eQuilter Blog

Beauty for the Sake of … Beauty

One day last year, on one of my overseas trips, I came across this amazing ornamented building. I had just spent the day at a national art museum, and as I strolled down the street in the late day golden sun, I came across this astonishing sight.

Can you guess in which city I took this photo?
Try to imagine what purpose this building might have.

Cultures and communities that value art are a wonder, and even if the arts have flourished in that city centuries before, the creativity continues to affect its citizens, its economy, even its politics.

In the case of this Blushing Pink stucco building, with raised Ivory floral and faux architectural embellishments…it is a school in the heart of the city. Can you imagine being a child and attending a school in a building such as this?

Designers, artists and architects over the centuries have dreamed of finding patrons who could share their vision of Beauty. Sometimes, when the stars align and the brilliant creative geniuses live in the same time and place as visionary patrons, great works are created that continue to inspire us long after the players are gone.

Home-grown creative geniuses must be raised to believe that they are truly creative, and that they deserve to share their vision with the world. Prodigies don't spring forth fully-formed, but rather they are nurtured and supported…and often pushed by those who see their potential.

What always amazes me, is the raw emotional power I feel when I see a mammoth work of art that is so exquisite in its details, so vast in its scope, and so heartbreakingly beautiful that it takes your breath away…and brings tears to your eyes.

I have had many of those experiences, sometimes in the expected places (Michelangelo's David, and Sistine Chapel), sometimes when I didn't know what to expect (like the Baptistery Doors in Florence), and sometimes in the most modest and mundane circumstances. (a color plate in a 100 year old book, depicting the costumes and art of a culture that no longer exists)

Whether you go to your local art gallery, or travel halfway around the world to see a famous work of art, be sure to take the time to really "be" with the work. Over the years, there are works in museums that I have returned to again and again, because when I truly take the time to be present with the work, I have a profound experience of connecting with the artist.

These days we are often in such a hurry, being hustled through the "famous works" of a museum, or rushing through rooms of historic artwork, that we totally miss the heart and soul of the work.

Next time you encounter a work of art that moves you, I invite you to consider spending a lengthy period of time with the work, as one would spend time getting to know a new friend. Whether you are looking at an art quilt, an antique patchwork quilt, a painting or a sculpture…the Inner Truth of the work does not reveal itself immediately.

If you are fortunate, you can visit or even live in a community that is experiencing a flourishing of the arts in your lifetime. Even if that is not the case, you can visit communities that have a history of supporting artists (such as our host city in the photo – Barcelona, Spain) and then proceed to build your own creative community and support system in your own hometown.

Bring home the Creative Fire from a museum, an art gallery, or your quilt guild's Show and Tell… and then plant that Passion in your own work.

..sharing your passion for fabric…
Luana

Do you censor your Internal Artist?
Were you told as a child that you were not creative?
Were you raised to accept that creative time was a waste of time…worthy of guilt?

If so, you are not alone. I can't tell you how many truly creative people I have met, who can't give themselves to the playful process of making art.

These days, as art, music and PE are suffering cutbacks, and schools' art classes have to fit in a weekly smidgen of time, I worry about another generation of kids whose Inner Artist is being obliterated.

Happily, among young adults, being a "Creative" means that you are in demand. I hear at trend conferences that there are fewer interns who can pick up a pencil and draw out an idea, but for those who can, there is a great demand for those who can translate a concept to an image.

Art is Joyful.
Creativity is Healing.

Making things with your hands clears your head and heals your heart.

In a crazy world, we find our sanity, our Inner Peace, by expressing our heart and soul through art.

When making art, or being creative,
we need lots of empty time and space
for our internal process to unfold.

I spend a whole day in my studio, cleaning and organizing, listening to happy World Music, before I start a new project.

Somewhere inside *all* of us is the
Creative Child who knows how to PLAY.

Won't you join me?

National Good Neighbor Day
Do you remember when everyone left their doors unlocked, Brownies went door to door selling cookies without a chaperone, new neighbors were welcomed with a pie or cake, and there was no such thing as Road Rage? I have friends who grew up in Manhattan with these memories, so I know it is not just those who grew up small towns who experienced that era.

I miss that way of life – but it is clear my kids are not going to experience that lifestyle. Maybe there are a few pockets left in the world like that, but it is the exception, not the norm.

Quilters are one of the most generous groups of people I have ever met, and often the purpose of their art and craft is to give to others, to comfort and to heal others. Quilters have big hearts, and they consider "family" to be a larger circle than those who live with them under the same roof. When a neighbor or someone in their community suffers a loss or illness, quilters are right there bringing food, quilts, and companionship.

These days we develop neighborly relationships with people all over the world. I guess in that way it is an improvement over that small-town way of living, because we learn about and we care for people who live several miles or even several continents away from us.

Sunday Sept 26 is Good Neighbor Day, and I am taking that as an opportunity to think about how I can be a good neighbor, both locally and globally.

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/goodneighbor.htm

I have to say that I have great neighbors! When we started our business in the basement of our home 11 1/2 years ago, and the business grew very big, very fast…our neighbors put up with the UPS trucks and the employees coming and going until we could secure our first warehouse and move out of the neighborhood. Whew! What a crazy time!

As our business grew that first year, and it became clear that we would have an international customer base, I thought about being a good neighbor on a global basis. That may sound strange, but with the advent of the internet and the world getting smaller every day, I felt more like a citizen of the world, not just a citizen of a country, state or town. After traveling to China to adopt our daughter Sophie,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/luanarubin/sets/72157624403833275/

… and visiting orphanages full of abandoned children

http://www.flickr.com/photos/luanarubin/sets/72157606768214652/

….healthy babies and disabled kids…I just knew that our quilter friends would want to support our efforts to be good neighbors through our charity program.

So today I invite you to review your own Good Neighbor status, and reconnect with your neighbors near and far, quilters and non-quilters. That is really the best part of this life – the love we can share with family, neighbors, and strangers in need.

To quote the late great Mr Rogers –
Won't you be my neighbor? *smile*

There are still a few spots left in our amazing trip to Bali in April.

http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/travel.html

Love the book 'Eat Pray Love'? Come along with me to Bali and discover the peace, spiritual beauty and stunning visual and textile arts of this island paradise.

http://sewmanyplaces.com/tours/bali_0411.html

Contact Sew Many Places to make a deposit and set up a payment plan.

http://sewmanyplaces.com/contact.html

Deborah Lancaster is going to India and needs donations to help a group of untouchable women learn to quilt to help support their families.

Please take a look at her blog page and donate even a few dollars via Paypal if you can:

http://deborahlancaster.com/

*************************

I am going to India in 2 weeks to teach quilting to 'untouchable' ladies
(really, they are quite the same as you and I; it's the Hindu caste system
that teaches this); my intent is to help them learn a skill so that they can
better support their families, and you can find out a bit more info on my
web site, deborahlancaster.com.

There are 6 ladies who make the core group – this will be the third time I
have taught them – and we share great love between us, in spite of having no
language in common, really; other ladies are brought in from the villages to
learn with us for a week.

Deborah Lancaster

The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in
excess of $32 billion (U.N.)
Each year, more than 2 million children are exploited in the global
commercial sex trade (UNICEF)
27 million men, women and children are held as slaves. (Kevin Bales,
Disposable People)
1 in 5 women is a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. (U. N.
Development Fund for Women)
More than 1 million children live in detention, the vast majority awaiting
trial for minor offenses. (UNICEF)
~~~http://www.ijm.org/

It was just last Monday that I gave the keynote trend report at the Intl Textile Expo in Las Vegas, but it seems like a couple weeks ago! Going to Vegas twice in a month was a bit surreal, I must admit.

On the flight home, I made sure to get a window seat on the right side. The only thing I could have done better was book a flight for early morning or late afternoon, as I flew over the Grand Canyon. (Better shadows with the sun lower in the sky) Wearing a solid black shirt would have helped too I suppose.

I was snapping photos pretty much the whole flight – delightedly so – but the midday sun and the reflection of my lavender shirt made it difficult to capture all the detail of what I saw down below. Well there's always the NEXT trip to Vegas! Live and learn.

During my trend report for Spring 2011, I ended up talking a lot about Black and White. Solid Black and Solid White are huge trends in Fashion now and going forward into 2011, but also there are a lot of Black and White prints and yarn-dyes.

If you've ever studied or considered the mass psychology aspect of color forecasting, it might be obvious why we as a society (and the designers as our group-psyche prognosticators) are craving the simplicity and purity of Black and White. Life is just so complex these days, that it is refreshing for the eye to light on solid Black or solid White. We are also looking to escape from reality, so designers seem to be taking us back to the Seventies for our latest form of Retro-Escapism.

… and the product of all this?

Solid White-on-White pantsuits, ala 1970's, and loads of Little Black Dresses.

It's all very Audrey Hepburn…and Goldie Hawn. Not necessarily in that order!

I don't have any trouble resisting those sky high platform shoes, but reworked Seventies prints in many shades of purple are looking pretty tasty.

Fashion trends affect Home Dec trends, which are parallel to color and design trends in the quilting industry. It will be interesting to see what our industry's design studios do with this latest influence of "Modern Classics" and the Retro Seventies.

Desert Colors.
Sunset in the Southwest.
Red Rock Canyons.

We conjure up images of red and orange, copper and gold when we hear these words…

But if you've never experienced the Southwest in person, the realities of the colors here are pretty amazing when you see them in person.

As I flew into Las Vegas Sunday late afternoon, I was able to snap several photos through the airplane window. I wanted to share this one with you because it has a color that we often forget when we think of these Southwest colors – deep vivid turquoise!

This is an aerial photo of one of the "fingers" of Lake Mead. What makes this so striking I think, is the natural white outline of the deep turquoise water, caused by the rise and fall of the water on the red rocks.

It has me re-thinking my own personal palette of Southwest colors, as I see how the gold, orange, copper and bone colors play off of the complimentary aqua, turquoise and teal.

I take reference photos wherever I go, never knowing when an image will spark creativity. Now I am itching to take a road trip through the 4-Corners area. It has been a long time since I went to Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

In the meantime I'll have fun revisiting all of our Southwest themed fabrics at eQuilter!

Today one of our customers came in to pick up her order, instead of having it shipped. You see – her house burned down in the big fire here this week – no place to send the package.

You can imagine how our hearts went out to Diane. Nobody can imagine what it feels like to evacuate in a hurry, then lose your home and possessions. She is a REAL quilter – her sewing machine was one of the few things she grabbed on the way out…and whatever quilts she could grab.

The community is rallying together to help out the fire victims, and just today I received 3 notices from groups that are gathering donations for the families. I just posted a link to an article that tells about various organizations that are helping these families. We are hearing so many amazing stories of generosity – families opening their homes and wallets to help other families who have lost their homes.

For those of you wanting to help, visit this link

http://www.dailycamera.com/fourmile-canyon-fire/ci_16009614

and I'll share whatever other information I can about the relief efforts.

Here is a picture of Diane when she visited our office today. I don't think either one of us has slept this week. If we have any other eQuilter customers who have lost their homes, we would like to know who you are so we can potentially match you up with those who wish to help out.

The fire is still burning but hopefully nearing containment. We are still waiting to hear if Sam's best friend's house is still standing.

lots of prayers and hugs going out to Diane and those who are evacuated from their homes…..

Fourmile Fire: How to get help / How to help

http://www.dailycamera.com/fourmile-canyon-fire/ci_16009614

A victim assistance center, staffed with mental-health counselors, has been set up at Boulder County's Sundquist Building, 3482 N. Broadway in Boulder. Its call center can be reached at 303-441-3560.

A storefront, where fire victims can come and get clothing and other donated items for free, has been set up and stocked with community donations. The store is on the west side of Boulder Ski Deals, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. It will be open from 9 to 5ish.

An incident call center has been established to assist residents affected by the wildfire and evacuations. Residents are asked to contact the center at 303-413-7730 instead of calling 911 or the city and county dispatch lines unless there is a new emergency to report.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter at the YMCA at 2850 Mapleton Ave. in Boulder. People should bring identification, medications and items to occupy small children. Food will be provided. Small pets are allowed at the shelter. The pets will be housed away from people, but pet owners can visit their pets.

HOW TO HELP:

Take your donations directly to the following location. Volunteers are on hand to assist families in need.

Four Mile Relief Community Store (next to Boulder Ski Deals)
2525 Arapahoe
Boulder, CO

* Please have all items bagged (easier to transport)
* Non-perishable food only. Home canned goods will not be accepted.

The Boulder Office of Emergency Management asks that people who want to make donations or volunteer dial 211 or call 866-760-6489. The city can not accept perishable or prepared foods, and asks that residents not drop off donations at local fire stations.

A donation drop-off site for clothing, unused personal hygiene items, diapers and school supplies, has been set up at 3111 28th St., Boulder. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
To donate fire-fighting equipment call 720-564-2924.

The American Red Cross is accepting donations to help support Fourmile Fire evacuees. To contribute, visit northerncolorado.redcross.org or call 303-722-7474.

The Longmont Humane Society, 9595 Nelson Road, is asking for donations to support pets of evacuees. The shelter needs machine-washable blankets, towels, canned dog and cat food, pet toys and cash donations. To contribute, visit longmonthumane.org or call 303-772-1232.

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley needs blankets, towels, cat litter, canned dog and cat food, 6-foot leashes and cash donations. Visit boulderhumane.org to donate online or text "pets" to 50555 to add a $10 donation to your cell phone bill. Items can be dropped off at 2323 55th St. in Boulder.

The Boulder County Fairgrounds is seeking donations to support livestock evacuated from the fire areas. The fairgrounds needs hay, horse feed and other services. To help, contact Boulder County Parks and Open Space at 303-678-6200.

The Foothills United Way is accepting donations to support fire evacuees. To contribute to the Fourmile Canyon Fire Relief Fund, or for additional information about available resources, visit unitedwayfoothills.org or call 211 to connect with the United Way hotline.

The town of Gold Hill is accepting donations for fire victims through Paypal, at goldhilltown.com.

The Boulder Jewish Community Foundation has opened a special fund to assist those affected and displaced by the Fourmile Fire. To contribute, mark your check "Fourmile Fire Relief Fund." Checks can be mailed to: Boulder Jewish Community Foundation, P.O. Box 20338, Boulder, CO 80308

Volunteer Connection is establishing a volunteer list. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Sparkplace is setting up an online clearinghouse of offers to help those affected by the Fourmile Fire. For more information, visit sparkplace.com.

The Boulder Canyon Firefighters Donation fund has been set up at Guaranty Bank, 1650 Pace St. in Longmont, for the firefighters who lost their homes to the Fourmile Fire.

We have had several inquiries from customers who would like to help those who have lost their homes.

Since we are still focused on friends and family with homes in or near the fire, we will post this information:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/24922395/detail.html

Victim Assistance Center Opens

Boulder County has established a victim assistance center for people affected by the Fourmile Canyon wildfire.

The center is located at Boulder County?s Sundquist Building, 3482 N. Broadway in Boulder. A call center is also operational there and can be contacted at 303-441-3560.

The victim assistance center is not a shelter. The emergency shelter is located at the Boulder YMCA, 2850 Mapleton Ave, and is being managed by the Red Cross.

The victim assistance center is offering the following services to victims of the fire:

?
Mental health
?
Food and basic needs assistance
?
Longer-term housing options for people who have lost their homes
?
Insurance claim advice
?
Medical case management
?
Senior services for those age 60 and older
?
Coordination with local nonprofit organizations to provide clothing and other basic needs

The center is being staffed by Boulder County, the Red Cross and the Mental Health Center of Boulder County.

A public call center for people seeking information about the fire can be reached at 303-413-7730.

How You Can Help

Here's how you can help the fire victims:

The Red Cross is accepting donations at www.coloradoredcross.org . It is not accepting volunteers at this time.

To find out how you dan donate through the Mile High United Way, call 211 or visit www.unitedwaydenver.org .

The Salvation Army is serving hundreds of meals to evacuees. You can donate online at www.denversalvationarmy.org .

Colorado Friendship has a trailer at the Boulder YMCA, delivering food and clothing to evacuees. They tell us they are in need of new socks and underwear. You can deliver those items to the to the trailer at the Boulder YMCA.

http://thequiltershalloffame.blogspot.com/

There is perhaps no more quintessential icon of the late 20th century quilt revival than Bonnie Leman, founder and editor of Quilters Newsletter Magazine.

The quilt world lost a great friend Sat Sept 4 with her passing. One could easily say Bonnie Leman was THE HUB of the quilt world for almost 30 years. She appeared on the scene in September 1969 with her first issue of Quilters Newsletter and soon left her tracks around the world*. With grace she passed on the baton of leadership at QNM to her daughter Mary in 1996.

I never met Bonnie in person, but I feel like I knew her through her daughter Mary, and Quilters Newsletter. In 1990 when I left the fashion industry in NYC and moved back to Colorado, I was looking for a new direction. I found it when I picked up QNM on the local grocery store newsstand and felt a chill go up my spine. I remember thinking "This is IT! This is what I've been looking for!"

The result is eQuilter.com, and the design work I have done for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Bernina Fashion Show, etc.

Thank you Bonnie for inspiring me to join the Quilting Industry.