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5.18.13

Summer Sampler Set Block 2!

The second block in the series I wrote about yesterday. This is Jennifer Mathis' block from Wednesday.She blogs over at ellison lane where for a LIMITED TIME ONLY her FPP (Foundation Paper Pieced) block patterns for the Summer Sampler Series are free. At a rate of three a week for three weeks, you could have enough for a mini quilt. Put alternate blocks in and you have doubled the size! Double your FPPs and change up the colors and add in alternate blocks and you have multiplied your blocks by four. It doesn't get any easier than that.

I can see that block above as pink lemonade, limeade, sweet tea, or any of those great summer punch colors.

5.17.13

Project of the Moment

There are free FPP (Foundation Paper Pieced) patterns, part of the Summer Sampler Sew Along, available at Ellison Lane for a limited time. The one above is one made by Jennifer, the blog author. It was block 1, Monday's pattern. She will be posting nine total over three weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a mini quilt of 6" blocks.
By now there should be three. I am having company but if I get a moment I will borrow her pictures (she gives permission for that, some restrictions apply) and link you to the correct posts. Maybe I will even get to make a few but the next week or two will be fairly busy. I have added physical therapy to my weekly routine and the first day was not difficult but the fallout was trying.

5.16.13

Bird Show, Day Two

Mrs. Tanager, dressed in her best olive and gray.

Coy, isn't she? If you want to know more, you could click this link that takes you to a wonderful National Geographic article and shows you a range map. You will see her range dips right down over my house all the way to Atlanta.

Scarlet Tanagers used to be part of the Tanager family but are now classified as part of the Cardinal family.

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Suborder:	Passeri
Infraorder:	Passerida
Superfamily:	Passeroidea
Family:	Cardinalidae
Genus:	Piranga
Species:	P. olivacea

The information above links to Wikipedia but basically all the "Passeri" prefixes refer to perching orders and song bird super and infra orders. Info like that above I used to enjoy memorizing for zoology class. At one time I wanted to be a malacologist--actually with a specialty in conchology but somehow that never came to pass. I still can not resist collecting shells.

5.15.13

Bird Show

Here are some pictures of Mr. Tanager.

He and his wife visited a lot last week.

The day was overcast and he was almost NEON in his coloring.

I tried to find a sound to imbed so you could hear it but BLOGGER does not make this very easy and I never figured it out but since I DO know how to embed video, here is a youtube video I found that shows you another Mr. Tanager singing. WARNING The bird in the video is not shy about natural functions.

5.14.13

TEA TIME TUESDAY

Isn't this a great piece of fabric? It is made by Sarah M of Third Half Studios. The link will take you to her Spoonflower Fabric site. She says she modeled it after the daffodils in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The REAL one, not the recent one. (My words, not hers)

5.13.13

Yesterday, I wrote a post while I thought of all of the people I know who might not be celebrating Mother's Day traditionally because they have no biologicals. (children) They are wonderful, supportive partners, sympathetic friends, and great human beings. Thank you for nuturing so many of us along the way.

On to the Monday Mantra/Thought for the Week

There are not a lot of One Size Fits All quotes out there, but here is one of them. I think THIS links up to the JD HOUSTON being quoted above.

I find the picture interesting to think about. Is the leaping goldfish aspiring to be on his own? Looking at the next bowl as a stepping stone to the next bowl/goal? Why not have one fish alone in the bowl on the right, leaping into the community instead of out of it? Whatever the picture means to you, the quote is valid. Think about what you have wanted in the past few months. Have you had to do something you have never done in order to attain it? Are you still hoping to reach the goal but not ready to make the leap? Read the quote again and change it to

If I want something in my life, I will have to do something I have never done.

I hope every one of you finds the courage to explore the thought and think about the next goal and what the next step will be.

5.12.13

If you have ever stroked a cat, made someone soup, given advice, lent a shoulder to a teary friend, contributed to a charity, picked up trash you did not drop, driven a colleague to the airport, shared cookies, smiled at a stranger, given a dog a treat, put a penny in the cup at the counter, tenderly trimmed a bush, listened to the same stories over and over and still laughed at the funny parts, played patty-cake with a toddler, helped someone move to a new place, held the door for an elder, let your companion choose the movie, or offered your couch to a friend in need of shelter, you are a nurturer.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

5.11.13

You may remember when I joined the Southern Appalachian Modern Quilt Guild. I wrote about their choice of a block of the month to follow (they were using a Craftsy class). I had little enthusiasm for that. I was already taking a sampler class that focused on traditional blocks. (My Audrey Class) I was totally immersed in Audrey and I didn't have any motivation to duplicate the lessons with an online teacher. In fact, I was a little grumpy.

Well, I decided to make my own Modern Block of the Month. Or, rather, choose a block every month from the panoply of FREE modern blocks available. I have decided to mostly make 12" blocks or variations that will fit well such as 24", 6", 4", 3". I have already chosen colors.

Kona Cotton Ash, Lime, Chartreuse, Kumquat.

I thought I was unique in my color palette but I must have seen it somewhere. Maybe here at the Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild? It is likely that I was influenced by this. When I am about to embark on a new journey, I research everything to death. In the old days, that meant a lot of library time but since the internet, I am like a pig in slop.

So here I am, doing it MY way. MY Modern Block of the Month. Starting in May, not January. Using others' ideas but linking you to them. My version of the Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild's January 2013 Block of the month. Thank you, OCMQG, you are so generous to share the directions.

The photograph distortion makes the seams look skewed but they are actually pretty much straight!

I missed the April meeting of the SAMQG and Thursday's meeting was shocking. They have taken on a TON of charity work. They have decided to have once a month charity sewing. They have two projects underway just to pay for their main charity focus. I have a copy of the bylaws to read over. They don't seem to be doing their traditional block of the month anymore, either.

They passed out kits last night to make blocks for a raffle quilt but since I am booked with company and other things over the next month, I did not take any. To be completely honest, the raffle quilt looks like it might be modern. But charity work is not why I wanted to be part of a modern guild. I want to learn about the modern movement, instead of spend my time cranking out charity items and then sitting around selling geegaws or strong-arming people to buy raffle tickets. Which, ironically, is what I am doing right this minute while you are reading this--but for a different guild. Maybe the overlap factor is what is getting to me.

Yeah, still grumpy. I know. You can't have a non profit that doesn't do SOME charity work but my goodness. They have REALLY got big plans. And I want to sew for ME.

WAH WAH WAH I didn't even get to show my modern quilt block. What a crybaby.

5.10.13

A Little About Photo A Day

I found a photo game. It is from the Fatmumslim blog. She has a topic a day for you to respond with a photo. All devices and formats seem to be available. It is a no-pressure game meaning that if you skip some days, no problem. It might be fun to see how you can use all those devices that take and post photos and all those social media outlets that are available. If you scroll down and look at the links on the right side of her blog, it looks like she has some tips. I have to admit, I am not very good with the iPad yet but my mother has taught me a few things and I am getting there. My phone is not smart but hers is so maybe she will use her phone for some of these topics.

Today's topic is STARS.

I recently wrote a tutorial on a three-fold, one-cut five point star. These are negative and positive images on a background of fabric I had intended to use as water. May still do so but I like the cosmic quality it has with the stars.

5.9.13

If you have an idea of what that little lady is in the above triptych, please let me know.

Montage of the mystery bird. HomeSon took these pictures and merged them. We only have the one house shaped bird seed snack. This little friend came to visit the other day. I think it could be Mrs. Tanager but Mr. was not around so it was difficult to say. It is the beak shape that makes me think so. I have some pictures of Mr. that I will have to get out of my camera for tomorrow.

Some of my readers have helped me identify flora and fauna in the area. Last week I was not sure a about a pair of birds and thought they were Orioles even though they were yellow and WestCoastBrother told me they were Goldfinches. I think I saw Orioles last year and ours were more orange. I looked at the link above and confirmed his identification.

5.8.13

5.7.13

TEA TIME TUESDAY
My K-niece, Chicklet, sent me pictures for my tea paraphernalia collection from a recent trip to Boston. Isn't it a cute little set?

I think they bought this Stump pot to bring to their own home. Perfectly lovely little pot! I was so excited to add these to my virtual collection but a couple of days later, I received a package in the mail...

I apologize for the poor photo quality. I used my iPad and it was night but this is BOSTON TEA PARTY TEA! My in-laws were visiting and we had afternoon tea the very next day. MMmmm. It was Earl Grey and perfect.

5.6.13

And I am okay with who I am, too. Today, take time to revel in your own existence and enjoy your attributes.

5.5.13

Yeah, I pretty much am, too. We have had a few days of rain which I don't mind but the eaves near my batting collection are making a weird drip-drip noise even though I can't find any damp spots. Still, I will need to move a lot of stuff because SOMEONE needs to come up here and see what the hell is going on. Maybe even a professional should look. From the outside in.

My back hurts and I may not be on the blog for a few days. The next two days were written last week so if you do not hear from me on Wednesday, assume I am on the mend again.

5.4.13

Ummmmm. Yeah. That is true. Yesterday I finished preliminary work on a block that my applique teacher thinks is going to be a Rose of Sharon. Sorry, Connie Tackett. Mine is turning out to be something a little different.

I think I will call it Bouquet of Sharon. I started out with good intentions. Then I got carried away a little. If you know me, you expected something like that. I have each piece "semi-finished" and basted to the backing. I even researched border treatment and have a rough idea of what I want to do.

While I was thinking it over, I finished the quilt I am making for my SmallTalk exchange partner. I chose a favorite pattern by Kathleen Tracy and while I was cutting for my partner, cut a set for myself. Mine lacks only hand-catching the binding. All in all, a very satisfactory Friday.

While you are reading this, I hope I am continuing industriously. I missed a lot of time recently and it is good to be holding the needle and thimble again.

5.3.13

My little Blue Bird of Happiness has not found the seed feeders we put up.

But Mr. and Mrs. have! They spent the better part of yesterday morning busily stock up. Are they orioles? I will look them up and tell you. No, they are GOLD finches! Look right here.

Isn't he a funny fellow? He knows I am taking pictures.

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal have been by, also. He stands guard and she forages on the ground beneath the feeders with the sparrows. She is very hard to spot until she turns and you can see her light orange beak.

5.2.13

This one goes right along with "Now, why did I come into this room?" Read and enjoy and then visit this page again at the end of the day and say to yourself, "Where have I seen this before?"

5.1.13

ONE of my daffodils

Happy May Day! When I lived with my grandmother, we celebrated May Day. We made paper baskets and went to her friends' houses and put them on the doorknobs. The first time I was kindergarten age.

Wild Johnny Jump Ups in the rocks bordering our path.

It was great fun to run away while her friends pretended to chase me to give me a kiss.

Mom tells me this is Blue Flag

What I remember about May when I was in sixth grade was a visit to the family cemetery plots. When I remember this trip, I really only remember Auntie and Grammie Minnie..


I believe this is a white pansy that escaped the	basket from last year

Perhaps Auntie drove and Grammie stayed back with my brothers or maybe we were all there but I just have a little fractal picture of that day.

Whatever the case, the WORLD seems to celebrate May with flowers so here are some for you to enjoy.

4.30.13

TEA TIME TUESDAY
That's my "friend" (on FaceBook), George Takei. He is TRIPLE A.

Actor

Author

Activist

Go read his blog. Go see his Broadway play, Allegience. Go buy his book. Oh, MY!

4.29.13

Monday Thought for the Week

Me? I will grow flowers.

4.28.13

If I am not sewing, and I SHOULD be if I feel up to it, I am probably thinking about these two patterns and which I will chose to make for a new lunch box. I have loved my lunch boxes, but I found a weird little piece of fabric and I need a bigger space INSIDE the carriers I have, so that was all the excuse I needed to go shopping.
These are from FUNNY RABBIT on ETSY.

Called a Cosmetic Bag, it comes in two sizes. Looks like it has potential.

Called the Boston Satchel. I will make changes to handles and zipper, I think.

4.27.13

I have been lying low and just making plans rather than actually doing much sewing. It is much easier on the back. Here is a book I won at a recent guild meeting. It has a lot of interesting ideas.

But I have to admit, my favorite recent book acquisition is this one by Eleanor Burns.

She is the master of technique. Her sister, Patty Knoechel, came to the guild and spoke and before I knew what I was doing, I owned one of these books. It has already given me a lot of pleasure.

4.26.13

Finished up the Audrey class, yesterday, with a great foundation paper-pieced bonus lesson from Debbie Lachmiller. We gave Audrey a pretty pendant in the shape of a sampler quilt and I made her a wristlet-wallet and sewing angel.

I put a carabiner on the wristlet so she could have hands-free shopping. She said she has the angel hanging in her sewing room. It was a pleasure making dolls again. This one is based heavily on an elinor peace bailey pattern.

4.25.13

I was asked not long ago, if I had any pink dogwood in my yard. No, just the one, lonely, confused, white blossoming one I showed last year. But I DID happen across one at the fabric store in Blairsville. I did not have my regular camera, so these are shot with the iPad.

If you have seen dogwood in the woods while driving around here in the Southern Appalachians, did you think the blossoms were this dark? I know I was very surprised. Look at these pictures I took at the library last year.

I believe I better hunt up those pictures I took of the daffodils. They DID actually bloom though they look like rebloom is not going to happen.

4.24.13

Jedi Dog Art Magnet by Brian Rubenacker

Yes, I believe OUR little dog would make a GREAT Jedi Master. The artwork is by Brian Rubenacker. Click HERE to see some of his work. He does interesting dog-centric, poster style statements. Brian uses a color palette that appeals to me and reminds me of lithographic work of the early 20th century, though the subject matter decidedly shows his quirky sense of humor.

Many of you know about our wonderful dachshund, Lily. Sunday marks her seventh birthday. She has always been an unusually smart (manipulative?) dog. When she was very young, she learned to ring a bell when she wanted to "go outside". From then on, she would ring the bell every time she wanted to be out whether to play OR do her business. She would ring the bell at the front door and then dash for the back door which led to her play yard. We had to put in a second bell just for the play yard. That did NOT keep her from ringing the bell for attention and then once outside, making a "fake pee" in order to receive a treat. She still does that.

She knew her treats were behind a particularly heavy, spring-latched cabinet door in the kitchen. If we were all busy, sometimes we would hear (nudge) BAM BAm-bam-bam. If anyone came out to the kitchen to see what the noise was about, there she sat, waiting for a treat.

I taught her to "whisper" bark one tiny little bark to gently wake up her Grand-dad (my husband). She learned that trick so quickly I was amazed

We had a Family Thanksgiving Dinner one year. She whined all through the meal so HomeSon trained her to go to her bed whenever anyone had food. MOST of the time now, when someone fixes food, after she "vacuums" the kitchen floor, she dashes for her bed. If she doesn't, HomeSon reminds her and she GRUMBLES like back talk!

After her Grand-dad and I retired, she settled into a routine quite nicely. She rings the bell at 6:00 every night and will bark if ignored because she expects someone to be making dinner and nothing else will please her. At 9:45 in the evening, she makes one quiet little RAF to remind me that it is time for her dental health treat. If I don't respond, she will ring the bell.

On second thought, maybe Lily should NOT be permitted Jedi training. She seems to be doing pretty well without it. I worry to think what changes would come over our household. To paraphrase the Obi Wan character, "These are the treats you are looking for."