Quilter's Meme, Part #2

The return of the Quilter’s Meme… part #2, by Shelina… thanks, again!

Accomplishments are bolded, answers/comments are in italics…

106 thrown away a quilt me? NEVER!
107 made a quilt using 30s fabric
108 made a quilt using reproduction fabric
109 given an unfinished quilt to someone as a gift
110 finished a quilt more than two years after the due date - anniversary, birthday..
111 purchased all fabric in a particular fabric line Jinny Beyer- tone-on-tones, fat quarters
112 gotten an autograph from a quilter Georgia Bonesteel, Jean Ray Laury, Ami Simms, Sue Nickels, Mary Stori
113 sold a quilt on eBay
114 purchased an antique quilt
115 purchased a quilt on eBay
116 joined a UFO challenge group
117 won a door prize at a quilt show set of Omnigrid rulers
118 had one of your quilts auctioned
119 gone to a quilt shop and not purchased a single thing I must have been sick that day

Questions:
120 how old is your oldest UFO? 15+ years
121 how long did you let your oldest UFO sit before you completed it? It’s still sitting…
122 what is your biggest fabric purchase? $300+
123 what is the farthest distance you traveled to go to a quilt store/ retreat/ convention? 1,000’s of miles… I came back to North Carolina from Europe when we lived there to attend a quilt convention.
124 how much total time did you spend on quilting activities in the last 12 months? 1200 hours.
125 what does the quilting world need that it doesn't have? If I knew I could be a millionaire…maybe a sewing machine with an expandable arm to convert (with seamless push-button convenience, of course) from normal domestic sewing to a quilting machine.
126 what is your favorite part about quilting? Dreaming, designing…
127 what is your least liked part about quilting? Using the seam ripper.
128 if the quilting fairies come to visit your house, what would you want them to do for you? Fold and neatly re-shelve all my fabrics when I’m in a creative frenzy.
129 what is the longest time you have worked on quilting activities in one stretch? 12 hours
130 have you ever made a quilt in one day? how big was it? Yes, small wallhanging.
131 In terms of the stereotypical quilter, how are you the same? I hoard fabric for that “someday” quilt… love to spend time in quilt shops
132 In terms of the stereotypical quilter, how are you different? I don’t feel the need to follow current quilt trends.
133 If you had more time, what quilting thing would you do that you aren't doing already? Finish quilts, make more.
134 If you won the lottery, and had to spend it all one quilting thing, what would you get? A maid and a cook so that I could spend more time sewing.
135 If you lost the lottery, and had to give up everything but one thing, what would you keep. My sewing machine.

Shelina says she'll create part three someday, I'll be waiting eagerly.

Best wishes for lots of stitches...
Life is Good!

... And Even More Chrismons... (A Star is Born)

It was a simple folded paper star that grabbed my attention, a German folded paper star, to be exact. I’d seen them everywhere, but no one could tell me how to make them. The stars are prevalent in these parts of North Carolina, a cousin to the ‘pointier’ Moravian Star; they are omnipresent this time of year. I desperately wanted to learn the paper-folding technique but kept running into obstacles in my path to learning, I almost forgot about them; almost. Years passed and our family moved, and moved again. Ten years ago we celebrated Christmas in Geneva, Switzerland; our new home. The folded paper star once again appeared, this time it was red, but the nonetheless the same. It revealed itself on the Christmas tree in our church sanctuary that Advent season in 1996. Our Pastor arranged for me to meet the maker, an elderly German-speaking (only!–gulp-) lady agreed to show me. Hope was reignited; just as quickly to be dashed, she suddenly died following a stroke that same week. I sadly wondered then if I was ever to learn. We moved back to the U.S. years later and my mother alerted me, by phone, to the fact that a craft show on HGTV was doing Christmas ornament making demonstrations at that very moment. I turned on the television… there they were, again; MY stars! I hadn’t missed even a minute of the broadcast; I hit “instant record” on the VCR. Later that day, the prize in plain view; I placed the carefully cut paper strips on the table and rewound the tape. I followed the steps one by one, in order; and managed to create a misshapen, torn and crumbled paper wad. My next attempt was equally miserable. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t grasp this, it seemed simple enough! I watched again, only to become even more distraught, nothing even resembling a star was produced! Totally defeated, I placed the remaining strips in a drawer along with the VHS tape; out of sight.

My daughter was home for Thanksgiving that year, as we finished up the dishes together I confessed my frustration to her over my star-attempts. She was intrigued. We unearthed the tape and the strips. Immediately she, and my husband, not only caught on, but achieved precise pointed-star perfection. They each made another, to prove there was no such thing as beginner’s luck. I managed a few more of my pathetic star wanna-be’s. My daughter turned off the VCR. She was ready to show me how; I argued for the tape, professing that I was indeed a visual learner and needed to watch the instruction one more time. She smiled at me knowingly, with love. “No”, she patiently explained, “you are a kinesthetic learner; you need to hold it, to manipulate it, to learn.” I was stunned at this knowledge. She guided my hands through the steps until I, too, had achieved star perfection! Was she correct? Did she know me better than I knew myself, I knew that God did; but did my daughter? The star lay on the table; it reflected the truth of her statement.

Since that day she and I have taught countless children, and adults, to fold German paper stars. I hope they have taught others, too. We all learn differently, I know that now. I have also come to know the value of a simple folded paper star; for me it represents hope, disappointment, trust and perseverance. It symbolizes my loving relationship with my daughter and reminds me, again, how we all become the face of God to one other. All this from a strip of paper?

You betcha!

Life is Good!

More Chrismons...

My daughter cross-stitched these for me when she was attending Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in the fall of '98. This is a small representation of the many that she has done. I framed them up and backed them with gold lame, added a thin layer of batting and topped them with a hanging loop. A Chrismon is a Christian symbol made as a tree ornament; typically they are done in gold and white, there are no other colors represented as they symbolize the sovereign Christ's purity. Chrismons were first displayed on a tree at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA; the idea of Mrs. Frances Spencer, in 1957. Our Chrismon tree is the first tree that goes up in our home, heralding the start of the Advent season.

Life is Good!

P.S. (To Friday's Post)...

After much vacuuming, mopping, dusting and shaking out everything else, we have the family room back together. My husband is a genius. I have some quilts left to hang; the new recessed accent lighting will show them up nicely. I had absolutely NO vision where any of this was concerned. Every night we would discuss how to implement this lighting scheme... (what size? where to place them? how many?) I would end up frustrated and confused at the choices. All of this indecision from a woman who can plan an entire quilt around a one inch square of fabric! Who would've guessed it? Thanks be to God for gifting us each with our own strengths...

Life is Good!

Lacemaking by Machine

I spent the afternoon yesterday making lace on the sewing machine. This is new to me, and it turned out quite well; if I do say so myself. I will put up the Chrismon tree this afternoon and the lace crosses (at least a few) will go there. To achieve the lace I simply hooped a clear, water soluble stabilizer and stitched directly onto that! After the design stitched itself out, it was immersed in water and... Voila; Chrismons!

Life is Good!

Menu for Memories

Shelina posted a Thanksgiving menu on her blog, I love reading what others eat (and do) on their holiday; so thought it a good blog idea to share ours too. This year we ate at my mother-in-law's; (home improvement going on here!!) our daughter and son-in-law came in from Raleigh the night before, and she I contributed dishes that we did ahead here. We took appetizers--a cheese ball and a hot chili dip; as well as three pies, apple, cherry and pumpkin... all homemade. My husband made blenders full of strawberry smoothies when we got there, some in an "adult" version, too. At 2:30 PM we sat down to turkey, corn bread dressing, potatoes and gravy, peas and carrots, a congealed apple/cranberry salad, monkey bread and assorted olives and pickles. It was all delicious. I have my own versions of dinner when we do it here, always the green bean casserole with french-fried onion rings as well as mashed and buttered parsnips; but my time comes again next year. What one dish or treat makes Thanksgiving unique and special for you?

Each year on Thanksgiving morning after the breakfast dishes are cleaned and put away a jigsaw puzzle makes its way to the kitchen table. The puzzle will remain in place until completion, driving us to find new and exciting places to eat our meals; or to finish the puzzle! This year we have a tribute to American Presidents, a 1,000 piece beauty! Last Thursday evening our little family gathered around the table, not to eat again; but to laugh and reminisce, to share plans and divulge secrets, to add pieces to the puzzle... to make memories. For all of this, and so much more, I am completely and humbly thankful.

Life is Good!

It's snowing...

... IN THE HOUSE! (Now, doesn't this look warm and inviting?)

Not really snow, but dust; sheetrock dust to be exact, and I think I may go insane!! My husband decided a year ago to install a coffered ceiling in the family room. He did a beautiful job, too; it's gorgeous. Every year at this time, during the holidays, he comes up with a HUGE home-improvement project; (that he says won't involve me!) this year it's putting 16 recessed lights in the soffit around the coffered ceiling. Do you have any idea what kind of dust this generates? If you don't, c'mon over... you'll see. The dust goes absolutely everywhere. I mean everywhere; even inside closed drawers! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...on all the floors, the counter tops, the window sills, the dog... you get the picture. And so it goes at Chez Goodneedle...

Happy Holidays Y'all
Life is Good.
*cough*

Accent?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Boston You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.
The West
The Midland
North Central
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Nancy had this quiz linked on her blog a couple of days ago. I have taken it twice with different results; yesterday I sounded like I was from the was "the midland" and today's results are posted. Kinda makes you go hmmmmmmm.... anyway, it's fun. I was raised thirty miles north of Boston so there certainly could be some truth to this. Wicked cool.

Life is Good.

Giving Thanks...

... for so many things!
Happy Thanksgiving.

Life is Good!

Empty Nest

Empty Nest by Kristin Steiner

My post from yesterday called this quilt to mind. Kristin Steiner is an applique master in the folk-art style from Columbia, SC. She lectured at our guild here a few years ago and I became enamoured both with her applique style and her approach to self-expression through fabric. She introduced me to "The Artists Way" by Julia Cameron. It's my delight to share this quilt today.

Life is Good!

Fly Away...

The baby bird didn't need any nudging from the nest's edge, this wounded one struck out all on his own; eager to go and make his Dad and me empty nesters once again. It was time, and I am happy for his independence. But, he's left his imprint and I do miss him. I poured too much water in the coffee maker this morning; miscalculating, for a moment, how many coffee drinkers were at home. I've stripped the bed and cleaned the bathroom where he's been for the past two weeks; I've put the sheets and towels in the washer and emptied the trash can from his room. It's almost like the accident never happened, almost. I'm thankful to have had a small part in Kyle's continuing recovery, I cherish the time he spent here recuperating and am deeply grateful to God for my son's strong will, initiative and determination to be strong and whole once more.

(Go ahead, fly away...but please be careful; and remember, you always have a place to come and rest, in the nest, should you need it.)

Life is Good!

Strike! When the Iron's Hot...

When a product works, really works as advertised, I will definitely recommend it. Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner is one of those products. My iron's soleplate was all gunked up after using fusible web and heavy spray starch this week in the workshop. I plugged in the iron, turned it to the cotton setting, squeezed a bit of the cleaner on a towel (as directed) and ran the heated iron over the cleaner... back and forth a few times... voila; one clean, shiny iron!

Life is Good!

Mutts

This was the Mutts column from the newspaper on my birthday!
Oh, yeah!
Thanks, Quiltkeemosabe, for sending it to me.

Life IS Good!

Twenty-One Birds

Twenty-One Birds by: Sue Nickels /40" X 46"

I attended a workshop taught by Sue Nickels yesterday, Twenty-One Birds. It was a technique class, raw edge fusible machine applique. Without a doubt she is the best prepared, most organized and accomplished teacher I have ever had the privilege of learning from. Her demos at the machine were aided by a small camera that projected the image to a full size screen behind her, she also used a microphone so that everyone could hear; this completely eliminated treks back and forth to the teacher's table and maximized sewing time for the sudents. This was the second time I have taken instruction from her; believe me, every minute is well spent. Sue is helpful, generous, informative and fun! I completed only one bird, but came away with a wealth of knowledge and many wonderful memories.

Life is Good!

Like a Snow Globe...

...life has been 'all shook up' around here lately. In the same way that snow floats around in a globe after shaking, everything is beginning to settle down once again, but most likely not in the same place. Kyle is living with us until he can regain his independance, based on current physical limitations. He requires assistance with some things, such as switching between the leg brace (worn when moving about) and the boot (worn while in the bed); this occurs frequently throughout each day. Usually he 'calls' me by employing the intercom feature on our cordless phone, something I never even knew we had, when he needs help. My daily routine ain't what it used to be... but, I am amazed at how relatively quickly we've all adapted. This new rehab facility, our home, won't be forever. In the meantime I'm learning many things about and from my adult son, I am deeply thankful that I'm in a position where I can help him recover here. Kyle has always been able to make me laugh like no one else; even now, he continues to amuse me. No, life isn't the same, we're reminded that we're not in charge, God is! We're strong and we're a family; we live and love and learn and laugh together, on His time! There are still some swirling flakes circling the globe, most have found a new place to land; this is our life...

Life is Good!

They're All Precious In His Sight

Measuring: 55" X 65"

...Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world...

Life is Good!

This Turkey is Fourteen Years Old!

Kyle is home! He has helped me to add quilt photos along my sidebar. We decided to divide them into "Completed Quilts" and "In the Works"... I have two in the works; (as pictured) but many more in reality! I will begin to chronicle progress in that arena, there's nothing like exposing your UFO's to the light of day with the entire blogger world watching!

I will post photos of the quilt I am currently machine quilting; "They're All Precious in His Sight", tomorrow. I am taking a workshop on Wednesday from Sue Nickels and I want her to see that border, as the technique is one that I learned from her two years ago in at class at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Williamsburg, VA. I'll take photos at Wednesday's workshop, too.

In the meantime, this turkey is a detail from a COMPLETED wallhanging, circa 1992; a Country Threads pattern. I thought it appropriate for November.

Stay tuned for updates...
Life is Good!

For my Son

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
-Proverbs 3: 5-8

Quilt Show

I am learning a LOT. Kyle has set me up with a photobucket account and has tried to upload some knowledge regarding page layout into this 53 year old head of mine. I am learning, albeit slowly. You can now begin to view a "quilt show" in progress, we are creating a gallery of photos stacked down the side of my blog page. These quilts are mine, all created over the last couple of years; as you can tell, some are works in progress. I will add more here as time goes on; until then... enjoy the "show" as it takes shape, thanks for taking the time.

Life is Good!

Update on Kyle

We had a long day at the hospital yesterday. We arrived shortly after 8 AM for his scheduled labs that were to be performed prior to 11 AM surgery. The surgery was pushed back... way back... and he didn't end up going in until 4 PM. Patience was in short supply by that time. We talked with his surgeon a little after 7 PM, he came out as soon as he had finished; things went well. Kyle now has a plate and eight screws holding the tibial plateau back together. The tibial plateau is the top of the bone directly beneath the knee; there were two fractures, coming in at opposite angles and rising to an intersecting apex right at the top of the plateau. They are both stabilized and associated cartilage and meniscus damage have been repaired as well. He has been placed in an "immobilizer" (looks like a soft honeycomb leg wrap) for the next two days, while he's in the hospital, and will advance to a hinged brace upon discharge. We visited with Kyle last evening after he returned to a room on the Orthopedic floor, he was groggy and nauseated from the anesthesia; but happy to have the surgery behind him at long last. Please continue to keep Kyle in your prayers for patience with himself and his recovery as he begins down the long 'healing road' ahead. He will be fine, with time, we are deeply thankful for the skilled hands and enthusiastic determination of his surgeon and the caring support of Kyle's friends and family!

Life is Good!
Thanks be to God.

New Look

We all need a fresh face from time to time, since Kyle has nothing but time on his hands right now he has helped to transform the look of my blog page. It continues to evolve, I'm planning on adding quilt photos today. He has added blog links on my side bar, these are family members; (I'm so pathetic!), if any of you, my quilt-blogging friends, would be willing to be linked here please let me know and I'll have you added while my tech-help is still under this roof. I don't speak HTML.

Life is Good!

Waiting Game...

... no fun, this game of waiting. It's hard to tell when you've won. The rules are simple; lie and wait... until you need more pain pills. Try and get out of bed and hobble to the bathroom all the while lifting a cast along with you that rivals the weight of a small vehicle; return to bed. More pain pills... and so it goes; this, the waiting game. Tomorrow the Orthopedic Surgeon will evaluate the situation with the swelling and determine if it's time for surgery yet or not. And so, the game continues...

Kyle, remember:
Life IS Good!

A Boy and His Dog...

...have taken up residence in my studio; at least for now. The sofa has become a bed, the sewing room television has become his sole source of entertainment, and let's face it-- the company is welcome in a creative space where this quiltmaker is sometimes found talking to herself! And so we wait... for the orthopedic surgeon to pin a red-headed "Humpty Dumpty" back together again. Life will soon enough get back to a normal routine, but for now; this is the view from behind my Bernina. Postings on Kyle's surgery and progress will appear here in the next few days. Thanks for checking in, we appreciate your phone calls and even more your continued prayers.

Life is Good!

Once a Mom...

...always a Mom. My son needs me right now. He's 26, but there's no statute of limitations on motherhood. He fell while rock climbing at an indoor gym and has multiple tibial fractures on different planes right under his knee. He's come home with us for now while he awaits surgery sometime next week. With surgery that involves a plate and screws it's best to wait for all the swelling to go down. (Picture approximates where his fractures are and what may likely be done.). So he's waiting, we all are... with heavy pain drugs for him and lots of patience we'll all get through this, he'll have a long road ahead before all function is restored.
I am so thankful that he needs me, that I can be of help; and that this isn't any worse.
I'll post more as we know more, until then, remember...

Life is Good,
and it will get better...
Hang in there, Kyle!
I love you.

Kids Today!

Remember when Paul Lynde asked that rhetorical question in Bye-Bye, Birdie-"what's the matter with kids today?"We brought Mom to our house after church last Sunday for dinner. I drove her home after that, as my husband was on the roof with the satellite guy*; yes, on a SUNDAY! When I pulled into her driveway her yard was crawling with kids... kids with rakes... the youth group from our church, to be exact! They had come to rake her yard, and they did a fine job; not leaving before all the leaves were in big, neat piles beside the street. She never wanted to be "that lady", the one who seemingly required help simply because she'd outlived her husband. I explained to her that the kids were there because she was a faith model to them, not because they felt sorry for her. You couldn't fault these youth for their lack of enthusiasm, not having cheerful spirits, or being unwilling to serve. We were witnessing young faith in action... so; what's the matter with kids today?

Apparently, nothing at all!
Life is Good...

(see previous post... "Life Was Simpler...")

Humbled...

Strawberry Hill (measuring: 28.5" square)

I am humbled by a November surprise, it happened today. Not the same type of November surprise we've been hearing about in the pre-election, poll-type, speculative sense; but the kind of surprise that it so unexpectedly wonderful it takes your breath away! I am humbled by the huge heart and generous spirit of a dear, dear friend who made this for me; hand appliquéd, no less! This was a birthday gift from her, my birthday was in September; which adds to the surprise- (but then, that's another facet of this gift, I'm never "officially" older until I receive her gift). So, in a sense, today's my birthday! Thanks, Quiltkeemosabe...

Life is Good...
and even better with a friend just like you!