Scarves for Shelter give hope and warmth

Hi Babyboomers
Loved the article about my friend in USA.  I thought I would post the details so others could read about this 'feel good in every way' project. I almost wish it was cold enough here so I could wear one of them. Clara

1. Scarves for Shelter

The piece shown here is one of many, all designed in my studio in limited editions or as one of a kind. They are part of nextdoor's community project, Scarves for Shelter. A portion of the proceeds go toward the production of the shelter scarves. This year we will be knitting 500 scarves for Hope Center in Waukesha. Thanks for your support and helping us stick to our knitting.

This year our goal is to deliver 500 scarves by the end of the year. For more ways to contribute, check out our Community Events page and follow us on facebook.

Renotta Thompson Project Knitway

Thank You 30 West!
Read the full article on 'Thank You 30 West!' http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/2011/12/blogblog-blog.html

To view or add comment, click on 0 comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

How to tie your scarf and how to make it

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU&feature=player_embedded#at=25...
A great site but wait................

Isadona
"I dance what I am!"

The impetus for this particular blog, is the above link to a great video on '25 Ways to tie a scarf' so it's time to revisit Isadora.

"Who was Isadora?" some may ask.
She was renowned for being a dancer who was usually adorned with a long scarf (like me) - her early death was the result of an unfortunate accident involving her scarf and her neck. Personally I admire her for her amazing spirit, and as with other feminist women, she blazed our trail. "What trail?" our daughters may ask. Another day, another blog, but believe me, "Baby, we've come a long way."


I would love to showcase my special Isadora, who, as well as being a dancer, has made many many ????? scarves for a great cause. "I've decided to finish out my year of blogging by knitting as many of these scarves as possible by February 9th, 2011 and donating them to area shelters. You can join me if you like. For more information go to http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/bluedotspecial.html "

Well done R.
Clara

http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/.

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Margaret Olley - unfinished work at 88

Margaret Olley - 1923 - 2011

Hi Babyboomer women

Women thrive on connections and are lost without them.
Wisdom of the day (from my desk calendar), "I've always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success."..... Gloria Vanderbilt
I actually feel sad for some men / women who believe that 'winning' is the most important aspect of an exercise. 

Margaret Hannah Olley (1923 – 26 July 2011) who passed away this week, is a fine example and was described as "Kind, fearless and a big heart".  She will be remembered as an Australian painter of still life but she was also a great philanthropist.
John McDonald - art critic for SMH - "She would have wanted to be remembered as a painter but she was so active and generous it is difficult to sum up the scope of her achievements."  ..... "She was a friend and mentor to younger artists..... bought art works for public collections ... helped provide funds for people in need....she had an eye for quality and a nose for bullshit ...... being unfailingly direct in her pronouncements."

She will be also be remembered for being the first recipient of the inaugural Mosman Art Prize in 1947, one of the first of it's kind at the time and was a frequent judge of works over the years.  Her final exhibition which she was still working on with Phillip Bacon, will  go ahead next year.

Clara

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Barbershop harmony gladdens the heart

Dear Babyboomers
I responded to an invitation from a  friend,   "Some of our Northern Beaches Chorus group will be singing at the Mosman Art Gallery, come along."

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So pleased that I went along - singing gladdens the heart.  Many happy childhood memories are of being around the piano with Mum playing, and Dad singing at the top of his voice, head back, loving the moment.   'Mona Lisa was his favourite and he sang it every time, with gusto.  Every now and then we would break into some harmony of sorts, which brings me back now to the Northern Beaches Chorus.  
I looked up the website http://www.northernbeacheschorus.com.au/
to find out more.



....Northern Beaches Chorus is a Sydney women's choir which sings 4-part acappella harmony, has approx 80 members, regularly performs on stage, and appears in local events and national competition. '
"We love to share our joy of singing with women of all ages and backgrounds in our local community and the chorus provides a whatsource of education in vocal production and showmanship"  ........

And this is what shone through - sheer enjoyment of their moment which I was able to share via the body language and harmony.  Have a look at the video to see what I mean.

Thanks lovely ladies.
Clara

To view or add comment, click on comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

I find myself more than ever drawn to the comfort of creating

Hi Babyboomers
I thought you might relate to this blog from my rediscovered and clever friend, Renotta, known as R. She wrote, "In these difficult times with so much unrest, destruction and sadness I find myself more than ever drawn to the comfort of creating



May you weave joy and happy memories

 "I hadn't worked at my loom for several years, but something was drawing me to it again. I admit I was afraid that the years of neglect would somehow have taken its toll, and I would not be able to weave. But with a little bit of loving care, some drops of oil, and a quick refresher from weaving 101, I was back at it. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the whole process; winding the shuttles, listening to the rhythmical sound of the harnesses and watching the fabric grows row by row, inch by inch.

I'm weaving with hand dyed wool yarns in a simple twill pattern. My plan is fabric for a coat, but who knows. At this stage it doesn't really matter. Just the fact that I am weaving again makes me happy. From where I sit, I can see everything much more clearly.
In the loom of life may you weave joy and happy memories.  R






ps - R has a jeans store in Milwaukee called Shop at Next Door, and creates fabulous pieces to go with jeans, all of which are available on-line.  http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/
ClaraTo view or add comment, click on comments at bottom of page or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au or visit my website at www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Stuff I haven't done YET that I would like to make time for

Hi R and other BB friends

R wrote -
"Yet", what a great word. Three little letters that mean so much more...at a future time. I think YET should be added to our COG - Crazy Ole Women, list of words. It's the perfect word for a retired boomer...your extra time, your excellent time, your easy time...something like that. I'll work on it. COG on.

Clara says - I hadn't really thought about the word "Yet" yet, but it's truly a great word since it is filled with hope for the future. As well, it allows one to still have time to realise ambitions, dreams, unfulfilled desires - with one fabulous word it is all there in the future just waiting to happen soon, or when I get around to it. So it it my VERY best word - YET! What am I going to be/do when I grow up/have time to be myself?
We could devote an entire COG to it, "Things we haven't done YET"

ps R - we need to keep a log (not blog) of COG list of words. I'm not good with lists so perhaps you could do that. G says that if I made a list at the beginning of the day then I might get more done. !#@? I will be responsible for keeping the Positive Retirement Blueprint. Do you know what, that is another retirement factor here ie Make lists if you want to, but some days let the creative flow happen. We have spent our lives with TO DO lists - now is our time for the TO BE time, which doesn't necessarily need a list unless it is something like, 'Stuff I haven't done YET that I would like to make time for"

Welcome to my journey as I photograph something I create everyday for a year... RRT

Berry Nice...March 8th
I wish you could hear as well as see this photo. Our marsh is teeming with every bird imaginable. A veritable symphony, a cacophony! Necklace with pewter pendant.
Clara - it is berry nice to experience spring with you. A warm, dramatic neckpiece, heralding the spring. Perhaps we should wear more symbolic pieces as part of our reflection of the changing of seasons. Nature knows when Spring is coming, just like the groundhog. I had a framed card on the wall for many years which said, "Faith is a bird that sings in the dark, knowing that the dawn will come." There were times when I needed to know that.

More practical matters - you can probably video from your camera and upload it, just as you can upload photos. Then, even if it was upside down, as most of mine tend to be when the wrong prompt is chosen, you can hear the cacophony, an excellent word. I am just about to try this, as well as attempt to listen to all the saved stuff on "How to Use Blogger".



We need to make cogging user - friendly for me and you and our friends.

Cheers Clara




















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Hi Renotta

I'm doing some "cogging" - our term, derived from Co-blogging - I love it.
I can be a cog in your wheel and you in mine. Win/win, with the amazing ability to catch up on those 30 years we missed.
COG - Part of a gear that puts things in motion - moves forward.
The Next Step - We'll stir up the future" COGGING!

"I'm going to make something every day for a year and post it on my blog"..... Renotta






"Take Flight" Feb 14





"On the Rocks" Feb 15










I love the contrast of your natural creations which are soft and warm, with the frigid, hard background (as only Wisconsin can do it). The creative spirit transcends the harsh reality.

As you say, "It's turning into an interesting exercise with the photo and caption taking over from the work sometimes" - Perhaps there doesn't have to be a new creation every day but a creative photo relating your work to the harsh environment. This is what I love about the creative process - it keeps changing.


How about "Forever Young", "Creative Spirit", "Cogging", "Photorealism" for starting points.
Love Clara