The Elusive Coal bucket

In the beginning, the coal buckets were to arrive the end of February.  At the reception the end of February, we found out they wouldn't come until the end of March.  There went our plans to work on it over Spring Break!  March came and went, still no coal bucket.  Finally, a letter came from the SEK Artfest committee explaining they have had trouble with the manufacturer of the coal bucket, and they had to change manufacturers.  Apparently not just anyone makes four foot by three foot fiberglass coal buckets.  This was the middle of April and now the estimated arrival date was the first of May.  So we wait and life goes on.  An email came May 1, announcing: They're coming! They're coming!  I had almost stopped believing in huge coal buckets.  I thought maybe they didn't really exist.  And then we got pictures of them from the factory. They're real!!!!!  There was even a picture of the mold they used to make them!  I tried to post those pictures, but they sent them as a pdf file and they wouldn't upload to the blog.  So you'll have to take my word for it.  The committee promised to tell us when they arrived in Pittsburg. One more email and we were a little closer to getting our hands on the bucket.  They were unloaded on May 8 in Pittsburg, ready for pickup on May 9 and 10th.  Kay and her husband Jeff, picked it up on May 10th and delivered it to our Dad's garage, our workshop for the next four weeks. 

It's here!!!

How are we going to quilt this? 

Front View!  the adventure begins! 

 Next, the work begins! 

The Artist's Reception

 Here Kay and I are at the artist's REception held the end of February.  It was quite the party.  We really didn't know what to expect when we went.  There were a lot of people there, all the artists that had been chosen, the SEK Artfest committe, underwriters of the project, and the press. There was wine, cheese, fruit, cookies and cupcakes. We felt a little overwhelmed. 

 There were placards on the table highlighting the artists who have been chosen.  Here is our picture and bio.  We found out that night that the coal buckets would arrive around March 22.  Don't we look excited?  We had to have our picture taken by a professional photographer that night too.  Lorri couldn't make it so it was just Kay and I. 

 We don't have an underwriter yet.  The mystery continues. Below  is a drawing of what the coal buckets will look like. 

 The SEK ARt Fest committe held a short presentation outlining the plans and congratulating the artists.  We were in such talented company.  Did I mention we felt a little overwhelmed?  They also had a slide show introducing all the artists with a sample of their work.  Ours featured one of Kay's quilts.  it was really exciting.  We visited with a couple of the other artists, and went home anxiously awaiting our coal bucket.  The adventure continues! 

Next,  sneak preview of the coal buckets!