Sunday, June 04, 2006

Toothy Grins

Look who I rubbed shoulders with! The Artful Quilters Blogring's own Gabrielle Swain!

She was so delightful and it's such a wonderful experience to meet someone for the first time and feel like you know them straight away. And they you. Wow! A moment of silence for the miracle of blogging.

Ok... now some more details.

Gabrielle's talk was titled "Confessions of a Former Housekeeper." She's super funny. It was one of those great talks where everyone just laughs and then oohs and awws at the quilts and then back to laughter. A good bit of wisdom thrown in for good measure.

Gabrielle is good at poking fun of herself. Like here.

Disheveled Gabrielle on the screen, proper professional Gabrielle at the right standing in front of her November quilt. This picture brought big gaffaws, because of course, we've all seen that face in our own mirrors. (Minus the red red red hair in most cases.)

Speaking of the red hair...

Check that out. It's red and gold and copper and auburn and even a bit purply. Doncha love it? High tech gadgets too. Way less beautiful than the hair or the quilts.

I neglected to take a close up of her shoes. They were rhinestone encrusted flip flops, for the record.

Gabrielle opened her talk with a story about the time she asked herself, "What am I willing to put up with?" Meaning, I think, What requirements or responsibilities am I willing to let go of, so I may create art? Gabrielle gladly let go of housekeeping and never looked back. Several slides proved her point.

What am I willing to put up with? Or not put up with?

I must say, I had a tiny bit of stress at the guild meeting. Jeff was out of town, so I hired a baby sitter for the first time since we moved to TX. The kids were fine, but I just wasn't "feelin' it" with the new sitter. There are parents out there who would say I should have never left. But I wasn't feeling DOUBT or FEAR. It was just the newness, I suppose.

After moving, it's really hard to find someone to watch your kids and someone to cut your hair. It's amazing how important those two connections can be.

Anyway, I rushed out of the meeting shortly after the talk. Next time Gabrielle and I connect I hope we'll be able to share a frappacino together. Give us a call when you are in the DFW area and you can join us!

9 comments:

Deb R said...

What a great photo of you two together! You look like you're having a blast!

Terry Grant said...

What fun! Blogging worlds collide. So, her hair is really that red?

kathy said...

happy grins!!! And the babysitter thing is so understandable when you yourself are just beginning to feel comfortable where you are...

Karoda said...

How cool U2! I would love to hear Swain do her thang!

Lisa said...

I have not had to hire a sitter yet. It's a hard thing. I'm planning to ask around at church, that should be a good place to start, right? It really is important to have someone you can trust to watch the kiddos. I think it's a bit freeing as a mom, don't you. By the way, it looks like life in TX agrees with you! You look great and happy. I'm glad.

Anonymous said...

I am so jealous. But, I get to spend 5 days with Gabrielle in November (including my birthday!!). You two look like you are having a great time!!

teri

Gerrie said...

Oh, I can't wait to meet that Swain lady in the fall at Art Quilt Tahoe. I relate to the cutting hair and I have advice for the baby sitting - get your parents to move close to you! :) I have done the same thing - I let the housekeeping go. I would hire a housekeeper, but Mr C likes to do it - I sometimes fine tune things when we have company over.

jenclair said...

I'd love to have been there! I get emails from the Guild and knew that Gabrielle was scheduled, but couldn't work it in--and besides I'm afraid of the Dallas traffic... :(

Sarah Ann Smith said...

The only reason I'm not a plane flying to Dallas to swipe that gorgeous blouse of yours is because I know it would be too small! And sounds like a great lecture...maybe the next one be without the babysitting angst.

I sure know what you mean. After a year at one place here in Camden I gave up and started cutting my own hair (it's long enough)...if she can butcher it for $16, I can do it for free. Of course, I'm about ready to try someone who actually has a clue.... shaggy and crunchy is me....

Hugs, and we miss you! Sarah