Quilt Show at the Museum

We draped the modern quilts over the benches in the Tabernacle

Last weekend, we hosted a quilt show in the Tabernacle (the building where the museum is located). We displayed several antique quilts from the museum collection, and local women kindly loaned us their quilts to show. We also had a blanket drive for the Family Crisis Center. 

It was impressive to see all the hard work these women put into their beautiful quilts, and how creative they are. 

A lot of people came to see the quilts, it was a busy weekend.

I was also able to put up a display about sewing and quilts. I really enjoyed being able to do that. 

The display we set up with the quilts from the museum collection.

A closeup of the display table.

Another view of the table for the museum display at the quilt show. 

Newsletter Subscription

I've been feeling lately that I'd really like to do a newsletter in addition to my blog. There are a few people I subscribed to and I really enjoy their monthly newsletters. I couldn't find any way to do that through Blogger, but just recently I learned about Substack and I've decided to give it a try. 

You can subscribe for free and get a monthly newsletter, or you can pay a small monthly fee and get extra material, like a poem every week and other writing and photos. You can check it all out on this website: Magpie Tidings. I'm not expecting to make a fortune from this, but I would like to be able to make a little money from my writing, especially since I won't be teaching for the rest of the year (just the way the adjunct schedule worked out). 

I've put a link to it in on the side (computer view of my blog) as well.

You can view this all on your computer, and they have an app as well. If you subscribe, you'll get all that information. Let me know what you think! 

The Art of Nick Bontorno

 I don't think I mentioned in my post about my wedding dress, but my husband Nick and I have known each other since 2007. We met and dated briefly then, and then went our separate ways for many years, though we'd stay in touch off and on because every few years we'd collaborate and make a little booklet of my poems with Nick's drawings. 

One of Nick's recent Horse paintings.

I've always really loved Nick's artwork. All during my years in Glasgow, I put up his artwork in my room. I like how it's traveled with me through the years. 

Another recent painting of Nick's

One of the things that I've always admired about Nick is that he is a true artist. He is passionate about art and true to that calling in his life. He's lived an unusual, raw life and I admire what he's done and the kind of person he is. 

This is in our living room. I've had the painting on the left since 2007, when Nick gave it to me for my birthday. The print in the middle is also by Nick (the crow print is by our friend Carla Jimison).

The last few months, Nick has produced some really beautiful, interesting paintings. He's revamped his website, and I wanted to share that on my blog today (there's also a link on my homepage in the top right corner). To see his new work, click on this Link.

Most (though not all) of the poetry books we've done over the years, with the most recent one on top. We just put this one together this past December. 

Nick & me back in upstate NY in 2007! 

Nick working on a drawing for an etching. 

Another thing that I admire about Nick is his support of me. He's always encouraged me to be a poet, and he still does. He encourages me in all my artistic and creative endeavors. 

Nick & me on New Years Eve