Holliday's Holliday

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:58:56 GMT

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:00:31 GMT

There has been so much rain in this part of Vermont. We are using hack saws and electric scythes to cut down the green stuff. I never know when I leave the house if I should wear a sweater, a bathing suit or a plastic bag.

Between rain storms, the sun comes out and shines in spectacular brightness. The flowers are growing rapidly and the ones that the rain doesn't beat to death are amazing. I found very dark brick red Day Lillies blooming in my garden right next to pale pink Rubrum Lillies. There are Columbines, Pansies, Daisies and a multitude of white Hydrangeas.

My two girl dogs, Daffney and Daisy, are so short that when they come back in from their garden romps they drag wet muddy skirts that graze the floor. This does not stop them from trying for more chances to go out again.

OOOPS, more thunder. Time to turn off the computer.

The Vermonter, Amtrak

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:27:18 GMT

Trevor and Carolyn and I took Kit to the train station yesterday. If you want an authentic experience, you might want to wait for the Vermonter to come through Bellows Falls. It comes through southbound at 11:30 in the morning and will reach Washington, DC by nightfall. If you are going north, it will arrive around 5:30 and will end in St. Albans, Vermont a few hours later. Be sure to get to the station on time because occasionally the train is on schedule. Usually it is not on schedule and often runs an hour late. This is your opportunity to take a look around. I have been there when the store was open. You can get drinks or snacks or refrigerator magnets or postcards. There are all kinds of train related items such as toys, Christmas ornaments and jewelry. There are also all kinds of Vermont related items. If you are getting off in Connecticut or New York, you can stock up before you get there so that you can remember Vermont and your train ride. If you ever get out of the station and on to the train, you may not care to remember Vermont all that much.

The benches look like they are original. They all face the track side of the room and are not different from church pews. Some people sit and clutch their luggage while others stack theirs in one place and walk around.

The station master does not have any teeth. But the pony tail is nice. He tells me he went to New York one time but is not going back. He likes his home in Bellows Falls. Why would anyone want to change that?

When the train is actually approaching, Stationmaster announces loudly "Amtrak! Amtrak! "

We all leave the waiting room to stand by the train. It whistles as it appoaches. When it stops, the conductor drops a small set of steps down and starts helping the boarding passengers. "All Aboard!" he shouts.

The passengers board and the well wishers hug and wave and the train roars off.

The other train, northbound from DC will arrive in the afternoon. The scene will repeat itself. The stationmaster will return, the gift shop might open and the friends and family will gather to pick up their train passengers.

Going Green

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:19:28 GMT

When I leafed through the Houston International Quilt Festival Catalog, I was looking forward to November when the show happens. I was very happy to find the piece I made for Quilting Arts Magazine displayed in a prominant place in the book.

This piecs is 5x5 inches square and the purpose was to use recycled materials and not to purchase anything new to make the square. I have used some natural brown wool batting on top of white batting. It was felted to the white surface with an embellisher machine. The flowers are from a silk bouquet and the flower centers, some of the leaves and background are painted heat distressed Tyvek. It was fun to do this piece.

The First Annual Picnic, Grafton, Vermont

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:09:59 GMT

If you stay around Grafton, or almost anywhere in Vermont in the summertime, your schedule can be as full as you care to have it.

Last week Pat called me and reminded me that Sunday would be the first annual picnic. "Bring a green salad or some cookies," she said.

Today, Trevor, Carolyn, Kit, Martha and Cindy and I walked ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE STREET to see what the activities would hold. A big green and white tent awning was erected in the space behind the chapel and in front of the ball field. Men were grilling chickens, hamburgers and hot dogs on large oil drum grills. Another man was frying french fries in an open air fryer. He was taking whole potatos and running them through an industrial press which could turn a perfectly happy potato into the slivered pieces that make the best French Fries of all. Ears of corn were boiling in big tubs nearby.

Martha has had a few experiences with the Vermont "fiesta" and I have the feeling she is not that impressed. She speaks little English and the cool air and damp grass might have been a little off putting. Her grand daughter Cindy had not wanted to come at all, but she satisfied herself by sitting down in the ball field and talking to people back in Texas on her cell phone. They were back safely across the street watching television in my house within thirty minutes.

Kit figured out how to have the ice cream first and then go for some dinner things. I was in line for a hamburger and while waiting managed to kick away a couple of kids and a few very feeble old ladies in order to be first when the fresh fries came out of the oil.

In the ball field, we worried about the kids batting balls with aluminum bats on a day when a bolt of lightning could have erupted at any time. The ambulance was out on the field and it took me a moment to recognize RessusiJane when I saw a woman walking around with a latex head cradled in her arms. There were raffle tickets, bottles of Maple Syrup and something they were calling a "Tot Bag." Trevor tells me that when his kids were in school, the canvas tote bag was the icon of all elementary teachers. When they came in sporting a new one, the kids knew they had been to another inservice.

Carolyn and Trevor and I were not particularly patient about getting our food. We were sitting under the green and white striped awning knocking back hamburgers while Kit slowly enjoyed his ice cream. Trevor told me that he figured the scoops of ice cream were probably palate cleansers between courses. As he eyed the chickn halves barbequing in the enclave.

Little girls were sporting Hula Hoops which means they take up a lot more ground space. Trevor and I spent some time determining the sex of the person sitting on the church steps. It turned out to be a man, but I wonder how he looks on Saturday night.

By the time we were ready to leave, the Bluegrass Music was in full swing, the carrot cake had emerged and the raffle tickets had been called. Carolyn won four cans of tennis balls. The rain never came, but as I crossed the street to my house, the haze was thick. Martha and Cindy were curled up in the TV room watching a Spanish language movie. The John Deere Tractor pulled around the corner one more time pulling kids on their hay rides.

If this is the first annual picnic, it makes me wonder how they are going to top it?

Spending the day in Jamaica.

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:42:17 GMT

Today was Jamaica Old Home Day. Before anyone gets too excited, I need to let you know that this is Jamaica, Vermont, not THE Jamaica. It is twenty miles from my house in Grafton.

The reason I was involved in Jamaica Old Home Day is that there was a one day quilt show and a lot of my work was in the show. I had loaded it up the day before and taken it down to the community center which used to be a church. My friend Bob Stone was in charge. He was hanging up quilts, editing, fussing and creating. I had offered to bring mannequins for two of Virginia Avery's very beautiful garments.

Lugging my quilts and the two mannequins (fake headless people) was all I had to do yesterday.

Today I got up and asked my housekeeper, Martha if she wanted to go to a Fiesta in Jamaica. Of course she did. She left to go back to her room and put on a short skirt and her high heeled sandals. Her grand daughter, Cindy was ready in the jeans that are the uniform of all fourteen year olds. Cindy had her cell phone firmly in hand as we left for Jamaica.

My houseguest, Kit Carson was ready too. He was in his travel vest and comfortable shoes.

On arriving in Jamaica, we entered the community center and looked at the quilts. It was fun to take a look at them, but there was a whole street of booths beckoning us. We stopped for fresh lemonade and continued down the street past the grilling hamburgers, fresh ears of boiled corn and small porch sales. We stopped in the glass blowing store and then crossed the street to see the chain saw bear art. The best of the bears had SOLD signs on them. We entered the rustic furniture store and marveled at how many items of furniture could be made with deer and moose antlers, kiln dried wood and birch bark. It was hard to leave because the cement floor and high ceilings allowed for cool air on a fairly warm day.

The dunking booth looked like something I could easily avoid as I browsed around used books and wandered into the church fellowship hall. I came out with a bone china cup and saucer with huge yellow roses. Two green glass vases. A fake mouse trap. A flower strewn painted platter. Three dollars.

The man who was abducted by aliens was busy doing caricatures of Old Home Week participants. The small children were dressed in their Halloween costumes. Some of the tiny princesses were eating sausage rolls. Others were having their faces painted. The blue grass music played as the musicians bravely performed under a shady tree.

I don't think Kit or Martha or Cindy bought anything besides the lemonade. I, on the other hand, have a beaded purse, a monogrammed linen towel and all the loot from the church sale. And to make matters worse, it was only a little past noon.

12:00

12:30

1:00
1:30
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:30

Old Home Day Begins
Vendor Booths Open
Music Begins - Main Street
Children Games - Muzzy's Field
Chili Cook-off - Three Mountain Inn Lawn
Best Little Quilt Show in Vermont - Town Hall
Relay Race - Country Market
Ducky Dash - Starting Line Rt.30 Bridge
Chicken BBQ - Church
Parade Begins - Main Street

Chapter 2.

We bid farewell to Jamaica and headed for the Dam Cafe. The reason it is called this is that it is close to the Townshend Dam. They serve fried scallops, turkey Reubens, chicken fajitas, and bison burgers. Cindy and Martha had hamburgers and home made french fries. Kit and I were very happy about their abundant fries as we did not have any of our own. We both found our hands creeping over into Martha's plate.

The planters on the window haven't moved since last summer. I think the plants have been watered a time or two, but they are not thriving all that well. They are just barely hanging on. The whipped cream is surviving just fine. Desserts past us regularly. They were all exquisite towers of whipped cream with secret delectables underneath. Only the waitresses could guess what lay below.

Leaving the Dam Diner behind, we headed for the Mary Mayer factory store and museum. At one time there was a large cottage industry in Townshend where the stuffed animal toys of Mary Mayer's designs were made. Now it is just an outlet as the construction is outsourced to other countries. Cindy chose a bear and I bought a stuffed basketball. One inch across.

By the time we were all home, it was nap time. A trip to a gallery opening in the early evening preceeded coffee and dessert at the Tavern.

Kit built a fire in the fire place. Ok, I know it is July. But it was raining and that sounds like a good excuse to me. My brother Trevor and his wife Carolyn drove in just after 10:30 to find a house with a pot of coffee already made, a fire in the fireplace and fresh sheets on their bed. It was a good day.

Today Show

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:55:21 GMT

My friend Eli was on the Today Show. To see her clip, you may go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25333354

I went down on the train to New York and had a good time cheering her on. I did not go to the set of the Today Show, but met her with her other friends at Michaels Restaurant afterwards.

At Eli's request, I brought paper crowns for all the guests. So, picture ten beautifully dressed women in a gorgeous New York restaurant wearing bejewelled turquoise crowns.

The women at the next table wanted to buy the crowns. I sold them for donations to Grafton Cares which is the community based fund here in my town for taking care of special needs of community members.

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:02:09 GMT

Gelatin Monoprints on Fabric

Frances Holliday Alford

Coyotetrap@aol.com

Blog:http://journals.aol.com/coyotetrap/HollidaysHolliday

Website: FrancesHollidayAlford.com

Definitions:

Monoprint: A monoprint is a "one of a kind" hand pulled print. Monoprints are images made on plates. Known as the most "painterly" form of printmaking, monoprints are single editions. Although similar images may be made during the process, each piece will be singularly unique. Monotype plates may be plexiglass, metal, clay, or other smooth surfaces. In this application we will be using a gelatin plate, also known as a slab.

Gelatin Plate: Gelatin is used in a very thick concentrate to make a plate or slab for printing. Gelatin is chosen for its smooth pressure sensitive qualities. It may be torn, gouged, shaped or masked. It is particularly adaptable to use with fabric printing.

Textile Paints: Any paint that is compatible with fabrics may be used. For this project, we are limiting ourselves to water based acrylic paints.

Materials:

Gelatin

Water

Molds: Pie pans, other containers.

Textile paints

White Muslin Fabric

Batting

Brushes, Brayers, sponges

Plastic for working surface

Gelatin Plate (or Slab):

(Use multiples of this proportion):

1 Cup Cold water

2 Envelopes (tablespoons) of plain unflavored gelatin

Measure the amount of liquid you will need for your containers. A plate should be at least two inches thick.

For each cup of water, you will need two tablespoons of gelatin. This is two packages of Knox Gelatin to one cup of water.

Pour cold water into a pan. For each cup of water, sprinkle two packages of gelatin on top of the water. Allow the gelatin to soften. Heat the water, stirring occasionally. When the water has become hot enough to dissolve all the gelatin, pour it into round or rectangular pans. Refrigerate until the plate is firm. Remove the gelatin from the mold and put it on a waterproof surface. When using the plate, some people like to let it sit for an hour to allow it to dry a little. If it feels too dry at any time, spray a little water on it.

WARNING: Do Not Dispose of the gelatin in the sink! This will cause a clog that will be very difficult to manage. It is better to discard with kitchen trash.

Printing Method:

1. Position your gelatin slab on a waterproof surface. Your slab should always be removed from the container.

2. Spread paint on the surface of the slab. You may use a paint brush, a roller, or a foam brush. Choose multiple colors as desired. You may gouge the surface, break the slab or mask parts before printing.

3. Spread white fabric on the paint surface and smooth gently with hands.

4. Lift the fabric from the image and set aside to dry.

Completion Methods:

The fabric may be printed in multiple layers, but should be allowed to dry between applications.

Adding threads, leaves, cut paper, etc, to the painted surface will allow the original color to show through from the area that is masked.

After images is dry consider adding more color and detail with fabric markers, Micron pens or more paint.

Warning: You are working in reverse. All words should be written in mirror image if you want to beable to read them. All images should take the mirror image into consideration.

Assembly of Quilted Textile Monoprint:

When completely dry, trim and sandwich with a layer of batting between two layers of cotton fabric. Your bottom layer may compliment the top embellished surface if you desire.

Machine method: Using free motion quilting, start from the center and quilt the surfaces using attractive threads. Use the natural lines of the print to guide the placement of the sewn lines. Satin stitch makes a nice edge. Decide if you want a flat edge or a rippled edge. If you want rippled edges, pull the fabric slightly as you go around the edge several times.

Hand method: Using embroidery floss, assemble the quilt sandwich and embellish the piece with stitches that compliment the designs.

Completion of Quilted Textile Monoprint:

After the piece or unit is completely constructed, you may add beads or other embellishment. You may want to attach several together for a larger piece.

Helpful Hints:

Gelatin Plates will last for several weeks if they are wrapped in plastic and kept cool in the refrigerator.

A new smooth surface may be made by putting your gelatin in the microwave and re-melting it. You may pour it back into the mold you choose. Any paint that is on the surface should be wiped away. Any that is left in the slab will probably not cause problems.

Remember that gelatin is a food. Thus it is food safe for your kitchen utensils. Make sure that the painted gelatin does not get consumed by children or pets. The magenta dye in paints often stains the plate and looks palatable.

Don't forget: Images are in reverse on the slab.

Important: Remember not to put the discarded slab of gelatin into the sink.

Some people add the gelatin to their compost.

http://junomain.wordpress.com/2007/04/04/monoprinting-by-patricia-shaer/

http://wenredmond.com/view.php?id=4650f65a18ab9

http://www.studio1617.com/prints.htm

http://www.joggles.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5505

http://www.fiberartworkshops.com/fiber-art-workshop-instructors/rayna_gillman.htm Take a look at the beautiful work of Rayna Gillman.

http://studio78notes.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html

For Sale, 502 Lauderdale, Rockport, Texas

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:01:00 GMT

Our condo has been freshly painted and spruced up. It is for sale in Rockport, Texas. Faye Scott will be happy to sell it to you.

361-729-7474 800-436-9511

Daisy Turner Alford

Fri, 23 May 2008 06:00:44 GMT

Daisy joined our family on the Saturday before Easter. Daffney was starting to be lonely and so my nephew Peter and I decided we should help her out by getting her a companion. We found Daisy in Pflugerville at a wonderful famliy's home. She was one of two in her litter, both females.

John was able to enjoy Daisy for several weeks before his death. Each time he saw her, he smiled and enjoyed touching or patting her. We snuck her into the ICU of the hospital and I hope you will not tell on me.

Daisy is named after a famous Grafton, Vermont woman. The original Daisy Turner was the last daughter of a family who came out of slavery to freedom in Vermont. She lived to be 104 and was known for telling wonderful stories. http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/multimedia/womenspeak/womenspeak_turner/index.htm

Now our puppy Daisy is in Grafton. I will meet her and her big sister Daffney in Grafton on Tuesday when I fly up. Her Uncle Bo and her Uncle Randy flew with both dogs earlier this week and I will meet them there.