Today I started planning summer. The end of winter is in sight, we survived January. I can't imagine doing that 100 years ago. And that was civilized compared to 150 years ago. Ricks' family were voyageurs, living off the land, and trapping animals for fur. We would have needed to wear all the furs we could get this winter. I love quilts, sweaters, insulation, and furnaces.

This is almost done, number 13. It's a gift for a friends' birthday. My hand was much better today.

No new stuff made today. It was a stash building day. Went to Munros Crafts, got good stuff. Jasper stone beads, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals. It looks like candy.

Two more March banners, numbers 11 &12.

A humbug bag, it takes only minutes. This one is 9" high, and 7" wide. Number 10 for this year. If I used up all the scraps on my cutting table, I could make 12 more, but I need zippers.

This is Rick, my webmaster and heart. He can do it. See the evidence at http://www.katcampau.com/.

This , and the following ones, was taken at the show opening, Color Therapy.
My family, including my first two works of art, Jennifer and Rebecca. And all their little ones.

A snow sculpture of a cat with knitting, near the entrance. A local man made this for me, I'll get his name. I was delighted, and so were my grandkids.

We have bags of fun together, the Baguettes, Deb, Julie, me and Gail. More than just a loaf of french bread.

A couple of troublemakers, they run with scissors, Mary and Lynn.

The crowd from the front door.

A view from the steps.

Two of my best friends, Sandy and Margie, the hostess of our delight.

My wonderful violinist, Madeline. She played beautifully, and gave the place the ambiance we enjoyed.

TONIGHT IS THE OPENING! Be there, or be square. 7 to 9 at 212 Arts, in Saline, 212 W. Michigan Ave. If you miss it, go to my website, www.katcampau.com, look under 212 Art Exhibit.

The February banners. I think I'll put a bow on the pink one. Numbers 8&9.

I couldn't wait. These are for March. They will get wire hangers. Numbers 6+7.

Today is one full day with no hand sewing. My hands feel pretty good right now. I worked on 2 banners last night, and crocheted some squares yesterday, and was very sorry. Doc says I have tendonitis, and it will go away, with time and ibuprofen. Can't be soon enough for me.
Tomorrow I will finish the 2 banners, and show you. I read the book New Moon today, sequel to Twilight. Just drank it down whole. I have the other 2 in the series, in case I have to refrain from sewing again. And I worked on my revamped website, which will be launched this week, I think.

The first crochet from the cherries and chocolate yarn. Don't know what this will be. Maybe I can think of a Valentine something for my daughters.

I got these at Barnes and Noble. I was looking for Ancient Mexico, Art and Archaeology (or Architecture). I saw the book 18 months ago, and didn't buy it. Ever since, I have hunted for it without success. This Inca book is good, so I got it right away. It was not my fault we stopped at the bookstore. All I said was, we'll be passing the best craft book store in just 1/4 mile!
The Somerset Studio has lots of black and white, or ivory designs. And the swirly lettering I can translate to quilting.

I got this at Forma, for a Valentines Granny Square project. It looks like chocolate covered cherries. The brown is variegated, milk and dark.

I got this at Knit A Round, fire colors and pink.

Here comes trouble! A group of friends went to Forma yarn shop, had a big blast, and followed up with Knit A Round yarn shop. We were so wiped out, we had to eat at Evergreen Chinese Rest. During this time, we had 11 inches of snow on the ground, and 2 to 5 more falling. We made it home, exhausted. All the ballast we had in back helped with traction on the snowy roads.

I got this at Forma. Luscious!

I made another banner, for a new baby. Too bad I gave it to the owner before taking a picture. If I can get one , I'll post it. Number 6, banner for Luke.

Maybe you can see it better now. I added some beads on the handle, and made some hanging doodles. That's a technical term. There are little doodles on the handle ends too.

Number 5 of 2009. This beaded bagette is not quite done, the handle will get beads woven through it. But you get the drift. My hand hurts, but I'm happy. You can only look at magazines so long.

Sorry I have to take some time off from sewing, my hand needs rest. But the show is about as ready as it can be now. I've been there tweaking it and working on the details for many hours, and at home doing paperwork. Whenever I think I'm done, there are a few tags to change. There are 87 pieces, plus 35 small sunflower quilts. I thought they were the bulk of the show, at first. But there are a lot more pieces in it now.
So, today I am catching up on the reading I've neglected. Have a good day.

A new sunflower for the new year. This is number 4 of 2009. It's about 33" by 35", and is made with batik cottons, velvet, lame, sheer organza, netting, and a fabric sold for Hallowe'en mummy costumes. That's cool, huh?

Circles are a recurring element in my recent work. They represent continuity of life, rebirth, memory. Connections to our past, and promises of a future are contained in them. Family circles, circles of friends, the emails you forward to share the jokes, the wheels on our cars and bikes, connect us, links in a chain of life, chain stitched. The circle is a woman, with arms wrapped around generations past and to be born.
We don't build the world anew with every generation. We build onto the foundation given to us by our parents. Just like computer software is not scrapped and started over when our needs evolve. A new application is built onto the framework of existing programs. I think of embroidery like this. Whether done by hand or machine, the shapes are layered, the stitches grow on and around them. Sometimes they are sports, and take off unexpectedly. Occasionally I can make them do as I wish. I continue the family tradition of handwork, and I see the hands of the past as I stitch. And I stitch with a sewing machine, and teach my granddaughters to do so, to keep the long seam going.

The postcard was designed by Keith McGuire.

Find him at rkmcguire2@gmail.com

You are invited to come to the reception for
COLOR THERAPY,
Jan, 23, 7 to 9 p.m.
at Two Twelve Arts, 212 W. Michigan Ave, Saline, MI.
I have requested an appetizer menu with Hungarian/Mexican foods., and am very eager to see what the wonderful Chef, Pat Collins, comes up with. Will there be little stuffed cabbages, wrapped in tortillas? Or Paprikash served with refried beans?? Just kidding. I can't imagine, but I know it will be great.

Last night we made big changes in the display. CAN YOU TELL I'M EXCITED?? It looks great. I am working feverishly, tweaking it even further. We made a curtain of banners in the bathroom, and will be hanging another large quilt tomorrow.

The shrine! Ha ha, that's a joke. This is the Mexican and Day of the Dead room. There's more.. (But you have to come to the show to see it).

This is a teaser shot. You'll have to come see the show. (Pay no attention to that woman by the table.)

Today is hanging day. Look later for pics.

Can I give you a hand? This may be odd, but it's the third piece of the new year. This seems to be a body parts season.

Okay, now there are 104 things in the show. Just finished grouting this mosaic, started last month. Not counting it for this year.

Happy Skull Pillow! Just finished it. These are the skulls I started while driving to Albuquerque. It fits a bed size pillow, so will cradle a happy skull in comfort. The count of pieces to be in the show is now 90. If I can manage a bracelet display piece, there will be more.

For the next few days, I will be doing the final preparations to hang all the pieces in my show at Two Twelve Arts. I know there are about 80 pieces, but I have to do a final count. And I have to price them, always the hardest part. I think there are 35 sunflower art quilts, 12 mosaics, 18 or more other art quilts, including 2 masks , and 6 felt wallhangings, and a pillow. And 14 or more felt embroidered things to hang from the ceiling. Also I have some felted purses, and a few other things already there. When the show has been hung, I will post a few pictures. Sorry I have no pictures of new work right now.

This is Buddy, celebrating the new year in his Mexican blanket.

These are the first 2 pieces of 2009. Just finished them today.

These are the last 2 pieces from 2008. They are now ready for my show. I will hang the show at 212 Arts next week. I will have to post a new goal, since the count of 2008 is done.