The war on Irag has left me feeling helpless. The thousands killed is sad, but many more thousands are hurt and maimed, permanently changed by war.
When my friend Judy spoke at my quilt guild about Quilts of Valor, I thought there is something I can do. So I dutifully made a quilt and sent it off as a token of respect and love to an injured soldier. There, done, did my share. I have a longarm quilting business to take care of, so I went back to working for money to pay the bills of the shop. It certainly keeps me busy enough.
Then I read an email in the longarm list on which I lurk. There are soldiers going without these quilts --they can't be made fast enough. So now I am trying to quilt one top a month for Quilts of Valor so that no soldier will go without this small comfort. I don't think I can quilt fast enough some days.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Bravo Junkie
Maybe because I am fascinated with fabric and color, there are three shows on Bravo that draw me in -- Project Runway, Make Me a Super Model , and Top Design.
I know next to nothing about fashion so I am surprized that I like Project Runway. I often disagree with the judges and am amazed at the backstabbing --these people do know they are on tv, right? I haven't picked a winner favorite yet but really like several of the finalists right now.
I watched the whole first season of Make Me a Super Model last year and again the drama made the show. It also had something to do with the fact they kept making them do stuff naked probably. I was intrigued with Ben, former jail guard turned male model. Heaven forbid, he should go back to the jail. I hope this year's show can be as interesting.
Top Design I like for most of the right reasons: use of color, use of fabric, juxtaposition of texture, and interaction of form and use in challenging situations. I am aware of the potential for drama but mostly like to see how each project is handled.
Three of my secret vices --revealed!
I know next to nothing about fashion so I am surprized that I like Project Runway. I often disagree with the judges and am amazed at the backstabbing --these people do know they are on tv, right? I haven't picked a winner favorite yet but really like several of the finalists right now.
I watched the whole first season of Make Me a Super Model last year and again the drama made the show. It also had something to do with the fact they kept making them do stuff naked probably. I was intrigued with Ben, former jail guard turned male model. Heaven forbid, he should go back to the jail. I hope this year's show can be as interesting.
Top Design I like for most of the right reasons: use of color, use of fabric, juxtaposition of texture, and interaction of form and use in challenging situations. I am aware of the potential for drama but mostly like to see how each project is handled.
Three of my secret vices --revealed!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lucky Days!
I am feeling very fortunate today as we not only have electricity but also the cable came back on close to midnight last night. Not that I was up and watching tv, but my son-in-law was and said he almost woke us up to tell us, as we have been bemoaning the loss of cable to keep everyone entertained. The only discs I had at the house included Quinn's favorite Pretty Ponies. After seeing it way too many times, we were actually all starting to discuss the philosophies behind the ponies' fight with the zebra.
Our daughter, son-in-law, and their two chidren are staying with us until their power is restored which could be up to six more days. But being over-run with family is satisfying, even in our small house, and I am always grateful that Joe and I didn't lose power and can do it.
Also I look at the morning newspapers (we actually get three real print newspapers a day), and my heart breaks for those who will never return to their homes because the homes are gone. So no matter how tight it is to have four adults, an almost 4 year old girl, and an 8 year old boy in a thousand square foot house, it's still almost a delight. Besides, the shop has power and we all know where I get to go!
Our daughter, son-in-law, and their two chidren are staying with us until their power is restored which could be up to six more days. But being over-run with family is satisfying, even in our small house, and I am always grateful that Joe and I didn't lose power and can do it.
Also I look at the morning newspapers (we actually get three real print newspapers a day), and my heart breaks for those who will never return to their homes because the homes are gone. So no matter how tight it is to have four adults, an almost 4 year old girl, and an 8 year old boy in a thousand square foot house, it's still almost a delight. Besides, the shop has power and we all know where I get to go!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Procrastination
Procrastination is something I am really good at. Currently I should be finishing a longarm quilting job (gorgeously colored double wedding ring which is getting an overall rambling rose), working on the star quilt for a client, finishing any one of probably 30 UFO's (unfinished objects), and instead -- I am blogging.
In high school and college, I was always the sleep deprived one because I put things off and then had to pull all-nighters to finish. Fortunately I worked well under pressure.
As a teacher, I discovered that I no longer procrastinated preparation because facing 25 teenagers and not knowing what I was going to do was pure suicide. So I was always well-prepared for every class. Where the procrastination did creep in was in evaluating huge projects. There's nothing more mind numbing than reading ninety term papers. As a retired teacher, that's something I don't miss.
Crazy as it sounds, I do miss teenagers, just not enough to substitute teach. I do miss their enthusiasm for mostly anything not involved in a classic education. But if I could convince them that the Old English epic Beowulf was just like a horror flick, we could communicate. Then it was such fun.
Procrastination time is over! I need to finish a few things!
In high school and college, I was always the sleep deprived one because I put things off and then had to pull all-nighters to finish. Fortunately I worked well under pressure.
As a teacher, I discovered that I no longer procrastinated preparation because facing 25 teenagers and not knowing what I was going to do was pure suicide. So I was always well-prepared for every class. Where the procrastination did creep in was in evaluating huge projects. There's nothing more mind numbing than reading ninety term papers. As a retired teacher, that's something I don't miss.
Crazy as it sounds, I do miss teenagers, just not enough to substitute teach. I do miss their enthusiasm for mostly anything not involved in a classic education. But if I could convince them that the Old English epic Beowulf was just like a horror flick, we could communicate. Then it was such fun.
Procrastination time is over! I need to finish a few things!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Priorities
When asked by daughter Laura to watch our two grandchildren for the weekend, of course I agreed. Then I looked at my schedule and theirs and realized I would have to close the shop two days and also skip Friday Night Free for All. Family is always my top priority so I posted that the shop would be closed for Friday and Saturday. But my sanity is a priority as well, so I notified Joe that he would be in charge of serving the darlings frozen pizza and watching cartoons with them from 5 to 10 on Friday night. Friday Night Free for All was not cancelled!
On her way, Denise picked up dinner from Chipotle for those who hadn't eaten. Then five merry quilters settled into the normal routine of sewing and chatting. One breakthrough --I was thrilled to discover that one person not related to me by blood actually reads my blog. But quilting is a pretty strong tie because we all process our plans and require feedback on the ongoing projects. I think quilters sometimes know more about each other than friends of a more miscellaneous nature. Some husbands live in fear as to what is revealed on a Friday night.
But never fear, husbands are high on the priority list -- just not quite as high as they would like to be.
On her way, Denise picked up dinner from Chipotle for those who hadn't eaten. Then five merry quilters settled into the normal routine of sewing and chatting. One breakthrough --I was thrilled to discover that one person not related to me by blood actually reads my blog. But quilting is a pretty strong tie because we all process our plans and require feedback on the ongoing projects. I think quilters sometimes know more about each other than friends of a more miscellaneous nature. Some husbands live in fear as to what is revealed on a Friday night.
But never fear, husbands are high on the priority list -- just not quite as high as they would like to be.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Special Delivery
My dear brother and his wife have 14 grandchildren, ranging in age from 2 to 19. (My two daughters would have to have seven children each just to tie -- not that it's a competition, of course.)
Each of the 14 received a baby quilt from me -- Some when I had just barely started to piece fabric together so I bought them from more accomplished friends but others received my better work. I know they all treasure them regardless and I really appreciate that.
But when it came to graduation quilts, I thought that would be almost impossible. My optimistic sister-in-law felt sure it could be done if she made the tops and I quilted them. I delivered our second quilt during the family picnic at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia. Never having been there before, it was wonderful to discover Tuscora Park is perfect for all ages with lots of activities, huge shade trees, tables, and grills. Although the oldsters had to keep moving their chairs to stay in the shade, it was really pleasant weather. My biggest fear was that I would forget to get the quilt out of the car and drive it back to Hebron with me. I did remember, however, and it was fun to special deliver the soft blue and green top quilted overall with a climbing rose pattern. My sister-in-law and great-niece were thriled.
The thing is we have twelve more to make. Fortunately, Nita is starting to talk about crocheting something different for the boys, but I don't know; we may be making #14 when we're in our eighties. Actually, if we are, more power to us!
Each of the 14 received a baby quilt from me -- Some when I had just barely started to piece fabric together so I bought them from more accomplished friends but others received my better work. I know they all treasure them regardless and I really appreciate that.
But when it came to graduation quilts, I thought that would be almost impossible. My optimistic sister-in-law felt sure it could be done if she made the tops and I quilted them. I delivered our second quilt during the family picnic at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia. Never having been there before, it was wonderful to discover Tuscora Park is perfect for all ages with lots of activities, huge shade trees, tables, and grills. Although the oldsters had to keep moving their chairs to stay in the shade, it was really pleasant weather. My biggest fear was that I would forget to get the quilt out of the car and drive it back to Hebron with me. I did remember, however, and it was fun to special deliver the soft blue and green top quilted overall with a climbing rose pattern. My sister-in-law and great-niece were thriled.
The thing is we have twelve more to make. Fortunately, Nita is starting to talk about crocheting something different for the boys, but I don't know; we may be making #14 when we're in our eighties. Actually, if we are, more power to us!
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