Life Scraps and Patches

Mending

2012-02-16T08:37:00.003-05:00

On a day like yesterday, which ended up not at all as I'd expected, after plans evolved, I so enjoyed sitting down at the sewing machine last night and mending. I embroidered bicycles to make patches for the knees of Aaron's khaki's, put ribbons around the marks on Nora's little black pants where I'd let down the hems, appliqued hearts on the knee and bottom of her little pants. Making the garments look like they'd been purchased that way. Yes, I'm definitely putting "artful mending" on my new business cards.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T16:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

Journal Quilt Seven

2012-02-13T12:22:00.003-05:00

Our baby quilt group will be making quilts with pinwheels for our March quilts, and I wanted to try out a new technique researched by one of our members. It worked really well, so that's what I'll be using.

In my Monday morning madness, I just discovered my cell phone in the washer. I'm really pretty careful about such things and decided at the last minute to throw in the hoodie that I like to wear over pajamas. Made a special trip to the basement to add it to the wash. Usually I don't even have my phone in my pocket when I'm home, but I have a guest who was still sleeping and I didn't want the ring to wake her.

It's not like I have a jazzy phone, it's many years old, held together with scotch tape, probably one of the last phones that doesn't have a camera. It was so ready to be replaced, just not today. I find the whole phone-buying experience to be intimidating.

Friend of Twelve by Twelve - Metamorphosis

2012-02-12T13:39:00.004-05:00

An online friend and I are being friends of Twelve by Twelve, which means that we are working with their theme and their timeline. Be sure to check out her blog and the Twelve by Twelve blog. The group chooses a theme every two months and reveals their quilts on the deadline, which is today.

The theme this time is "metamorphosis" and the dimensions are actually 12 x 20. In working with this theme I started out with a plain piece of muslin.

I did two sessions of shibori dyeing, sewing little pleats in the fabric, dyeing, removing the stitching, and repeating. It felt important to me to represent metamorphosis by beginning with the fabric. The fabric was larger than the finished piece and cut into two smaller pieces.

For the quilt, I started machine quilting organic lines at the bottom, with the lines getting closer as I got to the top. On the other piece, I free motioned some fairly tight stippling.

I cut circles from both pieces, replacing the circles on the quilt with the ones from the stippled piece to create another element of change. I learned the concept of cutting and replacing from an online class by Dena Crain and it's something I enjoy because I love to cut, at least once I get past that first cut. That first cut is a little heart-stopping in a quilt that already has hours in it.

And then, the beading, starting with small beads at the bottom and the beading getting getting bigger and more dense at the top to represent the metamorphosis. And, there you have it, my interpretation of the word.

By the way, the Twelve by Twelve group will have some of their work at the Cincinnati International Quilt Festival in April. I can't wait to see their work there.

Journal Quilt Six

2012-02-10T19:15:00.004-05:00

Above are bits of a project for a software/embroidery class I'm teaching at the end of the month, table topper and napkin with pretty embroidery. Thread velvet. The embroidery has embroidery on top on embroidery, then it's cut with a seam ripper.

I needed to make a resized sample for machines with smaller hoops, so I decided to make it in block size for this week's journal quilt.

Journal Quilt Five

2012-02-07T08:58:00.004-05:00

Melody Johnson is doing her February Quilt Along With Melody, and like the other years, it's wonderful. This one is like taking a workshop with her, it's extremely generous of her to share her expertise in this way.

The first exercise was a small quilt with a pillowcase finish, so I did the journal size instead without the finish - I do know how to do that thanks to her earlier tutorial. It's pretty interesting that she recommends quilting closely to the narrow lines but not on them. She's figuring that the Wonder Under on hand dyes will do its sticking magic and the little lines won't pop back up.

What I learned: that when you use the scissors feature on the machine it pulls the needle thread to the back of the quilt. I had just never noticed that.

Ice Cube Story

2012-02-06T10:01:00.001-05:00

Seen outside Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church yesterday - Sunday morning - temperature 42 degrees - there's got to be a story here somewhere.

Just So You Know . . .

2012-02-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Newport Pizza Company

Mennonite Arts Weekend

2012-02-03T08:14:00.004-05:00

The following paragraphs are the words of Pastor Joel Miller of Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship about Mennonite Arts Weekend, which is this weekend in Cincinnati. It is such a special time, and I love his reference to "high holy events in the life of our congregation.".

“The artist is a sacrament maker, a creator of emphasized, clarified beauty designed to make us see." Andrew Greely

This quote was cited in the book on Thomas Merton I’ve been reading by XU prof Christopher Pramuk. It’s a nice prelude in these days of final preparation for Mennonite Arts Weekend. This is one of the high holy events in the life of our congregation. The ancient Israelites had their festivals, the Catholics have their feast days, and the Mennonites of Cincinnati have their Arts Weekend. Sustained by the work of a committed committee (there’s probably a reason those words sound alike), hosted and executed by an entire congregation, enriched by artists and art lovers from near and far, this is one of those extra-ordinary times when we experience the goodness of God at a heightened level.

One of the revelations of Arts Weekend is that it places in the center of our religious consciousness gifts that are too often marginalized. The artist is celebrated as “a sacrament maker,” one who not only designs and performs, but one who makes connections between heaven and earth.

The point of it all – “to make us see.” To make a reality more available to our senses than it was before the canvas was painted, before the pot was sculpted, before the movement was danced, before the song was sung.

“Clarified beauty.”

Color Palette Challenge January Again

2012-02-01T15:08:00.002-05:00

I know most of you have seen this before, but I wanted a current post to link to Judy's post for the challenge. January's colors, and February's look wonderful too.

Little Sneak Peak

2012-02-01T13:23:00.005-05:00

Tuesday I went to my sewing group, which I so love. I planned to bead the Metamorphosis quilt and carefully packed everything. Only thing is, I forgot to pack the beads. I glanced in my bag one last time, saw a large white bag and thought, "yep, I've got them." Only my beads were in a purple bag.

There seemed to hope for it except to drive back home and get that purple bag, but the group was meeting near a shopping center and I decided to run into Charming Charlie in the hope of finding some necklaces that I could cut apart.

That's what happened. I found three necklaces, two on clearance, and somehow scored an in-store coupon as well. For $17, I got perfect beads for my quilt, plus lots more, avoided the time and gas for going back home, and got a pair of earrings that came with one of the necklaces. I really like those earrings. And one of the necklaces was made of gold-tone organic circles in three sizes, perfect for this quilt

Not to mention, the beads look better on my quilt than the ones I had at home. Maybe the moral of this story is, shop at Charming Charlie first. Goodness knows, they've got the colors.

Congratulations

2012-02-01T08:59:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Holly and Scott on their baby boy, born yesterday morning.

Got to love this little hat, crocheted by mom.

A Little Decorating

2012-01-31T08:29:00.005-05:00

Every year I plan to decorate for the holidays, brighten things up a little, and I usually don't. This year, though, I'm home most days and I put the decorating on my list of goals. Of course, February seems like a red month, both because of Valentine's Day and because a little red chirks up the gray days.

When I looked through my things I found that I didn't have many red things, so yesterday I worked on a couple of quick items. The little table runner at the top is just a little larger than place mat size and gave me some practice in cutting and piecing curves. Sometimes I just forget about cutting without a ruler.

Then there was the potholder below, which is a January Block of the Month from Craftsy. Craftsy has some online classes, and the Block of the Month is free - if you're interested, check it out. I have to admit that I didn't like this block just because it isn't my style, but with lots of quilting I was happier with it.

Some time during the past year I put together the little quilt below from paper pieced blocks I'd done years ago.

And that should get it, along with a wreath with red berries for the front door.

Artful Mending

2012-01-29T08:02:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, at my house, Nora was wearing a tee shirt from Aunts Sarah and Winnie, made from organic cotton. Petagonia. New. Especially nice.

And it just so happened that Aaron got angry when he had a scissors in his hand (a little scissors from the art box) and snipped a hole in the back. Maybe the real picture was his look of horror when he realized what he'd done. Nevertheless, there was a time out invoked.

I couldn't face sending Nora home with a hole in her shirt, so I asked her to choose a fabric for a bird from the huge scrap tote. A few minutes later she came back with a second fabric, saying that just one bird would be lonely. Below you'll see the new back of her shirt, which will live on to be worn other days.

The picture is pretty true to size. It wasn't a very big snip.

No More Help

2012-01-28T10:46:00.003-05:00

This morning Nora told me that she doesn't need help with the sewing machine any more. That she gets it. And this is true, she does. She will need a little help when she sews with a machine that doesn't have a "scissors" feature and a "foot pedal lowers the presser foot" feature, but for now she's on her own. No more hovering on my part.

Here's her latest art quilt. I'm one proud grandma.

Hard to Tell

2012-01-27T10:45:00.003-05:00

In the January grayness, it's very hard to tell just what color my little quilt is now. Not as red as I wanted but not orange either. Maybe that's part of metamorphosis, not being quite sure of the outcome. Will the tomato be large or medium-sized? Will the butterfly have black ridges? Not to mention the uncertainty of how life might unfold.

I'm thinking of quilting a piece of the fabric in a totally different manner, then cutting out circles in both pieces and exchanging them in the large quilt. I'm pretty sure that's what's going to happen next.

Yesterday I finished my 20th walking workout of the month, which was my goal, with a minimum of thirty minutes each. Sometimes I walked outside, sometimes I followed a Leslie Sansome DVD. Some of those workouts were pretty darn wimpy on my part, but not all. On to February, and I'm allowing myself to roll over extra January workouts into February since it's a short month. Ten thirty minute minimum and ten forty-five minute minimum. With the DVD's, 45 minutes translates to a three-mile walk.

Actually, all my January mini-goals are finished or in process for the ones that are ongoing. I'm happy.

Journal Quilt Four

2012-01-26T11:50:00.003-05:00

A couple of nights ago I sat with a friend at a restaurant table facing the Ohio River. We went early, since I hoped to snag just such a table, and were able to watch the evening come in as we took our time over appetizers, then the entre. We admired the skyline and the church 'way up on the hill. As it started to get dark, a barge drifted by. So, therefore, this journal quilt. The bridge, one of several connecting Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, is affectionately known as the Big Mac Bridge.

Earlier this morning, before I started work on this little quilt, I stitched in pleats for the next phase of the metamorphosis quilt and it is resting in the dye. Orange, not purple, like I planned. As I stitched, I realized that I wanted warmth and changed my plans.

Metamorphosis

2012-01-25T12:55:00.003-05:00

You've may have heard of Twelve by Twelve, the art quilt group who started working together several years ago, each member separately making art quilts with a common theme, then having a reveal at a specified date. Their work is fascinating, and they've published a book and keep a blog. They will have an exhibit at the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati this spring and that's the exhibit I'm looking forward to the most.

I've joined a small online group designed to play along this year and am considering the first theme, metamorphosis. I'm a little intimidated by the process and simultaneously having trouble picturing how this should look for me. With the deadline coming up in February, I've decided to just start and see where I end up.

There are the usual suspects in nature relating to this theme, but I'm starting with the metamorphosis of the fabric and thinking about the life changes that can happen with women. Toward that end, my first step, started last night, was shibori dyeing a plain piece of muslin, sewing in a series of pleats and not submerging the entire fabric for some varigation. My dried piece looks just like I wanted it to. First deep breath.

For phase two, this afternoon, I'll be sewing in more pleats, this time curving upward on the fabric instead of horizontally. When I dye, I'll want enough tint, maybe in light purple, yes, certainly in purple, to cover almost all of the white and deepen the red just a little. More varigation. And then, we'll see.

In between picking out stitches that held down the pleats, I'm making a casserole with mashed potatoes and kale. I don't know why getting a bag of kale seemed like a good idea, when I couldn't find the recipe that called for it, but it did. The substitute recipe, with the mashed potatoes, reminds me of a similar one in More With Less, a Mennonite cookbook, that uses spinach. I really like that one, so I'm hopeful that I'll like this too.

Puzzle Quilt

2012-01-23T19:59:00.005-05:00

This is my interpretation of the Puzzle quilt in Quilter's Playtime. I wanted blues so it could hang in the newly painted bathroom. Because of the curvy border, I did a pillowcase finish - and one of the advantages is that it only takes a few minutes to finish.

I'm pretty darn happy with my curvy seams. Nice and flat. If you're wondering about the little block in the center, second row from the top, it's James of the Thomas trains. Just so happens that (1) his background was the right color and (2) Aaron loves the Thomas trains.

Picture the painted background much more blue than gray and add that saturation to the quilt. The colors are more dull that in real life - the quilt is pretty lively. 14" x 13"

I'm pretty excited, I just ordered a Smash Journal from Amazon. With only one page to go in my art journal, I've been looking for my next journal. From what I can tell, this is sort of like anti-scrapbooking. It comes with a combination pen/glue stick and you can add various things by gluing them down, then smashing the journal together and putting a band around it. Just my kind of thing, I've been noticing that I'm adding more and more little cards or ribbons or fabric bits. My only concern is that the pages are thick enough for watercolors.

Series

2012-01-23T10:10:00.004-05:00

Starting with admiring the the differences between my front-yard pumpkin and my neighbor's gold-sprayed ones, now gone, this pumpkin has generated grandkid conversation. "It looks smaller now." "It feels hard." "It has ice on it today." My hope, of course, is for nature to take its course and pumpkin vines to appear in the summer and a new pumpkin in the fall. A complete nature series. The little green plant to the right is a pansy, my favorite flower because it's so resiliant.

It makes me happy that the art box has become one of the go-to items when the kids come. Having an art box was one of my easy New Year's goals last year. It has paper, crayons, punches, wavy and regular scissors, stickers, the usual suspects, a whole lot of them. Nora decided yesterday to make a book. Aaron's usual fave is the regular punch, which transforms him into a train conductor. I love those moments when the imagination kicks in, it only takes a second.

Here's Nora, not long out of bed, admiring the stapler's strike plate that she decided looks like a face. It truly does - take a look at yours.

Baby Quilt

2012-01-20T19:21:00.004-05:00

For January's baby quilt, the group is doing the Disappearing Nine Patch pattern, which starts out with nine patch blocks, then morphs into something else. There are numerous web sites describing the process if you're interested. This is my result, although there are numerous ways to put the blocks together. I was able to piece the blocks during our sewing session, they go together so quickly.

I like to put together my quilt sandwiches using 505 temporary basting spray or Sulky KK2000. This time I used the Sulky because that's what I had. I put the sandwich together, then went to work out and probably did something else too. When I came back to start quilting, I quickly realized that the spray had lost its tackiness, just that fast. There was some ripping out involved. So, don't do what I did, put in a few well-placed rows of quilting right after spraying.

Now, about labels. I was making labels on my embroidery machine, which was nice, but then I noticed that some people were "labeling" their quilts with a permanent fabric marker. Hmmm, much quicker, and no different than I'd do with an art quilt. I'm going to do that from now on.

Freezing rain is expected tonight, and tomorrow is a work day for me. We'll see how that works out. Just last night I dreamed that I was driving down the interstate when my car started to skid, then it corrected itself and went on. In fact, it's supposed to do that, but I doubt the dream was about the mechanical feature of my car.

I also dreamed that my friend, who is expecting a boy, had a little girl. And two nights ago I had one of those dreams in which I was trying to get to class, late, and was running but getting nowhere fast. When I finally got to class, the professor asked for my assignment, which was a whole binder, and of course I didn't have it.

Perhaps my life is off course and I'm unprepared and not proceeding in a timely manner. And I'm correcting that, perhaps.

I Didn't Forget

2012-01-19T08:30:00.002-05:00

For Sarah's last birthday, in May, she asked for a string of flags, like Tibetan prayer flags, in a bicycle theme. She may think I forgot, and I hope that I got her something else, but I didn't forget, just never got it all together. Once I get the fabrics together, it will be an easy project.

She brought me a chain ring, which will make a good sun print, when there's sun. The discharged piece, in aqua, is too light but I'll do something similar in a darker piece. And I've found some printed fabrics with bicycles, or in patterns that remind me of bicycles. The screenprinted towel is by Brandi Powell on etsy.

So, Sarah, don't give up hope, your flags will be coming. I'm thinking of ten flags, does that sound about right?

Color Palette Challenge January

2012-01-18T15:07:00.005-05:00

I just finished the quilt for Vicki and Judy's January Color Palette Challenge. I have to admit that these aren't colors I would have put together and I also have to admit that I love them. Exactly why I was so excited about taking part in this challenge.

I cut fabrics to make a jelly roll and did the jelly roll race piecing. I had it mind to use it as a worship banner for January, and that's why I went for the fast put-together. Even so, my best laid plans didn't work out and instead I hung an antique quilt in winter colors.

All this is just as well because this will now be used for the church communion table at Mennonite Arts Weekend. It will have a white and elegant ceramic piece on top and will probably go on the table on an angle so some of the piecing shows. I think the simplicity of the pattern will really show off the ceramic piece. Sometimes things just work out as they should.

And then, on February 12, I can still hang this as a banner. It's approx 3' x 6'.

Maybe Tomorrow

2012-01-17T18:22:00.006-05:00

Maybe tomorrow, almost certainly tomorrow, we'll look at the top side of this quilt.

Only the binding to go, and it's already cut out. The quilt is for the Color Pallette Challege for January, and other things, too. I love the 50-wt Aurifil thread for this kind of organic quilting, done with the walking foot and feed teeth up. Every line goes in the opposite direction of the line before, keeping the edges nice and straight.

Journal Quilt Three

2012-01-15T19:39:00.004-05:00

Ok, I know it's not time for another journal quilt yet, but there's a reason. This month in baby quilt group we're working on a pattern called Disappearing Nine Patch. The sewing meeting is tomorrow and I wanted to have an idea of how it would work out.

And now, I do, although there are several things to ignore in this tiny quilt, starting with the green block in the middle that's too big. I cut wrong when I was trying to trim down the block to get it to 8." Then there's the fact the block looks crooked, but that's just my photography. It is, in fact, square. Honest.

Then there's the quilting. Sigh. I tried to free motion using the "headbands" design and it didn't go well. I think, though, that I'm starting to get it. Once I get it, I can start working on making the stitches even. I'm trying to tell myself that my stippling was pretty bad in the beginning too - I know it was. If I practice, and practice, I can do this.

I'm picturing my last little quilt of the year, # 52, with beautiful free motion quilting, totally elegant. Optimism. "Even if I knew that the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." Martin Luthur King.

And one more on King's birthday: "The time is always right to do what is right."

Journal Quilt Two

2012-01-15T08:25:00.003-05:00

I picked up this book at the library in the new book section, pretty excited to see a new quilt book. Then my friend Connie H. brought a copy to lunch on Monday. It's a wonderful resource book and, as the author says in the introduction, "you won't find a Bow Tie block in the bunch."

I tried a variation of the Pogo Stick block on page 142. Each of the blocks has instructions for a 12" block and I loosely adapted this one for my 8" format. Then I tried the Spiral Flower Fill from the July 11 issue of Machine Quilted unlimited.

Not so good on the quilting, but I can see that one of the values of the little journal quilts is just trying different things. I'm trying to decide - do I really need another quilting book. I think I do.

Carrye's Quilt

2012-01-13T11:30:00.004-05:00

My friend Carrye has a quilt in the local Smithsonian Journey Stories exhibit at the Fort Thomas Mess Hall. Both the exhibit and the building are quite cool - more about those later, but today let's look at Carrye's quilt. She's made lots of wonderful things, but this is one of my favorites.

It's called Primary Carrye and is made from a drawing she made of herself when she was in first grade. And somehow, she still has that drawing. Imagine that, she still has it.

And it fits in so well with the "journeys" concept since it represents early days in her life journey. Most of the quilts were more traditional, and it was good to see an art quilt among them. Yay, Carrye!

Finished Now

2012-01-12T08:18:00.002-05:00

During the holiday season, when I was trying to match quilt fabrics, I kept pulling out a piece of blue, thinking "this is just right." The first time this happened I was surprised to find that the blue was part of an unfinished table runner.

The attached tag said Husqvarna Viking Embroidery Club 145, and I vaguely remembered making it, or starting to make it, as a work project. It was originally supposed to be a bag, I think, and I simplified it to a table runner but still didn't manage to get it all quilted. The embroidery was all finished, so I took it to work when it needed to be there, then later brought it home to finish. Sometime. When I checked, the current Embroidery Club is 173, and they come out once a month, so that gives you an idea that "sometime" started a while ago.

The hand dyed squares were quilted, and part of the blue, so lots of blue stippling later, it's finished. I've been thinking about a snowflake table runner for January, but this will let me get the Christmas tree runner put away.

I always enjoy finding a project with hours already put into it, especially when it's a pretty one and easily completed.

Journal Quilt One

2012-01-10T13:22:00.002-05:00

Journal Quilt for January 7, inspired by watching Nora so enjoy her DQ cone. The background is left-overs from the sashing of the quilt I'm currently working on.

And, how long has it been since I've done ANY free motion? Weeks, I'm realizing. In the weeks before Christmas I was doing primarily sewing and embroidery, no free motion at all. And in the weeks before that, a worship banner and baby quilts, once again no free motion. The last time I remember this kind of quilting was in the weeks before the CQAFA Nature Center Show, and that was in October.

This may be one of the gifts of the journal project, getting me back, in small ways, to those things I love.

Lily and Milo

2012-01-09T17:26:00.004-05:00

Note to Sarah and Winnie, owners of Lily the cat and Milo the dog:

I'm not sure how Lucy your dog dog fits into this book series, but I suspect that she might be the author, writing under a pseudonym.

This afternoon I finally got calendars for the year, including a weekly planner. I really love The Sacred Journey: Daily Journal for Your Soul, but it won't be sent to me until around February 1. I've tried just keeping a list of dates, but I need the visual pages to make sense of it all and I was acting stupid about dates. I hate acting stupid.

I planned to come home and cancel Sacred Journey, but I just couldn't do it. It has lovely pages for notes and goals and it has various symbols and explanations. Lots of room for writing or jotting recipes. And it's been reduced $4 more. I'll use the one I got today in the meantime, then use it for something else. Grocery lists, maybe. Lots of ideas for pretty art quilts. This will work.

Great Day

2012-01-08T21:04:00.006-05:00

All during December, when my library was closed for renovation, Aaron asked about it. Was it open yet? Would the trains still be there? Was the gerbil coming back?

And today, with Nora at Aunt Tina's, he asked one more time, and yes, it's open now.

The train table was back, in a different location, and the trains were new. The gerbil didn't come back, but two white mice were in the aquarium.

And, oh joy, there is a new Lego table. Aaron stayed for almost three hours, and at the end of the time, playing Lego's, was happily singing in that way kids do when they're totally engrossed and pleased with their world.

Then there was the obligatory running-down-the-hill-beside-the-parking-lot for several minutes.

And the day got even better when his mom and dad came back from Vegas. Steph called when they were in the neighborhood and both kids were screaming at the window, watching for the car to come around the corner. Absolute happiness.

Tired Tonight

2012-01-07T22:45:00.004-05:00

Really tired tonight after a work day, then a delightful evening of playing dog and train conductor. Planning a lovely sleep with a little guy and a Sponge Bob night light that shines on the ceiling. And wondering, what is it about this little boy and his mechanical abiity. I can do something and he focuses, then he's got it. Is this just what little boys do? Is there really a difference between boys and girls? At age four?

Day Three

2012-01-06T18:15:00.006-05:00

Last night came the hand-off - Aunt Tina has the kids for two days. Then tomorrow night after work, I'll pick up Aaron and Nora will stay with Tina. Both kids are so well behaved in the only-child role. The only-child scenerio was scheduled to begin earlier in the day, but tomorrow is one of my Saturdays to work this month.

I was happy to relinquish my role, and yet today, I missed those kids.

Yesterday after school (Nora's school, Aaron was still in his) Nora and I took the bedspread to the laundromat. The bedspread was a casualty of the sickness earlier in the week. Nora was happy to show me to laundromat ropes since Steph had taken her once when they were temporarily between washers. How to get change. How to put in the quarters. The joy of the machine that dispenses temporary tattoos.

Then we stopped at the DQ before picking up Aaron. Nora chose a vanilla cone and quickly entered the cone zone, feeling the texture with her lips, swirling the ice cream with her tongue. She was all happy and dreamy and contemplated the curl on the top and the cone on the bottom. She became so relaxed.

I really, really, really wished that I'd kept up with technology and had a camera phone. Soon.

We picked up Aaron and he gave one of his new teachers a quick hug. She's a young and pretty brunette, just the type he favors. He was dismayed earlier in the week that his beloved Ms. Judy was gone for a few days, but he quickly became an admirer of Ms. Amber too.

Day Two

2012-01-04T17:47:00.007-05:00

Day Two of Watching the Kids and they were both home sick. Nora was sick to her stomach last night at bedtime and again this morning - she napped most of the morning away. Aaron wasn't about to go to school when she was home, but in fact his belly was upset also.

And tonight, in the amazing manner that kids have, both are better again. Watching a Sponge Bob movie. Steph said they didn't need another movie and I told her I got it more for me. She was skeptical, but oh, I did. The trip to Target was good too. Peace reigns.

At lunch time they wanted chicken noodle soup, which I didn't have. I did have some chicken stock in the freezer, so I heated that and threw in some lasagna noodles that I cut up once they were cooked. Held my breath. Both pronouned it great, and Nora had two small bowls, the first she'd eaten in 24 hours.

My soup didn't have homemade noodles, but I can remember my grandmother making them. Every now and then she'd make lots. Spread a sheet on the unused beds and put the noodles on top to dry and dry. There was a time when I did make noodles in small batches, then gave it up when the frozen ones came long. And then forgot about them.

I'm enjoying the book Make the Bread, Buy the Butter. What to make from scratch and what to buy, based on taste, cost, hassle. Lots of recipes. Including one for pasta. Maybe I'll try again.

Tree Is Down

2012-01-01T17:00:00.009-05:00

I didn't mean to take down the tree yesterday because I wasn't ready to let it go. I meant to take down the outside lights, since the temperature was in the 40's and the wires were soft. Then I decided to put away the Christmas quilts, then the small tree. And then, just the ornaments from the larger tree. And then, everything was gone.

When I was growing up, New Year's Day was the day to pack away the Christmas things, always, not that there were a lot of decorations. It was as predictable as Monday wash day. It was the same with my grandmother, the holly wreath in the window and the feather tree on its table, down on New Year's Day. Always.

If you asked, I would say that's not my tradition, but somehow it is. Somehow it works out that way, year after year. I want the tree up longer, I love it and its lights, and yet . . .January 1, over and out.

I wonder, now, whether it came down on New Year's Day on the Christmas my husband died. Or did I leave it up longer that year. I can't remember, like I can't remember much from that year. I only remember the set of Christmas dishes that I bought. Corell, at WalMart, and I really wanted them, even though my finances were unsure. I bought them, and every year I get them out, and every year I remember the story and every year I debate whether to just leave them in their box. Every year, I get them out.

I have the two lovely poinsettias that I'd like to try to save for next year. Lots of steps involved, but we'll see. I only did it, sort of, one year, when I planted the poinsettia outside in the summer . It grew luxuriously, but the roots spread and when I dug it up it quickly died. Now I know, plant it outside but leave it in the pot. We'll see.

New Year

2012-01-01T08:34:00.007-05:00

Milo and Lucy, who visited during Christmas and added their own exuberance.

But now, it's a new year, and of course I have a long list of goals. I just counted up my mini-goals for January, and there are fifteen. Mini-goals fit into the larger goals, steps along the way to make sure the larger ones get done. Not every goal has a mini-goal.

One I'm especially looking forward to is to set a time away at the end of each month for a check-in of the larger goals. With my new Kindle Fire (thanks, family,) somewhere with Wi-Fi, like maybe Mammouth Cafe, with their lovely egg, veggie sausage/cheese/whole wheat bagel. The check-in.

Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber is doing her Color Palette Challenge with her friend Judy, and I'm going to do that. A new color palette every month, colors I might never normally use. Note the new spiffy button on the side-bar.

When I opened her blog this morning to see if this month's colors were posted yet - yes, I'm eager to see them - I was struck by her yesterday's post. She did a journal quilt every week last year, an ambitious project, then put them together at the end of the year. A wonderful visual of the year.

I think that the older I get, the more visual I get, and I love this idea. Can I add it to the list? My list is pretty serious, and I don't put on things that I won't do, or at least should do.

Yes, I can. Something small, say, 10", which wouldn't be intimidating. Nothing complicated, just a snapshot. Done on Saturday, or by Saturday.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Wrap Up

2011-12-31T08:19:00.008-05:00

This is the holiday wrap-up, back to the usual day-to-day after this. And, I hope that everyone has safe and happy plans for tonight, New Year's Eve. My plans are to eat a good dinner and watch a kid movie with Steph and Mike's family, then be home early. Maybe write a little. Reflect a little. Maybe just go to bed. I hope not, that last one, going to bed, but I know myself.

On Christmas Eve, we met friends at the Duke train display at the Museum Center. We thought it might not be crowded on the day before Christmas, but we were wrong.
We went again yesterday and the entire museum center was incredibly crowded. I'm hoping that people who came earlier just for the trains realized what a treasure that place is.

After a quick lunch, we headed for Covington, where Sarah and Winnie treated us to a carriage ride. It was my first time and was a really lovely family event. To make it all the better, the weather wasn't especially cold. We went by Chez Nora and got to explain to Nora about the restaurant with its name meaning "house of Nora."

Christmas Eve and Steph and Mike's was a blur of wonderful food and lots of gifts. We passed my neighbor's house on the way - they have a count-down clock and it was almost time for Christmas.

We went back on Christmas morning for the Santa reveal, then Steph's family left for Greenville and the celebration there.

Sarah, Winnie, and I came home, decided on a movie, put the previously-made frozen lasagna in the oven, and took off for Newport on the Levee. We met friends for The Muppet Movie, which we decided was a perfect Christmas Day movie. We've done the movie-on-Christmas-Day for several years now. It's so fun to see people happy and cheery and often dressed up in new clothes.

And that's it, the wrap up to a truly wonderful Christmas. The day after was a project day, then came the packing and the good-byes.

Skating

2011-12-30T08:58:00.010-05:00

Steph and Mike treated everyone to a fun evening at the skating rink on the Friday before Christmas. Nora's school has regular skating parties, so she's learned to skate (and got her own skates from Grandma Janice and Pap for her birthday.) And Mike has skated with her at the parties.

For most of the adults, though, it was the first time skating in quite awhile.

And for Aaron, it was his first time, ever. I didn't skate but had a good time watching everyone and taking lots of pictures, most of which didn't turn out well. I don't have a good one of Aunt Tina, sorry, Tina.

Aaron loved the big pretzel and drink that Bridgie got for him. That was a big part of the experience for him.

Aunts Sarah and Winnie - (Sarah's a good skater, to no one's surprise.)

And Bridget's nephew Blake -

Christmas Friday

2011-12-29T08:45:00.010-05:00

Ah, Friday - started out at Krohn Conservatory. Note Winnie's vintage coat from earlier shopping.

The display was different this year, with trains and model buildings throughout.

There was the usual lovely large Christmas tree and the nativity outside. I've heard that one of the sheep in the nativity had a baby a few nights after Christmas.

Afterward we had lunch at Rookwood Pottery, one of my favorite restaurants, and I'm not sure why I didn't take any pictures. Wonderful food, including the Grippo's fries.

And now, the probably-not-to-become-a-tradition, Christmas at Lowe's, with Aunt Tina, Bridget, and Blake.

We were going roller skating, but it turned out that the rink opened at 7:30, not 7:00. And there was . . . Lowe's.

We admired the Christmas decorations and the fire pits

then went on our way without buying a thing.

On These Days

2011-12-28T10:12:00.009-05:00

I've been trying to put it all together, the past week, remember it all. I realize I should have taken notes. I thought it was my advancing age, but Sarah said she and Winnie were discussing just that in the car on their way home and were having the same dilema.

The first day Sarah and Winnie were here, we met Steph at IKEA for lunch. Just so happened that she had an unscheduled trip to West Chester that day, so it worked out to have lunch there. I don't have any pictures, although Sarah has great ones on facebook, but meals at IKEA and shopping at IKEA are such fun. That evening we gathered at Steph and Mike's house.

The next day was a work day for Steph so we went on our way, having close-to-home adventures. The first stops were for vintage shopping on Monmouth Street in Newport. Winnie found a lovely red coat that will show up in pictures later. The pitcher above, way the way, is Bybee Pottery.

Lunch and shopping at Findlay Market. We had lunch from the little Vietnamese restaurant there, where the food is amazing. There was no seating room in the restaurant so we took our food to the big building and found seats there.

Sarah and Winnie found dog scarves and toys at the pet store. Just look at these dog treats - who knew? I was very taken by one of the dog toys displayed and made a similar one when we got home. I have more dog sewing in mind. I mean, did you know, that squeakers for dog toys are available for replacement or new toys?

Churchill Tea Shop, where Winnie found several kinds of decafinated tea from their big selection of loose teas. I don't have a tea diffuser, so she had to wait to try them out at home.

From there we went to the Taft Museum of Art, with their vintage Christmas display. I love that museum, in a former home, on any day, but with the Christmas display it was even better. We've already seen pictures from there. Then we stopped at York Street Cafe in Newport (below) for drinks and an appetizer. It's in a former pharmacy and is so charming with many things to look at.

The last stop was at Sweet Tooth, where we filled up a box with chocolates of all kinds. (The last time Aaron was visiting, he asked twice to go get an ice ball there, but ice balls are a summer only treat, not because I said so but because they're only available during the summer.)

And that was Thursday, a stay-around-home day, all within, probably, a four mile radius.

Leaving

2011-12-27T15:52:00.007-05:00

This morning, the bags were all packed,

then the car was packed, the dogs were ready, and Sarah and Winnie left for North Carolina. And I am sad. The house is too quiet, my world is too small. Christmas, which I so love, is over for another year.

My house is happy, though, because Sarah left behind a lovely blue bathroom,

a front yard without the old, cheap, and yes, ugly bushes, ready for changes come spring,

and a new rod in the dining room for hanging quilts.

Our family had the nicest Christmas, and the best adventures, more pictures to come. Family dinners, a trip to IKEA, Duke Train Display, skating, carriage ride, Krohn Conservatory, Findlay Market, the Muppet Movie, vintage shopping. Not to mention Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with all the kid exuberance.

All things to be remembered and celebrated, but this afternoon I am sad. Maybe, I should have packed up and gone to the sewing group I like so much, but my energy is low. Maybe a trip to the library later.

Presents

2011-12-26T11:50:00.006-05:00

It's the day after Christmas and the gifts have been opened, hopefully, so we'll take a peek. The baby quilt, made from a jelly roll, and burp cloths are strictly utilitarian. The quilt was made to go on the floor, in the stroller where it might drag under the wheels, in the yard. Just used. Put in the washer and dryer and used again.

The quilt above was for my sister. My mother put together the blocks from old neckties at least twenty-five years ago. Well, even more, since she's been gone since 1985. (December 18. My dad died on December 19, years later.) My mother decorated the blocks with wonderful hand stitching.

Then she put them in a box, probably not sure about how to put them together. My first attempt was totally unsuccessful, so back in the box they went. Now, with a walking foot and a big plastic ruler for squaring the blocks, I could be happy. I hope my sister was too, I'm waiting impatiently to hear from her.

The quilt was in the box that was misrouted and spent several days in some town in Pennsylvania whose name I can't remember now. And now you know why I was stressing about it.

Merry Christmas, Everyone

2011-12-24T16:47:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone.
May it be sweet.
May it be at least a little hand made.
May you get something red.

It May Be A Little Too Late . .

2011-12-23T22:01:00.001-05:00

It may be a little too late, in several ways, to get these 5 cent Christmas cards. I wonder how much the stamps were.

Local Christmas

2011-12-22T19:00:00.007-05:00

Dogs at a front yard train display -

Snowmen driving a car -
York Street Cafe -

Best of all -

Vintage Christmas display

At the Taft Museum of Art

Nothing to Show

2011-12-18T08:38:00.002-05:00

Lots being made - but nothing to show - the goose is getting very fat.

And my sister's present, which is very precious, is . . . somewhere . . . in Pennyslvania. I'm a little stressed out about that.

Nora's Party

2011-12-15T21:35:00.005-05:00

Nora had her family birthday party last weekend - the cake was from Aunt Tina

And,
Hello Kitty slippers from Aunt Tina
diary with a lock from Aunts Sarah and Winnie
real roller skates from Grandma and Pap
boots from her Mom and Dad
great purse from Bridgie
water color pencils from Gran B

And Aaron, well, Aaron was happy because there was cake and because there was a little something from Aunt Tina and a Mr. Potato Head Pirate with, guess what, a sword and a hook. Score!

Oh, Christmas Tree

2011-12-13T07:59:00.005-05:00

Truly, grandchildren weren't on the radar when I started collecting Hallmark ornaments many years ago. I was just attracted to the color and the detail and the memories that could be associated with this one or that one.

Now, though, I'm so happy that the collecting went on, when the front door opens and someone says, "there's the tree," followed by the plopping down of both kids and the words, "oh, I remember that one" begin."

And then, the ornaments start coming off. Piles are guarded and there may be a little trading or temporary sadness because the other has the plane or the train or the Snow White witch. And all this time, coats and hats are still on because that's not where the focus is.

I love it all.

Left overs

2011-12-12T08:20:00.004-05:00

Left over pumpkin in my flower bed -

Left over pumpkins in my neighbor's flower beds -

Happy Birthday, Miss Nora

2011-12-11T13:16:00.004-05:00

Miss Nora is seven today. Seven years ago I was sitting in Christ Hospital, rocking her and looking out the window at the snowflakes. Time stood still.

One of my retreat projects was making her this birthday jumper. I've always liked the granola kid look, but this is probably the last of this style jumper that I'll make for her. And that was made possible only by the peace signs and circles in the corduroy, giving it a little more grown up look. That, and the black dress boots that she'll wear with it. In the past, I used an Indygo Junction pattern, but this year I used McCalls 6387 because it came in a larger size.

First grade, and she's turned into such a girl since school started. I remember going to first grade and being much younger than she is, such a little kid. Well, except that I was a fat little kid.

Musical Chairs

2011-12-09T08:16:00.003-05:00

From Quilter's Playtime: Musical Chairs. Without giving away the directions from the book, it involves cutting several blocks and distributing the cut pieces.

One of my friends said that at first it looked like regular little squares to her, and with the Christmas fabric I've chosen, that's true. Still, I like the gentle flow of the patterns, not quite squares. enough patterns plus extras that it's not easy to pick up on the rhythm. I know I'll come back of these directions again.

It's cold in my house, almost winter now. I need to get out my flannel-lined and fleece-lined jeans. I'm trying to stick with the programmable thermostat settings I've had for the past few years, even though I was gone during the day then. We'll see how that goes.

In less than two weeks it's the Winter Solstice, and I love the concept of that moment in time when, in this hemisphere, we start going the other way, toward more daylight once again.

Home Again

2011-12-07T21:18:00.006-05:00

Just finished unpacking from a sewing retreat with seven other women - seven really great, friendly, and creative women. It was amazing what was accomplished during those three days. For just a little peek, check this out. And that was just a little part of it. So amazing - things were carried out today that hadn't even been part of the world on Monday, or at least not finished. That's what I love about creativity.

Can't believe that after the sleepy ride home I've unpacked everything and returned all the many sewing items to their homes. That's better than I do on a normal day.

***I'm realizing that it's kind of hard to see where to click to see the pictures - click on the word "out" in the first paragraph.

No Picture

2011-12-05T09:44:00.006-05:00

A while ago I posted this quilt, saying that I wasn't going to post the picture of the back yet or it would give away the surprise.

And now that the baby shower is over, there will still be no picture of the back because I forgot to take one. I have scraps left, though.

The baby shower and baby room had a Dr. Suess theme. I wish I'd taken my camera since the mom-to-be had pieced a lovely Dr. Suess quilt top. She didn't have this fabric, though, so all is well.

Because of the Saturday afternoon logistics, Nora and Aaron came to the shower. They delared that they liked baby showers, especially winning prizes. Aaron kept asking me where the baby was. I went with the generic answer, "The baby isn't here yet."

Confidence

2011-12-02T14:50:00.003-05:00

One thing I love: Nora's quiet confidence that she can give me her doll for repair and it will come back with the sleeves nicely sewn back on, just as she wished for. Or that her Wicked bag will come back with her name on it, just as she wanted. I hope I can always meet up to her expectations.

One thing I noted: when I went to wake up Aaron the other day, in his bed was a pair of handcuffs, a gun, and a knife (the cheese spread kind.) I don't think he'll be asking for sewing repairs any time soon.

Party Favors

2011-12-01T15:29:00.003-05:00

How fun to personalize towels as party favors for Nora's birthday party, which will include swimming. The top one is Nora's but the others have the other girls' names. Pretty smart of Steph to think of this - if I were a mom I'd rather have this kind of party favor than a "goodie bag" of little items. She got cute swim goggles, too.

After I finished the towels I started on a lace angel and realized that I can't find one of my embroidery feet. Wonder whether I left it at work, really use that foot a lot when I embroider, which I haven't done much of lately.

Ordered my first Groupon today - I've been needing new walking shoes, mine have no more life in them at all. The Groupon was for the running store where I like to go for shoes, a $40 coupon for $20. Funny thing was that I thought about going earlier in the week to get the shoes but put it off. Sometimes it does pay to procrastinate.

Pin the Tail

2011-11-29T17:36:00.003-05:00

Barb, from a small group that I love, passed out little plastic rods at the last meeting and challenged us to use them in a quilt. Here's mine, with inspiration from Dianne Hire's Quilters Playtime, Pin the Tail on the Donkey section. I love Dianne's book and am ready to go on to the next section, Musical Chairs.

I'm feeling really accomplished today because I replaced the belt on my vacuum. No big deal, I know, but I'd never done it before. I looked on the Bissell website and there was a video - only a minute and a half so I knew this wasn't going to be as big a deal as I thought it might be.

My Berea friends are facebooking about snow - haven't seen any here yet, we're still in the 40's.

Self Portrait

2011-11-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

At a lovely Sunday afternoon gathering with Helen, Bridget, Steph, and spouses, Nora picked up my camera and took some pictures. Most of them were typical kid pictures, but I found this in the mix . . . Good job, Nora.

Advent Banner

2011-11-27T17:26:00.009-05:00

At my Mennonite church, suggestions for Advent visuals are published in The Leader:

This season's theme, "Awesome Deeds We Do Not Expect" invites us to find concrete ways of welcoming the unexpected. The theme for the season is visually represented by the flower growing through the crack in the concrete. Something beautiful and awesome (flower) emerges unexpectedly in a very ordinary way (growth) and yet in an uncommon place (crack in the concrete.) In the same way, the beauty of Advent breaks through unexpectedly through the common "concrete" of our ordinary lives to represent the awesome beauty of hope in the birth of Christ.

When I worked with this, I chose a pine sapling instead of a flower since it's the Christmas season.

I did minimal quilting on this, since it is viewed at a distance, but . . . I think that when it comes back to me, it will get quite a bit more quilting.

Our Own Matinee

2011-11-26T07:05:00.007-05:00

Steph and Nora went to see Wicked on the day after Thanksgiving, so Aaron and I had our own downtown experience, starting with a trolley ride across the river. We learned from the driver that (1) the shuttle service now uses trolleys rather than busses because of weight restrictions on the Roebling Bridge and that (2) there are no longer as many downtown stops because the trolleys weren't able to stay on an every-fifteen-minutes schedule with all the stops.

We admired the skaters on Fountain Square and wondered whether Aunt Sarah might take him skating when she comes

and had the usual stop at Graeter's. This guy is a traditionalist, never wants the ice cream, always goes for the baked goods. And the chocolate milk.

At the Westin, we admired the tree and rode the long escalators.
The tree didn't get as much attention as the sparkly, fake snow.

We went to the top of Carew Tower, but Aaron didn't like the windy view and that visit was very short, like a minute and a half. The elevator rides got high marks, though, as well as the view from the 45th floor, inside. The skywalk between Macy's and the Carew Tower was a great spot, and we spent a long time looking at vehicles coming up on one side and out the other, sometimes stopping for the traffic light.

Aaron asked a couple of times to go to see the trains, but they have moved from the Duke Building to the Museum Center. I'm sure there will be other afternoons for that.
He is a great little tourist, remembering other visits and absolutely loving "downtown."

On the way home, he requested a stop at the library so of course we did that too. Great afternoon after Thanksgiving.

Thanks, Steph

2011-11-25T18:11:00.001-05:00

Thanks, Steph. It was a lovely Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone

2011-11-23T15:57:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

And, if you haven't clicked on the body of the google turkey, it's time to do that.

Thanks, Sarah

2011-11-22T13:44:00.002-05:00

Thanks, Sarah, for the sweet plant.

If you're thinking about Thanksgiving cooking, or anytime cooking, google "A Year of Slow Cooking." I'm late coming on to the site, despite the urgings of several of my friends. And in fact, my crock pots tend to sit for months at a time, unused. I'm determined to change that, though, since I really need to cook more and better. For Thanksgiving, I'll be making the mashed potatoes recipe. So happy that my newest crockpot has a "warm" setting. How great is that?

And thinking of good stuff, I stumbled on the Private Selection edemame at Kroger yesterday when I was looking for frozen corn (for the crock pot creamed corn.) It's positively yummy, like all the Private Selection brands I've tried.

Years ago, my mother tried to make us eat soybeans from the field, and brats that we were, we wouldn't touch them. I really, really don't think they were anything like these.

Loving IKEA

2011-11-18T16:09:00.005-05:00

Not every week, or month, or even every year, I love a trip to IKEA.

You just never know what you'll find in a bin there.

I really loved this kitchen,

guess it sort of reminded me of mine.

The excuse for the trip was to get some inexpensive flower pots, and I actually got what I went for. And other stuff too.

Here We Go Again

2011-11-17T15:00:00.004-05:00

So very recently, July 29 to be exact, I bought a new iron for my studio. And yesterday, when I was pressing this block, the iron suddenly started to scorch the fabric and smoke started pouring out of the iron. This morning, it wouldn't heat at all.

So once again, I have a new iron. I know I'm rough on irons in that I have them on for hours at a time, sometimes, but a lifetime of four months? That's crazy - it's not like I buy the cheapest one. Quite fortunately, I have the sales slip and original box from the July iron and have started the warranty process, but I just can't do without an iron. Besides, in some perverse way, I think that the fact that there is another iron waiting will make my new iron last for years.

As for the quilt block, the scorch marks are actually kind of nice for what I'm doing, so there's nothing lost there. Could have been a lot worse.

Wednesday Miscellaneous

2011-11-16T08:19:00.002-05:00

Ah, Nora, with a very sore toe. She and I went to Target and got a pair of fur-lined clogs so that she'd have something to wear that would accomodate the swelling. Very cute shoes, from the slipper department but with suede uppers and a regular shoe bottom. And, by last night she was getting around much better. Kids are amazing.

Just started work on an Advent worship banner. Obviously I need to work quickly. Basically, the idea (from the worship material) is to have what looks like a sappling growing out of a crack in concrete. I'm not sure yet just how to do the sappling, but I have a good start on the "concrete" with the crack. I think that the sappling will be pine, because, after all, it's for Advent.

So grateful for the rain, and so grateful that it's not snow. It is the middle of November after all.

Front Only

2011-11-14T09:04:00.001-05:00

Just finished this quilt, but we can only admire the front for now. The back is pretty nice too, but to look at it would be to give someone's surprise away. That's all I'm saying.

My Best Boy

2011-11-13T15:10:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, my best boy and I spent the afternoon together. His first request was to sew, so we made a sweet tiny Christmas quilt with Santa and John Deere's on the back. His second was to go to the library, so we did that too. Got to do that one now, since in a couple of weeks my library will be closed for a whole month for renovations.

Then we played on my back porch, which he always enjoys, and took a walk to the park at the end of the street. Not much of a park, really, but he has the most fun walking on the curb on the way up, pretending that there is water on one side and "poison idy" on the other. Danger on both sides. He took the precious quilt with him.

On the way back we admired these fake deer in someone's yard. My neighbors say that there is a huge buck that is coming down from the park at night, but I haven't seen it yet.

I thought Aaron might want to go out of eat, or at least pick up a Happy Meal, but no, he wanted to "cook at home." I made grilled cheese but what he really enjoyed was peanut butter on whole wheat crackers. Nora loves those too. Got to remember to get their mom a box of those crackers.

Yes, It Is

2011-11-12T10:12:00.002-05:00

Yes, it is, at least I think so, my last rose of summer.

And yes, it is kind of blurry because it's a very breezy Saturday morning.

Quilt As Desired

2011-11-11T08:08:00.004-05:00

About seven years ago, I took an online piecing class. The finished project was a Christmas tree made from lots of little blocks. Very nice, and I learned what I was supposed to, but I got to the end, "quilt as desired," and I was stuck. There was so much white surrounding the tree and I just didn't know how to quilt it. I still don't, actually. Into the box it went.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. I found the tree in the box once again and decided to go with my usual mode: when I don't know what to do, I cut. I cut from the top and bottom, then sliced again, and had the beginnings of some nice gift-y Christmas potholders.

Then someone suggested that I use the middle section as a table runner. She said, rightly so, that it still said "tree" without the whole tree being there. She was so right - I love the new table runner. Merry Christmas to me.

Riding on the Duck

2011-11-10T20:35:00.005-05:00

Steph asked whether Nora was scared riding the Duck. That would be a "no." She wanted her own seat, which was fine since there were only three families. We learned that the Duck wheels don't retract when it goes in the water. Interesting. We cruised by the Great American Ball Park,

the beautiful mansions in Covington, (Nora listened carefully when the guide talked about how the Boy Scout founder used to live in one. She may have been hoping for a mention of the Girl Scouts too. I told her that when her mom and dad got married they had their wedding pictures taken there.)

the blue and white Ascent in Covington, (some people like it, some don't.)

and we went under the Roebling Bridge, usually known to Nora as the Singing Bridge.

We learned that the new building with the tiara (right) isn't actually as high as the older Carew Tower (left) even though it has more floors. The Carew Tower is on a higher elevation.

Today it's windy and chilly - hard to believe that two days ago we had this adventure.

Election Day

2011-11-09T08:40:00.002-05:00

Nora was out of school for election day, and we got to spend the day together. (Side note: the school levy in her district didn't pass, and the vote wasn't even particularly close. Ugh.)

While I was working with my current project, she spent some time admiring scraps and threads and ended up choosing the threads she liked to go with some sew-off squares. I need to make something for her with those.

After we voted (she put the ballot in the machine) we headed down to Newport on the Levee for some lunch at Tom and Chee.

She wanted the grilled cheese salad with grilled cheese croutons. For myself, I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich with potato chips in it, just because I was curious and because I thought a child might be intrigued. Nope. She wasn't a bit interested, but loved her salad. That's my girl.

We went to Barnes and Noble and got a book - a Sponge Bob Squarepants book, to the dismay of her mom. We read it while waiting for the Duck. The Duck was her choice over the Aquarium - pictures later. Good choice, who would have believed that we could have such lovely Duck weather on November 8. We can always go to the Aquarium during the winter.

Chasing Leaves

2011-11-05T09:07:00.005-04:00

Raking leaves just isn't my thing, I really dislike it. So, I try really hard to keep mulching them with my lawn mower. I was so pleased to get the job done before it started to rain this week. So dismayed after the rain to find a new batch of leaves, even more than before.

So happy now that I think that the worst is over. Another "mowing" tomorrow and then one more in a week or so should get it. A few more sweepings of my downward sloping driveway that collects my neighbor's oak leaves should take care of that too. And I love the leaf vacuum truck that goes through the neighborhood and sucks up the leaves left on the curb.

With all those leaves almost taken care of, it feels like Thanksgiving is truly almost here.

Reader Rabbit

2011-11-04T08:41:00.005-04:00

Last night Nora had a Daisy meeting at their library. In last year's routine, her mom would entertain Aaron during the meetings by letting him use the Reader Rabbit module on the computer, which he absolutely loves. This year, though, she's helping with the meetings.

So, I got the joy of meeting Aaron for his computer session. So fun to sit with the little guy, normally a talking, jumping typical boy, while he sat quietly, absolutely absorbed.

His mom commented the other day that in past years kids liked the "toy" laptops with various add-on programs. Now with iPAD's and smaller laptops, the kids want to use the real thing and the toys don't interest them. Aaron mentioned that he didn't want to try a certain module because he'd used that one at "school" yesterday.

As a result of last night's library session, I have a new Cincinnati Public Library card. I wonder
what goodies that will bring. I've heard that they have check-outs for books for Kindles and similar devices. And a huge wonderful library downtown, one of the nation's busiest.

Baby Christmas

2011-11-03T17:08:00.005-04:00

This is my premmie Christmas quilt, due in November. The instructions were that the quilt could be any design, as long as it was made with Christmas fabric.

This isn't any particular design, just something I made up that would (1) piece quickly, and (2) be nice and scrappy. Thanks to Carrye for sharing her Christmas scraps with me.

This went really quickly because when I was reserving books at the local library I accidentally ordered one in "audio book" form. I love this, it's perfect for listening while I quilt. And the book, "The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks, is engaging while not requiring a lot of thought. Not to mention, I suspect that the waiting list for the actual book is much longer than the audio version.

Kings Island

2011-11-02T07:39:00.003-04:00

When Kings Island was just new, I pictured an amusement park on an Ohio River Island. Of course, it would just never fit.

Grandma Janice and Pap met us there on Sunday. It was my first visit in twenty-five years, probably, and I wonder why I stayed away so long. The Beast is still around, and I rode that, as well as a fun newer coaster, the Diamondback. High and fast and smooth, fabulous.

I got a pass for next season, which included Sunday's visit, and am looking forward to fun and riding all next year.

Note: Nora's snazzy hat is courtesy of Aunts Sarah and Winnie. Aaron has an equally awesome one with skulls, but it was off his head in his picture.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T08:22:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween, everyone.

Tonight, Nora is going to be the witch and Aaron is going to be Buzz Lightyear. And I will be passing out candy. I love the whole Trick or Treat thing, but not many kids come to my house. Small neighborhood and up a hill, so there's better leverage in other neighborhoods. Still, it's so fun and it may be warm enough to just sit outside and enjoy it all.

I was admiring the Halloween candy in the drug store yesterday, the kind that comes in clear bags, with brown bats, orange pumpkins, yellow and green corn, something that was light brown. I used to love that stuff, love it. I stay away from it now, but it's such fun to remember that delicious-ness. I was tempted to buy some for the kids (great sale too) but I'm sure it's pure high fructose corn syrup molded into shapes. No kid REALLY needs that.

Friday

2011-10-28T09:28:00.003-04:00

Potholders. The large one on the left was for Tina's birthday. Happy Birthday, Aunt Tina. And thanks to Steph for including me in the wonderful birthday dinner at Olive Garden last night.

The one on the right came from a quilt block in my scrap basket. It's been there for years. I pieced the block, hated it, and tossed it aside. What it needed was to stand alone and get a little wonky cutting. Who would have known?

Today is a cleaning/cooking day for company tomorrow. I don't do enough of either one, maybe, but this will be a good day for both. No errands. A little early morning sewing, of course. Making chicken broth for cheddar broccoli soup.

Sewing Group

2011-10-27T07:45:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I sewed with a group, which I love. I enjoy the company, seeing what everyone's making but also just the concentration. I have to focus on sewing because that's what we're doing - sewing. No jumping up to check the computer or putting in a load of wash or running to the post office. There's a lesson in there somewhere.

I brought the top to this baby quilt, added the sashings, sandwiched and quilted it. Put on the binding. Finished. I'm just a little dismayed - I used a curved stitch to quilt it over the seams and there were too many stitches to do a smooth job. Next time I'm using the three-part zig zag, which always works. Still, though, it's fine, and hopefully some parents with a tiny little one will be comforted.

Last night I walked to the library, just a little light rain in the air, still warm. We're getting to the end of those wonderful evenings.

Fall Color

2011-10-26T08:27:00.005-04:00

For Sarah -
We were talking last night about fall color in my flower bed - here's one look. I'm really happy about the presence of color at the end of October. There are some lovely pink mums, too.

And this flower that just started blooming, not sure what it is, but you'll know.

And just so you know, Aaron LOVES his yard sale school, just like you knew he would.

Curved Piece

2011-10-25T09:51:00.006-04:00

Finished! Since the Kathy Loomis class in August, my curved piecing pieces sat in my studio while I tried to figure out what to do with them. We did a couple of different exercises in the class and while I knew I wanted to combine the pieces, they just looked too harsh to deal with. Now, though, I'm happy with the final result, primarily with the addition of the green lines and binding. Finished size is approx 15" x 20".

I'm happy enough with it that I'd put it in my quilt guild's show . . . except that it was last week. And, guess what, I sold a couple of little boutique pieces.

This afternoon will be a yard work afternoon, since it's going to be sunny and warm. Cleaning up the beds, mowing the grass, doing a lot of trimming. I have lots of fall color this year but everything looks kind of messy. Should be better by the end of the day.

Last Batch

2011-10-24T08:36:00.011-04:00

This is the last batch of photos I'll post from the Asheville trip. Sarah, above, is smelling the coffee at a shop in West Asheville.

We had lunch across from the Grove Park Inn, and there were metal sculptures incorporated into the landscaping everywhere. This twirling group was amazing.

This studio was at the River Arts District. I'm inspired to try some shibori on linen after seeing what's going on there.

We went on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Sarah turned off on this forest service road. My car was so happy.

Lucy and new pup Milo looking out the screen.

And Winnie and me on the last day. What a great visit.

Oh, the Things You Can See

2011-10-21T07:53:00.008-04:00

In West Asheville -

At the coffee shop -

You can do your laundry and buy a great beer, but you can't drink it there -

At an art museum -

At a small museum (it's a roll of labels) -

On the street -

Asheville Tourists (not the baseball team)

2011-10-20T08:34:00.015-04:00

On Friday afternoon we went to the Grove Park Inn for beers and people- and place- watching. You can see the Inn in the background, both the original and a newer section.
We enjoyed watching people checking in, glancing at the expensive footwear, and seeing all the luggage on the carts being navigated by the porters.

Lots of presidents have stayed here, including President Obama. There is an attached golf course, and we had a far-away view of people in their green robes going to the outdoor mountain-view hot tub area.

In a different venue, Sarah and I had lunch one day at Twelve Bones, also visited by President Obama.

It's open only a few hours each day, with catering in the evening. In a short time, the line is snaking around the building.

This was Sarah's plate. Mine was equally lovely with veggie sides, all of them yummy.

My plate had mac 'n cheese, corn pudding, baked beans, and sweet potatoes. So memorable.

Back Home Again

2011-10-19T09:24:00.005-04:00

Just home from a trip to Asheville, lots of pictures to follow. I've found that Smoky Mountain pictures never do the park justice and I've about given up on those. I always see many people stopped by the side of the road taking pictures and wonder what they know that I don't. Then I see hikers with tripods and just know that they know things I don't.

But Asheville is different, lots of quirky things that photograph easily and well. Lots of fun things with Sarah and Winnie. Even a quick visit with my cousin Gregg and his wife Karen.

Lots of blue skies and beautiful fall folliage, pretty weather. And now I'm back in Cincinnati with gray skies and rain today. Weather is cooling down toward winter. My house looks way, way too dull, need to work on that. No wonder I was so reluctant to come back, to give up all that brightness.

I need to think about how I can eat better, Asheville has such a wonderful spirit of eating locally and with lots of produce. And I need to think about how I can cheer up my house.

Rescue

2011-10-11T15:11:00.005-04:00

As you know, I love what I call rescue sewing, which is artful mending with the result being as nice as or maybe nicer than the original garment. Well, on the last night of camping in September, we were sitting around the campfire, which was roaring because (1) it was cold, and (2) it was the last night and there was lots of wood still to use up.

There were various pops from the firewood but one huge pop shot out little embers, with the result that Winnie's nice REI fleece ended up with three small melted holes. Sadness. Of course I volunteered to try to make it as nice as before and someone suggested embroidering little acorns over the holes.

Thanks to Embroidery Library, that's just what happened. The original design had a buttonhole on top of the acorns, but it was easy enough to just leave that off. Can't wait for Winnie to see it.

Am I the Only One?

2011-10-09T15:02:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow night is quilt guild meeting and it's the last night to bring the things we want to put in the show later this month. And I'm wondering, am I the only one working furiously today to put sleeves on the backs of quilts (just finished) and figure out how to do the inventory? I think I've got that done too, now, and all that remains is to cut the dowels or something else to put in the sleeves. I've had this date in the back of my mind for months now, after all.

And one of my goals for the year was to procrastinate less. I have three months to try to figure out how to turn that one around. I've been diligent in keeping a to-do list and only slightly less diligent in getting those things done. The only thing is, the things I really, really don't want to do don't go on the list because . . . I really, really don't want to do them and once they're on the list I've made a commitment.

My tendency would be to say, "I need to think about this," but that too is a form of procrastination. I might need to be a little easy on myself about saving the sleeves for last because by the time I'm there with a quilt I have new ideas in my head. But, still, that's just an excuse. Maybe once a week I need to pinpoint something that's on the "hate to do it" list and just do it.

Witch Dress

2011-10-07T09:02:00.003-04:00

For all that I sit in front of a sewing machine, day in and day out, almost, I rarely make anything from a pattern. Today, though, is different - it's almost Halloween.

Two years ago Nora was a witch and that's her choice again this year. The cape with the spiders, which I love, will be fine with a new ribbon at the neck, but the actual witch dress is too small and too short. One thing I love about patterns these days is that what's in the envelope spans a variety of sizes, so the only purchase was black fabric. A witch dress isn't meant for everyday wear, so it will be quick work on the serger.

Aaron insisted that he wants to be Woody again this year, so everyone's taking it easy on me. The only thing Aaron needed was new cowboy boots and his mom was able to find this year's model of the Toy Story boots that he so loved last year. He wore last year's until they literally fell apart and I'm sure this year's will be no different.

Steph told me this morning that Nora's friend will probably be borrowing the Jessie costume that Nora wore last year. Awesome.

Simply Ten Good Things

2011-10-06T10:45:00.005-04:00

A couple of days ago, Soule Mama posted a list of "simply ten good things" and invited others to do so as well. Always a good exercise in gratitude. Here are mine, for this pretty day in early October.

1. Nice socks for fall weather. Warm socks in the fall feel as good as bare feet in summer.

2. If I want a certain color fabric, I can dye it.

3. If I want to make a little quilted bag with a zipper, lining, pocket, and strap, I can do that. There may be some ripping involved, but I can do that. (The item next to the bag is a large, free form potholder, as much for hanging on the wall as handling hot pans.)

4. Fall flowers - pansies, mums, flowering kale

5. If I'm patient, I can find really nice bargains at the thrift store. This sweater still had the tags on it. And it's exactly what I'd have loved in the department store.

6. Cell phone

7. Diet Coke

8. Really yummy salmon for lunch

9. The little witch in my kitchen

10. The book I'm reading, Wayne Dyer's "Power of Intention." I've been studying that book for three months now, and that almost never happens.

If you're grateful, pass it on.

Just Right

2011-10-04T11:41:00.003-04:00

Ah, I was right. Those prettily colored micro fiber towels didn't work quite as well for quilting as I'd envisioned, but they do make really nice burp cloths. And they're just the right size. Design collection is Anita Goodesign Baby.

Hotel Pictures

2011-10-03T08:14:00.003-04:00

A nice but quick visit to Bluffton, and I can't believe I didn't take any sister/brother/cousin/aunt/uncle pictures. I did get some hotel pictures, though. Not a surprise that the hotel with pool and breakfast and ice machine rated high with the kids.

Just looking at the picture below and I can see the shivers - the pool was pretty cold. Maybe it's the blue-tinged lips that give the shivery feeling.

New Wallhanging

2011-09-29T12:14:00.003-04:00

Finished a wall hanging (that's really straight, need to get a system for taking good pictures) using curved piecing. And I'm realizing that I need to do some dyeing before cold weather so I can get more bright "solid" fabrics for this kind of piecing.

Actually, I have a nice little stash of solids, but some really nice pieces I want to save for something more "special" than this experimental piecing. I think I got this from my mother and grandmother, this saving of things for "good." I try to be intentional about actually using my nice things, but there's just something that I have to get past every time. Shoes, jewelry, fabric . . . makes no difference.

I'm thinking that this afternoon I'll do some work in my front yard garden. Surprising that I'm not seeing pansies for sale at the grocery stores this year, guess I need to actually go to the greenhouse or a garden center. I'd love to find some ornamental kale too.

Maybe I'll Try

2011-09-28T20:17:00.003-04:00

The cockcomb are especially pretty in the garden this fall - maybe I'll try drying a couple. I have no idea what to expect, but I can always compost them if they don't dry prettily. Then next summer I'll have a lovely cockcomb bed in the compost pile.

Big Day

2011-09-27T08:21:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a big day in the life of Nora, who wore her pretty new dress to school, saw the 3D Lion King (thumbs up,) and finally, finally, has not one but two loose teeth. She's been waiting and waiting for those loose teeth. Turns out they're the bottom ones, which wasn't what she was expecting, but she's happy none the less.

Playscape

2011-09-26T09:51:00.009-04:00

This year brought a Playscape area to the Cincinnati Nature Center. It's a great place for intuitive play,

for "pretend you're a troll under the bridge," "pretend we're building a house," "pretend you're camping in a tent and I came to visit,"

for imaginative, unstructured play,

for putting your feet in the stream and running through the grass, for looking at a wetland up close and understanding what that is.

There's a gentle reminder as you leave, that on the other 1,000 acres respect for nature is part of the visit, but in the Playscape things can be touched and manipulated to create whatever imaginary kid world is desired.

Piecing Curves

2011-09-24T20:51:00.004-04:00

A couple of months ago I took a Kathy Loomis workshop about piecing curves. It was a great workshop, but I was especially hooked on her workshop from the day before, fine line piecing. Since then, I've done a lot of practicing on that and none on piecing curves.

Recently I picked up two Dianne Hire books (thanks, Lockharts, for the birthday Amazon birthday gift card) and yesterday I opened "Vivacious Curvy Quilts." Taking what Dianne says and building on Kathy's workshop, I get it. My curves are lovely and flat, and this is something that's never worked for me before this summer. And it's so easy. Who knew?

And, there's more. I've always appreciated the 1/4" piecing foot that came with my Viking Quilt Designer and never even tried the one that came with my Diamond. Until this week, when I temporarily misplaced the Quilt Designer one. And now, having finally tried it, I love the Diamond one, especially for 1/8" seams, which is what's used for curves. Happy Day.

Friday Miscellaneous

2011-09-23T14:25:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Winnie for my new Arboretum tee shirt - I really love it.

I brought out my knitting the other night while watching a movie (Rosemary's Baby, from long ago.) I'd really, really like to learn to be a good knitter. Socks and granola kid hats. Not just scarves.

And, a tiny picture from Nora's Kids First teacher, from a summer field trip. I think it was taken outside the bus during a drizzle, and it was the day that Nora got her treasured yellow bracelet which allowed her to swim in the big pool, no longer restricted to the baby pool.

It was one of the highlights of her happy summer.

Smoky Mountain Brewery

2011-09-21T08:32:00.002-04:00

Lots of restaurants in Gatlinburg, many, many, but I have a couple of favorites. The Pancake Pantry, open 'til 2 p.m. And after that, Smoky Mountain Brewery.

I wish I'd taken a picture of the micro brew sampler we shared - it was the first time I'd tasted ALL the brews. And there was this delicious Margherita pizza, made with fresh mozerella, tomatoes, and basil.

Got to try that at home. The pizza, not the brews.

All About Aaron

2011-09-20T08:22:00.009-04:00

One last birthday piece -

a Day Out with Thomas visit in Lebanon. Note: Nora is tall herself, but Aaron's catching up fast.

Aaron was absolutely enthralled all afternoon. Nora proclaimed herself bored, but said she was happy for her brother.

Posing with Sir Topham Hatt -

and a real train ride with a conductor to punch the ticket. The little guy so looks like his dad, but maybe he looks just a little like his mother too.

There were games, a bouncy house, a tent full of tracks and trains for playing, a kid-size straw maze, and prizes for visiting all the exhibits. A perfect afternoon for a four-year-old who wants to play with trains every single day.

Elkmont Houses

2011-09-19T19:01:00.004-04:00

Whenever we camp at Elkmont in the Smokies, there is always a hike or two to "the houses," summer homes built long ago, then acquired by the parks services with lifetime leases, the last of which ran out ten years ago.

Most have been sadly falling down and becoming more sad looking each year - until last year when renovations began on three, including this newly painted pink one with the chimney restored and the stone patio expanded over the Little River.

And one that housed the Appalachian Club, which started as a men's hunting club and where neighbors later came on Saturday nights. It has a gorgeous porch once again, with rocking chairs overlooking the woods.

If you want to know more, wikipedia has a nice history - google "Elkmont houses" to help find it.

Back Again

2011-09-18T20:08:00.010-04:00

Back again from the Smokies -

four lovely nights camping,

and one cold, rainy night in a motel.

And yes, we loved town too,

Gatlinburg of course,

and Maggee Valley.