It's Been Awhile

It's hard to believe it's been a month since the Sauder Quilt Show. Where did May go? We've also enjoyed the East Lansing Art Fair and the Capitol City Quilt Show.  I'll admit, when it was announced, I wasn't enthused about the change in venue to the Summit but the show was beautiful.I think the talent in our Guild just gets better and better.

Here's a photo of my quilt "Leaves Redeaux" hanging at the Sauder show.  I won a 3rd place in the Mixed Media, hand quilting category. At the CCQG show I bought some wonderful hand-dyed fabrics in autumn colors (you'll like them CarolSc and Daisy). There may be another leaf quilt in the future... and I always thought I was a 'brights' person...

On the subject of being open to new things... I have never been a big fan of stack-n-whack quilts but I thought this quilt a Sauder was wonderful! 

Here's another close up shot.  Lots of machine quilting.  Lots of beads.  My kind of quilt!

My sister called me this weekend. Big sale on Jane S. fabric at Michael Levine's in downtown L.A. I told her to buy me a yard and she bought 5!!  She's bringing it out with her in July. Can't wait.

It's been pouring rain all day so no yardwork this evening. No Cubby. No meetings. 

So here I am!

The World Really is Very Small

Can't wait for Spring to really arrive for real.   Trying not to let my mind go crazy about job uncertainties, taxes and all that. But then in the "what do you really have to complain about?"

category, we hear hundreds are dead and thousands are left homeless in the earthquake in Italy.          

 We need to find the sunshine in every day.

The skyline in Florence, Italy.

Everyday buildings there are older than anything we ever see here.

A beautiful land.  Wishing you peace.

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.