TV stars are in my family. This has nothing to do with embroidery, but since I like to watch TV while stitching, it counts. Back in the late 80's, one of my brothers (that's him in the sunglasses) had a very unique job: he wrote, directed and starred in his own Fox-affiliated TV show called Live On Tape. It aired every Saturday night at 10pm and was broadcast throughout the surrounding Mississippi valley region, into Iowa and rural Illinois. The show ran for three years, and was a favorite among the can't-stay-up-late-enough-to-watch-SNL set. He erected a website in its memory with clips so even if you didn't grow up in the central midwest, you can still watch Live On Tape.
Something sublime is brewing in the land of the kiwis. I have been getting reports from Mindy Dalzell at Juniper Gallery in Wellington, New Zealand about the Sublime Stitching Nights they've been hosting for stitchers young and old. Mindy reports that the workshops are consistently sold-out, and booked months in advance! I'm overwhelmed, half a world away. She's kindly invited me to head down there for an appearance, but we might need to hold a "Send Jenny to New Zealand" fundraiser. Any contributors? Well, at least we can check out the party pics on her blog!
This past weekend I was in Philadelphia for a solo exhibition and embroidery workshop at Art Star. This was my first trip to Philadelphia and I have to say I quite liked it. No, I didn't eat a Philly cheesesteak (for shame) and I didn't eat scrapple, either (no way). Really, I had a great time. Philadelphians have an attitude all their own- they are a proud people, and I'm okay with that. They seemed pretty okay with me too. The show of my embroidered artwork will run through October 1st, but if you can't make it to Philadelphia, take a look at my photos on flickr.
 | Ode to Sublime Stitching by Anna Ostendorf of Red Wing, MN Jenny Hart's stitching is so sublime, It inspires me to break out a rhyme. I love to sit and sew away, When strangers see, they have to say "Tell me, what is that you're making? Is that a diva roller skating?!" Sanskrit, pin-ups, skulls and bones, Embroidery livens up my home. No country geese or teddy bears, They're hip designs I'm proud to wear. Reviving Granny's near lost art Is kick-ass crafter Jenny Hart. |
BRAVO! Oh Anna, I'm wiping happy tears away realizing my years of building this little company are not in vain! Thank you, thank you. You'll be getting a l'il somethin' somethin' in the mail from us soon. (And, that's not really Anna in the photo- thanks to The UC Dept. of Theatre and Dance for letting me borrow an image.)
