A Very Special Shawl

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:28 PM

I believe WYSIWYG has some thoughts in mind for monatary contributions and how to handle them.

Several people have mentioned materials they are willing to contribute as well - That needs to wait a bit while we get confirmation on allergies and preferances or lack thereof, and figure out a colour scheme - unless we go patchwork quiltish - which would make the circle idea hard and also the music.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:31 PM

BTW - I would think a lovely addition to this would be to print out the various threads (not necessarily this one - but the Open letter one, and the "influence" one might be good choices) in some format and put them in a notebook for Heather.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:32 PM

PM $$ queries to me. Prefer not to have that hashed out in a thread Heather is likely to see at some point, eh?

(Clones remove this post eventually?)

~Susan

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:33 PM

Songs for Heather via MP3 on CD-ROM?

~S~

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:35 PM

Please count me in as well.

I'd like to contribute, but am very short of funds at the moment.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Amos
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:41 PM

ABsolutely count me in! Look at this thread!! Wow!!


A

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: KathWestra
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 03:41 PM

Wonderful, special idea. Thank you Susan. Thank you Leo. Count me in.

Love the idea of lush fibers, Leo! Alpaca? Silk? That will have to wait on the allergy answer, though.

Love the idea of it being one of Rick's songs, Kat. My other thought was Jerry Rasmussen's "Handful of Songs," which Rick sings so beautifully on his "Lifeline" CD. That's a strong Mudcat connection, too. (It's not what you leave, it's the joy of remembering. All I can leave you is a handful of songs.")

Love the idea of it being a circle.

Let us all know about the money thing.

What a community this is!
Kathy

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Barbara
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 04:36 PM

And me too. Let me know what is needed.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:22 PM

Just a word on colors...

Those of us with who used to have brown hair, brown eyes and medium skin...we look AWFUL in light gray (grey). Sorry, Sorch, but it's a fact. As my hair turns gray, I find that I wear more gray, but it's a dark, charcoal gray.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:35 PM

Me too!
I like the circle design better (I just like abstract designs), but Heather may like the notes. I don't think she's allergic to anything except certain metals - no fibers that I know of.

Hmmmm...shawl by MMario, yarn by Carly, perhaps?
I think this is a wonderful idea.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: DonMeixner
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:49 PM

Count me in too. Flowers are a nice touch, their garden was special.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:52 PM

I'm for the circle, too. But something else could be done with the tunes idea- a friendship quilt? I'd make a square (but don't ask me to put it together!

What a wonderful outpouring of love here! I'm not even a little bit surprised!

Allison

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: sian, west wales
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:54 PM

I'm in, whatever is decided.

sian

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Giac
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:56 PM

What a wonderful thing! I'm in too, please.

Mary

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 05:59 PM

In speaking with Alba, today, she said there was a certain piece of artwork which came to mind because of this thread. I think this is the one she had in mind: blue clicky thing...I think it is beautiful and personifies the love and caring in this thread and the others. It is so appropriate that we speak of "threads" when "weaving" our love and concern for one another.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 06:02 PM

By the way, Leo-et-al, as one who had a similar loss not six months ago, and received a beautiful shawl just two months later, I would advise to keep it fairly simple and get the shawl to Heather as soon as possible, while it's still cool up north, while her pain is still raw and she needs extra warmth inside and out.

Of course, on the other hand, summer evenings are cool, too, and the months go by and the phone calls and cards dwindle, and you still need reminders that you are loved. So it would work either way!

I'm filled with love for this wonderful community!

Love,

Allison

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: annamill
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 06:56 PM

Please be so kind to include me in this wonderful project. Please let us know how we can help with expenses.

I know Mario will create this shawl with lots of love.

Thank you Mario.

Annamill

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST,LilyFestre
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 07:35 PM

What loving, thoughtful idea! Count me in too please!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: JennyO
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:30 PM

Yes please, I would like a warm hug from Oz to be woven in to Heather's shawl.

Count us In

Love from Jenny and John

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:38 PM

That's a good point, Animaterra.

Not to make too much work for Leo, but I had another thought...maybe those who want to could also commission him to make some other shawls for other Mudcatters who are still with us, yet going through some pretty rough times? I can think of three, right now, whom I would love to wrap up in a Mudcat inspired shawl, too. Maybe others could help in the making AFTER we take care Heather.

just a thought,

kat

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:50 PM

From a mathematical point of view, as interesting as a circle will be, the VOLUME of work involved is much greater, assuming the diameter of this circle is large enough that when the shawl is folded it stays put over her shoulders with the extra length down across her chest. Contrast this to a rectangle of the dimensions to go around the shoulders and stay in place because of the weight down the front. If you want this to get to the party of the first part sooner rather than later, a simple and elegant rectangle design might be best.

I really like the suggestion of a dark charcoal gray. It goes with everything. But I still have a few skeins of yarn here if you want to do a crazy-quilt kind of shawl.

SRS

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: MMario
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:50 PM

PM WYSIWYG re $$

kat - - re: shawls for those still with us that could use one - I have one almost ready to go in the auction;another one is under construction. Coalitions can always be formed to bid on a shawl in the auction and then designate it for someone else. Sort of double duty...

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: open mike
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 10:11 PM

perhaps heather could be asked what she would prefer...
if she is not likely to wear a shawl but might be comoforted
by having a lapwarmer or bed-top small throw instead
---it could still be circular. and i think of heather as
inb the pink/purple family of colors...

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 11:15 PM

I'm in. Mike.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: LadyJean
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 11:20 PM

When I'm done knitting my bit, where do I send it?

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 11:26 PM

I sent one of MMario's shawls, a light weight one (can also work as a table runner) to Barb'ry at christmas, since I was her Secret Santa. It was very nice to be able to send her something of particular importance within the Mudcat community that also benefitted Mudcat itself. And she had met Leo during the year, adding another interesting level to the gift.

Handmade gifts, like Live Music, are best!

SRS

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 12:10 AM

knit me in there somewhere. I'm an old yarn-spinner you know.

thanks for the beautiful idea MMario, wys et al

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 12:29 AM

I can testify to that, LeeJ!:-)

Mmario, that's an excellent idea! Anyone who is interested in joining in on a coalition bid for a shawl for anudder Mudder, please PM me when Mmario adds one to the auction.

I haven't looked at pix yet,but I think the necklace I amde for Heather was with black onyx and malachite (green). I will double-check, though.

kat

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 12:35 AM

You are all quite wonderful. Lots of lovely PMs too.

I was just looking at Mudcat Photos. Heather is in there (Duckboots); one might assume she's wearing colors in them that she likes?

The last of the pix to load has Rick, shadowed, behind her, barely visible himself, peeking out from over her shoulder as she sits in full sun grinning like... a grin. I'm going to freeze that image on my mind: Rick always near her, and her grinning like that, knowing it, sitting in light.

~Susan

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 12:36 AM

Leo and Susan, please count me in.

Seamus

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 12:42 AM

me, too
-joe-

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 01:41 AM

me, three

thanks much for this

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Chris Amos
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 01:44 AM

Count me in too please.

Chris

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: C-flat
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 02:39 AM

lovely idea,
me too.
C-flat.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 03:59 AM

Lovely idea, Susan
RtS

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Partridge
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 04:01 AM

Me too

Pat x

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 04:16 AM

and me.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: mooman
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 04:43 AM

Please count me in as well!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Pseudolus
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 08:49 AM

I'd love to be included in this if someone who only knew of Rick from his posts here can participate!! It defies all logic to be this sad from the passing of someone I've never met face to face...but then logic hasn't always been a strong point...

This is a great idea.....

Frank

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 08:55 AM

Please if Anyone knows if Heather has allergies to any fiber or (for example) detests mohair or some other fiber please let us know.

She mentioned to me she doesn't normally CHOOSE blues for herself - but is told it is a good colour on her.

Kat mentioned black and malachite. (this could be really striking!)

Purples/pinks have been mentioned.

SRS has a skein of variagated that is blues and purples with gray.

the "artiste" in me leans towards the black/malachite - other opinions?

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Tinker
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:10 AM

I somehow "see" this loving creation draped on the Victorian couch. Now I was only there for 5 minutes, and I wasn't focused on decor, but I'm remembering burgandy and gold.... Jeri, can you help me here???

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:16 AM

Not that I have ever been accused of having taste, but Mario....Go with the "artiste" in you.......It is a striking combination.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:20 AM

it would go better with burgandy and gold then would purples, pinks or blues...(to my eye at least)

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:22 AM

I know the room well, and the general nature of the home. MMario, you are an artiste. Just go with your instincts, it will fit well. Your black and malachite would be just fine. And remember, it is the love that will keep her warm.

Go with your instincts,

Mick

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:36 AM

Mario, I know you and that you want all to be happy with your choices so I know we all appreciate you keeping us involved. At this point however, Big Mick is dead nuts on (and if anyone is an expert on dead nuts, it's Mick).

You are the artiste here and we will ride with your judgements.....It's the love that matters. Get on with it.(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:39 AM

Several of you have mentioned that you knit or crochet or weave.... Sounds like an ongoing activity could be a group who does these for people among us in need of one. A lot of local communities in our area have a ministry like that for fire victims.

My paw in law (Stanley) got a wonderful gift from his church's Prayer Blanket Group. I think they make a macrame kind of lap robe.... the group meets to work in the piece together and as it is tied, each knot is prayed over for the recipient, and prayed into the piece as an offering, in specific as regards their situation. He's a bit of a southern fella, raised in churches where "covered in prayer" or "covered by prayer" has a specific meaning, although he's a farily dignified Episcopalian now.

Anyway, this very tough old bird sheds tears (finally) when he holds it and tries to talk with my maw in law about whether he will ever be able to come home again... Hip surgery rehab seems to indicate he will not, and he has never had a culture of exressing deep feelings.....

I mention this just by way of illustrating how very powerful a symbol something is when we can hold it in our hands and focus on the amazing abundance of love it conveys.


I want to thank the many who have PMed about the $$ side. This idea-- call it a bandwagon-- was built, rolling, and broadcasting in the space of about 15 minutes and knowing MMario's generous heart I never thought about costs for materials, but of course you Mudcatters are..... well, you're Mudcatters, and you've filled in the gaps in our ideas quite marvelously, making this your own idea as well, and I appreciate the spirit in which you've all jumped on a fast-moving bandwagon! I am opening a special bank account and should have details by end of week or early next. Clearly there is enough support in the offing to reimburse MMario to go ahead and get what his hands crave to fashion into our gift to Heather.

And $$ participation IS NOT REQUIRED-- it's about the connections, OK???? A few folks have indicated they can cover more than their "own" share, so DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. For this project, the more people, the better, and it's the names and hearts that will make the impact.

~Susan

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:40 AM

I think,with Heather's colouring, black and malachite would be lovely although as my grandma is wont to say, anything suits a fair face.Go with your instincts,MMario and bless you for doing this.

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:43 AM

The "Rick Fielding Memorial Revolving Hug and Comfort Shawl Consortium"?

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 09:53 AM

Fielding's Fiber Fashions???????????????

Think we better have Spaw name it, dear! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: A Very Special MMario Shawl
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 10:16 AM

If perpetual guests can stand up and be counted, please count me in.

Claire