Quilt Camp, Day #5

Today was the last day for Quilt Camp, there was still plenty to do: getting the binding attached, and then, learning the fine art of finishing. She was an eager beaver this morning! Even though we were winding down the week, we still packed in a full complement of activities. After the binding was carefully sewn into position by machine, she designed a few quilt blocks that she might like to stitch up in the future using a wooden block puzzle that I keep in the studio.

Before lunch she settled down to begin the handwork; she likes hand-sewing, and carefully began folding the binding back to the "soft side" and catching it one stitch at a time. I was able to squeeze in reading one last quilt-related children's book while she stitched away.

And then, all of a sudden, it was time to go. She's still got three sides left to finish stitching down, but she left here today with thread and needles; a boxful of scraps and, most important of all, she's still smiling! I'd say that's a glowing testament to a week well spent. I couldn't be happier. 

'Bye!

And it's a wrap... 

💗

The quilting world is growing, 

one quilt camper at a time. 

💗

Life is Good!

Forever Young

She was my absolute favorite children's author, the news of her passing hurt my heart; she lived to almost 105! And yet, her characters: Ramona, Beezus, Henry Huggins and his dog, Ribsy, will remain forever young and immortal. Some of my favorite memories are of reading through these books with my children when they were young, and now with my grandchildren. Ralph S. Mouse was one that interested Gregory in particular. Back in 2016 when we took a road trip out west we visited Grant Park in Portland, Oregon especially for the Beverly Cleary sculpture garden, you can click on the link below to experience it for yourself. . 

Being in that space was almost as if I stepped foot right onto Klickitat Street. 

Rest in peace, Beverly, and thank you for the memories, from the bottom of my heart.

💗

Life is Good!

Everything I Need To Know...

This is a completely unsolicited book review: Everything I Need To Know I Learned From A Little Golden Book; I received it for my birthday from my Mom a couple of months ago.  It is a New York Times best seller by Diane Muldrow. 
Between the covers of this sweet and simple book, illustrated in a most familiar fashion, lies a lot of comfort as well as humorous and practical advice for getting the most out of our adult lives. If you have cherished these gold-spined volumes as a child (like I did), or spent countless hours reading Little Golden Books to your own children (did that, too!) you will appreciate this happy trip back in time and value the straight-forward encouragement offered here. My Mom even wrote my name inside the front cover where it says: "This Little Golden Book belongs to: ---------", just like she used to do when I was very young. 💗   Who couldn't use a little bit of Golden wisdom today?

Life is Good!

On this, the 15th of November, I am thankful for my mother

who still knows exactly the right thing to give me for my birthday!

Crazy Little Conversations

Crazy Little Conversations In The Attic ~ 39" X 57" ~ 1998

Nancy, who blogs near Philadelphia, posted yesterday about some spider web blocks, entitling this clever entry: "Thinking of Wilbur".  I left a comment stating that I had a quilt with the words "Some Pig" quilted into a spiderweb. Her response: "I’d like to see that there Some Pig quilt of yours", prompted today's post.  This quilt is seventeen years old, it's a visual interpretation of word-play run amok! The title comes from CRAZY-patch construction of LITTLE CONVERSATION printS IN THE ATTIC windows setting.  Once the blocks were constructed I thought about literal conversations that might be had in an attic (reminiscent of the old $25,000 Pyramid game show... "things that might be said in an attic!") and added my own: "was I ever able to fit into this?", "what are we saving this for?", "you used to wear this?", "it has to be  up here somewhere", and "last one down turns out the light!" are all found in appliqued thought bubbles within the blocks.

Elaborating on the attic theme saw the raising of the "roof" to incorporate an actual attic space complete with a pair of mice; who happen to be playing, of course, (what else?) Cra-Z 8's!

I imagined there to be spiders in my attic, spiderweb quilting (by hand!) became the obvious choice. You can make out the words "some pig" just below the light bulb in this photo detail.

And there she is, the author of those words, Charlotte herself!

I'm grateful to Nancy for her recent thoughts of Wilbur, because of them (and her e-mail request) I was reunited with an old friend today... she's still looking pretty good after all these years and has reminded me of all the fun that quilting is, and always has been!

Life is Good!

D.E.A.R. Year

When my daughter was a classroom teacher she had D.E.A.R time scheduled for her students: Drop Everything And Read. I love to read; but, typically, I don't have (or, to be more honest) I don't make the time to sit down, even for a short period every day, and read. This year I vowed that it would be different; I declared this year to be my D.E.A.R year! The books pictured are ones that I have already read in 2015; with the exception of the Lutheran Study Bible, I haven't read that through in its entirety, but rather, am enjoying digger deeper and reading all of the notes and commentary included by Bible scholars that appear in the margins and in the additional sections. My reading of this Study Bible will be ongoing.  The Hiding Place was added to the top of my list as the result of a book report by Quiltkeemosabe during a "Bible Study" workshop, I've known of the book and Corrie Ten Boom for decades but had never read the book, it has left an indelible impression. Firstlight has been a re-read for me, it was like being reaquainted with an old friend; one who never fails to inspire me.  Walking On Water is the conclusion of Richard Paul Evans' "walk" series, this one too was almost like a reunion with some old and dear friends; although each installment could easily stand on their own.  The Quilt That Walked To Golden is a fascinating historical compilation that I found I couldn't get enough of; which led me to the spin off of that book, The Quilt Walk (a novel written for 9 - 12 year olds). This is a sweet and endearing historical tale; I like knowing what's available for young readers in this same genre. A Quilt For Christmas was predictably charming and, yet, I never lose interest in the winning way that this author weaves story and characters into a seamless whole. I have plenty more in the queue for February and am excited about the prospects of my growing "I've read that" list for 2015; I've certainly not found that I'm missing out on whatever D.E.A.R. time has replaced, perhaps it's just the satisfaction of making this happen that's far more valuable. Hannes is most pleased with the lap time that D.E.A.R affords for him as well, it's a win-win!

Life is Good!

VERY Old Books

We keep a bookcase in a guest bedroom full of children's books, these books belonged to our children when they were small. When the grandchildren spend the night they like to choose a book from one of the shelves, usually we open the front cover to see who the booked belonged to, 30+ years ago. Gregory especially likes to find books that were his Daddy's. I keep another shelf full of children's books in my studio, these are quilt-themed books that I have collected over the years. A favorite title from that shelf is "No Dragons On My Quilt" by Jean Ray Laury; the other night Gregory requested that book and followed me to the studio as I retrieved it; this same shelf is also where a few of my own, fragile from age, childhood books are kept. Gregory spied these two and changed his mind, now he wanted Nana's books for his bedtime stories. I told him that when I was his age these were read to me. He gently stroked the covers and looked up at me with awe. "These are VERY OLD, he whispered" (special emphasis on the word VERY). "Yes, they are" I agreed; he was very sweet, each page he turned ever-so-delicately and reverently... as if he were holding the original Bible in his little hands. To his thinking, all three books are probably about the same age!

Life is Good! 

Oma's Quilt

I have a copy of this book by Paulette Bourgeois.
My grandchildren have always enjoyed
having it read to them; this short film (less than 13 minutes)
is just delightful... ah, the transforming power of a quilt! 

Click below to view;

 enjoy it with a favorite child...
or all by yourself!

                                     Oma's Quilt 

                                   Life is Good!

Are You My Gramps?

When our children were little one of their favorite books was a story about a confused baby bird by P.D. Eastman: Are You My Mother? That book came to mind when I snapped this photo during a visit, this week, to Mason's house. After a long time of thoughtful contemplation and intense study of my husband's face, it's as though he's thinking... "so, are YOU my Gramps?"

Yes, Mason-- he's your Gramps!
...and a very proud one, at that...
Life is Good!

Mrs. Goodneedle's Bookshelf

I collect picture books for children, specifically quilt-themed children's books. I have a shelf full, but there's always room for more. This is the newest addition to my collection: Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria, a true story that will delight not only the children in your life, but the inner child in you. Well written by Kyra Hicks and warmly illustrated, this book presents the title character as a small girl born into slavery in Tennessee and follows her courageous and determined life to Liberia where her tenacious spirit continues to pursue a life-long goal. This is a story, as well as a history lesson, that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. Martha Ann is a hero, in every sense of that word. The book is sure to prompt lively conversation about life's true values; about not giving up, about coping with and triumphing over impossible heartache and loss. I'm making room for Martha Ann on my bookshelf. I look forward to sharing this book with friends and family. Look for it, share this review. It's a gem!

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

Life is Good!

Our Hallo-Wiener

Hannes received a book for Halloween from his big, human, sister: The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey. Big sis is a second grade teacher, this book had received rave reviews from her class! The book is a story about a very brave dachshund, his name is Oscar. Hannes loves to be read to, he especially loves stories about brave little doxies, just like him! He loaned this book to his big, human brother's fiancée, she teaches kindergarten. Her students loved the story so much that they, in turn, sent Hannes a big basket of bones (with their names written on each one) as a thank you! Hannes loves to share, (just ask the cat!) so much so, that he wanted me to share his good fortune with you today. I'm more than happy to oblige.

Life is Good!