Family Trip to Oregon

In early May, DS2 graduated from Ecola Bible college in Cannon Beach, OR. We drove up (14 hours!) to see the graduation and then move him home.

Afterward we got a bite to eat, we went to the dorms, along with the other hundred plus students and their parents, and packed all his worldly belongings into two cars. I wished I'd taken pictures of that endeavor! Then we headed to Seaside and played on the swings on the beach. That was cool.

It was scenes like this that warmed my heart, together again. We were staying at my SIL's in Dundee and the following day we had a great family celebration with four generations of my husband's family there.

This is Gma and Gpa with grandkids and great grands. We've almost gotten to be too large a group to all fit in one picture, so we do it in sections.

My new family of five. At that point the wedding was a little over a month away.

And we celebrated Hollin's birthday.

I got to see my niece's face (and her husband's) when they opened the baby cardigan. That was fun. Even though Baby Michael was there - you can see him in his baby pack - we never really saw much of him, he really liked it in that thing.

And my nephew and his wife got to see Nathan and Danielle's faces when they opened one of their first wedding presents. Fun!

We got to meet our second cousins for the first time, visiting from Japan, Baby May and her sister Erica.

And DH behind the lens...

We made a trip to the Quilted Hill quilt shop and toured a display of Oregon Trail inspired quilts at the Hoover-Minthorn Museum. Pictures soon.

Books!

My friend Leslie was liquidating a personal library and I got a windfall.

Most of the books focused on woven rugs and tapestries, but I culled out those that spoke to me.

The images and patterns come from many countries and different cultures, but I found the overlap of concept and design fascinating. Click any image to enlarge.

Color - The Story of Dyes and Pigments. Love the cover on this one!





Inside "The Red Dyes"





Mud Cloth from Mali Africa, all designs are created by hand painting patterns with mud dyes

This book is incredible; I can't wait to sit down and spend more time with it. It gives examples of patchwork and applique' throughout the world, and each culture has its own style, interpretation and design, yet there are wonderful overlaps.

African leather patchwork, early 20th century worn by Liberian chief.
Patchwork and applique' was a symbol of power and prestige.



Quilting, Patchwork and Applique': A World Guide





Egyptian applique' cushion



Egyptian cushion produced for tourist trade



Woven Coverlets of Norway



Norwegian Square-Weave coverlets

The narrative says: "A variation of this technique is found in India, the Middle East, north Africa and eastern Europe and the native populations of Peru, Mexico and the southwestern Native Americans. In many cases the durable and decorative saddle blankets, rugs, bags, wall hangings and coverlets created from this weave show a remarkable similarity, even in geographically diverse areas." - They call it 'cultural borrowing'.

Coiled wool pots from southwest Iran

American Coverlets and Their Weavers



Seamless woven coverlet, 88" x 82", 1845

The coverlets in this book are jaw-droppingly beautiful, all the more so when I think about the planning and skill that went into them.

It's true what they say - there's a world of inspiration out there. These pictures barely scratch the surface. Just had to share!

Hand Spun

My friend Leslie and I had a great visit at her house a few weeks ago. I like to sew, quilt and stitch and she likes to spin, dye and crochet. We both like to read. A visit to her home is always a treat since we never run out of things to talk about. She says it's 'the name thing', we have a connection. :D

I had an idea and told her I wanted to experiment with felting wool; next thing I knewn she pulled out skeins of hand spun wool from her stash and said, "Here, take these." (!)

Natural color

Needless to say I was blown away.

Dyed with madder

"Are you sure?!" "Yes. I like to spin it, but I never do anything with it after that."

So once this potholder is big enough I'm going to felt it. We'll see.

Music

During the morning commute (7:05 am) I turned on the radio like I almost always do. I clicked through the four presets, the first station had news, the second was Elvis, the third was a current pop tune sung by a male vocalist in that high, strained voice and the fourth, Jethro Tull on his breathy flute. I turned it off and thought about music instead.

How much music do I hear in a day? Amazing. I can't go 24 hours without hearing it somewhere. I remember reading the Laura Ingalls series and its descriptions of how much they enjoyed it when Pa pulled out his fiddle. I remember scenes in Jane Austin movies where the young ladies are encouraged to 'play for us Sophie, please do...' or in Little Women, they join around the piano at Christmas and sing, off key or not, for the joy of the music. But we can push preset buttons, drop in an audio disk, plug in an ipod or watch You Tube. Is there a point where there's too much of a good thing, does the music lose it's magic because it's so available?

In HS I used to go backpacking in the White Mountains with a group from the youth center. After two or three days in the back country we started to miss our music. As we hiked along the trail one of us would burst into spontaneous song and the rest of us would do our best to join in. Pop tunes mostly, which are not that easy to sing by the average joe or joan, but also rounds, ballads and childhood lyrics .

"The bear went over the mountain, the bear went over the mountain, the bear went over the mountain, to see what he could see."

Music is so powerful, moving, comforting and alive. Can you have too much of it? When I sat down to write this, I remembered a Beach Boys tune from HS, looked it up on You Tube and there it was. Now that's cool. :D

Memorial Day

Having a lovely phone visit with a friend in my favorite spot under the front yard pines. Lila thought it was a good spot too.

Lots of photos to share from the last few weeks; our trip to Oregon for Hollin's graduation, a family reunion, a Bridal shower for Danielle, a work day on their new house. Three weeks until the wedding and time is flyin'!

Have a Wonderful Mother's Day Weekend!

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the

County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder

to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is, " explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a ...?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it,"
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman,

poised, efficient,and possessed

of a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'
"What is your occupation?" she queried.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not

heard right. I repeated the title slowly

emphasizing the most significant words..
Then I stared with wonder as my

pronouncement was written, in bold,

black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?'"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters,

(first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most

demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day,

(24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most

run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards

are more about satisfaction than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the

clerk's voice as she completed the form,

stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by

my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab

assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official

records as someone more distinguished

and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
'Senior Research associates in the field

of Child Development and Human Relations'
And great grandmothers
'Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
'Associate Research Assistants.'

May your troubles be less,
Your blessing be more,
And nothing but happiness come through your door!

Pennies a Load

DH and I made liquid laundry soap Sunday. I got the recipe from Elaine, it was easy and made two gallons worth. I like the fact it doesn't suds a whole lot, sudding comes from an additive which is not earth friendly and it's not necessary to the washing power.

We haven't done laundry yet, but we did put a half cup in the water we used to wash the car, has a good grease cutter. :) The ingredients cost about nine dollars, but we only used a half cup of each powder, so there's lots more to make if we like the way it works. And two gallons used a half a cup at a time should last a long time. I'll let you know how the laundry turns out.

Got a New Look

I love it! Light, flippy and fun.

After ten years of hair below the middle of my back I can't believe how good this feels.
There's a line in the song 'Wild Nights' by Van Morrison that goes: "All the girls walk by, dressed up for each other." Well we *do* like clothes and hair and baubles. Just about every woman co-worker exclaimed happily at the change or as one did - squealed joyfully when she saw me. "Oh I LOVE it! It's SOOOO cute! Do you like it?? Wow, it's looks so great! Good for you!!"

How can you not feel good when people go on about you like that? ;)

Found a Good Home

On an impulse I donated the Continuous Strip quilt to the fund-raising auction at Plowshares, the homeless shelter in town. The coordinator of the event was so thrilled to have it! When I took it over to her I was a little sorry to see it go, mostly because I didn't know if the highest bidder would know or appreciate what they had.

I didn't attend the auction-dinner event, but imagine how delighted I was when the coordinator called me the following week. "The person with the high bid for your quilt was a quilter! She was just so thrilled to get it, she kept saying, 'Oh the colors, they're *my* colors, it's like she *knew*. Thank you so much!'"

And so I'm happy to know that my little quilt will not only warm the woman who won it, but also help Plowshares as they warm others with their food and shelter.

Tea Bag Wallet

Well since the engagement was announced we've seen my son and his fiance' three weekends out of three. This is not a complaint! :) Between wedding details and plans to paint and prepare the new townhouse they'll be moving into, there's lots to talk about.

Last week I made a little tea bag wallet. I saw the pattern at Christy's Creations and just had to try it. I'm always toting my own tea bags and sweetener, usually in the bottom of my purse!

I think it took a half an hour to make and was pure pleasure. I just love little start-to-finish project like this, so satisfying.

She Said Yes!

My oldest son Nathan is getting married. We went down last weekend for a visit and had a great time talking, planning and generally hanging out together. So much excitement!

The happy couple.

And since we were together, we also celebrated Frank's birthday. The white board above the table says, "Yay! We're getting Married. Hooray!!" So cute. The happiness just flowed. Look at their faces. :D

Nathan called my mom on the east coast to tell her the news. "Hey Grandma, this is your favorite number one grandson, guess what?" (Note: She only has one oldest grandson so it's safe to say). The question first up was, "When?" "June." "THIS June??" "Uh-huh..." And the amazement just rolled out from there.

After we talked wedding and rehearsal dinner, gowns and attendants, churches and reception food, we went to see the townhouse they're pursuing. The offer's been accepted and if it passes inspection, Danielle would move in early in May. (!!) More talk, planning and excitement.

The dining area


The living room

I love the light, it's so open, and what a great wall for a quilt!
So a new chapter begins in all of our lives. I was reminded of all the things Mrs. Goodneedle shared in the weeks and months leading up to her son's wedding. Maybe I should write and ask for advice!

Off to Indiana

I just checked my quilt history on this top, completed April 2007, called Almost Bowtie.

I think it has sufficiently aged. It's headed to Joanne at Splitting Stitches, as part of her Quilt Stimulus Program. She suggested variegated thread for the front.

This is the back. I can't wait to see it done.

And of course Lila had to help with the packing. :D

Never Too Many Pictures

I get so excited when I have a finish, I can't get enough photos! It's like I want to *pin down* the joy I feel. So please bear with me. :)

It turns out I had just the right shank button in my vintage tub. Perfect.

I've never done a top-down pattern before and *really* liked not having to sewing it all together. When I was done knitting, I was done! I took this to work yesterday and showed a few coworkers who also knit or sew or craft. The unanimous response was to get a pained look on their face and say, "Oohhhh... it's sooo cute!" We always like things that are small scale, but it is sweet, and sooo soft. :)

And of course the Dbl Four Strippy. It feels huge; a queen after all, but when we tacked it to the side of the house, it didn't seem that big.
I'm not exactly resting on my laurels, but I'm pretty happy.

Getting Those Tops Quilted

I was reading Nancy this morning and got so excited! She points her readers to Joanne from Split Stitches who has offered long-arm quilting for rock bottom prices, in an effort to stimulate the economy. Well it sure stimulated me! What a great prospect for all of us with a closet full of tops. :)