the quilts of Ann Brauer--I ate too much turkey edition

Hope you had a great Turkey Day. We went on a wonderful hike with my amazing step-children, then ate far more Turkey than we should have (as well as of course the relish, the veggies, the stuffing and the pie--well actually we saved the pie for later--amazing as that sounds.) So much news this month, I will try to be brief. I just got my copy of Lovely Landscape Quilts by Cathy Geier. What a great job she did. Lots of lovely pictures and instructions for how to make some of them if you are hunting for a gift for the quilt maker in your life, you might want to check it out.  And yes there are a number of quilts of mine included in the introduction.

rainbows of autumn--45x45"--Ann Brauer

Today Friday is  the annual Moonlight Magic in downtown Shelburne Falls. This is such a great family event. There are street vendors, gorgeous candelabra, music, even a cookie sale.  I can't wait to see how lovely everything looks from my new/old view with the fresh coating of new snow we got yesterday. My studio will be open until at least 8. I do hope to see some of you there if only to see the new building. And yes, I am having a 20% off sale Friday through Sunday just because.

night sky--45x45"--Ann Brauer

Then it is on the CraftBoston next week-end for me. This show has now conveniently moved to the Hynes Auditorium and promises to have some absolutely wonderful finds--including Crafts for Under $100.   I have attached a discount coupon with more particulars and a coupon for $3 off your admission. Of course you must bring it for the savings.
https://www.societyofcrafts.org/cbholiday/holidayinfo.asp

Want more--the week-end after is the Morristown Holiday Show in Morristown, NJ. I've never done this show before but here there are some wonderful Treasures in an easy to get to location. To get Free Admission you do need to have a coupon for each person. Print it out and fill in the info for your admission. http://www.artirider.com

Can't make it to any of these events--I am having a 20% off sale on my Etsy shop through Sunday November 30. The address of my shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/annbrauer and the Code is MOONLIGHT2014 Of course the 20% off only applies to orders purchased during this time and does not apply to custom orders or previous purchases. I do keep trying to add items to the shop but if you don't see it, drop me a line and I will tell you if I still have it.

Then I have orders to finish and I must start getting ready for the Baltimore Show in February.  It is a good thing I love what I do, isn't it?

Hope you have a great holiday and a wonderful start of winter with just enough snow and cold. And remember starting in mid-December the afternoons do slowly get longer.

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?