Jane Burch Cochran
"Gratitude Calendar 1998."
62"h x 56"w.
Materials: dishtowel calendar, fabric, beads, buttons, assorted embellishments, gloves, plastic watches, Xerox transfers
Methods: machine pieced, hand embellished with buttons and beads, typed words Xerox transferred onto cloth then cut and machine zigzagged to fabric strips
In January of 1998 when I received the calendar dishtowel and explanation froms Susan Shie, I was both excited and panicked, because I wanted to be in the project (I believe any project involving Lucky is lucky and one is lucky to be invited!) but had so many looming deadlines. I thought I would just throw together a small piece in a couple of weeks, because you see, I thought it was due February, 1998. That is how the central panel came to be and was going to have the ruffled flag border.
Later when rereading the details of the show, I saw the quilt was due in 1999 and was quite relieved but put the project aside to finish three more quilts. Then it was December 1998. I had kept a gratitude calendar for 1998, because Oprah said to and I like to do what Oprah says. (I just like to do what Oprah and Lucky say, no one else!) Every day I wrote down five things I was grateful for. I then decided to use some of them in the quilt. I went back through with a highlight marker and picked one from each day then typed them up by months but numbered them from 1 - 365. Then off to Kinko's I went to have the Xerox transferred onto cloth. Each Gratitude was cut out and zigzagged onto a strip of fabric and then sewn around the distowel and rest of central image going numerically from 1 through 365. What fun, because I had a self portrait of 1998, and life is good when you just write down the good stuff.
Here is a sampling of my Gratitudes:
1. Talked to Lucky Shie on the phone.
6. Self-cleaning ovens.
10. Dusting of snow turns weeds to white flowers.
14. John Elway wins the Super Bowl.
20. Linda Smith, who lost two sons in Oklahoma bombing, has a baby.
32. Brandon's snowman with beer bottle eyes.
55. Mashed potatoes.
59. Bonnie Landing telling cop, "I'm not drunk, I'm just driving old!"
70. Belle (the dog) making her version of snow angels.
97. Role moodels - Maya Angelou & Ellen Burstyn.
106. Hearing David Walker speak (about his work.)
116. Israel's 50th. birthday.
182. Henry brings me first home grow tomato of theseason.
202. Receiving card of Patrick Dorman's quilt.
219. Lisa Lou's beaded back yard.
243. Tree tops meeting in center on Rabbit Hash Hill Road.
269. Bonnard show a MOMA.
293. The month for cakes.
303. Poetry night at Book Club.
343. 20 red roses & a Snoopy watch for 20th wedding anniversary.
365. Two to three inches of snow.
Thanks Lucky and Jimmy, for the idea and challenge. I still know if Lucky invites you, it will always be worthwhile.
One thing I am very grateful for in 1999 is having
a helper who only lives half a mile down the road and sews for me about
10 hours a week. Terrie Markesbery did lots of the sewing on this quilt
and has made her first 2 quilts. I have lots of solitude, and it's great,
but I so enjoy having someone to help me and work and chat and laugh with.
© 1999 Jane Burch Cochran. 6830 Rabbit Hash Hill Rd, Rabbit Hash, KY. 41005. 606-586-9169. jcochran@fuse.net.
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