And They're Off!

At 9:20 this morning the intrepid travelers took off from E Lansing. It was zero degrees here; let's hope the weather is kind to them the rest of the way. Packing, except for delicate things like Irene's guitar and laptop were packed on Friday. After the talk of taking the crockpot and sewing machine, etc., I really expected the van to look like Murphy's closet. I expected it would be hard to close the doors but it really wasn't that bad. Congratulations ladies on your restraint.

 

It was a bit of a challenge getting both bikes on the bike rack but I'm sure they'll be old pros in no time. You may notice that Herman the road possum is taking his own companion, Marijo the Sock Monkey. Pretty progressive of Jan to allow him to bring a 'friend' of the opposite gender.

 
Off they go.... We'll have to start watching for posts from the road. I'm proud of you Jan for following your dream. And what a wonderful friend you are Irene for helping Jan's dream become a reality.

It's all in the family

It's been really wet in California. Here are a couple of pictures from my sister in Los Angeles. There is a cement trench that "directs" the L.A. River where to run around the city. We have walked my sister's dogs along the walking path when the river was just a trickle and you can see the bottom of the river, ducks paddling, turtles, etc.  Not this week!

These pictures were taken at the beginning of the week. There is another round of storms expected today.

Here are Chris' latest quilt creations. When it just keeps raining, you have to stay home and keep dry. (In between mopping up muddy dog prints) Good time to quilt.

Here's what she has to say:

Main fabrics came from "Quilted Angel" in Petaluma, CA. My husband Raul and son Isaac were on a post-Christmas road trip. Got a call from Isaac who said, "Dad's on his hands and knees looking at fat quarters, he wants to talk to you." Afterwards walking through the store Raul heard murmurs of, "What a nice man.....My husband would never buy fabric..."

 

Quilternity and Music eternity

Hooray! My birthday fabric has finally arrived. Last year between Christmas and New Year's, I ordered fabric from From Here to Quilternity. I hadn't thought about it again until Cyndee sent me a link to their 35% off sale. I couldn't resist. I think some of these fabrics will find their way into Bonnie's quilt along.

I am so easily influenced. Ruth has been so happy about her new piano, (can't wait to see it next week at Block Exchange) that I got out some of my old piano music and have actually played a few times in the last couple of weeks. This old standby was one of my recital pieces when I was a kid. The notes written in pencil marks are from the time Ian thought he would learn the piano but was soon on to other things. What really got to me though was the copyright date: 1964. It seems like an eternity ago but since I started taking piano lessons when I was nine years old, this was probably a new piece of music then! Ouch! 

Snowy Sunday

Find one old infant play mat in the closet.

Add an afghan from the sofa to make a tent for a 3 year old.

After the 3 year old goes home, add one jealous old yellow lab (sorry the picture is not better, had to grab it when I could.)

Saw this canvas at World Market. On Bonnie's blog, she mentioned a trend toward lighter quilts. Maybe this has possibilities as a future project.

Classes officially started yesterday at LCC. Good thing I didn't wait until Monday to log in. My first online assignment is due by 11:59 pm tonight!  Here we go again!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to Me! My Valentine quilt is back!  It was not lost or stolen as previously supposed.  It was in the dungeon of my basement. Each year it seems there is one bag of wrapping paper, ribbons, etc. that just kind of get shoved into the basement to be sorted out "later". This morning I decided that THIS YEAR I would carefully sort through the leftovers and file them in their appropriate location, ribbons in the ribbon box, gift bags with the other gift bags... anyway, I was rewarded for my efforts. There was a Target bag in the bottom of the bag I was sorting into and in it was the valentine quilt "Hot Lovin" that I thought was gone forever. Yay! 

Look, look! A clean  horizontal surface. Now I won't knock fabric, DVD's, rulers and other assorted items onto the floor when I machine quilt.

I bought this cutting table at JoAnn's a couple of years ago. Love it! This is just half. The other side folds out for almost 8 feet of cutting/basting space which until last week was impossible because there was fabric and blocks for 3, count 'em 3 quilts stacked on top. Parts are now all in their own plastic bags (Carol Sc) and I have my table back.

Now if I can just find space for my new IPOD dock. Might have to move some fabric. Oh Nooooo!

New Projects for 2010

Today, I plan to spend time digging out my studio.  Working on last minute Christmas projects and using it as a Christmas present wrapping center have left it a little disheveled. Now it's time to get back to normal (we all have our own degrees of normal). Mine is nowhere near immaculate or perfect but if I can find my tools without digging TOO deep, then I'm happy.

I received 3 new books for Christmas full of inspiration for new projects. What about those UFO's? They'll keep. 

My sister sent my this book on Woven Quilts by Anna Faustino. The first projects start out with simple(!?) basket weave. Other projects combine bits and pieces of different woven pieces with added applique and embellishments - right up my alley.

I gave myself a present of Skinny Quilts and Table Runners II edited by Eleanor Levie. It includes small quilts by favorite designers including two of my personal favorites, Sue Spargo and Frieda Anderson. A good way to try new techniques in a small doable project. (Fewer UFO's)

Beyond the Block by Johnson/Wells combines different elements and block sizes to create visually exciting quilts. I've been pondering trying out more creative settings and it's given me ideas for ANOTHER new quilt. Maybe I could use some of those UFO's as a practice project.

Here's looking to a creative 2010. Try something new.

Step out of your box. 

A Jazzy Little Christmas

I have a ticket to "A Jazzy Little Christmas" performed by the MSU Professors of Jazz that I will not be able to use. It's on Saturday, December 19th at the Pasant Theater. If anyone would like the ticket, please let me know. There is a possibility of a second ticket available also.

Update Fri 12/11. Looks like the tickets are taken.  Enjoy!