One Block at a Time

I finally took down the Christmas Quilt and put up my GASP "Where's Lucy" quilt. This quilt was an ugly fabric challenge from 2007. I won the blocks and created this retro looking quilt. It actually looks kind of cool against my terra cotta livingroom walls.

I've been working on Block Exchange Blocks. I've challenged myself to get one done each week. Yeah, I know there are some over-over achievers in the group but I'm not judging myself against others. I'm trying to do what is comfortable for me.  This is Bonnie's block.

Here is Roxie's block.

Here is Jan's block. I guess my cell phone camera was still in shock from the orange walls in the first shot. This is actually brown and cream.

Cubby had his first ear infection recently. We feel VERY lucky that he's only had one, unlike his mother and his uncle who spent hours and hours in the pediatric after hours clinic. He made up for it in intensity though and blew his eardrum. Here he is after the doctor, asleep at the table. He couldn't even eat his favorite nuggets and fries. He's doing much better now after a round of antibiotics (free at Meijer).

 

A Year Already!

A year ago this week I was in Florence, Italy. Hard to believe the time has gone so fast! Even though it was January, the weather there was nothing like we're having here this year. The temperature was 50-60 degrees, sweaters and jackets and lots of walking.  Plenty warm enough!

I think I remember hearing our new president comment on how young America really is. Babies compared to Italy and the ancient civilizations that existed there. Florence is a Renaissance town. You can just picture Shakespearian characters walking down the narrow streets. Fantastic wine, unbelievable art, incredible architecture. Impossible to see and grasp it all in one visit. 

This boar has a very happy face.  He gets lots of love.  See his shiny snout?  The story goes that if you rub his snout, someday you'll come back to Florence.  I hope so!

Happy New Year

It's hard to believe it's 2009 already!  Seems like we just turned the new millennium yesterday! I had a few extra days off over the holidays and Cubby and I braved the cold to go the park in Delta Mills near Linda's. The slides are pretty high and open so we went down together. Lots of giggles and laughs. Cubby is wearing his monster hat. He's been feeling all of his terrible two's lately so the hat is quite appropriate.

 
My sister has been calling for a week to find out "is it Christmas yet?" With the snowy weather and first my mom sick and then my dad sick, we hadn't gotten together to have our Christmas. It finally all worked out this weekend and we got together to open presents including the ones that had been sent from California. My presents included tiger eye beads and wonderful silver african animal charms so I guess there is going to be another quilt in the works. 

Mom, Dad, Liz, Ian and I also went to see the Seuss exhibit at Saper Galleries.  Ted Geisel created much more than just the books I grew up with. The show was wonderful and we had great fun talking about our memories reading the stories together.

Saturday night my mom had her first Mystic Shake experience. Dad was still a little under the weather so mom and I went to Cappuccino Cafe to hear the band. Irene joined us there and we all had time to catch up with holiday happenings.

Holiday Spirit

Cubby's been into cookin' lately.  At first he was content with just the pots and pans. But then he realized that it was much more fun if there was actually food to cook.  Imaginary food is much easier for grandma to clean up.  When he cooks bananas and gold fish and crackers and whatever else he's fast enough to grab, grandma actually has to wash the pots when he's done. (Note the hat from Halloween). - especially when Gennie tries to help with the clean up.  I suppose I could teach Cubby to wash his own but that would involve water and soap bubbles and a whole new set of challenges.

Last night, Cindy and I braved to cold to go see Jen Sygit and Friends at Stage 1210 in Old Town. Lots of friends, music and singing. It was excellent. I came home still in the spirit and sat in front of my Christmas tree listening to my new Songwriters Anonymous CD and handquilted until after midnight. The quilt behind the tree is a block exchange from one of my first years in the group, could it possibly be 1992? It's still a top but I hang it up anyway.   

These are Gorham crystal angels from Germany that my parents bought me many, many years ago. I don't feel like it's really the Holidays until I get them out each year. They absolutely sparkle in the light from the piano. These may be the last pictures from my cell phone. Santa might be bringing me a new camera and I'll be able to take real pictures, we'll just have to wait and see...

Quilts Not Snow

Unlike several other blog postings today, mine does not include that white stuff that started yesterday and won't quit. Coming home from work tonight was a challenge. I passed several fender benders at 20 mph and was very grateful  I made it home in 40 minutes, double my usual time and up my steep driveway intact. I read Frieda Anderson's blog tonight and she talked of her love of trees. I guess I've found my niche in leaves. There are so many ways to express leaves in quilting. This is the quilt I started at the Retreat by the Lake.

Here is a view of a block exchange quilt. The blocks were dated 2001. I guess it's about time it became a top. I'm planning Jane Sassaman LEAF fabric for the border. Could be wild!

Linda has posted this music quilt on her blog but I like the way the light hits it hanging over the rail. OK, new skill. This is the first time I've inserted a link into by blog. What's next? Slide shows, music. I feel like I'm way behind but one step at a time. 

About Time

I thought it was about time I put some quilts on my blog. Last weekend a group of us went to the Quilt Retreat By the Lake.  You can see my latest quilt tops on Linda's blog. The long weekend was WONDERFUL!!! and provided quality uninterrupted time with fabric, friends and food (of course)!

Here are two quilts that have already gone on to new homes:

This is my circle quilt from the Mary Bajcz workshop: Drawing with your Rotary Cutter. "Let the Sunshine In" would have been a good quilt for the Quilt A Song Challenge currently on display at the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame but this quilt has gone to a silent auction for the Women's Center of Greater Lansing.

This is the back of Cubby's birthday quilt. It's a companion fabric to the front. I had originally planned to give it to him on birthday #1 but he got it on #2. How did he get so big so fast? I've already started collecting fabric for his next quilt. It's horses and cowboys but don't tell him!

This is the front of his "Transportation" quilt. The vehicles (his favorite fire engine is in the middle) were a printed panel but not printed straight on the grain. Using the "twist and turn" method let me get them all included without going crazy and gave the quilt more visual interest.

Thursday am I'm off to visit my sister for her big birthday. I'll be looking for beads for my newest leaf quilt top which I finished at the retreat and probably some Jane S fabric since it's easier to find on the west coast. No matter what we do, it will be fun to celebrate and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather with my sister.

Happy Halloween!

Cubby wasn't into this thing called Halloween. He thought he was going to see the ducks. "Where are we going? The ducks are that-a-way!" Bib overalls and flannel shirt and farmer John hat. Next year I'm sure he'll definately tell grandma what he wants to be for Halloween!

We stopped to see Cyndee. The weather was so nice she was out on the driveway handing out treats.  Not like last year when we were all bundled up in the rain!

We hit a few more houses along the way. Eileen was on the road with her crew and Daisy and Carol weren't around so we didn't get to see them. One house had someone on the porch playing the accordion which fascinated Cubby . Cubby kept trying to take his treats out of the bag and give them away. I'm sure he'll have other ideas about that topic too by next year. When we got to Ruth's, he was more interested in the Ghost Dogs (see the glowing eyes in the door!) than the candy. We got back to Grandma's and played with puzzles until after 10pm. What a night!