Halfway through the year
thoughts on the in between times, orcas gone wild, buffalo craft parties, and more
Friends!
It’s the halfway mark of the year. Time is wild. January feels both like 10 years and 10 minutes ago. I am currently living in the liminal space between what was and what will be. Moving is like that, isn’t it? I’m looking at my stuff thinking…bit too early to pack and yet so much to do before I go. In a way I feel like the entire past year has been liminal space. A strange in between. Maybe it was a year of forced presence. A year of transformation and growth. That feels right. Ever the optimist…even in hindsight. I mostly appreciate the in between transition times. There’s so much potential. Endless paths to explore and stories to write. I am choosing to believe that our whole world is in a transitional time. While it feels like we are moving backwards in a lot of ways, that is not how we work. History proves this. We might be taking a few steps back (at gun point while bound and gagged) but humans never tolerate that for very long. The arrow will release. We will move forward and it will be powerful and swift. Once we collectively decide what we just won’t tolerate, we will Houdini our way out of these messes and ever forward. Keep hope my friends.
I’ve got quite a bunch for you this month so let’s get to it.
JULY EVENTS
Online Workshop:
Intro to Embroidery // Sunday, July 16th // 3-4:40pm EDT
In Person:
Intro to Craftivism // Monday, July 10th // 6:30 - 8:30pm // Brookline Public Library
As I drive back to Chicago, I will be spending a few days at Stitch Buffalo. You might recall that I was on my way there last year when I was hit by a drunk driver and lost my RV. I was so sad to not be able to make it to Buffalo. GOOD NEWS! I never leave things unfinished. We are taking an epic do-over. I hope to see Buffalo area folks at one of the events!
Intro to Embroidery // Friday, July 28th // 7-9pm // Stitch Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Pop-Up Badass Herstory Exhibit // Saturday, July 29th // 9:30 - 12pm // Massachusetts Avenue Project, Buffalo, NY
Community Craftivism Day // Saturday, July 29th // 1:30 - 4:30pm // Stitch Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
And perhaps it’s better that I’m going to be there this year because my friends at Stitch Buffalo are GROWING into a new space and they could use your help! They have an incredible $75,000 matching grant!
Watch this:
»»»»»»»»> Donate here: https://www.stitchbuffalo.org/capital-campaign «««««««««««<
PATTERN OF THE MONTH CLUB
This month’s pattern to fund abortion access was created by the amazing humans at Gather Here, one of my favorite textile supply shops and community. When you donate $10+ to Abortion Access Front, you will get this darling embroidery pattern as a thank you for your contribution.
READ AND WATCH RECOMMENDATIONS
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
Wow was this a powerful story of reclamation and healing. I HIGHLY recommend the audio version. She is a masterful audio storyteller and later in the book she shares audio clips from her therapy sessions.
The Geography of Bliss with Rainn Wilson
I always appreciate authenticity. Rainn Wilson is just an open and honest guy about his struggles to find happiness. In this series, he journeys around the world to learn from others (happy and unhappy) trying to find patterns and themes as to what makes for a happy life. I enjoyed it.
This is DuShaun Branch Pollard and she is a beloved human in my life. She is also a total badass. For years I’ve been watching and cheerleading and stretching with her as she has built a beautiful community centered on liberatory yoga practices.
She is hosting her first retreat weekend! The retreat takes place in Wisconsin from September 29th to October 1st. A weekend for rest, relaxation, breathing, and dreaming.
Everything DuShaun touches is magic so if this sounds like something you need, I can’t support it enough!
Learn more here: https://sagegawdcollective.com/retreat
CRAFTIVISM GRANT UPDATE
The Des Plaines Public Library has been hard at work hosting craftivism workshops. You should see the plarn bags they crocheted! I will get a picture so you actually can. I joined them last month to lead a special Craftivism Pride Edition workshop. It was a real heartwarming one y’all. When the crew finishes their stitches I’ll be sure to share. Aren’t libraries the BEST?!
If you don’t have a library card, you should absolutely go get one. Even if you don’t use it (but why wouldn’t you?), it’s an easy way to show support for your community library and ensure the funding keeps on flowing.
Alana, who based on the photos I received, had an AMAZING time at Space Camp. Thanks to YOU, they have enough funding to buy the next round of stickers for their fundraising campaign. You are awesome. Stay tuned. They will go on sale soon.
FREE PATTERN FOR YOU
I can’t stop thinking about the orca’s fucking with ships. I like to imagine they have had enough of humans, over fishing, plastics, pollution, and our general ways. I figure their protest signs would look something like this…
Here’s the pattern if you are team orca.
COOL THING
Just found out that I will be an Artist in Residence at the Chicago Botanic Gardens next summer! It is legit one of my happy places. I am super excited to work with their team to connect the science activism that they do every day to community through art. I’ll have a lot more to share next year but for now I’m just thrilled and wanted to share.
OK! This is the last newsletter before I move back to Chicago. I am thrilled and looking forward to being back in my city and among my community. Wish me luck.
Big Hugs,
Shannon