Well, life continues busy at Casa Smith.   I’ve finished and sent off the last of three articles commissioned and written in the past 9 weeks, got the quilt done (will share in a couple of days I hope), and watched many miles of track and sundry field events.  Today was the KVACs, the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference meet and will be followed next weekend by States.   Astonishingly, Eli qualified as a Freshman–in a race (300 metre hurdles) he had only run twice in his life!   He was also put onto the 4×400 relay team!   And thankfully, the week of ceaseless rain finally ceased and it was glorious Maine today:  upper 60s, sunny and clear in Bath, where the meet was held.

Here’s Eli in the 300 hurdles–he finished about in the middle of the group of boys running in Class B–not bad considering he’d never jumped a hurdle before this season!  If he can work on his form, he has a chance in this event next year!

Eli clears his last hurdle (literally) in the 300 metre hurdles. He finished in (I think) 50 seconds. Pretty good for a Freshman who had never run hurdles before early May!

Eli is also fast fast enough that since he had not qualified in any other events, the team put him on the 4×400 relay as he was faster than some of the other boys who had run it during the regular season.  He may have turned in the fastest lap for the team–in part because the anchor, Ben Trapani, WON (!!!!) both his 800 and 1600 metre races!  Way to go Ben!   The 4 x 400 is the LAST event–the kids arrived at the meet at about 8 am, and their race ended just before 7 pm!  LONG day!

During the llllooonnnggg wait, I managed to sketch some kids and one adult waiting on a bench:  the first sketching I’ve had time to do in nearly two months!

A VERY quick sketch–less than 10 minutes–of some kids and one adult on a bench late in the afternoon

Here’s Eli in the far outside lane on the first leg of the 4 x 400 relay:

Eli on the last 50 metres of his lap, the first of the relay

Eli ran the first leg in about 57 seconds and the team finished at 4:00:75 to place 7th!  YES, the Camden BOYS placed at KVAC’s!  Here they are having just been handed their ribbons:

The boys– L to R Mark M., Adam, Eli and Ben T–look at their ribbons

and all the teams:

On the podium.  Eli is third from the right.

What is astonishing is that Eli is a Freshman, Ben T. is a Junior, and the other two boys are sophomores:  what a young team to do so well!  Most of the other teams are older, so kudos to them!

And astonishingly, Eli has now qualified for States in all three of his sports as a Freshman.  Absolutely amazing!   I’ll be back soon, and now that the deadlines of the past two months are met, hope to return to a more regular blogging schedule.  I’m also traveling to North Carolina to teach in 2 weeks and then to Southern California in early July!   Hope I get to meet some of you.  Now it’s late and time to collapse on the sofa before the week begins anew!

On the set at Interweave in Loveland, Colorado, to film a Quilting Arts Workshop! (Who me?!!!!)

Can you believe it?  I’ve been to Loveland, Colorado, taped a Quilting Arts DVD Workshop, come home (exhausted but elated) and I can still barely believe it.  Yes, I have been “on the set” filming this week.   Due out in September as both a download and as an actual DVD (which is wonderful for us who live in the boonies with glacial internet), the working title is “Fused Collage and Thread-Coloring,”  a Quilting Arts Workshop from Interweave Press!

The project I used for the workshop is my Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic quilt (No. 1) [there will be 3 versions before I’m done], but the workshop is to teach you how to use your own photo to make an art quilt:

Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic, No. 1, the start of what I will call my Quilting the Good Life series!

My trip to the airport was an omen–a good one–for how the trip was about to go.  I mean, look at the beginnings of sunrise as I crossed the driveway to the garage!

4:25 a.m., Tuesday: leaving for the airport in Owl’s Head (near Rockland, maine) just before dawn

It got even more dramatic just over the ridge heading to the coast, at the intersection of Route 105 (the Camden Road) and High Street in Hope:

Can you believe that sky? Makes me want to get to the dye pots!

The route in was equally stunning. Here, mist rising off the Megunticook River in Camden.

And ten minutes down the coast in Rockland:

And the sunrise over Rockland Harbor, en route to our little airport at Owl’s Head.

I flew Cape Air (maximum of 9 passengers) to Boston, then JetBlue (for the first but not the last time!) to Denver, where I caught the shuttle to Loveland directly to the Interweave studio where I met Helen Gregory and the filming crew.  There we set up my materials, hung the quilts, and went over my plans for filming the next day.  Congrats to Helen on her promotion to Vice President for Content, Interweave and Martha Pullen,  and upcoming move to Colorado!

My DVD will have five segments, so five trays to lay out my supplies which I prepped at home.

And boy did I prep.  I had about a month (shorter than usual I think) between my contract and filming date, so I pretty much did nothing but make step-outs, more step-outs, refine, video (to get used to talking to a camera and to time myself), cut/edit, cut/edit/shorten more, etc.  For a month.  Non-stop.

Make-up, first thing Wednesday!

Interweave has a make-up artist come do you up for camera, as there are special products that make you look right on camera under all those bright lights.  I shoulda shot a picture of me sitting at the table looking at the room…it was FULL of big tripods, cameras, and cables and cords EVERYWHERE.  Miraculously, I did not trip and break anything or anyone!

Reviewing my notes before getting changed for taping.

THANK YOU JANOME-America and Patty WInkelman of Quilter’s Stash in WIndsor, Colorado, for arranging a Janome 8900–the machine I sew on at home–to use along with a Janome sewing table. I’d never used the table and we were all impressed at how sturdy and stable and heavy it is. Of course the 8900 sewed flawlessly!

Then it was time to get changed and start taping.  Then we mostly forgot to take still pictures!  But here are some….

Me on the left, Helen Greghory in the green top, and I think that is Laura (webinars guru) on the right, hidden mostly by one of the cameras. We were getting ready for the concluding segment I can tell by what is on the table.

At the end, I asked to have apicture of four of us: L to R, Laura E. (webinars and more), Helen Gregory (new VP for Content), me, and Lauren our camerawoman extraordinaire. Camera dude Nick was taking the photo, and camera dude Garrett had already run off to another “gotta be there” job. Those lights were bright, but sure make things visible and looking good.

I never saw this view, but either Helen or Lauren kindly took this photo for me, which shows the jib camera shot of the table with my project and quilts on it:

The jib/overhead camera view. If you look in the center just above the right corner of the screen view, you can see the overhead camera.  Also notice in the backgorund it looks like the quilts are on an angle.  They are–that is to offset the perspective angle that happens with the big camera lenses.  Fascinating!

Then it was time to go home.  Early.

Before I arrived, Colorado hit 80 degrees (F). Wednesday, it SNOWED. When I left the hotel at 3:58 a.m. for the shuttle to the Denver Airport, it looked like this! Then by today it was supposed to be back in the 60s–that’s more insane than our weather!

I’ll spare you the tedium of a crowded plane from Denver to Philadelphia, a smaller more crowded plane from Philly to Boston, the utter hopelessness of Logan Airport (UGH UGH UGH), but flying home on Cape Air is always fun.  As we approach the mid-coast, first I’ll spot the Camden Hills:

There are two landmarks visible from the sky from a distance. I was in the seat behind the co-pilot’s seat (which is usually filled with a passenger). The first are the Camden Hills: Battie, Megunticcok, Maidencliff.

Then

The second landmark is the big white tower at Dragon Cement, visible dead ahead in the middle of this photo. I realized on this trip how massively huge the quarry is for this company.

As you near Dragon Cement, we turn right and head for Owl’s Head (Knox County, RKD) airport.  The lights of home!

LOVE being able to snap out all windows of these small planes.  Landing strip is visible just to the right of the bar up the center of the windshield.

Travel was the usual crowded insanity and waiting, but I was home 16 hours later to son, hubby, cats and dog.  Two of the seven are here:

Doggie love is GOOD!

In the past month, I’ve not only prepped this, but THREE articles (more on them when they are close to being published), have a quilt to make in a week, another article to write, then teaching in North Carolina in June and southern California in July, then a quilt to make by August 5.  Then I can collapse a few weeks before school begins (how will Eli be a SOPHOMORE already?) and fall teaching in Massachusetts and at International Quilt Festival in Houston.   So I HOPE to blog more often, but at this rate can’t promise.  I have so much to catch you all up on, pictures from teaching in Florida, Vermont, and Mass….but must be mom, wife, and author first. Stay tuned!

My son’s music, to be precise!   If you click on this (once the tab opens click on the orange arrow to play) you can listen while you read (and yes, it does seem like the blink of an eye since he was born).  Or this, The Piano Song.  But first….

My road to the hot place is clearly better paved yet again!  At least I have a good excuse:  great opportunities–which I am not allowed to blab about yet–seem to have been falling out of the sky at me in mid to late March.  I have FIVE “now or sooner” deadlines–well almost:  April 8, April 26, May 1, May 15 and June 1, plus another for early August, not to mention teaching stuff for Quilt Festival Houston in Fall and travel teaching jobs to Mass/Vt, North Carolina and southern California between now and early July!  That’s a LOT of good luck falling out of the sky, involving a lot of work, writing, preparation, travel and quilting.  Quickly.  So instead of blogging I’ve been working.  A lot. Sorta bad me for not blogging!  The pressure is a bit eased today as I have sent off what needed to be sent for April  8th yesterday evening, and with almost all of April to complete the next two items, I am feeling less  under the gun.  I can’t wait until I can tell you all about it… likely in summer and again in autumn!

Now for the music:

Our son, Joshua (of the quilt, here), is a wonderful musician.  He has had the music in his head since at least 4th grade (age 10), and has been writing his own music for a number of years.  He asked if I would share his songs with you–how cool is that?   He loves heavy metal, and writes what I call “crunchy” (sometimes head-banger) songs, but I have actually come to enjoy them– Gravedigger starts crunchy and gets really cool.   And most surprisingly given this affection for heavy metal, he writes the most beautiful quiet songs!  I hope to some day make  some teaching videos–both free short clips and a longer video to go with that book on bindings and edge-finishes that I never seem to get written–and he has already said I may use his music in my teaching videos!

There is a cool site called SoundCloud where musicians can upload their songs, Joshua (a.k.a. Joshwah) among them.  Here is the link to Joshua’s SoundCloud page.   Joshua also has a good sense of humor.  He has written enough songs to make two CDs (well, he burned two for me! not available for sale at this point):  Shear Madness (with face of sheep) and Pandamonium (with a panda).  Love it when someone makes Mama laugh!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Thunder Song—there is definitely a quilt in there.  One of these days if/when I get some down time, I need to plug my iPod into the dock in my studio and blast this out loud, get in the zone, and start creating!

And he’s been doing some really interesting things with audio clips, then composing music to go with them.  Here is V for Vendetta.

Joshua has taken guitar lessons, but is self-taught on the bass, acoustic, keyboard, and drum machine.  Basically, if it has strings, he can figure out how to play it. He performs and records all instruments himself.  Amazing–it took me about 8 years of piano lessons before I could pick out Mary Had a Little Lamb by ear.  The music gene clearly went from Mama directly to Joshua, skipping me!  Hope you enjoy this musical interlude!

Hi all, I’m thrilled to share with you news that I’m included in a new book on art quilts will be out by the end of April:

You can pre-order this beautiful book , autographed, from www.marywkerr.com

Yep, I am among the lucky 51  contemporary quilt artists to be included in its 160 pages!  You can order autographed copies of the book from editor/author/curator Mary W. Kerr on her website here; scroll down just a bit and you’ll see the link to pre-order.

The “blurb” says:  “Accompanied by 270 color images, fifty-one quilters share their love of the craft and encourage others in the field of textile art by offering design and technique tips. Design processes include color play, alternative fiber, threadwork, and embellishments. This book is a great resource for quilt lovers, textile collectors, and design students.”

Mary put out a call for submissions quite some time ago (publication is a lengthy process).  I am thrilled not only to be included, but to know that this book is people who may very well not be known to your or just coming to your attention–it’s a new generation.   I’ve admired the work of many of those included some for years and am so honored to be included in their company.   I can’t WAIT to see my copy!

Seven out of 14 of last year’s varsity wrestlers graduated.  The average age of this year’s varsity team is 15—very young for a high school team.  We had two seniors, two juniors (one of whom began wrestling in November), nine sophomores (one new to wrestling) and one Freshman (Eli) on the varsity team.  At the beginning of the season, Camden seemed poised to have a “rebuilding” year and not be the usual powerhouse team in the state. Prognosticators said Camden would likely end the season at 12th, not the usual 1 or 2 spot.   Apparently, no one told the boys and girl of the team.

Camden Hills Wrestling Team 2012-13, State Champions, and new friend and adopted teammate Michael Alvarez (State Champion at 152) of Morse in Bath, Maine–read below to find out why he’s so wonderful.

Twelve of them, including the two boys new to wrestling, qualified for STATES!  The team was undefeated in dual meets at 25-0.  They won the Class B title at the all-schools (class A, B) Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference.  They won Eastern Regionals.  At this point, the sports pundits revised their thinking and said Camden would likely finish third, possibly second but not first.  Once again, no one told the kids.  In a nail-biter finish, Camden beat Fryeburg Academy to win the State Championship 131.5 to 128.5 points…by a mere three points!  As coach Patrick Kelly pointed out to the local newspaper, EACH and EVERY kid who wrestled helped win (or not give away) critical points.  It was truly a team effort, capped with two State Champions, two runners up, two at third, one at fourth and an ELATED group of kids, coaches, parents and wrestling alums.

The coaches and this year’s graduation seniors, from L to R: Paul Smith and Perry Goodspeed (assistant coaches), Calan Bragg (132-lb and newly minted State Champion), Tia Silverio (Team Manager), Coleman Powers (154-lb and newly minted State Champion), Coach Patrick Kelly and Asst. Coach True Bragg (cousin to Calan)

It is now 4-5 days since the kids won, and I think we are all still floating on air.  I’ll share a bit about each of the boys who came home with a medal, a bit about Eli, and tell you about Michael.  I don’t think I’ve EVER heard of a team cheering so wildly for another team’s kid to win!

Eli had an amazing year, not only being ON the varsity team as a Freshman, but in making it to States.  He is the same weight as Coleman, but Coleman as a senior got to choose which weight class he wanted to wrestle (and frankly he could beat Eli easily so was a stronger component of the team in terms of contributing to team points).  That meant Eli had to wrestle up a weight class–and let me tell you wrestling against someone 7+  pounds heavier and older is a challenge.  Nonetheless, Eli did really well.  If they had places below 4th, Eli would have come in 5th or 6th at States–as a Freshman!  WOW!

Eli is in back and in control as he takes his opponent down to the mat to attempt to pin him.

Eli has control of his opponent’s arm, which allows him to turn him over and (in a few moments after this picture) pin him for the win.

And  proud papa Paul (and asst. coach) with Eli holding the team’s trophy for the State Championship:

Paul and Eli enjoying the team’s victory.

The team’s success came with  every single point scored or not given up to second place Freyburg Academy, including wins and scores from the boys who didn’t medal.  Those who did medal, brought extra critical points. Sophomore John Underhill had a couple of matches where he absolutely dominated:

John Underhill is very close to pinning this kid in an earlier match in the day. John came in fourth–well done!

John is getting close to another pin

Sophomore Jared Gilbert came through and won 3rd in the consolation finals:

The ref is checking as Jared presses his opponent into the mat

It is so nice to get the “hand up”! And I’ve finally, after years of trying, figured out when to snap so I actually get the shot in the nano-second the hand is UP! Jared WINS. You can see on the scoreboard that he won by a pin, because the clock has stopped with time in the second (of three) periods. Good job!

Sophomore Chriss Weiss (we’re so glad you’re back in Camden!) took another 3rd for Camden in a talent-laden weight class (126 lb).

Typical Chris: on top, in control, and ready to roll-em over.

Chris is just seconds away from the ref calling the pin and taking third! He needs to get the Mountain Valley boy’s left shoulder down, and it’s done.

James Archer (113 lb) and Connor Winchenbach (138 lb) came in second in the Finals against tough opponents.

The ref slams the mat in the “Pinned!” gesture in an early match. From this shot, you can see that the boy on the bottom has his shoulders flat on the mat…done for!

In the finals match, Connor wrestled one of the best wrestlers in the state, senior Daniel DelGallo from Gardiner. DelGallo is now a three-time state champion, but Connor wasn’t going to make his trip to the top of the stand easy! That’s Connor in front, yanking DelGallo off his feet.

Sophomore James Archer wrestled another State Champion, Fryeburg senior Connor Sheehan, in the finals.  Sheehan won his third state title and James came in second.

James Archer in an earlier match controls his opponent.

James gets the pin (with Eli shouting in the background)

Seniors Calan Bragg and Coleman Powers won their first State titles and absolutely decimated the competition.  Luckily, I got some great shots of them.  Glad I finally figured out how to get the shots before the season was over!

Calan Bragg is working his opponent down, but the Ellsworth boy is arching his back (it’s called bridging) to keep his sholders off the mat. The referee on the left is one of our favorites…a really nice guy who is fair and takes time to instruct the kids in the sport as he refs a match.

Calan flips his opponent over and is bringing him down to the mat.

Calan keeps working, getting him closer. Wrestling is a sport of mental as well as physical toughness. Determination pays off!

Coleman is SO darn fast that I have a hard time getting photos of him–he’s usually a blur! The first photo is from an earlier match in the tournament, the others during his Championship Finals.

Can you say “dramatic move”…. unbelievable! And the wrestler must control the opponent all the way down so that he lands safely (although sometimes hard) on the mat.

Coleman getting ready to crank his opponent over onto his back!

Coleman takes down his Freyburg opponent in the Finals. Coleman pinned him in 53 seconds in the first round.

But even with all that excellence, the win for the team title was NOT in the bag.  We were leading Fryeburg by only a few points.  Fryeburg had two more boys in the finals.  If both won, they would win the State title for their team.  If one came in second, Camden would win by a slender three points. The second boy won.  The first of the two Fryeburg boys was in the 152 pound weight class up against Michael Alvarez of Morse (Bath, Maine).  At the KVAC tournament several weeks ago, Eli pointed him out as they were in the same weight class and told me:  see him, he’s the one that’s gonna win states.  Can I say how ELATED WE ALL ARE that he DID!

The Camden team, parents, and supporters were watching the VERY close match, which changed lead a couple of times, screaming and cheering loudly.  Michael won by a narrow margin on points at the end of the third period, and the Camden crowd went crazy!  I think every kid on the team and half the parents sought him out to congratulate and thank him.  The kids even invited him to join us for a team “victory” photo with the trophy, and he did.  Here he is kneeling down in front to join the team as they all give him a round of applause and Coach Goodspeed shakes his hand.  And it turns out he’s a really nice kid, too!

In blue (kneeling in front on right, shaking hands with G), Michael Alvarez of Morse school in Bath. Congratulations, Michael on your State Championship and the best of luck at New Englands!

So as you might guess by this massive post, we are all SO HAPPY and still floating on air.  The kids were amazing–all of them, including the JV members of the team who helped their teammates during the season.  The coaches did an amazing job bringing out the best in this young squad.  Looking forward to next year–so proud of all of them!

Next, we will return to actual quilting in Hope, Maine!