June 11, 2003

I know I got home from Australia March 30th. But I have not been home long enough to catch my breath! So much happened in May that I hardly know where to begin.

Of course I was faced with a mountain of mail and oodles of phone calls. In the process I added more classes to the July, Alaska tour and the up coming tour at Country stitches in Lansing Michigan (www.countrystitches.com) where we have added a basic crazy quilt and an advanced embellishments class to the schedule.
I was delighted to add Traditional Pastimes in Calgary, Alberta to my Canadian Tour in September.(www.traditionalpastimes.com)I will be teaching September 26th, the crazy quilt saber pouch; September 27th. Those little extras and September 28th the embroidered turpentine photo.

I am especially pleased as I am from Alberta and this will give me an opportunity to spend some days with my family. My sister Karen Osatchuck will come down to stay with me and take classes so that will be a lot of fun. We will go down to the Nanton area to see our Dad and brother Jim Baker and of course we will stay with our Baby sister Christine Nyberg. We love to stay with her as she spoils us something rotten! It is always good to get back to my beloved Alberta foothills.

I really enjoyed my assignment with the Sunshine Quilters Guild of San Diego. I took the train from Los Angeles down to San Diego and would recommend that to anyone. The Los Angeles Train Depot is a beautiful old Art Deco building and the train ride was wonderful as it winds along the oceanfront. In only two and half-hours I was there with my suitcases full of Australian threads and ribbon!

The class went very well and the evening lecture was well attended. It is always a pleasure to see old students again and San Diego was no exception.

The next day I was back on the train and Ernest met me with the car packed and ready to go as we were off to see our daughter Madeleine graduate from University. We drove up Highway 5 and promptly stopped in Gorman, a small town near the Grape Vine to take pictures of the wildflowers. What a sight! It was like a Monet painting with orange California poppies mixed in with the blue and yellow lupines.

We got to Oakland in time for dinner with our son Jason and his wonderful wife Brenda.
It was so good to see them again and we got to enjoy the best Sushi ever!

Early the next morning we were on our way again but not before we stopped at The Market which is in Rock Ridge, a neighborhood in Oakland, and four blocks from Jason and Brenda's door, for the best cup of coffee ever. The Market is an experience in itself...the best deli....the best bakery....the best vegetable market....the best flower shop.....and the best wine selection....all under one roof. Plus it is across from one of my most favorite second-hand bookshops "The Pen Dragon Book Store".

The Graduation weekend at The University of California at Humboldt was wonderful and it is amazing how tired you can get from having so much fun!

Madeleine had booked us into the oldest hotel in Eureka and we had the top floor suite. Jason and Brenda shared it with us. The rooms were decorated with beautiful Victorian antique furniture and a fireplace. The beds were at least four feet high and I had to take a running jump just to get in.

Friday evening Madeleine and her room mate Jennifer (who also graduated) had a wonderful party for family and close friends. The girls did all the cooking and what a spread it was too! This is when you realize that your little girl has grown up. Where did the time go? Just yesterday you were trying to get her to clean her room and help with the dishes! Now she is hosting a wonderful party with style and grace and won't let you do a thing!

The Graduation ceremony was the next morning at 8:30 a.m. and we were met with a beautiful sunny day, quite unusual in the Humboldt county area! We met up with Madeleine and Jason's Dad, Fred Montano and found great seats on the grassy area. Until the band started up with "Pomp and Circumstance" and the Graduates filed in, I was doing just fine. But when I spotted Madeleine and her boyfriend Brian Kesselman in the group the tears just welled up.
When they called out her name there wasn't a dry eye among us. I was able to get only one photo of her as she went up for her diploma; the rest were all blurry!
I must tell ypu a funny story....When I was up front, kneeling on the grass, another mother was hysterical because her camera would not work. So I volunteered to take the photos for her, I was very calm and collected and manged to get the best photos ever of her son! I even got one of him posing with his diploma! I just got a note from her and she is having them enlarged!

We all gathered at the Graduate's reception and I was able to convince them to pose for a few pictures...Madeleine and Brian graduated with a degree in fine arts and specialized in computer graphics. They plan to reside in Portland, Oregon. I am glad I was able to get these few pictures because in the mad flurry of celebrations to follow we forgot to get a formal picture of Maddy in her cap and gown!

Here is a great photo of Jason and Madeleine together. Jason is a graduate of the Vancouver Film School and has been a wonderful big brother to Maddy. He is so multi-talented and actually made my four videos. Not only did he produce them but filmed them too. Then he edited them, wrote the music and played the guitar for the background! Best of all he has a fabulous sence of humour and keeps us all laughing.

You have seen them grow up in my books and have heard me talk about them all these years. Needless to say I am very proud of them and they give me the greatest joy.

After the reception we went to the local diner where Madeleine used to work as a part time waitress. That was really fun and we were able to relax and have a few laughs. By then everyone was pretty tired but the girls had plans for us to visit Ferndale, a nearby historical town. Our group ended up being just Maddy, her father and me. We had a wonderful time browsing in the shops, reminiscing and sharing a very special time with our daughter.

That evening we all gathered for a celebration dinner and then went off to hear some wonderful jazz. In fact the oldies outstayed the kids and a good time was had by all.

Sunday morning came very quickly and we had to say goodbye to Jason and Brenda who were returning to Oakland for a friend's wedding. We joined Madeleine, Brian and Fred for a late breakfast and then took a wonderful drive up the coast. Maddy was determined to show us some of the beautiful coastline and it was well worth the effort. We had a great time climbing some paths and walking on the beach.

All to soon we had to say goodbye to Fred, as he had to get back to Oakland. I must take this time to say that Fred is a wonderful father to Madeleine and Jason. He is always there for them and is one of their greatest admirers. I am proud of the way we have raised our children, in spite of being divorced. We have tried to be a support to them in spite of our differences and I just want to acknowledge him.

My beloved husband Ernest has been a father to them too and he should also be acknowledged. He has loved them and supported them right along side of me and it makes me smile when I see this photo of Maddy and us. I am very lucky to have such nice men in my life.

Well enough of my sentimentality but I just had to share our daughter's special day with you. It isn't very often such special occasions occur and I think we should revel in them and celebrate our accomplishments. Madeleine has struggled with dyslexia and has overcome all kinds of obstacles. I have watched her grow into a strong, confident and compassionate young woman and I am so proud of her.

It was so hard to say goodbye to Madeleine and Brian but we had to get on the road. So Monday morning we drove as far as Willits to visit our dear friend John and Mary Anna Smoot and their daughter Kathleen along with Mary and Greg Kanne.
We enjoyed a beautiful meal at the Smoots and a violin concert by Kathleen and had a wonderful visit. They live back in the beautiful hills, in a lovely home tucked under a huge Oak tree.

Both couples were part of our weddings. Greg and Mary took part in our Canadian wedding while John and Mary Anna were part of the Colorado wedding. The time always races by when we are together and all to soon Tuesday afternoon loomed up and we had to leave.

So it was off to Oakland for another night with our son and daughter in law, another wonderful meal at an African restaurant and more laughter. I must include them in this news letter because I want to tell you something about my daughter in law. Brenda may look small and delicate but in reality she is a kung fu student and has worked up to a second degree! I am so impressed with her.

Wednesday morning I made an executive decision to travel down Highway 1 to Los Angeles. My logic being that we had not been to Big Sur for a long time and with moving to Colorado when would we see it again?!! Ernest did not have to be asked twice. The winding, curvy Highway 1 is one of the most beautiful roads in the world as it winds along the rugged California coastline. Also it is a photographers paradise.

It is the home of the famous Nepenthe Restaurant, which are world famous for the wonderful food and service as well as the breath taking views. You can read all about it onwww.nepenthebigsur.com

They have the most beautiful gift store with the most exquisite items. Artist Holly Fassett and her multi-talented family run it.
We are lucky enough to count them among our friends and it was wonderful to see Holly again. She was busy in her office but was able to fit in a short visit.

Her daughter Erin Gafill is very active in their community of Big Sur and I have promised to teach for her next March. She is an amazing artist as well as the co-founder of the Big Sur Arts Initiative, a non-profit arts educational program for the community. Please visit her web sight at www.eringafill.com There is a beautiful painting on the home page, which is featured here, in my next photograph

Four years ago we joined Holly's brother, Kaffe Fassett and Brian Mabley for a visit to Napenthe and took a wonderful early morning hike to the beach. There were snail trails everywhere and I managed to pick up two magnificent, big specimens. I gave them to my grand daughter Kelse as a gift and they are still alive! They live in an aquarium and have had one baby who is the biggest of all. It is one of the most successful gifts I have ever given her.

The rest of the drive along the coastline was excruciatingly slow because I had to stop at every bend for another photo. It was a wonderful day and Ernest deserves a medal in patience. The wild flowers were blooming, it was a clear day and the highway was not busy. I went through six roles of film in no time.

The elephant seals were gathered on the beach near San Simeon and it was an amazing sight. They go through a six-week molting process and have to come ashore where they lay about like huge pieces of driftwood. Because they don't eat during this process they have to lay about conserving their energy. It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen and we spent several hours watching them. Thank goodness I had my telephoto lens.

We also stopped at Moonstone Beach and spent a few more hours looking for agates and pretty stones. Ernest and I are both addicted to rocks, seashells and driftwood. We spend so many happy hours gathering these things and they make wonderful memories.

It took us two days to make it from Oakland to Los Angeles and when we got home I had to go into work mode and get packed for my Ozark trip. So three days later I was on a plane for Springfield, Missouri!

Paula and Jim Stedham of the Ozark Piecemakers met me at the Airport and it was an instant friendship. We have so much in common and I hope they will come out to Colorado this summer for some trout fishing. I had huge classes and a big turn out for my lecture.
That is Paula standing on the back right side. I even had a free afternoon and Kathy Kansier, a professional quilt appraiser, took me to visit the Bass Pro store which is an experience all on its own! We got into the fly fishing department and $200.00 later I walked out with feathers, wire-threads and all kinds of doo-dads.

A wonderful dye artist Vicki Day gave me some of her beautiful ribbons and a bead organizer. She uses Sennelier dyes and her ribbons are one of a kind. I highly recommend her ribbons and you can order through www.vickidaydesigns.com Vicki took a class from me and she knows what we are looking for in silk ribbons. (I really enjoyed getting to know her.

Next I was off to Springdale, Arkansas where Barbara Engler was my hostess. She is just the nicest person and patiently stopped each time I saw an old barn. This whole area is lush and beautiful with the most marvelous farms. Springdale, is the headquarters for Wal-mart and is a very busy town.
There were two classes and a lecture. I had lovely students and two old students Cindy and Nark were a welcome sight! Thanks to the kindness of Barbara Engler,(she is seated second row, left side) my visit to Springdale was a very pleasant one and I hope we see each other soon.

The night of my lecture we met at a restaurant. Ginger Washburn, an old friend from Castle Rock, Colorado and someone I had lost touch with surprised me by being part of our dinner group. We had a great time catching up with each other and have promised not to lose touch again. As she is moving to Arizona this year, I know she will have to travel past my doorstep.

I got home in time to collapse with a severe bronchial infection which was caused by the beautiful lush green vegetation of Missouri and Arkansas...better know as pollen allergy.....So after six hours at the hospital and lots of drugs....I am now packing up to go to Colorado. Ernest and I are dragging our feet, as this will be our last days in this wonderful old house. Right now we are packing up my studio only and will be back in August for the rest.

Last but not least we went down to see Gloria Mckinnon who is teaching at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa. She is a dear friend and our history goes way back. We took her out to lunch to celebrate her 63rd birthday and had a wonderful time.

(She and Don will come to La Veta this summer for a visit and I can hardly wait to share it with them.) It seems that my friends in the industry are all so busy that when we do get a chance for a quiet, private visit it seems all the more special.

I am no longer a member of the Crazy Quilt Society. It was not an easy decision but one that I have given serious thought. My reasons are personal and professional. I think this is the easiest and fastest way to let people know.

I love what I do and I am thrilled to see what has become of my first efforts at Crazy Quilting. I support people who truly love Crazy Quilting and would like to tell you about the CQ Newsletter. It is very informative and has a world wide subscriber base. I plan to subscribe right away. It is published bi-monthly, costs $15.00 per year and is a delight. You can reach it at http://home.stny.rr.com/crazyquilting I want to support this budding enterprise and encourage you to do the same.

Goodbye for now. I hope you have a very happy and peaceful June and time to enjoy it.
I will write to you from La Veta, Colorado in the next Newsletter.

Love Judith

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