Finding My Christmas Spirit . . .

I spent the Thanksgiving weekend

in Massachusetts with my family.

I love Thanksgiving because it's all about food and family.

I usually leave on Sunday morning, 

but this year decided to stay an extra day.

So I was included in the cutting of the tree.

I have never done this before.

This "city" chick used to get her trees 

at an already cut lot.

So you can imagine my excitement at the prospect 

of hiking into the "woods" to find the right tree.

 

My Uncle grabbed a saw and off we went.

 

He has a very scientific way of measuring

to make sure the tree will fit in the living room.

 

We actually had one of the guys on the lot

cut the tree.  

We old people can't get down on the ground anymore.

 

They carried it to our car  . . . 

Hoisted it up.

 

 We tied it down.

No needles all over the place.

If this had been a tree from the lot,

my car would be strewn with needles already.

 With a bit of trimming and heaving and hoeing,

that baby made it into the stand very easily.

And it's right in the doorway of the living room

and den, so you can see it from both rooms.

Brilliant!

 Getting the tree was fun,

but I needed more to get my spirit going.

 I brought my sewing machine along for the weekend,

because you know, who doesn't travel with a sewing machine?

Hehe.

The chiclets wanted to learn how to sew.

My cousin took to it quite easily.

She made an anchor pillow out of heavy felt.

It was great to machine applique on, so easy,

althought she might not agree on the easiness. 

 

My Aunt made two pillows,

one from an Alaska apron, and one from a piece of an old Pendelton wool blanket.

She put wool antlers on that one.  Pretty cool.

A successful day of sewing.

 And as the Christmas decorations started coming out,

 I realized that I had made some of them over the years.

A tree skirt with our favorite Door County fabric.

A tree full of my tiny animal ornaments.

 

A bean bag Santa.

 

A wreath.

You see, 20 years ago, I belonged to a craft group

with the most talented ladies.

We called ourselves, "Cottage in Das Trees"

We made things all year long and then had a two day sale

in the cottage of one of our members.

It's so fun to see all these things and remember all the fun we had.

Here is part of our group.

Haha.  They are going to kill me.

 

I must admit, I have been a scrouge the last few years,

No decorations up in the Penthouse.

Time to remedy that.

My family really helped me jump start my spirit again.

I think I'll go see where my boxes of 

Christmas decorations are hiding.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Pin Cushions and Spring Break . . .

Before I left on vacation last week, I decided to make a pin cushion.

I had a big bowl that I wanted to use . . . 

As usual I just jumped in and started cutting and sewing.

Once filled and cinched, it was too small for the bowl.

So I looked around, what could I use for the base?

I saw this very cute ring holder that the kid made me.

She found it on Pinterest,  (we are a crafty bunch!)

And Voila!

So cute, it can hold other things in the bottom!

A good collaboration don't you think?

But . . . I wasn't giving up on my bowl yet either.

I took my friend Jessica's advise and made up a little

quilting on the go

bundle to take with me to the sunny skies of Fort Lauderdale.

I googled hexie balls, and got something back that

recommended using a soccer ball as a guide.

20 hexies, 12 pentagons,

Crap!  I need to draft the pentagons. 

Off to get a protractor and graph paper.

Could I even remember how to do it?

Yes, thankfully I have not lost all of my brain cells yet.

My companions squealed, "Math??  but we are on vacation!"

They are funny.

I spent many days by the pool with my Mom, Aunt and Sister.

A true ladies get away, and it was fabulous.

Lots of my favorite giggles.

We went to some very fun restaurants 

and met some very fun people!

I wanted to buy this t-shirt, but they didn't sell them, 

and the server said someone got fired a few years ago for selling theirs!

Each server had a different hilarious shirt!

They are missing an opportunity!

So now back at home, in this dreary weather,

I stuff my hexie ball.

It's a little too big for the bowl,

but I'm going with it for now.

I found two little wine glasses in Fort Lauderdale. 

I think they will be my next pin cushion victims!

Hehe.  

Greatest Possible Trust

 This past weekend took me to Lowell, MA 

and the New England Quilt Museum.

I had never been to Lowell or the museum before.

Lowell is a darling little town.  Lots of charm.

The Museum is in the historic district.

I was there for the Roots of Modern Quilting exhibit,

and to see my friend Victoria's quilt.

She is doing a series of her Double Wedding Ring Quilts,

and this one is number three of twelve.

Greatest Possible Trust!

It is awe inspiring to say the least.

These photos are courtesy of Victoria,

(the museum allowed photography, 

but you couldn't post them to your blog or website).

 I don't have a close up of the quilting,

so that means you will have to get yourself up there to see it in person!

It is wonderful!  The detail is amazing.  You can see all twelve quilts in Victoria's series next June

at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts.

I am going to try to make it to Wisconsin next spring, 

so this is definitely on my list!  

Victoria also loaned out her grandmother Elda Wolfe's

quilt for exhibit too.

There were a few rooms that displayed quilts from the 70's, 80's and 90's

during the last resurgence of quilting.

These quilts show that "modern" quilting has been around for

a very long time!  There are always artisans that push the envelope

no matter what the time period.  So refreshing!

 Well, since I can't show you any of the other yummy quilts

at the show, here is a stained glass window in the gift shop.

Hehehe.  

I headed to my family after the show,

We had to stop in Salem for a walk about,

October is their busiest time.  

And the people watching is hilarious!  

Even the animals have costumes.  I don't have any pics, 

I always feel intrusive if I'm taking a photo for my own person twisted sense of humor.

Finished up my donation wreath too.

Just needs a big red bow.

I think I will try making it out a fabric.

If it doesn't work, there is always wired ribbon right?

Happy Columbus Day!  Hope you enjoyed your day.

Summer's End . . .

I love this time of year.  The weather is crisp in the mornings,

and warm in the afternoons.

It's such a reflective time for me.  Kids go back to school.

Schedules get busy, days are getting shorter.

But there is something about this new beginning that always makes me smile.

I want to buy office supplies and new shoes.

Haha.  

I have been working on my Scrappy Trip Around the World Quilt.

It is about to find a new home.

I layer my big quilts after work in the conference room.

It's always fun to see who is walking down the hall after hours,

and they are always amazed at what I am doing in there.

This one is BIG!  So I was very happy for that conference table.

And as sometimes happens, I found an oopps after I had quilted the whole thing.

I often use fabric for my backings that have been given to me or found

at a thrift shop.  This piece came from my sister and I didn't check it!

My bad!

She must have used it stapled up some where because the holes are evenly placed.

 So when life gives you lemons,

make lemonade.

I appliqued six little squares (not that easy I might add) on the back like tumbling blocks.

And Voila!  It's all good.

Now just a label and it is ready for it's new home.

Don't you just love finishing and sending off?

Time for another new beginning . . . .

On another note . . . 

I spent a week in August with my family in Wisconsin.

It is one of my favorite places on earth. With some of my favorite peeps.

We had so much fun.  Laughter.  Food.  Drink.

Relaxing days 

The Littles were with us too, only they aren't so little anymore.

How does that happen?  

They brought a quilt I had made for their Mum, my sister.

They always travel with it.  I love that.  Quilts are to be used I say!

This picture that my cousin took pretty much sums it up.

Great end to a wonderful trip and summer.

Bring on Fall!

Hope you had a great summer too.

Happy Father's Day . . .

We finally had two days in a row of sunshine this weekend.

A fitting tribute to all the fathers out there.

I spent a good portion of the day cutting fabric for two new quilts.

I am starting with strips and then cutting those into triangles.

The second pile is for a class I'm taking in July,

so you'll have to wait on learning more about that one.

It is quite hard on the feet and back 

to stand for four or five hours cutting.

Does this mean I am old?? Haha, I am.

Before I tortured myself at the cutting board, 

I took a nice long walk.

I came around a corner and found this lovely doe

about ten feet away from me.

She was so serene, not skittish at all.

Even let me slowly take a picture.

Very cool.

I also went to the car show at the park near me.

This Thunderbird was my fave.

They have the car show each year on Father's Day,

and this was my first time walking through.

Here is a picture of my Dad with the kid when she was three.

And me and my Dad when I was six.

My first ballet recital.

I remember that day like it was yesterday,

I can still feel his arms around me.

I wish he was still here with us.

He was an amazing man and a very fun Dad.

Happy Father's Day to all!