For Wil and Christina

To sign up for the class, just drop me a line at: gabrielle@gabrielleswain.com. I will add you to the list and send the reminder out the first week in January. If you would like to pay now, you can call me at 817.485.3781 and we will get you ready to go.
Thanks so much for your interest. We are going to have a great group..

Will have a better post when I get away from the computer. Stay tuned....it is a sad tale.

Ta Da! I Beat It into Submission

After hours of pulling hair, and cursing all the code writers of Avid Liquid, I win...yahhhhaa! Actually, I broke down and called my former editor, kept it cordial but brief and got the answer I needed. Now for a moment of gloating....a short moment since now I have to get the voice over function to work but one more task crossed off the list. I am really feeling my oats or should that be feathers. Got the editing part locked in....it's all the bells and whistles,called special effects, that are the learning curve. For now, I am languishing in my accomplishment...whew!

Now For Something Completely Different

I am in the studio today....trying to decide what to work on and moving Thom's stuff off my light box and work table. For some eye candy, here are a few of my favorite Photoshop exercises. Some you may have seen; others you might not have. Somehow my camera keeps me connected to my work. When I don't have time to sketch, sew or journal, the camera becomes my creative media.....and it's instant gratification....well, if you are even slightly adept at Photoshop. The first is a picture of my beloved downtown Fort Worth, a constant inspiration for me.



The second was done for Simple Still Life back when I had more free time to participate. As a lover of blue glass (can you tell?), this reflection in blue always soothes my aching mind. The glass in front was a gift from Chris and Jillaine while they were living in Germany. I shall always treasure it...but wow, what a great photo it made.

The final photo is a study in shadows and layering for an antique effect. I still love black and white photography. It is so graphic, but I decided to soften the edges to heighten the shadows. Just playing around in Photoshop gives you so much freedom to alter without changing the essence of the image.

Final word regarding the on line class. Realizing this is the Christmas season and you are probably all over committed at this point, registration will be open until 15 January. We will start the lessons sometime that week. If you are interested, please email me so I can put you on the list and I will contact you in January. Promise not to bring this up again but I am trying to get my ducks in a row before year end.....like developing the exercises and all those important things. Off to the studio to finish what I started.

Creative Sparks

Here goes the skinny on the on line class. Thanks for your emails and comments which prodded me to get it together in a concise form.....well, at least concise for me.

Title: Creative Sparks
A six month long class centered on exercises to develop, discover and experiment with our creative potential. In this class we will do art projects with certain guidelines set by me. These projects can be created in the media of your choice: fiber, paper, paint or all the above. We will also do exercises on issues that confront why we don't get to the work, internal dialogues that inhibit us and other issues of time and external obligations.

The class assignments will begin in January and end in June. Six lessons with no deadline for completion. If you choose not to do an assignment but continue with the progress of a previous assignment, feel free to do so. However, I would like to hear from you regarding your decision so we can look at the cause.

Each time you complete an exercise, email a jpeg to me if it is an art project or an written, journal style entry if it is a dialogue exercise. During the course of each month, you will have total access to me via email. No limits and remember no unimportant questions. Also each month, I will choose 2 dates with time slots for individual telephone conferences to discuss any blocks, questions, etc. you might be experiencing. I will email you the dates and times; add your name and telephone number and I will return an email with the time for your conference. Please formulate your questions carefully since each call will be limited to 30 minutes. All calls will be at my expense since you paid for the class. If you discover your time is inconvenient, please email me so we can re-schedule.

The cost for the class is $35 a session due the first of each month. Since January 1st is a holiday, please make your payment some time within the first week of January so I can send out your assignment. Oh, and did I mention that you might not all get the same assignment. Surprise, surprise. When you sign up for the class, please include in the comments your blog, website or email me with some images and thoughts so each of you will have assignments geared to your personal needs. By and large, we will be working on the same issues so we can become a support group. However, there may be times when one student has issues that are particular to them. I want to be able to address these issues when they arise.

All payments can be made through my secure shopping cart for your protection or by check. The button to sign up will be on the site in December. Class size is limited to 15. If you would like to be included but don't wish to pay at this time, please email me so I can put you on the list...first come, first served. In January, I will send you a reminder so you can opt out or pay.

I am limiting the class size so I can give you individual personal to you needs responses, critique (gently) your work, suggest books and guide you to new appreciation of your creative sparks. This will be an exciting, productive journey for all involved. I hope you will consider joining us.

Sample Exercise
Art Project: Work in a style you have never used, i.e., collage, torn paper, crayons, markers, ink or paint on fabric or canvas. Second guideline: You can only use a single image, shape in different scales to create the work. Try working no larger than 11" x 17". You can always enlarge the design if it inspires you to create a larger piece. Remember this is to get you out of your comfort zone and start exercising those creative muscles. Some images you might consider for this exercise are letter (alphabets, fonts), a single flower in many different sizes, a shell in different proportions, squares, spirals. Remember to change the scale for visual interest. Try one exercise within an irregular grid. Layout another in an overall free form composition.

So whadda ya think? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Online Class Brewing to Perfection

Things have been bubbling to the surface about the on line class. Pat brought up some good points in her comments on my last post. Time is the main factor. With our lives so busy and still wanting to create having another deadline is the last thing we need. Also, what a great way to stifle creativity if your work schedule, family, fill in the blank needs you and your on line class needs work.

Following that thought, here's what I decided. First, we will do a class on creativity. The class will include art projects and issues that surround your goals and direction. There will be no time limit on accomplishing your assignment. However, each month I will give a new assignment for those who work quickly. Also, if you choose not to do an assignment you are free to do so. My only caveat is that we talk about why you didn't choose to do the assignment, i.e., time, other committments etc.

Another aspect of the class is that you can email me at any time with questions. No limit and as always there are no unimportant questions. Along with that we will have once a month individual telephone conferences. I will choose two days a month. Send out the dates and times, you email back with your name and phone number and I will call you at the appointed time. Try to have your questions formulated before the call since each call will be limited to 30 minutes. All calls will be on my nickel since you have paid for the class.

As to cost, this class will be a six month committment. That is only six lessons so if you decide you want to continue, we can discuss that at the end of the six sessions. Cost will be due at the beginning of each month so you can drop out at any time. The cost per month will be $35.

Let me know what you think. What would you like to do if not creativity? Does this type of schedule work for you?

Something Old and Some New Ideas

We had a great Thanksgiving. Lots of food, talked with the sons who couldn't be here, watched the Cowboys game with R and Thom. Threw the diet and exercise out the window and enjoyed every moment. Fall weather arrived just in time for the festivities and with it a renewal that always comes to me this time of year. For me the Autumnal Equinox has always started a new cycle of energy, creativity and ideas. Guess it was too many years in school and theatre....or being born in this season. Who knows but I am ready to go.....went to the studio, got out a long over due commission, decided it needed more stitching, so below is the empirical evidence.....actual stitches started, with my favorite fancy threads. The surface design is done and some stitching but the additional work will add another layer of interest.....making it more dimensional. It feels so good to be away from the computer for awhile and in the studio.

While in the studio, a lost quilt gets a new life. This is one of my famous "If it isn't working, cut it up" experiments. The working title is "Klimt Collects Beach Glass." It is very small but that is a good thing. This might not be the final orientation but you have to start somewhere.

With Christmas approaching, the knitting basket called to me. Tons of great yarn, a simple scarf pattern and time for at least a couple of scarves or maybe even a pair of socks or two. Knitting is such a fun way to get a color fix without all the decisions required for a new quilt. Also at this point a very fast, satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Finally, the ideas for finishing work, ways to do great dissolves and all sorts of big dreams are flashing through the "little grey cells." For the first idea, some feedback from you dear readers is required. My thoughts are wrangling around starting an on line class. It would be hosted from my web site so you could sign up and pay through a secure server. My question to you would be is this something you would be interested in? After that subject matter, would you prefer technique or a creative exercise class? I leave it up to you. If you are interested either post in the comments or send me an email privately with you thoughts. All suggestions welcome, regardless,and of course, opinions of all kinds will be considered. Told you this is my time of the year....ah, renewal and crisp weather.

My work in a museum

Created with dumpr.net - fun with your photos

Thanksgiving Eve Finale

Why,why,why....will Blogger only post 3 pics? Any techincal discussion greatly appreciated. Now back to our story. Tonight I will prepare two deep dish pumpin/pecan pies. A big hit with boys of all ages, expecially with a small pour of cinnamon flavored heavy cream....yummy! I decided for the three of us to do a nice baked ham, our families' favorite twice baked potates, a medly of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots in my own special sauce, deviled eggs, doused with curry powder and sprinkled with cayenne pepper (wimpy deviled eggs for the jalapeno raised father and son), and the ubitiquos pea salad, full of goodies and spiced Texas style. More than the 3 of us need, but oh, what I can do with the left-overs. Potato soup, hoppin John with the ham added to black-eyed peas, rice and lots of Cajun spice.....and of course, a crustless quiche filled with broccoli, ham and cheese. I feel the lbs growing.

Tonight I will fold these while the pies bake, the eggs boil, cheese grated....all that jazz. Washed and dried yesterday. I think one task a day is plenty. How did our grandmother's get so much done with so little conveniences? I have big appliances and small appliances and still put off everything to the last minute. Maybe they used their time more wisely.....or could it be because we have these conviences we are too dependent on them?




The idea of a small, quiet Thanksgiving is very appealing to me at the moment. We will miss a house full of family but are still thankful they are well and have their loved ones with which to count their blessings and sharing in the giving of the simplicity of Thanksgiving. Enjoy all...eat, drink and be merry for Christmas is on its way.

Thanksgiving Eve

Today I am going in here even though it appears daunting but with just a few quick throws space will be available.

I am not going in here...yeah, yeah, I know deadline, sales, etc. However, there is only so much comfort in creativity of this kind. I need to touch fabric.

Or these already layered, ready to quilt pieces that have been languishing in their batting. Maybe it is like marinating meat or vegetables. The more flavor they have the longer they rest.

Or I might start a new project...

Me and My Shadow/Computer

Please allow the refrain of "Me and My Shadow" to run through your head while reading.

I freely admit that I am totally insufferable right now and on two counts. 1. I am having to learn how to use a new program, well, new to me. 2. I know just enough to catch when there is an error in lighting, audio, editing in a television program or movie. Which means I am not winning any popularity contest on the home front.

While y'all are preparing for Thanksgiving, I am running between the editing computer and my regular computer which has Photoshop on it, editing, putting stills in Photoshop to make titles, uploading them to my jump drive, downloading them to the editing computer, putting titles on them, etc.,etc.

This isn't whining.....sigh....just reporting. Only Thom will be here for Thanksgiving so I don't have to jump through hoops for the three of us. I do plan on doing a small feast, smallbeing the operative word. I will take the day off......part of my plan for the new year.....but until then it's nose to the key pad.

Losing an editor to circumstances beyond my control has been a good lesson. I do know how and love to delegate projects but in the future, I know I will have to be more involved in the process. If I had paid more attention to my former editor, I would know more now that would be to my advantage. Shame on me.....'cuz now I am paying for being lazy.

Thanks Deb and Sue for the comments on my last post. Wish I had time to email everyone thanks but I do appreciate hearing from you. Hey Deb, we still have vinyl, turntable, etc. that we could plug in anytime if we dug it out of the relic drawer.

Here's wishing you all too much turkey surrounded by the one's you love. Happy Thanksgiving!

Exercise In Futility

Spending a quiet night at home sweet Ronnie and I started playing one of our favorite games....why we can never divorce. This game always has the same beginning and the same end. It starts with who gets the cd's. Our biggest bargaining is over the Crosby, Stills and Nash collection.

I want 4 Way Street and Daylight Again.....which always sets R into a spin. However,it is patently obvious that I deserve Daylight Again because of the song "Southern Cross." I am the one in our marriage who has been to Australia and seen the Southern Cross. OK, he was in the Navy and sailed the Pacific, but not the Southern Latitudes. I have also been farther North than he having had a terrific teaching gig in White Horse in the Yukon Territory. I can't tell you how much this disturbs the old salt.

When we finally get that resolved,we move to Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home,which is obviously mine. More high roller betting goes on, you can have Rubber Soul if I get Abbey Road....I get Wheels of Fire, OK then I get Cream Gold....R wants Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection which means I get Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark....and the game goes on and on....Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Julie London, Diana Krall, Billy Idol, Pearl Jam, Bob Seegar. Stone Temple Pilots, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, James Taylor, Warren Zevon. You get the idea.

We end laughing so hard we are begging the other to stop but the bargaining continues. Out of the blue, I mention we will also have to divide the books. That's when we both cry Uncle. It is obvious that we have to remain married until death do us part. We would never be able to go through a property settlement without the lawyers rolling in the floor in laughter....how unseemly.

That's the great thing about being born in the same decade. We have a long list of shared experience....and the music and books are the words and sound track of our lives. In a bold decision, we have decided yet once again that we are stuck with each other....and lots of great music...played loud or soft....there is definitely something to be said for being married to the right guy.

When I was a Child

Maybe it is because I just celebrated my b'day or maybe it is true that as you get older you remember more and more about your childhood.....who knows. However, this evening as I was soaking in the tub the strangest thought struck me. I never go back to the town in which I grew up.

I haven't been back since my mom's funeral....she died in 1991. I didn't even go back to the house when I sold it. I went to the title office and then came home. Is that strange? After all I spent the first 18 years of my life there and did go back frequently while my parents were alive but now I don't feel any connection to that place at all. My parents are both buried there but they live in my heart. They aren't there anymore; they live within me.

Even more weird, I have only been to two class reunions...the 10th and the 30th. I thought about going this year to the 35th and then realized I don't even know those people. I went all the way through elementary, junior high and high school with the same people, but have no connection to them now. We have lost some of my classmates which saddens me, but in my mind I have lost them as I remember them; not for who they are now.

At our 30th class reunion, I was voted the person who had changed the least. Whoa doggies! From my perspective, I was the one who had changed the most. I was the one who had serious wanderlust and moved every two years from theatre to theatre during my jaded youth. I was the one who got caught on the news protesting the Viet Nam war. Half the time my parents didn't know where I was until I got settled into a new home.....even divorced one husband and didn't even call until it was all over.

My fellow classmates have all stayed in touch. Some of them still live near where we went to school; some of them have the same friends they ran around with in high school. Maybe I should envy that type of long standing friendship but to be honest with myself, my best friends are women and men I met long after high school.

This is an unusual post for my blog but had to get it out of my head. My childhood may have been where the creative spark started but it isn't reflected in my art. Not that I am trying to escape it because most of my youth was idyllic.....I just don't have any angst over that time of my life. Is therapy in order?

Shutting up now; still slightly perplexed. Wondering does your childhood find its way into your art?

The Artist's Life

Before I launch into the new year plans, I thought I might take a moment or two to give you some thoughts on living the life of an artist. This is not a pretentious statement on my part, simply the thing I must do....create.
While most of us share this compulsion, some of us aren't as obssesive as moi and find a balance between friends, family and a social life. I try, believe me I do, but never quite succeed. Art is my passion, the blood that flows through my veins. This often causes total anxiety.....what if I run out of ideas, how can I keep up with the business of art and the making of art. The photo below shows me in one of these anxiety ridden moments. How do I separate who I am from what I do? And does that even matter? Isn't it enough that I have found something that brings me peace, joy even if it is often filled with constant questions of how to make meaning in my life and work. Sigh! Never satisfied.




I talk to myself or write in my journals about how to get more work done. I admire those of you who can work in a smaller format but can't seem to get my images to that size. Big, visial impact seems to fit my imagery so I will never produce a large body of work. No problem I accepted that fact ages ago. However, it doesn't keep me from admiring the smaller work and wondering how I could do it. An artist life is all about compromise. There are always questions to answer and the answer is different for each of us.

Here are the answers I have found for myself. Some you have heard before but I present them to you again as the new year approaches.

First to approach my work with flexibility, the ability to see it in many different ways, ambiguity if you will so that the work won't become a chore. Second, to retain an introspective stance. Constantly learning, continually questioning, what if? Looking inward for those blocks that make me question change. Third, being disciplined about the work. ( I admit here and now this has been a bad year for discipline.....fell completely off the wagon around April.) But discipline is the key to growth and craftsmanship; knowing this and maintaing it are two different animals. Remember this is a new year so I hope to correct my laziness. The remainder I will simply list in order and allow you to see how they apply to your life as an artist...with a few possible lines from me.

Honesty...while it is easy to sell out to what the market/public/what other artist are doing is that being true to your vision?

Self-centeredness....knew that would bring a pause to you but you have to put your art first and remain centered in a place that allows you to access your creativity at any moment. Not what you thought, right?

Self-direction....while it is good to discuss art with friends, learn a new technique to add to you work or any number of other possibilities, you cannot allow external forces to be the motivation for your work.

Resiliency.....when it isn't working, don't give up. Try a new approach. Trust your resources. Keep you head down, your arms up and keep on punching. Try to work through the doubt and possible depression that the failure of a much anticipated piece might bring. There is always another idea working its way through the grey matter.

Finally, and aren't you glad, non-comformity. Sure we would all like to be as rich as Thomas Kincade but what price glory? Go against the grain....walk off the ledge into the unknown...that is when you will truly discover your identity as an artist....your style and your bliss.


Many thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes. It made my day very special hearing from all of you. What a wonderful community Diane has created for us. Our community is a true sisterhood of artist, regardless of where we are on this incredible journey. It is an honor and pleasure to be in such good company....go make some art.

Happy b'Day to all the Scorpios

Whopee! I made through another year! Here's a few words of wisdom for all who share my sign.

Birthdays are the tolling of
A bell that marks the coming of
A time of festive joy and love,
A time to treasure life and love.

So come and celebrate with me
The circumstance that makes me, me:
The moment when I came to be,
And what I now have come to be.

My how fashion has changed in 58 years.....

What I would give to look like this. Of course, Lauren Bacall was 19 when I was born.

I never make New Year's Resolutions. Instead, I do mental housekeeping on my birthday. I am working on them as you read.....the times they are a changin'

The Flat Surface Blues

Clutter, Clutter Everyone and No One to Clean

This was once a dining roon table. You know that place where families enjoy good food and conversation. Instead, at Casa Swain, it is just another flat surface on which to place odds and ends that belong somewhere else. I did finally get the clothes and linens put away but there is still plenty of junk and office stuff that needs to be moved.

Below the dining room table is one of those chic behind the sofa tables that has become a repository for whatever paper work I am trying to get done at the moment. Along with a stack of must read books....oh, when will that day
come? Why do I even mention these tragically mis-used pieces of furniture? The truth is housekeeping has always been low on my list of things to do. However, oddly enough I can no longer work in this clutter. Maybe I am finally noticing it or maybe there has been a change in my personality....say it isn't so! Regardless, whenever I sit down to sew, all I can see is the clutter. I feel as if it is closing in on me...kinda like the sci-fi movie, The Blob. The clutter continues to get closer and closer and my space keeps getting smaller and smaller...not me, the space....sigh!

I could call Merry Maids or another house keeper but I would have to clean up the clutter before they arrived...ahem....so what's the point. Why am I not devoting myself to reducing this blob? The lovely photo below says it all. I am spending my days with Avid Liquid 7.2 trying to get the editing job finished. A long sad, frustrating computer story which needs no explanation. Suffice it to say, my deadline is 15 November and I will make it come h#$% or high water. I want this out of the way before the end of the month so I will be ready for the New Year.

New Year...shock and horror....but I have big plans. I am going to be participating in Eric Maisel's year long creativity support group. Here's a link to what all Eric is doing: http://www.ericmaisel.com I am honored that Eric asked me to be a part of this experimental group. We will get individual coaching from him plus continuing support from a great group of other artist. It is a commitment but something I feel will be invaluable. Sweet Ronnie is giving this to me for my birthday which is tomorrow....11/11.....sheesh, I hope I live until 2011...am I gonna buy me some lottery tickets...11/11/11.

Along with that I am going to fly in the face of the established set of rules for quilt artist and get my minimal series cooking. Already have three tops, one in the quilting stage, the other two just waiting to be layered. This may be the end of my 15 minutes as a semi-well known quiltmaker, but you have to follow the path where it leads. I have been avoiding finishing these pieces and trying to focus on another leaf or earth strata.....not satisfied with either, so this must be the way. Now that I have given myself permission to forget the other designs my fingers are itchin' to stitch.

Have a good long weekend for those of you who are off Monday.

Hopefully tomorrow some of the clutter will have abated......or not.

Chaos Regins

Coming Home to Reality....Say it isn't so!

Finally got the boxes unpacked from market and festival and blithely thinking time to tackle the home front and get in the studio etc. Only to take a quick glance around the house to see what a mess I had left the place.....OMG! The health inspectors are on the way.

Here are a couple of views of the studio, which has become Thom's storage unit while living at home. Somewhere under the towels and comforter and other assorted necessities is my light box.....hmmm! I could move his stuff but as you will see in the follow-up pics, the question is where?

This is the space between my cutting table and the sewing machine...if you can call that space. My plans to work remain firm. Luckily, I have several quilts layered, ready to quilt, so even in the chaos, there is work awaiting.

I won't bother to show you the cat fur bunnies or the inches of dust on the furniture.....too horrible, so thank me for sparing you.
In a new avoidance technique, I spent some time with the Fine artist statement generation. First you get a piece of poetry that represents you speaking on your work....

Measuring space, constructing realities
Putting into place forms a matrix of illusion and disillusion
A strange attracting force
So that a seduced reality will be able to
Spontaneously feed on it.

Golly, gee whiz.....I am so literate. Now here is the artist statement.....get your heavy duty waders on.

Gabrielle Swain explores abstract and meditative scenery as motifs to describe the ideas of infinite space and reality. Using simple shapes and intention line work, Swain creates meditative environments which suggest the expansion of time and space....

Well, shut my mouth, if I had only known what I was doing I might have even accomplished it. Funny, though, these aren't bad descriptions of my newer series. Wouldn't apply to any of the leaf quilts but the minimal series and the Earth Strata series fit perfectly. What a hoot! If you happen to come upon these in a show, remember where you saw it first.

More on the blasted editing computer later.

The Fat Lady Sings, Goes Home, Gets Thinner

Finally the Halloween costume pictures.... Jessica was quite the draw to the booth...sorry about the bad lighting...and I was gypsy palm reader. I actually read a few palms to the amazement of the willing subjects....and they were amazed that I was right. It's an old trick but pleased them so it became a treat.

Tra, la, la....we get to move out today and start home Monday morning. Today is the last day of festival. It has been such fun to see students from ages ago and not so long ago. The quilts have brought tons of people into the booth. Ya think I should get myself into the studio and get some new work finished. Hmmmm...sounds like a plan.

The one thing I am sure of is this fat lady is going back to rowing....since the option of singing is out of the question. Only a few extra lbs. to carry around and I am totally pooped at the end of each day. Last year when I was "Miss Exercise Junkie" I had much
more energy than this year. Also I don't remember having as much trouble sleeping but I will have to
check my journals and previous blog posts. Oh, no, it all comes back to me now, I fell in the bath and
cracked a couple of ribs...stretched my intercostal (question spell check) muscles....couldn't row. Yep, that was the beginning
of the slippery slope. Did I stop eating like I was when exercising and burning tons of calories each
day? Nah, that would have been to smart?

When you are exercising, you can get away with an occasional trip/slip/indulgence in the foods you
love but shouldn't eat......but when you are sitting beached whale style, you must be more careful in
your choices. Speaking only for myself....I can't get away with it. Also, I am on a buying moratorium so
I refuse to buy larger size clothes.....after divesting myself of a closet full of former wearables. I must
get this
old, tired body back into shape....and into the clothes I have.

Last year I did the 200K Thanksgiving to Christmas challenge with my wonderful rowing buddies at
Concept 2. This year if I start building up rowing time as soon as I get home, I might be able to do the
100K.....for grandmas and children. How far the in shape have fallen!


Hope y'all enjoyed the extra hour of sleep. I woke up at 7 am, wouldn't ya know.....but did get a good
night in falling asleep after 10 pm. We have to be on the floor at 11 am and move out immediately after 5 pm closing. A short but sweet last day.....ya hoo! Check in with you as soon as I have given sweet Ronnie lots of attention. Will he even recognize me after all this time on the road?

Fall Back, Spring Forward

Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight. that extra hour of sleep will be a real gift. I did crash and burn yesterday about 5 pm. Left the ever competent Jessica to run the booth and went back to our room just to have some quiet time. Knew better than to fall asleep, but naturally when I got back to the room, I was wide awake. Managed to stay up until after 10 pm but not 11 pm. Slept until 7 am and am ready for the day.

Sorry still no pictures of our costumes....Blogger can be testy on occasion. Do you think there might be too many of us blogging away for their capacity? Can't imagine that but who knows.

We only have today and tomorrow left. A bittersweet moment, because I have enjoyed market and festival. On the other hand, being gone from home this long is grueling. Ready to get back home and in the studio or shipping orders.....hopefully finishing the edit on Behind the Seams and Designing Applique Quilts. Getting my website updated with the '08 teaching schedule, new work and new merchandise...all those year end things that are like mental housekeeping. Ready for the new year before it arrives.

Gotta get in gear and put some clothes on this tired body....have no idea what to wear today even though I brought a ton of clothes. See y'all later.

Congratulations Are in Order

I have posted this picture before but November 1, 2007 it has taken on a whole new meaning.....and it's the only picture I have of him on my laptop. Today Thom became Thomas Harlan Swain, Esquire. The bar exam results are in and he passed on the first try......bells, whistles, and confetti!!!! Not only that but he starts a job tomorrow in Fort Worth in civil rights litigation......just what he wanted to do...whopee...ye haw!

Congratulations Thom...and here's to a long and productive career. I wish your Grandpa Swain could see you now. He would be busting buttons like crazy.....to be totally honest he would be insufferable in his joy. I have to admit I made a little bit of a ruckus myself right on the convention center floor of Quilt Festival when Thom called with the news.
Everyone in the booths around us sends you their best wishes also.

As fate would have it, and the last thing I needed to happen here, I am having one of my insomnia nights. Just imagine what I will be like tomorrow......scary but true. Slept from around 10 pm until 1 am and woke up like it was morning. Jessica may have to man the booth momentarily while I slip away but we will see how it goes. We had a good day today but I am exhausted.....my body is sore in places I didn't know I had....so I am blaming both things for tonight's episode.....too tired to sleep, to sore to lay still for an length of time.....and maybe just a little bit excited about Thom.

Thanks ladies for your comments about the booth. Jeannie, we will probably put anything we have left on the website.....lots of it would make great Christmas gifts. To everyone who has ordered dvd's but hasn't received them yet, my apologies. Our shopping cart went off line with our merchant gateway so you haven't been charged. Craig, the computer genius, rocks.....he went to work, took the site down, and got us back in business in no time. However, I will be calling and shipping as soon as I get home to get everyone what they have ordered.

Think I will try to catch a wink or two of zzzz's, if possible.....more on the continuing saga later. You still haven't seen Jesssica and I in our full Halloween costumes for preview.....a sight to behold. Stay tuned.