living life forward

I don't know about you but  usually I do not remember the speeches at the graduations I have attended. Sure there are snippets--the young friend whose middle name is so appropriately Sunrise bounding onto the stage barefoot. Her enthusiasm for life contagious and uplifting. That was the memory. Another young friend giving a heart felt speech--she had not chosen to be planted in our area but just like a young seedling she made the choice to flourish here. Such a complete and honest speech for one so young.

Of course there were others. The over long speech by a teacher chosen by the students. Alas all I remember of that one was how hot the sun was. How I wanted those great words "And in conclusion..." There was the famous speaker at the prestigious school whose voice echoed from the loud speakers. No, I don't remember a word he said. I was just hoping there would be no more rain that day.

Indeed I only remember snippets from my own graduations. Eighth grade where I wobbled to receive my diploma on high heels. Not my forte. The great aunt who despite grave illness made it to my high school graduation. College I avoided. I was not into ceremony back then.

This time it was different though. It was someone near and dear to me. I had known him since he was the cutest six year old. And I had been there before. Only vague hints from that time too. This time though I paid close attention. What memories would it stir? What would I learn? This time, the setting was formal and ceremonial. The chairs lined up on the floor. Such wonderful patterns here.

The graduates marching in. Adding the human element of design to the basic pattern.

The ceremony of the robes. So ornate and colorful.

The designs of the graduates on the floor. Adding that human touch to the patterns of the chairs. Hard to capture with the lights and Jumbotrons.  Yes, isn't that almost a quilt--adding the human touch and variation to the regular patterns?  (Of course I know my readers were waiting for that--weren't they?)

The speaker quoting Soren Kierkegaard:

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

Something to contemplate isn't it?  Inspector General Donald Verrilli mulling over the events of Boston recently. Reminding the graduates that much will be expected of them. That the way to prepare was to live your life every day responsibly and intently--using your best judgement and being of service. That these resources that you develop as a daily basis will serve you when events demand even more of you. This actually stuck with me as true and useful.

Yes, this time the ceremony moved me to tears. It was after all the graduation of my step son who had worked so very hard for his achievements and all I can say is Congratulations on a job so very well done. I can't wait to see what he does next. 

What do you think? Has this happened to you?

it's about family

Sometimes it seems there are quilts I just have to make.  I may not know why when I start--I just want to see what it will look like. I am curious. But there is something deeper too. At least that is the story of this quilt which I began some days ago. I knew I was tense. More pre-occupied than usual. After all, the memorial services for my FIL were going to be held soon and my DH and I were hosting the after party.  I think I should put that in Caps. This was a BIG deal.

You see my FIL comes from a large complex family. Relatives on both sides. Some of whom I know--they may even live just down the road from me.  Others that I had never met before.  Or just knew slightly. There were the traditional rivalries and factions. Those who did or did not  speak with each other. Stories going back way before my time. The end of an era. The passing of the torch to the next generation--my generation--and all of the emotion that the loss of a father or a father figure can create.

Now those who know me know that I am not a party giver. I work in my studio. Make quilts. Play in my garden. My family was small and compact. I knew my stories and my histories. But somehow we were hosting 50 people. I had to be organized. In charge.

And this is where the story returns to quilts. After all, my loyal readers are really not very interested in my husband's family or even my angst about throwing a party. But of course what did I do to calm myself but start a quilt. Like duh!!! I wasn't even sure when I started why I just had to make this quilt but I needed something to do. And I was curious about this piece. I could almost see it in my mind's eye.

So a few days before the party I made the first tentative blocks.

Amazing how good it felt to pin these four squares up on the wall. Yes, this was the way to go.

A few more. These colors are so lush. I felt like I was doing something.

But would it work? I knew the idea involved motion and color going both ways. Let me try.

Interesting look. The next days I came in and made a few more rows. I do love how it is coming together, don't you? Still not sure exactly where it is going but it feels like a statement. A purpose. Come to the studio. Sew. Make progress. Relax. Center myself.  Go home and clean house. Shop. Confer with my DH who has been working even more tirelessly for this occasion--it is his family after all. His father. His loss. Deal with the issues that invariably arise.

The day came. Of course it poured. But the sun came out just as they played Taps. There was enough food. Pizza and polenta. Lots of ice cream--my FIL loved ice cream. So many absolutely wonderful people to meet. So many great stories to tell and retell. And I realized that maybe the reason I just had to make this quilt was because it too was about family. How interwoven it all is. Tales that weave in and out.

I am still not sure what the quilt will look like when it is done. So much work to still do on it--I find it hard to be patient as I piece one row--one strip at a time still hoping that it will all come together as I want it to. But maybe this is why I had to make this quilt at this time? Does this ever happen to you? Do you ever make a quilt to sustain yourself? Is this why I sew?

the quilts of Ann Brauer--it's May

Finally it is spring. The trees have this wonderful green haze. The little maple flowers add just that hint of red. The forsythia is a burst of bright yellow against the grey and brown. Never have the daffodils look so wonderful. Even my first peas have shown in a delicate row of hope.

As you can tell, I love this season which always come as a surprise.

Meanwhile I have been working hard in the studio. This coming Saturday May 4 is the first ArtWalk in Shelburne Falls from 4-8. Lots of studios and galleries will be open with wonderful work. I hope some in the area will manage to attend--the Bridge of Flowers is open and simply glorious in its spring colors. Those who have been following my work on Facebook or even on my blog know that I got inspired to make a series of fun little purses. Indeed I created a Wall of Purses with each one inspiring the next. I have decided as a Celebration of Spring until Mother's Day, rather than having a quilt of the month this time,  the purses will remain at $60 each. Yes, they can be shipped USPS Priority Mail.

Purses--8x8"--quilts--Ann Brauer

Later in the summer, I will be doing the American Craft Exposition in Evanston and the Berkshire Craft Show in Great Barrington--but more on those later. And for those coming from a distance, do call first since this month I also have a large family gathering as a memorial to my father-in-law and then the graduation of my wonderful step-son. I am so very proud of him and wouldn't miss it for the world. And yes, I do have an architect for the new building!!!

Meanwhile have a great spring. Enjoy the season and the light. Color is everywhere these days.

tomorrow is another day

Boston Strong! Boston Proud!

Watching all those who put so much at risk. Love watching all the crowds cheering the responders on for their hard work and sacrifice.  Puts it all in perspective doesn't it?

Sure I grumble. But only a little. After all I had worked really hard getting ready for CraftBoston. I knew it would be a great show--the first thing I saw as I unloaded my van was my quilt up there marking the aisle. Sweet, huh? What a great omen!

For more info on the show, visit http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp   
I will post when I know for sure it will be open. Hope to see many of you there.

cutting loose--creating the wall of purses

Maybe it is the long long wait for spring this year. Those grey days that just seem endless. Or maybe it is time to recover from making large--as in really LARGE--quilts. Or maybe it was just that pile of small strips that had grown and grown until it was either time to use it or lose it if you know what I mean.

In any case I decided it was time to make purses. After all my stock was getting so low I no longer took them to craft shows. And I am doing CraftBoston at the end of this month.  http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp So low that I could not even offer customers in my studio a good selection. You know the routine--what color are you looking for? let me show you some others? Always does help sales.

And yet I really did not want to make the same old purses. Been there. Done that. Until it occurred to me--I could create new designs. New colors. After all, these are just purses. They don't have to match do they? Why not have fun?

I mean who would not want this lime green and black purse? Cool isn't it?

purse--lime green and black--Ann Brauer

Or a teal and rust purse? Sassy, isn't it?

purse--teal and rust--Ann Brauer

What about red and magenta? A logical progression, isn't it?

purse--red and magenta--Ann Brauer

Of course there was the red and grey purse that sold "hot off the sewing machine". What fun. Yes, I do actually make them two at a time so I still have one of these purses in stock.

purse--red and grey--Ann Brauer

What about stripes? Stripes and red. That is different isn't it?

purse--stripes and red--Ann Brauer

Or a blue and mauve purse? How elegant. I actually saw those colors on an episode of Murder She Wrote. Amazing what can inspire me, isn't it?

purse--blue and mauve--Ann Brauer

And the result--a work still in progress. This "wall of purses". I sit and look at it. Wonder what else I can make? What other colors I need? More blues? Definitely. Something brown? Sure. More black and red? Why not.

purses--collection--Ann Brauer

So many possibilities. Such fun. Does this ever happen to you? Have you ever tried creating a collection--one concept. So many designs. Not really thinking about it but just letting it happen. And yes there are Sidewalk Days in Shelburne Falls this week-end so I do hope those in the area will drop by and see all these designs.

the quilts of Ann Brauer--it's April after all

OK--Twitter has returned its vowels. YouTube is still in business and GoogleNose is no more. That still does not mean that we have not been having a light snow every night here. I guess the positive benefit is that the ground is frozen again so mud season will have to wait.

Of course I really do not have much time to contemplate the weather. I try to spend most days in my studio finishing orders, getting ready for CraftBoston and filling my shelves with more stock.  But let me be more specific. First on April 12-14 there will be "Sidewalk Days" in Shelburne Falls. Now I doubt if I will actually put my quilts out on the sidewalk--I don't want to chase them over the Bridge if the wind hits just right. But do drop into my studio and see what I have dug up from my shelves of UFO's or old favorites to tempt you into some spring redecorating. You just never know.

Then April 19-21 I will be showing at the CraftBoston Spring Show at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. This show promises to have lots of wonderful work and glimpses of Boston Harbor as you enter the Seaport Center. My booth is 133--tucked away a bit but I am sure you will find me. Yes, I should have some wonderful new quilts for this show and if you haven't seen my new quilt--dancing into spring--you will want to check it out. For more information: http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp

And now for the quilt of the month--this time I have chosen moonlight. This quilt is 45 x 45".  Don't get me wrong. I love this piece and if no one purchases it in the next ten days I will return the price to $1400. But for the next ten days or until sold it will be only $800 plus all applicable taxes and shipping fees.

When I am not at a craft show, I should usually be working at the studio so I do hope you will drop by and see me. Of course in May I do have a couple of family functions scheduled, so do call first if you are coming from a distance.

I hope spring is coming where you live. Enjoy the season.

keeping up

Yes  I know. It has been a while since my last blog post. Now it is not that I haven't tried. I have even written several great posts in that lovely time of 5 am when I am almost awake but not really. Amazing how inspiration can strike then, isn't it?

But in the light of day--do they get written? No.

Now it is not that I am lazy. Puleeaze. But just busy. After all, I have done two great craft shows with one more planned for next month. Yes, that is a lot of work. Not that I am complaining mind you. I do like to meet people. Try to see how others react to my latest quilts. What questions do they have? What are they looking for? How can I help them? Then there are the family issues. And yes, I have been experimenting with a new site on social media. If you want check me out on Houzz. Do check me out if you wish here. http://www.houzz.com/pro/annbrauer/ann-brauer-quilt-studio  But I digress.

Still I am glad to be back working in the studio getting ready for my last show of the spring--CraftBoston Spring April 19-21 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. Definitely a show worth going to if you are in the Boston area. Here is more info: http://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbspring/springinfo.asp And yes, I do need to make more quilts.

I decided to work on another variation of my quilt three as almost a warm-up quilt.  Getting back into the swing of things so to speak. You may remember it. Three separate color ways that could be hung either this way

Or this way.

Which do you prefer?  I loved the optical illusion it created. The edges really are straight but it looks like it curves, doesn't it?  Now I had started the quilt last winter. Made the first section and then it sat there. Too many other things to do. This week though it seemed just the quilt to finish. So I made the teal section and then decided that I should use green and not grey. After all, I did not want to duplicate myself. So I searched all over the studio for the right greens. This quilt is very soft and many green fabrics are either very bright or very yellow and I wanted a moss green. More like this. Hard to find but I did it.

And pinned it up to the quilt. Doesn't look great does it? Have I lost my touch?

But what if? Am I missing the obvious answer? Yes, this small changes does pull it together, doesn't it? Whew. I think this is it. Amazing how a small change makes such a big difference.

As for keeping up, well I know that I can't do everything. I mean not only do I have quilts to make, but I also have e-mails to send to answer questions from customers. Samples of fabric to send. Even a studio to clean for the spring. But I guess that having too much to do is better than a clean house, isn't it? For me, I try to do one thing every morning. Check it off the list. Then work on the next quilt.

How do you prioritize? Any good strategies you have learned?