Monday, May 30, 2011

Greetings

I'm still kicking.  Just haven't been very good at blogging.

So this long weekend, I did manage to get a couple of tops quilted.

The first (really the third on my list) was this Biker Bugs.  I used Vroom from Lorien Quilting.  Very cool design with a motorcycle.  Unfortunately I didn't think my design choice through very well and it's almost impossible to see a single motorcycle because the material is WAY too busy.  Oh well.  I'm going to make a polar fleece blanket for my dad, so maybe I will use the same design for it.  He should be able to see it on a plain blue blanket.
Biker Bugs
The next is another I Spy quilt.  This one was made for my friend Carolyn.  She needed a quilt to give a friend that had a baby.  One of the blocks down toward the bottom has the baby's name embroidered in it.  Let's play a little I Spy and see if you can find it.
I spy
This is a top that I finished on Saturday morning.  I had sewn all of the strips together, just didn't get going on the overall sewing.  The material is a very funky batik.  I'm still not sure if I like it.  It totally reminds me of mud.  I was thinking about donating it to someone in Joplin that lost everything, but I don't think it's too cheerful.  Oh well.
1600 Quilt
This beauty is a t-shirt quilt that I quilted for a customer.  The sashing is made out of the daughter's uniforms from school.  I really think that  is GENIUS.  The plaid s were all different colors, but it's kind of hard to tell that from this picture.  The lady did a wonderful job on the top.
T-Shirt Quilt
The last picture I have to share is of the crazy bean bag chair.  I went to Wal-Mart a couple weeks ago and found BIG bean bag chairs.  Not the small, but very large.  I brought two of them home in my Mazda 2.  I didn't think that through very well.  I had to turn around once  because I couldn't see out of the passenger window.  Clear?  Not Clear?  Had no idea.  Then once I got through one of the major intersections I had to cross I made sure the rest of my trip was right hand turns.  That way I could wait for the light to turn green and then go.  Anyhow, everyone seems to LOVE the bean bag chairs.
Beans
I truly can't believe that kid is going to be in 2nd grade next year.  I swear we were just bringing her home from the hospital a couple of weeks ago.  She is growing in leaps and bounds.  1st grade went well even though there were a few bumps (and some dreaded lice) along the way.

It's hard to believe that summer is officially around the corner.  Have a great week.

Edited to tell the funny Applebee's story:  So today I took 2 little girls out to lunch.  Their choice - Applebee's.  OK, I'm good with that.  So we are sitting at our table waiting for the waitress to come back with our drinks and take our order and in walks a couple and sits down at the booth next to us.  Now I really try to keep my comments to myself because I never know when they are going to get brought back up.  So this couple reminded me of side show freaks, all tatted up, piercings and the crazy earring that makes the HUGE hole in the ear lobe.  Both girls did the slow head turn to look as the couple sat down.  Neither said anything, but looked at me with the biggest eyes and then turned back to look at the couple.  I finally had to remind the girls that it wasn't nice to stare at people the way they were doing.  It was even hard for me not to stare.  Finally my daughter's friend announces tattoos freak me out.  Mine tells her that her dad has one and they aren't so bad.  The friend looks over at the Tattoo'd man and again announces OK, his tattoos freak me out. At that point the woman starts laughing because she hears the whole conversation. Half way through lunch my child looks at me and asks What the heck is in that guy's ear?  I try to explain and all she can do is shake her head like some mother who is totally disgusted by what their child just did to their body.  I'm going to have to remember all of this when the age of 16 rolls around and we have to discuss piercings and tattoos again.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

What A Day!

Today was the big neighborhood garage sale.  I decided early on that I was going to have a craft sale, not a garage sale.  I'm not sure yet if I've made a big mistake.  The weather today was horrible.  Rainy and cold.  Only 2 people bought any of my goodies.  Everyone thought the quilts were great, but no one was willing to part with any hard earned cash.  I'm hoping tomorrow will be better even though the weather is supposed to be yucky again.

On the flip side, I did have time to read a book.  Heaven is for Real.  I spied it when I was Costco 2 weeks ago.  Really easy read.  It was a good book and made me smile in the end.

Friday, May 13, 2011

MQS

It's my favorite time of year - Machine Quilter's Showcase (MQS).

Here are a few pictures.  I don't know how to do a slide show or I would do that.  I know if you click on the picture you should be able to get to my Flickr pictures.

There were so many BEAUTIFUL quilts.

Pam

DSC00550_edot

DSC00521_edit

DSC00522_edit

DSC00500_edit

Just enough to make you drool.  I need to go back through the program and provide the quilter's information. When I have some time this weekend, I will do that.

The shopping was great too.  I got some glow in the dark thread from Superior.  I can't wait to give it a try on an I-Spy Quilt.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Book Review

This is SO NOT ME!!! Let's just get this clear up front. I'm not a big reader. I like what I like. I don't review books. Not good at recommending books. Again, it's the I like what I like and I'm not going to debate about it - I like it, you don't so what, move on. Either it grabs me or it doesn't. I'm reading Two Kisses for Maddy by Matt Logelin. Matt's been on Oprah, but that's certainly not why I'm reading it (Oprah's not on my good list anymore...sorry Oprah fans - which is a whole other story and again not willing to debate).   This book and story grabbed me and won't let me go. It's the best LOVE story I've ever read. It's a love story I wish I knew first hand. It breaks my heart and I cry. Not just a little tear, full on blubber (today at the park during soccer practice). I get it. I thought I might have to live it at one point, but didn't thankfully.

My mom died when I was 7.  I got the chance to get to know her and see how she and my dad interacted.  Although it was foreign then and made little sense at that age.  This book gives me a little bit of insight now into my dad's head.   Granted I was not a new born, but given that my mom died in 1973, things where way different.  It helps me understand why he jumped right into another marriage.  That he felt like he couldn't do it on his own.

If you are offended by "blue" language then be forewarned.  It's just REAL and raw and true emotions on paper.

Check out Matt's blog.


Thursday, May 5, 2011

I'm Alive

I just haven't really had much to say. Been keeping busy though. Here are a few pictures.

Design Wall 5-5-2011
This is what's on the design wall.  Unfortunately nothing is getting finished up.

newleaf
Made for a friend who needed something for a baby shower

Lynnsey
This is a Thirty One Gifts bag that I put the name on.  I do embroidery for a couple of consultants.

Grocery Bag
Design by Urban Threads.  Yet another grocery bag.

Recycle
Design by Urban Threads.  I added Recycle at the bottom.  Bag from Hobby Lobby.

Tonight I worked on pillowcases that will be birthday presents for twin 7 year olds.  I'm going to put their names on the cuff of the case.  More pictures tomorrow.

Have a great night.


Sunday, May 1, 2011

What is Art?

Yesterday I went with a friend and his little girl to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum. The museum opened a whole new building, so my friend thought it would be fun to go and check it out. We both figured we would try to get the girls some culture.  Very daunting task given their ages.

Roxie Paine is the featured artist at the museum.  Roxie created a machine that extrudes melted plastic and to create art blobs.  I'm sure the man would have a stroke if he knew I was calling his stuff blobs.  That's what they start as they.

The machine reminded me of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Extruding plastic

Finished

This finished blob looks like a face to me. Come on, stare at it for a while, you'll see it too.  I came home and told my husband I wanted it.  He asked how much.  It's art so probably way more than I could ever afford.

This is a tree in the outdoor sculpture area.  Unfortunately the girls had to strike some crazy look for every picture I took.  Oh well that's what you get at 6 & 7 I guess.  Anyhow the tree is way cool.  Wonder what it does in a lightening storm?

So my title is somewhat rhetorical.  I think these things are art, but I know there are people out that there that done.  Because they evoke emotions, to me they are art.  Just like quilts, to me there are some that art and some that are just quilts.

Off to the Lawrence quilt show today.  Should be fun.