Pictured left “Hey . . Hay” (14Hx11Wx1.5D) is complete, as well as “Where did I put that Hay Round” (14Hx11Wx1.5D) below right. Both of these mounted on canvas pieces will be shown at the Annual Member’s show of Arts Center East, in Vernon CT. Exhibit Dates: Thursday, April 29th – Saturday. May 15th, 2021.

So I decided to re-think the “Ruth Snow Bowen” quilt, which has been on one of my studio design panels for awhile. – THE PROBLEM: I was having trouble visually connecting to my Black & White Log Cabin format. Coincidentally at that time a neighbor dropped off a 1981 college course Folk Art paper that included information about Ruth. The paper also had a few colored photos of Ruth, which made me think – “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” – so colorful – so not Black & White! So I changed my thought process and started thinking FLOWERS. Which led me to the idea of a Flower Block quilt that I remembered Phyllis Small had posted many months ago on Facebook as part of her “Quilt of the Day” posts. Revisiting that simple block format I came up with a couple of different sizes to consider.

So moving in a new direction – Color – Color – and more Color! – I repurposed the original Black and White Squares into individual finished and bound blocks that I will use for a presentation in May of 2022 as part of my Town’s Bicentennial Celebration.

Born in Willimantic, CT on January 4th, 1895 Ruth Snow Bowen died on October 10th, 1983. She lived a full 88 years and made at least 269 bed size quilts, family clothes, and lace handkerchiefs.

Interesting how artists and quilt-makers live on in their art. – Speaking of artists – I did find time to get to artist Phyllis Small’s “80 at 80” show at the Windsor Art Center. Fabulous! I purchased the show book and plan to go back before it ends on May 1st 2021. Hope you get there as well. Happy Easter Week-End! Don’t forget that Easter Hat and Mask!! Stay Safe . . . Smith Stitch Studio