Remember when PaperGirl was slavishly, devotedly, unabashedly picture-free?

Though I still place high value on the writing part of blogging and have always treated PaperGirl as a place to like, practice scales, it’s clear that I have been allowing images to infiltrate the posts of late. I quote Rilke when I say: “You must change your life.” I quote Rilke also when I say: “I’m sorry, did you say I have leukemia? Cough, cough, gaaaaah, fascism, Mussolini, beer, beer, Switzerland.”

I used to give everyone a nome de guerre, too, without exception. But then I had to write about Charles and I needed … Read entire post

I make the quilts, you know.

I finished several projects at WiWi this past weekend. These quilts will either be featured on my little show Quilty, in the Quilty magazine that launches in May, or on Love of Quilting on PBS, or in the Love of Quilting magazine. So it was work, technically, that I was doing. You know, patchwork. Get it? PATCHWORK?

First, an action shot:

Now that is some hot quilting action. Note glasses and intent focus. It paid off because:

There was another quilt top finished that I’m waiting to post, … Read entire post

I’m in Wisconsin.

I came to the Island because Tuesday — anonymous valentines notwithstanding — Tuesday from about 6am  to 6pm was a terrible day. Let’s just say it involved an attorney. Let’s just say it involved dashed expectations. Let’s just say the Chicago streets were too cold to have forgotten my red mittens at home and on top of it all, the girl at the rental car place had crazy eyes that weren’t funny, just real, real sad. Who can blame her? She works in a parking garage and wears two Claddagh rings. Two.

The Island (or “WiWi,” for those dedicated … Read entire post

I said I was going to make a mystery valentine and give it to someone, remember? From yesterday?

This morning I woke up before the sunrise, made my tea — Earl Grey with plenty of sugar and milk please thank you very much — and made some art. Here is one of the valentines I made that will go, unsigned, with a box of chocolates, to the staff of an office that I frequent. I know who to give it to so that it will be delivered mysteriously.

For the first time in perhaps ever, I am genuinely enjoying Valentine’s Day. An … Read entire post