A Whole New World

Shelley at work

The machine at work

Look what I made!

 

We got this pattern. . .

Just a close up. . .

and this pattern. . .

Didn't get this one. . .

but sort of wish we had.

Definitely got this pattern!

A little over a week ago, I opened an e-mail from a San Antonio Quilt Shop and advertised there was a 2 day workshop for this weekend.  I recently purchased a new sewing machine that I intend to devote solely to embroidery and here was a 2 day event to show me all the magic at my fingertips.  Shelley (close friend, fellow quilter, owner of an identical machine and general partner in crime) and I decided very quickly that we could probably get a tip or two out of this so we signed up.  Oh My Goodness!!  We had no idea what we were about to be exposed to and it was just a spectacular two days.  The workshop is sponsored by Brother sewing machine and Anita Goodesign embroidery manufacturer.  There were 90 people at 9 different tables each with 2 $5,000 Brother embroidery machines.  The presenter would show us a method of embroidery and then each of the 5 people at a machine would take a turn making the sample.  Shelley handled the cutwork design.  I made a small stocking.  The machines made amazingly beautiful stitches.  We each bought some embroidery patterns and remained grateful that we couldn't even entertain the notion of buying one of the machines.  What we both want and need now is a clear path to making a business out of what we love so much.  There were 90 people in that room, some of whom came from quite a distance to take this workshop and a handful of them purchased not just the $5,000 machines but the multi-needle professional machines that can hold up to 10 different thread colors and sell for $14,000 to $20,000 each!  I am so looking forward to the next few projects that are just now forming in my overwhelmed brain.  Last night I personalized 2 projects for Desiree's boys to help me finish when they get here in a few hours and today I emboridered a bluebonnet on a beautiful piece of linen - guess I'll make a purse out of that.  I am convinced that the world is my oyster and I am limited only by my own creativity (oh, and my job, money, laundry, family, etc.) and I am ready to get busy!  

Reflections on the Grand Time in Galveston

The Whole Group (minus Chelsey)

We have been home from our Grand Time in Galveston for over a week and I am still just basking in how much fun it was!  Kathy and I began planning this not long after Daddy died.  Would we really be able to get all 7 20-something grandkids who live in 3 different states, one high school cheerleader who lives in a 4th state and all the parental units together for an entire 3 day weekend?  We didn't even know that for sure until the Sunday before when Morgan checked his schedule and found out he was getting Saturday and Sunday off.  I told Kathy just before she picked the condos that pulling it together would be somewhat of an act of faith as far as getting everyone there and that if it was supposed to happen, it would happen.  It so happened!  Mom's birthday isn't until October 6th and we knew we couldn't surprise her with the entire trip - we all talk to each other too much to keep that a secret, but we did want the fact that this was her birthday party to be a surprise.  We managed to pull that off for sure.  We waited until every grandchild was present on Saturday and then we told her.  She was a bit floored to say the least.  After that announcement, it was time for the beach.  Kathy got us great condos with a private beach and the grandkids all headed for the water.  The Wooldridges were a party of 8 with Desiree and Chelsey in our group.  I volunteered Hollis to cook.  It is the one thing I am fairly safe in volunteering him for almost any time.  He grilled burgers on Saturday night and then after Steve and Rachel got some spectacular shrimp fresh off the boat Sunday morning, Hollis put together a Cajun shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob boil that was way beyond spectacular.  There were jigsaw puzzles and football games, a movie night and some serious partying, beach combing and pool swimming and a few people took too much of the sunshine home with them.  The 20-somethings all agreed that they would contribute to making this an annual event and I will do all I can to make that happen.  They had so much fun!  I love that I have over 700 photos of the event on my iPad.  With my memory card connector, I was able to put all of Kathy's, Mom's, Desiree's and my photos on the iPad.  Pretty cool!  I uploaded them to Snapfish and shared them with the family.  One of the surprises for Mom was that Kathy arranged to have a photographer come on Sunday morning for some family photos on the beach.  Photos of her and all of her kids and grandkids are something special for all of us.  We had so much fun.  I cannot wait to do it again.  An annual Labor Day Family Reunion - super good idea!

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Awww Man!

I am very sad to report that when I went check on my baby birds this evening, I found the nest to be completely empty.  They had just started growing feathers and having their eyes open when I went out there and I am seriously bummed.  Hollis speculates that it could have been a snake or perhaps a rival mama bird who got them.  I just know they are gone and I am going to miss them.  We knew that "out in the open" thing was not Mama Brids' best decision. . .

Observation

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

   One of the benefits of buying a house that was built in 1972 is that it comes with all sorts of old-timey appliances.  Behold the one in the back yard (see photo 1).  I know Hollis uses the wires between this one and it's mate for hanging up the dog blankets but I like the alternate uses we have found for the t-posts.  It holds the rain gauge and a bird feeder.  The bird feeder is a metal cage-like structure and we put these bricks of bird seed in them.  Well, some genius Mockingbird built a nest in ours.  This concerned us for a couple of reasons.  One, it's sort of low and unprotected.  Two, it is right out in the open - no shade anywhere.  I went out to take a look.  Here's what was in the nest (see Photo 2).  They were so beautiful!  Now we had a new concern.  It just didn't seem possible that 3 eggs in the August, afternoon, South Texas heat could possibly do anything but cook.  I kept going out every couple of days and taking photos but we were sure they were doomed.  Here's was I found on Wednesday, August 11 (you guessed it - see Photo 3)!  This is how I know it's a good thing that God is in control and not Hollis and me.  We were wrong to doubt!  Now, of course, all these guys have done so far is hatch.  They pop their heads up for dinner every time I go near them and I even shot a video of that but I'll spare you that right now.  They are not a bit cute.  They were much prettier in their eggs but I'll keep taking photos of them and see if they get better looking.  

   I always feel blessed by practically any kind of wildlife interaction.  I still love seeing deer and rabbits in the fields around our house.  We have a barn swallow nest on our front porch and every year we get a couple of batches of baby barn swallows growing up in it.  I love watching the adults swoop in and out of the nest over our heads while we are on the deck.  It's just way up high and I don't get to see the babies until they are big enough to sit on the edge of the nest.  The new Mockingbird babies are right where I can see them change day to day.  I am really tickled about that.
   One more thought.  It's supposed to be "really easy" to put my photos where I want in the "new blog editor" but I'm not having much luck with that.  I will try to master that on the way to my next post. . .

C'est Fini!

The 2010 NBAQG Holiday Magic Quilt Show is in the history blogs - or at least it will be once the organizers tie up several hundred loose ends.  Our show has 3 co-chairs and when you sign on, it's for 3 shows.  We have our shows every other year so it's a long term commitment to say the least.  These 3 women co-ordinate the renting of the facility, set-up, take-down and everything in between and our guild members as well as the general public contributes the quilts for the show.  We had over 200 quilts this year!  From 8"x8" miniatures to large queen sized bed quilts, all were constructed by the artists who showed them.  If you are inspired by such things, you would have been just that at this show.  I know I was.  I showed 3 quilts.  Because I have sold quilts and taught others to make things, I have to show my quilts in the category "Master Quilter."  I hardly consider myself a master quilter - I keep trying to refine my work, but I'm no master quilter.  Rules are rules, however, so I just enter my quilts and hope for the best.  No ribbons for me this year.  Maybe 2012, we shall see. . .

Here are my entries:

Fiesta Animals - I designed this one.

This one is called Holiday Yummies.

This one has the fuzzy back.  Fabulous naps are guaranteed!

The back of Holiday Yummies.

Hollis and I love the Fiesta Animals.  They will be hanging on the wall in the living room as soon as I have time to put them up.  The pink one needs a home.  It has micro-plush backing so it is a a very cozy nap quilt.  I hope to sell it.  The Christmas quilt needs a home too.  The back of it is just amazing - guess I'd better find a photo of that too.

T

Mr. Tom

Alexis Anne, an unidentified friend and equally unidentified pup.

Then on the other quilt front, I have two new satisfied customers.  Tom picked up his quilt last weekend when he was in town to hang with the cousins and Katelyn went to Fairhope this weekend and delivered Alexis' quilt to her.  Wanna see the pix?  This is why I quilt - how can you go wrong wrapping those you love in something warm and beautiful.  I may not be a master but I sure am happiest creating, making, finishing and presenting my quilts.  Next up is Mr. Kagan - he wants plaids - not a problem.  I'll take some photos along the way.

Thank God It's Monday?

Okay, we've all had them - weekends so chocked full of activities that we begin to look forward to Monday so that we can get some rest.  Mine started Thursday!  I went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D with Morgan and Des and the boys.  One boy was entranced, the other, not so much but we did see the entire movie and the credits!  I mention the credits for 2 reasons.  The first is that all Pixar movies have something fun during the credits.  Sometimes it's outtakes.  I love the irony there - they take the time to generate incorrect lines and miscues to make an outtake reel - cracks me up!  The second is that this particular movie kicked my emotional butt!  I would have been bawling had I not been in the company of two young men who had only ever seen me one other time and I really didn't want to freak them out by sobbing in the theater.  It's a rough last 20 minutes or so for this one - don't say you weren't warned!  I was glad to have the credits to cheer me up before the boys could see that I'd been crying. Then on my way home, a friend asked me to help her alter a bridesmaids dress that she needed for a wedding on Saturday.  We worked on that until about midnight.  When she left, it fit - mission accomplished! 

I managed to remember all my contributions to the pot luck at work on Friday and since said pot luck was my idea, the pressure was great to show up with some main ingredients.  Mission accomplished!  Hollis and I ran an errand after work and grabbed some dinner but I knew Saturday was full to the brim and I was beginning to stress about my last show quilts' completion so when we got home, I set about to finish it.  I had to bind it, sleeve it and label it and PTL, I did!  Mission accomplished!  About 10:00 or so, my whirlwind child arrived.  He came in in filthy clothes, introduced me to the buddy he brought with him, showered, ordered his buddy - Cody Smith, by name - to shower, and the two of them were off to find a Friday adventure in New Braunfels.  They were both "asleep" in Clayton's truck on Saturday morning so I guess we can call that - Mission accomplished.

Saturday morning I had my monthly quilt guild meeting.  Everyone seemed calm.  I guess I was the only one who finished her last show quilt the night before - we turn them in for the show next Wednesday.  Next on the agenda was a facial.  Of course the card I got in the mail for $10.00 off my facial, was on the dining room table at home so I had to grab some drive thru lunch, drive home, get the card and drive back to New Braunfels to be at the spa by 1:15.  I was on time, the esthetist was running late.  I got my facial and a fancy hair do for the evenings event - Chris and Casey's wedding!  I've known the groom since he was in 8th grade and he and his lovely bride had a wonderful, traditional, beautiful wedding and some really great bar-be-que at the reception.  I am so happy that they included Hollis and me on the guest list.  Hollis and I wish them all good times and happiness in their life together.  3 events on Saturday's calendar - mission accomplished!

Sunday, I kinda dropped the ball.  Didn't make it to church but did get something else done.  Clayton and Cody's good buddy Garnet will be a dad next month and Clayton asked me to make a quilt for a baby boy.  I commenced gathering materials and then this morning, I decided to go ahead and get started.  Funny thing happened then.  In spite of having Harris (who lives here all the time) and Clayton and Cody and Tom (nephew from Houston) and Barrett (another of Clayton's pack) moving in and out of the house all day, I managed to FINISH the baby quilt top!  Baby Rhett (whom Clayton has already nicknamed DoBro) won't arrive for a few more weeks but when he does, I will embroider his name and birth date on this quilt top and get it over to Wonder Wilma for quilting.  Mission accomplished and I didn't even get the mission until last Wednesday.  There is one more load of laundry that needs to go into the dryer and a couple of household chores didn't get done but hey - I had a busy weekend!  So I will go to work tomorrow to get some rest.  Bet it doesn't happen like I think it will. . .

Summer Reflections - 2010

I think it's much cooler this summer. There are facts to back it up but I can just feel how much cooler it is than last year. We had nearly 60 days over 100 degrees last year. We have higher humidity this year, but I am really enjoying the cooler afternoons. Mom, Kate, Chelsey and I floated down the Comal River last weekend and it was sure warm enough for that. I don't mind at all if we wait another week or two, or even until August for triple digits. The tradeoff for this coolness, besides the rain and greenery and flowers, is the mosquitoes. They are abundant and mean as ever. Ahhhhh - balance. . .

The New Braunfels Quilt Show entitled Holiday Magic, will be the weekend of July 23-25. I hope you'll come if you can. It's going to be a great show. I hear there are well over 200 quilts in the show. We have vendors, silent auction and lots of inspirational works of art. It is held at the New Braunfels Civic Center on Seguin St. I have 3 entries in the show. I'll post photos of them when the show is over. It's lots of fun getting ready for the show. Hope to see you there. . .

We are getting used to having just one dog in the house. It's just not the same. Cricket seems lonesome but I may just be projecting that on to her. My kitten, Batik, is very cuddly and entertaining so I'm trying not to be so sad. I can hear the cicadas outside. Must be summer time. . .