Aisha Butterfly

I made this picture my profile picture on facebook and much to my surprise to I got an overwhelming response. People were writing about it daily. I wasn't sure if it was the quilt, me or the composition. I suspected it was the composition because I had posted the quilt by itself previously and it got no mention.

My daughter took the picture and she called it Mama Butterfly. I vaguely remember her saying let's take the picture in front of this quilt. Then she said move over just a little. I had no idea I was lining up with the body of the butterfly and replacing it with my body. How interesting.

The quilt is called Metamorphosis. I had this idea that the metamorphosis of a thing encompassed the coming together of many different facets. So I collected several colors of fabrics to symbolize the many facets. I knew what fabrics I wanted to use, but had no idea how the different colors would all come together to give a cohesive look. As I started to put it together I saw that a spot of red could bring it all together. Many quilters shy away from reds and golds but I embrace them. I wanted that butterfly to burst out of it's cocoon in full brilliance. Red did that. I didn't overwhelm it with red but dipped a little of it here and there.

I used a crazy quilt vibe and explored the development of my own technique for putting it together. I did some ruching, some beaded embellishments, some fabric painting, buttons, sequins, some lace trim, hand quilting and lots and lots of love.

I think that is what people see, the love.

I Luv Saturdays

I love Saturdays for several reasons. First it is the monotony breaker for the week, maybe not for me but for everyone else which in turn affects me. Saturday maybe embedded in my Psychic since I was born on Saturday. I mostly love Saturday because it is the day the I can have my whole mind to myself. I mean I can concentrate fully on my work for the whole day and not have to keep an ear out for anyone. I don't have half my brain working on a project while the other half is getting ready to go out, making sure I remember to take this or that. I'm not constantly trying to figure out who gets paid next.

I cook really early so that no one is expecting me to stop to cook. I don't have to pay any bills or answer the phone if I don't want to. I turn my radio on to my favorite Saturday morning blues show and let my sewing machine rip.

I don't have to keep one ear tuned because the baby may wake up and I'll have to stop. Someone else is doing that on Saturday. I don't run errands to the bank, the grocery store, or post office.

I don't go to meetings or anywhere else if I don't want to. I like just going inside myself and ignoring the rest of the world. While I'm in there, I create. Sometimes I create something really super and other times the work just soothes my mind. Sometimes I find it relaxing to repeat the same block over and over and over. Then I find it fulfilling to look back at the pile of blocks I have made.

When my radio show goes off, I blast my CDs. If any of my family members come by, they shake their heads about the loud music. The music helps me get lost from this world into a place where creating is free. Free of all the rules and constraints.

I have to say that I love Saturdays.