Friday, March 24, 2006

March Journal Quilt


This is a small piece from my "cityscape" series. It is made of hand-dyed and hand-painted fabrics, fused directly to the batting a la Melody Johnson, and free motion machine quilted. I had so many ideas for a journal quilt this month that I found it hard to choose, so I ended up finishing something started months ago. I think April will be the month I address what is really going on in my life through art. In the meantime, here is a small colorful exercise.

My consult with my surgeon went well and I think I like him. He is direct and has a sense of humor, both qualities I appreciate. Jerry went with me for moral support and to get himself up to speed on what will occur. I will have a total hysterectomy, meaning that they will remove both ovaries and the uterus. While they are in there, they will be looking to determine the cancer's progression, and if they think it is necessary, they will remove some lymph nodes also. (Let us hope we don't have to go there.) My incision will be a vertical one across the abdomen, no short cut methods I'm afraid. That means 4 or 5 days in the hospital and 5 or 6 weeks at home afterwards. This seems like an awfully long time, so I hope I will get well faster than that.
In the meantime they have started me on medication to lower my blood pressure before surgery, and there will be a couple more medical appointments as well. I am feeling a bit swallowed up in the machinery of medicine (there's another art quilt theme!)

I appreciate the comments on the small quilts. ( I think some of you didn't recognize them as my January and February journal quilts. ) When we post these nice large close-up views of our small works, they look so different than when viewed from a distance. Just a quick word about the other quilts I shared. The reason my friends made identical quilts in different fabrics is so that they can be used as samples for our friend Pam Tobias' Quilt In A Bag quilt kit business. They are not art quilters, but they all do make beautiful traditional quilts, usually with much more variety.

Today I am off to a workshop entitled "Protecting Library Collections, Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery". Do I lead an exciting life or what?

Thank you all for your comments and kind support. They mean the world. I hope to spend some time catching up with everyone this coming weekend.

17 comments:

Debra Dixon said...

Your March Journal is FABo! and a wonderfully upbeat piece to begin this next phase of your life. Keep the bright colors and good vibes coming to your system! oxoxoxo

Jane Ann said...

I agree with Debra--how can you feel anything less than bouyant when looking at your gorgeous creations? Take one with you to the hospital; it will be a spot of home in that alien place, and can't help but speed your recovery. Ditto on the o's and x's!

Pam said...

I love your little city scape - the freedom in your piece makes me smile and wonder what the people who live (or work) in those fun buildings are up too.. PP

jenclair said...

This is so bright and cheerful and will make a great series! Looking forward to the next in "Cityscapes."

Guess you will need to prepare a lot of handwork, order books and magazines, make a list of stuff from your library in order to keep you busy during recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Jen.

the other jen

Gerrie said...

Think of it as creativity time. I finally found the thing I want to send you. You need it before surgury so I will get it off asap.

I love the March journal quilt. You should make that up in a bigger size!!

sophie said...

Me, too, I want to see more cityscape quilts. I see this journal quilt as a study for something much larger--I think it would scale beautifully.

Barbara C said...

What a stunning piece Jen! This one really knocks my socks off. I'm keeping good thoughts for you about the surgery.

Kim said...

Wow, color! It was such a wonderful burst when the screen popped up. It really would make a lovely larger quilt as well.

Val said...

The colours here are wonderful. All the best with the surgery and enjoy the recuperation. Time for you!

Deb Hardman said...

OOOHHH, AAAAHHH!!! The colors are so pretty & the form so fun. You have a wonderful attitude. You WILL do well! Mind & attitude is about 98% of the path to good health. Maybe you should sew some little bells to the bottom of the ones you take to the hospital with tou, so you''l be aware it someone touches your quilt.

Sandra said...

The cityscape piece is beautiful in colors and design. You did a wonderful job on it. And now you have me looking forward to April to see what direction your art is taking these days!

Frances said...

beautiful March Journal Jen, love your smiling face with the other journals in the previous post,

thinking of you and sending good feeling, ((hugs))

Rian said...

Oooh Jen, I love the color and punch! What an inspiring piece! Beeeautiful! I echo Jane Ann's advice to take a colorful piece with you to the hospital with you. Here's wishing you well on your hysterectomy. You'll be right as rain soon, I just know it. I had all my parts removed and I've never been better. I'm sending you love and hugs through cyberspace.

Please get well soon!

Samantha said...

I've been a bad reader lately and am just catching up. The journal quilt is wonderful!! All my best wishes for easy speedy recovery and healing, emotional and physical!

Kay said...

Beautiful complementary colors, and cheerful is the best word for the whole effect. A wonderful little quilt. All the best on the surgery. I hope you're back in action soon (as do you.)

PaigeTurner said...

beautiful journal quilt!
and I'm sending positive thoughts & prayers your way!
Beth

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