Creme de la Creme Models

Scarves by Judy Connor Jones

When I was in college at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, I joined Tri Sigma sorority.  During those college years it was the women of this sorority that were my support system.  They nurtured me in all aspects of life as one knows it on a college campus.  They encouraged being philanthropic, gave advice when needed, and supported high academic achievements. But it wasn't all serious. Spending time in the suite on Friday nights for "Chef's Surprise" was always a great way to relieve the stress of the week.  Creativity abound as we took turns being the "Chef" of the week.  The menu was always hush, hush until you entered the suite.  Tuna noodle casserole (remember that?) was always a favorite!! Also on the lighter side was running back to the suite after classes to watch a "campy" little soap opera called  "Dark Shadows".  Oh how we loved watching together as we booed and hissed and felt sorry for Barnabas Collins.  Since this soap was broadcast live there were aways the inevitable "live bloopers".  Technicians would appear creeping slowly in a lowered position in front of the camera as if no one could see them. Or trees in the set would fall over when one of the actors would lean against it. We had such fun looking for these mistakes.

After college and we all went our separate ways, a group of us remained in touch.  We traveled together to The United Kingdom and through Europe. We were in each other's weddings. We celebrated and welcomed each others additions to our families. And now we grieve together as we deal with aging parents and the outcome it brings. Some of us moved farther away but we always stayed in touch.  We had a tradition of trying to get together at least once a year for a "sister" reunion. We named ourselves "Creme de la Creme" (tongue in cheek, of course!)

The last reunion of Creme was 2006. Our lives have taken directions that have prevented our getting together. When the movie "Dark Shadows"  came out, the e-mails started flying!  Remember when? Who went to the suite to watch the soap?  Wouldn't it be fun to see the movie together? One thought led to another and then Creme 2012 was in the works!

So last weekend I flew out to Ohio to be with my dear friends who I have not seen for a long time. Amazing how even though it has been 6 years, it was like the other day when we all were together. These women are the ones who, besides my family, know me better than anyone else! We have a lot of history together. So how did the weekend go?

The Inn at Dresden

For starters shortly after we arrived at The Inn at Dresden, Dresden, Ohio (former home of the Longaberger Basket founder) a terrific storm came up.  The sky got very dark, it started to rain heavily and tornado force winds blew furiously, over turning furniture, blowing shingles off the roof, and knocking down trees. A PVC pipe went flying from somewhere on the Inn and I expected to see Dorothy and Toto flying by with it!  And then it happened!  The lights went out! All electricity went out! The AC went out (90+ degree temps). The pump which ran the well went out!  You know what that means?  No water to flush a toilet or shower or anything! And champagne wasn't going to help this situation a whole lot!

So we lit candles and said, we can deal with this. It will only be a few hours (maybe........)!  OK it wasn't too long before we realized that it might be days! So our gracious Inn Keeper helped us find other lodging which wasn't an easy task as half a million people in central Ohio were without electricity.  Thank you Burke for finding 5 of the last 7 rooms left at the Hilton Inn Express - in - wait for it - ZANESVILLE, OHIO, home of the Y Bridge.

So we made a caravan down the road to Zanesville, with stop lights out and all manor of debris and destruction along the way.

We were sooooooooo thankful to have a place to stay and soooooooo thankful to Burke for finding it for us.  If you are ever in Dresden Ohio, stay at The Inn at Dresden and tell Burke I recommended it. I'm sure he will remember the group of women who were having the reunion that weekend!

So once we were settled into the Hilton, the weekend could begin. One thing about this group is we love to do something crazy and silly and just be girls again!  Knowing how much they love to "ham it up", I asked them if they would help me out and model some of my scarves while I took pictures.  I wanted to get photos of average ordinary people wearing my scarves so those interested in my work could see them worn by someone other than a model.  And believe me this group is not camera shy!!!! So ham it up they did! They were the perfect models. Thank you my dear Sigma sisters.  You did not disappoint!!!!

  

Artist's Date

I'm spending A few days in Sarasota FL to meet my new baby grandson! He was born on Feb 9 and is my first grandchild. I know, I know, you're saying she can't be old enough to have a grandchild! Oh but I am! I've already started my grandmother's brag book! I'd bore you with a picture but I'm writing this on my I-pad and I haven't figure out how to get those pictures on my blog.

I came down to help my son and daughter-in-law because I remember what a crazy hectic, tiring time it was trying to get use to the needs of a newborn when sleep is at a premium. I'm happy to say that he is such a good baby that they are not experiencing that at all. This baby actually sleeps!

So today I had some time to go on an "artist's date". Tonight was the art walk at Towles Court in Sarasota. I've been to this before and always enjoyed it. It was great fun to walk around and see the art and meet the artists who are so engaging. Being in this atmosphere replenishes my artistic soul. It makes me feel energized and gives me lots of inspiration. I feel excited to go back to my studio and work on new ideas.

The life of an artist is so isolated that going to events like this and talking to other artists is almost a must. It is so easy to become one dimensional when one is holed up in their studio alone working. These artists are so lucky to be in a place where they can be a community
and share ideas and thoughts. I feel like I am in the right place when I am visiting there but I also have a longing to have this experience at home. Inspiration comes from many places but there is nothing like being around a group of artists to discuss, discover, and explore together.

It was a fun night. I met some new people and had some wonderful conversations, was inspired, and saw terrific art! What more could an artist ask for!

How do you energize your artistic battery? Where does inspiration come from for you? Would love to read how you answer these questions. And while you are thinking about it, check out the website for Towles Court at http://www.towlescourt.com.

The Dog On the Loom Part 2

A few months ago I wrote about "the dog on the loom", http://studiojottings.blogspot.com/search?q=The+dog+on+the+loom, and explained what that meant. I was weaving a liturgical stole for my husband for the 40th year celebration of his ordination.  Well the day came and went and the stole was not completed. The celebration was in May and since we were entering the common time in the liturgical calendar he was not going to need the white stole until later in the year. Much later in the year - Christmas Eve!  Guess what! He needed it for tonight!  I am happy to say that the "dog on the loom" became the beautiful white and gold stole that my husband wore tonight. It was transformed - like magic (with a lot of patience and help from me)! Kinda like the transformation that happens on Christmas Eve.  To put it simply, a baby comes into the world in a lowly state and transforms it.  What a mystifiying and magical night! May the world and all who live in it be transformed once again.  O Holy Night!


Handwoven Stole - Christmas Eve



Weaving Silence

To my faithful blog followers I apologize for being silent for so long.  It's been a rough summer except for a brief time away to Sweden and Scotland.  You see my mom had a heart attack in May and never really recovered from that experience.  She died on August 23, the day of the earthquake on the East Coast and then her memorial service had to be delayed because of Huricane Irene.  Family and friends attended the memorial service on September 1 and then family traveled out to Indianapolis on September 13 to entomb her next to my father. My summer consisted of traveling back and forth to NJ where she lived to visit her and to oversee the care she was receiving.  Since she needed additional care, I also had to move her in and out of apartments in the care facility which had been her home for the last 3 1/2 years.

I am trying to get back to business as usual but some days are good and some days are bad.  I haven't been able to write on the blog but hope that in the next few weeks it will get easier to talk about my work and what I am doing.  Please dear blogger stay connected.  I will be back.

For those of you who looked for me at the Mad River Valley Show, I am sorry if you were disappointed to discover that I was not there but I had to cancel at the last minute.  If you had a specific item you wanted to purchase from me, please let me know.  I can always send you pictures and send you the item you would like. 

Meanwhile I am trying very hard to get ready for my show at Wheaton Arts, October 1 & 2 in Millville, NJ.  I'm sure it will be a difficult drive back to NJ as I always visited my mom when I did this show.  I will be with friends and that will be comforting. 

You can always get in touch with me by writing a comment on this blog or visiting my website, http://www.judyconnorjones.com/ and sending me an email.  I am also on Facebook.  The link to my FB page is on the right side of this blog.

Thanks for being a loyal follower.

Sweden on the 4th of July

I had the experience of being out of the country on the 4th of July. It's a strange experience to be away on a special national holiday. The funny thing was we did celebrate in a very special way.  We have friends who live in Sweden and they have been our hosts while here.  Our families have stayed connected through the years. We have visited with each other (they have come to the US more times than we have gone to Sweden). We have met their friends and learned about each other's lives.  So on the 4th of July we had a picnic!  One of Ingemar and Kristina's friends is a transplanted American who is married to a Swede.  We went to their house and had a little touch of America in Sweden!  We had grilled hamburgers, chips, and strawberries along with some wonderful elderberry juice that they made from the flowers on the elderberry tree in their yard (that's the Swedish touch).  We played Bocci (not quite an American game) and had a great time.  What a special time to remember.

One of the highlights for me was seeing our Swedish friend's loom and her weaving. Elisabeth has a large (maybe 60") countremarche loom and she was weaving a beautiful blanket of yarn's she had hand dyed with natural dyes. It's interesting to me that weaver's share a common language and it doesn't take long to begin to talk pattern design, thread counts, and yarn diameters. (The world is not so big!) A weaver's signature is always there in the weaving hand of each person and is what makes each weaver's work special. It's so much fun to see another weaver's work and learn about their process.

So I share here some pictures from my wonderful 4th of July.  Hoping that you can share special holidays in new and interesting ways.

Elisabeth's Loom

Close up of Elisabeth's blanket

International Friends Celebrating

Siesta Key and Rest for the Weary!



Sunset on Siesta Key 

I just got back from vacation on Siesta Key, Florida.  What a beautiful spot.  The beach named Crescent Beach is pure white due to the fact that it is made from tiny particles of Quartz. For some reason the Gulf currents dump this type of sand on this beach.  You can go to the end of the island and the beach is made from shells not Quartz.  When you step your foot on the beach it is cool because quartz does not retain heat (little scientific fact!). After having spent summers on New Jersey beaches and running through the hot sand, I am always surprised when I step foot on this beach.  My brain is prepared for HOT, HOT, HOT (this is Florida were the sun shines strong, right!) but that doesn't happen.  My brain says this doesn't make sense.

Vacation didn't make sense this year as 2 days after I got there, I had to leave to visit my mom in the hospital in NJ.  She suffered a heart attack and in dealing with Doctors and hospitals over the phone I realized that she needed someone to speak for her and connect the dots.  Her primary care doctor was on vacation and no one knew that she saw a cardiologist on a regular basis (who was on staff at the hospital but the other team started treating her).  They did not know her history.  Why that information was not transferred to the hospital from the home where she lives, I do not know. Since I am the only child, my job was to connect the dots for everyone and get her cardiologist on the case.  Everyone needs an advocate or someone to connect the dots when you become critically ill.  I discovered that health care is a vast wilderness. Not much information is passed from agency to agency. I was able to help staff and doctors understand more about who she was and her on-going medical problems. What do people who do not have family do to navigate this wilderness and get the appropriate care?

Mom At Christmas 2010

My mom is now in rehab and hopefully getting stronger so she can go back to her apartment.  I headed back to Florida and spent the next week resting around the pool and reading escape books!  Family is in Florida, so I felt well taken care of. My husband and I walked the beach and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Being there is so different from our New England environment.  The surrounding colors of water, sky, sand, and vegetation are so different, it is refreshing.  The sunsets are gorgeous! I am always inspired by the colors I experience while there. The pace of life is different.  My time there was cut short but the time there, even though short, was exactly what I needed.

I will head back to NJ on Sunday for a few days to visit my mom and see how she is doing in rehab. Decisions may need to be made for her long term care but I have all those wonderful warm colors from Siesta Key to keep me going. I just need to pull up those pictures in my mind and relax!

  

A Funeral and a Wedding, Remembering Peter Gomes

I'm going to a funeral tomorrow. I know this is an odd title for one of my posts but I lost a dear friend last week.  It was sudden in that everyone expected him to recover from the stroke he had in December.  That was not to be; so today I remember my dear friend Peter Gomes.  I've only know him for 5 short years but he wormed his way into my heart with that "twinkle in his eye" that made you know there was more to the story. I know that countless others around the world are missing him too as he was known and loved around the world.  One of my early encounters with Peter was when he shared the paint color for his kitchen with me.  That color became the color in my office and one wall of the studio.  Check out the blog post http://studiojottings.blogspot.com/2006/09/day-80.html#comments.  I talked a little about painting the studio Pusey Room Red in that post.  Every time I look at the paint in my studio I will think of Peter and smile! I remember wandering around his basement to find the paint can so I could take it to the hardware store and have them figure out the formula for me.  Now if you knew Peter, you know that wandering around his basement was not something he normally did and painting was definitely not something he did. As he said to me when he first said I could use the paint, "Have your man talk to my man to get the formula".  I replied, "Peter, I am the man!"  That led to the wandering in the basement!  But we found the paint and I got the formula and the studio office was painted "Pusey Room Red". Peter stated that he and I would be the only people in Plymouth to have this color in their house! 

There are so many Peter stories. We had the great pleasure of having him officiate at our son's wedding this past July.  It was a glorious event in Newport, RI and Peter did such a wonderful job. He was all decked out in what he called his "God" clothes, a beautiful red robe.  He kept telling Jeff and me what a great couple they were and how much he enjoyed working with them on the wedding.  WOW!  The added bonus was that  they both graduated from Bates College, his alma mater.  Peter loved to do Bates Weddings! I will always cherish the wonderful time we had with him at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. 

He was quite a loveable character.  While he loved working at Harvard, Plymouth was his home and First Baptist was his church.

So, Peter has come home, not only to Plymouth where his church family will celebrate his life and mourn his passing  but also to the God that he loved so much and the Word that he shared all around the world.  Well done, good and faithful servant!  You are loved and will be greatly missed. I know God will love hearing all your wonderful stories and seeing that "twinkle in your eye"!

   

The Old Tavern

My husband and I spent Thanksgiving at The Old Tavern in Grafton, VT.  This has been a favorite place of ours for over 25 years.  When our family could not come for Turkey dinner this year, we decided not to sit around and have a pity party but instead headed up to Vermont.  It was just what we needed. The innkeepers were fabulous hosts.  We watched the parade in the Phelps Barn sitting by the fire and relaxing on the couches just as if it was our own home.  Jeff offered to tend the fire making it feel even more like home! We had the added bonus of being surrounded by a wonderful art exhibit that was hung in the barn.  One of the artists was a quilt artist who uses repurposed items and embellishes, embellishes, embellishes!!!!! Her work was a feast for the fiber artist's eyes!  Could life get any better, sitting by a fire, sourrounded by art work, having someone else cook the turkey, and being in quaint and charming Grafton, VT.

On our way back we stopped at a tree farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  Believe me this is the earliest we have ever gotten our tree. Most years we are frantic trying to find the time to go get our tree. Since we moved to Plymouth we have yet to find a good tree farm where you can cut your own.  So it was really special to end our Thanksgiving adventure by cutting down our tree and diving back with wonderful pine smells in the car. 

                                            

Last stop was King Arthur Flour Co.  Who knew that this spot would be where everyone in Norwich, VT goes on Black Friday!!!!  It was mobbed!  We persevered and stocked up on our Christmas baking supplies. It's really starting to look a lot like Christmas! 

So if you are looking for a great get away in the middle of all the hecticness, I highly recommend The Old Tavern at Grafton.  Check them out at http://www.oldtavern.com/. Wander around the area, check out The Old Country Store in Weston , and if you make it to King Arthur Flour Co, just make sure it's not Black Friday!

Wedding

The wedding was beautiful. It was outdoors in Newport , RI at Castle Hill Inn. The weather was hot and humid (bad hair weekend!) but a beautiful day. The wedding took place overlooking Narragansett Bay and couldn't have been prettier. The bride and groom were surrounded by friends and family and the ceremony was officiated by our friend, the Rev. Professor Peter Gomes. Peter is also a Bates College alum as are Chris and SooAe. The traditional "Batesy" photo was taken with all the bates alums who were there. My guess is there were about 25 of them!


Jeff and me


We had a great time visiting with friends from PA and NJ. My son's friends from High School were there, about 8 of them. It was fun to see them as young men, all grown up and yet still at moments acting like those HS boys I remember so well! I remember the "field of dreams" team playing Wiffle Ball in our back yard and the after Thanksgiving football game which is a tradition they still continue to do! (They have more aches and pains now!)



The memories were sweet and the new journey begins for Chris and SooAe. They looked so happy. My son just beamed! I love to see that and wish only the best for them in the coming years.






















Mr and Mrs Christopher Matthew Jones

Another Wedding!

We will be celebrating another wedding this weekend! Our oldest son is getting married. The weaving is put on hold for a few days as final preparations are made. As with all special family occasions you can't help but reflect. I think of that baby I held and comforted many times. I think of that little boy I use to read to during our special time at the Library. I think of that young child who loved to play in the snow and I think of that older child who won a blue ribbon for his first place chocolate chip cookies. (I wonder if his fiancee knows that!) I think of that preteen who played Wiffle Ball in our back yard with what I call "The Field of Dreams Team". (Most of them are coming to the wedding!) I think of that teenager who experienced growing pains. I also think of that young man who went to Bates, traveled and lived in China, matured, and learned to be a world traveler who appreciates the lifestyles of those different from his.

Now he is on a new journey, one of being a husband, soul mate, and loving partner to a beautiful young woman who has her own story to tell. They will begin a new life together. We once again will expand our family. I can't wait to celebrate!

Best wishes to Chris and SooAe!

A Brief Encounter

Pierre Tullier died last week. I've been thinking a lot about this. (Pierre is second from the left in the picture.) Why should this be important to me? I met Pierre about a year ago when my husband and I traveled to Washington, DC for his Page School Reunion. (I won't tell you how many years but let's just say it was during the 60's.) Jeff and Pierre were Pages together and spent many high school days working in the Senate and going to class at 6:30 in the morning! It was fun hearing about the "Glory Days" and all the things that went on behind the scenes with the various Senators, the remembrances of the Kennedy brothers, Martin Luther King , Lyndon Johnson and the social gatherings with Lucy Baines Johnson . It was interesting to hear the insights to all that was happening politically during the Vietnam years. Everyone agreed that they were present during a very unforgettable and unique time in American history.

Pierre and I had several conversations about life and business. He was very interested in what I did as a weaver and fiber artist. He took my card, the weekend ended and everyone went their separate ways. That was my first brief encounter with Pierre Tullier.

The second encounter was when I received a call last December and much to my surprise it was

Pierre. He had kept my card and wanted to buy scarves as presents for his family members. Thinking he was talking about 5 or 6 scarves, I was blown away when he said I'll take all the chenille scarves you have in stock!!! That was 29 scarves! Trying to maintain my cool (like this happens all the time!) I was happy to oblige! Little did Pierre know that after I hung up the phone there was a lot of dancing around the studio!!!!!! So Pierre had entered my life again in a another brief encounter.

I don't think Pierre knew that his purchase "made my year" and helped my struggling business survive and make a profit. I don't think Pierre knew that it helped me to make the last 2 quarters of my Social Security requirements. I don't think Pierre knew that it enabled me to think differently about my work and aim for better, more expensive shows. I owe a big thank you to him.

But then again, maybe he had an inkling of how important that sale was. He knew that my business was trying to get back off the ground after moving to MA. He knew that I had hopes and dreams to expand. He knew that an artist's life is unpredictable. But I also think he knew and understood the passion that comes with the work of an artist. He was a wonderful photographer himself.

My connection to Pierre was too short. We encounter people briefly all the time and then they are gone out of our lives. Sometimes it is more significant then other times but life makes no promises. It's important to live each encounter to the fullest no matter how brief. I liked Pierre. I wish we had more opportunities for extended encounters. I grieve for his family and wish them God's abundant peace and love in the days to come.

So where did all those 29 scarves go? I don't know but I hope the recipients are wearing them with both Pierre's and my blessings.

Show Week

I'm frantically getting ready for a show this weekend. It seems that all special occasions in my house fall on a show weekend or near one so that I am preoccupied with either the show itself or getting ready.

My husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary on Monday. (I can't possibly be that old!) I am so lucky to have found a wonderful man who will support this crazy craft show life I lead. He has been cooking meals, washing the dishes, baking bread, and washing the clothes ( the bread and clothes he does all the time)! How lucky can a girl get! When I look back at our 35 years I can't imagine it being any different than it has been. (Well, maybe the job loss in 2002 didn't have to happen! But then again I wouldn't be in Plymouth enjoying this historic seaside retreat if it hadn't happen.) I can't imagine a better life partner.

So as I work hard to get ready for this show, I know Jeff will be there for me. He will be my "roadie", helping me set up and take down. He will understand when I come home exhausted every night this weekend. And he will enthusiastically support my artistic abilities.

So if you are in the area come visit me at the show. Here is the information:

Judy Connor Jones
Weaving/Fiber Art
www.judyconnorjones.com
Come visit me at the South Shore Art Center Arts Festival on June 18 - 20.

See my new work:

Brand New Painted Warp Loop Scarves

Brand new Silk & Tencel Summer Tops

Silk & Wool “Collapse Weave” Scarves

Chenille “Butterfly” Jacket


I will also have my signature Chenille Crop and Tunic Tops along with Chenille Scarves, Knitted Purses, and Handwoven Quilted Hats.


55th Annual South Shore Art Center Arts Festival
June 18, 2-7pm
June 19, 10am-7pm
June 20, noon-5pm
Cohasset Town Common
Cohasset, MA
http://www.ssac.org/

Model: Jessica Hansen

Photographer: Mike Ritter

All work is copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

Newness

It's a new year and a new decade! I remember how apprehensive we all were when the millennium was new. Something about newness that brings worry along with anticipation. Can they ever be separated? Without the worry, the anticipation would probably not be as exciting.

As this new year begins, I look out my window and see white snow falling. White, pure snow is a sign of newness for me. I remember when we lived in Rochester, NY and it snowed almost every day from November to March. They were long (very long!) winters but the snow was always fresh and made new by the daily snowfall. It brought light to a winter which seemed to go on forever! I sold a lot of white mohair scarves!

We have had a lot of snow this winter so far. There was the blizzard on Dec. 19/20. We had 20 inches of snow, just in time for our family to arrive from Florida! Our new daughter-in-law who has lived in Florida all her life was able to experience a white Christmas for the first time. We manged to have some snow fall while she was here letting her have the full snow experience! We kept the fireplace going so everyone would be "toasty warm". Hot chocolate seemed to be popular too! (A perfect New England Christmas!)

So the snow outside my window is reminding me of warm family get togethers along with new experiences and thoughts of all the new things to happen in 2010.

I wish you new thoughts, new adventures, new friends, new experiences, and a sense of newness in everything you do. Happy New Year! May 2010 be your best year yet!

Here are pictures from the Blizzard! We woke up to snow covered windows. It looked like a scene in Dr. Zhivago!

A message of Hope!

I love this time of year! This year we are very blessed to have my son and daughter-in-law here along with my husband's sister. They all live in Florida and we have managed to have 18-20 inches of snow on the ground for a White Christmas. We've enjoyed sharing a cold snowy New England Christmas with them around a warm fire. We will also have our other son and future daughter-in-law here on Christmas Day. We are blessed to have family that can be with us.

For me, Christmas has always been more than just a holiday. It is a time of waiting for Promises to be fulfilled, for Wonder to stop me in my tracks, and for Hope to be reclaimed. For me it is about God's wonderful and abundant love for all humankind. That love was and is being fulfilled in the promise of a baby, the wonder of a night long ago, and the hope for a better world where relationships are not broken, nations work together, the poor are rewarded, and peace reigns.


I've been starting to work more with Ecclesiastical Installations within the church worship service. I have a strong belief that a God who creates would not have created humans in his/her image without giving us creative abilities. I have been working with my own church to bring that creative ability forward in the lives of the members. This Advent season we have collectively been creating a mosaic. Each week during the worship service pieces of the mosaic were added. The final installation will take place tonight at the Christmas Eve service. Stop by First Baptist Church in Plymouth if you want to be a part of this experience.

As a message of hope I want to share the pictures of the progression of the mosaic with you and wish you all the Hope, Peace, and Joy that a living Creator wants all his/her children to have.


What ever you celebrate at this time of year, may you experience the presence of the Creator and the glory of a night long ago.