Friday, July 3, 2009

Sage Advice From Those Who Have Been There

I'm ready...the mini city cabins are finished...my artist statement has been edited for the last time.
To keep my mind and hands occupied I played with a new design. This one is inspired by a door I saw on our trip to Oregon last summer. It was this fabulous orange with 3 windows filled with kind of 70's feeling glass tiles. It's stayed with me ever since. This is pretty close...I love the fabrics, but the quilting isn't right. That's why I make small versions like this...to give things a try. I think the windows may need a bit more separation too.

My eldest son asked the other day how I was feeling about the show. I told him I was nervous about the holiday weekend and whether anyone would show up. He told me in a stern, but quiet voice, "Mom, every artist plays to an empty room some time in his career. It builds character." Jon, my youngest nodded his head and said, "We've been there, Mom. Now, it may be your turn."

So, I'm counting my blessings and realizing how fortunate I am to have this show at all. I'm going to be a happy girl no matter who comes. I have so many people to thank for this opportunity. Each and every one of you who has left a comment on this blog has had a part in making this happen. So, thank you. I can't wait to share the experience with you.

If you'd like to come, just drop me an email at jgeringirre at yahoo dot com and i'll send you details, directions etc. (Kate, get in touch...I'd love to see you there and get to meet you.)

79 comments:

Dorrie said...

Your sons! They sound like my daughters. . .insightful, supportive and most of all love their mom! Your show will be a hit, lots of people travel to see shows just like yours over a holiday weekend. I wish I could attend! Enjoy your special opportunity and take lots of pictures. We're all with you in spirit!

Vicki W said...

Great advice from your sons! I'm a sure it's going to go very well. Good luck!

Janet said...

How wise your boys are! They must have gotten their outlook from their mom. Be sure to enjoy yourself. You desire to be in the limelight.

gina said...

It sounds like you have wonderful support. Your work is beautiful and I'm sure you will be loved!!!

Mary P said...

I would definitely be there if I was close to KC. Good luck!

Unknown said...

Wise words from your boy! Wonder where he gets that? :) Have fun and remember to breathe!

Your new door quilt is sweet and a good representation of the new door you are walking through with this show! Who knows what will be next for you!

fancystitching said...

Congrats on the show! I KNOW it will be a great success... people can only eat BBQ and stay out in the heat for just so long, then they will be looking for someplace cool to go! Your work is really great and imaginative. Thanks for giving us peeks.
Kat

Nanci said...

Everything will go very well just take a deep breath and relax. Your work is awesome and I can't wait to hear the stories when you get back. I wish I lived closer I'd go for sure and I LOVE the orange and the new wavy quilting. How do you do that?

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Your sons are smart beyond their years. I would be at the show if I lived closer. Have fun and don't worry about your hair!

Purple and Paisley said...

what wonderful, sweet, supportive sons...gotta love 'em...good luck but mostly? have fun - relax and don't forget to breathe! ☺

Jane said...

Wise Sons!
Love the Door quilt.
I would be at your show in a heartbeat if I lived near you.
Jane

MichelleB said...

Wow. Profound words that everyone needs to keep in mind. Good luck with your show. I wish that I could be there to see it.

sandra said...

your quilts are AMAZING... i would definitely be there if i lived closer. you inspire me.

GOOD LUCK with the show, your quilts are beautiful!

Alissa said...

I'm sure it will be a good turn out! And if not - well your sons make a good point! Ha! And think of just how many of us out here in bloggyland who will be there in spirit?? It's gonna be a packed house if you think of it that way!!

f said...

Your sons are so wise.
I would love to be at your show! Too bad I live so far away. Your blog has been great to follow and your quilts are just BEAUTIFUL! You provide such wonderful inspiration. Thank You!! And good luck this weekend!

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

I'd love to see you work in person. Can you give some details? Where is your show and what are the hours?

Thank you!

debra lynn said...

I'm sure people will be there! I'd be there if I was closer! Have fun, and you are so blessed with great sons!

Rose said...

I'm so excited for you, I'm sure it will be great. Your quilts are fantastic, and the show will be the same. And your boys are right, just make sure to "Be where you are while you're there"

jacquie said...

kate,
i can't get ahold of you...one of those "no reply" comments. drop me an email at jgeringirre at yahoo dot come and i'll give you all the info you need. the opening is from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight.

greetingarts said...

Your boys sound very wise, but I seriously doubt you'll be playing to an empty room. Wish I could be there to see it all in person, but your pictures are looking fantastic. Enjoy yourself, can't wait to hear all about it.

Darcie said...

Brilliant sons you've raised there, Jacquie! Sometimes we have to ask ourselves: "Who is parenting who?" ;-)

Blessings and best wishes to you and your show, no matter how many fill the room.

Hugs.

shellysquilts said...

Jacquie, I'm sure many many good thing will come to you as a result of this show. Your boys a wonderful. You have a lot to be proud of there, which I know is the result of a small amount of luck and the rest is hard work on your part. Good Luck and may your cups over flow.

RosaMaría said...

Your boys are amazing. sure you have a lot to be proud of there,congrats for the show!! have a great weekend!!
ps. i love those beautiful quilt!!

Unknown said...

When do you're kids start being smarter than you? Well, you know what I mean. Good advice from your boys. You'll have so much fun! Good luck! Everything you have made for this show is so beautiful! You shouldn't be worried or nervous at all!

jessica said...

Very wise words :-). I most certainly have enjoyed seeing what you've but together for your show, so you know you have an appreciative audience here!

Love where you're going with the new design. That orange combination really works. I wonder if you quilted it to look like a chain link fence, so it's like a layered perspective of seeing the windows from afar through a fence, how that would feel? Just a thought.

Beth said...

I wish I could be there!

audreypawdrey said...

I love the orange quilt, it is so vibrant. Your boys definitely hit on a truthful statement; just think of all the people from blogland who would definitely be there if we were closer, I know I would! Watching from afar, your show will have so many visitors! Does the gallery have an online component where we can all come sign a virtual guestbook for you?:)

Di~ said...

and I can't wait to see it! Best of luck, you deserve it! Love the city cabin thing you've got there!

Victoria said...

What wise boys you have. Whether the show is well attended or not, you have built a beautiful body of work and should be mighty proud of yourself. You are an inspiration. Very best wishes for what I hope will be a wonderful experience!

KateKwiltz said...

It's going to be great! Good luck!

Fulvia said...

Hi Jacquie. The show *is* the achievement; after all, not all artists get to have the opportunity to display their work. So, anything *else* that may happen is *extra*. Congratulations, have fun, and show us some pictures later.

Anonymous said...

aww, what a lovely, asture pair of young men you have there!
Just delurking to wish you luck for the show, and let you know how much I adore your work!

Amanda M. said...

I wish you much great wonderfulness with your show! I hope you are happy with it, for that is what counts the most. :) And I know people will show up.
Thank you so much for having your blog, and sharing all your beautiful and inspiring creativity. It makes me want to keep quilting, even when the quilts I make don't turn out quite well. Thank you, and keep going with your art - it is needed in this world! :)

Diana said...

You have two great young men there! I'm sure everything will be great and the show a success.

Word verification is "hotisme"!!! ;-)

Amber said...

I agree with Alissa - we'll all be there with you in spirit. Wish I could come in the flesh too :-)
I'm sure it will be a great show - you are so talented!

em's scrapbag said...

Wise sons.
I so wished I lived close enough to come. Wishing you tons of success.

Ritapizza said...

Yaaaaaay! I'm so so excited for your big show and it's gonna be fabulous cuz you're so talented and worked so hard on it! I wish you the best from the bottom of my heart!

calicodaisy said...

I'll be thinking about you. Wish I could come!

Unknown said...

I'm sure your show will be a great success. I did a show a number of years ago and had pre-show nerves, but it soon pass's. Enjoy the moment.

Susan said...

Congrats on your show, I'm sure it will be wonderful. I wish I could come but North Carolina is too far away. I'll be thinking of you and your great quilts. Have fun!

Donnelly said...

Congratulations on your show! I love that your boys are behind you 100%. I wish I lived closer, I would be there. I love the "orange door" quilt! Very inspiring.
Have a great day.

Andi said...

I'm sure the show will be wonderful.
At the very least, your loved ones willl be there to support and admire.
Wish I could be there.
Andi :-)

henny said...

Your son advice is wonderful. He's absolutely right!
I wish I live there :(
I'll thinking of you and all your beautiful quilts.
How long will the show take place?

Becky said...

Call it a hunch, the room will be full. We will be heading your direction shortly. I can't wait to see all of those beautiful quilts.

susanlr said...

Congratulations. Your work is beautiful and those that come will be in awe of it.
Enjoy the moment.

Marianne Penner said...

Your son sounds very wise.

Enjoy your show!

sewtakeahike said...

You are going to have a fabulous, fabulous weekend Jacquie! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Jodie said...

So many of us will be there in spirit jacquie, filling up all the empty spaces and giving you hugs.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What an amazing opportunity for you Jacquie - I am sure the show will be a great success. I only wish that I lived closer so see all your wonderful quilts in person. Have an amazing weekend - can't wait to hear how it all went.

Jen said...

Good luck with your show! I'm sure it will be absolutely great but I know if I were in your shoes I'd be a tad nervous as well. Try to enjoy it all!

Troops 1909 and 5434 said...

Wonderful show! I really appreciated meeting you and seeing your work in person. It gave me a better sense of scale. As you know your quilt backs were a great hit!

susan said...

good luck with the show. im sure you wont need it. i think the orange door quilt is stunning. i like the quilting on it, but i dont count. :o)

Anonymous said...

I so wish I was closer to Kansas. It will be a hit, don't worry. Enjoy the moment.

connie said...

You must be an incredible mom to have raised such insightful young men. Kids really tell it like it is. ENJOY! If I was closer I would be at your show in a second. My favorite 4 word phrase is "JOY IN THE JOURNEY"

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

"if you build it... they will come."

jmb_craftypickle said...

O my goodness, everything looks so special and ready for a grand party!! I totally wish I could come to your show, it looks like it is going to be FABULOUS! Remember to take the praise in, don't ever talk about the imperfections, and appreciate all of your hard work! You deserve it!

Krista said...

I've been following your blog for several months and love your work and experimentation. I'm especially inspired by your generosity and call to action of the project improv quilts! I wish I could attend your show, but alas, Vancouver is just too far away! I look forward to the virtual tour on your blog. All the best Jacquie.

MightyMom said...

oh crap, I forgot to tell my Dad and stepmom about it! they left yesterday for Overland Park, my cousin died and my uncle isn't doing so well...sigh....maybe I can call them.

send me details and I'll pass them along...

sure wish I could be there!

Shari said...

It'll be great! And you have the most excellent sons who gave you very good advice! Your work enriches the world of art and quilting and many people are so grateful for what you share. Now they will have the opportunity to see in person; and 'if you hang it, they will come...' LOL

Let us know if you are doing a show catalogue - could be interesting for those of us who can't come...

Hugs - Shari

Sharon said...

Take a deep breath, relax and have fun with your show! (I know, easy for me to say!). Really, it'll be good. You have lots of internet fans here, and some of them live close enough to see your show. Wish I could! I know it'll be fabulous!

And your orange "door" quiltlet is cool. Love your fabric choices!

Leanne said...

Such wise words from your sons but I'm sure your show will be a success your work is fantastic.

bonnie said...

congrat's on your quilt show. i am sure it will be a big success. if i lived closer i would be going. your work is such an inspiration.

beth said...

I love all your quilts! I'm sure you will lots of fun at your show. ENJOY IT!

Laura said...

It's wonderful that your boys are so supportive. I'm sure your show will be a brilliant success. I can't wait to hear the details of how everything goes.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Angelia said...

So sweet to have such loving support from your sons! If I lived close, I'd be there to see your lovely items. Congrats on the show!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I have older daughters who need to calm me down at times, we did a good job!! Good luck, but please enjoy it!! and take pictures for us!!

bellsjo said...

I would love to come and visit your show - shame I am not even on the same continent as you! All the best - I am sure it will be a real hit!

Stephanie D said...

Sometimes my daughter's insight just sets me back on my heels. Amazing what we learn from our children.

That aside, I hope you don't have a character-building weekend!

shanna said...

Wow, what great advice.

Laurie said...

I guess i've missed something with the move! You have some quilts in a show??? What are the details??? GOOD LUCK!!!
Laurie

Kritta22 said...

What good people you have raised!

I hope your show went great! can't wait to hear about it!

dutchcomfort said...

Such wise words from your boys!

I always love to follow the quilting journey on your blog. You’re an inspiration and you’ve made such wonderful work. There’s been a development towards whimsy and doing your own thing, like you say in your profile!
There will be visitors and they will all love your work! Enjoy!!!

(I wish I could come over to visit)

Jackie said...

What amazing boys you have - as much as I admire your quilts (and I'm really digging the orange door one) I really admire your sons for giving you such sage advice. Hope the show was fabulous!

QuiltedSimple said...

What wonderful sons you have! I hope the show went exactly as you planned and hoped for! Love your mini's - they are all so striking and eye appealing!
Kris

2ndAvenueStudio-Rachel said...

hey!
How'd it go?
what happened?
I can't to hear how it went!

Abby and Stephanie said...

After 2 weeks away I'm playing catch up. I just know the show was fantastic. Oh how I would have loved to see your work in person.

Rebekah said...

your mini quilts are so fun and adorable!

And, I love the new quilting style on your wavy parallel lines quilt. Beautiful job!

oversewn (Raven) said...

congrats....love everything in the show, but the comments from your boys might be the best thing ever :)
way to go

Amanda Jean said...

i love the door quilt! inspiration is everywhere, isn't it?