Leap year. An extra day on the 2016 calendar. Several postings on Facebook suggest I "make the most of it" and "accomplish something special".
Hmmmmm.....I vacuumed the bedroom, worked on some quilt projects, cleaned out my sewing room looking for some special tools for my portable machine (no luck finding them), took the dog for a walk, did some laundry, separated some clothes to take to Goodwill, iced my foot, listened to the radio and watched a little TV.
It's 3:00 p.m. I supposed there is still time left in this extra day to do something meaningful. Nah.....I'll plan something for 2020.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Depleting the Stash.......
Another grey day in Wisconsin. However, when I see the strong storms hitting many other areas of the Country I'm not complaining. I have zero on the calendar for today so that means I can quilt. Yea!
Time to put together a few more baby quilts for my guild. It's our service project. Every year we make well over 100 colorful quilts that we provide to two hospitals for infants in their neo-natal care units. The small quilts cover incubators so that bright hospital lights don't hurt the tiny babies' eyes.
It starts when I open the cupboard to check my stash. It's fun to create these quilts because they can be very "scrappy" and random....no specific patterns needed.
After digging through the piles I have an assortment that will be fun to use. And many of these are fabrics that are left-overs from other quilts, or patterns that I probably won't be using in a larger project. So making the baby quilts helps me clean house.
Next step is to cut the fabric into strips and then sew the strips together to make one LONG piece. Then put the two ends together, fold the long strip in half and sew along the seam. You now still have a LONG piece.....but half as long as before. Repeat the process over and over and over.....
Music playing in the background, colorful fabric moving beneath my fingers, sewing machine humming along.....this is almost a meditative kind of sewing....doesn't require much thought but it's fun and productive. And besides, if it's coloful INSIDE who cares if it's grey OUTSIDE!
The final little quilt top is paired with a piece of backing fabric and folded up. It will go to my next guild meeting and someone will offer to take it home, add batting and machine quilt it to create the finished project. It is a nice co-operative effort.
In the past few weeks I've put together six sets. My stash cupboard is getting sort of "bare"....well, not really. But still. There's a big quilt show nearby tomorrow with 60 vendors planning to attend. :-) My stash just might grow......again.
Time to put together a few more baby quilts for my guild. It's our service project. Every year we make well over 100 colorful quilts that we provide to two hospitals for infants in their neo-natal care units. The small quilts cover incubators so that bright hospital lights don't hurt the tiny babies' eyes.
It starts when I open the cupboard to check my stash. It's fun to create these quilts because they can be very "scrappy" and random....no specific patterns needed.
After digging through the piles I have an assortment that will be fun to use. And many of these are fabrics that are left-overs from other quilts, or patterns that I probably won't be using in a larger project. So making the baby quilts helps me clean house.
Next step is to cut the fabric into strips and then sew the strips together to make one LONG piece. Then put the two ends together, fold the long strip in half and sew along the seam. You now still have a LONG piece.....but half as long as before. Repeat the process over and over and over.....
Music playing in the background, colorful fabric moving beneath my fingers, sewing machine humming along.....this is almost a meditative kind of sewing....doesn't require much thought but it's fun and productive. And besides, if it's coloful INSIDE who cares if it's grey OUTSIDE!
The final little quilt top is paired with a piece of backing fabric and folded up. It will go to my next guild meeting and someone will offer to take it home, add batting and machine quilt it to create the finished project. It is a nice co-operative effort.
In the past few weeks I've put together six sets. My stash cupboard is getting sort of "bare"....well, not really. But still. There's a big quilt show nearby tomorrow with 60 vendors planning to attend. :-) My stash just might grow......again.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Spending Way Too Much Time in the Ladies Room......
We live just south of Sheboygan. Sheboygan is home to the John Michael Kohler Center for the Arts and that beautiful museum is well worth the drive. We check it out every few months and we are never disappointed. The exhibits are varied and interesting and beautifully displayed.
Before leaving and driving back to Port Washington I always stop off in the ladies room.....probably for obvious reasons. And Dave waits.....and waits.....and wonders what the heck I'm doing in there.
I'm enjoying the art.....
Before leaving and driving back to Port Washington I always stop off in the ladies room.....probably for obvious reasons. And Dave waits.....and waits.....and wonders what the heck I'm doing in there.
I'm enjoying the art.....
Monday, February 15, 2016
I Didn't Know Him.......
The request came through my quilt guild. An email went out to members saying that someone was hoping to have a memory quilt made using a man's shirts. So I responded and said I had time and would be happy to discuss the project.
A few weeks later a young woman came to our condo with bags full of shirts. Some were still on hangers in dry cleaning bags, others were folded or just bunched up in two large plastic bags. And there was one jacket included. As she took the shirts out and put them on our dining room table bright color after bright color after bright color added to the collection.
She shared only a few details and I really didn't ask many questions. She told me the shirts had belonged to a 21 year old man, a recent college graduate. He was killed in a car crash. He left behind grieving parents and an 18 year old sister. She had known the family for years and when she saw that the young man's mother was going to throw all the shirts away she asked if she could take them.....and that's how they ended up on my dining room table. The family had no idea she contacted me and that I would be using his shirts to make them a memory quilt. When I also offered to make a memory bear she asked if I could make two
I've been working on the project now for a couple weeks. There was no specific deadline. As I ironed the shirts, cut the squares and started to put them together I couldn't help but begin to paint a picture of this young man in my mind. The plaids and colors suggested that this was a guy who did not "fade into the wood work".....when he entered a room I see him entering with a smile and with confidence. (You don't wear an orange and blue plaid or pink and blue stripe shirt if you don't want to be noticed!) I see a wide smile and I hear a big and frequent laugh. I see him as the nucleus of a group of friends, I see him as a much loved son and older brother, I see him with a bright future.....until that future was gone.
In an instant his parents got the telephone call that anyone who's raised children dreads. The call that alters the family universe in an instant and forever. The call that you can't prepare for and that you never forget. Every time the phone rings for ever after it must prompt a sad memory.....a memory that won't go away. Ever.
I don't expect to meet this family......the family with a hole in their hearts where their son/brother used to be. But I hope that when their friend decides to give them the quilt and the two memory bears they will provide some comfort.
A few weeks later a young woman came to our condo with bags full of shirts. Some were still on hangers in dry cleaning bags, others were folded or just bunched up in two large plastic bags. And there was one jacket included. As she took the shirts out and put them on our dining room table bright color after bright color after bright color added to the collection.
She shared only a few details and I really didn't ask many questions. She told me the shirts had belonged to a 21 year old man, a recent college graduate. He was killed in a car crash. He left behind grieving parents and an 18 year old sister. She had known the family for years and when she saw that the young man's mother was going to throw all the shirts away she asked if she could take them.....and that's how they ended up on my dining room table. The family had no idea she contacted me and that I would be using his shirts to make them a memory quilt. When I also offered to make a memory bear she asked if I could make two
I've been working on the project now for a couple weeks. There was no specific deadline. As I ironed the shirts, cut the squares and started to put them together I couldn't help but begin to paint a picture of this young man in my mind. The plaids and colors suggested that this was a guy who did not "fade into the wood work".....when he entered a room I see him entering with a smile and with confidence. (You don't wear an orange and blue plaid or pink and blue stripe shirt if you don't want to be noticed!) I see a wide smile and I hear a big and frequent laugh. I see him as the nucleus of a group of friends, I see him as a much loved son and older brother, I see him with a bright future.....until that future was gone.
In an instant his parents got the telephone call that anyone who's raised children dreads. The call that alters the family universe in an instant and forever. The call that you can't prepare for and that you never forget. Every time the phone rings for ever after it must prompt a sad memory.....a memory that won't go away. Ever.
I don't expect to meet this family......the family with a hole in their hearts where their son/brother used to be. But I hope that when their friend decides to give them the quilt and the two memory bears they will provide some comfort.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Beauty in the Back Yard.....
We spent a very cold weekend visiting friends near Madison. Susie and I were college roommates for two years so our connection goes back a long way. Happily our friendship continues, and we enjoy spending time with her and her husband, Dwayne.
We've traveled together, snorkeling in Bonaire, Vieques, Akumal and Curacao. We attended a Road Scholar week in Kentucky. We've spent time at their cottage up in Waupaca. They've visited us many times in Milwaukee and we hit the road to their house several times each year. Conversations seem to pick up right where they left off and it's an easy and warm and special friendship.....for all four of us.
This time the plan was to go out for a special birthday dinner on Friday night at Quivey's Grove. Saturday we planned to just "mess around". We took a mini road trip to a quilt shop, stopped at a terrific coffee shop and visited a garden shop where Susie picked out a new bird feeder for their back yard. Then home to a cozy house as the temperature dropped and the wind picked up.
Before watching the Wisconsin basketball game on TV, one of the nicest parts of the weekend was spending time looking out the window at the birdfeeders in the yard. The activity was continuous.....and beautiful. The cardinals, jays, woodpeckers, goldfinches, wrens and other birds zipped from tree to bird feeder and back to tree. Swooping and dodging all around the yard and down onto the snow covered with seeds and shells and then to the birdbath on the deck for a sip of water.
We are not really bird watchers.....but it was fun watching the birds....and seemed to signal that maybe spring wasn't too far away. I hope!
We've traveled together, snorkeling in Bonaire, Vieques, Akumal and Curacao. We attended a Road Scholar week in Kentucky. We've spent time at their cottage up in Waupaca. They've visited us many times in Milwaukee and we hit the road to their house several times each year. Conversations seem to pick up right where they left off and it's an easy and warm and special friendship.....for all four of us.
This time the plan was to go out for a special birthday dinner on Friday night at Quivey's Grove. Saturday we planned to just "mess around". We took a mini road trip to a quilt shop, stopped at a terrific coffee shop and visited a garden shop where Susie picked out a new bird feeder for their back yard. Then home to a cozy house as the temperature dropped and the wind picked up.
Before watching the Wisconsin basketball game on TV, one of the nicest parts of the weekend was spending time looking out the window at the birdfeeders in the yard. The activity was continuous.....and beautiful. The cardinals, jays, woodpeckers, goldfinches, wrens and other birds zipped from tree to bird feeder and back to tree. Swooping and dodging all around the yard and down onto the snow covered with seeds and shells and then to the birdbath on the deck for a sip of water.
We are not really bird watchers.....but it was fun watching the birds....and seemed to signal that maybe spring wasn't too far away. I hope!
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Following the Herd......
It's cold outside......and we are "hunkered down" for much of the day. But not the deer. This morning Dave looked out the bedroom window and spotted eight of them up on the hill above the bike path. Not easy to see....but they are there!
Look just below the house and to the left of the lighthouse....there's a line of about six of them. As we watched, two in the lead perked up and quickly moved to the right. I told Dave someone is coming and they are spooked....but no....it was a cat! Not visible in my poor photograph, but a big black cat was working it's way up the hill and as it crested the top, the cat spotted the deer and the deer spotted the cat. I watched the cat's ears flatten, she crouched low and quickly turned around to move back down the hill as the deer, ears perked up straight came over to investigate.
The cat made her way out of sight and the deer settled down to keep grazing on whatever they were finding at the top of the hill. We often see "our" deer.....but not eight at once. Some may be bucks if they've dropped their racks....but we can't tell from our windows.
About an hour later I sat down at the desk to use the computer and caught movement out of the side of my eye. Glancing outside I saw all eight of our friends pacing north down the bike path! I didn't get a good shot.....but still...what fun to see them go. They pranced right down the path, one after another, all the way to the curve where I lost sight of them.
What fun....nature on display.....right outside my window!
Look just below the house and to the left of the lighthouse....there's a line of about six of them. As we watched, two in the lead perked up and quickly moved to the right. I told Dave someone is coming and they are spooked....but no....it was a cat! Not visible in my poor photograph, but a big black cat was working it's way up the hill and as it crested the top, the cat spotted the deer and the deer spotted the cat. I watched the cat's ears flatten, she crouched low and quickly turned around to move back down the hill as the deer, ears perked up straight came over to investigate.
The cat made her way out of sight and the deer settled down to keep grazing on whatever they were finding at the top of the hill. We often see "our" deer.....but not eight at once. Some may be bucks if they've dropped their racks....but we can't tell from our windows.
About an hour later I sat down at the desk to use the computer and caught movement out of the side of my eye. Glancing outside I saw all eight of our friends pacing north down the bike path! I didn't get a good shot.....but still...what fun to see them go. They pranced right down the path, one after another, all the way to the curve where I lost sight of them.
What fun....nature on display.....right outside my window!
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Flooding Facebook........
The only social media tool I use is Facebook.....unless you count email and an occasional Facetime with far away friends. At this point I realize that Facebook is "old fashioned" and younger members of our family are on Instagram, or Tinder, or whatever. But I'll just stick with Facebook.
It's been fun to re-connect with friends I haven't seen for awhile and to see photos of their families or trips. To share silly videos or posters. And, during campaign season (which is basically almost ALL the time) to read and sometimes post political sites/opinions/polls. I figure that's what social media is for....to share. And yes, sometimes I share my opinions or re-post someone elses, but usually I enjoy the fun stuff.
My friend Linda lives in Japan and she "nominated" me to post at least one nature-related photo every day for a week and to tag some of my friends to do the same. She told me she'd been nominated by one of her friends and hoped to "flood Facebook with positive images". Linda also shares thoughtful posts about politics, or society, or mankind in general......but she really likes the idea of posting lots of pretty images for her Facebook friends to share and enjoy.
I accepted her challenge with a bit of a "cheat". I am posting Dave's photographs. He's the photographer in the family but doesn't do Facebook. I do Facebook but don't take many photos. So he's cooperating in a passive sort of way.
It is fun.....scrolling through his thousands of photos and picking a few each day. Nice to be reminded of the beauty that surrounds us......whether it's a photo of a huge mountain range or a small flower. Taking time to see and appreciate the images does bring the blood pressure down and moves the appreciation factor up.
So I'm posting pics and have nominated a few friends to widen the circle and pass it on.
You don't have to be a professional to capture a moment and share it with Facebook. Try it......
It's been fun to re-connect with friends I haven't seen for awhile and to see photos of their families or trips. To share silly videos or posters. And, during campaign season (which is basically almost ALL the time) to read and sometimes post political sites/opinions/polls. I figure that's what social media is for....to share. And yes, sometimes I share my opinions or re-post someone elses, but usually I enjoy the fun stuff.
My friend Linda lives in Japan and she "nominated" me to post at least one nature-related photo every day for a week and to tag some of my friends to do the same. She told me she'd been nominated by one of her friends and hoped to "flood Facebook with positive images". Linda also shares thoughtful posts about politics, or society, or mankind in general......but she really likes the idea of posting lots of pretty images for her Facebook friends to share and enjoy.
I accepted her challenge with a bit of a "cheat". I am posting Dave's photographs. He's the photographer in the family but doesn't do Facebook. I do Facebook but don't take many photos. So he's cooperating in a passive sort of way.
It is fun.....scrolling through his thousands of photos and picking a few each day. Nice to be reminded of the beauty that surrounds us......whether it's a photo of a huge mountain range or a small flower. Taking time to see and appreciate the images does bring the blood pressure down and moves the appreciation factor up.
So I'm posting pics and have nominated a few friends to widen the circle and pass it on.
You don't have to be a professional to capture a moment and share it with Facebook. Try it......
Monday, February 1, 2016
Four Letter Word.....
OK it's Monday night and here I am watching an episode of "The Bachelor" again......it was a busy day, lots of quilt projects in the pipe line, and we are making new curtains for the RV and I took the dog for a walk and made dinner.....and now I am icing my foot and watching Ben on a group date in Mexico City.
I swear if I hear one more young woman say "like" at the beginning of a sentence or three times in the middle of a sentence I may scream.
When these women watch the re-runs of this series I wonder if ANY of them will recognize just how annoying this "habit" is.
"Like"......my new least favorite four letter word.
I swear if I hear one more young woman say "like" at the beginning of a sentence or three times in the middle of a sentence I may scream.
When these women watch the re-runs of this series I wonder if ANY of them will recognize just how annoying this "habit" is.
"Like"......my new least favorite four letter word.
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