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Sunday, February 27, 2022

I haven't blogged in two years, and I'm not sure why I'm writing today.  I have no idea if anyone is reading any longer, but I guess it doesn't matter. I felt the urge to write.  Writing is a way of coping, a way to unburden an overly crowded mind.

Reflecting on these last two years I've come to realize that I had (and have) so many thoughts and ideas filling my head and while some of those have become actual pieces, it's been a struggle because of the confusion, anger, and overwhelming situation that I haven't been able to cope with. 

Art has always been a refuge and I felt like it abandoned me during these two years.  These are the pieces that I've finished in 2022. Some of them were started  during those two years and a few are new pieces. 

I need to make to make sense of the world even when it makes no sense.


hold on

seven

weight of the world

clash of ideology

f1



 

79 comments:

  1. You’re work is mesmerizing! So good to see your work again!

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  2. I understand where you are coming from. As a Ukrainian Canadian I feel like this past two years was leading up to this sucker punch. It becomes more and more difficult to create and enjoy it. Thank you for your continued mentorship, even though you are not aware. Every time I put the walking foot on my machine I think of how much I have learned from you.

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  3. Thank you for this! You are an inspiration!

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  4. Not easy for me in english! But I'm happy to read you again and I understand what you mean!! Not always easy to play with fabrics these two years and in the meantime, what a chance to have this possibility to help our life, mind, emotions... Your quilts are so great!!! Take care and see you again on your blog soon or later.:-)

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  5. I am reading your blog, listening and empathizing with your concerns, and admiring your recent work…which seems more stunning than ever! Art clearly has NOT failed you. Hang on! Don’t despair. Action and creativity can be an antidote to despair.

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  6. My friend and I were just talking about your influence as we viewed various quilts at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. Your work remains stunning and influential. Glad to know you are still at work!

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  7. The world is a mess, it’s hard to think of being creative. I have too many tabs open in my brain, some good, some bad. It was a ray of light to read and see you works. Love your pieces. Be safe and take care

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  8. I was happy to see you pop up on my blog reader. Wonderful work-- stunning. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. It's good to see your writing and fascinating works again, Jacquie. I hope both are cathartic for you and we get to see and enjoy more.

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  10. Thank you for sharing your work today. Many of us are feeling the weight of the world, with no way to process all this ugliness in our heads. Fabrics, design, getting lost in the process certainly helps some days.

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  11. So enjoy seeing your new work. It is great! Awesome! What can I say, it’s been rough, challenging couple of years.

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  12. Beautiful pieces, thanks for sharing them with us, we missed you.

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  13. As usual, Jacquie, you words and your work are so inspirational. It’s good to hear from you.

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  14. Happy to see you blogging! The last couple years were rough and I just got my groove back on and it's wonderful. Glad to see you working on some art.

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  15. Gorgeous work. I especially love your curved piecing and your use of bold white thread. Thank you so much for your advice and instruction regarding walking foot quilting; it's been invaluable to my own work, and I love your presence onscreen. Robert Frost said this: "We make a little order where we are, and the big sweep of history on which we can have no effect doesn't overwhelm us. We do it with colors, with a garden, with the furnishings of a room, or with sounds and words. We make a little form, and we gain composure."

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  16. You are amazing, Jacquie! Your skills are out of this world. Yes, the past few years were rough on a lot of us and it’s still going on but we’ll get through this and so will you. I have your books and refer to them all the time. I’ll never be as good a quilter as you but I can dream. Take care of yourself.

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  17. The past two years have left us all dazed and confused. Even now, we wait for our lives to return to normal. Our art is our grasp on our own realities. I've lost a friend to covid and am waiting to hear one way or another about a family member in ICU with covid prompted pneumonia. Your quilts are stunning, and we all appreciate your inspiration. Prayers for a better tomorrow for our world.

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  18. I’m listening and your work is inspiring me. Xxoo

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  19. I was so happy to see your feed pop up in my email today. I haven't quilted in 2 years and don't really know why. I am feeling the urge to step back in. I have always admired your work and style and I love these new quilts. You continue to inspire me.

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  20. Your work is always so thought-provoking--as art should be. I was very happy to see your blog in my In Box. Whenever you want to communicate this way, I will be here.

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  21. Happy to see your blog at the top of my reading list and your art is stating to give you solace again!

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  22. Your pieces are stunning. I find it hard to do creative things when I am in a very stressed/life is a mess state. I do a lot thinking about doing, rather than doing. When I feel a spark to do something, I work on something really simple, to try to get my groove back.

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  23. I have missed you very much! I have only been out of my small 700 sq ft apt in Southern CA only once in the last 17 months. But my quilting is my best companion and I keep on quilting charity quilts. Please take care and be safe. Hopefully, the worse of Covid may be over soon.

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  24. I'm reading this - thanks for the updates!

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  25. great to see you back! your work is inspirational. you're helping every artist who reads this post work through their own experience of the past couple of years just by saying we're not the only ones. thank you.

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  26. So glad to see what you've been up to. Your works are so moving and have such strong voices. I hope you find peace and beauty in design and a sense of great accomplishment in finished pieces. Glad to see you back!

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  27. I periodically checked your blog to see if you have written something and I'm so happy that you did. I believe we all went through certain experiences because we needed that to make us stronger. I will look for a better tomorrow always. I'm glad you're back. Your quilts look fantastic as ever.

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  28. It's good to hear from you. Your new quilts are beautiful. I have your two WALK books on my family-room table for a few days now. The quilt I'm working on is too big for me to feed through my machine but I sometimes use your books for inspiration to handquilt.
    Kathleen - kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  29. Your work is amazing! Welcome back, too! My quilts are nice. They are well sewn, but nothing in a class like yours. I sew mine mostly for my large family to be well used on beds. So we have different purposes. Yet, for both of us, they provide creative outlets and relieve stresses of the outside world.

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  30. well I am glad you are back, today, anyway. I keep blogging because it is my outlet for trauma and because blogging is about friendship,connection. There is nothing we can control in this life. When that illusion of control goes..I fell flat on my face. My mother always said, when you are down and out, do something nice for someone else. Your beautiful work posted today, did that for me!!! xoxo

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  31. Wonderful to see you back and your work. You continue to inspire us and to make us think. You have been missed. It was a pleasant surprise to see a post today! Stay well.

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  32. Beautiful work! Don't get discouraged. They say we must suffer for our art, and there is plenty of suffering to go around. Let us support one another, in the hope that we may see some justice in this world. Keep smiling and stay safe!

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  33. Welcome back Jacquie!! Instagram is great but really just a quick "drive by". I am grateful to those who continue to blog and share their work with deeper analysis. I share your thoughts/worries of the last two years and hope against hope that things start to turn around.

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  34. Absolutely stunning pieces. Welcome back to blogland.

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  35. Yes, reading! I so much prefer blogs to Instagram. Sure, photos are great, but I want to know about the process and meaning of the work. Very glad to see you back in this space, with very moving work.

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  36. You are in my Bloglovin feed so I always know when you post. I prefer blogs to Instagram; it feels more personal, but I do follow you on Instagram. Your work is outstanding and I love to see the improvements and decorating in your current house. It's obvious that the house needed you as much as you needed it.

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  37. I’m reading! Your quilts are inspiring and very moving.

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  38. Your art is beautiful and if creating it gives you a moment's peace than please continue to share these great joys with us.

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  39. Yes, some people are still reading blogs. What a nice surprise to see your post in my feedly feed. I really enjoy your work!

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  40. Yes, great to hear from you, and such work - wow!

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  41. Beautiful work as always! I still read blogs and am glad to see you back!

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  42. I guess people are reading! Look at the comments so far. I have missed reading your thoughts and seeing your work. I started using instagram and found you there. It isn't the same as a blog, but better than nothing. Hang in there.

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  43. Your art is both beautiful and inspiring. So glad to see you back.

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  44. Good to see you in this space again. I so admire how all your quilting just takes every piece to another level.

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  45. Happy to see you back blogging, love the quilts they are extraordinary and strangely mesmerising.

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  46. I've missed seeing your work and am so glad you blogged. You inspire me to do more with my walking foot - your quilts are amazing!

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  47. So, friends, every day do something that won't compute...Give your approval to all you cannot understand...Ask the questions that have no answers. Put your faith in two inches of humus that will build under the trees every thousand years...Laugh. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts....Practice resurrection.

    Wendell Berry

    This quote keeps me going. We all deserve joy despite what is happening in the world around us. I hope that you find yours.

    PS ... truly inspiring quilts. 😍

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  48. It's great to see you're back...keep in touch...reach out...you are not alone

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  49. Your new work is fabulous - bold and graphic.

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  50. What a wonderful surprise to see your post pop up. I have missed seeing your quilts and bold quilting. Makes me want to do some straight line quilting on some donation quilts. You are an inspiration!
    Also you are one of the best and most encouraging teachers that I have experienced. So please keep making quilts and posting.
    Bold and beautiful!

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  51. Happy to see you back. Your new quilts are amazing!

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  52. Your work is fabulous. It depicts emotion and movement. Thank you for sharing.

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  53. Enjoy your quilts and your thoughts. Alqays thought provoking

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  54. Just a big hug and many thanks for showing up.❤️

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  55. Well you're evolving from the funk and on the other side you're going to bring new inspiration and creativity to your chosen art form. Painful going through it but ... surprises on the other side.
    Terrific pieces, as always.

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  56. Yes I am still reading. Your quilts are so inspiring. I spend as much time as possible outside in garden and I think that has helped me. Nature is a great healer.

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  57. I was SO happy t see you posting again, Jaquie! I absolutely love your work and am inspired by your creativity. I hope your "mind" wants to clear itself to paper more often!!

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  58. It was so good to see a post from you today! I have been following you on Instagram too. I totally understand your feelings....I have been scattered too, trying to make sense of a confusing/inconsistent/depressing world.

    Your quilts are beautiful and inspiring.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  59. Happy to see your post today. I retired and started learning to quilt in 2020. Luckily I’m able to get lost in the fun of playing with fabric and that has helped me cope with all the pain of these times. The book Walk and your recorded MQG webinars - along with your incredible quilts- have been so helpful and inspirational. Sending good energy your way….

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  60. Good to see you. I really like these pieces. Things are tough these days. One foot in front of the other is something to focus on.

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  61. Thanks for sharing your work. I feel the weight of your feeling and inspiration,

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  62. Great to see your work and hear from you! Your pieces are stunning and so powerful, thank you so much for sharing! Inspiring!

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  63. So glad to see your post. You've been missed.

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  64. Great to see your work. Your pieces are amazing. Your Craftsy classes inspired me to start quilting my own work. I have both of your books and refer to them often when I'm quilting. Thanks for sharing your work.

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  65. So understandable. I also love your work very much. So glad to hear from you, and looking forward to more posts.

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  66. I understand how you are thinking. The past 2 years have been horrible for myself, my family and friends. Just when I thought a calm was on its way. Even now I’m at home, with projects calling to me. Lack of enthusiasm is entrenched deep. However your post made feel connected to another and your work is stunning. I am sure that many feel this way and looking for ways to see beauty in your art. Thank you

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  67. These past years have left most of us waffling and this past week has left a hole in our souls. Some of us are able to create and others like myself need inspiration from others.

    Your work inspires me and is evocative. Go at your own pace. We all need to allow ourselves time to heal and time to absorb what is happening in our world. - Sherrylyn

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  68. As a woman of a certain age getting back into quilting after 30+ years (garment sewing here), I find your work intriguing. I have no desire to piece together traditional quilt blocks this time around, I'm interested in all the modern quilts I've seen and yours are remarkable! I hope this won't be the only time you post for 2 more years, I need to see much more. Thank you for the inspiration and the beauty coming thru these past few years of ugliness.

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  69. Wow ... what an introduction to your amazing work. The power you have through expression of emotion is incredible. I haven't seen your posts or your work before but it leaves me breathless, inspired and woken up. Yes the last couple of years have been tough, and for me that is personal through to global .. yet I feel my mojo coming back as I take back control and ownership of who I am, what is important to me and how I belong in this forever evolving world. Thank you Jackie for taking me to yet another level. Be well and safe and embrace all that is good in your life today.

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  70. So happy to see you posting again! Your work is so meaningful! Thank you.

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  71. Weight of the World speaks to me. It's fabulous. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  72. Well I am reading and so glad you have posted your thoughts and quilts. They are simply gorgeous. You are very good with your graphic design in thread work and shape creation. Please keep sharing :)

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  73. Didn't know you had a blog; but, am certainly a convert to your take on quilting with a walking foot. You opened my eyes to so much quilty possibilities. I am constantly recommending your tutorials to new quilters. So good to see these new pieces.

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  74. All of your quilts are really fabulous. Thank you for sharing them.

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  75. If I can write well like you, I will be very happy, but where is my luck, in fact people like you are an example to the world. You have written this comment very beautifully, I am very glad that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Gurugram Girl Number
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  76. Hi from Maine ! My granddaughter selected the Supernova quilt pattern for me to make for her. I attended your class on this, but need a refresher.
    I have the pattern in your Quilting Modern book. Is there a video tutorial?

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So, what are you thinking? (please don't put links in your comments...the spam police like to grab them and hide them away! if you want to share a link, feel free to email me.