It was a good day—mostly

Off I went, this morning, to the Columbia FiberArts Guild quarterly meeting, with a hot latte in hand and money in my purse. This lovely organization is one of the highlights of my life these days. There is a lot to be said for a group that meets only four times a year. Sort of makes it an occasion, you know? Today was our annual silent auction that funds the guild's outreach program which is teaching quilting to women in the local women's prison. It has been a wonderful program, giving imprisoned women an opportunity for fellowship while learning sewing skills and self-expression. The quilts these women make sometimes represent one of the first really creative, positive things they have ever done. I did not donate anything to this year's auction, so felt morally obligated to treat myself to something—only supporting the cause, you understand! Lucky for me my friend Georgia French had donated some lovely little pieces of stitched art. This one came home with me.

I also bought a small book of Japanese Samurai designs which are very inspiring.

The program for the meeting was Jean Hicks, from Seattle, a felter. Click on her name to see some of the most whimsical and astounding hats imaginable. She also does really thought provoking felt sculpture. Felting is not something I have ever had much interest in. To be very honest I think most of what I see is pretty dreadful—reminiscent of something the cat coughed up— but Jean Hick's work is sublime. And she was a good, very engaging speaker with great slides and samples to share. Toward the end of her lecture she passed out puffs of wool roving to everyone in attendance and had us roll it between our palms to create little felted wool balls, demonstrating the magical simplicity of the process. Excellent program.

When I got home I found that my copy of "The Best of Quilting Arts" book had arrived. It is a compilation of selected articles from several years of Quilting Arts magazine. My article about an edge finish for a small piece was included.

It was shaping up as a very good day, then Ray tried to cut his thumb off with a saw. OK, that's an exaggeration. He was trimming the trunk off the Christmas tree and the saw slipped, cutting the base of his thumb badly enough that it required some stitches. He's fine and came home from the urgent care clinic and finished the job on the tree, which is now standing in the living room awaiting lights and decorations.

Ho, ho, ho. It's always something.