Rooted in Mississippi

I am so pleased to announce the release of the January 2010 issue of CQMagOnline.com! It seems like I am always scrambling to get articles and Readers’ Showcase submissions. However, this issue it was particularly rough on me, because of family obligations and an acutely ill dog. For that reason, I want extend a very special “thank you” to everyone who contributed to this issue and our two sponsors, Maureen’s Vintage Acquisitions and Evening Star Designs.

This turned out to be a lovely issue, with lots of projects and ideas. New staff member, Dakotah Davis’ offers up her debut articles with a fabric fusion method and a needlebook project; Victoria Adams Brown has given us a sneak peek at a covered tin from an upcoming publication; Maureen Greeson shares a vintage embroidery design; Lynn Schoeffler figures out a clever way to use wire as a tree trunk embellishment; Sharon Boggon explores storage solutions; Allison Aller takes the reader along for a visit to River Silk; and so much more!

I certainly hope you will take the time to read through this issue and try out some of the techniques, projects, products and ideas.

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As always, we have some amazing articles and projects to share with our readers; Maureen Greeson has provided a Block of the Issue and another installment of Keep It Simple, Lynn Schoeffler offers us a lesson in photo collage using Microsoft Word, Barbara Blankenship shares the details of her trip back East to visit friends and fellow artists, Julie Yonge introduces the readers to pin-weaving, Leslie Ehrlich continues her exploration of trees, and Allison Aller discusses the latest Alliance for American Quilts contest. We are grateful that Cindy Thury Smith and Victoria Adams Brown have also contributed articles.

This issue also marks the first one for Lynn Schoeffler as Assistant Editor. Lynn has been quietly and selflessly doing a lot of work behind the scenes for the last few years and I am so glad that she will be publicly acknowledged for her hard work. We have had a great working relationship for many years. Lucky for me, she long ago recognized my odd sense of humor and strange ways. Also, since I am not a morning person, the time difference has never affected our ability to communicate. I do not want to embarrass her, but I certainly want to acknowledge her hard work and dedication.

As editor, I have to admit, some issues are harder than others. Over the past six months, staff members have lost loved ones, broken bones, had surgery and cared for aging parents. Even if we were paid staff members, many of us would have called in sick or taken personal time during the last few months. I am so proud of our staffers for being able to pull out an issue, despite it all. It is amazing that the love of crazy quilting and commitment are incentive enough to keep this free, online magazine going for so many years.

I hope you will enjoy this issue and consider submitting an article or photo’s of your latest project to the Readers’ Showcase.

Rissa Peace Root, Editor/Publisher
http://www.cqmagonline.com

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I am sad to say that ARTichoke is closing.  Today I retrieved the last of my merchandise from the store.  Even though I have lost money every single month since I moved into a brick and mortar storefront, I just hate that it is ending.  I know, lots of businesses are closing. I get that the economy sucks, but it is sad none the less.

On a happier note, the latest issue of CQMagOnline.com launched on time, despite my invasive cold and obnoxious cough.

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OK, it is probably obvious that I have been taking some time off from the computer.  I was getting worried about burnout, especially with a new issue of CQMagOnline.com due out in five days, so I decided to spend some time on the sofa with the tiny dogs.

Yes, I realize that only two are in the photo, but it would take a wide angle lens to get everyone in a single shot.  I am pleased to report that Roscoe is doing much better.  We bought him a new collar, because the old one was getting frayed, so now he is sporting a blue Celtic Knot design.  He is losing some weight, because we have already had to tighten the new collar once.

Also, on a different note.  I have had a few moments of discovery in yoga class lately.  I was able to drop back into a back bend for the first time, albeit with help, which is very different from coming into one from the floor.  Also, when I do a quad stretch, my heels now touch my backside.  It is always nice to see improvement!

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I am happy to announce that the latest issue of CQMagOnline is live!  I am glad that Allison Aller is going to step up to the plate and offer her services as Assistant Editor, starting with the next issue.  It should help keep this volunteer job from overwhelming me completely four times a year!  Burnout would be awful, so this is very timely indeed.

In other news, I loved leading the Gentle Yoga class today.  I actually learned a lot in my preparation for the class.  I look forward to continuing to expand my own practice and sharing my very positive yoga experience with other people. I am just so excited about this opportunity and want to continue to open to grace.

Oh, and I am doing really well with Weight Watchers and have even lost a little more weight!

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I gave a lecture on Crazy Quilting to the Mississippi Quilt Association June Gathering last Friday at about this time.  I was surprised by how many people were there! I had not spoken to crowd that large in many years and I am not ashamed to admit I got a little dry mouth.  I wish we could get that many people excited about embroidery in our fair state. They used the facilities at the Rankin County campus of Hinds Community College. They were an interesting group and I really enjoyed my time with them.

I think it went very well, but you never really know how you come off in these things.  Rhonda gave me some very nice feedback, as did a few member who stopped to talk to me afterwards.  I took a ton of things that could be passed around, so they could examine my work and see some of the blocks, projects, and techniques up close and personal.  I was well prepared and well versed in my subject matter and I wrote out my lecture in advance instead of just depending on notes.  I did ad-lib a little, but I wanted to make sure I did not leave anything out of my history and examination of current trends.

I also set my cell phone to vibrate when I had 15 minutes left, so I could wrap things up in plenty of time and let the program get back on schedule.  Personally, I think ending on time is almost as important as giving them good information.

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I bought another bedlah/belly dance costume from Trish. The hip belt fits, although just barely! I need an extender for the bra, but that should not be too hard to make. At least the cups fit, which is the most important thing for me.  I can not get to work on it until I place an order with Cartwright’s for just the right sequins.

I am very pleased with the costumes that I have purchased, even though I have hardly worn any of them!  I am still working on a crazy quilted hip belt, but I have not really gotten very far.  I need to work on it some more and do a follow-up article on CQMagOnline!

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Rudy came with me and has been a perfect gentleman.  He has not had a single accident nor acted up even when I had to tote him around in the baby sling.  I was surprised by how well he handled the long drive.  Everyone has been impressed with how well behaved he is at the home.  I did buy him a little dog bed this morning, so he can sleep comfortably when we are sitting around my mom’s room for hours at a time.

I have been taking him with me everywhere, which is why I have not eaten at Goldberg’s or Ippolitto’s this trip, but maybe all the cereal and the occasional chick-fil-a sandwich will help me lose a little weight!

Oh, and the big news!!!1  I managed to get CQMagOnline up and running before the April 25th deadline!  Despite server trouble and slow dial-up, I think I got all of the last minute articles and edits done on time.  Thanks to everyone for all of their help!

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I made another rabbit for class. Here he is sitting on top of the kits for students.

All of the kits are packed and ready for class. They have wool roving, beads, crystals, wool thread, plus beading needle and thread for sewing the eyes. I need to make another run out to the store, to pick up some darning needles.

I have all of the instructions and the pattern diagram done and printed. I am so glad I took the plunge and bought the color laser printer. Not only will these not bleed if they get wet, it was able to do two sided printing without any manual intervention! I specifically got the printer for instructions and it worked like a charm. It has also been wonderful for printing price tags and fabric bands.

It was such a beautiful day today, that I cooked hamburgers on the grill.

On a sad note, I got word that Dee Stark passed away unexpectedly on February 18, 2008. She is the author of “A Spider Web for Luck” a book about symbolism in crazy quilting. According to her obituary, the memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2008.

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I am still here, but I have been too busy to post regularly.  I am working on inventory: sorting, labeling, buying furniture and getting things done. I start moving into my space tomorrow, but it will take me a while to get it all ready and I will not be at full capacity for a while. I also need figure out how I will fit into the physical space.

I am trying to become an Ashford Dealer, but I can not mail off my application until the state of Mississippi comes through with my sales tax number. I am going to carry Brittany knitting needles and crochet hooks, but that is not a surprise, since I used to sell them on eBay. I am also going to try to divest myself of some of my copious stash! I have a ton of fat quarters ready, both cotton and silk. I also have silk threads and some ribbon embroidery supplies. I hope it will be an appealing, if eclectic, mix of things.  There will be a little something for spinners, felters, knitters, crocheters, crazy quilters and embroiderers!

It is kind of hard to imagine all of that in such a small space, but better that than no space at all. Brick and mortar stores are a lot of work and commitment. I am trying to make sure that I do not duplicate items that can be purchased at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, unless it is part of my stash. I also wish to avoid competing directly with the local knit shops.  Next, I need to start setting up some classes at ARTichoke.

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