You Know It's Happened To You

Today's postcard

Twenty-five years ago, one of the first quilts I made was a pastel log cabin. In every block there was a fabric patterned with Strawberry Shortcake and another with her friend Huckleberry Pie. I followed the directions carefully - the backing was put on in pieces incorporated with the front so that there was no quilting required, only some thread tacks with ribbon tied into bows. I used a light blue dotted Swiss for the backing and was pretty darn proud of that little quilt.

I used it as a wall quilt for awhile, and it went to the county fair and got a blue ribbon. Eventually I put it away and looked at it every now and then and moved it from house to house. When Nora was younger, I gave it to Steph.

Now Strawberry Shortcake is one of Nora's faves, and she took the quilt to school to use for nap time. Last week her teacher Ms. Cheryl told Steph that she found a pin in the quilt. A pin that's been there for twenty-five years, through careful construction, several washings and several moves.

Come on, you know it's happened to you, too. I can't be the only one.

Easter Lilies

Today's postcard

Does anyone else feel a little rushed with Easter coming this Sunday? Two weeks ago we had the huge snow, this past week we've had Palm Sunday, Daylight Savings Time, St. Patrick's Day. I love Easter, but I'd like it to be just a little later. I'd like daffodils, decorated trees and lawns, and mostly the anticipation of the holiday.

Sunday it is, though, so I stopped in at Krohn Conservatory to see the Easter lilies. By the way, next week is the 75th anniversary bash for the Krohn with tours and cake. On Monday, though, I could get a clear shot of the exhibit with no one in sight. I'm guessing that wouldn't happen then.

Seeing the Easter lillies is one of those things I always wanted to do, and I still marvel that Eden Park with the Conservatory is only fifteen minutes from my door.

The word that comes to mind is majestic. The lillies are so formal and yet in their groupings or tucked with other flowers they seem more relaxed.

The show was worth waiting for.

Via Crucis

Today's postcard

The hearts on the postcard are cut from painted Wonder Under. If you try it, Dyna Flow paints work really well. They have just the right thin consistency. With other paints you may need to dilute them with water. Paint on the webbing side of the Wonder Under and when the paint is dry, cut out the shape you want and very carefully peel it away from the paper. Lay it on your fabric, put parchment on top and iron it down. This isn't an exact science, so don't look for precision, just love seeing how it comes out. Try using at least two colors and watch how they work together.

During Easter week, Vineyard Central Church in Norwood is hosting the Via Crucis, an artistic portrayal of the Stations of the Cross. As far as I can tell, this is a young church housed in an old building that was a former Catholic church. I always enjoy looking at old churches and imagining what the neighborhood was like when they were built. Often no paved streets, electricity, or cars.

Many of the Stations are interactive. This is the first Station, which had the most artwork.

The candles in front of the stained glass window are at the last Station. There was a coffin in this room to represent Jesus being placed in the tomb. The first and last Stations were in their own rooms, the others in what used to be the sanctuary. Visitors can spend as much time as they like at each station. I think that the experience would be especially good at night - it's open until 11 p.m.

Double Needle

Today's postcard

I used a double sewing machine needle for today's postcard. I've been sewing for so many, many years and never tried it. How crazy is that? But since my current class and the one I'm reviewing both had it on the list, I got one. I must have skipped that part before in the Filament Fantasy class. And it's cool. Really cool. Guess I'll take a closer look at my sewing machine and see what else I've skipped. In the past couple of weeks I've used some stitches that I've totally overlooked before. I never use the embroidery attachment for my machine, I should give it another try.

Here are a couple of late winter pictures of the river. Just think, we can only say it's "late winter" for a few more days. Is it possible that the bit of grass beside the river is just a little bit green?

Friday Night Guests

Today's postcard

Last night Nora and Aaron came for the evening. I put Aaron in a basket used for toys, where he played happily until the basket toppled over. After about ten tears, he was upright and happy again. Nora then decided that she'd like a basket too. She loved to topple her basket on purpose but each time brought cries and tears from Aaron. Unswayed by her laughter, he must have decided she didn't like it any better than he had. I asked Nora to play upright in her basket, she did, and there were no more tears.

At the end of the evening, Nora went home with her mom so she could go to gymnastics class this morning. Aaron stayed with me.

Here we are, just before he went home.

March Challenge Update

Today's postcard

March is half gone, but my Take It Further Challenge quilt isn't anywhere near half done. I've fused my gauzy fabrics to a piece of interfacing and just today added the sheer ribbon and string of pearls. I'm going somewhere with this, I just don't know where yet.

The challenge subject is paying attention to the details - the small things that become emblematic for something big.

And now, for those of you who faithfully read the personal and quilt blogs but who really want to see the Nora and Aaron pictures, here you go.

Nora was laying with her head on my leg in this picture - the picture is upside down, but Blogger flipped it and I like it this way -

and Aaron, tired little guy, was in front of us, watching his sister.

Here's another one of Aaron - I'll have to do a collage of the exersaucer pictures when he moves on, or rather walks away.

New Park

Today's postcard

Several years ago I took Linda Schmidt's Quilt University class, Filament Fantasy, which focused on threads. It was one of my favorite classes ever, but I've forgotten much of what I learned and wanted a refresher. I didn't want to make another quilt, though, so starting yesterday my postcards for the next few days will be class projects.

Yesterday I was coming back from an appointment in Fort Thomas when I saw a sign on a side street for Highland Hills Park. One of my New Years goals is to find green spaces where I live, so I went back today. After driving by the street several times, I located the small sign again.

At first it seemed like there were lots of rules for dogs.

but then I realized that this must be a park that was friendly to dogs. My first clue was this drinking fountain.

This area was fenced in and the gate was chained shut. What caught me eye was the bench with what looked like large apples on a plate. Turns out they're tennis balls. I'll bet that in warm weather the gate is opened and the larger dogs have a big area with a tall fence for playing and running around.

Then there was this memorial under a tree that honors someone in The Canine Corps. There must be a story here, but I couldn't locate the name in a google search.