This is patriotism. Standing up. Speaking your truth. Fully aware of the consequences. USAF Major Jason Watson “For the past 18 months, we the people have allowed the highest levels of the executive branch of the federal government to violate our Constitution and their oath to it with impunity.”

Volunteers created blankets for elephants during a cold spell in Myanmar, Winga Baw Elephant camp #WomensArt

Comic Book Heroes: WOW! First in a series? It was great fun to play with fusible bias tape and pop arty style … but the color is quite difficult to photograph. Though my favorite shirt insists it is a perfectly fine color … #quiltsky #biastape

The Trump-Supreme Court battle is not really the crisis. The crisis is here now. Trump is enacting an insidious coordinated attack on our institutions of democratic accountability, designed to crater democracy before next fall. 1/ A long 🧵to explain the plan & how we stop it.

No Kings! (Except maybe me …) . Speak up. Make phone calls. Send letters. Provide support services for organizations you care about. Check out 5calls.org or indivisible.org for ideas

And these are the people trying to eliminate the Dept of Education … (Don’t know why they think I would donate, but I’ll let them waste money on the letters.)

Modern version of the reproductive rights quilt top is finished. Re-designed/re-made a few blocks and re-embroidered a few that needed to rotate. I could have kept re-arranging the blocks for weeks but made myself stop. Lots of scraps … time to make rope bowls. And the original quilt my group made.

Please join the Menino Arts Center for an on online viewing and reading of their “Images Then Words Exhibition” on their virtual 3D Gallery. Tues, Feb 11, 7-9pm You will need to register for the Zoom link. www.hpaa-mac.org/exhibits/ My “Lightly Tethered” is excited to be read to! See you there?

Next block re-work to eliminate seams … Like it much better without all the seams but I really should learn to take my time and cut a proper circle! Third try may be happening …

Ended up remaking a couple blocks that weren’t making me happy. This one I remade by piecing odd, inset corner, shapes. I’m rather proud of myself. It actually was easier than cutting the shapes down into smaller pieces with straight seams. Huh, who knew?

Open to the possibility that I am overthinking this quilt layout thing …

Fussing about with the layout of my minimalist version of our Reproductive Rights quilt. A block for each state, representing their current reproductive rights laws. And getting expert advice from my assistant …

Writing emails to the sponsors of AQS will probably do more to effect change than a boycott. Not saying we shouldn’t boycott AQS, but I believe that their sponsors should be given a chance to help them see the error of their ways. #quiltsky

Io the Alien / Sarah Spencer@iothealien.com · 2y ago

Following the massive outpouring of support on my last post, I've written a follow up: Hitting Back at the American Quilter's Society: What You Can Do. Please share with your communities! #quiltsky #art #censorship www.iothealien.com/blog/hitting...

I’m totally appreciating @accuquilt.bsky.social’s blog post today. It strikes me as a direct response to the censorship of the AQS. I see you and appreciate you, Accuquilt! www.accuquilt.com/blog/news/10...

100 Years of Women’s Voices Through Quilting and Sewing

For centuries, quilting and sewing have been more than domestic tasks. They have served as powerful forms of expression—a tactile language through which women have woven their stories, identitie

accuquilt.com

Snow/ice dyeing is for the patient … not one of my strong points … but very interesting so I will be trying it again. The interesting part is the way the colors in the dye separate during the slow process of the snow melting. Used moss green and a little deep yellow. And not enough soda ash?

Woo hoo!! Great news! The SAQA board voted unanimously to pull the entire show out of AQS (see previous post for details) And the International Quilt Museum has acquired my quilt for their permanent collection! We all could use some good news. Thank you everyone for making your voices heard!

Posting this again, as I’ve updated my blog to include work from a second artist that was censored. The American Quilter’s Society sees (nonexistent) genitalia everywhere they look. 🍆 🍑 #quiltsky #art #censorship www.iothealien.com/blog/censors...

Why I'm Boycotting the American Quilter's Society — Io the Alien

The American Quilter's Society has a long history of censoring artists. Read about their history of censorship, and why I'm boycotting AQS shows.

iothealien.com

Quilt has been censored due to its subject matter: women’s reproductive rights. Annual attendance at AQS quilt shows is about 37,000 (according to their website). The vast majority are female. Words fail me.

Visited a “new-to-me” gallery in Watertown. Storefront Art Projects, 83 Spring St, Watertown MA On display were Jeanne Williamson Ostroff’s “Wordle Paintings.” Her works are inspired by daily walks, grids, and puzzles The next show is Lois Tarlow’s paintings of Maine and New Mexico, opening Feb 8.

Re-aligning my life goals this evening … Happy #caturday

Please join my pal Lightly Tethered and me at the reception for “Images Then Words” this Saturday, January 25, 3:30 – 5 pm, at Menino Arts Center in Hyde Park. An exhibition of Word Artists responding to Image Artists. Viewable in person or in a virtual 3D gallery. www.hpaa-mac.org/exhibits/.%E...

Still learn bluesky … Only four pictures per post … More from the Kniznick at Brandeis

Visited “Wrongs & RIGHTS” at the Brandeis University Women’s Research Center’s Kniznick Gallery. The exhibit “brings together five decades of work supporting the intergenerational battle for reproductive rights …” It closes at the end of next week and I highly recommend scheduling a guided tour.

Happy birthday to me! Science! And art! I watched on instagram as Lauren Wright Vartanian created the individual letter images … and now I’ve got my own copy of the finished book. Hooray! @fireflybooks.bsky.social

Happy National Popcorn Day to all who celebrate! And welcome new bluesky friends!

Munch's 'The Scream' reimagined in a focaccia by Rebecca (via @ stephennold1) #WomensArt #Sunday

Color! Color! Color! Through Mar 3 at the Arts League of Lowell. No black/white, no grey, just bold beautiful color. Opening reception Sat, Jan 18, 3-5pm. I’ll be there along with my “Chaotic Good #2.” Make a day of it. Gallery hop, have lunch, and don’t forget The New England Quilt Museum!

My family knows and loves me … I got 2 Art-o-mat USB charging stations under the Xmas tree! I can return one but the manufacturer is in LA and they’ve got enough going on. Any Art-o-mat fans out there want to buy my spare charger? List price is $79.99, can ship anywhere in the US. #artomat

Thursday afternoon, Jan 16, from noon-2pm I’ll be gallery sitting at the final afternoon open house of the Newton Art Association’s winter show. Allen Center, 35 Webster St, W. Newton. My ‘Lawful Good’ quilt was quite chuffed to receive an honorable mention.

Back to the studio after the holidays … and what did I find?! (Don’t tell anyone who has ever taken a class from me that I left a rotary cutter in weapon mode …) #quiltsky