Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Christmas Creativity - the Husband Edition

Christmas is the usually the only time of year that my husband B is able to carve out some creative time from his super demanding day job.  Every year we wonder if he'll be able to pull off another original design and get 150 cards screened in time and every year by some holiday miracle he succeeds. It is very important to him to continue a family tradition started in 1947 by his father (to read a more involved post about his process, check this out). This year he perfected the photo-emulsion technique that had eluded him in the past (thanks to a knowledgeable hipster at the art supply store). This is very happy news for me, because no harsh chemicals are needed to clean the screens, so I can breathe easy at silk screen time now!

Christmas card 2014: Our fireplace nook, complete with a lounging Flynn


B started his own tradition last year by writing everyone in the family a personal poem about their year (completed with beer or wine accompaniment on Christmas Eve). Read last year's poem about me here. Luckily his sister is even more prolific in the poetry department, so she writes one for him in return. I'll share this year's rhymes with you by way of giving you some pretty straightforward hints of the exciting year I have ahead of me. There is a lot of travel scheduled for 2015 and I couldn't be more excited....

 Back in the early 2000s
Bryan travelled on too many trips
It led in a roundabout way
To krista sewing up strips.

From the early days piecing log cabins
And other traditional blocks
Quilting gave Krista an outlet
More engaging than looking at rocks.

Fast forward to 2014,
Krista's hobby's a full blown career
With a glossy new book coming out
And trip to Loon Lake every year.

We know that her students love her
And retreaters would kill for a spot
To work on one of her patterns
With fabric that's cotton, and shot.

But of late there's another dimension
To the growing mystique of P-Print
She is going to travel the world
Due to an improvisational stint.

The offers are coming in fast
From the north and the east and on water
When she swings through our town the next time
We'll be lucky even to spot her.

What is it about this technique?
One might think it is just a glue trick
The Swedes from Uppsala know better
As does the Guild Inuvik.

Through it all you have family behind you
Though your fame may go up and down
I will always setup your tables
As long as retreats are in town.


I hope that you enjoyed your Christmas holiday surrounded by loving family or kind friends in front of a warm fire. All the best to you from our cozy blue cottage.

Blue Cottage Christmas 2014

Monday, January 6, 2014

The Bag Lady

A Christmas gift from the resident poet laureate, my husband B. He totally gets me.

Bag Lady

Sitting on the counter, busy through the night
Is a little white iPhone, buzzing with delight.
The ‘likes’ are streaming in, from coast to coast to coast
All because of a bag on an Instagram post.

What’s caused this double tapping, from people overseas?
What’s piqued their curiosity, what’s made them weak in knees?
Why it’s a simple sack, so it appears at a glance
Just wait a couple seconds, there’s another like from France.

I just observe this process, I don’t post any stills
I don’t sew any fabric, I don’t possess the skills.
Let us take a moment, and subject to further inspection
The features of the tote, that others call perfection.

There are several carry-ons, which Krista makes for fun
The most popular it seems is the famous 2 4 1.
It’s got pockets on the ends, and a wee one on the side
And a big one in the middle, that’s made to open wide.

Sometimes the fabric’s cool, while other times it’s snazzy
Top stitching’s often tripled, and Krista likes her lining jazzy.
With cotton webbing strapping, each bag’s a perfect gem.
To quote Krista from her blog, “I can’t stop making them!”

With everything she makes, Krista says it’s just a snap
Follow the directions, perhaps add an extra flap.
But I think it’s not so simple, they would all be making one
The difference is K’s ethic, she just gets sh*t done.


 I guess he's onto something...although I have made my fair share of Rae's Buttercup Bag, too! Here's a small sampling of bags over the past few years. I honestly think I could have made an 8 x 8 mosaic.



Referring to the last line of the poem, that is exactly what I'm busy with these next 7 weeks. I have some serious stuff to get done, so don't worry if I'm scarce. I hope you've all had a wonderful start to 2014. All I can say so far is Brrrrrrr!