Eye Candy

Here are some quilts that were shown at my guild meeting this week. Enjoy!

Feeling Blah

sorry - I forgot where i found this picture -
it was just a general Google search

I guess I'm in a downturn.... just feeling blah about everything. I miss hanging out with my friends. I feel restless and bored at work (and I'm counting the days to summer break). I can't even get comfortable today. I'm hot, so I turn on my little fan, and then I'm cold with it on: hot, cold, hot cold.

I miss my family, both immediate and out of town-ers. I want my mommy! I want to go to the lake and sit on the dock. I want dangle my feet in the water, letting the little fishies nibble on my toes. I want to sit on my deck at home and read a good book. I want to get a long, newsy, friendly letter in the mail and read it while lounging on my deck.

Instead this is my day: slept a little late while having the most peculiar dream (a little too weird). Hurry to get to work. It's cloudy and dreary. TWO appointments didn't show up today = boring! Time is ticking by slowly. When I get off work this afternoon, I will have a very small time at home, and then I have to go to a three-hour workshop.

Why, when one signs up for a workshop, does it sound so interesting and doable? But when the day comes, it is drudgery to leave the comfort of my home and devote three hours to listening to people talk? *heavy sigh*

That's my day. I know I'll cheer up; this downturn is temporary. I'm going to try to be like Melissa and force myself to think of happy things that I love and appreciate. Here goes:

I'm thankful for:
1) bloggers who leave such nice comments (thanks!)
2) my sweet husband
3) beautiful flowering trees in full bloom outside my window at work
4) home-made chocolate chip cookies (thanks, Katie)
5) American Sign Language - so beautiful!

Answers

photo answer: Rice Park

trivia answers:
1) Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman
2) Robin Williams
3) crocodile (whose teeth it picks)
4) Athens 2004 (Greece always enters first)

Jack Found Monster Man!

Look at this! My very first toy drop, and already someone has found it and responded to the Toy Society blog and provided a picture of the sweet little boy who now owns Monster Man! This is just way too exciting!!!

Tuesday Trivia

photo trivia: these tourists are being photographed

in which St. Paul city park?

The following questions are from Ken Jennings's Trivia Almanac: 8,888 Questions in 365 Days.

1) What two acting legends, Pasadena Playhouse friends and New York roommates back in the day, never worked on screen together until 2002's Runaway Jury?

2) What comedian, Christopher Reeve's Juilliard roommate, was, Reeve said, the first person to make him laugh following his 1995 accident?

3) The Egyptian plover is a bird best known for its symbiotic relationship with what host animal?
4) The host country's flag typically arrives last in the Parade of Nations that opens each Olympic Games. What was the only Games where this didn't happen?

Toy Drop on Mother's Day

I had a nice Mother's Day. Went to church, and afterwards did some sewing. I'm trying to play on my new toy (Sewmor) but am having trouble getting the tension just right. It's OK, though. However, I must say... I really do love my Pfaff. When I play on antique sewing machines, I see why people continued to make improvements and to upgrade the machines. I'm lucky and happy to have my nice Pfaff. I'll keep working on Alice (the name I gave my new Sewmor) and hope she and I can make a quilt together.

Charles took Steven and me out for ice cream cones. That was nice.. then after we came home, Marjorie and Greg came over for a short visit. Marjorie brought me some salad from where she works. Yum! That was nice, too. I got to see Greg's new Harley. I'm not a motorcycle person so don't even know what I'm looking at. Whatever. It's "pretty." Don't know if Greg would approve of that as a description of his Harley.

Charles and I accomplished my first Toy Society "drop." We left Monster Man at a library in St. Paul.. I hope some mommy and child will find it when the library opens tomorrow. The good news is, Steven approved of Monster Man. He thought it was a cool toy. That's the seal of approval from someone closer to kid age than I am!

You can read about the Toy Society and how it works here.

Today I'm thankful for:

1) seeing both my kids today

2) pretty sunshine

3) the friendships that develop between people when they work together on mission teams

4) my son's interest in peace and non-violence

5) so many happy events to look forward to this spring and summer!

Monster Man and Frog Woman

Yesterday I meant to get my quilt flimsy finished.... I should have bet against myself, because I knew I'd get distracted. I get easily bored when all I have left is to sew the rows together.

I wandered through some blogs and found out about the The Toy Society. Great idea! They make little home-made toys and then do a secret drop with a tag that says "take me home." Some child will find it and get a new toy. This idea started in Australia after all their terrible brush and home fires... and the idea is spreading around the world. Of course, I had to join in the fun.

This project reminded me, however, that I really only like to sew quilts. I'm not so great at garment and toy sewing. In fact, these types of projects stress me out and are the reason I thought I hated to sew. Quilts saved the day for me. I did manage to make two toys, but they are kind of dorky looking.

What do you think? Will some kid like these?

First is Monster Man. He looks a little scary, but is really friendly and loves to tell jokes. He gets cold easily and likes to cuddle up to the iron to warm up.

Then there is Frog Woman. She lacks self confidence and never says much, but she's a great listener.

(Frog Woman is espeically odd, don't you think? I rescued her out of the trash, but she might go back there... I dunno...........)

This is It!

This is the quilt I am working on.. I showed you some of my first pieces a couple of days ago. It's a very quick one made of only HSTs. I managed to spend a LOT of time playing around with settings. There are so many options with HSTs. In the end I settled with this, which was my original choice. It's not all sewn together yet, so now I'm "rowing." I hope to get this to finished flimsy stage by the end of the day. Should be no problem unless my ADD kicks in, and I distract myself with something else "pressing."

Friday Five

May you always have a light in your life to guide your way,

and may you be a guiding light to others.

1) It is raining this afternoon... I'm feeling snug and happy in my new sweatshirt.

2) I'm dealing with a crisis (in the life of one 0f my students) at work and feeling frustrated that I can't just solve it with a snap of my fingers

3) Had my annual eye exam today, and the doctor told me I have the beginnings of cataracts. Another sign that I'm getting "old." I try not to let aging bother me, but sometimes it slaps me upside the head and makes me take notice. *sigh*

4) Last night's fund raising dinner was fun, and I like the silent auction items I won. I hope their "take" was large.

5) We had new landscaping put in last fall, and it is fun to watch it green up and start to grow this spring.

Am I Cool or What?

Megan says that if I post this picture at my blog, people will think I'm cool.

what.everrrr. I thought my extreme coolness was already common knowledge.

Anyway, we went to a fundraiser. We had dinner, bought items at the silent auction, listened to cool music ....

(band is Dred I Dread from Minneapolis,

check out their website at dredidread dot com)

.... and "Phillip" won this door prize: a cool mug.

Somehow I think this blog entry proves how supremely cool we all are.... We had a fun evening, and now it's time for bed.

My New Toy

Yesterday I started a new project. These are the very beginning pieces. I hope to zip through this one and get it done quickly. I'll show you the finished quilt soon, I hope!





Also yesterday I got a new toy! A friend at church gave this to me... it's a Sewmor which was made in Japan post-World War II, about the same time the Featherweights were being made. Maybe they were trying to get in on the FW market. For some reason I am thinking my model was made in 1952 (same year I was made). But I'm not sure until I can find more definitive information.

Anyway, it has this cute cabinet, and I'm dying to start sewing on it. It runs quietly and smoothly, but I just don't know how to thread the darn thing! I went online and found an owner's manual to order. Now I have to wait for that to arrive.

Does anyone know much about the Sewmors? There isn't much info I can find online. I had never heard of them until my friend mentioned it. I am so happy to have this cute little thing! And very eager to get started playing with it. I'll keep you posted on how life goes with my new toy.

Gratitudes:

1) friends who share
2) daughter visited for dinner last night

3) yesterday was a gorgeous day

4) pretty birds that visit our yard and twitter cheerfully in the trees

5) lucky to have such a nice camera

Fill in the Blanks

Saw this at Chronicles of a Country Girl. Here goes:

Fill in the blanks:

When I was young, I could

sit cross-legged on the floor, and stand straight up without using my hands on the floor.

In 1996, I was

a youngish mother of two; kids were 16 and 10. I had not yet taken up quilting.

I can make an Ohio Star block in two minutes flat. (Maybe not two minutes, but I can make one very quickly.)

My son's laugh makes me smile every time.

Today I am thankful for:

1) laughter at book club

2) books!

3) rain while the sun shines

4) my husband doing his "that's my wife" smile

5) my friends still liking me even when I'm crazy

Answers

photo question: the chandelier is in Sundin Hall

1) California
2) grapes
3) The Larry Sanders Show
4) "Hey Bulldog"

Tuesday Trivia with Ken Jennings

a chandelier at Hamline University casting

prism-created rainbows

all over the lobby in which building (hint: music hall)?

I got a library book that I thought might be a little fun: Ken Jennings's Trivia Almanac: 8,888 Questions in 365 Days. Jennings wrote several trivia questions for each day of the year. I thought I'd share a few that he wrote for May 5 and see if you know (or can figure out) the answers:

1) of the U.S. states that border Mexico, which shares the shortest border?
2) In 1988, Cesar Chavez conducted a 36-day fast to encourage Americans to boycott what fruit?
3) What TV show's announcer was Hank "Hey Now!" Kingsley?
4) Besides "Hey Jude," what other Beatles song title begins with the word "Hey?"

Without doing any research, I know only one of the answers (and, of course, I know the answer to my own italicized question above). How did you do? I'll give you the answers tomorrow.

My Bursting Heart

What a fabulous day! Everything went super-great today!

First: I went to church early to get things set up for the fully packed schedule. Met with my confirmation mentee during the education hour. It has been fun to watch her grow up over the last couple of years!

Church was a mission theme, run by lay people. Three different speakers (one team of two included me)… all were interesting and fun. Beth and I were a team of two and did well, if I do say so myself. It was fun! Charles was with me today in church, which I love. He ran the “clicker” on the Power Point thing and did a great job!


After church, a pancake breakfast. Yum! It was a fund raiser for our summer mission trip, so the trip participants helped serve and clean up (yep, that includes me). There was such a happy mood at church today. It was just alive with joy. I loved it. And the great news is, the fund raiser was a huge success. People gave very generously (way more than the cost of the pancakes). Thank you, wonderful and generous people!

below: yes, this is Yours Truly. No comment.

After that, there was still one more event: a congregational meeting. To tell the truth, I did not attend it. I peeked in and saw that it was going well, and decided to head back to the kitchen to continue helping with clean-up. There were a lot of dishes to do, and we ran out of hot water. But we put water through the coffee maker and made do. (And yes, we do have an automatic dishwasher, but ran out of hot water for the hand work.)

below: beautiful spring blossoms near our church

Whew! I had to clean up the stuff I had set up (photos and other stuff).. then went home and took a nap! That felt great, and then it was time to head off to the next big event: Steven’s LAST college choir concert. It was sooo beautiful! It was just GREAT. The first note got me started… it was heavenly, and beautiful, and my son’s last! Boo hoo! I felt pretty weepy. Steven said even the conductor got teary-eyed on their last piece (“Alleluia” by Randall Thompson). This choir is just so good, and the acoustics where they sing are fabulous. The soft sounds and gorgeous chords just melt around you, get into your bones, and oh, it is pure joy.

They got a standing ovation and did an encore piece, which was conducted by Melody, my future DIL! What fun that was! She was full of energy and verve… a delightful way to end the college choir career of my son and his bride-to-be.

below: 4 of 5 seniors who just sang in their

last choir concert, having some silly fun

At the reception afterwards I got to meet a couple of Steven’s professors. They were wonderful and obviously enjoyed knowing Steven, and I could have hugged the stuffing out of both of them. (I hugged only one of them and told her I loved her.)

Afterwards, one more fun event: we went out for dinner -- Charles, Steven, Melody, and Melody’s mom and sister, and me. Melody told us that she has been offered and has accepted a job! It will be a 12-month position with Americorps. Yippee!! Plus, we talked about a few plans for graduation and wedding. It feels good to get some things discussed and agreed upon.

With one small exception, this day could not have been any better. I’m so happy I could just burst! The only part that wasn’t perfect was that Marjorie had to work today and couldn’t attend the glorious concert and dinner afterwards. We missed her!

Today I am thankful for:
1) great and generous church friends
2) fantastic college professors
3) gorgeous music
4) son and daughter-in-law to be: wonderful people
5) experiencing so much joy in one amazing day!

Thanks for Nothing!

I have more to chat about, so I'm back for the 2nd time in one day!

I noticed a few blogs are showing pictures of their pin cushions, so I decided to gather up mine to show. I should have more, but sometimes I get rid of things when I feel guilty that I have too much, so I give things away. I'm sad that I gave away a nice one that a friend made for me. And I used to have a cute little one that a girl at church made. Both of those are gone (and I hope being loved elsewhere).

So I have the ubiquitous tomato, and the green one with a scrap bag attached. I love that one and use it always. My brighter green one sits next to my cutting mat. The Red Hat Ladies pin cushion kind of floats around and gets used randomly. And the little finger pin cushion, made from a pop bottle cap, lives in my cigar-box-sewing-notions box. The standing up "book" thing is my needle holder.

The two little thimbles are both from Scotland! My son's former girlfriend gave me my first one, and a quilter friend gave me the second. Wow! But just wait, there is even more excitement going on around here! Read on.

This morning Charles and I had an errand to run, and we decided to walk. I feel virtuous for having had some good outdoors time. On the way I managed to lose my glasses, so Chas. went back outside to look for them, and found them! Hooray! Some bicycle riders had kindly avoided driving over them.

While walking back home, Charles picked up pieces of wonky metal and a big, fat nail. He always does this when he walks along streets. It's his little random act of kindness he does for the driving population. Anyone driving in our area can tell Charles "Thanks for nothing!" meaning thanks for helping me NOT get a flat tire due to an errant nail.

It's beautiful outside, but I'm inside doing house stuff. I agreed to do a garage sale with a friend, so I spent a bunch of time today going through stuff and pricing things and sorting and throwing things out. Part of the time I managed to sit by the open window, so I had the pleasure of the outdoors wafting in on me. Garage sales are a lot of work. The last time I did one (about ten+ years ago) I vowed I would never do it again. I guess junk accumulates enough to warrant another one every ten years or so.

I've mentioned before how spoiled I am because we get to order groceries from a home-delivery service. I just LOVE it, and it has saved my sanity (and hubby's) multiple times. Today the delivery service brought me (us) a May basket! This pretty flower! Isn't that great? I'm doubly spoiled.

The block that I thought looked too swastika-like has been transformed. I took it apart and made it into this. I'm happier with it now.

And just for kicks, here is the back of that quilt I finished the other day. I washed it and like how crinkly it looks.

Tomorrow will be a super busy day!!!!!! Don't know if I'll have time or energy to report in. I'm sure there is not a large crowd out there just holding their breath until I post on my blog.. but just in case, I thought I'd warn you that tomorrow you'll be waiting a long time. HAHAHA.

Today I'm thankful for:

1) a nice walk with Charles

2) beautiful spring weather!

3) getting rid of stuff and junk

4) my blog readers

5) pizza!

What a Blockhead!

I stayed up late making blocks. It was fun! I hadn't done that in a long time. But it was silly to stay up so late. Now I'm starting out my Saturday feeling tired. I'm a blockhead, but a content one.

above: Sunshine May Lotto blocks. below: block for Sunshine Lotto winner

Question - can anyone read Japanese? If so, click on the block photo below so you can see it larger, and tell me what the words in the white fabric say. I've always wondered..... and would appreciate it if someone can tell me. Actually I think they are the same or similar in the purple fabric, too. Right?

below: block for Friday Block Party. I'm not crazy about this pattern.

It reminds me too much of a swastika. I like my fabrics, though.

Proof!

Here's the one quilt I finished for the "Spring to Finish" challenge. It wasn't actually quite done last time I posted the photo. I wanted to show you that I'm Honest Jane, and I did really finish it.

Friday Five Done Differently

photo from inmagine dot com

Usually I write a Friday Five post (when I remember to do it, I should say). Today I decided to copy Meg's questions from Life Is Good... I'll answer these from the perspective of my family of origin, not the family my hubby and I created. I don't think our kids read my blog. If they did, I would love to see how they would answer these questions regarding our little family! This is my memories of my family as I was growing up (youngest of 4 kids):

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your family? Chatter and silliness with good food as we all sat around the dinner table.

What lessons did your parents feel strongly about passing on to you? Be a good, caring, church-going Christian.

What person in your family would you like to travel back in time to meet? My grandma when she was young and lived in Ireland... then when she first came to the U.S. and met my grandpa. I'm so curious about what she was like as a young woman.

Describe a typical family dinner. There were six of us. I still remember where we all sat. My brother sat kitty-corner from me. He used to tease me a lot and make faces at me. During family dinners we talked a lot about manners... what to do with a napkin, how to pass things around (keeping them going in the same direction), how to ask for a dish, where to put the silverware when setting the table and where to put them while eating, when someone asks for the salt, pass both the salt and pepper (keep them together), and we had to ask permission to be excused from the table. We had a lot of laughs around the table, too.

What objects do you remember from your parents' living room? My family had lived in Panama, so we had several items from there in the living room.. a little brass gong with a wooden gong handle (boy, did we kids love banging on that thing!), a brass stirrup that was found in the jungles in Panama, a wooden chest with beautiful carvings all over, and a couple of Molas made by Indian women from the San Blas Islands.

[the next questions are being answered about my current self as a grown woman]

Would you rather be caught naked by a friend or a stranger? This is a horrible question. I am very modest. I still remember my angst at junior high changing and shower time. I hated that so much! If I had to choose, I guess I'd say a stranger -- and one I would never see again as long as I live.

How do you like to show love to people who are special to you? Going places together, especially out to eat, giving out-of-the-blue gifts and sending random notes and letters in the mail.

What friend do you miss the most? Julie moved to Georgia 9 years ago, and I'm still mad at her for moving! hahaha!

What friend is most like you? I don't know! Would anyone want to admit they are like me? I guess I'd have to say Julie, because we scored the same on the Myers-Briggs.. but we have our differences, too. (I mean different characteristics, not differences as in arguments.)

If you gave a party for all your friends, would they already know each other? No, but I don't like large parties. I'd probably throw small ones that would be categories of people who do know each other.. like church friends at one, my former work buddies at another, etc.

That was fun. Today's Friday Five will be the things I am thankful for today:
1) beautiful, spring day - sunny with white, puffy clouds (oops, they are getting thicker and grayer as I write)
2) my children - such nice young adults!
3) President Obama
4) chocolate
5) gorgeous fabric

Happy May Day!