Thursday, July 11, 2013

the final stitches are with red thread

July 1 
 July 2
 July 3
 July 4, July 5
 July 6, July 7
 July 8, July 9
 July 10 
The end

I began this stitch journal "Not to Know, But To Go On" on my birthday in 2010 and I ended it on my birthday in 2013.  Three years of not knowing, but going on.  Three years of one skein of cotton embroidery floss each day.

During those three years,
two of our children married,
I graduated with a second fine art degree,
the lengthy community circle project continued on and on,
my father moved into long term care,
the two grandchildren grew into little boys,
we travelled,
I turned 60.  

go on,
not know

24 comments:

Dolores said...

Happy Birthday.
There are surprises everyday. One only has to look.
Is that canvas that you stitch on? Is your dad any happier? Resigned? Angry?

Marianne Hall said...

Happy Birthday Judy. I had no vision of you stopping. Now all I can see is Forrest Gump. You know, the scene in the movie where he just stops running? That has stuck with me for some time. Yes, Happy Birthday. I'm feeling some sort of relief.

Ms. said...

Brilliant. Three years of sustained, committed, intelligent, focused, heartfelt, diligent. practice. Brilliant and major shifts of life too in those three years! Simply brilliant.

Margaret said...

Happy Birthday...and a blessing to you for the rest of your journey, days known and unknown.

Nancy said...

Happy Birthday to you! Did you decide at the outset that this would last for 3 years?
I like the idea of clod turkey -stopping, but I think I will miss seeing this continue :)
I will also watch for 'next'!

Mo Crow said...

congratulations and Best Wishes for many more years of art & wonder!

mansuetude said...

Happy Birthday to you and your brilliance.

Ann Knickerbocker said...

Happy Birthday! Love the stitches and the red dots... this is a way of taking time into your own hands... and making it beautiful. xox

Unknown said...

Dear Judy - once again your spare verse and clear-eyed images have moved me and resonated deeply. Best wishes, sus

Joe Madl said...

joyous and celebrational birthday to you, judy! your just going on this project is astounding. a true testament to simply being and allowing. you are an inspiration!

Anonymous said...

happy birthday and continuing to you!
I've loved watching this grow and go.

Vicky aka Stichr said...

Yes, Happy Birthday! A fine way to celebrate, but will you try another way to mark the days? I wonder if I would?

Montse Llamas said...

I guess you will miss this daily work, after all this time...

Gina said...

What a wonderful way to journal three years. Happy birthday Judy.

jeanne hewell-chambers said...

well, happy birthday a tad on the late side. i love how the last strip of fabric is left un-couched. seems appropriate and significant. xo

Grace Martin said...

This is epic! Such amazing dedication.
Grace&Asan

Velma Bolyard said...

this is a story and and epic and an everyday and plain old stitching. judy, how could you keep it up? how could you give it up?

Velma Bolyard said...

oh, and a happy birthday.

Judy Martin said...

Yes, it is difficult to stop doing this journal.

On the other hand, I look forward to not having to do this journal.

I look forward to having more time to be creative, instead of just going on.

Thanks for all of your support and good wishes. I send the good wishes back to you.
xxx

Sandra Reford said...

Beautiful work. It is perfect that you end with RED thread as that colour thread has been such a part of your growth as an artist. I love this journal and I admire you for GOING ON without knowing. That's a tough thing to do. Bon Anniversaire.

Connections Fibre Artists said...

I applaude your perseverance and celebrate your move onward.
And I hope that you had a very Happy Birthday !

Heather said...

Happy Belated Birthday. You have accomplished so much in the last three years.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Judy. I too have enjoyed watching this stitched journal evolve. And your blog is so meditative, soothing, and creative. It's always a pleasure to see what you're up to.

Sharon

Lesley Turner said...

Happy birthday, Judy. Congratulations on the birth of a project with a 3 year gestation.