The best part of the trip to Houston was, as expected, meeting glorious Glennis, the Shibori Girl and her friends. I splurged on two of her silk scarves:
Through Glennis, I also met Katrina, a very talented garment sewer and silk specialist. Both Glennis and Katrina had been on a textile trip to Japan, and had great stories of ducking out for authentic Japanese food, and befriending indigo dyers -- read more on Glennis's blog. I also met Jennifer, who sells vintage textiles and had vintage sari ribbon, but sadly I didn't get back to her booth to buy. I also met some terrific art quilters who work with Quilting Arts magazine -- Judy Coates Perez is someone I've admired; she paints beautiful fabric pieces and does stitched metal. I met Sheree from Sheree's Alchemy, a talented designer/sewer and proponent of organic fabrics. I joined SAQA.
These meetings were the lovely gifts of what was otherwise a strange event and trying travel. I also got a fantastic surprise gift in the mail from awesome Jane -- a vast supply of shisha mirrors, both round and square. I've got some stitching to do.
Back home, I spent the rest of the week back at work and buying my new(er) car, which, when it was all said and done, turned out very well. I bought the car from incredibly nice, honest people, had a totally helpful and kind loan person at the credit union, and feel like I got lucky in an economy where people are keeping their good used cars. Used-car-buying may be a road normally littered with giant potholes and unscrupulous characters, but once I found a good car for me, everything happened with integrity and grace.
Now I'm having a very yin day, recovering. Two weeks without yoga or belly dance had me in knots and feeling large (not in a good way), so I unkinked myself with a long session this morning. I am to be Princess Leia for a party next week; I normally don't engage in Halloween activities, but this is for my favorite 7-year-old, and I can't say no; so there is some guerilla costuming to do.
It feels like things will settle down soon, as shorter days arrive, and I can blog more and create more. I'm not sure these days if I'm blogging as a writer who loves textiles, as a global textile explorer, as an artist, or all of the above. I think it's all of these things, though perhaps I'd be better off focusing more.
I'm also pondering what to do with 130,000 frequent flyer miles. I can go anywhere in the world! Trouble is, I don't have a big cash supply for hotels, etc. I'm afraid if I wait too long the airlines will dismantle/devalue the whole program. So where do I want to go? Where DON'T I want to go? I've not been to Paris, Bali, Hawaii, India, Vancouver, or Japan. I love London, and there are great exhibits at the museums in New York City right now. If anyone needs a house-sitter or has a rental for the holidays, let me know.
At least for today, it feels like a big, beautiful world, full of textiles and culture, music and love, and possibilities.
