Eyfells and Eyfells: Jóhann Eyfells

If you travel the 290 Corridor from Johnson City to Fredericksburg, you will see

off to the north the creative works of Johann Eyfells.  We have travelled that

route many times and we haven't stopped in yet to visit with him.

During the recent Hill Country Film Festival, there was a 

film about Eyfells--but we attend another film at the time--wish they

would show these important films again.

I was pleased to see some of his work at the Kerrville Arts Center when

we visited last week.  

Johann has exhibited throughout the world

and we are happy he's close to our summer home.

Johann Eyfells 

 He began his abstract sculptures in the 60's based on his experiments in chemistry and physics, utilizing the various transformational properties of metals, especially aluminum, iron and copper. He calls his work "receptual" based on his concept of receptualism, a theory he developed to explain the essence of his work.

Quilts of Valor Mystery

Today marks the day that Alycia begins her Mystery #6!

You can check out her website to get your bearings and

find out the fabric requirements--I bet you, though, it will

be red, white and blue!

Alycia does such wonderful work with Quilts of Valor--

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

You will find patterns on their website as well as on Alycia's.

I met Alycia many years ago while I spent my summers in Colorado--

at the time I didn't know about Quilts of Valor, but my life

has become enriched with the opportunity to sew for these brave patriots--

my one small chance to make their life richer though the warmth of

a quilt!

Happy Birthday to US!

Today would have been my dad's birthday --he was born in a small Missouri town--his history is completely lost!  We know nothing about his upbringing; his WWII experience (as he didn't speak of it), his father or mother's life.  My father died too young, carrying all these things with him.

Sad all this is gone to the ages.

On the contrary, Our country's history is definitely on the books!  Many

good stories are told in the annals of United States History--

Here's a Happy Birthday wish to all those who enjoy our freedoms!

Antique Quilt Blocks

Recently, we walked through an 'antique' shop--

it was a hot day and the shop had AC and we wanted to

cool off before heading out to do more shopping.

 In the back of the shop, draped over a chair was one quilt that took

my eye!  The fabrics and color combinations were so -off-

it made the quilt unique! 

The block is the same!  Just look at the colors and fabric

choices--doesn't matter if it was plaid, stripe or

print--these quilt blocks worked!

Serendipity!  It's always interesting how those spur of the minute

times take you some place special with an opportunity to

get your brain functioning differently!

One Down, No Make That Two!

Why or why did I cut so many of this section for a quilt?

The only good thing is I have three (3) quilts instead of One!

Yes, three quilts!  Goes to prove I should have been measuring

right.

I'm doing one person assembly line sewing!

trying to use up all those middle sections--

just needed to sew 4 patches from 2" squares--

working down that stash bin!

Here we have it--two more quilts!

Same pattern--boring!  Easy to sew though

These will go to church group that is doing collection for Ronald MacDonald House.

Feels good to contribute plus the bonus of eliminating all those

small blocks!!

Make Your Own Patriotic Pinwheel

To celebrate the Fourth of July, make your own pinwheel to show your patriotic spirit for those parades, parties, picnics and firework evenings!



These are so simple to make and a good way to use your red, white and blue fabrics!
check out the suggestions on Pinterest!

WWII Propaganda

There is a fabulous exhibit at the Pacific War Museum, Fredericksburg, TX--besides being a great museum with factual happenings during the Pacific War, they host periodical exhibits pertaining to WWII.  The last exhibit I attended was clothing from 1940's, wrote about this in previous blog.

I found this exhibit to be eye opening!  Did you think that our country would

do propaganda across this country as well as foreign countries?  Well, 

they did!  This exhibit focused on the artist who participated in

designing for the WWII.  Some of the writers and artists I knew about,

but not all.  Here was Jack Campbell--

Who wrote books on Torio Kid--against Japanese citizens--

propaganda is used to influence people psychologically in order to alter social perceptions.

Milton Caniff--

His comics were Terry and The Pirates

During the war, Caniff began a second strip, a special version of Terry and the Pirates without Terry but featuring the blonde bombshell, Burma. Caniff donated all of his work on this strip to the armed forces—the strip was available only in military newspapers. 

Did you ever read Terry and the Pirates in the comic section of

the newspaper?

Everyone knows Walt Disney

Disney also produced several propaganda productions, including shorts such as Der Fuehrer's Face‍—‌which won an Academy Award‍—‌and the 1943 feature film Victory Through Air Power.^[92]

Mickey Mouse was the first cartoon to make Walt famous

He had other comic books that were used for propaganda--

selling bonds

being patriotic with his cartoon characters

And a musical

Reg Manning

At first, Manning's work appeared in several forms in the paper. Although he was interested in drawing comic strips, the popularity of his editorial work led him to focus on editorial cartoons.^[2] His work was syndicated in as many as 170 newspapers

His editorial cartoons were some of the best during WWII

He produced "Little Itchy Itchy"

Arthur Szyk

 Polish-Jewish artist who worked primarily as a book illustrator and political artist throughout his decades-long career. 

His illustration were superb!

And the best part for me was seeing some of the propaganda

ashtrays--an excellent exhibit!!