UPDATE!

(Above: Embroiderers admiring kanthas after Dorothy Tucker's lecture.)

I'm been more than a little negligent in updating this blog. In my defense, I'm been busy....really, really busy. One of the most important things has been a trip to the Swedish Embroidery Symposium. I learned about it on Annica's blog. Annica helped me get enrolled....she met me at the train station (first stop past the airport!), she brought my bed linens (the symposium was held in a boarding school with dormitory accommodations), she arranged a place for my last three nights in Stockholm, she gave Sara Lechner and I guided tours through her home city, and she shared stories and stitches. OF COURSE, ANNICA IS NOW PART OF THE INVITATIONAL SECTION OF CYBER FYBER. This experience was only possible because of the wonderful, Internet connected community of like-minded textile artists! This is what CYBER FYBER is all about.

I've also had an opportunity to pitch CYBER FYBER to the entire board of directors of the local Cultural Council....but I don't have any photos. I'm still trading both postcards and ATCs in Round Two. I've arranged a promotional display for CYBER FYBER at another local art event called Unearthed. I'm ready to send "Artist Exhibition Agreements" to the artists in the Invitational section of the show. Cindi Boiter is submitted articles for publication. I'm still soliciting for grants and sponsorships. Plus, the "Artist Exhibition Agreement" contracts are ready to be sent to those in the invitational section of the show! Amazing! I'm also preparing to go to Maine for six weeks and still be able to conduct CYBER FYBER business via a laptop and my wonderful husband Steve. Amazing again!

Below are additional photos from the Swedish Embroidery Symposium!

(Above: Tilleke Schwarz's class.)

(Above: Sara Lechner stitching.)

(Above: A group project!)

(Above: Embroiderer hard at work in the Wij Gardens.)

Another Sponsor!

Above is a photo of my dear friend Connie Williams. Connie is one of those wonderful, rare individuals who loves the arts and PUTS HER MONEY into it. She and her husband Carl have sponsored visual artists, art events, ballet, drama programs, and served on several arts organizations. Connie used to be on the board of directors at both the local Cultural Council and the South Carolina Arts Commission. Believe it or not, Connie and Carl celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next year! I would likely be "swimming in money" for CYBER FYBER if I could promise that every donor would feel so good about giving that she'd end up looking as young and happy as Connie.....but.....maybe you will! Contribute and see....any amount will do!

I'll be attending the Swedish Embroidery Symposium starting TOMORROW....gone for a week where I'll be studying design under the renown Dutch fiber artist Tilleke Schwartz, meeting the other international teacher Sara Lechner, and meeting several cyber friends including the fabulous Annica! From the beginning of CYBER FYBER, I put this upcoming experience on my "wish list". If it hadn't been for blogging, I'd never have heard of this symposium. Because of blogging, I'm being met at the train station and helped even with accommodations in Stockholm! I plan on learning new approaches and conceptual ideas for stitch while asking some of the participants to send work for the CYBER FYBER invitational section of the exhibition. Obviously, travel and real life encounters are an important aspect of Internet exposure.....so I'm really excited about this benefit....mind, body, and soul!