Renaissance Woman

Blogger's Quilt Festival

2009-04-18T16:04:00.005-05:00

Soular Flair

This was a collaborative art quilt. Several years ago one of the group members (africanamericanquilters@yahoogroups.com), brought up the idea of creating art quilts. There were many of us who had never ventured into this realm of quilting, but we became intrigued at the idea. Carole suggested that we work in collaborative teams and keep journals about our experience.
As the deadline loomed near I was in a bit of a panic because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to present. I finally decided that I would let the fabric talk to me and I would go with the flow.
Off to City Quilters and sure enough the fabric started talkin’ and I was busy listening. One piece of fabric stood out and I decided I would make it the focus of the project. The fabric was black with metallic gold music notes and staffs. Also at that point the title of the project came to mind, Soular Flair.

There were many techniques that I wanted to use on the project, my mind was swimming. However, above all I wanted to hand quilt the piece and include beading.

The name Soular Flair was a play on the term for solar activity that takes place on the sun. The music note fabric was the sun’s face and I chopped the blues and black to give the effect of outer space. As for the beading aspect of the quilt, I decided that I would recreate the constellations that I could see from home. The constellations were the Big and Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and Orion.
To add dimension to the quilt I used the technique of trapunto, stuffing the profile, and this made the face pop.
The collaborative part of the project came in where by after you finished your center you were to pass it off to your partners for them to add their ideas to your project. After the additions were completed the piece was sent back to the original artist and they were to add the finishing touches. I used the quilting pattern called Baptist Fan, because I felt it represented the ebb and flow of life. All in all it was a great project

Self Challenge

2009-03-29T15:14:00.003-05:00

Last week our guild, Empire Quilters, held its bi-annual quilt show at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) here in New York City. I am proud to say that I had two quilts in the exhibit.
Two years ago I attended the show and made a decision that I was going to join the group. The quilting guild that I had belonged to, Bridgeview Quilters had drifted apart due to members moving, job pressures and just life. Suddenly, I found myself quilting alone. My best friend was married now and she was doing wife things and quilting was not her top priority. So here I was a bit a drift, oh I still played with my fabric and took a few classes at City Quilters, but it wasn’t the same as being with a group. I had the internet guild, African American Quilters; however, I didn’t find it enough. I needed people to talk to and to interact face to face. So with these things in mind, I joined Empire.
For those of you who have been following my blog, you know I was hospitalized last year with the blood disorder, ITP. While in the hospital, a friend of mine encouraged me to keep a journal of my hospital adventure. In doing so I found myself not only writing but sketching the views from my window. Then at one point I thought of an idea for a wall hanging that would depict on aspect of my adventure-the many blood transfusions that I had to date, and then there were the prayers that were sent on my behalf by family and friends and my own. There had been one night when I was sure that I had seen the depth of Hell and I reached out and grabbed my rosary from the bed stand and prayed so hard I was crying. The meds can really do a job on your head.
Anyway, I sketched out my idea for a wall hanging. The piece would be called River of Life; this was because blood had become the focus of my life while in Eisenstein. I also wanted to include in the design the stark whiteness of my bedspread as juxtapose to the redness of the blood flowing through the clear plastic tubing.
I was now actively back with the guild and the idea of entering a quilt for the exhibit kept playing at the back of my mind. I finally decided that I would do River of Life. This was going to be the first time that I had actually sketched out a design and planned to execute it. Timing was going to be the thing because I also planned to hand quilt the piece. Was I biting off more than I could chew, I didn’t know, but I was going to give it an honest try. I decided that the background fabric was going to be a tone on tone white cotton. The next part was harder because I needed a red that looked like blood. I looked at several red mottled cottons and a slew of batiks, but they didn’t have the richness that I was looking for. Finally, during one of my trips to City Quilter I found what I was looking for, a rich deep red diponi silk. I now had the making for my quilt, let the fun begin. I wanted the red strips to stand out, so that meant trapunto…I was so tired of stuffing tubes to the end and then to keep the seams from unraveling…ugh!!!
Now that the tubes were stuffed it was time to mark for quilting. I selected the Baptist Fan motif for the over -all coverage. I love the pattern and I thought that I would use silver and gold threads periodically to represent the prayer sent for me and by me. I also would make a rosary that would represent the rosary that my son’s fiancée, Daphney, had given me. I promised myself that I would a lot two hours a night to quilting. I was doing okay until I started reading Twilight, see previous post. I completed the quilt and was very proud of the results and myself. The final title, River of Life- 6 Units and Counting.
I also made a quilt to celebrate this historic election of Barack Obama as president of the United States. American Dream Scrapbook was based on the idea of a scrapbook page. I used patriotic fabric that I had stashed since 9/11 and added photo transfer images from the champagne and the Inauguration. I included champagne buttons that I found on EBay and a brass Andinkra symbol. I didn’t include any journal writing on the quilt, I figured I’d let the pictures speak for themselves.
This whole experience was exciting and exhausting. I will plan better for timing the next time. In fact I am starting to plan for my entries for the next show.

Confession

2009-03-28T15:40:00.002-05:00

They say that confession is good for the soul, so I guess in this season of Lent I’ll make my confession. I love the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. I am a true Twilighter now.
In the beginning of the school session I remembered seeing an article in the NY Times talking about a new teen book whereby a human girl falls in love with a guy who happens to be a vampire. It sounded like an interesting story. Later on while stocking up on books in Barnes and Noble, I saw the novel in the teen section; read the blurb and thought I’ll get it later for my hardcore readers. Low and behold when school started one of my students already had the book and was buried up to her ears reading. Shortly afterwards several other girls had the book and were plowing through the pages. When I asked if the book was good, the response was a loud yes.
Sometime later, my co-teacher, Gail commented that she didn’t think the girls were really reading the book because they often became disengaged when they read and were easily distracted. I thought this was an interesting observation and decided to pay more attention to the girls. Sure enough Gail was right. I asked to borrow a copy for a few minutes and noticed right away what one of the problems might be, the vocabulary. Even thought the book is in the young adult category, it still has great vocabulary which unfortunately my students don’t use because they limit their reading…this is for another post not this one.
As time went on I discovered that one student claimed that she was up to Eclipse which is the third book in the series. I couldn’t figure out how she had made and decided that she just wanted to bet the other girls to the punch. It was now time for the holiday trip to the movies and Twilight had just been released, ya know where we were going. I found the movie enchanting. I kept promising myself that I was going back to see it again, because when you’ve got 180 kids you can’t always follow the action on the screen. Needless to say I didn’t make it back to the theatre; the best laid plans of mice and men.
The year barreled along and I purchased Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. I told myself that I wasn’t going to read them until the Winter Break, because I knew that I would stay up to the wee small hours of the morning reading…I know me when I’m book hooked. Before the break it was decided that we were going to do book clubs in class. I told Gail that I would do a Twilight book club with the girls who had the book. It would be a guided book club in that I would read aloud and the girls would follow along. There would be a lot of bells and whistles that would help them with their reading and comprehension. I started out thinking that I would read aloud and then I would purchase the audio book and let the iPod do the rest. Once I listened to the woman reading the text, I realized that I sounded better anyway.
I now thought if I’m going to do this with the kids I’d better at least read the book so that I had some idea of what I was getting myself into. Granted there have been plenty of times when I’ve done cold reading of some books, but for some reason I didn’t want this to be one of them. Having already seen the movie I knew what to expect, but then again the book is always more detailed then the movie. Once I started reading I couldn’t put the book down. I found myself totally engrossed in the lives of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. I enjoyed the way the author phrased her story. It was sexy without the overt sex that students are exposed to, sometimes just by watching TV. It was a very romantic story, which is my favorite genre anyway. Before I knew it I was reading New Moon and Eclipse was right behind it. I hadn’t ordered Breaking Dawn because I wasn’t sure how soon I would finish the other books. When I realized that I was eating Eclipse like a bag of M & M peanuts, I knew I needed to hit Amazon. I placed my order on Tuesday after returning from class. Much to my surprise the book arrived on Friday, just as I was finishing up Eclipse. I was a happy camper. I finished the book in a little over a week. I found myself waking up before the alarm clock went off and I would read a few pages before getting up. I wouldn’t take it on the train to class because it was too heavy along with my class textbooks….no way!
When I read the final page I felt as if I were saying goodbye to old friends. This was awful! These were supposed to be books for young people and I am diffently no longer in that category, but I couldn’t help myself, I loved the story and the writing was good.
Shortly, after I had completed Breaking Dawn a colleague, who was also reading the series, asked me if I had read Midnight Sun. I told her I was not familiar with the title. Her response was just read it. I did and it was Twilight told from Edward’s point of view. It wasn’t the whole story, but it was enough to so that I wished Stephenie had completed the book. I enjoy seeing other character’s side of a story, it is something that I do with my students and I find the views interesting and insightful.
I have given up pretending and have finally admitted that I am an incurable romantic and it will not matter how old I am I will always be on the lookout for my Edward Cullen.

2008: What a Year!

2008-12-31T14:51:00.002-05:00

2008 is not a year I will easily forget, even though there are a few things I would like to forget.
The year started out with me being diagnosed with ITP, a rare blood disorder. For three and a half weeks I was hospitalized, poked, stuck and probed until ITP was determined. After being released and home for a month to recoup I returned to work, teaching.
New York is a happening place and this spring it took on an added buzz because Pope Benedict XVI was going to visit. Crazy me wanted to go down to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to try and catch a view of the Holy Father. What was I thinking? I still had a little difficulty standing for long periods, not to mention, where were the bathrooms!
Life barreled on and I slowly started feeling like a real person. I continued with making dolls and looked forward to taking part in Doll Days in Mt. Vernon. I had a doll pattern that I had put off making and thought now would be a good time to tackle it. July arrived and I was now free for the summer. Since I illness I decided that I wasn’t doing any workshops or classes this summer, I wanted to concentrate on me and getting well.
One night while working on Genie, my nose started to bleed and it took forever for it to start. Panic was creeping around the edges of my physique, was this the start of an ITP flare up? After a visit to Dr. Ahgo’s office my worst fears were realized, my platette count was taking a nose dive. Here it was the end of July and I was back in the hospital, again! At one point I had a nose bleed that lasted more than twenty-four hours. Needless to say I need a blood transfusion. After six units of blood and several doctor visits we were all in agreement that the spleen had to go. Surgery was scheduled for the following weeks. My platette count had stabilized so I was able to talk my way out the hospital for the weekend.
I got to attend Dolls Days and was able to finish Genie to add to the group of dolls I planned to display. It was great being with my group, Needle Knows Dolls and meeting with other doll makers and then there was the shopping. Let’s face it we love to create, but we all live for the hunt of finding just the right fabric, pattern or bits of embellishments for our projects.
Tuesday found me at Einstein-Monte and a date with Dr. Bellmore and company, Rambo was leaving and peace was going to be restored to the kingdom. Dr. Able had a little difficulty locating my veins for the anesthesia. With the exception of the bone marrow test, this was the most painful part of this whole ordeal. I was grateful when the mask was placed over my face and I was told to breath deep, I didn’t have to be told twice. The next thing I knew I heard Maureen’s voice telling me that she would be my nurse while in recovery. Through my feet I could see the clock and couldn’t believe that it was 4:30p.m. I went under around 11:00a.m. I was released the following afternoon; such is the technology of laparoscopic surgery. A few weeks later it was time to start school. I was moving slowly, but the outlook was great.
Finally, the political conventions are over and the campaigns can begin. In the Democrats’ corner is Senator Barack Obama, for the Republicans’ it Senator John McCain. For the first time there is an African American running for president on a national ticket. We are in a historic time. Hillary Clinton our senator from New York was poised to be the first woman to run for president on a national ticket. She and Obama fought tooth and nail for the position, primary after primary. Obama won and history was still made. Just when the country was saying wow to this event, McCain selects the governor of Alaska to be his running mate. Who the hell is the governor of Alaska? Answer, Sarah Palin. Now we are still on the history road.
Haven’t had time to make any dolls or quilts, school is keeping me hopping. Election night arrives and I’m not going to sleep until I hear whose going to be our next president; this is too important for me to miss. As usual I’m checking papers and keeping track of the vote on NBC. Earlier in the day I voted before going to work; the kids were off but teachers had to report for staff development-ugh! My polling place is in the basement of my apartment building. I ran downstairs and jumped on the line to vote. It didn’t dawn on me that I had cut the line until I happened to look back and saw that the line had stretched way into the parking lot. No one got upset and for that I was grateful. Later, I took a cab to work and was moved by the sight of long lines of people waiting to vote. Parkchester had joined the thousands of people across the country coming out to exercise their rights as citizens, voting.
As the evening wore on I watched the map color in red state then blue state. It reminded me of one of my colleagues who told the story about a student doing an exit project on gangs. The student was excited to see that there was a map that showed the influence of the Crips (blue) and the Bloods (red).
Brian William’s voice broke through my thoughts as he announced that our 44th president was Barack Obama. I sat there listening, but not believing my ears or my vision. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes and kept blinking. This was one time when I could not truly share my joy with Dan, because he had voted for the other guy. I think he understood my elation, but he could never feel the same way, because I was a child of the sixties. I had marched and protested so that he could have the ability to vote for McCain. I never thought that I would live to see a black man elected president of the United States, but here it was and I was here! To God be the glory! I pray for our country and for this man we have elected, may God be his guide and protector.
Yes, 2008 was some year. I’m glad that I was able to see it and be a part. Now, on to 2009! Happy New Year!

Make Way for the Queen

2008-08-23T10:50:00.003-05:00

It's taken some time but I finally finished my Hang UR Imagination doll. At first I didn't have a clue as to what I wanted it to be, but as I continued to wrap the yarn around its head the idea hit that I wanted to honor the women that I saw selling things in the markets of Abijan and Bourke, Ivory Coast, West Africa. Now the outfit she is wearing is a little dressy for the market itself, but you get the idea of the regalness of the women who reign over their stalls like queens. I really enjoyed creating her and I think I just might do another one.

It's hard to believe that she started out as a clothes hanger and a block of wood.

A Day With Dolls

2008-08-09T23:17:00.011-05:00

Youngest Dollmakers

I'm working on my imagination doll. It was so warm after the rain that the hair had to go up. I didn't have a clue about the doll, however afterwards she just started to evolve. will post her when finished.

You just have to love those long legs!

These dolls were Anne Hess designs done by Susan Ratti. I love the beaded faces.

So many dolls, too bad they weren't labeled to identify the makers.

Dolls on parade

Everybody's working and we're not even thinking about the indoor rain shower.

Creating an Imagination Doll

Neddle Knows Doll Club in the house- Debbie, Venus, Jean and Me

I had been looking forward to the doll workshop in Mt. Vernon with the 3D Doll Club’s Day with Dolls. This was going to be my first doll makers’ event and I was vibrating with excitement.
Well, for those of you who have been following my blog you know that life is full surprises. During the last week of July I found myself hospitalized again with an extremely low platelet count. A day after being admitted I had an extreme nosebleed that lasted for over 24 hours. Yes, I was frightened, but I was in the best possible place for this to happen. After receiving a dose of Retuxian, I was given 6 units of blood. All of the doctors and I agreed that I needed to have my spleen removed. The one thing I needed to know from my doctors was would I be able to be discharged on Friday, so that I could attend the workshop on Saturday. Needless to say I was happy to be out on Friday. Now, I had to hurry home to finish up my genie in the bottle doll.
Arrangements had been made and Tuesday was selected for surgery, everything went well. I’m on the mend and the ITP has been arrested.
It was great meeting up with Jean, Venus and Debbie. We hadn’t met officially in almost a year due to family commitments and illness. The Needle Knows Doll Club was in the house. I can’t remember when I had laughed so much and truly enjoyed myself as much as I did on Saturday. The host, 3D Doll club, did a wonderful job setting up everything for us. There were the magic purple bags that held all of our workshop supplies and the plentiful snack table. Three tables held the display of beautiful dolls and then there were the vendors in the auditorium. The workshops were great, but I really live to shop. Doll Makers Journey was present as were several local folks.

Dreaming of Genie

2008-08-08T14:32:00.003-05:00

Sometime ago while widow shopping at Doll Makers Journey, I ran across a cute pattern of a genie in a bottle. The doll reminded me of the TV show I Dream of Jeannie with Barbara Eden and Larry Hageman.
I must admit that I am a visual learner and there are many times when I don’t fully read the directions, but are drawn to the picture or illustration instead. So the pattern arrives and I dive in only to go, ugh! I guess at the time my brain didn’t want to comprehend the directions. Well, I buried the pattern and moved on with life.
Along comes the announcement about a doll workshop (Day with Dolls) and I decided that I wanted to do the bottle doll. To be honest the directions were pretty clear cut and easy to follow. As I was putting the doll together I found myself adding little things to improve the overall out come of the doll and was very pleased with the results. I knew that I wanted to use fleece for the hair and also to give the illusion of smoke coming from the bottle as the genie made her appearance. The official title for the doll is Yes, Master.
While working on the doll, I suddenly found myself in the grips on ITP outbreak and wound up in the hospital for a week; more about this in another blog entry. I got discharged the day before the workshop so I didn’t get to put all the finishing touches I had planned for the doll, but I realized I can always make a new one and this doll would do just fine.

New Doll Club

2008-07-12T10:47:00.003-05:00

Tonya has asked me to let folks know that a new doll club has been created in Brooklyn, NY. If you're in the neighborhood check it out. Use the link to make contact. http://www.paintedthreads.com/

Little Dumplin'

2008-06-17T20:43:00.004-05:00

I really didn’t have an interest in doing a primitive doll, but there was something about this doll and a few others from The Cat and the Fiddle, http://www.catandthefiddledesigns.com/, site that just stirred my interest.
I think the doll’s hair style caught my eye first; it looked a bit like a halo. It wasn’t until I purchased the pattern that realized that the halo effect was created by braids standing on end with ribbons on the end. Then there were her feet, good heavens did the girl have feet! I decided to change Dumplin’s hair do. I used felting needles to root her hair. At first I used a nubby yarn; however, I wasn’t pleased with the out come so I changed hair material and used synthetic hair from the beauty supply store. Besides changing her hair, I also changed her dress. For the longest time I had dozens of 1930’s prints fat quarters, so I decided that I would use some of them. I think she looks cute.

The Secret Keepers

2008-04-27T16:25:00.003-05:00

These are the first items that I have made since being released from the hospital. I’ve had the pattern for this doll for some time now, but I hadn’t gotten around to putting things together until a month ago.
The pattern for the doll is Sherry Goshen’s Kereeditse, http://dollmakersjourney.com/goshon.html. The dolls may be hung on the wall. I fell in love with the geometric fabric and created the dolls by using placing the pattern in reverse position on the fabric. The faces were created using polymer clay. I didn’t want a realistic face so the faces were covered with Jacquard’s Lumiere paint and the Jacquard powders. I used Art Glitter to enhance the fabric. The dolls’ hair was made from craft yarn.
The dolls are going to be given to two of my colleagues who were constant visitors while I was hospitalized. Besides my family and close friends, they played a pivotal role in my recovery.

What A Way to start the Year

2008-04-06T14:07:00.006-05:00

Life has a funny way of telling you, you need to check yourself. My epiphany came in the form of a rare blood disorder called ITP. With this disorder the blood platelets which are responsible for your immune system, are being destroyed by the body; more specifically the spleen.
In hindsight, I guess I had been getting pretty run down since the summer, but I just thought I was tired and kept pushing myself, you know how that goes. Anyway, by Christmastime I was really going down. I was breathless as I walked up inclines and I found catching my breath getting difficult.
Initially, I had made an appointment with my doctor for my annual physical, but I wound up seeing his associated for what I thought was an upper repertory ailment. What lead me to this conclusion was that on New Year’s Eve afternoon, Dan and I ventured down to Union Square and the glory of Whole Foods. After wading through hoards holiday shoppers we final made it to the check out counter. Once outside I suddenly found it very difficult to catch my breath. I thought I was having anxiety attack, I knew one darn thing I wasn’t going to be in a hospital in Manhattan on New Year’s Eve!
Luckily after leaving my coat wide open and talking hard to myself, I was able to finally breathe. However, I know I frightened Dan and I was a little on the shaky side myself. I’ll tell the doctor when I see him next week.
Back to school after the holiday and I was still tired and I had a nose bleed that took forever to stop. Miss the next day of school, not worry I’m going to the doctor on Monday; hold on. Monday arrives and I can’t move without having to stop, sit and catch my breath. Called in said I was running late and finally had to call back to say I wouldn’t be in. Told the principal I had an appointment, but that what was happening to me was scaring me to death.
Given the symptoms I told Dr. Joseph and what he saw, I got a ton of medication for an upper repertory infection. I was so wiped out Dan had to help home from the pharmacy across the street. I stayed home for the rest of the week. As the week progressed I became concerned because I didn’t feel that I was getting any better. I was now having difficulty walking across the living room without having to stop and sit down to catch my breath. Now, I was being to think that this had to be all in my head and I was loosing my mind. By the time Saturday rolled around I was ready to scream, what is wrong with me. Things began to come to a head when Dan had to tell me that I could breathe and that there was no need to panic. The look on my face must have been awful, because I kept saying the phrase over and over again as he guided me to the bathroom.
Later that night while asleep I was awakened by a metallic taste in my mouth and realized that my nose was bleeding; this time it would not stop. I was torn between not being able to breathe if I got out of bed or drowning in my own blood. I needed help and Dan was asleep. Once I woke up Dan it was flying ice packs, one behind my neck and one on my forehead. I went back to bed with my head encased in ice packs.
Sunday arrived and so did a new reality, I wasn’t getting any better. Dan suggested we call Agho and I agreeded. When we made contact Dr. Agho told me he wanted me to go to Einstein Emergency. I told him I was on my way. Dan called his brother Adam and he was here in a flash. As we’re getting ready to leave for the hospital I had the crazy thought of how was I going to make in down stairs, maybe we should have called an ambulance, nah, I’ll make it. Good heavens what an ordeal! I remember clinging to Adam because I thought I was going to pass out. I remember one of the guys telling me to open my eyes, geesh I was fading and couldn’t catch myself. I saw my neighbor Ms. Rodriguez and I must have given her a real scare. I heard the guys tell her that there was cab waiting, she ran out and had the cab pull up into the driveway. Once inside the cab and sitting I was back to normal, at least normal from my standpoint.
Upon arriving at the ER things started to take on a whirlwind pace. I sat for all of six or less minutes and then everything began whirling. Blood pressure down, pulse down, but steady, oxygen levels down. Wheeled to a small triage room where I met Stephanie, my nurse. Clothes off, gown on, into bed, children faces somber dressed in black jackets, lights way too bright and vampires coming to take blood. Why dose it look almost clear? More doctors than I could count came behind the curtain to take a look. I wasn’t critical enough for the ICU, that’s good. However, I needed oxygen and then came the transfusions and saline drips. Dan and Adam said I looked like a car in a Jiffy Lub. I was told that I was bleeding internally and they needed to see where the blood was coming from and that I was going to get this tube shoved down my nose and that I was to swallow to help get it down. I understood what had to be done, but my mind was screaming that all this was crazy! Don’t let anyone tell you that this crap doesn’t hurt, because it does and all the freeze spray in the world won’t help. At one point I know that I was crying because the tube in my throat hurt, but then I looked down and saw that the guys were in tears too and that I had rosaries wrapped around both hands; then things got real serious.
Thank goodness the tube did not have to stay in long. They realized that the bleeding had come from my nose as a post drip. Out foul tube! Next came the EKG and a host of other stuff. After awhile it all became a blur, I guess some of the stuff they were pumping into me made me a little woozy. In total it was a twelve hour ordeal, then up to 9 South and room 948.
.
After getting set up in my room, I told the guys that I bet the first voice I was going to hear in the morning would be that of Dr. Agho.
I spent the night hooked up with IVs running and my blood pressure being monitored all night. Matilda and Little Matilda beeped all night long. As I dozed off and on nurses kept checking on me and at one point someone asked how many transfusions had I had and I told them I stopped counting after three.
I was right about Dr. Agho; he arrived at about 4:30 a.m. It is very interesting having a conversation with your doctor in the dark; it’s sort of like going to confession. He told me that I was a very strong woman because I was teetering on the edge. I told him I guess it must be in my genes. He also stated that I was going to be in the hospital for some time and that there were lots of test that needed to be done to determine what was causing the platelet count to be so low.
Two days later I was switched to a private room across the hall. I felt very overwhelmed by this whole ordeal and later that evening went on a crying jag, which was a little out of character for me. The next day when I was asked by Dr. Little about how I was feeling and I explained my out burst; she explained that I was being affected by the medication. I had become Steroid Susie.
After another week and a half it was finally confirmed that I was suffering from ITP, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, a blood platelet disorder. With all the other possible diseases that had been toss about, I was greatly relived that it was ITP, which is treatable.
During the following weeks in the hospital my platelet count kept rising and falling, it was driving all of us crazy. At one point I was given Retuxian, a chemo drug. This was a five hour drip and required that I be monitored by an oncology nurse. Thank goodness I didn’t have a reaction to the medication and things went off without a hitch.
From the outset of my hospital stay, the doctors stated that they wanted to do a bone marrow study. Of all the test that I had to gone through, this was the one that I feared the most. The thought of a needle going into my back bone just scared me to death. Dr. Aporo did the procedure and explained everything along the way. At one point as he was checking the test tubes containing the specimens, I told the doctor to make sure he had my name on the tubes because I was not going through this test again. He assured me that everything was in order.
Finally, after three and half weeks Dr. Agho gave me clearance to go home. Hurray!!! During my stay at Einstein I receive the best care possible. I just had one request, that being that I could erase my name off of the Patient Board facing the Nurses’ station.

Read the Fine Print

2007-12-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

We have all been told that one should always read the fine print on a contract or some type of agreement. Well, I failed to do that and it probably cost me a possible entry into a quilt exhibit.
One of the members of my online quilt guild announced a call for quilters to submit pictures of a quilt they would like to have exhibited at the Rocky Mountain Quilting Museum. Talk about excited I felt that I had just the quilt to show off.
Several years ago I started a quilt created with crazy quilt style blocks. I really can’t remember where I learned the learned the block. I’m willing to bet that it was probably at The City Quilter. Anyway, the quilt fell into the UFO category because I hadn’t added the embellishments that I had planned and it was also missing its label. The fabrics that I used had an Ancient Egyptian motif. This led me to entitle the quilt “Can You Dig It?” The additional fabrics used represent the Nile River and the stars that guided the building of the Great Pyramids at Giza. I also quilted the wall hanging in a quadratic pattern which is the same way an archeological dig might be set up.
I was so excited about submitting the quilt; I neglected to read the find print about the submission qualifications. I mailed all my information as an attachment only to discover that I should have sent it on a CD.
I’ve learned my lesson, read the fine print.

Challenge Result

2007-12-20T20:25:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't win Judy Skeel's Blank Canvas Doll challenge, however, I had a great experience. I found out that Noelle was one of 150 dolls that were submitted. I was so surprised to find her listed on the second page. I have never entered a doll competition before, but this has given me an incentive to try again.

http://skeelhaven.com/Challenge%20winners%201.htm

2007-12-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays

Here’s wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Personal Challenge

2007-11-27T21:06:00.000-05:00

This year I’m trying to stretch my wings a little. I’ve decided to enter one of my dolls in a doll challenge.
While surfing the net awhile ago, I ran across a challenge thrown out by Judy Skeel. The doll was called a Blank Canvas Doll. I also thought the doll would make a good challenge for the club as well, so it was decided that this would be a holiday themed doll.
I would like to introduce Noelle. Noelle is wearing a pleated gown that inspired by a gown I saw at the FIT Fashion Museum. The gown has sprigs of holly leaves and berries. Noelle is carrying a single poinsettia flower to celebrate the season and she has a golden holly head piece. Her hair has been needle felted and looks like it’s really rooted. I really enjoyed putting her together. Noelle might not win a prize, but she will always be special to me.

Time Flies

2007-11-27T20:40:00.000-05:00

I really hadn’t realized how fast time has past until I checked in on my blog. Yipes!!! I hadn’t written anything since the summer.
Okay, summer vacation was over and school took over my life again- there went my craft time.
Well the doll club crew met in September and we had a great time with our show and tell. We were all thrilled by the way our challenge dolls turned out, so out came Venus with the camera and we set the babies up for their close up and submission to Cloth Dolls and Animals magazine. To say we were excited was an understatement. Finally we were happy with the results.

The Needle Nose Doll Club is on the map! Our babies were publish in the current issue of the magazine. We're stars!!!!

Club Challenge

2007-08-26T20:37:00.000-05:00

How’s My Hair? No, I’m not asking, but Jean did. During our July meeting she threw out a challenge to the ladies to create a doll from a pattern found on the cover of Soft Dolls and Animals. The deadline for the challenge is our September meeting. For once I will be ahead of the curve, because my doll is finished! Well, almost finished I still want to add some more curls on her head. I just love her butterfly earrings.

Blame it on Venus

2007-08-26T19:59:00.000-05:00

Several months ago Venus posted two dolls she made from a pattern by Kate Erbach, Etta Mae. I thought she was too cute! Some time later at club meeting I got to see the dolls in person. I loved them. Later Jean made one and now it was my turn.
I made the purple one to give to my sister to celebrate her Masters. Before I knew it I was shifting through fabric and started making one for my niece, Kenye. Now I have twins! Oh no, my fingers were itching again and I realized that I needed on for me. So now I have triplets.
They were so much fun to make, I can readily see myself creating a few more. In fact I’m working up an idea for a friend’s little nice. I’ll keep you posted step by step on that one. So, see it really is all Venus’ fault. The pattern for the dolls can be found on Doll Makers Journey.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/ettamae.html

Award

2007-08-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

I have just been tagged by Venus to receive the Nice Matters Award. Venus, thank you for the award nomination. Venus is a fellow doll maker whose work I greatly admire, so this means a great deal to me. The award is goes to those who have been positive people, good blog friends and folks that encourage people to do their best. I now have to nominate other people for Nice Matters. They are to copy and paste this award to their blog and then make their nomination for the award. Here are my nominees.

Stephanie Novatski

http://novasblossoms.blogspot.com/

Kyra Hicks

http://www.blackthreads.blogspot.com/

Gerry

http://chainsofhearts.blogspot.com/

The African Queen

2007-08-10T15:53:00.001-05:00

Close up Doll Front

Doll Back

A couple of years ago I purchased a copy of Soft Dolls and fell in love with a doll by Kooki Davis, Ethiopian Queen. At the time I didn’t think I was up to creating the doll, but it is amazing what time and the encouragement of great club members can do. I realize as the time has gone by the members of our group have become dear friends. Anyway, the queen was not as difficult as I imagined at first. The most challenging part was her mask. First of all I didn’t have paper clay as was suggested in the article, I used polymer clay. What a search I went through trying to find a mold that would fit the size of the doll. Finally I discovered that I had purchased a mold from Sherry Goshen, Chantal, and she fit perfectly. There was only one problem, Chantal was a beautifully crafted Art Deco face and I needed a beautiful African face. Quickly, my sculptor instinct took over and I realized that I needed to change the nose and mouth of the face. I over structured the mouth of the doll, because she was suppose to represent wearing a mask; and I remembered the mask of the dancers that I observed during my studies in the Ivory Coast. I wasn’t too sure as to the surface color that I wanted the mask to be so I experimented with pearl powders and came up with a result that I was please with. Needless to say I was happy being able to use my large collection of African fabric. The queen’s coat is decorated with cowry shells. Her jewelry necklaces, earrings and bracelets are copper and brace wire enhanced with beads. I still have to complete her staff, but I was so excited with the results I couldn’t wait for you to see her. When school opens I’m going to take her in and have my students give her a name.

Teapot Party

2007-08-10T15:08:00.000-05:00

A few months ago my club members and I took part in a doll parts swap. We were making a doll teapot. I thought the idea was great, sew and stuff teapot parts; wrap up the parts in tissue and place the separate parts in various bags and grab. Please greet Ms. Crystal Dragonfly Teapot. Crystal has twisted wire earrings, a pearl necklace and amazing pink fleece hair.

Happy First Anniversary!

2007-07-17T19:39:00.000-05:00

Last June my eldest son, Adam, married my best friend’s sister, Lorae. I can’t believe a year has gone by so quickly. We had such a great time at the wedding; I can’t remember when I had danced so much.
Lorae made an elegantly stunning bride. Adam just beamed and we just wiped tears of joy and wished them well. I wanted to share some pictures from the wedding.
I designed and made Lorae’s head piece, it was a real challenge especially since this was the first time I had created a wire crown. The piece contained champagne Swarovski crystals, aurora crystals and pearls. Her cathedral veil was trimmed in champagne lace.

Needless to say I was happy that my training at FIT paid off.

Happy Fourth of July

2007-07-04T12:07:00.000-05:00

Happy July 4th to everyone! Let Freedom Ring. Are we perfect, not by no means, but I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

Collaboration

2007-06-25T21:17:00.000-05:00

As I posted some time ago I enjoy the idea of working with other artist in order to explore our artistic boundaries. Well, this time we have decided to work on borders. The main artist will present a center to their quilt and the rest of the team will develop a border to enhance that center. We are also including a journal as well.
The title of my quilt is “Riptide in a Koi Pool”. I original had plan to use this fabric for a colleague and then changed my mind, I wound up keeping it. My problem started when the blocks I created didn’t match up with the required number. So, this meant ripping out seams. I did this so often I referred to the quilt as a riptide, hence the name.
The center was inspired by quilts from 9-Patch Pizzazz by Judy Sisneros. I'm very excited to see what the other members of the group come with as a border for the quilt. And with that in mind, I better get started on the center that I have.

2007-05-25T21:49:00.000-05:00

This is Yoko-San, I like the way she turned out. She's got a great face, I think I'll make another one for my granddaughter, Ty likes all things Japanese.

Sabat-angel

2007-05-25T21:35:00.000-05:00

The doll was from a Sheri Goshen challenge pattern. Her wings are cotton lame and Angelina. I painted the top of her dress and then did hand beading.

While on my way to Blog....

2007-05-25T18:54:00.000-05:00

As you can see it has been a while since I’ve tended my blog site. My computer, Wanda went on the fritz, and then I needed to replace my aging sewing machines and finally the digital camera that I had happily purchased on eBay died! What a mess!
Now I’m happy to say that I’m back on track. For January we had to make an angel for our club meeting. I decided I would name her Sabat-angel. I planned to go out on sabbatical for a year and I thought she would watch over my dreams. As things turned out my sabbatical was declined, so I dried my tears and I’m charging forward and will apply for a half year one at another time.
A few months ago the members of my doll club made an EPB doll, Yoko-San. I was excited about doing this doll because I have had this pattern for a number of years and I was finally getting to make her. Well, here’s the joke when it came time to cut out the pattern, I couldn’t find the dang pattern! I mean I live in a one bedroom apartment where in heaven’s name could it be? Anyway, I had to have Jean send me the pattern. You know the silly thing is going to show up when I’m looking for something else.

Branching Out

2007-03-07T17:56:00.000-05:00

Recently I’ve become a member of the Needle Knows Doll Club. I have learned so much from these women so far, it’s been great. I’m still working on my angel, she’s a work in progress and she will be finished by our next meeting.
I just made two new purchases which will make me a very happy camper; a new sewing machine a digital camera. So please check my blog often to find out what’s happening at the fortress.

2007-03-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

Xenobia is on her way to market.

Getting Serious

2007-03-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

One of my closest friends is a gifted storyteller. I wanted to celebrate her so I decided that I would make her a doll. I had in mind a doll that I found in an issue of Soft Dolls and Animals. The doll was perfect, but as things would go the house ate up the book. Now I had to find another doll pattern and I discovered Pattie Culea. I enlarged the pattern, I don’t like working small. When I told my sister I was making Teri-Jo a doll she told me that she wanted on also, so you know I had to make two. I was very pleased with The Storyteller and Xenobia.

Spirit Dolls

2007-03-07T16:14:00.000-05:00

These dolls were created to protect their owners. There are no two dolls alike, they are unique just like the people they are to protect.

2007-03-07T15:44:00.000-05:00

This is another of my African Ancestor Guardian Angels. I love the idea wrapping fabric around a doll and then stitching it into place. This was and early doll, so I was still working out the problem of finding the right fabric for the body. I was also still working on my faces.

2007-03-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

I love her eyes! Did you notice her starfish tattoo?

Meeting Elinor Piece Bailey

2007-03-07T15:22:00.000-05:00

While shopping a quilt shop in Brooklyn, now closed, I saw an announcement about a class featuring Elinor Piece Bailey. There were still openings for the class and I had funds, so you know I signed up. We had to select an EPB pattern and my choice was the Mermaid, I had no idea she was soooooooo big!
I had a great time at the class and the mermaid will always be my favorite doll. Elinor helped with my eyes and they are beautiful. She gave me some sound advice concerning my scissors. When she saw my Fiskers, she told me I needed some sexy scissors and turned me on to Ginghers. I purchased a pair right on the spot and have been in love with them ever since. I also walked away with an autographed copy of one of her books, all in all not a bad day.

Entering the World of Little People - Dolls

2007-03-07T15:03:00.000-05:00

Doll making came to me by way of having to create a gift for Kwanzaa.
The holiday was rolling around and I needed a gift for my girlfriend’s daughter. Jassy wasn’t a little girl anymore but I wanted her to have something that would remind her of her childhood, so I thought about making her a doll.
While we were stationed at Grand Forks AFB, the NCO Wives decided to made dolls to sell for one of our annual fund raisers. I remember the great fun we had working in assembly line fashion to get the little girls done. The dolls were a hit and we were able to sell them all. I thought that later on I would make on of those dolls for my new niece, never happened; Kenye is now twenty-seven. Dolls just didn’t seem to be my thing back then. Wow, how times have changed.
The doll I made for Jassy was a button doll. I chose that type of doll because it looked different and easy. After completing the doll, I liked the results so much I made one for myself. In spite enjoying the experience of creating the doll I didn’t make another doll for years.
Deb’s birthday was coming up and I was at a loss for what do you give the woman who has everything. Ahhh, a doll. I found a pattern and got to work changing her into an African guardian angel. Much to my delight she loved her. Now, she’s the proud owner of two dolls.
The internet has helped me to find many interpreting patterns. I haven’t reached the point of creating my own patterns, but I’m sure that will happen eventually. Also besides patterns online, I discovered doll clubs and I joined two, Blackclothdollart@yahoo.com and Clothdollmaking@yahoo.com. For most of the time I must admit I had been a lurker at both sites. I was busy making quilts and was still feeling my way with the dolls.

2007-03-01T23:02:00.000-05:00

Soror Angelett (center) won the raffle and is presented with the quilt. Oh, did I mention that I donated the quilt. If made on special order, its gonna cost ya, but it would be worth it.

2007-03-01T22:54:00.000-05:00

A Soror finds her name and exclaims her surprise. As more sorors gathered, the rafflw tickets started to really fly. It was geat fun watching their faces as the found their names; and I must admit I got a thrill when I added my own name and information to my block... 1983 and Chapter President.

2007-02-27T23:43:00.000-05:00

Quilt on display

2007-02-27T23:35:00.000-05:00

Blocks of violets were scattered throughout the quilts

Epislon Tau's Ruby Anniversary

2007-02-27T23:27:00.000-05:00

In 2005 my initiating chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrated its fortieth anniversary. Epsilon Tau or ET as we affectionately call the chapter is located in New York City. I pledged in 1983 along with my Sands, Roz and Frances.
I was on the Reunion Committee and we had a great time planning for our weekend bash. We were looking forward to Sorors traveled from around the county to share in the fun of being with their sisters. We planned for an evening at Apple Bees, a slumber party, a picnic and a dinner cruise.
One of the other events that we planned for was a raffle. From the outset I knew that I wanted to create a quilt that would honor the women who had crossed the burning sands via Epsilon Tau. When we discussed the idea of the quilt it was decided that it would be the second prize. It was only later that I realized that the group didn’t know how extensive the quilt was going to be.
The quilt that I planned was a signature quilt. I didn’t want to send out signature blocks because I didn’t want to risk not getting the blocks back. Talking about being upset, I needed control. Anyway, I saw a pattern that I liked and off to the rotary cutter.
The center of the quilt would have picture of the Sorority’s twenty-two founders. Around the picture would be a border of violets, the flowers sorors give on another. The signature blocks would be arranged with the charter members closest to the founders; they would have the word charter written in the corner. The date was also included. From this point on the sorors were listed by line and date. I also indicated if the soror had been a president of the chapter and if they were deceased.
I love my colors, but after dealing with that quilt I didn’t want to handle anything red and white for awhile.
When the sorors saw the quilt for the first time they were speechless. I got a thrill watching them look for their name. It was fun, but the best thing was when many of the sorors stated that the quilt should have been first prize.

2007-02-25T01:16:00.000-05:00

Debbie, Teri-Jo, Claudia and Me.

Interm Luncheon and presentation of quilt to Derider.

2007-02-25T00:54:00.000-05:00

For several years I have worked with the Parent Group at my school. On one occasion I handed out a package of small squares; this was their introduction to quilting. Over time, many of the women expressed an interest in learning the art of quilting. I developed a project whereby the women would be working on a group quilt. The quilt was titled “Purse Strings.”
I had hoped that when the project was completed we would be able to raffle off the quilt for the Parent Association. However, this was not to be. Women would come to the workshop, take their packet and never return. Talk about frustrating! Finally, I took the completed blocks and added the missing ones. In the end the remaining women decided to present the finish quilt to Ms. Flynn, our retiring principal.

A Few More Quilts

2007-02-25T00:40:00.000-05:00

In looking back at some of the quilts I’ve completed I want to note a few special ones.
Two years ago I was asked to participate in a Women’s History Exhibit sponsored by a political group from the Northeast Bronx. The exhibit was to have the look of a dinner party and you were to set the table to honor a particular woman.
I wanted to honor my mother, so I had to think about her achievements, favorite colors and flowers. I decided that I would make a quilted tablecloth incorporating her favorite color, green and flowers one of them being hydrangeas. I also displayed photos of E.J. as a young woman and candid pictures of her and family. I also included a small quilt I entitled “Look Ma, I Can Read.”

Also included on the table was a collection to travel borchures and a fancy perfume bottle.

2007-02-22T21:01:00.000-05:00

The collaborative part of the project came in where by after you finished your center you were to pass it off to your partners for them to add their ideas to your project. After the additions were completed the piece was sent back to the original artist and they were to add the finishing touches. I used the quilting pattern called Baptist Fan, because I felt it represented the ebb and flow of life.
All in all it was a great project. The ladies of my team enjoyed ourselves so much; we’ve decided to do it again on our own. I’m working on a piece now and need to get a move on so that I can get it mailed out by next week.

2007-02-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

I used my son as a model for the profile. To add dimension to the quilt I used the technique of trapunto, stuffing the profile, and this made the face pop.

Soular Flair, development

2007-02-22T20:33:00.000-05:00

Soular Flair - Art Quilt Journey

2007-02-22T20:09:00.000-05:00

So, now I’ve been quilting for several years and I’m a member of an African American quilters group on Yahoo. As a member I have participated in several swaps and hosted a swap. Now, I’m the proud owner of several bags of UFOs that I need to finish.
About two years ago one of the group members brought up the idea of creating art quilts. There were many of us who had never ventured into this realm of quilting, but we became intrigued at the idea. Carole suggested that we work in collaborative teams and keep journals about our experience.
As the deadline loomed near I was in a bit of a panic because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to present. I finally decided that I would let the fabric talk to me and I would go with the flow.
Off to City Quilters and sure enough the fabric started talkin’ and I was busy listening. One piece of fabric stood out and I decided I would make it the focus of the project. The fabric was black with metallic gold music notes and staffs. Also at that point the title of the project came to mind, Soular Flair.
The project took months to execute at one point my project was in jeopardy, but the fates prevailed and everything turned out beyond all of our expectations. Angela and Juanita were my partners and it was an exciting time for all of us.
There were many techniques that I wanted to use on the project, my mind was swimming. However, above all I wanted to hand quilt the piece and include beading. So, here are the photos of my journey into art quilting.

Entering the World Quilting

2007-02-21T21:28:00.000-05:00

In 1998 a college friend of mine reintroduced me to quilting. Up to that point I had been making quilted pillows. I guess you could say I was a bit intimidated by the idea of doing a full size quilt.
During my time of living in Cheyenne, Wyoming I became interested in quilting. I started collecting magazines and thinking how great it would be if I could do this. At that time I didn’t follow up on my ideas, it just stayed a dream of something to do. A couple of years later this all changed. My husband received his orders and we were off to Grand Forks, ND.
While pregnant I decided that I would make the baby a quilt. Out came those quilt books and I made a simple nine patch quilt of yellow and spring green. That was the last quilt I made for many years.
Clarice took to a quilt show given by the Brooklyn Quilting Guild, I was fascinated and hooked. I fell in love with a Tumbling Block quilt and vowed that I would make one; pretty ambitious for a person who was nervous about tackling a full size quilt. As it turned out the first quilt I made was for my sister’s twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. I wanted the quilt to reflect my sister’s love of African art. The major portion of the top was pieced by hand. I backed the quilt with a blue African inspired print that reflected the color of her wedding dress that had been made in Kenya.
My next quilt was a tumbling block that I made for my eldest son. Since Adam was into music, I let the quilt reflect that theme. This quilt too was pieced by hand. I have no idea why I didn’t hop right on to working on the machine; I guess some purist quark was running around in my brain at the time.

These quilts were the start of my quilting life. I will post photos of these quilts later on.

The Journey Begins

2007-02-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome, my name is Sandi and this is my blog. I chose the name Renaissance Woman because my interest are wide and varied. The name renaissance means rebirth and awakening; this pretty much describes me and my thinking.
Many years ago along with my sister I discovered that we had a talent for pulling ideas out of thin air and making them work. Give us a word or two and we could develop an idea or concept. From that point on I have considered myself a Conceptual Designer.
Besides conceptual design, I’m a teacher, writer, photographer, and jeweler. For several years I have been exploring the world of quilting; recently I have added doll making to my “To Do” list.
With this blog I am inviting you to come along with me as I journey through this phase of my life. On the blog I will share thoughts and pictures of my craft work and ideas that are running around in my head.