Joni Beach

September 2, 2011January 25, 2012

First Glimpse of Fall Colors…

The first day I notice a flash of red or yellow among the tones of green in the woods, it is always a surprise to realize that summer’s end is drawing near.

Soon the tawny colors of Autumn will paint the landscape…Nature will get our attention with a visual reminder that life will always include changes–transitions from one season to another.

This seasonal transition has also served as inspiration for many artists over the years. In a past fall season, after collecting some of the first colorful fall leaves, I traced and used their shapes to design these wall-hangings.

The same leaves were used in both but experimenting with different types of prints, color, and quilting lines resulted in two variations on the same theme.

First Colors of Autumn, #2. — First Colors of Autumn, #1. Fused appliqué, free-motion quilting on cotton, 22 x 20 1/4". © 2009 Joni Beach.

First Colors of Autumn, #2. © 2009 Joni Beach. — First Colors of Autumn, #2. Fused appliqué, free-motion quilting on cotton, 17 1/4×17″. © 2009 Joni Beach.

So in the coming days, I will continue to observe the change of colors in the fall landscape, marvel at the brilliant variety of colors…

along with the many transitions in life.

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*I realize not everyone experiences a fall season in the climate in which they live…I’d love to hear about which season or type of climate inspires you!?*

Above Dark Clouds… (jonibeach.com)
Thursday In the Studio…”Simple Gifts” (jonibeach.com)

August 25, 2011September 2, 2011

Thursday In the Studio…”Simple Gifts”

Today I worked on some simple gifts. While normally studio time is spent on designing art quilts to exhibit, it was fun and relaxing to work on a “just for fun” quilting project. I really liked the colors and coffeeshop motifs of these fabric squares and decided to make two wall-hangings using them. These are gifts for two friends with whom I share conversation, fun times, and “coffee breaks”!

These pre-printed squares were a find during the local spring Quilt Rally…since my background includes all kinds of sewing and textile techniques, I still love to collect and experiment with all types, colors, and prints of fabrics.

3 of these squares were arranged vertically and pieced together with strips.

A longer strip was sewn along each side…

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And the top of the first wall-hanging was pieced!

Some free-motion embroidery was added to enhance a few details on each block…

Backing fabric was chosen and the pillowcase method was used for layering and finishing the edges…

Quilting lines were added to give texture and detail…

And a sleeve for hanging was added to the back.

This is the first gift. The second wall-hanging will vary slightly but follow the same method!

After this I should be “warmed up” to finish the quilting of my art quilt, Lifeweaving … this change of pace in the studio has given me some simple gifts…

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*I’d love to know what you do in your studio to take breaks and boost your creativity and design process!?

Tuesday…In the Studio (jonibeach.com)
Thursday In the Studio – The Final Stages… (jonibeach.com)
Thursday In the Studio – “Slowly but Surely” (jonibeach.com)

August 19, 2011August 25, 2011

Family Fridays…Life Transitions or “Moving Our World”

Wednesday was move-in day at the local university, as well as the first day of class for the public schools.

Watching parents of college freshman sit in long lines of traffic to reach the dorms and overhearing parents of young children discuss taking their children to their first day of school were reminders of some of the transitions that families face during their lifecourse.

I often ponder the idea of transitions, or changes, required in our own individual, as well as our family’s, lifetime. Sometimes this involves an actual move from one location to another, though at other times it is a life change that moves our worlds–or life as we have known it. For example, going to college, getting married, starting a career, having a baby, children growing up and leaving home, or aging parents becoming ill. While some people change and adjust more easily, many seem to resist and have difficulty making the changes smoothly without first thinking, questioning, and finally resolving the challenges that are inherent even with changes we actually want!

According to Froma Walsh, flexibility and the ability to adapt are key factors in individual and family resilience. Resilience is the ability to meet challenges and stress in ways that not only allow us to cope but even gain something positive from the experience. Not that we tend to seek out these experiences but life just seems to naturally contain them!

So why the resistance? I believe it depends, at least in part, on the timing of the transitions. When we are rested, healthy, and ready to take on the world, it seems easier to be flexible and adapt. When we are in need of rest, recuperation, and renewal, the extra challenges require of us strengths we may feel we do not have at the moment.

While helping a friend move from their apartment, I was reminded of all of the times I have moved and how much energy it required to sort, pack, and change the organization of my daily life. Things I normally had in a specific place and knew automatically where they were was disrupted and everything took more time to accomplish. Things like, Where is the soap?, …the stamps to mail a letter?–or even, Where is the post office itself?! Of course, with time we learn these things, reorganize our living spaces, and return to some sense of normalcy… but good or bad, some things remain different and a transition has been made… our worlds have been moved.

*What have you found is helpful in making transitions?