Crazy... Once Again

Starting A New Blog

2010-10-26T12:27:00.002-04:00

I have begun a new blog over at www.twotracktales.blogspot.com
Time to get back on my feet with a new direction and I'm hoping you will follow me over there.

Jane

Easter CQ and Memories

2010-03-21T12:55:00.010-04:00

Remember that block from this post here ? It's all dressed up for Easter now

I was inspired by the Victorian panoramic eggs that have the scenes inside

The pic above is from D.Blumchens Co, if you're not in the mood for Easter, you will be after a visit there

Confectionery Artists Guild of Orlando has a great page in place with these beautiful sugared eggs and how to make them....hmmm , maybe an idea for next year. And here's another site, Sugar Eggs that customizes these little gems with names and dates if you're not quite inclined to make your own..

I just loooooove these and remember the one and only Easter I ever got one

Anyway I had to fish into the wool/felt box to find a pale pink back for "The Egg" before I stuffed it and came across some of last years booty from the big city. This will turn into another springy post of its own, I'm sure

basket on the kitchen counter

Now for the flashback.... this is sis and I before church back in 1969. Grandma S made my sisters coat and my coat including a lined linen dress... I was so proud of that outfit

it was chilly but I had to show off the dress

and again for Easter in 1970... alittle shorter in the arms and the knees... and more demurely worn than by the little brat a year before... who only knew then what the 70's would bring

I think this was '71... with the coconut bunny cake my mom and I made together. Good memories, spring in the air and all the Hopes that Easter brings makes this my all time favorite holiday.

Wishing that this years big bunny is good to you , too
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I don't know whose blog or what site I saved this photo from but it's for sure NOT mine but I loved the idea. My bras would only be good for seed starting, not growing plants, LOL

HAPPY SPRING !

Big Quartzite Falls Part 2

2010-03-16T18:55:00.003-04:00

The river really starts to flow here... down to the Big Fall. I can't believe I'm walkng in with no snow boots so early this year. See Quartzite Falls Part #1 for the beginning of my walk down the river.

Come summer , I'll share the idyllic pool of fern and moss found at the bottom of these gem veined falls but for now it's all about a power wash.

PS. You can turn the music down at bottom before viewing...

Little Quartzite Falls Part 1

2010-03-16T17:00:00.006-04:00

March 16th... spring is coming and the snow off Mount Arvon is melting..... please check link to BIG Quartzite Falls part #2 for the real deal... I'm dreaming tank tops and vegetables, stitching on porch swings, green vistas and aqua waters early this year

PS. You can turn the music down at the bottom before viewing...

My Take on a Dorothy Bond Stitch

2010-03-05T15:51:00.008-05:00

Page 60, bottom set ...

working my way up this seam of teensy pine stitches...and now finished, aching for another seam just like this to lose myself in.... finding great pleasure in these minute stitches after the basics are hashed out. While working it, all BS gives way. This is the stitching I crave at present. Most people don't understand why I put this much of my hand to something that is 10" x 10". Obviously, they've never prayed with a needle... so many of mine have been answered this way

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shaggy bull... from todays ride through Elo

Feeling quite bullish myself lately. I hacked down my blog feeder and rid it of all things that don't pertain directly to what my interests are. The past 2 years I've bombarded myself with ideas. Those " One day I'd love to do this" and " Isn't this cool?" kind of blogs. Let's get real here, there's only one of me... I'm done with knitting, crochet and mixed media .... done with looking at tatting, needlepoint and cross stitch, too. Necessary "house cleaning" for where I'm headed.

Aunt Jane of Kentucky...

2010-03-02T17:28:00.006-05:00

by Eliza Calvert Hall , the the story of a Southern quilter

My Grandma S gave me this book when I was 11 or 12. This is my original copy dated 1906. It's now available online through Harvard Edu here. I'm sure you'll enjoy the chapter entitled " Aunt Janes Album".

Here's an exerpt from it...

"How much piecin' a quilt is like livin' a life. Many a time I've set and listened to Parson Page preachin' about predestination and free will and I said to myself, if I could just get up there in the pulpit with one of my quilts, I could make life a heap plainer than Parson's making it with his big words. "You see, to make a quilt, you start out with just so much calico. You'll go to the store and pick it out, n' buy it, but the neighbors give you a piece here and a piece there and you'll find you'll have a piece left over every time you cut out a dress and you just take whatever happens to come. That's predestination. "But when it comes to cutting the quilt, why, you're free to choose your own pattern. You give the same kind of pieces to two persons and one'll make a nice patch quilt and the other one'll make a wild goose chase. There'll be two quilts made of the same kind of pieces, but just as different as can be. That's the way of living. "The Lord sends us the pieces, we can cut 'em out and put them together pretty much to suit ourselves. There's a heap more in the cutting out and the sewing than there is in the calico." –Eliza Calvert Hall, 1898

While fishing around for info on Eliza, I found this sweet poem....

A Treasure

by Mildred Hatfield

It's more than a coverlet, More than a spread, This beautiful quilt That graces my bed.
It's laughter and sorrow, It's pleasure and pain, It's small bits and pieces Of sunshine and rain.
It's a bright panorama Of scraps of my life- It's moments of glory, It's moments of strife.
It's a story I cherish Of days that have been, It's a door I can open To live them again.
Yes, it's more than a cover, This much-treasured quilt, It's parts pieced together Of the life I have built.

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Felon cooling off

the begininings of spring

The Mr Has Picked the Winner

2010-02-28T17:39:00.005-05:00

Thank you gals for entering to win the Ocean Song Mermaid fabric and pattern.

Odds were good with only 10

and drawn from the bowl.......

Dan pulled the the slip with Anita from Florida on it. I don't know Anita but her blog is full of colorful quilts. You can find her at Margret Marys Place. I'll be having another giveaway with Crazy Quilt items in the next 6 weeks or so, if you're interested in that, do visit again. Give aways are always fun to do.

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This was looking East the other evening at about 5:30... the moon gaining momentum for being Full tonight

The same evening about an hour later in the Western sky.... It's hard to catch sunsets here being so deep in the woods... horizons obscured but this red sky at night was NOT a "sailors delight" the next morn. Just like March... "Coming in like a lion and out like a lamb" ? Who made that one up?

Welcome March any way!

End of February GIVE AWAY

2010-02-23T09:33:00.006-05:00

February has been a busy month and I'm so happy to see March arriving next week, so as promised, here goes...

Just leave a comment here, blog site or email address in comment box necessary to enter... comments must be posted by midnight, USA Eastern time, Saturday, February 27 . Recipient will be picked and announced on Sunday, February 28 . (Barring any issues with my ISP that day, Newtons Law, LOL) 1 entry per person

Everyone is welcome no matter where you live

Please, help me out by taking this off my hands and instigating my spring cleaning!!!
See preceeding posts for more photos of finished quilt and block designs.

One pattern from H.D. Designs and 6 panels of Laurel Burch Ocean Songs Mermaid Fabric

GOOD LUCK and THANKS FOR VISITING!

Jane

Making Crazy Quilters One Block at a Time

2010-02-23T07:35:00.000-05:00

My stomach has been in knots ever since I was approached to hold this class. How could I ? I've never taken a quilting class in my life... how could I remotely act like I knew what I was doing and instruct another on anything fabric related? These gals go to retreats and shop classes, their show and tell quilts are phenom, they're seasoned in lingo and techniques. What could I share? So what joy to find out that if your heart is in your subject, you're a mirror of what you love and you can't go wrong. Many thanks go to the wonderful gals, too!

Lots of samples, history and CQ books piqued everyones interest. I also made little folders with block diagrams, stitch samples and finished block photos for them to take home.

Plenty of fancy fabric scraps got the fun going ( this was the end of the pile which thankfully, I had none to take home... I may win the war of spring cleaning yet)

Roselyn and her " bedspread block" ... LOL

Joanne working a tricky long piece

back to the scrap pile

creativity chaos

Asenath's block in the works, 8"

Ros's block working towards18" ish for a pillow top

Joannes block, 12"

Sues block, 6"

It was a gorgeous day weatherwise with lots of things happening in town. Alot of ladies flitted in and out besides the ones who participated.Of course I forgot to bring the camera out until 1:30, but this is the jest of it. I had a blast and all my "butterflies" are gone , especially after receiving this email...

Jane, Thank you so much for the class on Sat. Even though I was late my DIL really was interested. She gathered the fabric and really took to that process. When she saw all the samples it inspired her! We went back to my house and used her 'new' machine and she completed a 9" block. We made a pillow out of it and she took it back to MN along with her packet of instructions and was so pleased. It was the perfect teaching tool for her learn her machine. I made sure she changed the bobbin several times as well as the top thread. She even used a fancy machine stitch to embellish the pillow. Thanks again it taught a version of the method of crazy quilting in an unexpected way. Julie

It was alot of fun and now we're cooking up an embellishment get together, minus the jitters I might add!

Keweenaw Snow Stick

2010-02-11T10:20:00.009-05:00

Hope everyone is enduring their Big Snow Experience... I'm sure you in the throes of your artic adventure will never forget it's punch , especially when it's over, but forgive us here in the north.... we're finding "Snowmageddon" quite entertaining.

Snow in the UP is measured by the Keweenaw Snow Stick...

the record being 390.4" for the 1978-79 season vs the all time low of 81.3"

We're enjoying a balmy and quite snowless winter here with totals of a mere 123.9 inches to date up in the high country of Herman and in the low country, 34.0" . A real draught.

digging out

street in Houghton

and relieved that El Nino's pattern is blowing winter south this year

a usual winter

road comission artillery

I should shut my mouth, after all, it's only February and we're not safe away until May here. So we'll be thinking of you and your cherry blossoms come the end of March when we're still butt high to a tall indian in this white stuff. What do they say.... Those who laugh hardest, laugh last??? You'll have your turn with me...

Introversion ?

2010-02-06T17:21:00.007-05:00

I'm back to stitching now... January just seemed to go by as a day dreaming kind of month.... not prolific of hand but fulfilling of heart and personal vision. Between the new year, the full moons, my birthday and the owl outside my bedroom window....I think I know now where this year is going for me creatively.April 4th for my favorite holiday this year! I unearthed last years hastily made Easter block to get a jump start. The light and birdsong IS changing even though there's months of winter left...oh so subtle but just enough to fan my hopes . I live for spring!

Like everybody, I have those things that really need to see completion. How do they say...shit or get off the pot??? That's my motto this year... as in ... admit I will never make this Laurel Burch quilt below... so give the makings away... (it's taking me awhile to part, can't you tell?? LOL) Coming soon, I promise...

Giveaway Teaser and O.T. Tang Update

2010-02-02T20:02:00.009-05:00

Ohhhhhhh....

laaaaaaa

laahhhhhhhhh..... Don't you just love this pattern using this Laurel Birch fabric??? I love it too but can't see myself getting around to it. Maybe you can..... I have the pattern and fabric for the basics of this quilt and will be offering a giveaway sometime before the month of February is through.... stay tuned....

I have been busy but can't tell you doing what.... this is the kind of stuff that scares me.... the passage of time vs what I have to show for it.... January gone already....

Here is the Butthead.with kidney stones...

Mr Tang (now better known as Fang because he's bitten EVERYONE inc vet AND hubby) is still aliitle insecure.... even with his purple coat on of which I thought I had the gammet on.... obviously it's not that hard to cook up a pattern for a dog coat. Again... I almost made my fortune but was alittle tooo late once again... LOL.... Mr Tang now has a new notation on his chart..."Owner must apply muzzle before exam". I guess he does look like one of those mutts that would nail you given the chance.

Mr T is sitting pretty here ...the surgery was $524...additional outgo per month.....$17.99 for 5# bag of Royal Canin SO, can of SO $2.25 ..... Cha.Cha.....freaking ching....... his best bet is to stop biting the hand that feeds him. We have 2 other dogs that have to go on eating as normal... have I mentioned before that I must have a hole in my head to have 3 dogs???

I was hoping to use this for the Creatve Cues word "Track" but I don't think this will fly. However these stitches sure look like a track to me. This was some pretty serious surgery that I really shouldn't be making fun of... after all, he's my little butthead kid that I'd probably spend even more $ on if I had too. (Fingers crossed) If by chance any one knows anyone who is going through this with their dog... please see here.... Very good info.......that can maybe help someone out.

There have been a few glorious days of sun

and blue skies beyond imagination...

There was a sad deer who passed through our yard this week. See the weird rope attached to his foot???

It looked like the rope could have been a trap of sorts but we couldn't tell...... there was no way we could have done anything to help him and he hasn't been back as far as we know. Life sure didn't hold much good for him.

Holding a Heeling Kind of Stance

2010-01-17T21:10:00.007-05:00

I can't do any better than this for the 3 Creative Studios Cue #2. It's been a week in which all our "heels" have been pointed up... praying for hope... and miracles...
in gratitude for what we have and in faith that God will take care of what we can't. My heels are always up...especially now for those who need it most in Haiti..
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My sewing machine is on the fritz, my camera battery is dead, our little guy Tang has a $500 surgery this Thursday, my truck is still broke down, I have no printer ink and didn't get the hours that I'd hoped for at work this week. But guess what? My heels are up and I have tons more to be grateful for, just ask Tang...

" Faith is just fear that has said it's prayers". We're all good here...

East ??

2010-01-06T14:39:00.003-05:00

I went out to find it this morning... but couldn't

The dawns are so dark and gloomy now that the sky just kind of lightens from every direction, but it didn't take long to find it in another way... the Eastern White Pine.

The word for the weeks Creative Cue was east. I didn't know how I was going to go about these prompts, but I think this'll work for a start and get me in the right direction (pardon the pun)... just simple journal pages that may or may not evolve into anything. Aliitle doodle drawing and most of all, the putting together of color combos.

Decembers Strays

2010-01-06T14:15:00.003-05:00

This is one of the ornie pillows I made. Thats Dad standing by the US Geographical marker that sits atop Mount Arvon. The ties were ones he wore to church and for his stint being a realtor back in the early 80's.
This is Decembers Blotto block... I didn't get to guild last month cuz I've been working afternoon and midnight shifts. I'm sure I'll be able to get the one I missed, tho.
This was my Christmas present from my outhouse hunting buddy, Rox. It was so funny to open this up and remember all the privys we scouted out this past summer. I'm not sure we'll stick to this same theme this year but what ever we decide to scavenge hunt for, we'll have lots new of adventures finding it

Ecclesiastes 1:9

2010-01-04T22:41:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to All ...

It's been fun reading everyones take on the New Year... their plans,wishes, goals, aspirations and resolves for 2010. For me, I refuse to prematurely conjure up these next 365. My birthday was the 2nd, (51, I can't believe it) so all hits me quick like a brick... and I've just lived through a year that taught me all about plans... yeah, right! Looking back, maybe the biggest lesson I needed to learn... I'm only given a day at a time... what will I make of it ?

If I can hope for anything at all in this New Year, it will be for me to delve deeper into all the things I love... stretch my mind, experience more in THE moment...fess up to illusions.... something I continue to struggle with in trying to be my original self... no matter what, who, when, where or why.....THERE IS NO NEW THING UNDER THE SUN , Ecclesiastes 1:9 Knowing this......all heat is off for 2010.

I haven't been in a quilt store for ever... Now I know why I took these pics when I was shopping with my sis soooo way back when..... living in the" boonies" does have it's drawbacks and my "fixes" are far and betweenxst.

I miss seeing the class quilts on display and the new patterns and vingettes of FQ and what can be done with them. Living in Skanee leaves alot of room for fabric/idea requisition

Novembers Blotto Block for guild meet

I'm gearing myself up to something I've NEVER done before and hardly feel qualified to pull off... in Feb I've been asked to teach what I know about CQ. with the Superior Stitchers.. My "traditional" guild has finally warmed up to what I 've been putting out for show and tell.... way way back here with my needlebook , the fancy top here and my JB block here. I'm apprehensive but I have a big mouth and know that I can carry on about it. I think by days end we may be able to have a block or 2 pieced, LOL! . I'm approaching it more as a sharing kind of thing and plan on taking my vintage quilt, personal samples and some stash to share. I passed out the "supply list last month". How in the heck do you make a supply list for CQ, I'd love to know , LOL !!! I hope to convert a few so I can have some local comrades

I made this for my sis's Christmas present ...commemorating my Dad. It'll fit right in to the family's "Northwoods" decor in Beulah, Dad's ties found their way into several CQ ornaments for others too, (made with a pic of him at the top of Mount Arvon .) I'll show a pic of the one I kept soon . I was lax at photos in December... more into getting things done and shipped South than anything. I kick myself now, oh well. This year's been tough on us all... yank your heart out losses !!!! My Dad, of course, who left the biggest empty spot imaginable, my cousin Bethany who was lifes inspiration for my whole family ( she died a week after Dad....please see her profile to know what I mean) and then just recently my Aunt Ginny. I was a machine making those photo ornies this year but tt was good memories that I put in every stitch.
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Which leaves me to this... my blog is my blog.. I may not have my side lines full of favoites, I may get off topic and not post as often as "I should" but when I'm here I'm sooooo thankful for all of you who are here to read what I have to say... Thank You Everyone for letting me be "Something New Under The Sun"!!!
Jane

Batik Heaven and Creative Cue 2010

2009-12-30T23:07:00.003-05:00

Wanda from the Exuberant Color blog had an awesome giveaway here. I was one of the winners and received this huge assortment of batik pieces from her. Thanks Wanda for literally "brightening " up my day with all of the color you sent my way. These are stacked 3 deep in spots so this is just a glimpse of the color and prints... just like candy!

I found this "challenge" through the 3 Creative Studios blog. See post here. It sounds just like what I need to get creatively focused and share with other bloggers through 2010. Wanna come out and play ???

Peaceable Kingdom

2009-12-13T08:39:00.002-05:00

Mourning Doves and Deer

I'm always amazed how different species coexist so peacefully in nature...why can't mankind do the same?

Check out how the deer just appear out of the background of trees here... feeding the birds and deer is one of our winter hobbies. Now that hunting season is over, they start to settle down and appreciate the handouts. The deer come running when they hear the coffee can of corn. We have no interest in taming them to eat from our hand... even though we have names for some of them... Fatty, The Twins, White Eye, Broken Wing, Mamma and Osama the tunneling Red Squirrel. They need to stay wild in order to survive.

I know I haven't posted for awhile, it took me that long to upload this video here, LOL. I haven't photographed any of my stitching but did manage to make most of my Christmas gifts this year. I look forward to starting out fresh with a better new year.

No Easy Way to the Big City

2009-11-05T20:10:00.004-05:00

On one hand, thanks Henry for keeping the word wild in our wilderness, but on the other hand, you made a 55 mile trip, a 90 mile one. Ohhh, what I'd give to be able to get to Marquette "as the crow flies". See link here to get the story of the road Henry Ford bought

Sewing and Bookworming

2009-11-05T19:36:00.003-05:00

I'm working on hand quilting this months guild project. Couldn't quite stick to the pattern given and ended up with too many half squares. Made use of them anyway. I'm so out of pratice with precision and 1/4 seams. The months blotto block pattern is a paper pieced courthouse step using brights. I've gotten as far as getting the fabric pulled out for that. Paper piecing is not my bag.

Sis' library at her Beulah house... book love runs in the family...

I've had my nose in books
and there always seems to be several going at once... at the moment, one is Clara. .The Ford's are fascinating, not only because I grew up in Detroit, but because they were real people who shared their dreams, their lives and their legacy. The book is more factual than narrative but leaves imagination full out open to the oppulent yet down home ways of Henrys other half. Ironically one of Claras favorite places is not too far from here at the Huron Mountain Club. The Club is a mysterious local legend.
A CQ block is definitly being planned around Clara.

After reading the Forest Lover this summer I got interested in the life of Emily Carr
and found the book, Hundreds and Thousands, one of Emily's journals, in my sisters library. I love her descriptions of color and perception but it's her quirky, often difficult life that gives me a source for courage in moving on with my own creative calling.

I've finished all the Mitford books by Jan Karon and started the Father Tim series, Home to Holly Springs. I missed the August book sale in town so the pickins are slim for winter. But I did see a used book store in Houghton... I'll have to check it out when we get up that way.
It's a cold clear night here and the stars are out by the billions... I love the awe of nights like these!

Halloween- Post Script

2009-10-31T14:45:00.005-04:00

Flora did way better than me. Please check out Mamma Bears Crazy Quilted Witches Hat. Her extra embellishing is over the top and her blog is full of imaginatative stitching.

I saw the hat last year at a quilt store, bought the pattern this summer but just wasn't able to find the time to get it done. Since I had the fabric all picked out I at least got it pieced up... put some flosses away with it so there is no excuse next fall..

This pic came in an email so I can't credit it's origin but it looked like my kind of roadside pumkin stand... I can smell the hay and taste the cider, can't you??

PPS.... Best of all?? The latest issue of CQ Magazine Online. is out.

Happy Halloween and don't forget to set those clocks back tonight.

All Hallows Eve

2009-10-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

My CQ'd table runner (I think I captured the "purple" pretty well via my camera)

Welcome November!

Chickadee Season... I Con-Seed

2009-10-24T22:28:00.003-04:00

No... I CONCEDE... to coloring my hair... painting my toes...feeling my hot flashes... being overtaken by awe...yelling when I want...blushing at a sunrise... picking at my cuticles.... humming an old song...not trusting my self .... showing my feathers... holding back.... letting go....giving myself to worry...there's always something pulling good or bad...

even in the woods where I think no one can see... where no one can hear...

where I think no one notices...

in the quiet...

in the fray...

in the shadows...

in the solitude...

in the sun....

even in my sharing .... I know His Eye Is On The Sparrow ..... and His eye is on us too!!! Please listen !!!

Outhouse Hunting 10/17

2009-10-18T13:34:00.009-04:00

My friend Roxanne has a hobby of photographing and documenting the outhouses around Skanee. Hunting camps, old farmhouses, vacation cottages and wayside parks all have them. We've spent many hours entertaining ourselves with treks through the woods .

The weather was a mix of anything you want... it's like that in Michigan, hour to hour, you never know what you're gonna get. The colors are past peak but there were still lots of splashes in sheltered spots.

Rox

We ended up out at the St Cyr cliffs on Lake Superior, this is where the Huron Bay begins off the big water.

This is looking out to the Keweenaw Peninsula. The mountains on the horizon are 50 miles away.

The southern shore of Lake Superior hosts many areas of rock cliffs and outcroppings created during the Glacier Age. Trees grow horizontal out over the water defying natures gravity and in spots its quite dangerous.

On the way home we took a detour down a logging road. The farther we went the softer it got until it turned into "quick mud". There was no good place to turn around, but because I picked the place to do it, I was the fall guy, Rox ( THE DRIVER, LOL) ended up alittle far to the right and we sunk to the undercarriage. We were able to walk out to a farm across the road and get a pull out of our mess. The guy who helped us had his arm in a sling so I was the one who had to climb under the front and hook up the tow rope. We were covered in mud from hair to shoes but hadn't laughed that hard in awhile. We officially called "Outhouse Hunting Seaon" over for the year.

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Last week Dan and I drove over to the Aura side of the bay exploring.

We found a little hidden pond

The stream to the pond was flowing with little falls and pools formed in mossy recesses

Up the road we found this little cabin

Though small, it had a sleeping loft, full kitchen, bar and living area. What an awesome little studio it would make.

The view of the bay so tranquil.
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So despite yesterdays shitty little dilemna, all is well!

Till the next time...

(PS.... I won't tell about backing over the big log in the ditch, whose fault was that, hee-hee!)

Summers 2009 Pictogragh

2009-10-16T15:00:00.000-04:00

I need to capture the fragments of summer that wove themselves in and out of the time I spent down in Detroit. My thoughts were somewhere above all of it... half here... on this place called earth and half trying to invision what the real heavens beyond would be like. Something tells me that heaven is what you love...magnified beyond all comprehension... IMAGINE THAT !!! I think I'm ready for the next stage of my life...

Thread Painting by Deb

2009-10-11T11:57:00.004-04:00

It's been too wet and grey to get any good color pictures. Took this on a whim through raindrops... glad I did because snow covered the area this morn. Yellow and orange predominates this year... red is a treat.

It's been several months since Deb Hardman of Cold Feet Quilter sent this awesome notebook my way. I turned up the lucky one in a giveaway she had.. Thanks again, Deb...it's a well used notepad.

PS. I was remiss in noting the quilt pattern in last post. Disappearing 9 Patch, pdf. instructions found here... provided by Quilts For Kids.org Do check out this worthwhile organization.

Cold, snowy, woodstove burning and football on.... my kind of day !!!

The Stitching Department

2009-10-09T19:08:00.000-04:00

Here's my sitting spot...
2 left over pennants from last year sewn on diag for a table topper??? Now we're on to something.... Time to move on with all of it.. .moot point being this is all about fun... purveying or finishing, wiping off my glasses for anew take... fresher ideas.

The last weeks, I sat and made up some small pages with felt... cathartic because Dad was walking on both sides then.. ... I put alot of stitches into the block shown in previous post ... little prayers as time went on..

Sis had scraps she let me peruse... back in March ?... I sewed these up...

The obligatory cell pouch was made when I had to keep connected with the world.. Arrggghhh..... That damn "phone call" seemed to live constantly in my pocket and I hated it.

and another "postcard square" found it's way into a box . Not much..... but I wasn't a total dud in keeping the needle going, small stitches were good for my soul.

perusing old notes and quilt books again .....contemplating a patterned quilt and one I've done before...Leafy Rosey by Kaffe Fassett is in the running. It uses lots of scraps and variety. Checking out this pattern by Exhuberant Color.... too, how it's so simply cut to make such an easy whole...maybe? .. This fabric has to start getting used up... If I've learned nothing at all recently, its "Use it up, wear it out or give it away"... I'm working on that now.... Nothing here at the house is above ending up at St Vincents or being repurposed for something else. I love being ruthless, it cements "the promise" that I'll always have what I need.

I'm really looking forward to winter this year

The Bag Gets Unpacked

2009-10-04T18:58:00.013-04:00

I've been hem and hawwing about shit canning this blog... but I've decided to keep it going and suck up how I left it ... about leaving it hanging. I think I'll get over it considering ... My Dad is gone...
.
I left off with a packed bag heading south... That same bag's done alot of traveling back and forth these past months. Despite reading blogs, I couldn't write one.
I thought that too many of my feelings on display would invite what I didn't really want to hear.... To commiserate my fathers death ..... those who said "they'd been there ? ... No... My dad's dying was mine to keep.....I didn't want to share it ....... I felt any "blogging" to be superficial and inconsequincial to what was happening in my life... I withdrew ...for a loooong time.... September 10th, Dad finally let go ...I don't think I'll ever be able to put his death or my loss to words..... He's my Dad... and always will be...

I'm finding my way back...... home has been hard to reconcile...

but it's all coming back ...

PS... Thanks Sue M for kindly let me know that my comments setting was turned off... I fixed it.

Happy Easter ...Home at Last !!! AMEN

2009-04-11T20:39:00.013-04:00

Photo of Easter Cross taken from Yahoo Images

I'll Rise Again YouTube Link

These 4 months past have been the the best and worst of my life and I could kick myself that I didn't write a sentence a day at least... just to look back on it all. No one would ever beleive half the crazy tales anyway ..now to break back into everything the best way I can.....but what was Crazy Here and Now... is Jane in a totally different way

Can't wait to reconnect with all of you that I've MISSSED so much.
There's nothing ever sweeter than ...HOME....

And I am HOME !!!!!! done by Michael Buble

Happy Easter to all!

December TIF

2009-01-02T15:21:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd go ahead and post this photo so at least all the pics of this challenge were together in one place. I was able to finish this before the ball dropped .

TIF Challenge and Weather Watching

2008-12-01T00:10:00.001-05:00

This is my completed piece for November. I could have souped it up alittle more but have to declare it finished for now.

I waited patiently to get the info for Decembers TIF.. I made up this block last night and got some threads together. It can ride around with me in alittle tin for when I can pull it out. After making it, I cleaned up my table, put the sew machine away and stashed stuff in the closet. I can say that I've more or less stuck to the Challenge and have something to show for each month. I wasn't going to quit this far in. My only unfinished one is Augusts"balance" block, and it's 98 % done.... I'm hoping I'll be able to get this one done before months end and saying Taaa-dahh to this.

I've packed a bag with some things to work on, some books, alarm clock, photos, camera cable, etc. Now it's on to clothes which I hate doing at any time. It's something I always over think when packing wearables. I'm watching the weather diligently and it looks like the week ahead has some precarious moments involving substantial snow amounts. I'm trying not to get worked up about it but I do dread winter travel up here around the Great Lakes. It blows, literally and figuritively, LOL

Felon is going to the vet in the morning to have a cyst like tumor removed from his front elbow. Once he's safely back home, I'll feel better for going.
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I never meant to sound like such a downer in my other post. I was thinking outloud It's hard going but it's only temporary. The important thing is being around and nearer the family right now, especially for Christmas. I didn't think that I 'd have such difficulties coming north when we did and when I'm honest with myself despite everything, I see how much I put the cart before the horse in doing so.Hence, my best made plans not always wisest. My husband is in a whole different place with his life and I'm truly thankful that he's supporting me to go back and do this. ......... The phone just rang and the nursing home said that their sending my dad to the hospital for some testing and DX for all the pain he's in..... hello intuition.... I'm freaking listening, see?

Have a good week all...

Happy Holidays to All My Blogging Friends!

2008-11-29T21:31:00.024-05:00

I'm leaving 12/3.... don't know about the status I'll have online but here's hoping and anticipating that you'll
have the happiest of holidays ever! Hugs to you all!

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I 've created a Christmas Playlist for you ( see bottom of blog) to share what the season means to me. It's not your average "carol" and I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Please turn your speakers up and enjoy the music. Merry Christmas and Happy Solstice to all my dear friends on line...I 'll be back as soon as I can...

Rebuilding Foundations and a Thank You...

2008-11-29T10:53:00.022-05:00

Jane with arms crossed- Concrete-July 2006 Do I Look Happy? Really I Am!

I've had a bad habit the majority of my life for plunging ahead and skipping steps, adamant to my sense of right and wrong. and stubborn accepting my own intuitions... I've always known there's a natural progression to things but lately I've had to admit that no matter how I try to steer them (or think I am) I keep ending back at the same place ... it's become obvious to the point where God above is no longer whispering to me but knocking me upside the head to listen to the real plan that I have no control over. I can't keep pushing my way through life against the grain of the universe and silencing the voice that keeps telling me that what I'm doing just isn't working. This was true way back in September... duh...another 3 months wasted to denial for not listening.Big family pow wow later, it's been decided that I leave here for awhile....No need to freak... it's no separation or divorce for D and I...I've just got to go back home while there still is home.

Now help me??? What do I pack to leave what I know?

Home Fires Burning 2008

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I want to thank everybody for voting on my CQ Autumn Burst via Quilting Gallery (please check the Gallery out).... It was neck and neck for awhile but the numbers won out... it was something fun and with the close vote... hey, anything could have happened.... THANKS TO YOU ALL !!!, I may try something like it again,or NOT. ...It was a small time thrill none the less, LOL!

The Teddy Bear Project and a Link or 2

2008-11-26T15:06:00.008-05:00

I was asked for alittle more info on the Teddy Bear Project from my pals Sue from the Magpies Nest , Judy from Stitch Along With Me, and Janet from Go Crazy With Me . So I thought I'd answer here. Our town is small so there's no red tape or "channels" to be got through for doing good deeds. It cracks me up sometimes to hear what people go through to GIVE THINGS to charitiable organizations... the requirements, applications, and background checks in order to bless others is out of hand. Thankfully, since we are a community oriented locale, we don't have that. People jump in here... no pomp. If there's a need, it gets done... no politics, no "I make a motion to accept", no bullshit.

So the guild went and bought a boatload of brand new teddy bears from a store in Marquette and asked that we make quilts for each bear. Minimum size is 24" x 24". The original idea was to donate to the St Vincent Christmas need, for the many down and out families here in the area. Well, as all good things grow, we've now decided to make this a year round project... the local hospital, county and city police, fire department, and shelter home will be supplied with the bears to give as needed... along with the continued supply to St Vincents. Some "little guy" will have a new buddy this holiday.. "Green Gene".

Over at Quilting Gallery there's an exhibition going on of quilts that were entered into the Living Healing Quilt Project. These quilts were created to show the experiences of the indigenous Native Indians as they were ripped from their families and sent to government "schools" in Canada. This practice was also done in the United States as well, under the guise of reform and religion. I hate this part of our history and know that there's no way that these attrocities can ever be repaid to these people. These quilts are very special so please click the logo below to see them.

Well, that didn't work.. so please click here for the link...

Living Healing Quilts.....

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Thanksgiving's going to be pretty low key here... the Detroit Lions have their chance to win or be beaten on the National front tomorrow. We'll be watching and I'm sure wanting to hit Coach Marinelli upside the head with a drumstick or 2. The prediction from this camp is if there's no win tomorrow , HE WILL BE FIRED...if not there's something rotten in Detroit, just like Kwame Kilpatrick. If it was you or me our checks would cease for such poor performance. D worked for "Henry" and he would have been canned by now... IOHO (in our humble opinion) What the heck is going on here????

Crazy Quilt Vote Needed

2008-11-23T08:20:00.005-05:00

Click Above to be Taken to Poll - "Autumn Burst"

I was looking around at the quilts submitted to the Quilting Gallery Bloggers list for their Fall photo contest and noticed that there was not one crazy quilted piece entered. Out of charactor for me, I went ahead and submitted the very untraditional autumn crazy block I'd just finished. Well 43 pieces in all were submitted and only 1 crazy block ... mine, so I'm unabashedly asking for your vote here. Not so much for me to win but as a way to get crazy quilting acknowledged in a more mainstream kind of way. Just click the vote box above and scroll down a few spots to Autumn Burst. Of course there's many other great pieces, the Gecko and the "I Spy" down the list are fab ... but I'd really appreciate you clicking on mine. Thanks all, for your support. It'll be fun to see the outcome and alot less stressful than Nov 4th.

" Autumn Burst"

Thursdays Guild Meet

2008-11-22T23:40:00.001-05:00

The snow was blowing to beat the band on the way to town... white out vision and frigid temps but we made it. Barb's lived up here her whole life and has the driving experience to prove it. Needless to say it was a skeleton group and not a lot of time to stay and chit chat after. Everyone just wanted to get home. But heres some of the show and tell :

This Michigan quilt was great. It was being shipped over to Ireland to a cousin who had visited this summer. I thought she did a great job appliqueing the Upper Peninsula.

This batik sampler quilt had interesting color combos.

Diana's Christmas quilt looked like it had cards sewn into it and it was quilted with the most awesome metallic thread.
The charity bearity project has another month to go. They're so cute that we've decided to keep this an ongoing project year round. A great stash and scrap buster.

The teddy quilt I made below ended up at 36 x36 with a loden green fur back... very snuggly and very simple

I was only able to make one pillowcase, it had flannel on one side and a nature print on the other. I didn't take any photos of the pillowcases but there was quite a stack of those to be sent out to the troops. I'll get the final counts of the bears and cases when all's done.
And heres a pic of Sue's humongous quilt sack... you could fit a man in there!

There's not much snow on the ground and although the temperatures have been in the teens, it's tolerable. My Detroit Lions play tomorrow. It's an awful year to be a fan as they've not won one flippin' game. The stadium attendance is so poor that they haven't sold enough tickets to televise the game locally so it's a double hurt for anyone who loves he game. One eye to the TV is all it takes....

Busy With Blocks

2008-11-11T15:20:00.011-05:00

the Cabin at 24 X 26

My math skills stink and I had to tweak as I went and there's plenty of those little places that need thread and stitches on them immediatly to tame them down

I still haven't gotten my other machine fixed yet but I'm more than thankful to have this one

These oblong blocks were a pain ... trying to keep the patches from having that stacked up look on the ends

I love playing with fabric and picking out what bounces off of the previous patch... I can loose hours doing it...

and of course you know I needed more blocks to add to all my other blocks...had to feed my addiction!

an ornament block... I see a manger or a camping tent... maybe a birdhouse

an Obama block for history ... yes, that's black in there with the Democratic blue

then the November TIF block pieced with threads to use above

and this made up as a joke for my husband. Our Detroit Lions are the worst team in the NFL , not able to pull off 1 win so far this year. Rumor has it, we my go all the way with ZERO for the season. We are razzed unmercifully by everyone but the games themselves have now become comedies.

After the piecing frenzy, I cleaned up the whole mess and organized everything upstairs that needed it. I started a new St Vincent bag and remade my to do list. I put things away that I KNOW I'm not going to get to and made the things I want to work on, more accessible.

I'm looking forward to some changes in the "near future" so I got out this clock that I'd brought home from my mom and dads earlier this year. I put it on my sewing table as a reminder of how precious time is... time and what I do with it. I really need to work on how I spend it

Veterans Day 2008

2008-11-11T14:15:00.004-05:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In Memory of my Brother ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christopher Freeland born January 1949 - Died December 1973

24 years and 11 mos

US Army Tank Commander ... Vietnam

Gone but not forgotten, loved and missed everyday!

Resurrecting the Cabin Block

2008-11-04T13:32:00.001-05:00

Time to take a fresh look at this block and fired up from Allies new project. It's calling for a border with some printed imagery... way too much fun... thanks for the nudge as to where my heart is Allie!!!

I have another hiatus here as D left for Detroit this morning.... Hermit Bliss for 4 days... blessed "piece" and quiet!

but the best of all?

The weather has been stellar this past week and I finally got to the "big project". K came with the Bobcat and pushed these county dirt piles around. Now for the lumbar workout, pulling sods and clumps.

Is it possible that a tomatoe may show its face....

viney cucumber, squash and pumpkin off to the side on the incline...

Kentucky pole beans growing up the tipee and the old log chair as a place to rest and "watch the weeds grow" ???? Taming the soil in these woods is not for the faint hearted.

Needless to say, I am thrilled to have the start of my garden.

County dirt = free

Use of Bobcat = 2 housecleaning jobs

1 broken steel rake = repaired

cedar logs = free

4 Alleives and a 6 pack of Bud Light = approx $7.99

Vegetable garden = PRICELESS

We have the deer fencing behind the garage scavenged from a job D did over the summer, scrap cedar posts are waiting for us at the sawmill... did I say I'm estatic?

What I've been up to....

Got the ornament stitched up... hung with ribbon and a button

the little tag says "Happy Thanksgiving" Mom and Dad

and 1 banner done out of the 3... at least the other 2 will be ready to work on come next Halloween

November TIF and Hermitage...

2008-11-04T12:32:00.003-05:00

Sharon is such a pusher of the mind and didn't fail this month with the challenge posted here. Looking around I found several sites which led me to believe that the field of "typography" is wide open and mostly associated with perception via the eye of the beholder. Well , I'm the be-holder for the next month, so I chose this...

When I purchased Carole Samples CQ Templates (which I'm wanting to work more with, along with her Treasury of CQ Stitches book) , she had enclosed a cross stitch stencil as well as 2 monogram stencils of my initials. These turned out to be the perfect base of this months block. Thanks again Carole

I was amazed with myself at what I was able to accomplish yesterday when I put my mind to it. This will be the center motif. It was easy to stitch on the muslin which I had backed with fusible interfacing but the color will definitley clash. I debated using a Kool Aid dye and still may. I'm sure it will color the blue and green stitches... at best an over dyed effect, should I dare?? If you have any input dyeing this at this stage, please let me know what you think. I'll probably piece this up tomorrow and then it will be too late. A thinking woman would have dyed it before stitching but you should know me by now, LOL

I lost my glasses sometime last Friday (frown) and have looked in every possible place for them. I think they're out in the woods...They were the pair prior to my last RX. Well I got out my newest glasses and WOW, COULD I SEE! EVERYTHING CAME IN CLEAR AS A BELL. I loved my old specs because I could see fairly well close up but still wear them without tripping... it's leading me to believe that I'm now (another frown) at the bifocal stage. But I'm loving this new "look" on life and being able to read without holding things at arms length. I started the "New Mercies" book by Sandra Dallas. A slow take off so far, I hope it improves. I see she has a new one coming out next year, Prayers for Sale.

Rox gave me a set of curtains that she needs shortened... the cafe part hemmed up to make another valance. I was looking at the discounted price... way to go Roxanne!! (That's 17.83 not 12.83)

mini vacation begin....

November 4th 2008 - Tuesday

2008-11-04T10:45:00.004-05:00

No matter what happens today, I'll do all I can to make this a better country and uphold the ideals of our democracy

Voter #150 at the Arvon Town Hall, and proud to do so

I voted for all the people before me who dreamed the American dream

for those who stood up for the Dream

and in support of all the workers who continue to keep this great country's Dream going

UAW Emblem and UAW strikers images via Yahoo images. Dehass Homestead from Baraga County Historical Photos

You Can Dress Them Up....

2008-10-31T21:23:00.006-04:00

but you can't take them anywhere

"Why must you embarrass me with this stupid towel costume again!"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

October TIF

2008-10-26T12:55:00.002-04:00

I think this is the last of my "slice and dice" blocks. It was extremely relaxing working around the pieces with a simple running stitch.... the biggest reason why I choose to create anything... the mindful peace of relaxation. October TIF guide is here.

In addition to my workspace at this post here my most favorite workspace resides in this tin.... any place is my workspace as long as I have this. You know what they say, " The world is my oyster" and it is when you practice a portable hand craft.

Still one TIF behind... Augusts and I don't know why I'm dragging my feet.

Sunday... Week in Review

2008-10-26T12:15:00.004-04:00

Made up these banners and will be doing seams today while watching the lowly Lions football this afternoon.

These are quite large, the template being made off an NFL penant. Should have started these earlier but it's fun to be in the spirit with the colors and novelty prints. I'll take Gayles experience from here on out as to when to start holiday projects.

Had to get the coats and gloves out... aargghhhh...

This is 8:10 AM last Thursday morning but the daylight saving time will be changing this soon. Thursday was the clearest day all week.

We took a ride up to Mount Arvon (the highest point in MI). after reading that they had logged out a view. Unfortunately they were still hauling the lumber out and much of the road was full of equipment and the roads too muddy, even with 4 wheel drive. This is as close as we could get.

This photo was in this weeks Lanse Sentinel and showed what the new view looks like. You can see the article here . (But I think this gets written over with each weeks edition though.) It's 12 miles down to our house from here.

This mini waterfall was a pretty spot to stop at on the way up. Few days left to enjoy like this one.
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The photo of this block came out poorly in an earlier post. Here it is with much better clarity. I'll try better with this, the winter light is definitly changing how I use the camera.

7 Things Tag

2008-10-25T15:15:00.003-04:00

Taken from Planterra.com

I was tagged by Sue from Paddys Daughter to tell a few things about me...

1) I dispise clothing tags... as soon as I get clothing of any kind, I have to cut the tags out... they irratate the heck out of my skin, especially the back of my neck. Love how Hanes came out with their logo and care instructions printed right on the fabric, an awesome idea.

2) I collect maps and atlases. I have a whole drawer full of maps from places I've been and places I'd like to travel to. I love reading about the geograhies of other countries and while reading books and blogs, will pull out maps to get the feel of locales.

3) I get sad and mushy when I see a little kid with glasses. I think it started along time ago when I saw Hitchcocks movie "The Birds". In the school yard as the kids were running away, this poor kids glasses fell off and were smashed. There's just something about seeing a small childs eyes behind glasses, their vulnerability. (even tho' I know that it's a good thing and that the parents were able to know (and afford) the correction).

4) I CAN NOT eat tuna or egg salad made any where other than home. I just don't trust it. LOL

5) I prefer being barefoot and can not clean house with shoes on.

6) I worked in the interior plantscaping business in metro Detroit for over 20 years. I worked for several different companies including Planterra and Artscape. My favorite assignment was the First Center in Southfield. It was a 40 hour week job just maintaining the greenery in this one building . I had my own office (a revamped janitors closet LOL) for tools, hoses, and record keeping. It was a 5 story complex with 3 wings, each being the length of a football field. There were 15 bridges connecting each floor that had cascading pothos and ivy in side planters. Numerous fica trees and underplantings, color rotations of mums and seasonal flowers . It was my all time dream job and I was never at a loss for meeting people! ( Very similar to pic above)

7) I have to have my feet out of the covers at night ( and a window open, even when its freezing). Might stem from being rolled in a blanket head to toe like a hot dog bun by the neighborhood kids when I was about 7 or so. I am extremely claustrophobic when I can not move my arms or legs.

In loo of passing this on , I would love (or would have loved) to know 7 random things about these 7 people... my Great Grandma Pearl, Amy, Julie Gardner Fountain, Eliza Calvert Hall, Opal Whitely, Mort Neff , and of course Lily Tomlin. If you'd like to play along, I'd love to read your 7 things, once a voyeur, always a voyeur!

One More Crazy Post - Lily vs Jane

2008-10-21T21:35:00.008-04:00

Has anyone ever told you that you looked like someone ?????

I get it ALL THE TIME, enough to where I had to see for myself... and guess what ??? It's true...

I look just like Lily Tomlin ....

Thank God I don't look like Sarah Palin

all images taken from Yahoo Image files

Everything But the Kitchen Sink Kind of Post...

2008-10-21T19:20:00.009-04:00

Don't any one faint, but I got a block done... (sorry about photo quality here)

All these dinky seams left me with just stitching around some of the portions. Tacking down the center leaf with mono filament thread reminds me of how great it is for its invisibility while at the same time how awful it is to stitch with. There was a bad spot in the orange patch above the leaf where the seam ripped out.. don't ya just love that? A mend necessary, slightly visable but covered well. This will become a Thanksgiving adorn-ament of sorts.

I read so many quilt magazines while gone that I can't tell you where I found this... but I saw a Hospital Gown pattern available through Lazy Girl Designs. Free downloadable PDF patterns here. Child and adult sizes available. I thought of making a few for my dad in some really cool prints. Think he'd like that. I talked to a fellow guild member today and got the lowdown on the meeting I missed. The soldier pillowcases are due at the next meeting. Found a great tutorial here at About.com. Guess I'll do one for each gender. A few of the girls are going to a show in Marquette the first weekend of Nov, so thats something to look forward to for more inspi.

Saw on Sharons B's blog her ideas for the new years challenge. I was a dud at participating in the Stitch Along at SF and I really wanted to work it.... now with TIF coming to close it will be really easy to take that time spent and parlay it over. I'm really bad at multi tasking my creativity and feel smothered into a kind of paralysis when too much is bouncing around. Constantly at work on that one.

Speaking of embroidery (and my dread of separating floss) I saw this little gadget in Quilters Home Magazine. (BTW... the PDF Tuffet Pattern is adorable.) It is a weighted clip that you hook to the end of the floss that spins and allows you to get out the amount of strands you want with out tangeling. Puffinco Thread Separator ,there is a video on the page that demonstrates. I know those clips are in the garage and if I hot glue a rock to it, do you think I'll get the same results? LOL

Trying to make the space more conducive to sewing standard pieced quilt blocks today. My ironing area was always a literal pain in my back and I think I've got it right now. I could always stand it just long enough to make CQ blocks, But enough blocks for a quilt ?? I want to enjoy this eh?... I'm right handed so I set up a low table at a 45 degree angle right next to the machine. Even though it takes up more space, who cares.... I'm in here for the winter duration now. Seems like every year I re-situate things in the home for the winter months. Is it called nesting or simply trying to keep the couch from being set afire by the woodstove?

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Ahh... the stove. Another good thing about winter. The best Christmas present I ever gave Dan was a set of Paula Deens cookbooks. Thank God my metabolism is as such or else....

Popovers and Captain Jacks Corn Chowder was fare for Sundays football game (I won't even touch that subject) Not the most healthful in way of her "calls" for butter but DEE-licious. Her site is full of scrumptious things.

Not able to let him be the best and only chef in the kitchen, I must put out every now and then to save face.... apple pies in autumn are a hands down fav.

I'm trying to search out bread recipes so if anyone has any they would like to share , I would really appreciate it. You can email me through the About Me tab on sidebar.

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And last but not least.... while looking at the photo I'd recently posted with T and C, it looked as if I have no grey. Well, I liked the unintentional photo wizzardry but the truth is....... direct sunlight is very forgiving and some other lights give the geriatric glow. All in all, I think the worst is over and if my timeline is right, it only took 6 1/2 months to get to this tolerable stage where I feel I can see this through with out having a meltdown and shearing it completely off.

It is what it is.... and today I'm okay with all of it and extremely grateful !

Book Game

2008-10-21T18:18:00.006-04:00

Taken from Amazon.com

Saw this challenge game on Gayles blog Sparkle Jars .. .. I've seen it before and it sounded like a fun thing to do today....

Page 56 Challenge

Grab the nearest book.*
Open the book to page 56.*
Find the fifth sentence.*
Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.*
Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.

"It was built open-slatted to let air move through it. Candlelight shone yellow through the slats until I was near enough for the sound of my footsteps to be heard inside. Then the candle was blown out and only the moon shone down. I opened the door and and stepped in. Shelves on one side filled with brown crockery. Milk jugs sitting up to their shoulders in cool water.. The spring rose up from its deep source and smelled of wet earth and the stones at the center of the world."

Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier (Cold Mountain)

I've not read it yet but it looks like it'll be a good one.

The Journey Home ... Part Three

2008-10-18T20:50:00.001-04:00

And then there's the shopping where there is shopping...

some Halloween goodies...

a load of wool scraps, floss and what nots. Wendy has bushel baskets of all kinds of scraps. Stuff a bag to overflowing, cotton - 50 cents... wool - $3... man do I know how to stuff those little bags. LOL

more fabric in the way of FQ's, scraps and books for winter reading.

Saw this adorable CQ witches hat at Wendys...

Is this not the cutest Halloween decoration you've ever seen? Pattern is shown here.

A stop at the Oakland County Farmers market, good thing I was traveling by bus...

Football pumpkin

Old English D of the Detroit Tiger baseball logo

Mary Ellen of Forever Summer always has a stand at the Farmers Market and I was out of everything. The "Hippie Chick" scent has become trademark... wish there was scatch and sniff available here.

We did a power shop... Monarch Quilts - Brighton, The Stitchery - Howell, Christinas Quilts - Rochester, Joannes - Waterford, Creative Corner - Romeo. We also hit Salvation Army, Barnes and Noble, Carols Used Books, Greens Consignment, Pet Supplies Plus and Meijers. Aaahhhhh, the fix felt so good.

All the trees are bare and the real first frost happened last night. D kept the house up and as far as I can tell, no viruses are on the computer LOL. D brought little Tasha along when he picked me up... nothing like being smooched to death by a furry pooch who hasn't seen you for awhile and the other 2 knocked me down at the door. There's definately no place like home! But it was good for the soul to be out and about in the big city, inspiration and the fire of new ideas abound as the winter settles in. Now to get caught up with blog reading... see you soon.

The Journey Home ... Part Two

2008-10-18T17:55:00.002-04:00

I received a great phone call while gone... our friends Tophat and Cathy wanted to connect while I was down there... I love these two people!

Tophat worked with my husband at Ford Motor Co and Cathy ( thinking she'd retired too, is now challenging herself with a post-retirement job in ad/marketing... how fun) One of the best things in life are finding "soul friends" and these two are it!

Their living room hosts an awesome display of Native American artifacts. Tophat is an Ojibwe Indian.

A museum ( if you will) of spirit and connection to the ancestors of the past

Of course I had to share his workspace. Tophat is an awesomely creative beadmaker and native crafter.

Their backyard hosts a sequoia of unreal proportions to this part of the country. An indigenous conifer that I have never seen in Michigan before.

The braided trunk is paranormal for this region suggesting roots of something that really shouldn't be...
and a fine canopy to sit beneath while enjoying beautiful company

Life is made more sweet by having friends like these

"Miigwech" (Thank You) to both of you...

The Journey Home ... Part One

2008-10-18T15:41:00.003-04:00

Home is more than where I live ... it's where my family is, and sadly, farther away than should be. My sister Paula's house is that hub of home. It's the place where she makes the glue that holds us all together and I loved the time that we were all able to spend together!

Mom and Dad are in a skilled nursing unit, sharing the same room and enjoying their status of being the cutest ( and only) married couple in residence The staff genuinely loves them and sis and I are thankful everyday that they can still be together while receiving all the special care they need . Just seeing them, I know that they've adjusted well and there's no doubt that Dad not being able to walk and bouts with infection would have taken his life. It's been so hard for him to relinquish his "get up and go" way of life

Dad looks great! We'd just enjoyed watching the football game and being looked in on by the staff. All the noise we made... they thought it was my folks having a tiff, which they're known for on occasion... LOL

and mom after playing around with ribbons from a package she'd opened... I'm one of the luckiest people on earth to still have and enjoy parents like these two !

sis Paula with my nephew Jay

my great nephew Bailey baiting a hook

(my brother inlaw was never still enough for a photo)

The memory storehouse is full of lots of laughter and love shared this past week!

Heading Down the Road

2008-10-07T13:52:00.007-04:00

Just popped in to say I'm heading south and should be back in 10 days or so. I may be able to get online for a bit while gone and hoping to have lots of pics to show and a story or 2 of my adventure upon return... I'm traveling by bus (first time since I was about 15) and am packing light. A few magazines, 1 good book and 2 small projects. Have a great week all!

PS... I thought I would of had this done, but not, so this is where the "Balance" block leaves off for now, don't ask me what I've been doing besides... obviously not this

Jane

31 Days Hath October

2008-10-01T16:06:00.011-04:00

More plans than usual this month are spurring me on to get things going while I can. I want to remember these colors for the leafless autumn days ahead so I pieced and dissected a CQ block in a what iffing kind of way...colors for the sun to infuse through the bare branches. We are at peak right now. Lots of winter preparations around the house and a trip to Detroit are in the works so I'm sure this month will fly by.

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I had posted photos of a block I also pieced for the Octobers TIF.. Looking at what I'd made here made me ill so I deleted it. I'll have to rethink it and try again. It was hideous, the colors putrid and not a good portrayal at all of what I feel about my workspace.. a great concept for this month too BTW, Thanks Sharon. Here are my spaces... sorry if you've seen any of these pics before...

The main "station" in the loft bedroom, where machine sewing, cutting and prep get done. Storage resides here as well in a closet, a cedar chest and under bed. (There's also a 1/2 bath up here so I could stay indefinately LOL)

The bar in the kitchen is another great place to spread out (we have no kitchen table, for good or bad)

but the best space to hand stitch is in the living room , if you can find a spot before a dog does. My space is pretty personal to me and more deserving of something different for this months project than the pathetic CQ block aforementioned. So much for trying to force something...

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I 'd found this bag at Vinnies for $1... it has pockets for photos in the side.I'd used it in the boat this summer and liked how it kept contents dry... so I timtexed some batiks for the see through insets and have a real sturdy waterproof tote now. I'll be using this on my trip.

I also wanted to share these photos I took last weekend... the first is on the way to the marina. This spot is less than a mile from Superior and one of the prettiest places for its river of ferns and jungle-ish feel.

and this would be the last fall bouquet... frost advisory for this Thursday night.

next post will have Augs TIF block finished, ... am adding beads and snagables now.

3's a Charm with these Halloween Finds

2008-09-22T19:22:00.008-04:00

Of course I couldn't stay off the internet .. was looking into spider webs and other Halloweenish / Fall notions... let me share some of my wanderings of the past hour and save you some time...

Crazy Patch Pumpkin Pattern - Fraser Valley Quilters Guild - Lots of renditions for this, too cute

Creepy Buttons - The Button Drawer - baubles
Halloween Banners - Sparkle Jars - Do look around Gayles posts for other Halloween eye candy

Looking for vintage Hallowed Fabric? - Warm Biscuit - very stashable

Wool Felted Pumpkin - CJ Stitching and Blooms - Judys great tutorial
Beaded Spider Tutorial - Jewelry Making About - more possibilities

Embroidered Beetles Anyone ? - Stumpwork, Goldwork, Surface Embroidery - Jane Nicholas

Quikie Visual Ideas to Run With - Love to Sew - "chach"

Another Patchwork Pumpkin - The Calico Cat - Is this not adorable ? (scroll down some in link)

I think I have my fix for the week and I hope I've left enough of me to not feel bad for my absence... heres to the other side of a better week than last..

PS Just Checked into Judes What If blog... looks like "Crazy Left Overs" is feeling autumn too. I could just wrap myself up in Judes cloths and hibernate.

Airing Dirty laundry...

2008-09-22T17:07:00.000-04:00

and unfurling all my UFB's (un-finished blocks)

3 deep in spots
cotton scraps thumbing their noses at me ( just tips of the iceberg idea)
and my batiks scaring the crap out of me while waiting and begging to be cut up in this lifetime and take..
on the look of a long lost cousin before it

Now we're all caught up with what I've been (or not been) doin'. Scary 'aint it ???
BOOOOOOOO!!!!

Its All a Part of the Picture to Come

2008-09-22T10:37:00.004-04:00

There's no point in trying to decide if I can wear white after Labor Day...

not when there's wood smoke in the sky..
when the fawns have lost their spots...

and tinges of color have crept in over night...
to places untouched yesterday...

But theres still places where color hasn't been thought out yet...

where the forest meets the still warm waters...
and the sky resides clearer there in its autumn reflections...
the fruits of fall are upon us... time for flannels and camo indeed as the changes settle in
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The day is young and chronic chores eminent but the next 24 are unscheduled freedom as D has gone to the Soo to visit a friend. The morn was lazy awesomeness for me as you can see from photos above and after my meeting with the vac and the never ending spewing sink... I'll be in the thralls of solitary bliss until tomorrow afternoon!!!! ( I have not been alone in this house for a day since July 2007)

My bookish, questioning self has been the busy one this past week, art, craft, thought and life clammoring to find their cohesiveness together... has led me to reading some things that pertain to my selfs truthfullness and place in the big picture of it all .....

"A happy life is one which is in accordance with its own nature." Seneca

"Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts. None of us yet know what fairy palaces we may build of beautiful thought; proof against all adversity. Bright fancies, satisfied memories, noble histories, faithful sayings, treasure houses of precious and restful thought, which care cannot disturb, nor pain make gloomy, nor poverty take away from us - houses built without hands for souls to live in." John Ruskin

"Whatever you are by nature, keep to it: never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed." Sydney Smith

"No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself." James Russell Lowell

"You owe no one as much as you owe yourself. You owe yourself the action that opens for you the doors of goodness, the variety, and the excitement of effort and sucess, of battle and victory. Making payments on this debt to yourself is the exact opposite of selfishness. You can best pay your debt to society, that has made you what you are, by just yourself with all your might and as a matter of course... You fullfill the promise that lies latent within you by keeping your promises to yourself" David Harold Fink

"To thine own self be true" William Shakespeare Hamlet portioned

and the best... a work of great perponderousity.... Self Reliance written by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Its a 2 post day, I can feel it...

Change of Air...

2008-09-19T20:59:00.018-04:00

change of color...

change of heart...

We love and miss you Amy!

Moving into Fall - Guild Meets Again

2008-09-19T16:45:00.001-04:00

Superior Stitchers is back from summer hiatus. Projects were planned for the coming year along with retreat info and class suggestions and lots of quilts to see too....

Along with the blotto pattern for next month... everyone received the first 2 patterns of the block of the month by Nancy Halverson called Be Attitudes. Be Smart and Be Grateful were chosen for Sept. The same quilt seen in different fabrics is always fun. Christmas Projects are pillowcases for soldiers (instead of stockings) and teddy bears with small quilts to go with them for kids within the community. The photos below are not near everything shown last night but ones that especially appealed to me.

Scrappy Bear Paw.
The colors in this one were pretty.
This quilt was purple (not blue as showing) and stunning
This was made for a raffle being held next week for the sprtsmans club. I love how all the different patterns pop out

This was last years block of the month which was a mystery quilt.
The back of the mystery quilt from scraps

Over the summer, some of the gals made a raffle quilt to raise money for a new athletic complex going up. The pattern shown just happens to be very close to what the blotto block is for next month too.

Awful Day as Lions Lose...

2008-09-14T16:18:00.009-04:00

Photo taken from Oakland Press

This is what it looks like to be a professional football player for the Detroit Lions.

48 Green Bay - 25 Detroit

Gratefully my week ahead doesn't look as bad as Jon Kitnas.

(but if I was making $1.5 million ?)

Check List... September TIF

2008-09-14T10:25:00.007-04:00

I got the brainy idea of running with this block and getting the September Take It Further out of it. I used the colors Sharon chose by way of the floss. A check mark is what I like to see most on any list and with luck, by months end I'll have been able to mark off several things that I've been planning to do.
Back tracking to August today and working on the Balance block along with a few other things

Taken from Yahoo Image files
one of course being football... Lions against the Packers at Ford Field Detroit.

July TIF is done ... finally

2008-09-14T09:54:00.003-04:00

Keeping with the color and the theme is tricky with these challenges... and the subject of a half way mark with this one totally eluded me. That was until Roxannes summer kitchen got to the half way finished mark and she chose yellow as her paint color. Ta-dah.... it's always easier to finish something with a goal and purpose in mind, isn't it?
Anyway there's a gas station in town called "Dicks Pump and Munch" and I thought I'd add a few words to comically play off the Pump and Munch by writing Roxys Pub, Scrub and Grub. It was fun to be able to christen her new kitchen with a little wallhanging and at the same time get the month done.

Thread Playing

2008-09-08T19:01:00.006-04:00

It was a good day to play around with thread cut offs, frazzled threads and frazzled me, couldn't have been a better mix. I've been wanting to try the fusing technique I've been seeing on so many mixed media blogs. What If I found out that I really did save all this for a reason?

I fused the thread scraps between tulle with fusible web

Cut that into strips as a takeoff from the last CQR block I did .... (sorry about the clarity above)

and came up with the greatest pieces of color and texture to use. I loove it!! This batch will go on a whole cloth block but I did ask myself... What If I pieced a block as normal, cut these strips into shapes ie. scallops, flowers or ric rac shapes and embellish the seams that way?

The hoop worked well holding the strips firm (something I knew I had to improve upon from the last one I made)

The 101 Crazy Quilt Blocks book by Linda Causee is offering up some ideas for the strip layout and we'll see how it goes considering the lengths I have to work with. This is a fun one...

Hummingbird Rescue

2008-09-08T17:14:00.001-04:00

A hummingbird found it's way into the garage today because of this, the emergency pull cord for the garage door... who would think it ? I brought both the hummingbird feeders and 2 hanging plants in to coax him down from the rafters. No luck. I got up on a ladder with a feeder again no luck. I pulled this article up on the internet Theres a Hummingbird Trapped in My Garage . I didn't realize that in the dimness of the rafters, he couldn't see well so I got a flashlight and reclimbed the ladder with a feeder. I held the light on the feeder and voila, the tired tiny guy came right to it and took a good drink... but back up he went. But he knew where the feeder was and came back... I backed off the ladder with him still on the feeder and got him close enough to the door where I could shoo him out... success!!!
I wrapped a paper towel around the handle with a plastic baggie and twist tie to hold it on. That should keep that from happening again. They'll be heading south anyday now, him included thank goodness.

Cooking Up Crazy

2008-09-06T11:28:00.004-04:00

What If the the CQ block strips weren't constructed to the best advantage for cording purposes because the foundation fabric kept wanting to peak out?

What IF I took bias binding and edged them that way?

What if I borrowed Judes idea for the floral motifs at the strip intersection?

What If I take today, work on the "black" block and simmer some more CQR thoughts?

And What If fall has arrived as if someone had flipped a switch and put autumn in the air?

Where Are You Block Swap

2008-09-06T11:00:00.004-04:00

This block arrived via mail today from the Where Are You Swap at CQ4N. The creative Lori K from Love2Quilt stitched this block representing the area in which she lives on the East Coast, depicting the Mohawk Trail. I love this block and how fitting that I had just posted about indigenous work? The Native American Symbols, dream catcher, trees, sun, water scene and of course bears. Thank you Lori, this was a great surprise!

And another big thank you to Carole (Wippy) for hostessing this one. Nothing's better than looking at blocks close up, seeing how stitches are done that may be new to me and just appreciating anothers hand work.

Tiptoeing Around

2008-09-05T13:23:00.006-04:00

In the Woods 2008

I came across this clipping I'd saved, "Autobiography in Five Short Chapters" written by Portia Nelson, 1921-2001. It's also known by the title "Holes in my Sidewalk.

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost... I am helpless... It isn't my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

I walk down the same street.

There is a hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don't see it.

I fall in again.

I can't believe I'm in the same place again, but it isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in... it's a habit.

My eyes are open... I know where I am... It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

I walk down another street.

Although theres no city sidewalks here, theres plenty of "holes" to fall in as I tiptoe my way around lately. I think I'm somewhere between number II and III.

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Wednesday afternoon the county truck pulled in to ask if we still wanted the dirt that we'd asked for last year. Ya Hoo!! For now, we took 1 load for the garden area and 2 more got dumped in a low spot off the driveway. Now it's gettin' out there to spread it around. There's a house with horses close by so manure won't be hard to come by. There'll be something grown there next year, hook or crook.

More What If from a Special Scrap Block

2008-09-03T12:24:00.004-04:00

What If I take the leftovers from the block I made from Allies class packs she was offering on her site, see this post from way back when and cut it into strips to make the crazy block outline? Couch it down with some saved up shoe laces and cording. (I knew I was saving that funny little sawed off block for something.)

The CQR collaborators are growing over at Judes What If blog and I'm learning lots from reading all the imaginative thought and what's fueling these concepts. Do see Judes side bar for links. Some great ideas to expound upon in future projects.

Never Iron Velvet ??

2008-09-02T11:39:00.004-04:00

Alittle more of the what if.... take a seam, crazy applique over it with ironed circles ?

Let a little straddling sun shine down on it ?

Lay a cut out motif over a seam ?

This What Iffing is not for the faint of heart.. First, not to let what others are doing influence the sense of your own process. Everyone is coming up with some great concepts of CQR and it's hard to not let it influence me. Second, I'm really stymied and its taking some deep thought to break the norm embedded in me. Theres still plenty of seams left for craziness though. This next "think phase" and the ideas evolving have lead to thoughts of another type of construction. What If I take some of that birch bark from the last post and put an if to that ????

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This would be Julys TIF that languished in my hand this weekend... shameful really, the progression of this one... the half way mark may well be July of '09. There really is no 1/2 way ideal to this one, not even from the beginning. Just the color palette. The half way may just have to come about from where the block will ultimately end up ???

This would be another pile to be dealt with today... and oh how it multiplies .The Sue Henry book, Murder at Five Finger Light is pretty good.The new Keepsake Quilting catalogue holds a great idea for a pattern that grabbed me and the never ending notes, drawings and magazine ripouts overfloweth. I'm also involved in reading the chapters of Deuteronomy and getting my head full of the fact that "Theres no new thing under the sun". A balm or a bane at this point in my life, Im not really sure.

Nature Crafts - Lessons Learned- and a few laughs along the Way

2008-09-02T10:54:00.001-04:00

I have a love of indigenous craft... especially for the things created by the Ojibway/Chippewa Indians of the area here. I've always been fond of Native American ideology and spirit, perhaps stemming from my own diluted heritage. I'm not into geneology but the story is told that my great, great, great grandmother married an Indian man... she stayed in the cabin, he lived outside, never setting foot indoors. ( How perfect is that? )

Anyway, I've always thought I'd love to try to do some native bead, quill or birch work....and wow, did I ever score for materials this summer. A couple months back I saw what I thought was a big cat in the driveway. Close inspection proved to be the tresspass of a porcupine. It's not that I'm anti-varmint.. but there's thousands of acres for them to roam.... just not our acres. It lumbered itself up a 40' pine and took residence sure to come down to cause probable grief..

My little pups wouldn't stand a chance if this happened to them. Out comes Daniel "Boone" to the rescue. Now, D's not the best shot, nor is a porky quick to die. In death they cling to a tree branch as if glued. 8 shots ( including 1 reload) and a slow period of rigor to release the claws and the thump of his corpse falling to the ground was a celebration. At one point the wait was so long that I imagined his rotting carcus being stuck 40' above ground for the duration of the summer.. Phew !!!

After positive death was determined, I brought out the pliers and proceeded to pulling a sack full of quills from his hide. His body dumped up the road in a ditch, dogs out of emminent danger, I was now thinking... wow, what can I make with these ??? Well, first I had to wash them... they're hollow on the inside and there was a minute amount of "scalp" attached...( BTW, I am not a woos or of fragile stomach) and I soaked them all in bleach. I drained them of solution and transferred to paper towel to drain... The odor of quills is indescribable.. a piney, woody, wild, musky stench !!! The crafting appeal was fast waning and as I tranferred them yet again to the storage bag, I was poked so many times during the process that I'd thought I developed Turets Syndrome. Visions of quill baskets and intricate designs flew right the heck out the window!
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Now my birch bark experience was more pleasant ( but not by much).... D brought home a load of firewood that included some fine specimens. I played with the bark, peeling it down, separating it's paper like layers as if I was picking at a scab and as such, highly addictive. What pretty papers and pliable surfaces I gleaned from it 5 hours later.... Pretty until I took the needle and thread to it. The bark tore through as tho' knifed. Guess I peeled it too thin to use... alas what pretty note paper, not all lost. I played with it long enough to know that even time and skill enhancement would not cure the lack of creative satisfaction I felt. I was not born to make anything resembling the beautiful basket of quill and birch below nor the gorgeous beaded pouch.

The point is... obviously, I am not Native American nor am I Mrs Boone and after my experiences , I can take a few more things off my list and out of my closet of craft exploration. When will I learn that I don't have to try crafts that I admire?

(I had originally wrote this a month or so back and am bringing it out of edit mode because of another porky encounter this morning.... subtitled Porky on the Porch. At least I was smart enough to not go running for the pliers this time.)

All photos taken from Yahoo image files

PS. Tophat ? When you come up here I have a bag full of quills and birch bark for you to take home and try your hand at.

So Nice to be Recognized ...

2008-09-01T14:33:00.006-04:00

Susan from CQ4 Fun and mother of the crazy quilt ring Around the Block has passed this Kreativ Blogger award my way. She also has a quilting site Desert Sky Quilting where she's been very busy this summer with American Hero Quilts. Thank you Susan for thinking of me.

We tend to run in blogging circles, visiting our favs online and the sites that stick with our interests. But I'm stepping outside the box here and am posting 5 blog writers that are totally different and inspiringly "Kreativ" to me with what they do and how they live... I hope you have fun checking them out.

Creative Organizing - Aby- how to ideas and inspirations for organization

Wings and Things - Birdlady -musings and nature photography

Daily Coyote - Shreve - words and photos of life in Wyoming with a rescue coyote

Natures Parkland - Anna - blog of weaving, dyeing and living in Canada

Uncommon Artistic Endeavors - Vickie - great recipes and party ideas

Heres the rules for keeping it going:
1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3. Nominate 5 blogs
4. Put links to the blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

(I'll get around to commenting on their blogs tomorrow, it's bad enough doing the links in one sitting, LOL)

My camera did take the big poop and I'm waiting to get a new battery so I can show the pics of what I've been needling on. I had a good start with the smokes, a considerable cut in quantity but yesterday and today, not so good. The accountability is there and the falling and reclimbing back on that stink wagon is a lame exercise. One day I'll write a candid retrospective of these past few months, the stressors are legitimate.

The weather has been ferociously hot, 2 days now at 90 degrees and highly unusual for Labor Day here. The snow and frost bets are on now though . Happy Spring down below!

What If.... Mojo Going On

2008-08-26T17:15:00.003-04:00

Lots of little stitches going on...lots of thoughts going into each... and the weirdest kind of crazy quilting I've ever done. Progresses being made but I'm not there yet.

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One of the garden spots chosen and cleared by side of garage..... I'm thinking herbs and flowers.

This spot here is where the sun shines best... I see vegies going wild here next year. Much prep work necessary still but we've done well clearing out this whole area and lots to the left. Knowing where the sun shines is half the battle to planning a plot. (This pic is mid evening)

My camera battery is showing signs of quitting and my camera is one thing I won't live without. Also my Premarin RX is ready for pick up tomorrow, I have been taking 1 every 2-3 days to conserve them , not a good time to stop taking them all together. Looks like a trip to town is in order... yipee!

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Thank you to everyone who has been dropping by and leaving support and wishes. You all mean more to me than you will ever know!!!! I

Gorgeous Post Card from Connie

2008-08-24T12:27:00.002-04:00

Connie from Life Scraps and Patches sent me this beautiful postcard she made. The silk is so pretty under the stiches. I met Connie through the Take It Further Challenge and I have been so blessed to have met some of the greatest people through that challenge. Thank you, Connie

What If Ya Try and Work It Out on a Block?

2008-08-23T18:12:00.006-04:00

Here's the pile of "to do's" but

theres nothing like undertaking something else...

especially something like this, giving these babies up... there's never a good time, a right time, a strong time and honest to God, I'm hooked and very afraid. To put my cigarette addiction out on the internet is like walking naked onto a stage, but there it is.... I did it..... and I'm mourning them before I even quit!

It's also becoming clear to me that I'm mourning more than that... my family and friends miles away, my life in the city, the cultural socialization and urban stimulation left behind. The North is a harsh place and I'm not on vacation anymore. 17 miles to town is no joke, the "Family Dollar" is not Macys, there's no such thing as pizza delivery and a good library book is intraloan with a 2 week wait. No one wears a skirt, the closest fabric store is 40 miles away and when its dark, its scary dark... you can't see your hand in front of your face. I wake up sometimes and wonder just where I'm at. Honestly it's good, I wouldn't change it ( maybe the library) but I'm still dealing with the sad around the edges. There's other things too, but a another story, another time....

So what if I put it all in one basket... one block... one goal... one redemption... one cigarette... one sorrow... instead of trying to carry the world on my shoulders... just deal with my losses one stitch at a time? Especailly this cigarette thing, what if I work it out on this black block ?

Vintage CQ Blocks 5,6,7,8 and 9

2008-08-22T20:15:00.006-04:00

Another shot of the full view

Block 5... Bird and Butterfly

Block 6... another bird and butterfly, she must have enjoyed them along with her flowers

Block 7... "Chinese bagpiper" lives on this block

Block 8... center patch torn dogeared

Block 9 ... the whole center patch deteriated here, it appears as if it were a painted one.

Bird Close Up

Pitcher Detail

Kate Greenaway Motif

Could these be balloons ???? Well if they are , I'm ready to celebrate the upload of all these photos, 27 of them throughout the past few posts. I had to keep a list of what ones I'd done so I didn't get confused, which BTW, is easily done, but I think we got 'em and I hope you enjoyed looking them over.

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Vintage Crazy Quilt View 4 and a "What If"

2008-08-21T19:37:00.002-04:00

Block number 4 has a mish mash of patches, very simple and quite bare compared to others. Many curves on this one.

I think this fish going for the line is comical.

All of the fans seem to keep the same stitch technique throughout the blades.

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I took this pic last weekend down at Roxys camp. This giant box was left over from a crate of river rock that K had put on his house front, the pallet ending up in her fire pit. Now I don't know if I'm turning into some sort of pyromaniac or what, but these fires are getting intriguing. I especially took this one as it made me think of Jude from Spirit Cloth and her other blog What If where other cloth lovers are joining in with "what iffing" and discovering unconventional concepts and ideas. The box, when it took fire, looked like a form of eyelet to me as the ribs of it burned. Paula Hewiits Eyelet , Judith, Threadspiders Eyelet, Jeanneherself Eyelet and Aceys Eyelet are a few more examples of what "eyed" been seeing.

The irony is that today, Jude posted a "What If" call for the redesign / refashioning of CQ blocks, What If We Get Crazy and here, Redefining Crazy Quilting . I think I'm ready to do alittle What Iffing myself with the CQ concept and couldn't help but get alittle excited when I read her thoughts ( or did she channel mine?? too spooky) Hhhhhhmmmm, this could get fun around here. Maybe this'll light my fire! Nothing else seems to be working lately...

Are you tired of the vintageCQ yet?? Hang on, a few more to go and we're almost done...

Vintage Crazy Quilt - View 3

2008-08-19T14:34:00.000-04:00

This block has lost a few pieces in the shattering/shredding process but still holds some great stitched seams and hand painted squares. (please click for enlarged photos)

I've seen variations of this owl motif on other vintage quilts but mostly in pairs not 3's. The roped writing below them was cut off in this pic, I'll have to take another just of it. Janet from "Go Crazy With Me" commented on the last post that she thought the rope writing next to the Chinaman was a stylized date embroidered to read 1889. She's had alot of experience working with antique CQ and restoration. Now that she said that, I can see it. Another clue, thank you Janet.

Todays fan ringed out with the brown velvet and lazy daisy leaves. More areas of decomposition surround this fan.

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We were able to finish up the wood clearing in the quadrant we picked this year (and then alittle more). This week was a constant bonfire to get rid of it all. One night I was out until 1 AM burning so late the dew settled on me. It was one of those velvety nights thick of stars to the ground. The cedar as it burned made zipping trails and arcs 10 feet high and the smell was awesome

I believe we've picked the spot to construct next years veg garden. Much more work to be done on that come fall and it's daunting making another planting plot. I've made so many in my life and for moving, have had to leave them. So much work but I have to have them, gardening is part and parcel of me. I've mostly been flying under the radar and staying off line as much as possible (hard to do) and don't know exactly where the past week has went but it has, more time spent on fire patrol, books and movie watching than anything else. That's OK, I obviously needed to.

With luck, I'll get view 4 up tomorrow.

Vintage Crazy Quilt..... View 2

2008-08-12T12:06:00.006-04:00

Each block where it joins the next is outlined in various stitches. A Kate Greenaway motif of a girl jumping rope is the central image on this one. Her illustrations have become a favorite of Redwork embroiderers. The wheat ears in upper left look to be a fluffy embroidery of some type. On closer look, they could have been made separate than sewn down? All the flowers on this block were embroidered, not painted as on some of the other blocks. The pitcher has some really tiny detail as well, 2 birds, a boat, a flag.... ( Don't forget to click for the blown up detail photos )

Now this little man is one of my favorites. He looks like a Scottish Bagpiper to me however he could be a Chinaman with a ponytail and fan?? What do you think? Notice the fray setting in on this piece.... (shameful!) I also have no clue as to the meaning of the ivory intwined rope to the right.

Here's a closeup of another fan.. I love the jewel colors of the silk.

Another view of the backing, a hodge podge of various foundation materials. Would love to know the era of the brown checkered cloth. It appears to be cotton but with a looser type of weave.

The lovely Miss Carole Samples was gracious enough to respond with her thoughts below. With any luck as I go along she will add more of her knowledge and thoughts about it....

"+++ I know that you want to continue to show photos and perhaps more close-ups of the various blocks, and I'm grateful for that. I probably need to see at least a dozen to sixteen photos before I can get a really good sense of the quilt's age, but I also have to agree with you with regard to the Kate Greenaway motifs. Her heyday for illustrating was from about 1885 until her death in about 1907 (my memory might be off somewhat and probably is) -- which means that the quilt wouldn't be older than her first published drawing but that it could have been made any time thereafter. It really has a pre-turn-of-the-twentieth-century look to it, though. It's fancy enuf to have been sewn in the mid- to late 1880s or anywhere up to 1910 or so. If only the quiltmakers of the time would have believed that their work would be saved and cherished for a hundred years and more, and that a whole bunch of ladies in the 21st century would want to know ALL about them! We'd have more names and dates, wouldn't we? +++"

Thank you Miss Carole! Please visit her at her blog, My Hearts Fancy

View 3 coming soon

Documenting "Her" Vintage Crazy Quilt

2008-08-10T14:35:00.013-04:00

I've been meaning to do this for some time... the light was great today and the grass was dry so I laid out "her" quilt and block by block, took photos. I'm hoping that the shots I captured will be clear enough for viewing both on this page and more so when you click them for the larger view.

I bought this quilt on Ebay back in 2005. It was when I first became interested in crazy quilting. ( I love to study and collect before I undertake anything (crazy, I know). I'd looked at several and I was smitten by this, especially at the Buy It Now price of $75. Some of the pieces are in the shattering stages but all in all, still viable as a whole quilt. I always see something new when I look at it. There are 9 -17" squares with a 8" blue velvet border. The total top measures out at 65" x 65".

The seller sent this reply (truthfully ?) to my question about it's origin... and I quote.." I am selling it for a Quaker couple ( from PA) who are downsizing and moving to Michigan. It belonged to the womans aunt so it is about 80 years old. It was stored in a cedar chest so does smell like mothballs. I've aired it out for several days and actually thought it was cleared of the smell. It seems to have alittle residual odor which I think can be dry cleaned out, or continued to be aired some more. If I get more info I will pass that on to you...Kathy".

Now I've never heard of a Quaker couple downsizing, have you? LOL Oh well...The moth ball smell was actually nill and the seller did not trump up the quilt or its condition. When I saw that the Quakers had "moved to Michigan", I thought, how cool is that? Fate!

I don't know how any one can lay claim to "owning" a quilt... especially when it was made by another. Especially a crazy quilt that has had the heart and soul of the maker sewn into it. The time alone is astounding on any CQ work. Hence I call it "her" crazy quilt... I'm just the keeper of it. That's why I want to share it....it does no good to languish in a box while it continues to shatter, fray and disintegrate (tho' I'm doing the best I can storing it). Who am I to keep some one elses joy wrapped up in my closet? Her work needs to be seen and studied by other lovers of CQ. I hope you have fun looking it over!

The maker remains unknown, other than (maybe) the monogram above? Who was this woman who sat hour after hour, needle in hand? What would she think if she knew it ended up on Ebay of all places! Who owned the hand that created these stitches? I'm sure she's moved on by now........but her work hasn't!

The foundation on the back is a pieced mix of homespun and flour sack. One corner wears a stamped hallmark from the Sayles Bleachery in Rhode Island and the patent for the sack itself reads 1869. Now we know thats the sack, not the quilt.... but it does add some fun. It's interesting reading about this company and it's history dating to the1840's.

Of course I'm not capable of dating this quilt exactly... but there is a Kate Greenaway motif of a girl jumping rope, paintings on velvet patches and quite a bit of silk used. Would I be wrong to venture the guess at 1890-1910 ??? Please help me out... all comments are more than welcome on this venture and it'll be fun to talk about it as I go along and post pictures through the next couple weeks.

I cropped the blocks as best I could and took photos of some of the various motifs.

There should be 8 more posts showing blocks and fans....

and several more motifs... if there's anything you'd like to see clearer, just let me know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm working on organizing a few of my own projects and hope to post on some of my progresses soon. I feel like a heel for not having any "Stitch Along" work done but I'm planning how to work it into the whole of things. I've felt a drowning kind of feeling lately as life isn't co-operating with my "me time".... something tells me it never will... on to the next best remedy! Have I heard the word balance around the blogs lately?

Taking Steps...

2008-08-09T22:34:00.002-04:00

Wolf Tracks at Beach Aug 08

I'm in the process of making some changes, both here and in the way I'm experiencing my life. I don't know who to credit this to but I've heard it somewhere in my past....

"If nothing changes, nothing changes."

It doesn't get any simpler than that.

Jane

Pieced... Now onto Embellishing...

2008-08-09T12:37:00.004-04:00

Here's what I came up with using the fabric from the last post. (10" on finishing)

Some of these beads and buttons will probably find a place or two or three.

Threads up for consideration... ( and of course the colors not reading true to life)

Julys block is still staring me in the face, still being silent about itself and where it wants to go.

I'm working out some ideas in my head regarding this blog. I'm feeling kind of stale and repetitive with it and I'm hoping to change it up some, make it a tad more interesting... for you and me both. Change is in the air.... and balance has me thinking about it.

The Birthing of Another CQ Block

2008-08-06T09:56:00.004-04:00

Playing with fabric this morning and enjoying these few hours of "totally alone" time I get on Wednesdays. This is how I start putting my blocks together, pulling fabric that may or may not go together, both color and texture wise. I mix cottons with fancies and try to mix every other piece to give it some sense of movement. This is one of my most absolute favorite parts of a crazy quilting. Back to play, I'll post later what I came up with.

PS.. This is for August TIF.

(Thanks Paula Hewitt for the teal silk, the rust floral and Japanese blue print.)

Sidewalk Sale-ing, Summer Waning

2008-08-05T20:41:00.005-04:00

The Sidewalk Sale was last Friday and my friend Mary and I made a day of it. The Friends of the Library had their annual sale and no one left without a sackful of books. All the shops had tables set out and St Vincents had a 1/2 off everything sale where I found this nifty handpainted tie for a quarter. The tag tells that it was once sold at a now defunct mens store in town. I always love telling the clerk that I buy stuff to cut it up. They gasp then change their tune when I tell them its for quilting. The "ugly tie" now looked better with a certain appeal and a purpose other than being hideously displayed on the rack, the gasps turn to approving " ooooohhhhh's" and my weird purchases aren't as weird to them anymore. ( Yeah, my husbands gonna wear this tie to a wedding or something). We had lunch and enjoyed the people and the weather.

Now that August is here, the busy bee mentality of spring is long gone and a certain air of late summer laziness has taken over. The sun is hitting the trees at a different angle as it falls faster into the evening. Spiders are laying claim to the cracks and crevices of the outside walls, grasshoppers are fat and I no longer hear the Hermit Thrush singing in the forest. The coyote pups and their yip yap has turned more to a "teenage" serenade as the fawns are loosing their spots. All has it's season and I'm enjoying the fullness of this one.

Swap Block and Week Gone...

2008-08-03T08:29:00.007-04:00

I finished my 10" block for the Where Are You swap and I tried to add as many things as I could that show different things about our state. Mainly I concentrated on water but was able to add Motown through a little button "record" I made, the Ford logo, the Tulip Festival, blueberries, robin nest (our state bird) snow, pines, hiking, and our "house". The under water scene, lake/waves, the beach and the little stream with the bear buttons got the water part covered. My lettering is atrociuos with much to be desired as well as my satin stitching but I think whomever gets this block will have fun looking at it. I sure had fun making it!

Colors for August TIF are out... and the theme being "balance" ?... oh my, what in the heck is that? see Sharons post here. I'm not done with July's yet but played around with picking colors from the chips and fabric, just so I can look at it and think. I'm surprised at colors I just don't have... the aqua, tealish blue? Nada. The terra cotta-ish orange? 1 piece.

The photos below are from last week... a beautiful summer day with blueberries ripening and many plants and blooms enjoying the sun. It was a perfect day for the beach and hard to believe we were the only people out there.

Mouth of the Huron (Huron Islands 4 miles out)

blueberries

pitcher plant

hairy vetch (ugly name for such a pretty plant)

But this week there's a fallish kind of feel to the air and looking around, I can see the little signs of change in season. Heads up to the Aussies... the sun is headed home!

And last but not least is how my transition to grey is going.....( blogging confessions , Paula) I am truly very weird with this and don't know exactly how I feel except I know that one day leads to the next, some days are good, some are bad. This photo is extreme in that normally I wear it down in a headband in public, but wow, is it coming in or what?... this should have been my TIF for July, 1/2 way to grey, He he! Thank God for the Dove commercials that are seeing me through! ... if I get to the point , I'm only a box of Clairol away...

Till the next time...

Where the Water Meets the Sky...

2008-07-24T08:14:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was one of those perfect summer days. The water was a mirror to the sky and you couldn't tell where one began or the other ended. (Please click uncropped pic to enlarge) Pointe Abbaye is on the left as the bay lets out into Lake Superior looking north. The Huron Islands are just around the land jut on the right. We had ham sandwiches, iced tea, and beer for lunch and I also got some more stitching done on the Aurora block as Dan fished.

We spotted this Bald Eagle as he was scoping out his own lunch.

Here's a cyber bouquet of wildflowers especially given to all my blogging friends....they're at their peak and boldly showing their blooms in every field and road edge. If I could send you all a vase full, I would!.

I 'd never tried flower pounding so with all the color profusion, I had to give it a go to see what would happen. Some of the flowers came out better than others, both with color and clarity and of course I would never try washing this, I just lightly rinsed in cold H2O... The best and truest of the colors was the brown that sooo resembled "poo" both in tint and consistency after pounding! I'm going to try again using just green leaves, mostly ferns, in a more planned composition. Maybe a stitching base for the the Stitch Along that I'm sorely behind with. If you're a reader of this blog, you know that I have to savor this precious weather when I can and although my stitching is spotty , I am "filling the well" for when the snow flies.

I almost forgot....

CQ Magazine's July Issue is online now

and Carole Samples has a new blog!!! , My Hearts Fancy

In the "Dog House"

2008-07-19T09:18:00.002-04:00

Smiley boy Tang

Studious Tasha sans underbite

Couch potato Felon ( arrggghhhh, 120 lbs of slobbering pooch)

Everybody got haircuts and baths this week whether they liked it or not.

The Kindness of Quilters...

2008-07-19T08:47:00.002-04:00

The mail box held goodies today!

Gayle from Sparkle Jars sent these darling pot holders, some awesome green batiks and a lavender flower wand. Do check out her blog... she does some great quilting, among which are great scrappy bags. She posts beautiful photographs and shares thoughful words of wisdom. Her daughter is also involved in service quilting projects this summer. Thanks Gayle for your thoughtfulness!

Teresa over at Stitchin' Friends sent along this darling pin cushion as a thank you for winning my blog giveaway. Teresa is currently working on a French Braid quilt and in the throes of a kitchen remodel (poor girl, LOL). Her blog has lots of photos and quilt ideas. Thank you, Teresa for thinking of me!

Alittle Stitching & Portage Quilt House in the news...

2008-07-16T20:49:00.012-04:00

I've been working some on the Aurora block to get myself back in the groove.....

( This vine is real wonky!)

(And this one came out looking like barbed wire...)

The local quilt store, Portage Quilt House, is going to be in the upcoming Quilt Sampler magazine! What are the odds that I've been able to visit 2 shops this summer that have been featured? The magazine isn't out yet but I'll be anxious to see the shops article and happy for the extra business that Joanne and Judy will get because of it....

I've spent the last couple days doing some deep house cleaning and hoping to get it buttoned up today. Don't know how it gets away from me so bad. It couldn't have anything to do with the Northern Michigan way of enjoying summer as in this video of Kid Rocks All Summer Long on You Tube. Seems to be the adopted theme song up here this year!

(Disclaimer) Thought I'd come back and add that I am not in a bikini nor am I smoking funny things! but you can get the drift... LOL

Have a great weekend all!

Test Day Anxieties

2008-07-15T17:42:00.003-04:00

Today was the day for my state certification test.... I had to drive 210 miles round trip to1 of 2 test sites available here in the UP. The oddity is that the west end of Michigan's upper peninsula is on central time, not eastern time like we are. I got my head around that and started the trip with a Yahoo map into unknown territory. I've never been west of Bergland before so it was a true adventure.

I arrive, test anxiety-ed and a tad weird with the drive to find out I'm to work on a live person, not a manniquin as originally told. OK, (it's all an adventure, right?). The crux of the test is for the proctor to evaluate your patient skills, patient privacy and infection control... she's to follow me through my every move and motion... (did I say I was ready for anything?)

I'm given my 3 tasks to do and the first one is.... Range of Motion ( Oh, they NEVER give anyone that task to do) OK, so glad I studied that one no matter what I was told by my instructers. 3 repetitions, flex and extend... done...... Second task, dressing a patient suffering right sided weakness from a stroke... Plugging right along here... duh... guess what... I did it backwards.... caught myself halfway through, started again.. Whew, done... (You can start over, but if you say you're done, there's no going back)..... Third and final task, empty a urine bag attached to catheter... (easy, done it a few dozen times) all supplies prepared, flip back the clip on the clamp... the whole clip falls off, pee ( lemon water) is all over me and floor.. I'm doomed but recovered and continued with task.

I was never so happy to be done with anything in my life... Now the waiting game.. if I didn't pass this part, I couldn't proceed with the knowledge part. Now true waiting anxiety as the proctor computerizes results.... everything I know I did wrong flashing like this giant beacon....Passed!

The worst was over after that one.....

And I knew I was walking out with my certifcation... Hooray...

Or should I say Hoop and Holler... the name of this watering hole on Lake Gogebic where I changed out of my scrubs into my shorts .

In the little town of Ewen, I'd passed a little quilt store on the way. My reward for passing the test ( if I did) was to stop on the way home. It was a tiny store but of course I hunted down the threads and also found some pretty green ric rac by Moda. How I love rewards!

I'd left at 7:30 and was home by 4 so pretty good day all in all. Dan even had BLT's ready when I got here. For now I'm "pooped", not to be confused with "pissed" of which I literally was earlier.... so thanks everybody for the luck and support with this latest step forward. Now I'm headed to the screen house.

Till the next time,

Jane

TIF Challenge Work and a Few Pics

2008-07-10T08:23:00.004-04:00

This is what I came up with for Junes Challenge. Stories about wolves have been around for a long time... Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, Aesops Fables... the current story is that the population of the Grey Wolf has made such a comeback here in the Upper Peninsula that they are tabled to be removed from the Endangered Specie list. Link to DNR Survey Numbers. They'll still be protected but the numbers are large enough that they can hold their own ground. Just like my stash, it's holding it's own ground. In the midst of some projects I think that it says, "I'll huff and I'll puff and take over your house if you let me".

Here's the block that I pieced with the colors chosen for Julys TIF. I got as close to the apple-greenish color as I could, not a color I had on hand and the lavender pink comes out way darker on the block than the sample. It's all a guesstimate that I try to replicate as close a s possible and another color combo I wouldn't have worked on my own... another reason why I like working the palette. I have no clue as of yet where this is going but a half way mark kind of leads me to the idea of cutting this up, we'll see.

This little guy spent his day on my log chair, his lower body taking on the camo effect of the wood.

Wonder what carrying your house on your back all day feels like ??

We had a scheduled power outage last week and decided to take the bigger boat out on the bay for the day. We did a little rock hounding at Snug Harbor.

D in his element here.

The front flower bed is beginning to fill out and you can see in the background that the wood shed attached to the garage is filling up. D has turned into a log junkie, always scouting and scavenging new sources.

Now I wait for the satellite guy. He's already called and said he's off his schedule.... what's new ???

Till the next time...

Premio Award and a Meme , too

2008-07-09T17:59:00.007-04:00

The talented and oh so witty Paula Hewitt from The Beauty of Life , has passed the premio award onward. Thanks P, for handing it on to me!

Here it is....

To keep the fun going I would like to nominate,

Janet from Go Crazy With Me

Sue from the Magpies Nest

Toni from the UP Quilter

Connie from Life Scraps and Patches

Carole from Wippys Place

Judy from Stitch Along With Me

Meg from Albuquerque

Don't want any of you to feel pressured, just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your blogs.

The rules for receiving this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated.

Now on to the 5 Things About Me... separate from above of course...

What was I doing 10 years ago ?

Almost to the day... I was sitting here in the exact same spot I am now, but it was in a Starcraft pop up trailer and we were on vacation as we always were for the first 2 weeks of July. I was probably reading a book and dreaming about what it would be like to live here all the time, making mental notes about where the sun rose, what trees would have to be taken down and putting names to the birdsong I'd never heard before. See? Dreams really do come true!

5 Things On My To Do List Today ? (actually tomorrow, it's evening here now)

a- satellite guy is coming to install Direct TV, we are dumping the Dish
b- study for a certification test I'm taking Tues
c- do some work on my swap block
d- weed out front flower bed
e- launder and hang comforters and bedskirts

Snacks I Enjoy ?

Better Made wheat and honey twisted pretzels, Chex Mix and Townhouse Crackers. Spinach dip and corn chips too, hmmm. I'm more a salty snacker but when I do the sweet craving thing (not often), nothing is safe. I try to keep Captain Crunch cereal around for that. (I'm hungry now)

Things I Would Do If I Were A Billionaire ?

Of course after gifting the close relatives and friends, I'd add on to the house making this part a studio of sorts. I'd have a bio-dome built here on the property with a pool, a waterfall stream and an atrium. I'd love to travel around the world but then I'd come back home to see all of the USA I haven't so far, randomly giving money to people and causes who needed it. I don't think alot would change with me personally. I'd just worry less and smile more, Alot more!

Not that you can buy courage, but I'm sure being a billionaire I'd be confident enough to make a few phone calls and tell some people I know where they could stuff their own money now, !!

Places I've Lived ?

Detroit MI
Fowlerville MI
South Lyon MI
Myrtle Beach SC
UP MI

Hopefully that was somewhat entertaining, certainly more than you may have known about me before.

I've sewn a block for July's TIF and still have the end result of June's to post so I'll get the photos loaded and possibly be back tomorrow.

The winner is .....

2008-06-30T10:48:00.004-04:00

Teresa over at Stitchin' Friends. The weekend took on a life it's own so I apologize for being late in posting this. Teresa, you can email me here through the blog with your addy and I'll also go over with a comment to you.

Thank you everyone for stopping in to say hi and all your great blogging wishes.

Short and sweet post for now ....

Jane