Monday, August 12, 2019

Coming Up for Air

Yes, I know, I've been MIA. The citrus groves require attention and keep me physically fit. Retirement? What's that?  

The "little" people are visiting for the summer, but, funny thing, they are no longer "little." Lovely, and rapidly becoming adults, my granddaughters can now look me in the eye--how did this happen?










Sign on my desk:

A number of large master works cry out to be finished, with some urgency since each one may take several years to finish. Will my hands and eyes hold up long enough?...

And so, listening to the whispers swirling around my studio, I've been stitching. Finally, The Pomegranate Tree (My Garden Series) is finished. It began as a branch I sketched onto fabric in November 2011. One sketch led to another...

It grew into a large tree (75" x 64"/1m92 x 1m62) with a mix of hand and machine work in piecing, appliqué, embroidery, and quilting.

And this is why my favorite art materials are fabric and thread.
Ahhhhh, the wonders of my garden...


PS: I have just opened an Instagram account at NadiaMamelouk. The younger generation keeps telling me that nobody blogs anymore (sigh). Any thoughts? I'd like to hear your opinion.

10 comments:

Sherrie Spangler said...

Your tree is absolutely gorgeous! My daughter-in-law convinced me to start on Instagram, but I don't find it anywhere near as fulfilling as blogging. Instagram is just a snapshot and a few words. With a blog, you can pour your heart and art out. Please keep up your blog!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Oh, I love that quilt! It was definitely worth all of the time and patience to get it finished. I understand about the time running out thing. I have great grandchildren....how did that happen?

I still have my blog, post every day to let my friends know I'm still alive. I have Instagram too but it isn't the same. I like to write more than a few words each day.

Martha said...

Yes the quilt is stunning. I do love blogging, as well as reading blogs. But honestly I do spend more time on IG. I love the visual inspiration that is so readily available there. I'm now following you!

It's definitely not a replacement for blogging, or even books. I keep hoping you'll write a book on your stitching and creative process. I'd love to take a class from you some day.

And I'll read your blog because it is full of visual stimulation as well as the written word. Thanks!

O'Quilts said...

Wonderful work...and lovely to hear from you...I still like blogging...It is with the blogs that I connect with friends...Every time I hear about something in Tunisia, I think of you and if you are safe in the orchards with your sketches xo

The Idaho Beauty said...

I still blog. Many still blog. I rather dislike Instagram, the format, the difficulty navigating, the lack of content. I think it is even worse than Facebook and so I do appreciate those like me that continue to use the blogging format for a richer (and searchable) experience.

I so love the technique you used with those pomegranate branches and still want to try it myself. I had to take some time off from quilting due to a physical limitation and am often plagued in the dark of night with thoughts of all those unfinished projects and the same questions you have. Chop chop, I tell myself, must get moving. But the moving is slow and my interests have wandered elsewhere. I'll get back to it - soon I think - and in the meantime am actually thankful for the imposed break that has allowed me to dabble in other things.

So delighted to see your post pop up in my reader. Hope you find time to keep us updated on your progress. :-)

Magpie's Mumblings said...

So nice to hear from you and to see that you've completed your Pomegranate Tree. I didn't realize it was that large! I hope you plan to exhibit it.
As for the Instagram vs. blogging debate - I will be blogging and not on Instagram. So many bloggers bailed out of blogging and went to Instagram but oddly I'm noticing a lot of them are coming back. I like the more personal aspect of blogging (not that I mean in the sense of being invasive into privacy) and find that Instagram is too cold and just too fast (if that makes any sense!).

Norma Schlager said...

I am so glad to see you back! I have always enjoyed reading your blog and hope that you keep it up. I am still blogging and try to do so at least once a week.
I love your pomegranate tree. Your technique is so unique.

Linda in Arkansas said...

I was out of town when you posted this. But just to let you know, I've been patiently waiting for you to post to your blog. I enjoy your artwork and the little stories with them. I do have an Instagram account -but I enjoy reading the blogs more. Now if you only Instagram, I'll follow you there.

Carli The Quilter said...

Nadia, I'm not on the retirement life either and very happy about that. I take time off, but work must be done and as usual I love your latest quilt and yes sometimes our work take years to finish.

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