PTA and Social Distancing

We had our first meeting of PTA since February on the driveway of Barbaras house, masks and keeping 6 feet apart.

Gary, Barbara's hubby set large potted plants around to give the feel of us being in a garden...it was also the most beautiful day weather wise.

Gen, Kate and Georgia getting settled in their spots.

Cathy and Barbara....

and Cathie's newest piece....so bright and energetic.

Here is something new from Gen

and another one of Gens.....She has been a busy lady.

And still another. Gen likes working with pens and inks and creating darling little books.

Georgia had some wonderful pieces to show...a smaller one that uses a very innovative hanging system...so clever!

And this wonderful piece from her new virtual workshop...the center is pieced, the people and birds are all stenciled and the round outer edge is pieced...quite a work of art.

Kate helping to figure out the outer border.

Barbara got the award for not only being the "Hostess with the Mostess" but also being the most productive....I present you with a mini quilt show...first this beautiful and happy very geometric quilt.

What little or big girl wouldn't love this. I think Barbara is planning on using a very thick batting and tying it so it is more like a comforter.

Everyone loved this beautiful blue and white..so clean and crisp. Barbara is a Master piecer so you can imagine how wonderful in person.

This one had the most wonderful variety of colors...love the bright green strip.

I love plaids and this was so interesting...love the way she framed the different sections of plaids....all in all, it was a great day with friends. It's amazing how we take things for granted....Just being back to a meeting with friends just felt so good.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.....

We honor the brave men and women from our past and present who fought hard to protect our country - to keep it safe from harm and allow us the freedom we so passionately embrace. I would like to personally honor my family, most have passed on, some I've never met but all give me such a sense of pride in knowing what they have done for our country. I am honored to have had them in my life...to call them uncle, grandpa, dad and friend. 

   My great grandfather - Frank Sandell was in the 2nd N.Y. Calvary Regiment Harris Light Calvary. He fought in major engagements of war including the Battle of Gettysburg. From what I gather, he was quite a character and Oh...how I wish I could have met him.

My wonderful uncles above - Uncle Ted on left who was in the army during WWII and my Uncle John who served in the Navy during WWII also. They were such fun uncles and honorable men.

My dad Edward Sandell (last in front row on left) was a Navy man and fought in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He was a wonderful dad who always took me for Carvel ice cream.

My sister-in-laws hubby Joe Neill was in the Army during Viet Nam - won a Bronze star.....and I might add makes a wicked chocolate martini.

And our heros today who are fighting a very different but equally dangerous battle...a battle that knows no boundaries and does not discriminate...a battle that is dangerous and scary and when all is said and done, will have changed our lives as we know it...forever. To the wonderful and brilliant Dr. Anthony Fauci and

............ all the heroes and front line workers and everyone in between who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe and the best country on earth.

 Thank you.....

And....God Bless America - may we always fly free.

Corona and Woolworth

 The Corona virus has taken its toll on the world and the new "normal" will most likely never be the same. Our gallery space at Woolworth in downtown Asheville, NC has been closed for over a month and no telling when it will re-open. Last week artists were allowed to come in (by appointment) to freshen up and restock their gallery space.

 The staff were cleaning places I don't think they knew existed and everything was sparkling as well as germ free.....Besides heavy cleaning, painting and general rejunvenating was going on. I had removed most of my things to do an updated inventory and just put everything back.  I know everyone in Asheville is taking things slow which I'm so thankful for but when they do limited opening here is what our booth will look like.

 I share a space with Mary Stori whose beautiful work you see above and below...

 We work very differently and have a large variety of fiber art for sale...(below - mine on left and Mary's on right)

I hope you'll drop by when the time is right and you feel comfortable to do so. We are in space # 235 on the lower level.

 My son Mikey Simmons also has a space on the lower level with beautiful paintings and drawings..

I think you will enjoy seeing his work also....
As the new norm....Stay safe, wash your hands, be happy...Hope to see you from 6' away sometime soon...

Making Masks

Hunkered down and doing fine is what I wish for you....I'm pretty okay with it as I have lots of unfinished projects, redecorating the master bedroom, solitary walks, cleaning out and just embracing the down time. It's a big adjustment when going anywhere essential with masks, hand sanitizer, keeping a distance...etc. but most everyone seems to be complying. I think sometimes a national emergency like this brings out the best in people...the reaching out, thinking to call, leaving little things on your porch steps, sharing funny stories...I could go on and on...but my heart is lightened by the actions of so many selfless people who's only concern is for others and their well being.

 I've been doing my very small little part by making masks...I have the fabric and lots of time....I started by making every neighbor in my subdivision a mask. I live in a small community so it was not overwhelming. I know many of them so well, I was able to hone in on their hobbies and find fabric to suit them.

 My neighbor Ruth who is a darling loves to garden - both veggies and flowers; her yard is a joy to see. She grows many vegetables including carrots and invites my granddaughter over to pull the carrots, wash them off and feed them to the horses nearby. It is a memory my granddaughter will keep forever.....so her mask...some veggie fabric.

 My neighbor Frank has had bears in his yard...and yes we even have a video (filmed from our car) so I found some wonderful bear fabric for his mask...

I've also made some smaller ones for the kiddos and my granddaughter in Atlanta. They were the most fun as I could use lots of color and sparkly fabric....Next up....is some for Manna Food Bank in Asheville, NC.
I was wanting to keep a journal of this very scary, crazy, unpredictable time in history...but it's sometimes hard for me to write ....This is one for the history books and although very sad, scary and unpredictable, I'm glad to have experienced this.........getting to witness the very best side of us as Americans is priceless.......thank you to everyone.... getting up every day to go to work, working tirelessly to save lives, stocking supermarket shelves and everything in between.. God bless you all ....