Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

I've been thinking a lot lately about how keeping busy, exploring new avenues and attending art exhibits brings me to my happy place. This past week in particular had lots to offer. It seemed like many a venue had openings of exhibits that I was interested in. I've mentioned the Stutz Business & Art Center before <Link> and they had an exibit called "Red." Everything in the multi-media show featured red primarily. It was veried and interesting. The locale is a huge warehouse which was originallt the Stutz Bearcat showrooms. Many artist studios are also there. I look forward to the Open House they will hold in March which will be much bigger and feature working artists in their studios, food and music. Located within a straight shot of each other, I was able to take in two exhibits on Saturday. The Indiana State Museum held its Annual Indiana Artists Craft fair and I was delighted to find a wonderful hostess gift for my cousin who I will be visiting in...

There is a thread connecting us all as humans. A loop of crochet has me intertwined to many in different and satisfying ways. I am all about crochet. It lays on the coffee table in the living room and drips from the arm of the couch ~ works in progress abound. To-Do projects fill a basket and UFOs wait on my desk.  As the introduction of my blog says, "My life and my crochet are inextricably linked." It is uncanny how I can often weave a connection between mylife experiences and how my crochet is a part of it. First off, I so firmly believe in the value of crochet as a therapeutic tool and healthy activity. I learned to crochet 46 years ago and I had been married to Alan for forty eight and a half years when he died on July 1, 2016. We were together when I learned to crochet while serving as Peace Corps volunteers in Honduras, Central America. I learned from the aides who worked with me in the clinic I started in our small village. Although Alan is no longer with me ph...

Karen Ballard in World Wat II Knitting Hat Like her many and varied crafts skills and needlework-related interests, Karen has also earned enough college credits for the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in computer science, with minors in management, mathematics, and sociology; and she is a generous and regular promoter of others’ art. A talented maker in her own right, Karen has many accomplishments to share about herself as well! I met Karen at A Chain Link Crochet Conference a few years ago, and it has been my pleasure to visit with her for this interview.

It's been a busy week, filled with getting tasks done and making real progress. Today my calendar reminded me that I had set aside time to take in a cultural event. Since moving to Indiana last December, I've been very intrigued  with the state's Bicentennial. There are so many interesting programs exhibits and activities revolving around the celebration, that I am trying to take in as many as possible. It has the added benefit of helping me get to know my way around and to discover interesting restaurants too "Freetown Village is a living history museum with the mussion to educate thep ublic about African American lives and culture in Indiana through living history, exhibits, allied programs, and the colletion and preservation of artifacts." Today Freetown was presenting the Madame Walker Story created and presented by a special character to bring this history to life. Volunteers Preserving the Legacy of Madame Walker The early life and legacy of Madame W...

They say that if an object held in your hand brings you joy, then hang on to it! I've been focusing on finding joy as a part of my grieving process after Alan's death on July 1. ILiving in a new town in a new state has given me ample opportunity to get out there and look around. There is no shortage of art and culture in Indianapolis and it is the Bi-Centennial year of the state so there are extra-special things to see. Looking back on the last few weeks, it seems I'vebeen quite busy. A photo-essay about some of the things that brought me joy seemed a better idea than the minute details. Outside Gallery 116 Two sparkly friends came to visit & comfort  Debbie Watson's glass art I dshed off to Florida to get food for the soul from Sista Cin. At Isla Morada Lime does Something for me! Our favorite restaurant when we lived in Coral Springs (1977-85) Had to have their famous Key Lime Pie! The wine was just an after-thought! L...