Book Signing Event

A SISTER'S SHAWL

The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion
37 patterns to embrace, inspire, and celebrate life
Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo
Founders of shawlminstry.com

On Wednesday, September 29, Janet and Vicky hosted a Book Signing Event.
My daughter, Christina, submitted and had an original pattern accepted into the book.
The pattern was dedicated to her sister, Marcy,
and the shawl was presented to Marcy at the event.



Here, Vicky and Janet discussed and read excerpts from the book.

Janet shows the "Tranquil Diamonds Shawl".

Janet shows her own "Granny Square-Edged Shawl.

Vicky shows a page in the book in which her son models the "Peaceful Waves Shawl".

The Princess is pointing the "Sister Shawl" that she will soon present to her "Auntie".

Christina reads her story from the book.

"Six years ago, my sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). I was with her the day that the doctor gave her the diagnosis, and I was blown away by how easily the words flowed from the doctor's mouth. "You have MS." That was it. There was no question in her voice. It was MS. We were not a religious family, but that day, in our own way, we all began "praying" for my sister. For me, it was more like hoping. Hoping that she would never have any symptoms, hoping that she would know how much we love, her, hoping that she would have a healthy life like the one that she is living. These day, she has good days and bad, ups and down, some days with symptoms and some that are symptom-free. That sounds a little like my life, and that is all I ever want for my sister, to live a "normal" life.

I created this shawl as a gift for her. The design evolved as the shawl grew. Purple is one of her favorite colors, which is why I chose it. As I created my pattern, I fell in love with the flowery design that it took on, which looked like violets, echoing the color of my birthstone, amethyst. Then I chose green for the border and realized that this color closely matches my sisters birthstone, peridot. This shawl was becoming a combination of two sister,with both of our colors combined into one comforting fabric. I hope she will think of me and my support whenever she enjoys it."


"A ministering angel shall my sister be." William Shakespeare

A kiss for a shawl.

Marcy, wearing her shawl, Vicky, Christina, and Janet.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

The Miracle of You Art Auction for The Little Baby Face Foundation

Art Trunk and The Miracle of Yo Auction
Saturday 6pm onwards is part of
Art Is...You is being held at the Danbury Plaza Hotel
which is located at 18 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury.

There will be a wonderful array of vendors including Absolutely
Everything, Collage Closet, Artistic Artifacts, The Weaving Edge,
Cheryl Strait, Sue Pelletier, Beverley Hanapole, Jeanne Garvey,
Flatwoods Folkart, Lemoncholy Studios, Navel Jelly Studios,
Paverpol, and many of the faculty will also be taking a table.
The Miracle of You Art Auction has truly risen to be an
event to remember. There will be over 30 magnificent pieces of
artwork and supplies donated by a fabulous mix of national
and international artists. You will have a chance to own one and be
a part of supporting the wonderful Little Baby Face Foundation.
The wonderful Diane Romo (wife of Dr Thomas Romo) will be present
on the night.

To learn more and see a list of artists visit http://artis4thesoul.blogspot.com/2010/09/miracle-of-you-art-auction-for-little.html

The Princess Paints En Plein Air

Joining our ranks the following day, Princess Buttercup, has her own
painting en plein air session.

Painting en Plein Air

After wanting to do this for a few summers now, my daughters and I finally got together and went to the Florence Griswold Museum, home of American Impressionism,
in Old Lyme CT to paint en plein air (in the open air).

Unused paint does not go to waste. It goes into "No Wasted Faces" painted by one of the staff members at the museum.

Here we are all ready to find our spot in the sun or shade
and begin our afternoon of painting outdoors.
The weather couldn't have been better. It was sunny, breezy and in the mid 70's.

This was my view as I painted.

The opportunity was appealing to many others who also enjoyed painting en plein air.

We were supplied with a palette loaded with red, blue, yellow and while acrylics,
brushes, clip board, canvas, a stool or rug, and a bucket of water.

Here we are in action, each of us having our own take and how and what we painted.

This is my oldest daughter with her finished painting,

and my youngest daughter with her painting.

A palette after painting.

And our final results, but more important than the results,
was the experience and the afternoon spent together.