animals We Love quilts at the Quilt Alliance website here. They will be auction online in November 2015.

We lived for ten months in Norton Shores, MI. I met three great ladies at church who were part of a weekly quilt group and they invited me to join them. The group was founded by Pat Holly. One member was Lynne Osborn whose Caribbean Sangria was in the show. It is a BOM designed by Pat Holly and Sue Nickels.

Kitchen Remodel Update and Brag

A few days ago I uploaded pics of our Wilson Art 'Betty' laminate counter top on Retro Renovation. Pam Kueber gives readers a chance to share their vintage finds and remodeling pics. Well, today she featured my photos and asked for the reader to come out of anonymity! Read the post here.

I first saw the Betty laminate on Pam's website this past January. You can see the original Retro Renovation post announcing the Wilson Art retro line here.

Pam's goal is to help people remodel Mid Century Modern homes in keeping with the original style. She also is all for 'saving the pink bathrooms."

I found this stainless steel retro bread box many years ago for fifty cents! The canister set I found at a local antique shop for about $30.

In a few weeks the final touches will be put on my kitchen. A door marred in installation will be replaced, a board will fill in the gap above the refrigerator and another to hide the under-counter light above the sink.

Then our contractor will have photographs taken for her portfolio.

My goal was a nod to the 1964 origins of our home--such as staying with slab cabinet doors--but with all the features of a modern kitchen. I added some bling by using spun aluminum lighting, drawer tab pulls, and of course that vintage canister set.

The back splash behind the range is all bling: Brushed steel mosaic tile!

I just love the kitchen. Thanks to Pam for all her inspiration.

Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford, or Can We Break the Glass Ceiling of Class?

We pretty much know who is in the upper class. They are the beautiful people who show up in the media. Their clothes are a story. Their faces are recognized by millions who have never met them. Or they have a name associated with old money, new money, ill begot money--any kind of money. And they hang with other famous, wealthy, beautiful people doing things and going places the rest of us can only dream about.

We want to find that fairy tale prince (or king or queen) who will marry us and magically make us 'one of them.' We imagine winning the lottery so we can buy the things they buy and go the places they go. Sometimes we even work hard and earn a position of importance with financial rewards that allow us to enter their world. Like Jay Gatsby we think we can buy our way into the right class of folk.

But is it possible to ever really fit in and be accepted into those upper echelons? Or will one always be seen as a wannabe? Can we really change our social status? Can we pass as one of them? Is it money that determines our class, or is it our manners? Or our values? What is class...and how do we get it?

Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford explores these issues.

Evelyn's mother Barbara rues marrying 'down'. Her husband's career as a lawyer may have brought financial reward, but he still thinks like a miner's son. Barbara has stressed that her daughter meets the 'right people', goes to the 'right places' and wears the 'right clothes.' She knows success is about appearances.

Class is not about money; it's all about style. And it's best not to try to ascend to the upper class...Because you'll never get it right. Paul Fussell (http://www.wksu.org/news/features/classinamerica/class-movement/index.html)

For years Evelyn eschewed her mother's advice. After she was sent to a private school and was befriended by some of the 'right' people she understood that the rich were different. She learned the right table manners and social behavior to fit in.

Although he can afford to support Evelyn, her dad insists she make her own way. She takes a job at "People Like Us", a start up social network focused on an elite clientèle, believing she could use her connections with the 'right sort' to advantage. Evelyn had to go to the right places, dress the right way, and hobnob with the right sort in her mission to enlist new members. Along the way she recreates herself, and her past, to advantage. She is selling herself as much as her product, and keeping up appearances costs her her 401K.

Evelyn believes she has been accepted into the fringes of the wealthy, beautiful people. Evelyn is taken up by one of the most beautiful and rich girls in society, whose actions from the get go show she is no beauty inside. Evelyn accepts the misuse and abuse, believing she is really valued.

She sees the glimmer, the shine, and the bling...and it blinds her.

The first part of the novel is slow going, a long build up establishing Evelyn and the main characters. Nothing really happens. One is ready to throw in the towel and move on. But the second part gathers speed as Evelyn loses her head, desperately gambling for a fairy tale ending. She loses her identity, her values, and finally her dignity. The climax is Evelyn's sordid fall and her betrayal of all who really cared for her. The third part concerns her reclamation.

Some of the characterizations don't completely work. Evelyn's boyfriend is mostly an accessory, although his story could have been one of the most poignant. Evelyn's best bud from school disappears; although he is instrumental in Evelyn's final decision he remains off camera and unresolved. Sometimes Evelyn is unbelievably dense.

But I found the premise interesting and after Evelyn starts spiraling down, ignoring all the warnings signs and friendly advice, the book moves along quickly.

The author has signed a movie deal. Most believe the book will make a better movie. I agree. I bet it will be a hit.

Read more about class in America:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/us/class/in-fiction-a-long-history-of-fixation-on-the-social-gap.html

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-09-12/richard-florida-creative-class/57767522/1

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Everybody Rises
Stephanie Clifford
St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: August 18, 2015
ISBN-10: 1250077176

• ISBN-13: 978-1250077172

• 
  

AQS Grand Rapids: A Wicked Good Time

I was able to spend two days at the American Quilt Society show in Grand Rapids, MI! One afternoon we viewed the main exhibit of contest quilts, and the next day we covered the special exhibits and vendor's mall. It was great running into many friends. How we find each other in the thousands of faces, I don't know, but we did!

You can see all of the winning quilts at the AQS website here. The Best of Show winner was Michigan's own Pat Holly! It is another stunning masterpiece in her India-inspired series.

Saffron Splendor by Pat Holly

Best Use of Color went to another Michigan quilter! Deborah S. Hyde of West Bloomfield's amazing Sam in Sunlight is a portrait of her son. Unforgeable.

Sam in Sunlight by Deborah S, Hyde

One of the special exhibits was The Wicked (TM) Cherrywood Challenge. Quilters had to use the 'Wicked' Green and black fabrics to make a 20" square quilt influenced by the musical Broadway hit--which I will remind you was based on the Gregory Maguire book. (I read the book and enjoyed its originality. But have not seen the musical.)

We voted on our favorite quilt, which was not an easy task. The voting box was so full we had to really shove our paper in. But one lucky quilter was going to win Cherrywood fabric, so we were all motivated to vote!

Keeping on theme... first time quilter and retired elementary school teacher Janet Schug entered her first quilt, The Journey Home based on Frank L. Baum's The Wizard of Oz. Janet say it represents her journey into new beginnings as well as the journey of others.

Janet Schug and The Journey Home

The blocks have a delightful unsophistication, while incorporating careful fabric choices and placement. Janet told me she hand stamped each letter of the words one by one. 

 Janet eagerly told viewers that if one can dream it one can do it, and that she is the living example.

Downtown Grand Rapids is an exciting place to be. We could look across the river to see the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Van Andel Public Museum. A few blocks in the other direction was the Grand Rapids Art Museum. We ate at the B.O.B. I learned that meant Big Old Building!

the view from my room

 I have lots more to tell about my trip. So watch for other posts to come.

How The Jubilee Singers Saved Fisk

Give Me Wings: How a Choir of Former Slaves Took on the World by Kathy Lowinger is a beautiful, informative, and inspiring book for readers ages 11 to 14.

Lowinger presents the story of Ella Sheppard who was born a slave. Ella's father bought her freedom, but her mother was considered 'indispensable' and was not for sale. Her father struggled to provide for the family but managed to give Ella a piano and music lessons. She yearned for an education and applied to and was accepted to the Fisk Free Colored School.

The school was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Then came the idea of concerts to raise money. Ella led the school choir, consisting of mostly former slaves, in performing Esther, the Beautiful Queen. Audiences were not impressed and donations were scanty. People expected a minstrel show!

One day Ella had the choir sing Steal Away and discovered that audiences were moved by the slave songs which the freed blacks wanted to leave behind in the past.

Changing their repertoire to Spirituals and finding a promoter in Henry Ward Beecher the choir's success as The Jubliee Singers took them to meet the Queen of England and earned Frisk $20,000. The school was saved. Today Fisk University lists among its graduates W.E.B DuBois, Ida B. Wells, Nikki Giovanni and the Honorable John R. Lewis.

Moving stories illustrate the prejudice the Jubilee Singers had to contend with. When they were introduced by General Fisk himself he noted the singer's values before emancipation and commented that after the audience heard their voices they would agree they were vastly undervalued. In England their introduction warned the audience not to expect sophisticated artistry. After the concert a lady from the audience told Ella that if that wasn't artistry, she didn't know what was.

This book includes side bar stories on slavery and historical background to the story. I suggest that the descriptions of slavery may be upsetting to early elementary readers. At any age, it is upsetting to read about! A timeline is included and further reading suggestions. We learned what happens in the people's later lives. Full color illustrations appear on nearly every page.

I was very impressed with this beautiful book.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for  fair and unbiased review.

Give Me Wings: How a Choir of Former Slaves Took On The World
Kathy Lowinger
Annick Press
Publication August 18, 2015
$21.95 hard cover
ISBN: 13:9781554517473
ePub: 13: 9781554517480
PDF: 13: 9781554517497

+++++

I wrote about Lucy McKim Garrison who collected and published the first slave songs here.
And the The Book of American Negro Spirituals here.