In the Beginning

Work on this Project began three years ago on this day, but the reason for it began sixty-four years ago...for it was on this day in 1952 that my late husband, Howard, was born.  His diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, sometime seven years later, changed his life, his family's life, and the life of all who would come to know and love him in the future.

The MOB Project was a way I was able to work through some of the impact of his life -- and his illness and death -- on my own life, but that impact is not erased by the Project's creation.  I still witness that impact in my own life, and in the lives of my children, and I have no doubt it will be felt for generations to come.

There is more than one way to leave a legacy, and T1D's mark on the 'bodies' it touches is part of that.

The debut exhibit at the Lacombe Memorial Centre was taken down November 16, but the work goes on.  Two MOB II squares have arrived in the days since, and will eventually be finished so they can hang with the rest.  There are more squares "out there" which I hope will find their way to me in the coming months...And there are a couple of opportunities for showing the work in the new year that I hope to pursue.

The book that accompanies the Project remains for sale online at Blurb.com, and there's a few dozen copies sitting in a box in my back room for anyone who'd like to purchase one directly from the author.  Signed, of course! ;-)  There are a few more dollars from book sales to send to JDRF and CDA later this week.  In all, just over $425 CAD has been raised, divided between the two organizations: one for research (JDRF) and one for education (CDA).

Posts from here on in will be few and far between, but I've decided to keep this blog going for the foreseeable future, posting any news as it comes along.

Thank you, Gentle Readers, for your love, support and encouragement over the past three years.  You have no idea how important you've been, enabling me to see this Project through.  Together I'm sure we've played our part in the important work being done to understand, treat, prevent and cure T1D...and, perhaps, to have an impact on Type 2 as well.  Bless you all!

This Project is dedicated
to the memory
of
Howard Martin Blank
November 29, 1952 - August 9, 2006
Always in my heart.

October 10 - Preparing for an Installation III

Ten days.  That's all that remain until Mark on the Body is hung in the second floor open gallery space at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

Ten days.  I can hardly believe it.

And yes, it's ready to go.

The MOB III stump socks have been stuffed.

The MOB II squares -- 27 and counting -- have been assembled into a mobile. (Below is a sample; we're going to spread them out a bit at the actual exhibit so they'll be more visible.)

MOB II: Making My Mark

And MOB I is now complete.  Here it's hanging in the only spot available in my house to show it in its entirety -- over my bed:

That's definitely a better view than I gave you in my last post, eh?

Posters have been sent to and put up by various friends and neighbours -- in the local post office, churches, store fronts, pharmacies, libraries, quilt shops and doctors' offices.  Postcard invitations have been sent to "my" galleries, friends, family members, JDRF and CDA offices and at least two researchers at the University of Alberta, where some of the finest research into the origin, treatment and cure of T1D is happening.

My speech for the Opening Reception has been written. (I'm used to public speaking but need prayers I won't collapse over that one, okay?)

Meet the Press...

Publicity is beginning, too.

There's been at least one radio 'spot', and the newsprint is starting.  First up was the publication of the poster image in The Chautauqua, a locally-produced newspaper that serves all the mall communities in these parts.  A free publication, it's paid for by advertisers and donors...and has a fairly wide reach.

From The Chatauqua Oct. 7-2016 edition

And now there's been an online tribute...from a friend who lives so far from here that she won't be at the debut...my Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and long-time cyber-friend, Linda Miller.  To read her beautiful post about this project, please click HERE...and then read her other posts and take in her fine artwork. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you, Linda.  Thank you, all my SAQA friends and colleagues who've contributed your time, your stitching, your encouragement and your dollars.  Thank you Lori, and Anna, and Gwendy, and Andrea, and Shawna and Shirley at The Shop.  Thank you Terry and Laura at the libraries.  Thank you Karla at the Post Office.  Thank you Caroline at Homespun Seasons and that other gal, the one who owns Wildflower Creations.  Thank you Deb and Denise and Andrea and Gracie at "my" galleries.  Thank you Lee at St. Cyprian's, Lacombe.  Thank you, Beth at The Chautauqua.  Thank you to all who've bought books online because you can't get here to see the exhibit in person.

There are many more people I could, should, and will thank -- but you're all in the book's Acknowledgments...

See you at the Opening, eh?